Quetzal News
May 17, 2024
From Ms. O's Desk
Dear Quetzal Families,
As we approach the end of the school year, I want to take a moment to express my pride and gratitude to each and every one of you. Our students have made progress in their academic work and biliteracy growth, and it's truly remarkable to see. Our English Learners have been working diligently to develop their language skills, and it's wonderful to see their growth and confidence.
I'm also thrilled to acknowledge the increase in community events and participation this year. Your engagement and support have made a significant impact on our students' experiences. We're also grateful for the support of MVEF and CSMA, who have helped our students explore their musical and artistic talents. The end-of-year music concerts have been a joy to behold!
Our reading intervention program has been a huge success, particularly for our Kindergarten through second-grade students, who have benefited from structured reading lessons. As we plan for next year, we are adjusting our start and end times to create more consistent instructional blocks. To accommodate this, we'll be changing our bell schedule for the upcoming year. Our new start time will be 8:00 am, with dismissal times as follows: 1:30 pm for Kindergarten, 2:35 pm for first and second grade, and 2:40 pm for students in third through fifth grade.
I am very excited to share that our Dual Immersion program will be expanding to Middle School. Next year’s 6th-graders from Gabriela Mistral Elementary will have the opportunity to take a new Spanish History/Social Studies course at Graham Middle School next year! This course is an extension of the foundation laid at Gabriela Mistral Elementary, and is a response to the valuable feedback received from many of you. MVWSD recognizes the importance of maintaining and advancing bilingual skills. Please see the email sent today at 3 pm that describes the process for registering for this course if your student is interested. More info is here. I hope that all of our 5th grader this year take advantage of this amazing opportunity that will help them prepare for their Seal of Biliteracy!
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our amazing parent volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy to support our school this year! Your contributions have made a significant impact on our students' experiences and our school community. As a small token of our appreciation, we invite all parent volunteers who have served in any capacity this year to join us for a special Coffee and Pan Dulce reception on the last Friday of school, May 31st, at 8:30 am at the Solar Panels tables. We look forward to thanking you in person and celebrating your dedication to our school! Please join us and let us show our appreciation for all that you do!"
Thank you to our entire Quetzal community for your unwavering support on our journey to academic excellence and biliteracy. I'm honored to be a part of this community and look forward to continuing working together in this journey.
Claudia Olaciregui, Principal
PTA News
DISTRICT NEWS
Volunteer Badges
Turning in this Year’s Volunteer Badges; and How to Apply to be a Regular Volunteer Next Year
Parents, we are so grateful for your volunteering this year! It has been a great year, and we are looking forward to next year already. But first …
Please turn in your volunteer badges to the front office between now and the end of the school year. This year’s badge will not work for next year.
For all of the details and documentation requirements to get yourself set up as a frequent volunteer for the 2024-25 school year, please see mvwsd.org/volunteers. MVWSD will begin accepting volunteer applications for 2024-25 on August 1. Please look for an email this summer with more details about training and applying to volunteer next year. Thank you
i-Ready Diagnostic 3 Assessments and Student Reports
Your child will take the end of year i-Ready Math and Reading diagnostic assessments during the week of May 13th, 2024. Parents can access their children’s i-Ready Reading and Mathematics score via their Powerschool Parent Portal starting at 4 pm on May 31. Parents will have access to three reports for their child - For Families Report, Common Core State Standards Report (CCSS), and the Diagnostic Growth Report. Steps to access your child's i-Ready Reports on Powerschool are linked here. To learn more about how to read the reports, please click here. Please contact your child’s school office if you have any trouble accessing reports.
Mental Health Month
Here are 5 things you can do for your #mentalhealth this week:
1. Make a list of 5 things you’re grateful for today.
2. Practice positive affirmations.
3. Start a conversation about mental health.
4. Stay hydrated!
5. Take a break from screens.
#MentalHealthMonth #WhereToStart
The National Institutes of Health offers ideas and resources for whole-self wellness: https://bit.ly/3UXZgOQ
Better Together: May
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the rich history, cultural diversity, and significant contributions of the Asian American Pacific Islander community to our society. It's an opportunity to celebrate the many achievements and the vibrant traditions that AAPI individuals bring to the fabric of our communities. As we honor this important month, it's also an excellent moment to reflect on the #BetterTogether theme of recognizing our own self-worth. Each of us, regardless of background, has unique strengths and an intrinsic value that contributes positively to our communities and the world at large. Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month reminds us to appreciate not only the diversity around us but also the value within ourselves, fostering a deeper understanding and respect for all. For more information about Better Together, visit mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD.
Donate to MVEF!
MVEF is SO CLOSE to achieving the $1.2 million goal for 2023-24 - thanks to our wonderful community! With 97% raised and just $36k left to go, can you help us pass the finish line to fund the programs every single student in the district is benefiting from? Please donate!
Mentor Tutor Connection - VOLUNTEER INFORMATION SESSION
May 21st (online only): 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, Zoom -- Online.
Join us online or in-person for a lively volunteer information event. Learn how you can become a mentor or tutor in the Mountain View and Los Altos public schools, and help a local student to a brighter future! To register go to www.mentortutorconnection.org/events - or email us at programs@mentortutorconnection.org.
MV Public Library: Summer Reading Program
The Mountain View Public Library’s free Summer Reading Program will run from May 25 - July 31, 2024. Everyone in the family can sign up for a summer of reading and rewards. Register at MountainView.gov/SummerReading. The Summer Reading Program kicks off with an all-ages extravaganza in the park on Saturday, June 1 from 2-4 p.m. at Pioneer Park. Enjoy music, lawn games and treats!
Medi-Cal Expansion
Medi-Cal helps you and your family stay healthy. Even if you’ve been denied for full Medi-Cal recently, you may be eligible now. Immigration status does not matter. Applying will not affect your immigration status. Learn more at Medi-Cal.dhcs.ca.gov.