Supts eNews- April 2, 2021

Distance Learning School Enrollment for 2021-22: April 9-25
Board of Trustees meeting review
MVWSD seeking District Equity Advisory Committee members
Better Together: Strengthening Communities
Staff changes: Graham Principal
Resilience Pause Program starts March 29
Parents: How to get your child tested for COVID
MVEF needs to hear from you 
Spring Break Travel Advisory
Parenting resources

Distance Learning School Enrollment for 2021-22: April 9-25

We are grateful for a smooth reopening for in-person learners. As more people get vaccinated and COVID-19 cases remain steady or trend downward, we anticipate the 2021- 22 school year will look more like a typical school year, but with a few differences. 


We recognize that some families prefer distance learning, because of health concerns or due to their students’ learning styles. Distance learning, in the form of the new MVWSD Distance Learning School (DLS), will be an option for families who prefer it for their students. 


As we plan for this new program, we need to hear from parents. Parents should look for the 2021-22 Distance Learning School Enrollment and more detail to come by email on Friday, April 9 with a due date of April 25.

Board of Trustees meeting review: Huff renaming, PTOC/BOC updates

The Board of Trustees met last night. In addition to Learning Options for next year, updates are: 


Huff Elementary renaming: The Huff renaming Citizens Advisory Committee recently met to apply a rubric to several of the potential new namesakes. The next step is to complete the same process for non-human names. To view the presentation, click here


Parcel Tax Oversight Committee/Board Oversight Committee updates: Members of each group reported out on their oversight of how this money is spent. To view the Bond Oversight Committee report, click here. To view the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee Report, click here


Field Restrooms: Measure T provides funding for new, standalone restrooms at Landels, Castro/Mistral, and Huff. This is an important security measure to ensure adults are not mixing with children in student restrooms. Staff presented the process that will be used to engage the community on feedback for restrooms’ locations. Look for an email and postcard advertising community meetings. To view the presentation, click here.


MVWSD seeking District Equity Advisory Committee members

COVID-19 has exacerbated disadvantages faced by students and families of color and socioeconomic disadvantage. It is important to acknowledge that even though the pandemic has exacerbated these inequalities, long-standing institutional practices and policies have perpetuated them, leading to disproportional equity gaps.


MVWSD is committing itself to engaging meaningfully with the community on issues of equity through the District Equity Advisory Committee (DEAC). The goal of the District Equity Advisory Committee (DEAC) is to provide meaningful feedback to the Superintendent on how to support MVWSD towards achieving its goals of becoming a more equitable and inclusive school district.


The role of a committee member is to be a thought partner and a community advocate. We are seeking a combination of district-level leaders, principals, teachers, staff members, and parent participants who represent the interests of both elementary and middle schools.


Committee members will be expected to attend and participate in meetings held monthly (on average) online during the 2020-21 school year in the evening hours. The average commitment will be approximately 20 hours per academic school year. 


Applications are due by April 23 and found at this link. More information is at https://www.mvwsd.org/about/committees.


Better Together: Strengthening Communities

This month’s Better Together focus is on civic engagement and getting involved in the community. Check out https://www.mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD for the infographic, which features activities for the family, engaging books about activism for students, and more!


Staff changes: Graham Principal announcement

Heidi Galassi, current Landels Elementary principal, will be the new principal of Graham Middle School, effective July 1. 


Ms. Galassi started at MVWSD in 2014 as a middle school math teacher for two years, a math coach, and then as an assistant principal at Graham Middle School from 2017-2018.


“Ms. Galassi is the right leader for Graham because she brings both skills and stability as someone who knows Graham and the schools that feed into it. She has established relationships with all stakeholders - students, staff, and parents - and I know she will continue to do so at Graham,” said Superintendent Dr. Ayindé Rudolph.


Dr. Lauren Petrea resigned recently to relocate to another state with her family, due to her husband’s job. We support her in the midst of this life change, we appreciate her work on behalf of our students and staff members and we wish her the best. We appreciate that Dr. Judy Crates, Interim Principal, will be at Graham through the end of the school year. 


Landels parents and staff members will be engaging in an input and interview process for their new school leader. 



Next one: April 5: Resilience Pause Series 

The 30-minute, online Community Resiliency Model Resilience Pause sessions for adults (parents and staff members) are scheduled during this transition in our school year to assist participants with building resilience throughout return to in-person instruction. Participants can learn strategies on Mondays and build habits towards resilience during the week.  These sessions are designed to teach life-long habits that help us to self-regulate during stressful moments.  


April 5,  4pm: Grounding 

April 19, 4pm: Resourcing 

April 26, 4pm:  “Help Now!” A Reactive Strategy


Sessions can be drop-in or attended in a series. To join: http://mvw.sd/HAjbz


Parents: How to get your child tested for COVID

Regular, asymptomatic COVID testing for students is not required at this time however, parents may want to have students tested, especially after travel, to ensure that they are not carrying the COVID-19 virus.


Free, asymptomatic testing is available:

* Click here to schedule through El Camino Health at El Camino Hospital or MV Center for Performing Arts.


* Graham and Crittenden Middle Schools. Dates: Tuesday, April 20 at Crittenden MUR and Wednesday, April 28 at Graham MUR. You should register here. You also may schedule an appointment by calling 650-940-7022 and use option 4. Please mention you are with the Mountain View Whisman School District when calling. 


If your child has symptoms of COVID or has had a known exposure to someone who may have COVID, please contact your child's pediatrician for testing information. If you do not have a health care provider, click here to make a symptomatic testing appointment with a county provider.


MVEF survey: Foundation wants to hear from you

MVEF wants to know parents’ and staff members’ priorities about the programs that they usually fund, and areas where MVEF could potentially fund programs in the future. Please take a moment to complete this survey.


MVEF Board members needed

The Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF) is seeking new volunteers and board members.  Board members have the opportunity to make a difference in the experience of every child in the district, gain insight into district programming and planning, and collaborate with other parent leaders in the district. Learn more about MVEF, and its impact on your child’s school day at mvef.org. If interested, please send a message to [email protected].


Spring Break Travel Advisory

As Spring Break approaches, MVWSD wants to remind our community to take precautions to keep our community safe and our schools open.


Under our current risk tier, the Health Officer’s Mandatory Directive on limiting travel has been lifted. However, the state continues to advise Californians to avoid non-essential travel to any part of California more than 120 miles from one's place of residence, or to other states or countries.


If you travel, please test. COVID-19 testing is not required for students, however it's recommended for people who travel. Free testing for students and families is available through El Camino Health at https://www.elcaminohealth.org/landing/schedule-covid-19-test?s=mapPin. The CDC advises that individuals get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel. Make your appointment now for after you return.



Parenting problems during a pandemic?

It’s difficult to be a parent right now. Everyday Parenting is a free, online program that aims to make your typical day in the home easier. In this program, you will be given tools for improving your child’s behavior, increasing your child’s compliance with your requests, and strengthening your relationship with your child. 


Please click here to access the FREE program: https://www.coursera.org/learn/everyday-parenting


*While we believe it can be helpful to families, this resource is not directly affiliated with MVWSD.

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