Supts eNews - June 18, 2021

 
 

In this edition...

  • Juneteenth: Federal holiday observance on Monday
  • Board meeting review
  • Return to school in the fall: Masks required
  • New administrators’ assignments for 2021-22
  • Free COVID Vaccinations at Crittenden (June 23) and Jose Antonio Vargas (June 24)
 
 
Juneteenth: Federal holiday observance on Monday
President Joe Biden recently signed a bill to recognize Juneteenth (June 19) — the celebration to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States — as a federal holiday. To learn more about Juneteenth and its signing into law, click here.  
 
MVWSD will observe Monday, June 21 as a federal holiday. Offices and schools will be closed.
 
 
Board meeting review: Huff’s new name and more

The Board of Trustees met yesterday. Some of the highlights are:

Decision on Huff Elementary’s renaming: After a year-long process of community input, the Board of Trustees has voted on a new school name for the school. It is Amy Imai Elementary School, effective immediately.

Amy Imai (1930-2013) spent her early childhood in Mountain View and was relocated to the Heart Mountain internment camp in Wyoming with her family during World War II. Ms. Imai was an active volunteer in local schools. Read more about her legacy here.

Monta Loma update: The Board of Trustees voted to make the redesign of the Monta Loma greenspace a Priority 1 project. This means that the District will set aside funds for hiring an architectural firm to begin the process of ideation and community engagement. To view the presentation, please click here.

End of the year i-Ready assessment data: MVWSD students made gains this year, despite the pandemic, and we will continue the work to help all students achieve.  More students (66%) districtwide are on or above grade level in math in May 2021 as compared to 48% in August 2020.  More students (71%) are on or above grade level in reading in May 2021 as compared to 57% in August 2020.  To see the data presentation, please click here.

 
Return to school in the fall: Masks required

A public health order, effective June 15 by the California Department of Public Health, will keep certain COVID-19 restrictions in place at K-12 schools. While, as of June 15, fully vaccinated individuals will no longer need to wear a mask in most settings, everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated, will be required to wear a mask while indoors at a school campus, child care facility or other youth settings. Those who are not vaccinated are still required to wear a face covering in indoor public settings and businesses.

The health order says that individuals should continue to adhere to requirements laid out in the current COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California.

 

New administrators’ assignments for 2021-22

We are happy to announce new and newly reassigned school administrators for the 2021-22 school year.

Carlos Salcido will be the new Principal at Mariano Castro Elementary. Former Principal Terri Lambert is now a District-level Educational Services Coordinator supporting the new Learning Recovery Plan. Mr. Salcido most recently worked as a District Improvement and Supports Coordinator at the San Mateo County Office of Education. He has been an elementary school principal for seven years, working in the Milpitas Unified School District and in San Jose Unified. He has a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from San Jose State University. He is a fluent Spanish speaker with a Bilingual Cross-cultural Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) authorization in Spanish from the National Hispanic University, San Jose.

Jacqueline Keirns will be the new assistant principal at Crittenden Middle School. Jackee KeirnsShe is replacing Colleen Walsh who is returning to a literacy coach position. Ms. Kierns has 15 years of teaching and school leadership experience. Since 2012, she has served in various capacities at Leonard Herman Intermediate School, San Jose, including social studies department chair, teacher in charge, seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher, and PBIS team lead. She's also taught elementary school in San Jose for four years. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California San Diego, earned her master’s in education from University of California Santa Cruz, and a master’s in education administration from Concordia University.

Swati DagarSwati Dagar, who has served in the position as interim this year, is now the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. She was the Theuerkauf principal for two years. Before MVWSD, she served as a principal for Paradise Valley Engineering Academy (Morgan Hill Unified), where she led school redesign into an engineering-focused academy, including a new instructional program with the adoption of engineering/STEM focused curriculum. She also has worked as principal of Oak Avenue Elementary School (Greenfield Union) and Dean of Academic Affairs and teacher leader for James McEntee Academy (Alum Rock Union Elementary School District). Ms. Dagar completed bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration in India, and has a master’s in education from National University.

Acantha EllardAcantha Ellard, formerly a Special Education Coordinator, is now the Interim Director of Special Education following the resignation of former Director of Special Education Arianna Mayes. Ms. Ellard has been the Special Education Coordinator for MVWSD for the past six years. She has also worked as an Education Specialist at the Sanger Unified School District. She is currently an adjunct professor at Fresno Pacific University, where she earned her master’s degree in special education and teaching.

Free COVID Vaccinations at Crittenden (June 23) and Jose Antonio Vargas (June 24) 

covid graphicNo-cost COVID-19 vaccinations are available for everyone 12 and older at two school locations next week. All community members are welcome. Walk-ins are welcome. (no appointment required). Vaccine doses #1 and #2 (Pfizer for 12-17 year-olds) will be available.

Crittenden Middle School at the Sports Center (1500 W. Middlefield Road)
Wednesday, June 23
From noon to 7:30 p.m.

Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School (220 N Whisman Rd)
Thursday, June 24
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Click here for more information and consent forms.

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