Supts eNews - Sept. 10, 2021

 

In this edition ...

  • Honoring 20th anniversary of 9/11
  • Hispanic Heritage Month
  • Board meeting review: Construction, air quality protocols, newly tenured teachers and more
  • Parent U: Supporting Language Development
 
Honoring 20th anniversary of 9/11

911posterTomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11. MVWSD honors those whose lives were lost in this tragedy, and all those who continue to grieve their loss. As we remember one of the most difficult events in American history, we will commemorate with a moment of reflection today with our students.

This is a difficult topic to discuss, but we encourage you to talk with your child about the significance of this day. For guidance on how to navigate this subject in an age-appropriate way: 911memorial.org website, today.com and parents.com.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic muralMountain View Whisman School District is celebrating Hispanic Heritage during the month of September. MVWSD is home to a student body that is composed of nearly 35% Hispanic/Latino students. We encourage everyone to take a moment to recognize the contributions and achievements of Latino members of our community during Hispanic Heritage Month beginning Sept. 15. Santa Clara County’s theme for the month is - Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope.

This is a wonderful opportunity to delve more deeply into the history of the U.S. and California and the important role Latinos, among other groups, have played. When our students see their own faces reflected in the history of our nation, they grow up proud of their heritage and motivated to make a difference in the world. Families can access lessons and resources related to celebrating diversity using the #BetterTogether infographic found here on our website.

 

Board meeting review: Construction, air quality protocols, newly tenured teachers and more

The Board of Trustees met yesterday. Here are the highlights of the meeting:

Air quality protocols

The Board approved the MVWSD Air Quality Index Plan. On bad air days, decisions about actions, activities cancellations or school closure will be made based on AirNow measurements and the MVWSD Air Quality Index Chart. To view the MVWSD AQI chart and the live AirNow measurement, please see this webpage.  

Construction
Measure T, the $259 million bond issue passed in 2020, included plans for a variety of projects that will increase safety, efficiency and provide for short-term growth at our schools. Across the district, construction projects in process this summer are finishing up. Please see mvwsd.org/construction for information specific to your school.

Generally completed (each campus varies):

• All campus fencing: Gates are scheduled to be installed by October. Community members will continue to have access to school fields after 4 p.m. and during the weekends. (Monta Loma excluded from fencing)

• Majority of the solar arrays’ site work: We are waiting on the interconnection and permission to operate from PG&E. Not only will these structures support solar panels to save the district $600,000 annually in electrical costs, they will provide much-needed shade. (Monta Loma’s and Theuerkauf’s arrays will come later)

• HVAC: New units have been installed or will be next summer after Division of the State Architect (DSA) approval. (Crittenden, Theuerkauf and Monta Loma)

Measure T savings means more projects that benefit our schools!
The District anticipates $4.6 million in savings from summer projects. Using savings and other Measure T funds, the Board approved adding new priority 1 construction items to increase safety and efficiency at our schools.

These new projects include:
* Paving at Imai, Bubb and Crittenden to reduce safety hazards

* District wide electronic locks for security

* Garage doors for lunchtime ventilation at Vargas and Stevenson

* Window replacement for safety and ventilation at Castro, Stevenson, Vargas and the District Office.
When these campuses were built, the Division of the State Architect (DSA) required that all windows be ADA accessible which made the installation of windows almost impossible due to clearance requirements and other factors. DSA rules have changed and we can now add windows if we have one ADA window in each space.

Monta Loma greenspace project
The Board of Trustees approved Carducci Associates as the architectural design firm for the Monta Loma Fields and Site Improvements Project.

MVWSD is working with the community and the City of Mountain View to explore a redesign of the field area so we are able to better meet the needs of all stakeholders. The project requires the services of an architectural design firm to assist in design and construction documents, Division of the State Architect (DSA) approval, and construction administration. The District issued requests for proposals and Carducci rose to the top.

MVWSD and the City will work together to develop and guide the design process and to hold multiple meetings to hear community input. For updates and information, see mvwsd.org/construction.

Teachers granted permanent status
Congratulations to our teachers who were recently granted permanent status at the Sept. 9th Board meeting. Thank you for your dedication to our students!

Kimberly Barrie, Vargas
Maria Carmen Garcia Izquierdo, Mistral
Sarah Gehan, Crittenden
Yasmeen Ghazzawi, Monta Loma
Justin Gorman, Vargas
Joanna Graciano, Imai
Melissa Greene, Landels
Sadai Khan, Crittenden
Halle Kovacs, Crittenden
Abby Larson, Castro
Alexandria Leopold, Vargas
Nicole McCasland, Graham
Renae McCollum, Graham
Brittney O’Brien, Theuerkauf
Mary Orvell, Crittenden
Sarah Pederson, Crittenden
Ismael Portillo, Mistral
Anne-Flore Ragas, Vargas
Alexandra Randall, Crittenden
Jennifer So, Stevenson
Abby Stanford, Bubb
Ryan Startz, Landels
Glenda Vargas, Crittenden

Parent University: Supporting Language Development

parent U graphicDate: Wednesday, September 15th 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.


Consistent development of language (reading, writing, speaking, listening) is one of the keys to a child’s overall academic success. What habits can parents develop to support English language development in the home, especially in a multilingual household? Join two of our district experts, Principal Arline Siam and Instructional Coach Karen Gordon, as they explore this complex topic and offer ideas for families to use daily.

 
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