MVSD Family Engagement Newsletter
February 2021
MVSD is committed to making the transition for our students, staff and families as smooth as possible. While we are extremely sad to close Cogswell, Kranz, Madrid and Voorhis schools, we are hopeful that the opportunities our school consolidations will bring will serve our students and community well for years to come.
We will continue to provide instructional support and social/emotional support as our schools prepare students to be competitive in a diverse 21st Century global society by offering a variety of programs including STEAM, Project Lead the Way, AVID, Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL), extensive technology learning including in school 1:1 technology devices, Spanish Dual Language Immersion program, Mandarin Enrichment Program, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), comprehensive Visual and Performing Arts, a strong college-bound culture, nationally recognized nutrition and health education, nationally recognized family engagement program and a Golden Bell award-winning Parent Leadership Academy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
regarding the closure of Cogswell, Kranz, Madrid and Voorhis Schools
- When will we know what school our child(ren) will be transferred to?We are working on boundary changes and will be providing more details on which schools students will be attending soon, no later than Spring Break.
- Will parents/families at the closed schools be able to choose which school their child attends?School assignments will be based on your area of residence within the District’s reconfigured boundaries. We will work with you on other options if needed. You will receive school assignments before Spring Break. Please contact your school principal for support.
- Will siblings get to go to the same school?Yes, we will work hard to ensure siblings stay together at the same school site.
- Will the District provide transportation for students to their new schools?Based on the reconfiguration of the school boundaries, the District will accommodate transportation needs wherever necessary.
- What will happen to the middle and intermediate school students with the closure of Kranz and Madrid Schools?A top priority for the Board of Education was to maintain our middle school programming for students. Beginning in the fall of 2021, the District will have two Traditional K-8 schools - Monte Vista and Twin Lakes, and one Comprehensive K-8 school at Parkview. The special middle/intermediate level programs such as AVID, Project Lead the Way, and the Partnership Scholars Program (PSP) will continue to be offered at all three schools.
- What happens to the staff and teachers from the schools that are closing? We are doing everything we can to avoid layoffs through retirement incentives and attrition; teachers and staff members will be reassigned to different schools, based on seniority according to the certificated and classified contracts.
- Is it still going to be the Mountain View School District since the District Office is closing?The Mountain View School District is not closing, only the building where the district offices are housed will be closed. You will still be part of the Mountain View School District. The District Office Administration Building will be relocated to the Cogswell School campus. MVSD’s transportation yard and warehouse are at that site and we will be adding a central kitchen to serve our school sites.
- Will students who are in special programs continue to be in those programs at their new school? Students will be able to participate in the same special programs as well as other excellent programs at their new school. The District is committed to continuing the outstanding instruction, academic standards and special programs it currently provides.
- How did the school closure decision come about? Was there a committee formed? The school closure decision is a result of a two-year process that included intensive research, data and recommendations from the District Facilities Advisory Committee composed of teachers, support staff and parents from various school sites. The voluntary/non-compensated committee met over two years, twice a month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the District Office. All Facilities Advisory Committee meetings were publicized on our website and open to the public. The committee’s task was to gather data and facts pertinent to declining student enrollment and its long-term impact upon the fiscal condition of the District, and if necessary, to make an informal recommendation about school closure to the Board and Superintendent no sooner than the 2020-21 school year.
- How many parents were on the Facilities Advisory Committee? One parent representative from each of the District’s 12 school sites was selected for the Facilities Advisory Committee by each site from those who were elected to advisory positions within their school, including School Site Council, ELAC, SPAC or other offices in which parents at the school had voted for those representatives.
- Can the school closures be avoided? Mountain View, like many other districts, has been in a steady pattern of declining enrollment for several years and our schools are operating at half their capacity. School closures are necessary to right-size the district and ensure financial stability now and in the future. Population forecasts, even with the pandemic, continue to show low birth rates and continued decline in enrollment for years to come. Continuing to operate school campuses at half or less than half capacity is not cost efficient and if the District continues to do so it would cause irrevocable financial consequences, and possible cuts to student programs.
- Why couldn't the closures wait until after the pandemic? The school closure process has been ongoing for two years and while we did not anticipate the pandemic and the extremely challenging and difficult year we’ve had, due to financial issues the school closures needed to occur within the next year to meet the District’s fiscal stabilization plan. The Board decided the timeline for the closures in an effort to minimize the distress to the students since after the physical closures of all schools this past year, they would only be returning to their school for a short time before having to move again.
- How do we ease the impact on our child/children? We understand the sadness that comes with this decision and will do everything we can to provide social-emotional support for our students as they transition through this process. It will take all of us working together to support our students through this process. Our teachers, administrators and staff members care deeply for the students and will work alongside you to make the transition as easy as possible for them. It is highly likely that many of the teachers and staff members, as well as classmates that students are familiar with will be moving to the same schools.
- Will this cause the remaining schools to be overcrowded? Will schools be able to maintain COVID protocols like social distancing? Our remaining schools will not be overcrowded. Class sizes will remain as they were prior to the pandemic. Class sizes are regulated by state law and teacher contracts. If social distancing guidelines are still in place, schools will have enough classrooms and space to accommodate all students and maintain social distancing requirements as needed.
- What did the District do with the State provided money and relief funding it received? The state provided funding to school districts statewide through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which is special funding districts received due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. MVSD is using the funds to purchase additional safety equipment and implement necessary safety measures for the safe re-opening of schools.
- Can’t the Bond money from Measure SS and Measure M be used to prevent closing schools? The bond funds from our two facilities bonds, Measure SS passed in 2016 and Measure M passed in 2020, are for the strict use of upgrading and modernizing facilities. The two bond measures have enabled the District to modernize and renovate our aging schools to meet 21st century education and technology standards and regulations. To date, underground utilities and infrastructure projects have been completed at Payne, Baker, Maxson, Monte Vista, Parkview, and Miramonte with additional modernization projects at Twin Lakes and Cogswell, and the installation of new fire alarms and security cameras at all schools. The per pupil funding which the District receives from the state is intended to be used for the day-to-day business of educating children and not the cost of upgrading, modernizing, and repairing facilities.
- What will be done with the closed school properties? Will there be community input on the fate of the properties? As we move forward in the closure process, we will evaluate the most financially productive options for the District in regard to the closed properties. We will seek input from all stakeholders including parents, residents, community members, city administration, etc. in that decision-making process through a variety of measures including surveys, public forums, and community meetings with the Superintendent.
- Will there be a good-bye event/activity for the students, staff and community at the closing schools? Commemorative activities and closing ceremonies will be held at each of the four schools.
- How will you preserve the legacy and history of the closing schools? All the special artifacts and memorabilia from each of the four schools will be collected and preserved. Additionally, a special portal will be set up on the District website enabling students, alumni, staff, retirees and community members the opportunity to share their memories and stories of the positive impact of these schools.
Mental Health Workshop
We invite you to join us for our Mental Health workshop of the month titled, "Family Violence". Use the buttons down below to join the Mental Health Workshop in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, or Spanish.
Social-Emotional Strength: Confidence
Academic Resources
Khan Academy
Click here to access.
¡Colorín Colorado!
Click here to access.
Reading Rockets
Information and resources to teach children how to read.
Lunar New Year 2021
When is Lunar New Year?
Friday, February 12th, 2021
Chinese New Year 2021 falls on Friday, February 12th, 2021, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 26th, 2021. See the full calendar.
How long is Lunar New Year?
16 Days
Celebrations last up to 16 days, but only the first 7 days are considered a public holiday (February 11th–17th, 2021).
What is the 2021 Chinese zodiac?
Year of the Ox
Chinese New Year marks the transition between zodiac signs: 2021 is the year of the Ox; 2020 the year of the Rat.
Below we are including a few Chinese New Year activities for your child.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Because COVID-19 is a new disease with new vaccines, information is rapidly emerging about how vaccines can help us stop the pandemic. Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Experts also think that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.Although COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting sick, scientists are still learning how well vaccines prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to others, even if you do not get sick. In the coming months the COVID-19 vaccine will become more available and we encourage you to inform yourselves in order to make a decision regarding the vaccine.
You can also take the following steps to protect yourself and others form COVID-19.
- Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth
- Staying at least 6 feet away from others
- Avoiding crowds
- Avoiding poorly ventilated spaces
- Washing your hands often
Having accurate information about the COVID-19 Vaccine is important since widespread vaccination will play an essential role in controlling the pandemic in LA County and beyond. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health shares 10 common myths and facts about the vaccine.
ELPAC Resources
Visit the ELPAC Parent Site to view practice questions.