MVLA Magazine
March 2022
Dear MVLA Community,
I hope this newsletter finds you healthy and enjoying the Spring season. We want to highlight our student standouts and our new MVLA programs in this newsletter. Despite the challenges of our return this year, MVLA continues to create and innovate. We are currently working on new courses and programs, including a ninth-grade Ethnic Studies course coming to the board for approval this semester and expanding our English Learner program to Los Altos High School.
In addition to new courses, colleges are sending out invitations to our students this semester, our athletes compete in championships, and our artists showcase their talents. Our student standouts continue to amaze me, and their recognition regionally, statewide, and internationally is a credit to the dedicated adults who support them.
For your reference, we have created an up-to-date calendar on our website and the MVLA app to give you daily calendar information. Our campuses are returning to their vibrant former state, and on any given day, you will find a play, a concert, or a sporting event. Please join us on campus when you can.
As we approach the last four months of the 2021-2022 school year, we look forward to our annual traditions and end-of-year events. Our student leaders are working hard to make the end of the 2022 year one to remember.
Finally, please enjoy this edition of the MVLA Magazine. Your ongoing partnership is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Nellie Meyer
Superintendent MVLAHSD
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL AMBASSADORS HONORED WITH 2022 ASSET CHAMPION AWARD
The Mountain View High School Ambassadors and advisor Lauren Camarillo have been honored with the YMCA Project Cornerstone 2022 Asset Champions Award in the category of "Caring School Climate." The award honors those who provide a safe school environment where all students feel respected and valued and are empowered to achieve. The award was presented in a virtual ceremony and featured in this special video. Congratulations to Ms. Camarillo and all the Ambassadors for your commitment to building a strong Spartan Community!
Congratulations to 11 MVLA visual arts students who have had their artwork accepted into the New Museum Los Gatos ArtNow 2022: Brave New Worlds Exhibition.
Students were asked to create works of art inspired by their dream of a brave new world, challenging them to be bold in their visions of hope, quality, justice, and change. This year there were over 580 unique artworks submitted to the exhibition from 38 high schools, of which 79 artworks were selected for display in the exhibition. A list of the honored students and their artworks is available here.
The ArtNow 2022 exhibition opens today and runs through May 22, 2022. Learn about hours and admission here.
Congratulations to Djahida Benmerdji, the student of the month for February 2022 for MVLA Adult School. As a native of Algeria, Djahida spoke Arabic and French but little English when she arrived in the U.S. in 2017. She enrolled in the MVLA Adult School to improve her English skills and work toward career goals. She enrolled in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program and graduated this past May. She also joined a class to prepare for her U.S. citizenship interview and became a citizen last July. Read more about Djahida here and view the board recognition video here, starting at approximately 10:00.
ALTA VISTA STUDENT OF THE MONTH - JANUARY 2022 - PERLA SERRANO
Senior Perla Serrano is praised universally by her teachers as someone with a tremendous work ethic and one of the school's most resilient and hardworking students. Lisa Falsetti, Perla's advisor, notes that Perla works full time to support herself and her daughter while also attending school full time, calling her an "inspiration." Civics teacher Gabriela Estrada adds that Perla is "able to handle all of her responsibilities gracefully with maturity and perseverance." Perla will graduate this June and plans to attend college in the fall and study interior design. Read more about Perla here and view the board recognition video here, starting at approximately 17:16.
PROGRAM FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS EXTENDED TO LOS ALTOS HIGH SCHOOL
The Board of Trustees has approved plans to expand the district's English Language Development (ELD) program from where it has been concentrated at Mountain View High School to include Los Altos High School, which has seen the number of EL students increase steadily.
The proposal, which includes a budget of $320,000, will establish up to four ELD classes and other EL content courses, dependent upon enrollment, purchasing materials, and hiring instructional assistants. You can review the plan here. The presentation may also be viewed from the board meeting here, starting at approximately 1:25:54.
ETHNIC STUDIES FOR NINTH GRADE
Starting with the 2022-2023 school year, all ninth-grade students will take a new Ethnic Studies course. Ethnic Studies is the interdisciplinary study of race and ethnicity, emphasizing the experiences and contributions of people of color in the United States. As part of the coursework, students will develop a deeper understanding of historical and contemporary movements for social change and ways to challenge racism and discrimination and positively transform their communities.
You can review a recent presentation to the Board of Trustees here to learn more. The presentation may also be viewed here, starting at approximately 37:50.
BOARD UPDATE
At its regular meeting on March 7, the MVLA Board of Trustees took action on a number of items and included several presentations. Highlights include:
- Approval of a Board Policy and Administrative Regulation on the topic of Gender Identity and Access - Board item
- Approval of the district's Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) Plan - Board item
- An update on the Ethnic Studies course under development - Presentation | Video (starting at approximately 00:37:50)
- A presentation on the 2021/2022 Second Interim Budget - Presentation | Video (starting at approximately 01:41:47)
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 28, 2022. All meeting documents will be available here.
FOUNDATION UPDATE
COUNTDOWN TO COLLEGE - TUESDAY, MARCH 29
Join us next Tuesday from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. for a virtual Countdown to College event hosted by our MVLA Foundation and our College and Career Counseling Departments. Here you will learn from experts about all aspects of the college process, from extracurriculars and standardized testing to international universities and gap year programs. There will be multiple sessions available throughout the evening. Don't miss the MVLA Student Voices Panel where you will get advice from current seniors and alumni. The website provides links to all sessions. This event is meant for students and families in grades 10-11, but all are welcome!
INNOVATIVE LEARNING GRANT
Earlier this month, students at Los Altos and Mountain View High Schools celebrated the Lunar New Year using funding from an Innovative Learning Grant. The goal of the year-long grant is to support cultural understanding by including class activities such as moviemaking, art, dance, Tai Chi, games, and more. The Foundation appreciates the effort and dedication of the Mandarin teachers who make learning interactive and meaningful every day. Check out this video and the photos below!
Next up in the MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series is Shafia Zaloom, a consultant and health educator, with her presentation - "Creating a Foundation for a Healthy Relationship with Sexuality..OR...Your Kids Are Watching Porn: Here's How to Talk About It." Learn how to discuss safe sex practices, the importance of consent, and the value of relationships grounded in authentic connection through the conscious practice of care and dignity. The event will be held Tuesday, April 19, starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Los Altos High School Eagle Theater. Register here.
SPEAKER SERIES SUGGESTIONS FOR 2022 - 2023
Have you enjoyed listening to the speakers we've had this year? Please let us know any speaker suggestions you have via this online survey!
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
You may be noticing a lot of construction activity on the campuses. Here's what's happening:
- MVLA Athletic Fields: The artificial turf and sod sections of the fields have now all been handed over to the schools. Some punch list items remain.
- Freestyle Academy: Structural steel erection is underway along with building footing canopies; project completion is later this year.
- MVHS Auxiliary Gym: Metal stud framing and scaffolding installation in process, with plumbing rough-in beginning shortly.
- MVHS Student Services: The installation of rebar in the footings is underway, with steel erection to start shortly.
- LAHS Student Services: Building footings have been poured, excavation for main utilities beginning shortly, and structural steel delivery is scheduled to begin by the end of this month.
To learn more about our construction activities, visit our Construction FAQs. You can also check out the time-lapse photography from our on-site construction cams. Tap on the circled arrow button on the bottom menu bar to advance the time-lapse video.
- Los Altos High School Student Services
- Mountain View High School Student Services and Auxiliary Gym
- Freestyle Academy Classroom Buildings
GALLERY
DATEBOOK
March 28, 2022
Regular Meeting of the Board of Education
Meeting materials will be posted here.
April 19, 2022
Parent Education Speaker Series
Shafia Zaloom - "Creating a Foundation for a Healthy Relationship with Sexuality..OR...Your Kids Are Watching Porn: Here's How to Talk About It."
Los Altos High School Eagle Theater
7:00 p.m.
The 2022-2023 School Year has been approved and posted here. Additional important dates are available on our campus calendars: Los Altos HS | Mountain View HS | Alta Vista HS | Adult School
ABOUT US
Email: communications@mvla.net
Website: https://www.mvla.net/
Location: 1299 Bryant Avenue, Mountain View, CA, USA
Phone: 650-940-4650
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mvlahsd
Twitter: @MVLAHSD