Monte Vista Blue Jay Community News
Monte Vista 2023: December 11-December 15
Weekly Recap
Last week we had some of the following highlights, which you can see in the photo gallery further below as well.
* 6th grade went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for a learning lab and visit to the different exhibits.
* Grades TK, Kindergarten, and First Grade had their evening vocal music performances.
* Our grades 7-8 boys and girls basketball teams played Los Arboles Middle School and Carmel Middle School (their first games of the season).
* Our district curriculum instructional rounds with grades 7-8 Ready Math implementation continued
with a visit to La Mesa, DLAMP, and Monte Vista
* Our Winter Family STEAM Night was a huge success with close to 100 people attending.
* We had our first monthly English Learner (Multilingual) Advisory Council Meeting (ELAC)
* 5th grade is finishing their Esperanza Rising Inquiry Arc with a novel artifact and a family multicultural lunch celebration while 3rd grade is wrapping up with Monterey Animal models and essay writing as well as 2nd grade with their Careers/Citizen essay inquiry work
*Our staff engaged in a high leverage literacy and instructional practices for English learners professional development, literacy articulation days, and a math data dive with one of their Ready Math comprehension checks during professional learning community time
* Students continued to persevere through and celebrate their iReady mid-year diagnostics assessments in English Language Arts and Math--some hitting their end-of-year growth goal or even stretch goal!
Announcements for the Week
***Students will be released at 12:50pm on Friday, December 15th. Winter Break will begin on Monday, December 18th and school will resume on Thursday, January 4th. We hope all of our Monte Vista students, staff, and community enjoy the break!
1) Winter After-School Enrichment Clubs Interest Forms (January-March session) were sent last week hard copy and via Parent Square and are due back (hard copy or online) by the morning of Thursday, December 14th.This form also includes the grades 5-8 Winter Musical, "Matilda". Club confirmations will be sent around the beginning of Winter Break. Please email Petika Barber at pbarber@mpusd.k12.ca.us with any questions you may have regarding our Winter Clubs Schedule.
Link to the online form and directions on how to complete are below:
https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/27003895
2) Grades 2-5 Music Concert is this Tuesday, December 12th! See flier further below. Hot chocolate will be sold at the event to support our upper grades instrumental and show choir programs. Below are the performance times for each grade level. Line-up will take place in the instrumental music room next to cafeteria (with teachers to support) 10 minutes before their performance time. Performances are on the stage.
2nd Grade: Assemble in Instrument Room: 5:30 Perform: 5:40
3rd Grade: Assemble in Instrument Room: 5:45 Perform: 6:00
(3rd grade parents--Smartboard will be in front of stage--may want to sit to left or right of it)
4th Grade: Assemble in Instrument Room: 6:05 Perform: 6:20
5th Grade: Assemble in Instrument Room: 6:25 Perform: 6:40
3) Grades 6-8 Band and Orchestra and Show Choir performances will be on Thursday, December 14th from 6:00-7:30PM. See flier below. Show Choir will perform after the band and orchestra towards the end of the evening. Hot chocolate will be sold at the event to support our upper grades instrumental and show choir programs. Show Choir will have a special after school rehearsal on Wednesday, December 13th, from 12:50-2PM, so they can practice on the stage (in addition to their Wednesday, 7:15AM rehearsal).
4) Please see flier below for Grades 4 and 5 instrumental concerts. Grade 5 is December 13th (8:50-9:30AM) and Grade 4 is December 15th (10:50-11:20AM)--both in the cafeteria.
5) The Winter grades TK-8 Art Glow in the Dark Under the Sea Art Exhibit will be in the Art room, E4, (near Kinder building) this Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5:30-8PM (open window and parking may be easier as the night goes on).
6) Friday is Pajamas Spirit Day. Come comfy and cozy for our last day before Winter Break. No slippers, please.
7) Grades 7-8 Basketball Practice Schedule + Games for the Week Details
Grade 7 Boys Team- Mondays and Thursdays 2:30PM-4PM (lower courts).
AND Wednesdays 12:50-2PM.
Grades 7-8 Girls Team- Mondays and Thursdays 2:30PM-3:30PM (lower courts).
Games for the Week:
Tuesday, December 12th-
Grade 7/8 Girls Team 4:30PM @ Randall Gym (Monterey High)- playing La Mesa TK-8
Grade 7 Boys Team - No game (they have a bye)
Grade 8 Boys Team 5:30PM @Randall Gym (Monterey High)- playing La Mesa TK-8
(We will be walking down the hill to the game with parent pick-up after the game).
8) Our monthly School Site Vision Council meeting will take place this Wednesday, December 13th online from 3:30pm-4:30pm. Invites to the meeting were sent last week via ParentSquare.
9) Primary Theatre Club will be performing a few numbers for parents at 3:30PM on Monday in the cafeteria (towards the end of their club meeting). Similarly, Upper Grade Theatre Club will be performing a little segment for parents at 3:30PM on Thursday in the cafeteria (at the end of their club meeting).
Important Dates to Come
December 12th | Grades 2-5 Winter Vocal Music Concert 5:30-7:30--diff. grade levels, diff. time slots
December 12th | Primary Theater Club Performance 3:30PM
December 14th | Grades 6-8 Band and Orchestra concert and Show Choir performance. (5:30-7:30PM)
December 15th | Pajamas Spirit Day
December 18th-January 3rd | Winter Break
PTO News
Email us: MVEBLUEJAYSPTO@GMAIL.COM
Purchase Spirit Wear: https://mvebluejayspto.wixsite.com/home
Monte Vista PTO - Modified Cookie Exchange - Thursday, December 14th
It's time to spread some holiday cheer! As a way of thanking our incredible staff at Monte Vista School for their hard work all year, the PTO (which includes all Monte Vista School families) is hosting a modified cookie exchange. On Thursday, December 14th, we will load up the Teachers Lounge with dozens of holiday cookies and treats and ask the staff to take home a variety of cookies (and maybe sample a few!)
Not only is this a great opportunity to express our appreciation to our teachers and staff, but we also would love to see how each family celebrates the holidays. Willing families are to bring in 8 dozen of their favorite holiday cookies/ treats to share with the staff in disposable containers. Please indicate what type of cookie you will be bringing when you sign up via Parent Square. Please bring cookies/treats on Wednesday, December 13th and leave in the main office. We would also like you to share your recipe with us at MVEbluejayspto@gmail.com - so we can pass them on to the teachers and staff, so they can replicate your delicious treats over the break.
If you are not able to bake cookies or make treats, consider donating money instead. PTO Board members will use the funds to purchase items from a local bakery for the exchange. You can submit the donation here: https://monte-vista-blue-jays-pto.square.site/shop/Donation/3?page=1&limit=60&sort_by=category_order&sort_order=asc
Link to parent square post: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/26634588
December Staff Birthdays
December 12th - Jennifer Nix (Kindergarten Teacher)
December 13th - Becky Tarantino (5th Grade Teacher)
December 25th - Piroj Mayekar (Accelerated Learning Specialist)
Pics from the Week of December 4th-December 8th
Grades TK-1 Winter Vocal Concert with Camilo Ortiz
TK Group Picture Winter Vocal Concert
Grades TK-1 Winter Vocal Concert with Camilo Ortiz
Kindergarten Group Picture Winter Vocal Concert
First Grade Group Picture Winter Vocal Concert
TK Group Picture Winter Vocal Concert
Proud parents reunite with blue jays after vocal concert
Proud parents reunite with blue jays after vocal concert
Grade 6 fieldtrip to Monterey Bay Aquarium
Grade 6 fieldtrip to Monterey Bay Aquarium
Grade 6 fieldtrip to Monterey Bay Aquarium
Grade 6 fieldtrip to Monterey Bay Aquarium
Grade 6 fieldtrip to Monterey Bay Aquarium
Grade 4 class focusing during their iReady mid-year diagnostics
Grade 6 Monterey Bay Aquarium Fieldtrip
Grade 6 Monterey Bay Aquarium Fieldtrip
Grade 6 Monterey Bay Aquarium Fieldtrip
Grade 6 Monterey Bay Aquarium Fieldtrip
Grade 6 Monterey Bay Aquarium Fieldtrip
Future Kindergarten Parent/Family Campus Tour
4th grade Professional Learning Community- Math Data Dive
3rd grade Monterey County Animal Inquiry Project
3rd grade Monterey County Animal Inquiry Project
2nd grade Citizen and Careers Essay writing inquiry arc finale
2nd grade Citizen and Careers Essay writing inquiry arc finale
2nd grade Citizen and Careers Essay writing inquiry arc finale
3rd grade inquiry arc artifact wall
3rd grade Try It activity in Ready Math (Dr. Gomez, Senior Director of Elementary Education visiting)
4th grade data chats preparation for iReady diagnostic assessments and goal setting
4th grade whole and small group Ready math instruction
English Language (Multilingual) Advisory Committee Meeting
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
MV girls basketball team first game vs. LAMS
MV girls basketball team first game vs. LAMS
MV girls basketball team first game vs. LAMS
Grades 7 and 8 Boys Basketball Teams playing Los Arboles Middle School
Grades 7 and 8 Boys Basketball Teams playing Los Arboles Middle School
MV 7th grade basketball team first game vs. LAMS
MV girls basketball team first game vs. LAMS
MV girls basketball team first game vs. LAMS
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night (STEAM passports)
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
First Grade Team Matching Shirts (during Comprehension Check Math Data Dive)
Winter Family STEAM Night
Winter Family STEAM Night
Office Staff Winter Shirts Group Photo
5th grade Esperanza Rising Multicultural Family Food (Cookbook) celebration
Ready Math Curriculum District Implementation Instructional Rounds with Grades 7-8
Ready Math Curriculum District Implementation Instructional Rounds with Grades 7-8
Ready Math Curriculum District Implementation Instructional Rounds with Grades 7-8
Ready Math Curriculum District Implementation Instructional Rounds with Grades 7-8
English Learner High Leverage Literacy Practices Staff Professional Development (including data dive)
English Learner High Leverage Literacy Practices Staff Professional Development (including data dive)
English Learner High Leverage Literacy Practices Staff Professional Development (including data dive)
English Learner High Leverage Literacy Practices Staff Professional Development
3rd grade Monterey County Animal Project class presentations
Accelerated Learning Specialist working with 1st graders on phonics
8th graders saying hello from their lunch recess space
5th grade PE stations with throwing and catching
5th grade PE stations with throwing and catching
Mrs. Everett preparing for the Winter Art Exhibit
PTO coordinated Winter Shop student shopping visits with PTO parent volunteers
Grades 6-7 Morning Community Meeting (students share with each other ways they can be more patient at school and at home)
Grades 6-7 Morning Community Meeting (students share with each other ways they can be more patient at school and at home)
Grades 6-7 Morning Community Meeting (students share with each other ways they can be more patient at school and at home)
7th Grade Boys Basketball team playing Carmel Middle
7th Grade Boys Basketball team playing Carmel Middle
7th Grade Boys Basketball team playing Carmel Middle (Coach Chisolm)
3rd grade Professional Learning Community Math Data Dive with Ready Math comprehension check
8th grade Professional Learning Community meeting
Kindergarten Literacy Articulation Day
5th grade Esperanza Rising Multicultural Family Food (Cookbook) celebration
5th grade Esperanza Rising Multicultural Family Food (Cookbook) celebration
5th grade Esperanza Rising Multicultural Family Food (Cookbook) celebration
5th grade Esperanza Rising Multicultural Family Food (Cookbook) celebration
Primary Art class with Mrs. McSwiggin (1st grade)
3rd grade Math Comprehension Check
3rd grade Math Comprehension Check
3rd grade multicultural holiday special guest visit
3rd grade multicultural holiday special guest visit
Kindergarten Bee Bots work with Phonics
Grade 6 Monterey Bay Aquarium Fieldtrip
Grade 6 Monterey Bay Aquarium Fieldtrip
Grade 6 Monterey Bay Aquarium Fieldtrip
Grade 6 Monterey Bay Aquarium Fieldtrip
Grade 6 Monterey Bay Aquarium Fieldtrip
Grade 6 Monterey Bay Aquarium Fieldtrip