Dear Quetzal Families,

At Gabriela Mistral, we embrace multilingualism and welcome all cultures. Parents and families who make a purposeful decision of having their child join a dual immersion school, truly believe in the importance of biliteracy. With this goal in mind, our students have the opportunity to interact with peers of different origins, cultures, and backgrounds. This provide a wealth of learning experiences in the classrooms. Our unique and multifaceted students bring rich and cultural understanding to our classroom discussions. Please continue to support your child at home in their first language by taking the time to read with them and introducing rich vocabulary. In addition to this, please take time to give examples and reasons of the values of fluently speaking two or more languages. Check out this amazing article of the benefits of being multilingual.

In the effort of focusing on our students' academic excellence and multilingualism, it is important that we continue to work as a team and design amazing learning opportunities at Mistral. Please join our SSC (School Site Council team), so that you can learn, participate, and engage in the decision making at our school. We are currently looking for one more member of our community to participate in this stakeholder group. Please complete this form if you are interesting in this position. Let me know if you have any questions.

I hope you are all staying cool this week. It has been extremely hot these days! As I was planning for our value of the month, responsibility, I came up with this quote from Albert Einstein, "Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will-his personal responsibility." Help us at home and remind our students to take care of our environment and our beautiful earth. Here are some tips to foster responsibility at home:

• Turn off all lights when you are not in the room
• Close faucet when brushing your teeth
• Turn off shower when washing your hair-keep showers short
• Wait for dish washer to be full
• 3 Big Rs: Recycle, Reuse, and Reuse!!

*Follow us in social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

In partnership,

Claudia Olaciregui, Principal

September 7

• Cafecito with Ms. O. @ 6pm-Link

• Health Fair CA/MI Campus @ 1pm

• School Site Council Meeting @ 6pm

• ELAC Meeting @ 6pm

Board meeting: Sept. 8

The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 5 p.m.

Some of the meeting topics include:

* Public hearing for instructional materials

* Expanded Learning Opportunities Program update

* Budget: Unaudited Actuals

* Strategic Plan 2027 update

For meeting details and agenda, please click here: https://www.mvwsd.org/trustees.

Superintendent's Community Check In on Friday, Sept. 9

Please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, Sept. 9 at 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions. Spanish interpretation will be provided. Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/CC99

Members needed for the new Safety Advisory Task Force

MVWSD is seeking parents (both middle and elementary school), staff (certificated and classified) and community members as representatives for its new Safety Advisory Task Force. The district is undertaking a holistic review of safety this year. The Safety Advisory Task Force will contribute considerations for areas of improvement and work with a security consultant on a safety audit. To apply by Sept. 8, please click here. To learn more about MVWSD’s safety goals, click here for the presentation to the Board of Trustees.

MVWSD Seeks Parents & Staff Members for Health and Wellness Committee

MVWSD is seeking parents and staff to lend their perspective and expertise to benefit students by serving on the Health and Wellness Committee.

The Health and Wellness Committee aligns District efforts to support student wellness through health education, physical education and activity, health services, nutrition services, psychological and counseling services, and a safe and healthy school environment.

Interested applicants should have experience, knowledge, or interest in the topics described above. In addition to last year’s members, we are seeking at least 1 parent and 1 certificated staff member per school and 3 representatives from community-based organizations. The committee may include up to 30 participants.

The time commitment is approximately four meetings during the school year, beginning in October. Meetings will take place on Zoom.

Applications are due by Friday, September 16, and may be found at this link: http://mvw.sd/health. Please direct any questions to Brian White, Coordinator for Health and Wellness.

Now hiring: Interpreters and Translators

Are you bilingual/biliterate and looking for a way to support our families and students? MVWSD is hiring support staff to serve as interpreters and translators for multiple languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, and others. Apply now at mvwsd.org/jobs.

Ask your student about their MVEF-funded classes

A few of your student’s favorite teachers and classes are probably funded by MVEF. An extra ELA teacher at each middle school means more manageable class sizes. Art and Music teachers from CSMA and plant science instruction from Living Classroom will begin enriching the experiences of elementary students this month. The generosity of MVEF donors makes these things possible. To become an MVEF donor or renew your gift for the current school year, click here.

Docents needed for Living Classroom!

Volunteer with us to teach fun, engaging STEM-based lessons in your local school!

Do you enjoy spending time with kids and being outdoors?

Living Classroom teaches science by using our school gardens as our classroom.

No prior teaching experience is necessary. Bring a friend and join the fun!

Come to our training sessions in Heritage Park, 771 Rengstorff Ave. in Mountain View

Mondays, September 12th, 19th & 26th, from 9 am to 12 pm.

For more information, visit www.living-classroom.org or contact alexisl@living-classroom.org

YMCA Hiring After School Staff

The YMCA is hiring staff for after school programs that serve students on our campuses. To learn more about available positions and apply, visit ymcasv.org/jobs.

InPlay: After School Programs and Activities

Looking for after school programs for your student? InPlay offers a free searchable program guide for parents, with filters for age, location, price (including free or reduced cost), and more. To find programs local to Mountain View, head to: https://www.inplay.org/r/mountain-view. Available programs include those that serve students with special needs or English learners.

MTC seeks volunteers to mentor and tutor local students!

Do you enjoy working with kids? Would you like to make a difference in the life of a student in our community?

Mentor Tutor Connection (MTC) is looking for volunteers to mentor High School students and tutor K- 8 students in Mountain View and Los Altos schools. By serving as a mentor or tutor, you can help build a brighter future for a young person.

MTC mentors are matched with a high school student who has requested a mentor. They meet regularly (typically 2-4 times per month), building a trusting and caring relationship while sharing new experiences together. A mentor’s role is to be a good listener and a non-judgmental source of encouragement and support. The program is designed to support students who have significant stressors in their lives—providing another caring adult to help them overcome obstacles and plan for a promising future. Students with mentors report having more confidence and less stress.

MTC tutors support elementary or middle school students. Some tutors work with their students remotely, others volunteer in classrooms or after-school. Tutors help with basic skills including reading, writing, math, and more. Additionally, tutors provide a consistent caring adult in a young person’s academic journey. The role of the tutor is to be an academic helper who demonstrates a love of learning.

Additionally, MTC is seeking volunteers for a new program. Reading Fellows volunteers meet with individual students for 1/2 hour, 4 mornings each week, for a six week period. The program follows a specific phonic-based structured curriculum. It is incredible to see the difference you can make with this intensive framework!

As an MTC volunteer, you will be trained and supported so that you can help students achieve their potential and thrive! You can make an extraordinary difference!

Join us at our Volunteer Information Session to learn more. There is no obligation to sign up as a volunteer. You’re welcome to attend this session and see if this is the right volunteer job for you! Invite a friend!

Date: Wednesday, September 7th

Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Location: Online via Zoom (URL provided upon registration)

Register: REGISTER ONLINE

Questions: programs@mentortutorconnection.org

Information: MentorTutorConnection.org

Mentors must be at least 22 years old; Tutors must be High School graduates.

If you are interested in learning more about the program but cannot attend the information session, please contact Laura Hill at programs@mentortutorconnection.org for information on how to proceed.

MVLA Speaker Series: Becky Munsterer Sabky - Author of Valedictorians at the Gate

MVLA will host Becky Munsterer Sabky for her presentation, “How to Apply to College While Keeping Perspective,” on Tuesday, September 13th from 6:00 - 8:00pm. Join us as Ms. Sabky, former Director of International Admissions at Dartmouth College and author of Valedictorians at the Gate, demystifies the college admissions process, offering students and parents guidance on developing a balanced college list, writing authentic essays, and making the final selection decision - all while keeping perspective and staying sane. Register for this free Zoom event here.

Searching for Volunteers to Serve City of MV Community

Recruitment is open for upcoming vacancies on several City board, commissions and committees that weight in on a wide range of matters. If you have an interest or background in the City’s downtown interests, environmental planning process, library, parks and recreation, performing arts, inclusive community relations or bike and pedestrian concerns, we welcome you to apply to serve on one of these bodies. Find more information and the application form at MountainView.gov/Advisors. Questions can be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at city.clerk@mountainview.gov or 650-903-6304. The deadline to apply is Sept. 29 at 5 p.m.