Dear Quetzal Families,

We are nearing the beginning of October already! October brings with it many school happenings: our new assessment of Spanish language skills, the district Literably assessment, preparation for the amazing annual Walkathon planned by PTA as well as Día de los Muertos activities, and our annual practice of emergency procedures in the event of an earthquake. There are also 2 non-school days on October 13th and 14th. Principal Olaciregui will be out on leave for a few more weeks and I will continue to be here at Mistral to support students, families and staff.

I want to make you aware of unhealthy and disruptive “social media challenges” your students may have seen online that are being replicated at some schools. There are social media videos that suggest students bring and eat incredibly spicy chips while at school, which often makes them ill. Please speak with your children about the dangers of participating in these social media challenges and monitor their social media usage at home. We want our students to be safe and healthy, and to focus on their academics while at school. Thank you for your support.

Have You Filled A Bucket Today?

One of the best ways we can support student mental health as a school community is by routinely modeling, teaching, and practicing kindness and empathy toward others.

For years, the book “Have You Filled A Bucket Today?” has been a valuable resource for teachers and families to help students develop an understanding of empathy, kindness, and interdependence. This year, MVWSD has purchased enough copies that ensure each classroom has access to their own copy and that each school has a version in Spanish.

As a parent, there are many ways to access mental health care for your child. If you have concerns about your child’s mental health that impacts their functioning at school, resources for support include your student’s teacher, our School Community Engagement Facilitator (SCEF), and myself. At any point you can access care through your pediatrician and/or health insurance. An additional resource for parents is Mental Health America (https://mhanational.org/)

Best Regards,

Theresa Lambert

Educational Services Coordinator, Acting Principal

September 28

• School Site Council Meeting @ 6pm

• Lifetouch Picture Make Ups

• School Site Council Meeting @ 6pm

• Teacher In-Service Day/No School

• Recess Day/No School

EZMealApp: Future benefits could include after school care!

Even though all public school meals are currently free in California, applying for free- or reduced-price lunch status by October 1 means potentially more district funding and other benefits for your family. In 2022-23, families who qualify will also be offered free after school childcare and summer programs when they become available. Go to http://secure.ezmealapp.com now to see if you qualify for free- or reduced-price lunch status, and to apply!

Attendance Awareness Month: September

Are Vacations / Travel Excused?
Unfortunately, family vacations or travel is not excused – even when you inform your teacher or the office. This sometimes comes as a surprise for parents. We appreciate you letting us know so that you will not receive a call from the auto-dialer asking you to verify the absence. Research shows that school attendance is a strong indicator of success. It's about students learning what they need to know, belonging to the school community, and being part of the team that is preparing them with good habits for high school.

Upcoming October no-school days

Friday, October 14 is a recess day (no school for students and staff). Thursday, October 13 is a staff development day, which means no school for students and no work for 10-month classified staff. Oct 13 is a staff development/work day for teachers, school secretaries and 12-month classified staff.

MVEF has raised over $300k! Make your donation soon to achieve the goal of $1.2M

Thanks to the generosity of new donors, repeat donors, corporate matching, and grants, MVEF has already raised over 25% of this year’s $1.2M funding goal. Thank you to all who have donated so far! It’s a fast start on a big climb: MVWSD will begin planning for next year’s budget during the winter trimester. When MVEF is on pace to meet or exceed the funding goal early in the school year, it gives confidence that we can continue funding the current priorities and potentially add new priorities to next year’s budget.

To become an MVEF donor or renew your gift for the current school year, click here. A recurring monthly donation of $100 per month (made in September) will contribute $1000 towards the current year’s goal! Gifts of any amount are important to help us meet our goal. Each school site has a big green sign in the parking area – keep your eye out for the new goal markers that indicate our progress towards funding art, music, environmental science, athletics, clubs, and smaller class sizes now and in the future!

MVLA Speakers Series: Friendship in the Age of Loneliness: How to Make Friends As An Adult

Thursday, October 6, 2022 - 7:00 - 9:00 pm | MVHS Spartan Theater ⧫ 3535 Truman Avenue

We are lonelier than ever. Two-thirds of Americans are lonely and the average person hasn't made a new friend in the last five years. In the wake of the pandemic, it’s more clear than ever that our friendships are vital to our health and happiness. But why can it feel so difficult to keep those bonds alive as an adult—especially as parents? Why do we spend only four percent of our time with friends? Join us as Adam Smiley Poswolsky, workplace belonging keynote speaker, and author of the recent book, Friendship in the Age of Loneliness, proposes a new solution for the mounting pressures of modern life: focus on your friendships. In this talk, Smiley will share practical habits and playful reminders on how to create meaningful connections, make new friends, be a Minister for Loneliness in your community, prioritize real-world experiences, and deepen your relationships at work and outside of work. With warmth and inspiration, Smiley reminds us that nurturing old and new friendships is a ritual, a necessity, and one of the most worthwhile things we can do in adult life.

Audience: Grade TK - 12 parents, caretakers, teachers, and counselors

Register here for this free event

County MedAssist Program

The MedAssist Program aims to improve health outcomes and medication adherence for select individuals who reside in Santa Clara County. Qualified patients will receive financial assistance in the form of a grant designed to off-set high out-of-pocket expenses for life-saving medications such as anti-diabetics, asthma inhalers, and/or epinephrine auto-injectors. For more information and application, visit medassist.sccgov.org/.