Dear Quetzal Families,

It was very exciting to see so many parents at our Halloween Parade yesterday. Students and staff looked great with their costumes, and we all had a lot of fun.

Yes! Walkathon is around the corner! I am looking forward to seeing all of you on Friday at 12:15pm. Please encourage your child to fill out the pledge and turn in their paperwork by tomorrow. We want to make sure that they can all participate. I hope you can all come and meet other Quetzal families as you exercise and spend quality time with your child. Our wonderful DJ Pantera will be providing the music for the event, and our PTA will have a wide variety of food, churros, and ice cream for sale. We also have Reach Potential donating free shoes for our students and there will be free covid tests available. Remember that this Friday is Minimum Day, so please be at school at 12:15pm to start our walks.

This month, we will be celebrating No Place for Hate the week of November 13th. Our students will have lessons on empathy and kindness that will teach them the importance of inclusion and the beauty of diversity. Please help us at home by talking to your child about these topics.

As you know, teaching students about empathy and promoting a culture of inclusivity and respect is crucial for their personal development and for creating a more harmonious society. Here are some tips for parents to help teach these values:

1. Be a Role Model:

Children learn by observing the behavior of adults, so be a positive role model for empathy, tolerance, and kindness. Show them how to treat others with respect and empathy in your daily interactions.

2. Start Early:

Teach empathy from a young age. Young children can understand the concept of sharing, taking turns, and helping others. Encourage them to express their feelings and thoughts.

3. Encourage Perspective-Taking:

Help your children see things from another person's point of view. Ask questions like, "How do you think they feel?" or "What would you do in their shoes?"

4. Promote Active Listening:

Teach your child the importance of listening attentively when others talk. Encourage them to ask questions, show interest, and validate the feelings of others.

5. Discuss Feelings:

Create a safe space for your children to talk about their own feelings and experiences. This helps them develop emotional intelligence and better understand the emotions of others.

6. Address Prejudice and Stereotypes:

Talk openly with your children about prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination. Encourage critical thinking and challenge these biases when they encounter them.

7. Teach Conflict Resolution:

Show your child how to resolve conflicts peacefully and emphasize the importance of compromise and communication.

8. Volunteer and Give Back:

Engage in community service and volunteer activities as a family. This can help your child see the value of helping others and develop a sense of responsibility.

9. Create a "No Place for Hate" Environment:

Clearly communicate that hate speech, discrimination, and bullying are not acceptable in your home. Set clear boundaries and consequences for such behavior.

10. Encourage Diversity:

Celebrate and embrace diversity in your home. Expose your child to different cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds to promote an open-minded worldview.

Empathy and fostering a "No Place for Hate" environment start at home and are reinforced through ongoing conversations and actions. By following these tips, you can help instill these values in your children and contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive society. Thank you for being our partners in helping our students be kind global citizens!

Have a great rest of your week!

In partnership,

Claudia Olaciregui, Principal

Mistral PTA Walkathon: Friday, November 3, 12:10-4pm

The Mistral PTA Walkathon/Caminata is our community’s biggest fundraiser of the year. All proceeds from this PTA-sponsored event go directly towards student field-trips, school library books, classroom supplies,campus beautification projects, and other classroom enrichment programs. In the weeks before the Walkathon, students are encouraged to raise money by collecting pledges from friends and family for walking laps around the school field. Then, on November 3, we will come together to cheer on our students, celebrate our community, and raise funds for our school! You can find more detailed information on our website - Walkathon 2023

How to Volunteer

We need many volunteers to help run the event. Please sign up for a one-hour shift on Konstella. Food, beverages and baked goods will be available for purchase at the event. If you would like to donate any of these items sign-up on Konstella.

Permission Forms

All students must have permission to participate and must be supervised by an adult during the event. Be sure to fill out and return the permission form that will be sent home in your child’s backpack.

Collecting Pledges

The Walkathon is a fundraiser for the Mistral PTA. Help raise funds for the school by asking friends and family to sponsor students. 99Pledges is our online WAT pledge system, which will allow Mistral students to request and collect pledges from friends and family who want to donate online with a credit card or PayPal. Those students who wish to use the hard-copy pledge sheet may do so! Forms and pledges (cash or check) can be turned in at the office and are due by November 17 to be eligible for prizes.

November 3

• Quetzal Walkathon @ 12:20pm
• End of Trimester-Minimum Day Dismissal @ 12:10pm

November 7

• Cafecito with Ms. O-Link @ 5pm

• Veterans Day - No School

November 13

• Parent U-Importance of Attendance-Link @ 5pm-All invited!

• Thanksgiving Break - No School

• ELAC Meeting @ 5pm

The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Some of the topics include:

• Resolution in support of United Against Hate Week

• Resolution in support of Native American Heritage Month

• English Language Arts Curriculum Adoption Update

• CAASPP Assessment Data Overview

• Update: Transporting to Choice Programs

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

Superintendent's Community Check In on Friday, Nov. 3

Please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, Nov. 3 at 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions. Spanish interpretation will be provided. Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/CC1103. Mark your calendars for all upcoming community check-ins! A list of dates and login information is here.

Minimum Day on Friday, November 3

Friday is the end of the trimester and a minimum day for students.

MVLA Parent Ed: This Is So Awkward - A Conversation About How Puberty Has Changed

Join MVLA Parent Ed on Tuesday, November 14 at 7pm (LAHS Eagle Theater) for Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennet’s presentation of “This Is So Awkward - A Conversation About How Puberty Has Changed.” Learn about the modern realities of puberty you didn’t experience in your own youth but nonetheless need to understand, covering everything from body development to gender identities, from social media to easy-access pornography. Register for this free event here.

Silicon Valley Reads: A Greener Tomorrow Starts Today

Silicon Valley Reads, a community engagement program that celebrates the power of books to bring people together, has announced the theme for 2024 will be, “A Greener Tomorrow Starts Today.” The program will focus on environmental sustainability, with a selection of books and events that explore the challenges and opportunities of creating a more sustainable future, not only in Santa Clara County but worldwide. Throughout February and March 2024, Silicon Valley Reads will offer a diverse range of free virtual and in-person public programs suitable for all ages. To view 2024’s featured books for adults and children, visit https://www.siliconvalleyreads.org/.