Important Dates to Remember
Mar 21 Teacher Service Day – No school
Mar 24 3pm School Site Council
Mar 26 8:15-9:15am Principals Coffee – Staff room
Mar 27 6-7:30pm Open House
Mar 27 12:10-1:10pm Bookmobile
Apr 1 K-3 Music Concerts
- 2nd Grade - 9:30-9:50am
- 3rd Grade - 12:00-12:20pm
- Kinder - 1:15-1:35pm
- 1st Grade - 2:00-2:20pm
April 2 12:45-1:05pm 4th Grade Music Concert
Apr 7-11 Spring Break – No school
Apr 14 Students return to school
Apr 16 Spring Picture Day
Apr 17 6-7pm Mad Science Night - MUR
Apr 24 12:10-1:10pm Bookmobile
May 1 5-6pm Reclassification Ceremony and Celebration - Crittenden MS
May 8 11am-12:10pm 5th Grade Music Concerts
May 15 12:10-1:10pm Bookmobile
May 26 Memorial Day – No school
May 30 End of Trimester – Minimum day
June 4 1:15pm 5th Grade Promotion
June 5 Last Day of School
Roar Recognitions
Elizabeth H. - Room 1
Maeve L. - Room 2
Darian O. - Room 3
Alice P. - Room 4
William S. - Room 5
Giovanni D. L. - Room 6
Josue F. - Room 7
Isabella C. - Room 8
Rana K. - Room 9
Sasha B. - Room 10
Aviva F. - Room 11
Simon K. - Room 12
Rehmat N. - Room 13
Logan N. - Room 14
Rose K. - Room 16
Nyra A. - Room 17
Ahmet T. - Room 18
Landels News
Dear Landels Families,
Today marks the first day of Spring and the beginning of longer days. The warmer weather brings lots of change, including new behaviors. We have noticed some students being unkind to others through the use of hurtful words or actions. I used our morning meeting to address some of these issues and realign on our values. Every so often, it’s important to think about who we want to be and how we want others to perceive us. Ask any individual if they want to be seen as kind, and they will undoubtedly say yes. And yet, sometimes our actions don’t reflect who we want to be.
This is a great opportunity to have conversations with your child around their values and how they show up. Are their actions in alignment with their beliefs? Landels has always been and will always be a place where we come together - working to ensure all feel welcome and included.
Behavior Expectations
Here are a couple reminders or updates on what we are expecting from students:
1. We are once again asking all students to sit down in their class lines before school from 8am-8:15am. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately.
2. All toys should stay at home or remain in students’ backpacks for the entirety of the school day.
Thank you for helping us promote a positive and productive learning environment for all!
TK at Landels
I’m excited to announce that TK will be joining Landels in the 25-26 school year! Space is limited so there is no guarantee that you will get a spot at Landels. Due to increasing enrollment, we are only able to accommodate 1 TK classroom. The district will be sending TK placement information in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned!
Thank you!
Pieter Dolmans
Reminder - Open House
Our staff and students are so excited to welcome you to our Open House on Thursday, March 27th! Families are invited to visit all classrooms and celebrate student learning. Here’s the schedule:
6:00 - 6:15pm - Welcome message on blacktop
6:15 - 7:00pm - Classrooms open (MUR open for art show)
7:00 - 7:30pm - Art show in the MUR
Please keep in mind that Open House is NOT a time for parent-teacher conferences. If you have specific questions about your child’s progress, please contact your child’s teacher to meet at a different time.
Reminder - Women’s History Month
In order to celebrate this event, we are asking students to honor a woman that they admire. This person can be someone they know personally or someone who is famous that they admire. Students have several options:
· Students can create an art piece that showcases a woman who is important to them. Art work can be visual (drawing, painting, sculpture, etc) or performance art (play, song, interpretive dance).
· Students have the option to interview a woman they admire. Students can do a written interview or they can record the interview.
· Students can also write an essay about an influential woman in their lives or in history.
Students who are interested, should submit their work by Friday, March 28. Digital submissions can be sent to the teacher or to Ms. Bea at [email protected].
MVWSD News
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, March 20. Closed session will begin at 4:30 p.m., and open/public session begins at 6 p.m.
Some of the topics include:
· Staff Housing Update and Options to Fund Purchase of Land
· Literacy Update
· Canopy Partnership at Bubb
· Second Interim Budget Report
· Resolution in support of LGTBQ+ students
For meeting details and agenda, please click here: https://www.mvwsd.org/trustees.
MVWSD is updating its math curriculum
As typical with our curriculum cycles, it’s time to review and improve our mathematics program to ensure all students have strong learning opportunities, including acceleration if desired.
MVWSD is launching a two-year process to update math curriculum based on the latest research and best practices for math education. Our math curriculum was last adopted in 2015, and math placement criteria hasn’t been updated since 2021-22. To make this process inclusive, we’re seeking input from students, staff, and parents on math curriculum, instruction, pathways, assessments, and placement.
Please join the upcoming ThoughtExchange to share your thoughts from March 26 – April 4. This online survey will be open to all staff, parents, and students in grades 4-8. Additionally, there will be focus groups for more in-depth discussions with staff, students and parents. Your input matters!
Social Emotional Learning Curriculum: We Want Your Input!
As part of our shared commitment to ensuring the best for our students, we are inviting the MVWSD Community (teachers, staff, families) to review and provide feedback on the pilot curricula. Your perspective matters, and we’d love for you to join us at one of the following community review sessions:
SEL Curricula Review
Location: MVWSD District Office - Conference Room C
1400 Montecito Ave., Mountain View, CA 94043
March 20, 2025
Session 3: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Session 4: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
These sessions are a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the SEL programs being considered, share your insights, and engage in the important work of shaping the future of our district’s approach to social-emotional learning. If you are unable to attend these sessions and are interested in reviewing the curricula, please email Karin Jinbo ([email protected]). For information, please see this webpage.
District Film Festival: April 1
Please join us for the third annual District Film Festival, "Spotlight on Solutions," at 6:30 pm on April 1 at the Graham Middle School Auditorium. All students in grades K-8 were eligible to enter short films that explore real-world problems and showcase inspiring solutions. During the festival, the films that are selected as finalists will be screened and awards given. We are excited to see the results of students and their teachers implementing research, science and technology for this important issue. Please RSVP at this link.
Graham Musical: The Pirates of Penzance Jr.
Raise the anchor and prepare to set sail as Graham Middle School presents The Pirates of Penzance Jr! You can see the show on March 21st and 22nd at 7:30 pm and March 23th at 2:00 pm at the Graham Middle School Auditorium. Join us for this classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, a hilarious, rollicking adventure with something for everyone -- Leap Year misunderstandings, the dynamic love of Frederic and Mabel, the Major General's classic pattersong, and of course, piracy. Join us, and you're guaranteed to have a great time! Tickets are available for purchase here.
Crittenden Musical: Willy Wonka Jr.
The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation by Crittenden Middle School of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. The show will run from Mar 28th - Mar 30th. Purchase digital tickets here or at the door 30 minutes before the show.
Better Together: March
March is Women's History Month at Mountain View Whisman School District! This special month celebrates the vital contributions, achievements, and influence of women throughout history and in contemporary society. This month, our #BetterTogetherMVWSD initiative highlights "Serving our community/Sirviendo a nuestra comunidad." Community service strengthens our connections, builds empathy, and creates meaningful change through collective action. Join us as we explore how we can work together on projects to make a positive impact in our community. For more information about Better Together, visit mvwsd.org/BetterTogetherMVWSD.
Earth Hour
From 8:30 pm local time on 22nd March, WWF’s Earth Hour, the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement, returns for its 19th edition with the ‘Biggest Hour for Earth’ in support and celebration of our planet. Earth Hour serves as a beacon of positivity, hope, and inspiration to rally as many people as possible in over 180 countries and territories.
Since its creation in 2007, Earth Hour has been known for its “lights off” moment. As landmarks and homes across the world switch off, supporters are also invited to symbolically switch off and 'Give an hour for Earth’, spending 60 minutes doing something - anything - positive for our planet.
Earth Hour invites everyone, everywhere to find the most enjoyable ways to give an hour for Earth. Whether it is cooking a sustainable meal at home, catching a nature documentary, taking a mindful walk through the woods to bask in nature and feel the earth, or engaging in a home scavenger hunt to identify and swap out unsustainable products with eco-friendly alternatives, there are myriad options to choose from. Check https://www.earthhour.org/take-part/give-an-hour for more.
DON’T MISS OUT ON THE MVEF SPRING GALA - JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION!
Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 06:00-10:00 pm | Los Altos Community Center
This year, we are celebrating a big milestone - 40 years of MVEF - A Celebration of ERAS celebrating our legacy of Empowering Students from Gen X to Gen Alpha.
Over the past 40 years, MVEF has made a lasting impact and we are excited to celebrate this milestone while continuing to provide vital resources for our local schools and students.
This lively community building event includes dinner, silent and live auctions, DJ, raffle and student performances!
GET YOUR GALA TICKETS WHILE THEY ARE STILL AVAILABLE!
Get your Early Bird ($140) or First Time Attendee ($125) tickets here until March 25th!
General Admission Tickets will go up to $165 after March 25th.
LAST CALL FOR AUCTION ITEMS AND HOST AUCTION PARTIES!
Do you have a vacation home? Do you like throwing parties for kids or adults? Do you have extra tickets for a concert or event? Do you have extra wine bottles to donate?
This annual event usually raises over 10% of our annual fundraising goal of $1.2M to support programs across MVWSD.
Great auction donations include:
· Vacation home stays
· Themed party experiences for adults or kids
· Event tickets (sports, concerts, etc.)
· Bottles of wine for the "wine wall"
· Professional Services
· Merchandise, etc.
Donate Gala auction items here. We appreciate your support!
PTA News
Congratulations and Thank you to Landels Talent Show Participants!
Congratulations to all our Landels talent show participants and emcees. We had a wonderful range of acts and it was a pleasure to see so many students showcasing their skills.
Special thank you to:
· Dean and Toby Chu for running the sound system and tech crew, your work was flawless and made the show so enjoyable for the audience!
· Maya and Margaux for managing the student performers, and Luis, Casey, Sam, and Shilpa for set up and clean up.
· Emily, Rachel, Anna and Maya for event organization.
Did you attend the Talent Show? Want to help make future events even better? Please fill out our post-event survey here: https://forms.gle/25rmSVSN9J43iAch6
Special PTA Meeting - Outdoor Learning Project, Thurs, Mar 28th
On March 28th, 8:30-9:30 am, the landscape architects from Carducci Associates will be presenting the revised site plan for the Landels Outdoor Learning Project. In lieu of our normal "Last Fridays PTA Social" at the front gate, we'll move the coffee inside the Staff Room so people can hear the presentation. No voting or action is planned for this PTA meeting.
Puzzle & Board Game Swap: Thurs, April 3, 12:10 - 1 pm
Done with your old puzzles and board games? Want to refresh your collection without buying new?
· Thursday, April 3, right after dismissal at 12:10 - 1 pm at the picnic tables
· Bring a gently used board game or puzzle (with no missing pieces) to trade
· No need to bring one to take one home
· You are welcome to drop off donations in advance in the office
Landels Holi - Join the planning committee
Do you like a fun party? Want to help with food, decorations, music, and activities?
This year on the afternoon of April 26th, Landels is going to have a special festival of colors, Holi! If you have ideas and want to help plan Landels Holi, and would love your input and help. Please contact Anna at [email protected].
Announcing the Slate of Nominees for 2025-26 PTA Board
Our Nominating Committee is excited to announce the slate of candidates for our 2025-2026 PTA Board. A huge thank you to Jessica H, Katarina L and Yasmine K for all of their hard work and thoughtfulness pulling together a candidate list; as well to all of our candidates and new leads who have raised their hands to help next year.
Nominations are still open and we'll invite any additional interested parties to step forward at the April 18th PTA Association meeting, which is the annual election meeting. To vote in the election, you need to have been a PTA member for at least 30 days so join now and see you on April 18th!
Here is the current slate of candidates and their candidate statements:
President - Samantha Perkins
Executive Vice President - Laura Berchtold
Secretary - Yasmine Klarin
Treasurer - Julia Wilkowski
Financial Secretary - Kaylie Abraham
Financial Reviewer - Kathy Ray
Historian - Kavitha Sreeharsha
We are also still looking for committee leads, but those are not elected positions. If you are interested in any of the following roles, please reach out to [email protected]. Open Roles: Walkathon Lead, Gear Lead, Afterschool Enrichment Co-Lead, Assemblies Co-Lead, Book Fair Co-Lead, Room Parent Lead, Lunchtime Activity Lead, Volunteer Coordinator
FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
MVLA Parent Ed Speaker Series: How to Find the Right College
Join MVLA Parent Ed on Tuesday, April 1 at 7 PM at the MVHS Spartan Theatre (3535 Truman Avenue) for an insightful presentation on “How to Find the Right College”. A panel of four experts in college recruiting, applications, and admissions will share valuable strategies for identifying great programs and reducing the stress of the application process. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert advice and make informed decisions about your college search. Register for this free event here.
City of Mountain View Nature Photography Contest, Earth & Arbor Day 2025
The City of Mountain View is excited to announce the launch of the second annual
Earth & Arbor Day Nature Photography Contest! Submit your photograph that depicts the beauty, biodiversity, and resilience of the environment in and around Mountain View. The Earth and Arbor Day photo contest is open to all Mountain View community members, including people who live, go to school, and work in the City and their families. Submit your photo by April 1 at 11:59 p.m. For more information and to submit, visit https://collaborate.mountainview.gov/photocontest.
Flyers
Puzzle & Board Game Swap
Graham Musical: The Pirates of Penzance Jr.
Spartans Sports Camp Registration
City of Mountain View Multicultural Festival
City of Mountain View Nature Photography Contest, Earth & Arbor Day 2025
March Lunch Menu
2024-2025 School Calendar
2025-2026 School Calendar