Important Dates to Remember
Sept 4 Labor Day holiday – No school
Sept 7 8:30am ELAC Meeting – Staff room
Sept 8 6-7:00pm PTA Ice Cream Social – Black top
Sept 11 3:15pm School site council meeting
Sept 18-22 Fall Book Fair
Sept 27 8:30am ELAC/Principals Coffee – Staff room
Oct 10 Picture Day
Oct 12 Teacher Service Day – No School
Oct 13 Recess Day – No School
Oct 20 3:00pm Walkathon
Roar Recognitions
Amani H. – Room 9
Aiden R. – Room 18
Bavanya R. – Room 16
Ben D. – Room 8
Etka O. – Room 11
Gavin E. – Room 5
Jasmin B. – Room 10
Luke E. – Room 14
Parker L. – Room 1
Rohan P. – Room 7
Seha S. – Room 13
Siyona H. – Room 4
Violet W. – Room 6
Waldemar L. – Room 12
Landels News
Dear Landels Families,
It is with heavy hearts that we grapple with the situation involving our beloved staff member, Lucinda Daniels. Her contributions, both professionally and personally, have left a lasting impression on all of us. Never a day went by that Lucinda did not have a smile on her face. She loved Landels and working with students. As we navigate this difficult time, our thoughts go out to Ms. Daniels’ family and friends. We will not be sharing information with students so that you may choose what details are appropriate to share with your child. I am resharing the resources (below) that were sent in Dr. Rudolph’s email last night. Please do not hesitate to reach out if your child needs additional support.
Thank you,
Pieter Dolmans
Resources:
When talking to your child:
· Acknowledge the emotional upset.
· Be available to your child. If you don't know the right thing to say, just listen. Acknowledge that we don't always have answers.
· Provide a reassuring environment in which your child feels comfortable expressing his or her thoughts and feelings.
· Encourage your child to share feelings in the way that is most comfortable for him or her. Some people are open about their feelings, while others prefer not to talk about them or may only want to talk to their peers.
· Help your child understand that it's not helpful to engage in speculation and rumors.
· Encourage your child to follow normal routines as much as possible. Offer him or her practical support—like helping with homework and catching up on assignments.
If your student needs support:
· Uplift Mobile Crisis Team offers 24-hour intervention to children and teens in the community who are in acute psychological crisis. To access the 24-hour/7 days a week crisis line call 1-408-379-9085 or call toll-free 1-877-41-CRISIS (412-7474).
· Allcove in Palo Alto provides services to any youth ages 12-25, regardless of health plan. Call for an appointment: (650) 798 6330 or visit www.allcove.org for more information.
· Bill Wilson’s Center 24/7 Teenline Provides 24-hour supportive listening for any reason including health, relationships, crisis, and information and referrals: 1-888-247-7717
· Call or text 988 to speak with a trained mental health crisis counselor.
· If your student is in imminent danger, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Gift Card Donation
As you may know, there are several families in our district that need help to meet some basic needs. The district is providing meals every day. But some families need more support for providing food, clothes and shoes for their kids. There is a critical need for gift cards for these families. If you are able, please consider donating a Safeway or Target gift card to families in our own district. Thanks so much for your help! Let’s show these families how strong and supportive our Landels community really is!
Please bring the gift cards to the office. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Bea, School and Community Engagement Facilitator – SCEF- at [email protected].
Reporting an Absence - school starts at 8:15am and attendance will be taken during class check-in. If your child is absent, please call the attendance line at 650-526-3520 x 2 by 8:30am or email Stefani at [email protected]. If we do not know the reason for the absence, your child will be marked unexcused. If you are late or you have a dentist or doctor’s appointment during class time, please call the school office.
Updating Contact Information
It is important we have your most current contact information (phone number, email address, emergency contacts). If you have a change or want to add an authorized person to pick up your child, please email our front office staff, Ms. Stefani @ [email protected] with any changes or updates you may have.
Short-Term Independent Studies
If you are planning on scheduling family vacations, please make every effort to schedule around our instructional calendar. You can also find minimum days outside our regularly scheduled early release Thursdays for scheduling appointments for your scholar. If your plans include your child missing 3-15 days of school, please notify the front office to discuss a short-term independent studies contract to minimize the impact of missed school days.
School Meals are free, but fill out the EzSchool Meals application to help you and your school
MVWSD will continue to provide free meals this year to all students as part of California’s universal meal program.
However, parents need to reapply for the Free and Reduced Price Meals program now for this school year. If you think you could qualify (qualifying income levels listed here), we ask you to apply at EzSchool Meals to help MVWSD receive additional funding to support students who are in need, and may help your family. If your child is eligible for free and/or reduced-price meals, your family could get medical benefits, housing benefits, utilities benefits and more. Qualifying is one factor in your child’s eligibility for free MVWSD after school care and summer camp.
The more applications your school gathers at the start of each school year, the more additional funding it can receive for all kinds of programs. If you are currently out of work, you may qualify and help your school, regardless of your financial situation. Apply at https://secure.ezmealapp.com/ or call your school office.
MVWSD News
Sown to Grow
MVWSD is again partnering with Sown to Grow for the 2023-24 school year for grades K-6. Sown to Grow is a platform designed to promote safe and supportive classrooms. Through student check-ins and reflective activities, students are encouraged to engage in self-awareness, set personal goals, and develop essential social and emotional skills. This data allows teachers, principals, and counselors to proactively reach out to support student needs. For more information, please read the attached letter. Sown to Grow Letter (English)
Looking for an afterschool program? Read on to see if your child qualifies for MVWSD+!
A student qualifies for the free MVWSD+ afterschool program if one or both of the following conditions are true:
· The student is an English Learner (EL). EL status is established via the results of the Initial ELPAC exam, which is being administered to certain students in August and September. Results are usually available within two weeks of the completion of testing. If you have questions about the Initial ELPAC exam, please contact Leticia Corcoran at [email protected].
· The student qualifies for free or reduced price lunches based on federal income guidelines. At this time, lunch for all children is free, but this may not always be the case. To fill out the application for free or reduced lunch, please go to ezmealapp.com. Qualifying students’ data is collected at the state level and usually appears in the district’s data system within two weeks. If you have questions, please contact your school office.
Soon after a student’s EL or Free/Reduced Lunch Status changes to indicate he/she qualifies for MVWSD+, you will receive an email from the MVWSD+ Team inviting your child to enroll.
For questions or troubleshooting, please reach out to [email protected] or Jennifer Nunez at (650) 526-3500 x1061.
MVWSD Seeks Parents & Staff Members for Health & Wellness Committee
The Health & Wellness Committee is looking for parents and staff members for the 2023-24 school year! This committee aligns District efforts to support student wellness through health education, physical education and activity, health services, nutrition services, psychological and counseling services, and through promoting a safe and healthy school environment.
Last year, the committee’s work helped increase student access to nutrition information and education, professional development on USDA standards for school nutrition, and supported student opportunities for physical activity throughout the school day. We are seeking at least 1 parent and 1 certificated staff member representative from each school.
If you have experience, knowledge, or interest, please complete an application at: http://mvw.sd/health. Applications are due by September 13.
The Health and Wellness Committee will meet 4 times during the school year on Zoom, with the first meeting scheduled for September 28.
If you have any questions, please contact Brian White, Health & Wellness Coordinator at [email protected].
MVWSD seeking District Equity Advisory Committee members
MVWSD is continuing our work by engaging meaningfully with the community on issues of equity through the District Equity Advisory Committee (DEAC). The goal of the DEAC is to provide feedback to the Superintendent on how to support MVWSD towards achieving its goals of becoming a more equitable and inclusive school district.
We are seeking a combination of district-level leaders, principals, teachers, staff members, and parent participants who represent the interests of both elementary and middle schools. Committee members will be expected to attend and participate virtually in meetings held monthly (on average) online in the evening hours.
If you’re interested in participating, please complete the application here.
Volunteer with MVEF!
MVEF needs 1-3 additional volunteers at each school in MVWSD. MVEF school representatives help the families at their school understand what MVEF is and why it exists so that they are inspired to donate and spread the word about the impact of MVEF funding. MVEF also needs volunteers to help with planning our annual Gala and other community events. To learn more, visit: https://www.mvef.org/volunteer
Mentor Tutor Connection: Volunteer Information Session
Mentor Tutor Connection is holding a Volunteer Information Session on Wed., Sept. 13, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, MVLA District Office Conference Room, 1299 Bryant Ave., Mountain View. Please join us and learn about becoming a mentor and/or a tutor in the Mountain View and Los Altos public schools. Help a local student to a brighter future! To register go to www.mentortutorconnection.org/events - or email [email protected].
August/September CAC and LCC Events
SELPA 1 CAC and the Learning Challenge Committee are your groups for special education and broader learning challenge needs. We are ALL having learning challenges right now, and CAC and LCC are here to help. If you have questions about learning challenges and special education needs, email [email protected] or check out www.selpa1cac.org
We encourage families to learn about the sensory needs all children: Try a Sensory Diet
Parent Chat
September 12, 10 am
Are you concerned about the emotional well-being of your child? Peer to peer support for parents of teens with mental health challenges. Every second Tuesday of the month at 10 am on Google Meet. Meeting is for 1 hour only due to Google Meet limitations. Contact [email protected] for invite.
September 13, 10 am Morning Let’s Talk - IEP/504 support group. Have questions about the process to get help for your child? Have an IEP but are not sure how to make changes? Need to vent? This is your confidential group. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZModeirqToiHdQpAOpxx4g3NaLHuElaLtJs
Missed our Parent Education events last year?
We have a YouTube channel with many of our past events including last year’s Inclusive Fun Fair for summer camps and recreational activities, Anxiety and Depression in Children with Learning Challenges, SMART Goals and IEP Troubleshooting, and more. Channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuy7IcVz-4LTDxv2Jaq13nw
Housing and Eviction Help Center
The City of Mountain View's Rent Stabilization Program runs the Housing and Eviction Help Center (HEHC) at the MV Public Library to provide housing-related support to the community, including information about housing programs and legal resources. These services are available on 1st and 3rd Thursdays (walk-ins welcome or virtually at mountainview.gov/housinghelpclinics) from 6 - 8 p.m. For more information, see flyers attached or visit mountainview.gov/evictionprevention.
City Searching for Volunteers to Serve Community
Recruitment is open for upcoming vacancies on several City boards, commissions and committees that weigh 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 [email protected] or 650-903-6304. The deadline to apply is Sept. 29 at 5 p.m.
SCCOE Family Engagement Symposium 2023: Sept. 9
Join SCCOE’s upcoming free Family Engagement Symposium “Belonging Begins with Me” on Saturday, Sept 9, 2023. Workshops include Family Writing Activity - Writing Your Belonging Story, Establishing Your Financial Roots, How to Raise and Nurture an Antiracist Family, and more! Register here: https://sccoe.to/PEPBelongingSept9.
Announcing the MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series for 2023 - 2024
The MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series is excited to announce our speaker line-up for the 2023 - 2024 school year. Nationally and internationally recognized experts will join us to discuss important topics on child and adolescent well-being, as well as our own - including how to help kids face the unique challenges of growing up surrounded by computers, how to raise successful adults and break free of the traps of overparenting, exploring why puberty is so different for today’s kids than past generations and figuring out how to beat the college admissions system.
2023 - 2024 Speaker Events
Devorah Heitner
Growing Up in Public: Helping our Kids Navigate the Digital Coming of Age
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 - 7pm
Mountain View High School - Spartan Theater
Julie Lythcott-Haims
How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 - 7pm
Mountain View High School - Spartan Theater
Cara Natterson & Vanessa Kroll Bennett
This Is So Awkward: A Conversation About How Puberty Has Changed
Tuesday, November 17, 2023 - 7pm
Los Altos High School - Eagle Theater
Susan Paterno
Game On: Why College Admission Is Rigged and How To Beat the System
Thursday, March 7, 2024 - 7pm
Los Altos High School - Eagle Theater
For more information, visit mvlaspeakerseries.org. Events are free thanks to our generous sponsors: MVLA High School Foundation, Los Altos Educational Foundation, Mountain View Educational Foundation, and the Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council.
PTA News
First Fridays PTA Social Hour: Friday, Sept 1 at 8:15am, back gate
Come hang out, drink coffee and chat with other parents after drop off! We will alternate between front and back gates this year. Look for the signs that morning.
Walk & Roll Wednesdays: Sept 6, 7:45-8:15am
On the first Wednesday of every month, we invite students to walk, roll, bike, or scoot to school. This encourages a healthy lifestyle and less car traffic on the roads. There will be eight chances this year to participate. If you do it at least five times, you will win a Root Beer Float Party in May. Note: parking at least a block away and walking to school counts! Punch cards will be given out on Sept 6. Passionate about the cause? We’re looking for adults and 5th graders to commit eight mornings (7:45am-8:15am) this year to help punch cards. Click here or email [email protected].
Ice Cream Social: Friday, Sept 8 at 6:00pm
The PTA invites you to our first Ice Cream Social of the year! We’ll provide the ice cream. We’re asking everyone to bring toppings to share. Ideas include sprinkles, Oreos, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, marshmallows, gummy bears, etc.
School-wide Playdate: Saturday, Sept 9 at 10:00am
Come play with friends, new and old, on Saturday, September 9th from 10am-12pm at Landels!
Flyers
August CAC and LCC Events
September CAC and LCC Events
Housing and Eviction Help Center
Announcing the MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series for 2023 - 2024
PTA Ice Cream Social
September Lunch Menu
2023-24 School Calendar