Important Dates to Remember
Aug 14 8:20am - Principals Coffee – Staff Room
Aug 28 6-7:30pm - Back to School Night – Minimum Day
Sept 2 Labor Day – No School
Landels News
Hello Landels Families!
I hope you and your families had a safe and relaxing summer. There was so much positive energy on campus today as we welcomed new and returning Landels students. I am thrilled to start my fourth year as the Landels principal! Last year was incredibly rewarding - students grew in many ways and persevered through many challenges. This year will be even better! We have an incredibly talented staff that will support your child’s academic, social and emotional development.
Please bring your school-related questions to Principal's Coffee this Wednesday, August 14th @ 8:20am in the staff lounge.
The pick-up/drop-off process will not change this year. All students should enter campus through the main entrance on Dana St. or through the back entrance off of Mercy St. (see image). The parking lot tends to get very congested during dismissal, especially on minimum days. Please make sure you are being safe and only pick up students in the pick-up zone. There is enough room for 2 rows of cars to pick up students (highlighted in yellow) while the 3rd row in red is for exiting the parking lot. This only works if all cars pull up to the pick-up zone. Please also make sure you do not block the bike lane while pulling into the school on Dana St. Thank you for your cooperation.
Kinder parents are asked to park and walk up to the Kinder gate for dismissal (1:45pm on Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri and 12:10pm on Thurs). See slide 2.
If you or your child are walking or rolling to school, the Safe Routes to School website includes helpful tips and a map for Landels, which highlights the suggested routes to school. Remember to wear your helmet!
Parents are allowed on campus in the morning before school starts and after school ends. To ensure student and staff safety, Landels is a closed campus between the hours of 8:10am and 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (8:10am-12:15pm on Thursdays and minimum days). We do encourage parents to drop students off at the front gate as this promotes student independence and has proven helpful with the transition to school. Please also make sure to stay clear of the after-school programs while on campus in the afternoon.
Below is the schedule for the the remainder of the week:
Wednesday, 8/13 (full day)
Thursday, 8/14 (minimum day) - Dismissal is at 12:10pm
Friday, 8/11 (full day)
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Landels Elementary schedule
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Kindergarten
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8:15 AM - 1:45 PM
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Grades 1 - 3
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8:15 AM - 2:50PM
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Grades 4 - 5
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8:15 AM - 2:55PM
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Thursday and Minimum Day Schedule
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8:15 AM - 12:10PM
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I am happy to welcome Caitlin Walsh, our new school counselor, to the Landels team. Please continue reading Caitlin’s welcome letter below.
Looking forward to a very successful school year!
Pieter Dolmans
Hello!
My name is Caitlin Walsh and I am thrilled to serve as the School Counselor for Landels Elementary School. I love working with students of all ages and it is my goal to support the success of ALL students. My work is focused on a strengths-based and solution-focused framework. I may work with your child individually or in a small group in addition to classroom social-emotional lessons. In my role as a school counselor, it is my mission to make every student I come in contact with feel safe, supported, and seen within our school community, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or beliefs. I look forward to supporting and growing with the Landels Community!
Please don’t hesitate to check out some resources here in our Student & Adult Calm Corners, as well as on the district Mental Health page.
Sincerely,
Ms. Caitlin Walsh
M.S., P.P.S. School Counselor
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.
Medication Forms
If your child requires medication to be kept at school, please pick up medication release forms from the office during our first week of school and return ASAP (we cannot administer any medication without the form). Please note that all medication, even over the counter ones, need a medication form signed by your doctor.
MVWSD News
Parent University: MVWSD District Orientation
Date and Time: August 12, 2024, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/pu081224r
It’s a district “Back to School Night”! - an orientation to everything parents and caregivers need to know to kickoff the school year. A great reminder of the resources both the district and your individual schools have, as well as a thorough introduction for new families to the district. Who would you go to for help with the school meal application? How do you access information regarding your child’s assessments? Come and hear answers to these questions and more!
To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
CAASPP scores are now available
CAASPP student (ELA, Math) score reports (from the Spring tests, current 4th- through 8th-graders) were recently released by the state and are now available for parents on the PowerSchool Parent Portal (under “Score Reports” - choose the 2023 - 24 school year). To learn more about how to understand your child’s CAASPP score report, go to the Starting Smarter website at https://www.ca.startingsmarter.org/. If you need assistance with logging on to the Powerschool Parent Portal, please contact your student’s school office.
Applying to be a school volunteer this year? Training and help sessions happen this month
We appreciate our parent volunteers! Please check your inbox (email dated Aug. 5) for important information about mandated training and optional volunteer help sessions coming up in the next two weeks. For an overview of the process, please visit https://www.mvwsd.org/volunteers.
Important schedule information for families enrolled in afterschool care
MVWSD+ Afterschool Programs (ELOP) will not happen on August 13 and instead will start on the second day of school, August 14. Right at School parent-paid programs will also start on Aug. 14. YMCA parent-paid programs will take place on Aug. 13.
No MVWSD+ Afterschool Programs on Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Due to preparations for Elementary School Back to School Night and afterschool staff development, there will be no MVWSD+ Afterschool Programs on Wednesday, August 28 (a minimum day for students). MVWSD+ families, thank you in advance for making other arrangements. This affects all Right At School programs, all Beyond the Bell programs, and the district-paid YMCA programs. Please note that due to contractual reasons, parent-paid YMCA programs will still operate. All programs resume as normal on Thursday, August 29.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or call (650) 526-3500 x1061.
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.
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.
Sown to Grow
MVWSD is again partnering with Sown to Grow for the 2024-25 school year. Sown to Grow is a platform designed to promote safe and supportive classrooms through activities that help students develop self-awareness, set goals, and develop essential social and emotional skills.
Each week, students in Grades K-5 complete a simple check-in that lets them share how they are feeling. Students in Grades 3-5 also respond to a brief written prompt that encourages reflection on friendships, community, and social-emotional wellbeing. Teachers, principals, and counselors see real-time reporting on students’ emotions and can proactively reach out to support students’ needs. Finally, students in Grades 1-8 complete a brief SEL survey in the Fall and Spring. Please feel free to contact your student’s principal with any additional questions about the program.
Notice: National School Lunch / School Breakfast Programs
The Mountain View Whisman School District announces its policy for serving meals to students under the National School Lunch / School Breakfast Programs for the 2024-25 school year.
All students will be served breakfast and lunch at no charge through the California Universal Meal Program, part of the National School Lunch Program.
For additional information please contact: Deborah Austin, Director of Food Service, 1701 Rock St., Mountain View, CA 94043, 650.903.6965, [email protected].
While the program will offer free Universal Meals for all students, households will continue to be able to complete an application for free and reduced-price meals, which may support the school district’s local education funding and could also qualify the family for additional benefits. Click here for free and reduced price eligibility guidelines and for more information on applying.
Non Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992.
Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
(2) Fax: 202-690-7442
(3) E-mail: [email protected]
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Welcome from MVEF and Why MVEF Matters
The Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF) welcomes all families to the 2024-25 school year! Thanks to support from parents like YOU, MVEF provides your child with a competitive, well-rounded education. MVEF is a volunteer-driven non-profit dedicated to funding innovative programs for all students in the MVWSD district.
School funding covers salaries, facilities, and core academics, while MVEF funding enhances the learning environment with art, music, environmental science, middle school athletics, and additional English teachers in middle school, reducing class sizes by over 20%. To maintain these programs, MVEF seeks donations from parents and community members. The suggested amount per student this school year is $1,100, per student, also payable as a recurring monthly payment, but every donation is meaningful. All donations are tax-deductible. Visit mvef.org for more information and to donate. Thank you for your support!
FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
NW SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting
Parent and community voices are needed in Special Education! Come join our first official meeting on Aug. 27 at 9:00 am as the Santa Clara North West SELPA CAC. Register here to receive Zoom link. For more information, contact: [email protected] and [email protected].
PTA News
Mark your calendars!
Or just sync the Konstella Event calendar to your personal one by clicking here!
· 1st PTA Meeting: Fri, Aug 23, 8:30am in the front office
· Ice Cream Social: Fri, Aug 23, 5:30-7pm on the blacktop
· Multicultural Festival: Fri, Sept 13, 5-7pm MUR and blacktop
· Fall Book Fair: Sept 23-27, MUR
· Walkathon: Fri, Oct 18, 3-6pm on the field
Welcome Back Landels Families!
I hope everyone enjoyed the Lemonade & Cookies Party on Monday! That was just a taste of what the Landels PTA has planned for this year. More information will come out next week about how to participate in the Multicultural Festival as well as our PTA Family Buddy Program.
What is the PTA and what does it do?
PTA stands for Parent-Teacher Association. Our mission is to 1. Build school community where everyone feels welcome and valued with focus on diversity, equity and inclusion 2. Provide enriching experiences and programs for students 3. Support students, parents, teachers, staff and volunteers.
Everything we do is in service of that mission, from popsicle parties and teacher appreciation events to funding assemblies and teacher stipends to hosting big events like our Multicultural Festival and fundraising events like our Walkathon.
PTA Checklist:
· Check out our website
· Become a PTA member to show your support and donate if you can
· Join Konstella and update your child’s classroom assignment
After-School Enrichment
All of our onsite after school enrichment classes for fall are now available for registration! Visit and bookmark our new page for listings, info, and direct registration links: https://www.landelspta.org/afterschool. Questions? [email protected]
Back to School Night - Teacher Appreciation - Help needed!
Let's treat our amazing teachers and staff to a nice lunch while they're busy preparing for Back To School Night. Items can be store bought or homemade. Any non-perishable snacks and drinks to help fuel them through the day and night would also be appreciated! Please drop off in the Front Office between 8am - 12pm on Wednesday, Aug. 28. If sign-up sheet is full and you want to help in another way, email [email protected].
Landels Ice Cream Social
Please join us on Friday, August 23rd from 5:30 - 7 pm for an ice cream social at Landels!
· We will have treats for the whole family, and students can play and get to know new friends.
· It’s more fun if you volunteer! Please sign up to help with this event here.
Multicultural Festival
Every year Landels hosts a Multicultural Festival for students to learn about cultures from around the world.
This year, the festival will be on September 13th from 5 - 7 pm (not in May), so that families can get to know each other earlier in the year.
· It is fun to host a table about your culture! This can be as simple as bringing some snacks from your culture, showing students how to play a game, or making a poster with fun facts. Sign up here to host a culture table. Even new families can do this, table host FAQ here.
· At the festival we will have a short student showcase. Any student can sign up to perform their talent, it does not have to be tied to a specific culture. Sign up here.
Sign up for Buddy Family Program
We know it can be a lot getting used to a new school. It can feel overwhelming especially in the first few weeks if you don't know who to reach out to to ask questions.
Here at Landels we are starting a new “Buddy Family” program to help connect new families with returning families.
Returning families will help answer their new buddy family’s questions, point them to the correct source of information, help them get signed up for the events and activities they are interested in, and help connect them over time to make friends in the community.
✨New to Landels families, sign up if you would like a Buddy Family here.
✨Returning Landels families, sign up here if you are willing to be a Buddy Family.
Flyers
NW SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting
2024-2025 School Calendar
August Menu