Mountain View Whisman School District embraces its role in establishing its commitment to equity in our district. It is our mission to establish and nurture a supportive culture where every student, staff, family, and community member feel valued and supported while working, learning, and partnering with MVWSD.

We envision a district where our students are empowered to reach their highest  potential, acknowledging that this excellence is borne from a deep well of knowledge sustained through our diversity, not stymied by it. We will encourage our students not only to think and feel-- but act -- in a way that aims to disassemble power structures that marginalize historically underserved communities. Lastly, we will empower students to be active participants in a diverse democracy and learn how to be agents of change in their own lives and in the lives of others.

  

Better Together MVWSD presents the Talk: Courageous Conversations about Equity: “COVID-19 and the Lasting Impact on our LatinX Community”

Date: Wednesday, Mar. 10, 6 p.m. on Zoom: http://mvw.sd/LatinX

The Latinx community has been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Join us for a panel discussion with parents and Latinx community leaders about how this has personally affected families and students and how individuals can be true allies to their LatinX neighbors or others who are suffering through this pandemic without perpetuating harmful stereotypes or practices.

Panelists:
Sophie Alcorn, Attorney in Immigration and Nationality Law, Alcorn Immigration Law
Claudia Olaciregui, Principal at Mistral Elementary
Malia Pires, Executive Director, Reach Potential Movement
José Gutiérrez, Former MVWSD Board member
Priscila Bogdanic, School and Community Engagement Facilitator, MVWSD

In case you missed it: Police Interactions, Race and “The Talk:” Recording

For Black children, the “talk” about how to interact with police is a rite of passage. If you missed it, you can see the recording of panel discussion with parents, the Mountain View Police Department and other leaders about what this means for policing for all of our children and families in our community and schools.

Click here for the video recording in English (Includes captions and Spanish subtitles).
Click here for the video recording in Spanish/español (audio/video only)

Monthly offerings

Our monthly offering towards MVWSD’s equity goals is titled Together We Are a Better MVWSD.

Each month you will receive an infographic in both English and Spanish that offers educational tools and community guidance inspired by a national diversity calendar. The theme is guided by the calendared events that are taking place that month.

You’ll see:

* Lessons provided by grade level that are designed to be used by teachers to enhance work they are doing in the classroom. 
* Activities provided to parents, which are meant to help bridge the gap between lessons at school and conversations at home. 
* Organization spotlights to help us engage with our community and learn more about organizations doing equity work.
* Children’s books by authors who have either the lived experience or scholarly background to contextualize this topic for children and adolescents. Please check back monthly for new topics and resources.

Women's History: March

In the month of March, we are celebrating Women’s History. BetterTogether recognizes the people, movements, and ideas that challenge expectations and gender stereotypes that negatively affect us all. From women’s suffrage to the gender equality movements of modern day, it has become clear that when we all fight gender inequality, we all win. Celebrate this month by having meaningful conversations with your students, your children, and your fellow s(heroes). In addition to the infographic, this month we will also be highlighting amazing women from our organization and learning about the s(heroes) that have inspired their own commitment to gender equality.

Click on each graphic below to view the PDF:
 

Black History Month: February

Even before children can talk, they are learning about the world and about race through the words and actions of others. Parents, teachers, and caregivers have the unique opportunity to frame their child's first attempts to understand and talk about race. Talking about race matters because (1) everyone has a racialized identity, (2) racialized identity significantly impacts a person's life, and (3) race is a defining social construct in America.

This Black History Month, use the Better Together infographic to begin racially-focused conversations with children acknowledging that conversations about race will look different for each family and classroom and there is no single way to talk to children about race. Have honest conversations with your students about the history of privilege and oppression as it relates to Black History and, where appropriate, connect this to local community and larger global issues.

Together, we can fully explore black history Black History. Together, we can become anti-racist.

Click on each graphic below to view the PDF:
 

Poverty in America Awareness Month: January

January is Poverty in America Awareness Month and in the time of Covid-19 and the economic fallout, talking about issues surrounding poverty has never been more important. Words matter and our students know more than we often give them credit for. Talking about poverty with kids is not only possible, it's important. Explore the resources provided in this infographic to find an approach to talking about poverty that is most appropriate for your student(s). Ultimately, your conversations should reinforce that when it comes to making a difference in the world and caring for others in our community, we are #BetterTogether.

Click on each graphic below to view the PDF:

 

Together we can appreciate our abilities: December

In December, we are celebrating Abilities Awareness Month. To honor our commitments in moving towards equity and inclusion, help us bring the voices of people with diverse abilities into your classroom or homes, and create a learning environment that rejects ableism. From lessons on art, activism and physical disabilities to education about new developments in Universal Design, these resources will help you and your children embrace diverse abilities and understand the injustices people with disabilities often encounter. Together, we can appreciate our abilities and celebrate our common humanity.

Click on each graphic below to view the PDF:
  

We acknowledge our history: November

It's already November and the holiday season is upon us. Traditionally, elementary school students learn about a peaceful feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians, who helped teach them to survive in a perilous new world. To promote both critical thinking and the disruption of falsehoods favoring a colonialist-dominant narrative, we must engage with primary sources and counter-narratives to grapple with the mythologies of the first Thanksgiving. This month, the BetterTogether calendar encourages all of us to acknowledge our shared history and acknowledge the truths of that history, starting with the contributions of those Indigenous to North America. 

Click on each graphic below to view the PDF:




Special edition: ELECTION! 

Here is a special edition on the Nov. 3 election
Participating in elections is one of the key freedoms of American life. Many people in countries around the world do not have the same freedom, nor did many Americans in centuries past. No matter what you believe or whom you support, it is important to exercise your rights. We celebrate the upcoming election cycle by publishing materials for teachers and parents that promote civic engagement amongst students and give resources to parents about how to secure their participation in this year's election. Both the links and QR codes will take you directly to the recommended resources.

Click on each graphic below to view the PDF:

 

National Coming Out Day: October

Whether you're lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or an ally, be proud of who you are and your support for LGBTQ+ equality this Coming Out Day! Every person who speaks up changes more hearts and minds, and creates new advocates for equality. Inspired by National Coming Out Day on October 11th, this month’s calendar provides resources for the MVWSD community around the topic of LGBTQ+ and gender identities. Developmentally appropriate lesson plans have been provided for teachers, while articles and parenting guides appear this month in the parent section of the calendar. Check out the literature section at the bottom of the calendar for age-appropriate literature to support your discussions in school and at-home.

Click on the images below to open PDFs

 

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Hispanic Heritage Month: September

Click on the images below to open PDFs