Supts eNews- April 23, 2021

 

In this edition ...

  • Update on standardized testing in May
  • Summer School update
  • MVWSD refinances bonds, saving taxpayers over $4.4 million
  • Community Check-Ins with the Superintendent
  • High Fives: Earth Day and Reclassification of students
  • Resources for parenting in a pandemic
 
Update on standardized testing in May

Standardized testing is important. Along with grades, classwork, participation, and homework, testing helps teachers and parents understand our children’s progress and the best ways to reinforce or extend their learning.

Typically, each year in the spring, students in grades 3-8 take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) statewide assessments in English Language Arts and mathematics. Additionally, the California Science Test (CAST) is typically administered for 5th and 8th grade, and the California Alternative Assessment (CAA) is typically administered for our special needs students.

Due to the pandemic, this year is different.

Focusing on instruction and the social-emotional needs of our students is a priority at this time. As a district, we want to provide student progress monitoring without the added challenge of students and staff learning a new testing platform for students and staff with so few weeks left in the school year.

As a result of the pandemic, MVWSD now has the flexibility to choose the most viable testing option for our students. As a result, we will be administering only i-Ready tests in math and language arts for students in grades 3-8.

Recently, the California State Board of Education requested the U.S. Department of Education give relief from certain federal testing, accountability, and reporting requirements for the Spring CAASPP assessments for the 2020-21 school year. The U.S. Department of Education has recently approved flexibility for California’s testing, which allows school districts to choose the most viable testing option for their students.
The State Board of Education has emphasized that student progress should be monitored in the core content areas of English Language Arts and math. We will be using our i-Ready diagnostic assessment for Reading and math to monitor and report student progress instead of the CAASPP English Language Arts and mathematics tests. I-Ready diagnostics are aligned to the California Common Core State Standards.

i-Ready tests will be given in May, with results available to parents on June 4th. Your principal will communicate your school’s specific schedules for i-Ready test administration.

The i-Ready diagnostic assessments will be administered in May. Testing will be done in-person or remotely depending on whether your child is in in-person/ Blended learning or in distance learning/ Connected. Students have worked very hard this year under challenging circumstances. Through assessments, they will have a chance to show what they know and can do. The end-of-year tests will give you, your child, and your child’s teacher(s) important information about this year’s learning. The i-Ready test results will be accessible on Powerschool Parent Portal by the end of day June 4th. Your principal will be communicating the site specific i-Ready testing schedule.

Thank you for your support of our students, staff members and schools.

 
Summer School update

Summer learningMVWSD is planning academic support opportunities this summer for identified students, specifically those who are socio-economically disadvantaged. These opportunities are by invitation only, based on need.

All schools are working on needs assessments to inform the District’s learning recovery plan that will address some of the gaps caused by the pandemic. Thank you in advance for sharing your ideas and input at upcoming school meetings.

Please be on the lookout for lists of resources by grade level for those families who want to work with their students over the summer on grade level standards.

Please contact your school if you have questions.

MVWSD refinances bonds, saving taxpayers over $4.4 million

MVWSD recently locked in savings of over $4.4 million for taxpayers by refinancing outstanding school district bonds. The prior bonds were issued under Measure G, which was approved by voters in June 2012.

The District received the highest possible credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service as part of the bond issuance process. The ‘Aaa’ rating was based on the strength of the District’s financial position, tax base, local economy, and fiscal management.

The District took advantage of the current low interest rate environment and replaced bonds with an average interest rate of 3.96% with new bonds at all-inclusive interest rate of 2.61%. The refinancing did not extend the term of the original bond payments.

All of the savings from the refinancings will be passed back to District taxpayers in the form of lower property tax bills. The District has refinanced its outstanding bonds on numerous occasions for the benefit of local taxpayers. Since 2010, the District’s refinancings have saved taxpayers over $10 million.

Community Check-Ins with the Superintendent 

community checkPlease join us for an informal, online conversation with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph. There are only a few more left in this school year.

Friday, May 7, 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Friday, May 21, 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Friday, June 4, 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

High Fives: Earth Day and Reclassification of students

MVWSD celebrated Earth Day this week! Check out this video from Ms. Osaba’s kinder class at Mistral Elementary, which features student art projects made from recycled materials. It was selected as a winner of the City of Mountain View’s Earth Day video contest.

On Thursday, 98 students will achieve reclassification from English language learners to English language proficiency in a fun, socially-distanced event. We are so proud of the students who worked hard to learn another language and the families and teachers who supported them. MVWSD celebrates our diverse community where more than 46 languages are spoken. Congratulations!
 

Parenting problems during a pandemic?

It’s difficult to be a parent right now. Everyday Parenting is a free, online program that aims to make your typical day in the home easier. In this program, you will be given tools for improving your child’s behavior, increasing your child’s compliance with your requests, and strengthening your relationship with your child.

Please click here to access the FREE program.

*While we believe it can be helpful to families, this resource is not directly affiliated with MVWSD.

 

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