In this edition ...

• Honoring retiring Trustee Ellen Wheeler
• The 2023-24 district calendar is available
• The fight against winter viruses; Free COVID tests 
• Open Enrollment for 2023-24 starts in January
• MVWSD in EdSource: Bridging the Digital Divide
• Parent Involvement Board Policy

At last night’s meeting, the Board of Trustees honored retiring Trustee Ellen Wheeler for her 20 years of service to the District. Her friends and colleagues talked about her ability to mentor other public servants and to connect people with opportunities to serve their community.

“I stand here on the shoulders of giants as do my predecessors,” said Superintendent Dr. Ayindé Rudolph, “and I would say that you're one of those giants that we stand on. It’s fitting that you're ending on a high note. You will be missed, and I am grateful for the time that I've had with you.”

Here are some examples of Ms. Wheeler’s commitment to the children of MVWSD

   * She served as Board of Trustees President multiple times and worked collegially with 18 different trustee colleagues.

   * She hired and appointed five superintendents.

   * Ms. Wheeler served on many MVWSD committees, including the school closure task force and the boundary committee.

   * She supported the District’s successful passage of three parcel tax measures which ensured the District has been able to support programming like art and music, mental health services, and preschools.

   * She supported the District’s successful passage of two facilities bond measures which enabled the District to renovate all of our schools, construct three new school facilities (Stevenson, Castro, and Vargas) and build 144 units of affordable housing for teachers, and staff.

   * She served as Board President when Slater School was closed and also served on the Board when three new schools were opened:  Stevenson, Mistral, and Vargas.

We are grateful for her many years of counsel, and wish her well in her future endeavors!

The new term of William Lambert, a former MVWSD trustee, will begin on Dec. 10.

The school-year calendar is now available online here.  

Viruses are on the rise. As the weather gets colder and we spend more time indoors, we need to keep up our guard against germs. These simple steps will help prevent severe illness and hospitalization from the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Additionally, MVWSD is sending home free COVID tests for every student and staff member before winter break so that you can test before returning to school in January. Your school will be sending home the details. Stay well!

In January, the Mountain View Whisman School District will be opening student enrollment for next fall.

For CURRENT students in transitional kindergarten-7th grade: Parents will be asked by email to confirm enrollment from January 24 to February 10.

For families enrolling NEW students: Please check www.mvwsd.org/register for details about virtual school information meetings held in January, how to locate your neighborhood school, how to explore school options and the four steps to register during the enrollment period held January 24 to February 10. 

Read Dr. Rudolph’s commentary in the national publication, EdSource, on how MVWSD continues to creatively ensure all students have access to devices and the internet.

“In addition to supporting instruction and parent outreach, bridging the digital divide fulfills a moral imperative” - Dr. Ayindé Rudolph

Families, thank you for your engagement and involvement with our schools. Our sustained partnership is a big part of our continuous improvement as a district. Per California Department of Education guidelines, here for your review is the most recently updated version of our Board Policy on Parent Involvement. Any questions should be directed to Geoff Chang, Director of Federal, State, and Strategic Programs ([email protected]).