In this edition ...

• Board meeting review: Budgets and financial processes, social-emotional learning and school counselors
• Literacy Team continues to build strong foundations in reading
• Remembering 9/11
• How we monitor air quality
• High Fives: Healthiest Schools, Breakfast and Backpacks at Castro, Meet the Principals
• Be ready to vote on Nov. 5
  

2023-2024 Unaudited Actuals Budget Report 

Staff presented the current status of last school year’s spending and revenue. Highlights include that MVWSD ended on a positive note with revenue. However, as we move through the year, the budget will be adjusted to reflect fluctuations in both revenues and costs. Specific budgetary unknowns are whether the community will approve the parcel tax on the November 5 ballot, and the outcome of negotiations with the City on Shoreline community revenue sharing. Click here to view the presentation. 

Contract Approval Process and Ratification

Staff and District Counsel clarified the process for how the District enters into contracts with service providers. MVWSD strictly follows the law and district policy in determining when the Board is required to approve or ratify a contract, and when the superintendent has delegated authority to enter into contracts with service providers.  Click here to read the presentation. 

Budget Advisory Committee 

MVWSD is seeking members of a new Budget Advisory Committee to provide input, feedback, and recommendations on MVWSD’s budget development process. This representative group will help ensure transparency, foster understanding among stakeholders, and promote public participation in financial decision-making.  The group’s goal is to ensure that the district’s financial decisions align with the strategic plan and meet the needs of our diverse students, staff, and community. Click here to see the presentation. Click here to apply by Sept. 23.

Social Emotional Learning Instructional Materials and the Role of School Counselors

MVWSD is in the process of seeking a curriculum for students to be implemented next year that will develop and strengthen their attitudes, skills and strategies to improve their social – emotional health. There will be a committee who will review curriculum options and receive input from stakeholders. After a pilot, the committee will recommend one for potential approval by the Board of Trustees. Please see your school newsletter next week for information about the SEL curriculum committee and how you may apply. Click here for the presentation.

In 2024-2025, the District transitioned from school-based counseling with CHAC to district-employed school counselors.  This year, the District will examine how school counselors can be implemented most effectively for students within a comprehensive school counseling program and will be seeking feedback from parents and staff through surveys. In the meantime, counselors are revising and refining their program plans, including building their schedule of services while continuing to meet students’ needs. Click here for the presentation. 

Resolution: September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

The Board passed a resolution on the important topic of suicide prevention. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  The theme of "There is Help. There is Hope." provides our community with optimism and a tangible resource in the 988 Lifeline.  Click here to read the resolution.

Workplace Violence Prevention Plan

MVWSD is in the process of completing a workplace violence prevention plan. The District will be seeking feedback on the plan and refining it for an update next year. Click here to read the presentation.

Now in its second year, our expert literacy educators have achieved outstanding results, with significant improvements in reading proficiency in our elementary schools.

• Last year, 57% of grades K-2 students served increased their reading proficiency by at least one level  —a testament to its effectiveness.
• 80% of Castro’s kindergarteners ended the 2023-24 school year reading at grade level - a first in recent history.

This year, we anticipate even greater success with the introduction of a new curriculum grounded in the science of reading, further strengthening our students' literacy skills.

Click here for the video

Remembering 9/11

For those of us who are old enough, we all remember exactly where we were that day. And we continue to remember and honor the memory of those who lost their lives, those who grieve for them and recognize the bravery of first responders. As a school district, we commemorate September 11, 2001 with a moment of silence to teach our students about the resilience and unity that emerged from tragedy. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, community, and the enduring values of freedom and democracy. For guidance on how to navigate this subject in an age-appropriate way: 911memorial.org website and today.com.

On bad air days, decisions about actions, activities cancellations or school closure will be made based on AirNow measurements and the MVWSD Air Quality Index Chart. To view the MVWSD AQI chart and the live AirNow measurement, please see this webpage. Decisions about indoor recess/lunch for students will be made when the air quality dips into or below “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

Our HEPA filters (in every classroom and office) do double duty of helping to protect against airborne germs, as well as clean the air when wildfire smoke is bad. This is in addition to our schools’ updated HVAC systems that have highly effective MERV-13 filters, which is the highest-grade filter available for our units, or air purifiers with filtration ratings at least as high as the MERV-13. Our HVAC systems’ MERV-13 filters will remove 90% of smoke particulate, but not all of smoke odor.

High Fives: Healthiest Schools, Breakfast and Backpacks at Castro, Meet the Principals

Healthiest Schools Awards

We are thrilled to share that seven schools in the Mountain View Whisman School District are among the 879 schools nationwide to be named as America’s Healthiest Schools for 2024. The recognition, awarded by Alliance for a Healthier Generation (Healthier Generation), a leading children’s health organization, honors schools’ dedication to supporting the health and well-being of students, staff, and families. 

They are: Amy Imai Elementary School, Bubb Elementary School, Crittenden Middle School, Edith Landels Elementary School, Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School, Monta Loma Elementary School and Theuerkauf Elementary School. Our 2024 MVWSD awardees are recognized for increasing family and community engagement. In addition, Theuerkauf was recognized for promoting staff wellness.

Last year, Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary and Monta Loma Elementary Schools were named as America’s Healthiest Schools in 2023.

This award underscores MVWSD’s commitment to a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child approach to education, in which the entire community contributes to students’ academic, physical, and social-emotional health. 

Breakfast at Castro

Every morning this year, all Castro Elementary students are gathering in the MUR for school-provided breakfast. This is an important time, not only for nutritious food to power young bodies and brains for a great start to the day, but for building community and caring for each other. Breakfast during the school day is new this year at Castro as part of the ReImagining Castro Plan of Action. ReImagining Castro is the name of a plan that Castro teachers, parents, administrators and Trustees formed to increase access to high-quality and culturally-responsive educational experiences and supports for students at Castro. Free breakfast at school and setting aside a brief time to connect with one another is just one of the specific efforts the group recommended and our Board of Trustees supported. As part of the plan, staff updated the master schedule to maximize and align instructional blocks across the school to make instructional time even more effective. There will be more ReImagining Castro efforts this year. We will be working on recess support from Playworks, a site-dedicated newcomer support teacher and additional professional development days for teachers/staff.

Castro Backpack Giveaway at BTSN

Family Giving Tree, ServiceNow, and the Kids In Need Foundation partnered with Castro Elementary to host a backpack donation for our students and families during Back to School Night. The Family Giving Tree donated 175 backpacks and ServiceNow/The Kids In Need Foundation donated 100 backpacks. We are very thankful for their generosity and support of our community.

Meet the Principals

We're excited to have new MVWSD administrators with us this school year! We’ve been featuring our new principals on our social media. Check out Facebook to learn some fun facts about these staff members.

Be ready to vote on Nov. 5

The general elections are fast approaching - do you know how you’ll make your voice heard? Click here to learn more.

On the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters website:

• Register before Oct. 21 to vote online, in person, or by mail. 
• Explore available options for vote by mail.
• Find a vote center to cast your ballot.
• See what’s on your ballot

If you have any other questions, call (408) 299-VOTE (8683)