In this edition ...

• From the desk of Dr. Skelly
• Staff housing update
• Updating the volunteer process for next year
• Board meeting review: Superintendent’s Search, Black History Month, Mental Health and Wellness, Travel Policy and Staff One-Time Payment
• Social-emotional learning curriculum update
• LCAP survey is open now
• High Fives
  

Finishing my second Interim Superintendent stint:

Beginning February 3, Mr. Jeff Baier will replace me as Interim Superintendent for the rest of the school year. Jeff is a former MVWSD teacher and principal, and was most recently the superintendent of Los Altos Elementary School District. 

It has been so professionally fulfilling to work in this magnificent community these past three plus months during this inflection point in the district. Collectively you are doing transformative things for students. I’m confident that even better things are on their way.

On we go!

Kevin Skelly, Ph.D.
Interim Superintendent
[email protected]

A Personal Reflection for Black History Month

There are times when I talk with my children about "when I grew up," and they are incredulous. For example, they can scarcely imagine a world without computers or a world in which the only phone one had was tethered to a wall.

They have the same reaction when I describe my days growing up in Southwest Virginia. Roanoke was one of the most segregated cities in the country in terms of housing patterns, and the schools were rigidly divided by race. While Brown vs. Board of Education became the law of the land in 1954, the schools in Roanoke were not integrated until 1970, when I was in fifth grade. Integration created an environment wherein I was given life lessons and the inspiration to become an educator.

I remember the three buses filled with my new classmates coming down the hill to "my" elementary school.  I remember being afraid, but I can only imagine how fearful it was for those on the bus. The staff, too, was thrust together and, while I don't know what the conversations were in the staff lounge, I felt that the adults were looking out for me and helping me make sense of this new reality.

When I went to junior high, I met one of the most influential people in my life, Mr. John Harris. As a math teacher, he single handedly destroyed all the stereotypes my friends and I had developed in our bigoted, white world. He was the hardest working, smartest, most caring and involved teacher in the school. After winning Teacher of the Year for multiple years, the administration instituted a rule that no teacher could win the award in consecutive years. Between classes the halls were clogged as students tried to get some acknowledgement from him as he went by. Even though I scored exactly four points on his basketball team, I would have run through a wall for Mr. Harris, and so would have all of my friends. I am quite sure I would not have played basketball in high school, nor would I have become a math teacher myself, were it not for him.

And he wasn't alone. There were other teachers, black and white, who, despite the fits and starts, made the experience better for all students. There is something hopeful and optimistic in almost every educator, and it seemed they all brought this to the fore at Woodrow Wilson Junior High during this time of civil unrest and change.

Americans place almost too much hope in their public schools as an agent of societal improvement. One would be hard-pressed to find a social problem where schools are not called upon to be part of the solution. So it was, and is, with segregation and racism, and with the multiple social issues we face as a nation.

As I think about how I am a product of these experiences, I remember how, just a decade ago, I was talking to Mr. Harris and thanking him for what he did for me so many years ago. He smiled and said, "You don't have to thank me, you just have to go and do something for someone else." Good advice for all of us this month, I think.

Somehow in our preparation for last night’s board meeting, this resolution did not make it onto the agenda in error. We apologize for the delay in allowing the Board to add its voice to the hundreds of school districts now expressing their commitment to the legal rights of all students, particularly those who fear that they may be removed from their families and schools. As you read in my letter last week, we are committed to supporting families.  The resolution will be brought to the Board at its February 13 meeting for action.

Staff Housing Update

After many years of planning and construction, the first move-ins are expected to begin on February 21 in the MVWSD staff housing community - called Mountain View Whisman at the Sevens. Thanks to the community’s support through Measure T in 2020, this is the first affordable housing development in our community created for MVWSD staff members at below-market rates. 

MVWSD has approximately 30 employees who will begin moving in on Feb. 21, with more employees currently applying and confirming their units. More than 80 employees attended open houses in January to learn about moving to MVW at The Sevens and living closer to work.  The district owns the building, and leases the land. The Board is considering purchasing the land if this could reduce expenses and potentially lower rents for residents. Learn more about the community at mvwsd.org/housing.

Updating the volunteer process for next year

Thank you to the 800+ parents who completed the process to become MVWSD volunteers this year! We know registering as a volunteer can feel time-consuming, and we’ve been working hard to make it more convenient while keeping schools safe.

Starting in the 2025-26 school year, we’re streamlining the process:

Badge requirements:  The District will more closely align with AB506. Rather than counting visits, MVWSD will use the hours range from state law, which allows parents to volunteer more often before being required to get a badge.

• Volunteers logging 16+ hours/month, 32+ hours/year, or chaperoning overnight trips will need a badge.
• Infrequent volunteers: If volunteering fewer hours, simply check in at the office with a valid ID.
• Unsure? Start as infrequent and update your status after 12 hours in a month or 25 total hours. Parents attending assemblies or school programs are visitors, not volunteers, and just need to check in with a valid ID.

We’ll continue supporting you with requirements:

• Annual Mandated Reporter training is available for free at the District Office, or can be completed through other organizations like scouts. Accessing the state training online at home ($7.99) will still be an option.
• Fingerprinting/background checks are required once. We can help you with the cost,  if needed.
• TB clearance is valid for 4 years—check after year 3 to schedule your update.

Coming soon: Look for a district volunteer survey this spring. If you indicate your interest in becoming a “Regular Volunteer,” you will be able to start your application after July 1 for next year. Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our schools!

Board meeting review: Superintendent’s Search, Black History Month, Mental Health and Wellness, Travel Policy and Staff One-Time Payment

Superintendent Search Process: The Board approved a contract with Leadership Associates to conduct the search for MVWSD’s next superintendent, to be in place by July 1. The process will include parent and staff input during February.  Click here for more information. 

The Board of Trustees passed a resolution honoring February as Black History Month, a significant annual observance that highlights the invaluable contributions of African Americans throughout history. It serves as a vital reminder of the struggles, achievements, and cultural richness of the Black community, promoting unity and diversity awareness. MVWSD is proud to highlight these contributions through school activities and events.

MVWSD is committed to supporting student well-being through an integrated mental health continuum. The district has made strides in aligning its practices with Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) principles, offering tiered interventions to address prevention, early intervention, and intensive support needs. In collaboration with school administrators and the Health & Wellness (H&W) team, key areas of progress include the pilot phase of SEL curriculum adoption, ongoing policy review, and expanding the use of data to refine counseling and mental health services. For more information, click here.

The Board discussed the Out of Town Travel and Conference/Workshop Policy as recommended by the Budget Advisory Committee. This policy is one aspect of a continued effort to enact financial processes to ensure greater transparency, inclusive financial decision-making, and more efficient use of our resources.

MOU One-Time Payment: The District and Board of Trustees appreciate all that MVWSD staff members do to support students and the community. In gratitude, the District will provide financial support for staff members by offering a one time payment of $1000 (prorated based on employees’ full-time equivalency) that eligible staff may use toward planning for the future.

Update: SEL Curriculum Progress & Community Engagement Opportunities

The work of our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum Committee has reached an exciting milestone. Since September 2024, this dedicated team of educators, administrators, and community members has worked tirelessly to narrow down over 100 curriculum options to just two high-quality finalists for piloting. Their focus, commitment, and collaboration have been nothing short of extraordinary, and we are so proud of the progress we’ve made.

Pilot Information

Pilot 1: Second Step curriculum pilot is in progress, January 13, 2025 through February 14, 2025, with pilot teachers providing weekly lessons. You can find sample lesson plans and activities linked here.

Pilot 2: Character Strong curriculum pilot will take place February 24, 2025 through April 4, 2025, offering another exciting opportunity for our educators to implement effective SEL lessons. You can find more information here:  Elementary   Middle School

We Want Your Input!

As part of our shared commitment to ensuring the best for our students, we are inviting the MVWSD Community (teachers, staff, families) to review and provide feedback on the pilot curricula. Your perspective matters, and we’d love for you to join us at one of the following community review sessions:

SEL Curricula Review
Location: MVWSD District Office - Conference Room C
1400 Montecito Ave., Mountain View, CA 94043

March 13, 2025
Session 1: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Session 2: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

March 20, 2025
Session 3: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Session 4: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

These sessions are a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the SEL programs being considered, share your insights, and engage in the important work of shaping the future of our district’s approach to social-emotional learning. If you are unable to attend these sessions and are interested in reviewing the curricula, please email Karin Jinbo. 

We are deeply grateful for the incredible efforts of the SEL Curriculum Committee and the support of our parent community. Let’s keep the momentum going as we work together to make a difference for our students!  You can continue to check our webpage here for updates. Together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate, and resilient learning environment for all our students.

Complete your LCAP survey today! (before Feb. 14)

The District is updating the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). Your responses to the survey will guide the update of our District plan for the 2025-26 school year.

Parents, please click on your unique survey link sent to your email. Your survey link is unique to your household and only one parent/guardian can complete it.

Your responses are confidential. Students in grades 4-8 will also be taking the LCAP survey. More information found here: mvwsd.org/LCAP

High Fives

Kiwanis Award GMSTV

Graham recently received a grant from the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View Foundation for its GMSTV program. This year’s funding will enhance the quality of our students’ live broadcasting of daily morning announcements, providing them with more experience using various equipment. Graham teachers Tom Sayer and Douglas Lange attended the award ceremony on January 29. We extend our gratitude to the Foundation for their commitment to supporting our community and empowering young learners.

Food Truck Tasting

MVWSD Child Nutrition staff, members of the Child Nutrition Focus group, and Living Garden staff have been hosting "Farm to Lunch" tasting events during lunch. Students enjoyed fresh garden salads topped with Chef Dalton's famous dressing, served from the Food For Thought Truck. It was a fantastic opportunity to experience the flavors of fresh, garden-grown ingredients!

"United in Harmony" Choir Concert

Graham and Crittenden's choral students joined the MVHS choirs for an impressive performance at the "United in Harmony" concert Tuesday. The groups performed individual pieces, as well as music that they learned together that afternoon. Our students had a chance to show off their vocal skills while getting a glimpse of high school performing arts.

Lunar New Year

Some school sites have started celebrating Lunar New Year. Pictured here is a Lunar New Year parade at Monta Loma by transitional kinder and kinder students.