In this edition ...

• From the desk of Dr. Skelly …
• MVWSD receives “highest level of assurance” from independent audit
• Board meeting review: Honoring Trustees, Outdoor Learning, First Interim
• California Dashboard released yesterday
• High Fives
• Thanksgiving break

Dear MVWSD Families:

“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.” 

A few years ago I read this line as a preface to a play about the first Thanksgiving. My elementary aged and younger children and their cousins dressed up for the big event. Captain Standish, Squanto, and assorted pilgrims made appearances that day. The event was duly recorded for posterity and stands out as one of my favorite Thanksgiving memories. While Cicero wrote those words over two thousand years ago, their wisdom still applies today. 

What greater gift can we give to our children than a grateful heart? And besides giving thanks, how do our lives reflect our response to all the gifts we have? My children are young adults now, and I look forward to asking them these questions on Thursday when we gather to celebrate our giving thanks. They have opinions on everything! 

As for me, I feel enormously grateful to be serving as superintendent, at this time, in this wonderful community. We have many blessings to count. I asked my team for their top 5 for MVWSD, and they are:

1. Good, stable finances due to a new parcel tax and renewed Shoreline funding to support students and staff in the future.
2. Amazing staff who go above and beyond to support the needs of students daily.
3. Busy parents who support their students and their school every chance they get.
4. Clean, bright, modern facilities worthy of the learning that happens within.
5. The opportunity to serve a community that so values learning, inquiry and the promise of the next generation.
   

I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving filled with many joyous events, lively conversation and the chance to be with those you love. 

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

MVWSD receives “highest level of assurance” from independent audit

The District received preliminary results of our annual independent financial audit for the 2023-24 school year.  It is a "clean audit," indicating that there are no findings and that the district's financial statements are presented fairly and accurately in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). 

An unmodified opinion is the highest level of assurance an auditor can provide and reflects positively on the district's financial health and management practices. 

Here's what the audit shows:

• The financial statements comply with all applicable accounting principles and standards (e.g., GAAP, GASB for public entities).
• The financial information is free of material misstatements or errors.
• The district’s internal financial controls are effective in supporting accurate and reliable financial reporting.
• The district has used its funds appropriately and in alignment with budgetary and legal requirements.
• No significant issues, such as noncompliance with laws, regulations, or grant requirements, were identified that would require correction or disclosure.

The final audit report will be presented to the board at the December 19 Board of Trustees meeting.

Board meeting review: Honoring Trustees, Outdoor Learning, First Interim

The Board and staff extend heartfelt gratitude to Trustees Laura Ramirez Berman and Laura Blakely as they conclude their terms. Among many examples of their guidance and commitment, both provided exceptional leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, guiding MVWSD’s award-winning response to school closures and the return-to-learn efforts. Their dedication to educational excellence and community engagement leaves a lasting legacy for our students, families, and staff.

Laura Ramirez Berman

Serving for four years and as Board President from 2022-2023, Ms. Ramirez Berman championed the Climate Change and Green Schoolyard Board Resolution in 2023, driving sustainability efforts and expanding green spaces across the District. Read the resolution honoring her here

Laura Blakely

With eight years of service, including terms as President (2017-2018, 2021-2022), Ms. Blakely led campaigns for key funding measures and oversaw the opening of three new schools—Stevenson, Castro, and Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary—enhancing opportunities for the Mountain View community. Read the resolution honoring her here. 

Outdoor Learning Areas designs: Staff shared preliminary plans for outdoor learning based on feedback gathered from students, staff, parents, and community.  Look in your school newsletters for upcoming meeting dates, when you can comment on the latest plans to add natural elements to school campuses.  You may see the designs here. For more information, see mvwsd.org/greening.

First Interim Budget: Twice during the fiscal year, a school district is required to submit a financial report certifying the district's ability to meet its financial obligations for the current year and two subsequent years. The reports examine the district's attendance, spending patterns, fund balance, reserve for economic uncertainties, and multi-year projections. To read the 2024-2025 First Interim Budget Report and materials, click here.

California Dashboard released yesterday

The state released the California School Dashboard for the 2023-24 school year on Nov. 21.  The Dashboard is a visual representation of how schools are performing under California's school accountability system. It helps parents and staff identify areas of strength and target areas that need additional support in districts and schools. 

Some of the Dashboard areas include academic performance, as well as behavior and absenteeism.  The Dashboard shows MVWSD continues to have overall high ratings in English Language Arts and Math, although many student groups - such as English Learners, Socio-Economically Disadvantaged students, Students with Disabilities and Hispanic/Latino students - are still struggling.  MVWSD’s Chronic Absenteeism rates continue to decline overall (11.4%) and are well below those of the County of Santa Clara (15.5%) and the State of California (20.4%).

MVWSD is already hard at work focusing on the strategies that brought success before the pandemic, such as Response to Instruction to help students with their individual needs, targeted language support for English Learners, and professional development for teachers. The Early Literacy Team is successfully supporting students at Castro, Mistral, Monta Loma, Theuerkauf and Vargas. The District is implementing its MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support) that will further help schools use data to inform instructional decisions for the benefit of individual learners.

See the data at caschooldashboard.org. MVWSD staff will present an analysis of the Dashboard indicators at a January Board of Trustees meeting.

High Fives

United Against Hate Week

MVWSD celebrated United Against Hate Week at school sites this week. The week was dedicated to fostering inclusivity, celebrating belonging, and standing together against all forms of hate. There were a variety of meaningful events and activities at our schools, including inspiring assemblies, engaging classroom lessons, community gatherings, creative art projects, and more. Together, we continue to work to build a stronger, more inclusive community!

United Against Hate Designation

Nine schools have been designated as "No Place for Hate" by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for the 2023-24 school year. This recognition reflects the district's ongoing commitment to creating inclusive, respectful learning environments where all students can thrive. 

They are: Amy Imai Elementary, Benjamin Bubb Elementary, Crittenden Middle, Edith Landels Elementary, Mariano Castro Elementary, Theuerkauf Elementary, Stevenson Elementary, Monta Loma Elementary, and Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary.

To achieve No Place for Hate designation, each school completed a series of requirements, including: Forming a dedicated committee of students, teachers, and staff; Building a coalition committed to stopping bias and bullying; Implementing school-wide anti-bias and bullying prevention activities; and Creating opportunities for dialogue between students, teachers, and staff.

Graham PTA Awarded Grant for Digital Citizenship

The Graham Middle School PTA has been awarded the PTA Connected: Be Internet Awesome Grant, sponsored by Google and YouTube. This program provides students with essential tools for digital citizenship and online safety. Congratulations to the Graham PTA for their dedication to fostering a supportive community and helping our students navigate the digital world responsibly.

We have so many blessings to count! Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there is no school and school offices are closed Nov. 25-29. School will resume on Monday, Dec. 2. Have a safe and restful Thanksgiving.