In this edition ...

• Board meeting review: Shoreline, Greening, Equity and i-Ready data
• Teachers granted permanent status
• Meet MVWSD’s counselors
• Get involved in MVWSD’s health and wellness initiatives
• Parcel Tax on the ballot on November 5
• High Fives

Shoreline Update:  Residents value good schools as an essential community service. MVWSD provides educational excellence at a bit of a disadvantage, however.  Some of MVWSD’s revenue comes from the Shoreline Regional Park Community, a special tax district that redirects tax revenue from MVWSD to the City. The City redistributes some money back to the schools, but it is only a portion of MVWSD’s entire share. Staff presented an update, and several representatives of the City were in attendance. Both Trustees and City representatives in attendance expressed the desire to collaborate on a long-term solution.  More information here.

Greening Initiative Update: The greening initiative is anchored in Board Resolution 05-012623, which was passed on January 26, 2023, and reflects the district's commitment to addressing climate change and fostering green schoolyards as part of a broader sustainability plan. Staff asked the Board to split the work in phases so that schools could be the recipients this fall of newly planted trees donated by Google and coordinated through Canopy. Look for a meeting at your school soon to gather input on greening design priorities for your campus. Staff will bring initial plans back to the Board in November, with the hopes to complete schematic designs for campuses by May 2025. More information here.

Equity Scorecard Update: The Equity Scorecard is designed to broaden the scope of data conversations within the district and identify key drivers of equitable outcomes. This document is a tool for schools to use to guide instructional focus and facilitate meaningful shifts in educational practices to the benefit of all students in MVWSD, especially for those in traditionally underserved subgroups.  The Scorecard has goals across four key areas: academic readiness, access, representation, and wellness. This year, schools are using it as part of their process to develop their annual School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSAs).  More information is here

i-Ready: Staff updated the Board of Trustees on the results of the  i-Ready Diagnostic assessment from the end of last year and beginning of this year. Results from the August Diagnostic assessment show: 

• We maintained or increased reading proficiency at almost all of our schools overall as a district in 2 years
• The majority of the grade levels maintained or increased reading proficiency.
• Most schools had increased math proficiency overall as a district in 2 years
• Half of our grade levels show increased math proficiency
• Most middle school math pathways maintained or increased proficiency

All schools are working hard to make sure every student gets strong, first instruction. With the new science of reading-based curriculum implemented this year, teachers are spending time learning new ways to teach reading step by step. In middle schools, besides focusing on strong first teaching for everyone, teachers are also creating content area assessments  to check how well students are learning and to help plan their lessons. Learn more here.

Resolution Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15, 2024 marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. MVWSD recognizes and honors the significant and historical contributions people with Hispanic/Latino heritage have made in our community. Please read the resolution here. 

Workplace Violence Prevention Plan: Staff presented the new WVPP that is intended to protect employees from workplace violence and correlates to the District’s Comprehensive Safety Plan. The WVPP includes measures such as prohibiting retaliation, responding to violence reports, conducting hazard assessments, and providing training. Learn more here.

Several teachers were honored last night at the Board of Trustees meeting for earning permanent status in our district. This means these educators have successfully completed their first two years of teaching at MVWSD, and are reelected to serve a third year. Congratulations, and thank you for your dedication to our students!

Dalia Barrientos, Theuerkauf Elementary
Matthew Chau, Stevenson Elementary
Tapan Dave, Crittenden Middle School
Ellen Dettman, Landels Elementary
Shaye Dillon, Crittenden Middle School
Geneva Fraser, Bubb Elementary
Tania Galicia Daza, Graham Middle School
Dana Garbo, Graham Middle School
Elsie Guzman Morales, Theuerkauf Elementary
Erin Hurd, Castro Elementary
Deepty Jain, Graham Middle School
Elizabeth Johnson, Imai Elementary
Patricia La, Crittenden Middle School
Enedina Leon Lopez, Theuerkauf Elementary
Kayleigh Lynch, Landels Elementary
Michelle Malashevitz, Landels Elementary
Robyn McConvey, Graham Middle School
Eva Mendoza, Graham Middle School
Ashleigh O’Sullivan, Graham Middle School
Joshua Orlando, Graham Middle School
Sarah Penalosa, Vargas Elementary
James Quinn, Crittenden Middle School
Harvest Radich, Monta Loma Elementary
Mary Schepman, Landels Elementary
Vanessa Schulz, Castro Elementary
Holly Shaw-Faria, Imai Elementary
Dena Vang, Graham Middle School
Rita Alejandra Villanueva, Castro Elementary

Meet MVWSD’s counselors

This year, our schools have district-employed school counselors. As MVWSD transitions from CHAC counseling to school-based counseling, it will examine how school counselors can be effective for students. Parents and staff can give feedback now in this survey about how counselors can best meet students’ needs.

Meet your counselor:

Kiera Henry, Bubb 
I’m Kiera Henry, a Fresno State graduate with an M.S. in Counseling and a B.A. in Sociology from UCLA, and I’m excited to create an inclusive environment for students.

Penny Cifuentes, Castro
I’m Penny Cifuentes, a San José State and Notre Dame de Namur University graduate with a passion for helping students grow emotionally and academically.

Soyoung Joo, Imai
I’m Soyoung Joo, a USC graduate with an M.Ed. in School Counseling, committed to provide a nurturing and supportive environment.

Caitlin Walsh, Landels
I’m Caitlin Walsh, and I have a B.A. in Social Work and a Masters in Counseling, and am passionate about helping students grow into their best selves.

Jasen Okunnuga, Mistral
I’m Jasen Okunnuga, committed to creating an enriching and inclusive environment, with experience assisting families in human services.

Joseph Lagano, Monta Loma
I’m Joseph Lagano, a recent San Francisco State graduate with an M.S. in School Counseling, and passionate about teaching students social skills.

Emily Hilkene, Stevenson
I’m Emily Hilkene, a first-year school counselor and San José State graduate, excited to support students in this role after previously working with unhoused and foster youth.

Leigh Wilson, Theuerkauf
I’m Leigh Wilson, a lifelong learner with over 25 years of experience in education, and am passionate about helping students grow emotionally, socially, and academically.

Elisa Gove, Vargas
I’m Elisa Gove, a San José State graduate with an M.A. in Educational Counseling, excited to support all students and be a part of the community.

Carolyn Chang, Crittenden
I’m Carolyn Chang, a UC Davis and San José State graduate, passionate about student growth and excited to work with students and families.

Dena Vang, Graham
I’m Dena Vang, a middle school counselor in my 7th year, and passionate about preparing students for lifelong learning.

Pedro Serrano, Graham
I’m Pedro Serrano, a graduate of California State University San Bernardino with a M.S. degree in School and Professional Clinical Counseling, excited to support students’ growth.

Get involved in MVWSD’s health and wellness initiatives 

Parcel Tax on the ballot on November 5

The Board of Trustees placed Measure AA on the November ballot.  Measure AA would replace an expiring parcel tax.

The District has stated that the revenue will be used to retain highly-qualified teachers with competitive compensation. Parcel tax revenue may also be used to fund academic programs, as well as support and enrichment to all students.

Measure AA would impose a parcel tax at the rate of 15 cents per building square foot with a cap on the amount any one parcel could pay. Parcels without any buildings on them would pay $25. For the average Mountain View home — which is 1,734 square feet — the tax would be approximately $261 per year, a $70 increase from the current parcel tax. Any home or building smaller than 1,270 square feet would pay less than they do under the current parcel tax.

For more information, please see mvwsd.org/parceltax. For information about how to cast your vote, please see the Santa Clara County Register of Voters website.

You are invited to attend the annual Family Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, September 21, from 1 - 4 p.m. at Mistral Elementary School. The Health Fair is sponsored by Assemblymember Marc Berman's Office in partnership with MVWSD. Health screenings and vaccines are an important way to stay healthy during the school year. Grab some snacks, a backpack, and school supplies and join in on the family-friendly fun!

MVWSD’s staff housing project - Mountain View Whisman at the Sevens- was recently profiled in the Mountain View Voice. Construction is finished and the final touches are being added while the leasing gears up for Oct-Nov. The first move-ins are planning for January 2025. Thanks to the community’s support of Measure T in 2020, this is the first affordable housing development in our community created specifically for MVWSD staff members. The new community includes 123 state-of-the-art units for qualifying staff members to rent at below-market rates. mvwsd.org/housing. See what it looks like now in this video. 

MVWSD schools are commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15). Activities have included showcasing influential Hispanic figures with posters, curated books, and scavenger hunts, encouraging students to learn about their impact. Schools have also organized classroom discussions, lunchtime activities, and assemblies. We love to see all of the different ways MVWSD recognizes and honors our community’s diversity.

Landels and Theuerkauf Elementary Schools recently hosted Multicultural Festivals, where students, families, and staff shared activities, food, and history from various cultures. The events celebrated the schools' diversity and strengthened their inclusive communities. Thank you to everyone who made the celebrations a success!