In this edition ...

• From the Desk of Mr. Baier
• First day of school: Aug. 13
• District Back to School Celebration: Aug. 16
• Healthiest Schools Awardees
• Communications Specialist
• Staff Housing is Available
• MVWSD Preschool Program: Apply now!
• High Fives

Dear Families,

I hope this message finds you rested and enjoying the final days of summer. As we prepare to welcome students back on Wednesday, August 13, I want to take a moment to share how excited we are to begin a new school year together.

A new school year is a time of new beginnings — filled with fresh opportunities to learn, grow, and connect. Whether your family is returning or just joining our school community, we’re grateful for the trust you place in us every day.

At the center of all we do is a shared commitment to your children. Every lesson, every act of kindness, and every bit of encouragement brings us closer to our goal: helping each student thrive. When students feel seen, supported, and inspired, they’re empowered to achieve their very best.

This year, we look forward to deepening our partnership with you — working together to create schools where every child feels a strong sense of belonging and purpose. Here’s to a joyful and successful school year ahead!

Warmly,

Jeffrey Baier
Superintendent

Back to school: August 13

In preparation for the new school year, please click here for schedules, calendars, dates and other info. See you back at school on the first day, August 13.

District Back to School Celebration

Saturday, August 16th
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Graham Middle School

This event is for all the families of MVWSD! Whether you're a returning family or new to the community, this event is all about building connections, sharing resources, and celebrating our district spirit. Come for school gear, assistance, resources, information and food trucks!

We are thrilled to share that all schools in the Mountain View Whisman School District have been named as America’s Healthiest Schools for 2025. 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. Our schools are among the 1,120 schools recognized nationwide.

In 2024, our awardees were 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. 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. Families and staff have been instrumental in promoting a school environment that values physical health and emotional well-being alongside academic success.

America’s Healthiest Schools remains one of the country’s longest-running, nationwide recognition programs honoring schools for achievements in supporting whole child health equity for students, teachers, and staff.

MVWSD Preschool Program: Apply now!

Explore our flexible, low-cost and convenient options for all families in our high-quality preschool program. MVWSD preschool has lower tuition and an 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. class, in addition to extended/full-day class until 3 p.m. and part-day (3 hour) classes.

Our preschool offers age-appropriate early math, language, literacy and science inquiry instruction, as well as social-emotional development. Children who will be 3 or 4 years old are eligible. (Minimum age: 3 years old by December 2, 2025. Maximum age: 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2025.) 

Preschool is currently located near Castro/Mistral Elementary Schools (1850 Latham St.) and Theuerkauf Elementary (1625 San Luis Ave.)

All 3- and 4-year-olds residing in the Castro School boundaries are eligible for FREE, part-day state preschool at Latham.

For more info go to www.mvwsd.org/preschool or call 650-526-3560. Watch our video here.

High Fives

This spring, Graham Middle School coding students participated in an AI Summit, sponsored by the Silicon Valley Young Scholars Science and Venture organization and the IEEE Santa Clara ACM Chapter. At the summit, one team earned an award for designing an innovative AI app. 

In addition, nine students in Graham’s Coding 3 class passed the Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP) exam—an industry-recognized credential. One student, Mason, passed the next-level PCAP exam as well. At Crittenden Middle School, 11 students also passed the PCEP exam, marking a major milestone in their coding journey.

By earning this certification, these 20 middle schoolers have demonstrated skills typically expected of high school graduates or college students in entry-level computer science courses. The PCEP credential can qualify recipients for junior-level IT jobs and fulfills three out of five years of experience required for minimum employment qualifications at companies like Google.

Castro Elementary is one of 10 schools in the U.S. chosen for the AIM Institute for Learning & Research’s Early Reading Success Schools initiative. This fully-funded, yearlong project is designed to transform early literacy instruction and ensure children are reading at grade level by the end of the school year. The initiative provides AIM-led professional learning, coaching, and implementation support to help participating teams accelerate reading outcomes and build sustainable systems for early literacy success.