Panther Blog Nov. 4, 2021

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Hello Panthers! Please read your weekly newsletter below.  Here is a quick summary of this week’s message followed with further details:

November 4th, 2021
 

Crittenden News:

-COVID-19 Vaccines
-Celebrating culture at Crittenden (PTA message)
-Athletics

-Lost and Found
-SCEF
-SEL Tip
-Study Skills Workshop
-End of Trimester 11/5 Minimum Day Schedule

District News:


-
Parent University
-Volunteer Guidelines Updated
-Board meeting
-Superintendent's Community Check In
-November Better Together
-Single Plans for Student Achievement
-Boba Fundraiser for MVEF
-Parenting tip
-Updates to Parent Involvement

 

Hello Crittenden Families,

Welcome to another month! November’s Characteristic Trait is gratitudethe quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Gratitude can be shown in the smallest and simplest forms. This month students are encouraged to reflect and find ways they are able to demonstrate gratitude. 

Today our fabulous school counselor, Ms. Hinojosa, kicked-off the  SEL lesson for November with an anti-bullying lesson, in an effort to continue to promote kindness, empathy and acceptance of differences. She teaches students practical skills that they can apply in and out of the classroom. Ms. Hinojosa will be delivering weekly social emotional lessons for students throughout the school year. There will be a new topic each month. Topics were based on a student climate survey where students were asked to identify challenges, accomplishments, levels of confidence and areas of growth to make their middle school experience better.

  • November - Anti-bullying, 
  • December Growth mindset, Empathy/compassion
  • January - Identity/intersectionality
  • February - Coping strategies, understanding emotions
  • March -Building relationships, social skills
  • April - Self Advocacy, asking for help

We acknowledge that some topics may be difficult and challenging for our students based on previous negative experiences. Should your student need additional counseling support or space to process after lessons are completed, Ms. Hinojosa is available for check-ins. 

Crittenden News:

Covid -19 Vaccines

After much anticipation, the COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 5-11 have begun.  

Parents and guardians can visit www.sccfreevax.org now to sign up for an appointment or to find a convenient walk-in location. Many of the initial available appointments have already been reserved, but the County expects an increased vaccination supply in the coming weeks and additional slots should open soon.

MVWSD is working with the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department to provide free, mobile vaccination events at our schools for our students. We will update you as we know more about dates and specifics.

A Message From Our PTA

Cultural Events at Crittenden 

November is Native American Heritage Month, and we are looking at opportunities to highlight various native tribes at Crittenden throughout the month. If you are descended from a native tribe and open to sharing information about your tribe's culture and traditions, please contact Susie Morales ([email protected]). 

Diwali, an Indian holiday, begins next week on Thursday, November 4. If your family celebrates Diwali and is open to sharing information about the significance of the holiday and related traditions, please contact Jenny Schroder ([email protected]).

Athletics
The Crittenden Athletic Department is looking to hire some coaches! Are you a coach or do you know anyone interested in coaching? We are looking for Boys Basketball and Girls soccer coaches for our upcoming season (12/13 - 2/10). If you are interested in supporting our Panther athletes please apply at the links below. These are paid coaching positions!

Boys Basketball: https://www.applitrack.com/mvwsd/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?FromAdmin=true&AppliTrackJobId=1746   

Girls Soccer: https://www.applitrack.com/mvwsd/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?FromAdmin=true&AppliTrackJobId=1747

Lost and Found

Our lost and found items are over accumulating. Please have your students check the lost and found for their long lost sweaters, water bottles, PE clothes and lunch boxes! Unclaimed items by November 19th will be donated to a local shelter. 

A message from School & Community Engagement Facilitator: Family Resources and Parent Involvement- Ms. Susie Morales

As we continue with our efforts in embracing the cultures that make up our community at Crittenden, today our school campus is brimming with lights in recognition of Diwali Day. Students will have the opportunity to take part in activities led by our Leadership Class and will get to listen to Hindi music during lunch time. If you are interested in collaborating with us on the planning of Cultural Events throughout the school year, please email me at [email protected] or to our PTA President Jenny Schroder at [email protected] 

  • The Santa Clara County COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Clinic:

At Saint Athanasius Church on Saturday, November 6th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm for patients to receive their 1st dose and 2nd doses and Pfizer Booster doses for those eligible as well! There will be free gift cards for those getting vaccinated (first and second dose only).  The address is 160 N. Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043.

  • COVID-19 Rent Relief is available to Santa Clara County Residents:

The COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is rental assistance for tenants who have past due rent from April 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021. Up to 3 months of future rent can be applied for and granted. 100% of rent and utilities will be covered.

Who Can Apply? 

  • Landlords who have income-eligible renters experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID-19 past due rent. 
  • Renters who have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19, have past due rent or utilities, and have a household income that is not more than 80% of the area median income. 

How Can You Apply? 

For assistance in applying, eligible tenants/landlords may call Catholic Charities at (408) 273-7478 to set up an appointment. 
Attend a pop-up clinic for assistance every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday or apply directly online at HousingIsKey.com

Additional information can also be found on Catholic Charities' website at www.catholiccharitiesscc.org/emergency-rent-relief.

A message from our School Counselor Ms. Kayla Hinojosa- SEL 

Problem solving is an important life skill for teenagers to  learn. You can help your child develop this skill by practicing problem-solving at home. You and your child can solve most problems with six key steps!

  1. Identify the problem - make sure that you and your child understand the problem in the same way. Then put it into words that make it solvable. 
    1. For example: “You have two big assignments due next Wednesday”.
    2. Focus on the issue, not on the emotion or the person.
    3. Be reassuring to avoid defensiveness from your child.
  2. Think about why it’s a problem - help your child describe what’s causing the problem and where it is coming from.
    • Encourage them to use statements like ‘I want...I feel...I need’.
    • Try listening without arguing or debating
  3. Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem - make a list and include sensible and not so sensible options.
    • Extreme or funny solutions can end up sparking more helpful options.
  4. Evaluate the solutions to the problem - talk about the negatives and positives of each of them. 
    • Cross off the options where negatives outweigh the positives.
    • Rate each solution with a number. The higher the number, the better the solution. 
    • Select a solution
  5. Put the solution into action - plan exactly how it will work out.
    • Plan a time to meet again to look at how the solution is working.
    • Role-playing and coaching is encouraged to help your child feel confident with their solution. Have your child practice what they may say or do with you first.
  6. Evaluate the outcome of your problem-solving process - sometimes you’ll need to try more than one solution with your students.
    • If the solution has not worked, go back to step 1 and start again. 

Problem solving and decision making is a part of your child’s journey towards being a responsible young adult!

November Study Skills Workshop Date!

In an effort to support our students and their continued learning of skills. Our school counselor, Ms. Hinojosa will be hosting monthly Study Skills Workshops to support our students' academic success. Our Second workshop will take place on Thursday, November 18th right after school from 2:30-3:30 pm in room 205. The topic will be Goal Setting. Through the use of presentations, resources, tips, activities and independent time to work, the workshops will cover different fundamental skills to ensure student success in middle school and for life! Please email [email protected] to reserve a spot for your student. 

End of Trimester- Minimum Day Nov. 5th

Please mark your calendars, November 5th will be our last day of our first Trimester. This will be a Minimum Day Schedule 8:25am-12:50pm. Students will have periods 1 through 8. 

Upcoming Events:

November
11/5 End of Trimester - Minimum Day Schedule
11/11 Veterans Day - No School
11/18 Study Skill Workshop (Register with 
[email protected])
11/22-11/26 Thanksgiving Recess No School

December
12/20-12/31 Holiday Break (No School)

In partnership,
Mrs. Gomez
Principal

What can you do today to help others feel valued, cared for, safe, and included at Crittenden?

District Announcements:

Parent University: Creating Caring Relationships (featuring Project Cornerstone)

Date: November 17, 2021  Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/pu111721

Kids need our care and support now more than ever. This presentation will:

  • Explore proven effective and meaningful ways to express care and support that will make a difference in the lives of young people.
  • Provide tools and strategies for connecting and building trust, which lead to strong, positive relationships within families, schools, and communities.

Join Ziem Nguyen Neubert, Executive Director of Project Cornerstone, in a conversation on how we can support young people’s social and emotional well-being so they grow and develop as healthy and responsible humans.

This is one of four Parent University events this year featuring Project Cornerstone. To see what’s coming up, check out this flyer.

To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session.

Volunteer Guidelines Updated

At the August 3rd Board meeting, Trustees requested that staff update the MVWSD volunteer guidelines to include additional requirements for COVID safety. Updated guidelines describe the parameters for allowing on-campus volunteers after full vaccination of a majority of our students (5 and older). Start date is to be determined. Please see the updated guidelines here.

Board meeting Preview: Nov. 4

The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. Some of the meeting’s topics include:

  • Future enrollment growth
  • Parcel Tax and Bond oversight committees’ reports

For meeting details and agenda, please click here.

Superintendent's Community Check In on Friday: Nov. 5

Please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, Nov. 5 at 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions. Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/Cobw2. To plan ahead, please see this webpage for upcoming meeting dates. In case you miss it, a video recording will be posted on this webpage.

November Better Together 
Better Together 

The focus of November’s Better Together infographic is “Creating an Inclusive Community.” MVWSD strives to provide inclusive and supportive environments for all of our students. This is just one way we are providing an identity-affirming space for all who work, learn, and partner with us. Please see the graphics attached to this newsletter, or visit https://www.mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD.

Drafts available: Single Plans for Student Achievement

Each year, our schools create Single Plans for Student Achievement (SPSAs or “site plans”) that guide the work for the coming year. These plans help us prioritize programs and strategies that will best serve our students. In the fall, elected parent representatives from School Site Councils and English Language Advisory Committees work with principals and school staff members to create a draft that is reviewed and approved by the MVWSD Board of Trustees.  Parents and staff members may give feedback through Nov. 19 to their principal and elected parent representatives to SSC and ELAC. You may review the draft plans here.

Boba Fundraiser for MVEF

TeaCub Boba & Snack is helping fundraise for MVEF on Tuesday November 16 (all day)!  25% of all proceeds on 11/16/21 will be donated to MVEF.   TeaCub Boba & Snack is located in the Mountain View Shopping Center at 175C East El Camino Real.  Please stop by to enjoy smoothies, slushies, milk and flavored tea as well as snacks.  (They use only organic Clover milk and real fruit for all tea & smoothie drinks so please enjoy a treat for you and MVEF!)

Parenting tip: Effective instruction for kids

We give our kids dozens of instructions each day: Get ready for school. Wash your hands before you eat. Do your homework. Sometimes our kids follow our instructions, and sometimes they do not. One way to increase follow through is to give effective instructions. For example, making eye contact with your child and gently telling them to turn off the TV is likely to be more effective than yelling at them from another room.

 

To provide effective instructions:

Think about a few things that you would like your child to do and try using these tips to provide effective instructions.

 

Instead of saying…                                      Say….

“Don’t bother me.”                                           “Please work on your homework.”

“TURN OFF THE TV!!”                                    “Please turn off the TV.”

“I told you to stop playing video games.”        “If you don’t stop playing video games in the next 5   minutes, then you won’t be able to play               tomorrow.”

 

These tips came directly from the free, online Everyday Parenting program created by parenting expert, Dr. Kazdin.

To learn more parenting tips click here

Input Requested on Proposed Updates to Parent Involvement Board Policy

Our District’s board policies set broad guidelines for our actions and are based on the most recent updates to California’s Education Code. From time to time, updates are needed to reflect current terminology and best practices. We are currently in the process of updating BP6020: Parent Involvement. Here are links to the current policy and proposed updated policy. The content of the proposed policy is materially the same, but includes terminology and minor wording updates. If you would like to offer feedback on the proposed policy, please send an email to Director of Federal, State, and Strategic Projects, Geoff Chang at [email protected] by November 9, 2021. 

 

Thank you for all your support!

 
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