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May 6, 2021
Hello Crittenden Families,
I’d like to thank the PTA for making this a special staff appreciation week. We all enjoyed the treats that were hand delivered. I know I speak for all the staff that we are grateful to have such a supportive and thoughtful PTA. We appreciate all our families for submitting heartfelt messages to our staff for teacher/staff appreciation. You make Crittenden a special place!
6th and 7th graders, if you haven’t done so already, you need to select your electives for next year. Tomorrow is the last day to do so. Log your preferences in Powerschool. Please reach out to Ms.Carter (school counselor) at [email protected] if you have questions.
The i-Ready assessments start next week - Reading on Tuesday, May 11th and Math on Tuesday, May 18th. The testing blocks are periods 1-4. After lunch, students will receive instruction for their 1st period class. Students who have 6th period class will have an asynchronous day on May 11th and May 18th. Getting enough sleep and eating a healthy breakfast is vital for students to perform at their best.
In an effort to collect all of the school’s reading materials, our library will be holding weekly raffles through the end of the school year. The prizes for this raffle will be Amazon and In-N-Out gift cards. Starting on Monday, May 10th, students who return class novels, textbooks, and library books will earn a raffle ticket for each book they return. Please view the instructions below for those who have returned to campus as well as distance learners.
Instructions for Roomies
Roomies, please return any ELA class novels, textbooks, or library books to your teacher and receive a raffle ticket for each book that you return. Raffle drawings will be held each week for the remainder of the school year. You must keep your raffle ticket to confirm that you won. Any unclaimed prizes will be re-raffled if no winner comes forward.
Instructions for Zoomies
Zoomies, please return any ELA class novels, textbooks, or library books to Mr.Neal in the school’s office between 3:00pm and 4:00pm on any school day, except for Wednesdays. Raffle tickets will be handed out when the books are returned. Raffle drawings will be held each week for the remainder of the school year. You must keep your raffle ticket to confirm that you won. Any unclaimed prizes will be re-raffled if no winner comes forward.
Executive Functioning Tip of the week: Homework Strategies
During the middle- and high-school years, homework gets more intense and grades start to matter more. At the same time, teens face a lot of other big changes. They're adjusting to the physical and emotional effects of puberty, while busy social lives and after-school commitments gain importance. As a result, homework can really start to add up and become harder to manage. These strategies can help:
- Be there. You don't have to hover at homework time, but be around in case you're needed. If your teen is frazzled by math problems he's been trying to solve for hours, for instance, suggest he take a break, maybe by shooting some hoops with you. A fresh mind may be all he needed, but when it's time to return to homework, ask how you can help.
- Don't forget the study skills. Help your teen develop good study skills — both in class and on homework. No one is born knowing how to study and often those skills aren't stressed in the classroom. When you're helping your teen study for a test, for instance, suggest such strategies as using flashcards to memorize facts or taking notes and underlining while reading.
- Encourage students to reach out. Most teachers are available for extra help before or after school, and also might be able to recommend other resources. Encourage your teen to ask for help, if needed, but remember that in school students are rewarded for knowing the right answers, and no one likes to stand out by saying that they don't have them. Praise your teen's hard work and effort, and ask the counselor or teachers for resources for support if you need them.
- Encourage effort and determination — not just good grades. Doing so is crucial to motivating your kids to succeed in school and in life. With a little support from parents, homework can be a positive experience for teens and foster lifelong skills they'll need to succeed in school and beyond
Please see below for another great parenting tip from Dr. Alayna Park
Crittenden Panthers learning together, wherever we are.
Mrs. Gomez
Principal
From Dr. Alayna Park: Making Asynchronous Days Easier
Positive Opposite is a technique that you can use to reduce unwanted behaviors (e.g., playing video games non-stop, bothering you during your work time).
A positive opposite is the opposite of the unwanted behavior - one that you want to see.
To use this technique:
Example:
- A behavior that you want to change may be your child playing games instead of completing their asynchronous work.
- The positive opposite would be your child working on their asynchronous assignments.
- Praise your child whenever they work during the asynchronous days.
Make sure to pay close attention to these positive behaviors as it can be easy to spot the negative behavior and ignore the positive.
These tips came directly from the free, online Everyday Parenting program created by parenting expert, Dr. Kazdin. To learn more parenting tips click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
May 11
SSC 4:00-5:00pm
May 13
ELAC 6:00 - 7:00pm
May 18
PTA 6:30 - 9:00pm
May 28
*End of Trimester 3: Minimum Day
May 31
Memorial Day; No School
June 4
Last day of School; Minimum Day
DISTRICT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Board meeting preview: May 6
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. Some of the meeting topics include: Learning Recovery Plan, construction updates and staff appreciation. Agenda and login information are here. The meeting is also streamed on https://www.youtube.com/mvwsd.
Community Check-In with the Superintendent
Please join us for an informal, online conversation with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, May 7, 3:30 p.m. Spanish interpretation is available. Click here to register
Better Together #MVWSD: Prioritizing Mental Health
This month's #BetterTogether infographic features tools and resources to help all those who work, learn, and partner with MVWSD to prioritize mental health and wellness. No one ever needs to be alone in their struggles. Together we can prioritize mental health and wellness. Click here to view this month’s calendar or visit https://www/mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD
Mental Health Month: Finding your Tools2Thrive
Last week we identified topics that can help you build your own set of #Tools2Thrive which include recognizing and owning your feelings; finding the positive after loss; connecting with others; eliminating toxic influences; creating healthy routines; and supporting others.
When it comes to your feelings, it can be easy to get caught up in your emotions as you’re feeling them. Most people don’t think about what emotions they are dealing with but taking the time to really identify what you’re feeling can help you to better cope with challenging situations. It’s ok to give yourself permission to feel. By looking for opportunity in adversity or finding ways to remember the good things about who or what we’ve lost, we can help ourselves to recover mentally and emotionally. Access a Mental Health America Tips for Success to learn more.
For each of us, the tools we use to keep us mentally healthy will be unique. But Mountain View Whisman School District wants everyone to know that mental health challenges and conditions are real, and recovery is possible. Finding what works for you may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes. By developing your own #Tools2Thrive, it is possible to find balance between work and play, the ups and downs of life, and physical health and mental health – and set yourself on the path to recovery.
Discover your #Tools2Thrive by listening to Renee Jain and Dr. Shefali Tsabary discuss our superpowers we are born with and how to transform our biologically natural anxiety so that we are empowered by it. You can access this 18 minute conversation in English at NPR How To Help Your Kids Reframe Their Anxiety — And Reclaim Their Superpowers
MV Parent University: Preparing for High School
Date: May 19, 2021, 5:30 p.m. Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/osiVT
Is there a rising high school freshman in your home? Do you want to learn a bit more about the habits, traits, and skills students should develop to be ready for high school? Join us at our final Parent University session of the year as we meet members of staff and students at the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District to hear them talk about this ever-important topic!
To submit questions prior to the event, please click here. We will do our best to address your question during the session.
And if you missed any of our content this year, have no fear: www.mvwsd.org/parentu has recordings of all of our Parent University sessions this year!
For next year’s 6th, 7th, 8th grade students: Middle School electives selection is happening now
It is the time of year when our incoming middle school students choose their electives for next year. Our middle schools are currently working to provide quality offerings that we hope will pique students’ interests and a great complement to our core academics. We are requesting each child's top 5 interests so that we can provide at least one of his/her top choices.
These electives are all subject to staffing, student interest and COVID safety guidance. Your child’s preference will help us plan and schedule courses for next year.
Please visit https://www.mvwsd.org/MSelectives for course catalogs and selection directions. All 5th-7th graders will preference their course electives online through Powerschool through May 7, 2021.
MVEF is hiring: Content Writer
Mountain View Educational Foundation is Hiring a Content Writer to Help MVEF foster growth, optimize outreach, reach a wider audience, persuade the reader, and inspire action through the power of the written word.
Can you get people excited about the work that MVEF is doing? Do you write compelling, engaging and meaningful content in a concise newsletter, post web page or direct mail? Are you a superb storyteller that can capture people’s hearts and communicate the data? Is your style personable, specific, and easy to read?
MVEF needs a writer with these skills to enhance communication, marketing, and fundraising letter solicitations. The ideal candidate will help MVEF communicate with donors and parents, meet current fundraising goals, find new funding, spread awareness, and help donors understand the full impact of their donation.
This is a flexible, part time position. We need you to write Bi-monthly (sometimes monthly) updates for newsletters, website, and/or social media to keep supporters, donors, and volunteers educated about the impact on the community. We also need help with back to school marketing presentations and fundraising letters for all levels of donations.
Please send questions, email and/or resume to [email protected]
District Chess Tournament Registration Open
Registration is now open for the 18th Annual MVWSD Interscholastic Chess Tournament, to be held online again due to COVID-19 on Sunday, May 16, from 12:00 to 5:00. The registration form and complete instructions can be found at tinyurl.com/mvwsdchess, and the deadline is May 14. Any questions can be sent to Mark Ruzon, tournament director, at [email protected].
Unlocking Our Inner Strengths with CHAC: Registration for free May events available
CHAC has opened registration for their free virtual workshops in May, which focus on unlocking our inner strengths and supporting mental wellness. You are welcome to join for any or all events. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30pm, with optional 30-minute Q&A from 7:30 to 8pm.
May 5: From Puppies to Paintings! Creative Ways to Build Lasting Connections
May 12: Self-Empowerment Through Expression: The Crucial Role of Mental Wellness in Motivating Tomorrow’s Leaders
May 19: Parenting Teens Doesn’t Have to be Painful!
May 26: Self-Care & Support Across Diverse Communities
For more information about each session and to register in advance, head to: https://funraise.org/give/Community-Health-Awareness-Council/a25a1482-56ef-448d-80f1-c36132be901c/.
El Camino Health Community COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
El Camino Health is continuing to administer free COVID-19 vaccines – by appointment – for those aged 16 and up who live or work in Santa Clara County. Vaccines are administered at El Camino Health’s Sunnyvale Clinic Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Visit elcaminohealth.org/schedulevax to make an appointment.
See attached flier for information and scheduling assistance available in Spanish and Mandarin. If you need assistance scheduling an appointment online, please call 408-871-7460, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The County of Santa Clara announced that most County Health System vaccination sites will accept drop-ins for COVID-19 vaccines. Same-day appointments and some drop-in locations across the county are available at sccfreevax.org.
MVLA Speech & Debate Summer Camp
The Mountain View - Los Altos High Schools Speech and Debate Team is holding our annual summer camp from June 14–18 and June 21–25! The camp will be completely virtual, and students will learn about fundamental concepts in speech and debate in order to help them become more persuasive speakers and stronger critical thinkers. Additionally, we’re offering three different courses to accommodate for different skill levels and allow students to build off of their existing knowledge. For more information about pricing and registration, visit our website at mvlasdcamp.org.