Panther Blog October 21

Crittenden blog header

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

October 21st, 2021
 

Crittenden News:

-Learning Recovery Plan
-Support Youth: A Call to Action!
-Make-up Picture Day (10/26)
-Health Screener Reminder
-Monthly Study Skills Workshop (10/28)
-SCEF Message
-Social Emotional Learning Message
-CHAC

District News:

-Board meeting Preview: (Oct. 21)
-Superintendent's Community Check (10/22)
-Cafecito con el Superintendente (10/20)
-“District residents” (10/27)
-Trick or Treating for Donations with MVEF
-MVLA Speaker Series (10/20)
-MV Public Library
 

Hello Crittenden Families,
 

As we continue to adjust and learn best instructional approaches to support all students. We also continue to seek to support the social emotional needs of our students. We are committed to creating a positive school environment. One of the ways we do this is by learning from our students. 

I’m excited to share with you that next week I will be a Crittenden 7th grade  for a day. My hope is to gain an adolescent view of middle school and gain a student's perspective on learning and the climate at Crittenden. I look forward to sharing my findings with our students and staff. I’m enthusiastically preparing my backpack and outfit for this big day! Wish me luck!

Along with all the fun and excitement the Leadership students have organized Halloween Spirit Week October 25 through October 29 .

Monday: Color competition. 6th graders wear purple, 7th graders wear black, 8th graders wear green, staff members wear white!

Tuesday: Twin Day. Dress up with a friend and match outfits

Wednesday: PJ Day

Thursday: Crazy Hair Day

Friday: Costume Day. Wear your school appropriate Halloween costume to school. No fake blood, masks, or weapons. 

Crittenden News:

Learning Recovery Plan
As a result of the pandemic, some students have “unfinished learning” compared to the learning they would have completed in a typical year. MVWSD has a Learning Recovery Plan to support any unfinished learning. As a part of this plan, all students will get more practice on foundational skills through instruction tailored to them based on their academic needs. These additional learning opportunities will come in the form of instruction in the classroom, in addition to access to professional tutors - either in-person or virtually.

Parents, look for an email that was sent to you on Friday, Oct. 15 with information specific to your children. Some of these programs (that happen outside the school day) require you to give permission for your students to participate, so please complete the online form in the link.

Wondering about why you received information for your student and how to learn more? For answers to these and other frequently asked questions, please click here.

From the City of Mountain View -- Support Youth: A Call to Action!
Grounded in evidence-based research from Search Institute, this workshop from Youth Community Service aims to raise awareness and to help foster positive youth and adult relationships. This workshop will give participants an opportunity to interact with supportive actions identified by youth and an opportunity to engage in conversations about youth mental health and wellness.

Open to parents of teens. Register: MountainView.gov/WishingYouWellness.

In-Person: Saturday, October 16 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.  At The View Teen Center
Virtual: Tuesday, October 26   7 - 8 p.m.   Held on Zoom

Make-Up Picture Day
Make up picture day will be Tuesday, October 26. This will only be for students who were not able to participate in the initial picture day at the beginning of the year. Order forms will be available for students during their PE class, the front office online at mylifetouch.com or click here  to print the order form at home.

Pictures from the first picture day were distributed on Friday, October 15. If your student has not received them please ask them to check in with their 1st period teacher. 

Health Screener Reminder
In an attempt to avoid zero disruption to your students' instructional time we’d like to kindly remind parents/guardians the importance of filling out the Health Screener each morning on time.

When the Health Screener is not filled out prior to school starting, the student is sent to the office until we are able to gain contact with a parent/guardian.

We thank you for working with us as we take precautionary steps in our students' health.

Monthly Study Skills Workshop
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. The first workshop will take place on Thursday, October 28th right after school from 2:30-3:30 pm in room 205. The first workshop topic will be Organization and Time Management. 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.

A message from our School Engagement Facilitator (SCEF)- Ms.Susie Morales
School & Community Engagement Facilitator: Family Resources and Parent Involvement-
In collaboration with PTA, WEB, and Leadership classes we concluded Hispanic Heritage Month last Friday. Students were introduced to Latin Culture with a goodie bag, music, and a very festive photo booth during lunch. Thank you to those that completed the Cultural Diversity Survey. This information will help with our continuation to celebrate the cultural diversity present at Crittenden. You may still complete the survey here if you haven’t done so already. 

We are currently looking for parents to help us launch in collaboration with PTA, Crittenden Cooks by sharing their cultural traditions with our school community. If you are interested in sharing a family recipe and teaching us the cooking process please email Susie Morales at [email protected]

COVID-19 Resource Guide:

Dial 2-1-1 

24/7 access to info and resources. Available in all languages. 
Covid-19 Vaccination Sites https://myturn.ca.gov/

Sign-up for Emergency Rent Relief webinars at mountainview.gov/rentreliefwebinars
 

Eviction Help Center at Mountain View Public Library 585 Franklin St, Mountain View, CA 94041

Every Thursday 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Food Resources:

CSA Food Pantry https://www.csacares.org/services/food-nutrition-center/

St. Athanasius Food Drive 160 N Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043

Each Second and Fourth Saturday of the Month 10:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m.

 

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Tip from our school counselor, Ms. Kayla Hinojosa

The belief that we are capable of change and growth, is one that allows for resilience and perseverance. A growth mindset describes a way of viewing challenges and setbacks. Students with a growth mindset believe that even if they struggle with certain skills, their abilities are not set in stone. They think that with work, their skills can improve over time. People with the opposite belief - that abilities are what they are and will not change - have a fixed mindset. They think their skills won’t improve no matter how hard they try. 

Having a growth mindset can have great benefits for our students. It helps reframe a student's approach to challenges and stay motivated to work to improve skills. Instead of thinking “I can’t do this,” they think, “I can’t do it yet. “

A growth mindset isn’t something that people are always born with. Kids and adults can develop the belief that things that are hard to do now may not always be hard. 

In an effort to help our students develop a growth mindset, here is a worksheet that you can use at home when your student begins to say “I can’t”.

Why I Can Do This - Worksheet

CHAC

S.P.A.C.E. Groups   – CHAC’s Middle School Social and Emotional Learning Skills Groups – are forming now!

SPACE groups prepare students to make responsible decisions, accomplish their goals, manage their emotions and have positive relationships.  

Groups are designed to give students the freedom to discuss the topics they care about and the challenges that they face.  With the guidance of a CHAC therapist, group participants develop greater self-awareness, practice social skills, and learn how to cope with challenges in positive, productive and healthy ways.  

Groups are:

- Free and facilitated by CHAC clinicians in training
- Meet at school during lunch
- Meet one day a week for 8 weeks

All CHAC clinicians are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and follow school COVID protocols for social distancing, mask wearing and sanitization.  

You may click here  to print the SPACE permission slip or visit the front office information center. Permission Slips can be submitted to Ms. Hinojosa.

Upcoming Events:

October
10/26 Virtual ELAC meeting (6:00pm-7:30pm) Registration Link
10/26 SSC Meeting (4:00pm-7:30pm) Registration Link
10/28 Monthly Study Skills Workshop (2:30-3:30pm)

November
11/5 End of Trimester - Minimum Day Schedule
11/11 Veterans Day - No School
11/22-11/26 Thanksgiving Recess 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:

Board meeting Preview: Oct. 21
The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. Some of the meeting’s topics include:

  • Choice schools’ lottery/enrollment priorities
  • Security cameras process discussion
     

Public comment can be made online on Zoom, or submitted in writing to [email protected]. Agenda and meeting details are here: http://mvw.sd/BOT10-21-21.  The meeting is also streamed on www.youtube.com/mvwsd.
 

Superintendent's Community Check In on Friday

Please join us for our Community Check-In with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, Oct. 22 at 3:30 p.m. Bring your questions. Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/CC1015. To plan ahead, please see this webpage for upcoming meeting dates: https://www.mvwsd.org/about/communications/news___events/connecting_with_the_community. In case you miss it, a video recording will be posted on this webpage.

Cafecito con el Superintendente
Wednesday, October 20, 2021⋅5:30 – 6:30pm

This is an informal meeting for Spanish-speaking parents. Translation will be provided. Please register in advance for this meeting by clicking here: http://mvw.sd/cafe10-20-21

Parents, please complete “District residents” survey
MVWSD is working with a research firm to conduct a survey in order to better understand the issues affecting District residents. Please look for an email sent on Oct. 13 titled “Reminder - Please participate in this important study about our community” and complete the survey using the link. The information you provide will help the district plan for future growth. Thank you for your participation!

Parent University: Supporting Literacy Grades 3-8
Date: October 27, 2021 Time: 5:30-7:00pm 

Registration Link: mvw.sd/pu102721

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body” - Joseph Addison. 

Join Instructional Coaches Melanie Stanley, and Katie Stern share creative tips and strategies to better support your child in their literacy skills. By supporting your child’s literacy you can take part in developing their reading ability, comprehension, and language skills.  To submit questions prior to the event, go to mvw.sd/questions. We will do our best to address your question during the session.

Note: While this presentation is tailored towards families with children in third grade and above, all are welcome. If you’d like to see a presentation that is aimed more toward families with younger students, check out the recording of last year’s literacy-focused Parent University event.

 

Trick or Treating for Donations with MVEF

BOO! Don't be afraid, you still have time to donate to MVEF!  We are trick or treating for donations for MVWSD!  Each and every year we rely on generous donors like you to help MVEF fund programming and experiences at your school and every school in the district, ensuring that your child and every child has an inspiring, well-rounded education.  MVEF funds Music, Art, Science, Middle School Sports and Electives helping to create a competitive, well-rounded education.   Please see our website at mvef.org for more information and to donate online.  You can also use your credit card to pay in monthly installments.

 

MVLA Speaker Series with Dr. Michael Bradley
MVLA Speaker Series 

The MVLA Speaker Series continues on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 7:00pm. Join us for an evening with a clinical psychologist and author of Yes,Your Teen Is Crazy! Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your Mind, Dr. Michael J. Bradley. Dr. Bradley’s respect-based philosophy is at the heart of the presentations he has given to thousands of parents who are seeking ways to communicate with their adolescent children. He takes you inside your teenager’s head and shows you why teens think and behave the way they do, and gives parents real-world advice, strategies, and methods to use. Register at: https://eventbrite.com/e/michael-bradley-yes-your-teen-is-crazy-registration-167808157717
 

MV Public Library: Upcoming Halloween and Day of the Dead Events
Halloween Edition Registration 

Learn and Make A-Z Animals: Halloween Edition: Learn about some of nature's creepier creatures just in time for Halloween, on Thursday, October 28th from 4-4:45pm. Are spiders really dangerous to humans? Why are bats associated with vampires? Let's find out together. For children grades 2-5 on Zoom. We will do a craft together at the end of our learning journey. Registration Required: mountainview.gov/librarycalendar.

 

Day of the Dead Balloon Skull Decoration: In celebration of Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos the library will host a virtual program on Monday, November 1st from 4-4:40 p.m. on Zoom. Tweens (ages 9-12) will learn about the Day of the Dead and how it's celebrated. Then, balloon skulls will be decorated while festive music is played in the background. Registration Required: mountainview.gov/librarycalendar.

 

Thank you for all your support!


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