Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Core value of the month: Responsibility
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Dear Monta Loma Families,
Our district works hard to collect and use student performance data in order to improve instruction for student success. Preliminary CAASPP scores, which show areas of success and opportunities for growth. Our EL sub group made some gains last year, but the process of using data entails looking honestly and deeply at what the numbers are telling us. Delving into data made us realize that not as many students as we hoped were reaching English proficiency at the rate we expected. We saw that many EL students were not progressing, and in fact at times regressing, in their English language development.
Recently, the Board of Trustees heard a review of English language learner progress and discussed increasing expectations. The new revised goal will focus on reclassification, rather than just proficiency on ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessments for California), which is the first step in English learner reclassification to English proficient. The hope for all of our students is that they are fully proficient in both the English language and content standards, and reclassification is the path.
Last week I talked about site plans. I will be meeting with School Site Council and ELAC to focus on English language development and revising our school goals for English learners. Site plans contain a variety of goals to support English language learners in their journey to reclassification. We will meet these goals with targeted instruction, professional development, vigilant data monitoring, and our school community’s support.
In partnership,
Gloria Higgins
CALENDAR
Week of October 7th - 11th, 2019
Friday, October 11, 2019
Friday, October 18, 2019
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Friday, October 25, 2019
Next week all students will end their school day at 12:30pm
Food distribution program at Monta Loma Elementary
In partnership with Community Services Agency (CSA) of Mountain View and Second Harvest Food Bank, we will be distributing bags with food items, such as bread, canned goods, fresh produce, pasta, etc. If you want to supplement your meals with additional items, please come:
The food is free. More details at the event.
Living Classroom lessons kicked off this month and students took to the garden! Kindergarteners explore the garden and learn how to become stewards of their environment, first grade students learn about the parts of a plant and plant seedlings, second graders will plant winter wheat to be harvested in the spring. According to Cornell University Research, “A primarily qualitative study presented in Australia showed that “school-based community gardens represent a significant opportunity to embed nutrition, physical activity and environmental sustainability into mainstream curricula.” Living Classroom provides fundamental opportunities for your child to learn standards-based curriculum while also developing a love of their environment! Learn more about our programs by visiting our website at living-classroom.org.
PTA NEWS
This Sat Oct 5 9am-1pm – Campus Beautification Day
Join other Monta Loma families for a fun and rewarding morning of work on our beautiful campus. Come ready to spread mulch, remove dead plants, plant new plants, and clean up and haul away trash and debris. We will also be repainting the kinder play area and redoing informal walkways with rocks painted by participating kids. Refreshments provided.
Come for the day or just for an hour!
Bring:
1. Water Bottle
2. Work gloves
3. Your favorite garden tools labeled with your name - trimmers, clippers, leaf blowers, rakes, brooms, dust pans, wheelbarrows, weedeaters, and shovels.
Next Friday - Fall Festival - Oct 18 3-6pm – our biggest fall fundraiser is almost here! This is a festive carnival with booth games for prizes, delicious food, music and fun! We still need lots of volunteers, please consider signing up for one hour. Middle schoolers welcome to earn service hours too.
Sign up with your teacher to staff your classroom’s game, donate prizes, help
with setup, cleanup, or food sales.
Click here for more Fall Festival info
Don’t miss our first ever Bake Sale contest - Great ML Bake Off details
What is UpToUs?
UpToUs is a parent communication platform for all Monta Loma families, no PTA membership required. See this link for more details. Sign up here: http://www.uptous.com/
Visit our website https://montalomapta.org/
For membership, spiritwear, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and
Amazon link
Thank you everyone who attended last Friday’s Principal’s Coffee and PTA Meeting. It was great to see so many new faces and get input from new families!
NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE
Workshop on IEP( Individual Education Plan ) for Special Education & 504 Plan
FREE. This workshop covers the basics of the IEP/ 504 plan including some common problems, complications, solutions and suggestions. There will be a discussion about common accommodations and parental rights, and a Q & A session during this workshop. Organized by Palo Alto CAC (cacpaloalto.org), presented by H.E.A.L. (Hospital Educational Advocacy Liaisons Program from Stanford Children’s Health), and co-sponsored by PTAC. Please use this form to let us know if you are coming, especially if you would like childcare or Spanish translation.
Sat, Oct 5th, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
JLS Middle School Room 730 , 480 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto
General Meeting: Monday 10/7, 9:30 at MVWSD Office at 1400 Montecito Ave in Mtn View.
Parent Chat Support Group for parents of teens with mental health challenges. Second Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30 PM Los Altos Library.
Let’s Talk, IEP/504 Support Group Wednesday October 9, 7PM - 8:30 PM Los Altos Library
Exciting Parent Education Event!
Decoding Dyslexia CA Please come join SELPA 1 CAC as we talk about what dyslexia is, the California Department of Education Dyslexia Guidelines and the importance of early identification. The presentation will include an abbreviated dyslexia simulation so participants can gain an understanding of what it is like to be dyslexic.
Wednesday, October 16
7:00pm - 8:00pm, Springer Elementary Multi
1120 Rose Ave, Mountain View, CA
The MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series presents: Max Stossel, "Education in the Age of Distraction" on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 - 7:00 - 9:00pm | MVHS Spartan Theatre | 3535 Truman Ave, Mountain View, CA
Max Stossel, Head of Education at the Center for Humane Technology, will explore the ways technology is designed to be addictive and distracting, highlights how social media is impacting adolescent minds, and recommends ways to help our kids build a healthier relationship with technology.
To register for this free event, go to https://mvla2019-20-maxstossel.eventbrite.com
Sponsored by Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF), MVLA High School Foundation, Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF), and Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council.
MV Parent U: Mental Health Basics
Learn the basics of mental health, including: definitions, coping with stress, when it is important to seek help, combating stigma, and how to get help in our county.
October 23, 6:30-8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Graham MUR. (Flyer here)
A team of professionals from Palo Alto University will present foundational information about mental health and mental illness and how mental health challenges may look different in different people or cultures. Participants will engage in interactive dialogue about how to maintain good mental health, and how to combat stigma around mental illness. The training also discusses what to do when someone needs support or help.
Spanish interpretation and child care will be provided. Seating is limited and RSVPs are required for this event. Please click here to reserve your seat.
Right at School, a before and afterschool care program, will be hosting an open house for current and prospective families on October 22. Please see the attached flyer for more information. For information on MVWSD’s after school programs, please visit: https://www.mvwsd.org/academics/supporting_learning/before__afterschool
SCHOOL CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
Education Française Bay Area (EFBA)
EFBA is a non-profit school founded in 2008 that provides French after-school classes and summer camps. We're active all over the Bay in about 25 schools.
More info about our program: EFBA - Education Française Bay Area www.efba.us
Days: Monday & Wednesday
Playtime: 2:45-3:15pm
Class: 3:15-4:45pm
Start date: Sept. 16
End date: May 20
Lunch Chess Club
BayAreaChess combines fun and learning while promoting a team spirit where everyone helps each other succeed and improve. Our chess program will cover the very basics for new students to the game and we can challenge experienced players with more advanced concepts. Students will have the opportunity to learn the moves of the pieces, opening strategy, tactics, checkmates and endgame play. Students will also learn valuable life skills through chess, such as winning and losing with grace, sportsmanship, planning and team spirit. Our mission is to transform and enrich the lives of students through chess.
Flyers
Free Robotics Class
Free Teen Cooking Classes
Free Teen Art Classes
Parents Guide to Emergency School Evacuation
MVLA Parent Education: October 17, 2019