In this edition ...

• Creating outdoor greening and learning spaces
• Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten: Planning for the future
• MVWSD works to update English Language Arts Curriculum for 2024-25
• Translation for MVWSD meetings
• High Fives
• Thanksgiving break
  

This year, MVWSD expanded its free transitional kindergarten (TK) program to eight classrooms at five schools. TK is an optional pre-kindergarten program for students who turn five within a certain range in the school year. In the 2024–25 school year, children who turn five between September 2 and June 2 are eligible for TK. In the following year, almost all four-year-olds (by September 1) are eligible for TK.

MVWSD’s preschool program serves three- and four-year olds, and, depending on the child’s age, parents have the option of enrolling in either transitional kindergarten or preschool. As the District prepares to expand TK to an estimated 11 classrooms for the 2024-25 school year, it’s faced with decisions that impact finances, facilities, staffing and programs. TK and Preschool programs are essentially competing for the same funding, facilities and staffing, and - in some cases - the same students.

The Board discussed the future of these early childhood programs at its Nov. 16 meeting, and confirmed its support of MVWSD preschool. To view the presentation, click here.

As part of our district’s focus on literacy, MVWSD has begun looking at new curriculums for students grade K-5 in our English Language Arts (ELA) program. In recent decades, more research on children’s cognitive processes, language development, and reading acquisition has shown that curriculum built from the Science of Reading helps to ensure children develop strong foundational reading skills, enabling them to become proficient readers.

The work of MVWSD’s methodical process for researching new curriculums is done by the Adoption Committee, composed of educators and parents. This committee researches, reviews, and tries out the ELA curriculum that follows the Science of Reading.

At the Nov. 2 Board of Trustees meeting, staff reported on the committee’s review and the process for selecting curriculum for piloting. To view the presentation, click here. In January, teachers in 11 classrooms will begin 6-week pilots for two curriculums for K-5 - Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) and McGraw Hill Wonders. Selected preschool/ transitional kindergarten classrooms will also pilot two integrated curriculums specific to early learners - Creative Curriculum from Teaching Strategies and Three Cheers for Pre-K from Savvas.

The committee will present the results of the pilots and recommendations for curriculum to the Board in Spring 2024. For more information about English Language Arts, please see the Literacy webpage.
 

Remote participants in the Board of Trustees meetings can now use Zoom caption interpretation to read what is being said in real time in the language of the participant’s choosing. Translated captions are offered in addition to the spoken interpretation in Spanish available in the Spanish language channel during the Zoom meeting. For directions on how to read what is being said (captions) in the language of your choice, please click here.

Honors Choirs: Several Graham Middle School students were accepted into honor choirs. Congratulations on your hard work and dedication! CMEA Bay Section Honor Choir: Blythe, Lucy, Devan, and Osinachi. Western Division Honor Choir: Gloria, Osinachi, and Ojas. All State Honor Choir: Ojas, Julia, Gloria, and Juliet.

United Against Hate Week: MVWSD celebrated United Against Hate Week at school sites this week. Schools held events and classroom activities to promote their site’s theme for the week, such as in-class exercises to build empathy and signing the ADL’s No Place for Hate Pledge.

Reach SV at Mistral: Reach SV partnered with Mistral Elementary at their Walkathon to provide 298 donated, brand-new shoes for children and adults. We appreciate their support of our community!

Military Family Appreciation Assembly: Monta Loma invited their military families last week for a school assembly. The school learned about each branch of our military and the sacrifices our military and military families make to serve, protect, and defend our nation. We thank our military families for their service.