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In this edition ...
- Board meeting review: Middle School Schedule Update and more
- Announcing new employees who support services for families and students
- Senior Citizens/SSI recipients: Apply now for tax exemption
- School Site Council: Lend your time and talent?
- High Fives
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April 18 Board meeting review: Middle School Schedule Update and more
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Middle School Schedule: Staff presented additional data to support the teachers’ and middle school administrators' proposal to return to a 7-period schedule from the current 8-period cascading schedule. The presentation highlighted the origins of the request, financial considerations and compared schedules and student performance with neighboring districts. After deliberation, the Board determined the schedule proposal should come back to a future meeting for a vote. To read the presentation and supporting documents, please click here.
 Reclassification and English Learners Program Update: There are over 1,100 students classified as English Learners (ELs) in MVWSD, making up approximately 25% of the total student population. MVWSD’s goal is that ELs will reclassify as English fluent in the research-backed time frame of 5-7 years, and advance levels in their English speaking, listening, reading, and writing each year. MVWSD’s support of these learners through English Language Development instruction and newcomer support is bringing English proficient reclassification rates very close to the District’s ambitious goals with six out of nine elementary schools meeting or exceeding the 75% reclassification goal by year 6. Read more here.
 Campus Greening Index Update: MVWSD is creating spaces at each school that will provide shade, plants and outdoor areas for learning and play. The Board passed the Climate Change and Green Schoolyard Board Resolution in February 2023 that has guided the work of the district in its effort to green campuses. The Board discussed the details of greening measurements at the meeting Read more here.
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Announcing new employees who support services for families and students
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The District is happy to announce two staff members whose work supports essential programs for students and families.
 Dalewyn Spinks is the new Assistant Director in the Maintenance Operations and Transportation team. He will be working with MOT Director Brian Perron to lead custodial and maintenance teams in maintaining the cleanliness of campuses and facilities. He was the Facilities Maintenance Manager at Hayward Unified School District. Before that, he did facilities work for Google and biotech companies while working with Cushman and Wakefield. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and an MBA from Fayetteville State University.
 Eduardo Rios Pacheco is the new district SCEF/McKinney-Vento Liaison. Eduardo will work together with Priscila Bogdanic on district community engagement needs and specifically to support our families and students who are unhoused. Prior to this assignment, Eduardo was the School Community Engagement Facilitator (SCEF) at Bubb and Imai schools. He has also worked for Milpitas Unified School District as a Transition Program Counselor/ Workforce Developer. He attended San Jose City College.
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Senior Citizens/SSI recipients: Apply now for tax exemption
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 Homeowners aged 65 or older, and residents who qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) who reside in the Mountain View Whisman School District are eligible for an exemption for their principal residence from Measure B/parcel tax.
An exemption from Measure B/the parcel tax will be made available, upon application, to any owners of a parcel used solely for owner-occupied single-family residential purposes who:
* are receiving Social Security Income for a disability regardless of age;
* are 65 years of age prior to July 1 of the tax year; or
* are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, regardless of age, and whose yearly income does not exceed 250% of the 2012 federal poverty guidelines issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
For application and information, call 650-526-3500 or visit www.mvwsd.org.
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| School Site Council: Lend your time and talent? |
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 Have you wondered about School Site Council (SSC)? It's a great way for parents to support schools in each school's site and safety planning. This is the time of the year when schools seek members for the next school year. See this overview video and this webpage for more information. If you have questions about openings for next year, please see your principal.
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| High Fives |
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 Vargas Elementary international event
Journalist Jose Antonio Vargas visited his namesake elementary school on April 18. Vargas visited students in classrooms and met parents at pickup, and then attended the school’s International Festival in the evening, during which Vargas and his former MVHS teacher held an interview panel.
Math competition with Graham students
The Graham Math Olympiad team sent two teams to the Berkeley Mini Math tournament last weekend. Over 800 students participated and Graham’s team won first place in the puzzle competition. Congratulations Ewan, Irsa, James, Julia, and Lily! Additionally, Ewan, James, and Steven placed in the top 50% and Lily placed in the top 20% in the individual competition.
Day of the Military Child at Crittenden
Crittenden Middle School celebrated “Day of the Military Child” on April 19th. Students and staff wore purple in honor of their military students and families, and the Crittenden PTA and student leadership planned events, including lunchtime activities and a student-read poem during the morning announcements. 
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