Landels Latest 9.11.25

Important Dates to Remember

Sept 15 3:15pm School Site Council – Google Meet

Sept 18 5-7pm Multicultural Festival, MUR and Blacktop

Sep 22 Fall Picture Day

Sept 24 Principals Coffee 8:20-9:20am, Staff lounge

Sept 25 12:10-12:45pm Bookmobile

Oct 9 Professional Development Day - No School

Oct 10 Recess Day- No School

Oct 13-17 Parent Teacher Conference Week - Minimum Day all week

Oct 24 3-6pm Walkathon

Oct 29 8:15-9:15am Principals Coffee

Nov 7 End of Trimester 1 – Minimum Day

Nov 11 Veteran’s Day – No School

Nov 24-28 Thanksgiving break - No School

Roar Recognitions

Alan H. – Room 1

Sam W. – Room 2

Cat P. – Room 3

Talia H. – Room 4

Henrik H. – Room 5

Caleb K. – Room 6

Otis W. – Room 7

Tegan R. – Room 8

Avery H. – Room 9

Dalila I. – Room 10

Toma I. – Room 11

Sirui R. – Room 12

Darien O. – Room 13

Kina W. – Room 14

Elise D. – Room 16

Sejal C. – Room 17

Hannah S. – Room 18

Landels News

Dear Landels Families,

There’s so much excitement on campus as we continue to roll out more programs and initiatives. Playworks and Proposition 28 have both started, providing more enrichment opportunities and safe spaces for students to explore, connect and create. In addition, our small groups/language rotations are in full swing. Here’s more information about these programs:

Playworks (Primarily Funded by the Landels PTA)

Playworks helps transform recess by bringing fun, connection, and leadership opportunities to students. Our Playworks Coordinator, Coach Joe, will be on campus about one week each month to support student-led recess and share ways to bring more play into the school day. Ask your child about class game time with Coach Joe - maybe they played “toilet tag,” “scramble,” or “blocker ball”!

Ms. Alina’s Art Lab

Thanks to Proposition 28 funds, every Landels student will enjoy arts enrichment. During lunch recess, students can join in crafts, freeze dance parties, and more. Those enrolled in BTB or YMCA will also meet with Ms. Alina once or twice a week for additional arts activities - eventually including theater, dance, talent shows, and mixed media projects.

Small Groups/Language Rotation

Every day, Landels provides research-based reading and language instruction tailored to each student’s skill level. Additional resources and staffing allow us to create small groups of 7–10 for the students needing the most support. These lessons take place first thing in the morning, so arriving on time is essential.

Hispanic Heritage Month + Multicultural Festival

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15th to October 15th. Approximately 1/3rd of our school population is Hispanic/Latino. During this month, we will recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the Hispanic and Latino communities. Interested in learning more? Check out these PBS programs.

We look forward to celebrating our Hispanic and Latino students as well as all the other cultures at Landels at our Multicultural Festival on Thursday, 5/18 from 5-7pm. Hope to see you there!

Thank you!

Pieter Dolmans

Reading Study with Stanford University's Graduate School of Education

Researchers at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education are teaming up with Landels to conduct a research study on the effectiveness of Boost Reading, a widely-used, supplemental digital reading program by Amplify that targets word identification processes, language knowledge processes, and comprehension processes. In the study, schools have been assigned to either an immediate use or a later use condition. Our school has been assigned to the later use condition for 2025-2026. This means that our school will not use Boost Reading in 2025-2026, but will have free access to Boost Reading for three years after the 2025-2026 school year. Click here (Spanish /English) to learn more about the study or to opt-out of data collection. For more information, contact Dr. Cyndee Nguyen ([email protected]), Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.

Picture Day is coming on Monday, September 22!
You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTPGXVWZ. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping! Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.

Vision and Hearing Screenings

MVWSD conducts hearing and vision screenings of all students in TK/kindergarten, second-, fifth- and eighth-grade, as California State Law mandates. These screenings will take place:

· At Landels on Sept. 24 and 26.

Parents will be notified in writing if children fail a screening. Parents who do not want their child screened for either vision and/or hearing should send a letter to their child's school each school year indicating that their child is to be excluded, and vision and/or hearing results will need to be provided by their physician.

If you have any concerns about your child’s vision or hearing, please contact your school nurse. Questions about the screenings should be directed to the Health Services office at 650-526-3500 ext. 1050.

Short-term Independent Study

Short-term Independent Study is a contract that allows students to work independently when there are circumstances that make attending school difficult. Short-term Independent study can range from a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 14 days per school year. Contracts are approved on a case-by-case basis, require a 2-week notice, and require students to be in good academic and attendance standing.

We understand that certain absences are sometimes unavoidable. It is important to do your best to have your child in school as much as possible. Whenever you can, try to avoid taking trips during the school year -- or make efforts to take trips during District holidays, calendar linked here. Our office staff can assist you with contract details: Ms. Ann Moorti at [email protected].

Check the Lost & Found
Our Lost & Found rack by room 6 is overflowing with jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, and more! If your child is missing something, please stop by and take a look.

MVWSD News

Showing Up Matters….for learning, for friendships, for success

Why is it important that students are in school regularly? Research shows that school attendance is a strong indicator of success. Missing just two days of school a month is 10% of the school year, and negatively affects a student’s academic performance. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit early so they learn that going to school on time, every day, is important.

When we reduce chronic absence, we improve graduation rates, increase academic achievement and give young people the best chance at success in their adult life. Read here the FAQs about MVWSD student attendance.

Puberty Talk Information Session

As part of the California Health Education Content standards for 5th grade, the Mountain View Whisman School District is required to provide 5th grade students with a unit on human growth and development. The District continues to use the Puberty Talk program, a five-hour program developed by Health Connected, a non-profit agency dedicated to helping young people feel confident and supported to make informed decisions about their own sexual health.

Your 5th grade teacher will communicate your school's scheduled week. The classes will be taught by trained health educators from Health Connected during school time. Please click here to register for the Puberty Talk parent information session on September 15th at 5:30 pm for MVWSD parents only. Parents who wish to know more about the Puberty Talk sessions and content can see the Family Guide here. More information: https://www.health-connected.org/.

Curriculum information

The Mountain View Whisman School District engages in a thoughtful process to select curricular materials that align with state and local content standards and support academic achievement. Parents and guardians have the ability to review curriculum from their children's classroom by request. MVWSD will consider parent requests to excuse students from parts of instruction in accordance with applicable law. If you have any concerns about any curricular materials, including concerns related to personal religious beliefs, please contact your child’s principal.

Suicide prevention

September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Know the warning signs of suicide risk in young people.

Behavior changes can include:

· Talking about or making plans for suicide

· Expressing hopelessness about the future

· Displaying severe or overwhelming emotional pain or distress.

· Worrisome changes in behavior.

If you or someone you know is displaying these warning signs, help is available. Text, call, or chat 988 from anywhere at any time. Visit 988lifeline.org for more information.

Content provided by: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

SEL Survey and Mental Health Screening Parent Notification and Opt Out

Parents received an email that provides information about our SEL Survey process. Please take time to review it.

In grades 3-8, three times this school year—in September, November, and March— students will take a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Survey (Gr 3-5 ENG/ ESP & Gr 6-8 ENG/ ESP) through Panorama, which replaces the twice-yearly Sown to Grow SEL survey. This new tool helps us efficiently & effectively identify students who may need extra support, such as school counseling or participation in a small group intervention.

In grades 6-8, if a student’s SEL Survey results fall in the “moderate” or “high” needs range, they will meet up to two times in a small group with a school counselor. These sessions use our District’s SEL curriculum, CharacterStrong, and include completing the Youth Needs Screener.

Paper copies of the SEL Survey and Youth Needs Screener are available for review at our school. For questions, please email [email protected] or call 650-526-3500 x1130. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring every student has the support they need to succeed this school year.

i-Ready Diagnostic 1 Assessment Scores (grades K-8)

Families can access their student’s i-Ready Reading and Mathematics score through their Powerschool Parent Portal on September 8, 2025, after 4:00 p.m. Reports are available on the PowerSchool Parent Portal at https://ps.mvwsd.org/public/ under “Parent Reports” for each of your students. Steps for accessing reports on PowerSchool Parent Portal are here: Accessing PowerSchool Parent Portal i-Ready Reports. If you have difficulty logging into the PowerSchool Parent Portal, please contact your school’s office.

Get Involved And Become an MVEF Ambassador!

Are you passionate about education and community? Become an MVEF Ambassador! Ambassadors are volunteers who help raise awareness, support outreach, and strengthen the connection between our schools and MVEF. We are especially looking at the following schools: Monta Loma, Castro, Imai, Vargas, and Theuerkauf.

What Ambassadors Do:

· Share updates with your school community

· Represent MVEF at events

· Help with outreach and fundraising

· Provide valuable feedback

Who Can Join:
Parents, teachers, alumni, and community members — all are welcome!

Time Commitment:
Just 2–4 hours/month (flexible) + optional events

Perks:
Volunteer hours, MVEF swag, community connections, and more!

Interested? Contact us.

Let’s make a difference together!

PTA News

Mark your calendars!

Or just sync the Konstella Event calendar to your personal one by clickinghere!We're onFacebookandInstagram! Don't forget to follow us.

·Fall Book Fair: last day to shop is Thursday 9/12 until 1:15pm in the MUR

·Multicultural Festival: Thu, Sept 18, 5-7:30pm MUR and blacktop

·PTA Association Meeting: Fri, Sept 19, 8:30, Office

·Restaurant Fundraiser Slice House: Sat, Sept 20

·Walkathon: Fri, Oct 24, 3-6pm on the field

Volunteer Opportunities

·Multicultural Festival (September 18th, 5pm)

·Afterschool enrichment - Finding yourself hanging around at pickup? Helping with after-school class attendance for 15 minutes from 2:50-3:05 on Tuesday or Wednesday is an easy way to volunteer!" Contact [email protected] Feeling bolder? The occasional 20 minutes from 12:15-12:35 on Thursdays is even more rewarding!

·Lunch Help needed: Help kids learn how to recycle properly at lunch and snack times! We are looking for volunteers to come at lunchtime and help them sort their trash in the appropriate containers. Please sign up for a timeslot. Email [email protected] with any questions about this initiative.

Want to volunteer but haven't been able to find the right time slot? Please fill out thePTA volunteer formso we can make sure to share opportunities that align with your availability and interests.

Hi Landels Families!
Just a quick reminder to sign the PTA Waiver (yellow PTA welcome package in your kids backpack) - it’s aone-time formthat covers all the fun events this school year, including our biggest fundraiser, the Walkathon and the upcoming Multicultural Festival!

It only takes a minute and helps keep everything running smoothly. You can fill out thewaiver online, too.

Thank you to all of you who came out to our first Friday parent social last week!! We loved seeing new and familiar faces, enjoyed great coffee, conversations, and snacks - big shout out to Luis for organizing. As always we want to hear from you, please clickhere.

Multicultural Festival
Join us for an evening of food, stories, art, and performances celebrating this year’s theme:
“Traditional Stories, Folk Tales, and Myths”

Explore Cultural Tables:Featuring countries and cultures from Atlantica to Vietnam – 20+ tables with fun activities, snacks, and traditions!

Festival Highlights:

·Festival passport for kids

·Art showcase & dance performance (7:00–7:30 PM)

·Food trucks for dinner

·Go Green! Video: Bring your own container to the Multicultural Festival to help the Landels community reduce waste. You'll even get a stamp on the green page of your festival passport to recognize your efforts!

Get Involved:

·Host or join a cultural table – sign up by Sept 15 (FAQ)

·Volunteer day-of on Konstella

Let’s celebrate our amazing community—see you there!

Restaurant Fundraiser Slice House
Support Landels PTA by ordering from Slice House! Grab a slice, a pie, pasta, salad, or garlic bread - 20% of your order goes back to our school. Feel free to share the flyer (english/spanish) with neighbors and thank you for supporting the school community!

Walkathon - We need Big Cardboard Boxes!
Help us build an awesome Wakalthon centerpiece! We’re collectinglarge cardboard boxes(think appliances or moving boxes). Please drop them off in the front office. Thank you for helping make this year’s Walkathon extra special.

FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Join MVLA for an evening with Jeff Selingo, author of Dream School: Finding the College That's Right For You

Attending college has long been a rite of passage for millions of teens and a bedrock of the American dream. But that well-worn path has lately taken a wrong turn, denying admission even to super-achievers and putting intolerable stress on family finances. Bestselling author Jeff Selingo shifts the spotlight from how colleges pick students to how students can better pick colleges in his new book coming out this September: Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right For You.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 7PM, Los Altos High School - Eagle Theater

For more information, visit mvlaspeakerseries.org. Events are free thanks to our generous sponsors: MVLA High School Foundation, Los Altos Educational Foundation, Mountain View Educational Foundation, and the Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council.

Free, Fun JRMF Math Festival -

Every student can be a mathematician! Join JRMF for a day of play and problem-solving. At the JRMF Math Festival at Sports Basement Sunnyvale, children and families drop in to enjoy a variety of fun, hands-on math puzzles and games.

The JRMF Math Festival at Sports Basement Sunnyvale is free, open to all, and an event where you can drop in and drop out whenever you’d like. Free snacks will be provided.

When: September 13th, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Where: 1177 Kern Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94085 in the Summit Room

Make a Difference in Your Community: Volunteer with Mentor Tutor Connection!

Are you passionate about helping students succeed? Mentor Tutor Connection is seeking dedicated volunteers to mentor high school students or tutor K-8 students in math, writing, or reading at local public schools in Los Altos and Mountain View.

Why Volunteer with MTC?

· Make a Lasting Impact: Help underserved students reach their full potential, both academically and personally.

· Support Future Leaders: Mentoring high school students or tutoring younger students can help students navigate challenges and build confidence.

· Join a Community of Like-minded Volunteers: Connect with other compassionate individuals and gain a deeper sense of purpose by helping others.

Get Involved: Join us for a Volunteer Information Session on September 18th at 12 pm online. During this session, you’ll learn about our mentoring and tutoring programs, and have the chance to ask any questions you might have.

To register for our Volunteer Information Session or to learn more about MTC, please email [email protected] or visit mentortutorconnection.org.

Upcoming Programs at Mountain View Public Library

AMPLIFY: Improv-aganza Workshop

Enter the world of improv comedy with this workshop from the LAHS improv club! The program starts with a high-energy performance, followed by a workshop where you’ll rotate through stations and try out the games for yourself! Finally, you’ll get to show off what you learned with your own short performance for your friends. No prior experience is necessary for this fun and interactive program.

Saturday, September 13

4:30 p.m.-5:45 p.m.

Grades 4-8

First Floor Program Room

AMPLIFY: Model UN Workshop

This fun and engaging workshop introduces Model UN to students in grades 5-9. We will cover all the Model UN basics and build critical life skills, including public speaking, esearch, paper writing, and creative problem-solving. This is an interactive chance for students to learn more about global affairs, collaborate to create solutions on key issues, and practice public speaking in

learning environment.

Saturday, Sept. 20

2:00-4:00 p.m.

Grades 5-9

First Floor Program Room

Learning Challenges events for Fall 2025

For local coverage of issues related to learning challenges and special education, please check out the Learning Challenges Committee.

Calm Down Kit Making Sessions

Volunteers will make Calm Down kits for classrooms throughout Mountain View and Los Altos and learn how to make their own for their home! Thursday September 26 (5-7 pm), Tuesday September 30 5-7 pm. For location, contact [email protected].

Learning Challenges Committee General Meeting

October 7, 7 pm in person (TBA) and Zoom hybrid

We will be finishing up the Wellness Wish List and will likely need a work session to finish up packing orders for delivery to classrooms! For more info, email [email protected].

Evening Let’s Talk Parent Support group

October 15, 7 pm on Zoom.

IEP/504 support group. Have questions about the process to get help for your child? Have an IEP but are not sure how to make changes? Need to vent? This is your confidential group. Register here.

Missed past Parent Education events?

We have a YouTube channel with many of our past events including the recent talk on Assistive Technology, info on summer camps and recreational activities, Anxiety and Depression in Children with Learning Challenges, SMART Goals and IEP Troubleshooting, and more. Channel is here.

Flyers

Restaurant Fundraiser Slice House

Go Green! Video

Passport Cover Art contest

Walkathon

Mentor Tutor Connection

Upcoming Events at the View Teen Center

Showing Up Matters….for learning, for friendships, for success

Free, Fun JRMF Math Festival

Upcoming Programs at Mountain View Public Library - Improv

Upcoming Programs at Mountain View Public Library - Model UN

September Lunch Menu

2025-26 School Calendar