
MVLA Magazine
December 2023
Dear MVLA Community,
During this time of reflection, I want to thank every one of you for your contribution to the success of our students. Your strong commitment to the success and well-being of our school community makes MVLAHSD a place where students thrive. Where there were challenges, you came together to create an environment supporting learning, growth, and compassion.
As we conclude the year and the first semester, I would like to acknowledge the achievements of our students and educators, recognize the support of our families, and express appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our entire school district. Our collective efforts make a lasting impact on the lives of our students and the strength of our community.
Thank you for your continued partnership, and I wish you all a joyful holiday season and a happy new year.
With appreciation,
Nellie Meyer
Superintendent
DISTRICT NEWS
NEW GRADUATE PROFILE
We're pleased to have collaborated with so many MVLA students and local stakeholders to develop our new Graduate Profile, representing the District's vision for the 21st century skills, character traits, and/or social-emotional competencies that students need to succeed in college, career, and life.
It is intended to complement academics and test scores as measures of preparedness. While it does not replace a focus on academic achievement, it shows our community's commitment to investing in educational experiences that educate the whole child. Learn more about the process for developing the new profile here.
2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
Start planning ahead! We have approved the calendar for the 2024-2025 school year! Some key dates to note:
- August 12, 2024 - First Day of School
- November 25 - 29, 2024 - Thanksgiving Break
- December 20, 2024 - January 8, 2025 - School Holiday Break
- April 7 - 11, 2025 - Spring Recess
- June 6, 2025 - Senior Graduation
MVLA Adult School is ringing in 2024 with some exciting NEW opportunities for English Language Learners in our community. If you are an intermediate-high to advanced level ESL student, you may qualify for FREE healthcare training and a paid externship opportunity while attending class.
Whether your goal is academic, personal or professional, let MVLA Adult School help you in your journey towards self-improvement and success. View the Winter/Spring 2024 Course Catalog here, and learn about registration here.
MIDDLE COLLEGE IS RECRUITING STUDENTS FOR 2023-2024
Foothill Middle College is currently recruiting new students for the 2023-24 academic year! Middle College is for intellectually-curious students who are looking for a different high school experience. It bridges the gap between high school and college. In this innovative program, students take both high school and college classes on campus at Foothill College. Check www.foothillmiddlecollege.org for upcoming events, testimonials and application instructions. And be sure to watch our recruitment video!
CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION IS GROWING
It's been an exciting year for our Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway program! We've been busy implementing the eight new CTE pathways we added for this school year, and are in the process of adding more work-based learning opportunities for students in spring and for the next school year.
We're also adding more industry certifications. Students in the Engineering Technology pathway have started to earn their OSHA-10 certifications, and are beginning to work on NC3 Mechatronics 1, NC3 AC/DC Fundamentals, and Festo PLCs-Siemens certifications. Students in the Patient Care Pathway can earn their CPR certifications. Culinary program students can now earn food safety certifications. Learn more about our CTE expansion here (and check out STEAM Week photos at the bottom!)
CAMPUS NEWS
STEAM WEEK AT MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL
December 4-8 marked the Mountain View High School STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Week.
The objective was for students to engage in the interdisciplinary nature of STEAM through hands-on activities and access to STEAM professionals and career information, thanks to partnerships with leading technologists from Silicon Valley’s prestigious research institutions and innovative corporations. Visit the (student-created) website here and view a gallery of photos and videos from the presentations and demonstrations here!
FOUNDATION UPDATE
The success of our students is made possible by the collective donations of the entire community, and we truly appreciate every donation. Thank you from the MVLA HS Foundation Board.
SAVE THE DATE FOR NEXT SPEAKER SERIES EVENT: WHY COLLEGE ADMISSION IS RIGGED AND HOW TO BEAT THE SYSTEM
We know you're not going to want to miss this, so mark your calendars for Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the LAHS Eagle Theatre.
We'll be hosting Susan Paterno, Director of the Journalism Program at Chapman University where she serves on the undergraduate admissions committee, and author of "Game On: Why College Admission is Rigged and How to Beat the System." Susan will help families navigate the two poles of the admissions process: the "big picture" and the nitty gritty of forms and scores and disclosures. Registration will be available closer to the event.
BOARD UPDATE
The Board of Trustees will hold a study session to review District data today, December 18, beginning at 4 p.m. in the Board Room of the District office at 1299 Bryant Ave. The meeting will be live-streamed through YouTube and members of the public may view it through the link posted on the agenda at the start of the meeting.
The Board also has a regular meeting planned for beginning at 7:00 p.m. Planned presentations include:
- Student of the Month recognitions
- Citizens' Oversight Committee Measure E Annual Report
- First reading of the MVLA Family Engagement Policy
- Resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of General Obligation Bonds
The final agenda and associated meeting documents are available here.
GALLERY
Recently, Alta Vista High teamed up with Adult Education to take seniors through Adult Ed's Eye Care Technician program. AVHS students earn credits, as well as scholarships to cover the program, uniform, transportation, and more.
Student Leadership and Mentor Tutor Connection at AVHS are bringing holiday cheer to the community this season! Students are coming together for card making, hot chocolate, and pastries - all to bring handcrafted holiday cards to homebound elderly.
Career Technical Education (CTE) in action! Students in Stephen Hine's Engineering Tech class at Los Altos High got to take a tour of the Tesla factory recently - getting up close in the showroom.
Congratulations to our Fall 2023 evening Certified Nursing Assistant Class at MVLA Adult Education! Thanks to the El Camino CNA Ed Fund for providing scholarships for two grads and to Villa Siena for hosting clinical training.
The Muslim Student Association at MVHS recently hosted a community vigil to mourn the lives lost due to the Israel-Hamas Conflict with our Jewish Student Union in attendance. They spoke of peace, unity, and hope.
It's all about inclusion. Mountain View's acclaimed Dance Spectrum put on a great performance this month (see photos here). The performance featured our Life Skills students, who literally danced for joy.
So proud of the 23 MVLA parents who graduated from the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE). They completed a 12-week course, focusing on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) as a key to student success.
It was a packed house for a joint event between the LAHS Counseling Department, Financial Aid office, and Foothill College, where families learned about the various forms of Financial Aid available to students.
DATEBOOK
December 22, 2023 - January 5, 2024
Holiday Break - NO SCHOOL
January 10, 2024
First Day of School for Students
January 15, 2024
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
NEW - 2024-2025 School Year Calendar
Additional important dates are available on our campus calendars: Los Altos HS | Mountain View HS | Alta Vista HS | Adult School
Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District
Email: mvlahsd@mvla.net
Website: www.mvla.net
Location: 1299 Bryant Avenue, Mountain View, CA, USA
Phone: (650) 940-4650
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mvlahsd
Twitter: @MVLAHSD
Communications for the MVLA High School District