Mountain View Weekly Update

December 11

Announcements & Updates

- As holiday break approaches, Mrs. Austenberg and Mrs. Toth kindly remind parents to communicate any travel plans. Over the break, please reach out via email to inform of any changes to travel plans, and/or health concerns that may arise. Note that if over the holidays, any members of your household develop COVID-like symptoms, were tested, or are awaiting test results, all students must stay home. Again, please communicate with Mrs. Austenberg and Mrs. Toth via email (we will be checking daily!). Thank you in advance for helping to keep our school community safe and open for in-person learning in 2021.

- If your family is travelling over the holidays, or if you are simply uncomfortable sending your child back to school during the two weeks after the break, please contact Mrs. Toth to discuss your specific situation no later than Wednesday, December 16, so the school can make arrangements to accommodate your child's educational needs.

- To provide our students with a true break and an opportunity to spend time with family, decompress, and focus on wellness, access to district Google Drive accounts, including email, will be suspended for students. Drive access will be turned off after dismissal on the 23rd and will be reinstated on Sunday, January 3. During this time, parents are reminded to please monitor their child's technology use, including social media. For tips and more information on parental controls and managing screen time, please visit Common Sense Media's "Parents Need to Know" resources.

- The Mendham Borough Home School Association wants you! Visit the HSA's new website at https://mendhamhsa.membershiptoolkit.com/home to become a member and purchase the 2020-2021 directory.

- Mendham Borough Schools spirit wear makes a great holiday gift! Click here to shop the online store and support the HSA.

A note from Mrs. Lanka

In Advisory today, students discussed what it looks like to show empathy for others and employ upstander behavior when needed. By watching and discussing select clips from the movie Wonder (about a boy born with facial differences who goes to school for the first time), students reflected on how they can better develop their skills in these areas. Consider having a discussion with your child about situations where they might practice the "5 Steps Towards Empathy" noted on the slide below.

In response to the changes, uncertainty and stress brought on by COVID-19, the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris are offering a safe space for children and teens to talk about their feelings through art. Please see the following flyers (attached) for more information on the FREE "After School Chat and Craft" virtual groups being offered. In addition, their "Connection Is Just a Click Away" group is open to any adult who may need support during this time.