This week was action-packed with MTC mentoring, hip hop music recording, MTC flower bouquet crafts, and our annual softball game with MVPD / PAL! Thank you to all our volunteers, as well as Mr. Stevens, Ms. Lewis and Ms. Alba for making this week so fun!

Aztec Achievement Award - Nayeli Flores Morales

May 4, 2026

In the words of our Alta Vista teachers, Nayeli has been awarded the Aztec Achievement Award for the following outstanding values and characteristics:

(Ms. Estrada) Nayeli is an exemplary student. She came into AVHS with a great, go-getter attitude and has easily integrated into our classroom communities. She is focused, participates, and puts considerable effort into the work she produces. 

(Ms. Lewis) Nayeli is a great student to have in class.  When it comes to our culinary class, she is always willing to jump right in and start cooking or baking whatever the assignment is.  When learning about different foods, she is always inquisitive and willing to explore foods she is not used to.  In math, Nayeli is a rock star.  She comes into class each day with focus and determination to do her best.  Nayeli is always learning to understand the concepts instead of just finishing the work.  Nayeli is a great student, and I am happy to have her in my classes.

(Mr. Phillips) Nayeli is endlessly creative, open, and honest in her writing.  It’s beautiful to see. She takes risks in the classroom and invests herself emotionally in her reading.   Nayeli writes beautiful poetry in two languages. The courage she shows by reading aloud and improvising answers in English, on the spot, in front of the class is inspiring to me.

(Mr. V) Although Nayeli has just started at Alta Vista, she has made an impression. Nayeli works hard, cares about the quality of her work, and is a genuinely nice person. Nayeli has a voice, is a very deep thinker, and when she shares her point of view in class, our class is always more enriched and better for it. Nayeli, keep working hard and keep writing!

Congratulations, Nayeli, and family! We are very proud of your accomplishments at Alta Vista High School!

Congratulations to our recent early graduates!

Look what’s been happening in Mr. Luy’s 3rd period PE classes!

Seniors, we have only (3) WEEKS before graduation. Graduation is nearing: read details below (invitations will be distributed to graduates in May).

SENIOR DEADLINES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRADUATION CEREMONY

To participate in the graduation ceremony, these senior deadlines must be met:

Friday, May 22

• All English essays due

Monday, May 26

• Last day for any science lab make-ups

Friday, May 29

• Last day to start math knowledge checks

• All other science assessments & assignments due

More info here: https://www.deanza.edu/open-house/index.html

Building with ChatGPT: Practical AI Skills for Students

Curious how ChatGPT can help you build real skills you can use right away? Learn more here!

Join OpenAI Academy and the Foothill-De Anza Community College District for a hands-on workshop where you will learn how to use ChatGPT to create, test, and build your own projects. This session is designed for students who want to go beyond basic use and understand how to apply AI tools in practical ways.

You will spend most of the session working directly in ChatGPT—testing ideas, refining outputs, and building something of your own with support from facilitators.

Whether you are exploring new ways to study, organize your work, or build personal projects, this session will help you understand how to use AI in a thoughtful, practical, and effective way.

What to expect:

• Hands-on activities using ChatGPT

• Guided exercises that build from basics to more advanced use

• Time to explore and build your own project

• Support from facilitators throughout the session

• Student showcases of work created during the workshop

• Lunch and informal networking

No prior technical experience is required. Please plan to bring a laptop or tablet to participate! Learn more or sign up here!

      As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, MVWSD & PAU are hosting an At the Forefront Series event                designed to support parents and caregivers with practical insight and guidance about Youth Mental Health and Technology.

     Join a conversation led by clinical and community experts, including:

     • Jessica DiVento Dzuban, PsyD

     • Martha Hernández, PhD

     • Greer Stone, J.D.

     • Aviva Wilcox, PsyD, PMH-C

   Together, they bring perspectives from clinical care, education, policy, and community to a discussion on youth

    mental health and the role of technology in young people’s lives.

        Registration required. Seats available.

   While adults are attending the panel of speakers, their children can attend a youth event hosted in the MUR at

   Graham: 

• Grades 6-12: Youth Community Services (YCS) will provide a Self-Esteem Youth leader workshop for Middle and High School youth participants. This is a workshop designed by youth for youth. “Connect with yourself and others through an interactive workshop meant to build self-esteem. Created by youth, for youth, this workshop includes research, reflection, and games meant to help teens build self esteem.”

• Grades K-5: MVWSD School Counselors will facilitate K-5 youth participants in building a Regulation Station Toolkit.  Participants will learn self-regulation skills and build a regulation station toolkit that includes stress balloon balls, pinwheels, and coloring journals.

Families and students, MVLA has support resource referrals to share with you in the areas of wellness, food and basic needs, homelessness, legal/immigration, substance use resources and more. Please refer to this updated link: Updated Resource Guide

Make a Tribute Gift at MVLAfoundation.org

Staff Contact Information

Main Office / Attendance: 650-691-2433 or email debi.rudd@mvla.net

History: Gabriela Estrada gabriela.estrada@mvla.net
Science: Brandi Filbert brandi.filbert@mvla.net
Math: Jennifer Lewis jennifer.lewis@mvla.net
PE/Special Education: Samnang Luy samnang.luy@mvla.net
English: Matthew Philips matthew.phillips@mvla.net
Online Learning/ Health: Todd Pearson todd.pearson@mvla.net
PE/Special Education: Lani Stevens lani.stevens@mvla.net

Community Resources Coordinator: Alba Garza alba.garza@mvla.net

College & Career Coordinator: Sarah Wallace sarah.wallace@mvla.net

Principal: Suzanne Woolfolk suzanne.woolfolk@mvla.net