The Dolphin Whistle
May 2, 2018, Issue 33
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL LAMBERT
We are in the last month of school and these are a very important 5 weeks. Every grade completes their end of year district benchmark assessments, grades 3-5 complete the state SBAC testing, and 5th grade completes the math placement test for middle school. SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW! is an important motto to keep in mind both at home and at school.
It is important for every child to be at school every day and on time as there is still much learning to do in order to be ready for next year.
On a different note, it is time for new parents to join our School Site Council, our ELAC, and our PTA. All three are critical leadership committees for Castro and we need new members! Please contact me and we can meet or talk on the phone so I can describe the possible openings to you. Our school is stronger when we are all involved and working together.
5th Grade Promotion Ceremony: Tuesday, May 29, 2018
This year our promotion ceremony is not on the last day of school. Since the office will be moving out on the last day of school, we had to change the 5th grade promotion ceremony date. The ceremony and celebration are on Tuesday, May 29th and students will continue to come to school the remainder of the week.
Remember that students wear royal blue and silver (grey) on 5th grade promotion day.
There is a brief meeting for 5th grade parents on Thurs., May 3rd at 6:00 p.m. in the teacher's lounge.
Best Regards,
Theresa Lambert
Principal Mariano Castro Elementary
Walk Bike to School
If you live too far away to walk all the way you can find a safe place to park chose to school and walk the rest of the way. Join in the fun to reduce traffic, help keep our school safer and help keep the air cleaner.
Parents, would your child benefit from a two-week, $10 camp?
Free round-trip bus transportation, from select pick-up points in Mountain View and Sunnyvale to camp is also provided. Sunnyvale bus pick ups are expected to be at Lakewood School, Columbia Middle School and Vargas School.
Mountain View pick-ups will be Crittenden and Castro. Sign up online now to participate in this 2-week, $10 camp!
APPLY: www.kldsoccer.org
DATES: June 11 - June 22, 2018
DAYS: Mondays - Fridays, no weekends
TIME: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
LOCATION: Cooper Park, Mountain View, CA
PARK ADDRESS: 500 Chesley Ave, Mountain View
FOR: Underserved/low-income students from public schools in Mt. View & Sunnyvale, Current 2nd through 8th grade for the 2017/2018 school year.
COST: $10 per Camper (bring on first day)
QUESTIONS: kldsoccer@yahoo.com
Calendar of Upcoming Events
5/2 Wednesday - School Site Council (SSC) meeting 5:00pm - 6:30pm Staff Lounge
5/3 Thursday - CA/MI Foothill College Parent Classes 6:00pm - 8:00pm Staff Lounge
5/3 Thursday - CA/MI Walk Bike to School 7:45a - 8:15a
5/5 Saturday - English Classes for parents 9:30am - 12:00pm MUR
5/8 Tuesday - 5th Grade Gala Concert 6:00pm CSMA
5/10 Thursday - CA/MI Foothill College Parent Classes 6:00pm - 8:00pm Staff Lounge
5/12 Saturday - English Classes for parents 9:30am - 12:00pm MUR
5/15 Tuesday - ELAC meeting 6:00pm - 7:30pm MUR
5/16 Wednesday - Field Trip Stanford University 9:00am - 2:10pm RM's 12 & 16
5/17 Thursday - 5 Star Family Dinner event 6:00pm MUR
5/17 Thursday - CA/MI Foothill College Parent Classes 6:00pm - 8:00pm Staff Lounge
5/18 Friday - Field Trip Lawrence Hall of Science 8:00a - 2:15p RM's 10 & 14
5/19 Saturday - English Classes for parents 9:30am - 12:00pm MUR
5/21 Monday - Principal's Coffee 8:00am Staff Lounge
5/23 Wednesday - School Site Council (SSC) 5:00pm 6:30pm Staff Lounge
5/25 Friday - 5th Grade visiting Middle Schools 8:30am
5/25 Friday - End of 3rd Trimester/ Minimum day, dismissal 11:55am
5/28 Monday - NO SCHOOL/ Memorial Day
5/29 Tuesday - 5th Grade Promotion 10:00am MUR
5/31 Thursday - Personal Success Assembly 8:00am MUR
Friday, June 1st last day of school minimum day, dismissal is 11:55am
Have a great summer!
FROM THE DISTRICT
MV Parent University presents “Suicide Prevention: What Parents Need to Know”
Wed, May 9th, 2018 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM at the Crittenden Middle School-Multi Room.
Presented by: Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services, parents will learn to ask the right questions and resources to help, as well as about the QPR/ Question, Persuade, Refer, Suicide prevention gatekeeper training.
Doors open at 6:00 PM. Come early to check out the resources!
Provided:
· Interpretation (Spanish)
· Child Care
· Transportation (Bus departs from Castro Elementary and Graham Middle at 6 p.m. and returns at 8:30 p.m.) Please register here
MVEF News
It is CSMA Concert season at our elementary schools! Thanks to donations from parents and community members, the Mountain View Educational Foundation is able to fund in-class music lessons led by Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) music teachers at every elementary school. A 5th-grade teacher had this to say about the program, “The music program helps build confidence, responsibility, and is a great part of our curriculum. The music teachers are knowledgeable, passionate, and they have consistently inspired many students to continue to play their instruments.” Thank you, donors, for your generosity and support. You can learn more and make a donation at mvef.org. Let the music play!
Student attendance is important: Help students be in school and on time
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.
Most parents are aware of what it means for a child to be truant from school. However, there is a new push through the state of California to reduce the numbers of students who are “chronically absent.” Students who are chronic absent typically attend school fairly regularly, but miss a few days here and there, which really add up and affect their learning. It's important to know both excused or unexcused absences count toward chronic absenteeism.
Chronically absent students have been absent (either excused or unexcused) for 10% of the time that school has been in session. For example, if your student has been absent 2 days before Sept. 15, he is chronically absent. If your student has been absent 5 days before Oct. 20, he/she is chronically absent. An average of 2 days absent a month means a student is chronically absent. The District is now required to track this data and report it to the state. MVWSD will contact parents when students reach concerning absence levels. If not remedied, chronically absent students and their families may be referred to the District’s Student Attendance Review Board, in a process similar to how truancy is handled.
Thanks for your assistance and support.