The Dolphin Whistle
August 19, 2020 Issue 3
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL LAMBERT
Dear Parents,
We have completed the first three days of distance learning and I am so impressed! As parents, you have made a tremendous effort to be sure that your child is working and you are reaching out for help quickly when you need information or there is a difficulty with technology. The children are looking like students, sitting up and facing the computer and staying engaged with the teacher and the other students. I am especially proud of the new Kinder students! They are trying hard and sticking with it (in the way of 5-year-olds!). They are going to have a great year.
Remember that Wednesdays are a different type of day for the students. They must check in on Zoom with their teacher at 8:30 a.m., then do their Wednesday assignments throughout the day, and then check back in with the teacher on Zoom at 2:35 p.m. ( 1:45 p.m. for Kinder).
We can do this together!
Warm Regards,
Ms. Lambert
Theresa Lambert
Principal Mariano Castro Elementary
cell number (831)206-9522
Back to School Night
Free and Reduced Meal Application
School Photos
This year all schools will be postponing our annual student photos to ensure the health and safety of students and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Once conditions are safer and students can return to school, we will work with LifeTouch to reschedule student photos. Thank you for your understanding.
Meal Service
Calendar
Wednesday, August 26, 2020- Back to School Night, 6:00p.m.- 7:30p.m.
Thursday, September 10,2020- Principal's Coffee, 3:30p.m. - 4:30p.m.
Monday, September 7, 2020- Labor Day (No School)
FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE
Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Session - September 10th
Come learn about volunteer opportunities to Mentor high school students and Tutor students in grades K-8 in our Mountain View and Los Altos schools.
Becoming a Mentor or Tutor will add joy to your life and help a student in our local community to a brighter future!
There is no obligation to sign up as a volunteer. You're welcome to just come and learn more about they we do.
Please note: Mentor Tutor programs are currently remote and will remain so until students are back in school and the school district permits volunteers in the classroom
All volunteers must be high school graduates.
Date: Thursday, September 10th
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Location: Online via Zoom (URL provided upon registration)
Questions: programs@mentortutorconnection.org
Information: MentorTutorConnection.orgDigital resources for parents to help students
Stuck on how to use Google Classroom? Wondering how to best support your student in Distance Learning? This summer, we’ve been at work on a new Parent U resources page full of tips for navigating the tech and procedures of the new school year.
These resources are designed by and curated by MVWSD teachers to be most useful for our parents.
Technology How-To Videos (on Chromebooks, SeeSaw, i-Ready, Clever, Zoom and more)
Supporting Distance Learning (Tips and resources)
Mental Health Tips (Managing anxiety and stress at home)
All are available in English and Spanish at https://www.mvwsd.org/parentu.
ELPAC Language Assessment
A letter was sent out last week to all families with children who meet the criteria for the Initial ELPAC. The letter describes the rationale and details for the assessment and invites families to follow up with any questions they may have. Additionally, the following link is a helpful resource for parents/guardians to understand the test better and to help prepare their children.
A Parent Guide to Understanding ELPAC Initial English (also contains information about the Summative ELPAC, which is a similar test at the end of the school year.)
We understand that the beginning of the school year is a busy time, especially under these extraordinary circumstances. Based on current guidance from the California Department of Education, the Initial ELPAC this fall will be administered remotely. Details to come. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Claudia Navarrete via email at cnavarrete@mvwsd.org.
Get Connected Castro Dolphin Parents!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarianoCastroElem
School website (Programs, absence reporting and more): https://castro.mvwsd.org
Text alerts (emergencies, school closure): Text "Y"or "YES" to 68453 using the cell phone number that the District has on record
PowerSchool (Enrollment confirmation, payments, electives and more): ps.mvwsd.org/public
Updates on academics, FAQs, health and safety during COVID-19: https://mvwsd.org/returntolearn