The Dolphin Whistle
September 27, 2017, Issue 7
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL LAMBERT
Dear Mariano Castro Parents,
Our school, Mariano Castro, needs as many volunteers as possible on the day of the event. Thank you to William Buitron and Trudy Wilson our parent leads for the Walkathon! If you have any questions please contact me or William Buitron or Trudy Wilson.
Best Regards,
Theresa Lambert
Principal Mariano Castro Elementary
Walden West donations
Payment of the fee is not mandatory, and no pupil shall be denied the opportunity to participate in this school camp because of nonpayment of the fee.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
9/28 Thursday - SIOP: Parent Night 6:30pm Theuerkauf MUR
9/28 Thursday - Principal's Coffee 8:00am - 9:00am Staff Lounge
9/30 Saturday - English Classes (ESL) for adults 9:30am - 12:00pm MUR
10/3 Tuesday - PIQE 6:00pm - 8:00pm MUR
10/4 Wednesday - School Site Council (SSC) 5:00pm - 6:30pm Staff Lounge
10/5 Thursday - Project Cornerstone 8:30am - 9:30am Staff Lounge
10/6 Friday - Annual Walkathon 2:30pm - 6:00pm Mariano Castro
10/7 Saturday - English Classes (ESL) for adults 9:30am - 12:00pm MUR
10/10 Tuesday - PIQE 6:00pm - 8:00pm MUR
10/10 Tuesday - ELAC meeting 6:00pm - 7:30 pm Staff Lounge
10/10 Tuesday - Pictures MakeUp Day
10/9 - 10/13 Parent Teacher Conferences Week, Minimum Days
10/13 Friday - Field Trip Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts 8:30am - 11:00am
RM's 9 & 13
10/13 Friday - Field Trip Marine Science Institute 7:00am - 12:40pm RM's 107 & 110
10/14 Saturday - English Classes (ESL) for adults 9:30am - 12:00pm MUR
10/17 Tuesday - PIQE 6:00pm - 8:00pm MUR
10/17 Tuesday - CuriOdyssey Field Trip 8:15am - 1:15pm RM's 10 & 14
10/21 Saturday - English Classes (ESL) for adults 9:30am - 12:00pm MUR
10/24 Tuesday - PIQE 6:00pm - 8:00pm MUR
10/24 Tuesday - Principal's Coffee 8:00am - 9:00am Staff Lounge
10/25 Wednesday - Field Trip Mountain View Library 8:45am - 10:20am RM's 112 & 113
FROM THE PTA
Labels for Education
Did you know that the Labels for Education Program is ending? After decades of helping schools with fundraising, the program will soon close. Please turn in any “Labels” that you may have. They will be collected through October 27, 2017. They are often found on Campbell’s Soup Cans and BIC Products. Ask your neighbors, family, and friends if they have any for your child’s school. In past years we have used this program to acquire new playground equipment and other items for Castro.
Potluck for 4th and 5th Grade
Tonight the Castro PTA will host the 4th and 5th grade Potluck. It will be held near the MUR from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. The PTA Board Members will serve the foods brought by the families. It is a wonderful event for gathering together and meeting each other. All 4th and 5th grade families are invited to share the fun, food, and friendship. We hope to see you there.
Spirit Wear
The Spirit Wear Committee has had many sales this year. The committee is reviewing current inventory and researching new items. There will be a sale table at the 4th/5th grade Potluck tonight and at the Walkathon on October 6.
$5 Adult T-shirts, $15 Youth & Adult Hoodies, $23 Zip-Down Sweatshirts
Walkathon (WAT)
The Walkathon is a fun annual event for students and families. This year it is on October 6th from 2:00-6:00 pm.
Donations are necessary, from the public, in order to raise money for Castro. Please invest some time with your child(ren) to help them get sponsors or pledges for the school. Your child can ask family, friends, neighbors, and the community for these funds. Each student is asked to bring in $125.00.
How does my student ask for donations? Your child can ask for donations by saying 3 simple sentences.
1. My name is (first name only) and I go to Castro School.
2. (SMILE and say) I am going to be in the Walkathon!
3. Would you like to donate to my school?
How do I help my child answer questions that people may ask? You can remind them of the answer, but encourage your student to answer the question.
How should my child answer the question, “How much do I donate?” People can donate any dollar amount they choose. If they are not sure your child can recommend a $2, $5, and $10.00 donation. It is a flat rate to be given at the time the student asks, and it is tax deductible. (See the Tax I.D. # on the green sheet.)
How should my child answer the question, “What is the money used for at school?” The money raised from this fundraiser is used for library books, field trips, and special learning programs for Castro students.
How do I help all of my children to get sponsors/pledges? Your children can take turns asking people until a donation is received. Write the name and dollar amount donated on that child’s green sheet. You should have an envelope to collect each child’s money and a pen to write on the green sheet. (The Parent should hold the pen & envelopes to keep the funds safe.) Remind your student that many people will say no before someone says, “Yes” to them. The important idea is to raise funding for Castro School, and to have your student ask for the donation.
How are people expected to pay? The money can be paid by cash or check. Please have checks made payable to, “Castro PTA.”
Make sure the student thanks everybody that they ask, even if they did not receive a donation.
FROM THE DISTRICT
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, 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.
Survey information
MVWSD uses data to inform its initiatives and decisions on all aspects of its services. While it’s important that we learn from you, we also know you’re busy, and we want to balance the time involved with District surveys with our need for information to serve our students and families.
To help with this, the District tracks the number of surveys given annually. This year, these are the major, districtwide surveys that you will be asked to participate in:
Climate survey for staff, students (grades 5, 7) and all parents- November 6
LCAP survey for staff, students and parents- February
Thank you in advance for your participation, time and thoughtfulness.
Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Open House - October 18
Thinking about how you can make a difference in the life of a student in our community?
Mentor Tutor Connection needs Mentors for High School students and Tutors for K- 8 students in Los Altos and Mountain View schools.
All volunteers must be high school graduates.
There is no obligation to sign up as a volunteer. You're welcome to just come and learn more about what we do.
Date: Wednesday, October 18
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Location: MVLA District Office - Board Room
1299 Bryant Ave, Mountain View, CA
Register: REGISTER ONLINE
Questions: programs@mentortutorconnection.org