The Dolphin Whistle
February 15, 2017 ISSUE 25
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL LAMBERT
Dear Mariano Castro Parents,
As we celebrate Black History Month during the month of February, we are reminded of the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. He often talked about the importance of helping others. This is also a major theme in the Project Cornerstone lessons in your child's classroom each month. During this upcoming school break, please have your child help someone or volunteer at an agency or organization. Helping others builds compassion and empathy, qualities much needed in our society.
Enjoy this break with your family,
Theresa Lambert
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Phase 2 of the Castro/Mistral campus construction is the demolition of the existing buildings on the south-east side of the campus and the construction of the new Castro Elementary School and shared Multi-Use Room and Library. This demolition includes existing portables (Rooms 24-30) and the back wing of classrooms that housed a preschool classroom, CHAC/YMCA (Rooms 39-40)and other classes (Rooms 17-23).
Beginning Feb. 21, the contractor will start putting up the construction fencing, bring in trailers, and connect temporary utilities to the site.
As of Feb. 21, the Toft Street parking lot and turn-around will be closed. There will be no public access for parking or drop off to Castro/Mistral from Toft for the next 16 months.
Demolition of the existing campus will begin the week of Feb. 27. The demolition will take between 2-4 weeks of work and will occur during the day (Monday-Friday, 7am - 4pm). While this will be noisy and dusty work, the District will follow procedures and best practices to reduce as much as possible any potential disruptions. The District will use the standard construction practice of watering down soil as it becomes dry to reduce dust. The equipment used on the site and dust control measures we employ comply with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District standards. Thanks in advance for your patience and understanding as we create an exciting new campus for our students, staff and families.Construction fencing is for you and your children's safety. Stay clear and play only in the tot lot near Latham.
For updated construction news, see https://www.mvwsd.org/measureg/castro-elementary-construction-2
AMIGOS PROGRAM
Amigos de las Americas invites Mariano Castro students in 2nd through 5th grades to an academic program that will cover life in several Latin American countries such as Nicaragua, Panama, Mexico, and others. This program, called Passport to Latin America, will include crafts/art, songs/dance, animals, folktales, and games/sports from the various countries.
When? Saturdays: February 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 18
Time? 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
For Whom? Grades 2 to 5
Where? Mariano Castro School; Rooms 10 and 11
The program is free and there is no need to sign up – just come!
NEW FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM AT MARIANO CASTRO
We are happy to announce that, in partnership with Community Services Agency (CSA) of Mountain View and Second Harvest Food Bank, we will be distributing at our school bags with some basic food items. If you want to supplement your meals with additional items, please come:
Days? – Thursdays
When? – February 16, March 2, March 16, April 6, April 20
Time? – 4:30 to 6:30 P.M.
Where? – Mariano Castro School - Room 9
The food is free; all you need to do is fill out a simple form available at the event indicating that you qualify. More details at the event.
PARKING
(That's the one in front of the cafeteria).
Thank you for your cooperation.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
2/15 Wednesday - Walt Disney Family Museum Field Trip 8:15 am - 2:00 pm RM # 10
2/16 Thursday - Prepare your Taxes for FREE 2:00 p - 7:00 p MV Public Library
2/16 Thursday - Personal Success Assembly Award 11:15 am MUR
2/16 Thursday - Castro Movie Night 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm MUR
2/16 Thursday - FEI 5:30 pm 8:00 pm MUR & Staff Lounge
2/17 Friday - Minimum day, End of 2nd Trimester
2/20 -2/24 Winter Break/ NO SCHOOL
2/27 Monday - Principal's Coffee 8:00am- 9:00 am Staff Lounge
2/28 Tuesday - CA/MI Music in Action Performance 8:30 am- 9:30 am MUR
3/1 Wednesday - Walt Disney Family Museum Field Trip 8:15 am - 2:10 pm RM # 7
3/2 Thursday - FEI 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm MUR & Staff Lounge
3/9 Thursday - FEI 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm MUR & Staff Lounge
PTA NEWS
PTA - OPEN BOARD POSITIONS
Contact the school if you are interested in learning more about PTA positions.
FROM THE DISTRICT
Become a Living Classroom Docent!
Mountain View Whisman School District’s Living Classroom program inspires our students to value the natural world through garden-based education. We provide Kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms with hour-long lessons that correlate with current science, math, and social studies standards. Living Classroom uses a hands-on, inquiry approach to learning which ensures our lessons are effective AND fun!
This year we will teach over 500 lessons with the help of our volunteers. Becoming a docent is rewarding, enjoyable, and no prior teaching experience is required. Interested in sharing your love of nature and outdoor learning with students? We would love to have you on board! Want to learn more? Check us out at http://www.living-classroom.org/ or direct questions to Program Manager Mallory Traughber at mtraughber@mvwsd.org. We will be holding three spring training sessions:
Monday, March 6th
Mountain View Whisman School District office
750-A San Pierre Way, Mountain View
Board Room
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Monday, March 13th
Palo Alto Unified School District
445 E. Charleston Road, Palo Alto
Science Resource Center (behind Hoover School)
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Monday, March 20th
Los Altos School District
201 Covington Road, Los Altos
iLearn Studio
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
*
Mentor Tutor Connection Volunteer Information Open House - March 7th
Thinking about how you can make a difference in the life of a student in our community?
Mentor Tutor Connection needs high school mentors and K- 8 tutors for 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: Tuesday, March 7th
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm (lunch included)
Location: MVLA District Office - Board Room
1299 Bryant Avenue, Mountain View, CA
Register: REGISTER ONLINE
Questions: programs@mentortutorconnection.org