We look forward to seeing you and your family at Open House on Wednesday, May 24th, from 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm. This will be an excellent opportunity to see your children’s work and celebrate their progress, perseverance, and effort. Every child has unique strengths, interests, and challenges. We are incredibly proud of all the students and their growth this year. Artwork inspired by the Art Vistas program will also be displayed inside and outside the classrooms. From 6:45 to 7:30 pm, families can enjoy a large variety of inquiry-based activities at the USD STEAM Night in the Carlton makerspace and cafeteria.

When you search for a parking space in the neighborhood near Carlton, please be mindful of our neighbors' property. Please be sure not to make a U-turn in someone's driveway and not drive onto their grass. Residents have complained that they have had to replace multiple sprinkler heads due to cars running over their grass. Also, please do not block anyone's driveway when parking your vehicle. Let's be kind to everyone in the Carlton community, including those who live near our school. Thank you for your cooperation!

Let's have a great week!

Mary Katayama

Principal

On May 24th, from 6:45 to 7:30 pm, families are invited to enjoy the USD STEAM Night at Carlton. Many hands-on activities will inspire children and adults to explore, tinker, problem-solve, and apply their creative thinking. Participants will be challenged to complete four missions, including Astronaut ID badges, Straw rocket launches, an Astronaut space walk, and Celestial Explorations. Our STEAM theme this year is Mission MakerSPACE.

We look forward to seeing everyone on May 24th, after Open House! Come to the Makerspace and cafeteria!

Tashina Hernandez has been a Kindergarten teacher at Carlton Avenue School for 15 years. She shows passion in connecting with her Carlton and USD community with her involvement in Home and School Club, being a grade level leader, leading ELA professional development days for her grade level, participating as a member of the district’s Common Core ELA leadership team, and participating in many after school events throughout her 15 years!

Tashina is a devoted educator who guides her students in their authentic learning journey with community service projects during every day of the month of December. She has created social emotional lessons that deepen the sense of community and strengthen positive communication skills within her classroom environment. The magic of learning in Kindergarten can be seen through the laughter, chants, cheers, and messy learning that spills out of her classroom.

As an educator who is hard of hearing, Miss Hernandez has taught her students important life skills and to be compassionate, which has led to the daily incorporation of ASL (American Sign Language). Her students use ASL to sign for some of their basic needs and most importantly learn from her modeling that there is beauty in inclusion and differences.

Congratulations to Tashina Hernandez, our 2023 Teacher of the Year.

Sally Borello has been a teacher for 29 years. For 24 years, She taught Kindergarten or a K-1 combo class at Carlton. She has volunteered on various curriculum committees and organized community service efforts such as the Martin Luther King Peace Project and the Toys for Tot drive. She also enhanced the Kindergarten science program by inviting wildlife experts to bring animals to our school. In addition, Sally coordinated with high school students and local artists to paint murals on the walls facing the Kindergarten playground. But her most significant accomplishment, which is dear to her heart, was building a beautiful kindergarten outdoor classroom. Inside the classroom, she worked tirelessly to create a caring environment and connect with each child, making a huge difference in their lives.

When I asked teachers what they appreciate most about Sally, this is what two of them said:

Sally is the epitome of a team player. She is kind, caring, and compassionate. There is no limit for Sally when it comes to the Carlton community. She and her entire family have given their time, resources, and love to our school.

Mrs. Borello had a gift for involving her students' families in the magic of Kindergarten. There would not be a Kindergarten gardening area if it weren't for Sally. She and parent volunteers built the planter boxes and planted trees and flowers. She worked weekends, holidays, and summers to keep up the garden. Her deep passion for children to learn through nature and authentic experiences remained strong throughout her years of service as an educator.

We are grateful to Sally Borello for her many years of service and contributions! Her dedication and love for teaching have made a lasting impact on our school. We know she will enjoy her retirement, spending lots of time with her growing family.