The Dolphin Whistle
January 17, 2018, Issue 20
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL LAMBERT
Martin Luther King Jr. was a great believer in the power of kindness. He advocated peaceful and non-violent methods for resolving conflict, even when others are not using those same methods. Teaching children to be kind to others, even in the face of adversity, teaches them a very powerful strategy for dealing with life.
As we honor the accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr. this week, please talk to your children at home also about the power of kindness and respect for all. Ask them to tell you about their Project Cornerstone activities in class as all of these lessons echo the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr.
When dealing with their peers on the playground or in class, ask them to remember: "Those that are hardest to love, are the ones who need love the most."
Best regards,
Theresa Lambert
Principal Mariano Castro Elementary
Graham’s Incoming 6th Grade Parent Information Night
We invite you all to come and join us at this fun and informative event. It is an opportunity for you and your student to learn about middle school life here at Graham.
If your last name begins with A-K, please start in our Multi-Purpose room (at the back of the school).
You will have the opportunities to hear from our principals some basic Information about courses, tips on how to be successful at middle school and ask questions from our 6th grade student panel.
If your last name begins with L-Z, please start in our Auditorium (at the front of the school). You will have the opportunity to hear students from all our amazing musical groups perform. You will also hear from our Athletic Director about our after-school sports program. We will have teachers that teachers some of the other elective talk about their courses, like STEM, Robotics, GMS TV and more.
At 6:45 we will rotate the groups so everyone can see both presentations.
We are looking forward to showcasing our wonderful school and meeting all of you.
Wednesday January 24th
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Crittenden's Incoming 6th Grade Parent Information Night
Hello 5th grade families! Please join us on January 25 at 6:00 PM in the Crittenden auditorium to learn more about our school and what to expect in 6th grade. This event is for parents, though students are welcome. We will host events for students in the spring.
Parent Enrollment Help Nights
Wednesday, January 17th - 2:30pm - 6:00pm - School Office
Thursday, January 18th - 1:00pm - 5:00pm - Staff Lounge
English Classes for Parents
Family engagement Institute (FEI)
Foothill College is coming to Mariano Castro to provide parents and families free college classes. Become a Foothill College student free of charge and receive your student ID and all college student benefits. Our class, Strong Start, will help you learn techniques to communicate effectively with your student and strengthen school partnerships. Classes begin Jan. 11th at 6:00PM in our Staff Lounge and are offered in English and Spanish. See you all there!
California School Dashboard Results
California has launched a new website designed to help communities across the state access important information about K-12 districts and schools. The California School Dashboard features easy-to-read reports on multiple measures of school success, including test scores, graduation rates, English learner progress and suspension rates. The Dashboard is part of California’s new school accountability system basedon 2013's Local Control Funding Formula. It is the next step in a series of major shifts in public education that have raised the bar for student learning, transformed testing and placed the focus on equity for all students.
To learn more about California's accountability and continuous improvement efforts, visit the CDE Dashboard Web page.
Why a new system and new tool?
California is committed to informing communities about how well our schools are doing. California's future success depends on tapping into the potential of all students, so they graduate ready for college, careers and life. For schools to reach this goal, teachers, parents and the community need clear and useful measures of progress. As an accountability tool, the Dashboard will help the state identify schools (including charter schools) and districts needing targeted assistance.
What’s different?
In the past, accountability systems for districts and schools relied heavily on test scores. But one test taken on one particular day doesn't provide a complete picture of all the ways schools are helping students succeed.
Think of it this way: You can’t drive a car by only watching the speedometer. You also keep your eye on the road, check the mirrors, monitor the gas tank and pay attention if the engine light comes on. Similarly, the Dashboard provides information on different aspects of student performance, which will give a more complete picture of a school’s progress. The Dashboard also reports on growth to show a school’s trajectory over time.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
1/17 Wednesday - Field Trip Deer Hollow Farm 8:45am - 12:05pm - RM's 112 & 113
1/17 Wednesday - Parent Enrollment Help Night 2:30pm - 6:00pm - School Office
1/17 Wednesday - PTA Meeting for all parents 6:30pm - 7:30pm - MUR
1/18 Thursday - Parent Enrollment Help Night 1:00pm-5:00pm - Staff Lounge
1/18 Thursday - FEI Parent Classes 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Staff Lounge
1/20 Saturday - English Classes for parents 9:30am - 12:00pm Staff Lounge
1/23 Tuesday - Principal's Coffee - 8:00am - 9:00am - Staff Lounge
1/24 Wednesday - Upcoming 6th grade info night 6:00pm - 7:00pm Graham auditorium
1/25 Thursday - Teddy Bear Walk, Ride and Roll 7:30am Castro
1/25 Thursday - Personal Success Award - 8:00am - 9:00am - MUR
1/25 Thursday - CA/MI FEI Parent Classes 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Staff Lounge
1/25 Thursday - Upcoming 6th grade info night 6:00pm - 7:30pm Crittenden auditorium
1/27 Saturday - English Classes for parents 9:30am - 12:00pm Staff Lounge
1/30 Tuesday - Field Trip California Academy of Science 8:00am - 4:45pm - RM's 107 & 110
1/30 Tuesday - ELAC meeting 6:00pm - 7:30pm MUR
2/1 Thursday - Project Cornerstone 8:30am - 9:30 & 6:30pm - 7:30pm - Staff Lounge
2/1 Thursday - Field Trip Los Trancos Open Space Preserve 8:30am - 12:30pm -
RM's 12 & 16
2/1 Thursday - CA/MI FEI Parent Classes 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Staff Lounge
2/2 Friday - Field Trip Sunnyvale Community Center 10:30am - 2:15pm RM's 11& 15
2/3 Saturday - English Classes for parents 9:30am - 12:00pm Staff Lounge
2/7 Wednesday - School Site Council (SSC) meeting 5:00pm - 6:30pm Staff Lounge
2/8 Thursday - CA/MI FEI Parent Classes 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Staff Lounge
2/8 Thursday - State of the District 6:30pm - 8:30pm Crittenden Auditorium
2/10 Saturday - English Classes for parents 9:30am - 12:00pm Staff Lounge
2/13 Tuesday - ELAC meeting 6:00pm - 7:30 MUR
2/15 Thursday CA/MI FEI Parent Classes 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Staff Lounge
February 19 thru February 23 No School ~Winter Break~
PTA News
PTA Association Meeting
Our meeting is Wednesday, January 17th at 6:30 pm. The location will be in the MUR. We will be discussing many items on the agenda including fundraising efforts, a new spirit wear order, and Nominations of Officers for the 2018-19 school year. This is the third meeting of five for this school year. The meeting is usually about one hour long. Snacks and child care will be provided. Please plan to attend - Castro needs your support!
FROM THE DISTRICT
MVEF NEWS!
Eat right and give back January 18th! Join us at Sweetgreen, located at 440 Castro Street
Starting off 2018 with a vow to eat healthier? Kick off the new year doing good for your body and good for the community! On January 18th sweetgreen will be donating 20% of your bill to the Mountain View Educational Foundation! There are some amazing choices, check out the menu at sweetgreen.com!
Winter Gala and Raffle
Time to buy your raffle tickets!Mountain View Educational Foundation has some amazing prizes up for grabs in this year's raffle.First prize: Two premium tickets to the Shoreline Concert of your choiceSecond Prize: Dinner for 4 at Quattro RestaurantThird Prize: A $250 gift card to Cognition Cyclery!Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. We are selling tickets at every school, to find out where to get your tickets send a note to hafsa@mvef.org. Interested in selling tickets? Our top two sellers get $25 Amazon gift cards. Our Winter Gala and Auction is February 10th. Check out the attached flyer or go to MVEF.orgMVLA Parent Education Speaker Series presents: “Raising Digital Natives” with Dr. Devorah Heitner
Wednesday, January 24, 7:00 pm at Los Altos High School Eagle Theater
Audience: K-12 parents, teachers and other caretakers
To register, please click here.
Bond Oversight, Parcel Tax Oversight committees seek community representatives
• Bond Oversight Committee for the District's Measure G Bond Program (a member of a bona fide tax organization for a two-year commitment)
• Parcel Tax Oversight Committee for Measure B
Representatives monitor, provide oversight and ensure accountability to the funds received by the District, including an annual report to the Board regarding the actual uses of such funds.
Applications are found here (www.mvwsd.org/committees). Applications can be mailed to: Dr. Robert Clark, Associate Superintendent/Chief Business Officer, 750-A San Pierre Way, Mountain View, CA 94043 or faxed to 650-964-8907.
Questions? Please call Dr. Robert Clark at 650-526-3500 or rclark@mvwsd.org.
Feb. 8: State of the Schools Event
Please join MVWSD Superintendent Dr. Ayindé Rudolph for the State of the Schools event.
WHEN: Thursday, Feb 8 at 6:30 p.m.WHERE: Auditorium, Crittenden Middle School, 1701 Rock Street, Mountain View
Dr. Rudolph will speak about this year’s successes and challenges in our schools, and what can be expected in the future. All are welcome to this free event. Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Performances:
Graham Middle School and Crittenden Middle School vocal ensembles
Please reserve your free seat hereCELDT/ELPAC Testers
JOB DESCRIPTION: The MVWSD is looking for qualified individuals interested in administering the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California Test (ELPAC) to the District’s K-8 English language learners. Flexible hours. $20 an hour. All examiners will be certified by successfully completing the district-sponsored screening and training. For more information contact Arline Siam at asiam@mvwsd.org.