The Dolphin Whistle
February 10th- Issue 24
Dear Parents,
- Let your child choose the book.
- Read right before bedtime or naptime when children are not quite so energetic.
- Tell a story from the pictures in the book.
- Ask your child to ask YOU questions about the story.
I hope you enjoy this family time and that everyone returns rested and ready to learn!
Best regards,
Theresa Lambert
Principal Mariano Castro Elementary
Talk to Your Child
In the month of February in your child’s class the focus is on being an Up-stander. Project Cornerstone parent volunteers will read the book Nobody Knew What To Do, by Becky Ray McCain. This book tells the story of how one child found the courage to be an UP-stander and tell a teacher about a fellow student who was being picked on and bullied by children in school.
We are often scared and don’t know what to do when we witness a bullying or conflict. As students learn and use bully prevention strategies (and see them used by others) their confidence in their ability to be UP-standers increases. One important UP-stander tool is learning that it is ok to make a report to an adult about a bullying or social conflict. Students should tell an adult when they see or hear anything that deals with preventing or protecting another student.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
2/23 - Tuesday: The Exploratorium Field Trip - 3rd Grade Rms. 7 & 10, 8:50 AM-2:00 PM
2/24 - Wednesday: SSC, Staff Lounge - 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
2/25 - Thursday: FEI Foothill Strong Start for Kinder & TK , RM 24 - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
2/25 - Thursday: MVWSD Board Meeting, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, District Office
2/25 - Thursday: Music in Action Concert, 11:20 - 12:20 PM, MUR
3/2 - Wednesday: Flint Center for the Performing Arts Field Trip, Kinder, 9:00 - 1:10 PM
3/3 - Thursday, Project CornerStone, 8:40-9:30am or 6:30-7:30pm, Staff Lounge
3/3 - Thursday, Personal Success Award Assembly, 11:45 am, MUR
3/3 - Thursday, Silent Auction Dance Party, 5:00 pm, MUR
3/4- Wednesday, BTB Family Night, 4:00 pm. MUR
3/8- Tuesday, ELAC Meeting, 6:00 pm, MUR
From the District
Annual Earthquake Exercise March 15
The District will be conducting its annual earthquake exercise the morning of March 15 (rain date March 16). This is an opportunity for staff and students to test our emergency response actions and make improvements in those actions. As part of this exercise, we will be testing our student release and reunion procedure. We are in need of parents who can come to the school at the time of the exercise and help us test our procedures. Please contact your school secretary if you are able to assist. We appreciate your assistance in support of our students’ safety.
FROM PTA
Summary of the PTA Meeting on January 27th
Summary of the PTA Meeting on January 27th
(PTA- PARENT/ TEACHER ASSOCIATION)
The PTA Meeting was packed with information and ideas about where to direct the students in the next school year 2016-17. There was child care, snacks, and Spanish interpretation.
PTA Goals were outlined
Possible fundraisers and workshops were introduced
Discussion about parent involvement & communications
Family activities & parent training ideas for the future
After School Tutoring & Classes-more available/prices
*Traditional PTA ideas such as Field Trips, Library Books, Teacher Reimbursement, Room Parent Program, Spirit Wear, and Box Tops/Labels for Education Programs were also noted.
At the end of the meeting, all present were able to preview some new ideas that the Spirit Wear Committee had prepared. Prices, colors, logo placement, and weather were all parts of the discussion. The Goal Remains: Affordable, Quality items to showcase our School Name & Logo; in the Colors that the children voted for.
There was a last minute presentation to remind all how easy it is to find, save and turn in Box Tops for Education AND Labels for Education. Everyone was encouraged to look on product packaging and to ask a few co-workers and distant relatives to save them!
**PTA is extremely important to guide our children’s school into the future years! This gives parents a chance to agree or deny possible plans that are being presented at these meetings. Please plan to attend, if you were not able. The meetings are not boring and we need you to participate for your student! **
The meeting was adjourned by our PTA President.
Next PTA Meeting-Mar 23rd@6:30pm! /Please Save the Date on your Calendar/
NEXT Castro Spirit Wear Sale! Tuesday, February 23rd (before and after school!)
$15 Hoodies for sale for Youths and Adults (each with a free Castro tote bag)
$5 Adult T-shirts for sale (Blue/white lettering AND Black/silver lettering available)
Safety Enhancements on Castro Street from El Camino to Miramonte
Hello families,
The City of Mountain View is proposing safety enhancements on Castro Street from El Camino to Miramonte. The redesign will have a huge impact to Graham Middle School students’ safety on their way to school. The design (attached) includes protected bike lanes, in-roadway blinky lights at crosswalks, and other safety enhancements. If you live south of Central Expressway, this may be your own child’s route to school when they hit 6th grade. Please consider supporting this great project in one or two ways:
-1-
Attend a study session at 5pm next Tuesday, February 9th in Council Chambers at City Hall (500 Castro Street). City Staff will present their design to City Council and take public comment. You’ll have three minutes if you’d like to speak, or just wear green to show your support.
Note the 5pm start time, not 5:30 as previously announced.
Safe Mountain View, a group of parents promoting safe road designs, will hold a meet-up outside City Hall at 4:30 for supporters to band together before the study session. RSVP
-2-
If you can’t make it to the study session, please write a letter with your thoughts to City Council:
The staff memo with the design is attached. Please find the study session agenda here:
Agenda (item 3.1)