The Dolphin Whistle

Dear Parents,

It's hard to believe that we are just three weeks away from the end of the first trimester! Your child will be taking the district trimester tests for their grade level in these next weeks. Please talk with him/her about giving their best effort and that it is important to Show What You Know! You will be receiving their report card in November. These results, along with several other measures of your child's success, are used to determine report card grades.

Also coming soon is the Walkathon! This is a combined event with Mistral and all students at both schools collect pledges from family and friends to raise funds for PTA. PTA funds are used for events and materials that support Castro! Our goal is for each student to collect a minimum of 5 pledges.

Mark your calendar to attend this amazing event on Friday, October 18th from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Best Regards,

Theresa Lambert

Principal Mariano Castro Elementary

Please complete the forms packet asap and return it to your child's teacher or the office. Donations to cover the fees are suggested, but not required.

Tues. Oct. 15 - ELAC Mtg. - 6:30 p.m. MUR

Tues. Oct. 15 - 4th Grade Field Trip

Wed. Oct. 16 - School Site Council Mtg - 5:00 p.m.

Fri. Oct. 18th- PTA Walk- a- thon! 2:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Fri. Oct 25th- Kinder Field Trip

Nov. 1 - 5th Grade Science Camp forms due

Nov. 7th- 1st Grade Field Trip

MVEF’s phonathon is coming soon! If you have already donated to MVEF thank you, but for those of you who need a gentle reminder, MVEF is happy to help. Keep an eye out for our Phonathon signs at your school and save us both a call and donate today! Help us bring art, music, science, athletics and more to your child and every child! Mvef.org/donate.

Our district works hard to collect and use student performance data in order to improve instruction for student success. Preliminary CAASPP scores, which show gains for all schools and grade levels in English language arts including subgroups such as English learners, indicate that we are on the right track.

The process of using data entails looking honestly and deeply at what the numbers are telling us. Delving into data made us realize that not as many students as we hoped were reaching English proficiency at the rate we expected. We saw that many EL students were not progressing, and in fact at times regressing, in their English language development.

Recently, the Board of Trustees heard a review of English language learner progress and discussed increasing expectations. The new revised goal will focus on reclassification, rather than just proficiency on ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessments for California), which is the first step in English learner reclassification to English proficient. The hope for all of our students is that they are fully proficient in both the English language and content standards, and reclassification is the path.

Last week I talked about site plans. I will be meeting with School Site Council and ELAC to focus on English language development and revising our school goals for English learners. Site plans contain a variety of goals to support English language learners in their journey to reclassification. We will meet these goals with targeted instruction, professional development, vigilant data monitoring, and our school community’s support.

Right at School, a before and afterschool care program, will be hosting an open house for current and prospective families on October 22. Please see the attached flyer for more information. For information on MVWSD's afterschool programs, please visit: https://www.mvwsd.org/academics/supporting_learning/before__afterschool

Learn the basics of mental health, including: definitions, coping with stress, when it is important to seek help, combating stigma, and how to get help in our county.

October 23, 6:30-8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Graham MUR

A team of professionals from Palo Alto University will present foundational information about mental health and mental illness and how mental health challenges may look different in different people or cultures. Participants will engage in interactive dialogue about how to maintain good mental health, and how to combat stigma around mental illness. The training also discusses what to do when someone needs support or help.

Spanish interpretation and child care will be provided. Seating is limited and RSVPs are required for this event. Please click here to reserve your seat.

FREE. This workshop covers the basics of the IEP/ 504 plan including some common problems, complications, solutions and suggestions. There will be a discussion about common accommodations and parental rights, and a Q & A session during this workshop. Organized by Palo Alto CAC (cacpaloalto.org), presented by H.E.A.L. (Hospital Educational Advocacy Liaisons Program from Stanford Children’s Health), and co-sponsored by PTAC. Please use this form to let us know if you are coming, especially if you would like childcare or Spanish translation.

Sat, Oct 5th, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

JLS Middle School Room 730 , 480 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto

General Meeting: Monday 10/7, 9:30 at MVWSD Office at 1400 Montecito Ave in Mtn View.

Parent Chat Support Group for parents of teens with mental health challenges. Second Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30 PM Los Altos Library.

Let’s Talk, IEP/504 Support Group Wednesday October 9, 7PM - 8:30 PM Los Altos Library

Decoding Dyslexia CA Please come join SELPA 1 CAC as we talk about what dyslexia is, the California Department of Education Dyslexia Guidelines and the importance of early identification. The presentation will include an abbreviated dyslexia simulation so participants can gain an understanding of what it is like to be dyslexic.

Wednesday, October 16, 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Springer Elementary Multi

1120 Rose Ave, Mountain View

The PTA would like to welcome our newest members Aimee Gordon Mullins as our new Room Parent Coordinator, we would also like to welcome MariaElena Garcia as our new Events Coordinator.

The PTA also wants to acknowledge and honor Maricela Choque who has been our Membership Coordinator since the beginning of the school year. We want to recognize Maricela for her Outstanding Service and Dedication not only with the PTA, but for the students and families of Mariano Castro Elementary.

The PTA is calling all volunteers to help with our annual WALK A THON FRIDAY OCTOBER 18th 2019. We need many volunteers to help during the day of the event. Here is a list of all volunteers positions that need to be filled.

(2 to 3 Volunteers Needed. 3 to 5 pm. 1hr shifts) – Lap Prizes: Volunteers will hand out prizes to kids based on laps completed.

(3 Volunteers Needed. 1:30pm to 6pm. 2 hr. shifts) Food & Bake Sale: We need volunteers to set up, sell food and baked goods, and clean up at the end of event.

(4 Volunteers Needed. 1:30pm to 6pm. 2hr. shifts) Spirit Wear Sales: We need volunteers to set up, sell merchandise, and clean up at end of event.

(4 Volunteers Needed. 1:30pm to 6pm. 2 hr. shifts) Tickets Sales: We need volunteers to help sell tickets used to buy food and baked goods and collect money.

If you are interested in any of these positions please reach out to:

Trudy Wilson: trudyj92@gmail.com or (408)903-7134

Donna Childress: mcastroptapresident@gmail.com or (650)933-8162

MariaElena Garcia: (650)834-7448

We also need Room Parents for the following classrroms 5 and 18 if you are interested please contact our Room Coordinator at amieg7@gmail.com.