The Dolphin Whistle

Dear Parents,

We have just 30 spots left in virtual summer program and tutoring via Zoom! After such a difficult year, it is very important that you take advantage of this opportunity to extend the learning for your child so they can catch up. Please contact me or Kristen Calderon or the office to let us know and we will add your child to the summer program.

Our 3 Star and 5 Star Family recognition is Wednesday, May 26th. If you have been able to attend at least 3 school meetings this year you will receive an invitation to come and pick up your family gift from 11:00 to 5:00 p.m. Your involvement makes a huge difference to the school and to your child's success!

Our final PTA meeting is Wed. May 26th at This is a general association meeting for ALL Castro parents. Please join us at 6:30 p.m. to discuss ideas for Castro for next year.

Best Regards,

Theresa Lambert

Principal Mariano Castro Elementary

cell number (831)206-9522

Summer School for Castro students will be June 14 to July 9. You have a choice between in-person classes, to be held at Monta Loma, or virtual classes via Zoom.

The morning session is 8:15- 1:00 p.m. (lunch is 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.).

Additional targeted tutoring is in the afternoon from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

For in-person students, there is childcare available until 6:00 p.m.

Please call us or look for the permission form in your email and/or in your child's backpack if they are roomies now.

On Wednesday, June 2nd each 5th grade family will come to the front of the school and the student will receive their promotion certificate, their gift, and take photos with you and with the teacher. Please come anytime between 11:00 a.m . and 2 p.m. Then at 5 p.m. we will all be together for a celebration and recognition via Zoom. This will be my last Castro promotion ceremony and I am looking forward to seeing all of you!

Wed, May 26, 2021 - Diaper Distribution, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Wed, May 26, 2021- PTA Association Meeting, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 28, 2021- End of Trimester 3 , Minimum Day

Monday, May 31, 2021- Memorial Day ( No School)

Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 - Principal's Coffee - 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Wed, June 2nd, 2021 - 5th Grade Promotion Photos and Certificates 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Wed, June 2nd, 2021 - 5th Grade Promotion Celebration via Zoom - 5:00 p.m.

Wed, June 2nd, 2021- Food Pantry, 11:30 a.m -1:00 p.m.

Friday, June 4, 2021 - Last Day of school, Minimum Day

Friday, June 4, 2021 - Report card sent home electronically

Greetings 5th grade Parents or Guardians,

If you borrowed an instrument from the district for your child to participate in the 5th grade instrumental music program during the 2020-21 school year, we will be collecting the instruments beginning June 3rd and continuing through June 11th. Instruments will be collected at the District Office portables, 1400 Montecito Ave., Mountain View, CA 94043 in room 1.

Please follow the steps outlined below to return your child’s instrument:

• Please make an appointment on the following link
• https://www.genbook.com/bookings/slot/reservation/30176118?category=13662615452
• At the time of your appointment, please bring the instrument without any personal belongings (e.g., pencils, papers, clips, cleaning rugs, etc.,) with it.
• Before you arrive, please ask your student to make sure that all pieces of the instrument are in the case.
• For your safety and the safety of our staff, please be sure you wear a mask during your appointment.
• Please follow social distancing rules and markers while waiting for your appointment.
• You’ll have only a 10-minute slot, so please be on time.

PLEASE NOTE

If your student is in the Honors Summer program with CSMA, please do not return the instrument. We will email you the date the instruments should be returned upon completion of the program.

If your child has selected an instrumental elective in 6th grade, the middle school will send information about instruments in August 2021.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns to Raquel Hernandez at rvhernandez@mvwsd.org.

Thank you for your cooperation and flexibility

Sincerely,

Raquel Hernandez

MVWSD

Instructional Materials Technician

The District is finalizing its draft of the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). This is the District’s three-year plan that will correspond with the first three years of the District’s new Strategic Plan 2027. These documents are the blueprints that guide all of the District’s work for the benefit of our students.

Stakeholders are welcome to comment on the draft LCAP plan. Please read the presentation and supporting materials at mvwsd.org/lcap, and click on the form link there to submit any comments. The comments form closes on May 26. Stakeholders may also attend the public learning during the Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, June 3 at 6 p.m. on Zoom (the link is here: http://mvw.sd/fRqB5).

The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, May 20 at 6:00 p.m. Some of the meeting topics include the Expanded Learning Opportunities grant and construction update. Agenda and login information are here: https://www.mvwsd.org/about/board_of_trustees/board_meetings. The meeting is also streamed on https://www.youtube.com/mvwsd.

Please join us for an informal, online conversation with Dr. Ayindé Rudolph on Friday, May 21, 3:30 p.m. Spanish interpretation is available. Click here to register: http://mvw.sd/AKE7h

Thank you for your support of the District’s Chromebook program and distance learning this year. If your student is not returning to a MVWSD school next year, please return your student’s Chromebook to your school office by June 11, 2021 (or sooner). Students who will return to MVWSD schools can keep Chromebooks this summer. Students who are moving on to MVLA and plan to use their Chromebooks in high school are welcome to keep them. We will send specific instructions on how 8th-graders can access the MVLA network on their current Chromebooks.

Chromebooks will not be usable by students who are not enrolled in MVWSD or MVLA next year.

School offices are open weekdays from 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. When dropping off, please wear a mask and practice social distancing. For questions, please contact Jon Aker at ​jaker@mvwsd.org​.

Date: May 19, 2021, 5:30 p.m. Registration Link: http://mvw.sd/osiVT

Is there a rising high school freshman in your home? Do you want to learn a bit more about the habits, traits, and skills students should develop to be ready for high school? Join us at our final Parent University session of the year as we meet members of staff and students at the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District to hear them talk about this ever-important topic!

To submit questions prior to the event, please click here. We will do our best to address your question during the session.

And if you missed any of our content this year, have no fear: www.mvwsd.org/parentu has recordings of all of our Parent University sessions this year!

This month's #BetterTogether infographic features tools and resources to help all those who work, learn, and partner with MVWSD to prioritize mental health and wellness. No one ever needs to be alone in their struggles. Together we can prioritize mental health and wellness. Click here to view this month’s calendar or visit https://www/mvwsd.org/bettertogetherMVWSD

We highlight mental health awareness one time per year, but the work to maintain our mental wellness is an everyday endeavor. Building self-care habits into each day contributes to our own personal wellness and models these habits for those around us. As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to remember that mental health, like physical health, is important to care for. Find the activity or practice that works for you and build time into your day to engage in it. For some people this means some sort of physical activity like walking the dog or practicing yoga. For others this might mean reading a book or listening to music. And for some others this may mean spending time with friends and family. As we choose healthy behavioral practices to enhance our mental health, we also model these for those around us. We may not all have the same interests, but we can all practice good self-care.

Discovering what works for us may mean trying a few different things. Continue to try new things until you find the right fit for you. If you would like to learn more about Living Mentally Healthy, Mental Health America provides a webpage with many resources. If you would like some ideas or to learn more about self-care, you can read Sam Dekin’s article on “How Does Self-Care Affect Mental Health?” or access Mental Health America’s “Taking Good Care of Yourself”, NAMI’s “Taking Care of Yourself”, or ActiveMinds “Self Care”.

As always, MVWSD stands with our students, staff, and families to be #StigmaFree and in support of Mental Health Awareness. We wish you wellness.

Families can schedule an appointment for their children 12 and older to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for this age group. Among other options around the county, Levi's stadium has evening appointments and the Mountain View Community Center is open during the day. Vaccination appointments for these locations can be made here: https://vax.sccgov.org/.

Regular, asymptomatic COVID testing for students is not required at this time however, parents may want to have students tested, especially after travel, to ensure that they are not carrying the COVID-19 virus.

Free, asymptomatic testing is available for students and parents at:

* El Camino Hospital or MV Center for Performing Arts. Dates: Ongoing. Schedule through El Camino Health

* Graham Middle School. Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Graham MUR (Register here). You also may schedule an appointment by calling 650-940-7022 and use option 4. Please mention you are with the Mountain View Whisman School District when calling.

If your child has symptoms of COVID or has had a known exposure to someone who may have COVID, please contact your child's pediatrician for testing information. If you do not have a health care provider, make a symptomatic testing appointment with a county provider here: https://scl.fulgentgenetics.com/appointment/screen/landing.

CHAC has opened registration for their free virtual workshops in May, which focus on unlocking our inner strengths and supporting mental wellness. You are welcome to join for any or all events. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30pm, with optional 30-minute Q&A from 7:30 to 8pm.

May 5: From Puppies to Paintings! Creative Ways to Build Lasting Connections

May 12: Self-Empowerment Through Expression: The Crucial Role of Mental Wellness in Motivating Tomorrow’s Leaders

May 19: Parenting Teens Doesn’t Have to be Painful!

May 26: Self-Care & Support Across Diverse Communities

For more information about each session and to register in advance, head to: https://funraise.org/give/Community-Health-Awareness-Council/a25a1482-56ef-448d-80f1-c36132be901c/.

Need help buying groceries? You might qualify for CalFresh, a free EBT card you can use to buy food at most stores and select online retailers. If you receive CalFresh benefits, you may also be eligible for P-EBT, a grocery benefit that provides $375 per child 18 and under over the summer months. To find out if you qualify, call 1-800-984-3663, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or scan the QR code (flyer attached) to request a call. We speak English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin and Tagalog. Second Harvest can also connect you to other food programs in your community.