The Dolphin Whistle

This year the district has implemented a new assessment for all students in grades 1-5. This assessment is called iReady and the students take one for English and one for Math. The reports were sent home by email Tuesday, Sept. 24th. For those who requested paper, the reports were sent home Wednesday, Sept. 25th. Please join me at the Principal Coffee on Tuesday, October 8th for information on the format and meaning of the iReady reports.

Best Regards,

Theresa Lambert

Principal Mariano Castro Elementary

Each year, Mariano Castro Elementary creates a School Plan for Student Achievement that guides the work for our school for the coming year. In the fall, elected parent representatives from the Castro School Site Council and English Language Advisory Committee work with me and school staff members to create a draft that is reviewed and approved by the MVWSD Board of Trustees. This plan helps us prioritize programs and strategies that will best serve our students. It lays out each school’s plan for achieving its goals, and connects with the District's Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), which lays out goals for the entire district.

To learn more about the overarching goals and efforts that will be included in this year’s Mariano Castro School Plan for Student Achievement, please:

1. Join me for a Principal’s Coffee on Oct. 8, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.

2. Read more in our school newsletters as I highlight these plans.

3. Attend the ELAC meeting on October 15 or the School Site Council meeting on October 16.

If you would like to get involved, please contact me.

Thurs. Sept. 26th Personal success assembly- 8:30 a.m. MUR

Thurs. Sept. 26th FEI Parent 4-week workshop - Supporting Mathematics at Home - 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.- Room 11

Wed. Oct. 2nd- Retake picture day - MUR

Fri. Oct. 4th- Third Grade Field Trip

Fri. Oct. 8th - Principal's Coffee - 8:30 a.m. MUR

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

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

Did you know that MVEF pays for CSMA art and music teachers? Or that MVEF helps fund 22 middle school athletic teams’ refs, coaches and transportation? We need your help to fund these programs, as well as hands-on science, Living Classroom, environmental science field trips and more! Help us reach our goal to raise $800,000 and donate today at mvef.org/donate.

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.

MVWSD will be bringing back Vision to Learn (VTL) to Castro this school year. VTL is a non-profit organization that provides free vision care to kids through the use of mobile vision clinics.

All students (grades K through 5th grade) will have a vision screening performed by the district nurses on Friday, September 27th. If you do not want your child to participate, please contact the school nurse. All students who do not pass the vision screening will receive an eye exam by the VTL optometrist. If you do not want your child to participate in the VTL program, there will be an opt-out form available in the next few weeks that you can complete and return to the school office. We will notify you of the date that Vision to Learn will be coming to campus in the next few weeks.

If you have additional questions, feel free to contact the school nurse at

650-526-3500 ext. 1051

Developmental pediatrician, Dr. Thomas Boyce, will delve into results from four decades of research and clinical practice – exploring his major discovery that reveals how both genetic make-up and environment shape behavior.

Dr. Boyce will explore how the “dandelion” child (hearty, resilient, healthy) is able to survive and flourish under most circumstances and the “orchid” child (sensitive, susceptible, fragile) when given the right support, can thrive as much as, if not more, than other children. Dr. Boyce will share how we as parents can better nurture and support the unique characteristics of both types of children.

To register for this free event, go to https://mvla2019-20-thomasboyce.eventbrite.com

Sponsored by Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF), MVLA High School Foundation, Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF), and Los Altos-Mountain View PTA Council.