The Dolphin Whistle

Dear Parents,

Parent conferences are coming soon! If you have not already done so, return your appointment confirmation to the child's teacher as soon as possible. If you cannot find the appointment notice, please call the school office and we will make arrangements with you. All 5 days October 7-11 are Minimum Days with dismissal at 12:25 p.m.

Parent conferences are an excellent time to let the teacher know of anything going on in your child's life that could affect him or her at school. This is also a good time to let us know of any resources your family needs. In addition, your child's teacher will be talking to you about progress so far, both academically and socially.

This is an important opportunity for you to be involved in your child's education. Working together as partners will ensure that your child has a happy and successful experience at school!

Best Regards,

Theresa Lambert

Principal Mariano Castro Elementary

On Tuesday, October 8 there is a parent meeting for all 5th grade students. All students will be attending this science school Nov. 5 - 8. This meeting is an opportunity to learn about the activities and procedures of that school. Join me at 6:00 p.m. in the MUR.

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.

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

Fri. Oct. 4th- Third Grade Field Trip

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

Tues. Oct. 8th - Science Camp parent meeting

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

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

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

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.

MVEF is thrilled to have their new signs up at most of MVWSD schools, and even more excited to mark their fundraising progress on them! Thanks to parents in our community we are on our way to raising $800,000 to fund programming across the district. Elementary students are enjoying hands-on science, standards-based art and music instruction, 4th and 5th-grade environmental science field trips, and more. Middle schools receive funding for afterschool athletics, science materials, electives and an environmental science field trip for every 6th-grade student. MVEF cannot do this without your help! Donate today at mvef.org.

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 5,10,13,17, and 18 if you are interested please contact our Room Coordinator at amieg7@gmail.com and come to our 1st meeting on Thursday October 3rd at 4pm in the Staff Lounge.