Hello Dolphins,
As you know, October is Safety Month in MVWSD. Yesterday MVWSD had our district-wide earthquake preparedness drill. We have supplies for emergencies at school. Do you have them at home? Now is the time to prepare your home disaster supply kit. An earthquake could mean being without food, water or electricity for hours or days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items, including your own food, water, and other supplies, to last for several days that you’ll need in the event of an emergency. This is the week for your family to create or update your home kit. Here’s what should be in it.
In October we also want to discuss what happens if we have a dangerous intruder on campus. Our school staff will review what to do in the event of a dangerous intruder or similar event on campus. In MVWSD each of our schools will practice what to do in the case of an emergency.
Practice at the elementary schools means students will view an age-appropriate “dangerous intruder” video (which you may preview here) and talk with their teacher. The video and classroom discussion will encourage children to stay calm, follow directions, and listen to trusted adults. Students will be viewing the video on Monday Morning.
In Partnership,
Principal Taylor
Events Calendar
October
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22nd
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Fall Festival, 1:45pm - 4pm, Blacktop
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24th
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Principal Coffee, 8:15am - Staff Lounge
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29th
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Food Pantry, 2pm - 4pm
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29th
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Día de los Muertos Family Celebration (in-collaboration with Mistral), 5pm - MUR
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31st
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Halloween Parade with Mistral, 8:15am - Blacktop
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November
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5th
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Food Pantry, 2pm - 4pm
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6th
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Board of Trustees Meeting, 6pm - District Office
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7th
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End of Trimester - Minimum Day
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11th
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Veteran’s Holiday - No school
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13th
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Science Camp Registration Help Night - 5th Graders Only, 4pm -6pm - MUR
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19th
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Food Pantry, 2pm - 4pm
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20th
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Board of Trustees Meeting, 6pm - District Office
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21st
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Principal Coffee, 8:15am - Staff Lounge
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21st
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Report Cards are sent home electronically
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24th - 28th
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Thanksgiving Holiday Recess - No school
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December
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3rd
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Food Pantry, 2pm - 4pm
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6th
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Board of Trustees Meeting, 6pm - District Office
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15th-19th
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5th Graders Science Camp
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17th
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Food Pantry, 2pm - 4pm
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In this Newsletter
School News:
Fall Festival
Kindness
Dia de los Muertos Family Event - Wed, Oct 29, 5:00–6:30 PM Location:MUR
Halloween Parade with Mistral Friday, October 31 - 8:15-8:30am Blacktop
Reporting an Absence
Flyers:
2025 -2026 School Year Calendar - Here
October Menu Here
District News:
Drafts available: Single Plans for Student Achievement
Get Involved with MVEF – School Ambassadors, Board Members & Gala Volunteers Wanted!
Community Partners:
Mountain View Public Library: The Tortured Poets Workshop - Flyer
Mountain View High School Spartan Turkey Trot: Registration Open Now - Flyer
School News
Fall Festival
Join us for our FREE Fall Festival on Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025, 1:45–4:00PM! We’ll have games, snacks, prizes, crafts, music, and more. The whole family is invited!
Questions? Contact our SCEFs: Mr. Meza — [email protected], 650-526-3590 x1824;
Mrs. Rocha López — [email protected], 650-526-3590 x1825.
Kindness
All of October, we have been reinforcing kindness as a virtue for our students. Students are able to earn a “Caught Being Kind” ticket by doing various acts of kindness. Students who receive a ticket will be placed in the Castro Kindness Hall of Fame. In early November, we will be celebrating all those Kindness Hall of Famers with a Kindness Party. Students have until Friday, October 31, 2025 to earn a “Caught Being Kind Ticket.” Students who have already received a ticket can be found here. This is a slide show with each grade on a different slide.
Dia de los Muertos Family Event - Wed, Oct 29, 5:00–6:30 PM Location:MUR
Join us for the Castro & Mistral Día de los Muertos event on Wednesday, Oct 29, 2025, 5:00–6:30 PM.
This FREE event features hot chocolate, pan dulce, crafts, music, and the beautiful Castro & Mistral altars. The whole family is invited! We also invite you to dress in celebration of La Catrina / El Catrín.
Questions? Contact our SCEFs: Mr. Meza — [email protected]g, 650-526-3590 x1824;
Mrs. Rocha López — [email protected], 650-526-3590 x1825.
Halloween Parade with Mistral Friday, October 31 - 8:15-8:30am Blacktop
We will have an optional Halloween costume parade with Mistral on October 31st at 8:15am (weather permitting). Students who would like to participate may come to school dressed in their costume. If you prefer your child is not a part of this costume parade, please let their teacher know and we will have a separate fall activity for them during that 15 minutes!
Costumes: We encourage students to be creative with their costumes and have fun with the spirit of the holiday. All regular Mariano Castro dress code policies apply - please ensure costumes are appropriate and follow the guidelines below:
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No masks, staff should be able to identify students.
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No pretend “prop” weapons such as guns, knives, or swords.
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Appropriateness – costumes cannot promote violence or be offensive or inappropriate in any way.
Reporting an Absence
Please call the office at (650) 526-3590 or email [email protected] to report an absence or late arrival. Provide the following information: date of absence, student’s name, grade and room number, reason for absence, name and relationship of the person reporting the absence.
District News
Drafts available: Single Plans for Student Achievement
Each year, our schools create Single Plans for Student Achievement (SPSAs or “site plans”) that guide the work for the coming year. These plans help us prioritize programs and strategies that will best serve our students. In the fall, elected parent representatives from School Site Councils and English Language Advisory Committees work with principals and school staff members to create a draft that is reviewed and approved by the MVWSD Board of Trustees. Parents and staff members may give feedback through Nov. 4 to their principal and elected parent representatives to SSC and ELAC. You may review the draft plans here.
Get Involved with MVEF – School Ambassadors, Board Members & Gala Volunteers Wanted!
Interested in supporting local public education? MVEF is seeking volunteers for 2025–26 and beyond! Join our team and connect with families who share your passion for our schools and community.
Opportunities include:
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School Ambassador: Represent MVEF at your school and help spread the word.
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Board Member: Guide MVEF’s mission and impact.
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Event Volunteer: Help plan the Gala - our biggest fundraiser - and community events.
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Special Skills: Have expertise in design, photography, video creation, and more? We’d love your help!
MVEF funds essential programs across MVWSD — and ~90% of our support comes from families like yours.
Interested? Email to learn more! Let’s make a difference together!
From Our Community Partners
Mountain View Public Library: The Tortured Poets Workshop - Flyer
Explore the poetics of pop songs in this workshop with local Youth Poet Laureate Sierra Elman. Analyze the lyrics of your favorite songs, write your own poetry, and share your work. Featuring lyrics by Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and more.
Saturday, November 1
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Grades 6-12
Register here.
Mountain View High School Spartan Turkey Trot: Registration Open Now - Flyer
Registration is open now for the 16th Annual Spartan Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning (Thursday, November 27, 2025) at the Mountain View High School Track (3535 Truman Ave, Mountain View, CA). Register early to guarantee a spot. This event is proudly hosted by MVHS Sports Boosters to benefit the MVHS athletics department and supporting teams/clubs. People of all ages are encouraged to participate in the 5k Run & Walk and the Spartan Mile (1-mile). Kids are welcome to participate in the 5k and/or Spartan Mile + the 60/400 yd dash races (aka kids races). Register at https://www.spartanturkeytrot.com.