Principal’s Message:

Hello Dolphins,

My name is Vern Taylor, and I am extremely excited to start the school year! As you may know, I have worked in the district since 2008, and I started my career as a classroom teacher here at Castro. I am excited to return this year as a principal. Over the past few days, the staff and I have been working extremely hard to get started for this school year, and we are excited to welcome you on August 13. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to our front office staff Ms. Evelyn Antunez - school secretary, [email protected] or Ms. Judy Navarro - Clerical Assistant, [email protected].

Additionally, I wanted to make sure you all know about a few upcoming events. Next Monday, August, 11th we will have a Meet and Greet and Popsicle party on our blacktops from 4pm to 6pm. At this time, you will also have an opportunity to grab a backpack, and get to know each other. I look forward to meeting you.

I also wanted to invite you to the Back to School Celebration that we will be having and Graham Middle school on Saturday, August 16th from 10:00AM- 1PM.  There will be lots of music and fun, and it is a great opportunity to learn about the many community resources that we have available in our district as well as getting assistance with and signing up for after-school programs.

In Partnership, 

Principal Taylor

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Events Calendar

August

 

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In this Newsletter

School News:

First Day of School - Minimum Day

Bell Schedule

Drop off and Pick up Procedures

Reporting an Absence

Medication Forms

School Supplies and Voluntary Donation Form

Transportation

Stay in touch   

Flyers:

2025 -2026 School Year Calendar - Here

August Menu Here

District News:

Volunteering next year

MVWSD Preschool Program: Apply now for August

SAVE THE DATE: Back to School Celebration - Flyer

Community Partners

 

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School News

First Day of School is a Minimum Day

The first day of school,Wednesday, Aug. 13, is a minimum day, meaning students will be dismissed earlier than usual. Dismissal time is 12:10pm. Thursday, Aug. 14 is on the Thursday schedule. Friday, Aug. 15 will be a full school day for students.

Bell Schedules and Schools’ Start/End Times

Please click here to view our school’s updated schedule for the 2025-26 school year. Please note that Thursdays end early at all elementary school sites, and last days of trimesters are minimum days during the 2025-26 school year. 

Drop Off and Pick-up Procedures:

Morning Drop off - Vehicle Drop

• School starts at 8:15am - Drop off starts at 8:00am

• Drop off time begins 15 minutes before the school day (8:00am)

• Parents/guardians or other individuals dropping off or picking up children should remain in their vehicles to the extent possible.

• Parents/guardians should drop off their child(ren) at the main entrances to the school using the lane next to the curb. *Please do not drop off in a non designated area.

• Adults should stay inside the vehicle. *If a student needs help getting out of a car seat/seat belt, please do so quickly. Have all materials (lunch, backpacks, etc) ready to go for easy drop-off.

• Students should immediately enter the school gates and go to the supervision area.

• Please leave campus immediately after drop off to allow for flow of traffic.

Vehicle drop off for TK, Kindergarten and New Families:

We understand this experience may be new for both you and your child. At the drop-off location, a staff member will escort your child to their designated supervision area. To ensure a smooth transition, please send your child with an index card that includes the following information: Student’s name (legal name), classroom number, and teacher’s name. This will help our staff guide them appropriately.

Pedestrian Drop-Off: 

Drop off time begins 15 minutes before the school day (8:00AM)

• Parents can drop off their child at the front gates

• Students should immediately enter the school gates and go to the supervision area

Before School Play:

As we did last year, students will be allowed to play before school. 

Parents are encouraged to join us on campus before school from  8:00-8:13am to meet with each other. It is a great opportunity to make connections with other families.

When you hear the morning warning bell at 8:13am, please make your way to exit the gates.

 After 8:15, any parent on campus will need to check-in to the front office as a visitor.

**If your child is allowed to walk or bike to and from school, parents MUST email our front office staff giving authorization. Please email our school secretary, Ms. Evelyn Antunez [email protected]. 

Commuting to school safely

It's critically important for children's safety that you take time now before the start of the school year to plan their route, tune up their wheels and talk with them about road safety. If your child is walking or biking to school, please review our bike safety webpage.

Dismissal:

TK/Kinder Dismissal at 1:45pm: 

For parents walking onto campus:

• Please remain in the designated kindergarten waiting area.

• Teachers will dismiss students directly from the classroom.

• After picking up your child, we kindly ask that you exit campus promptly, as other students are still in session.

For parents/guardians or authorized individual picking up by vehicle:

• Please stay in your vehicle

• Teachers and front office staff will assist students in connecting with their vehicle and parent/guardian.

Pedestrian Dismissal:
1st–3rd Grade – 2:50 PM
4th–5th Grade – 2:55 PM

• Parents may start arriving at 2:45PM and enter through the Walker’s Gate.

• Please wait in the designated gray area.

• Students not picked up from the gray area by 3:00PM will walk to the vehicle pickup area.

• Front Office Staff will assist students in connecting with their rides.

Vehicle Pick-Up Dismissal:
1st–3rd Grade – 2:50 PM
4th–5th Grade – 2:55 PM

• Students being picked up by vehicle will walk to the designated vehicle pickup area to wait for their adult.

• Parents/guardians should remain in their vehicles whenever possible.

• Castro staff will assist students in connecting with their vehicles.

Please note: 4th and 5th grade students are dismissed at 2:55 PM.

YMCA or BTB After-School Programs:

• Program staff will pick up students directly from their classrooms.

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.

Medication Forms

If your child requires medication to be kept at school, please email Ms. Evelyn Antunez at [email protected], and/or Ms. Judy Navarro [email protected] to be emailed medication release forms during our first week of school and return ASAP (we cannot administer any medication without the form).  Please note that all medication, even over the counter ones, need a medication form signed by your doctor.   

School Supplies and Voluntary Donation Form

We will be furnishing all basic school supplies and textbooks for all students. Donations of items and funds for this purpose are appreciated, but not required. For those able to donate, please fill out this form and bring it to the front office, along with your donation, and our front office staff will provide you with a receipt. 

Transportation

The Mountain View Whisman School District Transportation Department provides transportation for students who are residents of Moffett and students with disabilities who are eligible for this service. For more information, and to apply for a bus pass, please visit this web page.

Stay in touch

Please take a moment and follow our district and school social media accounts. Staying in touch with us on social media will keep you in the loop on important happenings, as well as provide a critical line of communication during emergencies.

Click on the account links below and like or follow to stay in touch!

Mountain View Whisman School District  - Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo

Mariano Castro Elementary School - Facebook, Instagram

 

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District News

Volunteering next year

Thank you to the 800+ parents who completed the process to become MVWSD volunteers last year! We’ve been working hard to make registering to be a volunteer more convenient while keeping schools safe. Beginning August 13, 2025, you will be able to start your application for next year. Details are here: mvwsd.org/volunteers.

MVWSD Preschool Program: Apply now for August

Explore our flexible, low-cost and convenient options for all families in our high-quality preschool program. MVWSD preschool has lower tuition and an 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. class, in addition to extended/full-day class until 3 p.m. and part-day (3 hour) classes.

Our preschool offers age-appropriate early math, language, literacy and science inquiry instruction, as well as social-emotional development. Children who will be 3- or 4-years old are eligible (Minimum age: 3 years old by December 2, 2025. Maximum age: 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2025.) 

Preschool is currently located near Castro/Mistral Elementary Schools (1850 Latham St.) and Theuerkauf Elementary (1625 San Luis Ave.)

All 3- and 4-year-olds residing in the Castro School boundaries are eligible for FREE, part-day state preschool at Latham.

For more info go to www.mvwsd.org/preschool or call 650-526-3560. Watch our video here.

SAVE THE DATE: Back to School Celebration - Flyer

Saturday, August 16th

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Location: Graham Middle School

This event is for all the families of MVWSD! Whether you're a returning family or new to the community, this event is all about building connections, sharing resources, and celebrating our district spirit.

Event Highlights:

• School Information: Each school will have a booth with valuable information to help you navigate the year ahead.

• After-School Programs: Get assistance and sign up for after-school programs.

• PTA & School Gear: Check out the latest school gear and meet members from the PTA of each school.
  Meet Our School and district Leaders: An exciting opportunity to meet our superintendent and principals.

Community Resource Booths: Connect with local organizations such as CSA, Teen Center, MVPD, MV Library, Living Classroom,Mentor Tutor Connection and more.

Music & Food: Food trucks selling delicious food and desserts!

This event is open to all families in our district. It's the perfect chance to meet fellow parents, learn about important programs, and start the school year off with excitement and community spirit.

We can’t wait to see you there!