Principal’s Message:
Hello Dolphins,
Once again, my name is Principal Taylor, and I am excited to start the school year with all of you. It was nice meeting all of your students today, and I look forward to continuing to get to know them as we learn and grow together to build a stronger Castro community.
As part of building a strong community, it is important to support everyone in understanding the expectations for how we want to exist in our communities. This week we are reacquainting students back to campus. Our teachers are training our students how we want them to interact while on campus. We are asking that all students follow the Dolphin Way (Click here to view) by being responsible, showing respect, being safe, and persevering. When students demonstrate these traits, students are able to earn Dolphin Dollars. Dolphin Dolphins can be utilized in our Dolphin Store.
We will also be reinforcing this with our Dolphin Way Rodeo this Friday.
Finally, Please join me for our first Principal’s Coffee on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 8:15. We will be meeting in the MUR. It will be a great opportunity to meet me and our SCEFs, Miguel and Gloria.
In Partnership,
Principal Taylor
Events Calendar
August
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13th
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First Day of School - Minimum Day - Dismissal 12:10pm
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16th
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Welcome Back to School Celebration, Graham MS. 10am - 1pm
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22nd
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Principal’s Coffee, 8:15am, MUR
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27th
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Back to School Night, Minimum Day- Dismissal 12:10pm
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In this Newsletter
School News:
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
Mental health matters, and we're taking action!
Welcome from MVEF – Why It Matters
Community Partners:
City of Mountain View: Hazardous Waste Drop-off
School News
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
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School starts at 8:15am - Drop off starts at 8:00am
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Drop off time begins 15 minutes before the school day (8:00am)
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Parents/guardians or other individuals dropping off or picking up children should remain in their vehicles to the extent possible.
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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.
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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.
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Students should immediately enter the school gates and go to the supervision area.
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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)
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
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:
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Please remain in the designated kindergarten waiting area.
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Teachers will dismiss students directly from the classroom.
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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:
Pedestrian Dismissal
1st–3rd Grade – 2:50 PM
4th–5th Grade – 2:55 PM
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Parents may start arriving at 2:45PM and enter through the Walker’s Gate.
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Please wait in the designated gray area.
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Students not picked up from the gray area by 3:00PM will walk to the vehicle pickup area.
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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
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Students being picked up by vehicle will walk to the designated vehicle pickup area to wait for their adult.
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Parents/guardians should remain in their vehicles.
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Castro staff will assist students in connecting with their vehicles.
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Please do not park in the red fire lane.
Please note: 4th and 5th grade students are dismissed at 2:55 PM.
YMCA or BTB After-School Programs
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
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:
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School Information: Each school will have a booth with valuable information to help you navigate the year ahead.
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After-School Programs: Get assistance and sign up for after-school programs.
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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!
Mental health matters, and we're taking action!
MVWSD is proud to partner with the statewide Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) to expand access to mental health services for students and prioritize early intervention. The good news is that with parents’ help, the cost of these services can be subsidized by California’s health plans and insurers.
Parents, we need your help to access these additional resources. California’s health plans and insurers are now required to reimburse public schools for covered mental health services provided to students. This means more resources for our students and families!
Health plans and insurers will pay for mental health services provided to your child in a school-linked setting, and there will not be any out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., co-payments, deductibles) for you and your family. State law prohibits health plans and insurers from passing any of the cost of these services on to families.
Look for more information soon about how you can securely sign up online to provide your insurance information to help schools get reimbursed to keep our mental health and wellness programs sustainable. www.mvwsd.org/CYBHI
Welcome from MVEF – Why It Matters
Welcome to the 2025–26 school year from the Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF)! MVEF is a volunteer-led nonprofit that funds essential programs not covered by public school budgets - like art, music, hands-on science, middle school athletics, and extra English teachers to reduce class sizes.
Thanks to donations from parents like YOU, every MVWSD student benefits. But these programs depend on your support. The suggested donation for 2025-26 is $1,100 per student (or any amount that works for you). All gifts are tax-deductible and make a big impact. And you can double your impact with corporate matching!
What MVEF funds:
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Art & Music (via CSMA) - TK–5
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Hands-On-Science (Living Classroom) - TK–6
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Science Enrichment & Field Trips - Grades 4–5
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One Additional English Teacher in each middle school to reduce class sizes
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Athletics and Supplemental Funding for Clubs & Performing Arts in Middle Schools
Over 80% of our funding comes from MVWSD families. Visit mvef.org to learn more and donate here today. Thank you for helping us enrich every student’s education!
From Our Community Partners
City of Mountain View: Hazardous Waste Drop-off
Free household hazardous waste collection event coming to Mountain View on Saturday, August 23! Safely dispose of paint, batteries, electronics, auto fluids, used oil, garden chemicals, propane tanks, fluorescent and LED lightbulbs, aerosols and more. This event accepts unwanted or expired drugs from both people and pets to help keep homes safe for children, seniors, and animals.
Appointments are required; call 408-299-7300 or book your appointment online at HHW.org. To schedule online, click the blue “Make a Free Appointment” button, then select Mountain View on the calendar for August 23. Upon appointment booking, you will receive the specific Mountain View drop-off location.