Principal’s Message:

Hello Dolphins,

This Friday marks the end of the second trimester. As we get ready for the final trimester, I want to take a moment to reflect and celebrate the wins we’ve had over the past two trimesters.

Over the past two trimesters, students have demonstrated academic growth using a variety of different measures, including iReady and various other classroom assessments.

Thanks to our counselor, Ms. Kiera, ALL of our students have had the opportunity to learn and practice a variety of socioemotional learning strategies with their entire classroom. She has also helped facilitate a school-wide focus on kindness and perseverance, which will help our students to become well-rounded individuals. 

Our Parent volunteers, school counselor, Wellness center staff  and fantastic  SCEFs, Miguel Meza and Gloria Rocha Lopez have worked to make sure to bring a variety of events like the Dia De Los Muertos, Festival of lights, and our monthly lunchtime activities. 

Our staff has been working tirelessly to implement new systems and programs that support gathering the necessary data, and using that data to plan targeted interventions and enrichment to help support students grow in their learning. 

Hopefully thinking about all the accomplishments we’ve had this year, serves as motivation to continue the work we’ve done and we can finish trimester 3 strong. 

In addition to reflecting on what we’ve done, I also want to highlight some of the things that we will be looking forward to in the upcoming trimester. Currently, many of our students are preparing for their annual ELPAC (English Learner assessment). Our 3–5 graders will start preparing for the State-Wide assessments to demonstrate all the work that they’ve been doing all year. We are also planning a few community events including a Science night, a literacy night, campus beautification, and our end of the year Carnival and Health and Wellness fair. 

I look forward to your partnership in having a successful trimester 3. Let’s do this Dolphins!

A few final things: 

1. Just a gentle reminder that this week we have 2 minimum days, Thursday is our normal minimum day with dismissal at 12:10Pm. Friday, the last day of the trimester, will also be a minimum day with a 12:10PM dismissal. Please make sure that you have arranged for proper child care for Friday.

2. Please complete the LCAP if you haven’t. The information collected helps both MVWSD and Castro plan for better programs for our students. Please click on your unique survey link sent to your email. Your responses are confidential.

3. There is still some space available for our weekend English classes. Our next class will take place Saturday, February 21, 2026. Please join us if you are available and interested. 

 

In Partnership, 

Principal Taylor

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Events Calendar

February 2026

 

March 2026

 

April 2026

 

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In this Newsletter

School News:

Castro Spirit Week

Random Acts of Kindness

Electives selection for grades 5-7 opens on February 23, 2026 

Reporting an Absence

 

Flyers:

2025 -2026 School Year Calendar - Here

2026-2027 School Year Calendar - Here

February Menu - Link

 

District News:

Complete your LCAP Survey before Feb. 13!

The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, February 12 at 6 pm.

Learn more about MVWSD's award-winning preschool program

MVWSD Student Film Festival

Look out Now for Corporate Matching Campaigns and Double—or even Triple—Your Impact with MVEF!

2026 MVEF Spring Gala – Make Waves!

Community Partners:

Spartans Sports Camp Registration is Now Open!

The City of Mountain View wants your input on Rengstorff Avenue!

View Teen Center Winter Registration is Open! 

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School News

Castro Spirit Next Week

Monday, February 9 – Sports Day
Wear your favorite team jersey or sports gear.

Tuesday, February 10 – Twin Day
Dress alike with a friend or friends.

Wednesday, February 11 – Character Day
Dress as your favorite superhero or character.

Thursday, February 12 – Zany Hair Day
Show off your wild and creative hairstyles!

Friday, February 13 – Valentine’s Day
Wear pink, red, white, or purple, or anything with hearts. 💕

 

Random Acts of Kindness

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 is Random Acts of Kindness Day. It is a day that encourages spreading joy, compassion and positivity through simple, unexpected actions. From February 2 to February 13, we will be looking for Dolphins who are demonstrating random acts of kindness. Those students will receive a ticket that can be entered into a raffle. Those students who are chosen will receive a Pizza party, and 6 lucky students will get the opportunity to pie me in the face. 

Electives selection for grades 5-7 opens on February 23, 2026 

It’s the time of year when our incoming middle school students (grades 5-7) choose their elective courses for next year. Fifth- through seventh-grade parents, please look for an email coming to your inbox on February 13th with links to course catalogs and directions. Please talk with your student and then log in to your PowerSchool portal account (either student’s or parent’s) beginning February 23rd to help your student select his/her electives. All 5th-7th graders should select their course electives online by March 6th through the PowerSchool portal. 

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.

 

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District News

Complete your LCAP Survey before Feb. 13!

The District is updating the LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan). Your responses to the survey will guide the update of our District plan for the 2026-27 school year.

 

Parents, please click on your unique survey link sent to your email on January 26. Your survey link is unique to your household, and only one parent/guardian can complete it. The survey closes on February 13.

 

Your responses are confidential. Students in grades 4-8 will also be taking the LCAP survey. More information found here: mvwsd.org/LCAP

The Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, February 12 at 6 pm. Some of the topics include: 

• Kassirer Sports Update

• Mid Year Benchmarks Report

• Results of the 2025 California Dashboard

• Resolution Acknowledging Black History Month

For meeting details and agenda, please click here: https://www.mvwsd.org/trustees.

Learn more about MVWSD's award-winning preschool program

Join us on February 11 for our Preschool Info Night in ENGLISH. We'll be meeting at Latham Preschool in Office B at 4:00 p.m. to share more information about our program. For a virtual option, please register here: http://mvw.sd/PS211

Our award-winning preschool offers affordable, flexible options for families with 3- and 4-year-olds. Programs are conveniently located near Castro/Mistral Elementary (1850 Latham St.) and Theuerkauf Elementary (1625 San Luis Ave.). Families can choose from both part-day and full-day classes to fit their schedules. For more info, please visit https://www.mvwsd.org/preschool.

MVWSD Student Film Festival

K-8 students are invited to participate in the upcoming District Film Festival! The theme is Spotlight on Solutions: explore a problem and highlight a thoughtful solution that inspires change or brings hope. Films should be created on WeVideo, a video editing platform in Clever. Your child may be doing an in-class project, but they are also welcome to complete one at home. Films are due March 20th, check out this flyer for more info!

Look out Now for Corporate Matching Campaigns and Double—or even Triple—Your Impact with MVEF!

Some employers run limited-time matching or multiplier campaigns that can double or even triple your donation. If your company is participating now, your gift to MVEF can have an immediate, amplified impact for MVWSD students. 

Check with your employer or our matching gifts page to see if a match is available and submit yours while the opportunity lasts.

We Still Need Your Help to Make the MVEF Spring Gala a Success!

Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 6:00–10:00 PM | Los Altos Community Center

Secure your Early Bird tickets by March 2 for a special discount (including first-time attendees), and enjoy an evening of dinner, auctions, and dancing. 

You can also support the Gala by donating an auction item or experience, or by volunteering with planning, setup, or event check-in. Contact us with any questions.

Thank you for helping MVEF Make Waves for Education and support MVWSD students.

 

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From Our Community Partners

 

Spartans Sports Camp Registration is Now Open!

Mountain View High School Athletic Boosters are excited to announce that registration for summer camp is now open at SpartansSportsCamp.com. Camp will run June 8th - July 31st  at Mtn. View High School. As always, all proceeds benefit the Mtn. View HS Athletic Department.

 

Take advantage of our discounts:

Early Registration Discount: Save $25 on each summer session if you register by March 15 at www.SpartansSportsCamp.com. Register today! 

Multi-Session/Sibling Discount: Save 10% on camp fees only (excludes lunch and extended care) when you register for 2 or more sessions at the same time. 

The City of Mountain View wants your input on Rengstorff Avenue!

The City of Mountain View is conducting the Rengstorff Avenue Complete Streets Study to identify ways to improve safety, comfort, and greenery along Rengstorff Avenue for all road users.  

We Need Your Input. Your ideas and feedback are essential to shaping the future of this corridor. 

Share your thoughts on how Rengstorff Avenue can be improved by: 

• Taking our online survey, or

• Joining us for a Community Walking and Biking event on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at 7:45 a.m. We will meet at the Mountain View Community Center. 

For more information, visit MountainView.Gov/CityProjects.

 

View Teen Center Winter Registration is Open! 

Winter Registration for The View Teen Center is officially live. Be sure to check out the awesome lineup of programs in January–March and register online before they fill up!