Official Site of the Castlemont Elementary Home & School Club

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Castlemont HSC

Communication. It’s big for all of us, and perhaps most challenging when it comes to our children. Developing good communication where both parent and child are listening and talking is one of the most important pursuits of parenthood, but certainly not an easy one. It requires ongoing attention and time. But you can do it! Even in small ways, taking time to talk with and listen to your child every day will help create a stronger bond between you and your child—and make the job of parenting a bit easier.

Another important avenue for better communication between the school and your community is our monthly “Coffee with the Principal”.  We held our first meeting last Friday, September 3^rd at 8:30 a.m. in the Staff Lounge. I hope to see you at future meetings.  This will be a great opportunity for all of us to meet and for you to get your questions answered.

If you are proficient in more than one language we need you!  Campbell Union School District is seeking hourly interpreters!  Interpreters are paid an hourly rate of $13 and operate on an “on-call” basis. We are particularly in need of bilingual Spanish interpreters during upcoming parent conferences (October 18 – October 29 from 1-5pm).

This is a great opportunity to help teachers and parents work together to support all of Campbell Union School District’s students.  To apply or get more information, please call Chelsea Toller, English Language Development Coordinator, 408-341-7000 X6224.

Mark your calendars.  Our annual Back To School Night is scheduled for Thursday, September 16th.  Look for details in your Monday envelopes.

There will be school on Monday, September 6 due to the Labor Day Holiday.  Enjoy the long weekend!

Every Monday you will receive a white envelope.  The envelope will contain important information such as our newsletter, the Castlemont Courier, district information, school functions and volunteer forms.  It is important that you read this information and return the envelope with any items to be returned, to your child’s teacher each week.

In this wek’s envelope, you will find school forms that need to be filled out and returned to your child’s teacher as soon as possible.

CUSD requires that all regular volunteers have TB test results on file in their children’s school office.  Please take the necessary steps to have a test done, and bring the test results to the school office.

The Castlemont Home & School Club (HSC) Membership Drive is in effect!  The HSC is our version of the PTA and funds many Castlemont programs such as our library, Life Lab Garden, field trips, assemblies and much, much more!  Look for the Membership Form in the Monday Envelope.  For more information contact Gabriela Quintana at president@castlemont-hsc.org.

Welcome to the 2010-11 school year! I want to take this opportunity to welcome our new Assistant Principal, Alexandra Friel. Ms. Friel taught in the district 5 years before leaving for other educational opportunities in Los Angeles and Palo Alto. She is now back in the area and is looking forward to working with our amazing Castlemont students, staff and parent community. When you’re on campus, please take a moment to introduce yourself to Ms. Friel.

The first days of school are an exciting time for our students and their parents. As we begin the year we will continue to focus on providing a safe place for our students to be academically successful, socially responsible, and physically healthy and active. As your child transitions into the new year meeting his/her teacher and making new friends while reconnecting with old ones, remember to take a few minutes and ask your child about their day.

Castlemont is always in need of volunteers in the classroom and for before and after school parking supervision. If you would like to become more involved please contact your child’s teacher or the office staff. Your participation is always appreciated as we strive to work together to support our students.

Lastly, look for a new feature in this year’s courier. It will be a life skill of the month with resources and activities that you can continue to implement at home with your child. Students will be learning about these life skills in the classroom and at our monthly Spirit Assemblies.

Join us for our Second Annual Back To School Family Picnic on the evening of Thursday, August 26^th from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.  We will be meeting in the school courtyard.  Bring your own dinner and join other Castlemont families for a relaxed family picnic and community building event.

As we get ready to begin the new school year, please take a moment to review the 2010-2011 roster for a list for your new Board Members and volunteers who have graciously agreed to lead our different activities throughout the year.  Though you will recognize many names, we are excited to have some new members on the Board and look forward to their new ideas and fresh contributions.

Though we have many of our Chair positions filled, there are still many ways you can help.  If you would like to be involved in HSC activities and play an active role in ensuring your child receives the best educational experience while at Castlemont, send us an email at hsc@castlemont-hsc.org.  From volunteering in class to working with our terrific volunteers to help put on our Family Fall Festival, there are dozens of ways you can contribute your time, effort and creative ideas.

Though I have completed my tenure as HSC President, I will continue to be an active member of the HSC and will continue to publish the Courier and manage both the website and the Facebook page.  I welcome your suggestions, input and ideas and I look forward to seeing you around campus.  I can be reached at newsletter@castlemont-hsc.org.

Looking forward to a great 2010-2011 school year!

-Pablo