Welcome to Castillero Middle School!  We realize that the transition to middle school can be a big change for both students and parents. The Castillero PTA has created this “Survival Guide” for you to keep for easy reference. Don’t hesitate to call the school at 535-6385 with any questions you may have.

Administration

Katrina Johnson	Principal
Tim Gavello	7th Grade Advisor & AP Student Services
Olga F. Martínez	8th Grade Advisors & AP Integration
Judy Frazier	6th Grade Advisor & AP Instruction

Website

Check Castillero’s website for student grades, news and announcements, Accelerated Reader book lists, the school calendar, the bell schedule, live online tutoring, sports schedules, and much more: www.sjusd.k12.ca.us/sites/mid/Castillero.  You can also check the website for daily updates on school activities.

Castillero’s Weekly Email Update

Join Castillero’s Yahoo Group to stay informed about events that affect your child’s education!  The PTA provides a weekly bulletin with updates about school activities. To receive the bulletin, send an email to Castillero-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.  Another way to become a member is to indicate your interest is to fill out the flyer titled “Castillero’s Weekly Email Update.”  Feel free to register multiple e-mails if you want.  It is easy to unsubscribe as well: simply follow the directions to “unsubscribe” at the bottom of every e-mail. 

Volunteering

There are many ways you can volunteer at Castillero to help provide an outstanding education for the students. Whether in large or small roles, you can help by:

• Joining the PTA and attending PTA meetings.
• Assisting with Project Cornerstone activities.
• Volunteering in a classroom, in the office, or at an event.
• Coaching a robotics or sports team.
• Creating a business or community connection.
• Assisting the Music Booster Club.
• Participating on a Foundation Committee.
• Assisting in the Media Center.

Please fill out the Parent Volunteer Information Form in the summer mailer to let the different groups know your areas of interest and talents.  You will be contacted as needed in the areas you specify and given the opportunity to volunteer.

Music Booster Club

The Music Booster Club is focused on facilitating memorable performing opportunities for the music and dance students. The Booster Club meets the 2nd Wednesday of specific months at 8:00 P.M. in the Indoor Commons, following the PTA meeting.

Education Foundation

Castillero’s Education Foundation is dedicated to inspiring students to achieve academic excellence. It sponsors the Academic Expedition, which honors exceptional work by our students. It supports technology as well. The Foundation meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in the Media Center. Contact Foundation president Julie Hartman by email at jchartman26@comcast.net.

PTA

The PTA seeks to enhance the students’ educational experience in many ways. The PTA facilitates parent involvement and communication, as well as supports school programs such as Math Olympics, Academic Expedition, Youth Counseling, teacher grants, and school dances. The PTA usually meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in the Media Center. All Castillero parents and guardians are welcome. Contact the PTA by email at Castillero_PTA@yahoo.com if you have any questions. The dates of school year 2009-20010 PTA meetings are:   September 9, October 14, November 18, December 9, January 13, February 10, March 10, April 7 (on 1st Wednesday of April) and May 19 (the 3rd Wednesday).
Project Cornerstone
Project Cornerstone is an organization founded on the idea that young people thrive when they feel like an important part of their community. To that end, the Cornerstone parent group here at Castillero works closely with Cornerstone teachers Jean Hendrickson and Gwen Anderson to plan and execute events such as Student Appreciation Day, Ice Breaker Day, and the Last Blast celebration on the last day of school. The group is all about fostering community and would love to have you join in the fun. Meetings are held immediately before the general PTA meetings, from 6:30-7:00, in the Media Center. Please contact parent organizer, Shana Moore, at caffeinated@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Site English Learner Advisory Committee (SELAC)
Throughout the year the SELAC committee meets to inform parents of the progress of the English Learns, the requirements for Reclassification and programs used in our school and district. Your participation will promote the success of your English Learner.

Additional Programs
You may volunteer for the following programs as well:

• Academic Expedition
• Dances/ Socials
• Lego Robotics
• Math Olympic
• Performances (Music, Dance & Drama)
• School Site Council
• Sports
• Technology
• 8th Grade Promotion

Contact the school at (408) 535-6385 and you will be directed to the appropriate individual.

Homework

Each student is issued a Binder Reminder to keep track of homework assignments. Students, parents and teachers will use this calendar as a reference for monitoring homework. Also check homework assignments on the “Homework Live!” function on Castillero’s Website at www.sjusd.k12.ca.us/sites/mid/Castillero or call the Homework Hotline at (408) 323-9829.

Student Information

The Parent Internet Viewer is an excellent tool that enables you and your child to monitor classroom assignments and grades, as well as tardies and attendance. Come to the front office to receive your ID and Password to access this information. If you use the Parent Viewer regularly, there should be no surprises when report cards are mailed out!

Grades

Progress reports are mailed from the district to the parents every six weeks. Final grades for each semester are mailed at the end of January and June.  Report cards are computer generated and mailed to each student’s home. If you do not receive a report card, call the Registrar at (408) 535-6385.

Student Difficulties

If your child is having academic difficulties, contact the teacher of that class by phone at (408) 535-6385 or by email. Teachers’ email addresses are Firstname_Lastname@sjusd.org.  If the problem persists, contact your student’s grade level Advisor to work out a solution.

Student Support

This is the beginning of a period of great physical and emotional changes for your student.  Mood swings can happen and are normal!  The school staff has worked with thousands of students and is very willing to provide objective perspectives for you. Peer counseling is available as well as services provided by Almaden Youth Counseling.  If you have a concern, contact your student’s Advisor.

Concerns About Other Students

If your child expresses concerns about other students’ behavior, call the Assistant Principal of Student Services or your student’s Advisor for assistance. Castillero has a strong anti-bullying policy and will take steps to stop reported harassment.

On-Campus Supervision (OCS)

Disruptive students are removed from the classroom and sent to OCS so teachers can focus on instruction rather than discipline. The OCS room gives students a place to think about their behavior and discuss alternatives.

Locker Usage

Students should open their lockers so that the combination is always concealed and should not share their combination with any other student. Students’ lockers may be checked periodically.   Locker abuse will result in the loss of locker privileges. Students should clear their lockers of all contents and leave them in clean condition at the end of the school year.

Student Nutrition

All foods served on campus must meet state nutritional guidelines for fat and sugar. Healthier lunch options are available at the Food Court, the Student Store, and the Cobra Cart in your designated eating area. Students may also bring lunch from home. During snack break, students may purchase beverages and snacks from the vending machines or from the Student Store. For information on reduced fee lunch applications, call the main office.

Online Lunch Payments

Parents can pay for their student’s lunches online through the SJUSD website at http://www.mynutrikids.com/login.asp ($30 minimum).  You will need your student’s ID number, a credit card  and e-mail address. 

Lost & Found

The Lost & Found is located in the hallway near the Health Office. Put your student’s name on all clothing and other items for the best chance of having a lost item returned.

School Nurse

There is a Health Clerk on campus every day. The Health Office is located around the corner from the Attendance Office. A note from your doctor must accompany all medications before your child will be allowed to take them at school, including inhalers for asthma. Forms for this purpose are available in the Health Office. If your child has any special needs, call the Health Clerk, Cindy Lefmann at (408) 535-6385.

Student Body Card

All students will receive a Student Body Card photo ID in October if they have turned in their Internet/Network Use Agreement form. This card is required in order to buy tickets for school activities. If this card is lost, there is a $5.00 replacement cost.

Transportation

Contact the San Jose Unified School District Transportation Office at (408) 535-6185 for information.  County Transit Bus line 63 stops at Camden & Meridian and Camden & McAbee. For information, call the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) at (408) 321-2300 or www.vta.org. 

Uniforms

You may purchase all uniform items, including the plaid skirts and clothing with Castillero’s school logo, at:

•       ?    Merry Mart: (408) 296-0423, 33 Washington Street, Santa Clara      
• Lower-cost uniform type clothing may be found at:
• ?    Kohl’s: 890 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose
• ?    San Jose Blue Jeans: (408) 926-9606, 1171 S White Road

Used uniform clothing may be available for very reasonable prices at the school in the Castillero attendance office’s “Clothes Closet”

Attendance

You must call the school each day that a student is absent or you will be called by the District truant machine.  To report an absence 24 hours a day, call the Homework Hotline at 323-9829 and press 9999.  Listen to the message.  Press the # sign and begin recording the information about the absence. Please provide the following information: student’s name, parent’s name and relationship to student, dates of the absence, reason for the absence and daytime phone # of the caller. Students will receive an unexcused absence until they are cleared by a phone call or written note.  An absence not cleared within 5 days will remain unexcused.

Appointments

A parent or guardian must personally sign his/her student out of school through the Attendance Office.  Students may be released only to their parents or those individuals listed on the student’s Emergency Card. It is helpful to know your student’s schedule of classes and teachers. Make an extra copy of your student’s schedule and keep it with this booklet. If students are returning to school the same day, parents or guardians must sign them back in at the Attendance Office.

Dress Code

A detailed description of the Castillero Uniform Policy can be found in your student’s Binder Reminder.  Please review it carefully with your student as violations of the school uniform policy may result in ineligibility to attend Cobra Night Dances or other activities.

Bell Schedule

Period	Time
Period 00	8:32-9:22
Period 1	9:26-10:16
Period 2	10:20-11:10
Snack	11:10-11:20
Period 3	11:24-12:18
Period 4	12:22-1:12
Lunch	1:12-1:42
Period 5	1:47-2:47
Period 6	2:51-3:41

Cell Phones

Cell phones must be turned off and secured out of sight during school hours. Keep in mind that cell phones are an attractive target for theft.

Emergencies

The Emergency Form enables Castillero to contact parents quickly in case of an illness, accident, emergency, or natural disaster.  In case of a natural disaster, students will be evacuated to the school tennis courts. Students can be released only to the individuals listed on their Emergency Forms, so remember to list your carpool drivers. In the event of a natural disaster, the phone lines may be out of order and you may be unable to contact the school.
Remember to let the school know if your home or work numbers change!

8th Grade Promotion

A ceremony and a special dance are planned for the 8th graders to celebrate their transition from middle to high school. If you have an 8th grade student, you will be given the opportunity to help make this a special day for the students.

 

Academic Expedition

The Academic Expedition was founded to showcase the exceptional academic talents of our students to members of the community. The Academic Expedition is a celebration of the best student work. Stories, papers, performances, athletic demonstrations, computer presentations, math problems, and more, are recognized during the year. In May, the finest of this superior work is selected and presented by the students to a panel of community experts and Castillero students.
Students love being recognized for their hard work. During the year, students can be nominated multiple times for different work. Each student is recognized with an Academic Expedition button for his/her nominated work. If the student’s work is selected to be presented to the community, he/she will get an Expedition patch and a certificate recognizing their achievement. This certificate will follow students to high school. For more information, contact the Academic Expedition Committee Chair.

Math Olympics

The Math Olympics is a team and individual competition that takes place in the spring and is organized by the Math Department. Students at all grade levels are encouraged to participate by joining a team at their math level. A pizza dinner is served to the students and an awards ceremony with prizes concludes the competition.

 

Dances/Socials

The Cobra Dances provide students the chance to socialize outside the school day by playing various games in the gym and dancing to music arranged by a DJ. Food, drinks, and souvenir photos can be purchased as well. Parents and school staff provide supervision. Students must buy tickets in advance at the school bank. The student’s ID card must be presented to buy tickets and to enter the dance.
6th Grade Students – Dance hours are 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. Students wear their school uniforms.
7th & 8th Grade Students – Dance hours are 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. Students wear appropriate attire according to the school’s dance dress policy.
Please pick up your student promptly at the end of the dance or consequences will be assigned to the student.

Performances (Music, Dance & Drama)

The music and dance students present winter and spring concerts/performances at the school. The advanced music and dance groups also perform in a competition in L.A./Disneyland. The jazz bands provide an evening of jazz music for the adult-only, Big Band Dance. The drama students put on plays and musicals throughout the year.

Sports

Boys and girls basketball, soccer, tennis, flag football, volleyball and lacrosse teams compete against other local schools. Tryouts are announced and held prior to each sport’s season. Contact the Assistant Principal of Student Services for more information.

Events & Meetings

 

Mark your calendars!