School News

Updated Tue, Sep 10th

Hello Castlemont Families,

I want to remind you of our two big events this week.  

Tonight from 4:00-6:00 we are holding our annual Back-to-School Family Picnic. This is an informal event that is an opportunity for our students to have fun in unstructured play and for our adults to meet. Feel free to bring blankets, snacks, or a picnic dinner. Home and School Club is selling Pizza Guys pizza and drinks. Pizza slices are $4 each and drinks are $1. We will be handing out popsicles to children. Enter through the Payne Avenue gate.

 

This Thursday is our Back-to-School Night from 5:30-6:45. Please join us for this important night of information. We will start at 5:30 with our general information session in our multi-use room for all parents/guardians. Our first classroom session will begin at 6:00. Our second session (the same information repeated in each class/grade level) will be at 6:25. 

 

Back-to School Night is an evening designed for adults; however, if you do not have childcare, we do have options.  You may keep your children with you during the classroom sessions OR you may take advantage of free childcare being provided by Campbell Care. See the following message from Campbell Care regarding the provided childcare.  **Note: Please do not allow children out on the playground during our presentations as there will be no adult supervision**

Sincerely,

Kristen Kimoto Prindle

 

Castlemont Families, 

CampbellCare will be open for Child Care during Back to School Night at no cost. This is a great opportunity for you to drop off your child in a safe and supervised environment while you visit with your child's classroom teacher. We will open our doors at 6pm, and close promptly at 7:30pm. Siblings are welcome. You will need to sign your children in & out when you drop off, and pick up. CampbellCare will be showing a Disney Movie for your kids' entertainment. 

Updated Mon, Sep 2nd

Welcome Back to School!

Dear Castlemont Families,

We are excited to welcome you back to another fantastic school year. The countdown is on, and we can hardly wait to see our students' smiling faces.

The first day of school is this Wednesday, August 21st. School will begin promptly at 8:20 AM. Please ensure your child arrives on time to start their day off right.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Gate Options:

  • Payne Avenue and Barkwood Avenue: Experience a festive "red carpet welcome" complete with music as you enter the school.

  • Castlemont Avenue: For those seeking a quieter entry, our Castlemont gate offers a sensory-friendly "quiet entry" experience.

First Day for TK and Kindergarten: To help our newest students and their families feel welcome, we invite all TK and Kindergarten parents/guardians to attend an informational assembly starting at 8:30 AM in the Multi-Use Room. We can't wait to share the exciting things we have planned for this school year!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Arrival:  8:20am daily for all students

Dismissal:

  •  TK-3rd 2:30pm

  •  4th-5th: 2:35pm

EVERY Wednesday is Early Dismissal (including the first day of school):

  • TK-3rd 1:30pm

  • 4th-5th: 1:35pm

School Entry Gates: For your convenience, we have three entry gates to our school: Payne Avenue; Barkwood Avenue; and Castlemont Avenue. Each gate offers both a walk-in entrance for students and a car drop-off lane for quick and easy drop-offs.

  • Drop-off Lanes: To ensure the safety of all students, please remain in your vehicle and pull forward as your child exits the car. Do not park in the marked bus loading zone.

  • Walk-in Gates: Our gates open at 8:10 in the morning and 2:20 in the afternoon. Please note that the morning gates will close promptly at 8:20 AM.   

Classroom Assignments: We understand your eagerness to know your child's teacher. A ParentSquare message will be sent out tomorrow, Tuesday, August 20th, shortly after 4:00 PM with instructions for how to view your student's teacher assignment. Please note that all classroom placements are subject to change during the first two weeks of school as our enrollment numbers stabilize. Miss the ParentSquare message? We will be in the halls Wednesday morning with teacher lists to share with you. 

Summer Learning Challenge: Did your child complete the Summer Learning Challenge? If so, please have them turn in their completed learning log to their classroom teacher. We will celebrate all those who completed the challenge with an ice cream treat during lunch on Friday, August 30th in Room 23.

Volunteer Opportunities: We love and need our volunteers! There are many ways to get involved, big and small, at Castlemont. Opportunities include: our Garden Familia; library helpers; copying and laminating; Home and School Club;  ELAC;  School Site Council; and more.  We encourage your involvement.

Back to School Family Picnic: Join us for our annual Back to School Family Picnic on Tuesday, August 27th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other families while your children enjoy an unstructured time to play and socialize . Bring a blanket to sit on the grass, and we'll provide free popsicles for the kids. You can also bring a snack or picnic dinner or purchase pizza and drinks from our Home and School Club. We can't wait to see you there!

Back to School Night is scheduled for Thursday, August 29th from 5:30- 6:45pm. During this important evening you will have the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and hear more about the various aspects of the Castlemont community. The schedule is as follows:

5:30 - 5:55        Parent Information Meeting in the MultiUse Room 

5:55 - 6:00        Passing Period

6:00 - 6:20        First Round of Presentations in Classrooms

6:20 - 6:25        Passing Period

6:25 - 6:45        Second Round of Presentations in Classrooms

We understand that the start of a new school year can bring both excitement and anticipation. Our dedicated staff is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment for all students. We have a wonderful school year planned, filled with learning and enriching experiences. We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is essential for student success, and we look forward to working closely with you. We look forward to a fantastic year together!

Yours sincerely,

Kristen Kimoto Prindle

Updated Thu, Aug 15th

Hello TK and Kindergarten Families!  

Our annual Kindergarten Roundup will be on Wednesday, August 14th. You will receive an individualized invitation with a specific time slot and additional details in the mail during the week of August 5th. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Updated Tue, Jun 11th
Hello gardeners (beginners or experienced)! There will be a work party in the Castlemont garden this Thursday from 9-1pm. If you are able to show up for one hour to pull weeds and help plan what we want the garden to be next year, that would be incredible! Parents, grandparents, extended family, all are welcome. Check in at the office and meet us anytime between 9-1pm. See you Thursday!
¡Hola jardineros (nuevos o con experiencia)! Habrá una fiesta de trabajo en el jardín de Castlemont este jueves de 9 a 1pm. Si puedes venir por una hora para arrancar hierbas y ayudar a planear lo que queremos que sea el jardín el próximo año, ¡sería increíble! Padres, abuelos, familia extendida, todos son bienvenidos. Regístrense en la oficina y únanse con nosotros in cualquier momento entre las 9 y las 1 p.m. ¡Nos vemos el jueves!"
Updated Tue, Jun 11th

As a way to support our local community, Cinelux Plaza Theater is offering an unbelievable deal for families this summer. Every Wednesday and Thursday, from June 19th-August 9, we are having our Cinelux Summer Kids Series, where we play select kids favorites, and provide a ticket, popcorn, and a drink, all for $5!

Updated Mon, Jun 3rd

Three of our talented Castlemont staff members, Ms. Medlin, Mrs. Davis, and Mrs. Hart, have been working with TK-5th grade students on a production of the play "Biomes: Animals and Plants and Their Habitats." It has been wonderful to be able to include all grade levels of students interested in theater. This group now forms our Castlemont Drama Club.

We will be having two performance assemblies for students during the school day on May 24th. The performance for families and friends is also on May 24th from 5:00-5:30.  All performances are in our MU. Our evening performance is free!

Updated Wed, May 29th

All CUSD families are invited to attend our mental health awareness night that features a screening of "Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety," a panel discussion, and other resources. 

"Angst" is appropriate for 5th -8th graders and all adults.

All families will be provided with a take-home dinner of pizza and salad at the conclusion of the evening.  We hope you will join us!

Updated Wed, May 29th

Ice cream will be sold on the last 3 Fridays of the year to support 5th grade science camp! Everything will be $1.00! Venmo or cash accepted, please bring small bills or coins :)

Thank you

5th grade

Updated Mon, May 27th

Hello Castlemont Families,

Last Spirit Week of the Year - Let's all Participate! 

Next week May 20th to 24th is Spirit Week. Please see attachment with Summer Spirit Week daily theme. 

Thank you

Updated Thu, Apr 11th

Hello Castlemont Families,

Next week April 1st to 5th is Spirit Week. Please see attachment with April Spirit Week daily theme. 

Thank you