FAQs
What is the first day of school?
Wednesday, September 1 is the first day of school. MATES will typically follow the same calendar as the CVUSD, though some staff development days and days when school is not in session may not be the same. Our school calendar will be continuously updated on our website.
What are the school hours?
Grades 1-5: 8:10-2:45, 8:10-1:20 Tuesdays
Kindergarten: 8:10-1:20 M-F
When can I order uniforms?
You may order uniforms now by contacting Dennis Uniforms. Details on uniform ordering and our uniform policy are available in the Uniforms section of our website.
When do I sign up for child care?
On-site childcare will be provided through the YMCA. All MATES students will be guaranteed childcare! All childcare personnel are screened through the YMCA. More detailed information on pricing and enrollment are available in the Child Care section of our website.
Will there be lunch served during the school day?
At this time, we will not be offering a school lunch program. We are looking at options for once a week pre-ordered lunches from local restaurants as part of a PTA sponsored fundraiser.
Is there an orientation?
There will be a Back to School Bash on sunday, August 29. Details about the day’s activities will be sent out in the coming weeks and posted to our website. Mark your calendars!
Can I volunteer?
There are many volunteer opportunities available and we welcome your helping hands! Consider signing up for a committee or project through our PTA at the orientations or attending a MATES board meeting to hear what immediate needs there may be. Together we can make MATES a wonderful learning community for our children.
Will there be fundraising?
Yes! Like all public schools, state budget cuts effect our bottom line. We must fundraise to provide our children with the “extras” that we all value so much. The PTA will sponsor fundraisers to support their programs and the MATES Foundation is working with businesses and large corporations to donate to our school and will be sponsoring fundraising events as well. If you are interested in being part of the PTA fundraising committee, or supporting the Foundation, please sign up at Back to School Bash on August 29..
When can I tour the campus?
Tour dates and times will be posted to the website mid-August
When can we meet our child’s teacher?
Class assignments will be posted at 4:30 on Friday, August 27 at the MATES office. You can meet your child’s teacher on the first day of school or at the Back to School Bash.
Are the teachers credentialed?
All of our regular teaching staff is credentialed. Specialists may or may not have credentials, but are hired for their expertise in their area of specialty and a proven ability to work well with children. MATES will have the highest caliber staff! Be assured that your students will be in excellent hands.
Is there a Resource Teacher and/or Speech Therapist?
Yes. We will have a resource teacher and a speech therapist to serve the needs of students with an IEP.
Will there be a GATE program?
Yes. The needs of our GATE identified students will be met primarily within the classroom through differentiated instruction and clustering; and, as budget and staffing are available, occasional pull-out opportunities.
What will the curriculum be like?
MATES has a curriculum team comprised of board members, teachers and community members. The committee meets regularly to evaluate current and new instructional materials, review existing programs and develop standards based lessons for each grade level. This hard working team has been in place since the charter’s inception. Detailed information about the curriculum will be presented at Back to School Night by your child’s teacher and at a series of Parent Education Evenings. Generally speaking, the curriculum will include a literature based program for language arts, lots of thematic and project based learning, Saxon Math and as much art and technology as we can infuse!
When will band and chorus be offered?
Music and other arts related instruction will be offered in a block schedule format during the school day. We are excited for the debut of our new Music Lab which will include keyboards and guitars. Additional after-school enrichment opportunities are also be available, including Junior and Senior Chorus.