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Mariposa Upper Elementary Home

Who We Are

Mariposa Upper Elementary School is a welcoming community where students in grades 4 and 5 are encouraged to think critically, lead with confidence, and embrace new opportunities for learning. We provide a supportive environment that inspires curiosity, resilience, and responsibility.
 
Our dedicated educators partner with families to challenge and empower students through engaging, collaborative learning experiences that strengthen academic skills while fostering creativity, communication, and problem-solving. At Mariposa, we prepare students to become confident learners, thoughtful leaders, and compassionate members of their community.
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Colorful artworks displayed on a hallway wall, showcasing various styles and techniques.
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Upcoming Events

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News & Announcements

What Can Bond Funding Pay For Image

What Does Parcel Tax Funding Support?

Last week, we shared how bond funding supports our school buildings and facilities. This week, we’re taking a closer look at the other side of local school funding: parcel taxes.

Unlike bond funding, parcel tax dollars support the people and programs that directly serve students, including:
• Teachers and staff
• Core academic programs
• Student support services
• High-quality educational programs and learning opportunities
• Maintaining strong instruction across our schools

It’s an easy way to remember the difference:
Bonds = Buildings
Parcel Taxes = People + Programs
What Can Bond Funding Pay For Image

What Can Bond Funding Pay For?

Understanding Local School Funding: What Do Bond Dollars Pay For?

As we look ahead to the upcoming parcel tax renewal, we want our community to understand how local school funding works—and why these two funding sources are not interchangeable.

Bond funding, such as Measure H, supports long-term improvements to our school facilities—including classrooms, roofs, windows, doors, HVAC systems and modernization projects.

You can see those dollars at work across San Carlos schools, creating safer, more comfortable and climate-ready learning environments for students and staff.

An important distinction: By law, bond funds cannot be used for ongoing expenses such as teacher and staff salaries or educational programs.

That’s why different sources of local funding serve different purposes.

Bonds = Buildings. Parcel Taxes = People + Programs.
Healthy Cities Tutoring 2026

Spotlight on Excellence🔦: Healthy Cities Tutoring

Each month, our Spotlight on Excellence highlights a unique aspect of what makes San Carlos schools exceptional.

On September 10, we proudly shared highlights of HCT’s impact on students and introduced a tutor-student pair, who shared their personal experiences with the program. This year also marks the 30th Anniversary of HCT!
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Principal's Message

Welcome to Mariposa Upper Elementary! Our Mariposa mascot is the Monarch butterfly and our motto is “Together We Soar,” as we come together as a school community to support our students in connecting with their peers and growing socially and academically. 
 
The fourth and fifth grade years are such a special time of transition and growing independence. At Mariposa we strive to support each child’s developmental needs at this stage. This includes: 
- Helping students develop a sense of ownership for their learning and encouraging independence, goal setting, and a growth mindset
- Engaging students in project-based learning to deepen their collaboration, communication and critical thinking skills
- Supporting parents as partners in their child’s educational journey
 
These same student skills, mindsets and dispositions are also embedded in the Learner Profile in our newly updated SCSD Strategic Plan. The Learner Profile is our roadmap for bringing SCSD’s mission to life, and you’ll hear us talking more throughout the upcoming year about the ways in which we are leaning into this with our 4th and 5th graders. The Learner Profile states:
“SCSD learners are curious problem solvers, self-aware learners, and kind citizens. They understand that learning is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing strong interpersonal skills, taking ownership of their learning, developing the ability to adapt and reflect, and being prepared to contribute to their community and the world at large.”  
 
Beyond our goals for students as learners, our broader aim is to make every student and family at Mariposa feel valued and connected. Without that sense of belonging, we cannot accomplish any of our larger academic goals for our students. Because of this, you’ll notice events for families throughout the year to help you build connections with our campus, our staff, and with other students and families.
 
We hope you’ll take the time to connect with our Mariposa community, because TOGETHER WE SOAR!
 
Warmly,
Theresa Fox
Principal
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Our Vision

We're more than just educators—we're a community dedicated to fostering growth, learning, and success for every child. Whether you're a new family or a new member of our staff, we're thrilled to have you join us on this exciting journey!
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