TIME SENSITIVE: Town Hall - Thursday, March 11

MPUSD Families, Since announcing the district’s return to in-person instruction we have been finalizing plans and will communicate the plans and ask families to commit to either a return to a Hybrid model or remain in full Distance Learning. The return schedule is as follows: April 8 and 9 | Transitional kindergarten through 5th grade April 12 | 6th, 9th and 10th graders (pending Monterey County entering the red tier)  April 19 | 7th, 8th, 11th and 12th graders (pending Monterey County entering the red tier) In our planning efforts, we reviewed sample models and schedules; however they have not been finalized. Our intent is to explain the model and update families on a path moving forward for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year during the upcoming Town Hall. As you can imagine, there are many intricate details and logistics, as well as moving pieces to bringing back our students and staff in a safe and strategic manner. We continue to work with our labor partners to finalize our plans and intend to communicate details this upcoming week to families. We will hold a Town Hall on   Thursday, March 11 at 5:00 p.m. (English)  and   6:30 p.m. (Spanish)   to explain the model, the reasoning behind the model and ask parents to complete a family commitment survey indicating whether or not their child(ren) will return for the remaining weeks of the 2020-2021 school year. You may click the links above or the promotional flyer to pre-register and receive the log-in information for the Town Halls. Prior to the Town Hall, on Wednesday, March 10, the district will send out the family commitment survey to determine whether or not your child will return to in-person instruction for the remaining of this school year. The survey will be due on Wednesday, March 17. The Town Hall will be recorded and archived on MPUSD's webpage later that evening.  The district will host a follow-up Town Hall on Thursday, March 18 to answer any additional questions families may have; however schools sites may be hosting their own Town Hall within the next two weeks, which may be more relevant to your child's specific needs. We understand that any Hybrid model has significant drawbacks and concerns and that no model, short of a full return to in-person learning, will please all families. Unfortunately, with the current guidance that desks must be kept 6 feet apart and to keep students in stable groups as much as feasible, a return to full-time, in-person learning is not possible at this time. In our discussion and planning, the district researched a variety of Hybrid models and developed a draft model that prioritized the following: Successfully implementing safety guidelines outlined by the California Department of Public Health. Keeping students with their current teacher and classes, as much as feasible. Maintaining stability in schedules for families that have made significant changes to participate successfully in Distance Learning.  Ensuring equitable learning opportunities for in-person learning, as well as students who choose to or must remain in Distance Learning because of lack of transportation or other barriers to returning to campus. Supporting the social and emotional health and well-being of students. We look forward to providing a full overview of the proposed plan during Thursday, March 11th Town Hall. Thank you for your continued support of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and your child’s school. We know it has not been easy and it is our commitment to ensure we prioritize your child’s academic and social and emotional well-being, as well as the health and safety of students and staff, when we transition a return to in-person instruction.

Tuesday, Mar 09 2021

REMINDER: MPUSD Athletics & Information Meeting

Please join us for a  MPUSD Athletics Family Night ( https://the.mpusd.net/athletics1 )  on Thursday, March 4 at 5:30. Use the ZOOM link below to join the meeting, which will be conducted in side by side English to Spanish translation. If you are unable to log into ZOOM, you may also call in. Click HERE to join Meeting ID: 936 8321 9554; Passcode: Athletics1 Call-In Number 1-669-219-2599; Meeting ID: 936 8321 9554; Passcode: 0144273051 Original Post Below Marina High, Monterey High and Seaside High Families, Monterey County continues to remain in the Purple Tier (most restrictive) for COVID-19 restrictions. This tier has implications for MPUSD Athletics, which also limits the opening of several sports for practice and competition. Our conditioning cohorts have been extremely successful and, where possible and space allows, will continue to actively operate for students to participate in outdoor exercise and other activities. With this success, we are prepared to open some specific athletic programs with guidance from our state and local health and athletic agencies. This week, the Governor’s Office released guidance on youth sports including high school athletics. Because of this guidance, effective February 26, 2021, Season 1 sports, including Field Hockey, Football, Girls Volleyball and Water Polo, will not be held this year due to a variety of factors, including overall the health and safety of our student-athletes, the brevity of the season, conflicts with Season 2 sports and coach availability. We realize this is a disappointment for some student athletes in season one sports, but we are hopeful that they can find a Season 2 sport to participate in as they look forward to education opportunities beyond the classroom walls. The only Season 1 sport approved for the competition season is Cross Country . MPUSD has opened Cross Country athletic practices at all three of our comprehensive high schools. Season 2 sports, including Track and Field, Tennis (Boys and Girls) and Golf (Boys and Girls), Swimming and Diving (outdoor pools only) and sideline Cheer are approved by MPUSD to begin immediately upon availability of coach and athlete clearance. It is important to note that not all MPUSD schools offer the same athletic program opportunities. In addition, our site leadership teams are seeking other facilities options if their sites do not meet this criteria. Other Season 2 sports, including Baseball, Softball, Soccer (Boys and Girls) and Lacrosse (Girls) are  a lso approved by MPUSD to begin on proposed practice start dates, assuming practice facilities are sufficient and coach/athlete clearances are met (Soccer must also meet the weekly testing requirement). MPUSD will keep families informed when these sports become available for student participation. Soccer requires weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing as guided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Swimming and Diving is also recommended to begin only outdoors. Indoor swimming (Monterey High School) can only begin once case numbers drop below 14 per 100,000. Basketball (Boys and Girls), Boys Volleyball and Wrestling are not approved at this time by MPUSD for practice and competition due to the case numbers in Monterey County. MPUSD will inform families if conditions change. All student athletes interested in participating in an MPUSD school sanctioned athletic team must follow the traditional process to be cleared. MPUSD and the Central Coast Section (CCS) require student-athletes to be in good academic standing, obtaining a cleared athletic physical and completing all necessary items on our student-athlete portal, Sports Net.  Please check your student’s school website for the SportsNet link. MPUSD will continue to follow the recommended guidance from CDPH to ensure student athletes and staff safety. We will continue to monitor updates and communicate out as necessary. Please join us for a  MPUSD Athletics Family Night ( https://the.mpusd.net/athletics1 )  on Thursday, March 4 at 5:30. Use the ZOOM link below to join the meeting, which will be conducted in side by side English to Spanish translation. If you are unable to log into ZOOM, you may also call in. Click HERE to join Meeting ID: 936 8321 9554; Passcode: Athletics1 Call-In Number 1-669-219-2599; Meeting ID: 936 8321 9554; Passcode: 0144273051 Please find below Season 1 and Season 2 timeline and guidance. While the CCS practice start date for all sports began January 16, 2021, the following outlines MPUSD practice start dates: SEASON 1: SPORT START DATE   Cross Country February 9, 2021 (Intra-district competition proposed on March 10th at SHS)  SEASON 2: SPORT START DATE Baseball March 15 Basketball (Boys and Girls) Not approved at this time Golf (Boys) - Monterey High School Only March 1 Lacrosse (Girls) - Monterey High School Only March 15 Soccer (Boys and Girls) TBD (Practices and potential competitions to be determined based on weekly COVID-19 testing and MC case rate)  Softball March 15 Swimming March 8 (outdoor pools only) Track and Field April 3 Tennis (Boys) - Monterey High School Only March 1 (Doubles competition requires informed consent form) Tennis (Girls) - Monterey High School Only March 1 (Doubles competition requires informed consent form) Volleyball (Boys and Girls) Not approved at this time Wrestling - Monterey High School Only Not approved at this time [Thursday, Mar 4 at 3:30 PM] This evening MPUSD will host an information meeting on high school athletics. In the event the Zoom meeting room fills to capacity, you can access the meeting on MPUSD's live YouTube page at youtube.com/thempusd (live page should automatically load). As a reminder, the log-in and call information may be found in the original ParentSquare post or on MPUSD's webpage at https://www.mpusd.net/apps/news/article/1396512

Thursday, Mar 04 2021

African American Parent Advisory Council: March 3

You're invited to the African American Parent Advisory Council. We look forward to getting to know members, discussing the foundation of the African American Parent Advisory Council (what it is, vision, mission, goals), reporting back on data from the January meeting, providing an overview of what the Local Control Accountability Plan is and ways parents can engage, and discussing general districtwide and school issues in breakout groups and report out. Zoom Link: the.mpusd.net/aapac   (If prompted): Meeting ID: 996 7628 8618; Passcode: AApac2020 Call In: 1-669-219-2599 Meeting ID: 996 7628 8618; Passcode: 759969876

Wednesday, Mar 03 2021

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Return to In-Person Instruction

MPUSD Families, As February comes to a close, this March marks a year since the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District closed its school doors for in-person instruction. The last year has not been easy for our students, families and staff. We know the challenge has been real and many have struggled during this unprecedented time. MPUSD held a community Town Hall in English and Spanish Thursday evening with information about the update on the return to in-person instruction. If you did not have a chance to participate, an archive of the meeting, as well as the PowerPoint, may be found HERE . We look forward to welcoming students back onto campus for in-person instruction in a hybrid model following Spring Break as follows: April 8 and 9 | Transitional Kindergarten - 5th Grades April 12 | 6th, 9th, and 10th Grades ( This date is contingent on Monterey County entering the red tie r) April 19 | 7th, 8th, 11th and 12th Grades ( This date is contingent on Monterey County entering the red tier ) We understand that while we are excited to return to campus, there are many who are still anxious about an in-person return. Since the beginning of this global pandemic MPUSD has made a commitment to operate following the guidelines outlined by county and state health officials. The decision to return continues this commitment and follows the guidance outlined by the California Department of Public Health’s “COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Instruction Framework. The following outlines next steps toward returning to in-person instruction: Information communicated to families in the coming weeks with details on the hybrid model (e.g., days and times, schedule). Families will be asked to commit to either the return to in-person instruction hybrid model or the full Distance Learning model. Once a family commits, it is binding for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year to adhere to staffing models and social distancing guidelines. The week prior to Spring Break (March 15 - 19) may look different for Distance Learning with an increase in asynchronous learning and a decrease in synchronous learning as teachers prepare their classrooms and attend professional development to teach in the hybrid model. This adjusted schedule will continue to meet the state-required minutes. The specific adjusted schedule will be sent out shortly so families can prepare appropriately.  Depending on each school site’s scheduled parent teacher conferences, some parent teacher conferences at the elementary grade level may be impacted due to this shift in instruction and planning. We know many families are looking forward to meeting with their child’s teacher to discuss academic progress; and should your conference be impacted and you have a concern about your child we ask you to be patient as we get through the return to in-person instruction. If your concern cannot wait, you are always welcome to communicate with your teacher in their preferred mode of communication (e.g., ParentSquare, Class Dojo, email or phone). You may also reach out to your principal to support you in getting the information you need. The coming weeks are critical as we prepare for our reopening.  ​ Additional information is forthcoming.  ​​​A Town Hall will be held prior to Spring Break (tentatively set for Thursday, March 18) with additional details and information. Your school site will also be hosting a Town Hall with specific health and safety details to each site prior to their return date. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions or need clarification.

Sunday, Feb 28 2021

Update on MPUSD Athletics & Information Meeting

Marina High, Monterey High and Seaside High Families, Monterey County continues to remain in the Purple Tier (most restrictive) for COVID-19 restrictions. This tier has implications for MPUSD Athletics, which also limits the opening of several sports for practice and competition. Our conditioning cohorts have been extremely successful and, where possible and space allows, will continue to actively operate for students to participate in outdoor exercise and other activities. With this success, we are prepared to open some specific athletic programs with guidance from our state and local health and athletic agencies. This week, the Governor’s Office released guidance on youth sports including high school athletics. Because of this guidance, effective February 26, 2021, Season 1 sports, including Field Hockey, Football, Girls Volleyball and Water Polo, will not be held this year due to a variety of factors, including overall the health and safety of our student-athletes, the brevity of the season, conflicts with Season 2 sports and coach availability. We realize this is a disappointment for some student athletes in season one sports, but we are hopeful that they can find a Season 2 sport to participate in as they look forward to education opportunities beyond the classroom walls. The only Season 1 sport approved for the competition season is Cross Country . MPUSD has opened Cross Country athletic practices at all three of our comprehensive high schools. Season 2 sports, including Track and Field, Tennis (Boys and Girls) and Golf (Boys and Girls), Swimming and Diving (outdoor pools only) and sideline Cheer are approved by MPUSD to begin immediately upon availability of coach and athlete clearance. It is important to note that not all MPUSD schools offer the same athletic program opportunities. In addition, our site leadership teams are seeking other facilities options if their sites do not meet this criteria. Other Season 2 sports, including Baseball, Softball, Soccer (Boys and Girls) and Lacrosse (Girls) are  a lso approved by MPUSD to begin on proposed practice start dates, assuming practice facilities are sufficient and coach/athlete clearances are met (Soccer must also meet the weekly testing requirement). MPUSD will keep families informed when these sports become available for student participation. Soccer requires weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing as guided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Swimming and Diving is also recommended to begin only outdoors. Indoor swimming (Monterey High School) can only begin once case numbers drop below 14 per 100,000. Basketball (Boys and Girls), Boys Volleyball and Wrestling are not approved at this time by MPUSD for practice and competition due to the case numbers in Monterey County. MPUSD will inform families if conditions change. All student athletes interested in participating in an MPUSD school sanctioned athletic team must follow the traditional process to be cleared. MPUSD and the Central Coast Section (CCS) require student-athletes to be in good academic standing, obtaining a cleared athletic physical and completing all necessary items on our student-athlete portal, Sports Net.  Please check your student’s school website for the SportsNet link. MPUSD will continue to follow the recommended guidance from CDPH to ensure student athletes and staff safety. We will continue to monitor updates and communicate out as necessary. Please join us for a  MPUSD Athletics Family Night ( https://the.mpusd.net/athletics1 )  on Thursday, March 4 at 5:30. Use the ZOOM link below to join the meeting, which will be conducted in side by side English to Spanish translation. If you are unable to log into ZOOM, you may also call in. Click HERE to join Meeting ID: 936 8321 9554; Passcode: Athletics1 Call-In Number 1-669-219-2599; Meeting ID: 936 8321 9554; Passcode: 0144273051 Please find below Season 1 and Season 2 timeline and guidance. While the CCS practice start date for all sports began January 16, 2021, the following outlines MPUSD practice start dates: SEASON 1: SPORT START DATE   Cross Country February 9, 2021 (Intra-district competition proposed on March 10th at SHS)  SEASON 2: SPORT START DATE Baseball March 15 Basketball (Boys and Girls) Not approved at this time Golf (Boys) - Monterey High School Only March 1 Lacrosse (Girls) - Monterey High School Only March 15 Soccer (Boys and Girls) TBD (Practices and potential competitions to be determined based on weekly COVID-19 testing and MC case rate)  Softball March 15 Swimming March 8 (outdoor pools only) Track and Field April 3 Tennis (Boys) - Monterey High School Only March 1 (Doubles competition requires informed consent form) Tennis (Girls) - Monterey High School Only March 1 (Doubles competition requires informed consent form) Volleyball (Boys and Girls) Not approved at this time Wrestling - Monterey High School Only Not approved at this time

Saturday, Feb 27 2021

REMINDER: DELAC/DAC Tonight and Other Upcoming MPUSD...

We are pleased to share with you upcoming events at the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District this week and next for your participation and engagement. District Advisory Committee and District English Learner Advisory Committee February 24 @ 6 p.m. | English and Spanish side by side February Community Town Hall: Update on Return to In-Person Instruction February 25 @ 5 p.m. | English February 25 @ 6:30 p.m. | Spanish African American Parent Advisory Council March 3 @ 6 p.m. | English and Spanish simultaneous

Thursday, Feb 25 2021

UPDATED: Log-In and Time Change for Spanish Town Hal...

Families, We want to UPDATE families on the Town Hall English and Spanish sessions this Thursday, February 25. The English Town Hall will begin at 5 p.m. as previously scheduled. The registration/log-in link for English remains the same - the.mpusd.net/febtownhall . The Spanish Town Hall has been changed to 6:30 p.m. (originally scheduled at 6:00 p.m.). The registration/log-in link for the Spanish Town Hall session has changed to the.mpusd.net/febtownhallspanish . If you wish to join the Spanish Town Hall, please register HERE . Thank you for your understanding.

Wednesday, Feb 24 2021

Virtual Preschool Tour & Info Meeting

You’re invited to MPUSD’s Preschool Program virtual tour and information meeting this Friday, February 26 at 10 a.m. We will share highlights of our program, provide a virtual tour, answer questions, and show you how to register for in-person enrollment for fall 2021. Spaces fill to capacity quickly! Information link: the.mpusd.net/preschooltour Can't make it? Don't worry. Contact our Marina or Seaside location by calling or visiting our website (see flyer for details).

Tuesday, Feb 23 2021

REMINDER: Upcoming MPUSD Virtual Events

We are pleased to share with you upcoming events at the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District this week and next for your participation and engagement. February Community Town Hall: Update on Return to In-Person Instruction February 25 @ 5 p.m. | English February 25 @ 6:30 p.m. | Spanish District Advisory Committee and District English Learner Advisory Committee February 24 @ 6 p.m. | English and Spanish side by side African American Parent Advisory Council March 3 @ 6 p.m. | English and Spanish simultaneous

Tuesday, Feb 23 2021

MPUSD Annual Recruitment Fair

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District will host its Annual Recruitment Fair in a virtual format this year. Are you or do you have a family member or friend interested in a teaching at MPUSD? We are calling middle school, high school and special educators to consider a teaching career at MPUSD. The district will host its virtual recruitment fair on Saturday, March 6 , from 9 a.m. to 12 noon . Pre-registration is required by this Friday, February 26. Click this link here to learn more and pre-register today!

Monday, Feb 22 2021