Friday Letter - March 21, 2025

MARCH 21, 2025 FRIDAY LETTER VOLUME 7 NO. 29 Dear MDUSD Community, Exciting things are happening across our district! This week, we shine a spotlight on the  SOAR (Support Office for Access and Resources) program, where Program Specialist Dr. Rosie Reid and her colleagues are making a difference by ensuring students and families have the resources they need to thrive. In District news,  Dr. Lamont Francies recaps the powerful AAPAC Town Hall, “Where Do We Go From Here?”  This important conversation addresses the impact of recent executive orders on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and reinforces MDUSD’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community. We are also celebrating  Sequoia Middle School student Luke Watson, who is representing MDUSD at the 2025 Bay Area Scripps Regional Spelling Bee this weekend! As the only student in our District to qualify, Luke is showcasing his incredible dedication and talent. We are cheering him on as he competes for a spot in the National Competition! And finally, we are recognizing our amazing staff through  Social Media Highlights, featuring six of our Technology Integration Leaders (TILs)  who are helping to bring innovative learning to our classrooms every day. MDUSD is full of talented students, dedicated educators, and inspiring leaders. Thank you for being part of this wonderful community! Dr. Adam Clark, Superintendent Spotlight Wherever our students come from, whatever they are going through, we are here to help MDUSD's SOAR Program staff includes (from left to right) Program Specialist Rosie Reid, Counselor Medaja Elias, Social Work Specialist Vanessa Castillo, Senior Secretary Vicky Conerly, and Resource Worker Evelyn Mercado.  Guest column By Dr. Rosie Reid MDUSD Program Specialist In the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, we understand that sometimes our students need a little extra help to be successful in school. Some of our students come to school cold because they don’t have a jacket that fits. Some have had to change schools multiple times due to circumstances beyond their control. Others are facing eviction and aren’t sure where they will sleep next week, where their next meal will come from, or how they will get to school. Wherever our students come from, whatever they are going through, we are here to help.  The Support Office for Access and Resources ( SOAR Program ) within the Student Services Department of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District is dedicated to empowering and uplifting students facing unique challenges by providing comprehensive support and resources. Our mission is to ensure that every student, regardless of their circumstances, has equitable access to educational opportunities and the academic, social, and emotional support they need.  We focus on serving the following student groups: McKinney-Vento Students : We assist students experiencing homelessness by offering essential school supplies, tutoring, counseling services, and family support to promote stability and academic success. Foster Youth : Our wrap-around services for foster youth and their families include academic assistance, counseling, community resources, and family support, ensuring they have the tools needed to thrive. Justice-Involved Youth : We provide tailored support to students involved in the justice system, facilitating their reintegration into the educational environment and promoting positive outcomes. Refugee/Newcomer Students : We warmly welcome refugee and newcomer families, helping them navigate new surroundings, providing essential resources, and connecting them with community support to ensure a smooth transition. LGBTQIA2+ Students : We create a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA2+ students, offering support and resources that affirm their identities and promote well-being. Indian Education Program Youth : In partnership with the American Indian Culture and Education Program, we celebrate Native American culture and support students with resources that honor their heritage. Human Trafficking Survivors : We offer specialized support to students affected by human trafficking, addressing their unique needs and promoting recovery and empowerment. Through collaboration with community partners and a commitment to uplifting students and families, SOAR strives to remove barriers to education, foster resilience, and inspire every student to reach their full potential.  If you or a family you know could benefit from additional support, reach out to soar@mdusd.org or 925-682-8000 ext. 6242, and we will do our best to help!  If you would like to donate to the SOAR program, please consider using Venmo @MDUSDSOAR or mailing a check to: SOAR Program, 1026 Mohr Lane, Concord, CA 94518.  District News Board Briefs: School Board receives Second Interim Budget Report During its March 19 meeting, the Board received the Second Interim Budget Report; School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSAs) for Mt. Diablo Elementary, Shore Acres Elementary and Ygnacio Valley High School; and approved changes to some Board Policies and Regulations, among other items. The agenda is here . Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark's Weekly Organizational Update to the Board, which includes detailed District operations reports from Department leaders, is here. An archive of past reports is here . MDUSD Negotiations Updates The District and MDEA held a bargaining session on Thursday, March 6. A negotiation update is posted  here . The parties exchanged proposals and counterproposals on 11 articles and reached a tentative agreement on Article 21, Teachers on Special Assignment. The next negotiation session is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25. MDUSD and CSEA have reached a Tentative Agreement. MDUSD and Teamsters have reached a  Tentative Agreement . The MDUSD Board approved the MDUSD and Mt. Diablo School Psychologists Association (MDSPA)  Sunshine Proposals for the 2025-28 successor contract at the Feb. 26 Board meeting. More information is on the MDUSD “Human Resources / Labor Relations” web page . Highlights from the AAPAC District Wide Community Town Hall: "Where do we go from here?" Guest column By Dr. Lamont Francies Family Engagement Coordinator On Thursday, March 13, Dr. Clark held a town hall to discuss the potential impact of recent executive orders from Washington D.C., including the "Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling" order . These orders introduce restrictions on teaching topics such as systemic racism, gender identity, and diversity, which could affect curriculum, student support services, and professional development. Additionally, schools that do not comply may risk losing federal funding , and there are increased parental rights regarding curriculum transparency and student records . MDUSD remains committed to supporting all students while navigating these changes and will continue to monitor legal developments and engage with families to ensure academic integrity and inclusivity. MDUSD Area Band and Orchestra Concerts, as well as choir concerts, continue next week The District's annual Elementary Honor and Middle School Choir Concert will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 24 at Concord HS.  MDUSD's Area Orchestra and Band Festivals for school feeder areas will continue with: Ygnacio Valley Area Band Concert at 7 p.m. March 24 at Ygnacio Valley HS Ygnacio Valley Area Orchestra Concert at 7 p.m. March 25 at Ygnacio Valley HS Northgate Area Band Concert at 7 p.m. March 26 at Northgate HS Northgate Area Orchestra Concert at 7 p.m. March 27 at Northgate HS College & Career Access Pathway Engineering Family Information Night on March 25 at YVHS Incoming Ygnacio Valley HS freshmen for 2025-26 and their families are invited to a College and Career Access Pathway (CCAP) Engineering Family Night at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 25 in the school multi-use room at 755 Oak Grove Road in Concord. Details are in the attached flyers. The RSVP deadline has been extended to March 23 here /   Supporting our Immigrant Families: Resource of the Week California Student Aid Commission Resources for Undocu/Dreamer Students The California Student Aid Commission website includes a page devoted to Undocumented/Dreamer Students. The CA Dream Act Application allows students interested in attending eligible California colleges, universities and career education programs to apply for state financial aid. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. More information is here . Student News Sequoia MS student Luke Watson to compete in the 2025 Bay Area Scripps Regional Spelling Bee  Congratulations to Sequoia Middle School student Luke Watson, who is the only student in MDUSD who qualified to compete in the 2025 Bay Area Scripps Regional Final Spelling Bee on Sunday, March 23 at the San Ramon Community Center in San Ramon! The event is open to the public and students' families and friends are welcome to attend in the Fountain Room at 12501 Alcosta Blvd. in San Ramon. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a lunch break. Luke is one of 56 finalists from Alameda, Contra Costa San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The top three finishers will go onto the National Competition in May. More information is here .   Staff Social Media Highlights: Technology Integration Leaders Bancroft, Silverwood, Westwood, Sun Terrace & Meadow Homes elem. schools, Pine Hollow MS This month's Technology Integration Leader (TIL) Social Media Highlights feature: Victoria Freitas at Bancroft Elementary , Roxayn King at Silverwood Elementary , Christina Moncada at Pine Hollow MS , Melinda Reade at Westwood Elementary , Wendy Townlin at Sun Terrace Elementary , and Mercedes Vang at Meadow Homes Elementary . Thanks for all you do to help our students and staff! Important Dates March 25: District Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)  meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center in Concord March 31: Cesar Chavez Day  Holiday : Schools and District Offices closed  April 2: MDUSD Choir Festival at 7 p.m. at College Park HS  April 7-14:  Spring Recess : No School. District Offices open April 7-10 and April 14; District Offices closed April 11 for Board Holiday. April 16:   District Governing Board  meeting at 6 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom  April 17:  African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) meeting at 6 p.m. at the Black Family Resource Center in Bay Point   April 22:  Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting /Spring fling at 7 p.m. at Monte Gardens Elementary; District Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)  meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center in Concord The Friday Letter is written and compiled by Theresa Harrington Brandt, Public Information and Community Relations Officer. Reach her at brandtt@mdusd.org for Friday Letter submissions.

Friday, Mar 21 2025

Friday Letter - March 14, 2025

MARCH 14, 2025 FRIDAY LETTER VOLUME 7 NO. 28 Dear MDUSD Community, This week, we celebrate the incredible talent, dedication, and innovation of our students and staff. From hands-on learning experiences to state-level leadership, our District continues to shine. On Monday, our educators and business leaders came together for the  BEST (Business and Educators Shadowing for Tomorrow) professional development day, strengthening connections between classrooms and careers. Tuesday’s Campus and Gun Safety event at Concord High School brought important discussions on student wellness to the forefront, emphasizing our commitment to safe and welcoming learning environments.  We are thrilled to recognize our  2025-26 Teachers of the Year, Dr. David Pintado from Mt. Diablo High School and Elizabeth Swanson from Silverwood Elementary, along with an outstanding group of finalists.  Their passion and dedication inspire both their students and colleagues. Other highlights include: Student Board Member Crystal Ochoa graduates from Olympic Continuation HS Northgate HS animation students honored in Winton Art Film Festival School and Staff Social Media Highlights And finally, congratulations to  Dr. David Pintado for representing MDUSD on a statewide level , collaborating with education leaders and policymakers to advance Career Technical Education (CTE) opportunities. His work is making an impact far beyond our district. Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools. Dr. Adam Clark, Superintendent Spotlight 26th Annual "BEST" Job Shadow Day for Teachers is a Professional Development Highlight Jorge DePaz, a volunteer program specialist with Sutter Health's Hospice program, shows photos of staff to MDHS healthcare teacher Dr. David Pintado and Work Based Learning Coordinator Demetra Hufford (above left). DVC Executive Director of Early College Credit Sarah Peterson speaks about dual enrollment opportunities at MDUSD high schools (above center). MDUSD HR Executive Director Kim Vaina discusses job opportunities in the District for students after graduation (above right). While MDUSD students enjoyed their day off from school last Monday, 30 Career Technical Education teachers and Work Based Learning Coordinators from the District took on the roles of students as they visited 12 local industry professionals to learn more about the jobs they are preparing their students to  tackle in the future. During the 26th Annual BEST (Business and Education Shadowing for Tomorrow) Day, the teachers got a chance to see how professionals who work in companies, organizations or public agencies do their work, ask questions, and get insights into what employers are looking for when they interview candidates, including MDUSD graduates. The teachers educate MDUSD students in  career pathways such as health patient care, hospitality, photography and digital arts, education, engineering, construction, transportation/auto tech, computer technology and sciences. Teachers toured facilities including MDUSD Transportation, Concord Police Department, Gurnick Academy, Pacific States Aviation, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 342, Contra Costa County Health Department's Digital Media, Parkside Joyful Kids Academy, Sutter Health's Hospice Program, CalTrans, Concord's Community Development Department and OhReilly Productions. After the job shadowing, teachers heard from Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark about the importance of their work with students, from two Diablo Valley College administrators who encouraged them to help get the word out about opportunities to earn college credit and certificates while still in high school, and from HR Executive Director Kim Vaiana, who spoke about job opportunities for District students after they graduate, including both certificated (teaching positions) and classified positions, such as instructional assistants, and clerical, food services, maintenance and operations, and transportation workers. She encouraged teachers to point students to the District's HR  website to see the variety of jobs available and said that MDUSD graduates get a bonus in some positions.  Healthcare patient pathway teacher Dr. David Pintado and Work Based Learning Coordinator Demetra Hufford learned about the many jobs available in providing Hospice Care at Home or in special facilities, including nurses, counselors, and people who provide services such as music and art to patients, as well as administrators and volunteers. Pintado said he plans to add information on hospice to his courses to better inform students about options related to caring for parients who are nearing their end of life.  Teachers also collaborated in professional development activities after the presentations. "The goal is for educators to learn what industry is looking for in future employees and discuss how we can bring that to our classroom," said Heather Fontanilla, Director of College and Career Readiness. Dr. Clark praised the District’s career pathways teachers for their passion. "You are connecting with students in ways that you just can't connect with them in a regular classroom," he said.  Check out the HS Social Media Highlights below to see Concord HS teaches visiting the MDUSD Transportation Dept. District News Gun and Campus Safety event at Concord HS includes Concord and MDUSD information  Concord HS PFC President Jeremy Jacobs (center) introduces panel members (l-r) Concord HS Principal Julene MacKinnon, Mt. Diablo HS Principal Dr. Markell McCain, Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, Concord HS Social Work Specialist Dr. Karla Monique Veal, Concord Police Lt. Renee Williams and Concord Vice Mayor Laura Nakamura at a Campus and Gun Safety event at Concord HS on March 11. To help MDUSD parents and caregivers understand how they and the District can work together with local police to keep students safe, a small group of parents organized a Gun and Campus Safety event at Concord HS on Tuesday, after organizing a similar event at Northgate HS in  Walnut Creek last August. The Concord event was presented in partnership with the city of Concord. Vice Mayor Laura Nakamura said the city is funding two School Resource Officers this year, who are building relationships with students and staff and trying to identify concerns before they escalate. MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark and Concord Police Lt. Renee Williams explained how the police department and school district train staff to respond to potential shootings or other school emergencies. Although the District does not conduct active shooter drills, Dr. Clark and Lt. Williams said staff is trained to run, hide or fight if an armed intruder gains access to the campus. Dr. Clark also reminded parents of the " Say Something " anonymous reporting system implemented in the District, which allows people to alert authorities about potential threats. Lt. Williams stressed the importance of safe gun storage in homes to prevent accidental shootings. Concord HS Principal Julene MacKinnon and Mt. Diablo HS Principal Dr. Markell McCain said they and their staff focus on building strong relationships with students and monitor their campuses closely to prevent intruders from accessing them. They both also praised their relationships with the School Resource Officers, saying they share information often.  Concord HS Social Work Specialist Dr. Karla-Monique Veal discussed the school's Wellness Center, which provides a safe space where students can relax from stress and discuss anxieties or other issues with her or a Social Work intern. She also said that all staff members work to build relationships with students and can refer students to the Wellness Center. The panel also answered questions from the audience about lockdowns, wellness centers on middle school campuses, and student safety plans. Dr. McCain and Lt. Williams said parents should wait for word from the school before coming to campus during a lockdown, since they want to be sure it is safe. Dr. Clark said some middle schools have wellness centers and the District wants to bring them to all campuses, but needs to explore funding and staffing. Dr. Clark said each school has a detailed  Safety Plan that guides how staff will keep students safe during emergencies. Please see the attached flyer   for Campus Safety Resources distributed after the event. Board Briefs: School Board recognizes 2025-26 MDUSD Teachers of the Year and finalists MDUSD Board Member Tom MacDougall (l-r) stands with Teacher of the Year finalist Ernesto (Ernie) Minglana, Board Vice President Cherise Khaund, Teacher of the Year Elizabeth Swanson, Board Member Debra Mason, Teacher of the Year finalist Katherine Gates, Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, Teacher of the Year finalist Lisa Cattrone, Board President Linda Mayo, Teacher of the Year David Pintado, Teacher of the Year finalists Theresa Gutierrez, Veronica Leno Garcia and Tabatha Box, and Student Board Member Crystal Ochoa at the March 12, 2025 Board Meeting. (Board Member Keisha Nzewi was not in the Boardroom, but participated remotely.) During its March 12th meeting, the Mt. Diablo Unified School Board recognized the 2025-26 District Teachers of the Year Dr. David Pintado and Elizabeth Swanson and finalists Tabatha Box, Lisa Cattrone, Veronica Leno Garcia, Katherine Gates, Theresa Gutierrez, and Ernesto "Ernie" Minglana . Pintado teaches Career Technical Education (CTE) Patient Care Pathway courses at Mt. Diablo HS, Swanson teaches Transitional Kindergarten (TK) at Silverwood Elementary, Box teaches Algebra II/Trigonometry and International Baccalaureate (IB) Analysis and Approaches at Ygnacio Valley HS; Cattrone teaches English Language Development, Academic Language Development, and is the English Language Coordinator at Concord HS; Leno Garcia teaches Bilingual Kindergarten in English and Spanish at Cambridge Elementary; Gates teaches 6th grade Core (Language Arts and World History/Ancient Civilization) and Mindfulness and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) at Pleasant Hill MS, Gutierrez is a 2nd grade Dual Language Spanish teacher at Meadow Homes Elementary, and Minglana teaches 8th grade English and 6th-8th grade Leadership at Sequoia MS.  Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark praised the teachers and noted that the two MDUSD Teachers of the Year represent Mt. Diablo in the county. The finalists were chosen from more than 200 outstanding elementary, middle and high school educators who were nominated and offered the opportunity to submit a brief questionnaire. The Teachers of the Year received wooden plaques, while the six additional finalists received engraved glass mementos. Pintado and Swanson advance to the   County Teacher of the Year competition , which will announce four county finalists next month and two winners in September.  Also during its March 12 meeting, the Board approved changes to some Board Policies and Regulations, among other items. The agenda is here . Check out Student News below to read an update about Student Board Member Crystal Ochoa. The next Board meeting is Wednesday, March 19. The Board will receive the Second Interim Budget report, among other items. The agenda is here .  Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark's Weekly Organizational Update to the Board, which includes detailed District operations reports from Department leaders, is here . An archive of past reports is here . MDUSD Negotiations Updates The District and MDEA held a bargaining session on Thursday, March 6. A negotiation update is posted  here . The parties exchanged proposals and counterproposals on 11 articles and reached a tentative agreement on Article 21, Teachers on Special Assignment. The next negotiation session is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25. MDUSD and CSEA have reached a Tentative Agreement. MDUSD and Teamsters have reached a  Tentative Agreement . The MDUSD Board approved the MDUSD and Mt. Diablo School Psychologists Association (MDSPA)  Sunshine Proposals for the 2025-28 successor contract at the Feb. 26 Board meeting. More information is on the MDUSD “Human Resources / Labor Relations”  web page . MDUSD supports BrightLife mental health support for elementary students In January, MDUSD launched Soluna, a mental health app dedicated to delivering 24/7 support for youth ages 13-25.  This month, MDUSD is proud to support BrightLife, a California Youth and Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) resource for quick parenting questions or for ongoing support working through a bigger issue. BrightLife offers access to free behavioral health care via video sessions and chats for parents, caregivers, and their kids to improve emotional well-being and resiliency. Available through this website are interactive digital education and behavioral wellness exercises. Families can find care for youth ages 0-12 who need more support than coaching by connecting them to community mental health providers and resources at no cost to families.  You can sign up here at brightlife. kids/ca . MDUSD Area Band and Orchestra Concerts, as well as choir concerts, continue next week Next week, MDUSD's Area Orchestra and Band Festivals for school feeder areas will continue with: The College Park Area Band concert from 7-8 p.m. Monday, March 17 at College Park HS, and  The College Park Area Orchestra concert from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 19 at College Park HS The District's annual Elementary Honor and Middle School Choir Concert will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 24 at Concord HS. Area concerts will also take place that week at Ygnacio Valley and Northgate high schools. Check out School Social Media Highlights below to see a recent concert photo! College & Career Access Pathway Engineering Family Information Night on March 25 at YVHS  Incoming Ygnacio Valley HS freshmen for 2025-26 and their families are invited to a College and Career Access Pathway (CCAP) Engineering Family Night at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 25 in the school multi-use room at 755 Oak Grove Road in Concord. Details are in the attached flyers. Please RSVP by March 20th here . Supporting our Immigrant Families: Resource of the Week East Bay Community Law Center offers free legal services to immigrants and their families East Bay Community Law Center's Immigration Program provides a full range of legal services to immigrants and their families. They work in partnership with La Clínica de la Raza school-based health centers in the East Bay, California community colleges, and the Undocumented Student Program (USP) at UC Berkeley. Call (510) 548-4040 and leave a message for the Immigration team. Clearly state your full name, your phone number, and a brief description of your issue. More information is here . Student News Student Board Member Crystal Ochoa graduates from Olympic Continuation HS MDUSD Board Vice President Cherise Khaund celebrated (l-r) Student Board Member Crystal Ochoa's graduation from Olympic Continuation High School on Wednesday along with Board President Linda Mayo and Board Member Tom MacDougall (above left). As is the school's tradition, the celebration also included a school announcement, air horn blasts and well-wishes from staff, students, family and friends (above center). Also there to celebrate with a big hug was Katie Koontz, who was Crystal's 2nd grade teacher at Cambridge Elementary. Now, Koontz is Principal at Gregory Gardens Elementary in Pleasant Hill. At Olympic, students graduate and finish the day their last credits are completed. But Crystal will continue to serve her term on the Board until the end of the school year. She is attending classes at Diablo Valley College (DVC) and plans to become a Social Worker.  Congratulations! Northgate HS animation students honored in Winton Art Film Festival Northgate HS student Maxie Netzer's "Rain, Rain Go Away" (above left) was nominated along with Nicholas Serrano's "Daylight Tagn'" for Best Animated Short. Tagn' was also nominated along with Margaret Mannion's "My Homework" for Best of the Fest (above center). Margaret (third from left) won the Oaky award along with other FilmFest winners from Carondelet and De La Salle high schools (above right). Northgate High School is excited to announce that 11 animation students from the Intro to Animation, Intermediate Animation, and Animation III courses were selected to participate in the “Winton Art Film Festival” at Carondelet High School on Friday, March 7th. This marks the second year in a row that Northgate has been invited to take part in this prestigious event. Students entered six categories, including the Super Short category (less than 2 minutes) and the Animation Short category.  Films were screened by Northgate students Dhruv Clerk, Sienna Huie, Margaret Mannion, Maxie Netzer, Tanishka Roy, Nic Serrano, Sienna Stevens, Justice Towey, Dylan Turney, Quinton Westover, and Ethan Zelakiewicz. Nic Serrano’s “Daylight Tagn’” and Maxie Netzer’s “Rain, Rain Go Away” were nominated for Best Animated Short, while Nic Serrano’s “Daylight Tagn’” and Margaret Mannion’s “My Homework” were nominated for Best of the Fest. Additionally, Margaret Mannion’s “My Homework” and Sienna Huie and Sienna Stevens’ “Plant Cravings” competed in the Super Short category against students from Carondelet and De La Salle. In a proud moment for Northgate, Margaret Mannion won the highly coveted “Oaky Award.” Chris Walsh, the founder of the Winton Art Film Festival, explained that the Oaky Award is a leaf-shaped plaque made from natural oak wood. Designed to reflect the unique Bay Area environment and promote eco-consciousness, the award is 100% biodegradable. Northgate HS animation teacher Mrs. Carmon praised all the students involved. "I am so impressed by the creativity, dedication, and hard work these students have shown," she said. "It’s amazing to see their passion for animation come to life and to have their efforts recognized at such a prestigious event. They’ve truly earned this recognition, and I couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments." Staff News MDUSD Teacher of the Year Dr. David Pintado represents MDUSD CTE on a statewide level Mt. Diablo HS CTE teacher Dr. David Pintado visits the State Capitol (above left) and speaks with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond (above center) as part of the prestigious Leadership Development Institute for CTE (above right). Mt. Diablo HS Career Technical Education (CTE) patient care pathways teacher Dr. David Pintado, who is one of MDUSD's two 2025-26 Teachers of the Year, has also been selected as one of 30 teachers statewide to participate in a Leadership Development Institute hosted by the California Department of Education for educators who are leaders in their field and who who are eager to influence CTE education across the state. He was selected through a competitive application process and has been meeting monthly with others in the group of CTE administrators and educators. He was selected to represent Contra Costa County, along with Leslie Marley, the College and Career Readiness Coordinator for the Contra Costa County Office of Education."We have been meeting in Fresno, Sacramento, and Los Angeles with the only goal of learning, researching, sharing, and implementing best practices in Career Technical Education at K14 level," he said. "During our last meeting, we had the opportunity to meet at the State Capitol with Dr. Tony Thurmond, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, after he attended the California State Assembly Education Committee to discuss his 2025-2026 budget proposal."Thurmond supports many CTE Bill proposals, including Senate Bill 342 by Senator Tim Grayson, which would grant a waiver for designated subjects in career technical education teaching credentials based on experience. "Our next meeting will be in Fresno in April, followed by another in May in Los Angeles, and a final meeting and presentation of an individual project in June in Sacramento," Dr. Pintado said School Social Media Highlights Robert Shearer Preschool, Gregory Gardens Elementary, Holbrook Language Academy and Meadow Homes Elementary MDUSD preschool and elementary students have been participating in a variety of fun social and academic activities. Recent Social Media Highlights include: Robert Shearer Preschool students having fun in the motor room, on the playground and in the classroom; Gregory Gardens Elementary students celebrate the boldness of young girls who speak up, lead with courage, and dream without limits on  International Womens’ Day; Holbrook Language Academy musicians performing at a recent Area Orchestra Concert; and Meadow Homes Elementary TK students draw each other for their birthdays and paint letters.  Diablo View. Foothill, Pine Hollow and Sequoia middle schools MDUSD middle school students have been challenging themselves in a variety of ways. Recent Social Media Highlights include: The annual Diablo View MS t alent show; Foothill MS students performing “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”; Pine Hollow MS students building 2-D and 3-D models of shapes in math class; and Sequoia MS 6th graders exploring liquid density with the Rainbow Density Lab.   Concord HS, College Park HS, Mt. Diablo HS and Olympic HS MDUSD high school students and staff have been getting out and about. Recent Social Media Highlights include: Concord HS teachers visiting the MDUSD Transportation Dept. to learn about bus driver training and job options for District grads on BEST Day; College Park HS Football Coaches and players hosting K-8 students for Next Level Flag Football; Mt. Diablo HS administrators and students featured in a new video emphasizing the school's growth and success; and Olympic HS students giving back to the community by volunteering at the Food Bank of Contra Costa County.  Staff Social Media Highlights Meadow Homes Elementary, Latina Consejeras, Monte Gardens Elementary and Olympic HS MDUSD staff members are making connections with each other, the community and students. Recent Social Media Highlights include: Meadow Homes Elementary recognized teachers including Teacher of the Year Finalist Theresa Gutierrez; Latina counselors held another successful Cafecito Con Las Consejeras , where families shared they felt heard, represented and seen; Monte Gardens Elementary Counselor “Miss Annie” Hagglund coordinated the school’s “Respect All Differences Club”; and Olympic HS Principal Courtney Lyon and Social Work Specialist Emilio Perdomo presented at the Napa Valley Wellness Conference about the positive impact the school’s alternative learning pathways are having a on students.   Important Dates March 18: Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC)  meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom: Autism Panel March 19:  District Governing Board  meeting at 6 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom  March 20: District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)  meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center March 25: District Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)  meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center in Concord March 31: Cesar Chavez Day  Holiday : Schools and District Offices closed  April 7-14:  Spring Recess : No School. District Offices open April 7-10 and April 14; District Offices closed April 11 for Board Holiday. The Friday Letter is written and compiled by Theresa Harrington Brandt, Public Information and Community Relations Officer. Reach her at brandtt@mdusd.org for Friday Letter submissions.

Friday, Mar 14 2025

Friday Letter - March 7, 2025

MARCH 7, 2025 FRIDAY LETTER VOLUME 7 NO. 27 Dear MDUSD Community, This week, we celebrate the incredible educators, dedicated staff, and outstanding students who make our District shine! First, we are thrilled to spotlight our  six finalists for the 2025-26 MDUSD Teacher of the Year award: Tabatha Box, Lisa Cattrone, Veronica Leno Garcia, Katherine Gates, Theresa Gutierrez, and Ernesto "Ernie" Minglana. These exceptional educators, along with our Teachers of the Year, Dr. David Pintado and Elizabeth Swanson, were selected from more than 200 nominees for their dedication, passion, and impact on students. We will honor them at the March 12 Board meeting and are excited to share their words of wisdom about teaching in this week's spotlight. Also, we recognize the invaluable contributions of our  Social Work Specialists during School Social Work Week. These professionals provide vital support to our students and families, ensuring their well-being and success. Our students have also had an incredible week of achievements! The Ygnacio Valley HS (YVHS) Project 212 Robotics Team unveiled their new robot, Leviathon, which they will showcase at upcoming competitions. Meanwhile, Mt. Diablo HS and YVHS students traveled to the State Capitol  t o advocate for after-school program funding, demonstrating their leadership and civic engagement. On the athletic front,  Foothill MS students won the 8A East Bay Middle School League Basketball Tournament, with multiple students earning top honors—an outstanding accomplishment! Across our schools, exciting events continue to enrich our students' experiences. Mt. Diablo HS debuted its new turf and track,  Highlands Elementary hosted a Lion Dance Assembly; Science Fair, and One School One Book kickoff; and Prospect HS  students celebrated achievements through attendance raffles and a trades fair. Additionally, families gathered at  Loma Vista Adult Center for the annual Family Reading Event  in honor of Read Across America Day. Other highlights include: Ygnacio Valley HS Unified Sports team  participates in Bay Area tournament School social media highlights Thank you for your continued support of our students, educators, and schools. We are proud to celebrate these successes with you! Thank you, Dr. Adam Clark, Superintendent Spotlights Congratulations to the six 2025-26 District Teacher of the Year Finalists Last week, the Friday Letter highlighted the District's 2025-26 Teachers of the Year: Mt. Diablo HS teacher Dr. David Pintado and Silverwood Elementary teacher Elizabeth Swanson! This week, we are taking a closer look at the six other finalists: Ygnacio Valley HS teacher Tabatha Box, Concord HS teacher Lisa Cattrone, Cambridge Elementary teacher Veronica Leno Garcia, Pleasant Hill Middle School teacher Katherine Gates, Meadow Homes Elementary teacher Theresa Gutierrez, and Sequoia Middle School teacher Ernesto "Ernie" Minglana. These teachers were selected along with Pintado and Swanson from more than 200 outstanding educators from TK through grade 12 and adult education who were nominated and offered the opportunity to submit a brief questionnaire. The questionnaires were scored by members of the MDUSD Teacher of the Year Selection Committee and the top-scoring individuals were interviewed.  The MDUSD School Board plans to recognize the District   Teachers of the Year, along with finalists and nominees ,  at its   Wednesday, March 12th meeting . Like Pintado and Swanson, all of the finalists place a high priority on building strong relationships with students, and emphasizing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as well as rigorous academics. Below are excerpted bios of each, including words of wisdom regarding the teaching profession, based on their questionnaires. Please  click here to read their complete bios .  Tabatha Box Box teaches Algebra II/Trigonometry and International Baccalaureate (IB) Analysis and Approaches to students in grades 9-12 at Ygnacio Valley HS, and has 18 years of teaching experience, including 15 years in Georgia and three years at YVHS. She started the school's first Math Team last year, which competed at UC Berkeley. She is also a mentor for the school's Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam (see student news below) along with former District and state Teacher of the Year Joseph Alvarico, serves on the District's Leadership Team, is an IB Coordinator,  Technology Integration Leader , and the school's Math Department Chair. She also mentors a student teacher from St. Mary's College.  "What I like best about the teaching profession is the opportunity to make a lasting, positive impact on students' lives and colleagues lives through fostering critical thinking and academic growth in the classroom and beyond," she said. "This is why I enjoy teaching in various settings at various levels and leading professional development, mentoring student teachers, and collaborating with stakeholders to enhance the educational experience for students." Lisa Cattrone Cattrone teaches English Language Development, Academic Language Development, is the English Language Coordinator at Concord HS, and has 17 years of teaching experience, including two years at St. Mary's College, five years in the Alliance program at Olympic HS, and 10 years at Concord HS, where she has also taught English. "I love all of my students and the classes I teach so much," she said. "I have also helped develop a new push-in model for a period at Concord High where I help other teachers teach language learners in their own classes, help develop curriculum, language support, etc., as well as push-in during my release period to help support my students during class." In addition, she created and leads the school's "Bilingual Ambassadors" program and multilingual GLYPH literary magazine, leads the Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) and Friday Night Live groups, and serves on the School Site Council. Cattrone said she feels lucky to teach high school students and language learners and loves teaching because she loves her students, loves to be very busy, believes she is a good teacher, loves learning new things, and loves the community in which she teaches and getting to know the families, as well as making lifelong connections with some students. "It is SO AMAZING when students who have graduated come back to say hello and tell me how they are doing," she said. "It is so rewarding and I never understand when people say teaching is a thankless job. I feel rewarded and thanked every day." Veronica Leno Garcia Leno Garcia teaches Bilingual Kindergarten in English and Spanish at Cambridge Elementary and has taught for 13 years, including two years in Pittsburg Unified and 11 years at Cambridge Elementary, where she has also taught Transitional Kindergarten (TK). "Each day, I am grateful that I am teaching and inspiring the youngest learners," said Leno Garcia, who immigrated to California from Mexico as a child and was herself an English learner. "I love teaching two languages and seeing students believe in their capabilities as bilinguals." In addition, she collaborates with colleagues to better serve students as the Kindergarten grade level representative has served as a mentor to student teachers from Cal State East Bay and St. Mary's College for four years, is an MDUSD Residency Program Mentor to support new District teachers, and serves on the School Site Council. She believes teaching is one of the most noble and caring professions in the world. "Each day, one has the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of children, parents, staff, and community," she said, adding that she nourishes, supports and helps students grow academically, emotionally and socially. She also strives to build partnerships with parents and enjoys meeting with other staff members to discuss curriculum and teaching strategies. "I like that teaching offers the opportunity to be creative," she said. "I am constantly thinking, researching, and creating new materials/activities on digital platforms such as Canva to better help students learn and share with colleagues. In all, I believe teachers are an important component of creating a strong community, and I like being part of it." Katherine Gates Gates teaches 6th grade Core (Language Arts and World History/Ancient Civilization) and Mindfulness and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and has taught for 23 years, starting as a student teacher in the Orinda district and at Cambridge Elementary, then as a credentialed teacher in Oakland before teaching at Pine Hollow MS in MDUSD, then at Pleasant Hill MS for the past 13 years. "What I like best about the teaching profession is the opportunities I get to truly connect with the students," she said. "It's an honor to have the chance to be a trustworthy person who allows them to feel seen and heard, and to create an environment where they feel safe and free to be themselves. It is especially rewarding when I can do this for those students who aren't provided with this elsewhere and may be most at-risk." Theresa Gutierrez Gutierrez is a 2nd grade Dual Language Spanish teacher at Meadow Homes Elementary and has taught for 19 years, starting as a student teacher at Cambridge and Meadow Homes elementary schools, before she was hired as a 3rd grade bilingual teacher at Meadow Homes, where she has taught 3rd grade for 15 years and 2nd grade for four years. "I have taught in all models of bilingual education in the district: 90/10 bilingual, dual immersion, primary language literacy, and 50/50 dual language," she said. "I have been in self-contained classrooms (teaching in English and Spanish), been the English partner, and been the Spanish partner." She has been a National Board Certified Teacher in English as a New Language since 2013, an adjunct assistant professor at St. Mary's College of California's School of Education teaching about English Language Learners and Bilingual Education since 2023, and has served on several committees throughout her career including School Site Council, Instructional Leadership Team, Professional Learning Communities, PTA, optional committees on-campus, Sunshine Committee, program development committees, National Board Certification support groups, and the Kalmanovitz Alumni Board at Saint Mary's College. She also mentors student teachers from St. Mary's College. "Two of my former student teachers are current teachers at Meadow Homes," she said. "I love that I can continue to mentor them as we go through our professional careers and grow as educators together." She enjoys both the consistency and the changes involved in education, including consistent standards and projects, as well as changing teaching strategies. "I am always learning new ways to help my students access the content," she said. "I enjoy creating lessons and finding creative ways to present the information to my students." Ernesto "Ernie" Minglana Minglana teaches 8th grade English and 6th-8th grade Leadership at Sequoia MS and has 18 years of teaching experience. "My grandmother, Jann Jansen-James, is a Professor Emeritus of Diablo Valley College who taught English for over 30 years, and she inspired me to become an English teacher myself," he said. "I earned my Associate of Arts Degree at DVC, earned my Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies at Cal State East Bay, and I have been teaching English and Leadership for Mt. Diablo Unified School District since 2008." As a teacher, he knows how important an educator's role is in helping students feel a sense of joy and fulfillment in learning. "I like this feature about the teaching profession best because it warms my heart observing the smiles on students' faces when they realize the progress they've made in reaching their goals and achieving their potential," he said. District News MDUSD honors School Social Work Specialists during National School Social Work Week The theme for this year’s School Social Work Week from March 2-8 is "Unite to Ignite; Celebrating our Impact."  School Social Workers are a hard-working and humble group of professionals. They spend much of their work time advocating for others and connecting students to the resources and supports they need.  School Social Workers do not work for praise, they do their work with excellence because they value the students, families, schools, and communities that they serve. Please see the flyer that highlights some of the student engagement activities at Wellness Sites in the district. Thank you to MDUSD Social Work Specialists Chris Carlay, Vanessa Castillo, Deonne Curtis-Wesley, Jamie Jackson, Emilio Perdomo, Merritt Rollins, Shawna Puma, Charisse Segee, and Dr. Karla-Monique Veal.    Cafecito Con Las Consejeras (Coffee with the Counselors) event is Saturday, March 8th at MDHS MDUSD's next " Cafecito Con Las Consejeras " (Coffee with the Counselors): A Chat with Latina Counselors, will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 8 in the Mt. Diablo HS Library at 2450 Grant St. in Concord. Topics will include: Social/Emotional wellness and mental health, positive coping skills, and helpful resources. RSVP here . For more information, contact Ms. Angela Ordaz at ordaz@mdusd.org or (925) 682-8000 x85671, Ms. Marcie Torres at torresmm@mdusd.org or (925) 682-8000 x6418, Ms. Yaretzie Amaya at amayay@mdusd.org or (925) 682-4030 x3414,  or Ms. Leidi Arias at ariasl@mdusd.org or (925) 682-4030 x3406.  Hablamos Español.  No school Monday, March 10 for Teacher In-Service Day There will be no classes in MDUSD TK-12 schools on Monday, March 10 due to a Teacher In-Service Day.   Staff members will be participating in Professional Development at various school sites. District offices will be open. Classes will resume on Tuesday, March 11th.  MDUSD/Concord Gun Safety Event on Tuesday March 11 at Concord High School MDUSD/Concord families and caregivers are invited to a Campus and Gun Safety event from 7-8:30 p.m. March 11 at Concord HS, 4200 Concord Blvd. in Concord. The event will include a panel discussion with opening remarks from Concord Vice Mayor Laura Nakamura, and panelists Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, Concord HS Principal Julene MacKinnon, Mt. Diablo HS Principal Dr. Markell McCain, Concord HS Social Work Specialist Dr. Karla Monique Veal, and Concord Police Lt. Renee Williams. Additional details are in the flyers.  Board Briefs: Board meets Wednesday to recognize 2025-26 Teachers of the Year and finalists The MDUSD Board will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 12 in the District Office Boardroom to recognize the 2025-26 MDUSD Teachers of the Year, finalists and nominees; and approve changes to some Board Policies and Regulations, among other items. The agenda is here . Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark's Weekly Organizational Update to the Board, which includes detailed District operations reports from Department leaders, is here . An archive of past reports is here . MDUSD Negotiations Updates The District and MDEA held a bargaining session on Thursday, March 6. A negotiation update will be posted  here .  MDUSD and CSEA have reached a  Tentative Agreement . MDUSD and Teamsters have reached a Tentative Agreement. The MDUSD Board approved the MDUSD and Mt. Diablo School Psychologists Association (MDSPA)  Sunshine Proposals  for the 2025-28 successor contract at the Feb. 26 Board meeting. More information is on the MDUSD “Human Resources / Labor Relations” web page . MDUSD Superintendent addresses The Impact of Immigration Policy on Schools in webinar Last month, MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark joined Glendale Unified Superintendent Dr. Darneika Watson and Santa Monica-Malibu Unified Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton for a discussion about the impact of immigration policy on schools in an Education Leader webinar hosted by the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators ( CAAASA ), an organization that he is currently leading as Board President. In the webinar, he pointed to the District's Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) as a guiding document, along with district policies, regulations and protocols. AAPAC District Wide Community Town Hall: "Where do we go from here?" on Thursday, March 13 Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark will host a District Wide Town Hall at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 13th to discuss the impact of recent executive orders on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. The event aims to engage families and community members in navigating these changes while maintaining a commitment to equitable outcomes for all students. This important event welcomes all students, families, community members, and staff. Join us at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 13 in the District Office Boardroom at 1936 Carlotta Drive in Concord. For more information, contact Dr. Lamont Francies at francies@mdusd.org.  MDUSD Area Band and Orchestra Concerts, as well as choir concerts, continue later this month Later this month, MDUSD's Area Orchestra and Band Festivals for school feeder areas will continue with: The College Park Area Band concert from 7-8 p.m. Monday, March 17 at College Park HS, and  The College Park Area Orchestra concert from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 19 at College Park HS The District's annual Elementary Honor and Middle School Choir Concert will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 24 at Concord HS. Area concerts will also take place that week at Ygnacio Valley and Northgate high schools. Check out the School Social Media Highlights below to see photos from this week's concerts! MDUSD student support services featured in Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative news MDUSD is pleased to be featured in recent news and video highlights by the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) featuring our Counseling and Therapeutic Services and staff training, including some funded through CYBHI.  The news article and videos quote Wendi Aghily, Chief of Pupil Services and Special Education; Jessica Pozos, Assistant Director of Mental Health Programs; as well as other MDUSD staff members and students. Growing Healthy Kids leadership transition effective March 14 The Growing Healthy Kids organization, which provides school garden programs at several MDUSD campuses, has announced that it will be undergoing a leadership transition effective March 14, since Executive Director Laney Cline King will be moving on to other endeavors. The Growing Healthy Kids Board has named founder and Board President Tamara Heifer as Interim Executive Director until the organization gets more permanent leadership in place.  Supporting our Immigrant Families: Resource of the Week Leadership Development Series for Latina and immigrant women starts this month The Todos Santos Tenants’ Union and East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy invite Latina and immigrant women to a Leadership Development Series to become community champions of change. The series includes workshops on housing and labor rights, as well as discussions about mental health. The goal is to grow your personal community power. The series takes place 3/22, 3/28, 3/29, 4/5, 4/29, 4/26 and 5/3. Participants receive a $700 stipend for completing all 7 sessions, which will be in English and Spanish. Application deadline is March 14. Information is at: 925-812-3675. Student News Y gnacio Valley HS Robotics Team unveils new robot, Leviathon, for upcoming competitions Ygnacio Valley HS Project 212 Robotics Club Team members gather around their new robot, Leviathon, with teacher advisor Joseph Alvarico and mentors. In what has become a much-anticipated annual tradition, the Ygnacio Valley HS Project 212 Robotics Team  unveiled its 2025 robot, named Leviathon, during a presentation on Wednesday night that included a detailed description of how the team created the robot, as well as a  video explaining what it must do to compete in the FIRST robotics competitions. The robot must pick up plastic cylinders that represent coral and place them precisely on another object, as well as pick up balls that represent algae and deliver those to another location.  Student presenters with leadership roles on the team included: seniors Justine Latorre, Mankirat Kaur, Lequi Li, Angelina Monroy, Briana Garcia and Jonathan Perez Baltazar; juniors Gabrielle Love, Danayara Espana, Raymundo Martinez and Natalie Wong; sophomores Jovani Hernandez, Althea Vivar and Brianna Marie Woods; and freshmen Rhyle Garcia, Landon Love, Luis Zamudio, Joseph Huerta and Yanina Castellon. This distribution of responsibilities allows seasoned team members to mentor younger team members, creating a pipeline of talent to sustain the team as seniors graduate and new freshmen join the team each year.  The team will participate in the Sacramento Regional Competition March 14-17 at Pleasant Grove HS in Elk Grove, followed by the Contra Costa Regional Competition March 27-30 at Pittsburg HS in Pittsburg. You can follow their progress on Facebook and Instagram . A video produced last year about the evolution of the team is  here . Mt. Diablo and Ygnacio Valley HS students advocate for after-school programs at State Capitol About 12 Mt. Diablo HS Social Justice and CARES after school program students from MDHS and two from Ygnacio Valley HS took a  trip to the state capitol to meet with legislators and two got offered internships with Assemblymember Ávila Farías!  They went to ask for funding "to help fund our critical after school programs," said MDHS teacher Laura Valdez, who accompanied the students along with CARES program staff. "Students had small meetings with staff and legislators where they shared their personal experiences and also advocated for the needs of their community members...The kids were so impressive." Foothill MS students win 8A East Bay Middle School League Basketball Tournament Foothill Middle School is pleased to share that its 8th grade basketball team won the 8A East Bay Middle School League Basketball Tournament, besting Orinda MS, Albany MS, and finally, Joaquin Moraga MS in the Championship.  The team, organized through the Walnut Creek Recreation Department, was coached by Jared Cox and After School Program Director Scott McCamish.  All-tournament team players from Foothill were Rajon Lewis, Duke Fleming, and tournament MVP Lukas Ivankovich. Go, Griffins! School News Mt. Diablo HS celebrates its new field turf and track Continuing our commitment of investing in our students and community, MDUSD is pleased to announce the completion of renovations to the surfaces at the Mt. Diablo High School Stadium, which school and District officials celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on Friday afternoon.  The newly completed upgrades include new surfacing on both the multi-purpose synthetic turf field and synthetic track areas. It was constructed with the specialized general contractor the KYA Group, who worked with Melanie Koslow, MDUSD Executive Director Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities, to oversee the project turnkey design and construction.  MDUSD conducted extensive research to identify a system that meets or exceeds the previous standards for synthetic turf. The Pivot synthetic turf field is the first fully recyclable, PFAS chemical-free and infill free installation in the Bay Area, with turf designed to perform as close to natural grass as possible With the addition of this state-of-the art surface, MDUSD has ensured that Mt. Diablo HS students and community members will have the most durable, safe, high performing surface for years to come. MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark said the track and field will serve student athletes, as well as P.E. students. After the ribbon-cutting, Koslow said Northgate HS is next in line in the District for field improvements, in the summer of 2026. Both College Park and Ygnacio Valley high schools received new fields a year ago. And although the Concord HS field was completed in 2017-18, it is still in good condition and will not need to be replaced for three or four years, she said. Adding to the festivities, MDHS teachers ran around the track  to test it out. Go, Red Devils! Ygnacio Valley HS Unified Sports team participates in Bay Area tournament Ygnacio Valley HS Unified Sports team members participate in Bay Area Unified Sports tournament at the Field House (above and below). Ygnacio Valley HS special education teacher Kelly Perkins is pleased to share the photos above from a special tournament that was put on for Bay Area Unified Sports teams. YVHS had the opportunity to play at ultimate Field house with teams from Pittsburg, Heritage, Freedom, Antioch, Liberty, Acalanes and Deer Valley high schools.  "Our team even scored 40 points in our last game," Perkins said. "A wonderful event for all who participated." Highlands Elementary Happenings A lot has been happening at Highlands Elementary, says Principal Kelly De Torres. "We were thrilled to have a cultural assembly featuring Lion Dance ME (above left), a renowned lion dance troupe from San Francisco’s Chinatown," she said. "It was an engaging performance that took place on Feb. 24. It brought joy, energy, and excitement to our students while showcasing the rich heritage of the traditional Chinese lion dance."  Then on Feb. 27, students participated in the all-school Science Fair. "Led by our incredible science assistant, Jessica Langevin, it was a huge success," De Torres said. "Students showcased their creativity and curiosity through a wide range of impressive projects, engaging families and sparking excitement for science. It was a fantastic celebration of learning, innovation, and discovery!" Finally, on March 3, the school's One School, One Book kickoff was a sweet success, De Torres said. "Every student and staff member received their own copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory  to keep, thanks to our amazing PTA," she said. "To add to the excitement, a golden ticket was hidden inside one book per classroom—lucky finders were rewarded with a chocolate bar! Organized by Student Council and teacher Laura Torrez, this school-wide reading adventure is bringing us together through the love of literacy. When we finish the book, we’ll celebrate with an all-school party—we can’t wait!" Prospect HS students enjoy attendance raffles, "credit crusher" awards, and a trades fair Students at Prospect HS have also been enjoying a variety of fun and educational activities, said Principal Melissa Brennan. These include students participating in weekly attendance raffles (above left), as well as those who were recognized during the Term 5 awards assembly for “Crushing” their credits (above center). "These students achieved the full 15 credits in a term, earning an academic achievement award, some candy, and a can of Orange Crush as a fun tribute to their hard work," Brennan said. "The awards ceremony is a community event that students always look forward to."   In addition, students recently took part in a “Trades Fair” organized by MDUSD, where they explored hands-on learning opportunities and connected with professionals in various skilled trades, she added.   Adult Education Parent Education and Family Literacy Programs present Family Reading Event This year's Family Reading Event at Loma Vista Adult Center, presented by Mt. Diablo Adult Education Parent Education and Family Literacy Programs, was a wonderful celebration of National Read Across America Day, said Interim Parent Education Coordinator Katie Bramwell. "Families gathered to enjoy a variety of engaging activities, with children receiving free books and participating in crafts and games inspired by beloved children's books," she said. "The event featured storytime sessions every 30 minutes, ensuring that every child had the chance to enjoy a new tale. It was a festive and educational day that encouraged a love for reading while fostering family bonding. Parents and children alike appreciated the interactive activities that brought stories to life and highlighted the importance of literacy in a fun, inclusive environment." More information about MDUSD Adult Education Parent Education programs is here . School Social Media Highlights Meadow Homes, Shore Acres & Monte Gardens elementary schools, Concord Area Band Concert  MDUSD elementary students have been building community in a variety of ways. Recent social media highlights include: Read Across America Day at Meadow Homes Elementary featuring guest readers, students from Concord and Bay Point schools participating in the Concord Area Band Concert , Shore Acres Elementary musicians performing in their first Band Concert at Concord HS, and Monte Gardens Elementary students  learning about race and racism from counselors Pedro Arroyo, Michelle Sepe and Annie Hagglund.  Middle School Honor Band/Orchestra, Mt. Diablo HS, Olympic HS and Ygnacio Valley HS MDUSD middle and high school students have also been enjoying spending time with classmates. Recent social media highlights include: Middle School musicians participating in their Honor Band and Orchestra concert, Mt. Diablo HS seniors attending the DVC Preview Day sponsored by the DVC Kickstart program, Olympic HS Living Earth and Zoology students visiting the CA Academy of Sciences, and the Ygnacio Valley HS flag squad participating in the "Future Wolves night! Important Dates March 8:  Cafecito Con Las Consejeras (Coffee with the Counselors)  event at 10 a.m. at Mt. Diablo HS (See District news above)  March 10: Schools closed for  All Teacher In-Service Day ; District Offices open March 11: MDUSD Concord Campus and Gun Safety Panel at 6 p.m. at Concord HS (See District news above) March 12: District Governing Board  meeting at 6 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom March 13: African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) Town Hall at 6 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom at 1936 Carlotta Drive in Concord. (See District News above)  March 18: Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC)  meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom: Autism Panel The Friday Letter is written and compiled by Theresa Harrington Brandt, Public Information and Community Relations Officer. Reach her at brandtt@mdusd.org for Friday Letter submissions.

Saturday, Mar 08 2025

Friday Letter - February 28, 2025

FEBRUARY 28, 2025 FRIDAY LETTER VOLUME 7 NO. 26 Dear MDUSD Community, This week, we have so much to celebrate across our District, from the incredible achievements of our students to the dedication and leadership of our staff. It is always inspiring to see the passion and hard work that fuel success in our schools, and this week is no exception. We are thrilled to recognize our  District Teachers of the Year, Dr. David Pintado from Mt. Diablo High School and Elizabeth Swanson from Silverwood Elementary. Their unwavering commitment to students, innovative teaching, and leadership make them true role models.  We also want to celebrate four of our  Latina Counselors, who recently presented at the National School Counseling Leadership Conference about their incredible "Cafecito con las Consejeras" (Coffee with the Counselors) events . These gatherings have become a model for parent engagement, inspiring other Districts to follow their lead.  In the career and technical education world, a team from  Mt. Diablo High School's CTE Technology Pathway made a strong showing at the "Hack the Planet" Hackathon, hosted by our own County Office of Education. Our students secured first and third place in the team competition, as well as first place in the single-entry photo contest. Their problem-solving skills and creativity were on full display, and we could not be more proud. Creativity was also in the spotlight for students from  Hidden Valley Elementary, who recently participated in the Odyssey of the Mind competition , representing MDUSD with innovation and teamwork. Their enthusiasm for problem-solving and creative thinking is a testament to the outstanding learning experiences happening in our schools. Finally, we want to recognize  Ygnacio Valley HS teacher Kelly Perkins, who was recently featured in a KTVU interview sharing her powerful story about the tragic loss of her son to fentanyl. Her advocacy for student and parent education on the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of naloxone distribution is saving lives.  Thank you to our students, families and staff, for all you do to make MDUSD a place of excellence and care. Have a fantastic weekend. Adam Clark, Superintendent Spotlights Classroom closeups with MDUSD's 2025-26 Teachers of the Year The Mt. Diablo Unified School District is pleased to shine a light on our two 2025-26 District Teachers of the Year:  Mt. Diablo HS teacher Dr. David Pintado and Silverwood Elementary teacher Elizabeth Swanson! The two were selected from more than 200 outstanding educators from TK through grade 12 and adult education who were nominated and offered the opportunity to submit a brief questionnaire. The questionnaires were scored by members of the MDUSD Teacher of the Year Selection Committee and the top-scoring individuals were interviewed. The MDUSD School Board plans to recognize the District Teachers of the Year, along with nominees and finalists, at its Wednesday, March 12th meeting. Pintado and Swanson will now advance to the  Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year competition, which will name four finalists in the spring and two County Teachers of the Year in September. Both Pintado and Swanson said they were pleased to be able to bring more attention to their programs as a result of this honor. They are both passionate educators who build strong relationships with their students and who enjoy working collaboratively with other staff members at their schools to meet students' needs, as well as with teacher leaders regionally and throughout the state to share teaching strategies and best practices.  They represent the spectrum of learning in MDUSD, from the littlest learners in TK to high school students ready to graduate and move onto college and careers. Pintado teaches the Career Technical Education (CTE) Patient Care Pathway courses at Mt. Diablo HS, where he enjoys introducing students to healthcare careers in classes where they can earn college credit and valuable skills including CPR and Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) through partnerships with Diablo Valley College (DVC) and the city of Concord.  Swanson teaches Transitional Kindergarten (TK) at Silverwood, where she stresses the importance of joyful learning through play, working closely with her instructional assistant to build students' literacy, math and social and emotional skills with playful activities and interactions both in the classroom and on the playground.    David Pintado Mt. Diablo HS students Sofia Carrera and Belen Lopez speak to the School Board regarding Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training alongside Dr. Pintado (above left). Dr. Pintado and students in the HOSA Future Health Professionals organization participate in a Sequoia MS Career Fair (above right).   Pintado, 60, is a family practice medical doctor licensed in Mexico, who practiced medicine for 28 years and also taught nursing and public health in universities in Mexico for 20 years. He then relocated to the U.S. and became a Career Technical Education (CTE) health career teacher based on his extensive experience, as well as his Master's and PhD degrees. He began teaching medical assisting to adults at Heald College, then was hired as a health sciences teacher in West Contra Costa Unified, where he worked for one year before coming to Mt. Diablo HS in 2016 and teaching courses in the Medical and Biotechnology Academy, which have now transitioned to the Patient Care pathway. In addition, he is a health sciences adjunct professor at Diablo Valley College (DVC), coaches tennis at MDHS, teaches sports medicine and advises the sports medicine club that helps athletes at games, and mentors students in the HOSA Future Health Professionals organization. He also operates an East Bay CPR first aid training center business, where he employs MDHS students as interns. "This is my second home," Pintado said, during a break in his classroom, which includes a separate training center for CPR, first aid and basic life support authorized by the American Heart Association and the Health Safety Institute for emergency response certification. "I have created opportunities for students. I like to teach because we can create change in the youth and change in how we approach conflicts and health and safety hazards. We can change the way we do things. That's what motivates me to keep doing this, because I see the results. I like to teach health because I want to teach the future generations to take care of our health. When I'm in my 70s and 80s, they are going to be the nurses and the doctors, and I want to be sure they are taught properly." His two-year Patient Care pathway includes an introductory medical science and terminology course, for which students with a B or higher earn 3 college credits, and an Emergency Medical Response class, for which students with a B or higher earn 4 college credits. He also teaches dual enrollment college level courses in public health and introduction to healthcare careers, in which students earn 3 college credits for each course.  After taking a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training course in Concord, which teaches volunteers to assist in medical rescue operations, including light search and rescue for victims in collapsed buildings and using a fire extinguisher in an emergency, he decided he wanted to bring this valuable training to his students. "They were doing a lot of very cool things," he said. "After you finish 25 hours in a classroom course, you spend a full day in an emergency response drill. I said, 'This should be taught in schools.'" He worked with the city of Concord to embed the training in his Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) class in 2020 and it later expanded to Ygnacio Valley HS. Now, he and his students are advocating to bring it to all MDUSD high schools to train staff as well as students in emergency response using an Incident Command structure. At the  Feb. 12 Board meeting , he and students Sofia Carerra and Belen Lopez, wearing their CERT vests, talked about the benefits of the training to help District schools be better prepared for emergencies.   Sofia, who is an intern in Pintado's company and enrolled in his career pathway, said she is grateful for Pintado's mentorship. "He is a really great teacher," she said. "He's really passionate about what he does and he really cares about students. He finds us internships and volunteer opportunities to help us get experience. There are so many different careers in the medical pathway. He gives you these options. He opens the door. I don't know what my future would look like if I hadn't met him. I've grown to love the medical field and now I for sure know that I want to go into the medical field because of the great experiences I've had in his classes and interning for his company. I think it's great that he's giving his students these opportunities to succeed."   Heather Fontanilla, MDUSD's Director of College and Career Readiness, said the District  is lucky to have Pintado as a Career Technical Education teacher. "He is passionate about preparing students for college and career," he said. "He makes his classes come alive by connecting his curriculum to skills that are used in the workplace. This is reinforced through the many meaningful work based learning experiences he supports in his classes, such as a field trip to Stanford Medical School or a field trip to John Muir Hospital." And as medical doctor and local business owner, she said Pintado also serves on District CTE advisory committees. "He truly works to ensure all students graduate college and career ready!" Elizabeth Swanson Silverwood Elementary Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teacher Elizabeth Swanson compliments her students, saying "Three red shirts for 3 girls!" (above left). Swanson encourages a student as he writes and illustrates (above right).   Swanson, 55, has taught for 35 years, starting at Rio Vista Elementary in Bay Point, then moving to Silverwood Elementary in Concord, where she has taught Kindergarten, and for the past 11 years, Transitional Kindergarten. "I adore it," she said Monday, as she guided children in play-based learning. "I like being able to be child-centered—focused on them and seeing what they need and making lessons that meet their needs."  Swanson's Instructional Assistant Nancy Espino, whose daughter had Swanson as her TK teacher several years ago, nominated her for Teacher of the Year. “I learned so much from the way she taught,” Espino said, adding that her 4-year-old daughter began learning to read and learning strategies that would help her succeed in kindergarten. "She is the most patient teacher I have ever seen with little children. She's a wonderful teacher that you can trust and she looks out for all kids. She's someone you definitely want your children to start with."  Swanson is keenly aware that she is setting the stage for each child's educational journey, so she works to ensure her students find joy in coming to school, are willing to take risks, and are building both academic and social and emotional skills in her classroom. She speaks slowly, emphasizing academic words in her conversations with students. As they learned to add, she asked them to write  equations,  praising them often. Instead of telling them what to do, she encourages them with questions, such as, "Can I suggest something to you?" She collaborates with Espino so that she can work individually or in small groups with some children. She incorporates music, meditation and "cool down time" in her classroom, with a special quiet space where students who become upset or overwhelmed can learn to self-regulate and self-soothe. She encourages students to "take a breath" to feel better and sits with them in a circle on a colorful carpet, where they say: "I'm strong. I can do hard things. I'm powerful."  To ensure that her students are able to move around and socialize with each other, she gives them plenty of time on the playground and in the classroom's different play areas. "Children need to get out of their chairs," she said, adding that she incorporates three kinds of play into their day: teacher-facilitated, child-centered, and collaborative. She leads teacher facilitated activities, such as identifying letters and matching them to sounds. And she collaborates with students when they work at tables on math, writing and drawing skills. But she said her favorite time of the day is the child-centered play, where students choose between a variety of fun activities, learning as they play and interact with each other. "It's essential," she said, adding that they are learning how to solve problems and use social language.  She also shares her knowledge with parents through events such as a literacy night she hosted on Wednesday. "Family connection is very important to me," she said. Holly Scudero, whose 7th grade son started school in Swanson's TK class, said her teaching was transformative. "Almost immediately after starting TK he was able to communicate his needs better, share his feelings in a calm way, and ‘slide off’ any bad feelings he was having," Scudero said. "Not only has he taken these skills with him as he has grown, but we learned along with him better ways to communicate as parents. Our family still uses her phrase ‘small potatoes’ to describe a small problem that we can solve right away. Her passion for quality early childhood education and learning through play is seamlessly woven throughout the day and my son was excited to go to school everyday. We were honored to be a part of her magical TK experience and are thrilled that she is being recognized for the hard work and dedication she has brought to her field." Swanson is highly regarded as a leader, mentor and TK expert in the district and county. "Her love for teaching shines through in her classroom, where she creates a warm, engaging, and inspiring learning environment," said Kimberly Anderson, who brings new teachers to Swanson's classroom twice a year to observe as part of the District's Teacher Induction and Support Program. "She is creative, kind, and passionate, making a lasting impact on both her students and colleagues...Our program has identified her as a 'Spotlight Teacher' because of her exemplary practices, high engagement and learning, with a focus on equity. These teachers leave feeling inspired and eager to implement her effective strategies." Silverwood Principal Bruce Burns said Swanson is the kind of educator who not only cultivates a love of learning for her students, but also elevates the entire teaching community. "Her dedication to early childhood education, deep expertise in Transitional Kindergarten, and commitment to student success make her an inspiration to all who have learned from her—whether they are young children in her classroom, fellow educators, or parents seeking to improve how to connect, support, and educate students," he said. "She doesn’t just teach; she nurtures, innovates, and leads, ensuring that every child and every teacher she works with is set up for success." District News 3rd annual Miles Hall Youth Summit focuses on "Breaking Barriers: Building Black Brotherhood" Participants in the 3rd Annual Miles Hall Youth Summit (above and below right). Mt. Diablo HS Principal Dr. Markell McCain speaks at the summit (below left). On Thursday, February 28, the Miles Hall Foundation & Kaiser Permanente, in partnership with the MDUSD Student Services Department, presented the 3rd annual Miles Hall Youth Summit. This year's theme was, "Breaking Barriers: Building Black Brotherhood."  Speakers included Mt. Diablo HS Principal Dr. Markell McCain, who told his own inspiring story about overcoming challenges with the support of community, said MDUSD Program Specialist Rosie Reid  Other speakers included Dr. James Noel, Dean of English and Equity Pedagogy at Diablo Valley College, and Adante Pointer, Esq., a lawyer who gave practical "Know Your Rights" tips.  The event was attended by 70 African American high school students and 15 staff members from MDUSD and Las Lomas High School. Students were eligible to write a short essay at the end of the event about what Black Brotherhood meant to them for the opportunity to win a $500 scholarship.   MS Honor Band and Orchestra concert is Saturday, Area Concerts begin next week The MDUSD 2025 Middle School Honor Band and Orchestra will be performing at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 1 in the Concord HS Gym at 4200 Concord Blvd. in Concord. Next week, MDUSD's Area Orchestra and Band Festivals for each feeder area will begin with: The Concord/Mt. Diablo HS Area Band concert from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 5 and  The Concord/Mt. Diablo HS Area Orchestra concert from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at Concord HS March recognitions The MDUSD Board has adopted resolutions recognizing March as Women's History Month and Prescription Drug Awareness Month . In addition, the Board adopted resolutions recognizing March 2-8 as National School Social Work Week and March 3-7 as National School Breakfast Week . Board Briefs: Board met Wednesday to appoint administrator, receive report, MDSPA proposal At its Feb. 26 meeting, the MDUSD Board appointed Lucia Antonio as a Special Education Program Specialist, received a Mid-Year Report on the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), approved the MDUSD and Mt. Diablo School Psychologists Association (MDSPA) Sunshine Proposals for the 2025-28 successor contract, and approved March recognition resolutions (see above), among other items. The agenda is here . Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark's Weekly Organizational Update to the Board, which includes detailed District operations reports from Department leaders, is here . An archive of past reports is here . Superintendent Message: MDUSD and MDEA continue to exchange new contract proposals MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark sent a message to the District community on Feb. 24 regarding the ongoing exchange of contract proposals between MDUSD and the Mt. Diablo Education Association (MDEA) teachers' union. You can read the message here . MDUSD Negotiations Updates The District and MDEA held a bargaining session on Friday, Feb. 21. Dr. Clark sent out a negotiation update  on Feb. 24 (see above). The next negotiation session is Thursday, March 6. Dr. Clark also referenced negotiations and budget impacts during his  Superintendent's Report to the Board on Feb. 26.  MDUSD and CSEA have reached a Tentative Agreement. MDUSD and Teamsters have reached a  Tentative Agreement . The MDUSD Board approved the MDUSD and Mt. Diablo School Psychologists Association (MDSPA)  Sunshine Proposals for the 2025-28 successor contract at the Feb. 26 Board meeting. More information is on the MDUSD “ Human Resources / Labor Relations” web page . MDUSD's Adult Education Lifelong Learning program offers new classes in March MDUSD's Adult Lifelong Education program has plenty to offer in March, including cooking (such as Vegan Lumpiang Shangai, left), crafts, finance, home improvement, personal enrichment, woodturning and woodworking! Details are in the program's March newsletter  here .  More information about Mt. Diablo Adult Education is on the MDAE website here and the Winter catalog here .  Registration for Spring Classes begins March 12, when the new Spring class catalogue and classes will be posted online. Latina counselors present Cafecito Con Las Consejeras (Coffee with the Counselors) at National School Counseling Leadership Conference. Next Cafecito is Saturday, March 8th at MDHS Cafecito Las Consejeras Collective counselors (l-r) Angela Ordaz, Marcie Torres, Leidi Arias and Yaretzie Amaya presented their parent engagement outreach model on Feb. 25 at the National School Counseling Leadership Conference in San Diego (above left). MDUSD staff including (l-r) MDHS College & Career Advisor Erika Ramos, Student Services Director Felicia Stuckey-Smith; Counselors Leidi Arias, Angela Ordaz, Mala Datta and Yaretzie Amaya; Director of Strategic Supports & Interventions Linda Pete, Counselor Marcie Torres, Assistant Director of Partnerships and MTSS Celeste Kitts, MDHS VP Josie Kirkland, and Counselor Michelle Sepe attended the conference (above right). This week, four of our Latina counselors who have spearheaded innovative outreach targeted toward Spanish-speaking families in our District were honored to present their " Cafecito Con Las Consejeras " (Coffee with the Counselors) model at the National School Counseling Leadership Conference in San Diego on Feb. 25. Angela Ordaz, Marcie Torres, Leidi Arias and Yaretzie Amaya - who are all bilingual in English and Spanish - are excited to share some of their reflections on the experience below, along with support from colleagues who also attended. Ordaz said the group was incredibly humbled and extremely grateful to be  invited to present at the conference by Hatching Results - a consulting company that works with MDUSD and other districts to create data-driven school counseling programs that equitably address the diverse needs of each student and eliminate gaps. The counselors call their outreach "collective heart work," because they are sharing their own cultural heritage from Mexico with MDUSD families, with lived experiences that mirror experiences of our families. "We know our Latino/a communities have big hopes and dreams for their children's journey in our educational systems," Ordaz said. "Our workshop shared our mission to ensure Latino/a families know we are their dream partners and system disruptors." The group explained how they created, grew and sustained their cafecito events. "Our districtwide parent engagement program recognizes the greatness, strengths, and gifts that Latino/a families and students possess," Ordaz said. "We loudly and proudly welcome familias as vital partners in their children's educational journey." Program participants at the conference were energized to advocate for educational systemic change in their districts, integrate best practices for district wide parent engagement that affirms, centers and supports Latino/a students and familias, Ordaz said. "It brings us so much joy to know that after our presentation other school counselor leaders will carry on with pieces of our blueprint and create their own culturally centered parent engagement models," she said, adding that three counselors expressed interest in doing so. Torres said the group reflected on the growth and evolution of Cafecito over the past three years, and it was exciting and heartwarming to start their journey bringing a culturally sustaining parent engagement program to MDUSD, and now to present this heart work at a national conference so that it could potentially benefit students across the nation. "We are very grateful for MDUSD championing and supporting this work," she said. "Special Gracias to the familias who have been a part of this journey with us. Without them, there is no Cafecito con las Consejeras." Amaya said she appreciated having an MDUSD team in the audience, but was also happy to have very engaging counselors and leaders from other districts in attendance, many of whom were Latino. "They understood our jokes and cultural references," she said. "It was also very beautiful that we got to share with the audience the testimonies from our awesome families that attend Cafecito Con Las Consejeras. Their voices were very heartwarming to hear. The audience got a glimpse of how special they are and were able to understand that simply building a connection with families goes a long way." Arias said presenting with her fellow Consejeras about their collective heartwork to a room of about 50 plus educators was a humbling and fulfilling experience. "Hopefully by sharing our collective heartwork, it will inspire other school counselors to develop their own unique parent engagement model that will help their district parents feel more connected to their schools," she said.  Mt. Diablo HS College and Career Advisor Erika Ramos, who attended the presentation, said it "ignited a fire to continue to do the work with our families and more as the College and Career Advisor. The model they built was no easy feat, but they do it with effort, grace and love." And MDHS Counselor Mala Datta said, "It was an absolutely uplifting and transformative experience to witness the workshop presented by the Consejeras. Not only did I learn more about their activism within the Latino community to bring advocacy and representation to our Latino families, but their work and dedication is a true labor of love. Their presentation is an excellent template that can be used to help uplift and support various organizations and communities, too. It was a privilege to attend and support such amazing work and advocacy."   MDUSD's next "Cafecito Con Las Consejeras" (Coffee with the Counselors): A Chat with Latina Counselors, will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 8 in the Mt. Diablo HS Library at 2450 Grant St. in Concord. Topics will include: Social/Emotional wellness and mental health, positive coping skills, and helpful resources. RSVP here . For more information, contact Ms. Angela Ordaz at ordaz@mdusd.org or (925) 682-8000 x85671, Ms. Marcie Torres at torresmm@mdusd.org or (925) 682-8000 x6418, Ms. Yaretzie Amaya at amayay@mdusd.org or (925) 682-4030 x3414,  or Ms. Leidi Arias at ariasl@mdusd.org or (925) 682-4030 x3406.  Hablamos Español.  Concord Gun Safety Event on March 11 at Concord High School MDUSD/Concord families and caregivers are invited to a Campus and Gun Safety event from 7-8:30 p.m. March 11 at Concord HS, 4200 Concord Blvd. in Concord. The event will include a panel discussion with opening remarks from Concord Vice Mayor Laura Nakamura, and panelists Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, Concord HS Principal Julene MacKinnon, Mt. Diablo HS Principal Dr. Markell McCain, Concord HS Social Work Specialist Dr. Karla Monique Veal, and Concord Police Lt. Renee Williams. Additional details are in the flyers. Supporting our Immigrant Families: Resource of the Week Charla Comunitaria on March 7 at Diablo Valley College United Latino Voices of Contra Costa County, and the Diablo Valley College Student Alliance, Puente and Dreamers are presenting Charla Comunitaria from 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 7 at Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road in Pleasant Hill in the CCC Building. The organizations want to learn about the community's needs and connect community members to resources in the ongoing response to changes in immigration in 2025.  More information is here . Student News Mt. Diablo High School Students Win 1st and 3rd place in “Hack the Planet" Hackathon MDHS students Kevin Keene (l-r) and Ishaq Shams stand with teacher Susan Verharen, student Victor Gonzalez, Work-Based Learning Coordinator Isaiah Harper, and students Kyra Cruz and Karla Andaya at the Hack the Planet Hackathon (above). Student Kevin Keene (below left) won 1st place in the single photo category. Students also competed in teams (below center and right).  On Saturday, February 22, students from Mt. Diablo High School's Career Technical Education (CTE) Technology Pathway showcased their talents at the "Hack the Planet" hackathon, said teacher Susan Verharen. The event, hosted by the College and Career Readiness Center at the Contra Costa County Office of Education, took place at Monte Vista High School in Danville. "Hack the Planet" is an annual event that brings together high school students to collaborate on solutions addressing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Participants engage in a full day of innovation, learning, and teamwork, culminating in presentations of their projects, Verharen said. Verharen’s students won first and third place in team competition and first place in the photo contest single entry competition. Congratulations to freshmen Kyra Cruz and Victor Gonzales, sophomore Kevin Keene, and freshman Karla Andaya! Isaiah Harper, one of the district's Work-Based Learning Coordinators overseeing the engineering and technology pathways, chaperoned the event along with Verharen, who teaches Computer Science and leads the CTE Information and Communication Technology (ICT) pathway, a program only offered at Mt. Diablo High School and Northgate High School in MDUSD. "Events like 'Hack the Planet' provide invaluable real-world experiences that prepare our students for future careers in technology and engineering," Harper said. Verharen added: "Super proud of these underclassmen! The hackathon was a great experience for my students to collaborate, apply AI and coding to a task, use rapid prototyping, and present to a panel - as these are the same skills my students practice in the CTE ICT pathway courses.”    Hidden Valley Elementary students participate in Odyssey of the Mind qualifying tournament This month, two teams from Hidden Valley Elementary School participated in the Odyssey of the Mind (OM) qualifying tournament on February 22 in Sacramento. Several other middle and elementary schools in the district also had OM teams competing this month.  For the HVES students, this was their first experience with Odyssey of the Mind, in which student-led teams, supported by parent coaches, attempt to address a challenge over the course of several months, said parent Coach Briana Loomis. "Students use creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork to independently achieve a rigorous set of problem requirements," she said. "The HVE vehicle team (above left) and mechanical animal team (above right) placed fourth and fifth, respectively, a tremendous success for their first time competing." The top three teams advance to the state championship. Claire Chen, a parent of one of the students on the vehicle team, said, “The working process as a team is way more precious than the result. Everyone has grown so much through every little tiny challenge.”  The HVES OM program looks forward to returning next season along with others across MDUSD! School Social Media Highlights Gregory Gardens Elementary, Holbrook Language Academy, Meadow Homes Elementary and Valle Verde Elementary MDUSD elementary schools have been providing a variety of fun and educational experiences for students and families. Recent social media highlights include: a Black History Month Celebration at Gregory Gardens Elementary, a Science Expo at Holbrook Language Academy , an African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) meeting at Meadow Homes Elementary , and two students acting as "principals of the month" at Valle Verde Elementary .  Pine Hollow MS, Sequoia MS, Valley View MS and Northgate HS MDUSD Middle and High Schools are also providing a variety of activities for students and families. Recent social media highlights include: Pine Hollow MS 6th-graders use ratios and proportions to enlarge an object of their choice, Sequoia MS Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) club students attend a conference at UC Berkeley, Valley View MS parents learn how to keep students safe on social media from the Contra Costa DA's office, and Northgate HS Choir students invite the community to their annual "Musical America" production, incorporating song lyrics into their message. Staff News Ygnacio Valley HS teacher Kelly Perkins discusses the dangers of fentanyl on KTVU Ygnacio Valley HS teacher Kelly Perkins discussed the dangers of fentanyl in a KTVU  interview on Feb, 26. Fentanyl tragically took the life of her son, Carson, in 2022. Perkins also speaks about this during MDUSD's Fentanyl Awareness Events, where free naloxone is distributed to District parents who register. It’s crucial for parents to talk to their kids about fentanyl, Perkins says. She has a nonprofit called, Carson's Wings of Hope, which has education and financial resources for young adults going through trauma of substance abuse and mental health concerns. Staff Social Media Highlights Human Resources and school and district administrators, Riverview MS and Pine Hollow MS MDUSD staff members have been busy this month. Recent social media highlights include: the Human Resources team and school administrators recruited new teachers at the recent certificated hiring fair at Pleasant Hill MS , Riverview MS Technology Integration Leader (TIL) Mary Acebu presented on AI and DonorsChoose, and Pine Hollow MS Principal Strawbridge got a haircut from his students Community News 2025 Transition Conference & Resource Fair for students and adults with disabilities The Contra Costa County and Alameda County Developmental Disabilities Councils will host the second annual East Bay Transition Conference & Resource Fair for students and adults with disabilities, their families, and circles of support to learn about transitioning to adult services, building independence, and choosing a path that is right for them. The event is from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at Diablo Valley College, 321 Golf Club Road in Pleasant Hill. All are welcome. Register  here .  This year, they are expanding their focus to a wider range of post-secondary resources. Important Dates March 8:  Cafecito Con Las Consejeras (Coffee with the Counselors) event at 10 a.m. at Mt. Diablo HS (See District news above)  March 10: Schools closed for All Teacher In-Service Day; District Offices open March 11: MDUSD Concord Campus and Gun Safety Panel at 6 p.m. at Concord HS (See District news above) March 12: District Governing Board  meeting at 6 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom March 13: African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC)  meeting at 6 p.m. at the Black Family Resource Center in Bay Point  March 18: Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC)  meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom: Autism Panel The Friday Letter is written and compiled by Theresa Harrington Brandt, Public Information and Community Relations Officer. Reach her at brandtt@mdusd.org for Friday Letter submissions.

Saturday, Mar 01 2025

Friday Letter - February 21, 2025

FEBRUARY 21, 2025 FRIDAY LETTER VOLUME 7 NO. 25 Dear MDUSD Community! This week, we’re celebrating  Olympic High School, which has been named a California Model Continuation High School —a well-deserved honor recognizing its commitment to student success!   We’re also thrilled to announce our  2025-26 MDUSD Teachers of the Year: Dr. David Pintado, who leads the CTE Patient Care Pathway at Mt. Diablo High School, and Elizabeth Swanson, a dedicated TK teacher at Silverwood Elementary . Both will advance to the county competition, and we look forward to spotlighting their outstanding work next week! In District news, we continue celebrating  Black History Month with a recap of recent school events, along with the release of our Winter CTE Newsletter in honor of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month . Our students are making waves, too! College Park High School participated in the county Mock Trial competition for the first time, earning multiple accolades, including junior Emily Engebretson’s Outstanding Attorney award . Also, Northgate High School’s Graphic Design, Photography, and Animation students took part in mock job interviews, gaining real-world career readiness skills with guidance from  Work-Based Learning Coordinator Isaiah Harpe r. We’re also highlighting the inspiring work of  Black Student Unions, including a meet-and-greet between College Park HS and Valley View MS students, fostering mentorship and community. Other highlights include:  Shadelands and Robert Shearer Preschool students communicate with Augmentative and Alternative Communication  School, student and staff social media highlights Enjoy these exciting articles, and have a fantastic weekend! Thank you, Adam Clark, Superintendent Spotlight Olympic High is named a 2025 California Model Continuation High School! Crochet Club at lunch sparks creativity and reduces stress (above left). Students dissect squid and sharks In new zoology class (above right). Olympic HS celebrates summer birthdays for students in newcomer immigrant program (below left). Students play chess and socialize during breaks with no phone Yondr policy (below center). And caring staff members celebrate graduates (below right).  MDUSD is proud that Olympic Continuation High School in Concord has been named one of 74 Model Continuation High Schools in the state for 2025 by the California Department of Education (CDE)! “The priority of our Model Continuation High Schools is to give students more than a diploma," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, in a  news release . "The teachers and administrators aim to provide students with a student-centered approach that meets their diverse academic, social, and emotional needs and opportunities to explore options beyond high school, preparing students for the future whether they choose to pursue further education or join the workforce.” Continuation schools provide a high school diploma program for students ages 16 through 18 who have not graduated from high school, are required to attend school, and are at risk of not completing their education. Model Continuation High Schools excelled and provided exceptional opportunities for their students to pursue academic and social success. There are 429 continuation high schools serving close to 49,000 students throughout the state. Olympic also received this recognition in 2018 and 2020, but this is the first time it has been recognized with this award since Principal Courtney Lyon has been at the helm. Now in her fourth year as Principal, Lyon attributes the award to the school's caring staff and their ability to "reimagine the educational experience for students" in an alternative setting, meeting the needs of learners who were not succeeding in traditional schools. The school serves about 280-350 students, mostly juniors and seniors, including many who were behind in credits, skipping classes or had social and emotional needs that weren't being met at comprehensive high schools. Lyon said the staff focuses on re-engaging students in a variety of ways, building on their strengths, listening to their feedback and offering four "pathways" that include a general path that offers five classes per day and behavioral health support, as well as support from a social work specialist if needed; a "silver" path that cohorts students who need more support; a "teal" path for students who may have experienced trauma and need one-on-one support; and independent study for students with unique special circumstances needing an alternative schedule, such as caring for siblings or working. Next year, the school plans to launch a "customer service" career pathway that will place students in internships three days a week. Olympic offers students more choices and flexibility than traditional high schools in smaller classes, with more intense support, Lyon said. "We have a really special staff that cares about kids," she said. "They are flexible, thoughtful, creative and they are student-first. They create this environment that makes kids feel seen. We take a lot of pride in the community we've built here. This is a place where kids can be served individually, in the way they need it, when they need it."  Students said they believe the teachers and staff at Olympic genuinely care about them, which makes them feel supported, safe and motivated to come to school. "I love it," said Gio Gianquiento, a junior, who transferred to Olympic from College Park HS in search of something new. "In class, teachers come up to you and help you. They are nice and they are friendly." David Ramos, a senior, said the staff including therapists are open-minded and they check in with students to find out how they are doing both in school and at home. Senior Michelle Rivas is taking advantage of the 5th year option, after falling behind in credits at Mt. Diablo and Concord high schools. She said she wants to become a teacher after graduation, in part because she enjoys the Service Learning program where she helps younger students at Ayers Elementary. "That's what motivates me because I love little kids," she said. "And all the staff here are awesome in their own way."  Yuliana Herrera, a junior, said she feels safe and supported at Olympic and that the College & Career Center staff is helping her find volunteer and educational programs that can lead to a career as a veterinarian. Her goal is to go to Diablo Valley College after graduation and study science, she said. Junior Tiffany Guevara said she likes the one-on-one attention she receives at Olympic and also enjoyed the Service Learning program last year at Ygnacio Valley Elementary. "I feel like the staff here is way more involved and they actually listen before taking any action," she said, adding that they treat all students with respect. Joel Rincon, a junior, said he is already making progress after transferring to Olympic from Mt. Diablo HS a week ago to catch up on credits. "The teachers here ask me if I need help and all the staff are really nice," he said, adding that he would recommend Olympic to other students who are not engaged at traditional high schools. "I think it's good because there's a lot of students like me that really messed up and now want to change and try to get a diploma," he said. "I want to work in car maintenance and go to trade school." Watch the  video below to see what makes Olympic so special.                                                                                                                                                                                                           District News Congrats to MDUSD's 2025-26 Teachers of the Year, who advance to County competition! MDUSD is pleased to announce the selection of Mt. Diablo High School Career Technical Education Patient Care Pathway teacher Dr. David Pintado and Silverwood Elementary Transitional Kindergartn (TK) teacher Elizabeth Swanson as our two District Teachers of the Year, who will advance to the  Contra Costa County Office of Education Teacher of the Year competition .  We will spotlight both Dr. Pintado and Swanson in next week's Friday Letter and they will be recognized by the MDUSD School Board on March 12, along with other District finalists. Black History Month Celebrations continue at elementary schools In honor of Black History Month, MDUSD is recognizing the commitment of District staff who have created institutional spaces to educate students and families about the contribution of African American people to the United States, said Dr. Lamont Francies, Black/African American Family Engagement Coordinator. "Our District is hosting a number of Black History Month celebrations and we are proud to announce the addition of another African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC), at Valhalla Elementary, which brings our total to 24!!"   Meadow Homes Elementary held a " Black History Time Machine " event on Feb. 18 (above left) that was put on by a group of African American students who are part of the Delta Bay IMPACT program, which focuses on academic intervention, mentoring and cultural awareness for Black/African American students within MDUSD, Francies said. "The students of Meadow Homes dressed up as historical figures in Black history while inspiring their peers. The student body was able to learn about icons such as Malcolm X, Bass Reeves, Mansa Musa, Susie King Taylor, Shirley Chisholm, and Muhahamad Ali! A number of families of those performers were present to support their children. Many of these parents are a part of the AAPAC at Meadow Homes and were elated that the school would provide an equitable space and time for their children to feel a sense of belonging." He also highlighted Black History Month presentations at Wren Avenue Elementary on Feb. 20 (above right) by Delta Bay IMPACT students to educate their peers about the achievements and contributions of African Americans. Board Briefs: Board meets Wednesday to appoint administrator, receive report, MDSPA proposal The MDUSD Board will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26 to appoint a Special Education Program Specialist, receive a Mid-Year Report on the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), and review and potentially approve the MDUSD and Mt. Diablo School Psychologists Association (MDSPA) Sunshine Proposals for the 2025-28 successor contract, among other items. The agenda is here . Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark's Weekly Organizational Update to the Board, which includes detailed District operations reports from Department leaders, is here . An archive of past reports is here . Superintendent Message: MDUSD and CSEA Reach Collaborative Agreement on a New Contract MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark sent a message to the District community on Feb. 18 regarding a collaborative agreement reached on a new contract between MDUSD and California School Employees Association (CSEA). You can read the message here .  MDUSD Negotiations Updates The District and MDEA held a bargaining session on Friday, Feb. 21. An update from that session will be posted next week. MDUSD and CSEA have reached a  Tentative Agreement . MDUSD and Teamsters have reached a  Tentative Agreement . MDUSD and Mt. Diablo School Psychologists Association (MDSPA) will Sunshine Proposals for the 2025-28 successor contract at the  Feb. 26 Board meeting . More information is on the MDUSD “Human Resources / Labor Relations” web page . Winter MDUSD Career Pathways Newsletter highlights CTE Month and Career Pathway programs As we continue to celebrate Career Technical Education (CTE) Month in February, MDUSD is pleased to share the Winter Career Pathways Newsletter .  The newsletter includes highlights CTE Month activities including the recent 8th Grade CTE Fair, as well as Career Pathways Programs such as the Transportation Pathways at Concord and Mt. Diablo high schools.  The newsletter also features Work Readiness Workshops including Mock Interviews, and the Mt. Diablo Business Education Alliances's (MDBEA) Patient Care Advisory meeting.  In addition, the newsletter highlights efforts to build the future workforce by preparing MDUSD students for college and careers, and also includes 2024 Fall Dual Enrollment stats for programs that offer college credits to students while they are still in high school.  Check out Student News below to find out more about Mock Interviews at Northgate HS. Free vaccine clinic, wellness fair and Fentanyl awareness event Thursday, Feb. 27 at Olympic HS Please join us to get vaccines, wellness information, and resources to support your students and families starting at 3 p.m. at Olympic HS on February 27, 2025 at 2730 Salvio St. in Concord.  The event will begin at 3 p.m. with a free vaccine clinic offering a variety of vaccines for students and adults, including required school immunizations, flu and COVID-19 shots. (Please see flyers for more information.) Then at 6 p.m, our Fentanyl Awareness Event will be held. Families are encouraged to go to the Multi-Use Room to learn to recognize the symptoms of an opioid overdose. All participants ages 13 and older can get free naloxone after listening to our training. Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. We want to provide you with this valuable resource that may save a life. Click on this link to register for our event at Olympic High School. Please share this information with your families and friends.  We encourage all families to come out together to attend this event.  Cafecito Con Las Consejeras (Coffee with the Counselors) event is Saturday, March 8th at MDHS MDUSD's next "Cafecito Con Las Consejeras" (Coffee with the Counselors): A Chat with Latina Counselors, will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 8 in the Mt. Diablo HS Library at 2450 Grant St. in Concord. Topics will include: Social/Emotional wellness and mental health, positive coping skills, and helpful resources. RSVP here . For more information, contact Ms. Angela Ordaz at ordaz@mdusd.org or (925) 682-8000 x85671, Ms. Marcie Torres at torresmm@mdusd.org or (925) 682-8000 x6418, Ms. Yaretzie Amaya at amayay@mdusd.org or (925) 682-4030 x3414,  or Ms. Leidi Arias at ariasl@mdusd.org or (925) 682-4030 x3406.  Hablamos Español.  Concord Gun Safety Event on March 11 at Concord High School Concord families and caregivers are invited to a Campus and Gun Safety event from 7-8:30 p.m. March 11 at Concord HS, 4200 Concord Blvd. in Concord. The event will include a panel discussion with opening remarks from Concord Vice Mayor Laura Nakamura, and panelists Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, Concord HS Principal Julene MacKinnon, Mt. Diablo HS Principal Dr. Markell McCain, Concord HS Social Work Specialist Dr. Karla Monique Veal, and Concord Police Lt. Renee Williams. Additional details are in the flyers. Supporting our Immigrant Families: Resource of the Week Kids in Need of Defense - San Francisco Office Please click here for information about Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), a pro bono (free) movement of law firms, corporations, nongovernmental organizations, universities, and volunteers to provide quality and compassionate legal counsel to unaccompanied refugee and immigrant children in the United States. The organization has an office in San Francisco. Its website is here .  Student News College Park High School sends first-time team to County Mock Trial competition College Park HS Mock Trial teacher advisor Amy Hiatt is pleased to announce that the new team competed well in the Contra Costa County event in Martinez, placing 12th overall out of 19 teams, after its first time entering the rigorous event. College Park was the only MDUSD team competing. "For our first time as a team, we are really happy with this placement," she said.  She is also proud to announce that two students on the team received awards and certificates for their performances in Mock Trial. Emily Engebretson, 11th grade, received Outstanding Attorney in Direct Examination, as well as honorable mention certificates for opening statement and cross examination (above right). Additionally, Ariana Upson, 12th grade, received honorable mention for her role as a defense witness (lower right). The full team is the pictured above on the courthouse steps: Front Row l-r Ben Andersen, Martin Todd, Bella Modir, Emily Engebretson; Second Row l-r Izzy Pollack, Brianna Reyes, Ariana Upson, Lucas Martin, Roland Johnsonmun, Eli Braswell, teacher advisor Amy Hiatt; Back Row l-r Eli Marcus, Afra Sadeghi, Celia Roe, Dashiel Miner. Congrats on this new academic endeavor! Northgate HS art, design and animation students participate in mock job interviews Work Based Learning Coordinator Isaiah Harper interviews Animation III student Aron Rim (above left) and Intermediate Animation student Rafael Vale (above center). Animation student Eleanor Hopton is interviewed by a Work Based Learning Coordinator (above right). On Wednesday, February 19, students from Northgate High School's Graphic Design, Photography, Intermediate Animation, and Animation III classes participated in mock job interviews. Leading up to the event, MDUSD's Work-Based Learning Coordinator Isaiah Harper gave an insightful presentation on the key components of a successful interview, said Northgate HS Animation and Art Design teacher Michelle Lee Carmon. "He emphasized the importance of first impressions, crafting an effective elevator pitch, using the  STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer behavioral questions, and dressing professionally."  In preparation for the interviews, students revisited and updated the resumes they had created in their Level 1 art classes, ensuring they were ready to showcase their skills and professionalism in the mock interviews, Carmon said. "During the activity, students had the opportunity to practice their interviewing skills with two different interviewers, gaining valuable feedback and building their confidence in a real-world setting. This experience gave students hands-on practice and enhanced their ability to present themselves professionally for future job opportunities."  Most students in MDUSD's Career Pathways programs get the opportunity to participate in mock interviews. More information about Career Pathways programs is here .  School News College Park HS Black Student Union participates in a meet-and-greet at Valley View MS On Feb. 20, College Park HS Black Student Union Officers Cami Rogers, Adora Nzewi, Jacinda Washington and Jeorgia Knittel hosted a meet and greet at valley View middle school in Pleasant Hill, said Charisse Segee, CPHS Social Work Specialist, who is the advisor to the campus BSU. "Valley View MS MS is in the early stages of establishing a BSU and appreciated the support and guidance from CPHS," Segee added. College Park's BSU has hosted weekly professional speakers for Black History Month, including a Policy Advocate, Realtor and Business Owners. Officers and members have also promoted daily campus announcements to educate and enlighten the campus about the professionals that have exuded Black excellence since the 2000’s, she said. Shadelands & Robert Shearer Preschool students use technology to communicate Preschool students at Shadelands and Robert Shearer Preschools are utilizing various Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools and systems, which help these non-speaking students to communicate with the world around them, said Jenny Vargas, Principal of the Shadelands Special Education Preschool.  "Preschool Teachers, Speech therapists, and Special Education Assistants from Shadelands and Robert Shearer Preschools had the incredible opportunity to be trained in AAC Foundations by Renee Bourke and Stephanie Self, both MDUSD AAC Coaches," she said. "These coaches are the certified trainers who were trained through a grant from Placer County Office of Education. These students have a lot to say and now have much more opportunities and access to saying it!" School Social Media Highlights Meadow Homes, Sequoia, Walnut Acres and Bancroft elementary schools MDUSD elementary students have been busy inside and outside the classroom. Recent social media highlights include: Meadow Homes Elementary  hosts a “Black History Time Machine” presentation, Sequoia Elementary thanks MDUSD M&O Dept. for quick storm cleanup that enabled students to enjoy the playground, Walnut Acres Elementary 3rd-graders presented biography reports to 1st-5th-graders during a “Wax Museum” event, and an Ygnacio Valley HS student works with Bancroft Elementary  students on phonics in small groups. Oak Grove MS & Ygnacio Valley HS, College Park HS, Mt. Diablo HS and Northgate HS MDUSD middle and high school students are promoting their programs and being recognized for talents. Recent social media highlights include: Oak Grove MS students were impressed when they visited the Ygnacio Valley HS engineering lab, College Park HS Basketball Player Miles Cooper  was named a "Diamond in the Rough," Mt. Diablo HS Senior Eric Warrick was featured in a Pioneer Athlete spotlight; and Northgate HS Drama students promoted their production, "Blue Stockings" in a reel. Staff Social Media Highlights Concord HS, Bel Air Elementary, Valle Verde Elementary, and Fair Oaks Elementary MDUSD staff members are being recognized! Recent social media highlights include: Concord HS teacher Azeema Yahya and Bel Air Elementary Vice Principal Edmund Perryman completed their Preliminary Administrative Services Credentials; Valle Verde Elementary celebrated the 75th birthday of instructional assistant Sandy Himel, and Fair Oaks Elementary sent a shoutout to its incredible custodian Mr. Richard, who reads to students!  Important Dates Feb. 25: District Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)  meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center in Concord Feb. 26: District Governing Board  meeting at 6 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom Feb. 27:  Vaccine clinic/Wellness Fair/Fentanyl Awareness  event starting at 3 p.m. at Olympic HS March 8:   Cafecito Con Las Consejeras (Coffee with the Counselors) event at 10 a.m. at Mt. Diablo HS (See District news above)  March 10: Schools closed for  All Teacher In-Service Day ; District Offices open March 11: MDUSD Concord Campus and Gun Safety Panel at 6 p.m. at Concord HS (See District news above) The Friday Letter is written and compiled by Theresa Harrington Brandt, Public Information and Community Relations Officer. Reach her at brandtt@mdusd.org for Friday Letter submissions.

Saturday, Feb 22 2025

Friday Letter - February 14, 2025

FEBRUARY 14, 2025 FRIDAY LETTER VOLUME 7 NO. 24 Happy Friday, MDUSD Community! This week, we’re excited to highlight the expansion of our  Auto/Transportation Tech programs at Mt. Diablo and Concord High Schools . As Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways, these programs are creating connections and providing students with hands-on experience, potential college credit opportunities, and the skills needed for careers in the auto tech field. The Mt. Diablo HS program, which launched this year, is seeking auto donations to enhance student learning and training. Throughout MDUSD, students continue to reach incredible milestones. At Northgate High School, seniors Mark Burenko, Sophia Mitchell, and Anthony Shen have been recognized as National Merit Scholarship Finalists, a prestigious honor that reflects their academic excellence and dedication. This week,  Ygnacio Valley High School’s InvenTeam presented their innovative project to both the Concord City Council and the MDUSD Board, as they work to raise funds for a trip to the East Coast, where they will showcase their work and visit top universities and landmarks. At College Park High School, basketball player Mathys Joseph was featured by Cal-Hi Sports , highlighting his resilience in overcoming personal challenges with the support of his school community. Over at Foothill Middle School, the "GOATed Griffins" robotics team was proud to compete in the FIRST Lego League championship , an example of hard work and innovation. Their advisor, teacher  Devin Jackson, was also honored with a Coach/Mentor award for his decade of dedication to guiding and inspiring students. In Adult Education, creativity and talent take center stage with the annual Children’s Art Show hosted by the Parent Education Cooperative School Readiness and ESL Family Literacy classes , as well as a heartwarming talent show put on by the Life Skills program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We’re also featuring social media highlights that showcase the impact of Technology Integration Leaders across our schools. Also, in Community News, we encourage families to check out the upcoming “ Piense Del Futuro” event at DVC on February 20. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and by the way - NO SCHOOL MONDAY! Dr. Adam Clark, Superintendent Spotlight  Auto/Transportation Tech Career Pathways gear up rigor, technology and industry partnerships Frank's Auto Service Owner Trent Courtney (l-r) chats with Mt. Diablo HS Auto Tech teacher Neil Bertson and German Sport Owner Sergio Fragoso during a tour of the auto shop (above left). MDHS student Juan Aguilar checks an engine (above center). Student Citlali Torres scans for codes in a car's computer (above right). As we celebrate  Career Technical Education (CTE) Month , we are pleased to highlight the Auto/Transportation Tech career pathway program at Mt. Diablo HS, which was launched this year in addition to the Concord HS Auto/Transportation Tech program, which has operated for many years. Both programs are working to boost their rigor, increase the use of technology and strengthen industry partnerships to ensure they are teaching relevant skills and knowledge that could help students earn college credit and prepare them for auto tech careers in the increasingly technical field.   Heather Fontanilla, MDUSD's Director of College and Career Readiness, said the District wants to bring the curriculum up to industry and state CTE standards, with students in the pathway learning basic auto tech skills in the first year, then more advanced diagnostic systems and repair in the second year. To better understand what auto repair shops are looking for in job candidates and build the potential for work site visits and student internships, Fontanilla hosted the District's first Transportation-focused Mt. Diablo  Business Education Alliance meeting at Mt. Diablo HS on Feb. 10, which included Auto Tech teachers Greg Golson from Concord HS and Neil Bertson from Mt. Diablo HS, along with Frank's Auto Service Center owner Trent Courtney and German Sport Owner Sergio Fragoso. Both service shop owners urged the programs to strengthen ties to the Los Medanos College (LMC) Automotive Tech program and to integrate more technology such as diagnostic systems into their curriculum. They also said they could spread the word about the programs to other industry professionals in their Automotive Services Councils of California - Mt. Diablo Chapter. The Mt. Diablo HS auto shop is seeking vehicle donations to give students hands-on experience with cars, and is also hoping to acquire more state-of-the-art tools, machines and technology. Student interest in the program has been high, with Bertson teaching five introductory courses this year and full classes next year for students who have signed up for both the introductory and advanced courses. He recently installed lifts for cars and was teaching students on Tuesday to use a Coats Tire Machine to remove tires from their rims, then put them back on the rims and inflate them. Donning safety goggles and a work apron, student Izaak Contreras, a junior, pried the tire off using a crow bar while pushing a foot pedal on the machine to turn the tire. He then lubed the tire before placing it back on the machine and using another foot pedal to inflate the tire, then checking a gauge and releasing air with a button to get it to 32-33 Pounds per Square Inch (PSI). After his lesson, Izaak said there was a lot to learn, but he was enjoying the class because it is teaching him practical skills that he can use when he has a car. "I want to be an electrician, but I know this is something that's extremely useful," he said. "It was fun. It's good to learn."  Some of Bertson's students are so enthusiastic that they come into his classroom during breaks and after school just to hang out, so he has dubbed them his "minions" and even had  t-shirts created for them, which include the MDHS Auto Tech logo created by a student in the Digital Arts pathway that features the MDHS Red Devil mascot hovering over a wrench encircled in a gear. Citlali Torres and Dreama Melendez, who are both seniors, said the skills they are learning now will come in handy later and they plan to continue studying auto tech at LMC along with other courses that interest them. Senior Juan Aguilar and some other highly motivated students recently came into school on a Saturday to help Bertson remove an engine from a car. "I really want to get more mechanic experience," Juan said. "I've loved cars ever since I saw the movie 'Cars 2,' probably since I was 5." He plans to study mechanical engineering at Cal Maritime University, with a goal of designing or working on race cars or ships with big diesel engines. "Mr. Bertson is a really great teacher," he added. "His skills are something I look up to. Just by smelling the air, he was able to tell there was a fuel leak."   Bertson, who has worked in auto repair and diagnostics for years, said he is encountering some hurdles in his first year getting the program up and running, but he is grateful for his dedicated students. "The minion group is like a family," he said. "They're fantastic. I am completely blessed to have that group of students." For more information or to donate a vehicle, contact Bertson at bertsonn@mdusd.org.  District News Schools and District Offices closed Monday in observance of the Presidents Day Holiday All MDUSD schools and District Offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 17th, in observance of the Presidents Day Holiday . Schools and District Offices will reopen on Tuesday, Feb. 18th. Board Briefs: Board met Wednesday to appoint administrator, receive reports & CSEA proposal The MDUSD Board met Feb. 12 and appointed Christopher Hansen as Assistant Director of Maintenance, Operations & Facilities; received reports on 2024 California School Dashboard Growth, and 2010 Measure C and 2018 Measure J audits; and approved a field trip for the Ygnacio Valley HS InvenTeam (see Student News below), the initial successor agreement proposal for CSEA, and 2023-24 School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs), among other items. The agenda is here . Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark's Weekly Organizational Update to the Board, which includes detailed District operations reports from Department leaders, is here . An archive of past reports is here . Superintendent Messages: Teamsters Tentative Agreement and Safe and Welcoming Environment  MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark sent two messages to the District community this week: MDUSD and Teamsters Reach Tentative Agreement Safe and Welcoming Environment Click on the above links to read the messages,  MDUSD Negotiations Updates The District and MDEA's Feb. 11 bargaining session included a discussion of financial impacts of proposals. The next meeting with the MDEA teachers' union is on Friday, February 21. The Board approved CSEA's initial successor agreement  proposal on Feb. 12. The District and Teamsters have reached a  Tentative Agreement . The next MDSPA bargaining session is Wednesday, Feb. 19. More information is on the MDUSD “Human Resources / Labor Relations” web page . African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) hosts Black History Month Program MDUSD's Black History Month Program, hosted by the African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) on Feb. 13, featured student presentations, black history, biographies, original student poems, and a historical perspective from community partner Dr.  Carrie Frazier of Village Keepers , said Dr. Lamont Francies, MDUSD's Black/African American Family Engagement Coordinator. "We learned about unsung heroes in Black history who had laid down the foundation for our Black liberation struggle." He thanked NAMI for providing the delicious food, as well as the families, students, educators, and Board member who attended. "A special thanks to our superintendent Dr. Adam Clark (above right), who gave an inspirational speech of why Black History Month is important," Dr. Francies said. "We want to thank him for his continued dedication to providing a safe place for ALL MDUSD familles." K-8 Math Pilot Materials review at Willow Creek Center through Feb. 28th  The elementary and middle school math materials under review by District adoption teams will be available for public review and feedback from 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, February 18-21 and Feb. 25-28 at Willow Creek Center, 1026 Mohr Lane in Concord. Survey seeks input regarding possible launch of a new Farsi Heritage Language program MDUSD's Multilingual Education Department is gathering interest from families who speak Dari, Pashto, Urdu, Arabic, and Farsi to bring a Heritage Language program to MDUSD. Your input is invaluable! Please take a moment to complete this short survey and share your thoughts. Survey results submitted by Feb. 20 will be presented at the DELAC meeting that evening at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center. February updates from the College and Career Corner! From College and Career Advisors Sheila Bergum (Concord HS), David Walters (College Park HS), Erika Ramos (Mt. Diablo HS), Isa Sapo (Olympic HS), Janine Santos (Northgate HS), and Maria Cardona (Ygnacio Valley HS).    The College and Career Advisors are proud of their successful HBCU Fair at Mt. Diablo High School earlier this month, where students from all 6 MDUSD high schools were in attendance and students were awarded $2,364,332 in scholarships and 148 admission offers. We are currently thick into financial aid mode with a FAFSA and CADAA submission deadline quickly approaching on March 3 for FAFSA and April 2 for CADAA. We are busy helping students with their financial aid and scholarship applications, hosting workshops during the school day and evening events. Click for flyers about an upcoming  Cash for College event at Concord High from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 20 for families who may like a little help filling out their applications. Some colleges and universities are still accepting applications, so we are finalizing last minute applications with our seniors as well. Lastly, we have attached our one-pagers below, which highlight our activities at each of our campuses during the first semester. College Park HS Concord HS Mt. Diablo HS Northgate HS Olympic HS Ygnacio Valley HS Vaccine clinic, wellness fair and Fentanyl awareness event Thursday, Feb. 27 at Olympic HS Please join us to get vaccines, wellness information, and resources to support your students and families starting at 3 p.m. at Olympic HS on February 27, 2025 at 2730 Salvio St. in Concord. The event will begin at 3 p.m. with a free vaccine clinic offering a variety of vaccines for students and adults, including required school immunizations, flu and COVID-19 shots. (Please see flyers for more information.) Then at 6 pm, our Fentanyl Awareness Event will be held. Families are encouraged to go to the Multi-Use Room to learn to recognize the symptoms of an opioid overdose. All participants ages 13 and older can get free naloxone after listening to our training. Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. We want to provide you with this valuable resource that may save a life. Click on this link to register for our event at Olympic High School. Please share this information with your families and friends.  We encourage all families to come out together to attend this event.  Supporting our Immigrant Families: Resource of the Week Pro Bono (Free) Legal Services in California Please click here for a list of Pro Bono (free) legal service providers in California , including non-profit organizations, referral services and private attorneys. Student News Northgate HS seniors named National Merit Scholarship Finalists Congratulations to Northgate High School seniors Mark Burenko, Anthony Shen and Sophia Mitchell on being selected as FINALISTS for the National Merit Scholarship program! More information about the program is here .  Ygnacio Valley HS InvenTeam speaks about project to Concord City Council and MDUSD Board Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark and Ygnacio HS Principal Peter Crutchfield (back) stand with the school's InvenTeam and teacher advisors Tabatha Box and Joseph Alvarico outside the Concord City Council meeting (Photo by Wolfpack Creative Photography). The Engineering Program at Ygnacio Valley High School was awarded a Lemelson-MIT InventTeams grant , one of 8 schools nationwide and the only one in California. To earn the grant, 12 students (above) identified a  real-world problem and proposed an invention that would be a solution to that problems. As a result, students are invited to present their invention at EurekaFest  - an invention celebration taking place June 9-11, 2025, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. To support YVHS's participation in EurekaFest, the MDUSD Board  approved an educational field trip to MIT, with a side trip to New York City. The trip will take place from June 9 to June 15 and will involve the 12 students and teachers Tabatha Box and Joseph Alvarico. The InvenTeam will participate in EurekaFest at MIT from June 9-11, followed by academic and historical-cultural exploration in New York City from June 12-15. This will include visits to NYU, Columbia University, the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Bridge, and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. This trip will provide students with exposure to pioneering STEM education, college readiness, and cultural enrichment, directly supporting the MDUSD  Graduate Profile by fostering skills in communication, critical thinking, technology use, and global citizenship. CTEIG funds will be used to pay for airfare, up to $12,000. The remaining portion of the field trip will be funded through fundraising. The group spoke to the Concord City Council about their project and fundraising goal on Feb. 11, then to the MDUSD Board on Feb. 12. You can follow their progress here .  College Park HS basketball player Mathys Joseph featured as an Inspirational Athlete Cal-Hi Sports recently featured College Park High School basketball player Mathys Joseph as an " Inspirational Athlete ," focusing on his tough journey from France to the Bay Area and struggles to find a home. With help from Basketball Coach Sol Henik and District and school staff report, he is a standout player and is an inspiration to those around him, "showing resilience, heart and determination."  "People care here," Mathys said. Besides Coach Henik, other school and District staff members who supported Mathys and his family after he arrived in the District included CPHS Counselor Mizti Chacon, SOAR Program Specialist Rosie Reid, SOAR Counselor Medaja Elias, Social Work Specialist Charisse Segee, Work Based Learning Program Coordinator Demetra Hufford, and Student Resource Technician Nathalie Keating.  "He is truly an amazing kid and the community has really wrapped him up in love,” Reid said. "It's been a great thing to see." Foothill MS "GOATted Griffins" robotics team competes in the FIRST Lego League championship Foothill MS "GOATed Griffins (l-r) Rhys Devine, Niccolo Marin, Oliver Dong and Rhea Lokesh (above left) recently advanced to the FIRST Lego League Robotics Championship after previously  competing in the Qualifying Tournament last Fall . The group also includes Innovation Team members Rhys Devine, Oliver Dong, High School Mentor Dhruv Clerk, Rhea Lokesh, Niccolo Marin and Kabir Lokesh (above center). Additionally, teacher advisor Devin Jackson received a Coach/Mentor award for his more than 10 years of coaching and mentoring team members. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global organization that inspires young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs. FIRST programs foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. Foothill MS also has three recreational teams that will compete at the Local Recreational League Competition on April 27 at Quarry Lane School in Dublin. These teams are named: Jelly Bots, The Insane Wizards and Yes Cats. Community members are encouraged to attend and cheer on our young innovators at the event, which will include 16 teams with 49 students from 8 cities, including 8 rookie teams, Jackson said. Congrats to the GOATed Griffins and good luck to the recreational teams! Adult Education School News Parent Education Cooperative School Readiness & ESL Family Literacy host Children’s Art Show On Wednesday evening, the Parent Education Cooperative School Readiness and ESL Family Literacy classes came together at the Loma Vista Adult Center to host their annual Children’s Art Show.  "Our preschoolers have dedicated time and effort to crafting stunning masterpieces, which were proudly displayed for families and friends to enjoy," said Interim Parent Education Coordinator Katie Bramwell. "Artwork from all eleven classrooms was showcased, and attendees also had the chance to create their own personal masterpiece on a pencil case to take home as a keepsake." More information about these programs is here .  Life Skills program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities hosts Talent Show Mt. Diablo Adult Education's  Life Skills program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities recently held a talent show that "was a fun-filled night of fantastic performances including singing, dancing, inspirational readings, and some very funny jokes," said Tricia Ouellett, Assistant Director of MDUSD's Adult Education program. "Over 75 friends, family members, and community members attended the event in addition to many of our adult education evening students. Applause and cheering could be heard throughout the campus. It was a night to remember and the performers are already preparing for another show this summer!" Bravo! School Social Media Highlights Bel Air, Gregory Gardens, Mt. Diablo and Strandwood elementary schools MDUSD elementary school students are continuing celebrations this month. Recent social media highlights include: Bel Air Elementary celebrates Black History Month, Gregory Gardens Elementary  students learn about George Washington Carver’s contributions to plant science and agriculture in garden class as part of their Black History Month celebration, Mt. Diablo Elementary students celebrate the Lunar Year of the Snake, and Strandwood Elementary mascot “Roadie the Roadrunner ” wishes teachers, staff and families a “Happy Valentine’s Day!" College Now, Concord HS, Northgate HS and Ygnacio Valley HS MDUSD high school students have been impressing their communities. Recent social media highlights include: College Now teacher Natasha Paul praises senior Adri Walker’s performance in the Poetry Out Loud competition at DVC; Concord HS girls basketball player Lamiyah Washington scores 1,000 career points; the Northgate HS Ethnic Studies class analyzed Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance, connecting to course themes including cultural representation, patriotic imagery, guest appearances, and innovative performance elements; and Ygnacio Valley HS Leos are the newest local Lions club chapter. Staff Social Media Highlights: Technology Integration Leaders Mt. Diablo Elementary, Highlands Elementary, Monte Gardens Elementary, Ygnacio Valley Elementary, Pleasant Hill MS and Sequoia Elementary We are pleased to spotlight six more Technology Integration Leaders (TILS) this month. TILS highlighted include: Colleen VanOutrive - Mt. Diablo Elementary , Loz Delaney - Highlands Elementary , Brittinee Peebles - Monte Gardens Elementary , Josue Monterrosa - Mt. Diablo Elementary, Jen Gabor - Pleasant Hill Middle School , and Mona Ricard - Sequoia Elementary .  Community News United Latino Voices and Diablo Valley College Present Piense Del Futuro ! Bienvenidos a DVC is a collaboration between Diablo Valley College and United Latino Voices. This event on Thursday, Feb. 20 will feature application assistance, financial aid help, dinner, and fun. Bienvenidos a DVC es una colaboración entre Diablo Valley College y United Latino Voices. En este evento encontará asistencia para aplicar a DVC, asistencia en ayuda financiera, alimentos y mucha diversión. Details are here . Important Dates Feb. 17: Presidents' Day  Holiday : Schools and District Offices Closed  Feb. 18: District Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC)  meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom Feb. 20: Measure J Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) meeting at 5 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom; District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)  meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center in Concord Feb. 25: District Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)  meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center in Concord Feb. 26: District Governing Board  meeting at 6 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom Feb. 27: Vaccine clinic/Wellness Fair/Fentanyl Awareness  event starting at 3 p.m. at Olympic HS The Friday Letter is written and compiled by Theresa Harrington Brandt, Public Information and Community Relations Officer. Reach her at brandtt@mdusd.org for Friday Letter submissions.

Saturday, Feb 15 2025

Friday Letter - February 7, 2025

FEBRUARY 7, 2025 FRIDAY LETTER VOLUME 7 NO. 23 Dear MDUSD Community, Exciting things are happening in MDUSD this week! This week’s Friday Letter highlights  Northgate High School student Ava Scattergood and her inspiring project, "My Feelings Journal, " which is helping young students in grades TK-5 develop Social Emotional Learning skills. Ava’s work, which earned her the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, has already made a positive impact in MDUSD schools, and she is now sharing it as a resource for teachers and parents through her new website. As we wrap up  National School Counseling Week , we reflect on the vital role of school counselors with comments from Concord Mayor Carlyn Obringer, District staff, and a MDUSD parent. Our staff social media highlights will also celebrate the incredible contributions of our counselors throughout the week. In District news, we recap the recent HBCU Fair at Mt. Diablo High School , where students connected with exciting college opportunities. School highlights this week include a guest column by Northgate High School teacher Meg Honey on the Black Student Union’s Black and African American History Month events , as well as " Ashes for Beauty," a new peer-support club at Ygnacio Valley High School  that is helping students overcome challenges. Also, the  Pleasant Hill Middle School "Cake" Art Exhibit is now on display at the Pleasant Hill Library through March 3. We are also excited to share MDUSD students and staff making headlines. Mt. Diablo High School Girls Basketball Coach Ronnie McGee  was recently featured in the news, Northgate High School’s Cheer Team has been crowned National Champions , and  Antonio Kellogg Jr. led Ygnacio Valley Boys Basketball to a DAL victory . Stay tuned for these inspiring stories and more in this week’s MDUSD Friday Letter! Thank you, Dr. Adam Clark, Superintendent Spotlight Northgate HS student earns Girl Scout Gold Award for "My Feelings" Journaling program used at some MDUSD elementary schools Northgate HS student Ava Scattergood speaks about her My Feelings Journaling program to Mrs. Philips' 1st grade class (above left) and to Ms. Wehrlie's 4th-grade class (above center) at Valle Verde Elementary in 2023-24, and at her Girl Scout Gold Award ceremony last fall (above right). When Northgate HS student Ava Scattergood was thinking about what kind of project she could complete to earn her  Girl Scout Gold Award , she remembered how much she enjoyed writing to express her feelings during the pandemic at the end of her 6th grade year and while she was in 7th grade at Foothill MS. "I realized that writing was a great way to express your emotions, instead of bottling them up inside and being aggressive or saying things you don't mean," she said. "It's a good way to clear your mind and put your feelings into words." So, she interviewed a local psychologist and an expert in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to create lists of mental health journaling and art prompts for children in grades TK-5. Then, she worked with principals and teachers at a handful of MDUSD elementary schools including Valle Verde and Mt. Diablo elementary schools, to implement the program. She surveyed students at the end of the year, and then tweaked the questions and posted them online at myfeelingsjournal.com as an SEL resource for schools and families. She earned her Gold Award and is now trying to spread the word about the online resource as a way for young students to safely express themselves, explore their emotions and anxieties, and work through problems they may be facing. Already, the National PTA has posted a link to her website on its  ArtsEd Resource Webpage (under "Support Creating Art at Home"). Valle Verde Elementary 1st grade teacher Jenn Philips said the journaling was "a very special project" and that her students LOVED writing and drawing in response to Ava's prompts, which covered a wide variety of topics. "The prompts were also great discussion points to talk about as a class and build community together so all students felt safe and comfortable," Philips said. "They were creative, thoughtful, and fun for the students to respond to in their Feeling Journal and share with their peers and teacher." The prompts included: "Who is your hero? Why?" "If you could be an animal, what would be and why?" "Write about a time you cried. What happened? How did you fix it?" "Draw a worry monster." "What should you do to make it go away?" Mt. Diablo Elementary Principal Sara Harris said her school's 1st through 3rd-graders participated in the program last year, with some students continuing this year. She said it helped students express their emotions, deal with stress, improve their focus and behavior, build empathy, and boosted their confidence. And it helped teachers better understand their students, manage their classrooms, reflect on their own emotional responses to students' feelings, and strengthen their teacher-student relationships. Harris said she would recommend the program to other elementary schools in the district, especially if teachers were trained on how to use it effectively. "Not only does it support students’ emotional development, but it also creates a more emotionally aware and supportive school culture," she said. "Teachers benefit too, with a clearer understanding of their students and a better approach to handling emotions within the classroom."  The project also piqued Ava's interest in psychology and mental health, which prompted her to found a Mental Health and Wellness Club at Northgate that includes about 25 students who work with the AP psychology teacher and Social Work Specialist in the school's Wellness Center to help students deal with stress and other issues. Ava is considering expanding her prompts for middle or high school students and says her club meetings always start with journaling. She is also working with the American Heart Association's " Teen Impact " program to raise money and awareness for heart health through April 10. Now a junior, Ava said she hasn't yet decided what she will tackle for her senior project next year. She might expand her feelings journal, or try something completely new.  District News MDUSD celebrates National Counseling Week Feb. 3-7 As we finish our celebration of National School Counseling Week, Feb. 3-7, we are pleased to share comments from Concord Mayor Carlyn Obringer, District Staff, and a Monte Gardens Elementary parent about the importance of counselors in our schools. Thank you to El Monte Elementary Counselor Nancy Allin and Meadow Homes Elementary Counselor Tova Moore for collecting the comments. The MDUSD Board resolution recognizing National School Counseling Week is here . Check out the Staff Social Media Highlights below to see some of our school counselors in action. Thank you to all our counselors! MDUSD's 6th Annual HBCU Fair at Mt. Diablo HS was a success! MDUSD District and school counselors, college & career advisors, social work specialists, HBCU reps and Student Services Director Felicia Stuckey-Smith celebrate a successful HBCU Fair (above) (Photo by Jorge Salinas-Tognetti). Students are offered HBCU acceptances and scholarships (below).   On Thursday, Feb 6th, over 600 MDUSD high school juniors and seniors attended the District's 6th Annual HBCU Fair at Mt.Diablo High School. The Black College Expo included 22 HBCUs accepting students on the spot and offering over 2 million in scholarships, said Mt. Diablo HS College & Career Advisor Erika Ramos. "It was an amazing event celebrating our African American colleges/universities, and furthering educational opportunities for our Mt. Diablo District students," she said. Congrats to our District scholars! College Now parent information night is Tuesday, Feb. 11 before application deadline Feb. 13 College Now, MDUSD's "middle college program," is recruiting 11th & 12th graders for the 2025-2026 school year. Through a partnership with Diablo Valley College (DVC), College Now allows students to start college while they are still in high school. College Now students attend both high school and college classes on DVC's campus, using those college classes to meet graduation and college entrance requirements. Students also have the opportunity to explore possible career interests. The goal is for all College Now graduates to finish high school with at least one year of college completed, saving both time and money when they go on to complete college.   Over the last several weeks, College Now presented to 10th graders at all District high schools. College Now will host its final parent information night at 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 11 at Mt. Diablo High School in Concord. Please see the flyers for more information. Applications are due on Thursday, February 13. More information about the program is here .  Board Briefs: Board meets Wednesday to appoint administrator, receive reports & CSEA proposal The MDUSD Board will meet at 6 p.m Wednesday, Feb. 12 in the District Office Boardroom to appoint an Assistant Director of Maintenance, Operations & Facilities; receive reports on 2024 California School Dashboard Growth, and 2010 Measure C and 2018 Measure J audits; and to review and potentially approve the initial successor agreement proposal for CSEA, 2023-24 School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs), and revisions to the MDUSD Board Governance Handbook, among other items. The agenda is here . Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark's Weekly Organizational Update to the Board, which includes detailed District operations reports from Department leaders, is here . An archive of past reports is here . MDUSD Negotiations Updates The next meeting with the MDEA teachers' union is on Tuesday, February 11. CSEA will sunshine its initial successor agreement proposal at the Feb. 12 Board meeting The next Teamsters bargaining sessions are Monday, Feb. 10 and Wednesday, Feb. 12. The next MDSPA bargaining session is Wednesday, Feb. 19. More information is on the MDUSD “Human Resources / Labor Relations” web page here . Statement regarding arrest of former MDUSD employee charged with defrauding the District On Feb. 4, the District released a statement from Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark regarding a former employee who was arrested and criminally charged following an investigation into the misuse of District funds. The District first uncovered evidence indicating potential financial misconduct related to contracts with an afterschool care provider and took immediate action by filing a report with the Concord Police Department. Additionally, the District hired an independent forensic accountant to conduct a financial audit. The District is working closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure a full and thorough investigation, and it will pursue all legal avenues to recover any misused funds. The complete statement is here . The Dept. of Justice news release is here .  African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) Black History Month Program is Thursday MDUSD's African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) will host a  Black History Month Program  at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at Gateway HS, 235 Pacifica Ave. in Bay Point.  Dr. Lamont Francies, who is coordinating the program, invites MDUSD families, staff, students and community members to "come out to be informed and inspired through learning about the historical accomplishments of African Americans." The event will include "speeches, poetry and narratives of prominent and unsung Black Americans," he said. "All are welcome!!" K-8 Math Pilot Materials review at Willow Creek Center through Feb. 28th  The elementary and middle school math materials under review by District adoption teams will be available for public review and feedback from 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, February 18-21 and Feb. 25-28 at Willow Creek Center, 1026 Mohr Lane in Concord. Vaccine clinic, wellness fair and Fentanyl awareness event Thursday, Feb. 27 at Olympic HS Please join us at Olympic HS to get vaccines, wellness information, and resources to support your students and families starting at 3 p.m. at Olympic HS on February 27 with presentations and food vendors. At 6 pm, our Fentanyl Awareness Event will be held. Families are encouraged to go to the Multi-Use Room to learn to recognize the symptoms of an opioid overdose. All participants ages 13 and older can get free naloxone after listening to our training. Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.  We want to provide you with this valuable resource that may save a life. Click on this link to register. Please share this information.  We encourage families to come out together to attend this event.  Supporting our Immigrant Families: Resource of the Week We Have Rights: A national immigrant empowerment campaign MDUSD's "Supporting our Immigrant Families: Resource of the Week" is "We Have Rights," a series of animated videos created by the ACLU to inform individuals of their rights in an easily accessible and engaging way. The videos, available in multiple languages, are at: https://www.aclu.org/we-have-rights School News Black History Month opens with events, learning, and connection at Northgate High School  Northgate HS students (l-r) Connor Harze, Cameron Turner and Jordan Scales lead the school's Black Student Union (BSU) (above left). Taun Hall speaks to students in Northgate’s Ethnic Studies class (above right). Guest article by Meg Honey, Northgate HS Ethnic Studies and U.S. History Teacher, and BSU advisor It’s been an exciting week at Northgate High School as our students, faculty, and staff have engaged in Black History Month activities that uplift the contributions, history, resilience, and achievements of Black Americans. Our Black Student Union leaders launched a series of learning experiences for our school community. President Jordan Scales, a junior, said: “I’m excited to celebrate Black culture and help my classmates learn about Black History. I hope that through every meeting and event, people feel inspired and encouraged to learn more.”  Campuswide learning experiences include informative pieces for our school bulletin about this year’s Black History Month theme: “African Americans and Labor," as well as interactive signs posted around the school about activists Marcus Garvey, Claudette Colvin, and Shirley Chisholm. “Honoring important, influential black figures empowers the Black community and encourages ALL people to bring change to their communities,” said BSU Co-President Connor Harze, a junior. “I am looking forward to highlighting aspects of Black culture that I have grown up with and growing more awareness for racial justice.” On Wednesday, as part of our monthly faculty/staff meeting Student Spotlight, Jordan and Connor spoke about their experiences in our school community and presented the BSU’s plans for Black History Month and beyond. This week, Taun Hall, Executive Director of the Miles Hall Foundation , spoke to students in Northgate’s Ethnic Studies class. Taun’s beloved son, Miles, was tragically killed by police while he experienced a mental health emergency. Her message of “pain into purpose” is incredibly impactful, and students learned about the vital work of the Miles Hall Foundation, the  A3 Crisis Call Center , and a new therapy program. Taun also shared information about the upcoming Miles Hall Youth Summit, an all-day event for Black male high school students that includes interactive sessions, mentorship, and celebration.  Later this month, Northgate’s BSU will host a film screening about civil rights leader Bayard Rustin as well as a celebration involving learning activities and trivia. Classes will also participate in a school wide Black History Month door decorating contest. “Black History month is a time to recognize our important heritage and communities as well as spread knowledge and awareness of the hardships and struggles that Black people still face today,” said BSU Secretary Cameron Turner, a sophomore. We are proud of the important, student-led work that is happening on our campus to amplify Black experiences and perspectives. Here’s to a wonderful Black History Month! Ygnacio Valley HS Beauty for Ashes club helps students overcome challenges Ygnacio Valley HS School Community Coordinator Marcela Sosa is excited to share photos (above) of a new club on campus called "Beauty for Ashes" that is helping to build connections between students, as well as the school's  Coordinated Care  staff team members who work to help students overcome challenges. "'Beauty for Ashes'" is essentially about the idea that no matter how challenging your grades, personal life, or other struggles may be, they can be transformed into something beautiful," Sosa said, adding that every school has a "Care Team" that offers support to students who are facing difficulties, such as newcomers who don't speak English. "We have an amazing team here at YV, and we work together to support each student." Some of the students were struggling academically and missing classes before joining the group, Sosa said. "However, today, most of them are achieving straight A’s and are now helping other students who were once in their position," she added. "What truly motivates the students to do well is seeing their peers succeed, which creates a sense of community and drive. I’m incredibly proud of each one of them and the progress they’ve made. It’s been inspiring to witness their growth and their commitment to helping others succeed." This week, she said, "the students have been working hard on creating personalized Valentine's Day cards for our school teachers. It’s a wonderful way for them to express their appreciation and love for the hard work and dedication our teachers put in every day." Congratulations to the YVHS students and Care Team on this innovative and supportive club! And Happy Valentine's Day to all! Pleasant Hill Middle School Cake art on display at Pleasant Hill Library through March 3rd   Pleasant Hill Middle School Art teacher Lyn Bergen has a short and sweet announcement about the above "Cake" display her students recently created: The "Art 2 class has taken their Cake Show on the road, or more like just down the street," she said. "Our Cake Show will be on view at the Pleasant Hill Library until March 3rd.: The library is at 2 Monticello Avenue in Pleasant Hill (which is a block away from the school). More information about the project is in the Dec. 6, 2024 Friday Letter under "School News." MDUSD Staff and Students in the News Bay Area News Group spotlights Mt. Diablo HS Girls Basketball Coach, Northgate High School’s Cheer Team, and the Ygnacio Valley HS Boys Basketball team Mt. Diablo HS Girls Basketball Coach Ronnie McGee stands with players (l-r) Stephanie Zuniga and Natalie Dance (above left); the Northgate HS cheer team wins Jamz national championship (above center) and Ygnacio Valley HS basketball player Antonio Kellogg, Jr. takes a shot (above right) (Photos: Bay Area News Group; Northgate cheer). MDUSD is proud that our athletes and coaches are garnering well-deserved attention from Bay Area News Group! Recent Mercury News headlines included: Prep Spotlight: Retired U.S. Army officer has Mt. Diablo girls basketball team on a roll - Ronnie McGee uses military experience to lead Red Devils NORTHGATE: CHEER TEAM WINS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP   and   Prep roundup:  Antonio Kellogg Jr. leads Ygnacio Valley to DAL victory You can read the stories by clicking on the above headlines or photos. (Note: the Northgate story is included in the same roundup as the spotlight on Coach McGee.) We look forward to seeing more headlines about MDUSD athletes and scholars as they continue to shine! Go, Red Devils, Broncos and Wolves! Congrats to all! School Social Media Highlights Bel Air, Bancroft, Gregory Gardens and Delta View elementary schools MDUSD elementary school students have been enjoying a variety of educational and cultural activities this month. Recent social media highlights include Bel Air Elementary thanking Contra Costa Firefighters for educating students on fire safety, Bancroft Elementary highlighting its Multicultural Festival in a video reel, Gregory Gardens Elementary creating a Black History Month display, and Delta View Elementary celebrating the Lunar New Year with a Lion Dance made possible by the Mt. Diablo Education Foundation.  Concord HS, Valley View MS and College Park HS, Mt. Diablo HS and Northgate HS MDUSD middle and high school students and families have participated in educational, community-building and college awareness events this month. Recent social media highlights include: Concord HS Model United Nations delegates successfully participated in a two-day Santa Clara Valley Model UN Conference, Valley View MS and College Park HS held a combined AAPAC meeting to build community together, Mt. Diablo HS was proud to host the District's 6th Annual HBCU Fair, and some  Northgate HS students received on the spot admissions and scholarships at the  HBCU Fair.  Staff Social Media Highlights School Counselors: Northgate HS, Career Pathways, Oak Grove MS and Mt. Diablo HS MDUSD schools and programs have been celebrating our School Counselors in recognition of National School Counseling Week! Social media highlights include: A fast-paced video reel showcasing the impact Northgate HS counselors have on their campus, a shoutout to Career Pathways counselors , Oak Grove MS counselors  dedicated to helping students thrive, and Mt. Diablo HS sending love and thanks to its counselors. Thank you to ALL MDUSD counselors! Follow MDUSD on X, Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn  to see more Social Media highlights. Important Dates Feb. 12: District Governing Board  meeting at 6 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom Feb. 13:  African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC)  meeting/Black History Month Recognition at 6 p.m. at the Black Family Resource Center in Bay Point Feb. 17: P residents' Day Holiday : Schools and District Offices Closed  Feb. 18:  District Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC)  meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom Feb. 20 : Measure J Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) meeting at 5 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom; District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)  meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center in Concord Feb. 25:  District Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)  meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center in Concord The Friday Letter is written and compiled by Theresa Harrington Brandt, Public Information and Community Relations Officer. Reach her at brandtt@mdusd.org for Friday Letter submissions.

Saturday, Feb 08 2025

Friday Letter - January 31, 2025

JANUARY 31, 2025 FRIDAY LETTER VOLUME 7 NO. 22 Dear Mt. Diablo Community, In this week's Friday Letter, we are excited to spotlight the  Farsi Heritage Language Listening Session held on Thursday, where our Multilingual Education administrators met with parents and staff about the possibility of launching a Farsi Heritage Language program. This initiative would help families preserve their identity, culture, and heritage. We appreciate the feedback shared and look forward to continuing the conversation through another listening session and an upcoming online survey. In addition, we celebrate our  Diablo Athletic League (DAL) Fall sports standouts , recognizing student-athletes who earned MVP honors and spots on the All-League 1st, 2nd, and 3rd teams. Their dedication and hard work continue to inspire our community. Our schools have also been buzzing with activity: Foothill Middle School art students explored future opportunities by visiting the Animation Career Pathway class at Northgate High School , getting a peek into course options for their freshman year. Also, Pleasant Hill Middle School and other schools took part in the  Great Kindness Challenge , supporting a strong sense of community and belonging among students. Finally, we share highlights from across the District, including elementary school celebrations of the 100th day of school and Lunar New Year, a middle school basketball event, and high school student achievements and activities. Thank you for your support and engagement in our schools! Dr. Adam Clark, Superintendent Spotlight Farsi listening session explores expansion of community-based Heritage Language programs Chitra Bhardwaj, Assistant Director of Multilingual Education, speaks at the Farsi listening session (above left). Afghan Family Liaison Karishma Babar introduces herself alongside Kathryn Fireman, Director of Multilingual Education (above center); Newcomer Social Work Specialist Vanessa Castellio explains services (above right) . MDUSD's Multilingual Education Department held its second Farsi Heritage Language Listening Session on Thursday to get feedback on an idea to offer a Farsi Heritage Language program to the more than 500 District students whose families speak Farsi or Dari. The Department plans to host another Farsi Listening Session in the future and to distribute an online survey, said Chitra Bhardwaj, Assistant Director of Multilingual Education. Bhardwaj and other members of the Department shared a PowerPoint presentation that showed Persian (including Iranian, Farsi and Afghan Dari), is spoken by 542 students, making it the second-most common language other than English spoken by District students, behind Spanish. The presentation also showed that 764 District students were born in Afghanistan, making it the top birth country of MDUSD students outside the U.S. out of 126 countries, as of October, 2024.  A "Heritage Language Program" includes instruction in the language of an immigrant student's native country, Bhardwaj said. As an immigrant from India, she said that the loss of an person's native language in the U.S. can feel like "a loss of identity." She realized that "in order to learn a new language, we don't have a lose a language. We don't have to get rid of our roots." A Farsi Heritage Language program could help families to preserve students' culture and language, and enhance their sense of belonging, Bhardwaj said, adding that she has previously launched successful heritage language programs in Washington state.  Parents and school staff members who attended the event were enthusiastic about the idea. Some parents said they have been speaking Farsi with their children at home so they won't forget it, while also helping them to learn English for their schoolwork. Bhardwaj said the District wants feedback as it "dreams" of its "vision" for the program, which could include Farsi instruction in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and other subject areas during the school day.  Ideas suggested for further consideration included Farsi poetry, offering a high school level Farsi for Farsi speakers World Language course that would meet college A-G course requirements, and expanding the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) at Ygnacio Valley HS to include instruction in Farsi that would earn students IB bilingual recognition. Ygnacio Valley HS Vice Principal Carissa Weintraub and Community Services Assistant Azam Rasuli said their school has about 65 Afghan students they believe would benefit from a Farsi Heritage Language program.  Bhardwaj said staff and administrators at Mt. Diablo HS and Oak Grove MS have also expressed interest in bringing a Farsi Heritage Language program to their schools. "We have received so much positive affirmation," she said. "I think it's so beautiful."  District News Technology including student accounts may be unavailable Sat., Feb. 1 due to IT maintenance Reminder: From 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday, February 1,   MDUSD's IT Department will be conducting some important maintenance on our technology infrastructure. This may result in various technology services - including student email accounts, Classlink, and curriculum materials - being unavailable during this time.  Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure the safety and reliability of our technology services.  Human trafficking resources for Contra Costa County educators and families As we close out  National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January, the MDUSD and Contra Costa County of Education hosted a training event featuring Nola Brantley Speaks (above center), a nationally renowned educator on issues related to human trafficking.  Student services educators and service providers from throughout Contra Costa County convened (above right) to delve into the topic: "Understanding Sexual Abuse." This training series will continue throughout the spring.  If MDUSD families need assistance navigating situations pertaining to human trafficking, please reach out to our Support Office for Access and Resources ( SOAR ) at soar@mdusd.org or 925-682-8000 ext. 6242. Board Briefs: February is Black and African American History Month, and Career and Technical Education Month; Feb. 3-7 is National School Counseling Week The MDUSD Board on Jan. 22 adopted resolutions recognizing February, 2025 as Black and African American History Month, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month . In addition, the Board recognized Feb. 3-7, 2025 as National School Counseling Week .   The next MDUSD Board meeting will be held at 6 p.m Wednesday, Feb. 12 in the District Office Boardroom. The agenda will be posted here after 5 p.m. Feb. 7. Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark's Weekly Organizational Update to the Board, which includes detailed District operations reports from Department leaders, is here . An archive of past reports is here . MDUSD Negotiations Updates On January 28, 2025, the District’s negotiation team met with the MDEA teachers' union's negotiating team for its third session of the school year. During this session, the District received, proposed, and asked questions about 12 different articles in the contract and reached a tentative agreement on Article 3: Grievance Procedure, which means that both Article 3 and Article 26: Summer School (agreed upon Jan. 8) have an agreement. The next meeting with MDEA is on February 11. We have also posted updates related to MDSPA and Teamsters. More information is on the MDUSD “Human Resources / Labor Relations” web page here . MDUSD's Adult Education Lifelong Learning program offers new classes in February MDUSD's Adult Lifelong Education program has plenty to offer in February, including new Filipino cooking classes taught by instructor Rhona Gomez (right) featuring authentic Filipino entrees and side dishes such as Arroz Caldo (Feb. 4), Pork Menudo (Feb. 11), Pancit (Feb. 18), and Filipino Spaghetti (Feb. 25). Other classes include crafts, finance, fitness, home improvement, personal enrichment, technology, woodcarving, woodturning and woodworking! Details are in the program's February newsletter  here .  More information about Mt. Diablo Adult Education is on the MDAE website here and the Winter catalog here .  College Now at DVC parent information nights Feb. 5 and 11, application deadline is Feb. 13 College Now , MDUSD's "middle college program," is recruiting 11th & 12th graders for the 2025-2026 school year. Through a partnership with Diablo Valley College (DVC), College Now allows students to start college while they are still in high school. College Now students will attend both high school and college classes on DVC's campus, using those college classes to meet graduation and college entrance requirements. Students also have the opportunity to explore possible career interests. The goal is for all College Now graduates to finish high school with at least one year of college completed, saving both time and money when they go on to complete college.   Over the last several weeks, College Now presented to 10th graders at all District high schools. College Now will host two parent information nights: Wednesday, February 5 at MDUSD's Willow Creek Center in Concord and Tuesday, February 11 at Mt. Diablo High School in Concord. The February 5 meeting will also have a virtual option.  Please see the flyers for more information. Applications are due on Thursday, February 13. More information about the program is  here .  MDUSD juniors and seniors invited to the HBCU Fair on February 6th at Mt.Diablo High School MDUSD's 6th Annual HBCU Fair will take place s from 9-11 a.m. Friday, February 6th at Mt.Diablo High School in Concord.  MDUSD high school juniors and seniors are invited to attend as a field trip to talk to representatives from about 21 HBCUs including: Hampton University, Simmons College, Alabama A&M, and many more!  Details are in the attached flyer. Click here to register. Special Education families invited to "Being an Effective IEP Team Member" Workshop on Feb. 8 MDUSD parents and guardians whose children have Individualized Education Program (EIP) plans are invited to a "Being an Effective EIP Team Member" workshop at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, February 8 at the Loma Vista Adult Education Campus, 1266 San Carlos Ave. in Concord. Lunch will be provided and childcare is available. Register for the workshop  here . For questions, contact Parent Liaison Melody Royal at royalm@mdusd.org or (925) 682-8000 ext. 4297. African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) to host Feb. 13  Black History Month Program MDUSD's African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) will host a Black History Month Program at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 at Gateway HS, 235 Pacifica Ave. in Bay Point.  Dr. Lamont Francies, who is coordinating the program, invites MDUSD families, staff, students and community members to "come out to be informed and inspired through learning about the historical accomplishments of African Americans." The event will include "speeches, poetry and narratives of prominent and unsung Black Americans," he said. "All are welcome!!" Supporting our Immigrant Families: Resource of the Week Stand Together Contra Costa offers Rapid Response and Immigration Legal Services MDUSD's Resource of the Week for Immigrant Families is Stand Together Contra Costa,  a program that provides r apid response, legal services and community education to support safety and justice for immigrant families in Contra Costa County. More information is at 925-900-5151 or https://standtogethercontracosta.org/ . Student News MDUSD’s Diablo Athletic League Fall Sports MVPs and Athletes named to 1st, 2nd & 3rd teams MDUSD is proud that eight athletes from our District high schools have been named MVPs in Fall Sports by the Diablo Athletic League (DAL), and more than 100 other athletes have been named to All-League 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams in their sports and divisions! The MVP athletes are:  Concord HS Football player Juan Gonzalez (MVP Offense, Mountain Div.) Concord HS Football player Jayden Reger (MVP Defense, Mountain Div.) Northgate HS Football player Blayne Ballard (MVP Offense, Valley Div.) College Park HS Football player Trent "TJ" Lanza (MVP Defense, Valley Div.) College Park HS Flag Football player Taylor Ochoa (MVP Offense, Foothill Div.) College Park HS Water Polo Goalie Ryland Pierce (MVP Goalie, Foothill Div.) Concord HS Water Polo Goalie Scotty Bliss (MVP Goalie, Valley Div.) Northgate HS Volleyball player Fea'o Saluni (Co-MVP, Foothill East Div.) Athletes from all five of our comprehensive high schools are among those named to 1st, 2nd or 3rd teams in sports including football, flag football, boys and girls water polo, boys and girls cross country, girls volleyball, girls golf and girls tennis.  Click on the images above to see the detailed lists of Football players recognized , as well as athletes recognized in all other Fall Sports . To see all athletes recognized from schools throughout the league, click here . School News Pleasant Hill MS students participate in the Great Kindness Challenge Pleasant Hill MS students participate in face painting (above left), decorating kindness rocks (above center) and 8th-graders show the "kind task" they pulled from the kindness poster behind them (above right). Pleasant Hill Middle was one of several MDUSD schools to participate in the  Great Kindness Challenge  this year. Students were able to spread the kindness cheer all week long with lunchtime events like face painting, decorating kindness rocks and hiding them around campus, writing thank you notes, 'shredding the negative' by writing down unkind thoughts or comments from others and shredding it, BINGO and chalking kind messages across campus," said school counselor Robin Zahner, who coordinated the activities with counselor Lily Moore. "It was fun to see students choose to take a kind task from the poster on campus and act out those tasks including things like sitting with someone alone at lunch, thanking someone, giving compliments and simply intentionally smiling at a few new people."   Zahner said the kindness challenge is important because she and other counselors are always looking for ways to bring their students together as a community and increase feelings of belonging. "Kindness is contagious and we see that play out every year we do this," Zahner said. "Last year, I had a student come up to me during one of the lunchtime events and say, 'This is my favorite day of school so far this year!'" Check out the Social Media highlights below to see how Highlands Elementary students participated in the Great Kindness Challenge.    Foothill MS art students visit Animation Career Pathway class at Northgate HS Foothill MS art students visit Northgate High School's Animation Career Pathway class (above) and get hands-on animation experience mentored by Northgate HS animation students (below). As MDUSD gears up to celebrate Career Technical Education (CTE) Month in February, we are pleased to feature the Animation Career Pathway at Northgate HS in Walnut Creek. Students in Northgate's Intermediate Animation and Animation III classes hosted 32 8th-grade art students from Foothill MS on Thursday January 29 to highlight Northgate's exciting Animation Pathway, said animation teacher Mrs. Carmon.   "This is Northgate's 2nd time hosting this event for incoming 9th graders from Foothill Middle School," Carmon said. "The event was designed to give students an immersive introduction to the Animation Pathway at Northgate High School. Intermediate Animation and Animation III students designed and executed the activities that the middle school students participated in." The Foothill students engaged  in interactive workshops where they learned the basics of animation, including creating a "lenticular lens," Stop Motion Animation, and "Exquisite Corpse" animation.   "The day was completed by showcasing the Stop Motions that Foothill students created and the work of current students in Intro to Animation, Intermediate Animation and Animation III," Carmon said. As incoming freshmen next fall, Foothill MS students could take Intro to Animation to get started in the pathway, she added.  Information about all MDUSD high school Career Pathways programs is here . School Social Media Highlights Gregory Gardens, Meadow Homes, Highlands and Mountain View elementary schools MDUSD elementary schools had a lot to celebrate in January! Recent social media highlights include: Gregory Gardens Elementary was one of several schools that celebrated the Lunar New Year, Meadow Homes Elementary joined many campuses that celebrated the First 100 Days of School on Jan. 28, Highlands Elementary participated in the national Great Kindness Challenge, and Mountain View Elementary was treated to a Family Literacy Night by Yours Humanly supported by a Concord grant that is bringing literacy nights to 10 District schools. More information about the Literacy Nights is  here .  Pine Hollow and Sequoia middle schools and Northgate and Olympic high schools MDUSD middle and high school students have been involved in a variety of activities this month. Recent social media highlights include: The "Big Diablo Basketball Dance" organized by Pine Hollow MS that also included teams from Diablo View, El Dorado, and Sequoia middle schools competing in the Concord HS gym; a student panel from Ygnacio Valley HS led an anti-racism, anti-discrimination and anti-bullying assembly at Sequoia MS ; the Northgate HS Cheer & Dance Team earned its first National Champion award in Sideline Cheer; and Olympic HS has been spreading "good vibes" with its new "positive referral system" that includes personalized postcards mailed to parents detailing why their scholars are so awesome and appreciated!  Follow MDUSD on X , Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn to see more Social Media highlights. Important Dates Feb. 12: District Governing Board  meeting at 6 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom Feb. 13: African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC)  meeting/Black History Month Recognition at 6 p.m. at the Black Family Resource Center in Bay Point Feb. 17 :  Presidents' Day Holiday : Schools and District Offices Closed  Feb. 18: District Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC)  meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom Feb. 20 : Measure J Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) meeting at 5 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom; District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)  meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center in Concord Feb. 25 : District Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)  meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center in Concord The Friday Letter is written and compiled by Theresa Harrington Brandt, Public Information and Community Relations Officer. Reach her at brandtt@mdusd.org for Friday Letter submissions.

Saturday, Feb 01 2025

Friday Letter - January 24, 2025

JANUARY 24, 2025 FRIDAY LETTER VOLUME 7 NO. 21 Dear MDUSD Community, I cannot believe that we are approaching the final week of January. This week's Friday Letter has exciting updates and recognitions that celebrate the incredible work happening throughout Mt. Diablo. We are so excited to spotlight the  College Now program at Diablo Valley College (DVC), which is currently recruiting juniors and seniors for the 2025-26 school year. Thanks to a recent grant, the program is expanding its offerings, and we encourage families to attend one of the upcoming parent information nights to learn more. With the application deadline quickly approaching in February, now is the perfect time to check out this opportunity for our students. We’ll also bring you highlights from this week’s Board of Education meeting, including my Superintendent’s Report. This edition will also share the recent  KPIX news report, where I had the privilege of discussing the importance of student safety . Also, we’ll showcase a recent  Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teacher training that focused on making literacy fun for our young learners. Our Resource of the Week is designed to support our immigrant families, offering a step-by-step guide on how to Create a Family Preparedness Plan. Other highlights include:  College Park HS Biomedical Sciences students practice blood draws Finally, we’ll share  school and staff social media highlights, including peeks into the fun experiences students are enjoying in the College Now program . Thank you for your partnership in supporting the success and safety of all students. Dr. Adam Clark, Superintendent Spotlight MDUSD's "College Now" program at DVC  is accepting applications for 2025-26! College Now juniors Nathan Torres and Zahra Almukter stand in the Diablo Valley College quad on a break between high school and college classes on the campus . College Now, MDUSD's "middle college," is recruiting 11th & 12th graders for the 2025-2026 school year. Through a partnership with Diablo Valley College (DVC), College Now allows students to start college while they are still in high school. College Now students attend both high school and college classes on DVC's campus, using those college classes to meet graduation and college entrance requirements. Students in the alternative high school program also have the opportunity to explore possible career interests. The goal is for all College Now graduates to finish high school with at least one year of college completed. This head start on college saves both time and money when students go on to complete college.   Over the last several weeks, College Now presented to 10th graders at all District high schools. College Now will host two parent information nights next month: February 5 at MDUSD's Willow Creek Center and February 11 at Mt. Diablo High School. The February 5 meeting will also have a virtual option. Please see the attached  flyers for more information. Applications are due on February 13.  Started in 2016-17, College Now is targeted toward students who are self-motivated, independent learners seeking more academic rigor in a supportive community of teachers, counselors and tutors. This includes students who may feel disconnected from their regular high school, who are able to do college-level work and are looking for something different. The program has received a $250,000 Middle College/Early College grant from the state to expand from its original 60 students (30 juniors and 30 seniors) up to 120 students This year, about 98 students are enrolled in the program, including juniors Nathan Torres and Zahra Almukter, who previously attended Mt. Diablo HS and Concord HS respectively. They both highly recommend the program and say it provided them with a "fresh start" on a college campus in a small community of students, teachers and counselors that feels like a family, where everyone treats each other with respect and cares about each other. "I view DVC as my second home," Nathan said. "I'm enjoying my time here."  They both work outside of school and say they appreciate the program's focus on making connections between what they are learning in class to their lives, which makes classes relevant and engaging. Both said they have grown and matured since starting the program last semester, gaining confidence in their academic abilities, as well as in their social, emotional, public speaking and life skills. They were both seeking new challenges and are excited to be part of a diverse student population that includes teens as well as adults in their college classes. "There are a lot of different people and they all have their own stories and we all learn from each other," Zahra said. They said teachers, counselors and tutors give constructive feedback on assignments and in one-on-one meetings that helps them to think critically, overcome struggles and reflect on their short-term goals and their long-term goals after graduation. For example, Zahra said math teacher Ms. Higby encourages students to ask questions if they don't understand something. "I find that so helpful, because if you're able to pinpoint your confusion, you can work through it," she said. "Teachers here want the best for their students." Social Studies teacher Erica Shaw, who often posts on social media about students' educational experiences, said, "I teach in College Now to empower all students to analyze the world around them so they can create the future they want for themselves and their community." Counselor Rima Boujaoude added: "I came to College Now because it provides a unique opportunity for students to be a part of a smaller learning community, and allows me to get to know each student as an individual, which is a challenge in a comprehensive high school setting. I firmly believe in the program's commitment to constantly striving to break down barriers to higher education, as well as to other postsecondary options, so all students can recognize their full potential." Check out the College Now Social Media highlights below to see how students have started off this school year. College Now students participate in a variety of fun and educational activities throughout the year. Recent social media highlights include: US History students used AI to generate Funko Pop industrialists and labor organizers as they learned about industrialization and the Gilded Age, Seniors participated an in “ Econ Island ” simulation that required them to determine economic goals and set up their own societies, in a community-building activity, students got to know each other better through “ speed dating” style conversations , and Students finished the first week of the 2nd semester reviewing their “why we are here” statements, then participating in a paper airplane competition and trivia game including current events questions. District News Board Briefs: Board appoints culinary manager; hears reports, receives MDEA proposal The MDUSD Board on Jan. 22 appointed Nicole Cadiz  as the culinary manager in the Food & Nutrition Services Dept., heard reports on the District audit, budget and Sequoia Elementary playground improvements; received an additional successor agreement proposal from the Mt. Diablo Education Association (MDEA), reviewed School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSAs), and approved changes and updates to Board policies, among other items. The agenda is here . Also during the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark presented a report outlining District goals and giving an update on District and school immigration protocols, resources and Board policies, as well as Title IX changes and protections, among other items. You can watch his presentation here .  Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark's Weekly Organizational Update to the Board, which includes detailed District operations reports from Department leaders, is here . An archive of past reports is here . MDUSD Superintendent speaks to KPIX about District preparations for possible ICE presence Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark spoke to KPIX news about how the District is preparing for possible ICE presence near schools. “I will do whatever it takes to protect our students,” he said, adding that ICE agents would be required to go to the District Office. KPIX also interviewed a Meadow Homes Elementary parent and MDEA teachers' union president Linda Ortega regarding their concerns about policy changes under President Trump. Ensuring the Safety and Well-Being of All MDUSD Students MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark sent a message to District staff, parents/guardians and students on Friday, Jan. 24th outlining protocols and the District's planned response to potential immigration enforcement. "The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority," he said. "Every child deserves to learn in an environment free from harm, harassment, and fear, where they can focus on their academic, social, and emotional growth. Our District is deeply committed to ensuring that all students are protected, respected, and supported—regardless of their background, race, religion, immigration status, gender, or socioeconomic status. To maintain this commitment, we follow safety protocols to protect our campuses...." You can read the complete message here , which includes student pick-up processes, secure facilities, surveillance systems, and collaborative protocols, as well as the District's Board-adopted regulation related to Response to Immigration Enforcement.  MDUSD Negotiations Update On January 21, 2025, the District’s negotiation team met with the MDEA teachers' union's negotiating team for its second session of the school year. Our goal for these negotiations is to reach an agreement that serves the best interests of our staff, students, families, the District, and our entire community while remaining ever-focused on improving every student's educational experience in MDUSD.  During this session, the District received and asked questions about the proposals that MDEA presented, which included 18 sections in the MDEA contract. The complete negotiations update is here . The next negotiation session with MDEA is on January 28, 2025. More information is on the MDUSD “Human Resources / Labor Relations” web page here   A Joyful Year of Learning in TK Student Services Director Marji Calbeck and TK literacy resources (above left). TK teachers Brittney Jochim, Melinda Castrillon and Anne Clausen try out new TK curriculum materials (above center). Edy Fairbanks, Crissy Bilyk, Melissa Miller, Mauren Postigo, and Theresa Zapata at TK training (above right). MDUSD's Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) Joanie Cuneo recently led a professional development day of training with TK teachers around literacy, called "Planting the Seeds of Early Literacy," continuing the TK theme, "A Joyful Year of Learning in TK." Each TK teacher received three sections of the updated 2024 Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations, California's early learning standards for children in early education programs: Approaches to Learning, Social Emotional Development, and Language and Literacy Development, Cuneo said. "To support a play-based approach to learning, TK teachers were given two new picture books to add to their classroom library, alphabet sounds teaching tubs, and a wooden mystery box with discovery items to use with their students the next day," she said. "Teachers returned to their classrooms with resources to share over 16 different books supporting oral language and vocabulary development with their students." Teacher comments from a survey they filled out at the end of the day included: I always feel encouraged after a TK training.  I enjoyed the hands-on activities, books, songs, and discovery centers.  Leaving a TK training with developmentally appropriate materials that I can use with my students the next day is always great. "Joyful learning happens through hands-on experiences, collaborative play, and focusing on the child's natural desire to explore and discover," Cuneo said. "Using the resources and materials provided at the TK training, teachers create learning environments where children actively engage with materials and activities that are fun and playful and foster a sense of curiosity while still achieving academic goals, all within a supportive and nurturing classroom atmosphere."  Elevating wellbeing: Partnership with Soluna for free, anonymous youth mental health support MDUSD is excited to announce our partnership with Soluna, a leading mental health app dedicated to delivering 24/7 support for youth ages 13-25.  This collaboration empowers young people by providing instant access to self-help resources, moderated forums, free writing, and 1:1 coaching – all conveniently available on their smartphones. No cost. No pressure. Completely anonymous. Soluna is a comprehensive and confidential mental health toolkit designed to support young people’s wellbeing. This invaluable service comes at no cost to partners or users, thanks to a collaboration between Kooth Digital Health and the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).  Visit SolunaApp.com to learn more. Fentanyl Awareness & Facts and Tools to Save a Life event is Wednesday, Jan. 29 Learning to recognize the symptoms of an opioid overdose and being ready to administer naloxone may save a life.  Our next Fentanyl Awareness Event will be held at El Dorado Middle School on January 29, 2025, at 6 p.m. We will share resources and provide snacks and water at 5:40 p.m.   Click on this link to register for our event at El Dorado Middle School.  Please share this information with your families and friends.   We encourage students to attend this event with their parent/guardian. Farsi Heritage Listening Session is Thursday, Jan 30 at Willow Creek Center in Concord Click on this video to hear an invitation to the Farsi Heritage Language listening session from Chitra Bhardwaj, Multilingual Dept. Assist. Director. Dear MDUSD families, The District's Multilingual Education Dept. warmly invites you to join us on January 30th from 6-7 p.m. at Willow Creek Center for a listening session to explore the possibility of introducing a Farsi Heritage Language program in our District. We value your input and look forward to hearing from our families as we work toward expanding our community-based heritage language programs. Please see the flyers and video above for more information. MDUSD is seeking 2024-25 Classified Employee of the Year nominations by Friday, Jan. 31st MDUSD is seeking nominations of classified (non-teaching) staff who are not managers or supervisors and have worked in their roles at least five years in the following categories: Clerical and Administrative Services Custodial and Maintenance Services Food and Nutrition Services Health and Student Services Paraprofessional Services Security Services Skilled Trades Services Technical Services Transportation Services The nomination deadline is Friday, Jan. 31.  You must be an MDUSD employee to submit a nomination. The nomination form is here . Special Education families invited to "Being an Effective IEP Team Member" Workshop on Feb. 8 MDUSD parents and guardians whose children have Individualized Education Program (EIP) plans are invited to a "Being an Effective EIP Team Member" workshop at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, February 8 at the Loma Vista Adult Education Campus, 1266 San Carlos Ave. in Concord. Lunch will be provided and childcare is available. Register for the workshop  here . For questions, contact Parent Liaison Melody Royal at royalm@mdusd.org or (925) 682-8000 ext. 4297. Supporting our Immigrant Families: Resource of the Week Creating a Family Preparedness Plan This week's resource will help families to create a Family Preparedness Plan. The Step-by-Step guide from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center includes: Making a child care plan Finding out about your immigration options Knowing your rights Addendums Other resources This information, available in English and Spanish, is here . I mmigration Forum on Saturday, Jan. 25 in Pittsburg Contra Costa County families can get legal assistance about immigration issues at an upcoming  Immigration Forum from 9 a.m. to closing Saturday, Jan. 25 at Willow Cove Elementary, 1880 Hanlon Way in Pittsburg (94565).  The free event will include: Immigration consultations Know your rights workshops A resource fair For more information, email Erica Yañez at erica.yanez@pd.cccounty.us or Leticia Preciado Gomez at lpreciado-gomez@pittsburgusd.net. School News College Park HS Biomedical Sciences students practice blood draws Valerie Williams, who teaches Principles of Biomedical Sciences at College Park High School, is excited to share that her Project Lead the Way Career Pathway students recently had the opportunity to use a phlebotomy arm to practice blood draws (above). In this class, students who are interested in a biotech career get hands on experience, she said. "This week we started our clinical care unit," she explained, adding that students worked on patient care, proper protective equipment, and blood draw technique. Congrats on providing students with real-world experience that can lead to biotech careers! More information about MDUSD's Career Pathways programs is here . School Social Media Highlights Bel Air, Gregory Gardens, Strandwood and Valle Verde elementary schools MDUSD elementary students have been enjoying their time back at school after Winter Break. Recent social media highlights include: Bel Air Elementary students learned about Martin Luther King, Jr.; Gregory Gardens Elementary students made 3D shapes in art class; Strandwood Elementary celebrated its new PTA-funded courtyard; and Valle Verde Elementary celebrating its spelling bee winners. Diablo View, Riverview, Sequoia and Valley View middle schools MDUSD middle school students have been participating in a variety of activities this month. Recent social media highlights include: Diablo View MS students showing their spirit on “Animal Print Day,” Riverview MS recapping the recent 8th grade CTE fair in a reel, Sequoia MS students informing and entertaining “future Giants” from Sequoia Elementary, and the Valley View MS Band inspiring Hidden Valley Elementary students.  College Park, Concord, Mt. Diablo and Olympic high schools MDUSD high school students have been enjoying sports and arts and crafts this month. Recent social media highlights include: College Park HS softball  thanking MDUSD and campus volunteers for field improvements as they gear up for softball tryouts, the Concord HS Soccer team celebrating its 3-0 win v. Alhambra HS, Mt. Diablo HS students taking on staff in a basketball game, and the Olympic HS wellness center and College & Career Center teaming up to offer crocheting lessons to students.    Staff Social Media Highlights Delta View Elementary, Mt. Diablo Elementary, and Northgate High School MDUSD staff have been celebrating this month. Recent social media highlights include: Delta View Elementary teacher John Fox is elected President of the Vallejo City Unified School District Board of Education (here's a PTA profile of Mr. Fox), Mt. Diablo Elem. Principal Mrs. Harris returns after maternity leave to rejoin vice principal Mrs. Romo to lead the school, and the Northgate HS Women’s soccer team celebrates Coach Steve’s birthday! Community News The City of Pleasant Hill workshops to shape community’s Climate Action Plan Jan. 30 and Feb. 1 The City of Pleasant Hill invites interested MDUSD staff and residents to an upcoming workshop to shape the community’s Climate Action Plan. The workshop will provide an opportunity for public agencies, local organizations, and community stakeholders to collaborate on actionable strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance sustainability, and build resilience to climate change. School staff and parent input will be critical in ensuring that the plan reflects the needs and priorities of the community. Both workshops will be the same.  #1 Workshop: Thursday, January 30, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 100 Gregory Lane #2 Workshop: Saturday, February 1st, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. atCity Hall, 100 Gregory Lane More information is  here . Important Dates Jan. 25:   Immigration  Forum from 9 a.m. to closing at Willow Cove Elementary, 1880 Hanlon Way in Pittsburg (94565) (see flyers)  Jan. 28: District Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)  meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center in Concord Jan. 29:  Fentanyl Awareness  event at 6 p.m. at El Dorado MS in Concord Jan. 30:  Farsi Heritage Language program  listening session from 6-7 p.m. at Willow Creek Center in Concord (see District News) Feb. 12: District Governing Board  meeting at 6 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom Feb. 13: African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC)  meeting /Black History Month Recognition at 6 p.m. at the Black Family Resource Center in Bay Point The Friday Letter is written and compiled by Theresa Harrington Brandt, Public Information and Community Relations Officer. Reach her at brandtt@mdusd.org for Friday Letter submissions.

Saturday, Jan 25 2025

Friday Letter - January 17, 2025

JANUARY 17, 2025 FRIDAY LETTER VOLUME 7 NO. 20 Dear MDUSD Community, As we move into 2025, we are excited to introduce a new feature in this week’s Friday Letter:  “Supporting Our Immigrant Families: Resource of the Week.” Each week, we will spotlight resources and opportunities designed to support the needs of our immigrant families. This week, we’re highlighting an  Immigration Forum on Saturday, January 25 , at Willow Cove Elementary in Pittsburg. The event will provide free immigration consultations, “Know Your Rights” workshops, as well as a resource fair. We encourage families who are interested to take advantage of this opportunity. We are also proud to spotlight an effort by  Northgate High School U.S. History students who are making a difference by supporting the Altadena Girls project . This initiative helps Eaton wildfire victims in the predominantly Black Altadena neighborhood, a community tied to their studies of the “Great Migration” during the 1920s. Under the guidance of teacher Meg Honey, donations will be packed and shipped on Monday, January 20, as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.  This week’s letter also features updates on the recent AAPAC MLK Day celebration and details about the upcoming Farsi Heritage Language listening session on January 30 . We are delighted to recognize Hidden Valley  Elementary School, which earned an Eco Award from the City of Martinez for its exceptional waste reduction efforts. Finally, we’re sharing  school, student, and staff highlights from across the District shared on social media. We are proud of the incredible work happening across MDUSD to foster learning and community engagement. Thank you for your continued support in helping us grow together as a district. Thank you, Dr. Adam Clark Spotlight Northgate HS U.S. History students collect donations for Altadena Girls to benefit wildfire victims in predominantly Black neighborhood, which was settled after "Great Migration" from the south Northgate HS U.S. History Teacher Meg Honey shows the Great Migration from the South to Los Angeles to her class (above left); students Airah Pozas, Anna Murgescu and Babak Okhravi hold items to benefit Altadena wildfire victims (above center); students sort items to be packed (above right), and Honey invites the community to donate items (below right).  Northgate HS students in teacher Meg Honey's U.S. History class are collecting donations to benefit Eaton wildfire victims in the Altadena area, which they have learned was one of the first Black middle class neighborhoods that residents of the deep South migrated to in the 1920s as they sought to escape from oppressions of Jim Crow laws. The students are supporting the Altadena Girls  effort, started by a 14-year-old girl, which went viral on Instagram. The class effort will culminate on Monday - the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Action - when Honey and some of her students and community volunteers will pack up items collected and ship them to the Altadena Girls. As of Friday, the class had collected more than 15 moving boxes full of items requested, along with $3,000 in donations and a pledge from an anonymous donor who has offered to pay for all the shipping costs. Honey, overcome by the outpouring of generosity, was moved to tears, as she spearheaded the effort, which her students wholeheartedly embraced as a way to give back to the California community. Honey invited community members to support the project on social media  posts .  Students Airah Pozas, Babak Okhrayi, Anna Murgescu, Adam Novik, Samara Spiker and Kaley Nguyen said they wanted to help after they learned about the damage done to the Altadena neighborhood.  Airah said she tried to imagine what it was like for the teens affected by the fires and that some of the items they put on their wish list were things that she would also want if she had lost everything. Babak and Adam, who are part of the school's Leadership class, said they view this project as another way to serve the greater community and it's especially meaningful on the MLK Jr. Day of Service. Babak said he donated a hoodie and some school supplies.  Anna said students have learned about the Great Migration and that packing up the items on Monday would be a great way to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy. Adam said Northgate fosters a strong sense of community service in its clubs and in its "If I could change the world" projects. "Giving back is part of what a lot of students do here," he said, adding that this project was significant since it tied in with what they had learned about the Great Migration and discrimination in U.S. history. Samara said she knows people who have had to evacuate due to the wildfires, which inspired her to want to help. And Kaley said she appreciated the opportunity to act on what they have been learning in class. "It's good to be able to put it into perspective and give to people who really need something," she said.  District News No school Monday, January 20th in recognition of Martin Luther King. Jr. holiday All MDUSD schools and District Offices will be closed Monday, January 20th in recognition of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holliday. The MDUSD Board has adopted a resolution in recognition of this holiday, which says in part: "Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement helped change public policy from legal and socially acceptable discrimination and segregation to an open and accessible policy of racial integration leading to equal participation in and access to primary and higher education, housing, employment, transportation, federal, state, and local governmental elections, and other aspects of public policy relating to human rights....the Governing Board of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District hereby calls upon everyone to observe this day by actively participating in civic, community, and service projects in honor of Dr. King's 96th birthday, and to commemorate the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom by living our shared MDUSD values, striving for righteousness, and bringing goodness to others." African American Parent Advisory Council hosts 3rd Annual MDUSD MLK Family Night MDUSD's African American Parent Advisory Council ( AAPAC ) hosted its 3rd Annual MDUSD MLK Family Night on Thursday, Jan. 9th at the Black Family Resource Center in Bay Point. "The room was filled with families, food and friends," said Dr. Lamont Francies, MDUSD's Black/African American Family Engagement Coordinator, who facilitated the event. "We had teachers, administrators, Board members, students and parents in attendance. We learned about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We learned about his Southern origins, his religious convictions and struggles throughout his teenage and young adult years. We also studied his philosophical approach to non-violence and his commitment to racial justice and social equity. Many left the event inspired and encouraged to continue the work of the slain civil rights leader." The next district wide AAPAC event will be a Black History Month Recognition on Thursday, February 13th at 6 p.m. at 235 Pacifica Ave. in Bay Point. All are welcome. Free Community Vaccine event on January 22 at Cambridge Elementary in Concord Contra Costa Health Department is offering free vaccines to any student, parent, or community member on Wednesday, January 22, 2025  from 2-5 p.m. at Cambridge Elementary, 1135 Lacey Lane in Concord. Children can get vaccines required for school, and anyone can get flu shots and/or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.   Click on this link to access flyers (also attached) about the event. Board Briefs: Board to appoint culinary manager; hear audit, budget and playground reports The MDUSD Board will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday,  Jan. 22  in the District Office Boardroom to appoint a new culinary manager; hear reports on the District audit, budget and Sequoia Elementary playground improvements; receive an additional successor agreement proposal from the Mt. Diablo Education Association (MDEA), review School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSAs), and review and potentially approve changes and updates to Board policies, among other items. The agenda is here . Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark's Weekly Organizational Update to the Board , which includes detailed District operations reports from Department leaders, is here . An archive of past reports is here . Ed Roberts Day is Thursday, Jan. 23 The MDUSD Board had adopted a resolution recognizing Thursday, Jan. 23rd as Ed Roberts Day honoring Roberts, who contracted polio as a teen and was later the first student with a severe disability to attend UC Berkeley, where he advocated for improved accessibility. He later cofounded the World Institute on Disability to eliminate barriers for those with disabilities. In its resolution, the Board said it "supports the designation of an 'Ed Roberts Day' and acknowledges the accomplishments of Ed Roberts in helping reduce barriers, increase access, and improve lives for persons with disabilities."  Fentanyl Awareness & Facts and Tools to Save a Life event is Jan. 29 at El Dorado MS  Learning to recognize the symptoms of an opioid overdose and being ready to administer naloxone may save a life.  Our next Fentanyl Awareness Event will be held at El Dorado Middle School on January 29, 2025, at 6 p.m. We will share resources and provide snacks and water at 5:40 p.m.   Click on this link to register for our event at El Dorado Middle School.   Please share this information with your families and friends.   We encourage students to attend this event with their parent/guardian. Farsi Heritage Listening Session is Jan 30, 2025 at Willow Creek Center in Concord Click on this video to hear an invitation to the Farsi Heritage Language listening session from Chitra Bhardwaj, Multilingual Dept. Assist. Director. Dear MDUSD families, The District's Multilingual Education Dept. warmly invites you to join us on January 30th from 6-7 p.m. at Willow Creek Center for a listening session to explore the possibility of introducing a Farsi Heritage Language program in our District. We value your input and look forward to hearing from our families as we work toward expanding our community-based heritage language programs. Please see the flyers and video above for more information. MDUSD is seeking 2024-25 Classified Employee of the Year nominations by Jan. 31st MDUSD is seeking nominations of classified (non-teaching) staff who are not managers or supervisors and have worked in their roles at least five years in the following categories: Clerical and Administrative Services Custodial and Maintenance Services Food and Nutrition Services Health and Student Services Paraprofessional Services Security Services Skilled Trades Services Technical Services Transportation Services The nomination deadline is Friday, Jan. 31.  The nomination form is here . Special Education families invited to "Being an Effective IEP Team Member" Workshop on Feb. 8 MDUSD parents and guardians whose children have Individualized Education Program (EIP) plans are invited to a "Being an Effective EIP Team Member" workshop at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, February 8 at the Loma Vista Adult Education Campus, 1266 San Carlos Ave. in Concord. Lunch will be provided and childcare is available. Register for the workshop  here . For questions, contact Parent Liaison Melody Royal at royalm@mdusd.org or (925) 682-8000 ext. 4297. Supporting our Immigrant Families: Resource of the Week Immigration Forum on Saturday, Jan. 25 in Pittsburg Contra Costa County families can get legal assistance about immigration issues at an upcoming Immigration Forum from 9 a.m. to closing Saturday, Jan. 25 at Willow Cove Elementary, 1880 Hanlon Way in Pittsburg (94565).  The free event will include: Immigration consultations Know your rights workshops A resource fair For more information, email Erica Yañez at erica.yanez@pd.cccounty.us or Leticia Preciado Gomez at lpreciado-gomez@pittsburgusd.net. School News Hidden Valley Elementary receives a 2024 Eco Award for waste reduction from City of Martinez Hidden Valley Elementary students and Principal Jenny Tosi accept Eco Award from the Martinez City Council (above left). Student posters promote composting (above right). School garden (below left). The 4th and 5th graders at Hidden Valley Elementary have been actively composting during their lunches as an extension of their learning in Enrichment classes led by Ms. Sara Young, said Principal Jenny Tosi. In recognition of their outstanding efforts, the City of Martinez has awarded Hidden Valley the 2024 Eco Award for waste reduction. The City Council invited the students to their council meeting on Jan. 15 to accept the award and take a commemorative photo with council members. The City Council's staff report said the school "is being recognized for implementing an organics collection program for food scraps in their cafeteria and ongoing recycling collection efforts throughout the school. Their waste diversion efforts are supported by various members of the school’s community, including Principal Jenny Tosi, lunch supervisors, custodial staff, and teachers Rebecca Campos and Sara Young. Fourth grade teacher, Rebecca Campos, coordinates the entire campus’ recycling program with her class. Sara Young, who teaches science enrichment to fourth and fifth grade students, educates her students about composting, coordinates student volunteers on the 'Compost Crew,' and calculates the school’s waste diversion from landfills." School Social Media Highlights Meadow Homes, Mt. Diablo and Valle Verde elementary schools MDUSD elementary students are enjoying a variety of activities as they kick off the new year. Recent social media highlights include: Meadow Homes Elementary  students engaged in educational activities, Mt. Diablo Elementary students and staff stepping out in their Eagles Spirit wear, and Valle Verde Elementary 4th-graders creating chemical reactions in science!  Diablo View, Pine Hollow and Sequoia middle schools MDUSD middle school students are learning and having fun this month. Recent social media highlights include: Diablo View MS students celebrating "Hat or Headband" spirit day, Pine Hollow MS  8th-graders creating Presidential Posters for past elections in US History, and Sequoia MS students participating in basketball tryouts to compete against students at other middle schools. Concord, College Park and Mt. Diablo high schools and the College Now program at DVC MDUSD high school students are showcasing their skills and programs this month. Recent social media highlights include: Concord HS student Scotty Bliss recognized by other NCS High School coaches as an award-winning Water Polo goalie, College Park HS freshman boys basketball player Miles Cooper highlighted by West Coast Preps, Mt. Diablo HS showcases CTE pathways and electives at its annual electives fair, and the College Now program at DVC continues recruiting and reminds applicants of it Feb. 13 deadline. Staff Social Media Highlights Mt. Diablo HS; Monte Gardens Elementary; Special Ed., Student Services & Superintendent; Northgate HS  MDUSD staff members have been busy this month. Recent social media highlights include: A Mt. Diablo HS spotlight on College and Career Advisory Ms. Erika, Monte Gardens Elementary  Principal Bess Inzeo and MDUSD Special Ed. Director Amy Sudrla twinning, Superintendent Dr. Clark attends the ACSA Every Student Counts Conference along with Special Education and Student Services staff members, and Northgate HS Principal Kelly Cooper celebrates her 7th year leading the school. Community News HS students invited to enter creative arts contest that honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy Bay Area High School students are invited to participate in the 3rd annual creative competition honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, called "Step Into the Light." As a youth arts competition created by the Cow Palace, Step Into the Light has essay, poetry, art, and video categories. The Grand Prize is an Apple Airpod Max Wireless Headphone Set, and the Best of Show Winners for each category win $300. Step Into the Light is an opportunity for youth to share their creative talents as a way to call out injustices by shining a light on them and making a difference in our local communities. Submitted art pieces can express imaginative and resourceful ways to grow compassionate neighborly interaction and community service. Art pieces may include photography, fine art, sculpture and mixed media inspired by Dr. King’s messages addressing injustices, which were stirring, and were always shared with a ray of hope. Entries may be submitted at the Cow Palace’s Administration Offices Mondays-Fridays, 9AM-6PM, or emailed by January 24th at 6PM. For more information on competition entry guidelines, please click on the QR Codes in the flyer, or email the Cow Palace with questions at SITL@cowpalace.com. Important Dates Jan. 20: Schools and District Offices closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday Jan. 21: Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC)  meeting at 7 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom at 1936 Carlotta Drive in Concord. Jan. 22: Free vaccine clinic at Cambridge Elementary 2-5 p.m.; District Governing Board  meeting at 6 p.m. in the District Office Boardroom Jan. 23:  Ed Roberts Day acknowledging the accomplishments of Ed Roberts in improving the lives of persons with disabilities. Jan. 28: District Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)  meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Center in Concord Jan. 29: Fentanyl Awareness  event at 6 p.m. at El Dorado MS in Concord The Friday Letter is written and compiled by Theresa Harrington Brandt, Public Information and Community Relations Officer. Reach her at brandtt@mdusd.org for Friday Letter submissions.

Saturday, Jan 18 2025