It’s been a busy few weeks, but wonderful to get outside and see students and staff engaging in high quality learning. I’m especially grateful to the Big Valley Pomo Dancers - Riverview middle school students and their family who asked to perform an opening ceremony at tomorrow night’s school board meeting in honor of Native American Heritage month.

Now is the time especially for 8th graders to explore the various high school options in our district!  Visit schools, ask about career pathways, academies and special programs. Reach out to me if you want to discuss. I’m happy to share the exciting options I’ve visited throughout our district.  For example, here’s a photo of teacher Tom Trowbridge at Concord High with the tiny house that his Construction Management students are building as they learn varied skills, from woodworking to plumbing and electrical.

Parents/Guardians of current 5th -11th graders may apply for transfers online at https://www.mdusd.org/intradistricttransfers between October 15-November 15, 2021. 

Read on for:

1. International Baccalaureate Parent Info Mtg TONIGHT

2. School Board meeting October 27th

3. Superintendent’s message

4. CA Reading Coalition Summit & Resources

5. News on K-12 enrollment “fiscal cliff”

6. Districtwide Career Fair a Success!

International Baccalaureate Parent Info Mtg TONIGHT

Parents and guardians of students in grades 8-10 are invited to a virtual Information Meeting TONIGHT, Tuesday Oct 26 at 7pm, regarding the International Baccalaureate College Prep Programme at Ygnacio Valley HS for juniors and seniors. Intradistrict Transfers are available for the 2022-23 school year for any MDUSD student who lives outside the YVHS boundary area. (It’s recommended to transfer to YVHS for 9th grade if you are interested in the full diploma programme). The Intradistrict transfer deadline is Nov. 15. 

Read the district’s news story on IB here.

Click here to register for the zoom link for tonight’s 7pm informational meeting.

School Board Meeting October 27, 2021

Our board meeting will again be located at Monte Gardens Elementary to provide adequate space for the public. Find the agenda and details here. You may send a public comment via email to [email protected] or come in person to make a Public Comment during the meeting.  

The agenda will include 

• Opening ceremony by Riverview native students and their family: the Big Valley Pomo Dancers

• Resolution proclaiming November as Native American Heritage Awareness month

• Reports on Measure C bond facilities projects, HOPE homeless student outreach, and sale of property for Pleasant Hill library site

• Superintendent report on student assessments

• Action to increase substitute teacher pay and to approve the Coordinated Care Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) plan regarding Disproportionality by race in Special Education

• an update to the Board's Suicide Prevention policy

Superintendent’s Message

Read Dr Clark’s October 22nd Friday message here, including: MDUSD's Bridge Program for special education students ages 18 to 22, our condolences to the family of a Bay Point high school student who unexpectedly passed away last weekend, a new ADA pathway in an elementary school garden, a successful high school career fair last Wednesday, important upcoming dates, and the Superintendent's Weekly Organizational Update. 

CA Reading Coalition Summit & Resources

The CA Reading Coalition last week held a statewide summit on the science of reading. You can watch the recordings at https://www.careads.org/summit-recap and view their Reading Report Card at https://www.careads.org/reportcard

This is a call to action for most of the school districts in the California, to carefully examine how we are teaching reading and what it will take to drastically improve student outcomes.  

Good news in our district - our last board meeting featured the MDUSD partnership with UCSF and Learning Ally on a dyslexia screener pilot program. Stay tuned for how you can volunteer to help!

News on K-12 enrollment “fiscal cliff”

This Edsource article, “Projected K-12 drops in enrollment pose immediate upheaval and decade-long challenge” explains one of the biggest challenges our district is facing right now, along with school districts throughout the state: a major drop in enrollment that will mean significant cuts in state funding - “a fiscal cliff” - beginning next school year.  This is one of the reasons why it is not easy for our board to approve salary raises for all staff. We must be able to clearly show where the money will come from for any salary raise, to afford it over the next 3 years, even though the state only commits to specific school funding one year at a time.  We all believe that our hard working teachers and employees deserve to be paid much more, yet we must ensure the district lives within its means. 

I recommend https://ed100.org/ as a way to learn about our state education funding. This free site provides 5 minute lessons in English & Spanish, enables parents to comment and share with others from their school, and periodically win prizes. 

Districtwide Career Fair a Success!

Concord High hosted students from all over the district for a Career Fair last week. Thank you so much to all the Contra Costa Building Trades, fire, police, and companies who provided apprenticeship information and hands-on fun opportunities for students.

I enjoyed trying out the Operating Engineers diggers and the Ironworkers simulated welding. 

And yes, that’s Principal Pfaltzgraff climbing the IronWorkers pole!

I hope you had a wonderful Indigenous People’s Day! I want to thank Board trustee Nzewi for sharing a land acknowledgement at our last board meeting, where we formally recognized Indigenous People’s Day.  Here is an excellent resource for lessons on indigenous history and culture. A big thank you also to our dedicated teachers and staff who spent yesterday working hard in teams to analyze their school student data and use that to design stronger opportunities for students.  

It’s also been so heartwarming to hear the many ways that our community has been welcoming new families from Afghanistan into our schools. Here is a list of Resources to Welcome Afghan students that I’ve heard about so far, and would be happy to add to this. Please share your stories with me, as together we can wrap our arms around these new families to make them feel as welcome as possible.

Community support for our schools is strong, and I’ve so enjoyed seeing so many of you in action from all over our district the last few weeks, at the Yours Humanly Break a Sweat for Education Run - see photos here, the Riverview Growing Healthy Kids Garden Open House, and the Walnut Creek Community Service Day. (more photos at the end)

#TogetherWeCan build positive, healthy schools & communities!

Read on for:

1. Superintendent’s October 8th message
2. School Board meeting October 13th
3. Students Active on Voter Registration Day
4. Advocacy for Electric School Buses
5. More Photos of Community in Action

Superintendent’s Message

Read Dr Clark’s October 8th Friday message here, including:

• MDUSD Education Foundation Annual Report
• School Counselor SEL (Social Emotional Learning) newsletter in English & Spanish
• TONIGHT - Dual Language Middle School Information Night - on Tuesday October 12, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Holbrook Language Academy , 3333 Ronald Way in Concord: This meeting will provide information about the Dual Language Middle School to parents of current 5th-graders participating in a Dual Language or Two Way Dual Immersion program in one of these schools: Meadow Homes, Cambridge, Ygnacio Valley, Bancroft, Shore Acres and Bel Air elementary schools. 
• #WalkandRollToSchoolDay - thank you to all participating schools!
• Hiring event Oct 21st - 5-8 p.m. at the District Office, 1936 Carlotta Drive in Concord. 
  • We encourage candidates to apply online prior to the event and to bring college transcripts, if available. 
  • All Special Education Assistant Positions get a $1,500 hiring bonus. 
  • We're also looking for Substitute Teachers, Food Service Assistants, Custodial Substitutes, School Bus Drivers, Campus Supervisors and many other positions! 
  • Interviews will be conducted and job offers will be given to qualified candidates. TB Test required for all positions. Face coverings are required for all individuals entering the District Office building. 
  • Details about openings are at https://REBRAND.LY/MDUSDHIRINGFAIR. If you have questions, please call 925-682-8000. 
  • More information about becoming a substitute teacher in the District is here. This position offers a flexible schedule and competitive rates.

School Board Meeting October 13, 2021

Our board meeting will again be located at Monte Gardens Elementary to provide adequate space for the public. Find the agenda and details here. 

You may send a public comment via email: emails to [email protected] are automatically distributed to each board member, and will be entered into the public record when received on meeting days only. Or come in person to make a Public Comment during the meeting.  

The agenda will include 

• Resolutions proclaiming October as Dyslexia Awareness Month, Disability Month, Anti-Bullying Awareness Month and Filipino American History Month
• A resolution for Mt Diablo students to earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement 
• Vice Principal and staff appointments. 
• Reports on a recent bond refinancing, enrollment, fire service improvements, substitutes, Title 1 schools and schools eligible for Comprehensive Support and Improvement. 
• A spending plan for federal emergency funding (ESSER)
• Review of the CCEIS Plan for improving disproportionality in special education
• Extending the superintendent's contract

Students Active on #NationalVoterRegistrationDay 

MDUSD students took the initiative to register fellow students to vote on Sept 28th, National Voter Registration Day. Shared on twitter were:

• this @GENupUS video featuring our MDUSD graduate and former student school board member, @michelle_alas13 along with @CASOSvote Secretary of State @DrShirleyWeber

• Ygnacio Valley High Democratic Club tabled and helped pre-register and register students!

• And Northgate students invited @cocoelections to their school.  Contra Costa County Elections loves to help register students to vote, and will come out for free to any school if requested.

October resolutions

October is LGBTQ History Month

Oct. 10-16: Week of the School Administrator

Oct. 10-16: Final week of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)

Oct. 11-15: National School Lunch Week

Advocacy for Electric School Buses

We are glad to have a partial fleet of electric school buses in our district, but the federal government can choose to invest boldly now to get ALL diesel school buses off the streets nationwide. Watch the CALPIRG video here.

More Photos of Community in Action

Riverview Growing Healthy Kids Garden

Walnut Creek Community Service Day at Valle Verde and Walnut Acres Elementary

Did you know: as of Sept. 22, 2021, everyone 12 years and older must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, or a negative test result, before going to high-risk indoor businesses such as restaurants, bars and gyms in Contra Costa County?  This is in addition to the state’s similar mandate for all public school employees, and MDUSD student athletes are also now required to show proof of vaccination or weekly COVID tests.  (A few school districts are even beginning to mandate that ALL students 12+ to be vaccinated, however those are currently facing some legal and logistical challenges) 

We know that getting vaccinated is the best way to stay safe from COVID, to keep any quarantining to a minimum, and to protect those around you.

Do you still have questions about the vaccine? Concord High School student Lucy Goetz created a website compiled with credible resources addressing FAQ's about the COVID-19 vaccine. It's a convenient, succinct, one-stop resource, with graphics, videos, and links to accurate information. There are many convenient, free vaccine locations throughout our area.

Plus, any school or group with at least 5 people who want to get vaccinated can request the county mobile vaccine clinic to come to them! 

Read on for:

1. Superintendent’s Sept 17th message

2. School Board meeting September 22nd

3. No Place for Hate - Registration Now Open

4. “Highway 5 to Higher Ed” - UC Berkeley Black Recruitment

Superintendent’s Message

Read Dr Clark’s September 17th Friday message here, including:

• MDUSD Virtual College Fair Tuesday Sept 21st - middle and high school students or parents are encouraged to register at strivescan.com/mdusd/ 
• Contra Costa Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) webinar: Tobacco, Vaping, and Cannabis: Everything Adults Need to Know - in English & Spanish on Thursday, September 23 at 5:30 PM. No cost to attend. Pre-register Here.
• MDUSD is revising the Parent/Guardian Involvement Board Policy (BP) and Administrative Regulation (AR) 6020. Please find the newly revised policies HERE including Spanish translations. After taking the time to read the policies please complete a brief parent survey HERE. Your feedback and input is greatly appreciated.  

School Board Meeting September 22nd

Our board meeting will again be located at Monte Gardens Elementary to provide adequate space for the public. Find the agenda and details here. 

You may send a public comment via email: emails to [email protected] are automatically distributed to each board member, and will be entered into the public record when received on meeting days only. Or come in person to make a Public Comment during the meeting.  

The agenda includes:

• Resolution in Recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day
• Resolution Recognizing October as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning History Month
• Principal and Vice Principal appointments
• Fiscal progress and budget advisory reports
• Review and potential approval of agreement with T-Mobile Project 10 Million to provide up to 5,000 hotspots to empower student home connectivity during the 2021-22 school year under the Federal Emergency Connectivity Program

No Place for Hate - School Registration is now Open

Did you know that noplaceforhate.org can help you build a school learning community of inclusivity, respect and equity?

Every person in your school has a role to play.  Whether you are a student, parent, teacher, admin or staff - you can get your school registered and begin to access age appropriate activity guides and research based lesson plans. Form a committee and commit to one project this year, and you’ll be on your way.

Education Director Samantha Brown says that No Place for Hate Registration is now open for the 2021 - 2022 school year with a theme of Fighting Hate for Good!  

• All forms are now centrally located on the Regional website No Place for Hate page. 
• No Place for Hate School Registration Fee: $75, but inability to pay Registration Fee will not prevent schools from participating. 
• Adjusted requirements for 1st year schools - minimum of just 1 required schoolwide activity in addition to forming a Committee 

Visit the No Place for Hate program page to register, access the No Place for Hate Coordinator Guide, Pledge, and other important info. Sign up for ADL Education updates and newsletters here.

“Highway 5 to Higher Ed” - UC Berkeley Black Recruitment

This fall, the UC Berkeley Black Recruitment and Retention Center (BRRC) will be hosting their second annual virtual recruitment program titled “Highway 5 to Higher Ed”. This program is designed to bridge the gap between low-income Black students and higher education, but ALL Black students in California, in high school or community college, should apply. The program starts on October 11th and ends on October 23, 2021. This FREE opportunity will include: live virtual sessions with UC Berkeley students, interactive learning modules, presentations from financial aid and admissions advisors, giveaways, care packages, and more! Click here to learn more and register by Oct 1st.

Happy Labor Day!  Much gratitude to all our Mt. Diablo school employees for their heroic work keeping schools going through a pandemic.

It’s been really tough to navigate through the ever changing health guidance, employee shortages and financial strains to keep our schools open for students. We will continue to strive to provide competitive pay & benefits, professional development and safe environments for all staff.

Now is a stressful time to be serving the public through the challenges of COVID and climate change.  Please, when you face frustrating situations in our schools, remember to take a moment to express your gratitude to those who are working above and beyond to make it better. Our principals, custodians, maintenance and grounds staff, technology team, bus drivers, union leaders, office workers, food services staff, instructional assistants, after-school staff, Adult School employees, teachers, counselors, librarians, administrators, substitutes, parent group leaders, and Superintendent are working to both educate students and keep everyone safe. They keep going with the added load of COVID protocols, even when vacancies around them make the workload even harder. Each expression of kindness and patience really does matter. 

Read on for:

1. Superintendent’s Sept 3rd message

2. School Board meeting September 8th

3. Suicide Prevention & Mental Health

   • Suicide Prevention Forum Sept 9th

   • Mental Illness High School Trainings Sept 16 & 17th

4. High School Voter Education Weeks Sept 13-24th

5. Feria de Educación - 1 Y 2 De Octubre de 2021

Superintendent’s Message

Read Dr Clark’s September 3rd Friday message here, including:

• Updated COVID exposure/quarantine charts in English & Spanish

• Parent Volunteers are now welcome on campuses with proof of vaccine

• MDUSD is hiring substitute teachers

School Board Meeting September 8th

Our board meeting will be back in person again, located at Monte Gardens Elementary to provide adequate space for the public. Find the agenda and details here. 

You may send a public comment via email: emails to [email protected] are automatically distributed to each board member, and will be entered into the public record when received on meeting days only. Or come in person to make a Public Comment during the meeting.  

The agenda includes:

• Resolution to Recognize Hispanic Heritage Month
• Resolution on Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
• Resolution on Recognition of Deaf Awareness Month
• Growing Healthy Kids presentation
• Bond Oversight Committee Annual Reports
• Superintendent’s report, including an update on COVID safety protocols
• District 2020-21 UnAudited Actuals Presentation & Approval

Suicide Prevention & Mental Health

Suicide Prevention Forum Sept 9th

Join CCHS (Contra Costa Health Services) for a virtual conversation on youth & suicide, Sept 9th, 4-7pm. Learn how to support yourself or a loved one. 

Register here

If you or someone you know is experiencing an emotional crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call 211, 1-800-833-2900 or text HOPE to 20121

Mental Illness High School Trainings Sept 16 & 17th

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California and the CDE will be hosting several virtual trainings for NAMI On Campus High School in the Fall semester, so don't miss out!

Also check out this Toolkit for “Demystifying the Mind” 

High School Voter Education Weeks Sept 13-24

It is never too early to motivate our students to get involved and become engaged participants in our democracy. We encourage schools to participate in High School Voter Education Weeks from September 13 to September 24, to put students on the path to a lifetime of civic engagement and voting. Share the news that 16 & 17 year old students can visit www.RegisterToVote.ca.gov and click Pre-Register to Vote!

Read more: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/el/le/yr21ltr0826.asp

California Secretary of State's High School and Youth Initiatives portal: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/high-school-programs

Feria de Educación - 1 Y 2 De Octubre de 2021 

The ninth annual Feria de Educación will be held virtually on Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2! Feria de Educación is hosted in partnership with Univision 19, Sacramento State, and the California State University. The event aims to empower thousands of Spanish-speaking parents and students with information and resources to help them succeed in California’s educational system and pursue higher education.

Website: www.csus.edu/feria

Español: www.csus.edu/feria-es/

Read more: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/el/le/yr21ltr0817.asp

Don’t forget to follow MDUSD on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (new profile), and LinkedIn.