I hope everyone had a great start to the school year!

It is a stressful time as the pandemic numbers are rising again.  I visited many schools sites in the first days of school though, where I witnessed heroes everywhere: teachers and counselors working to build a positive space for students transitioning back to in-person school, custodians taking extra care in cleaning, food services moving outdoors and serving exponentially more meals, substitutes filling in where vacancies arose, parents rebuilding supportive networks, and principals managing unpredictable enrollment along with COVID protocols. 

Truly, you are showing with your actions that “Together We Can” make our public schools great spaces of learning and hubs of our community.

Read on for:

1. Superintendent’s message

2. Expanded COVID testing at Mt Diablo Schools

3. COVID Vaccine Fully Approved by US FDA Today

4. School Board meeting August 25th

Superintendent’s Message

Read Dr Clark’s Aug 20th Friday message of the year here, which includes:

• Back to school FAQ

• COVID protocols and district dashboard

• Independent study FAQ

• Highlight: Mt. Diablo High School's garden and food and nutrition program lauded during Congressmen's visit

• Highlight: Mt. Diablo Unified gets 16 electric charging stations for its small fleet of electric buses, which it hopes to expand in the future

• Highlight: Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark shares back-to-school presentation with Concord Chamber committee, highlighting career education

Expanded COVID Testing at Mt Diablo Schools

Mt. Diablo expanded COVID testing starts today, now offered at 15 different sites for you to choose from throughout the week.  Visit https://mdusd.org/covidtesting for details, locations and forms.

You can also contact your health care providers and take advantage of COVID-19 testing available through Contra Costa Health Services.

COVID Vaccine Fully Approved by U.S. FDA Today

Did you know that today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration officially approved the Pfizer COVID vaccine?  

The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.

Access your free COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 12 and older through Contra Costa Health Services, Kaiser Permanente, John Muir Health and at other locations in the community including CVS, Walgreens and the Bay Point Family Health Center.

All public school staff throughout California will be required to show proof of COVID vaccination or submit regular COVID testing results to their employer.

School Board Meeting August 25th

Due to limited staff and school openings, the August 25, 2021 Governing Board meeting will be held through Zoom.  This will allow access to the meeting by staff and the public, as well as the ability to participate in public comments.  We plan to transition back to in-person meetings in September. Find the agenda and details including a Zoom link for accessing the meeting 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 to make a Public Comment during the meeting, it will be via zoom: please send an email after 10:00AM on Aug 25th to [email protected].  A link and instructions will be sent for participation.

The agenda includes:

• Resolution Providing for the issuance and sale of 2021 Refunding General Obligation Bonds - a step to save taxpayer money

• Reports on next steps from the Systemic Instructional Review and the Fiscal Health Progress Monitoring plan

• Superintendent’s report, including a discussion on COVID safety protocols

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

p.s. I saw such wonderful use of the great outdoor spaces on our campuses, and so enjoyed hearing the laughter of students!

Welcome back to school!

We are so excited to welcome students to the first day of school this Thursday.  Staff and teachers have been working hard to get schools ready: new staff have been hired, COVID protocols are in place, and new student orientations are happening. 

Read Dr Clark’s First Friday message of the year here, which includes everything from free student meals and introduction of new principals, to celebrating the successful summer internship program and sharing business and operational reports.  Also the new Public Information officer has been very busy posting key information on the website and social media. For example, see the MDUSD Action Plan for AQI Ratings in case of smoky air.

I recommend following MDUSD on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram  (new profile), and LinkedIn.

Read on for:

1. Parent Information session TONIGHT 

2. COVID testing at Mt Diablo Schools

3. School Board meeting August 11th

4. Free bus passes for students

Parent Information session TONIGHT

The Mt. Diablo Unified School District Community Advisory Committee invites all parents and guardians to join a virtual meeting from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10 titled "Success-Fall: Helping your children transition back to in-person instruction."

We know that returning to school will have different impacts on individual students and families. We will provide tips to help students be successful this fall as they return to campuses on Thursday, Aug. 12. Spanish translation will be available. The Zoom link and details can be found HERE.

Also, do you have questions about Virtual Learning / Independent Study?  Click HERE to see presentations and Q&A in English and Spanish. 

COVID Testing at Mt Diablo Schools

Mt. Diablo Unified is pleased to announce that we have partnered with PMH Laboratory to offer optional weekly COVID-19 testing as a convenience for staff and students and their families at three locations starting Monday, Aug. 16. Pre-registration is recommended on the district website at https://mdusd.org/covidtesting, but forms will be available at sites.

Testing will be offered: 

• 3-6 p.m. Mondays at Ygnacio Valley High, 755 Oak Grove Road in Concord;

• 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays in Room 904 at Concord High, 4200 Concord Blvd. in Concord; and 

• 3-6 p.m. Thursdays at Riverview Middle School, 205 Pacifica Ave. in Bay Point, at the end of the 300 Hallway on the quad side.

If requirements change for athletes or if there are other situations that increase the demand, we will work with the testing company to increase days, times and location availability. However, we also encourage you to contact your health care providers and take advantage of COVID-19 testing available through Contra Costa Health Services.

We would also like to remind you that COVID-19 vaccines for people ages 12 and older are available through Contra Costa Health Services, Kaiser Permanente, John Muir Health and at other locations in the community including CVS, Walgreens and the Bay Point Family Health Center.

School Board Meeting August 11th

The Mt. Diablo Unified School Board will hold its first meeting of the new school year on Wednesday, Aug. 11. The meeting will be held virtually on Zoom to accommodate parents and staff preparing for the first day of school the next day on Thursday, Aug. 12. Find the agenda and details including a Zoom link for accessing the meeting 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 to make a Public Comment during the meeting, it will be via zoom: please send an email after 10:00AM on Aug 11th to [email protected].  A link and instructions will be sent for participation.

The agenda includes a key fiscal health risk analysis report and the adoption of the districtwide Technology Strategic Plan.  During the meeting, the board’s new student member, Kaleena Fowler, will take the oath of office. Welcome, Kaleena!

Free Bus Passes for Students

Pass2Class offers free bus passes to Contra Costa students at the beginning of the school year to encourage the use of bus transportation to and from school. Pass2Class reduces traffic congestion and air pollution by reducing the number of cars being driven to school. Up to two months of rides are being offered for the 2021/2022 school year to help students as they return to in-person learning.

https://511contracosta.org/schools/pass2class-program/

El Pass2Class le ofrece pases de autobús gratis a los estudiantes de Contra Costa al principio de cada año escolar, para incentivarlos a utilizar el autobús como método de transporte para ir y venir de la escuela. El Pass2Class ayuda a reducir el tráfico, el congestionamiento y la contaminación, al utilizar menos vehículos como método de transporte escolar. Estamos ofreciendo hasta dos meses de viajes en autobús para el año escolar 2021/2022, para ayudar a los estudiantes a retornar a la escuela y a las clases en persona.

En Espanol

Have a wonderful first day of school on August 12th!

I hope you are enjoying your summer, getting away from screens out into nature, and creating memorable moments with family and friends.

District and school staff have been really busy getting schools ready to open!  I know there have been a lot of questions about what that will look like, and the state guidance just came out last week.

There’s also more information now being posted on MDUSD social media sites now that the Public Information Officer position has been filled, so I recommend following MDUSD on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram  (new profile), and LinkedIn.

Read Dr Clark’s Welcome Back message here, which includes that schools are opening full time in person without distancing restrictions, that masks are required indoors for everyone, and that masks are optional outdoors.  Stay tuned for more specific information from your school principals very soon.

In the meantime, if anyone in your family aged 12+ has not yet gotten vaccinated, now’s the time! We know the Delta variant is highly contagious, that the vast majority of hospitalizations and deaths are in unvaccinated people, and that the COVID vaccine could be made mandatory at some point.  Plus it’s easy and free to get!  I’ve listed 2 options for this weekend below, including free family passes to Oakland zoo.

Read on for:

1. Information session July 26 re Virtual/Independent Study

2. Get Vaccinated at the Oakland Zoo on July 24 - get a free family zoo pass!

3. Free Vaccines at a local church on Sunday July 25

4. Apply to work in MDUSD

5. Early Bird Register by July 31 for Break a Sweat for Education

6. Next School Board meeting August 11th

Information session July 26 re Virtual/Independent Study

To help families navigate the different independent study programs and to provide more details on the models to be provided by Mt. Diablo, please attend an Information Session on Monday, July 26, 2021 at 6:30 pm on Zoom at the following link:  HERE

Spanish translation will be available during the meeting. The meeting will be recorded and posted online for those who are unable to attend.

Get Vaccinated at the Oakland Zoo on July 24, 9am-2:30pm 

Receive a Free One-Day Family Pass

Receive your free COVID-19 vaccine at Oakland Zoo's pop-up clinic on July 24, and get a free Oakland Zoo Family Pass*, good for a one-day admission for 2 adults and 2 children, plus free parking for one vehicle (a $98 value). You may use your pass the day of your shot, or at a future date of your choice.

Drop-ins welcome, or pre-register for an appointment here** or call 650-623-5280. Insurance not required. Citizenship not required.

Second dose clinic will be scheduled for Saturday, August 14 at the same location you receive your first dose.

*Offer valid for one pass per family, to be received at the time first dose is administered. If you would like to use your family pass on the same day as your vaccination, please enter through the Lower Entrance. For a future visit, see offer code for online reservation at oaklandzoo.org.

**If you choose to pre-register, you must create a free Carbon Health Patient Account in order to schedule your appointment.

Clínica de vacunación emergente COVID-19

Presentado por la Agencia de Servicios de Atención Médica del Condado de Alameda, Carbon Health y Nate Miley

Auditorio Zimmer en el zoológico de Oakland

24 de julio de 2021

Adolescentes y adultos

9:00 am - 2:30 pm

Vacuna gratuita disponible para cualquier persona mayor de 12 años (para humanos, no para animales)

Reciba su vacuna COVID-19 gratis en la clínica emergente del zoológico de Oakland el 24 de julio y obtenga un pase familiar gratuito del zoológico de Oakland * , válido para una entrada de un día para 2 adultos y 2 niños, además de estacionamiento gratuito para un vehículo (un Valor de $ 98). Puede usar su pase el día de su inyección o en una fecha futura de su elección.

Las visitas sin cita previa son bienvenidas o preinscríbase para una cita aquí ** o llame al 650-623-5280. No se requiere seguro. No se requiere ciudadanía.

La clínica de la segunda dosis se programará para el sábado 14 de agosto en el mismo lugar donde recibe su primera dosis.

* Oferta válida para un pase por familia, que se recibirá al momento de administrar la primera dosis. Si desea utilizar su pase familiar el mismo día de su vacunación, ingrese por la entrada inferior. Para una visita futura, consulte el código de oferta para reserva en línea en oaklandzoo.org.

** Si opta por preinscribirse, debe crear una cuenta de paciente de Carbon Health gratuita para programar su cita.

¡Queremos agradecer a todos aquellos en nuestra comunidad que ya han sido vacunados! ¡Estamos agradecidos de que su elección de vacunar sea la razón por la que el zoológico de Oakland y tantos otros lugares y negocios pueden operar como lo hacemos hoy!

Free Vaccines at a local church on Sunday July 25

Apply to Work in MDUSD

Interested in a job in education? Mt. Diablo USD is hiring for both classified & certificated positions. We are offering a hiring bonus of $1,500 for all Paraprofessionals/Instructional Assistant positions. Click here to view the openings or visit bit.ly/TeamMDUSD 

Early Bird Register by July 31 for Break a Sweat for Education

Break a Sweat for Education® 5K Run & Walk and Kids Fun Run will take place on Saturday, October 2, at Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek. Join our team and a percentage of funds will go to MDUSD Education Foundation!  Early bird discount if you register by July 31!

Click here and scroll down to View Teams and join ours (MDUSD Education Foundation). See you there to #BreakaSweatforEducation

School Board Meeting August 11th

Find the agenda and viewing/participation information here: https://mdusd.org/boardmeetings  

School starts August 12!

I’m thrilled to announce that last night’s final school board meeting of the school year was extremely productive. It included an excellent superintendent evaluation, key appointments in preparation for school starting this fall, adoption of the LCAP and budget, and appointment of our next student trustee, as well as unanimously approved resolutions on “Excused Absences for Mental Health” and “Inclusive School Messaging, Names, and Imagery.”

Congratulations to Michelle Alas for completing her term as the 1st ever official student trustee on the Mt Diablo School Board! She laid a strong foundation for student leadership in our district, including last night’s approval of bylaws for a districtwide Student Advisory Committee. Student leadership is truly growing in our district and helping us to improve education for all.

Read on for:

1. Student Trustee Appointment for 2021-22
2. Superintendent Evaluation
3. Resolution on Messaging, Names and Imagery
4. Mt Diablo Peace & Justice Awards for Mt Diablo Students
5. Next School Board meeting August 11th

Student Trustee Appointment for 2021-22

Welcome newly elected student trustee, Kaleena Fowler to the MDUSD School Board!  Trustee Fowler is an incoming senior at College Park High School and President of the Black Student Union.  She is passionate about the importance of student voice, student clubs, and improving communication between the student body and the school board.

Superintendent Evaluation

Congratulations to Dr Adam Clark on a successful first year as Superintendent of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District! Last night our school board unanimously decided on a Satisfactory evaluation (the choices being satisfactory or unsatisfactory), and added this public statement:

“We, the Mt Diablo School Board, voted unanimously to give Dr Clark a Satisfactory rating on his superintendent evaluation for the 2020-21 school year. Dr. Clark skillfully guided our district through the most difficult of times. He kept a laser focus on providing excellent education to all our students, and balanced many considerations, interests and partnerships in pursuit of that goal.  He consistently demonstrated grace under pressure, patience and persistence, and has begun to build a foundation to successfully create a more welcoming environment for all. We wholeheartedly support Dr Clark and look forward to our continued work together in the coming year.”

Resolution on Messaging, Names and Imagery

This resolution is grounded in research, state law and a Systemic Instructional Review and clearly states our board’s values and vision. It provides a framework not just for any one school decision, but for how every school site team can proactively create welcoming environments and together address any barriers to student learning. 

Here is an excerpt:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Mt. Diablo Unified School District Board sees an urgent need to establish a welcoming and safe environment for all students in our schools and community; and if necessary, schools shall choose a non-human mascot/name replacement within 1 year, and the district budget shall bear the costs of the transition rather than the school site budget.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Mt. Diablo Unified School District Board encourages all schools to utilize proven, high quality tools to create welcoming environments such as: 

1. registering as an Anti-Defamation League No Place for Hate School, 
2. teaching the four domains of Social Justice Standards to all students (identity, diversity, justice and action), 
3. teaching lessons from the approved California Ethnic studies model curriculum;

Many thanks to the students, teachers, and community members at multiple school sites who have worked to educate their colleagues, community, and this school board on these issues. It is your persistence, research, and workshops that led to this unanimously supported resolution. 

Mt Diablo Peace & Justice Awards for Mt Diablo Students

The Mt Diablo Peace & Justice Center is recognizing some Mt Diablo student leaders this Saturday!  The event is June 26th at 10AM, in-person and outdoors at the Peace Center, located at 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette. Click here to register.

They will be presenting awards at both the High School and Middle School level, in areas of visual art, creative writing, and essay. Plus they also selected two activist award winners: 

1. an 11th grader from Ygnacio Valley High School - Alex Hagerstrand - who led brave work at their school around LGBTQ issues - through raising awareness, organizing actions, and facilitating teach-ins for the community. 
2. the Ygnacio Valley Racist Mascot Removal Committee - a group of six Mt Diablo students who campaigned throughout the year to educate around the harmful stereotypes and indigenous imagery used by their school. They organized a number of educational workshops and connected with local indigenous groups to educate the community on why this imagery is harmful. 

School Board Meeting August 11th

Our board takes off the month of July for a much needed break!  See you all in August. Find the agenda and viewing/participation information here: https://mdusd.org/boardmeetings  

Thank you to my colleagues on the School Board for your hard work and constant study, and for always bravely sharing your perspective. Now let’s all get offline as much as possible to rejuvenate this July and be ready to get back to work in August!