MPCSD District Newsletter - August 21, 2024

Educating and empowering students while embracing childhood and adolescence.

Dear MPCSD Families,

Welcome back to school! Our team has been hard at work preparing for what we are calling our best year yet. You may be wondering, what makes this year so special? MPCSD is launching a new vision that anchors to what is most important: our students. Given all the work we completed last year on strategic visioning, facility planning, and strategic directions, we are now focused and prepared to have our best year yet


MPCSD Vision

Educating and Empowering Students while Embracing Childhood and Adolescence


The first part of our vision makes a lot of sense, especially during a time when public schools are being thrown in all directions and dealing with turbulent politics. Simply put, our job in public education is to teach students how to read, write, do math, and be kind. In MPCSD, we strive for excellence when it comes to the student academic experience; “education” in MPCSD is often above and beyond what you would find in other local public schools. Our students are empowered with opportunities to utilize their strengths and try new interests.

 

The second half of our vision reminds us to stay in the moment for our students. In today’s world, our children are often experiencing a fast-tracked childhood with the encroachment of social media, a life of instant gratification, and full plates of over-scheduled enrichment. We have a responsibility to ensure they are experiencing the elements of childhood and adolescence that lead to developing their confidence while they are growing up. As a preschool through eighth grade district, embracing childhood and adolescence is on our mind, and our staff understand what is developmentally appropriate and essential during these vulnerable and formative years.


We look forward to welcoming your children to school tomorrow. We are committed and ready to deliver!


In collaboration,

Kristen Gracia

One Community Campaign

The annual campaign to raise crucial funds for every school's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation is open! The OCC aims to raise $3.75 million to fund art, science, world language, PE, and music teachers as well as our librarians and full time counselors. Many public schools simply do not have these resources that make our district so special. Watch for lots more information beginning at back-to-school night, but if you want to learn more or make your contribution now, please see the OCC website.

Commute Ideas from SRTS

Back-to-school time is the perfect period to build new habits. This year, challenge your family by traveling the ABC (Anything-But-Car) way regularly. It can be once a month, once a week, or more often! Our schools partner with the city of Menlo Park's Safe Routes to School team, which provides these resources and safety tips for families: The ABC Way

Prueben El Camino ABC


The SRTS program also has a Video and Poster Challenge open to all MPCSD students. 

Student Cell Phones at School

There has been a lot of discussion about cell phones at schools, especially with our governor recently weighing in. Many families ask what the MPCSD policy is. It is very simple: cell phones should be "off and away all day" while school is in session. You can read our cell phone and other technology policies.


This "off and away" policy aligns with our vision of embracing childhood and adolescence. By making school a cell phone free zone we are helping limit students' use of social media and other distracting and potentially harmful applications of cell phones. We continue to follow what other districts are doing in terms of cell phone policy, too.


If you have concerns about reaching your child during school hours in an emergency, please be assured that our school offices are very good at relaying messages and supporting students. If you need to urgently reach your child, please call the school front office and they will assist you.

MPCSD Supports Mental Health

MPCSD is committed to the mental health and well-being of its staff, students, and their families. On any given day, any one of us could be experiencing poor health, grief, divorce, mental health issues, addiction, abuse, economic challenges, or ongoing social injustice to name a few. If you feel you or your child need resources on caring for mental health, don’t hesitate to reach out to your school staff, school counselors, or school psychologists for support. Here are some Go-To Resources to check out, too. For more information, email Chris Arrington, Wellness Coordinator/Mental Health Lead.

Starting the Year with a Blast

This school year we are encouraging students to see themselves as scientists. There will be guests and programming throughout the year in all grade levels to showcase scientific pursuits. This endeavor is generously funded by the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation which raised money at their Spring Auction to support "students as scientists" experiences all year long.


We are so pleased to bring NASA astronaut José Hernández, whose inspiring life is featured in the movie A Million Miles Away, to speak to all second through eighth grade students here at our schools on September 10. Dr. Hernandez will share his story of perseverance and fulfilling his dream of traveling to space, becoming the first NASA astronaut from a migrant farming family. We are grateful to all the donors at the auction who made this incredible opportunity possible for our students.

Sup & Sandwich in Atherton: Join Us and Bring a Neighbor

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Kristen Gracia, Superintendent | mpcsd.org

Governing Board

Francesca Segrè, President

Sherwin Chen, Vice President/Clerk

David Ackerman

Scott Saywell

Jed Scolnick