We are pleased to provide our students, parents, staff and community with the latest information about our Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District community through this newsletter. Please join us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to connect with us daily!

Planning for the future can start today! CalKIDS is a California state program that helps jumpstart children’s savings for higher education and career training. 

Each child born in California starting on July 1, 2022, and eligible low-income public school students, are awarded a CalKIDS college savings account with an initial deposit in it. In the case of eligible low-income public school students, the CalKIDS accounts could include $500, and up to $1,500 (depending on different factors). The CalKIDS savings funds can only be used for educational purposes after high school. 

Enrollment in CalKIDS is automatic and families are not required to contribute. Families can register with CalKIDS and learn about their children’s savings account and the various opportunities to participate in recognized savings programs that allow them to contribute funds with matching deposits and incentives. 

Excite Credit Union and Excite Foundation have been selected by California’s ScholarShare Investment Board (SIB) to promote college CalKIDS and savings programs for low-income students in East San Jose. For support with CalKIDS registration, and to learn more about available savings programs, contact Excite Credit Union and the Excite Foundation.  

We are pleased and honored to share that Dr. Elida MacArthur has been inducted into the Thomas P. Ryan Hall of Fame Class of 2023. This recognition program was established more than 40 years ago to honor the outstanding achievements of graduates of the East Side Union High School District in the fields of public service, arts, science, athletics, business, education, and beyond.  

Dr. MacArthur graduated from Overfelt High School in 1987 and has more than two decades of service to MPESD. She began her career as a Kindergarten Dual Language Immersion teacher and worked her way through the ranks to her current role. In August of 2020, Dr. MacArthur was selected as Superintendent by the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District’s Board of Trustees. Her background includes a Bachelor of Art and Master of Arts in Education from the University of California Santa Cruz, and a Master of Arts and Doctorate in Education from San José State University.     

In the past few days, Dr. MacArthur was formally inducted into the Thomas P. Ryan Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Historic Hayes Mansion in San José. Congratulations to our MPESD Superintendent! Thank you, Dr. MacArthur, for your exemplary commitment to education and your daily work to support our students and staff. 

Watch highlights of the ceremony where Dr. MacArthur was inducted!

We are making great progress renovating administrative offices at Mt. Pleasant Elementary! The principal’s office is being redone, two new counseling rooms have been built, and we have added a new ADA all-gender bathroom. We are working on new access to the administrative office and a new nurse’s office with a restroom. 

Take a look at the slideshow below! We are also sharing a few pictures of the new landscape work done as part of the Mt. Pleasant parking lot renovation.  

We are creating an engaging and safe learning environment for our students, staff, and families. Thank you for your support in these efforts to modernize and upgrade infrastructure to advance our school community! 

Watch a video about the administrative office renovations in progress.

See below pictures of the new landscape work done as part of the Mt. Pleasant parking lot renovation.  

We are excited to share that our school district is now implementing ParentSquare. This unified, parent-centric tool is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and involved in their children’s learning and school activities. 

With ParentSquare, parents and guardians will:  

• Receive all school, classroom, and group communication via email, text, or app notification 
• See important calendar events and RSVP to them 
• See photos, links, and attachments 
• Sign up to volunteer or bring items 
• Join and participate in groups 
• Send private messages to teachers or staff 

Once we complete the onboarding for administrators and teachers, we will notify parents and guardians to create a Parent Square account to receive communications. More information to come!   

Towards the end of October, all of our schools held awesome College Week activities, exposing the students to various colleges and careers and inspiring them to pursue higher education with the support of various resources. The theme this year for Santa Clara County is “Mission: Future-Ready!” 

Our MPESD team members shared their college journey with students. This was a great way for children to hear about the multiple pathways to college and ask questions related to the experiences and process. Many of our students, faculty, and staff wore college shirts, reinforcing that higher education is an opportunity for all. 

Classrooms also competed in a door design contest! Each homeroom chose a college to represent and decorated their classroom door with the college’s colors, emblems, photos of graduates, quotes, and more. Congratulations to the winning teams! 

We also shared information about the California Education and the Environment Initiative. Thank you to everyone who took part in these activities! Although College Week is over, we continue to teach and promote the multiple pathways to college and career readiness on an ongoing basis through AVID school-wide at Robert Sanders and August Boeger and discussions and activities at other schools.  

Mark your calendar! Our next Parent Academic Fair is Thursday, November 30, at August Boeger Middle School. It will begin at 6 PM and will be followed by a spaghetti dinner at 7 PM. Childcare will be provided that evening. Families will have the opportunity to attend two different 30-minute sessions. These sessions will include math and reading strategies, AVID strategies, internet safety, and supporting children's language development, among others.  

Our goal is to engage parents and provide them with information and strategies to support their students' academic and personal success. Parent engagement in their students' education is vitally important because parents are a child's first and forever teacher. Parents will receive information regarding the event through email and text blasts, in addition to paper fliers sent home through the school sites. Information will also be shared through our social media platforms. Participation matters! 

Organized by the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE), the Teacher Recognition Celebration has been a tradition for over 50 years and is the most prestigious local award given to classroom teachers. Congratulations to Nina Gilman-Cama, MPESD Teacher of the Year, and teachers Alyssa Friend, Geetha Manjunath and Francisca Rodriguez, for being recognized with the Civics and Arts Leadership Awards and the Innovation in STEM Awards. 

Our district selected Nina Gilman-Cama (August Boeger Middle School) as MPESD Teacher of the Year. She shared: “I have known that I wanted to become a teacher since my junior year in high school. I had tried out a variety of jobs/careers while growing up, and I was always drawn back to teaching in some capacity. It's always been so rewarding, my true calling.” 

Watch this video featuring Nina Gilman-Cama:

​In partnership with Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union and The Tech Interactive, SCCOE honored educators who inspire students to take an active role in civic engagement, find joy in the arts, and pursue innovation in STEM. The honorees included three of our district’s teachers at Ida Jew Academy and Valle Vista Elementary! 

Alyssa Friend was honored with the Civics Leadership Award. By connecting her subjects to practical applications and emphasizing the importance of leadership skills through her advisory roles and involvement in the school's leadership team, Alyssa ensures that her students not only excel academically but also grow as responsible, well-rounded individuals who are actively engaged in their community and the world around them. 

Geetha Manjunath was recognized with the Innovation in STEM Award – Collaboration. Her dedication to fostering a deep passion for STEM subjects among her students is truly inspiring. One shining example of her commitment is her leadership in the school's Math and Science Olympiad teams. Geetha has consistently guided and mentored her students to achieve outstanding success in these competitions. 



Francisca Rodriguez was honored with the Arts Leadership Award. She believes that dance transcends mere physical movement; it is a form of self-expression that touches the very soul of her students. Through her guidance, students find their own unique voices in the world of dance, fostering not only physical skills but also a sense of confidence and self-assurance. 

We are proud of you and every member of the MPESD Team! 

From Monday, November 13 through Friday, November 17, our Parent-Teacher Conferences are an effective way to learn about your students’ progress and how to best support them. All students have an early release this week. Your children’s teachers should have contacted you to schedule a conference with you. Educators will be meeting with all parents. If you haven’t received a communication from your children’s teachers, please contact them. Parents have the option to meet in-person, via phone or virtually. 

A Parent-Teacher Conference is a great opportunity to: 

• Get to know your child’s teacher 
• Discuss your child’s academic progress 
• Share about your child’s strengths, needs, behavior concerns, and learning styles 
• Shed light on any issues that may be interfering with your child’s learning and growth 
• Find out how you can support your child at school or at home 
• Find out volunteering opportunities in the classroom 
• Learn about attendance  
• Learn about i-Ready reports  

As parents, you can do the following at home: 

• Talk with your children about homework, encourage them to complete it independently, and let the teacher know if it is too difficult for the student to complete on their own.  
• Talk with your child about the importance of learning.  
• Talk with your child about college and careers.  
• Help your child organize homework.  
• Read notes, announcements, and newsletters from the school.  
• Send notes or call the school to communicate with teachers and other school staff.  
• Fill out and send back surveys to share your ideas about supporting your student’s learning and growth. 
• Fill out and send back surveys to share your ideas about parent involvement. 

Mark your calendars!  

• Thanksgiving Break: November 20 - 24 



• Winter Break: December 25 - 29 

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming part of Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District? MPESD is hiring for a variety of roles. Growth opportunities are available for everyone. 

Education opportunities are available to individuals who are interested in becoming teachers, as well as opportunities for teachers to study for an additional credential. 

The district offers employees a generous welfare and benefits package and an excellent state pension plan, and there are many positions available in our school district that do not require a college degree. 

We invite you get more information on EdJoin or contact our Personnel Office at (408) 233-3720. Learn more about an Instructional Aide career at MPESD by reading the flyer below!

We are welcoming students in grades preschool through 8th grade! 

Learn about early education at MPESD!

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) are core values at MPESD. We are committed to creating an anti-racist, compassionate and inclusive school culture where every individual is treated with dignity in our diverse community. DEIB lessons in November are about Native American Heritage Month, Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month, Día de Los Muertos, LGBTQ+ Solidarity Week, Election Day, Veteran's Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day. The character trait is Integrity. 

For December, our lessons will focus on Winter Holidays, Hanukkah, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Years Eve. The character trait is Contribution. 

If you are interested in learning more about DEIB, please reach out to your school to further the conversation. Thank you for supporting an inclusive school community! 

Our Board of Trustees will meet December 13, 2023. 

The job of the Board of Trustees includes the following: 



• Setting the vision and goals for the district  
• Adopting policies that give the district direction to set priorities and achieve its goals
• Hiring and evaluating the superintendent 
• Adopting and overseeing the annual budget 
• Managing the collective bargaining process for employees of the district 

To learn more about these sessions, please visit our website. 

You can watch the November 8, 2023 Board meeting here.