We are pleased to be able 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!
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Dear Mt. Pleasant Community,
As we close this historic school year, we have a very special feeling of achievement and gratitude towards our entire school community for all the scenarios and challenges we have faced together.
As our students advance to the next grade in our district, I want to congratulate each one of them for their perseverance. At the same time, we send the best wishes to our graduates, who are moving on to another chapter in their educational journey. We know you will thrive and pursue your goals, wherever you go.
I also wish to highlight the tremendous dedication and commitment of our teachers and staff, as well as our families’ support and adaptability during this extraordinary school year. We appreciate all of you and look forward to seeing you again in fall. Thank you, all!
In community spirit,
Dr. Elida MacArthur
Superintendent
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Here is a special video message from Dr. Elida MacArthur: |
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What can we expect in the fall? |
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We anticipate a full reopening of our schools for in-person instruction after the summer break. According to the Governor’s 2021-22 May Budget Revision, K-12, schools will return “ full-time in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school year. Consistent with all school years prior to 2020-21, this mode of instruction will be the default for all students and schools.”
The district is planning to provide an alternative option to parents who may still be hesitant to send their children back to school for in-person instruction. In order to inform parents of what this option may look like, we are waiting to receive final guidance from the State. The proposed May Budget revision proposes a:
...series of improvements to the state’s existing independent study programs. Specifically, local educational agencies will provide non-classroom based instruction using the existing traditional and course-based independent study models, but will have additional requirements to: (1) provide access to technology, internet connectivity, and a dedicated and rigorous curriculum; (2) develop and implement a framework of tiered re-engagement strategies for students not meaningfully participating in instruction; and (3) track and record daily student participation and interaction with teachers. Governor's May Budget Summary for K-12
Once the district receives guidance on the proposed language for independent study, the district will inform the families of this possible option.
The District is also waiting for the federal, state, and county health and safety guidance requirements to reopen schools in the fall. Based on what we have heard from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department it appears that the guidance will include a requirement of face coverings at the schools, but no social distance obligation. The ventilation requirements will continue to be in effect, as is the case with the cohorts models for competitive sports.
Ample opportunities for COVID-19 testing and vaccination remain available in our county. We encourage you and your family to follow the health experts advice and get vaccinated to promote a safe and healthy environment for our entire community.
To begin your planning for the upcoming school year 2021-2022 at MPESD, please check out our calendar, at the link below:
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Covid-19 Vaccinations and Testing Opportunities |
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Join us in saving lives and creating a safe environment for our students and families! The Santa Clara County Public Health Department strongly recommends that anyone age 12 and above get vaccinated. Covid-19 vaccinations are widely available at no cost, and to date millions of people have already received these safe and effective vaccines in our country.
Covid-19 testing is also critical and helps identify people without symptoms that could be spreading the coronavirus, so they can stay away from work and public places until their infectious period is over. We encourage our families to make regular testing a practice.
To learn more about vaccination sites, testing and resources related to COVID-19, please visit the Santa Clara County’s website.
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We are pleased to share a reading by Mrs. Kelly Hudson, one of our teachers at MPESD. The title of the book is “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. This story is especially dedicated to our graduating 8th graders, who will begin a new journey this fall.
Please click at the link below:
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Student Reflections on this Historic School Year |
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Robert Sanders Elementary staff wanted to know how students felt about this exceptional school year - the highlights, the struggles, and the experiences that they will always remember.
We are pleased to share their reflections, from recognizing their teachers to meeting their friends through a screen, and the chance to sleep a bit more every day and much more! The Student Leadership Advisors at Robert Sanders Elementary created a wonderful video with their amazing stories! It’s called “Distance Learning: A Student’s Perspective.” Click below:
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New School Curriculum Adoption |
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MPESD is excited to announce the proposal of two new curricula for our students for Science and Social Science! As a district, we are always working towards incorporating relevant and current curriculum to support student learning, and we will be recommending two adoptions to the Board of Trustees on June 23rd, 2021. |
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Amplify Science is a K–8 science curriculum that blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers. It is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards, and is filled with engaging lessons.
We invite you to check out these Amplify resources more closely:
Demo Account:
Go to learning.amplify.com and click on "Login with Amplify"
Password: Amplify1-mpesdk8
Here is the proposed Transitional Kindergarten Curriculum:
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Studies Weekly is a Social Science core curriculum using an online learning platform that is student-friendly filled with resources for instruction. Studies Weekly is aligned to state standards and framework, includes hands-on consumables, it’s organized through themes and is culturally relevant, post 2020 using an equity lens. We will also be including their Social Emotional Learning platform to continue to support the well-being of our students.
To learn more about Studies Weekly visit these sites:
The community is invited to review the proposed core curricula online or in person at the District Office (3434 Marten Ave.) prior to final consideration by the MPESD Board of Trustees on Wednesday, June 23rd. We have sample grade levels for some of the Amplify curriculum components. Please email any feedback to Julie Howard at jhoward@mpesd.org by June 11, 2021.
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Important Announcements and Dates |
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Summer School and Office Hours
- Our Summer School Principal is Mrs. Jessica Tejada. If families have questions about summer school, please contact Mrs. Tejada. You can email her at jtejada@mpesd.org.
- Summer School offices will be located at Ida Jew Academy from 7:45 am to 12:45 pm, Monday to Friday.
- Starting June 14 to July 30, the District Office will be open Monday - Thursday, from 7:45 am to 4:30 pm.
- Other school site offices will remain closed from June 30, 2021 to July 31, 2021.
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New 2021-2022 School Year
- Need to enroll for the new school year?: During the Month of July enrollment will take place at the district office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1 to 4:45 pm.
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You can access our new school calendar here.
- Our first day of the new school year will be August 19, 2021.
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Information on Summer Resources |
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Please take a look at these local community programs.
The San José Public Library (SJPL) and Parks Recreation Neighborhood Services (PRNS) offer a variety of resources to students and families in San José. Programs focused on recreation and enrichment will support our community as we re-adjust to being together in person.
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