Dear Miramonte Community,

To help students prepare for Finals, we are offering Exam Jams next week after school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. This is a great opportunity for students to get some extra time with teachers prior to finals week. We also encourage students to utilize Academy to visit classes and teachers to get extra support or guidance. Besides the Exam Jam and Academy sessions, teachers will be using next week to wrap up units and review material in preparation for finals. Teachers have also been talking with students about how to prepare for exams, how to plan study time, and how to manage the workload before and during exams. Because of the stressful nature of finals season, our admin team and I will remind students that the Wellness Center is available throughout the day for extra support, a quick rest, and/or a snack. Counselors are also here to provide support for students nervous about studying and to lend a helpful hand. 

If you haven’t done so already, please review the Exam Jam opportunities and Finals schedule with your child to help them successfully manage these last two weeks of the semester. And… maybe most importantly, remind them it’s Winter Spirit Week next week so they should join in on some of the fun!  Thank you and have a wonderful weekend. Go Mats!

Mr. Ben Campopiano

bcampopiano@auhsdschools.org

Dear Miramonte Families,

We hope you had a wonderful time with family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday, and your students had the opportunity to recharge before these final busy weeks of the semester.

As Principal Campopiano said above, some Miramonte teachers will be hosting "Exam Jams" (review sessions) after school next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Exam Jam schedule here). We are looking for some families to drop off snacks and drinks to fuel our students through those extra long days. The students really appreciate this! Please sign up here to donate. 

Get into the holiday spirit and support our VPA students by coming out for the Winter Symphonic Orchestra and Jazz Band Concert on Wednesday, December 7, and the Winter Choral Concert on Friday, December 9 (further details on the calendar below).

Warmly,

Meredith Moss and Corrine Dugan

Chair and President, MHS Parents' Club

December 3: Public Speaking IE 2 Tournament

December 5-9: Winter Spirit Week

December 5: Athletic Boosters Meeting; 6:00 p.m.; MHS Library. Cancelled

December 6: Parent Ed: Suicide Awareness; 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Zoom

December 7: Winter Concert for Symphonic Orchestra and Jazz Band; 7:00 p.m.; MHS Theater

December 7-9: Exam Jam; 3:15-4:15 on Wednesday and Friday, 3:45-4:45 on Thursday; classrooms as per schedule.

December 9: Winter Choral Concert; 7:00 p.m.; MHS Theater

December 13-16: First-semester final exams (schedule)

December 14: AUHSD Governing Board Meeting; 7:00 p.m.; District office

December 19-January 3: Winter Break

January 4: Second semester begins

Countdown to Winter Break:

Thank you so much to the families who made a gift to ONE-Miramonte on Giving Tuesday! We had a $10,000 Matching Gift Challenge from an anonymous donor, and our community responded with $17,760 in donations. Every gift to ONE-Miramonte goes toward supporting every student, every day.

Speaking of making your gift go even further through matching, did you remember to submit your gift for a match from your employer? If you need any securing your match, please reach out to Julie Mercer.

Questions about Miramonte fundraising? Please contact our Miramonte fundraising team at VPFundraising@mhspc.org.

Online Holiday Shopping? Don't forget about Amazon Smile!

When you shop at smile.amazon.com, a percentage of your eligible purchase is donated to Miramonte Parents' Club when you select "Miramonte High School Parents' Club Inc." as your charity of choice! 

Parent Education: Suicide Awareness

The next topic in the AUHSD Parent Education series is Suicide Awareness. Contra Costa Crisis Center will present this webinar on Tuesday, December 6, at 6:00 p.m. Register for this free webinar here.

If you missed any of the previous sessions in the AUHSD Parent Education series, you can view the recordings here.

First-Year Students

Counselors will continue meetings with first-year students after the break to discuss how their transition to high school has been going, things they are enjoying, how they are utilizing academies, etc. We value this opportunity to get to know students a little bit more! 

Seniors 

• Please keep in mind that the counseling office is closed during winter break and no one will be available to send transcripts. Make sure your student orders transcripts for any schools with deadlines during the break by Monday, December 12!
• Does your senior student have a college application deadline coming up? Don’t wait until the due date to hit submit! Application portals are notorious for experiencing problems on due dates, and technology issues are rarely viewed by colleges as an excuse for not having an application in on time.
• Don’t forget that application workshops are being held each academy session in the College and Career Center. It’s a great chance for your student to get their questions answered, have someone read their essay, and receive encouragement!
• As Early Decision and Early Action decisions begin to roll out, please read and share this article from Tulane University’s Director of Admission on reducing admission anxiety.

This week in Wellness we offered lunchtime tabling with conversations and resources about managing stress. We asked students to identify how stress feels in their bodies and then discussed specific strategies to help alleviate that stress. As students get ready for finals week, it is so important that they are periodically able to close their stress cycle and find ways to allow their bodies and minds to reset and rest. Here are 7 ways to complete the stress cycle:

• Physical activity
• Social connection
• Breathe
• Laughter
• Hug
• Crying
• Get creative (write, paint, play music, color) 

Encourage your kids to try these activities to help reduce the effects of stress on their bodies and minds!

The AUHSD Parent Education Series continues next week.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. over Zoom.

Contra Costa Crisis Center presents:

SUICIDE AWARENESS

REGISTER HERE.

Remind your student that next week is Winter Spirit Week! This fun Spirit Week is a great way to gear up for upcoming final exams and to unite students with a little holiday cheer as they eagerly anticipate the upcoming winter break. Be sure to check out the Miramonte student Instagram to see photos of that legendary Miramonte spirit!

MHS AI Club

The MHS AI Club has invited UC Berkeley researchers and STEM reps to come to Miramonte. They will be speaking about their experiences and opportunities using AI in STEM research. They will be here during Academy on Wednesday, December 7, in room 444. Students should sign up to attend via TeachMore.

Attention Families of Winter Sport Athletes

Boosters Needs Your Help - Become Part of The Team Behind the Teams!

Miramonte Boosters Club is a critical funding mechanism for Miramonte Athletics. Thanks to member donations, Boosters is able to purchase much-needed equipment, gear, and supplies for all of our athletic teams. More importantly, the club helps pay for the salaries of personnel, such as the athletic trainer and strength/conditioning coach. 

The entire school depends on the Boosters’ Club to pay for big-ticket capital purchases!

Boosters donations are used to fund the following:

• Athletic Trainer
• Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Sports Medicine Supplies
• Weight Room Equipment
• Equipment for every Mats sports team including balls, nets, training aids, etc.
• Capital expenditures such as scoreboards, cheer mats, wrestling mats, ball boundary safety nets, gym wall pads, goals, and bench covers.  

We seek 100% of families with student-athletes to join the Boosters’ Club!

Congratulations to both Grace Bell and Asher Patel for competing in the state Cross Country championships.

Congratulation to Girls Tennis for competing in the NorCal State Tennis Championships.

Girls Water Polo completed their third consecutive undefeated season by winning the NorCal State Championship.

Congratulations to the Football Team for competing in the NCS Division 5 Football Championships, falling just short to the defending state champion, San Marin.

Support Winter Sports

Winter sports are now ramping up. Please support our teams when you can by attending a game or match. Find the schedules here.

Athletic Registration

It's never too early to think about the spring sports registration process. If your student-athlete has not signed up yet, please follow the instructions here Athletic Registration Information.

Boys Lacrosse - team lunch

All returning, new, and interested Boys Lacrosse players are invited to a team lunch in Mr. Grigsby’s room (455) on Friday, December 9. Come eat pizza, hang with our new coach Jake Azevedo, and get hyped for the upcoming season. Follow the team on Instagram @miramontelacrosse.

Swim & Dive Team Registration

Registration for Miramonte Swim & Dive Team is now open! Please check out our TeamUnify website for details about Miramonte Student-Athlete Medical Clearance, Swim & Dive Team Athletic Contribution, TeamUnify registration, and team gear. The registration deadline is Friday, January 6. Questions about Swim & Dive Team registration? Contact Jen Lurie, Registration Coordinator. 

Winter Holiday Fundraiser - Bob’s Christmas Tree Lot

When you head out to purchase your family’s Christmas tree or wreath this Holiday Season, please consider heading over to Bob’s Christmas Tree Lot in Moraga. Each year, the Miramonte Senior Class partners with Bob’s for a fundraiser to help support the Senior Ball and Grad Night. Bob has again kindly offered to donate a portion of sales on wreaths and trees to the Class of 2023 if you mention "Miramonte High School” at checkout. Bob's is open through Saturday, December 24, and is located on Moraga Road across from the Valero gas station. Cash only. Please tell your friends and family, and help support the Class of 2023!

Class of 2023

See’s Candies Fundraiser

The Class of 2023 is raising funds to help offset costs for the Senior Ball and Grad Night. Orders must be made by Friday, December 2. Order here now!

Questions? Contact Class of 2023 Parent Advisors

Class of 2025

Donations Needed

The Class of 2025 leadership team will be selling hot chocolate as a fundraiser during lunch on Wednesday, December 7. Please sign up here to donate supplies or to volunteer at the event.

Questions? Contact Class of 2025 Parent Advisors

Class of 2026

Class Picnic

The Class of 2026 is hosting a picnic at lunchtime on Friday, December 9 for the First Year class. Please click here to donate snacks and refreshments. 

Miramonte Blanket

Just in time for the holidays, the Class of 2026 designed cozy Miramonte blankets to sell as a fundraiser. The blankets will be available for pick up at the picnic on Friday, December 9. Please click here to order. Blankets will not be available for purchase at the picnic so order now!

Questions? Contact Class of 2026 Parent Advisors

AUHSD Meeting Schedule, Broadcast, and Agendas

Upcoming Wednesday meeting dates: December 14, January 18, February 1, February 15, March 1, March 15, April 19, May 3, May 17, June 7 

Lamorinda Arts Council: High School Visual Arts Competition

Registration for the 20th Annual High School Visual Arts Competition is now open! The High School Visual Arts Competition showcases and acknowledges art in four categories: 2D, 3D, Photography, and Digital Art. All work is by high school students who live in or attend school in Orinda, Lafayette, or Moraga, including all schools in the Acalanes Union High School District. The competition features cash awards, merit citations, an in-person art exhibit in the gallery, as well as an online public exhibit of entries on the Lamorinda Arts Council website. Registration details and other information can be found here.

Poul Anderson Creative Writing Contest

The Poul Anderson Creative Writing Contest is held each spring, sponsored by the Friends of the Orinda Library. The contest is open to all high school students who reside in or attend high school in Orinda. The submission deadline is midnight on Saturday, April 15. More information, entry details, and winning entries from previous years can be found here.

Connect with the Parents' Club: