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Dear Miramonte Community,
It was great to see you all at Open House last night! Our students and staff were so grateful to celebrate the year with you and look ahead to next year as well. A few reminders as we head into the weekend:
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Spring Sports start tryouts on Monday… Review the details here.
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Course Registration for next school year is OPEN… Please read this checklist carefully for key dates and items to complete.
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Check out our school website if you haven’t done so recently… We post lots of important information, dates, and news to know every week.
As I said last night, thank you again for all you do to support our school community! We greatly appreciate your donations, volunteer work, encouragement, participation, feedback, and general support. And, we all know you do a ton of great work at home with your child helping them to navigate high school and be successful at Miramonte.
If you haven’t had a chance yet to get involved or contribute this year, please connect with our Miramonte Parents’ Club, our Athletic Boosters, or another program to offer your help. Also, it's not too late in the year to make a donation of ANY amount to ONE-Miramonte. Your dollars stay with us and will absolutely help your child and their classmates have a better experience this year.
Have a great weekend and GO MATS!
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Dear Miramonte Families,
It was wonderful seeing all the new and returning families at Open House last night! A special thank you to Alissa Lillie, VP Services, and our Hospitality Team, Catherine Johnson and Emily Schultz, for organizing the Parents' Club reception yesterday, and to all the parent volunteers for the food and beverage donations.
Our next Parents' Club meeting will be on Wednesday, February 21, 9:30 a.m., in the Student Union. Principal Campopiano and Associate Superintendent Mr. John Walker will discuss the new courses offered for the upcoming school year, the new ethnic studies requirement, and the master schedule process for Miramonte and how it impacts students. In addition, we will hear updates from Wellness Coordinator Mr. Sal Avila. All parents and guardians are welcome!
Mark your calendars for Friday, April 12, as we celebrate and honor the Orinda student’s journey from TK to 12. This community-wide event will bring together school parents, alumni, Orinda residents, and local businesses. Watch for additional details coming soon!
Visit our Parents' Club website to stay updated on all the upcoming events and to learn more about getting involved.
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February 4: Class of 2024 parent social
February 5: Spring sports begin
February 6: AUHSD Workshop: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth; 6:00 p.m.; Acalanes HS Library (register)
February 7: AUHSD Governing Board Meeting; 7:00 p.m.; district office
February 9 & 10: Performers for Progress
February 10: Public Speaking Stanford Invitational
February 13: Class of 2025 Moms' Social
February 16 & 19: Holiday; No School
February 21: Parents' Club Meeting; 9:30 a.m.
February 21: AUHSD Governing Board Meeting; 7:00 p.m.; district office
February 23: Spring Athletic PE Contract deadline (info)
February 23: District-wide Mardi Gras Dance; 7-9:00 p.m.; MHS Gym (tickets)
February 24: Latin Certamen State Qualifiers
March 1: Career Month Begins (for students)
March 2 & 3: Public Speaking GGSA State Qualifiers
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ONE-Miramonte Fundraising | |
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Why should I donate to a public school that should be covered by tax dollars?
We often hear this argument from families who question why they’re asked to make a donation to a public school. Schools, they argue, should be fully covered by state and local funding.
We certainly agree — schools should receive better funding! But the fact of the matter is that they don’t. The State of California has perpetual budget shortfalls, and the formula used to fund schools leaves our district at the lowest funding level in the state. Here’s the data if you want to read further. This leaves Miramonte in the position of having to ask parents to make up the difference between what we get from public funding and what it costs to run a high school that is one of the best in the state.
When we were growing up in California public schools, our parents bought a bottle of wine at an auction and baked a pan of brownies for a bake sale, and that was how schools received extra money.
Bake sales just don’t cut it anymore. We all need to chip in what we can in order to create the schools our students deserve.
We know not everyone can afford the $1,500 per-student ask. We gratefully accept donations of any size to ONE-Miramonte. All donations make a difference this year and are deeply appreciated.
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Questions about Miramonte fundraising? Please contact Jill Hughes, VP of Miramonte fundraising, at VPFundraising@mhspc.org. | |
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AUHSD Workshop: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth
AUHSD is holding a workshop on Tuesday, February 6, at 6:00 p.m. in the Acalanes High School library for parents, caregivers, and supporters of LGBTQ+ students. We are proud to partner with the Contra Costa County Office of Education's Wellness in Schools Program and the Trevor Project to bring you this presentation and workshop. Families, caregivers, and supporters play a crucial role in supporting our LGBTQ+ students, and we look forward to an inclusive and interactive event. Students are welcome to attend with their parents/caregivers.
If you are interested in attending this free workshop, please register here.
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Mardi Gras Dance Sponsored by Miramonte BSU & Leadership
Miramonte’s BSU and Leadership are hosting a district-wide Mardi Gras dance for all AUHSD students on Friday, February 23, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Along with dancing and an awesome DJ, there will be a 360 open-air video booth, a place to hang out with friends, and an airbrush tattoo artist! Tickets are $10. Purchase tickets here.
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Looking to volunteer next year? Sign up here!
We are extremely lucky to have so many enthusiastic parents who generously give their time to our school community. We have some volunteer jobs that are a great fit for busy parents and some that are perfect for parents with the time or inclination to take a bigger leadership role.
If you are interested in learning more about our open volunteer positions, please indicate your interest on this form. If you have any questions, please contact Meredith Moss. Volunteer and make a difference at our school!
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Arts Alive week was a huge success!
Miramonte's Visual & Performing Arts Department hosted its first Arts Alive Week during the week of January 22. Read about the event's successful launch in a recent article in The Mirador.
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Schedule Changes
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The deadline to drop a class without it appearing on the transcript is Friday, March 15.
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Junior Meetings
Junior meetings are underway! Counselors will spend the next two months calling in all juniors for a check-in. This meeting typically lasts between 15-20 minutes as we go over senior year course requests and post-high school plans. Remind your juniors to come ready with their questions!
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FuelEd
Students who received a D or F in a graduation-required course should email their counselor to see if they are eligible for remediation through a FuelEd course. Ninth graders are not eligible for FuelEd.
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Course Selection for 2024-2025 School Year
All students have been given a registration form to complete and return (with a parent signature) to their English teacher. Forms will be collected by counselors in English classes and are due online on the following days:
11th graders: Monday, February 5
10th graders: Tuesday, February 6 and Wednesday, February 7
9th graders: Thursday, February 8 and Friday, February 9
We ask that students and families who have questions about courses for next year email counselors. Unfortunately due to the high volume of questions we get, we are unable to have individual meetings for every student to go over course selections. However, it is our experience that most questions can be answered via email. Of course, if a question cannot be answered via email, we will schedule a meeting!
Counselors will be available for students to ask specific registration questions during lunch in front of the counseling office Monday, January 22 - Thursday, February 8. Counselors will also be holding a Q&A session at Open House on Thursday, February 1.
Students have received math course recommendations from their current math teacher and are pre-enrolled in the class they have been recommended for. If a student wishes to take a math class they were not recommended for, they need to speak directly with their math teacher.
Students who do not complete their course registration by the above deadlines will be required to attend a make-up session during Academy.
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California Scholarship Federation (CSF) registration is now open!
CSF is an honor club at Miramonte that acknowledges the high academic achievement of students. Eligibility is determined through a point system based on the last semester’s course load and specific semester grades. Have your student fill out the application on the Web Store to determine if they are eligible. Registration is open for the month of February.
Email Sylvie Shawn with any questions or if you need a fee waiver.
Fill out the application and pay the dues here.
| Follow us! Parents and students can follow the new @miramontecounseling Instagram account for information, news, and advice from the counseling department. | |
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Class of 2024 News
Join Us for the Last Parent Party!
Please join us for a no-host Parent Happy Hour this Sunday, February 4, at The Fourth Bore. 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wear your Mats green or other spirit wear.
Graduation Yard Signs Now Available
Graduation yard signs are now for sale on the Web Store. $20. Sales are open until Thursday, February 29. Signs will be distributed in mid-April.
Questions? Contact the Class of 2024 Parent Advisors
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Class of 2025 News
Moms' Social - Tuesday, February 13
2025 moms, join us for a sweet valentine-inspired evening on Tuesday, February 13, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Chez Crinks, 75 Donald Drive, Orinda. Tickets are $50 and include beverages, appetizers, chocolate, and 2025 love! Purchase tickets here.
Questions? Contact the Class of 2025 Parent Advisors
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Class of 2027 News
Candygrams on sale now!
Candygrams are now on sale and are available for purchase for all Miramonte students. Candy packages will be delivered during class on Valentine’s Day. The cost is $4 for one candygram and $10 for three candygrams. Purchase candygrams here by Sunday, February 11. All proceeds support the Class of 2027.
Questions? Contact the Class of 2027 Parent Advisors
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New Miramonte spirit wear is available through the Miramonte Boosters Club! The following items are available for purchase on the Web Store:
- Boosters Stadium Seats with Pocket (black)
- Matador Unisex Hoodie (sport grey color with green/white/black logo)
- Boxercraft Flannel Pajama Pants (green and white plain with white logo)
- Short Sleeve T-Shirt (dark green with white and black logo)
- Car Magnet Round M (dark green and white)
All proceeds benefit the Boosters Club. If you have any questions about this spirit wear, please contact Lee O'Haver.
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Miramonte Girls Basketball Team Enjoys a Strong Season, Preps for Playoffs
The Miramonte Girls Varsity Basketball Team is capping off a strong season, with a 9-1 record in league play and 15-9 record overall. Among the highlights of the season was a victory over Campolindo on January 26 with a final score of 52-39.
“I scheduled a difficult schedule to get us ready for the playoffs, and now we’re rounding into form, with our defense leading the way,” said Coach Vince Wirthman, now in his fourth year coaching the varsity girls team. “Our steady improvement over the season has me really optimistic for the playoffs.”
The team’s last regular-season game is an away game at Ygnacio Valley tonight, February 2, at 7:00 p.m. The DAL tournament takes place between February 3-10, and then the NCS tournament begins on February 13.
Follow the Lady Mats on Instagram @miramonte_wbb
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SEED Parent Ed for High School Families: College and Career Alternatives for Students with IEPs
The Special Education Enrichment Development Foundation (SEED) presents a parent workshop by education consultant Melissa Masland on post-high school education options and the college application process for students receiving special education services. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 7, at 7:00 p.m. in the Acalanes High School Library. Admission is free.
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Connect with the Parents' Club: | | | | |
