Dear Miramonte Community,

CAASPP testing for all 11th-grade students begins next week. The CAASPP test provides the faculty, administration, district staff, Governing Board, parents, and community members with valuable insight into our students’ academic progress. Specifically, the resulting data helps teachers modify their courses and instruction to ensure that all students are on track for future academic endeavors. The data and results also help inform future staffing, budgeting, and programming decisions.

Our overall schoolwide CAASPP test scores are reflected in our School Profile, which is carefully reviewed by college admission officers and public and private organizations. Miramonte has some of the highest test scores in the district and state, so our School Profile is excellent which benefits students as they are applying to colleges and programs after high school.

To ensure the success of our students during our testing, here are some ways you can provide support at home for your Juniors:

1. Reiterate the value of these tests. Talk to your child about the importance of a strong School Profile and how it will benefit them. This will help your child see the value in doing their best on these tests.
2. Remind them that they are ready. Your child is well-prepared for these tests; they are extremely smart and have learned all the essential skills and standards necessary to succeed. Additionally, they have completed practice tests that have laid a great foundation for a positive experience.
3. Encourage regular attendance. Attendance plays a critical role in academic success and readiness all year long… so please double down on that focus during testing.
4. Promote healthy habits. Encourage your student to get enough sleep and visit the cafeteria for their free breakfast before school starts.
5. Be positive. Remind your student to take their time and approach the tests with confidence, a positive mindset, and an intentional focus on just doing their best on every question.

Timeline for CAASPP:

• Math will test the week of March 19th-22nd.
• English will test the week of March 25th-29th.
• Science will test the week of April 8th-12th.

Thank you for your support, see you tonight at Footloose, and Go Mats!

Mr. Ben Campopiano

bcampopiano@auhsdschools.org

Dear Miramonte Families,

The last two performances of the spring musical Footloose are sold out! See the Footloose section below for information about how you might be able to catch this entertaining show. Best wishes to all our amazing student performers and crew! 

We hope you will join us on Tuesday, March 19, at 7:00 p.m. for the AUHSD Parent and Student Education event with guest speaker Robert Paylor as he shares his message Paralyzed to Powerful at the Acalanes High School Theater. Please RSVP to this free event here.

Save the date: Friday, April 12! ONE Orinda invites all Orinda community members, local businesses, and school families to join ONE Orinda for food trucks, beer & wine, and great company as they celebrate the impact your support has on the journey of every Orinda student from TK - 12. A limited number of Early Bird Tickets are on sale March 1-15. Regularly priced tickets are $75 per person. To purchase tickets and learn more, visit the ONE Orinda website.

Warmly,

Corrine Dugan and Christina Linezo

Chair and President, MHS Parents' Club

March 15: End of Third Quarter

March 15: Deadline to drop a class

March 15: Deadline to register for AP Exams or to request refund (info)

March 15 & 16: Spring Musical: Footloose (tickets)

March 15 & 16: Public Speaking Congress National Qualifier

March 18: Staff Development Day; No school for students

March 19: Parent & Student Ed: Robert Paylor presents Paralyzed to Power 7:00 p.m.; Acalanes HS Theater (RSVP)

March 19-22: Spring Spirit Week

March 19-29: CAASPP Testing

March 20: CCC: Highly Selective College Admissions Presentation; 6:30 p.m. MHS Theater

March 20: AUHSD Governing Board Meeting; 7:00 p.m.; district office

March 23: Aca-Eras Tour by MHS Acabellas; 7:00 p.m.; MHS Theater (info)

March 25: Miramonte Blood Drive; 9:00-2:00 p.m.; Big Gym (sign up)

March 27: Orinda Schools Music Festival

March 28: CCC: Financial Aid Presentation on Awards Letters and Appeals; 6:30 p.m.; virtual (register)

April 1-5: Spring Break; No School

April 9-12: CAST Testing

April 11: Class of 2027 Parent Social

April 12-13: Latin Convention

April 13: Senior Ball

We’re so lucky!

Miramonte is one of the best schools in the state, and our students are lucky they get to spend their important high school years here. We are so lucky that Miramonte has the magic combination of phenomenal and talented teachers along with parents who understand that it takes financial support from all families to create one of the best high schools in the state!

The families listed here have all donated this school year to provide all Miramonte students with an exceptional education. We’re all lucky to have their support.

Questions about Miramonte fundraising? Please contact Jill Hughes, Parents' Club VP Fundraising, at VPFundraising@mhspc.org.

The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.

~Pablo Picasso

We'd love for you to share your gifts with our school community! We're looking for:

• Matador News Co-Editor - Are you a detail-oriented grammarian? Do you know your way around a dangling participle? Are you a fan of the Oxford comma? If this describes you, and you have time every other week to help assemble the Pulitzer prize-winning Matador News, then we’d like to talk to you about volunteering for the Matador News Co-Editor position!

• Matador News Meet A Matador Co-Editor - Work with both the VP of Communication and a co-editor to compile four (yes, only four!) articles per school year that highlight a Miramonte staff member.

If you'd like to learn more about these vital roles or any other open volunteer opportunities, email Meredith Moss or indicate your interest on this volunteer interest form. (We’re just kidding about that Pulitzer.) 

Lunchtime help needed!

Miramonte Administration is looking for some parent volunteers to help with lunchtime waste management. We are looking for a couple of volunteers per day, preferably on a consistent basis. If you can lend a hand, please fill out the Waste Management Sign-Up Form. Questions? Email Associate Principal Danny Caravalho.

AP Exams - deadline is TODAY, Friday, March 15, to register or cancel

Parents/Guardians - This is a reminder that Friday, March 15, is the firm deadline to register for an AP Exam or receive a refund for canceling an AP Exam. If you would like to register or cancel an exam before the deadline, please email Courtney Gosney

Students should check their AP Classroom to ensure they are registered for the exams they want to take. If they have entered a “join code” but have not yet paid for the exam, AP Classroom will show they are not registered for the exam. Please see the photo example below of a registered exam in AP Classroom.

Junior Students and CAASPP – secure browser needed

We are embarking on the CAASPP testing season, and all junior students need to download a secure browser to their devices to access the test. Here is the link to the instructions for downloading the secure browser. Please ensure your junior student has the browser installed on their device by Monday, March 18. Students who are unable to download the browser will have access to devices provided by the school. 

The testing dates are math on March 19-22; English on March 25-29; and science (CAST) on April 8-12.

Parent Education: Paralyzed to Power

All Miramonte parents, students, and staff are invited to attend Paralyzed to Power, presented by speaker Robert Paylor on Tuesday, March 19, at 7:00 p.m. in the Acalanes Performing Arts Center. Please RSVP to this free event here.

Miramonte High School Blood Drive

Miramonte is hosting a blood drive with Stanford Blood Donation Center on Monday, March 25, 9:00-2:00 p.m. in the MHS Big Gym. Anyone 16 years and older can sign up for a donation appointment at this link. Sixteen-year-olds need a consent form signed by a parent/guardian to donate. All eligibility information is here.

Community Service Year Coming to a Close

Miramonte’s current community service year ends on Sunday, March 31. The deadline for students to have all hours submitted to Helper Helper and validated by our community service volunteers is Monday, April 15. Please don’t wait until the last minute! Please check here for detailed information on opportunities, what qualifies, and awards. Questions? Email MHS Community Service.

Save The Date For Our Annual Campus Clean-Up Day - Saturday, April 20

Bring friends, family, and neighbors! Bring your sports teams and student clubs! In celebration of Earth Day, we’re calling on the entire Miramonte community to show their Miramonte pride and team spirit by joining us at our campus-wide clean-up and beautification day on Saturday, April 20, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Be on the lookout for more details and sign up information coming soon. Volunteer hours will be granted to all student volunteers.

♪♬ …So now I gotta cut loose, Footloose, Kick off the Sunday shoes… ♪♬

The music, the dancing, the wit—it’s all on display in Footloose! Didn't get a chance to purchase your Footloose tickets before they sold out? A limited number of aisle folding chairs will be sold 30 minutes before the show at the Student Union Center on a first come, first served basis. $15 students/$20 adults.

There are two final chances to see what everyone is raving about:

• Friday, March 15, at 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 16, at 4:00 p.m. 

Check out the video below for a glimpse of the hard work that went into the amazing Footloose production:

Financial Aid Presentation - Thursday, March 28

Don't miss this, seniors!! The acceptances are in! Your child is receiving financial aid award letters. Join College Aid Pro experts as they share tips and tricks for understanding award letters and putting together a successful appeal.

Register for the "How to Decipher Award Letters and Appeal to Colleges to Get More Money" webinar with College Aid Pro on Thursday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m.

In this webinar, you will discover:

1. Did you get a good deal?

2. Who, What, Where, and How to appeal?

3. What are realistic expectations?

4. Does it ever make sense NOT to appeal?

Registration is required. If you can't attend live, you will need to register to receive the recording. 

Save The Dates For Upcoming Financial Aid Webinars

Wednesday, April 17

Class of 2024: On Wednesday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m., College Aid Pro will help families understand the nuances of Paying the Bill & Borrowing for College.

Tuesday, May 14

Class of 2025 (and beyond) families, this is for you! On Tuesday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m., College Aid Pro will present the Financial Aid 101: How to Maximize Financial Aid & Scholarships webinar to help you understand the confusing landscape.

Math Override Requests Due by Thursday, March 28

As the 3rd Quarter has ended, math override forms are now available through your student’s math teacher. Students who wish to override their math recommendation have until Thursday, March 28, to speak with their current math teacher and complete the form. In the weeks following, your student's counselor will send a confirmation email once the change has been made.

Junior Meetings

Junior meetings are continuing! 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!

AUHSD Summer School

If your child earned a D or F in a high school graduation requirement course this year, they may be able to remediate the course during summer school. See a counselor for an application or visit the district website!

• Summer school will be held this year in one, 5-week session.
• Classes begin Tuesday, June 11, and end Friday, July 12 
• Location: Acalanes High School

DVC Career Academies

Sophomores and juniors, are you looking for a summer program that is affordable and close to home? If so, DVC has a great option for you to explore! DVC Career Academies are week(s) long offerings that run all summer long! These are the types of programs that colleges love to see and you will earn college credits upon completion!! If you would like more information, please click here.

Follow us!

Parents and students can follow the @miramontecounseling Instagram account for information, news, and advice from the counseling department.

Miramonte Acabellas Fundraiser Concert – Saturday, March 23, 7:00 p.m., in the MHS Theater

Our talented Miramonte Acabellas singing group invites the entire Miramonte community to the Aca-Eras Tour concert benefiting the Contra Costa Food Bank. Our amazing singers will sing a selection of Taylor Swift’s global hits, including Shake It Off, Karma, The Man, and so, so much more! Tickets are cash only at the door – students and faculty are only $3 and everyone else is only $5. Bracelets are optional but highly encouraged! Find more information here.

Stunt Team Fundraiser - purchase by Friday, March 15

Please support the Miramonte Stunt Team’s spring fundraiser with See’s Candies. The deadline to order is Friday, March 15. All items will ship directly after ordering, and all orders will arrive before the Easter Holiday. Purchase See’s Candies here.

Baseball Team Fundraiser – Saturday, March 16

Come out and support the Miramonte Baseball program at our carwash fundraiser on Saturday, March 16, from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Marathon Gas and Mini-Mart (the gas station by MCC). 

Class of 2024 News

Senior Ball - purchase tickets by Friday, March 22

Purchase tickets to Senior Ball now! Sales close Friday, March 22, at 3:00 p.m. Be sure to fill out your MHS Student permission slips and have guests complete Non-MHS Student permission slips if applicable. Permission slips are due by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27.

Senior Slideshow - photos and videos needed

We really need your photos and videos for the Senior Slideshow. Please submit them via our Google drive. The slideshow is an important part of Senior Week, and we need your pictures to make it special. Deadline to submit is Sunday, March 31.

Questions? Contact the Class of 2024 Parent Advisors

Next AUHSD Board Meeting

The next AUHSD Board Meeting is on Wednesday, March 20. The agenda will be posted here on Sunday, March 17. The meeting is held at the district office, with the public portion beginning at 7:00 p.m. You may also watch the live broadcast here.

The remaining Wednesday meeting dates for this school year are April 17, May 1, May 15, and June 5 

Orinda/Tabor Sister City Foundation Seeks Host Family For Fall 2024

For each of the past 22 years, an exchange student from Tabor, Czech Republic (just south of Prague) has come to Orinda and enrolled at Miramonte for the fall semester. It's been quite a rewarding experience for both the student and the host family as they both get to know each other's cultures and education systems. 

The Orinda/Tabor Sister City Foundation is looking for a host family for fall 2024 for Jan Belada, a 17 year old rising senior, who plays the cello, piano, and guitar. He is an accomplished tennis player and enjoys flying drones. His essay and interview beat out 23 impressive applicants. The host family needs to provide meals, a proper bedroom (can be shared with same sex), a desk, and access to a bathroom. They also help enrich the student’s California experience by taking them on excursions, e.g., Yosemite, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Muir Woods. Trip cost reimbursement to be made by the Orinda/Tabor Sister City Foundation. The host family also provides logistical support to and from school and friends' houses and supports the student’s integration into Miramonte by helping them join teams, clubs, and other school activities. 

There are many past host families who would be happy to give testimonials about the wonderful adventure of hosting one of the Tabor students! For more information, please email Dan Lynch with the Orinda/Tabor Sister City Foundation.

Connect with the Parents' Club: