Dear Miramonte Community, | |
As we conclude the first semester and look ahead to the new year, I want to take a moment to celebrate one of Miramonte's most significant achievements of 2024. Last spring, all of our 11th graders participated in the CAASPP Smarter Balanced Assessments in English and Math. The recently released state scores reveal that Miramonte not only achieved some of the highest results in the district, region, and state but also demonstrated remarkable increases, considering our already high starting points!
Among other things, these high scores are critically important because they enable Miramonte to have an elite “school profile” which significantly helps our seniors when they apply to colleges across the country. Thank you to our students and staff for doing such a great job, and to the Miramonte Parents’ Club for fueling the focus by providing all of the testing snacks!
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A few nuts and bolts to know heading into break:
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Per AUHSD Board Policy Regulation 6154, students should not have any homework over Winter Break. I hope they enjoy the break and get a chance to relax and unwind a bit from school and homework.
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Teachers input 1st Semester grades into our grade reporting system on Wednesday, January 8. This means that students won’t know their official final grades until after we return. This is just an FYI, so that you know our district-wide grading timeline.
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Our Athletic Department is looking for a student and/or parent to help us update our Athletics Website and mobile app. This is a great opportunity to pitch in an hour or two a week from home to improve our athletic schedules, rosters, historical data, news, updates, and more. Let me know if this piques your interest and I can provide more info!
Have a great Winter Break, see you in 2025, and Go Mats!
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Happy Friday Miramonte Families, | |
Congratulations to all on completing finals…It’s finally time for a very well-deserved break!
I hope you have a holiday season filled with joy, laughter, and special moments to treasure with your loved ones! Stay safe, enjoy the break, and I look forward to seeing you in the new year!
Stay up to date with all Parents' Club activities by visiting our website. As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Christina Linezo
Chair MHS Parents' Club
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December 23 - January 6: Holiday Break, No School
January 10: Shakespeare Showcase; 7:00 p.m.; MHS Theater
January 15: AUHSD Governing Board Meeting; 7:00 p.m.
January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, No School
January 30: Open House, 5:00 p.m.
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ONE-Miramonte Fundraising | |
We are truly grateful for the 510 Miramonte families who have made a gift of any size to ONE-Miramonte so far this school year! Parent donations combined with outstanding and dedicated faculty make our school one of the in the state! Donations to ONE-Miramonte support every academic class and program on campus and are put to good use this school year benefitting every student and teacher at Miramonte.
If you have been meaning to submit your donation for a corporate match now is the time to do it! Many employers will only match donations in the calendar year in which they’re made. If you have any questions, our Corporate Match Chair Julie Mercer is here to help!
If you intend to make a donation over the winter break using a credit card you can use the link below. If you prefer to mail a check, here are the instructions for how to do so.
All donations to ONE-Miramonte are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law; to claim your 2023 deduction make sure your gift is in or postmarked by Tuesday, December 31.
Happy Holidays to all and best wishes for a joyful winter break.
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Miramonte Social Media Directory
It's time to update the Miramonte social media directory, Connect the Mats! Be a part of our comprehensive list of Miramonte-related social media accounts - sports, clubs, parents, classes, academics, etc. If you would like to have the social media links for your Miramonte group added to our directory, please enter the information on this form.
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Yearbook News
The 2024-25 Miramonte yearbook is currently on sale! Yearbooks must be purchased directly from the vendor. If you have not yet purchased a yearbook for your student, click on the link below and enter your student's first and last name. Make sure the first and last names you enter match the first and last names provided to the school on all registration documents.
Purchase a yearbook for your student HERE. When prompted for the School Order Number, enter the Miramonte High School school code: 6301
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Miramonte Visual and Performing Arts | |
Photography News
Upgrading to a shiny new camera soon? Or maybe your phone has become your go-to for capturing life’s moments? Either way, if you have any old cameras, lenses, or strobes tucked away and not getting any love from you, our photography class would love to give them a new purpose. Our talented students will use your pre-loved gear for photography and art projects. This is a chance to turn something collecting dust into a tool for creativity and learning!
If you’re interested in donating any photography equipment, please email photography teacher John Rodgers. Thanks for supporting our budding photographers!
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12th Annual Shakespeare Showcase – Friday, January 10, 7:00 p.m. in the MHS Theater
The Miramonte Theater department will present its 12th annual Shakespeare Showcase on Friday, January 10, at 7:00 p.m. in the MHS Theater. Our Drama 2 and Advanced Drama students will present Shakespeare plays (and a couple of open categories) cut down to 10 minutes and will use only four chairs. You'll have a chance to vote for your favorite monologue to represent Miramonte for a chance to win a trip to perform at New York's Lincoln Center. Admission is free.
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Miramonte Music Instagram - Stay in Tune with Us!
Don’t miss out on the latest news, events, and highlights from our high school music program! Follow our new Instagram account @miramonte.music for updates, performance spotlights, and behind-the-scenes fun. Let’s celebrate our students’ musical journey together!
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On behalf of the Miramonte Counseling Department, we wish you a safe and joyous holiday season. May the next two weeks bring much happiness to you and your family. We look forward to continuing to work with you and your student in 2025!
Seniors
- Please keep in mind that the counseling office is closed during the upcoming winter break and no one will be available to send transcripts.
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As Early Decision and Early Action decisions continue to roll out, please read and share this article from Tulane University’s Director of Admission on reducing admission anxiety.
- Mid-Year Transcripts: As long as you have requested an initial transcript, your counselor will send your mid-year report. If you have not requested an initial transcript, you will need to do so before any transcripts can be sent.
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The Wellness Staff wishes all Miramonte families a very restful and happy holiday season!
The Wellness Center will be closed for winter break from Friday, December 20, through Monday, January 6.
We look forward to welcoming your students back in the new year on Tuesday, January 7.
During the break, please refer to the following resources if needed:
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, thinking about suicide, worried about someone, or want emotional support, please access these 24/7 crisis lines:
- Call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- Call 211 or text 'HOPE' to 20121 for the Contra Costa Crisis Line
- Call 1-866-488-7386 or text 'START' to 678678 for the Trevor Project Lifeline
If you have concerns about a student harming themselves or someone else, you may also use the Say Something Anonymous Reporting system. You can make a report by calling 1-844-5-SAYNOW or using THIS LINK.
To make a Wellness Referral for a student to receive counseling support once school resumes, please fill out a referral HERE.
Take good care and enjoy the winter break!
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Class of 2025
Thank you 2025 families for your ongoing support. Wishing you a happy holiday season!
Save the date:
December 1-25: Bob's Christmas Tree Lot 2025 fundraiser!
Tuesday, January 14: Casa Orinda 2025 Fundraiser
Thursday, January 30: Open House + Senior Parent Meeting
Sunday, February 2: Final Senior Moms' Night Out! hosted by Stacy Crinks
Questions? Contact the Class of 2025 Parent Advisors
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Class of 2026
Thank you to all of our amazing Class of 2026 families for your support and donations this year. We wish you a Happy Holiday!
Save the Date for our Casa Orinda Chicken dinner fundraiser on Tuesday, January 14. More details to come in January.
Questions? Contact the Class of 2026 Parent Advisors.
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Class of 2027
A huge thank you to all of our amazing Class of 2027 families for your support and donations this year!
Get ready for some exciting events next year! Mark your calendars for Monday, January 27, for our Casa Orinda Chicken dinner fundraiser, where we’ll be partnering with the Class of 2028. More details will be shared in January. Additionally, we have a Class Picnic and Local Kitchens fundraiser planned for April. Happy Holidays!
Questions? Contact the Class of 2027 Parent Advisors.
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Class of 2028
Thank You Class of 2028 Families for your support at our Class Bake sale and your donations to the Class of 2028 Activities Fund this Fall!
The Spring Semester will be packed with fun Class of 2028 activities starting with our joint 2027/2028 Casa Orinda Fundraiser on Monday, January 27, and our Annual Parent Party on Friday, February 28. More details to come after the New Year!
Questions? Contact the Class of 2028 Parent Advisors
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Register for MHS Swim & Dive before winter break! The deadline is Friday, January 10.
SPORTSNET CLEARANCE. Please submit your swimmer's athletic clearance by Monday, February 10.
REGISTRATION: Click 2025 Swim Registration and complete all required information. If you are new to the team, please create a username and password. Returning swimmers can click My Account > Members to update new information including t-shirt size.
SWIM SAFETY EVALUATION: All swimmers must pass a swim safety evaluation during the first week of practice. This will include 1,000 Free with flip turns, and two 50s of each stroke (Breast, Back and Fly). Successful completion of the evaluation is required for all team members.
GEAR STORES: Apparel stores will open January 2-10. All gear needs to be ordered by Friday, January 10.
Questions about registration or athletic contribution? Contact Lexy Stice. Questions about team suits or apparel? Contact Ali Drasin.
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Winter Sports Are Here!
Don’t miss out—join the Miramonte Boosters today! Membership includes free entrance to games so that you can cheer on your Mats all season long.
Mats Spirit Wear
Show your Mats pride and purchase spirit wear HERE Go Mats!
Follow us!
Parents and students can follow the Athletic Boosters @miramonteathletics
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Next AUHSD Board Meeting
The next AUHSD Board Meeting is on Wednesday, January 15. The agenda will be posted here on Sunday, January 12. 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 upcoming board meetings for 2025 are on the following Wednesdays: February 5, February 19, March 5, March 19, April 16, May 7, May 21, and June 4.
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Lamorinda Arts Council High School Visual Arts Competition - registration opens Sunday, January 5
The annual High School Visual Arts Competition returns to the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library in March 2025! Interested students should save these important dates.
Sunday, January 5 - Registration Opens
Friday, February 21 - Registration Closes
Monday, March 4 - Friday, April 7 - Public Exhibit at the Library Gallery
Thursday, March 20 - Artist Reception & Award Presentation
This competition celebrates student artwork in four categories: 2D, 3D, Photography, and Digital Art. Submissions are open to high school students who live in or attend school in Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, or any of the schools in the Acalanes Union High School District.
Detailed information and other important dates are available here.
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Connect with the Parents' Club: | | | | |