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Dear Miramonte Community,
Congratulations to our AUHSD Educator of the Year Finalist, Steve Poling! Steve has had a long and storied career at Miramonte and has been a wonderful mentor and English teacher to so many students over the years. He has also been a monumental leader among our staff in developing courses, programs, and curriculum to support efforts around connection, equity, and wellness. Congratulations Steve!
And, congratulations to our AUHSD Classified Employee of the Year Finalist, Jamie Rogers! Jamie is an experienced Instructional Assistant in our Essential Skills Program, which is part of our Special Education Department. Jamie is a dedicated and skilled staff member who helps her students better access the curriculum and make progress towards their personal and academic goals. Congratulations Jamie!
For more information about these district awards, including a list of past Miramonte winners, please click HERE.
Additionally, I’d like to recognize our fabulous counselors as it is National School Counseling Week! We have such amazing and dedicated counselors and support staff in our Academic Counseling Department, College and Career Center, and Wellness Center! Please consider making their day and sending them a thank you note or email if you have a moment.
Have a great weekend and GO MATS!
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Dear Miramonte Families,
February is flying by, but before you head out for the Presidents' Day holiday next week, be sure to attend our next Parent Ed event, a Challenge Success Presentation: "A Healthier Approach to College Admissions”. This event will be held on Monday, February 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the MHS Theater. This panel discussion will focus on supporting your student while reducing family stress during the college admissions process. See below for more details on this valuable presentation.
Also please join us at our Parents' Club meeting on Wednesday, February 15, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 221. Our Parents' Club Board members will offer their reports, Principal Campopiano will share the latest going-on from campus, and Director Stephanie Brady will give us an update from the College & Career Center. We look forward to seeing you there!
Happy weekend!
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February 11: Campus Clean Up Day; 10:00-11:00 a.m.; Miramonte
February 13: Wednesday/Friday bell schedule
February 13: Parent Ed: Challenge Success "A Healthier Approach to College Admissions"; 7:00-8:45 p.m.; MHS Theater
February 15: Parents' Club meeting; 9:30 a.m.; location TBD
February 15: CSF application opens
February 15: AUHSD Governing Board Meeting; 7:00 p.m.; district office
February 16: Class of 2024 parents: CAASPP Information Session; 7:00-8:00 p.m.; online (meeting link)
February 17-20: Presidents' Day Weekend; No School
February 18-19: Public Speaking Cal Invitational Tournament
February 21: Parent Ed: Supporting Students With Sleep: Why Sleep Is Important, 6:00-7:30 p.m.; Zoom
February 28: Deadline to apply to CSF
March 1: Mats Merch Fan Shop closes
March 1: AUHSD Governing Board Meeting; 7:00 p.m.; district office
March 4-5: Public Speaking State Qualifying Tournament
March 6: Boosters Meeting; 6:00-7:30 p.m.; MHS Library
March 9: Class of 2026 Moms' Night & Dads' Night
March 10: Deadline to drop a class
March 10: End of third quarter
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ONE-Miramonte Fundraising | |
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BECAUSE YOU GIVE —
Miramonte’s College & Career Center is the best in the area! Even though many students at Miramonte work with private college counselors, they do not need to have successful college applications with the support of Stephanie Brady, Shannon Freeborn, Ariel Taylor, and Shannon Freeborn, our esteemed college counseling team. Even students with outside counselors use Miramonte’s College & Career Center services to make sure they’ve left no stone unturned when making their post-secondary plans. ONE-Miramonte provides supplemental funding to the College & Career Center to pay for additional staff hours. When you read their Impact Report it’s obvious why it’s important to pay for extra hours in the College & Career Center — they do a lot for our kids!
Here’s how Mrs. Brady describes what they do in the College & Career Center at Miramonte: “The College & Career Center has the unique opportunity to meet with all students each year of high school. It begins in the first year with the launch of our Creating Your Community program, introducing ninth graders to how they can connect to their new home. As sophomores, we meet and provide them with the Getting to Know Yourself Workbook. The focus is on identifying values and using them as a foundational piece to making decisions in life—classes to take, extracurricular activities, and ways to expand their impact while taking initiative. In January of junior year, we start to bring it all together as we talk about post-secondary planning. This is where the process becomes individualized with 1:1 meetings, tailored college lists, targeted Academy sessions, and a summer essay workshop. It all culminates in the fall of Senior Year with a very individualized approach to post-secondary planning. Our team works with students on essay writing, filling out applications, scholarship applications, weekly timelines, mock interviews, and much more. We meet them where they are in the process and guide them from start to finish.”
Just how impactful are the services the College & Career Center provides? Four seniors shared their college application experiences with us.
Personally, I don't have a college counselor so I am so so grateful to have this amazing college and career staff help me navigate this college process. They made applying to college easier and comforting for me and I always knew I could go to them for any questions or advice. They worked incredibly hard to help me and even going into their personal time. I give them so much credit for helping me discover myself and digging deeper to write some awesome college essays!
Hanna Nguyen
The College & Career Center has provided tremendous support and guidance to me throughout the college application process. Their passion and knowledge helped me and many other students successfully navigate the college process.
Luke Lewis
The Miramonte College & Career Center has been crucial in allowing me, and everyone, to execute successful college applications that show our true selves. The College & Career Center made college apps manageable and less stressful through constant essay help, Q&A sessions, and checklists that allowed everyone to remain organized and submit their apps on time.
Ricky Davis
Mrs. Brady and the College & Career team guided me through the entire process and gave incredible feedback and one-on-one help. I didn't have a college counselor and I don't feel like I needed one because of all the help I was able to get from the C&CC. I would be completely lost without them in this process and I'm so grateful for them. I loved the accessibility of the College and Career Center. Applications can get extremely detailed and technical and the team was available to answer every question I had. They also provided a safe workspace and a place to discover myself and my values so I could best represent myself in my applications.
Alexa Gutu
BECAUSE YOU GIVE to ONE-Miramonte, our students get first-rate support planning for life after high school. The College & Career Center supports every student every day and is only able to do so thanks to ONE-Miramonte donors.
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Announcements & Reminders | |
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Our wonderful Miramonte counselors are SUPERSTARS!
This week is National School Counseling Week. On behalf of all Miramonte parents, we thank our counselors for the incredibly valuable work they do. We are so appreciative of the role they play in helping our students examine their talents, strengths, abilities, and interests. In addition, we’re grateful for their collaboration with Miramonte teachers and staff, which fosters a supportive academic, emotional, and social environment where our students can realize their true potential.
Thank you, Ellen Connors, Sylvie Shawn, Erika Vasquez, and Rebecka Zielinski, for always shining bright!
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Parents, we need your help to ensure your students understand the following:
Parking and Driving
Parking is for juniors and seniors only who have purchased parking passes. When a student purchases a parking pass, they register their license plate number, and the parking pass is assigned to individual students. This process allows us to contact the student if the car needs to be moved or is parked illegally. Parking pass numbers must be visible and securely attached to the rearview mirror. Students may only park in parking spots. They may not park in places that are not parking spots. A parking spot means there are two white lines running perpendicularly on either side of the car.
Students who do not have a parking pass may park PROPERLY and LEGALLY on the road in front of campus. Do not park next to red curbs, fire hydrants, or on the sidewalk. Orinda Police Department is ticketing illegally parked cars. These tickets will cost approximately $110.
Closed Campus Lunch
Miramonte High School is a closed campus. During the school day, students may not leave campus for lunch. Only students without a 6th or 7th period may leave during lunch. Students may not be in the parking lots or sports fields unsupervised. In addition, please do not use delivery services such as Door Dash. We must ensure student safety, and we can not have delivery drivers on campus who have not been vetted.
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Volunteers Needed for Next School Year
We have many enthusiastic volunteers who generously give their time to our community. This year, many of these parent volunteers will graduate, so we will have several open positions on the Miramonte Parents’ Club board. There are some jobs perfect for working and busy parents and some jobs perfect for parents who have 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, and we will contact you soon with a list of open volunteer positions that align with your interests.
Questions about volunteering at Miramonte? Contact Alissa Lillie.
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Junior Parents - CAASPP Information
How does CAASPP count for your junior? How do colleges use CAASPP scores? How do CAASPP scores establish a high school's academic reputation?
Please join our Associate Principal, Jami Greer, for a CAASPP Conversation via zoom on Thursday, February 16, 7:00-8:00 p.m. She will discuss the importance and purpose of CAASPP and why the test matters for your student and the academic reputation of Miramonte High School.
CAASPP Information Session Google Meet Link
In the meantime, we need parents to help support uploading the secure browser onto your student's device. Here is a LINK to the directions. The secure browser must be downloaded onto a device by Tuesday, February 21.
PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO PREPARE YOUR STUDENT'S DEVICE FOR THIS TEST.
CAASPP Testing in math, English, and science will officially begin in March. This test requires students to have a secure browser loaded onto their devices. If a device is unable to download the secure browser, your student's math, English, and science teacher will add their name to the "Chromebook Request List", and they can use a school-issued Chromebook for CAASPP.
The English portion of the test requires earbuds. The earbuds MUST plug into your computer because the secure browser blocks wireless devices such as earbuds or a mouse. The school will provide earbuds, but you may use your own if they plug into your device.
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Parent Education: Challenge Success Presentation: "A Healthier Approach to College Admissions”
Monday, February 13, 7:00-8:45 p.m., MHS Theater
Miramonte and OIS parents are invited to attend a presentation and panel discussion focused on supporting your student while reducing family stress during the college admissions process. The event is suitable for parents of middle and high school students in all grades. Why are we hosting this event? Watch this fun student-produced video!
The event will feature a presentation by Margaret Dunlap, Senior School Program Director at Stanford’s Graduate School of Education Challenge Success program, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with Miramonte Principal Ben Campopiano, Andie Nishimi from Wellness, Ellen Conners from Academic Advising, Stephanie Brady from the College and Career Center, teacher Meredith Hawkins, and student Faris Banaja.
Find more information at this link.
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AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Series
Click here to review the full AUHSD Wellness Parent Education Series for the rest of the school year.
The next event is Tuesday, February 21, 6:00-7:30 p.m. over Zoom, Deniz Keskinel, MSc Presents: Supporting Students With Sleep: Why Sleep Is Important. Register here.
Recordings of past AUHSD Parent Ed events can be viewed on the AUHSD website. Previous topics include Teen Survival Tips for Parents; Connecting with Your Teen; Navigating Substance Abuse and the Fentanyl Epidemic; and Depression and Anxiety in your Teen.
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Visual & Performing Arts News | |
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Leather jackets, poodle skirts, and Greased Lightnin’! Watch out, Orinda, Rydell High is coming to Miramonte! One of Miramonte High School’s most anticipated annual events returns in March when more than 80 cast, crew, and band members will be cruising the halls of Rydell High, dreaming of “Summer Nights” and “Beauty School Dropout’” as they perform the rollicking musical Grease.
Since 1999, Miramonte has had a tradition of producing high-quality musicals that are student-centered. Our productions engage and foster collaboration between student designers, technicians, builders, stage managers, actors, and musicians. This year's musical is a collaboration between Musical Theater, Drama, Choir, and Instrumental Music programs and is directed by Heather Cousins, musically directed by Meredith Hawkins, conducted by Thomas Dwyer, and choreographed by Justin Cole of Joy in Motion.
Come out to support the arts at Miramonte High School. These performing arts programs are vital opportunities for creative and artistic expression for our students. Be there or be square!
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Schedule Changes
The deadline to drop a class without it appearing on the transcript is Friday, March 10.
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Registration is Done!
All students have completed course requests for next year! In the coming weeks, you will receive a confirmation listing the courses your student requested. If your student would like to make a change to their course request, please have them email their counselor or stop by the counseling office during lunch ASAP as it becomes more difficult to request changes later on.
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Junior Student 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. Juniors, come ready with your questions!
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CSF
CSF applications open Wednesday, February 15! To apply and pay dues, please click here and complete your online application by Friday, February 28 for last semester’s grades to be considered.
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Miramonte Wellness Center | |
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Today during lunch, students dropped by the Wellness Table and showed their creative side. Thanks to Miramonte parent Joanne Mosellen, we had an abundance of dried flowers, watercolors and paper for kids to create a valentine for a friend or themselves. Creativity can be a welcome outlet for stress and anxiety and an opportunity to just do something fun with friends.
Next week, we will provide resources for students and parents about healthy relationships and understanding the difference between healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships.
Encourage your students to come by on Wednesday, February 15 and learn more.
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The Mats Merch Fan Shop is open through Wednesday, March 1. Check out our new style items, including an all-weather pullover jacket that is great for watching your favorite Matador during our cold nights. Shop at the link below until Wednesday, March 1. Delivery will start in mid-March. | |
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Boys Lacrosse
Please mark your calendar for a Miramonte Lacrosse Parent Info Night. Our new coach, Jake Azevedo, and his staff are looking forward to connecting with the Miramonte lacrosse community. Hosted appetizers on Monday, February 13, 6:30 p.m. at The Fourth Bore, Orinda. Please RSVP.
Feel free to contact team parents Sunny Bliss and Katharine Hawkins with questions.
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Attention Families of Spring 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!
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Class of 2023
Casa Orinda Fundraiser
Our final Casa Orinda fried chicken fundraiser is Monday, February 27. Click here to purchase your meal, and here to select a pick-up time.
Final Parent Party - Sip and Slide
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 22 for our final parent party - Sip and Slide at The Fourth Bore. Enjoy drinks and sliders while celebrating with our amazing parent community. Click here to join us at the party.
Senior Ball - volunteer and donate
The countdown to Senior Ball has officially begun, and we need you! We’re looking for volunteers for fun jobs planning and executing this special event for our seniors. We’re also looking for donations for some special experiences before and at the Ball. Please help us make this an event they’ll never forget and sign up here.
Class of 2023 Yard Signs
Celebrate your senior with a fun yard sign. Click here to purchase before Friday, March 31.
CCC - donate snacks
The College & Career Center is so grateful for our snack donations. Please click here to participate.
Stay informed
Lots of important information will be shared via social media. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and bookmark our Linktree to find all of our important documents, signups, and websites.
Questions? Contact the Class of 2023 Parent Advisors
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Class of 2024
Make sure your calendars are marked for Junior Prom - Saturday, April 15! Additional information about theme reveal, ticket sales, permission slips, and bus sign-ups will be shared in our next Class of 2024 newsletter.
Questions? Contact the Class of 2024 Parent Advisors
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Connect with the Parents' Club: | | | | |
