We are pleased to be able to provide our students, parents, staff and community with the latest information about our Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District community through this newsletter. Please join us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to connect with us daily!
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Dear Mt. Pleasant community,
This month we are proud to recognize and celebrate Black History Month and the Lunar
New Year! Our students and staff are participating in activities that celebrate these important traditions. These projects nurture our students with understanding and respect for diversity, a crucial component of our district’s
values.
Sharing cultural experiences and reflecting on their contributions to our community are daily goals in our classrooms. That is why promoting diversity, equity, belonging and inclusion year-round are a priority for us.
I would like to thank each one of you for your collaboration in creating fun and enriching opportunities to support our students on their path to academic
success.
Sincerely,
Dr. Elida MacArthur
Superintendent
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Please watch a special message from the Superintendent: |
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School Consolidation Update
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As you know, our MPESD community has been working together to address the financial challenges we face after many years of declining enrollment. The consolidation of schools is an opportunity to remain fiscally solvent so that we can maintain instructional programs and services that benefit our students, address the needs of our staff, and maintain facilities in good conditions.
On February 9, the Superintendent presented her recommendation to the Board, based on all facts and information available to her, including the School Consolidation committee’s feedback and her team’s expertise.
The Superintendent recommended the following actions to the Board of Trustees:
- Moving Valle Vista Elementary (students and teachers) to the Ida Jew Academy campus, given the proximity of one campus to another, and the ample space available at Ida Jew Academy.
- Moving the Ida Jew Academy Dual Immersion Program (ALAS) students and teachers to Mount Pleasant STEAM Elementary, which is closer in proximity to half of ALAS’s current participants, and where there is the highest demand for dual immersion programming.
After further consideration and listening to community feedback, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Superintendent’s recommendation at the February 16th, 2022 board meeting.
The closing of the current Valle Vista facilities will generate a savings of $1,000,000, and represents a critical step towards fiscal solvency. Further work will be done to determine the best future use of that school site.
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In the coming weeks, the district will be sending out a survey and will take steps to create two separate committees to support students, staff, and families during the transition process. One committee will focus on the Valle Vista school community, and the other will focus on Ida Jew Academy community.
The district will be sending more information about participation in these committees soon. For more information about the school consolidation process, please visit our district website and a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding school consolidation.
As we work through upcoming changes, we thank you for your understanding and patience. By continuing to work in partnership, we look forward to creating new opportunities to support our students, staff, and community.
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Honoring Black History Month |
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In 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson began inspiring communities and advocating to educate people about African American culture. U.S. Presidents have officially recognized Black History Month since 1976. Did you know that the month of February was chosen in honor of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, who were both born in February?
MPESD students learn about Black History yearlong, including the important contributions of African Americans, using the character trait of courage as one of the many lesson topics. Thank you for participating in our programs and lessons!
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Celebrating Lunar New Year |
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It was great seeing many of our students and teachers engaged in projects welcoming the Lunar New Year. Colorful decorations and traditional outfits celebrated 2022, the Year of the Tiger. Classrooms proudly showed artwork that our talented students created together.
Lunar New Year celebrations are determined by the cycles of the moon, and that is why it falls on different dates each year. Although Lunar New Year began this year on February 1, festivities extend for more than two weeks, with celebrations and street parades, honoring heritage and culture. Happy Lunar New Year everyone!
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Congratulations to our 6th and 7th Grade
Boys Basketball Team!
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We are so proud of our 6th and 7th Grade Boys Basketball Team. They won their championship game, defeating Orchard School 32-29. While the season was filled with many challenges, our students never quit and worked until the very end!
Special thank you to Coach Mike Hernandez for all he does for our Student Athletes and a great season! We appreciate all our staff and administrators for the continued support of our athletics program and students.
Our 6th and 7th grade team also won the Championship in 2020! There was no basketball season for 2021. The trophy stays home! Congratulations on this wonderful victory!
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The Importance of COVID-19 Testing Before Returning to School on February 28 |
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Safety is a priority at MPESD. The district will provide COVID-19 testing kits to students before the upcoming break, so they can test twice at home before returning to school on Monday, February 28. For the students and staff needing to be tested on site, there will be a testing opportunity outside of the district office on Sunday, February 27, from 10 am to 12 pm. Participants need to be registered. Please see the flyer below with the information to register online (*I’ll include a flyer with code to scan).
We are working to protect students, staff and families’ health, and prevent the
spread of the coronavirus. We value your collaboration with these efforts.
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