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Dear Miramonte Community,
As I mentioned last week in my principal message, the course selection process for the 2024-2025 school year is underway! During this period, students and parents will have multiple opportunities to learn about graduation requirements, college eligibility requirements, and the rich array of electives offered at Miramonte.
- Counselor Presentations: Starting this week, counselors will be holding mandatory Academy sessions by grade level to review course requirements and elective options.
- Elective Fair: Miramonte is hosting an elective fair during an extended lunch for students on Thursday, February 1, to help highlight our wide variety of courses offered.
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Open House: Teachers, counselors, and administrators will highlight our course programming at the annual Open House on Thursday, February 1st at 5:30pm.
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AUHSD Course Catalog: The AUHSD Course Catalog provides detailed information about all of the District’s courses as well as graduation requirements and college eligibility requirements.
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Miramonte Course Catalog: The Miramonte Course Catalog provides a grade-by-grade look at available courses for students specifically at Miramonte. It also provides information in a readable and accessible format so students and parents can better understand the various course descriptions and expectations.
Support from ONE-Miramonte is a key reason Miramonte is able to offer so many different courses, so I extend a special thank you to all who have donated to ONE-Miramonte! (PS… it’s not too late to make your annual contribution if you haven’t yet done so this school year!)
For the 2024-2025 school year, Miramonte will be offering two new courses: Statistics and Data Science and AP African American Studies. In addition to these new courses, the Acalanes Union High School District has approved a semester of Ethnic Studies as a graduation requirement, starting with the Class of 2027. The addition of this graduation requirement aligns with recent California legislation and California Education Code. Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, all AUHSD sophomores will take a semester-long course on ethnic studies: an interdisciplinary field that includes history, literature, economics, sociology, anthropology, and political science. Sophomores will take this course either the semester before or the semester after their required semester-long Human and Social Development course. If you would like to learn more about the Ethnic Studies course, staff will provide an overview of the course at the next Parents’ Club meeting on Wednesday, February 21.
Thank you for your continued support of Miramonte, and I look forward to seeing you at Open House in just a couple of weeks! Have a great weekend, GO MATS, and GO NINERS!
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Dear Miramonte Families,
Please join us for the Parents' Club Reception at the Miramonte Open House on Thursday, February 1. Come enjoy complimentary refreshments from 5:30-6:00 p.m. in front of the gym. Volunteers and donations are needed! Please sign up here if you can help.
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January 19-20: Public Speaking Showcase
January 22-26: Arts Alive Week (info)
January 22-February 8: Counselors available for student registration questions at lunch in front of the counseling office
January 23: deadline to request to add a class
January 24: CCC: Class of 2026 parent presentation; 6:30-7:30 p.m.; MHS Theater
January 27: Public Speaking GGSA Congress 3 & Public Forum
January 29-February 2: Go Mats Week
February 1: Black Excellence Month Begins
February 1: Open House (program)
- 5:30-6:00 - Parents' Club Reception
- 6:00-6:25 - Welcome and Performance
- 6:30-6:55 - Session 1
- 7:00-7:25 - Session 2
- 7:30-8:00 - Session 3
- 7:30-8:00 - Class of 2024 Parent Meeting in MHS Theater
February 4: Class of 2024 parent social
February 5: Spring sports begin
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: District-wide Mardi Gras Dance; 7-9:00 p.m.; MHS Gym (tickets)
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ONE-Miramonte Fundraising | |
This artwork, Reflections of Lake Tahoe, by Miramonte Class of 2024 student Vania Robles, was selected by the Parents’ Club to appear on the thank you cards that we send to each 2023-24 ONE-Miramonte donor. Beautiful work, Vania! | |
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Thank you, ONE-Miramonte donors!
The 570 families on this list know that their gifts to ONE-Miramonte make a significant and positive impact this school year and benefit every student and teacher at Miramonte.
Donations to ONE-Miramonte provide:
- Supplemental funding for every single class to provide needed supplies and materials
- Fourteen additional class sections, allowing for more course options, including AP and Honors classes, smaller class sizes, and a 7-period day
- A fully-staffed Wellness Center
- Expanded hours in the College & Career Center
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Funding for popular student programs, such as Latin Club, Public Speaking, The Mirador, and Link Crew, among many
- Visual and performing arts
- Teacher and Staff appreciation events
Miramonte is one of the best schools in the state in no small part because of the support the school receives from parents. If you haven’t donated yet this year, please use the links below to join these 570 families in supporting Miramonte. And when you see one of the families on this list, be sure to thank them for their generous support of our school.
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Questions about Miramonte fundraising? Please contact Jill Hughes, our VP of Miramonte fundraising, at VPFundraising@mhspc.org. | |
Meet A Matador: Rebecca Promessi | |
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Hey Mats! My name is Rebecca Promessi and I am extremely proud to be a Matador! This year is my 21st year as a high school teacher and my 17th year at Miramonte. Prior to joining the Miramonte staff, I spent four years teaching at Branham High School in San Jose, and three years teaching at San Jose State University. I graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology, and went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Organismal Biology with a concentration in Conservation and Ecology. I then earned my teaching credential at San Jose State University, while doing research there and teaching biology courses and labs. I currently teach Living Earth (formerly known as biology) and am also the Publications (Yearbook) advisor.
I was born and raised in Concord and currently live there with my son, Roxo (17), who is an 11th grader at Miramonte this year. We have two kitties, Luna and Latte, whom we love to pieces. Outside of school, I love hiking and camping. Being in nature soothes my soul and keeps me grounded. I also love to dance. I have been dancing since I was 5 years old and took jazz, tap, and ballet classes at CAPA throughout my childhood and teenage years. I continue to take dance classes, mostly hip-hop, as an adult, and love utilizing dance to express myself. Other activities I enjoy include watching sports (go Niners, Giants, and Dubs!), going to Disneyland with my son, and spending time with my family, including my boyfriend, my mom, two sisters, two brothers-in-law, and five nieces and nephews.
Read on to learn more about Ms. Promessi, including why Olduvai Gorge is on her bucket list, her love of all things Giants, who inspired her to be a teacher, and how a small typo resulted in a humorous request of her students.
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Next week is Arts Alive Week!
Next week is our spirit week: Arts Alive! The Miramonte Visual and Performing Arts Department is celebrating the Arts at Miramonte! They have planned a fun-filled week to raise awareness around campus that the Arts are alive and well and that it's never too late to try a new Art. Please encourage your students to join in the activities!
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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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Sneaker Drive
Leadership's Environmental Commision is holding a sneaker drive at Miramonte until Thursday, February 29, and we need your help with completing our donation goal. This is a great way to recycle your sneakers that you don’t need anymore. We are partnering with the AAUW-OML (American Association of University Women-Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette), who will donate shoes to people in need and recycle the sneakers into playground mats.
Please bring SNEAKERS ONLY to the box in front of the Miramonte Attendance office! DON'T BRING cleats, flip flops, rain boots, golf shoes, or sandals.
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Lost and Found
The Lost and Found box is overflowing with hoodies, jackets, water bottles, lunch bags, and so much more. If your student recently lost something on campus, remind them to check the Lost and Found box located outside of room 221 (campus map).
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Schedule Changes
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The deadline to request to add a class is Tuesday, January 23.
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The deadline to drop a class without it appearing on the transcript is Friday, March 15.
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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
Registration for next year's classes will begin next week. Students will be tagged in TeachMore and will be meeting by grade level during Academy sessions. We ask that students and families who have questions about courses for next year email their counselor. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of questions we get, we are unable to have in-office 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 from Monday, January 22 - Thursday, February 8. Counselors will also be holding a Q&A session at Open House on Thursday, February 1.
Students will be getting math course recommendations from their current math teacher and pre-enrolled in the class for which they have been recommended. If a student wishes to take a math class they were not recommended for, they need to speak directly with their math teacher.
Registration schedule:
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11th graders: Registration begins on Friday, January 19. Classes are due in the computer by Monday, February 5.
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10th graders: Registration begins on Wednesday, January 24. Classes are due in the computer by Tuesday, February 6.
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9th graders: Registration begins on Friday, January 26. Classes are due in the computer by Thursday, February 8.
All students will be 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 on the following days:
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11th graders: Monday, February 5
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10th graders: Tuesday, February 6, and Wednesday, February 7
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9th graders: Thursday, February 8, and Friday, February 9
Students who miss their registration presentation will be required to attend the make-up session during Academy.
| 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 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
Donations Needed for Bake Sale Fundraiser - Friday, January 26
We are hosting a fundraising bake sale next Friday, January 26, at 7:30 p.m. at the boys varsity basketball game at Miramonte against Campo and would appreciate your support. Come out and cheer on our team and get some tasty treats. All bake sale proceeds support our class and help pay for prom, ball, grad night, and more. Don't miss this opportunity to support the first-year class along with our Miramonte community. Please sign up here to donate goodies.
Questions? Contact the Class of 2027 Parent Advisors
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Wrestling Team Grows & Flourishes in 2024
Miramonte's Wrestling Team is thriving this year and growing exponentially (going from only 9 wrestlers three years ago, to 20 athletes last year to almost 50 this year). First-years and sophomores make up 80 percent of the team.
The Miramonte team has competed in 16 tournaments this year, and some Miramonte wrestlers have already competed in over 20 matches. Miramonte athletes have already been awarded several first-, second-, and third-place medals this year.
Coach Louis Suba shared that wrestling is a great sport for newbies. All competitions are optional and voluntary, and wrestlers (not coaches) decide whether or not they will compete.
"Wrestling is a unique sport in that most of our team had never even seen a high school or college wrestling match before they joined, so the learning curve is steep. We're improving our skill level and getting better every day," said Suba. "Wrestling is a sport for everyone. It doesn't matter if you're tall or short, big or small. Anyone can succeed."
Come out and cheer on Miramonte’s wrestling team! Upcoming matches include:
● Wednesday, January 24 vs. Berean Christian at Concord High School
● Wednesday, January 31 vs. Acalanes at Acalanes High School (Senior Night)
Follow the team's Instagram @matswrestling and check out this recent article on local high school wrestling in Lamorinda Weekly.
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Lamorinda Arts Council – Registration is open for the 21st Annual High School Visual Arts Competition
The High School Visual Arts Competition showcases and acknowledges art in four categories: 2D, 3D, Photography, and the Lamorinda Arts Alliance Digital Art category. All work is by high school students who live in or attend school in Orinda, Lafayette, or Moraga, including all schools in the Acalanes Union High School District. The competition features cash awards, merit citations, an in-person art exhibit in the gallery as well as an online public exhibit of entries on the Lamorinda Arts Council website. Find more information, deadlines, and the registration form here.
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Connect with the Parents' Club: | | | | |
