July 2021
Empower! Inspire! Unite!
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!
Superintendent's Message

Dear MPESD Community, 
 
I hope everyone is safe and enjoying the summer. We have been excited to start a new chapter full of optimism, hope and opportunities for our students this summer! Our programs were a source of motivation to learn and advance, and we are pleased to share that students participated with enthusiasm, being able to spend time with their friends in a safe environment. 
 
In the weeks prior to welcoming our students back to the classrooms, we encourage all our families to pursue some fun learning activities and reading. It is a great time to nurture curiosity, and develop new skills and interests. Every day is a chance to do better, academically and through social-emotional experiences. Parents and children can work together to achieve this. 
 
At this time, we are continuing to prepare for the full-return to school this fall, with instruction in-person, five days a week. Our team is working to ensure that all safety practices are in place as outlined by local and state public health authorities. More information will be available in the coming weeks. 
 
Thank you for your trust and collaboration. We look forward to seeing our students in-person soon! 
 
In community spirit, 
 
Dr. Elida MacArthur 
Superintendent 
Independent Study Option
for Medically Vulnerable

As we prepare for the new school year and look forward to welcoming all of our students back in person, we would like to inform you that our District will offer the option of Independent Study as needed, pursuant to AB 130.

This program is for students whose health would be put at risk by participating in in-person instruction, as determined by the parent or guardian.

Here are some key facts about this program:
 
  • There are requirements for “Live Interactions,” a type of connection that may include peers, provided for the purpose of maintaining school connectedness, including but not limited to: wellness checks, progress monitoring, provision of services, and instruction interaction between the student and local educational agency classified or certificated staff. This interaction may take place in person or in the form of internet or phone communication. 
 
  • Also, there are requirements for what is called “synchronous instruction.” This means classroom-style instruction or designated small group or one-on-one instruction delivered in person, or in the form of internet or telephonic communications and involving live, two-way communication between the teacher and student. Synchronous instruction shall be provided by the teacher of record for that student. 
 
The requirements for Live Interaction and Synchronous Instruction include: 
 
Kindergarten to grade 3 — daily synchronous instruction for all students enrolled in Independent Study. (*Estimated 30 minutes minimum per day). 
Grades 4 to 8 — Daily live interaction (Estimated 15 minutes minimum daily), and at weekly synchronous instruction (*Estimated one hour per week minimum) for all students enrolled in Independent Study. 
 
There are requirements that must be met showing satisfactory educational progress, in order to remain in the Independent Study program. 
 
Students with IEPs will require evaluation from their IEP Team to determine if the Independent Study Program can meet a student’s unique needs, and therefore whether they can participate. 
 
For the 2021-22 academic school year, it is expected that students will attend In-Person Instruction unless a parent or legal guardian registers their student(s) in Independent Study. 
 
If you are thinking of enrolling your student(s) in Independent Study, please complete the Google Form below by July 28. Individuals that complete the form will be invited to an informational meeting to know more about the Independent Study program option and how to enroll. The district will schedule a future meeting on August 3 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to provide additional program requirements and enrollment information. 
 
To indicate your interest in the Independent Study option, please complete this Google Form. 
Learn the Latest at the Coffee with the Superintendent on August 2, 2021
Would you like to learn about the latest developments for a safe and successful return to our classrooms this fall? Do you have questions for our superintendent? 
 
Dr. Elida MacArthur will soon be holding two virtual “Coffee with Superintendent” meetings on Monday, August 2. The first session will be in English with Vietnamese translation from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The second session will be in Spanish from 6:45 pm to 7:45 pm. Please find more details below: 
 
Monday, August 2
5:30 - 6:30 pm, English with Vietnamese translation 
Meeting ID: 872 9826 1922 
Passcode: 422079 
One tap mobile 
+16699006833,,87298261922# US (San Jose) 
 
6:45 - 7:45 pm, Spanish 
Meeting ID: 874 4957 3263 
Passcode: 974076 
One tap mobile 
+16699006833,,87449573263# US (San Jose) 
Engaging and Fun Summer Programs
The students’ participation in our summer programs has been a fresh start for in-person activities, with lots of excitement and energy. Daniel Patton, MPESD Program Director, explained that the summer camp has been a success, and it will continue as planned until July 29. From Monday to Friday, 67 students engaged in academic enrichment and physical activities. For example, students had the chance to create their own websites about a topic of their preference.  
 
This year’s summer camp has been the first one since the pandemic began. Following safety protocols, and guided by educators, children have been thrilled to be back and to see their friends. It is a very positive environment, and every day has felt like a celebration!  
MPESD has offered a complete and well-designed set of free programs for students, with in-person and virtual instruction, led by Jessica Tejada, Summer School Principal.

The district provided Elevate Math classes and Computer Science (online and in-person at August Boeger Middle School), a Newcomers Program (with English development, in-person at August Boeger), Reading Program for incoming first to third grade students, and a Special Education program (in-person at August Boeger and Robert Sanders). A total of 400 children have benefited from these classes! 
Students were very happy to be part of these initiatives and reunite with their peers. Very often when Principal Tejada asked them about what they’ll do next, the answer was “I don’t want it to end!” 

Important measures to protect everyone’s health were in place, including the use of masks and self-screening at home. For the Reading Program each classroom had up to 11 students, with the assistance of teachers and instructional aides; the program’s goal was to provide small group differentiated support in reading.

The district partnered with Bay Area Tutors Association (BATA), a local tutoring agency. BATA staff came to classrooms to provide support to children with reading, writing, and letter and word recognition. This collaboration was accomplished with categorical funding (Title I). 

These four-week programs have ended for the season, but the inspiration and great memories that the “summer of learning” created will persist. Together, we are advancing our students’ education, one summer at a time! 
Resources to Support Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
We are excited to share an update on our efforts to foster an environment of respect focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) at MPESD. The district’s DEIB Committee has been working to create a toolkit for educators to provide valuable resources for lessons, discussions and talks in the classrooms. This toolkit is a crucial support for teachers, with guidance and ideas to include these important topics in their educational platforms, explained Jessica Tejada, Summer School Principal and member of the DEIB Committee. 
 
Part of our work includes providing a framework and space for educators to talk to students and have meaningful discussions related to these core values, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. As students prepare to return to school in fall, the need to reinforce their relationships and trust with educators is crucial. These resources will strengthen that link, and offer a chance to discuss matters that impact everyone’s life, with sensitivity. We want our students to thrive in inviting and inclusive spaces, validating each one’s identity and respecting differences. That is a critical component of what a school community is about. 

Reading Series
We are very proud to present a book reading by Ms. Shannon Soza. The book is titled “The Feels,” and shares a wonderful story. Thank you, Ms. Soza!

You can see her video here:
Still Time for More Summer Learning Resources 
As time goes by and we get closer to reopening our schools, there are still many vacation days that can be filled with new learning experiences for our students! The P.S. ARTS To Go! Projects bring a series of options for children, with read along books, visual arts, theater, and dance resources. Please click here to learn more. 
 
Did you know that most San José Public Library locations are offering some limited indoor services? You can browse library materials (up to 1 hour per day), check out materials, pick up holds (no appointments), use computers, print and copy, use library Wi-Fi, get a library card and more. Remember that reading is food for the mind, and it expands the capability of children for a more productive academic and learning experience throughout life. Let’s read and support our students by motivating them to share a book! To connect with the San José Public Library, please click here