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The Mt. Diablo Unified School District seeks community feedback to inform our 2025-26 Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). 

We invite all community partners, including parents, family members, and students, to provide input using this survey link: click here. 

Please complete the survey by April 23, 2025.

Thank you.

Mt. Diablo HS Digital Innovation students and their teacher Susan Verharen proudly unveiled a new makerspace on Wednesday that they designed in the school library in collaboration with library media teacher Jean Malinasky. The interactive space includes maker stations such as a Lego "Brick Lab," art-focused "Papercraft Pavilion," crochet and macrame "Fabrication Station," and "Wordsmith Studio" where students can make bookmarks, journals and other literary-themed treasures. The space also includes a button machine and "Cricut" cuttiing machine that students can use to create buttons or other design projects such as stickers.

"Last spring Ms. Malinasky had a vision to create a space in the library where students could use their creativity in bookmaking, fine arts, fiber arts and constructing physical objects for enrichment, class projects, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) without the use of technology," said Verharen, whose seniors in the Career Technology Education (CTE) Technology Pathway took on the project as a work-based learning experience, with Malinasky as their "client." 

'The students used the design engineering process to ideate, research, define project’s goals and the deliverables to create the library makerspace while Ms. Malinasky provided feedback and approvals to keep with her vision," Verharen said. "The furniture layout was designed by the class using 2D vector drawing software. All marketing materials and signage was designed by the class using Canva. To add to the decor, our fine arts and multimedia student art is displayed on the walls." 

To tie the makerspace in with the school curriculum, the students and teachers created an 18-page google doc that lists projects by subject area. For example, science students can make paper roller coasters, history students can make replicas of historical artifacts and language arts students can make character dioramas. They are hoping teachers will visit with their classes to see all the options available, which also include making beaded bracelets, key chains, Ninja stars made of popsicle sticks and origami. The projects can give students a sense of accomplishment, help them remember what they learned in class, and provide a quiet activity that can help calm them down if they're feeling stressed.

The students who designed the makerspace said it was a challenging, but fun project and they are eager to teach other students how to use it. Board Vice President Cherise Khaund, who toured the space on Wednesday, was impressed. "I just love seeing the opportunity for student-led creativity and design that's accessible to students throughout the school," she said. The makerspace will be open to students during lunch, and for after school clubs with teacher supervision, Verharen said. Staff may also consider using the space for team-buiding activities. Malinasky said she believes the makerspace could be a model that other schools could replicate and she invites colleagues from throughout the District to come and visit.

More photos from the grand opening are here.

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• New Makerspace at Mt. Diablo High School,
• Ygnacio Valley HS and Mt. Diablo HS robotics teams recognized by Concord City Council;
• Ygnacio Valley HS senior Sa’rye Starks is named an Inspirational Athlete by Cal-Hi Sports after advocating for greater recognition of girls sports,
• 4 MDUSD athletes named to All-Bay Area News Group’s basketball teams,
• A visit to Robert Shearer Preschool by Bob Shearer’s family,
• Robert Shearer Preschool and Gregory Gardens Elementary students and staff recognize Autism Acceptance Day and some Gregory Gardens students recognize end of Ramadan,
• El Dorado Middle School’s multicultural fashion show,
• Pleasant Hill Middle School’s college and career display,
• Concord High School’s spirited March Madness basketball game,
• The Horizons/Prospect Graduation Fair,
• High School counselors and advisors visit Cal Maritime to learn about upcoming merger with Cal Poly,
• Director of Purchasing and Warehouse featured in CA Assoc. of School Business Officials' Spring magazine;
• And more!

You can read it here. 

Transformative program creates affordable pathway to teaching while addressing critical classroom needs in Contra Costa County

The Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) is proud to announce a partnership with Saint Mary’s College Kalmanovitz School of Education (KSOE) to implement an innovative Teacher Residency Program. This collaborative initiative is designed to make earning a teaching credential more affordable and accessible while addressing critical teacher shortages.

MDUSD received a Teacher Residency Grant through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing that provides each teacher resident with a stipend to help offset tuition costs. This financial support makes the pathway to teaching significantly more accessible for aspiring educators who might otherwise face cost barriers.

"We are excited about the opportunity to increase the resources and options available to future educators while also maintaining our focus on improving quality instruction and high expectations for all of our students," states Dr. Wendi Aghily, Chief, Pupil Services and Special Education for MDUSD. "This is an investment in the future that can have ripple effects for years to come."

The program integrates a full year of coursework on the Saint Mary's campus with concurrent in-classroom student teaching under the guidance of experienced MDUSD mentor teachers. This integrated approach ensures that theoretical knowledge is applied in real classroom settings, enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of the resident teachers' education while providing valuable support to MDUSD students.

Dr. S. Marshall Perry, KSOE Interim Dean, highlights the educational excellence at the core of the program: "The partnership with Mt. Diablo exemplifies our Lasallian commitment to providing transformative education that prepares teachers for the complex realities of today's classrooms. Our distinctive curriculum, combined with an immersive classroom experience, ensures that teacher residents develop not only subject matter expertise but also the cultural competency, adaptive teaching skills, and reflective practice essential for educating the whole person.”

Upon successful completion of the program, residents will earn a California preliminary single-subject (math or science) or multiple-subject teaching credential, with an option to add a Bilingual Spanish Authorization certificate. 

Additional benefits include:

• Tuition stipend
• Individualized mentorship
• Guaranteed substitute teaching opportunities
• Priority consideration for teaching positions within MDUSD

The program demonstrates both institutions' commitment to increasing teacher diversity to better represent the communities they serve. By creating more accessible pathways to teaching credentials, the partnership aims to develop a teacher workforce that brings diverse perspectives and cultural competencies to the classroom and community.

Those interested in learning more about the program are invited to attend an online MDUSD Residency Information Session on April 16, 2025, at 4:30 pm. Register here for this online information session. 

Additional information about the program, including how to apply, can be found here. 

Questions about the MDUSD Teacher Residency Program can be directed to Saint Mary's KSOE Admissions team at ksoeapply@stmarys-ca.edu or 925-631-4700.

About Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Mt. Diablo Unified School District serves approximately 30,000 students at over 50 school sites in the communities of Concord, Pleasant Hill, Clayton, Bay Point, Pittsburg, and parts of Walnut Creek, Martinez, and Lafayette. MDUSD is committed to ensuring high-quality education for all students and providing innovative programs that prepare them for success in college, career, and life.

About Saint Mary's Teacher Education Program at Kalmanovitz School of Education
The Kalmanovitz School of Education at Saint Mary's College of California is dedicated to preparing education professionals for lives of service and leadership. Guided by Lasallian values of faith, service, and community, the teaching program emphasizes inclusive excellence, social justice, and transformative education. These Lasallian principles inform a curriculum that fosters concern for the poor and social justice, respect for all persons, quality education, and an inclusive community. With a strong emphasis on equity in education, the school offers comprehensive programs that blend theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience. The Kalmanovitz School of Education is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and is known for its innovative approaches to teacher preparation that respond to the evolving needs of diverse students, families, and communities.

This week's Friday Letter Spotlights:

• A guest spotlight of the Elementary Honor and Middle School Choir Concert by Music Teacher Michelle Hackel
• MDUSD High School Choir Festival on Wednesday, April 2 
• District News highlighting No School on Monday, March 31 for the Cesar Chavez Holiday, the MDUSD Board recognizes April as Arab American Heritage Month, and Spring Recess is April 7-14
• This week's Resource for Immigrant Families is The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), which was founded in 1986 to advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees
• School news highlighting Ygnacio Valley High School and Northgate High School students gathering to discuss the issue of hate speech in schools during Northgate’s Wellness Day
• And more!

You can read it here

Guest column by Michelle Hackel, MDUSD Music Teacher

The 3rd Annual Elementary Honor Choir and Middle School Choir was held Monday, March 24th at Concord High School and featured selected students from 13 elementary school choirs along with choirs from Pleasant Hill, Foothill and El Dorado middle schools. The concert also included an opening number by the Concord High School Honey Tones.

Mount Diablo Music Education Foundation (MDMEF) sponsors this event annually. MDMEF, established in 2009, has given over $217,000.00 in grants and other financial support to music programs throughout MDUSD, and purchased music for the singers and provided event T-shirts for the elementary students for this concert. Foundation funds also brought in guest conductor Katherine Nash-Coan, who holds a Masters degree in Choral Conducting, is a former MDUSD teacher and the current choir director in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. Her energy and talent in bringing singers together was evident in the avid attention she received from over 100 fourth- and fifth-grade students from across the district during the pre-concert rehearsal, their first time ever singing together.

Concord High’s Honey Tones, directed by event host Anthony West, sang “Jom-Ayuh-Mari!” by Tracy Wong, followed by Dawn O’Connell conducting the Pleasant Hill MS Choir in “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,” by Mark Hayes. Then Sally Anderson took the stage to lead her Foothill MS Griffin Choir in “The Dream Keeper,” by Rollo Dillworth, and her Concert Choir in “Dulaman,” by Cristi Cary Miller. The El Dorado MS Choir, led by Andy La, presented a haunting rendition of “In This Ancient House,” by Ruth Morris Gray. The Elementary Honor Choir sang two songs: “All the Beautiful Colors,” arranged by Mary Donnelly and George L.O. Strid, and “I Met a Bird,” by Jim Papoulis. Finally, all the choirs took the stage together, joined also by singers from Kenneth Hutchinson’s Oak Grove MS Choir, to conclude with an inspiring performance of “Sisi Ni Moja (We Are One),” by Jacob Neverud.

This concert brings MDUSD students together to celebrate and share the joy of singing. The event would not have been possible without the dedication of Bonnie Shea, Lead Teacher for the district’s Elementary Vocal and General Music team. In addition to Shea, elementary music teachers who brought singers to the event this year included Michelle Hackel, Jessica Gourlay, Emily Blackshore, Catherine Grant, Amanda Smythe, Danielle Haffner, David Wright (who accompanied on the flute) and Stella Brown (who performed as a collaborative pianist). Richard Lyon was present to assist, and the audience included District Office administrators Kellie Hoover and Erin DeMartini, as well as MDMEF Board Members. 

The annual concert provides teachers with a chance for meaningful collaboration, the families and community members the opportunity to see the value of choral music education, and the singers, the benefit and challenge of participating in a large, high profile performance experience. We especially love to see how inspired our younger singers are by seeing the choral possibilities in their future at the middle and high school.

Guest Conductor Katherine Nash-Coan leads MDUSD combined choirs in March 24, 2025 performance.

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• Support Office for Access and Resources (SOAR)
• AAPAC Town Hall event
• Sequoia Middle School student at 2025 Bay Area Spelling Bee
• And more!

You can read it here.

Guest column By Dr. Rosie Reid
MDUSD Program Specialist

In the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, we understand that sometimes our students need a little extra help to be successful in school. Some of our students come to school cold because they don’t have a jacket that fits. Some have had to change schools multiple times due to circumstances beyond their control. Others are facing eviction and aren’t sure where they will sleep next week, where their next meal will come from, or how they will get to school. Wherever our students come from, whatever they are going through, we are here to help. 

The Support Office for Access and Resources (SOAR Program) within the Student Services Department of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District is dedicated to empowering and uplifting students facing unique challenges by providing comprehensive support and resources. Our mission is to ensure that every student, regardless of their circumstances, has equitable access to educational opportunities and the academic, social, and emotional support they need. 

We focus on serving the following student groups:

• McKinney-Vento Students: We assist students experiencing homelessness by offering essential school supplies, tutoring, counseling services, and family support to promote stability and academic success.
• Foster Youth: Our wrap-around services for foster youth and their families include academic assistance, counseling, community resources, and family support, ensuring they have the tools needed to thrive.
• Justice-Involved Youth: We provide tailored support to students involved in the justice system, facilitating their reintegration into the educational environment and promoting positive outcomes.
• Refugee/Newcomer Students: We warmly welcome refugee and newcomer families, helping them navigate new surroundings, providing essential resources, and connecting them with community support to ensure a smooth transition.
• LGBTQIA2+ Students: We create a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA2+ students, offering support and resources that affirm their identities and promote well-being.
• Indian Education Program Youth: In partnership with the American Indian Culture and Education Program, we celebrate Native American culture and support students with resources that honor their heritage.
• Human Trafficking Survivors: We offer specialized support to students affected by human trafficking, addressing their unique needs and promoting recovery and empowerment.

Through collaboration with community partners and a commitment to uplifting students and families, SOAR strives to remove barriers to education, foster resilience, and inspire every student to reach their full potential. 

If you or a family you know could benefit from additional support, reach out to soar@mdusd.org or 925-682-8000 ext. 6242, and we will do our best to help! 

If you would like to donate to the SOAR program, please consider using Venmo @MDUSDSOAR or mailing a check to: SOAR Program, 1026 Mohr Lane, Concord, CA 94518. 
 

MDUSD's SOAR Program staff includes (from left to right) Program Specialist Rosie Reid, Counselor Medaja Elias, Social Work Specialist Vanessa Castillo, Senior Secretary Vicky Conerly, and Resource Worker Evelyn Mercado. 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• 26th Annual "Best" Job Shadow Day
• Gun and Campus Safety event
• 2025-26 Teachers of the Year and finalists recognized at Board Meeting
• MDUSD Area Band and Orchestra Concerts
• And more!

You can read it here.

While MDUSD students enjoyed their day off from school last Monday, 30 Career Technical Education teachers and Work Based Learning Coordinators from the District took on the roles of students as they visited 12 local industry professionals to learn more about the jobs they are preparing their students to  tackle in the future. During the 26th Annual BEST (Business and Education Shadowing for Tomorrow) Day, the teachers got a chance to see how professionals who work in companies, organizations or public agencies do their work, ask questions, and get insights into what employers are looking for when they interview candidates, including MDUSD graduates.

The teachers educate MDUSD students in career pathways such as health patient care, hospitality, photography and digital arts, education, engineering, construction, transportation/auto tech, computer technology and sciences. Teachers toured facilities including MDUSD Transportation, Concord Police Department, Gurnick Academy, Pacific States Aviation, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 342, Contra Costa County Health Department's Digital Media, Parkside Joyful Kids Academy, Sutter Health's Hospice Program, CalTrans, Concord's Community Development Department and OhReilly Productions.

After the job shadowing, teachers heard from Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark about the importance of their work with students, from two Diablo Valley College administrators who encouraged them to help get the word out about opportunities to earn college credit and certificates while still in high school, and from HR Executive Director Kim Vaiana, who spoke about job opportunities for District students after they graduate, including both certificated (teaching positions) and classified positions, such as instructional assistants, and clerical, food services, maintenance and operations, and transportation workers. She encouraged teachers to point students to the District's HR website to see the variety of jobs available and said that MDUSD graduates get a bonus in some positions. 

Healthcare patient pathway teacher Dr. David Pintado and Work Based Learning Coordinator Demetra Hufford learned about the many jobs available in providing Hospice Care at Home or in special facilities, including nurses, counselors, and people who provide services such as music and art to patients, as well as administrators and volunteers. Pintado said he plans to add information on hospice to his courses to better inform students about options related to caring for patients who are nearing their end of life. 

Teachers also collaborated in professional development activities after the presentations. "The goal is for educators to learn what industry is looking for in future employees and discuss how we can bring that to our classroom," said Heather Fontanilla, Director of College and Career Readiness. Dr. Clark praised the District’s career pathways teachers for their passion. "You are connecting with students in ways that you just can't connect with them in a regular classroom," he said.