Mountain Empire Unified School District |
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Dear MEUSD Community,
As we approach the holiday season, I want to express my gratitude to be able to serve the Mountain Empire Unified School District community. The past year has brought both triumphs and challenges, but together, we have celebrated those triumphs and navigated the challenge with resilience, determination, and a shared commitment to the well-being and success of our students.
I want to express my sincere appreciation for our outstanding teachers and staff. Your unwavering dedication to providing a nurturing and engaging learning environment is unparalleled and is what makes MEUSD such a special place. Your creativity, adaptability, and tireless efforts have made a profound impact on the lives of our students both past and present.
To our families, thank you for entrusting us with the education and growth of your children. Your partnership and support are important. Your involvement and collaboration reinforce the sense of community that makes our schools truly special.
As we celebrate the holiday season, let us cherish the moments with our loved ones, reflect on the achievements we've accomplished, and look forward to a new year filled with possibilities. May this season bring you and your loved ones peace, happiness, and the warmth of shared moments. Wishing you all a happy holiday season and a new year filled with hope and continued success. With gratitude, Dr. Patrick Keeley Superintendent |
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December 6 MEHS Visual & Performing Arts Winter Showcase
6:00-8:00PM, REC December 7 DELAC Meeting
9:30-10:30, Camp Lockett Learning Lab December 12 Board of Education Meeting December 15 Descanso Elementary presents, "The Grinch" 6:00-7:00PM at the Pine Valley Clubhouse December 19 Campo Elementary - Holiday Performances TK-2nd 9:30AM, 3rd-6th 2:00PM December 19 Clover Flat Elementary - Holiday Performances 3rd-6th 1:30PM December 20 Clover Flat Elementary - Holiday Performances
TK-2nd 1:30PM December 20 Potrero Elementary - Holiday Performances
TK-3rd 1:30PM, 4th-6th 2:15PM December 21 Minimum Day - All Schools
December 22 - January 5 Winter Break - No School 2023 - 24 MEUSD Parent Calendar |
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On November 28th, 2023 the MEUSD School Board approved a resolution to place a school bond on the March 2024 ballot. If approved, this bond will assist in the effort to repair, replace, or reconstruct deteriorating classrooms, science labs, and school facilities at Mountain Empire High School that don’t meet building safety/earthquake safety standards; replace/fix roofs, plumbing, sewer, electrical, and aging portables. Please click here for the full bond resolution. |
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| Did you know that all students in our district will receive free breakfast and lunch meals throughout the entire school year?
Ensuring nutritious options, we've provided links below to access the breakfast and lunch menus for the month. |
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Student Highlight: Joanay Benton |
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We are thrilled to share the exciting news that Joanay Benton, a remarkable member of our community and a senior at MEHS, has been nominated as one of the 25 Most Remarkable Teens in San Diego! She was honored at a special celebration on November 9th at the San Diego Central Library. The 25 Most Remarkable Teens in San Diego is a recognition program hosted by Public Defender Kate Braner and the San Diego County Public Defender Youth Council.
Ms. Benton received the award in the Overcoming Barriers category. Joanay is a member of the La Posta Band of Mission Indians, and is the top student with the highest grade point average in her senior class. She has been concurrently enrolled in Cuyamaca College since her sophomore year in high school. She is also the Associated Student Body president, the president of the Future Farmers of America, and is vice president for the Mountain Empire senior class. She excels as a cheerleader, basketball player and volleyball player. Joanay accomplishes this with the support of her family and by a personal commitment to never miss a day of work or an opportunity for growth.
Congratulations to Joanay Benton! |
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School Highlight: Native American Heritage Month |
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In partnership with local indigenous tribes and families, Clover Flat Elementary marked Native American Heritage Month in November by partnering with members of Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Nation to bring a distinctive cultural experience to their school, fostering understanding and unity.
The rich heritage was celebrated with performances by Bird Singers and the presence of Miss Kumeyaay Nation, Harmony Sweetgrass, enhancing the learning environment and unveiling the beauty of tradition and diversity. The event was even more exciting as Fry Bread was made for the whole school! |
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Program Highlights: Expanded Learning (ELOP) |
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The Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) funds before school, after school, summer, and intersession programs for transitional kindergarten through sixth grade, focusing on academic, social, emotional, and physical development through engaging experiences.
During the recent ELOP Fall Break Camp hosted by MEUSD over three days, students delved into robotics and anatomy through Robot Pet Vet. Each camper received a Robotic Pet Dog, exploring biology, physiology, and circuitry by dismantling and diagnosing their robotic companion. On Tuesday, the adventure continued with a trip to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where campers rode the tram, immersed themselves in learning about global wildlife, and had a fun-filled, extended day. Wednesday brought more excitement as ELOP partnered with EcoVivarium to introduce reptiles, amphibians, and bugs to campers across all our schools.
We're thrilled to announce that registration for our ELOP Fall Break Camp has doubled compared to last year's enrollment, inspiring us to plan even more exciting adventures. Save the Dates: Expanded Learning Spring: March 25 - 29, 2024 Expanded Learning Summer: June 17 - July 12, 2024 *Closed on 6/19 and 7/4 Stay tuned for exciting adventures in 2024, as we'll be releasing early registration information for our upcoming camps in the near future! |
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In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on understanding the science behind reading and how it can significantly impact a child's ability to grasp the complexities of language. Research shows that a strong foundation in early literacy lays the groundwork for future academic achievement. As a school district, we want to share some key practices that we will be incorporating into our approach to support your child's development in this crucial area.
Phonological Awareness:
Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the spoken parts of sentences and words. This skill is foundational for reading success. Phonics: Phonics involves the connection between the sounds of spoken language and the letters that represent those sounds. Our curriculum includes systematic phonics instruction to help your child understand the relationships between letters and sounds, enabling them to decode words with greater ease.
Vocabulary:
A rich vocabulary is essential for comprehension. We will be engaging your child in activities that enhance their vocabulary, exposing them to a variety of words and concepts. This will not only aid in reading but also contribute to their overall communication skills.
Fluency: Fluency is the ability to read with accuracy, speed, and expression. Regular reading practice, both in and outside the classroom, will be encouraged to promote fluency. Reading aloud at home is a simple yet effective way to support this skill. Comprehension:
Comprehension goes beyond decoding words; it involves understanding the meaning of the text. We will be teaching your child various comprehension strategies, such as making predictions, asking questions, and summarizing, to enhance their understanding of what they read.
Reading Engagement:
We believe that when children find joy in reading, they are more likely to become lifelong learners. We encourage you to be actively involved in your child's literacy journey. Reading together, discussing stories, and creating a literacy-rich home environment will reinforce the skills they are learning in the classroom. |
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Ways to Build Literacy at Home |
To promote reading engagement, we offer a program called Abound for grades TK-3. If you have not already downloaded the app, please read the attached flier and contact your school for their coupon code. |
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* IMSE is Here to Support You and Your Growing Reader |
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In our effort to provide effective early literacy instruction, all of our elementary schools have an Early Literacy Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA). The TOSAs have been certified in the Orton Gillingham approach through the Institute of Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE).
Follow this link to learn more about IMSE and what you can do at home: |
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* Reading Programs Accessible at Home |
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In addition to our core curriculum, we have a variety of computer programs to support literacy development. Many of these programs can be accessed from home. You can contact your child’s teacher to discuss home access for our Renaissance programs such as Lalilo, AR, Freckle and MyOn.
Here is a recent article from Renaissance: What Kids Are Reading K-12.pdf |
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* Coming Soon! Early Literacy Nights |
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| We are planning two educational evenings in January to discuss early literacy. Parents will receive information on how students learn to read, what you should expect from school and how you can help your child at home. Dinner will be provided. Hold the dates January 18 & 25, details coming soon. |
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MEUSD Board Meeting on December 12th will include a presentation on Community Schools by the Coordinator, Cherie Foraker. This presentation will provide an overview of what community schools are, a review of the process, share foundational basis for the strategy, and a review of current projects and planning. We look forward to seeing you in attendance! |
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Stay Tuned! Family Institute Modules Coming Soon |
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The Community Schools team is creating Family Institute modules to foster collaborative learning and community engagement. Our focus includes exploring technology choices and examining social media platforms and controls. This initiative aims to empower families, enabling them not only to monitor their child's digital interactions positively but also to seize the myriad opportunities the digital world offers.
The specific date and time for these events will be communicated shortly. However, we want to ensure that you have various opportunities to access the information. The team plans to present the content both in-person and through Facebook Live sessions. We encourage your active engagement and welcome your advocacy for the types of modules you'd like us to prioritize in the future! |
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Have a say in making streets safer in the San Diego region for driving, biking, walking, and rolling by leaving a comment on our online map!
SANDAG launched an interactive portal for people to provide feedback on desired roadway improvements. The feedback portal will be open through December 31, 2023. SANDAG wants to know:
What safety improvements do our roads and streets need? |
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Mountain Empire Unified School District
3291 Buckman Springs Rd, Pine Valley, CA 91962
(619) 473-9022 |
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