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MUSD Superintendent's Newsletter
October 2024
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Dear Parents and Guardians
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It's hard to believe that it is already October, and with it comes a host of activities and events at all grade levels.
On Friday, Oct 4th, the AHS Annual Homecoming Parade will take off from the AHS PAB Parking lot at 3pm and head downtown to Main Street via Alhambra Ave., This year's parade will feature floats with a Classic Fairy Tale theme, marching bands, cheerleaders and youth sports teams.
The JV Football Game will begin at 4:30 followed by the Varsity Game at 7pm. All students grades TK-8 must be accompanied by their parent(s) and students who leave the game will not be allowed to re-enter.
The AHS Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday October 5th at 7pm in the Commons.
Elementary Parent Conference Week runs from October 7th through the 11th. All elementary students will be on a half day schedule for the week. If you do not have a conference scheduled please contact your child’s teacher this week to arrange it.
The MJHS Fall Festival is on October 10th, from 4 to 6pm. There will be a pumpkin patch, cake walk, face painting, food trucks and much more.
Staff Development Day for Certificated Teachers only is scheduled for Monday October 14th. There is no school for any students on that day. All teachers will be participating in safety training in the morning and site based professional development focusing on reading, data driven instruction and other such topics in the afternoon.
LJE will be having a Fall Dance on the 18th from 6 to 8pm in the Multi Use Room.
JSE will host its annual Carnoween on October 19th from 4 to 8:30pm.
On October 25, from 4 to 7:30pm, MJHS will host a Costume Dance in the Multi Use Room.
Trunk or Treat will take place in the parking lot of JME on October 26th from 4 to 6pm. There will be candy, games, prizes and a cake walk.
MPE will have their Trunk or Treat on October 27th from 3 to 5pm in the parking lot.
Enjoy the festivities!
Helen Rossi,
Superintendent
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Measure C Parcel Tax Citizens' Oversight Committee
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The Martinez Unified School District is currently seeking volunteers for the Measure C Parcel Tax Citizens' Oversight Committee for one year, two year and three year terms. The committee meets once per semester or twice per year and reviews the budgets, expenditures, and other pertinent reports related to the Parcel Tax. All meetings, unless noted otherwise, are held in the District Office Boardroom located at 921 Susana Street at 6:30 pm.
If you are interested in becoming a member of this important committee, please click the link below to download an application and return it to Laura Alvarez either by email at lalvarez@martinez.k12.ca.us or by U.S. Mail at the following address: Citizens' Oversight Committee, Martinez Unified School District, 921 Susana Street, Martinez, CA 94553.
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MUSD Celebrates Diversity Amongst our School Communities
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HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH - SEPTEMBER 15 through OCTOBER 15
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 each year. It honors the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans, whose ancestors come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America
The month begins on September 15 because it's the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16, and Chile celebrates on September 18.
The celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded the week to a 30-day period
FILIPINO AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH – OCTOBER
Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian American group in the nation and the third-largest ethnic group in California, after Latinas/os and African Americans. The celebration of Filipino American History Month in October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, which occurred on October 18, 1587, when “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California.
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Although it appears that our secondary schools are in good shape, based on achievements by our students, these facilities need to be improved. To bring these schools up to current education standards and finish the work we started with the modernization of our elementary schools, the MUSD placed a general obligation bond measure on the November 5th ballot. This $90 million dollar bond, should it pass, will fund the renovation and modernization of the Martinez Junior High School, Alhambra High School and the Martinez Adult School.
More specifically it will address outdated and failing electrical and plumbing, roofing repairs and replacements and antiquated HVAC units at all sites. At MJHS plans for a new, larger music room to accommodate the growing program and CTE classrooms to enhance new programs. At AHS, there are plans to renovate the commons into a more usable space with increased seating and weather covering for eating areas, HVAC for the gymnasium, a 2nd gymnasium with locker and restrooms, and repair and/or replacement of the failing tennis courts and track. New stadium lighting for Knowles Field is also on the project list. Safety fencing and security cameras are also part of the project, but final details have not been decided. The current plans also call for a new administration building and closing off the front circle to provide outdoor learning spaces for students. The 2020 MFP calls for the Adult School to be moved to Susana Street and usage plans for the existing property will be explored.
This proposed Measure, if passed will cost MUSD Taxpayers $38.40 per $100,000 of assessed valuation per year.
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Sandy Hook Promises' no-cost Say Something program teaches elementary, middle, and high school students to recognize the warning signs of someone at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to say something to a trusted adult to get help.
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Fines for Damaged Student Devices
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The Technology Department will begin assessing fines for student devices that are damaged, lost or stolen. Devices should be handled with care while in possession of students as per the Martinez Unified School District Mobile Devices Policy. Devices exhibiting normal wear and tear are not subject to a fine for damage.
…Users are expected to treat these devices with extreme care and caution. Users shall report any loss, damage, or malfunction to school staff immediately. Users will be financially accountable for any damage resulting from loss, negligence or misuse
Fines will begin to be assessed starting on October 14th, 2024. For more information on this process, how to make an appeal, and the fine list please see our website for more information. Funds collected from assessed fines will be used to repair or replace student devices and allow Martinez Unified School District to maintain a robust student device inventory.
Martinez Unified School District has partnered with School Device Coverage to offer device insurance for students' devices. You can visit our School Device Coverage website for more information on the program and how to enroll your device. Insured devices are exempt from any Technology fines as it will cover any damage to the device.
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Please remember to view the MUSD Community Flyer page on the district's website for current opportunities available in the community. |
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Free Covid Tests Available Through the US Postal Servicee
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Residential households in the U.S. are now eligible to order four (4) free at-home COVID tests from the US Postal Service. Orders will ship free, starting September 30, 2024. Some of the tests shipped may
show “expired” dates on the box, please note the FDA has extended the expiration dates of the tests being distributed through this program. You can find the full list of extended test expiration dates
here. To order your free covid tests please use this link:
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CDPH: How & When to Test for COVID-19
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