The MPUSD Insider is the weekly internal newsletter for MPUSD all staff.
Of Interest to Staff
MPUSD Recognized Nationally for Transforming Education - MPUSD has been featured in the national book Whole Learners, Whole Systems: Transforming School Districts for Adolescent Thriving, recognizing MPUSD as a leader in designing systems that support both student learning and well-being. Highlighted alongside a select group of districts across California, MPUSD is recognized for its student-centered approach, focus on belonging and connection, and commitment to continuous improvement, reflecting a decade of intentional work grounded in leadership and coherence. Read the full story in the MPUSD Newsroom.
New Email for Family Resource Center Support - MPUSD’s Family Resource Center now has a dedicated email to better support staff in connecting families to services and resources. Staff can now submit requests or seek assistance by emailing resourcecenter@mpusd.k12.ca.us. The Family Resource Center helps connect students and families to community resources, removes barriers to learning, and ensures every family facing housing insecurity has access to the support they need.
California Adult Education Week | April 5 - 11 - Learning never stops at Monterey Adult School. During California Adult Education Week, we celebrate the students, teachers, and staff who are building brighter futures through education. From career training to English language development and lifelong learning, Monterey Adult School opens doors for our community every day. Thank you to everyone who makes adult education possible. Learn more on our website.
National Assistant Principals Week- At MPUSD, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible assistant principals who support students, staff, and families across our schools each and every day. From fostering positive school communities to advancing powerful teaching and learning, their leadership makes a lasting difference. Thank you for your dedication, care, and commitment to our students and school communities. We appreciate all that you do. View the full list of MPUSD assistant principals and join us in celebrating their impact on our website.
Help Us Shape MPUSD's 2026-2027 Local Control Accountability Plan - Each year, the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District invites students, families, staff, and community members to help guide our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), a state-required plan that helps determine how certain education funds are used to support student success. The LCAP focuses on key priorities identified by our community. Your feedback helps us evaluate our progress and identify where we can improve. While the LCAP represents about 11% of MPUSD’s overall budget, it plays an important role in guiding targeted investments that support students, particularly English learners, foster youth, and students experiencing economic hardship.
Don't be shy! Share about a colleague and we will highlight them in this section. Just send their name and a brief bullet or two of what they've done and we'll do the rest!
Service Mindset - While many of us took time to recharge over Spring Break, our Business Services team was hard at work behind the scenes preparing for the district’s annual audit and gearing up for the close of the fiscal year. This dedicated group, including our Payroll Department, exemplifies what it means to lead with a Service Mindset. Their work may not always be visible, but it is absolutely essential ensuring our systems run smoothly, our finances are in order, and that every employee is paid accurately and on time, every month. Their attention to detail, commitment, and steady leadership are critical to the success of our district. We are grateful for their continued dedication and the care they bring to their work each and every day.
Service Mindset - While campuses were quieter over Spring Break, our Facilities and Maintenance teams were hard at work making the most of that time to care for our schools. With students and staff off campus, these teams are able to take on projects that are difficult to prioritize during the busy school day from deep cleaning and repairs to site improvements that keep our learning environments safe, welcoming, and ready for success. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt the moment students and staff return. Classrooms are ready, campuses are refreshed, and everything is set for learning to continue without interruption. This is service mindset in action, anticipating needs, taking initiative, and ensuring our schools are always ready to support our students and staff. We are grateful for their dedication and pride in keeping MPUSD running strong.
Each Day Counts - Congratulations to Crumpton Elementary, Monte Vista TK-8, and Central Coast High School for meeting the Sprint to Spring Break attendance campaign goal of increasing average daily attendance by 1% compared to last February. Great work supporting students and families and reinforcing that each day truly counts.
Crumpton Elementary School: 1.45% increase in ADA
Monte Vista TK-8: 1.76% increase in ADA
Central Coast High School: 3.46% increase in ADA
Each Day Counts - Similarly, we want to recognize the strong efforts of Marina Vista, Ord Terrace, and Seaside High School during our Sprint to Spring Break attendance campaign. While the goal was to increase average daily attendance by 1% compared to last February, these sites came close and demonstrated meaningful progress:
Marina Vista Elementary School: 0.81% increase in ADA
Ord Terrace Elementary School: 0.67% increase in ADA
Seaside High School: 0.58% increase in ADA
Districtwide News
Spring Open House Season - Beginning this month, MPUSD schools will welcome families and community members to campus for Spring Open House, a special opportunity to step into classrooms and celebrate student learning. Visit our website to view the full list of Spring Open House dates, times, and locations across the district.
MPUSD Community Updates - Take a moment to read the information shared with families in this past Saturday’s weekly MPUSD Community Updates. If information is pertinent to all staff we pull it into The MPUSD Insider, but in case you would like to see the actual community/family publication we share it each week in this communication with staff.
Information to Share with Families
MPUSD STEAM Night | April 9 - Join us for an evening of discovery on April 9, 2026, from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Oldemeyer Center located at 986 Hilby Avenue in Seaside. Explore the many types of science that shape our world in a fun, family friendly event. Food and prizes offered. Open to all MPUSD families.
Parent University - All MPUSD families are invited to Parent University at the Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 5:30 - 8 p.m. In addition to free food, child care and raffle prizes, parents will learn about how they can support their student, about youth mental health, and the safe use of technology, social media, and so much more. Register HERE so we can plan for attendance.
Marina Vista Elementary to Host Kite Day & Spring Market | May 2- Marina Vista Elementary School invites families and community members to enjoy an afternoon of fun at the Kite Day & Spring Market on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This festive community event will feature kite flying, a vendor market, food trucks, and games for children and families to enjoy together. The first 500 children will receive a free kite, making it the perfect opportunity to head outdoors and celebrate the spring season. The event also supports the Marina Vista PTO, with proceeds helping fund programs and activities that benefit Marina Vista students. Bring your family, invite your friends, and join the Marina Vista community for a joyful afternoon of flying kites and celebrating together.
Board of Education
Board Policy Committee Meeting - The Board Policy Committee, a subset of the full Board of Education, meets on April 7, 2026, for its meeting to review various board polices and administrative regulations. The agenda may be found HERE, including a link to Zoom into the meeting. You may also attend in person at 540 Canyon Del Rey in Del Rey Oaks.
Board of Education Meeting- The Board of Education meets on April 14, 2026, and the agenda may be found HERE the Thursday before the meeting.
Hot Off the Reel
Why MPUSD - Our latest Why MPUSD series highlights Monterey High School's Dr. Bill Ton. Under his leadership, the program now includes multiple bands, guitar, strings, jazz, and IB music, reflecting strong student interest and a thriving arts culture. Watch his video below and learn more on our website.
Adapted PE Drumming at Marina Vista Elementary School- Physical education comes in many forms. In March, we celebrated Adapted PE Week with our surf program and now we’re highlighting another favorite: drumming! Students stay moving the entire time, with non-stop drumming for at least two songs.
MPUSD Celebrates Music In Our Schools - For more than 40 years, the National Association for Music Education has set aside March to celebrate the power of music in education. Across the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, we’re proud to recognize the incredible work of our music teachers and the joy, creativity, and connection that music brings to our students. Music gives every child a voice, builds confidence, and strengthens our school communities. Let’s continue celebrating and supporting the arts in our schools all year long!
Reading is Key - When students get the chance to learn to read together, it becomes a collaborative process that builds meaningful interactions and strengthens vocabulary. In March, we featured Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula for our Reading Is Key: Literacy In Action series. TK teacher Julia Sanchez works with her students to recognize key words in English and Spanish. Then they connect learning to real-life situations to make it meaningful. Learn more about Reading Is Key on our website.
Reminders: Info in Previous Editions Worthy of Repeat
FREE CalKids College Scholarship Program - Through the State of California’s CalKIDS College Scholarship Program, newborns through students in 12th grade are eligible for up to $1,500 in a free college savings account to help pay for future higher education or career training.Tony Amezcua from our community partner Brighter Futures helps explain how the program works and how families can check their student’s eligibility. Learn more.
