The MPUSD Insider is the weekly internal newsletter for MPUSD all staff.
Of Interest to Staff
2026 - 2027 Back-to-School Kick-Off Theme- The best ideas come from collaboration. By working together, we can select a theme for the 2026 - 2027 Back-to-School Kick-Off event that reflects the spirit of our district and fuels our commitment to student success. As a refresher, this year’s district theme is Honoring the Past. Shaping the Future. Our goal is to develop a theme that captures who we are as a district, celebrates our progress, and motivates our students and staff for the year ahead. We invite you to share your theme suggestions. A great theme should be inspiring, inclusive, and actionable. Please complete this brief Google Form by April 30, 2026.
Parent University | Tonight - All MPUSD families and staff members are invited to Parent University at the Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula TONIGHT (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.
MPUSD Way
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!
Improve with Purpose and Each Day Counts - Let's celebrate the Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula (6.7%), Monte Vista TK-8 (7.3%), La Mesa Elementary (8.0%), Marshall Elementary (8.7%), and Ord Terrace Elementary (9.8%) for being in the single-digit club for chronic absenteeism. This is a strong reflection of the intentional, student-centered work happening at these school sites to support students and families. Their focus on consistency, communication, and personal outreach to students and families is making a meaningful difference.
Improve with Purpose - Ms. Castillo and Ms. Borde of Los Arboles Middle School recently participated in the PBIS collaboration and are being recognized for their leadership and dedication to fostering a positive school culture at LAMS. They led the submission of the school’s application for Platinum PBIS recognition, a distinction that reflects strong, schoolwide implementation of Tier 1 practices along with targeted Tier 2 and 3 supports. Classroom visits highlighted these systems in action, showcasing the intentional work happening daily to support students. This achievement reflects the collective efforts of the school’s Tier 1, 2, and 3 teams and the shared commitment of staff to creating a positive, supportive learning environment for all scholars.
Service Mindset and Positive Culture - Classroom integrity walks at Olson Elementary highlighted the entire school team’s strong commitment to ensuring all students have access to high-quality instructional materials. Special thank you to Ms. Ramirez, Ms. Nelson, and Ms. Nellist for opening your doors and sharing your practices. Another shout-out to Ms. Tabarez, School Office Secretary, for her exceptional support of our budget initiatives and her dedication to aligning site funds with instructional priorities is unmatched.
Districtwide News
MPUSD Featured in National Book on Transforming School Districts - MPUSD has been recognized in Whole Learners, Whole Systems: Transforming School Districts for Adolescent Thriving, highlighting the district as a model for supporting both student learning and well-being. The book features MPUSD alongside a select group of leading districts nationwide, recognizing the district’s focus on student-centered learning, wellness, belonging, and leadership. This recognition reflects the collective work happening across MPUSD to support the whole child. Read more in the MPUSD Newsroom.
MPUSD High Schools Earn Statewide Recognition for Expanding College Access- Marina High School and Seaside High School have been named 2026 California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Schools, recognizing their leadership in expanding access to college-level coursework for students. Through a strong partnership with Monterey Peninsula College, students can earn college credit, explore career pathways, and begin their higher education journey while still in high school, at no cost to families. The award highlights schools demonstrating excellence in equity, student supports, and aligned college pathways. Read more in the MPUSD Newsroom and watch a quick reel below.
Central Coast High School Student Earns Every Student Succeeding - Congratulations to Central Coast High School junior Hunter Janis! Hunter has been named a recipient of the ACSA Region 10 (Monterey Charter) Every Student Succeeding Scholarship, earning a $500 award from the Monterey Charter. He will be honored at the ACSA Region 10 dinner on May 1 in San Benito, alongside students from across Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. Hunter was also recently featured in our Why MPUSD series. Read more about his story here or watch a video highlighting him.
Marina High Student Participates in Japanese Speech Contest - Congratulations to Marina High School freshman Maya Grau, who represented her school at the 18th Annual Monterey County Japanese High School Speech Contest. Maya delivered her speech, “My Self Introduction,” as part of the Novice Level presentations and received a certificate of participation. During the recognition, a judge shared that Maya was the first participant from Marina High School in the contest, making the moment even more special. We are proud of Maya for representing Marina High and MPUSD while showcasing her learning and courage on stage.
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
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 of Education Meeting | April 14 - The Board of Education meets this evening (April 14, 2026), and the agenda may be found HERE. You may attend the meeting in person at 540 Canyon Del Rey in Del Rey Oaks or participate via Zoom or watch live on AMP-TV. You may also access Board Highlights following the meeting.
Town Hall Board of Education Meeting | April 28 - Join us for a special Board meeting and community Town Hall to help guide and shape MPUSD’s 2026 - 2027 Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). This is an opportunity for students, families, staff, and community members to share input on priorities that support student success. Your feedback helps us assess progress, set priorities, and improve outcomes. While the LCAP represents about 11% of the district’s budget, it plays a key role in supporting English learners, foster youth, and students experiencing economic hardship. We encourage all members of the MPUSD community to attend and help shape the future of our schools.
April 28, 2026 | 6:30 pm Seaside High School | Maker Space 2200 Noche Buena, Seaside, CA
Hot Off the Reel
MPUSD Continues to Strengthen its PBIS Work - MPUSD schools have earned widespread recognition for their work in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Recently, school site teams came together for a day of professional learning with support from our partner at CSUMB to reflect, collaborate, and continue strengthening this important work. Teams celebrated their progress by creating trophies and artifacts that highlighted their PBIS journey and the positive impact happening across our schools.
Monterey High School Weight Room - The long awaited MHS weight room is underway. Scholar athletes will soon have the opportunity to practice and train in the new facility soon.
MPUSD Unplugged | Podcast - Our latest episode of MPUSD Unplugged is now available! In episode 2, we share important information for families regarding immigration rights and every student's right to a free public education, featuring our host, MPUSD's Communications Administrative Assistant and Graphic Designer, Isai Ogarrio-Martínez, and Seaside High School Assistant Principal, Priscilla Vázquez-González. Listen in Spanish on Spotify or watch on YouTube. Coming soon in English!
MPUSD Desconectado | Podcast- ¡Nuestro episodio más reciente de MPUSD Unplugged ya está disponible! En el episodio 2, compartimos información importante para las familias sobre los derechos de inmigración y el derecho de cada estudiante a una educación pública gratuita, con la participación de nuestro anfitrión, el Asistente Administrativo de Comunicaciones y Diseñador Gráfico de MPUSD, Isai Ogarrio-Martínez, y la Subdirectora de Seaside High School, Priscilla Vázquez-González. Escúchalo en español en Spotify o míralo en YouTube. ¡Pronto disponible en inglés!
MPUSD STEAM Night - MPUSD proudly hosted Science is Everywhere: MPUSD STEAM Night this week, and it was a packed house. It was especially exciting to see so many of our earliest learners, from preschool through third grade, exploring hands-on science and discovery. We look forward to many more family engagement nights like this that bring learning to life for our students and families. Thank you to MPUSD Early Learning, the Educational Services Department, and our partner Count Play Explore for making this opportunity possible.
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.
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.
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.
