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Las Consejeras from MDUSD (Angela Ordaz, Leidi Arias, Marcie Torres, Yaretzie Amaya) cordially invite you to our Cafecito con las Consejeras (Coffee with the Counselors) #1 on Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Shore Acres Elementary, 351 Marina Road in Bay Point - Celebrating 5 years of conversations, connections & community. 

Our areas of focus for this day will be how to have a successful school year, learn about the school and family systems as well as ongoing connection activities with our families throughout the morning.

RSVP on form.

We look forward to having you! 

Hablamos Español.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to focus on youth mental health, foster open conversation, and ensure every student knows they are supported.

Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health. Seeking support, whether talking to a counselor, mental health provider, or doctor, is a normal, healthy part of growing up and staying well.

As a school district, we are committed to partnering with parents to create a safe, supportive environment for our students. 

Here are a few ways to foster mental well-being in your household:

• Normalize mental health conversations: Talk about emotions as openly as you would a cold or a physical injury. Remind your child that asking for help when feeling overwhelmed is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• Ask directly: Check in regularly by asking open-ended questions like, "How are you feeling about things lately?" Listen without judgment.
• Watch for changes: Pay attention to sudden shifts in mood, withdrawal from friends or hobbies, changes in sleeping/eating habits, or talking about feeling like a burden.
• Listen without fixing: Validate your child's emotions before offering solutions. Sometimes they just need a safe space to express difficult feelings.

Need Help Right Away?

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (24/7, free and confidential)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Contra Costa Crisis Center: 1-800-833-2900 (24/7 local help, emotional and grief support)
• California Youth Crisis Line: 1-800-843-5200 (24/7, free and confidential)
• School Support: Contact your child’s school counselor and/or Wellness Administrator anytime during school hours.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students safe, connected, and supported.

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• An exciting 6th grade science experiment at El Dorado Middle School,
• No school on Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday,
• Attendance Awareness and Suicide Prevention Awareness tips,
• Northgate High wrestler Symone Jewell enters the fall season ranked No. 3 nationally in the 155 pound weight class,
• Rio Vista Elementary celebrates students who are making a positive difference in their school community,
• Mountain View Elementary hosts a Literature Night with free books donated by Yours Humanly,
• An Elementary Focal Scholar Program update,
• School Social Media highlights
• And more!

Read it on ParentSquare. 

September is Attendance Awareness Month

Be Here. Be Ready. Belong.

Regular attendance helps students learn, build strong relationships, and feel connected to their school community.

Build Strong Habits
Small routines can make mornings easier

• Keep a consistent bedtime and morning routine.
• Prepare clothes, backpacks, and lunches the night before.
• Schedule appointments outside school hours when possible.
• Create a backup plan for transportation or schedule changes.
• Check attendance and address repeated absences or tardiness early.
• Talk with your child about how they feel at school.

When Attendance Becomes Difficult
Challenges can happen. Reaching out early helps us work together.

• Health concerns or anxiety.
• Transportation difficulties.
• Housing or family changes.
• Caregiving responsibilities.
• Academic, social, or safety concerns.

YOUR SCHOOL IS HERE TO HELP
Contact your child's school so we can listen, connect you with resources, and make a plan together.

EVERY DAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY 
to learn, connect, and succeed.

NEED SUPPORT?

Contact your school: MDUSD Schools Webpage

Guidance adapted from Attendance Works: attendanceworks.org

As MDUSD enters the month of September this week, our schools are unifying around a consistent message to students and families: "Attendance matters." At Back to School Nights, in Principals' Newsletters and on digital signs outside schools - this message is being reinforced with this year's attendance campaign slogan: "Be here. Be ready. Belong." 

We are also rolling out a new ParentSquare messaging system called "Attendance Plus," which allows for two-way communication between schools and families regarding absences. The reason behind this attendance emphasis is simple: students need to be in school to learn and stay on track to graduate.

It also coincides with a statewide and nationwide Back-to-School emphasis on Attendance Awareness in the month of September. The MDUSD School Board - along with school boards throughout the state and country - has proclaimed September as Attendance Awareness Month. "This is a very important initiative in our District," said Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, at the Aug. 26 Board meeting. "If district If students aren’t here at school, then they can’t learn and they can’t take advantage of the social interactions with their peers and being around trusted adults, and also the meals which we serve."

Aurelia Buscemi, Director of Enrollment Services, noted in her presentation to the Board that the District is focused on reducing "chronic absenteeism," which means missing 10% of school. Statistics show that:

• 59% of students who are chronically absent in Kindergarten or 1st grade are not able to read at grade level after 3rd grade
• By 6th grade, chronic absence is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school
• By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

Buscemi said interviews with MDUSD 12th-graders who were chronically absent showed that absences were driven by unmet social-emotional needs, relationships, and school climate. While each student's circumstance was unique, the theme of lack of belonging was consistent. This is why the District is working to strengthen the feeling of belonging for students by making them feel welcome in inclusive learning environments with trusted adults who help them feel valued, connected and successful.

For those who are struggling, the District will provide personalized outreach to families, meet with parents/guardians to develop an action plan, and identify and address barriers to attendance. Students with severe chronic absenteeism (missing 30% or more of school) will receive additional family supports.

"It takes a village," Buscemi said, noting that teachers, counselors, bus drivers, office staff, food and nutrition workers and custodians all play a role in creating safe, welcoming learning environments to show our students we support them so they can be here, be ready, and belong. 

Board President Debra Mason, who attended Back to School Nights at Delta View, Sun Terrace, Rio Vista, and Wren Avenue elementary schools, as well as at Holbrook Language Academy and Riverview MS, said she heard the same message everywhere she went. "The message is clear from all administrators," she said. "They're telling the parents the kids need to be here. If they’re not here, they’re not learning. It’s just really good to see everybody sharing the same message. It excites me."

MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark sent the following message to District staff and families on Aug. 28, 2026:

Mt. Diablo Unified School District and Mt. Diablo School Psychologist Association Reach Tentative Agreement For New Contract, Including Continued 100% Employer-Paid Benefits And Pay Increases.

We are excited to announce that on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) and Mt. Diablo School Psychologist Association (MDSPA) have reached a tentative agreement following negotiations for the 2026-2029 collective bargaining agreement. This agreement includes salary increases, contract updates, and fully maintained employee benefits, reflecting MDUSD’s ongoing commitment to fair compensation and strong support for our staff. By prioritizing competitive wages and stability, the District aims to strengthen staff retention, attract top talent, and ultimately drive better outcomes for our students.

The work of these employees plays an important role in expanding access to critical mental health supports for students and strengthening the District’s ability to sustain these services. 

Once ratified by MDSPA members and formally approved by the MDUSD Board of Education, this agreement will successfully wrap up negotiations for the three-year contract.

I want to personally thank MDSPA Leadership and their members for all they do to support our students!!

Dr. Adam Clark

MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark sent the following message to District families and staff on Aug. 27, 2026:

Dear MDUSD Families and Staff,
 
Last night, at our Governing Board meeting, I shared preliminary Districtwide California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results from spring 2026. This work reflects our continued commitment to serving every student. Students in grades 3rd - 8th and 11th participate in CAASPP. 
 
Student academic progress is a high priority, and there are myriad resources in place to support learning. Every school has an Instructional Leadership Team made up of representatives from each grade level or department, working alongside the site administrator. We also have a team of Teachers on Special Assignment, Teacher Induction Support Program Mentors, and Multilingual Teachers on Special Assignment to support our teachers.
 
All of our textbooks and curriculum have been updated. Chromebooks and online platforms are available for students. We also invested in eduClimber, an online data management and collaboration platform that gives every administrator and teacher immediate, ongoing access to student progress.
 
You will be receiving your individual scores in the near future. As a parent or caregiver, you are a critical partner in your child's success. We are incredibly proud of our students, families, and dedicated educators who continue working together in support of student growth and success.
 
Thank you,

Dr. Adam Clark

Preliminary CAASPP Data Presentation

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• Our September Attendance Awareness campaign, "Be here. Be ready. Belong;"
• Preliminary CAASPP results,
• Northgate High School junior Jennifer Alas selected as a Contra Costa Youth Journalism program reporter;
• College Park HS quarterback Ethan Havens earns recognition in the San Francisco Chronicle's Top 50 Bay Area High School football players to watch in 2026; 
• Ygnacio Valley HS connects families with resources at the Family Justice Center,
• Back to school highlights from across Mt. D including the Superintendent's visit to Olympic High School and a brand new athletic field at Northgate broken in by the Bronco flag football team;
• And more!

Read it on ParentSquare.