MPCSD District Newsletter - April 16, 2025 | | Educating and empowering students while embracing childhood and adolescence. | | |
As April recognizes public education and volunteers, in National Public Schools Month and National Volunteer Month, I am feeling especially grateful for the community we have built here in MPCSD. Public education means an equal education provided to all children free of cost, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, or any other distinguishing factor. We are fortunate that our schools offer strong academic programs, a robust array of enrichment like music, art, and middle school electives, mental health support and excellent special education services, and a dedicated focus on student belonging. Not many public schools can deliver what MPCSD has built, and much of our success is from the hundreds of volunteers that run our PTOs and the MPAEF, support library and art, produce amazing musicals, chaperone field trips, serve lunch, and the myriad other ways that families donate their time to make our schools so special.
I know it can feel like we have about a million things to do before the end of school and it will be here before we know it! This is an exciting and exhausting time for our staff and parents alike. Parent leadership organizations are also finalizing volunteer recruitment for next year, so if you are interested in getting more involved, reach out to PTO and MPAEF leadership. It is a testament to the community’s dedication and to the well-run nature of our organizations that volunteers keep returning and new parents raise their hands to serve. Thank you for all you do as our partners in making this public school system the best it can be for each and every child who enters our doors.
In partnership,
Kristen Gracia
| | Autism Acceptance Month is dedicated to increasing understanding, acceptance, and inclusive programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We honor the family members, educators, and professionals who support and care for those with ASD. The City of Menlo Park will also recognize Autism Acceptance Month at its April 29 council meeting and MPCSD's Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Dr. Stephanie Sheridan, has been invited to attend on the district's behalf. | | |
Public schools educate 9 out of 10 students, ensuring that every student – no matter who they are – has access to quality education.
Public Schools Month calls attention to the excellent work and success of California’s public schools and recognizes their important role in our communities and state. Thank you for being part of the MPCSD community that is committed to creating safe and inclusive schools where students can thrive.
| | Arab American and Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) Heritage Month celebrates Americans with roots in Northern Africa, the Middle East, and other Arab countries, and their valuable contributions to every facet of American life. The Arab and MENA American community is incredibly diverse while sharing strong family values, a dedicated work ethic, and a commitment to education and the greater community. | | Want to spring into reading with your family? MPCSD Reading Specialist Jacqui Cebrian's April book recommendations include timely stories featuring neurodiversity and a book of poetry (April is also National Poetry Month!), along with lots of magic, science, and more! | | Measure U Bond Program Takes Shape | | |
MPCSD is busy moving forward with the bond program, which takes a lot of effort behind the scenes. Here are the latest updates:
First Bond Issuance a success. On March 20, 2025, MPCSD successfully sold its first series of general obligation bonds for $65 million from the recently approved Measure U authorization. The district’s credit rating of ‘Aaa’ was an attractive feature to investors in light of the volatile interest rate environment. While the district had $65 million in bonds to sell, it attracted over $272 million in orders (4.2x subscription) from a broad investor base. The bonds ultimately achieved a true interest cost of 4.26%, outperforming the good faith estimate of 4.53% provided to the board when it approved the financing.
Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) set. The role of the CBOC is to oversee and report to the community on the district's use of Measure U funds. The CBOC will meet regularly throughout the bond program. We are grateful to David Ackerman, Andrew Barnes, Katherine Bicer, Darren Ewaniuk, Jaime Gonzalez, Chris Koranda, and Vamsi Velagapudi for volunteering to serve the community in this meaningful way. The CBOC will have its first organizational meeting on April 24, 2025. Look for the agenda and details of this public meeting at the district website or BoardDocs 72 hours ahead of the meeting.
Project plan to come before Board in May. Thanks to the hard work of the Facilities, Construction and Long Range Planning Committee, the district's Bond Team, and site leaders, we are ready to present the Bond Program, with some projects beginning this summer. We are grateful to the community for its support in enhancing safety and security across the district and we are excited to get started! The school board will vote on the plan at its May 8 regular meeting.
| | | Empowering Students: It's Our Vision! | | |
MPCSD feels so strongly about educating and empowering students while embracing childhood and adolescence that we made it our vision statement! This year, our speaker series focused on ways to empower students by giving them more independence, as encouraged by Dr. Camilo Ortiz, Lenore Skenazy of Let Grow, and the current bestselling book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Data shows that doses of independence also help decrease childhood anxiety, a common concern for many families.
A great crowd of parents joined us this month for Lenore's talk, "Always Helping Kids Isn't Always Helping Them." She offered permission and advice for us on how to let go a little, like letting kids walk to school or play at the park or do a little errand on their own. Our schools are encouraging families to try a Let Grow experience, and parents reported their own stories of empowering kids with more responsibility and the joy of watching their children feel trusted, confident, and independent.
We aim to expand the Let Grow concept moving forward, to become a community that values and supports families in raising confident, independent children. Look for more learning opportunities next year through our speaker series. There are also great family resources at Let Grow and The Anxious Generation.
| | MPAEF: Schoolhouse Rocks 5k & Dine Out | | |
One week left to become a 2025 Schoolhouse Rocks Run Family Sponsor
The deadline to become a family sponsor and get your name printed on the coveted race t-shirt is Monday, April 21! MPCSD families help to underwrite portions of the event and receive cool benefits in return.
Find out more or become a 2025 Schoolhouse Rocks Run Family Sponsor today!
Register here today and take advantage of early bird discounts!
| | |
MPAEF Dine Out Week - Spring Edition! April 21-25, 2025
Looking for an excuse to grab a friend for an impromptu lunch date? Or need a quick dinner for the kids as you run between sports practices? MPAEF can help! On Monday, April 21 through Friday, April 25, participating restaurants will donate 10-25% of their proceeds to support our schools when you order from them. It’s a win-win for everyone!
See the full list of participating restaurants, dates and details.
Important note: You must mention “MPAEF” to restaurant staff when placing/picking up orders so that they know your purchase applies to our promotion.
| | |
Kristen Gracia, Superintendent | mpcsd.org
Governing Board
Sherwin Chen, President
Jed Scolnick, Vice President/Clerk
Scott Saywell
Francesca Segrè
Josh Spira
| | | | |
