Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District is pleased to provide our students, parents, staff, and community with the latest information about our community through this newsletter. Please join us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to connect with us daily!

During the 2024-2025 school year, the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District developed and the Board of Trustees approved the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. This strategic plan serves as a roadmap for our school community, aligning all community members around the shared goal of creating a better learning environment for every student.

Our Mission

We foster a connected community of belonging and equity through innovative learning, meaningful engagement, and a commitment to every student’s success.

Our Vision

An inclusive community that celebrates every child, values every voice and ignites the joyful pursuit of knowledge.

Core Values

Dedication

We possess the unwavering commitment to fostering a thriving educational community through shared positive intentions and steadfast perseverance. With passionate staff prioritizing students' needs, visionary leadership guiding future growth, and recognition of every contributor's efforts, our district exemplifies responsibility, resilience, and a deep connection to the success of all.

Community

Our community is the foundation of connection, built on trust, honesty, kindness, and respect. Through inspired synergy, collaboration, and teamwork, our partnerships engage and uplift everyone. Reflective of our diversity and shared purpose, our vibrant community values and actively supports education.

Equity

We believe equity in education is the cornerstone of inclusion, access, and humanity, ensuring every learner has the tools and opportunities to succeed. Through empathy and belonging, we empower students with innovative skills and strength to lead with compassion. Strong relationships across the district foster unity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to equitable success.

Empowering Success

We champion every student’s growth and fulfillment by creating a student-centered environment that adapts and remains agile in response to evolving needs and challenges. Through continuous improvement, diverse opportunities, and meaningful engagement, we empower students to explore, achieve, and embrace their individual potential with confidence, resilience, and a sense of joy.

Wellness

We believe wellness thrives in a caring and supportive culture where students, teachers, and staff are genuinely valued. Students flourish through positive relationships with kind and engaging teachers, a welcoming atmosphere of friendly peers, and opportunities for discovery. Time for exploration, creativity, and fun fosters self-expression, friendships, and joyful connections.

Our values guide us to address the following priorities over the next three-five years:

Strategic Directions

• Academic Achievement: Implement innovative and engaging educational programs that challenge and inspire students to achieve their highest potential.
• Equity and Inclusion: Pursue/cultivate an inclusive and equitable community by prioritizing innovative learning, fostering meaningful engagement, and empowering every student to achieve lifelong success.
• Community Engagement: Build strong partnerships with families, staff, and the broader community to support students' well-being and development.
• Student-Centered Support: Provide differentiated support to address the academic, physical, and emotional needs of every student.
• Future-Ready Preparation: Equip students with the skills and mindsets needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world, while nurturing leadership, compassion, and social responsibility.
• Educator Preparation: Invest in the professional growth of our teachers and staff through continuous development, innovative practices, and collaboration to ensure every student receives equitable, high-quality learning experiences.
• Modern Community Hub: Create a thriving, innovative, and sustainable educational environment that meets the evolving needs of students, staff, and the community through long-term facility planning, responsible fiscal management, and investment in workforce housing to attract and retain exceptional talent.

Adopted January 23. 2025 by the Board in conjunction with MPESD educational partners under the guidance of the Ghysels Group.

On March 8, our district's representatives competed at the Santa Clara County Office of Education Spelling Bee contest. Austin Foz from Ida Jew Academy and Valle Vista Elementary (IJAVVE) earned 1st Runner-Up in the 4th-6th grade category, while Nancy Nguyen from August Boeger Middle School was crowned Champion in the 7th-9th grade category. With these impressive wins, Austin and Nancy are now moving on to the California State Spelling Bee which will be on April 26th.

In addition to Austin and Nancy's achievements, we extend special recognition to Jose Gilberto Arias Garcia from Mt. Pleasant Elementary STEAM Academy and Ida Jew Academy, and Charleigh Jurado from IJAVVE. Both students proudly represented their schools and our district, showcasing their hard work and skills.

We couldn't be prouder of our students and the incredible team behind them. Special thanks go to the Spelling Bee Committee (Ms. Jeannette Carson, Dr. Anthony Alvarado, Mr. Ketan Banjara, Ms. Geetha Manjunath, Ms. Barbara Powell-Padilla, and Ms. Ashley Martin) for their invaluable support and guidance.

On February 27, 2025, our district came together for an unforgettable Black History Month event, filled with many performances and community spirits. The highlight of the evening was an electrifying dance and drum show by Kuumba, which captivated our students, educators, and community members with its energy and rhythm.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who contributed to making this event a success. Our event leaders, teachers, and students worked tirelessly to create an inclusive and engaging experience for everyone involved. Their efforts in events like this reinforce our District’s commitment to achieving our mission of building a connected community through innovative learning and meaningful engagement.

Check out some of the amazing moments from the event below!

Parents, take this opportunity to connect with your child's teachers and learn about how we can support your child in their learning journey. Do not miss out on this valuable time to meet with our teachers and discuss your child's progress, address any concerns, and set goals for the future.

Before you meet with your child's teacher, take a few minutes to think about what you want to know. Consider:

• Academic Performance: How is your child doing in class?
• Friendships: How can you encourage your child to build positive friendships with their classmates?
• Activities and Programs: Are there any clubs or programs that might be a good fit for your child?
• Upcoming Local and State Assessments: How can you support your child in excelling on these exams?

Our teachers are here to help. They'll answer your questions and share insights to support your child's success. Come prepared with any questions you have. We look forward to seeing you on our campuses!

Summer School programs will be available to current TK-7th grade students this year. The program will run from June 18 to July 16, 2025, with no school on June 19 (Juneteenth) or July 4 (Independence Day). Classes will be held from 8 AM to 12 PM, with AM Extended Care starting at 7 AM. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

The initial offering of Summer School classes will be by invitation only. Open enrollment for our waiting list will begin in May.

Students enrolled in Summer School have the option to extend their day with Summer Camp from 12 PM to 4 PM following academic classes. Students can also enroll in the full-day Summer Camp from July 17 to July 30, 2025.

For more details and updates, please contact Lisa A. Kattenhorn at lkattenhorn@mpesd.org or (408) 223-3781. 

Enrollment for the upcoming school year is now open! Share the news with your friends and neighbors who might be interested in our Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and K-8 programs. We invite prospective families to explore our campuses and experience the warm and inclusive environment we offer.



Our schools will be hosting Open House events, providing a wonderful opportunity to meet our educators and see our facilities firsthand. We also offer individual school tours tailored to your family's needs. Simply contact our school staff using the information below to arrange a visit at your convenience.

For the latest information about our Open House events, be sure to follow us on social media.

At MPESD, our mission is to foster a connected community of belonging and equity through innovative learning, meaningful engagement, and a commitment to every student's success. Our vision is to create an inclusive community that celebrates every child, values every voice, and ignites the joyful pursuit of knowledge.

In March, our lessons focus on Women’s History Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, Ramadan, and Cesar Chavez Day with Perseverance as the highlighted character trait.

In April, the focus will be on National Deaf History Month, National Arab American Heritage Month National Autism Acceptance Month. The character trait is Empathy. 

If you are interested in learning more about these topics, please reach out to your school to further the conversation. Thank you for supporting an inclusive school community!

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming part of Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District? MPESD is hiring for a variety of roles.

Job opportunities are available to individuals interested in becoming teachers and teachers interested in obtaining additional credentials. There are also many positions available in our school district that do not require a college degree. 

The school district offers a generous welfare and benefits package as well as an excellent state pension plan. We invite you to visit our EdJoin page or contact our Personnel Office at (408) 223-3720 for more details on opening positions.

We are always looking for Instructional Aides (general and special education) and Substitute Custodians. Learn more about an Instructional Aide career and Substitute Custodian at MPESD in the flyers below!

Our Board of Trustees will meet on April 9, 2025. Watch the meeting livestream here.

The job of the Board of Trustees includes the following: 

• Setting the vision and goals for the district  
• Adopting policies that give the district direction to set priorities and achieve its goals
• Hiring and evaluating the superintendent 
• Adopting and overseeing the annual budget 
• Managing the collective bargaining process for employees of the district 

To learn more about these sessions, please visit our website at https://www.mpesd.org.  

Watch our latest Board meeting on March 12, 2025, here.