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Hello Mount Pleasant Families and Community,
The energy and enthusiasm of our teachers, staff, administrators, students, and families have created a wonderful start to the school year, reflecting the strong sense of connection and community that makes Mount Pleasant Elementary School District such a special place to learn, grow, and thrive.
Across our schools, we are committed to creating an environment where every student feels a sense of belonging and knows that success is within reach. Through innovative learning, meaningful engagement, and communication, we are working to ensure every student and family feels supported throughout the school year.
I also want to highlight the many ways students can get involved and make the most of their school experience. From sports and after-school programs to academic enrichment and community resources, students have many opportunities to discover their interests, build connections, and feel engaged at school. One of the most important ways we can help students take advantage of these opportunities is by prioritizing attendance. Let’s make regular attendance a shared priority and build habits that support student success throughout the year.
As we look ahead, our work will be guided by Community, Equity, and Success, strengthening connections, ensuring every learner has access and opportunity, and creating the conditions for all students to thrive.
Thank you for being an important part of the Mount Pleasant community. I am excited to build on this strong start and all that we will accomplish together!
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Sincerely,
Dr. Elida MacArthur
Superintendent
| | Attendance Awareness Month | | |
September is Attendance Awareness Month, and it’s a great time to highlight how regular attendance positively benefits students. When students arrive on time and ready to learn each day, they are better positioned to participate, build relationships, and stay connected to their school community.
Every school day counts. When students are in school consistently, they benefit from daily instruction, meaningful relationships with teachers and classmates, and the academic and social experiences that help them learn, grow, and thrive. Since the start of the school year, however, we have averaged about 92–93% attendance. Our goal is to reach 96% attendance or higher and reduce daily absences. We need every family's partnership to get there.
Strong attendance is important not only for student success, but also for the financial health of our schools. As enrollment continues to decline, from 1,547 students in 2023–24 to 1,431 in 2026–27, with projections showing continued decline, every student and every school day becomes increasingly important. School funding is tied in large part to Average Daily Attendance (ADA), meaning funding depends on students actually attending school, not simply on enrollment. When students are absent, our District can lose valuable resources that support classrooms, programs, staffing, and student services.
By working together to improve attendance, we can help students stay connected and on track while maximizing the resources available to achieve our goals and provide the programs and services our students deserve.
| | Every student matters. Every day matters. Together, we can make every school day count. | | Every Child is a Reader: Our Literacy Commitment | | |
At Mount Pleasant, we have an important goal: every student who starts kindergarten with us will be reading at grade level by the end of third grade. Strong reading skills lay the foundation for success in school and beyond.
To reach this goal, our teachers are receiving ongoing professional learning in effective, research-based reading instruction. We are also introducing three Instructional Coaches who will work side-by-side with teachers to strengthen reading instruction and help every student grow as a reader.
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Families are essential partners in reaching this milestone! You can help by making sure your child:
- Comes to school every day and gets a good night’s rest.
- Reads with you at home and talks with you about what they are reading.
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Visits the library regularly. Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library is conveniently located on the Robert Sanders campus.
- Sees you involved in their school, attending school events and parent-teacher conferences whenever possible.
- Know that you are following their reading progress. Ask your child’s teacher: “How is my child progressing in reading, and what can we practice at home?”
Together (students, families, teachers, and our community), we can help every child become a confident reader by the end of third grade.
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Mount Pleasant Elementary School District is committed to transparency and ensuring that family and community voices remain an important part of our work. Through voter-approved bonds, the District has made multiple improvements to our schools and learning environments.
Here are some of the projects completed:
- Ida Jew painting, roofing, and siding
- Robert Sanders roofing, playground
- August Boeger admin building renovation
- Mount Pleasant Elementary parking lot
- IJAVVE playgrounds
We invite our community to learn more about bond measures within the District and how these investments are supporting our schools. To learn more, visit the page on our website dedicated to bond measures.
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Mount Pleasant After School Program (MPAS)
Mount Pleasant After School Program (MPAS) provides students with a structured and enriching environment from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Students have opportunities to extend their learning, strengthen academic skills, and participate in a variety of engaging activities throughout the afternoon:
- Educational tools: i-Ready and Boost Assessments
- Physical activities, including intramural sports
- Enrichment activities in math, literature, science, etc.
- Dedicated time for homework
MPAS is designed to make after-school time productive and enjoyable, giving students opportunities to learn, stay active, and further develop their academic skills in a positive environment.
Have questions about MPAS, please contact Daniel Patton at dpatton@mpesd.org.
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Getting Ready for a Year of After-School Sports
We’re excited for another year of competitive after-school sports for sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students at August Boeger and Ida Jew Middle Schools!
Softball and cross country are kicking off the year. We wish both teams the best of luck!
Students can look forward to cross country, softball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, track & field, boys’ and girls’ flag football, and cheerleading. We will share more information about flag football and cheerleading as it becomes available.
Interested in playing? Listen for announcements as each season approaches. The dates below mark the first day of official tryouts, though coaches may begin later (dates below are subject to change). All tryouts are closed to coaches and student-athletes only.
Questions about Mount Pleasant’s Sports Program? Contact Jeannine Valenti at jvalenti@mpesd.org or Alejandro Masias at amasias@mpesd.org.
| Keep Your Family Information Up to Date | |
As we begin the new school year, please make sure your school has your family’s most current information. If any of the items listed below have changed, the best practice is to visit your student’s school office and check in with our staff to update the following:
- Email address
- Phone number
- Home address
- Emergency contacts
Additionally, please submit and complete your Universal Benefits Application (UBA) by the end of September to Eric Burke at eburke@mpesd.org.
We sent this application home with your child. If you received the application, we encourage all families to complete and return it. While the UBA may help determine eligibility for Summer EBT benefits, its information is especially important because it helps our schools access funding, resources, and programs that support students and families throughout the school year.
Completing the application is quick, easy, and confidential.
Thank you for helping us keep our records current so we can stay connected and support your family throughout the 2026-2027 school year.
| Dual Enrollment Program: Creating Pathways to College | |
Middle school students at August Boeger (AB) and Ida Jew Academy (IJA) are getting an early start on their college journeys through the District’s Dual Enrollment partnership with Evergreen Valley College (EVC).
- Students are officially enrolled and have begun their courses on September 1!
- This fall, 42 students (21 AB and 21 IJA) have been enrolled in college-level courses, bringing the college experience directly to their middle school campuses.
- MPESD is proud to offer two Counseling 13 courses, including one co-taught by August Boeger Counselor Mr. Lamas and an EVC professor.
This unique opportunity allows students to experience college-level learning, build confidence, and begin exploring future pathways while still in middle school.
| Achievements Across the District | |
Celebrating Nina Gilman-Cama
Our own August Boeger Middle School teacher, Nina, was recognized by the San Francisco 49ers Foundation for her leadership and positive impact in the MPESD school community.
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IJAVVE Earns Silver PBIS Award
IJAVVE has earned the Silver Implementation Award from California PBIS, recognizing the school’s commitment to creating a positive, supportive, and welcoming learning environment.
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Looking for a meaningful way to support students and schools? The Mount Pleasant Elementary School District is currently hiring substitute teachers, custodial staff, and kitchen workers.
Whether you enjoy working with students or keeping our schools welcoming, your contributions make a difference in our school community.
Explore current openings and apply today! Be part of the MPESD team!
| | Our Board of Trustees Meetings | | |
The MPESD Board of Trustees plays an important role in setting the District’s vision, adopting policies, overseeing the budget, and keeping the district on track for student success.
Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month. Families and community members can watch meeting recaps or tune in live to learn more about the discussions and decisions shaping our schools.
Watch the September 9, 2026 Board Meeting Recap. Stay tuned for the next Board Meeting on October 14, 2026.
To learn more about Board meetings, agendas, and minutes, please visit our website.
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