Dear MUSD Families,

As we approach Winter Break and reflect on the first half of the school year, I want to share my heartfelt appreciation for the partnership we share. It is a privilege to serve as your Superintendent, and I am continually inspired by the care, resilience, and commitment shown by our students, families, educators, support staff, and Board of Education. Together, we create a learning community where every student is valued and supported. 

Learning is strongest when schools and families work together, and your support plays an important role in your child's growth, both in the classroom and beyond. Through your encouragement and collaboration, we help create learning environments where students feel supported and confident.

Thank you for your continued trust in Manteca Unified and for the many ways you strengthen our school community. As we enter 2026, the District remains dedicated to honoring the role our families play in their child's educational journey, supporting both academic growth and overall well-being.

On behalf of the Board of Education and the entire MUSD team, I wish you a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year. 

Happy Holidays!


Dr. Clark Burke

Superintendent

Manteca Unified School District

Winter Break is Almost Here!


Winter Break for all MUSD students begins December 22, with students returning to school on Wednesday, January 7. We hope this time brings rest, joy, and moments with loved ones.

The District office will also be closed during this time and will reopen on Tuesday, January 6.

While students enjoy the break, a little learning at home can go a long way, especially as we prepare for Goal-Setting Conferences when school resumes in January. Staying connected to reading, math practice, and curiosity-driven learning helps students return confident and ready to talk about their progress and goals for the 2nd trimester.

To support continued learning, MUSD offers free online learning tools, which are provided only to Manteca Unified students, that can be used anytime, anywhere.

Visit our Student and Family Learning Hub for at-home activities and tools that help keep skills sharp over the break.

Click one of the buttons below to download Manteca Unified's "Learn From Home" brochure.

MUSD Announces 2026 School Counselor of the Year

Registration for 2026-27 School Year

New student registration for the 2026-27 school year begins Monday, January 12, 2026.

This early registration window is open to new TK-12 students. Families enrolling a new student are encouraged to register as soon as the window opens. Early registration gives you the best chance of securing a spot at your school of residence.

Additionally, Open Enrollment will open in late January. Open Enrollment allows families to apply for a school other than their school of residence. More information about open enrollment coming soon.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK): A Strong Start Begins Here

Families who live within MUSD boundaries have an exciting opportunity to give their youngest learners a strong start with Transitional Kindergarten (TK).

Do you have a child who will turn 4 years old on or before September 1, 2026? If so, they are eligible for TK for the 2026-27 school year!

Transitional Kindergarten is the year between preschool and kindergarten that helps children build strong early learning skills and gives them a developmentally appropriate head start. Through purposeful learning, students develop early reading, literacy, and math skills, as well as communication and self-regulation strategies. Most importantly, they build an early love for learning! 

The program provides:

• Free, Full-day learning opportunities
• Lower staff-to-student ratio
• Curriculum aligned with instruction up to 3rd grade

As more families choose TK, we see children entering kindergarten more prepared and confident, with stronger foundational skills, such as letter identification and number recognition. Children who participate in TK are performing stronger and more proficiently in kindergarten, first grade, and beyond. 

TK registration is open January 12.

To learn more about TK at MUSD, please visit www.mantecausd.net/TK!

Take the Stage with Missoula Children's Theatre

Would your child love to perform in a musical and work alongside professional actors?

Registration is now open for Manteca Unified students, K-12, to participate in The Tortoise and the Hare, presented by East Union High School in collaboration with the Missoula Children's Theatre.

Rehearsals will take place daily during the last week of January (3:45 pm - 8:00 pm) at East Union Playbox Theatre, with performances scheduled for Saturday, January 31. Students must be available for all rehearsals and performances throughout the week.

To register or learn more, please get in touch with Annette Taser at ataser@musd.net. Be sure to include your child’s name, age, and home school.

Registration Deadline: January 16, 2026

MUSD, City of Manteca, Manteca PD to Host Town Hall About Human Trafficking

Manteca Unified is partnering with the City of Manteca and the Manteca Police Department to host a community town hall on human trafficking.

Community members will have the opportunity to visit resource booths, attend expert presentations on awareness and prosecution, and participate in a Q&A panel session with local leaders and law enforcement.

📅 - Thursday, January 15, 2026
🕒 - 6:00 PM

📍 - Manteca Transit Center

Manteca Unified School District offers a wide range of opportunities for individuals Interested in supporting local students. Whether you're seeking part-time or full-time work, there's a role for anyone who believes that all students can achieve.

As we look into 2026, we invite you to explore the many ways to begin or continue your journey with MUSD. Opportunities range from 1 to 8 hours per day and include roles such as:


• Paraprofessionals (Bilingual, Early Childhood Education, and more)
• Bus Operators
• Clerical Assistant
• Campus Monitors
• Custodians
• Nutrition Services Assistants
• Nutrition Education Warehouse Supervisor
• Technology Support Specialist
• School Site Assistants
  …and more!

Explore all open positions and apply today at edjoin.org/musd.

Applications for all positions must be submitted on or before 4:00 pm, December 24, 2025. (excludes "Open Until Filled" positions)

Want job updates delivered to you? Fill out our MUSD Interest form to stay informed about the latest job opportunities.

Updates from the December Board of Education Meeting

2026 Board Meeting Dates Announced

The Board of Education adopted the 2026 Board Meeting schedule. Additionally, upcoming changes to the Executive Board's organization have been announced.

Effective December 15, 2025, the Executive Board includes President Stephen J. Schluer, Vice President Eric Duncan Sr., and Board Clerk Denise Mathews.

MUSD's First Interim Budget of 2025-26 Approved

Manteca Unified's First Interim Budget Report of 2025-26 demonstrates careful, strategic planning that supports staff, students, nad programs, while also advancing the District's vison of studetn success, safety and support.

The Board of Education has unanimously approved the proposed interim budget, declaring that MUSD will be able to meet its financial obligation for the reaminder of the fiscal year and the subsequent years.

TK Curriculum Adopted for Elementary Support Classrooms

Manteca Unified recently completed a review of its TK curriculum. After piloting and gathering feedback from TK educators, a district committee recommended the Frog Street Curriculum as the curriculum for MUSD's TK programs serving students in mild/moderate and extensive support needs.

The Board of Education approved this curriculum for adoption.

Board Approves Out-of-State Trips for East Union, Weston Ranch, and Lathrop High Schools.

The Board of Education approved out-of-state field trips for three of MUSD's comprehensive high schools.

East Union High students are planning an unforgettable cultural trip to Spain in June 2027, where Lancers will explore world history, art, and culture through visits to multiple museums, historic churches, walking tours, bike rides through Barcelona, and even a hands-on cooking class.

The Board also approved two athletic travel opportunities: Weston Ranch Boys Basketball will compete in a tournament this weekend, and Lathrop High Cheer will represent MUSD at the JAMZ School Cheer Nationals in February.

We are excited to share significant updates to four of our modernization projects at Manteca High School, Brock Elliott Elementary, Joshua Cowell Elementary, and Nile Garden Elementary.

Manteca High School

The Buffaloes recently celebrated an exciting milestone as students and staff came together to sign the beam for the campus's newest addition, the two-story L-Wing building. This future space will include 31 modern classrooms and a new library commons, creating expanded learning opportunities for MHS students.

Construction continues to move forward with infrastructure work underway and the removal of remaining older classrooms on the northwest side of campus.

Brock Elliott Elementary

Modernization work continues to make great progress on campus, with the roof installation underway on the new multipurpose building. Even more to look forward to -- two new shade structures are taking shape, and the asphalt hardcourts are nearly complete and expected to be ready when students return from Winter Break.

Joshua Cowell Elementary

Joshua Cowell's new multipurpose building is standing strong with exterior sheathing and roof deck installation in progress.

Over on Chardonnay Way, crews are sloping and grading the asphalt area for proper drainage and a solid foundation for the new bus loop.

Nile Garden Elementary

Work continues on Nile Garden's two new classroom buildings, and the inside spaces are coming together with flooring, walls, and finishing touches underway that will soon welcome students into fresh learning environments.

The learning commons is also making progress as preparations are underway for brand-new flooring. Outside, exterior work is moving along, helping bring the look and feel of all of the new spaces together.

We Sent You Some Mail!

This week, families should receive a postcard highlighting facility improvements and upcoming modernization projects across MUSD schools.

Through dedicated facility funding, such as Bond Measures G and A, and special taxes like Mello-Roos, we invested $117 million last year to modernize campuses for current and future students.

New Schools on the Horizon for Manteca Unified

We are excited to share our vision for these new schools, a vision that blends innovation, sustainability, and community.

MUSD is in the design phase of three brand new TK-8 elementary schools, two in Manteca (south of Highway 120) and one in Lathrop, which will support future enrollment growth and evolving needs in our communities.

Each school campus will feature 37 modern classrooms, expanded for early childhood education spaces, dedicated music rooms, flexible learning commons, and fully equipped libraries. In addition, students will benefit from green school yards, inclusive playgrounds, and outdoor learning spaces.

To keep up with the latest updates on new school development, visit the MUSD New Schools Webpage.

The REEL MUSD

Tell Me Something Good Series

Smiles, laughs, proud moments, and real talk, our "Tell Me Something Good That Happened to You Recently" REEL series brought all the good vibes this past month.

#AnyoneCanDoMath Series

Meet Alicia, a Teacher on Special Assignment who supports the implementation of math with our youngest learners. She believes math is an essential life skill that is used every day, from problem-solving to decision-making, and it's a key part of every student's right to education.

Check out more Manteca Unified REELS by following us on Instagram 👉 @proudtobemusd

MUSD Hosts Final Reclassification Ceremonies

Manteca Unified concluded our fall Reclassification Ceremonies, which celebrated over 400 students who have worked diligently to meet the criteria of becoming proficient in the English language.

From powerful student reflections to music and cultural performances, each ceremony highlighted the strength and beauty of our multilingual community and the support systems that helped our students reach this important milestone on their academic journey.

See the stories, smiles, and celebrations from all five of our 2025 Reclassification Ceremonies on MUSD’s Facebook and Instagram!

Building Readers & Lifelong Learners

Our purpose is to ensure every student meets grade-level standards, and it all starts with early literacy! Our early literacy initiative supports Transitional Kindergarten through third-grade students by teaching them how to read and equipping them with the tools to decode (break down) words, empowering them to read any word with confidence.

Watch our latest video to see the strategies our District is using to keep young learners reading and ready to achieve grade-level standards.

We are thrilled to share some exciting news!!

Manteca Unified School District is proud to partner with Read to Me, Stockton! to bring the joy of reading to families across San Joaquin County.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library mails one FREE, high-quality book every month to enrolled children from birth until the month they turn five. That’s up to 59 free books by the time they start kindergarten, delivered straight to your mailbox!

Reading together at home helps children build early literacy skills and create meaningful family moments. This program is a simple and powerful way to support your child’s learning journey before they even start school. 

Who can sign up? 

Children ages 0–5. Families can choose English or bilingual English/Spanish books. Sign up online at imaginationlibrary.com or you can download the flyer and submit registration through the mail.

As the calendar turns, Manteca Unified celebrates a year of learning, growth, and community, while preparing for what lies ahead for our students and schools.

Be sure to join us on Facebook and Instagram as we count down the final 5 days of 2025, sharing some of our favorite Manteca Unified highlights, milestones, and memories from the year. You won’t want to miss these moments that made 2025 so special across our district!

Here’s to new beginnings, big goals, and a bright year ahead for our Manteca Unified students, teachers, and staff.

Stay connected with us throughout the year by following Manteca Unified on social media and visiting our website for the latest news, events, resources, and more! 

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Have a question or comment? Reach out to our team anytime at community@musd.net. 

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