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Dear Miramonte Community,
Thank you for attending Parent Night yesterday! It was a wonderful evening, and we hope you left feeling prepared and supported for the school year. If you’d like to review what was shared, here are the slide decks from each grade-level presentation:
As I mentioned last night, our staff has been working very intentionally over the past few years to improve student engagement. Data from Stanford’s Challenge Success survey shows that in the last four years, we’ve seen growth in the percentage of students who report being Purposefully Engaged and Fully Engaged. That’s encouraging progress. At the same time, too many students still report they are simply “Doing School” or complying and going through the motions without finding deeper meaning in their learning.
It’s harder than ever to engage students at deep levels, and this is the challenge we’re taking on as a staff. Our focus is on making learning more relevant through hands-on lessons, opportunities to build real-world skills, and experiences that connect to students’ lives and future goals. We want Miramonte to be a place where learning feels meaningful, challenging, and rewarding, both in and out of the classroom.
Nationwide, schools like ours are facing the same challenge. Factors such as the pressure of college admissions, our instant-results culture, competing activities, constant distractions, shorter attention spans, and the many stressors of adolescence all play a role. But with your partnership and our staff’s dedication, we are committed to building a school experience that truly engages students and helps them thrive now and in the future. Thanks again for joining us last night, see you at the football game tonight, and Go Mats!
| | Happy Friday Miramonte Families, | | |
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Parent Night! And a huge shout-out to our incredible Admin, Staff, Parent Advisors, and Student Leaders- your passion and dedication make such a difference. I’m truly grateful to be part of this amazing community.
As I mentioned last night, this fall marks Miramonte’s 70th anniversary! To celebrate, we’re going all out for the Homecoming game on Friday, October 24, and you won’t want to miss it. The evening will feature an alumni event, senior night celebrations, a halftime parade, band and choral performances, giveaways, prizes, and more. Your class liaison will be in touch with details and ways to get involved, but for now, save the date, invite your friends and family, and get ready to celebrate 70 years of Mats spirit!
We are also looking for a couple more golf carts to decorate and use during Homecoming week. If you have one (or know someone who does) and would be willing to lend it, please reach out to Melanie Walterspiel. We’ll take great care of it- and the best part is, you’ll get to drive it in the parade!
If you know me, you know I am all about community. For me, that’s what being involved in Parents' Club and all this is really about. I care deeply about our community and believe it’s what makes Miramonte, and Orinda, such a special place. We show up for our kids, for each other, and for our school, and that spirit of connection and support is what makes our time here so meaningful. So I encourage you- come to the events, cheer at the games, go to the plays and performances, show up for the parent parties- this is how we make memories, build community, and is what makes being a Matador so special. I hope to see you all at the football game tonight! GO MATS!!
Stay up to date with all Parents' Club activities by visiting our website. As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Christina Linezo
Chair MHS Parents' Club
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September 10: CCC Application Nation Parent Night 6:30-9 p.m.
September 17: Parents' Club Meeting "Coffee with Campopiano" 11:15 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
September 18: Class of 2029 Parents' Meet and Greet 5:00-7:00 p.m.
September 24: Latin X Heritage Festival 5 p.m.
September 25: Class of 2028 Moms' Social 6 p.m.
September 30: Make-up Picture Day 8:00 a.m.
October 8: Senior SAT test, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. *Pre-registration required
October 9: Class of 2027 Parent Social
October 9: Winter Sports Parent Meeting, 6:15- 8:00 p.m., MHS Gym
October 9: Fall Music Concert, 7:00 p.m., MHS Theater
October 13: No school
October 15: Parents' Club General Meeting
October 16-18: Fall Play
October 18: Class of 2029 Parent Social
October 20-24: Homecoming Spirit Week
October 20: BSU Summit
October 22: Sophomore & Junior PSAT * Pre-registration required
October 25: Homecoming Dance
November 3: Winter Sports Begin
| | ONE-Miramonte Fundraising | | |
Did you know that parent donations to ONE-Miramonte fund 22 of the class sections offered to Miramonte students in the 2025-26 school year?
That’s a lot of classes!
The largest line item in the ONE-Miramonte budget reimburses AUHSD for the cost of these 22 class sections. Without these extra class sections, Miramonte could not support a 7-period day, Miramonte students would have fewer choices in course selection, and larger class sizes.
Every student benefits from these 22 class sections that donations to ONE-Miramonte fund, and that’s why we ask that all families donate to ONE-Miramonte. Thank you to the 318 Miramonte families who have donated to ONE-Miramonte. Click below to join them in supporting all Miramonte students this year!
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BTSN Thank You
The Parents' Club Hospitality Team thanks the parents who generously volunteered their time and/or donated snacks and drinks to help with Back to School Night on August 28. Your generosity and teamwork made the evening welcoming, organized, and fun for our families. We truly appreciate your support.
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Parking Lot Safety Reminders
As we start the school year, we want to keep our parking lot safe and running smoothly for everyone. Please remind your student to park only in designated parking spaces.
The red curbs and white-lined areas are for emergency vehicles, so it’s important to keep those spots clear at all times. The Orinda Police Department does patrol the lot and may ticket cars parked in the wrong areas. Vehicles blocking emergency access could even be towed.
A big thank you to Orinda Police Department for helping Leadership make this video, and thank you for helping us keep our campus safe and accessible for everyone!
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Support for Mrs. Krochmal
The Miramonte English department has organized this fundraiser to help teacher Amy Krochmal recover from a recent fire that destroyed her home and all of her belongings. Amy is a dedicated and beloved teacher who brings energy and joy to her classroom every day. We know she would appreciate some love and support from the community. Click here to donate. Thank you for any contribution you are able to give!
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Schedule Changes:
The deadline to drop a class without it appearing on your transcript is October 10.
Students who received a D or F in a graduation required course should contact their counselor to see if they are eligible for remediation through the district’s UC Scout courses. Remediation is important if your student wants to maintain UC/CSU eligibility.
Seniors
- Counselors are beginning to meet individually with seniors to discuss post-high school plans!
- If your senior is applying to college, they can begin requesting transcripts via MaiaLearning.
- Please have your student speak with their counselor immediately if they are applying EA or ED to a school.
- Consider attending the Academy college application workshops in the College & Career Center. Students can sign up using TeachMore.
Cal Grant gives funds to every eligible senior who meets the requirements. AUHSD will electronically submit information for every senior in the district to the California Student Aid Commission so they may be considered for a Cal Grant. If you do not wish to have your student’s information submitted electronically, please complete the opt-out form with our school registrar, Kyley Jacobs, by September 26.
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CSF Registration:
California Scholarship Federation (CSF) is an honor club at Miramonte that acknowledges the high academic achievement of students. Eligibility is determined through a point system based on the last semester’s course load and specific semester grades.
Students fill out the application on the Web Store to determine eligibility. Registration is open now through September 30. This will determine membership for the SPRING semester of the 2024-25 school year.
If you need a fee waiver, or have any questions, please contact Ms. Ganey.
Please visit this FAQ page for more information about CSF.
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College & Career is welcoming reps from all over the country so that students can learn about their schools - see below for next week's schedule. Students must sign up in Maia and come by the office in the morning for a purple slip.
Tuesday, September 9
Hamilton College
High Point University
University of Colorado - Boulder
University of Utah
Rice University
Wednesday, September 10
University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Puget Sound
Case Western Reserve University
Abertay University
Western Washington University
Thursday, September 11
Louisiana State University
Emory University
Colgate University
Gonzaga University
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Friday, September 12
Miami University - Oxford
Other Important Dates to Remember:
College Aid Pro Webinar Series
Starting September 9 at 4 p.m. All grades are welcome to attend.
In partnership with Miramonte, College Aid Pro presents a FREE Month-by-Month Guide to Mastering Financial Aid and Scholarships. Register ONCE for complete access to all webinars and office hours.
International College Fair
September 15, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Acalanes High School MPR
Financial Aid 101 Webinar
September 25, 7 p.m.
This FREE webinar is hosted by College Aid Pro and is designed to help families confidently navigate the college financial aid process. Register here.
Tried & True SAT Boot Camp
September 27-28, MHS College & Career Center
For more information and to sign up, visit Tried & True.
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This week, the Wellness team will be welcoming 10th grade Human Social Development classes to introduce students to the services offered at the Wellness Center. The presentations are a great opportunity for sophomores to learn how the Center can support their mental and emotional well-being.
Students will also get to meet our new support counselors, who will be on campus throughout the week. They're here to help support students and gain hands-on experience working in a school setting. Don’t hesitate to stop by and say hello!
| | Visual Performing Arts News | |
Miramonte Performing Arts Presents: The Fall Music Concert!
Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. and join us in the MHS Theater for an unforgettable celebration of music and talent!
This special evening will showcase the artistry of the MHS Chamber Singers, Musical Theater Workshop, and Jazz Band (directed by Carl Oser) and the Orinda Intermediate School Choir (directed by Christina Holling).
Admission is free, and a light reception will follow featuring music by students in Digital Music Production! Come support our amazing student musicians in a night of beautiful music.
Follow our VPA programs on social media!
Crafts - @mhscrafts
Music - @miramonte.music
Musical - @miramontemusical
Public Speaking - @mhspublicspeaking
Theater - @miramontetheater and YouTube Channel
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It’s not too late to join Miramonte Boosters and enjoy all the benefits of free admission to all regular-season home games!
Buy your membership now on the MHS Web Store, or purchase your membership at the Boosters table at the football game this Friday night and get immediate free entry to the game, as well as all other regular-season home games. Mats Merch will also be available for sale!
Membership Levels:
• Platinum – $1,000 | 10 Booster passes
• Family – $400 | 4 Booster passes
• Basic – $250 | 2 Booster passes
Dick's Sporting Goods Coupon
Gear up for the fall season: Use this coupon for any gear or merchandise needs from Dick’s Sporting Goods, available with the Miramonte Boosters partnership with CIF and Dick's Sporting Goods. Click here for coupon
Follow us! Parents and Students may follow us on Instagram
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Class of 2027: Important Updates & Looking Ahead!
It was wonderful to see so many of you at Parents’ Night, and we appreciate your taking the time to connect with us.
For those who might have missed it, our first Class of 2027 newsletter was sent out last Wednesday. if you haven't seen it yet. It contains exciting details about our plans for the upcoming year.
To highlight the most time-sensitive information:
- Support the Junior class: Please consider donating to the Junior Class Activity Fund to help make this year amazing. We're striving for 100% parent participation!
- Save the Date: Our first parent social of the year is October 9! Purchase tickets here. We'd love to see you there!
Questions? Contact the Class of 2027 Parent Advisors
Class of 2029
What a great time seeing so many of you at Parent Night! We’ve got lots of ways to stay connected and join the fun this fall—mark your calendars:
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Pop-Up Concessions Stand – Sept. 12 at the Home Mats Football Game! Sign up to bring a treat or volunteer—it’s a sweet way to support our class.
- Parent Meet-Up – Sept. 18, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Canyon Club. Casual, no-host bar social—come mingle and make new parent friends!
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Frosh-Toberfest Parent Party – Oct. 18, 6:30-9:00 p.m. at a private residence in Orinda. Raise a stein to the Class of ’29! This event will sell out, so grab your tickets or donate today.
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Class of 2029 Activities Fund – Help us hit 100% parent participation to make the next four years unforgettable for our students. Donate here!
Questions? Contact the Class of 2029 Parent Advisors
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Next AUHSD Board Meeting
The next AUHSD Board Meeting is on September 17. The agenda will be posted here on Sunday, September 14. The meeting is held at the district office, with the public portion beginning at 7:00 p.m. You may also watch the live broadcast here.
| | Connect with the Parents' Club: | | | | |
