Community Matters Newsletter

Educating and empowering students while embracing childhood and adolescence.

Dear MPCSD Community,

As the school year comes to a close, we recognize that we still have time to make a positive impact and lasting connections. We continue to deliver on our vision of educating and empowering students while embracing childhood and adolescence. Our teachers are building on the strong connections they forge all year with their students to make sure every student is academically prepared for next year. Our parent volunteer organizations are preparing their end-of-year recognitions and setting up their teams for the fall. Our students have lots of opportunity to showcase the hard work and growth they have made this year, through culminating projects and celebrations, as well as state testing and assessments. A sense of belonging and enthusiasm is in the air as we celebrate and express gratitude for the meaningful time we spent together, as a community. 

Unfortunately, this year our joy is dimmed as we grieve the tragic loss of a beloved community member, Dylan Taylor. You will find a beautiful tribute article to Dylan later in this publication. Our hearts are with Dylan’s family and all the team members, students, and families here at MPCSD, and beyond, to whom he was a colleague, mentor, and friend. He brought infectious enthusiasm and love to his work as an educator and coach. I know he will be deeply missed by all those whose lives he touched.

Through life’s journey, the spectacular highs and the devastating lows, it is our sense of belonging and community that gets us through, together. Thank you for your continued support of strong public schools and the families they serve. It is an honor and privilege to be part of this community and serve as MPCSD’s superintendent.

Sincerely,

Kristen Gracia

Remembering Dylan Taylor

Along with many others in the local community, MPCSD is devastated and grieving the loss of our friend Dylan Taylor who died after a tragic accident on Middlefield Road last week.

Dylan was a staff member at MPCSD from November 2020 until October 2024, serving as a paraeducator for students with special needs. One thing everyone noticed about Dylan was how much he loved his job and how great we was at doing it. With a ready smile, he was encouraging, compassionate, and kind to every person. He always went the extra mile to make sure his students knew how special they are and strived to give them a sense of belonging. He became a friend to many colleagues, including Hillview PE teacher and athletic director Nick Fogel, who remembers, "Dylan's work extends far beyond the classroom and playing field/court. He had an energy about him that was hard to not love and want to be a part of. Dylan loved to see people grow, overcome adversity, and was the biggest cheerleader at events, games, theatrical and musical performances, and any and all achievements."

Prior to joining the MPCSD staff team, Dylan grew up in the community and attended MPCSD schools. Superintendent Kristen Gracia, who was his teacher earlier in her career, said, "I had the pleasure of having Dylan as a first grade student in my class and then the privilege of seeing him thrive as an adult here in our community as a paraeducator, coach, and friend to so many people. Dylan will be incredibly missed and our community is heartbroken by his loss." The enthusiasm and kindness Dylan exhibited as a child were characteristics he continued to embody and bring to his work with students.

Beyond the classroom, Dylan was a beloved athletics coach for Hillview, Las Lomitas, and Menlo-Atherton High School, and he started a frisbee club that met Sunday evenings at Burgess Park. His warm and supportive nature made a lasting impact on the young athletes he coached, as he prioritized positivity and self worth when mentoring youth. Athletic Director Fogel continued, "He is THE most genuine and overall good person I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I feel lucky to call him a friend. He will be missed at Hillview forever." Dylan is pictured below with a Hillview volleyball team, second from left in the back row.

Dylan's family welcomes the community to join his Celebration of Life in the Sequoia Room Patio at Arrillaga Recreation Center on Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. The MA Chronicle also published a moving tribute to Dylan.

It is our vision to educate and empower students while embracing childhood and adolescence. We are so proud that all around the district, students are exemplifying this vision with their actions. See some of what is happening at our amazing campuses!

The district's facility dog program, PAWZitivity earned a 2025 Kent Award from the San Mateo County School Boards Association. Research shows that dogs at schools help improve student confidence, sense of belonging, attendance, and even academic outcomes, and MPCSD’s experience has mirrored these findings. Mental Health & Wellness Lead Chris Arrington, who leads the program, summed up, “At the heart of it all: A dog in a school isn’t just about comfort; it’s about connection, growth, and building a community where everyone feels seen and valued.” PAWZitivity dog Duke is pictured here with Superintendent Gracia, Chris Arrington, and MPCSD School Board Members.

MPCSD was selected a San Mateo County Sustainable and Climate Ready Schools (SCRS) Challenge leader and will receive a $500 financial award. The SCRS Challenge identifies environmentally sustainable transformation across school campuses, curriculum, and community engagement programs. MPCSD received this year’s award for its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving indoor and outdoor air quality, and enhancing the health and safety of its students and staff by transitioning to clean energy solutions. Much of this work will continue as the bond program (Measure U) is implemented.

Pictured are MOT Director Sandra Franco with Will Robertson of Cumming Group, the district's bond program manager, and Marc Hershman, Director of Government Affairs at Peninsula Clean Energy, the group that partnered with San Mateo County Office of Education to fund the financial awards.

Special education teacher Calli Stamates received a San Mateo County Special Educator Award from the San Mateo County SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area) which includes 23 school districts and nine Charter LEAs. This award honors Calli's leadership and commitment in service of students with disabilities. MPCSD Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Stephanie Sheridan said, "This honor comes as no surprise to those of us who have the privilege of working with Calli. She is an exceptional educator and leader, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our team." Calli teaches in the Achieving Independent Minds (AIMs) program at Encinal School, which serves students with moderate to severe disabilities.

Calli is pictured here with three students at a local Special Olympics event that Encinal students attended this year.

MPCSD received a Community Partnership Award from Stanford University for its work with the Stanford-Sequoia K-12 Research Collaborative. The Collaborative is a long-standing, mutually beneficial partnership between the Stanford Graduate School of Education and Sequoia Union and its eight elementary feeder districts, of which MPCSD is one. The Collaborative projects focus on equity issues, with most specifically addressing the performance of English learners. MPCSD recently reimagined its English fluency reclassification process as part of our Collaborative partnership, to improve opportunities for English learners as they matriculate to high school and pursue college readiness. This graphic was accessed from https://ul.stanford.edu/project/stanford-sequoia-k-12-research-collaborative on 5/14/2025 and shows the geographic scope of the Collaborative.

Online Registration Closes TONIGHT for the Schoolhouse Rocks 5K, Fun Run & Festival

Today, May 14, at 11:59 p.m., online registration will close for the MPAEF Schoolhouse Rocks 5K, Fun Run & Festival taking place on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Hillview Middle School. Register online now!

If you miss online registration, you may register in person at Packet Pick-Up for either the 5K or 1-mile Fun Run. Packet pick-up is at Fleet Feet in Menlo Park on Friday, May 16, 12:00-4:00 p.m and Saturday, May 17, 10:30 a.m-2:30 p.m. If you plan to register at packet pick-up, bring your mobile device and a credit card for payment. Payment via cash, check, or ApplePay/Venmo/PayPal are not accepted. There is no day-of-event registration! Please plan ahead. 

There will be street closures from approximately 8:30-10:00 a.m on Santa Cruz at Olive and Olive Street to Bay Laurel Drive. More details can be found at: www.mpaef.org/run

URGENT! TWO 5K Run Course Monitor Volunteers Needed: We need the assistance of two more adults to ensure our run is safe this year. The Menlo Park Police Department won't approve our race course safety plan without a full list of course monitors. Volunteers would need to be available Sunday, May 18, from 7:45-10:00 a.m. at Hillview Middle School. You will be assigned to an intersection along the course to ensure runner safety and cheer them on. Please email volunteer@mpaef.org today to sign up!