Students across MUSD have been hard at work- setting goals, building connections, and engaging in new learning opportunities. We are so proud of the dedication our students, families, and staff have shown as we kick off another year of student growth and achievement.

Your support and involvement are essential in helping your child reach their goals, and we look forward to celebrating their success with you throughout this year. 

In this newsletter, you will find important updates, upcoming dates to save on your calendar, and learning from home resources to help your child meet their learning goals this school year. 

Dear MUSD Community,

As we begin a new school year together, I want to take a moment to reaffirm what guides our work each and every day. At Manteca Unified, we believe all students can and will work to achieve grade-level standards, feel safe, and be supported to realize their individual success. This is our vision statement, which is at the heart of everything we do, from the classroom to the boardroom.

So, what does this vision mean and what does it look like in action? It means that every student regardless of ability, needs, or background, has access to the tools, resources and support necessary. Through smart actions and decisions using meaningful and measurable data, all students receive differentiated, inclusive, and fair instruction, so that each student can meet their individualized learning goals. This is our promise to every learner.

For me, this commitment is deeply personal. I have spent my career as a teacher, principal, and now, Superintendent because I believe in the power of education. Each role has shown me in different ways how students can achieve when home and school work together to support them.

For those who may not know, I also actively serve as a United States Army Colonel. Both careers have shaped who I am, and although they may seem very different, they share a common thread: service over self. Whether leading a classroom, a school district, or a military unit, I have always been guided by the belief that strong communities are built when we work together toward a shared goal and remain unwavering in our mission.

As we move forward this year, know that our work remains focused, aligned, and purposeful. Together, as families, educators, staff, and community partners, we can continue to build the environment where every student has the opportunity to grow. 

Thank you for being such an important part of the Manteca Unified community. 

Dr. Clark Burke

Superintendent

Manteca Unified School District

Attention TK-8th Grade Families:

Mark Your Calendars for Goal Setting Conferences

Goal Setting Conferences are a meaningful opportunity for TK-8th grade families, students, and teachers to come together twice a year to build strong relationships, celebrate growth, and set personalized learning goals towards grade-level standards. 

By working together to set achievable goals, students gain ownership of their learning, supported by both their families and teacher, fostering confidence and a lifelong love of learning. 

Here are "The 4 Questions" to Ask Your Child's Teacher to

Kick-Start a Growth-Centered Conversation:

1) What does my child need to be able to do? – Talk to your child’s teacher about goals for your child’s learning and what skills they’re expected to learn at their grade level.

2) How will I know once my child knows it? – Learn how progress is measured and what success look like for your child’s grade level.

3) What can I do if my child is struggling to understand? – There are many ways to support learning from home! Take a look at these resources from our Student & Family Hub: Exact Path, Khan Academy

4) What do I do to support my child once they know it? – Find out how to keep your child moving forward when they’re ready for the next step.

At MUSD, we believe that every child can and will achieve with

the tools, plans, and support in place.

Learning at Home:

A Guide to District Resources

You may have noticed a theme in this newsletter: students achieve when schools and families work together. One way MUSD supports that partnership is by providing every student with free access to powerful online learning tools so that you can support their learning growth from home.

Explore these resources today!

Exact Path

Exact Path creates a personalized learning path in reading, language arts, and math using your child’s MAP test results. Lessons adjust to their level, helping them review skills they need and move ahead when they’re ready.

Along the way, students earn rewards and complete short Progress Checks to celebrate growth and track progress.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy helps students in grades 3-12 strengthen their math skills. With video lessons, practice problems, and step-by-step hints, students can review what they’ve learned in class or prepare for new topics.

By logging in through Clever, your child also gets a custom learning path connected to their MAP test results.

SORA

Did you know your child has access to hundreds of free ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines through Sora?

This fun, easy-to-use app rewards reading with avatars and achievements, making it perfect for school and leisure time.

Weather Safety Guidelines

Did you know that Manteca Unified maintains Inclement Weather Guidelines for managing extreme

heat, poor air quality, rain, dense fog, and storms? These guidelines ensure that outdoor activities

are adjusted as necessary and schedules are modified to maintain the well-being of students and staff.

As we prepare for changing weather conditions throughout fall and winter, take some time to review our Inclement Weather Guidelines for helpful information!

Please note that the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) has published rules for high school athletics. Click here for more details.

MUSD School Resource Officers: Partnering for a Safe and Supportive School Environment

At Manteca Unified, we partner with local law enforcement agencies to prioritize safety so students can focus on achieving their academic goals!

The School Resource Officer (SRO) program is designed to strengthen school safety through collaboration, while also providing mentorship that supports a positive and welcoming campus culture. It’s completely normal to see a police car parked at one of our schools—most often, it simply means our School Resource Officers (SROs) are on campus connecting with students, lending support, or participating in everyday school life.

Our SROs are a preventative presence, here to build positive relationships with students and support a safe, welcoming learning environment. As part of our emergency preparedness model (prepare, prevention, response, and recovery), they also help students better understand law enforcement’s role in the community.

Note: Not all MUSD School Resource Officers are featured in this video. Additional SROs serve across the district and are not pictured here.

Updates from the August Board of Education Meeting

Supporting Learning from the Ground Up

The Department of Community Relations & Engagement shared a new video about MUSD's Grounds Department!

From maintaining high school athletic fields to caring for elementary school play yards, our Grounds team ensures every student has a space to learn and play safely.

Meet the 2025-26 Student Board Members!

At the August Board Meeting, five students — one from each comprehensive high school — were sworn in as MUSD’s 2025–26 Student Board members!

This year, three new students join the Board: Joshua Ramirez (Lathrop High), Emilia Barojas (Manteca High), and Janessa Arredondo-Avila (Weston Ranch High).

Sanampreet Singh (Sierra High) and Annette Dubois (East Union High) are returning for their second year as student representatives. 

Adopted Revised Student Wellness Policy

The Board has approved updates to MUSD’s Student Wellness Policy to reflect our commitment to student health, safety, and inclusion.

The updated policy prohibits the use of certain synthetic food dyes in foods served, sold, or provided by the District, including foods supplied by parents or guardians for classroom celebrations, fundraisers, or other school activities- in alignment with new California legislation. Foods and beverages provided to students during the school day will not contain the following synthetic dyes: Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6.

MUSD is taking an extra step by requiring food labels on all items brought onto campus. This ensures students with allergies or other unique needs feel safe, informed, and included.

These updates keep MUSD ahead of changing practices and reinforce our focus on creating healthy, supportive environments for every student.

Board Adopted New K-8 VAPA Curriculum

The Board has approved a new modern curriculum for all K–8 music classes—the first major update since 2001!

The new curriculum provides engaging, interactive lessons that align with California’s updated music standards. Students will benefit from creative online resources, lessons available in Spanish, and a program that builds skills step by step across grade levels.

This adoption ensures our music educators have the tools and training needed to inspire a love of music in every student.

Nutrition Education Department Receives National Recognition

We are proud to recognize our Nutrition Education Department for earning the prestigious 2024 USDA Turnip the Beet Gold Award!

This national award celebrates outstanding Summer Meal Programs that go above and beyond to provide children with healthy, delicious, and appealing meals. Manteca Unified was one of only 21 California districts recognized, and one of the few to achieve the Gold Award level.

Through creative nutrition education, the use of fresh and local foods, and innovative community engagement, our Nutrition Education Department ensures that every student has access to nutritious meals year-round. Their work supports the health, energy, and success of nearly 26,000 students each day, helping children thrive both in school and at home.

Congratulations to our dedicated team for this well-deserved recognition and for their continued commitment to nurturing healthy, thriving students!

Looking for a New Opportunity?

In Manteca Unified, there is a role for everyone who shares our belief that every student can achieve. We are currently seeking individuals for various positions in our Manteca, Lathrop, French Camp, and Weston Ranch communities.

Whether you’re guiding students in the classroom, mentoring them beyond school walls, or ensuring they arrive safely each day, your work makes a lasting impact:

• Keep students well-fed so they can focus on learning at school as a Nutrition Service Assistant
• Support student growth as an Instructional Aide, also known as a Paraprofessional
• Get students to school safely as a Bus Operator so they can learn
• Teach the next generation of Bus Operators as an Instructor/Bus Operator

Explore all job opportunities at edjoin.org/musd, including teaching positions!

National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually in the United States from September 15 to October 15!

This month-long observance honors the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. The starting date of September 15 is significant as it marks the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Check out the resources below to celebrate the diverse heritage and achievements of Hispanic and Latino communities in America.

TK-3rd Grade: Books & Movies



• “Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano for President Lincoln”
• “Small Room, Big Dreams: The Journey of Julian and Joaquin Castro”
• “I am Frida Kahlo: Ordinary People Change the World”
• “She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor”
• “Encanto”
• “Coco”
• “Vivo”
• “The Book of Life” 

4-8th Grade: Books & Movies

• “Bravo!: Poems About Amazing Hispanics”
• “Harvesting Hope: The Cesar Chavez Story”
• “Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes”
• “Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna, Book 1”
• “McFarland, USA”
• “A Million Miles Away”
• “The Long Game” 

High School: Books & Movies



• “The Authentics”
• “Before We Were Free”
• “My Family Divided: One Girl’s Journey of Home, Loss, and Hope”
• “Furia”
• “In the Heights”
• “Cesar Chavez”
• “Selena”

Labor Day (Student Break/ Closed to the Public)

MUSD schools and offices were closed on Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.

Labor Day, first celebrated in 1882 and made a national holiday in 1894, was created to honor the strength, dedication, and achievements of American workers. This holiday allows us to reflect on the labor movement’s contributions in shaping fair working conditions and building the nation we know today. 

We hope our MUSD community enjoyed a safe and restful three-day weekend. Classes and normal operations resume today, Tuesday, September 2.

International Literacy Day

Mark your calendars! On Monday, September 8, Manteca Unified will join the world in celebrating International Literacy Day — a day dedicated to promoting reading, learning, and the joy of books.

TK-3 Grade Families- Did you know that a child’s reading ability by 3rd grade is one of the strongest predictors of future academic success?

Reading skills open the door to lifelong learning and success. This year, we’re encouraging families to celebrate by:

✅Reading together for 10–20 minutes

✅ Visiting your local or school library

✅ Exploring hundreds of free ebooks and audiobooks on Sora

Watch our social media on September 8 for highlights from our schools — and share your own reading celebrations with #proudtobeMUSD!

Patriot Day

Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance, observed in memory of the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on the morning of September 11, 2001.

This day of remembrance commemorates the lives lost and the heroic actions taken by first responders and civilians in response to the heartbreaking tragedy.

Mexican Independence Day

This holiday dates to 1810, when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla famously rang a church bell and gave the famous “Grito de Dolores,” calling for unity and independence. This day honors the courage of those who fought for freedom and celebrates Mexico’s vibrant culture.

This recognition is part of MUSD’s Diversity Awareness Education Series, highlighting important global and cultural dates celebrated in our communities and beyond. 

International Week of the Deaf

International Week of the Deaf is a global observance first launched in 1958 by the World Federation of the Deaf to celebrate the culture, rights, and contributions of deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

Did you know that sign languages are recognized as a vital part of our world’s linguistic and cultural diversity? This week encourages inclusion by raising awareness about accessibility, education, and equal opportunities.

International Day of Sign Languages

September 23 is the International Day of Sign Languages, recognized by the United Nations to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in protecting the rights of people who are deaf. 

Did you know there are more than 300 different sign languages used worldwide? This day reminds us how vital inclusivity and communication are for every community! Families can join in by learning a simple sign together, like “hello” in American Sign Language (ASL), as a fun way to celebrate inclusion and communication.