Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District is pleased to provide our students, parents, staff, and community with the latest information about our community through this newsletter. Please join us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to connect with us daily!

We are excited to announce that students in grades 3–8 will soon participate in the California Assessments of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), which evaluate their advancement in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Additionally, 5th and 8th graders will take the California Science Test (CAST) to assess their understanding of key science concepts. Testing will take place between April 1 and May 29.

What to Expect

Grades 3–8: CAASPP for ELA and Mathematics

• Computer Adaptive Test (CAT): This portion adjusts the difficulty of questions based on student responses, providing a personalized assessment experience.
• Performance Task (PT): Students complete complex tasks requiring critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world application of skills.

Grades 5 and 8: California Science Test (CAST)

• Computer-Based Assessment: The CAST consists of six segments:
• Segments 1–2: Discrete test items (stand-alone questions).
• Segments 3–6: Performance tasks connected to science concepts, covering Earth and Space Sciences, Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences.

How Families and Students Can Prepare

• Familiarize yourself with the testing dates for your school and grade level.
• Review skills learned this year using returned work, assignments in Google Classroom, and any study materials that have been given.
• Rehearse using the CAASPP Practice and Training Tests. Available here. 
• Get a good night’s sleep before each day of testing.

For more resources and information about CAASPP, click here. To learn more about the CAST, click here.

At MPESD, we are committed to empowering students to dream big and prepare for a bright future. As part of this commitment, we’ve partnered with Evergreen Valley College (EVC) to offer an incredible opportunity for our 8th-grade students: the chance to take a college course and earn full college credits!

This groundbreaking initiative has garnered attention beyond our district! MPESD’s partnership with EVC was recently featured on NBC Bay Area’s Comunidad Del Valle, one of the longest-running public affairs programs in the Bay Area. Superintendent Dr. Elida MacArthur and August Boeger Student Advisor Marisa Peña shared insights into the program during the segment, highlighting its impact on students and the broader community.

📺 Watch the full interview here.

We are proud to recognize the incredible educators and staff who make a lasting impact on our students, families, and community. This year, we are thrilled to announce the winners of our Teacher of the Year recognition!

From inspiring classrooms to innovative teaching practices, these outstanding teachers exemplify dedication, passion, and excellence in education. Here are our well-deserved winners:

• August Boeger Middle School: Ms. Karen Gonzalez
• Ida Jew Academy & Valle Vista Elementary: Ms. Alyssa Friend
• Mount Pleasant Ida Jew Academy: Ms. Anabel Contreras
• Robert Sanders Elementary: Ms. Kelsey Meder

A special congratulations goes to Ms. Kelsey Meder, who will represent MPESD at the county level in the upcoming Teacher of the Year recognition. Her commitment to her students makes her an excellent ambassador for our District.

As we celebrate this year’s winners, we also recognize the collective effort of all MPESD educators and staff who contribute to creating a supportive MPESD for our students. This May, we will celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, taking place May 5-9, and Classified School Employee Week, held from May 18–24. 

We encourage students and families to express their gratitude through simple yet meaningful gestures like taking a moment to thank these individuals personally or writing them a thank-you note. Every gesture, big or small, helps show how much we value our teachers and classified staff. Let’s make May unforgettable for our MPESD heroes!

Spring Break is the perfect time to unwind, recharge, and create lasting memories with family and friends. Whether you’re staying local or heading out on an adventure, there are plenty of fun and exciting ways to make the most of your time off.

• Pick Up a Book: Explore new worlds by diving into a novel, graphic novel, or audiobook. Check out MPESD Reading Resources on our website here. 
• Enjoy the Outdoors: Take a hike, have a picnic at a local park, or simply soak up the sunshine.
• Join Community Fun: Participate in local events like the Great American Litter Pickup happening across our County parks on April 19—make an impact while having fun! 

If you’re traveling this Spring Break, keep yourself safe from respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV by following these simple tips from the California Department of Public Health:

• Stay up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
• Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces like airports and planes.
• Wash your hands frequently to stay germ-free.
• If you’re feeling sick, skip travel plans and rest at home.

No matter how you choose to spend your Spring Break, make it fun, safe, and memorable!

Summer School programs will be available to current TK-7th grade students this year. The program will run from June 18 to July 16, 2025, with no school on June 19 (Juneteenth) or July 4 (Independence Day). Classes will be held from 8 AM to 12 PM, with AM Extended Care starting at 7 AM. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

The initial offering of Summer School classes will be by invitation only. Open enrollment for our waiting list will begin in May.

Students enrolled in Summer School have the option to extend their day with Summer Camp from 12 PM to 4 PM following academic classes. Students can also enroll in the full-day Summer Camp from July 17 to July 30, 2025.

For more details and updates, please contact Lisa A. Kattenhorn at lkattenhorn@mpesd.org or (408) 223-3781. 

Enrollment for the upcoming school year is now open! Share the news with your friends and neighbors who might be interested in our Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and K-8 programs. We invite prospective families to explore our campuses and experience the warm and inclusive environment we offer.



Our schools will be hosting Open House events, providing a wonderful opportunity to meet our educators and see our facilities firsthand. We also offer individual school tours tailored to your family's needs. Simply contact our school staff using the information below to arrange a visit at your convenience.

For the latest information about our Open House events, be sure to follow us on social media.

At MPESD, our mission is to foster a connected community of belonging and equity through innovative learning, meaningful engagement, and a commitment to every student's success. Our vision is to create an inclusive community that celebrates every child, values every voice, and ignites the joyful pursuit of knowledge.

In April, our lessons focus on National Deaf History Month (3/13 - 4/15), National Arab American Heritage Month, and National Autism Acceptance Month with Empathy as the highlighted character trait.

In May, the focus will be on Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, and Mental Health Awareness. The character trait is Fairness/Equity. 

If you are interested in learning more about these topics, please reach out to your school to further the conversation. Thank you for supporting an inclusive school community!

Are you or someone you know interested in joining the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District (MPESD)?

MPESD is hiring for a variety of roles! Whether you’re interested in becoming a teacher or exploring positions that don’t require a college degree, we have opportunities for you.

Current openings include:

• Elementary Principal
• TK/K (SDC) - Special Education Teacher
• School Psychologist
• Long-Term and Short-Term Substitute Teacher
• Instructional Aides (General and Special Education)
• Substitute Custodians

…and more!

We are always looking for Instructional Aides (general and special education) and Substitute Custodians. Learn more about these roles in the flyers below!

Our district proudly offers a generous welfare, benefits package and an excellent state pension plan, ensuring financial security for your future. 📲 Visit EdJoin or contact our Personnel Office at (408) 223-3720 to learn more.

Our Board of Trustees will meet on May 14, 2025. Watch the meeting livestream here.

The job of the Board of Trustees includes the following: 

• Setting the vision and goals for the district  
• Adopting policies that give the district direction to set priorities and achieve its goals
• Hiring and evaluating the superintendent 
• Adopting and overseeing the annual budget 
• Managing the collective bargaining process for employees of the district 

To learn more about these sessions, please visit our website at https://www.mpesd.org.