MorongoUSD Monthly Update

As we gear up for the new year, we wanted to take a quick look at all of the amazing learning, leading and fun that took place in 24/25.

I hope this message finds you well and that your summer was filled with moments of rest, joy, and time with loved ones. As we prepare to open our doors for a brand-new school year, I want to take a moment to share my excitement—and our shared vision—for what’s ahead. This year, we are embracing a simple yet powerful idea: small, consistent steps can lead to big transformations.

Whether it’s a student mastering a new skill, a teacher refining a new strategy, or a school team solving a challenge together—progress happens when we show up with purpose every day. Over the summer, our staff has been preparing for this moment—improving our campuses, upgrading technology, and engaging in meaningful professional development to ensure our schools are ready to support every learner. We are especially proud of the work we’ve done to make our campuses safer, more welcoming, and more inspiring places to learn and grow.

This year, our theme is Belonging and Becoming. Every child deserves to feel like they matter—because they do. And every child deserves the opportunity to become the best version of themselves. That’s the heart of our work. We will continue to invest in the well-being of our students and staff, knowing that mental, emotional, and physical health are essential to learning. You will also see renewed efforts in literacy, career readiness, and inclusive practices that reflect the diversity and strength of our Morongo community.

As your superintendent, I remain committed to being visible, accessible, and engaged. I look forward to visiting classrooms, cheering at school events, and connecting with families and staff throughout the year. Thank you for being a vital part of our educational family. Your partnership is what makes the difference. Let’s make this a year of growth, connection, and shared purpose. See you on Monday, August 11!

Sincerely,

Superintendent Dr. Patricio Vargas

1. Create a Checklist: A checklist can enhance excitement and keep your child focused on managing tasks required to prepare for school. It’s a powerful tool to help them stay organized and ready for the new year.
2. Prepare Clothes the Night Before: Set out their clothes the night before in a specific place. This simple step helps reduce morning stress and ensures they’re ready to go.
3. Nighttime Routine: Encourage your child to shower the night before. It helps them feel refreshed and ready to tackle the next school day.
4. Practice the Bus Route: Walk or drive with your child to their bus stop about 10 minutes before pickup time. This builds their confidence and helps you connect with the bus driver. Practice safety rules like looking both ways before crossing the street several times before the first day.
5. Visit the School/ Classroom: If possible, visit the school or classroom before the first day. If you can, accompany your child on the first day to make it a special experience.
6. Discuss Feelings: Talk to your child about their feelings regarding school, friends, teachers, and new activities. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is crucial, as it helps children build healthy relationships with themselves and others. This begins at home with open conversations.
7. Set School Year Resolutions: Just like adults make New Year’s resolutions, students can set goals for the school year. Consider choosing a “focus word” each month to reflect these resolutions. Words like friendship, perseverance, or kindness are great starting points.
8. Gather School Supplies: Ensure your child has all the necessary supplies for a successful school year. New supplies can increase excitement. If needed, your school can provide a backpack and other materials upon request.
9. Establish a Daily Routine: Help your child develop positive habits that contribute to academic success and personal pride by setting a consistent daily routine.
10. Engage After School: When your child returns from school, take time to ask about their day. Listen attentively and ask questions to show you care.

Families, you can support school safety by obeying all traffic laws in and around schools. Please observe the lowered speed limit around schools, and do not double-park your vehicle or allow your child to exit or enter your vehicle unless it is legally parked. By working together and being alert, we can create a safer environment for all our students. Thank you for your support with this important matter.

MUSD families, our bus routes for the 25/26 school year are available on our website at the link below. For more information about your school's bus procedures please reach out to your school site.

We are excited to share our school menus that have been thoughtfully designed to provide nutritious and delicious meals for your children. Each day, our meals will offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins to support your child’s health and learning. We encourage you to review the menu with your child and discuss the importance of balanced meals. If your child has any dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know so we can make the necessary accommodations.

Thank you for your continued support in keeping our students healthy and ready to learn!

The Morongo Unified School District is proud to announce the official groundbreaking of a brand-new kitchen facility at Twentynine Palms Junior High School. This much-anticipated project marks a significant investment in the health, wellness and educational experience of students and staff.

The $5.5 million project is being partially funded by Measure C, the local school bond measure approved by voters in November. Measure C funds are dedicated to improving school facilities, modernizing infrastructure and ensuring students across the District have access to safe, modern and functional learning environments.

Board President Christopher Claire expressed his appreciation to the community for their continued support.

"This project is a testament to what can be accomplished when a community comes together with a shared vision for the future of its children,” Claire said. “We are deeply grateful to our voters for their trust and support. The new kitchen will serve our students for generations to come."

The new facility will feature a state-of-the-art kitchen building equipped with two speedlines, serving windows, outdoor landscaping and an expanded, covered outdoor dining area all designed to provide students with a more comfortable and enjoyable dining experience. Construction is scheduled for completion in March 2026.

The project is being built in partnership with Ledesma & Meyer Construction Company and Ruhnau Clarke Architects, firms recognized for their expertise in delivering high-quality educational facilities. David Daniels, MUSD Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, shared his excitement about the project’s progress.

"Our team has worked closely with the MUSD Nutritional Services department, Ledesma & Meyer and Ruhnau Clarke Architects throughout the planning and design process to create a facility that truly meets the needs of our school community," Daniels said. "We are eager to see the construction take shape and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our students and staff."

The Morongo Unified School District extends its deepest gratitude to the voters and community members whose support of Measure C has made this important project possible.

We’re excited to showcase our Career Technical Education program in action with the latest video update from Morongo USD! Explore how our students are gaining real-world skills across multiple disciplines—from healthcare and cybersecurity to culinary arts and criminal justice.

As a reminder to all MUSD families, school will resume on Aug. 11. For the full school year calendar click on the link below. We hope you all had a great summer vacation!

The MUSD Board of Education will be holding it's next regular board meeting on Aug. 26 at Joshua Tree Elementary School.

Click on the link below to download our new app. The app has some useful features for MUSD families including contact information, up-to-date news from the district and more.

Website: www.morongousd.com

Location: 5715 Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA, USA

Phone: 760-367-9191

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMUSD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morongousd/

August 8, 2025