I hope this message finds you well and thriving. At Morongo USD we believe that the success of our students is a collaborative effort, and your involvement is crucial to creating a vibrant and nurturing learning environment. We encourage you to take an active role in your child’s educational journey and the life of our school community. When parents get involved, students are more likely to take it seriously and develop a positive attitude toward learning. Being involved in school activities and meetings helps you stay informed about your child’s progress, upcoming events, and important school policies. It also allows you to connect with other parents, teachers, and administrators. These relationships can be a source of valuable support, information, and friendship for both you and your child. Lastly, when you actively participate in school activities, you set a positive example for your child. You show them the importance of being engaged, responsible, and contributing members of a community.

Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Join the PTA/PTO: Joining the Parent Teacher Association or Organization is a great way to support your school community. You can help plan events, fundraisers, and site initiatives.
• Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to help with school events, classroom activities, or special projects. Your contributions, no matter how small, are highly valued.
• Attend Meetings: Attend parent-teacher conferences, school board meetings, and informational sessions. These gatherings provide opportunities to learn, ask questions, and share your thoughts.
• Participate in School Events: Attend school events like open houses, cultural nights, and sports games to show your support for your child and the community at large.
• Share Your Expertise: if you have a particular skill or profession, consider offering to give a talk or presentation to students. Your knowledge can be inspiring and educational.
• Stay Connected: Regularly check your child’s backpack for school newsletters, notices, and updates. Communicate with teachers and administrators to ensure you’re informed about important school matters. Also, download our app and sign up in our app to stay connected and get notifications.

Your involvement can make a significant difference in your child’s education and the overall success of our district. We encourage you to take that step toward active participation, as it truly does take a village to raise well-rounded, confident, and successful individuals. Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. Go MUSD!

This month, students and teachers at Yucca Valley Elementary School had a very special group of visitors from the California School Board Association (CSBA).

Members from the CSBA Validation Committee got the opportunity to visit with students and hear presentations about the school's Outdoor Classroom Projects. The school site has made it to the final stages of the Golden Bell Awards in the category of Family/Student/Community Engagement.

Also present for the presentations were Superintendent, Dr. Patricio Vargas, Board President Cathy Nelson, parents, and community partners.

Parents and families, we invite you to join us in recognizing the Week of the School Administrator from October 8-14, 2023, in accordance with the California Education Code. During this week, we celebrate the importance of educational leadership at the school level and the valuable contribution that school administrators make toward the achievement of MUSD students. We encourage you to show your appreciation for your child's school administrator, such as by writing individual thank-you notes. Together, let's foster a positive and supportive MUSD culture that benefits everyone involved. Let us thank our administrators for positively impacting our schools’ communities and for their ongoing efforts to make a difference for our children.

September 15th to October 15th marks the National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. This is a time when we celebrate the many contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to our country's culture, history, and society. It's important to teach children about the diversity and richness of different cultures, and National Hispanic Heritage Month is a perfect opportunity to do so.

There are many ways to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month in your family. You can explore Hispanic and Latinx cultures by reading books written by Hispanic and Latinx authors, watching movies or TV shows that feature Hispanic and Latinx characters, trying out new foods, or attending cultural events in your community. It's also a great time to learn about the history of Hispanic and Latinx Americans, such as the contributions of Cesar Chavez or Dolores Huerta, as well as Lin Manuel Miranda and Frida Kahlo. By celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, children develop a greater appreciation for diversity and inspire them to become more inclusive and respectful.

For more information about National Hispanic Heritage Month and family activities, visit The Ultimate Guide to Hispanic Heritage Month Activities or Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for Your Kids to Try.

“The future is already here — it's just not very evenly distributed.” - Credited to sci-fi writer William Gibson.

You may have noticed that our school registration asks families to provide information on device and network access at home. Morongo USD recognizes equitable access to technology is a cornerstone of modern education. Your input empowers us to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that each student can engage fully in virtual lessons, complete assignments, and explore educational resources with confidence.

We are also thrilled to share some fantastic news that will enhance your child's learning experience in the digital age. As part of our ongoing commitment to providing a top-notch education, we will soon be introducing an exciting addition to our curriculum – Touchscreen Tablet Laptops for students in kindergarten through 2nd Grade!

If your child is riding a bike or scooter to school, let’s make sure everyone knows the rules. Why is being bicycle safe so important? In one second an accident could happen. The safer you are the better. Every year 300,000 kids end up in an emergency room because of a bike injury. That’s why it’s so important to wear a helmet. Helmets reduce your chance of brain injury by 88%!

1. Follow the same rules a car would.
2. Stop at stop signs, before crossing any street check for traffic both ways, then walk your bike across. Always use a crosswalk if one’s available.
3. If you go between cars remember drivers can’t see you.
4. Ride in a single file line on the right-hand side of the street, which means riding in the same direction as the cars.
5. Use bike lanes or bike routes whenever possible.
6. Obey all traffic signals and signs because they apply to bicycles as well as cars.

Beware of parked cars, doors can open suddenly. Also keep extra alert of driveways, people can’t always see you when they’re pulling out.

For more information on bicycle safety, visit the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District website at https://sbcfire.org/bicyclesafety/ .

The Morongo Unified School District Board of Education is hosting their regular board meeting on Oct. 10. The meeting will be held at Joshua Tree Elementary School in the multi-purpose room and open session begins at 6 p.m.

For more information on the board of education visit Board of Education | Morongo Unified School District (morongousd.com)

The Trojans will host the Wildcats on Oct. 27 for the 2023 Battle of the Bell! The varsity game kicks off at 7 p.m. with the JV game starting at 4 p.m. Don't forget to wear your school colors to represent your town.

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/

X: @Dr_Vargas_MUSD and https://twitter.com/MorongoUnified

October 6, 2023