Superintendent Newsletter

We are officially 1 month into the 2025-2026 school year!!!

This year we are continuing our focus on Building Positive Relationships, Literacy, and Safety. Below are a few updates on the great strides taking place in MCSD.

September Awareness & Celebrations

National Literacy Month: I hope we can all find time to celebrate the power of words, whether by reading together as a family, sharing a favorite story, or discovering a new book you love.

Attendance Awareness Month:

Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 - October 15 "Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future"

• We recognize the contributions made and the powerful presence of Latina/o Americans to the United States and celebrates the special heritage, vibrant culture, and lives of Latina/o Americans that have shaped our country, our State, and our City.

Here’s to making 2025–26 our best year yet! ONE TEAM, ONE COMMUNITY!

Mrs. Julianna Stocking
Superintendent
Merced City School District

As a parent, you might be interested to know the curriculum used across our District that support your child in their learning. Below is a comprehensive list broken down by subject area.

*Preschool & Transitional Kindergarten utilize Learning Gini for all subjects.

English Language Arts

• K-5th Grade: Wonders from McGraw Hill-Education (MHE)
• 6-8th Grade: StudySync from MHE

• K-6th Grade: Go Math from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• 7th-8th Grade: California Math by MHE

Science

• K-5th Grade: TWIG Science Education
• 6th-8th Grade: Discovery Education CA Science

History Social Science

• TK-5th Grade: Teacher Created Materials
• 6th-8th Grade: National Geographic

Beginning the 2026-2027 school year, students in 6th grade will transition back to middle school after more than a decade. We are very excited and are currently underway with preparing for their transition and the development of Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways in MCSD middle schools.

• This important work will ensure that as we transition 6th grade into our middle schools, we will also create strong, engaging CTE pathways that prepare students for success in high school and beyond.
• To guide this four-year effort (2026–2030), we have convened a diverse committee of educators, classified staff, parents, board members, and district leaders. This team represents voices from across our community and is committed to designing a smooth transition and high-quality programs for all students.

• During the 2025–26 school year (Year 0), two dedicated planning cohorts will lead this work:

  • Programmatic Cohort: Focused on teaching, learning, scheduling, curriculum, counseling, and teacher credentialing.

  • Operational Cohort: Focused on facilities, transportation, technology, and operational readiness.

• This work will ensure that by 2029–30, every middle school will offer fully developed CTE pathways, aligned to high school programs, and equipped with the teachers, labs, and technology students need to explore and grow. Families and staff will be supported through ongoing communication, pathway nights, and opportunities for feedback along the way.

• We will continue to provide updates as this work progresses, and we invite all of our teachers, classified staff, parents, administrators, and board members to stay engaged as partners in this exciting transition.

Dual Language Immersion(DLI) Program is Underway

• MCSD is pleased to have Stephanie Magallon and Celina Perez-Hernandez serve as our DLI teachers at Stowell Elementary this school year.
• During the month of September our teachers are going through a series of Professional Development Training that focus on lesson development, instruction, and delivery.
• In the coming months Stowell Elementary will celebrate the many cultures and traditions that we celebrate and value.

• 50/50 ratio of native English speakers to native Spanish speakers.

• There are 45 students currently enrolled, and if you are interested in enrolling your Kindergarten student WE STILL HAVE SPOTS AVAILABLE! CLICK HERE TO ENROLL YOUR CHILD TODAY

• The make up of the classroom is diverse which is reflective of the community we serve here in our Merced community.

Spanish Elective in Middle Schools

• Spanish elective offerings are available in all 4 middle schools as of the 25-26 school year. But it's not just focused on learning Spanish, but an opportunity for students to learn about the various cultures across the globe who use Spanish as their native language.
• Each middle school offers 3 periods of Spanish as an elective
• There are still spots for students to enroll!! Talk to your child about their potential interest!

• 39 teachers have volunteered to administer the NWEA MAP Growth assessment in a pilot to explore a possible district assessment for the coming school year. We have used iReady for about 10 years and are exploring a new option.

• Our MCSD Literacy Committee met this week. Our goal is to review the implementation of our Literacy Plan and address needs and challenges as we pursue literacy for all students. We are striving to have representation of every school site, grade level and student group on this committee so we plan for success for each and every one of our students.

• Our Middle School Intervention teachers had a day of professional learning as they continue to improve their implementation of Read 180 to tailor their instruction to the needs of our most fragile learners; middle schoolers who are not reading at a 5th grade level and are likely not very motivated to try to learn.

• Currently, 11.7% of our enrolled students in grades PK-8 are receiving special education services. This is slightly below the state average, which typically ranges from 12% to 14%.

• We are actively working with special education teachers and administrators to align the curriculum across all sites and grade levels.

So what are "Student Champions"???

• Student Champions are students who are supported by MCSD staff members. This is targeted assistance to our lowest-performing students in order to foster their academic success.

• MCSD staff members will engage with these students to provide encouragement and guidance in the areas of academics, social development, attendance, and behavior. Through this initiative, we aim to ensure that every student has the support they need to succeed and thrive.

• We have one vacancy in our CBOC. Please be on the lookout for an opportunity to serve as a member and support the District in overseeing how bond funds are utilized in MCSD.
• MCSD’s Citizens Bond Oversight Committee consists of 9 members appointed by the Board of Education

Franklin Elementary Phase 3 Updates:

• Buildings for the first wing of new classrooms have been set. In total, 16 sections of the structure were placed on Saturday, September 6th, revealing the footprint of the 5 new classrooms. Photos reflect the interior restrooms, shared collaboration space, and kitchenettes for each room.

MCSD Invests in Premier Sports Facilities

Tenaya Middle School Sports Fields: As we continue through the DSA process, the design team has provided us with the following 3D rendering of the project.

Our Team in MCSD

• MCSD is one of the largest employers in Merced County. We have approximately 580 certificated staff members and 828 classified employees who make up our highly qualified team of professionals across the District.

Insight on Overflows

Student Overflows - Student overflows occur at the beginning of each school year when there are more students than space available by grade level at any of our 18 school sites.

• As we’ve now passed the fifteenth day of school, the beginning of the year student overflow process has officially concluded from the Human Resources Department.

• Newly enrolled students at impacted school sites will be directed to nearby schools with available space. We recognize that this process isn't ideal, and we’re committed to refining it to reduce the need for overflows at the start of future school years.

• Looking ahead, Human Resources will be shifting our focus to student enrollment and staffing projections for next school year. Our goal is to begin planning earlier and improve the overall experience for both staff and students.

We are proud to recognize Diego Castro, School Counselor at Hoover Middle School, who has been selected as the California Association of School Counselors (CASC) 2026 Counselor of the Year.

With 10 years of experience as a school counselor, Mr. Castro is deeply committed to supporting students and creating meaningful connections that help them thrive. He shares, “My favorite part of being a school counselor is building connections with students and watching them grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Seeing their confidence bloom is the most rewarding part of my work.”

We are honored to celebrate Mr. Castro’s incredible achievement at the September 23rd Board Meeting at the STEAM Center.

Did you know??....

MCSD is on social media. Come hang out with us daily as we share exciting photos, videos, and information about current and upcoming events. If you are a parent, you might just see your little one get featured!

Instagram & Facebook: @MercedCitySchoolDistrict