Superintendent Newsletter

💗Happy February!💗

As we move into this new month, I want to take a moment to celebrate the strong relationships that make our schools such special places. Every day, we see students greeting friends, teachers connecting learning to real life, and families partnering with us to support growth. These everyday moments are what truly make a difference.

Healthy relationships, built on trust, care, and consistency, are at the heart of student success. When students feel seen, valued, and supported, they are more confident, more engaged, and more ready to learn. February gives us a natural opportunity to reflect on the power of connection and the importance of showing kindness, empathy, and encouragement.

As a District, we remain committed to nurturing positive relationships in every classroom and on every campus. And as always, we are grateful for the partnership of our families. Your involvement, communication, and support help create the warm, welcoming environments our students deserve.

Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. Together, we will continue building strong connections that support every student, every day.

Warmly,
Mrs. Julianna Stocking
Superintendent
Merced City School District

A celebration of Black History Month and MCSD students.

Our 6–8 Transition Team—a collaborative group of teachers, administrators, parents, and staff—recently met for Session 4. As we move through this period of growth and change, our focus remains on building a foundation where every student and staff member can thrive.

To support a seamless transition to high school, the 6–8 Grade Transition/CTE committee calibrated current coursework to potentially align with Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) Career Pathways. This work honors the high-quality instruction already happening in our District while helping ensure our students speak a shared language of success. Consistent course alignment means that no matter which middle school a student attends, they will be well-prepared for the CTE opportunities available in high school.

We recognize that this is a significant transition for our dedicated professionals. Following the completion of 6th-grade assignments, our Human Resources team is carefully analyzing 7th and 8th-grade enrollment numbers with a focus on creating balanced, well-supported teams. We are committed to providing clarity as soon as possible so we can begin building strong new school cultures and collaborative professional partnerships.

We are finalizing the notification process for families transitioning to new school sites. Our priority is to ensure a warm, welcoming experience for every student—a true “welcome home” feeling. Transition plans emphasize clear, timely communication so families feel supported, informed, and excited about the new opportunities and resources available on their new campus.

This transition is a slow, intentional process. We are committed to taking the time necessary to do this right, making small, strategic adjustments today to ensure a high-impact future for all students. Thank you for your continued partnership as we grow forward—together.

• Extended Learning: 83 teacher-led enrichment proposals have been approved, offering a diverse array of programs that go far beyond the standard school day.

• A "M.A.R.S." Milestone: On February 2nd, the M.A.R.S. program opens at Stefani Elementary with a new 3rd/4th grade class. By mid-March, with our launch at Charles Wright, M.A.R.S. will serve all 14 elementary sites.

• Power in Numbers: Between our M.A.R.S. and ASSETS programs, we are on track to support 2,000 families with high-quality afterschool care.

Future Educators: We recently hired 22 high school students and welcomed 12 California Teaching Fellows to our team to help reduce waitlists and provide mentorship to our younger students.

Dual Language Immersion (DLI)

Our DLI Information Sessions kicked off in February, and we’ve already hosted several great events across the District. Registration for DLI opens March 2.

The Merced City School District is proud to offer its Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program at Stowell Elementary, launched in Fall 2025 and now thriving with our kindergarten students. The program helps students develop bilingualism, biliteracy, strong academic skills, and cultural competence in both English and Spanish. Through an engaging, immersive environment, children build powerful language abilities while deepening their understanding of diverse cultures—setting the stage for lifelong success.

Enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year will begin soon, and we look forward to welcoming new families as we continue shaping the future—one language at a time.

Learn more about our DLI program here:
https://www.mercedcsd.org/departments/educational-services/state-and-federal-programs/dual-language-immersion-dli-program

Preschool Highlights

Winter Festival Success: Thank you to the over 200 parents and students who joined us at Gracey Elementary for our Winter Festival!

• Art in the Classroom: Through Prop 28 funds, we’ve partnered with Artree to bring "Family Art Days" to our classrooms. Our students (and parents!) are currently busy creating pinch pots and exploring texture and color.

• 2026-27 Enrollment: We are near capacity, but the future is bright! Pre-applications for the next school year open March 2nd.

Our Special Education department is currently serving 1,407 students, with a commitment to providing the most effective, research-based support possible.

• Staying Current: Our leadership team recently attended the ACSA Every Child Counts symposium to gain insights into the latest legal updates and intensive behavior management strategies.

• HEART Academy Visits: Our team, including our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), recently toured the AESD HEART Academy to observe best practices in behavioral regulation. We are excited to bring these strategies back to MCSD to support our students’ success.

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