MorongoUSD Monthly Update

As we settle into the New Year, many of us began January with resolutions—big goals, fresh intentions, and a renewed sense of purpose. As the weeks go on, those resolutions can sometimes fade. What truly makes the difference, however, is consistency.

For our students, success is rarely built on one big moment. It is built day by day, through steady expectations, repeated practice, and caring adults who show up with the same message every time: we believe in you, and we won’t give up on you.

Whether at school or at home, consistency matters:

Consistent routines help students feel safe and focused
Consistent expectations build responsibility and confidence
Consistent encouragement nurtures resilience and a growth mindset

When students experience alignment between school and home—when adults are united in expectations, language, and support—they develop the skills they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This New Year, let’s recommit together:

To modeling perseverance
To reinforcing positive habits
To staying the course, even when progress feels slow

Small, steady efforts—repeated daily—create lasting impact. When we stay consistent, our students learn that success is not about perfection, but about persistence.

Thank you, staff and families, for your continued partnership, dedication, and belief in our students. Together, we are helping them build the skills they need not just for school, but for life. Here’s to a year of growth, perseverance, and shared success.

Respectfully,

Dr. Patricio I. Vargas, Ph.D.

Superintendent

School boards play a crucial and often overlooked role in the support of students and families. Morongo Unified is proud to observe School Board Recognition Month each January in acknowledgment of the selfless service of school board members who aim to provide a better, safer, more welcoming learning environment for students in our community each and every day. Thank you,

MUSD Board of Education for your outstanding work in serving our students!

The Morongo Unified School District Board of Education opened its Jan. 13 meeting by recognizing Jeff Grabow for his work with the Flying Doctors and their ongoing collaboration with the District. The partnership recently earned the District a Golden Bell Award, highlighting innovative programs that benefit students and the wider community. Board members expressed their appreciation for Grabow’s efforts and the strong sustained relationship between the Flying Doctors and the District.

For the first time, student representatives from the middle school and junior high school provided updates on the activities and initiatives happening at their campuses.

The board also proclaimed January as School Board Recognition Month, joining districts across California in honoring the work of school boards and acknowledging the vital role they play in guiding public education.

The board appointed a new Enrollment Committee, which will advise on right-sizing options to ensure District resources are used effectively while continuing to serve students in the best possible way.

In facilities news, the board authorized updates to ongoing projects at Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley high school stadiums. Plans include flood mitigation measures at Twentynine Palms High School and a track lane expansion at Yucca Valley High School. These projects aim to improve safety, accessibility and athletic opportunities for students while ensuring long-term sustainability of District facilities.

Congratulations for the Footsteps2Brilliance 25-26 First Semester Reading Leaderboard!

Join The Great Kindness Challenge!

It’s that time of year again! Our Kindness Challenge kicks off January 26–30.

Kindness is contagious—and it starts with YOU! This month, we invite you to participate in our Great Kindness Challenge, a fun and meaningful way to spread positivity throughout our community. Each week, you’ll receive simple activities designed to brighten someone’s day and strengthen connections.

Why Kindness Matters

Acts of kindness don’t just help others—they boost your own well-being too! Research shows that practicing kindness can reduce stress, improve mood, and create a sense of belonging. Together, we can make our environment more supportive and uplifting.

Want more ideas or guidance for each week’s activities?

Contact your site Mental Health Counselor for details and resources to make your Kindness Challenge experience even more impactful.

We want to hear from you! Morongo USD has posted a survey for any family or community members within Morongo Basin. The Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) defines the school district’s goals and priorities based on feedback from the community. Your input will create a priority list of expenditures that will be shared across the district for the upcoming school year. Take the survey now at:

LCAP Survey

Morongo Unified School District is proud to host our Multilingual Celebration and Seal of Biliteracy Ceremony! We warmly invite families to join us in honoring this remarkable achievement and celebrating the dedication, perseverance, and accomplishments of our students. This special event recognizes students who are transitioning out of English learner classification, as well as graduating seniors who have earned the distinguished Seal of Biliteracy. Come celebrate their hard work and linguistic excellence with us!

Expanded learning is inviting 5th and 6th graders across the District to sign-up for Science Camp at Pali Institute. This camp is free and open to all 5th and 6th graders, with priority given to those in their last year of elementary school (5th grade on the east end and 6th grade on the west end).

Sign Up Now!

Upcoming Board Meeting

The MUSD Board of Education will be holding it's next regular board meeting on February 10th at Joshua Tree Elementary School.

Board of Education

BOE Meeting Recordings

Download our app

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.