The Sunday Notes

Hello Muirlands Family,

We had a busy and exciting short week at Muirlands! One of the highlights was the fantastic turnout of more than 100 students at our Cheer Clinic on Thursday. It was great to see so many students come out, get involved, and show their Muirlands spirit! We also successfully made it through this week’s heat wave, and thankfully, next week’s forecast is looking much more comfortable as temperatures begin to cool down.

Next week, we will host our Muirlands Foundation Meeting on Friday in the Library. We greatly appreciate the continued partnership and support of our Foundation and families as we work together to provide outstanding opportunities, programs, and resources for our students.

You’re Invited! The Muirlands Mixer Is Back!

After a three-year break, the Muirlands Foundation is thrilled to bring back the Muirlands Mixer! Building a strong and connected parent community is an important part of making our school successful, and we cannot wait to bring everyone together.

All 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade parents are warmly invited to join us for a casual Backyard Social on Friday, October 2. Come out to socialize, play lawn games, meet fellow Muirlands parents, and celebrate our wonderful school community. Smash burgers and drinks will be served!

Tickets are on sale now: https://www.muirlandsfoundation.org/muirlands-mixer

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Progress 1 Grading Period Ends Friday

Our Progress 1 grading period ends Friday, September 18. We will have a special minimum-day bell schedule with dismissal at 1:10 PM on Friday, 9/18 to provide teachers with time to finalize grades.

We encourage families to review student grades and any outstanding assignments as we approach the end of our first grading period.

200 Building Opens Monday!

We are excited to announce that our newly renovated 200 Building will officially open for classes on Monday, September 14! With the building reopening, several programs will move into their new spaces:

• Lunch Services → Room 201
• Spanish → Room 202
• Music → Room 203

The construction gate currently blocking the front of the 200 Building will also be removed, opening additional campus space and providing more lunch-table seating for our students.

Our amazing Muirlands Foundation and community sponsors have also funded additional umbrellas for our lunch tables, providing students with even more shaded seating throughout the lunch area.

Thank you to our Foundation and sponsors for continuing to invest in our students and campus!

New lockers are also being installed in the 200 and PE buildings. Over the next few weeks, we will begin assigning our 6th-grade students their brand-new lockers through their History classes.

As one phase of construction wraps up, another begins. Work will continue on the 300 Building, Auditorium, and Cafeteria throughout the fall semester, with construction attention shifting to the 400 Building in the spring.

It is exciting to see our campus transformation continue to take shape. We appreciate the patience, flexibility, and support of our students, staff, and families throughout the modernization process.

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Core Academy (Saturday School)

Muirlands Families,

We are happy to announce that Core Academy (Saturday School) will once again be offered on select Saturdays throughout the 2026–27 school year.

Core Academy provides students with an opportunity to receive additional academic support, complete assignments in a quiet environment, and clear accumulated absences and tardies. Each completed Core Academy session will clear one (1) full-day absence and up to eight (8) tardies.

Core Academy Hours: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

2026–27 Dates:
October 24, 2026 • December 12, 2026 • January 23, 2027 • February 20, 2027 • March 13, 2027 • April 10, 2027 • May 1, 2027

Student drop-off and pick-up will take place near the main campus gate, just north of the flagpole between the Administration Building and Auditorium. Please ensure students arrive on time, as late arrivals cannot be accommodated.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided at no charge to all students attending Core Academy.

Registration:
Core Academy 2026–27 Registration

Questions? Please contact Deb Duncan at dduncan1@sandi.net.

Thank you,
Muirlands Middle School

Parent/Community Member SGT/SSC Election

Muirlands Parents and Guardians,

Please use the link below to cast your vote for a parent, guardian, or community member representative to serve on the Muirlands School Site Council (SSC).

Only parents and guardians of students currently enrolled at Muirlands Middle School are eligible to vote in this election.

Cast Your Vote:
Parent/Guardian Community Member Ballot

Thank you for participating and helping support our school community!

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Mark your calendars for BirdStock on Saturday, September 19! This annual Bird Rock community celebration brings neighbors together for an afternoon of live music, local businesses, food, activities, and plenty of fun throughout the Bird Rock neighborhood.

BirdStock is always a great opportunity for Muirlands families to get out, enjoy the community, and support our local businesses and schools. We hope to see many of our Muirlands families there! I will be at the dunk tank from 12 - 1pm, please do not come during that time (joking).

If you would like to sign up to volunteer at the event, please click here to volunteer for Birdstock.

Here is the website to learn more about the event, https://birdstockmusicfestival.com/.

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AI Enrichment at Muirlands

Aline Pampalon who started the La Jolla Coder School will be starting her after school AI Enrichment Courses on Mondays and Wednesdays after school in room 511. AI is extremely important for our students to understand and this is a great opportunity to help give your student the tools they need to be successful in their future. Please sign your student up at this link, spaces are limited.

Application Link for AI Enrichment After School Program at Muirlands

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Picture Day happened on Thursday, September 3rd. Thank you to all the parent volunteers for your time and effort in making it a smooth process for everyone.

You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTDD82JR.

Orders after Picture Day must be placed online on mylifetouch.com

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Expectations on Campus

On 8/12/26, we held a virtual expectations assembly with all grade levels where we reviewed important components of our Student Handbook and reinforced our values of respect. We talked about simple but important actions such as saying please and thank you, holding the door for others, helping someone in need, and treating everyone on campus with kindness and respect.

Parents, please review these expectations with your student if you haven't already and complete this acknowledgement Google Form when you have finished. We noticed some students still wearing their smart watches in school. Just like cell phones, we ask them to stow their smart watch inside their backpacks (not their pockets) during the school day (8:35 -3:00pm) as it can text, call, and access the internet. The only exception to this would be for documented medical needs.

Bicycle Safety Reminder

For the safety of all students and staff, students must walk their bicycles when entering and exiting the school gates. Riding bicycles on campus or on school sidewalks is not permitted.

Please remember to walk your bicycle to and from the designated bike area. Thank you for helping keep our campus safe!

Dress Code Reminder

Students are expected to come to school wearing clothing that is appropriate and in accordance with the school dress code. If a student's clothing does not meet dress code requirements, the student may need to contact a parent/guardian to bring a change of clothes or wear loaner P.E. clothes for the remainder of the school day. Click here to read the dress code expectations.

Thank you for helping us maintain a positive and appropriate learning environment.

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Muirlands Foundation

The Muirlands Foundation provides tremendous support for our students and school. In addition to funding supplies for students, the Foundation supports our PLNU and UCSD tutoring program, which will provide more than 70 hours of academic support each week in ELA and Mathematics during the school day, along with our free after-school tutoring program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays beginning August 25.

The Foundation is also funding new cameras and computers for our Digital Media Arts Elective, enrichment opportunities such as JV sports and Robotics, and our new Theater partnership with La Jolla Playhouse. To help make these programs and resources possible, the Muirlands Foundation is asking families to consider a $500 per-student Supplies and Services contribution for the school year. You can learn more or contribute here.

At Back to School Night, we showed a video to parents that featured a short speech from Mr. Simon and the Muirlands Foundation (click here to watch).

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After-School Clubs

Debate Club

Tuesdays: 3:00–4:30 p.m.
Location: Room 403 (Mrs. Stange's classroom)
Meeting Times: Tuesday, August 18

Math Club

Math Club will began in Mr. Tindall's classroom (B4) on August 27 and will meet from 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Robotics Team began Friday, August 28th in rooms 511 and 408 from 3:10 to 4:40pm and will repeat on Friday afternoons at the same time and location.

Mock Trial Club - Will begin 9/14 after school in Mrs. Taylors room 515 from 3:10 to 4:10pm.

3D Printing Club (NEW) - Started by Muirlands student Rebecca Weibel, they will be meeting in room 511 on Mondays. The club is free of charge and is generously sponsored and funded by our Muirlands Foundation. To read more about the club, click here.

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Breakfast & Lunch

Breakfast and lunch are free for all students.

For the first few weeks of school, meals will be served from Room 405. Once the 200 Building opens on 9/14, meal service will move to Room 201.

Our students have adapted very quickly to the new arrangement and are getting used to our lunch "speed lines," which are designed more like a buffet-style setup to serve students efficiently. Once our new cafeteria opens at the beginning of the second semester, we will continue using this speed-line model for lunch service.

For reference, Mira Mesa High School has served approximately 900 students in 10 minutes using this model.

Parent FAQ

Please review our Parent FAQ 26/27 for additional information about Muirlands procedures and logistics.

Parent Portal Forms Due August 21 (Please complete if you haven't yet. For assistance, please email our Site Tech Sandy Rodriguez at srodriguez2@sandi.net). We still have 350 families who need to complete the update your information page.

Please make sure the following Parent Portal items are completed:

1. Update Your Information
   This is the last link at the bottom left of the page.
   Enrollment Form – PowerSchool – Muirlands Middle

For detailed instructions, please refer to: K-12 Enrollment Form (Update Your Information)

1. 2026-27 Health Exchange Information Exchange Consent Form
   Found under the Forms link.
   Health Exchange – How To

2. 2026-27 Universal Form
   Found under the Forms link.
   How to Complete and Submit the Universal Form in the Parent Portal

3. 2026-27 Family Resource Guide
   Found under the Forms link.
   How to Complete and Submit the Family Resource Guide Survey Form

4. 2026-27 Housing Questionnaire
   Found under the Forms link.
   How to Complete the Housing Questionnaire

5. LCFF Data Collection
   Found under the LCFF link.
   LCFF Data in PowerSchool Parent Portal PDF

Important: Parents should pay special attention to the Photography/Video/Media Release. Parents must select "I give my permission" in order for their child's picture to be included in the yearbook.

School Site Council and School Governance Team Meetings (next meeting on 9/16) from 1:50 - 2:50pm in the Muirlands Library. If you are interested in being a voting member, please see below. We still need a few more parents to serve on these governing teams. If interested, please email our Admin Assistant, Deb Duncan dduncan1@sandi.net.

SGT & SSC Parent Nomination Links

SGT Parent Nomination Form

SSC Parent Nomination Form

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Reporting an Absence, Late Arrival or Early Pick-Up

We highly encourage families to use our online form to report absences, late arrivals, and early pick-ups:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5F91HWNzl97NuNs3L0k5ZV656jMyDaSH2vxzZ7WCzWkYlBg/viewform?usp=dialog

Families have already begun using the form, and it is highly preferred because it allows our office staff to prepare for your arrival and efficiently enter attendance information. The form is also available on the Muirlands website homepage.

Whenever possible, please schedule appointments outside of school hours. If your student leaves early for a medical, dental, orthodontic, or other appointment, the period absence(s) will initially be marked unexcused until verification of the appointment is received.

Verification may be submitted in person or emailed to mmssec@sandi.net within five school days of the student's return so the attendance code can be updated appropriately.

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Free After-School Tutoring 📚

We are excited to announce that our free After-School Tutoring Program began August 25 in the Muirlands Library.

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3:10–4:40 p.m.
Wednesdays: 1:20–2:50 p.m.

In addition, all teachers hold Office Hours every Wednesday from 1:15–1:45 p.m., beginning August 19. Students can visit their teachers for additional support and then head to the Library afterward for more help.

Tutoring is staffed by paraeducators, teachers, and college tutors—and occasionally myself!

Signing up does not mean students are required to attend every tutoring session. Students are welcome to attend whenever they need additional academic support. This program is made possible by our Muirlands Foundation (Website).

After School Tutoring 26-27 Sign Up Form

Grading Periods

Please see below for all of our grading periods for the year:

Grading Periods 26-27

With gratitude,

Principal Simon
Muirlands Middle School

Starting on 9/23 in room 106

San Diego Police Department Junior Leadership Program at Muirlands Middle School

Are you ready to challenge yourself, build confidence, make new friends, and become a stronger leader? The Junior Leadership Program at Muirlands Middle School is an exciting opportunity for students to learn valuable life skills while becoming an active and positive member of their school community.

For the second year in a row, Muirlands Middle School is offering a leadership program for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in partnership with the San Diego Police Department.

As a Junior Leadership, students will have opportunities to participate in activities that encourage public speaking, critical thinking skills and personal growth. They will learn the importance of being dependable, helping others, following directions, and stepping up when leadership is needed.

Through the Travis Manion Foundation’s Character Does Matter curriculum taught by San Diego Police Officers, Junior Leadership will strengthen essential character traits that support leadership, teamwork, service, discipline, confidence, and responsible decision-making. The curriculum will include activities and games through interactive problem solving, critical thinking skills, and physical fitness.

If you are looking for a way to become more confident, develop leadership skills, serve your school community, and be part of something meaningful, Junior Leadership at Muirlands Middle School is the place for you!

Meetings are every Wednesday on campus from 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm in Room 106.

If interested, please attend the first meeting to pick up an application.

To sign up for coaching and learn about events, please fill out the form below: https://forms.gle/xwexnVJBiwFmggsA8

Walter Munk (1917–2019) was a world-renowned physical oceanographer and geophysicist often called the "Einstein of the Oceans." He spent the vast majority of his life and career making La Jolla his home base for 80 years until his passing at age 101.

Scientific Career

• Surf Forecasting: Developed breakthrough wave and surf prediction methods used to guide Allied troops during World War II D-Day landings. [1]
• Scripps Institution: Spent decades as a star researcher and professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (though the official site is scripps.ucsd.edu) in La Jolla. [1]
• Geophysics: Established the La Jolla branch of the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP). [1, 2]
• Innovations: Pioneered research into ocean acoustics, Earth's rotation, tides, and climate change monitoring. [1, 2]

Connection to La Jolla

• Arrival: Moved to La Jolla in 1939 after taking a summer job at Scripps and lived there for the rest of his life.
• Local Legacy: Deeply tied to the community, he helped shape UC San Diego and had a portion of the La Jolla Shores boardwalk officially renamed Walter Munk Way in his honor. [1, 2, 3, 4]

🎭 New Partnership with La Jolla Playhouse!

We are excited to announce a new partnership between Muirlands Middle School and La Jolla Playhouse! Through this collaboration, we look forward to expanding opportunities for our students to experience the performing arts, build confidence, and develop their creativity through meaningful learning experiences. They do not need to be enrolled in the Theater Elective to participate and sign ups will occur in January 2027.

We are thrilled to partner with one of our community’s premier arts organizations and look forward to sharing more details about the opportunities this partnership will bring to Muirlands students throughout the school year. Please read the article below from the Muirlands Foundation about this new exciting partnership!

Powerpoint I shared with our teachers in order to support high level prompting questions in the classroom that will promote students to think critically.

Muirlands Middle School was recognized as an Honor Roll Distinguished School for its outstanding academic achievement across all student subgroups.

ERP Releases List of 2025 California Honor Roll Schools

Message from Attendance: Please allow 24-48 hours for attendance to be updated.

🏆 Muirlands Named a 2026 California Distinguished School!

I am incredibly proud to share that I received a letter from State Superintendent Tony Thurmond informing us that Muirlands has been selected as a 2026 California Distinguished School!

Out of nearly 10,000 schools across the state, only 408 schools in all of California were selected for this honor.

This recognition belongs to our teachers, counselors, classified staff, students, families, and community partners. It is a reflection of the culture of high expectations, care, innovation, and support that exists on our campus every single day. I am deeply grateful for the collective effort that makes Muirlands such a special place.

Student and staff safety remains our top priority, including while construction is taking place on campus. Security protocols during construction are consistent with normal school operations, and all construction areas are fully isolated from student spaces by secured fencing. Gates are monitored and locked, and construction zones are not accessible to students or the general public.

All construction personnel on campus have passed required background checks (Live Scan) and must complete a Balfour Beatty job orientation prior to working on site. Workers are required to sign in daily through Balfour Beatty and with their respective foremen, and no one is permitted on campus without authorization. Construction staff are also clearly identifiable by Balfour Beatty orientation hardhat stickers.

There is active oversight and accountability at all times. The construction team maintains a daily roster of all personnel on site, which is shared with school administration and district staff and can be produced as needed. School leadership remains in close communication with the construction management team throughout the project.

From a health and safety standpoint, air quality is tested daily, and fencing and tarps are in place around the construction perimeter to contain debris. While some noise is unavoidable, the construction crew is mindful of instructional time and schedules the loudest activities outside of class hours whenever possible.

Ultimately, this renovation will yield long-term benefits for our campus, both aesthetically and functionally and we appreciate the community’s patience as we work to improve our facilities.

Very Important – Personalized Lessons in i-Ready

• Students will be taking the Math and ELA i-ready diagnostics in the first two weeks of the school year. This diagnostic is taken in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.

• Once the diagnostics in the first two weeks are completed, all students at Muirlands have access to personalized lessons in i-Ready. These lessons are tailored to each student based on the standards identified in their i-Ready diagnostic where they have not yet shown mastery. Students can access their lessons by logging into Clever, selecting the i-Ready icon, and clicking on “My Path.” The only exception is for students already working at the high school level. These students receive extension activities directly from their teachers during class. To meet their growth goals, i-Ready recommends that students complete at least 45 minutes of personalized lessons per week.

• Here is a resource for parents to understand the I-Ready score report they receive via email from the district. (https://i-readycentral.com/download/?res=39944&view_pdf=1).

• Digital Citizenship Week Tips for Parents Digital Citizenship

• Reporting Absence, Early Pick Up, Late Drop Off - Use the following Google Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5F91HWNzl97NuNs3L0k5ZV656jMyDaSH2vxzZ7WCzWkYlBg/viewform?usp=dialog. Parents have already started using this and it is HIGHLY PREFERRED and allows us to be efficient and prepared upon your arrival or input the absence. This link is also on the Muirlands Website Home Page

• Please attempt to schedule appointments during non-school hours. If your student is leaving early to attend an appointment (med/dental/ortho, etc.), his/her period absence(s) will be marked UNEXCUSED until a VERIFICATION of appointment is received in the attendance office. Please submit VERIFICATION in person or via email (mmssec@sandi.net) to the attendance office upon return to school within 5 school days to update to the appropriate code.

• Staff Parking Areas - We respectfully ask parents to not park or drive into campus to drop off or pick up their student. This has caused safety issues for staff and students. Please utilize curb parking on Nautilus or street parking in the neighborhood.

• Results of Team Sports Middle School Sports Schedules.

• After School Tutoring - We are excited to share that starting August 24th, our After School Tutoring Program will take place in the Muirlands Library on the following days and times:
• Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3:10 – 4:40 pm.
• Wednesdays: 1:20 – 2:50 pm. Also, from 1:15 -1:45pm, all teachers have office hours. Students can visit any of their teachers to get extra support during this time and also head to the library after for more help.

• Tutoring will be staffed by Paraeducators, Teachers, and College Tutors—and occasionally myself—to provide strong academic support for students. Signing your student up doesn't mean they have to attend every day although they are welcome to come any day we offer support.

  After School Tutoring 26-27 Sign Up Form

• In School Tutoring during ELA and Math classes will start August 24th. Education majors from PLNU and UCSD will be supporting students in class. They will be supporting students the entire school year. This program is graciously funded by our parent foundation.

• Please no Door Dash or any other Food Delivery Service - We are unable to accept these. If food spoils or student never picked it up, the office staff is then liable. The office staff is working hard to make sure we are running daily operations for the school site. If your student forgets their lunch, we have free lunch options for them at our cafeteria.