MorongoUSD Monthly Update

We’ve had an exciting week across our district, filled with learning, community spirit, and a focus on safety and kindness.

This week, we celebrated Unity Day—a national day dedicated to standing against bullying and promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Thank you to everyone who wore orange, organized activities, and encouraged students to be upstanders.

Let’s continue this spirit at home by talking with your child about who made a positive difference for them this week. Encourage the habit of “see something, say something” with a trusted adult on campus, and practice using kind and respectful language—small acts of kindness truly add up.

On Thursday, our schools also participated in the Great Shake-Out earthquake drill. Students and staff practiced Drop, Cover, and Hold On, and reviewed campus safety procedures. We are grateful for the guidance and support of the San Bernardino County Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Department as we refine our emergency plans. Their partnership ensures we are prepared for emergencies and continually improving our response.

Families can help by confirming that emergency contact information is current and reviewing your family reunification plan, including where to meet and who to call in the event of an emergency. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students’ safety, well-being, and growth.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Dr. Patricio I. Vargas, Ph.D.

Reading Challenge

Reading Challenge Check-In! Schools across the District are participating in the Million Minute Reading Challenge this year.

Check out the current leaderboard for October:

1st place La Contenta with 67,529 minutes read
2nd place Oasis Elementary School with 45,548 minutes read
3rd place Palm Vista Elementary School with 32,748 minutes read

Learn more about the challenge at : https://www.morongousd.com/article/2476591

Take the Survey Now

Our littlest learners at Twentynine Palms Elementary School hit the road last week for their very first field trip! They traveled to McCallum theater for Tilt!

Cirque Mechanics, inspired by modern circus, finds its roots in the mechanical and its heart in the stories of American industrial ingenuity. The Sidewinders had a great time riding the school bus, seeing the show and representing Twentynine Palms Elementary!

Special Edition: Celebrating 50 Years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

This year marks a monumental milestone in education: the 50th anniversary of the Individuals

with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Since its passage in 1975, IDEA has transformed the lives

of millions of children with disabilities by guaranteeing their right to a free and appropriate public

education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment.

Join MUSD SELPA for our 50th anniversary celebration on October 22, 2025 from 4:00-6:30pm.

IDEA is more than a law—it’s a promise. A promise that every child, regardless of ability, deserves

the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

Let’s celebrate 50 years of progress and recommit to building a future where all students are empowered to reach their full potential.

Daybreak Health

Daybreak Teletherapy Programs are available to all students ages 5-19 in the Morongo Unified

School District for FREE. All costs, such as co-pays, are waived. Daybreak can support any

MUSD student regardless of income. These programs provide a full treatment cycle of 12+

weeks and are shown to improve attendance, grades, and behavior. This year, even students

elementary age (5-12) can work on behavioral and/or emotional challenges alongside their

parent(s) or guardian(s) through the Daybreak program. Heidi Burgett, SELPA Director, said,

“One of our goals is to offer our families flexible opportunities, both in school through our

mental health and SEL counselors and outside of school through Daybreak, in an effort to meet

our students’ needs.”

For elementary students, Daybreak treats symptoms such as tantrums, aggression, school

attendance issues, anxiety and worries, relationship challenges, and more. Qualified clinicians

work with parents individually to help support their child using a mixture of coaching, guidance,

and support. Each parent and child receive personalized individual services.

For older students (ages 10-19), Daybreak focuses on students with mild to moderate needs.

Symptoms treated at this age level include ADHD, disordered eating, mild autism, mood

disorders, co-occurring substance abuse, anxiety, depression and much more.

Students and families can self-refer by contacting Daybreak directly or our mental health and

SEL counselors can help with the referral process.

Daybreak is making access to mental health support user friendly. Since the program is virtual,

it’s easy to gain access through any computer with internet access; cell phones are also an option.

Families can even come to their school site to access technology if that works best for them.

Daybreak has so many options to meet the needs of our families and students. Burgett clarified,

“The superintendent’s support in providing mental health opportunities to our families has been

unwavering and we are excited to see what happens as more people utilize our staff and

Daybreak services.”

For more information on Daybreak, go to https://www.daybreakhealth.com/programs or contact

your site’s mental health or SEL counselors. Please click on this link

https://care.daybreakhealth.com/patient/create-account to submit a referral.

Exciting Courses and New Beginnings Ahead!

As October rolls in, it’s the perfect time for students and families to start planning for the second semester. Meeting with your school counselor now can help ensure your student’s schedule is aligned with their goals and interests — and open the door to exciting new opportunities for the spring.

One of the most exciting updates this year: music is back! Students eager to join choir or learn a beginning instrument will have the chance to do so next semester. Music programs offer students more than just performance experience — they help build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

The second semester also brings a great opportunity to consider Dual Enrollment courses, where students can earn both high school and college credit at the same time. Popular options include Argument & Critical Thinking, College Composition, Statistics, and International Relations. (Please note: course availability may vary by school, so it’s important to check with your student’s counselor for details.)

While students can’t join a new Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway mid-year, now is a great time to plan ahead for next fall. Counselors can guide students through pathways such as Drone Piloting, Elementary Teaching Preparation, Instructional Assistant Careers, Medical Assisting, and Pharmacy Technician, among many others.

Families are encouraged to contact their student’s counselor to discuss scheduling and explore all available options. The second semester will be here before we know it — don’t miss the chance to help your student discover new passions and take the next step toward their future!

Lucky Tray Day

Get ready for Lucky Tray Day, which takes place once or twice a month at our elementary schools! On these special days (check the Nutritional Services menu calendar for the specific dates), one lucky student from each school who enjoys lunch will be randomly selected to win a fun prize—usually an adorable fruit or veggie stuffed animal. It’s a delightful way to celebrate healthy eating and add some extra excitement to lunchtime!

Online Safety Tips for MUSD Families

The internet offers children great opportunities to learn, connect, and play—but it also comes with risks. Parents can help keep kids safe by having regular conversations about what apps, games, and websites they use, and by encouraging them to speak up if anything online makes them feel uncomfortable.

Remind your child never to share personal information such as their full name, address, school, phone number, or photos that reveal locations. Encourage usernames that don’t identify them and explain that once something is posted online, it can be difficult to remove.

Be aware of the signs of online grooming, when an adult attempts to build trust with a child to exploit them. Red flags include secrecy, requests for private chats, or pressure to share photos. If you suspect grooming, save messages, block the person, and report it to authorities or the CyberTipline (1-800-843-5678).

Finally, set clear boundaries around screen time, use parental controls where appropriate, and keep devices in shared family spaces. By staying involved and modeling safe online habits, families can help children enjoy the benefits of technology while protecting them from online dangers.

Parent Tips at a Glance

Talk openly and regularly about online activities
Teach children not to share personal information
Watch for signs of grooming or secrecy
Keep devices in shared family areas

Upcoming Board Meeting

The MUSD Board of Education will be holding it's next regular board meeting on Nov. 18 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.