Superintendent Newsletter

🍂Happy October MCSD Community!🎃

This month is full of opportunities to celebrate learning, kindness, and community. I’m excited to share some highlights from across our District that showcase the creativity, care, and enthusiasm of our students, families, and staff.

I had the joy of visiting the “Culinary Institute of Franklin”, also known as Franklin Elementary, where our kindergartners and I made balsamic bruschetta together. Their creativity and excitement were inspiring! Check out the video in this newsletter and try the recipe at home.

Enjoy the beautiful fall weather, and thank you for all you do to make MCSD a place where students can learn, grow, and feel supported!

October Awareness & Celebrations

National Bullying Prevention Month:

This month, we’re proud to introduce our new District-wide anti-bullying slogan: “MCSD is United for Kindness.” Let’s all work together to make every school a safe, welcoming place. Remember every school site has at least one counselor on campus to support our students' social-emotional wellbeing.

Week of the School Administrator:

We honor our incredible school leaders who guide, inspire, and support students and staff every day. Their dedication helps make our schools stronger and more connected communities.

National School Bus Safety Week:

Safety is a shared responsibility! We encourage students, families, and staff to review important bus safety rules such as, waiting safely at the bus stop, staying seated on the bus, and following the driver’s instructions at all times. Together, we can ensure every student arrives safely to and from school.

Mrs. Julianna Stocking
Superintendent
Merced City School District

MCSD has submitted the 2024–25 Arts & Music in Schools Report, highlighting continued efforts to expand access to arts education. The District proudly welcomed two new full-time music teachers this year and utilized a waiver for contract services to ensure programs remain strong amid staffing shortages.

Playworks staff training is launching at the first four MCSD school sites to equip noon duty supervisors with structured activities to reduce conflicts and enhance the recess experience for our students.

MCSD Team members visited the ‘Hmong 50’ exhibit at Fresno State and the Hmong Museum to inform the development of the Hmong Language & Culture Afterschool Program, set to pilot in Summer 2026.

MCSD is seeking scientists, engineers, researchers, and other S.T.E.M. professionals to inspire the next generation of S.T.E.A.M. leaders. If you have a STEM career or background and want to volunteer with us, please complete the interest form.

• The second wing is underway and building sections will be welded to embedded steel plates, bolted together, and waterproofed. Stucco work began on Monday, October 13th.

• The entry canopy is scheduled to leave the plant in the mid-west on October 17th to head towards the job site. Crews are planning on pouring site concrete on November 10th.

• Fencing Projects: Approvals for fencing at Muir, Fremont, and Hoover are expected in mid-October, pending final review.

• ELOP Center: The District has received initial feedback from the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and design teams are preparing responses. Final approval for both projects is anticipated by the end of the year, with bidding to begin shortly after approval is received.

• CDS Remodel: Plans are scheduled to be submitted on November 19, which will begin the review process. The typical turnaround time for approval is approximately four months.

Risk Management is an interdepartmental essential component to the Human Resources Department. The Risk Management Team consists of the Risk and Safety Supervisor, Ms. Raquel Cervantes, and the Risk Management Assistant, Ms. Lesli Behn. Their efforts support our District with employee and retiree Health Benefits, Benefits Reconciliations and Audits, Employee Leaves, Income Protection, MCSD Property and Liability, Safety and Risk Prevention, and School Insurance Authority.

The plethora of supports are so vast, it is hard to capture the gravity. We hope to spotlight a few grand efforts from this team with respect to preventative trainings this year such as the Great Shakeout confirmations, Evacuation Maps and Williams Site Walk components, Narcan Trainings, Mandated Reporter Trainings, Sexual Harassment Compliance, and CHP Audits were all part of the cadence of supports. In addition to these supports, the reconciliation for employees health benefits have included an internal audit of each employee with billing, updating, and confirming employees are supported with the Open Enrollment for SISC that just closed.

A big thank you to our new Risk Management Team! They've hit the ground running, successfully streamlining key processes and making positive headway on cleanup efforts.

On October 7, 2025, Merced City School District’s Programmatic and Operational Transition Teams met for Session Two of planning for 6–8 grade transitions and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways. These recommendation committees provide guidance to inform District planning.

The Programmatic Team (teachers, administrators, parents, and staff) focused on designing potential 6th grade master schedules for each middle school. Using needs assessment data, the group explored how scheduling models can expand access to CTE awareness, foundation, and exploration for all students. Their goal is an inclusive, well-balanced approach that meets the needs of all learners including students with disabilities, English learners, advanced and striving students, and those in programs like band while supporting LCAP Goal 4: our lowest-performing students and preparing every student for high school success.

The 2015 MOU that originally moved 6th grade students to elementary sites was mentioned during the session. Updating the MOU will be handled by a separate committee, which will align with and inform this ongoing transition planning.

The Operational Team (principals, union representatives, and district departments) audited rooms and spaces for grades 6–8 and created a site-based priority checklist to identify short- and long-term facility and staffing needs.

Both teams concluded with reflective feedback, highlighting progress, collaboration, and commitment to building a middle school experience that benefits every student.

Preston Hansen is a math teacher at Hoover Middle. He began his career with MCSD in 2000 and has made a meaningful impact on students, colleagues, and the Hoover community. He has mentored through CJSF and WEB, led Summer Academy classes, organized unforgettable field trips, and designed creative lessons like digital escape rooms and math mysteries.

Equally important has been his support of new teachers and collaboration with his Hoover family. His 25 years with the District reflect a career marked by innovation, dedication, and care.

Karen Ponce is the Office Manager at Muir Elementary. Her kindness and professionalism shine through in all she does and make her an invaluable part of the Trailblazer school community.

With seven years of service to MCSD, she goes above and beyond to support students, families, and staff, always greeting others with a warm smile and helping to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Her patience, positivity, and dedication create an office environment where everyone feels welcomed.

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