The Sunday Notes

Hello Muirlands Families,

I hope everyone is having a wonderful extended weekend. Please remember that there is no school on Monday in observance of Labor Day. We had a busy and exciting week at Muirlands! Our students participated in Spirit Week, took their school photos on Picture Day, and welcomed the La Jolla High School Boys Football Team and Girls Cheerleading Team for a special visit during lunch. Speaking of cheerleading, we have an exciting opportunity right here at Muirlands! Our very own counselor and former Division I cheerleader at San Diego State University, Mr. Velasquez, will be hosting a Cheer Boot Camp on our turf field on Thursday, September 10, from 3:45–6:30 PM. Students interested in cheerleading are invited to come out, learn new skills, build confidence, and have some fun with Mr. Velasquez and the LJHS cheer team!

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/.

We also have an exciting campus update to share. Our brand-new 200 Building remains on schedule to be completed and ready for move-in on Monday, September 14. Mr. Legerrette’s Music classes and Ms. Silva’s Spanish classes will transition into their new classrooms. New lockers are also being installed in the building, and during that week we will begin assigning our 6th-grade students their brand-new lockers. Opening the 200 Building will bring some welcome changes to the surrounding campus as well. The construction fencing in front of the building will be removed, providing additional walking lanes and creating more room for lunch tables.

In addition, Nutrition Services will relocate from Room 405 to Room 201. This new space is larger, sits directly next to the lunch court, and includes two doors to make student entry and exit more efficient. We are excited to have another major phase of our campus modernization nearing completion and look forward to seeing students and staff begin using these new spaces!

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The Muirlands Science Olympiad Team is recruiting student competitors and event coaches for the 2026-2027 competition season. Supported by the Muirlands Foundation, our volunteer-run program prepares students for the San Diego Science Olympiad Tournament. With 23 events spanning Biology & Medicine, Chemistry, Earth & Space Science, Engineering, and Physics, it’s a great opportunity for students to explore diverse scientific disciplines and work collaboratively to tackle advanced STEM topics. Training is expected to begin in September or early October.

To sign up and learn about events, please fill out the form using the QR code or link below:

https://forms.gle/xwexnVJBiwFmggsA8

For questions, please email Science Olympiad Chair Susy Kim at olympiad@muirlandsfoundation.org.

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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. I am working on finding out the time frame it will run for.

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).

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

2. 2026-27 Health Exchange Information Exchange Consent Form
   Found under the Forms link.
   Health Exchange – How To

3. 2026-27 Universal Form
   Found under the Forms link.
   How to Complete and Submit the Universal Form in the Parent Portal

4. 2026-27 Family Resource Guide
   Found under the Forms link.
   How to Complete and Submit the Family Resource Guide Survey Form

5. 2026-27 Housing Questionnaire
   Found under the Forms link.
   How to Complete the Housing Questionnaire

6. 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

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.