Monte Vista TK-8 Community News

ytsurvey.org/mpusdfamily26

Please click on the survey link above by October 30th. It is a 15-minute survey. Our students, staff, and parent leadership reviewed and made some real efforts to put into action last year's response feedback. Help us become aware of our current strengths and opportunities for growth.

Want to be part of a multiple gift card raffle (at least five $10-15 giftcards to Target)? Please screenshot your completed survey and text to 831-901-7109 to be entered into the raffle, which will take place on November 1st with notifications on November 2nd.

We appreciate you taking the time to complete this survey and sharing your voice! Jay jay, chirp chirp!

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN OF THE WEEK

1) Our staff brainstormed ideas for the Golden Blue Jay Buck bi-monthly events as well as several other items, such as inputting and communicating around referrals, reviewing the Vision Song and Ready to Learn Chant, reflecting on their grade level Plan-Do-Act-Study quarter 1 cycle data, and more!

2) Our Instructional Leadership Team met with other teams from around the district to rev up for site leadership work for the next quarter of the school year.

3) Fall Enrichment After School Clubs were a big success this last week as we had close to 25 clubs launching, some of which were completely new to our campus!

4) Our Read-A-Thon was A HUGE success! Over 135,000 minutes read. An actual 6th grade class (upper grades) got the most minutes read, and our community raised over $27000! Prizes will be coming out later this week! Thank you everyone for our one big annual fundraiser being such a success!

5) Our soccer and volleyball teams played strong last week against schools like Sacred Heart, San Benancio, Seaside Middle, and DLAMP. They only have a few weeks left of their season. Catch a game (see games or sports update further below). Go Blue Jays!

6) Our Soul Patrol continued to thrive in their new recess duties, our School Culture Team came up with an action plan from last year work and staff gave some feedback, and our Student Council continue to meet as well.

7) Our School Site Vision Council met and reviewed the English Language Arts and Multi-Lingual Learner Goals of our Single Plan of Student Achievement. Our PTO board had their monthly meeting on Zoom to finalize details for Trunk or Treat, wrap up Read-A-Thon, and discuss a few more upcoming programs and events for our school.

Looking forward to an amazing 26'-27' school week, which will be Days 48-52.

Jay jay, chirp chirp!

Read-a-Thon

We’re finishing the final tally of our Read-a-Thon winners, but we can already proudly share that current logs show 135,504 minutes read across the school during the two-week event!

Current leaders: Charlie Hawthorne for most minutes, 2nd grade for most minutes by grade, and Mr. Chopyk’s class for most minutes by class.

And as the cherry on top, we raised just over $27,000! Incredible! These funds will help support this year’s clubs and other student programs.

Trunk or Treat

Friday, October 23 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Monte Vista blacktop

Bring the family for trunk-or-treating, games, music, dancing, and a costume contest. No sign-up needed to attend—just come have fun!

Help us reach 15 trunks! We have 11 signed up so far. Want to decorate a trunk? Sign up here. Trunk decorators do not need front-office volunteer clearance or a TB questionnaire.

Want to help with setup, games, or other activities? Sign up to volunteer. Want to donate candy? Monte the Monster is waiting for donations in the front office.

Costume contest themes: Most Original/Creative, Spookiest, Best Pop Culture, Funniest/Silliest, Best Group Costume, and Best TK & Kinder Costume. Costume contest winners get Squishmallows! Everyone can vote for their favorite trunks, and the top three trunks will win gift cards.

Food and drinks for sale: Taco Bout It will serve tacos, Lyzett will have snacks and hot food, Music Boosters will sell pizza and treats, and Pulp Coffee House will bring coffee, matcha, and refreshers.

Dining Out: Pizza My Heart

Pizza My Heart is up next! Join us Wednesday, October 28, from 4–9 p.m. and enjoy dinner that gives back: 30% of eligible sales will go to the PTO.

Dine in, take out, or order online with code MV1028. Excludes third-party orders like Grubhub and Uber Eats.

1) Wednesday, October 21st, is Pumpkin Patch on Campus Day for grades TK through 6 students. They will get to pick out a pumpkin and bring it home. It is in conjunction with National Unity Day (related to Bullying Prevention Month), which is a wear orange optional day too. Pumpkins are orange! Thank you to Solis Family and Lazzerini farms.

2) Monday, October 19th, is Fall Picture Retake Day for anyone that opts to take a new picture for yearbook and in general. If you liked the last picture day photo, then please disregard.

3) Read-A-Thon is over! See PTO news for all the wrap-up information. Thank you everyone for your support.

4) YouthTruth Survey is here. Our staff and students are taking it, and we desire for our parents to take it as well. The link and information for it is at the top of the newsletter. The window closes October 30th. Text 831-901-7109 with a screenshot of your completion page, and you will be entered into a school site gift card drawing (multiple winners).

5) Our Grades 1-8 Fall Afterschool Enrichment Clubs forms are off to a great start. Please remind your blue jays when their clubs are scheduled just as our teachers will as well.

6) For volleyball and soccer games coming up the week of October 19th, see Sports Update and schedules further below.

7) We have Trunk or Treat this Friday, October 23rd, from 5:30-7:30PM for all grade level families down at the bottom basketball courts (see flier above). Meanwhile, from 6PM-8PM is our Grades 6-8 Fall Dance (see flier below). It will be a fabulous evening of fun and costumes!

MPUSD NEWS HOT OFF THE PRESS FROM MARCI MCFADDEN (see fliers further below):

Your Voice Matters: YouthTruth Survey Opens September 28 - Each fall, MPUSD participates in the YouthTruth Survey to hear directly from our students, families, teachers and staff about their experiences in our schools. The feedback we receive helps us understand what’s working well, where we can improve and how we can continue creating positive learning environments for every student. The 2026 YouthTruth Survey will be open September 28 through October 30. Students, teachers and staff will participate at their schools, and families will receive their own family survey beginning September 28 in ParentSquare (link will also be published on MPUSD's website). Listen. Learn. Improve. Your voice matters!

ytsurvey.org/mpusdfamily26

Federal Survey Day | October 15, 2026 - Each year, MPUSD asks our military-connected, Department of Defense-affiliated, and federal property-residing families to complete a Federal Survey Card. This year’s card is electronic and available through ParentSquare directly from your school site and MPUSD’s website. Once you select the form, it will be named Impact Aid Program Survey Form. Please complete one form per student. Your participation helps MPUSD recover critical federal funding that supports services for our military-connected students. NOTE: If you are not military-connected, Department of Defense-affiliated, or do not live on federal property, you do not need to complete this form. Learn more in MPUSD’s Newsroom (link to come).

NEW | Pre-register Before Visiting Your School - MPUSD is making it easier and faster for visitors to check in at our schools! Families and other visitors can now pre-register before arriving on campus, helping save time during the check-in process. Pre-register in advance, receive a QR code, and simply scan it at our visitor kiosks when you arrive and print your visitor badge. All visitors are still required to touch base with the front desk upon arrival and wear a visitor badge while on campus. Learn more and find your school’s pre-registration link on our district or school websites.

Your Voice Matters: Join us for our District English Learner Advisory Council - MPUSD families are invited to participate in our District English Learner Advisory Council (DELAC) meetings during the 2026 - 2027 school year. DELAC provides parents, guardians, and caregivers with an opportunity to share their voices, learn more about district programs and services, and help shape how we support multilingual learners across MPUSD. All parents, guardians, and caregivers are welcome. Childcare and dinner are provided. Visit our website or see flyer below for dates, times, and location.

From the MPUSD Unplugged Archives - MPUSD launched its podcast, MPUSD Unplugged, last school year, and with the school year well underway and Fall Break approaching, this episode is worth another listen. Hear from one of our Attendance Intervention Specialists about the why behind consistent school attendance, why each day matters, and how MPUSD works alongside students and families to provide support when challenges arise. Take a listen and stay tuned. New MPUSD Unplugged episodes are coming soon!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsaVBP_LYFs&t=1s

Looking for a Job That Works for Your Family? - MPUSD is hiring! For parents and guardians, working in our schools can be a win-win, an opportunity to join the MPUSD team with a schedule that may better align with your child’s school day and calendar. Join our Classified (non-teaching positions) Job Fair on Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the District Services Center in Del Rey Oaks. We’re hiring for a variety of high-demand positions, with same-day interviews, provisional offers for highly qualified candidates and free fingerprinting available. Walk-ins welcome! Pre-register at the.mpusd.net/2026jobfair and bring your resume. Learn more on our website.

Learn the Basics of Google Docs at Monterey Adult School - Looking to build your digital skills? Monterey Adult School is offering a Google Docs Introduction Class beginning October 12. Learn how to create and format documents, edit files, download, save and print. Morning and evening sessions are available, and participants can also earn a Northstar Digital Literacy Certification. The class fee is $25. Call 831-392-3565 to register or scan the QR code on the flyer.

Most events are linked to MPUSD's website to receive more information. You may also access the district's school year calendar here. (Event dates subject to change. Check with your school site and this section regularly.)

10.21.26 District English Learner Advisory Council
10.27.26 Board of Education Meeting

From Coach Brandi Hobson (PE teacher and athletic director):

VOLLEYBALL

We’re heading into the final stretch of our girls volleyball season! We have a busy week ahead with three games, so let’s stay focused, support one another, and finish the regular season strong! 💪🔥
Week of October 19th

• 🏐 Monday, 10/19: Game vs. Buena Vista at Buena Vista. Bus leaves @ 2:45
• 💪 Tuesday, 10/20: Practice.
• 🏐 Wednesday, 10/21: Game vs. Carmel at Carmel. Bus leaves @ 2:45
• 💪 Thursday, 10/22: Practice.
• 🏐 Friday, 10/23: Game vs. North Monterey County at North Monterey County. Bus leaves@ 2:45

📌 Reminder: The North Monterey County game on Friday is the rescheduled game from when our 8th graders were away at science camp.

Final Regular-Season Game

• 🏐 Monday, 10/26: Game vs. La Mesa at MLK.

Post Season Updates
As soon as I receive postseason information from the league, I will share updates with everyone regarding the schedule and next steps.

BOYS VARSITY SOCCER

We’re heading into the final week of boys soccer games! Let’s finish the season strong, continue competing as a team, and represent Monte Vista with pride! 💪🔥
Week of October 19th

• 🏟️ Tuesday, 10/20: Away game vs. Pacific Grove at Pacific Grove Middle.
• 🚌 Thursday, 10/22: Home game vs. North Monterey County at Monte Vista

BOYS JUNIOR VARSITY SOCCER

We’re heading into the final two weeks of our JV soccer season! Here are the upcoming schedule updates as we get ready to finish strong. 💪⚽
Week of October 19th

• 🏟️ Monday, October 19: Home game vs. Pacific Grove Middle School (PGMS) at 4:00 PM.

Week of October 26th

• ⚽ Monday, October 26: Practice from 2:45–4:00 PM.
• 🏁 Thursday, October 29: Final practice of the season — time TBD.

GIRLS SOCCER

We’re heading into the final week of girls soccer games! Let’s finish the season strong, continue supporting one another, and represent Monte Vista with pride! 💪🔥
Week of October 19th

• 💪 Monday, 10/19: Practice.
• 🏟️ Tuesday, 10/20: Home game vs. Pacific Grove at Monte Vista.
• 💪 Wednesday, 10/21: Practice.
• 🚌 Thursday, 10/22: Away game vs. North Monterey County at North Monterey County Middle School.

Thank you for your continued support of our athletes and coaches! Let’s keep showing teamwork, respect, and Blue Jay pride as we finish the season strong! 💙🤍🐦🔥

October 5th-9th- FALL BREAK (no school)

October 12th- Return from Fall Break (turning in Read-A-Thon logs and donations during this week)

October 19th- School Picture Make-Up Day

October 21st- Pumpkin Patch for Grades TK through 6 students on campus

October 23rd- Trunk or Treat Halloween Family Event at Monte Vista from 5:30-7:30PM

+ Grades 6-8 Halloween Dance from 6PM-8PM.

October 28th- Pizza My Heart Dining Out (or Take Out) Night

November 11th- Veterans Day - no school in observance of the holiday

November 13th- Monte Vista TK-8 Drive-In Movie Night

November 16th-20th- Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences, 12:50 dismissal all this week

November 18th- Habit Burger Monte Vista TK-8 Dining Out

November 18th-20th- Seussical Jr. Musical performances from 6PM-7PM

November 23rd-27th- Thanksgiving Break, No School this week (return on Monday, November 30th)

October 22nd- Celia Feldman (Fifth Grade Teacher)

October 24th- Jaimie Adamson (First Grade Teacher)

October 26th- Joe Ashby (Principal)

October 29th- Rebecca Eskenasy (Grades TK-2 Music Teacher)

The tenth week of school saw some major rebounds in daily attendance with some slight dips in chronic absenteeism. We were ABOVE 96% three of the five days--even hitting 97% on Thursday of last week! We are hoping the low attendance on Monday accompanied some turned in independent study contracts on Tuesday. As a result, our average daily attendance rate stayed at 95.6%, which is just below 96%, and a little distance to our goal of 97% for this school year.

Our Chronic Absenteeism rate is at 12.6% which is well above our goal of 7%.

A gentle reminder, for those families who had students out, please turn in the independent study packets the day they return to school after the absence (a new state requirement). Otherwise you have to recover through Saturday Academy or a future after school tutoring attendance recovery program which will begin in November (but by invitation only). Also keep in mind Saturday Academy only helps daily attendance rate for a child but not their chronic absenteeism rate while Independent Study and After School Tutoring recovery helps both.

Our percentage bands for attendance went down this week. Satisfactory level was at 69.5% (down three and half percent--524 students-26 students less than last week). 137 students in the yellow at risk area (increase of 21 students from last week), 81 students in the orange moderate chronic (increase of 8 students from last week), 12 students in the light red (1 less than last week--progress), severe chronic area, and 0 students in extreme chronic (YAY). Anyone who stays in moderate, light red, or dark red areas (moderate, severe, or extreme chronic) is considered to have chronic absenteeism. We will work with these families to make sure independent study packets are turned in the first day they return to school after the absence(s). Otherwise, they will have to do Saturday Academy or possible after school tutoring attendance recovery (latter program kicking off in November--by invitation only). We will also continue to reach out to families who are lingering in these more at-risk areas of attendance.

We will continue in the 26-27 school year to climb back up to 96% average attendance rate ( and even climb to 97%) and then upping our goal to get no more than 7% chronic absenteeism.