Schools
MDUSD Friday Letter Volume 2, No. 30
MDUSD's Friday Letter—updates and stories prepared weekly for the school district community.
January 15, 2021
JANUARY 15, 2021 FRIDAY LETTER VOLUME 2, NO. 30
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MDUSD's Friday Letter—updates and stories prepared weekly for the school district community.
The Tam Family Generational Legacy of Giving
Pictured: Chris Tam, Adam Clark, Michael Ryan, Felicia Stuckey-Smith, and Ernie Trinidad.
The All Good Living Foundation stands with district partners after delivering 200 care boxes for students.
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At times like these, when tendencies toward self-preservation are prevalent and somewhat expected, it is all the more humbling to see generosity and compassion from organizations like the All Good Living Foundation. On Tuesday, MDUSD received 200, "Kin Project Boxes," each containing helpful everyday supplies for our McKinney-Vento students. Before I snapped this photo, I had a chance to ask the founder, Chris Tam, about his motivations for giving. The organization has donated to MDUSD before, and their work over the years has even earned recognition from the State Legislature. From what he shared, it is clear that his story is one about family.
"It started out as a way to spend time with my father, but then after he passed, I just knew I had to continue the good work," he explained.
His father had been a well-respected classroom teacher for thirty-nine years, and was later a school principal in Alameda. Familiar campus faces, playground antics, old books, the smell of glue, and meaningful mentorships were everyday life. When the Tam family father and son duo decided to create a non-profit organization, it was to them a natural response to a need they saw first-hand in their community. The mission statement reads, "We want to help our most vulnerable children of the Bay Area in need, as it is our belief that no child should go without. These issues are prevalent and affecting more families than most people realize. It is our goal to provide the basic necessities that are in desperate need... We believe in the power of uniting a community and working together."
The All Good Living Foundation sphere of influence is expanding. For MDUSD students, even more Kin Project Boxes are en route, and the All Good Living Foundation wishes to make them a recurring donation. Embrace Church in Alameda was responsible for their assembly, and a private donor had asked specifically for the boxes to become an ongoing program. Chris currently coordinates about fifty volunteers, and as goodness manifests goodness, his list of sponsorships and partnerships is growing. Right behind him are his family members, the next generation to support the All Good Living Foundation cause—a legacy of giving.
Distance Learning Will Continue in the 3rd Quarter
A message from the Superintendent on Thursday, January 14, 2021:
Dear MDUSD Families and Staff,
The MDUSD Governing Board met yesterday and concluded that distance learning must continue into March, 2021. This was also my recommendation, and comes as Contra Costa County continues now in the Purple Tier—the worst possible pandemic status—in which public health authorities are against reopening schools and larger social gatherings. Walnut Creek USD, Pittsburg USD, Antioch USD, and West Contra Costa USD confirmed that they have the same standing—distance learning must continue into the 3rd quarter.
This is not where we had hoped to be right now, but it is the reality of the pandemic in our area. The California Department of Public Health recommendation is clear that students should not be on campus while our county is in the Purple Tier.
In this moment, our focus as a school district must be on how to improve distance learning and how best we can meet the needs of students, with emphasis on social-emotional wellbeing and mental health supports. I would encourage all to continue best practices for safety, to keep wearing face coverings, continue social distancing, and to wash hands frequently. These remain the best way to fight the virus and improve our metrics.
For now, distance learning will continue. Going forward, our communication with you will continue weekly, and our Governing Board will revisit reopening plans in March.
Respectfully,
Superintendent Adam Clark, Ed.D.
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
New in District Operations
January Board Resolutions
The Governing Board adopted Resolution 20/21-39 in Recognition of January 18, 2021 as Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. While MDUSD has long celebrated the holiday and incorporated its significance in classrooms, this resolution was positively the first of its kind to uniformly express and acknowledge related history, values, and goals at the governance level. The Board also adopted Resolution 20/21-42 in Recognition of January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, both to spread awareness about the somber reality of its prevalence and also to promote, "if you see something, say something." See the Contra Costa District Attorney's Human Trafficking Unit for local information and how to help.
Superintendent's Proposals
At the most recent board meeting, the Superintendent proposed the establishment of an Anti-Bias and Anti-Racist (ABAR) Committee, that with staff, parent, and student involvement would move towards actionable solutions on such issues in MDUSD. He also promoted that a potential series of, "Student Mental Health Panel Webinars," would be organized in an effort to support community mental health and social-emotional wellbeing. More details on both will be forthcoming.
Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark is continuing to publish transparent, detailed operations reports on a weekly basis. You can read department updates directly from our district leaders in our weekly Organizational Update to the Board, which is continuously archived for reference. Here is this week’s full Organizational Update to the Board:
Counseling Corner Newsletter - January Edition
From Stephanie Roberts, Director of Partnerships & MTSS and Felicia Stuckey-Smith, Director of Student Services
Our counseling team is pleased to share the 2nd Edition of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District Counseling Corner Newsletter! This newsletter shares relevant tips and resources to support, engage, and connect students and families TK-12. This newsletter and other resources can also be found at our MDUSD Counseling page, which is under the Parent Portal tab on the district website.
Reminder: Virtual Science Fair Registration Open
on behalf of Bay Area LEEDS
Students—your chance to explore and develop your STEM passion is here! The Contra Costa County Science Fair (CCCSEF) (March 11, 12, & 13, 2021) is for students grades 7-12 who are interested in science, technology, or mathematics, and presents an opportunity to engage in independent research. Taking part in the CCCSEF is fun, educational, and rewarding—moreover, you won’t be taking this project alone. Mentors and teachers will help you create the best project possible.
Students can choose from six broad categories, including behavioral, biological, physical, environmental, engineering, math and computer sciences, where they can explore their passions and apply classroom knowledge to tangible experiments. If successful, Contra Costa Science Fair students are able to compete regionally and access the following larger competitions:
- California Science & Engineering Fair (Virtual): April 12-13, 2021
- Broadcom MASTERS Middle School National Science Fair (Virtual): October, 2021
- Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Virtual): May 16-21, 2021
If you are interested, please fill out this Science Fair Interest Form by Friday, January 15. You will be sent a confirmation regarding the next steps for participation, including dates for important informational sessions.
Calling All Judges
Parents—you can help, and have some fun! Approximately 150 professionals will be needed to judge projects submitted in the six competition categories. Judges examine the quality of each project and assess student understanding of the experiment using a set of criteria. Students are able to demonstrate their knowledge about the projects through interviews on the day of judging during the competition. Judges play a crucial role in validating students’ efforts in this educational and motivating experience. Their engagement in the Science Fair is also a very rewarding personal experience. Contact Linda Mayo for more information at (925) 937-0804 or mayolk@aol.com.
Isabel Lara, District Community Liaison, Offers Parting Encouragement
To my beloved MDUSD community:
It is with immense gratitude to this dynamic community that I announce my retirement. In eighteen years serving the Mt. Diablo community, I have been blessed to work with so many families and students. For each family, their journey is different, and I am grateful for the trust they gave me in allowing me to be part of their team.
I am honored to have collaborated with amazing individuals across the community! I am grateful to the community organizations who have provided support (food, shelter, transportation, mental health services, and financial support) to our families in MDUSD. The generosity from local small businesses, civic and community leaders, and faith-based communities humbled me on a regular basis. As a liaison for the District, I was able to collaborate with school teams and bridge the gaps where our existing systems had not yet adapted to meet the needs of individuals and families. The dedicated teams in Mt. Diablo Unified schools inspired me with their willingness to listen and expand their vision of support. It moves me now to think of the differences that we made in the lives of students and families.
As I step away from my position, I am left with profound hope for the possibilities. We can connect with our families, learn about their needs and culture, and ensure their families have the academic and personal supports necessary to thrive. We can make real change in the lives of students by meeting their parents where they are and empowering them.
It is vital that we invest in our children to help them feel success is possible, and we have the most benefit from engaging them early. Often, the support for one child in a family meant that family was stronger. Siblings, neighbors, and friends became more successful, too, because there could benefit from more examples of overcoming challenges and thriving. This success wasn’t dependent upon a parent’s education level or primary language; this success was earned through collaboration, support, and a commitment to strengthening each family as we refined and developed our District systems.
When we help students attain their education, we make a difference now and for the future. Each child is important. Each child is full of potential. I viewed each student as a human being and sought to serve them as if they were my own child.
It is difficult to step away from this important work, and I remain hopeful that our District team will continue to build the doors that create points of access that the community needs. Parents need clear and consistent sources of support that can meet them where they are. With stronger connections, we have a network of support that can help students attain the access they each deserve and realize the potential they each have.
With gratitude and joy,
Isabel Lara
District Parent Liaison
The Office of the Superintendent
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Each week, the MDUSD Friday Letter is written and compiled by the district's Communications Specialist and sent to a staff and community audience totaling around 32,000. To sign up for our distribution list, send an email to breidenthala@mdusd.org. To view an archive of district communications, visit the Superintendent's Office page. Do you have a story or event to share with our community? Contact me (breidenthala@mdusd.org) with your ideas or suggestions.
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This press release was produced by the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. The views expressed are the author's own.