Walter Colton Middle School Home

On behalf of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, Superintendent Diffenbaugh wishes families a Happy Thanksgiving in a one-minute video

We want to make you aware that California state law, the California Healthy Youth Act, (CHYA), requires that comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education be provided to students at least once in middle school or junior high school and once in high school, starting in grade 7. Due to COVID-19, we have incorporated CHYA instruction for the 2020-21 school year for 7th, 8th and 10th grade students. Students in 9th grade will also receive instruction (Health Smart curriculum from ETR publication) as part of their Freshman Seminar Health and Wellness course.

It's Federal Survey Day in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. Every parent in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District will be asked to complete a Federal Survey Card through ParentSquare or paper/pencil via U.S. mail. School districts conduct this survey to identify the number of military and Department of Defense civilian employee children attending our local public schools. Whether you are military connected or not, all survey cards must be completed, signed and returned in order for MPUSD to receive additional funding to serve our students. The district recaptures property tax revenue which fund our local schools. In previous years, MPUSD received an additional $1 million in Department of Defense Education Activity federal funding as a result of collecting this data through the Federal Survey Card.

Walter Colton's 2020-21 Bell Schedule is now available.

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is pleased to welcome new and returning students, and families to 2020-21 school year. We know this year is certainly unique. We have appreciated your input and patience throughout the summer months as we planned for this school year. As a system we're committed to ensure that we provide the support necessary to overcome any barrier that might get in the way of your child's success.

Take two minutes to hear from Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh about the start up of the 2020-21 school year.

Last night, the Board of Education voted, on my recommendation, that the new school year start in full Distance Learning only. This decision was difficult to make as we know that the best place for students is at school. (Click headline to read more.)

As you know, all MPUSD schools will open the 2020-2021 school year in a Distance Learning model. We are committed to ensuring that students continue to experience the care and commitment of our staff and the routine of daily learning, even in full Distance Learning. (Click headline to read more.)

Take a minute to hear from Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh about the planning for the start of the 2020-21 school year, as well as sign up for a Town Hall to hear information and next steps.

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District initiated an internal Task Force to begin exploring the reopening of our schools in the 2020-21 school year based on the new guidelines released from the California Department of Education and the California Department of Public Health. The guidelines require schools to consider hybrid schedules in order to limit the total number of students on campus at one time and ensure that students are kept at least 6 feet apart where practical.  MPUSD held four community Town Hall meetings to provide information, answer questions and to hear input from families.

Educators will be forced to overcome this budget challenge — offering services despite the lack of adequate resources. We shouldn’t have to. It is a reflection of our societal values that we continue to underfund our schools while relying on them to be the primary institution responsible for meeting the needs of our most vulnerable populations. Read more in this weekend's Monterey County Herald (click headline link).

We know this is a difficult time for our entire community. I will serve you all to the best of my abilities. Please know that I will get back to you within 24 hours Monday-Friday. If you need to reach out to support during that time frame, please utilize the crisis lines available: Call 1-800-273-8255 or Text: Connect to 74174.

Enrollment for the 2020-21 school year is underway. Due to COVID-19, we have updated the ways you can register your child in an MPUSD school. This applies to all NEW STUDENTS (attending MPUSD for the very first time or students who were not enrolled with MPUSD in 2019-20). Learn more by clicking the headline link.