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Parent Workshops: Social and Emotional Support

This week's parent workshops focus on social and emotional support through Distance Learning. Three workshops are offered this week. Click the headline for flyers and direct log-in links to each workshop.

Parent Technology Workshops: August 5 - 7

MPUSD will roll out the first phase of Parent Workshops this week. The focus is on technology. Trainings will be recorded and archived, as well. Scroll to bottom of this announcement for archives.

2020-21 School Year Message from the Superintendent

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

Message from Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh on 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.)

2020-21 School Year Information

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.)

ARCHIVES: July 15 & 16 Town Halls

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.

ARCHIVES: Reopening of Our Schools Community Meetings

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.

Summer Feeding Programs

MPUSD's Summer Feeding Program offers meals to students during the summer months at six school locations. Learn more about the locations and times by clicking the title link.

Important Message from the Superintendent

Please take a moment to read an important message regarding the state of our country from Superintendent Diffenbaugh.

Monterey County Herald: Guest Editorial PK Diffenbaugh: State Budget Must Reflect Our Values: Invest in Schools

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).

Mental Health Resources

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 2020-21 School Year

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.

Implementation of Proposed Changes in Grading System and Graduation Requirements

The COVID-19 global health crisis has forced the closure of schools across the country and prompted sudden shifts to Distance Learning. In response, the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Board of Education discussed and approved Resolution #19/20-25: Implementation of Proposed Changes in Grading System and Graduation Requirements for spring semester 2020 at their regularly scheduled Board meeting on April 14, 2020.

Distance/Online Learning & School Closure Update

Spring Break was very different this year as compared to other years, but we hope you had an opportunity to find some joy and rest. As our Spring Break comes to an end this Friday, March 27, I wanted to provide you some important information about school closures and our transition to online/distance learning. Today, the Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Deneen Guss and county district superintendents decided that all schools within Monterey County will be closed until at least May 4th.

Video Message from the Superintendent: March 25

Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh shares a message with families regarding an update on distance learning, technology access, and breakfast/lunches for students.

Grab and Go Meals: Beginning March 30

Beginning Monday, March 30, upon return from MPUSD's Spring Break, the district will offer Grab and Go meals at 16 school sites from 10 a.m. - 12 noon. Federal requirements state students must be present to receive meal. Applies to students 18 and younger.

Stay Updated on MPUSD Coronavirus News

Thank you for your patience and understanding as together we address the Coronavirus and its impacts on our school system, students, families and staff. The safety and well-being of our community continue to remain at the forefront of our decision making. We realize that any decision we make will have impacts on many of our families and staff. Please continue to follow all updates on this landing page (click headline for more).

Meal Service for Preschool Students Over Spring Break

MPUSD Preschool Meal Service

MPUSD Preschool Meal Service: Due to the unexpected closure of our preschools, MPUSD wants to ensure our preschool children have access to food during the two-week closure. (Our TK-12 programs are observing their regularly scheduled Spring Break. We will continue to monitor the situation beyond Spring Break and address accommodations as needed for TK-12 programs.)

MCOE Health Alert Page for Coronavirus

Cold and flu season is upon us. The California Department of Public Health reports that influenza (also known as the flu) activity levels have increased over the past several weeks, including here in Monterey County. The 2019-2020 flu season has been complicated by recent reports of a novel coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China. Although there have been reported cases of novel coronavirus globally, to date, there have been no reported coronavirus cases in Monterey County. Learn more about Coronavirus, as it applies to Monterey County, and MCOE's resources and information for schools and communities.

Coronavirus risk to general public in U.S. remains low, but more cases are expecte

The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the immediate risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus (Coronavirus) remains low for Americans, but more cases are likely to be identified in the coming days, including in the United States. (Read more by clicking headline link.)

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Message from our Principal

Summer 2019

Dear Walter Colton Middle School Families,

Welcome to the 2019-20 school year! It is an exciting time at Walter Colton Middle School and I am pleased to partner with you, your child, and our staff to provide a wonderful experience at WCMS this year.

Upon completion of my first year at Walter Colton Middle School I can say genuinely I love this age and stage. Middle school students face the challenges of developing independence and individuality, wrestling with a growing need to be a part of a social family outside of the home and physical and emotional maturation. In spite of all they are going through they are resilient, eager, funny and quirky beings. Each day brings a brand new opportunity to help them navigate this period of great changes.

As an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program candidate school, we are working to prepare students for full participation in an increasingly globalized world. It includes courses in all traditional subject matter taught in a way to guide students to deeper, more student-driven, interdisciplinary exploration into issues, questions and problems of global importance. The Middle Years Program shapes curriculum, teaching, and assessment into an inquiry based learning experience, and consists of eight subject groups integrated through five interactive areas providing global contexts for learning. The goal of the Middle Years Program is to create citizens equipped to develop original ideas while being cognizant of the ethical and cultural impact of their actions.

It is a great honor to lead Walter Colton and serve our students, families and staff. I am a collaborator, a listener, and will hold high expectations for students and staff to ensure academic success for your child.

My door is always open to you. Feel free to contact our office at (831) 649-1951 or email me at jkevorkian@mpusd.net

Sincerely,

Joan Kevorkian

Principal, Walter Colton Middle School

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