September Newsletter

Mountain Empire Unified School District

Welcome to the 2024-2025 School year

Dear Mountain Empire Unified School District Community,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year. It’s hard to believe we are already in our 4th week of school. Back to school nights are complete, our fall sports at MEHS have begun, and students and staff are already settling into a new routine.

This year, our district has experienced quite a bit of change in key roles. Long time Assistant to the Superintendent, Lisa Stoffel, retired after 20 years in our district, Bill Dennett, long who served as a teacher, principal, and director in our district retired after 30 years. And three of our elementary school site secretaries, Peggy Freed, Linda Broersma, and Teri Lederman, retired after many years in our district.

With these changes brings some familiar faces in new positions and some new leadership in our principal ranks as Afton Gonzalez, long time secretary at MEHS, has taken on the role of Executive Assistant to the Superintendent. Dr. Gary Brannon, former principal of Mountain Empire Junior High School, has transferred to the role of Director of Student Support Services and Principal for Alternative Education. We welcome Dr. Trish Pulos as the new principal of Mountain Empire Junior High School.

Mountain Empire Unified continues to face the unique challenges that come with being a large rural school district. One of the most pressing issues we are addressing is the inequitable funding models that disproportionately impact rural schools. We are actively advocating at the state level to ensure that rural districts like ours receive the necessary resources to thrive. This includes working with legislators and engaging in discussions that highlight the specific needs of our district.

A top priority for this advocacy is for funding for the continued improvement of our school facilities. Many of our buildings are aging, with some dating back to the Great Depression. Our students and staff deserve safe, modern, and well-maintained learning environments. We are currently exploring new funding opportunities, including bond measures and state-level support, to address these critical infrastructure needs.

We recognize that our schools are not just places of learning—they are community hubs that play a vital role in the well-being of our families. We will continue to expand our efforts in community engagement, providing more opportunities for families to be active participants in their children's education. Our Community School initiatives will focus on bringing integrated support to our students and families, ensuring that every child has the resources needed to succeed both academically and socially.

Let’s make 2024-2025 a year of growth, achievement, and community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick Keeley

Superintendent and Proud Graduate

Mountain Empire Unified School District

Important Dates

September 2 - Labor Day Schools/District Closed
September 6 - Secondary Progress Reports available in Aeries Parent Portal
September 10 - MEUSD Board Meeting
September 16: Start with Hello Week
September 19: Indian Education Alliance Meeting
Athletic Events

Link to District Parent Calendar
Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15 - 10/15)

School/Program

Paxton-Patterson is a highly engaging, hands-on, career focused curriculum being utilized at Mountain Empire Junior High School. Our junior high school students have the opportunity to learn through modules which focus on the following career paths:

- Alternative Energy
- Cosmetology and Barbering
- Electricity and Electronics
- Emergency and Fire Management Systems
- Energy and Power
- Home Maintenance Fundamentals
- Intro to Child Development
- Intro to Computer Science
- Intro to Culinary Arts
- Intro to Health Science Careers
- Personal Finance
- Robotics
- Veterinary Medicine
- Welding Basics

The goal of engaging students in this curriculum is to allow them to improve their hands-on technical skills and explore possible career paths as they prepare for high school. Students are excited to get started in this new program.

Parent Resources

Calling All Parents:

- Join the School Site Council and make a difference in your school community! It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with other parents, learn more about the programs and budgets aimed at improving student achievement, and share your insights. As a member, you’ll play a key role in shaping decisions that impact our students. Even if you can’t commit to being a member, attending meetings is a great way to stay informed. Meetings are open to everyone, with agendas posted 72 hours in advance. For more information, contact your school principal. Your voice matters—get involved and make a positive impact!

- SSC Dates Listed by School:

- - Alt Ed SSC Meeting -TBD
  - Campo SSC Meeting - September 11th at 8:30-9:30 am
  - Clover Flat SSC Meeting - September 3rd at 8:30 am
  - Descanso SSC Meeting - September 25th from 3:30-4:00 pm
  - Potrero SSC Meeting - September 25th from 10-11am
  - MEHS SSC Meeting - TBD
  - MEJHS SSC Meeting - September 17th at 2:30pm

Mental Health Corner
- Starting the Conversation - Tips created by youth who have experienced mental health challenges sharing what helped and what they wished their parents and caregivers knew and did.
parentguidance.org/ Provides access to a library of courses developed by mental health experts to offer answers, hope and compassionate help. All courses are free to access.
Parenting the Whole Child Podcast
The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), Whole Child and Community Design Department (WCCD), is proud to announce the launch of our new podcast, "Parenting the Whole Child." We would love for you to listen, like, subscribe, and share the podcast with the families and communities you connect with. Your support and enthusiasm can help us reach more families and make a stronger positive impact!
Strengthening Connections with Cuyamaca Community College through ESL classes.

There are currently two options for community members to take advantage of college courses on the mountain. One course is being taught at the Potrero Library and another course is being taught at the Camp Lockett Learning Center in Campo.
Additionally, in Campo are the Early Childhood Education courses being taught at Camp Lockett next to the Campo-Lake Morena Library. If you are interested in taking college courses at Camp Lockett follow the link for more information: https://cuyamaca.edu/the-mountain/

September is Attendance Awareness Month
- Bringing Attendance Home Video
- Bringing Attendance Home Video - Spanish

Community Schools (CS)

If you already provide care, or are interested in providing care for a family member or friend, San Diego Health and Human Service Administration (SDHHSA) can help you become a certified In Home Support Services (IHSS.) If you need support SDHHSA can connect you to a certified IHSS. *Some insurance provides this service through coverages.

PRONTO Reduced Fare Verification is still available for seniors and youth until Sept. 30th.
- - https://www.ridepronto.com/pronto-online-application-faq/

Celebrating Grandparents Day on September 6th! A 1st & 2nd grade class from Potrero Elementary are participating in a community intergenerational event at Campo Community Center hosted by San Ysidro Health where they will help grandparents complete activities and celebrate.

Community Resource Clinics:

CalKIDS is a children’s savings account (CSA) program administered by the ScholarShare InvestmentBoard, an agency of the State of California. CalKIDS will provide each child born in California and eligible low-income public school students with up to $1,500 for college education and career training!

Substitute Teacher Training on September 7th. Get trained in multiple topics by experts on the field and receive exclusive information upon completion. Register before Sep. 4th.

For his senior project, class of 2024 Senior Mannix Gonzalez, created this documentary to bring awareness to the struggles of his rural hometown school of Mountain Empire High School's aging facilities in order to help bring in the much-needed funding to rebuild his high school. He wants better for the future Redhawks. "It may be too late for me, but it's not too late for you and your family. Please help me get this campus fixed for the next generation to come."
- https://youtu.be/CwtxcegSGFc

Mannix Gonzalez was also featured in the San Diego Union Tribune.This article provides a student perspective and the challenges with inequitable funding mechanisms.
- https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/08/25/failing-facilities-behind-one-rural-school-districts-fight-to-keep-students-safe/

Student Highlights

Community Flyers/Events

Family & Community Offerings & Events From MEUSD 2024-25 provides an overview of what events are already in the planning or implementation phase so that families can decide which events they would like to attend.

Literacy Volunteer Flyer - Sheri Miller (see English and Spanish images below)

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3291 Buckman Springs Rd, Pine Valley, CA 91962

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