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Following a successful debut last year, Strandwood Elementary special education assistant and parent Preeti Pradhan has created another colorful sand art display known as "rangoli" at the front of the school to help raise awareness of the Indian holiday Diwali, which is celebrated from Oct. 31-Nov. 1 in India and by Indian immigrants and their families in the U.S. The daughter of immigrants from India, Pradhan said her design this year includes 12 overlapping circles, known as "The Lotus of Life" in Sacred Geometry. She also created a border of roadrunners, the school's mascot. The circular design includes repeating "mandala" patterns, as well as flowers and white swirls around the outside, which are also known as "the Golden Ratio." Diwali is a Hindu and South Asian celebration that is known as "the festival of lights."

Pradhan has also been visiting classrooms and offering students the opportunity to create their own mandala patterns on paper, or rangolis, which are made from sand or other materials including flowers or colored rice. Other parents and students also helped Pradhan fill in the design and smooth out the colorful sand. "We just wanted to learn," said Ashley Flores, whose daughter Nora is in Kindergarten They watched some videos about the meaning of Diwali and wanted to see the rangoli taking shape, she said.

Pradhan, who is half Hindu and half Jain, said Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil and the goddess Lakshmi, but its meaning can vary in different parts of India and in different religions. She created the artwork at the front of the school so it would be visible to all Strandwood families and the MDUSD community. "We hope this can be a tradition at the school," she said, adding that the school also celebrated cultural diversity by creating an ofrenda in honor of Dia de los Muertos. Like ofrendas, rangolis often include marigold flowers, as well as bright colors. 

Fourth-grade teacher Dylan Brown said he appreciates Pradhan's willingness to create the rangoli for the school and visit his class to explain Diwali to his students, since she can share her firsthand knowledge and personal cultural experiences. "I think it absolutely helps add to a sense of community," he said. Parent Eima Pandher created a beautiful fabric backdrop behind the rangoli, featuring garlands of marigolds to complement the design. And parent Rikita Gakhar helped to stabilize the backdrop so it wouldn't blow over in the wind and said she would also be willing to read books about Diwali or show students henna hand tattoos. "I'm Indian too," she said. "I just wanted to help. I saw this last year and wanted to have a way for my kid to participate in our cultural tradition. It's really nice to be able to help and contribute." 

Pradhan, who is the parent of three children, said she plans to purchase even more colored sand next year so that students can make their own mini-rangolis. She is happy that the school community is embracing the celebration of different cultures and said the PTA auction dinner theme this year is: "A world of color."

The rangoli (below) will be on display through November 13th, but since it is made of sand, it may start to blow away due to wind or rain, she added. Strandwood Elementary is at 416 Gladys Drive in Pleasant Hill.

 

Continuing a tradition they began two years ago, four Latina counselors in the District with Mexican ancestry teamed up with other Latino and Latina District staff members to create a "Día de los Muertos" ofrenda (or altar) at Willow Creek Center to help educate the community about the special importance of Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 in many Latin American cultures, also known as the "Day of the Dead."

Because District students are about 44% Hispanic/Latinx, counselors Angela Ordaz (Holbrook Language Academy and Mountain View Elementary), Marcie Torres (Shore Acres Elementary), Leidi Arias and Yaretzie Amaya (both at Mt. Diablo HS) partnered with Shore Acres Elementary dual immersion 2nd grade teacher Andrea Navarro, and Mt. Diablo HS college and career advisor Erika Ramos to create an ofrenda dedicated to children who have died in recognition of Dia de los Angelitos, or Day of the Little Angels on Nov. 1. Adults are traditionally remembered on Nov. 2.

The ofrenda includes a dedication in the center, along with six framed descriptions of children being recognized, including those who have died in war, of hunger, or in other ways. It also features traditional offerings including some that would appeal to children, such as candy and toys. Visitors can honor their loved ones by writing on paper flowers and placing them in a basket on the ofrenda.
 
A traditional ofrenda provides a place for the living to reunite with their loved ones, to whom it is dedicated, Ordaz said. Their ofrenda also includes "pan de muerto" - or Day of the Dead bread, fruit, marigold flowers, candles, water, incense and salt, along with written descriptions of the importance of these elements. It is decorated with "papel picado," which means "cut paper" in Spanish and is a traditional Mexican craft with intricate designs. It will be on display through Thursday, Nov. 7 in the Willow Creek Center at 1026 Mohr Lane in Concord.

"For us, the biggest joy we get is to provide Mt. Diablo employees and families an opportunity to learn about the elements of the ofrenda," Ordaz said, explaining that nationwide, only 10% of counselors are Latinx, so it is not the norm for a school District to have four Latina counselors who can share their Mexican culture with the community and help Latinx families feel included and represented. The counselors call themselves "Las Consejeras," which means "the counselors" in Spanish, and they hold "Cafecitas de las Consejeras" throughout the school year as part of their outreach to Spanish-speaking families. "The four of us consejeras choose to intentionally center our ancestral, cultural, ethnic and racial identities because we understand the value of representation for our families and students and our hope is that by being vocal about our identities that they feel seen," Ordaz said. 

Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, who visited the ofrenda on Oct. 31, said it's important for our students and staff to understand each other's cultures. "I want to support the ones who are doing this work," he said. Torres said they included the written descriptions to help people understand the meaning of the ofrenda and to provide a model for others who may want to create ofrendas at their schools. 

Read more about the four Latina counselors and their outreach to Latinx parents here.

 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter highlights:

• The Día de los Muertos educational ofrenda at Willow Creek Center,
• The German American Partnership Program (GAPP) exchange at College Park and Northgate high schools,
• A Strandwood Elementary Diwali rangoli art installation,
• MDUSD and Mt. Diablo High School are mourning the loss of student Mariella Gonzalez,
• Concord High School’s 500 wing has been dedicated to longtime teacher Kathy Koch,
• El Dorado Middle School has unveiled a new mural,
• The Mt. Diablo High School football team won its DAL league championship for the first time since 1962,
• A Pioneer Athlete spotlight on Concord High student athlete Paradise Mahasin,
• Dr. Clark visits TK students at Delta View Elementary,
• Ygnacio Valley High School teacher Joseph Alvarico recognized as one of 75 Most Influential Filipino Americans of 2024 and received The Outstanding Filipino Award in Education,
• YVHS social studies teacher Bryan Shaw selected to serve as a facilitator for the Smithsonian Democracy Dialogue Virtual Exchange program this spring,
• Concord HS students pre-register to vote,
• Mt Diablo Elementary creates an ofrenda to celebrate Dia de los Muertos,
• Mt. Diablo Adult Education co-hosts 2024 Central Contra Costa County Career & Resource Fair,
• Food and Nutrition Services staff get into the holiday spirit for Halloween, & more!

You can read it here.

 

German language students at College Park and Northgate high schools hosted students and teachers from Germany from Oct. 16-Nov 1 through the German-American Partnership Program (GAPP), which is sponsored by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the US Department of State. College Park students hosted 11 students and two teachers, while Northgate students hosted 20 students and two teachers. In June, 11 College Park students and 20 Northgate students will travel to Germany with their teachers to stay with the families of the students they hosted here.

While visiting, the German students "shadowed" the MDUSD students at school and also tour the Bay Area, to experience an American high school firsthand and also get a taste of American culture and local landmarks, visiting sites such as UC Berkeley, Alcatraz and San Francisco. Those visiting Northgate went to the homecoming rally, football game and dance, and also attended a Marching Band Review in Santa Cruz and helped to organize an Oktoberfest that included German food and games. Those visiting College Park HS enjoyed a school play and gave presentations about "digital agriculture" in Germany, including using AI for farming.

Teachers and students from both schools said the program gave MDUSD students the chance to speak German to teenage peers and to better understand their culture by spending time with them. And likewise, it gave the German students the opportunity to speak English to American teens and learn about our culture by living in students' homes for more than two weeks. The Northgate group attended the Oct. 23 Board meeting and gave a short presentation about the program.   

Before the school play at College Park HS on Oct. 24, German student Hailey Klaus, 17, said she liked staying with an American family to see what their daily life was like, including their school routines, such as a fun ceramics class that incorporated glass and mirrors into the artwork. "In Germany, we don't have art classes like that," she said. CPHS senior Bella Alkhoury said she is excited to visit Germany to learn more about the culture, language and school. "And it will be cool to try different food," she said.

At the Northgate Oktoberfest on Oct. 28,  German student Sarah Herdzina, 16, said she wanted to come to America to improve her English speaking and get to know new people. "I really like the experience in high school," she said, adding that she also enjoyed visiting San Francisco. Her classmate Nina Amann, 16, said their Oktoberfest included a game where a person holds 1 liter of water out to the side for as long as possible, and a relay game where students walked across the blacktop carrying a golf ball (instead of an egg) in a spoon, then had to recite three German words and their meanings. Northgate junior student Julianne Cullen said it's interesting to compare German and American daily life and school systems. "And the game was fun," she said.   

The German students flew back home on Nov. 1st.

 

An Ygnacio Valley High School team of 12 students led by engineering teacher Joseph Alvarico and math teacher Tabatha Box has been awarded a Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam® grant in the amount of $7,500 to create an invention geared towards helping people with limited hand mobility regain their independence and reconnect with loved ones and their community. Ygnacio Valley High is one of only eight high schools nationwide to be selected as an InvenTeam this year, and it is the only school in California to earn this honor. The Ygnacio Valley High School InvenTeam is inventing a solution to assist those with limited ability— whether due to arthritis, cerebral palsy, or other conditions—to use their hands to overcome challenges in their daily lives, such as gripping utensils or using hand gestures to communicate. With more than 50 million adults in the U.S. affected by arthritis and 764,000 people living with cerebral palsy, these challenges are widespread and can become frustrating struggles, leading to feelings of isolation. The YVHS InvenTeam’s goal is to not only improve quality of life for people with limited hand mobility, but also to promote a more inclusive and connected society.  Alvarico, who is a 2024 California Teacher of the Year, hand-picked the 12 members, who are both male and female students in grades 9-12 including many who are also members of the after-school robotics club he advises, have taught robotics to middle school students, and participate in dual enrollment engineering classes for which they are earning college credit through Diablo Valley College (DVC). "I thought it would be really cool for students from Ygnacio Valley, with limited resources from low socioeconomic backgrounds, to have the same opportunities that other students do, so we are making this a vehicle not just to help the community, but for the kids to see what’s outside of California," Alvarico said, explaining that the project culminates in a presentation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The team hopes to attract outside mentors in the field of technology and/or Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) support, as well as in-kind donations or monetary support, since the grant will not cover all of the group’s expenses as they develop a working prototype that could lead to a patent.  The eight teams were chosen by a respected panel of university professors, inventors, entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and college students including former InvenTeam members now working in industry. “The InvenTeams are focusing on solving problems that impact their local communities,” said Leigh Estabrooks, Lemelson-MIT’s Invention Education Officer. “Teams are focusing their technological solutions — their inventions — on inequities in health and wellbeing, environmental issues, and safety concerns. These high school students are not just problem-solvers of tomorrow, they are problem solvers today helping to make our world more equitable, healthier, and safer.” Students on the YVHS InvenTeam were inspired to pursue their invention after meeting a special education student at their school who is nonverbal and has difficulty moving his hands. "We decided to help him by working on a project to improve hand mobility and fine motor skills for people with lack of ability," said senior Leqi Li. The students also met with MDUSD Special Education Department staff members who work with students needing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) supports to better understand their challenges. Team members said they are excited to learn how the invention process works and some have personal reasons for joining the team. Althea Danae Vivar, a sophomore, said her grandmother works in a senior care home, where residents sometimes struggle with disabilities. "Sometimes, my grandma would say how lonely they were at the care home and their disability would lead to frustration because they cannot do the things they used to be able to do. This is something that could help." You can follow the team's progress on Instagram here.

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter highlights:

• The "Experience Dyslexia” event,
• The Ygnacio Valley High School InvenTeam,
• Girl golfers from Northgate and College Park High School celebrate undefeated seasons in the DAL, and recognition for individual girl golfers from Concord and Mt. Diablo high schools,
• The grand opening of the new InFab Lab at Concord High School,
• Career Pathways students from three high schools participate in Manufacturing Day,
• A College Now student earns 2nd place in speech and debate competition at Santa Rosa Junior College,
• Olympic HS students participate in Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce First Friday Coffee,
• Mt. Diablo Adult Education Surgical Technology Students Receive Scholarships, and
• School and Staff social media highlights.

You can read it here. 

 

In recognition of Dyslexia Awareness Month in October, MDUSD held two "Experience Dyslexia" events this month that gave participants the opportunity to better understand the challenges that people with dyslexia face every day. MDUSD is ahead of many other districts in screening students in grades K-2 for dyslexia, which will be required by the state in all districts in 2025-26.  The District's Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC) created a dyslexia task force and obtained the Experience Dyslexia simulations through a grant they received, said Dorothy Weisenberger, CAC Chair, during the Oct. 21st event. "This is about getting our kids help and about us as parents understanding what our kids go through," said Weisenberger, who is the mother of three children with dyslexia. After she first participated in the simulations, Weisenberger told parents at the event, "I cried and went home and hugged my kids. I kept thinking, 'It has to be easier.' But it doesn't get easier. They have to learn a different way." The simulations helped parents understand the immense effort and focus that students with dyslexia need to complete tasks that may be easy for those without dyslexia, as well as the frustration and helplessness they may feel when they cannot complete classwork or homework as quickly as their peers.  In the simulations, Weisenberger and MDUSD Special Education staff members played the roles of teachers giving assignments to students with time limitations. Participants played the roles of students, trying to accomplish tasks while attempting to overcome barriers that made it difficult to process the information they were given. The simulations included: trying to read unfamiliar symbols and decode their meanings based on context and repetition in texts,   trying to write down information dictated by the teacher while significant background noise makes it difficult to hear instructions, trying to draw a star shape while looking in a mirror to watch your hand moving your pencil under a cardboard tent, trying to write letters and unknown symbols with your non-dominant hand, taking a spelling test three times, once with the audio simulating hearing loss, once with low level sound, and finally with some amplification simulating a hearing aid.  After each simulation, participants talked about how they felt when they were unable to easily complete the assignments. Many said they felt frustrated and anxious. "It hurt my brain," some one parent. Special education teacher Mabel Ventriglia, who participated in the simulations, said: "I felt like I had to retrain my brain." She also noted that some students who have trouble reading act out in class or make excuses, such as needing to go to the restroom, to avoid reading aloud in front of their peers. MDUSD Special Education Director Amy Sudrla and other facilitators told parents that early screening can help identify students with dyslexia so they can get interventions and learn to read by the end of 3rd grade, which is essential for them to be able to read to learn in grades 4-12 and into adulthood. Parents can also ask for accommodations such as a quiet place to take assessments, additional time or no time limits, and assistive technology to help with auditory processing challenges. Sudrla said dyslexic students are often exhausted by the end of the school day and need a break to decompress when they get home before plunging into homework. They should also be praised by teachers and parents for incremental improvements, in recognition of the extra work they are putting in to process information. After the event, a parent named Anna said she appreciated the simulations and information provided. "It was super helpful," she said, adding that it not only showed her what it feels like to have dyslexia, but also gave her practical steps for advocating for her child. A CAC presentation about MDUSD's mClass dyslexia diagnostic screener and interventions including Spire and LindaMood Bell is here. Details about dyslexia screening and curriculum materials approved by the MDUSD School Board in June are here. Information about the CAC is here. California Dyslexia Guidelines (2018) are here.

Students from all District high schools had the opportunity to meet with representatives from nearly 50 organizations offering training and career opportunities during the 7th annual Career Education Fair at Concord High School on Oct. 16th. The MDUSD Career Pathways Program event, organized in partnership with Concord HS College and Career Advisor Sheila Bergum, highlighted many options that don't necessarily require 4-year college degrees, but offer training, high salaries, excellent benefits. These included unions for carpenters, electricians, plumbers and other trades that offer apprenticeship programs; Mt. Diablo Adult Education and community colleges; the U.S. military; local law enforcement; and public services agencies.

"Not all students are going to go directly to college," said Heather Fontanilla, MDUSD Director of College and Career Readiness, explaining that the fair exposes them to what else is out there. She said news reports have recently noted that plumbers and HVAC techs can become millionaires, showing the value of skilled trades. The District's 21 high school Career Pathways programs also help to expose students to a variety of career fields including healthcare, digital arts, engineering, culinary arts, and hospitality, she added.

Students from other schools were bused to the fair and given time to browse the career booths, ask questions, and sign up for more information, along with Concord HS students. Concord HS senior Nicholas Gutlalenko said he really enjoyed finding out about healthcare careers such as becoming a medical assistant at the Kaiser booth. His classmate Rosh Well, a junior, said he appreciated the fair because he hasn't yet decided what kind of career he wants to pursue and it was interesting to see the variety of options available. He said he might consider sports medicine, since he is an athlete and his mother is a nurse.

A few organizations also offered hands-on experiences. Outside the gym, students were able to try on Contra Costa firefighters' gear and sit in a fire engine, or operate an excavator while they learned about careers as Operating Engineers from the Local 3 union. Contra Costa Fire Captain Denis Ware told students firefighting pays well and provides a lot of camaraderie. "I love it," he said, adding that he enjoyed speaking to students about his career because a lot of people don't consider firefighting unless they have relatives in the field. College Park HS senior Dante Nishizawa, who tried on some firefighting gear, said he is interested in becoming a firefighter. "I think I'd enjoy it," he said. Meanwhile, Operating Engineers Local 3 Apprenticeship Coordinator Richie Dominguez was showing students how to operate the excavator and telling them the benefits of joining his field. The starting salary is $32.87 per hour and goes up based on years of experience. The job includes family medical coverage and a pension after retirement. He currently oversees 120 apprentices, including 13 women, he said proudly. "They are our future," he said, adding that the fair gives organizations like his the opportunity to recruit the next generation of equipment operators.

Anna Ramos, manager of youth development and support services, praised Bergum for continuing to spearhead the event she started several years ago. "It's been really beneficial to a lot of the students," Ramos said, adding that some of the most popular booths were PG&E, the U.S. Army, Pacific States Aviation, and Operating Engineers.

Each year, the organizers try to improve the fair, she said. This year, they included students from all the District's alternative high school programs and provided sign-up sheets to follow up with students who are interested in specific organizations. The District will offer a similar career fair to 8th-graders in January.

Click on the reel below to see more highlights from the event.

 

 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter highlights:

• The District Career Education Fair held at Concord HS,
• Student news including Concord High football star Jayden Reger has been featured by WestCoast Preps as the "comeback player of the year," Mt. Diablo High School’s Tennis Team Captain Samantha Bravo Ortega is in the spotlight, Mt. Diablo Adult Education students go on field trip to the Pleasant Hill Library, and a news story by Northgate HS journalist Caroline Donohoe,
• School news including Pleasant Hill MS art students celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, and
• School and Staff Social Media Highlights!

You can read it here.

 

The 12th Annual MDUSD College Fair will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 at Ygnacio Valley HS, 755 Oak Grove Road in Concord.

It is open only to students and parents/guardians from MDUSD high schools or Adult programs.

Students must show a student ID or proof of attending a MDUSD Adult program to enter the fair.

Highlights:
● Meet more than 90 representatives from colleges and universities.
● Learn about other post-secondary options and gather resources.
● Get answers to questions and make an informed decision about the right fit.
● Ideal for HS juniors and seniors!

This event is run entirely by volunteers. To volunteer or ask questions, email mdusdcollegefair@gmail.com.