2021-22 News Archives

In late September, Golden Valley High Associate Principal Megan Cope made her return to work much to the delight of the entire campus and the district. Megan had been battling a rare liver disease for seven years before things took a downward turn that forced her to take a medical leave last Spring.

Following an unsuccessful operation to remove the left half of her liver, she was placed on the donor list in April. Not one to lay around and wait, Megan pushed her doctors to be aggressive about finding her a liver.

"I told them that I want to have this liver transplant in the summer and be back at work in the fall," said Megan. "The doctors were like 'Ok, we'll see what we can do.' but I was like "No, this is gonna happen!'"

To help speed up the process, the decision was made to have Megan wait for a donor in St. Louis where there would be a higher probability of securing a liver for her blood type a lot sooner. Then, miraculously, she got a call in July that a match had been found back in San Francisco. Megan and her mom dropped everything and flew back immediately.

"When I came out to St. Louis, I was in a wheelchair and didn't even have the energy to get around the airport," said Megan. "But when I got the call from San Francisco, I had so much adrenaline that I was able to hightail to the airport and onto the plane."

Megan's positive disposition continued leading up to and after the transplant. The surgery was 12 hours long and she had to remain in the ICU for 24 hours afterward. Megan doesn't remember much other than the fact that she was up and moving a day later, much to the surprise of the medical staff.

"There was a moment right before the surgery when I was left alone for about 10 minutes while they were preparing the operating room," said Megan. "I wasn't nervous at all like I thought I would be. Instead, this calmness rushed over me. I felt all of the support that I had received from family and friends and coworkers. And then when it was time, I walked into the room and was like 'Ok, let's do this!"

Megan was feeling a lot better soon after the surgery. She began asking, and eventually begging, her doctors to allow her to return to work several times but was advised to give herself more time to rest.

"Many people thought I was crazy, but I am truly happiest when I have work to do and tasks to complete," said Megan. "I love my job and I could not wait to get back to it."

Megan is now back at work full-time and feeling great. In fact, she's feeling even better than she did 7 years ago when this whole thing started. Her next task is to write a thank you letter to the donor’s family. She would also love to offer support to others who are going through the same thing she did.

"There aren’t words to describe how thankful I am," said Megan. "I wish I could let everyone know how much they’re support meant to me. I don’t know if I could have done it without the love I felt."

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If you follow Atwater High sports teams on social media, chances are you’ve seen the work of Ms. Murphy’s Sports and Entertainment Marketing class on display. Students have been producing content for teams throughout the fall season as part of the class’s Fall Sports Social Media Campaign project.

Ms. Murphy got the idea for her capstone course last year while coaching JV Girls Basketball. She was also running the social media accounts for the team and other coaches liked what she was doing. So much so, that they approached her about helping out with their social media also. The amount of work that entailed proved to be more than she could commit to.

But then the lightbulb went off. Seeing as how she is already teaching a class that examines how young people are being marketed to, Ms. Murphy decided to come up with a way that her students could take what they’re learning and apply it to a real world scenario.

“I thought, what better way to incorporate sports and entertainment marketing than to create a social media campaign that would emulate what it would actually take to do this for an actual team,” said Ms. Murphy. “A bonus is that it’s right here on-campus so it still has that close to home feeling.”

First she had to get the buy-in from teams. Thankfully, because a lot of them are friends who know the coaches and players that wasn’t an issue. Then it was time to do the legwork which included meeting with coaches and coming up with objectives and goals. After that, the students had to create a social media calendar that showed what days they would be posting and at what times just like a social media strategists would.

Building relationships and monitoring analytics are paramount for this project. Ms. Murphy says that the aim was to show the students that social media marketing is much more than just taking and posting pictures.

“I wanted the students to see that it’s not as easy as they think it is when you have set goals and objectives to hit,” said Ms. Murphy. “And there’s a lot more at stake when there’s a client on the other end which, for this, were the coaches and athletes.”

The amount of work that was put in is evident and the students got to see the fruits of their labor posted for all to see. Ms Murphy was beyond pleased with the results.

“I was extremely proud of the work that they produced,” said Ms. Murphy. “I was so blown away by the amount of focus and attention that students gave to create content that they hoped would engage an audience. And they were really proud to see their work shared!”

Ms. Murphy says the purpose of her class is to prepare students for careers in Digital Media and Marketing, and from what we’ve seen so far, any company or agency will be lucky to have one of her students on its staff in the future.

School libraries offer a wealth of resources and MUHSD’s libraries are no exception. From providing the most sought-after titles in both traditional and electronic formats, to facilitating collaboration space for students and staff, to the creative confines of the MakerSpace, school libraries are constantly buzzing with activity. And at the heart of it all are the Teacher-Librarians. These multi-taskers wear many hats, oftentimes all at once.

“We really do a lot to support learning at our campuses,” said Golden Valley High Teacher Librarian Mrs. Woodall. “We are program administrators, we are information specialists, we are technology experts...we are also teachers. It’s right there in the title, and that’s been the shift that’s taken place from before.”

Now in her 7th year as the head of GV’s Library Center, Mrs. Woodall uses every opportunity that arises as a teachable moment. For example, when students come to her with tech issues she doesn’t just fix the problem. She troubleshoots it with them and walks them through the various possible solutions until one works.

Mrs. Woodall’s expertise also extends into the classroom where she regularly provides lessons on a variety of topics. A recent session in Mr. Camp’s science class covered tips and strategies to improve information literacy skills on the Internet. Students that day learned how to Google like a pro, how to efficiently search databases and how to determine if a source is credible.

“I frequently co-teach and I also provide teachers with “Tech Tips” which are ways that they can include technology in their lesson plans,” said Mrs. Woodall. “We, as Teacher-Librarians, are here to support the learning of both the students and the faculty.”

The reason she is able to spend that time in classrooms is because she can trust her Library Media Technician, Mrs. Bristow, to hold down the fort. Every site has a Library Media Tech who handles the bulk of the customer service. But once a line begins to form, Mrs. Woodall is happy to step in and assist her.

And while it can get hectic at times, Mrs. Woodall wants the staff at GV to know that she and her resources are always available.

“We love collaborating, and while we get busy, we want staff to know that we are never too busy to help them,” said Mrs. Woodall. “There are certain things we do that can be paused.”

One of those things is the ongoing book collecting (and weeding) that takes place. In her never-ending quest to have something for everyone, Mrs. Woodall constantly scours the Internet for content to add to her library. And that doesn’t necessarily mean what’s on the New York Times Best Sellers List.

“Book collection is much more than just adding what’s new,” said Mrs. Woodall. “I like to make sure I have books that represent all of the students on our campus, including our reluctant readers. So what’s popular at say, Barnes and Noble, may not be a fit for your specific student body.”

Another way MUHSD Teacher-Librarians keep students coming back is by getting input about what they would like to see offered. Of course there’s a vetting process for every submission, but if it passes then Teacher-Librarians do everything they can to have it in stock.

There’s also a lot of collaboration that takes place amongst the sites. And the online catalog allows you to see if a title or piece of material not at your site’s library is available at another site.

“Our circulation numbers are way up and that doesn't just happen,” said Mrs. Woodall. “You have to constantly work on improving your selection.”

As part of those improvements, the Golden Valley Library has recently undergone a gentrification, meaning books are now grouped by genre much like you would see in a bookstore. Mrs. Woodall says that it allows her to get at the heart of what kids are reading.

Then there’s the TikTok account.

“I have fun with that and the idea is to reach as many kids as possible,” said Mrs. Woodall. “Literacy is a big issue and we do all we can to support learning for everyone.”

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A special assembly was held at Gracey Elementary School which was attended by 3rd graders wearing UC Merced and Merced College t-shirts. During the event, the leaders from Merced City School District, Merced Union High School District, Merced College and UC Merced each took turns speaking to the students about the opportunity to fulfill their academic and career goals locally. 

"If you want to become a doctor, an engineer or a teacher...whatever you want to accomplish in your life, you can get it done right here in Merced," Merced City School District (MCSD) Interim Superintendent Doug Collins told the audience. 

The "Merced Promise" started as a partnership between Merced College and UC Merced and involved streamlining the transfer process for students who wished to attend the UC. MUHSD joined when the Merced Automatic Admissions Program (MAAP) was formed. Announced in early 2021, the MAAP program guarantees admission to UC Merced for MUHSD students who complete certain criteria. And now, MCSD has come into the fold. 

"This is a tremendous day for all local students," said MUHSD Superintendent Alan Peterson. "The communication and collaboration between MCSD, MUHSD, Merced College and UC Merced is better then it's ever been and the students will be the benefactors from this work." 

During his speech, Merced College President Chris Vitelli asked the students to stand up, raise their right hand and promise to do their best in school. In return, Vitelli said that they will have every opportunity to reach their goals. 

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MUHSD Family, 

First, I want to thank you for your ongoing support of all of our students and staff. Providing a safe school environment for all of our students and employees continues to be our top priority.

On October 1, Governor Newsom announced a new proposed mandate for students attending in-person instruction to be vaccinated against COVID-19 following full FDA approval of the vaccine. While we don’t know when that will occur, we are well aware that this announcement has caused anxiety in our school community. With this memo, we hope to relieve some of that.

The way the announcement was made was confusing to many, so, through this FAQ, I hope to clarify some of the information that was presented. 

What specifically did the Governor announce? 

The Governor, utilizing the emergency regulation process provided to the administration in the 2015 school vaccination bill, Senate Bill 277 (Pan, D-Sacramento), noted that as vaccines receive full U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for youth, those students will be required to be vaccinated. This was simply a press conference, no action has been taken.

What does this mean for our students? 

Once federal regulators fully approve the vaccine for youth 12 and up, the state will require students in 7th through 12th grades to get vaccinated in both public and private schools. Newsom said he expects that requirement to be in place by July 1, 2022. The Governor's Office expects the COVID vaccine will receive full approval for youth 12 and up by January 2022. Once that occurs, that vaccination will be added to the school vaccine requirement list effective July 1, 2022, to affect the 2022–23 school year. 

What is the current school vaccination/immunization requirement in California?

Effective July 1, 2019

Immunizations required to enter Kindergarten: Polio, Diphtheria, Tetanus & Pertussis (DTaP), Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR), Hepatitis B, Varicella (Chickenpox) 

Immunizations required to enter 7th grade: Tetanus, diphtheria & pertussis booster (Tdap), Varicella (Chickenpox) 

Can families "opt-out” of the Governor's future emergency mandate? 

According to the statement made by Governor Newsom, medical, religious and personal belief exemptions may be available. The details of these opt-out options have not yet been released. Once these details are announced, they will be communicated to our MUHSD families. 

Does the MUHSD Board of Trustees have any local decision making authority in this matter? 

No. 

It must be stated that as a district, we are obligated to follow state Health and Safety Code requirements, laws and regulations, and vaccination requirements under sections 120325 - 120380 of the California Health and Safety Code. That being said, MUHSD is very concerned about implementing a mandate on our school community that would either affect the employment status of staff or the in-person opportunities for our students. Between the exemptions that will be allowed and our expanded testing program, we believe that we will be able to continue as is for the foreseeable future. We believe that we can have a safe school community and respect the rights of students and staff at the same time. 

If you have opinions that you would like to share about this new regulation or provide input on the rulemaking process associated with this new mandate, please direct those to the California Department of Public Health or contact our local representatives. 

Adam Gray -  assemblymember.gray@assembly.ca.gov

Anna Caballero - senator.caballero@sen.ca.gov

As the situation unfolds, the Board of Trustees will continue to discuss the matter and determine the best way to move forward. As always, thank you for your continued patience and understanding. We are committed to keeping all of our employees and families informed when we have more information to share.

ap

 

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The Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) Board of Trustees appointed Amalee Jayasinghe to the vacant Trustee Area 4 seat of the Governing Board at the Regular Board Meeting held Wednesday, September 9. The position was vacated recently when John Sweigard resigned last month due to moving out of Area 4. 

Jayasinghe was one of four eligible candidates who applied for the vacancy which was posted between August 24 - September 2, 2021. Rather than hold a costly special election, the Board opted to go with an appointment to fill out the remainder of the term which runs through December of 2022.

A plant manager for Scholle IPN, Jayasinghe has three daughters in the local public school system including a freshman at El Capitan High. Jayasinghe believes that her experience as a local employer gives her an understanding of what local high school graduates need in order to be successful in their life.

“As an employer who hires high school graduates from our community, I want to ensure that our students are set up for success whether they are headed to 4-year universities, technical/trade schools or straight into the working world,” said Jayasinghe. 

Jayasinghe will be officially sworn in during the Regular Board meeting in October.

 

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The Governing Board of Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) is seeking an individual who is interested in serving as a Trustee on the MUHSD Board of Trustees from Sep 2021 to Dec 2022. The individual must be 18 years of age or older, a citizen of the state, a resident of Trustee Area 4, a registered voter, and who is not disqualified by the Constitution or laws of the state from holding civil office.

A Trustee Area map can be found on the School Board section of the district website.  All applications must be submitted online by Thursday, September 2nd at 5:00 pm.  For questions, call Leslie Rohrback, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent at 325-2020.

TRUSTEE CANDIDATE APPLICATION

MUHSD has partnered with the California Department of Public Health to offer students rapid antigen and PCR testing for COVID-19. Not all students will be tested, only those who are identified as a close contact.

Results of the tests will be available within minutes, and if a student's test comes back negative, they can be sent back to class. This testing is through Primary Health and begins on the week of August 23, 2021. To get started, students need to pre-register.

Sites will be testing on most school days between the hours of 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM. This is specific for each of our high school sites. Again, if a student's COVID-19 test comes back negative they will not have to quarantine and can go back to class.  

If assistance is needed with registration or if there any questions about the CA Rapid Antigen Testing Program, please contact a call center representative Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm PST at 650-275-5419. To get information on hours of operation for different test locations, please contact your site's Health Office.

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Atwater, CA (August 17, 2021) – Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) is pleased to announce that all students will eat meals at no charge during the 2021-22 school year thanks to the district's participation in the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The program allows MUHSD to provide breakfast and lunch at no charge to all students, eliminating the need for free and reduced-price meal applications.

The CEP allows school districts in areas with a high number of low-income families to serve meals at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. Schools are eligible for the program if they have a certain percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced meals.

“We know that students have a difficult time learning when they are hungry and this program allows us to meet a critical need that will help our students be ready and able to learn throughout the school day,” said MUHSD Superintendent Alan Peterson.

According to MUHSD Director of Nutrition Services Erin Tassey, the designation also helps remove the social stigma from students who qualify for free or reduced meals because all students now eat meals at no charge.

“We are committed to providing students with as many opportunities as possible for them to get complete, healthy meals,” said Tassey. “CEP allows us to remove a roadblock to that access for many of our students.”

For more information about CEP, visit www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/cep.asp.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of

the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1)       Mail:   U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

(2)       Fax:    202-690-7442

(3)       E-mail: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Prepared by CDE-NSD|Aug2014

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After a year and half, MUHSD campuses were once again open to all students and staff as the 2021-22 school year kicked off. Staff we talked to said that students were happy to be back with their friends and in-person learning.

Click on the video below to watch more reactions from the first week of school!

 

Yosemite High history teacher Jeff Rivero was named "Educator of the Year" by the Center for Green Schools, an organization founded by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) aimed at supporting green efforts of K-12 schools and districts. The announcement was made at the USGBC and Green Schools National Network's "Best of Green Schools Awards" held at the end of June. 

Mr. Rivero, who was a recipient of the EPA's Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators in 2016, uses environmental issues in the classroom to get students involved in current events and community service projects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rivero has focused his efforts on alleviating food insecurity and poverty in communities.

"Mr. Rivero is a great ambassador for MUHSD and beyond with regard energy sustainability and a greener tomorrow," said MUHSD Superintendent Alan Peterson. "He is a true believer and uses his own time and treasure to promote the cause to his students and our community."

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Rivero thanked his students, co-workers and community partners. Mr. Rivero also dedicated his award to the lives that have been lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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Many students struggled with the disconnected nature of Distance Learning, but being able to log into classes from home made life a lot easier for Buhach Colony High senior Olivia Fleming. Olivia grew up chronically ill and was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) when she was a sophomore. EDS is a debilitating genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue in the joints, causing them to dislocate often. 

“I grew up knowing that I wasn’t built like other kids and that physical therapy was going to be a life-long thing for me,” said Olivia.

Olivia’s physical struggles were compounded by her battle with depression. Being told constantly that her condition would only gradually worsen took a toll on her mental health to the point that she lost the motivation to do much of anything. Olivia cites several low points, but she never completely gave up thanks to the amount of love and support she received. Eventually, she would seek treatment for her depression.

“It was a whole process that took a while, but once I started getting treatment I was able to focus again on school and stay on top of things,” said Olivia. “I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family and friends.”

Pandemic notwithstanding, Olivia has thrived during her senior year where she held a 4.0 grade point average and managed to complete a college course as well. She still struggled with attendance, but her teachers and site administrators were very accommodating which allowed Olivia to turn in all of her assignments.

“I can’t thank all of my teachers and the entire staff at Buhach enough,” said Olivia. “They’ve all been so amazing.” 

Olivia also came back out of her shell, singing in the school talent show this year and winning first place. A four-year band and choir member, she was no stranger to performing, however, a bad talent show experience her sophomore year had Olivia second-guessing herself. But because the event was online, participants were able to record themselves over and over until they were happy with their performances prior to submitting. This new wrinkle appealed to Olivia, but she didn’t think that she would actually win. 

“The thing about me winning, is that people who voted for me didn’t see my neck brace and not everyone knew about my medical condition,” said Olivia. “They just picked me because of my talent.” 

Now able to focus on the positive, Olivia has found a new purpose. She hopes one day to work with kids who have cancer so she can provide them with the same love and support that she received. After graduation, she plans to take summer classes at Merced College and begin chipping away at the prerequisites required prior to enrolling in the school’s nursing program. 

“What motivates me the most now is the desire to give back to the medical field,” said Olivia. “I also want to make my family and friends proud.” 

 

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When the pandemic hit and the district switched to Distance Learning, Alfonso Belmonte didn’t struggle with the transition like many of his classmates did. Alfonso had been taking college classes all throughout high school, so he was already accustomed to online learning. 

“A lot of the work I had been doing was online, so the switch to Distance Learning didn’t affect me that much,” said Alfonso. “I guess you could say I was ahead of the curve.”

Since his freshman year, Alfonso had been taking college courses concurrently with his high school workload via the Dual Enrollment Program. The program is a partnership with Merced College and allows students to get a jump on their post-secondary education. It took some convincing at first from his mom and a close family friend, but thanks to their encouragement and his hard work, Alfonso will receive both his high school diploma and Associate Degree this spring. 

“I wasn’t sure if I could do it at first,” said Alfonso. “I thought it would be too much work and I wasn’t sure if I was mentally ready for such a commitment. But once I completed one class, I saw that it was possible.” 

Alfonso states that the biggest adjustment came at the beginning when he had to learn a new system and figure out how to find his assignments online. His professors were very approachable and helped him get settled, but he also noticed that the atmosphere in college is much different than high school. 

“In college, it’s completely on you if you want to do well,” said Alfonso. “If you don’t do your work, nobody is going to check up on you. It’s all up to you.” 

Alfonso also says that there’s a lot more independent work compared to high school, which has it’s pros and cons depending on what type of student you are. Being self-motivated and organized, Alfonso had no problem finding the time to complete his assignments. He also found time to practice for and play not one, but two different sports (volleyball and basketball).

In addition to getting a head start, another benefit of the Dual Enrollment Program is the financial aspect. The program is free for MUHSD students. Alfonso also found it beneficial to get a taste of college life before he becomes a full-time student at CSU Stanislaus, where he’ll study to become a teacher. 

Alfonso recommends the Dual Enrollment Program to any student who’s serious about going to college. And for anyone who isn’t sure if they can handle the extra workload, he uses himself as an example. 

“To be able to get my diploma and college degree at the same time feels great and shows me that I am very capable,” said Alfonso. “As long as you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.”

 

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One of the hardest things to do is admit you need help. For Tatianna Wilson, that moment came when issues at home began affecting her performance in the classroom. She still showed up for class and was able to turn in her work, but mentally she had started checking out.

“I tried my hardest not to let what was happening in my personal life interfere with school,” said Tatianna. “It was just really hard to focus.” 

Prior to hitting this rough patch, Tatianna was excelling academically and looking ahead to college. During the summer prior to her freshman year, Tatianna was given an opportunity to spend a week at UC Merced. She got to live in dorms, participate in on-campus activities and get a taste of what college life was like. And although the showers took some getting used to, the entire experience had a profound effect on her. 

“I always knew I wanted to go to college, but being able to be on-campus and talk to the professors and the students really answered a lot of the questions I had,” said Tatianna. “It made the possibility more real for me.”

In order to get back on track, Tatianna leaned on her faith and her family. She also began visiting with a counselor. A moment of clarity struck when Tatianna realized how fortunate she was to be able to continue her education after high school. Knowing that there are some students who would love to go to college but wouldn’t have the opportunity further strengthened her resolve. 

“Everyone from my family and my teachers encouraged me to keep going, get the most out of the experience and to do something with the degree I earn,” said Tatianna. “They also advised me not to take any breaks because, once you stop going to school, most people never go back again.” 

Tatianna has spent the last couple of months getting the most out of the remainder of her senior year. She’s grateful for the opportunity to go back to school and is excited about having an in-person graduation. Her sister, who was a member of the Class of 2020 and missed out on the senior activities, was the first to receive a ticket. 

Looking back, Tatianna believes that a big part of what kept her motivated to push through her hardship was being involved with school groups. There was always something to look forward to. 

“My advice for any student is to find groups or clubs that you’re interested in and join,” said Tatianna. “And don’t be ashamed if you like being at school. Be true to yourself.”

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Merced Union High School District, in partnership with the Merced County Department of Public Health and Castle Family Health Centers, will hold COVID-19 vaccination clinics for students on all of its campuses beginning the last week of April. The clinics are open to all students age 16 and older. Staff members who haven't received the shot yet may also participate.

Students who wish to receive the shot MUHSD return permission slips by the day prior to the site's clinic. Permission slips are available in the site's main office and school website. 

Student Vaccination Clinics: 

Golden Valley High 4/28

Atwater High 4/29 

Merced High 5/5 

Buhach Colony High 5/6

Livingston High 5/13

El Capitan (TBD)

All clinics 1:30-3:30pm

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Atwater, CA (March 24, 2021) – At a Special Board Meeting held Wednesday, the Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) Board of Trustees voted to return students to a traditional, 5 day a week schedule once they return from Spring Break on April 12. Currently, students who chose to return to campuses are on a A/B hybrid model alternating days that they are in the classroom. 

Seniors may return beginning March 29 while everyone else will join them April 12, at which time the A/B model will be completely phased out. Families will continue to have the option of keeping their students on 100% Distance Learning.

The change comes in light of updated guidance provided by the CDC and the California Department of Education regarding distance requirements in classrooms. COVID-19 prevention protocols will remain in place at all MUHSD sites and staff will work to ensure that safety measures are followed.

“I am ecstatic to provide students the choice to return to a more traditional school environment which, hopefully, relieves some of the anxiety that this past year has caused,” said MUHSD Superintendent Alan Peterson. “I can’t thank the Board enough for their decision.”

Wednesday’s vote also included the elimination of a Distance Learning option next school year unless mandated by the county or state.

 

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MERCED, CA (March 15, 2021) — At a press conference held in the El Capitan High gymnasium, Merced Unified High School District Superintendent Alan Peterson and UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D. announced the Merced Automatic Admission Program (MAAP). Students enrolled in the program who complete specific requirements at the time of graduation will be guaranteed admission to UC Merced.

"This may be the best news our district has ever received with regard to the fundamental education and future opportunities for our students," said Superintendent Peterson. “MAAP gives our students a competitive advantage like never before and also enable us to keep more of our university-bound students close to home.”

Among the criteria, MAAP will allow students with a weighted GPA of 3.5 with no grade lower than a “C” to be automatically admitted to UC Merced through a streamlined admissions process. In addition, UC Merced is able to offer generous financial aid packages for those who qualify. The program is set to commence with the Fall 2022 application cycle.

“We were established not just in the Valley but for the Valley, and we will hold true to that promise,” said Chancellor Munoz. “We want every family in Merced County to know that a University of California education is right here close to home, and that you have the possibility to go from kindergarten to Ph.D. within minutes of your home, if you put in the work."

The MAAP program further solidifies MUHSD's commitment to prepare students for the next step in their lives. MUHSD already partners with Merced College on the Dual Enrollment program, which allows students to earn college credit while in high school.  

"The joining of three institutions that work together to ensure that our students have a number of dynamic postsecondary opportunities is very special for our community," said Superintendent Peterson. “In turn, our hope is that many of our best and brightest will choose to serve our local communities as they begin their careers.”

 

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After almost a year of no sports, Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) athletic competitions are back! Several sports including Cross-county, Swimming, Girls Golf and Girls Tennis will have scheduled matches beginning this week. 

“We are very excited to, once again, have our student-athletes participating in the sport that they love while representing their schools,” said MUHSD Superintendent Alan Peterson. “We’ve been committed to bringing them back as soon as possible for the sake of their physical and mental well-being, but only when it was safe to do so.That time is now.” 

After the California Interscholastic Federation gave counties and schools autonomy to hold their own competitions, MUHSD’s Athletic Directors worked with other school districts within Merced County on a schedule that would work for everyone. The new league, a reformatted Central California Conference (CCC), consists of all six traditional MUHSD sites plus high schools in Hilmar, Dos Palos, Gustine, Le Grand, and Delhi. Stone Ridge Christian High School will also participate in league play. 

“Making all of this work and getting everyone on the same page has been a huge undertaking, but it’s what's best for the kids and that’s been our guiding principle,” said Atwater High Athletic Director Scott Wine. “Seeing them suit up and getting back on the field will make it all worth it.”  

More sports will be added as conditions allow, and the idea is to provide the opportunity for as many sports to be played as possible, even if for an abbreviated season. The schedule for the upcoming CCC season can be viewed at  https://centralcaliforniaconference.weebly.com/

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While trying to think of something nice to do for the residents of a local assisted living facility this Valentine’s Day, Buhach Colony High sophomore Leah Chapman got the idea to hold a teddy bear drive. Leah says that the ongoing pandemic has made life tough for people, and even harder for senior citizens. 

“I wanted to do this because I know that the people in these homes haven’t been able to see their family in a long time,” said Leah. “I want them to see that they are loved and that there are people in the community who appreciate them.”

The event was promoted on social media and bins were placed at locations around town, including one at her school. Having never done anything like this before, Leah wasn’t sure what to expect but she hoped for a good response. She got a great response!

“I was super pleased with the turnout,” said Leah. “I got twice the number of teddy bears that I was expecting, which means that every single person at the facility will receive a teddy bear as well as a card signed by a member of the community.” 

Leah’s campaign received so much support that she still had 50 teddy bears left over after the initial distribution, which she donated to CASA of Merced County - a non-profit that specializes in assisting foster youth. Leah hopes that the stuffed animal gifts make everyone feel special. 

“I just want them to know that they are cherished members of the community and that people do care about them,” said Leah.

 

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Atwater, CA (January 25, 2021) – Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) will mark the beginning of the fourth quarter of the school year with a return to in-person learning. On March 15, students will return to campuses on the A/B hybrid model, alternating days that they will be at schools. Families will continue to have the option to keep their children on Distance Learning for the remainder of the school year.

“We were hopeful that we would see some decline in the COVID numbers by now, but upon consultation with the health department, that is not the case.” said MUHSD Superintendent Alan Peterson. “However, we are optimistic that we are turning the corner and students will return to campuses soon.”

All MUHSD students have been on Distance Learning since returning from Winter Break earlier in the month. Back in November, MUHSD was allowed to return to in-person learning while the county was in the red tier of the state’s COVID Spread Risk Model. The district went back to Distance Learning a week before Winter Break due to a decrease in the number of students attending as well as a drop in staffing levels.

“We understand the frustration that’s out there,” said Superintendent Peterson. “We’re frustrated too. But we need to understand the seriousness of the pandemic and put the safety of our students and staff first and foremost.”

 

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Just prior to Winter Break, Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) received some great news. The California Department of Education released graduation rates for schools and school districts statewide for 2020, and MUHSD improved for the second year in a row. The district's graduation rate has reached 95.2%, a percentage point higher than last year despite the ongoing pandemic. Graduation rates for African American, Hispanic and Asian students also showed improvement since last year.

"It's great to see our numbers increase each year, not only as a district, but also for our diverse groups which all have specific needs," said MUHSD Superintendent Alan Peterson. "The fact that we are able to meet those needs is a testament to the amazing staff we have at MUHSD."

Almost every school site saw an increase in their graduation rates, with Livingston High topping out at 99%! The graduation rate for all of Merced County came in at 91.7% while the state average dipped slightly from last year to 87.6%. 

"Following a year that saw a world-wide pandemic force school closures and take a toll on students and staff, it's nice to have some good news to share at the start of 2021," said Superintendent Peterson.

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