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MDUSD is offering 5 Dual Enrollment classes next Fall that enable high school students to earn college credits through Diablo Valley College (DVC).

The courses include:

• Social Justice and Public Health courses at Mt Diablo High School; and
• Early Childhood Education, Social Justice, and Industrial Design courses at Ygnacio Valley High School.

Check out the Dual Enrollment Flyers and Fall 2025 Dual Enrollment Schedule for locations, dates and times.

More information, including a tentative recruiting schedule at Mt. Diablo HS and Ygnacio Valley HS, is here. 

 

An Ygnacio Valley HS "InvenTeam" of 12 students has been working for months to develop an invention aimed at helping those with limited hand mobility regain independence by expressing themselves with hand gestures and manipulating their fingers to accomplish small tasks. The students are on one of eight teams in the country - and the only one in California - to be selected to participate in prestigious Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam® grant program, which challenges them to create a solution to a real world problem. 

The team reached a milestone in late February, when it presented its prototype during a Mid-Grant Technical Review to program administrators and local community members including Concord Vice Mayor Laura Nakamura and Kaylee Deland, Senior Outreach Coordinator for Rep. Mark DeSaulnier. "Their presence, along with the support from our community, made the event incredibly meaningful for our students," said engineering teacher Joseph Alvarico, who is mentoring the team along with math and International Baccalaureate teacher Tabatha Box. "Our team received valuable feedback from the attendees, which will help them refine both their product development and presentation skills moving forward. The insights shared will be instrumental in strengthening their work as we continue progressing toward EurekaFest."

EurekaFest is the culmination of the program, when all eight teams will travel to Boston to present their final prototypes at MIT. The YVHS team is working on a glove with fingers that move using tiny servo motors connected by dorsal strings that are operated by preset computer programs coded by the students that could include a thumbs up, peace sign, pointing, and customizable movements. All of the students on the InvenTeam are also in the school's engineering pathway and participate in the Project 212 afterschool robotics club, which has given them a variety of technical, teamwork and presentation skills that they are using in their invention challenge. 

To fine-tune their invention, the team has reached out to mentors including Dr. Shelby Edgar, the Director of Hand Therapy at Golden State Orthopedic, to find out what kinds of challenges her patients face and what would help them the most. To narrow their focus, the team decided to target helping people with radial nerve palsy, a condition that impairs hand and wrist movement due to nerve damage and affects their ability to do daily tasks. This is often a temporary condition that lasts 6-18 months and affects 2-17% of people, team members said.

They received feedback on their technical invention, sustainability, communications/research, and financing for both the invention and their trip to the East Coast. If they are successful in creating a unique invention that is marketable, they may seek a patent. They have raised enough money for the trip, but are still seeking additional funding for the prototype, hoping that any additional money raised could be used to continue a similar invention program locally by integrating it into the engineering and/or International Baccalaureate program curriculum at the school. They are also continuing to seek mentors who can give them additional feedback on their invention. More information is on the team's Instagram and GoFundMe page. 

 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• The Ygnacio Valley High School InvenTeam,
• Horizons Center for Independent Study 11th-grader Regina Brunson earns spot at National Gymnastics competition,
• Mt. Diablo HS Health Occupations of America (HOSA) students continue education over spring break,
• A county library event at the Mt. Diablo Adult Education campus,
• School social media highlights featuring elementary and high schools,
• Staff social media highlights featuring Technology Integration Leaders (TILs),
• And more!

You can read it here.

 

Mt. Diablo HS Digital Innovation students and their teacher Susan Verharen proudly unveiled a new makerspace on Wednesday that they designed in the school library in collaboration with library media teacher Jean Malinasky. The interactive space includes maker stations such as a Lego "Brick Lab," art-focused "Papercraft Pavilion," crochet and macrame "Fabrication Station," and "Wordsmith Studio" where students can make bookmarks, journals and other literary-themed treasures. The space also includes a button machine and "Cricut" cuttiing machine that students can use to create buttons or other design projects such as stickers.

"Last spring Ms. Malinasky had a vision to create a space in the library where students could use their creativity in bookmaking, fine arts, fiber arts and constructing physical objects for enrichment, class projects, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) without the use of technology," said Verharen, whose seniors in the Career Technology Education (CTE) Technology Pathway took on the project as a work-based learning experience, with Malinasky as their "client." 

'The students used the design engineering process to ideate, research, define project’s goals and the deliverables to create the library makerspace while Ms. Malinasky provided feedback and approvals to keep with her vision," Verharen said. "The furniture layout was designed by the class using 2D vector drawing software. All marketing materials and signage was designed by the class using Canva. To add to the decor, our fine arts and multimedia student art is displayed on the walls." 

To tie the makerspace in with the school curriculum, the students and teachers created an 18-page google doc that lists projects by subject area. For example, science students can make paper roller coasters, history students can make replicas of historical artifacts and language arts students can make character dioramas. They are hoping teachers will visit with their classes to see all the options available, which also include making beaded bracelets, key chains, Ninja stars made of popsicle sticks and origami. The projects can give students a sense of accomplishment, help them remember what they learned in class, and provide a quiet activity that can help calm them down if they're feeling stressed.

The students who designed the makerspace said it was a challenging, but fun project and they are eager to teach other students how to use it. Board Vice President Cherise Khaund, who toured the space on Wednesday, was impressed. "I just love seeing the opportunity for student-led creativity and design that's accessible to students throughout the school," she said. The makerspace will be open to students during lunch, and for after school clubs with teacher supervision, Verharen said. Staff may also consider using the space for team-buiding activities. Malinasky said she believes the makerspace could be a model that other schools could replicate and she invites colleagues from throughout the District to come and visit.

More photos from the grand opening are here.

 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• New Makerspace at Mt. Diablo High School,
• Ygnacio Valley HS and Mt. Diablo HS robotics teams recognized by Concord City Council;
• Ygnacio Valley HS senior Sa’rye Starks is named an Inspirational Athlete by Cal-Hi Sports after advocating for greater recognition of girls sports,
• 4 MDUSD athletes named to All-Bay Area News Group’s basketball teams,
• A visit to Robert Shearer Preschool by Bob Shearer’s family,
• Robert Shearer Preschool and Gregory Gardens Elementary students and staff recognize Autism Acceptance Day and some Gregory Gardens students recognize end of Ramadan,
• El Dorado Middle School’s multicultural fashion show,
• Pleasant Hill Middle School’s college and career display,
• Concord High School’s spirited March Madness basketball game,
• The Horizons/Prospect Graduation Fair,
• High School counselors and advisors visit Cal Maritime to learn about upcoming merger with Cal Poly,
• Director of Purchasing and Warehouse featured in CA Assoc. of School Business Officials' Spring magazine;
• And more!

You can read it here. 

 

Transformative program creates affordable pathway to teaching while addressing critical classroom needs in Contra Costa County

The Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) is proud to announce a partnership with Saint Mary’s College Kalmanovitz School of Education (KSOE) to implement an innovative Teacher Residency Program. This collaborative initiative is designed to make earning a teaching credential more affordable and accessible while addressing critical teacher shortages.

MDUSD received a Teacher Residency Grant through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing that provides each teacher resident with a stipend to help offset tuition costs. This financial support makes the pathway to teaching significantly more accessible for aspiring educators who might otherwise face cost barriers.

"We are excited about the opportunity to increase the resources and options available to future educators while also maintaining our focus on improving quality instruction and high expectations for all of our students," states Dr. Wendi Aghily, Chief, Pupil Services and Special Education for MDUSD. "This is an investment in the future that can have ripple effects for years to come."

The program integrates a full year of coursework on the Saint Mary's campus with concurrent in-classroom student teaching under the guidance of experienced MDUSD mentor teachers. This integrated approach ensures that theoretical knowledge is applied in real classroom settings, enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of the resident teachers' education while providing valuable support to MDUSD students.

Dr. S. Marshall Perry, KSOE Interim Dean, highlights the educational excellence at the core of the program: "The partnership with Mt. Diablo exemplifies our Lasallian commitment to providing transformative education that prepares teachers for the complex realities of today's classrooms. Our distinctive curriculum, combined with an immersive classroom experience, ensures that teacher residents develop not only subject matter expertise but also the cultural competency, adaptive teaching skills, and reflective practice essential for educating the whole person.”

Upon successful completion of the program, residents will earn a California preliminary single-subject (math or science) or multiple-subject teaching credential, with an option to add a Bilingual Spanish Authorization certificate. 

Additional benefits include:

• Tuition stipend
• Individualized mentorship
• Guaranteed substitute teaching opportunities
• Priority consideration for teaching positions within MDUSD

The program demonstrates both institutions' commitment to increasing teacher diversity to better represent the communities they serve. By creating more accessible pathways to teaching credentials, the partnership aims to develop a teacher workforce that brings diverse perspectives and cultural competencies to the classroom and community.

Those interested in learning more about the program are invited to attend an online MDUSD Residency Information Session on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 4 pm. Register here for this online information session. 

Additional information about the program, including how to apply, can be found here. 

Questions about the MDUSD Teacher Residency Program can be directed to Saint Mary's KSOE Admissions team at ksoeapply@stmarys-ca.edu or 925-631-4700.

About Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Mt. Diablo Unified School District serves approximately 30,000 students at over 50 school sites in the communities of Concord, Pleasant Hill, Clayton, Bay Point, Pittsburg, and parts of Walnut Creek, Martinez, and Lafayette. MDUSD is committed to ensuring high-quality education for all students and providing innovative programs that prepare them for success in college, career, and life.

About Saint Mary's Teacher Education Program at Kalmanovitz School of Education
The Kalmanovitz School of Education at Saint Mary's College of California is dedicated to preparing education professionals for lives of service and leadership. Guided by Lasallian values of faith, service, and community, the teaching program emphasizes inclusive excellence, social justice, and transformative education. These Lasallian principles inform a curriculum that fosters concern for the poor and social justice, respect for all persons, quality education, and an inclusive community. With a strong emphasis on equity in education, the school offers comprehensive programs that blend theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience. The Kalmanovitz School of Education is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and is known for its innovative approaches to teacher preparation that respond to the evolving needs of diverse students, families, and communities.

 

This week's Friday Letter Spotlights:

• A guest spotlight of the Elementary Honor and Middle School Choir Concert by Music Teacher Michelle Hackel
• MDUSD High School Choir Festival on Wednesday, April 2 
• District News highlighting No School on Monday, March 31 for the Cesar Chavez Holiday, the MDUSD Board recognizes April as Arab American Heritage Month, and Spring Recess is April 7-14
• This week's Resource for Immigrant Families is The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), which was founded in 1986 to advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees
• School news highlighting Ygnacio Valley High School and Northgate High School students gathering to discuss the issue of hate speech in schools during Northgate’s Wellness Day
• And more!

You can read it here

 

Guest column by Michelle Hackel, MDUSD Music Teacher

The 3rd Annual Elementary Honor Choir and Middle School Choir was held Monday, March 24th at Concord High School and featured selected students from 13 elementary school choirs along with choirs from Pleasant Hill, Foothill and El Dorado middle schools. The concert also included an opening number by the Concord High School Honey Tones.

Mount Diablo Music Education Foundation (MDMEF) sponsors this event annually. MDMEF, established in 2009, has given over $217,000.00 in grants and other financial support to music programs throughout MDUSD, and purchased music for the singers and provided event T-shirts for the elementary students for this concert. Foundation funds also brought in guest conductor Katherine Nash-Coan, who holds a Masters degree in Choral Conducting, is a former MDUSD teacher and the current choir director in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. Her energy and talent in bringing singers together was evident in the avid attention she received from over 100 fourth- and fifth-grade students from across the district during the pre-concert rehearsal, their first time ever singing together.

Concord High’s Honey Tones, directed by event host Anthony West, sang “Jom-Ayuh-Mari!” by Tracy Wong, followed by Dawn O’Connell conducting the Pleasant Hill MS Choir in “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,” by Mark Hayes. Then Sally Anderson took the stage to lead her Foothill MS Griffin Choir in “The Dream Keeper,” by Rollo Dillworth, and her Concert Choir in “Dulaman,” by Cristi Cary Miller. The El Dorado MS Choir, led by Andy La, presented a haunting rendition of “In This Ancient House,” by Ruth Morris Gray. The Elementary Honor Choir sang two songs: “All the Beautiful Colors,” arranged by Mary Donnelly and George L.O. Strid, and “I Met a Bird,” by Jim Papoulis. Finally, all the choirs took the stage together, joined also by singers from Kenneth Hutchinson’s Oak Grove MS Choir, to conclude with an inspiring performance of “Sisi Ni Moja (We Are One),” by Jacob Neverud.

This concert brings MDUSD students together to celebrate and share the joy of singing. The event would not have been possible without the dedication of Bonnie Shea, Lead Teacher for the district’s Elementary Vocal and General Music team. In addition to Shea, elementary music teachers who brought singers to the event this year included Michelle Hackel, Jessica Gourlay, Emily Blackshore, Catherine Grant, Amanda Smythe, Danielle Haffner, David Wright (who accompanied on the flute) and Stella Brown (who performed as a collaborative pianist). Richard Lyon was present to assist, and the audience included District Office administrators Kellie Hoover and Erin DeMartini, as well as MDMEF Board Members. 

The annual concert provides teachers with a chance for meaningful collaboration, the families and community members the opportunity to see the value of choral music education, and the singers, the benefit and challenge of participating in a large, high profile performance experience. We especially love to see how inspired our younger singers are by seeing the choral possibilities in their future at the middle and high school.

Guest Conductor Katherine Nash-Coan leads MDUSD combined choirs in March 24, 2025 performance.