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In MDUSD’s Bay Point Garden at Riverview Middle School, 17 high school students recently completed a four-week Expanded Learning Program internship that included outdoor projects such as improving the paddle cactus garden; painting a mural; creating arts and crafts such as soaps and terrariums; and taking field trips to Mount Diablo and the Challenge Sonoma Adventure Ropes Course. The students from Mt. Diablo and Ygnacio Valley high schools celebrated the end of their internship on July 2 by sharing their experiences with friends, family, District staff and community members.

Hailey Franco said she had fun making soaps with the other interns, laughing and being creative together. "This internship has been an incredible experience," she said. "I've learned so much and met new people. Thank you for giving me this chance."

Maile Sarmiento said she was grateful for the opportunity to create arts and crafts such as the "nature loom," which she made using cardboard, yarn and flowers and leaves. She thanked program coordinators Franchesca Hendryx, Jen Byrd and Anthony Martin for their leadership. "You made it fun and a blast and very memorable," she said. 

Samira Kilicheva said she and other interns were challenged to climb trees up to 50 feet high and walk on ropes or whiz down ziplines during the Challenge Sonoma field trip. "It was super cool and required a lot of mental and physical strength," she said, adding that interns had to go outside of their comfort zones and overcome fears of falling. "Overall, I really loved this field trip because it bonded us even closer than we were before." 

Xavier Colon said working in the cactus garden was hard, but it was rewarding carrying and shoveling materials in wheelbarrows, and putting tarps and logs around the cactuses to make sure no weeds or other plants would grow there. "I used my hands and I enjoyed spending the time working with the people here and getting to know each and every individual," he said.

Program Manager Franchesca Hendryx said the student-run garden area was created 24 years ago. It includes hay benches  in an outdoor amphitheater under a large willow tree, along with smaller trees, plants and a classroom. "The main purpose is to expose students to potential careers in the outdoors and gardens," she said, adding that the students learned to preserve 159 small native trees in protective tubes on a Save Mount Diablo field trip. Their shared experiences also helped them to work together and appreciate their differences. "They started as a team, but they ended as a family," she said. "It's just so nice to see that bond." 

"You grew together and proved that the strongest things we grow aren’t always found in the garden," Hendryx told the teens, before presenting them with internship certificates of completion. “Watching each of you discover your strengths and become such an incredible team is one of the greatest rewards of this program. You grew as people and made a lasting impact on our school and community. While this internship is coming to an end, your growth does not stop here. Keep believing in yourself, supporting each other and planting the seeds of kindness wherever life takes you."

The garden interns will join the rest of MDUSD's Summer interns for a celebration with their internship hosts at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 31 at Mt. Diablo HS in Concord. 

 

By Rio Vista Elementary Summer School Principal Cheryl Kolano and MDUSD Public Information Officer Theresa Brandt

During Summer School and Summer Expanded Learning at Rio Vista Elementary, the “Rockets” students closely followed the World Cup games under the leadership of their Cafeteria Manager, Teresa Rego, who previously coached soccer and who still plays herself!

Ms. Teresa led World Cup Trivia and helped students follow the wins and losses on a poster of the official tournament ladder. Cutouts of team jerseys and team balls decorated the Multi-Use room, where students were served their meals. When the summer programs ended, she gave the students the decorations to take home.

“It makes me feel good,” she said. “I like seeing the kids smile and their faces happy.”

Ms. Teresa joined MDUSD’s Food & Nutrition Services Department in 1994, beginning at Foothill Middle School, then moving to Hidden Valley Elementary, before joining the Rio Vista staff. Over a 6 year period ending around 2001, Ms. Teresa also coached the Mt. Diablo High School Girls’ soccer teams, JV and Varsity! Funding was tight, and the girls did not have the same luxuries as their opponents in Dublin or Walnut Creek. There were no local club soccer teams in the area to help the girls get started at earlier ages. But the Mt. Diablo girls played their hearts out, sometimes with fewer girls on the field than the opponent had.

Ms. Teresa told the girls, “A goal lasts a minute, but a good attitude and sportsmanship last a lifetime.” Referees often complimented the Mt. Diablo team on their attitude and spirit.

She has also coached the Expanded Learning Program (ELP) soccer teams at Rio Vista and Riverview MS, taught cooking classes for students, and she coordinates “Growing Healthy Kids,” which brings together school gardens and school lunches through the Farm to Cafeteria initiative. And she loves participating in Halloween “Spooktacular” Food Services activities.  “I just didn’t want to be one of the lunch ladies who shows up for work and goes home,” she said. “I wanted to be more involved with the students. The kids here all love soccer. I used to go out at lunchtime and play with them.”

Over the past few years In the Rio Vista Elementary School Cafeteria, Ms. Teresa and her staff have navigated from charging for school lunches on a sliding scale, to providing free lunches and snacks for every student. She keeps her kitchen organized and ready with nutritious meal choices for students. “I had a mom tell me, ‘My son eats vegetables because he remembers you telling him to,'" she said. "It makes my day.”
                              
At age 62, Ms. Teresa continues to play soccer herself as the left wing/left striker in the Diablo Co-ed Soccer League in Antioch, along with some of her former students. She wore her jersey under her apron while leading the World Cup activities at Rio Vista. “I like this school,” she said. “We’re like a family. I’d like to retire from here.”

Thank you, Teresa Rego for continuing to give back to our MDUSD students and community!

 

MDUSD is proud to recognize the Diablo Athletic League (DAL) Spring Sports All League selections from our five comprehensive high schools, who were named at the end of the 2025-26 school year. 

These stellar athletes included the following eight MVPs in their divisions:

Baseball, Foothill Div.
MVP Sebastian Alvarez (CPHS)

Baseball Valley Div.
MVP Shane Malloy (NHS)

Softball, Foothill Div. 
MVP Alexis Weiler (CPHS)
MVP: Ashley Herman (NHS)
MVP Pitcher: Savannah Wilson (CPHS)

Softball, Valley Div: 
MVP: Shay Caban (CHS)

Boys Volleyball, Foothill Div: 
MVP: Connor Harze (NHS)

Boys Volleyball, Valley Div: 
MVP: Minamba Demele (MDHS)

We are recognizing DAL 1st, 2nd and 3rd team All League selections in Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, Boys Golf, Boys Tennis, Girls Lacrosse, Boys Lacrosse, Boys Swimming, Girls Swimming, Stunt, Boys Track & Field, and Girls Track & Field. Congrats to all!

Baseball
Foothill Division
MVP: Sebastian Alvarez (CPHS)
First team: Jack Carpenter (CPHS)
Second team: TJ Reinhart, Nick Motta, Desmond Cobb and Riley Meadows (CPHS)
 

Valley Division
MVP: Shane Malloy (NHS)
First team: Max Dashner (CHS); Luke Dress and Andres Zaragoza Roberts (NHS)
Second team: Damian Kochaphum (CHS); Johnny Lezama Vazquez (MDHS); Robert Jurado, Wyatt Curran and Cole Torrey (NHS)

Softball
Foothill Division
MVPs: Alexis Weiler (CPHS) and Ashley Herman (NHS)
MVP Pitcher: Savannah Wilson (CPHS)
First team: Elle Osborne, Lyka Capulong and Viviana Moguel (CPHS); Sophie Hanko (NHS)
Second team: Mia Pfeiffer and Vanessa Brunal (CPHS); Stella Hanko and Jillian Neil (NHS)

Valley Division
MVP: Shay Caban (CHS)
First team: Kendal Schaefer (CHS); Faith Sotelo and Leilani Shepherd (MDHS)
Second team: Ilene Garcia and Kimberly Rubio (CHS); Ashley Cornejo (MDHS)

Boys Volleyball
Foothill Division
MVP: Connor Harze (NHS)
First team: Jaden Quintanilla (CPHS); Zeon Hubp and Ingmar Nordberg (NHS)
Second team: Gabe Rollins (CPHS); Apollo Balagtas and Cooper Kissack (NHS)

Valley Division 
MVP: Minamba Demele (MDHS)
First team: Adam Clamucha (YVHS)
Second team: Vincent Tran (MDHS)

Boys Golf
Foothill Division
First team: Drake Russell (NHS)

Valley Division
First team: Max Stone (CPHS)
Second team: Estevan Leon (MDHS); Dawson Wood (CHS); Bode Adams and Logan Schnee (CPHS); Hugo Trejo (MDHS)

Boys Tennis
Foothill Division
First team, singles: Raihan Lele (NHS)
First team, doubles: Nikko Choi and Vadim Golovin (NHS)
Second team, singles: Elias Mojadidi, Dimitri Bazulin, and Nick Timokhin (NHS)
Second team, doubles: Ozan Kavlak and Quinn Walsh (NHS)

Valley Division
First team, singles: Alan Barrera (CHS)
Second team, singles: Max Guliaev (CPHS)
Second team, doubles: Nima Saemian and Lucas Solis (CPHS); Daniel Zuno and Angel Romero (CHS)

Girls Lacrosse
Foothill Division
First team: Alyssa Hennefer and Brady Lyons (CPHS)
Second team: Jaice Vickroy and Samira Khatami (CPHS)

Valley Division
First team: Amelia Lawrence, Bella Johansson, Madison Dutes and Makenzie Brown (NHS); Savannah Delarosa (YVHS)

All League Boys Lacrosse
First team: Jack Doan (CPHS); Evan Washam (NHS)
Second team: Joaquin Guerra (CPHS); Zane Belanger (NHS)

All League Boys Swimming
First team: Ben Nonaka and Morgan Wendler (NHS)
Second team: Nick Austen (CPHS); Rhys Delaney, Luke Emelson, Oliver Knoflick, Ethan Lee, Josh Sheehy (NHS)

All League Girls Swimming
Second team: Julia Jensen, Simone Morrison, Monica Warren and Sofia Zibell (NHS)

All League Stunt
First team: Roxanna Lara and Diana Guerra (CHS); Niloo Chivoshi and Ciara McGuffick (CPHS)
Second team: Alynna Uribe, Rachel Fischer and Alyson Rivera (CHS)

All League Boys Track & Field
Second team: Grayson Langford and Zachary Lee (CPHS); Viran Edussuriya-Essl (NHS)
Third team: Bodhi Kondonijakos (NHS)

All League Girls Track & Field
First team: Olivia Joseph (NHS)
Second team: Armita javidi Parsijani and Emma Fox (NHS)
Third team: Arianna Lee (CPHS); Keirabella Brown (CHS); Grace York, Jameilah Wade, Hannah Hosler, Maren Ahonen-lytal, Lana Gargenta, Matilda Rees, and Jenna Moorhouse (NHS)
 

Guest column by El Dorado MS Principal Jeanne Johnson

A delegation of 10 students from El Dorado Middle School in Concord recently traveled to Washington, D.C., joining other middle school students from across the country for an intensive leadership conference hosted by the Horatio Alger Association.

From June 21 to June 24, our students participated in an immersive itinerary designed to connect historical civic foundations with modern leadership skills. El Dorado students walked the halls of history, participating in study visits to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the National American History Museum, and the National Archives.

Highlights of the trip included a dedicated "Day on the Hill," featuring an official Capitol Tour, a walking workshop, and a visit to the Library of Congress, followed by a somber and inspiring evening tour of the Lincoln and World War II Memorials.

In addition to historic site visits, students engaged in rigorous academic and personal growth workshops. Collaborating in specialized cohorts alongside students from across the nation, our El Dorado students participated in interactive sessions where they unpacked the 'American Dream.' They also attended professional speaker seminars focusing on free enterprise and human progress. The trip perfectly balanced hard work with well-earned community building, including a special evening trip to TopGolf.

We are incredibly proud of how our El Dorado Middle School students represented our District on the national stage and look forward to seeing how they apply these leadership insights to their classrooms and campuses this upcoming school year!

 

The MDUSD Board has approved several school and District administrator appointments for the 2026-27 school year - including new hires, promotions and changes in assignments. The Board has delegated authority to the Superintendent to make personnel appointments, and hire and transfer employees during the summer through August 11, when the Board does not meet. The Board expects to ratify the Superintendent’s personnel decisions at its Aug. 12th meeting. 

As of June 24, 2026, the Board had approved the following appointments and assignments for 2026-27 (click on names for more information). This list will be updated as new appointments and administrator hires or transfers are approved for 2026-27.

School Administrators

• Principal at El Monte Elementary: Sara Nowinski*
• Principal at Monte Gardens Elementary: James Stewart*
• Principal at Mountain View Elementary: Julian Urmson*
• Principal at Pleasant Hill Elementary: Adria Ibarra*
• Principal at Sequoia Elementary: Stacy Campbell
• Principal at Ygnacio Valley Elementary: Nicole Kitchen*
• Principal at Valley View MS: Dr. Ethel Burton
• Principal at Ygnacio Valley HS: Amanda Loushin
• Principal of Prospect Continuation High School and Horizons Center for Independent Study: Charles Harrington, Jr.
• Elementary Vice Principal: Monique Rountree* (site to be determined)
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Program Specialist for Monte Gardens and Sequoia elementary schools: Rebecca Vichiquis
• Middle School Vice Principal: Kathryn Davis* (site to be determined)
• Middle School Vice Principal: Azeema Yahya (site to be determined)
• Vice Principal at Diablo View MS: Zariah Tillman Perry*
• Vice Principal at Oak Grove MS: Jill Grover
• High School Vice Principal: Cortni Thomas* (site to be determined)
• Vice Principal at College Park HS: Jennifer Anne Swatzell*
• Vice Principal at Concord HS: Nicholas Tisa*
• Counselor at Hidden Valley and Meadow Homes Elementary schools: Merritt Rollins

District Administrators

• Districtwide Athletic Compliance Officer: William “Lee” McPeak*
• Districtwide Wellness Administrator: Christopher Carlay
• Districtwide Wellness Administrator: Jamie Jackson
• Districtwide Wellness Administrator: Emilio Perdomo
• Districtwide Wellness Administrator: Miriam Rubel
• Districtwide Mental Health Specialist II: Marcela Ardema
• Districtwide Mental Health Specialist II: Shawna Puma

*New hires

Anyone who wants to volunteer as a Level 2 or Level 3 volunteer in MDUSD after July 1 must complete annual Mandated Reporter Training.

This training is now available online.

Please click here for details, registration instructions, and the training link. 

You may also visit the MDUSD volunteer web page.

The 2026 graduation season has come to a close in MDUSD, after families, friends and District staff and community members celebrated the Northgate HS and College Park HS graduations last month, along with a celebration for graduates in the College Now program at Diablo Valley College. A recap of those graduation celebrations is here. MDUSD graduations finished up with the Bridge Program, Concord HS, Alternative Education programs, Olympic HS and Crossroads HS, Mt. Diablo HS, Ygnacio Valley HS and the Adult Education high school program.

The Bridge Program, which serves students 18-22 with disabilities who have completed four years of high school, held its graduation on May 29 at the Loma Vista Adult Education Center in Concord. At the event, which was not live-streamed, 13 thirteen graduates received high school diplomas after learning life and work skills that will help them transition to adulthood. MDUSD Board Member Linda Mayo accepted the class. "Proud parents, care givers, extended family and friends cheered the students as they accepted their credentials," Mayo said in a Facebook post. Principal Joel Miner, Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark and Dr. Wendi Aghily, Chief of Pupil Services and Special Education, "praised the students for their successes, and their genuine kindness to each other and the joy they shared with everyone they met."

The Concord HS graduation, which took place on May 29 at the Toyota Pavilion in Concord, can be viewed here. It included choir performances by "The Honey Tones" and "The Hopeless Chromatics," a vocal performance by Aislinn Mika Tsunoda - which prompted some students to get up dance, and a musical performance by the Jazz Band. An "Inclusive Student Welcome" in several different languages featured students Yesenia Rivera (English), Maria-Cristina Correa (Spanish), Angela Tuvshinbayar (Mongolian), Hamidullah Ahmadzai (Pashto), Samenta Phoumary (lao), Eiadnray Khinn (Burmese), and Abdul Barakzai (Dari). It also featured inspirational addresses from Principal Julene MacKinnon - who became principal when the graduating seniors were freshmen, graduate speakers Madalyn Flores,  Chanelle Champion and Asma Naimi; keynote speaker Sheila Bergum, who is the College & Career Advisor; and Dr. Clark, who recognized graduating Student Board Member Alan Barrera Orellana with a hug on stage. Board Member Tom McDougall accepted the graduates.

The Alternative Education graduation for Glenbrook Academy, Horizons Center for Independent Study, and Prospect HS can be viewed here. It included inspirational speeches from Dr. Clark, Principal Charles A. Harrington Jr., Glenbrook Academy Principal David Lewis-Muhammad, Board President Debra Mason, Horizons graduate Gabrielle Nemeth and Prospect graduate Delaney Wright. It also included the presentation of Mt. Diablo Council of PTAs scholarships to two students.

The Olympic HS and Crossroad HS graduation can be viewed here. It included inspirational remarks from Board Member Debra Mason; Olympic HS Principal Courtney Lyon and Crossroads Principal Coleen Martin; Dr. Clark; Crossroads HS speaker Ruth Alexandra Martinez Rodriguez and Olympic HS speaker Stephanie Erica Mae Pita; and teacher Marissa Prater, who was selected by students for the Hilde Spritzer Award.

The Mt. Diablo HS graduation can be viewed here. It included inspirational addresses by Principal Dr. Markell McCain - who became principal when the graduating seniors were freshmen; students Rahim Amiry, Gerardo Martinez, and Patrick Paul M. Gaan; Dr. Clark - who praised the school's BASES program, JROTC and recently resurrected band; and Board Member Linda Mayo, who received applause when she said, "AI is not superior to humanity. Humanity must always be the first consideration."

The Ygnacio Valley HS graduation can be viewed here. It began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by graduates Zinab Rahmati and Erika Sainbileg, and included inspirational remarks from Principal Amanda Loushin - who noted that graduating seniors were the first class that were "Wolves" for all four years of high school; student speakers Gabrille Love and Jhostin Carranza Serrano; Dr. Clark - who praised the International Baccalaureate Program, Project 212 Robotics team, basketball program, Wellness Center and One Day at a Time program; and Board President Debra Mason. The event also included recognition of student Ernest A. Wutzke and Golden Wolf award winners.

Click here to see a reel highilghting the above graduation ceremonies.

The Adult Education High School graduation took place at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7th at the Loma Vista Adult Center in Concord. It was not live-streamed.

 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• The graduating classes of The Bridge, Concord HS, Prospect HS, Horizons Center for Independent Study, Glenbrook Academy, Olympic HS, Crossroads HS, Mt. Diablo HS, and Ygnacio Valley HS;
• Mt. Diablo High School Culinary Arts 1 students' "Pop Up Restaurant" final;
• Northgate High School freshman featured in a National Public Radio report on how technology supports students with dyslexia;
• El Dorado Middle School's student Toro News team gives a behind-the-scenes look at the new kitchen being built in the multi-use room;
• Our Pride Flag raising;
• Superintendent's end-of-year message;
• School and Staff Social Media Highlights including 5th and 8th grade promotions, high school graduations, and a celebration of staff members retiring;
• And more!

Click to read it here.