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Throughout MDUSD on Thursday, August 6th, students and staff greeted each other and spent the day getting reacquainted or getting to know each other, as teachers explained the rules of their classrooms and principals strolled the corridors ensuring that the 2026-27 school year got off to a great start.

At Walnut Acres Elementary in Walnut Creek, Principal Nicole Berglund began her second year on the campus with a strong sense of purpose, building on the foundation begun last year to strengthen the school culture as the jaguars work toward "roaring to new heights." Meanwhile, at Gregory Gardens Elementary in Pleasant Hill, veteran Principal Katie Koontz started off her 8th year on the campus with calm confidence, looking forward to seeing TK and Kindergarten students learning to become more independent in the next few months, and older students "coming out of their shells and really shining." Both principals toured their campuses, chatting with students and staff along the way.

In 2nd grade teacher Rebecca Cowles' classroom at Walnut Acres, students worked on a "Back to School" word search. Student Ella Gerbacio, whose mom teaches 2nd grade in the classroom next door, said it was fun to be back with her classmates and new teacher. "I'm looking forward to being better at subtraction," she said, adding that she wants to be a teacher, singer or pro soccer player when she grows up. Ms. Cowles, who attended Walnut Acres herself as a child, has taught at the school 26 years. "I look forward to getting to know each one of my students," she said. 

Over at Gregory Gardens, 4th graders in Jinelle LeWright's class collaborated on a "Find a Teammate" activity that required them to find a classmate or teacher who fit into various categories. Students said they were surprised to learn that some classmates played sports or didn't like sports, or were born in a different state or country. One student was surprised to learn that Ms. Koontz has a cat! In 5th grade, teacher Beth Donisi, who is entering her 13th year at the school, said students in her class will be required to work hard to prepare to enter middle school next year. She said she looks forward to seeing how her students will grow throughout the year. 

At both schools, principals predicted they are going to have a great year! 

See the Staff Social Media Highlights below for more Back to School photos in MDUSD!

And see more Walnut Acres Elementary photos in the East Bay Times photo essay: Welcome back! First day of school in Walnut Creek elicits smiles and high-fives: Teachers greet their new students at Walnut Acres Elementary.

MDUSD staff have been busy as school got underway! Recent Social Media highlights include: Day two of the 2026–27 school year for Shore Acres Elementary administrators began with an amazing visit from Superintendent Dr. Clark; Highlands Elementary Principal Dr. Carrie Nerheim, Office Manager Kathleen Blaine and Secretary Maryanne Brescia greet students wearing “All Means All” t-shirts; Walnut Acres Elementary Principal Nicole Berglund greets families next to a banner highlighting the school’s slogan for 2026-27: “Roaring to New Heights!”; and the CARES Expanded Learning Program sends a big shoutout to our amazing MDUSD landscaping crew for helping with the gardens at Wren Avenue Elementary!

Note: This was updated August 7, 2026:

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 delegated authority to the Superintendent to make personnel appointments, and hire and transfer employees during the summer. The Board expects to ratify the Superintendent’s personnel decisions on the consent agenda at its Aug. 12th meeting. 

The Board has previously approved the following appointments and assignments for 2026-27 (click on names for more information). Over the summer, some sites to be determined have been assigned as noted below.

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* (assigned to Shore Acres Elementary)
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Program Specialist for Monte Gardens and Sequoia elementary schools: Rebecca Vichiquis
• Middle School Vice Principal: Kathryn Davis* (assigned to Oak Grove MS)
• Middle School Vice Principal: Azeema Yahya (assigned to El Dorado MS)
• Vice Principal at Diablo View MS: Zariah Tillman Perry*
• Vice Principal at Oak Grove MS: Jill Grover
• High School Vice Principal: Cortni Thomas* (assigned to Concord HS)
• Vice Principal at College Park HS: Jennifer Anne Swatzell*
• Vice Principal at Concord HS: Nicholas Tisa*

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

On its Aug. 12 Consent Agenda, the Board expects to approve the following new administrator hires and assignment changes for the 2026-27 school year:

• Districtwide Wellness Administrator: Sarah Aldama*
• Districtwide Mental Health Clinical Specialist II: Brooke Bell
• Districtwide Mental Health Clinical Specialist II: Emily Develle
• Districtwide Mental Health Clinical Specialist I: Catherine Stamnes*
• Vice Principal, Riverview MS: Kathryn Coyle-Youker*
• Vice Principal, Ygnacio Valley HS: Matthew Harris*

*New hires

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• The first day of school at Walnut Acres and Gregory Gardens elementary schools,
• Dr. Clark's back to school interview with KTVU
• Bay Area News Group's first day of school coverage,
• Preview of the August 12 Board meeting,
• New administrator hires and assignment changes during the summer,
• Attendance campaign "Be here, be ready, belong" includes new bus service for Rio Vista and Bel Air elementary schools and Riverview Middle School;
• Backpack donations to the Focal Scholar program and SOAR;
• 3 Northgate High School football players named among the top 35 Bay Area high school "touchdown threats" by the San Francisco Chronicle,
• And more!

Read it here.

MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark sent the following message to District parents, staff and community members in the July 31, 2026 Friday Letter:

Dear MDUSD Community,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! The first day of school is right around the corner on Thursday, August 6, and I could not be more excited. Classrooms are coming to life, campuses are refreshed, and the energy of a new school year is in the air.

I am also thrilled to announce that our Friday Letter is officially back! Going forward, this letter will be your weekly window into your District, where we share important updates, helpful information, and inspiring stories about our amazing students.

First, I want to share my deep appreciation for our incredible summer staff. Over the break, our teams worked tirelessly to get our school sites and classrooms ready. Rooms were deep-cleaned, campuses were painted, and roofs were replaced. At Northgate High School, work is underway on a brand-new, state-of-the-art field that our students and athletes will enjoy very soon!

Our summer was full of wonderful achievements by our students and staff:

• Academic Focus: As we enter our second full year using the Reveal Math curriculum, our leaders spent the summer reviewing data to make sure every student gets the exact support they need to succeed this year.
• Summer Internships: Our summer internship program expanded to 117 high school students placed across 42 host sites. They earned college credit through Diablo Valley College while gaining valuable real-world career skills.
• Celebrating Graduates: We were honored to celebrate nearly 40 Summer School Class of 2026 graduates at Concord High School.
• Fresh Food Initiatives: MDUSD is proud to lead a 16-district purchasing co-op with Conscious Kitchen to connect our schools directly to local farms and serve fresh, healthy food to our students.

Most of all, I want to express my gratitude to our parents and families. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of educating your children. We do not take this responsibility lightly. Our students are kind, talented, and capable, and we are grateful every day to help them learn and grow.

Our main commitment in MDUSD remains unchanged: All students will receive a high-quality education in a safe and welcoming environment with high expectations and strong instruction. Every single child in Mt. D matters, and our dedicated staff is ready to work hard for each one of them.

I encourage you to stay connected with us throughout the year. Please visit your school’s website and check our main District page at www.mdusd.org.

Thank you again for your partnership. We are going to have a fantastic 2026–2027 school year!

Thank you,
Dr. Adam Clark

The first Friday Letter of the 2026-27 school year spotlights:

• The first day of school is Thursday, August 6,
• Summer Internships,
• Summer School Graduation,
• MDUSD leads a 16-district co-op to purchase farm-grown local food for our students,
• Dr. Clark welcomes back administrators, stressing academics in a welcoming environment with high expectations,
• SOAR program has supplies for families in need and is accepting donations of clothing and more,
• Expansion of Sandy Hook Promise partnership to 4th and 5th grades,
• El Dorado Middle School Leadership students’ trip to Washington D.C.,
• Rio Vista Elementary Cafeteria Manager Teresa Rego inspired students during the World Cup,
• Summer Staff Social Media highlights,
• And more!

Read it here.

MDUSD's Support Office for Access and Resources (SOAR) provides support to families in need, including those who may need school or personal supplies for 2026-27. 

The office is located at the Willow Creek Center at 1026 Mohr Lane in Concord and is open from 7:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m. school days.

Families in need can come by to pick up limited supplies on a first-come, first-served basis.

Items available include:

• Backpacks
• School supplies
• Toiletries
• Clothing
• Books
• Resources and referrals. 

More information about SOAR is on our website at mdusd.org/families/studentservices/soar.

Any family who is in a position to give is encouraged to do so! Help SOAR lift up youth.

Your donation makes a difference!

Items we need:

• Children's & teens' clothes (Especially pants and shorts)
• Sporting equipment (All sports welcome!)
• Blankets & towels (New or gently used)
• Camping equipment (Tents, sleeping bags, lanterns & more!)
• Gently used bikes (All sizes appreciated!)
• School supplies (Backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, binders, etc.)
• Cash donations (Every dollar helps students access what they need!)

SOAR Program serves:

• Foster Youth
• Justice-involved youth
• LGBTQIA+ students
• Students experiencing homelessness
• Other students facing extreme circumstances

Donate via Venmo @MDUSDSOAR (Scan QR code)
Monetary donations accepted via check, cash, or Venmo.
 

Drop-off location:
Willow Creek Center - Room A-1, 
1026 Mohr Lane, Concord, CA 94518
Donation period: ongoing
Questions? 925-685-1011 ext. 62042

Together, we can help all students SOAR!

  Toiletries and backpacks available to families in need.

Over the past 11 years, MDUSD's summer internship program has grown from a handful of student interns and employer hosts to 117 interns and 42 hosts, providing high school students with college credit through Diablo Valley College (DVC) as they learn valuable life and career skills.

Administered through the District's College & Career Readiness and Expanded Learning departments, the internship program included workshops or field trips to help students learn about their education and career options after graduating from high school. 

"What we’ve developed is an amazing partnership with our internship hosts," said Heather Fontanilla, Director of College & Career Readiness, during a celebration for the interns and hosts on July 24 at Mt. Diablo HS. She noted that the hosts include private businesses as well as nonprofit organizations and MDUSD departments such as Transportation, Maintenance & Operations, Food & Nutrition Services, Technology & Information, Fiscal Services, and CARES Expanded Learning programs.

Speaking about the importance of providing real-world, hands-on experiences to students, Fontanilla said they had opportunities to explore career options to find out what interests them, as well as what doesn't. She also noted that they receive 2 college credits after completing required DVC assignments. And regardless of which careers they end up pursuing, Fontanilla said students learned skills such as communication, collaboration, use of technology, showing up on time, and not having your phone out when it's not appropriate. "These are skills you are going to take in whatever job you go into," she told the interns. 

This year's internship hosts included Community Youth Center (CYA), Ambrose Recreation & Park District, the Monument Crisis Center, Contra Costa County Health, East Bay CPR, Save Mount Diablo, Jr. Giants of Concord, Buy Concord, the Concord Historical Society, the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, Calitho printing, the City of Concord, the Concord Childcare Center, and MDUSD departments. First-time hosts this summer included Elegance Party Rentals, JRM Equipment, Contra Costa Water District, and the Contra Costa & Solano Family Justice Center. 

Seventeen students participated in a four-week Bay Point Garden internship at Riverview MS, building teamwork, communication and gardening skills. Click here to read more about their Summer Garden internship.

Interns at the July 24th event said they appreciated their opportunities. Mt. Diablo HS student Enedina Narvaez said she enjoyed her experience as an intern in teacher Dr. David Pintado's East Bay CPR business and was happy that she received college credits. She said she hopes to pursue a career in the medical field after graduation. Her classmate, Alexandra Montes Romero, said she liked being able to ask her colleagues at JRM Equipment rentals questions about the construction equipment. "They were eager to help me and I really think I like working with heavy machinery and tools," she said, adding that the machinery included an excavator, backhoe and other Caterpillar equipment. 

Anna Ramos, Manager of Youth Development & Support Services, said interns came from every high school in the District. As they gathered for their internship celebration, she added: "It was very magical to see them all in one room. We're really proud and thanks to all of you."

Next year's Summer Internships will take place from June 7 to July 17, 2027. See photos and reels highlighting the internships on the Career Pathways Instagram. More information about career pathways is on the College & Career Readiness web page.

MDUSD Summer Internship photos (clockwise left to right): Concord Historical Society interns Krystelle and Valentina organize files in the Resource Center; Interns and hosts stand with certificates during July 24 celebration at Mt. Diablo HS; Expanded Learning program intern teaches student about robotics; Community Youth Center interns enjoy a break; Intern creates a terrarium in the Riverview MS Garden Classroom. 

About 37 students in the Class of 2026 who completed their graduation requirements during the summer were honored in a graduation ceremony on July 23 at Concord High. Dressed in the caps and gowns from their eight schools, the graduates received their diplomas at a ceremony where they were recognized for their accomplishment by Chief of Educational Services Samantha Allen, Governing Board President Debra Mason, Northgate High Principal Kelly Cooper, and other school administrators, as well as their families and friends.

Allen praised the graduates for overcoming obstacles and meeting milestones to achieve their goals. "Use your gifts to better our world," she said. "Our world needs people like you." 

Quoting football coach Vince Lombardi, Board President Mason said: “Winners never quit and quitters never win." Noting that the graduates persevered beyond the end of the regular school year to complete their credits, she said: "You're all winners and I would hire you all in a second. I'm honored to accept this 2026 graduating class."   

After the brief ceremony, the joyful graduates posed for photos with their families and friends.

"I’m very proud of myself and I’m happy to be able to graduate along with with my friends," said Glenbrook Academy graduate Blanca Caal in Spanish, translated by her mentor. "This has taught me to never give up and that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to."

Prospect Continuation HS graduate Andrew Jose Casarez said he was grateful for the support he received during his senior year, after he transferred from Ygnacio Valley HS because he was behind in credits. "The teachers will never let you give up," he said, noting that it was initially tough to leave his friends at YVHS. "It was worth it in the end because here I am now, graduating, Class of 2026!"

Ygnacio Valley HS grad Fatima Aiyami, who started her junior year at the school after moving to the U.S. from Afghanistan, said she was very happy to be graduating. "The principal and the vice principals helped me," she said. "It means a lot for me to be here and I appreciate everything."

MDUSD Summer School Graduation photos (clockwise left to right): Ygnacio Valley HS Principal Amanda Loushin presents a diploma to Fatima Qiyami; Prospect HS graduate Andrew Jose Casarez proudly holds his diploma after the ceremony; Olympic HS Principal Courtney Lyon hugs a graduate as she presents her diploma; Glenbrook Academy graduate Blanca Caal smiles with a bouquet after the ceremony.

MDUSD's 2025-26 Year in Review: Highlights from the Friday Letter spotlights:

• School and District News and Programs
• Special Events and Outreach 
• Students’ Successes, and
• Staff and Alumni News and Spotlights.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the 2026-27 School Year on August 6th!

Read the 2025-26 Year in Review here.

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.