On the Trail - Mustang Families
Jan. 4 - 8, 2022 HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Happy New Year!
Welcome back together as we begin 2022 as ONE TRAIL!
When one year closes and a new one begins, we tend to find people reflecting on the past, looking forward to the future and making goals and resolutions to better themselves, to better each other's lives or even to better the world.
As we continue as a staff committed to making a difference here in the Mustang Community, we ask that you partner with us to make it a year to remember focused on the positive changes that are in our control and working together confident that we can be the change we wish to see in our community and in our world.
We are sure to face some challenges, and we know the pandemic is still impacting us, but with the right partnership, self-care, dedication and positivity, we are equipped to make the difference that our students and families deserve.
We ask that students and families continue to support the efforts of our staff and work hard in partnership with us to be present, on time, active and engaged and dedicated to meeting the expectations of the core values here at the Trail: A Community with Integrity, Respect and Confidence.
One thing is for sure, as ONE TRAIL, we can help each other through anything as the amazing COMMUNITY and MUSTANG Family that we are at the Trail.
Cheers to positive things to come as we venture into this new year together, united in our mission to Challenge ALL students to realize their greatest potential.
Go Mustangs!
In Remembrance of a World Leader...Desmond Tutu, 1984 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient
As a great leader has passed, we remember his life's work and how each of us can make a difference individually and united as a Mustang Family for all of our Mustangs.
Here are just a few quotes out of his amazing work that resonate with our work in our Community.
Build relationships:
“A person is a person through other persons; you can't be human in isolation; you are human only in relationships.”
― Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Value each and every human being - ALL:
None of us comes into the world fully formed. We would not know how to think, or walk, or speak, or behave as human beings unless we learned it from other human beings. We need other human beings in order to be human. I am because other people are. A person is entitled to a stable community life, and the first of these communities is the family.”
― Desmond Tutu
Focus on the bright future and overcome challenges:
Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.
Spread Positivity:
I can’t control what happens to me, but I can control how I respond to it. - Desmond Tutu
No matter how little, each act of good can create a whole world of good:
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” ~ Desmond Tutu
To learn more about his inspirational work, here is one site of many.
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1984/tutu/biographical/
What is happening the first week back? Tuesday, Jan. 4th students return 8am
Health and Safety FIRST - masks on and no food deliveries allowed
Thank you to all who have continued to respect our safety rules/policies.
No Food Deliveries -
As sent at the beginning of the year, all staff members have been instructed to not have potlucks due to COVID safety protocols AND we will NOT accept food deliveries of any kind at the front office nor through gates, etc.
In addition: Our school does not allow deliveries of food items from third party vendors such as Grub Hub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc. This is to ensure the safety of our staff and students. We cannot have strangers coming to the school gates/main office to make transactions with students. These items will be refused.
When a student takes a delivery through the gates, the items will be taken for pick up after school and discarded if not picked up.
Remember, all students receive free lunch at MT this year. There is no need for these deliveries so please respect the policy.
Masks on and other protocols continue:
Daily protocols:
- Wear Masks indoors - mandatory regardless of vaccination status
- Hand wash and sanitize often - entrance/exit of rooms
- Have up to date daily seating charts/group charts, and accurate attendance records - this matters so much
- Do not come to school if you have symptoms - staff contact admin and students/families contact the school for admin to then follow protocols directed by nurses in contact with the county and health authorities
- Recommended wear masks in large groups outdoors - our lunch and passing periods for example
- Help remind students of the protocols as you pass by and in your classrooms/offices, etc.
What if students aren't wearing their masks?
We have heard that some staff are struggling with some students wearing their masks incorrectly.
Some students/families have complained that our staff isn't enforcing the rules in some classrooms.
So, to clarify, this is the protocol that is being re-emphasized with staff and families:
- All staff enforces the indoor policies and health/safety protocols across campus (guidelines may change but have not as of this email - ALL must wear masks correctly indoors no matter the vaccination status)
- When a student isn't wearing it correctly, reminders are given. In some cases, the mask is too loose and/or can be adjusted without further incident.
- Calls home may occur if this is the case often so family is aware before it becomes larger issue
- If student doesn't comply, a major incident referral will be written sending the student to speak with admin.
- Again there may be a call home and connection with the parent/family to partner with us for help.
- If the partnering isn't helping, a student may be asked to go to distance learning for health and safety of all during this pandemic (of course we don't want to have to go this far and have not had to yet)
And don't forget - if there is an issue with a staff member not following a protocol, reach out to administration. Staff has the expectation to follow the guidelines given but we are here to support in the rare occasion that is not happening.
Remember, athletics have different guidelines depending on athletic testing but audience members must always wear a mask indoors.
Details for first days
Jan. 3 - Staff Work day - no students and special office hours
January 3, 2021 in-service day: no students
Office Hours for Jan. 3, 2022
Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 - Staff work day (no students) - 10am - 1pm
Tuesday, Jan. 4 - Classes resume and normal office hours resume - 7:30am - 4pm
Jan. 4 - students return promptly before 8am - & emergency protocols, review and drills occur
Tuesday, January 4th
- 1st period teachers will pass out evacuation location maps to students.
- Students to take this map with them to all of their classes for the day.
- Teachers will show students where their class’s evacuation location is and have students circle the location, and then write their class period, class name, and the teacher’s name next to the location.
- Students should keep this map in their backpacks every day and/or take a picture of it with their phone.
Wednesday, January 5th
- Students and staff will watch our emergency procedures video
- We will complete a drill and remind students and staff of our procedures for safety first
Important Items for Mustang Success
Conflict Mediation - refer someone else or self refer
Struggling students? Reporting incidents or concerns
- refer students in "drama" or in "need" to conflict mediation
- seek help by connecting with counselors or admin as needed
Students can self refer to conflict mediation as well. See the form above for referrals.
Remind students of our Anonymous Incident Reporting system on our website. It allows for anonymous reporting of bullying, self harm, violence, harassment and more. If the person allows us, we can also communicate two way to get additional details while they still remain anonymous if they choose.
Helpful Resources
This week on the Trail --- Term 3 begins
Monday, Jan. 3 - No students
Staff Work day
Grades Due from Term 2
Tuesday, Jan. 4 - Students Return - see schedule in StudentVue
Emergency Protocols reviewed
JV/V Girl's Basketball vs McClatchy - main gym - 5:30/7:00pm
Wednesday, Jan. 5
Emergency Protocols and Drill
Thursday, Jan. 6
Late Start - be on time before 9:30am
Girl's Soccer vs Center - stadium - 6 pm
Friday, Jan. 7
Regular schedule - 8am start
Girl's Soccer vs LCHS - stadium - 6pm
Boy's Basketball vs. Kennedy - main gym - 4:30/6/7:30 pm
Upcoming events
Important Dates
Mark your calendars:
Jan. 13 - Open House (live but virtual)
Jan. 20 - School Site Council meeting
Feb. 1 - Mustang Derby (info about AP/Honors and CTE programs)
Feb. 10 - Monterey Trail Regional Equity Coalition Convening #2
Students choose their classes for 2022-23 in February - please learn about the courses to be better informed by attending Open House and Mustang Derby (more info to come)
Remember - laws are requiring a bell schedule change at High Schools in CA for 2022-23 - starting 8:30am or later - more info to come later this spring but please plan ahead for next school year
Course Selection for 2022-2023 is just about here! Be informed.
(See below in the picture)
Visit our College/Career website
Senior info about Financial Aid
And more...
If you see something, say something
Please remember to tell an adult if you see something so that we can help everyone on our campus and off campus as well. And, keep doing what is right Mustangs and treat others how you would expect to be treated. You Matter and All of our Mustangs and Community Matter. Let's show the world how great it is to be a Mustang!
WELLNESS and Self-Care and Support
We want everyone to be well so here are some reminders of resources available in the picture below.