MUSD Community,

As we welcome the arrival of spring and approach a well-deserved break, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible progress our students have made—not just in their academic achievements, but in the kindness and respect they show one another every day.

This season of renewal is a wonderful time to reflect on the dedication, perseverance, and growth happening in our classrooms. Learning is a journey, and whether students have reached major milestones or taken small but meaningful steps forward, every achievement is worth celebrating.

Our Kindness Clubs have been leading the “What If…?” campaign, encouraging small yet powerful acts—offering a compliment, expressing gratitude, or lending a helping hand.Their leadership reminds us that even the smallest actions can have a lasting, positive impact.

Let’s carry this spirit of encouragement and perseverance with us into the rest of the school year. To our dedicated staff, thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students. To our families, we appreciate your partnership in shaping a strong and supportive learning community.

Wishing you all a restful and rejuvenating spring break!

Sincerely,

Dr. Patricio Vargas

Kindness Clubs throughout the district are facilitating a month of "What Ifs," encouraging everyone—students and staff alike—to make small changes in behavior. The idea behind the "What If ...?" campaign is that small actions can lead to significant shifts in school culture. Each week, the district will focus on one simple change:

This week’s theme: What if everyone complimented an acquaintance?

Next week, your student can join in on the fun with...

Week Three (3/10-3/14): What if gratitude was freely expressed?

• Have you been saying thank you to others?
• Have you considered writing a thank-you note to someone who has helped you?
• How can you show gratitude?
• What are you grateful for today?

Week Four (3/17-3/21): What if everyone did something for their school community?

• Can you pick up one piece of trash?
• Can you hold a door for someone, help carry a load, or assist another student?
• How can you contribute to your school and improve school culture?

If you have any ideas for enhancing school culture or wish to volunteer, please reach out to your site’s Kindness Club or another service organization.

We are thrilled to announce Dr. Trent Nicholson and Mrs. Heather Possehl as our District’s nominees for San Bernardino County Teacher of the Year! Both educators embody the heart and soul of teaching, inspiring students through innovative practices and unwavering dedication.

Dr. Nicholson’s thoughtful approach fosters an environment where every student embarks on a unique journey of growth and discovery. He focuses on personalizing the learning experience to ensure that each student feels valued and equipped to succeed.

Mrs. Possehl’s classroom thrives on collaboration and mutual respect. Through engaging activities and thoughtful discussions, she creates a community where every student can flourish.

We are incredibly proud to have Dr. Nicholson and Mrs. Possehl represent our District as nominees for this prestigious honor.

The Morongo Unified School District hosted “Literacy is Life,” on Sunday, March 2nd, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Freedom Plaza in Twentynine Palms. This exciting community gathering celebrated the joy of reading, expanded our collective understanding of literacy and fostered a love for lifelong learning.

Attendees enjoyed a variety of engaging activities, including free meals provided by MUSD Nutritional Services, an interactive art activity led by Groundwork Arts and a free book giveaway made possible by MUSD and the San Bernardino County Office of Education.

Families explored community booths and an impressive display of student work. Engaging story-time read-alouds brought stories to life, led by local educators and special guests. Students showcased their talents through a readers theater performance.

“This event was a wonderful way for families, students and community members to come together and celebrate the power of literacy,” said Melissa Stacey, Literacy Coach at Morongo Unified School District.

A highlight of the event was the keynote address by Erin Gruwell of the Freedom Writers, who delivered an inspiring message about the power of education and storytelling to transform lives.

Gruwell, a renowned educator and author, shared her experiences working with at-risk students in Long Beach, California, and how she empowered them through writing and self-expression. Her powerful story, which inspired the best-selling book The Freedom Writers Diary and the major motion picture Freedom Writers, emphasized the importance of literacy as a tool for change, resilience and empowerment. Attendees were captivated by her passionate speech, leaving inspired to embrace literacy as a means of personal and academic growth.

“We believe that literacy goes beyond reading and writing—it’s a force that unites our community,” said Katie Fleischman, Literacy Coach at Morongo Unified School District. “A heartfelt thank you to our vendors, including Copper Mountain College, i-Ready, Z107.7, Joshua Tree National Park and others, for demonstrating the powerful impact literacy has on all of us.”

The “Literacy is Life” event was part of a district-wide celebration in anticipation of Read Across America Week. Read Across America Week is a program that aims to promote reading through events and partnerships among children and teens across the nation.

For more literacy resources and to learn about the District’s United 4 Literacy Program visit https://www.morongo.k12.ca.us/page/united-4-literacy

Irish-American Heritage Month, celebrated every March, honors the legacy of Irish immigrants and their contributions to U.S. culture and society, coinciding with Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17th.

Irish-American culture blends Irish traditions with American influences, from music and dance to literature and folklore. Notable figures like Eugene O’Neill and F. Scott Fitzgerald reflect this heritage, while folklore remains a cherished tradition.

Irish-Americans have shaped the U.S. in politics, labor, and the arts. John F. Kennedy symbolized their political rise, while Irish immigrants built infrastructure and Mother Jones fought for workers' rights. Icons like James Joyce and Bing Crosby enriched literature and music.

Despite early discrimination, Irish immigrants persevered, transforming struggle into success. Their resilience and contributions continue to shape America today.

We’re excited to share the 2025-2026 school year calendar with you! This calendar includes important dates such as the first and last days of school, holidays, early release days and parent-teacher conferences, so you can plan ahead.

View the calendar here: 25-26 Calendar

We look forward to another great year ahead!

We are proud to recognize John Robbins as our Employee of the Month! As an exceptional Warehouse Lead, John is proactive, always ready to solve problems and offers valuable input on inventory management. He takes the initiative in rotating inventory, checking expiration dates and collaborating with Nutritional Services to minimize waste.

His hard work, leadership and positive attitude have made a lasting impact—not only keeping things running smoothly but also keeping everyone in good spirits. Thank you John for going above and beyond!

Morongo Unified School District is looking for passionate, dedicated individuals to join our team! Whether you're interested in teaching or support staff roles, we have a variety of open positions. We invite all MUSD families to apply and be a part of a supportive, community-focused school district that makes a real difference in students' lives.

The Morongo USD Board of Education will hold its next regular meeting on March 11. Open session starts at 6 p.m. For more information visit the link below.

Click on the link below to download our new app. The app has some useful features for MUSD families including contact information, up-to-date news from the district and more.

Website: www.morongousd.com

Location: 5715 Utah Trail, Twentynine Palms, CA, USA

Phone: 760-367-9191

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMUSD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morongousd/

X: @Dr_Vargas_MUSD and https://twitter.com/MorongoUnified

March 7, 2025