CONDOR COURIER

June 1, 2023

Dear Condors:

We're so proud of our Founding Community!!!

MacDonald's inaugural year would not have been a success without the help and support of our Condor Families and Staff.

Today we had an end of year rally, and looking back we have accomplished more than any of us imagined was possible. Go Condors!

Congratulations on completing our first-ever school year!

Have a wonderful summer, and we'll see you in August.

Warmly,

Principal Rhone-Lay & Vice-Principal Hayashi

Welcome Day will take place on Wednesday, August 2nd. We will meet with freshmen in the morning, and sophomores in the afternoon. At this event, schedules will be distributed, yearbooks pictures will be taken, and much more. Additional details are coming soon.

April 30, 2023

Dear Condors:

We have one more month of school remaining! As we head into this homestretch, let's finish the school year strong as a Founding School Community!!!

Students, please remember that your semester grades (December/June) are recorded on your permanent high school transcripts. Your grades matter for high school graduation and UC/CSU eligibility for admissions.

Please utilize class time and PCBL time in the remaining weeks to successfully complete culminating projects/assessments and to prepare for the May 24th Celebration of Learning/Open House.

Take a moment to reflect on an essay, lab, project, or another learning experience (including playing sports, volunteering, partaking in Equity Ambassadors or the Design Lab workshops) that makes you particularly proud. Feature that in your Digital Portfolio and our upcoming Celebration of Learning (C.O.L.) and you will earn a hardcopy and digital F.I.E.R.C.E. Badge. See the video and details below.

Please also engage in self care during this busy time- get adequate sleep, eat nutritiously, hydrate, move, and take breaks to recharge and to enjoy the milestone of completing your freshman year.

Parents, thank you for your support and encouragement in this. As always, the MHS Staff is here as partners in ensuring that our Condor Class of 2026 is thriving.

Go Condors!!!

Warmly,

Principal Rhone-Lay

Celebrations of Learning are an opportunity for students to reflect on what they have learned, to communicate areas of challenge throughout the year, and to assess their growth. By making learning public we are supporting the creation of a culture of learning that impacts our whole school community. Students will grow as F.I.E.R.C.E. Condors by showcasing their learning to their peers, families, prospective students, and the community at large.

In preparing for the Celebration of Learning students will:

1. Pick the badge they would like to go for

2. Check the prerequisites

3. Come up with a game plan for completing:

   1. The corresponding badge rubric

   2. A reflection piece chosen from a choice menu

   3. Responses to a set of reflection questions

   4. A Digital Portfolio

4. Submit the Sign Up-Google Form

Save the Date & Program:

Wednesday, May 24th, 2023

5:45-8:00 PM

MacDonald High School, Performing Arts Center & Large Gym

For 9th Grade Students & Teachers

5:45 Check In

5:45-6:15 Exhibition Setup

6:30 Exhibition of Learning

7:10-7:15 Gather in Theater

7:15-8:00 Awarding of Badges & Closing

For 9th Grade Families & Guests

5:45 Theater Opens

6:00 Presentation in the Theater

6:30 Exhibition of Learning

7:10-7:15 Gather in Theater

7:15-8:00 Awarding of Badges & Closing

For 8th Grade Families & Prospective Students

5:45 Large Gym Opens

6:00 Presentation in the Large Gym

6:30 Exhibition of Learning

7:10-7:15 Gather in Theater

7:15-8:00 Awarding of Badges & Closing

On April 27th, the school received official notification that MacDonald High has been granted Initial Accreditation! This means that our coursework is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Celebrations and Condor Cudos to our Founding Community!!! A special thank you to our inaugural Freshman Class of 2026, MHS Staff, our parents/families, district office, and school partners.

We have been commended for our focus on ensuring the inclusivity of our entire school! This is a commendation that WASC expects us to keep at the forefront.

As we bring this school year to a ceremonious closing and begin gearing up for next school year, let's recommit to our Vision and Mission, which we co-created this year, so that our student learners continue to grow as F.I.E.R.C.E. Condors!!!

Vision

MacDonald High School will be a fully inclusive community that focuses on each student's educational and interpersonal development to become productive and ethical global citizens in a rapidly changing world.

Mission

To empower all students to develop into ethical, productive, global-minded citizens.

This has been a very exciting time for all Condor sports this Spring! Not only are we in the process of wrapping up our three Spring sports, but information is starting to circulate about our upcoming 2023-2024 Condor teams as well!

Badminton
Our badminton team has finished their regular season and is now preparing for our fifteen school Santa Clara Athletic League Championships. We have SIX athletes that will be representing MacDonald for these varsity matches. Coach Pham and Coach Rivera are excited to continue building this into one of the most popular on campus. Good luck to all!

Swimming

MacDonald has had an incredible eleven athletes qualify for the finals in their events for the El Camino Athletic League Championships. Coach Morgan has done a fantastic job with the swimmers and we are hoping to bring home some awards from the championship meet!

Track and Field

The track team finished their regular season with our boys finishing 4-1 and girls finishing an undefeated regular season at 5-0! As we entered championship week and the El Camino Athletic League finals, expectations and hopes were high! The week started off with some history as Clareese Pangilnan became the first MacDonald student in ANY SPORT to be a league champion - winning both the shot put and discus this week!

Any questions regarding Fall sports (football, girls tennis, girls volleyball or cross country) please reach out to Coach Garcia (dagarcia@scusd.net).

• Wednesday, May 3rd at 6:30-8:30pm | Game Night at the: MHS Student Union

• Wednesday, May 10th at 6:00pm | MHS Music Concert at the: MHS Theater

• Wednesday, May 17th at 10:00-11:30am | Special Olympics at the: MHS Stadium

• Wednesday, May 17th at 4:45pm | School Site Council/English Learner Advisory Council via ZOOM at: santaclarausd.org/macdonald/ssc-elac

• Wednesday, May 17th at 6:00pm | Parent Teacher Student Association via ZOOM

• Friday, May 19th at 2:10-3:40pm | Spring Play (as part of Theater's class final) at the: MHS Theater

• Wednesday May 24th at 6:00pm | Open House & Celebration of Learning at the: MHS Theater

• Thursday, May 25th at 12:30-1:15pm | End of Year Pep Rally at the: MHS Main Gym

• Friday, May 26th at 3:30-6:30pm | MORP (MHS Leadership/ASB-Sponsored Agnews School Complex Spring Carnival) at the: MHS Quad

March 16, 2023

Dear Condors:

Later this month, we will be participating in a virtual visit with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This visit is an opportunity for us to celebrate all that our Founding School Community has accomplished so far. Just to name a few accolades, we successfully kicked off Condor Athletics, ASB/Leadership, Music and Theater, and have created an inclusive learning and teaching environment.

The WASC Visiting Chair will also ask for us to envision what we would like to build together in the coming years to ensure that MacDonald High continues to be a great place for students to thrive, and for the larger community to learn and grow together.

If you would like to learn more about the visit taking place on March 29th, please join us for the School Site Council/English Learner Advisory Council meeting taking place next week on March 22nd. See details below.

Go Condors!

Warmly,

Principal Rhone-Lay

Parents and Students,

Please vote on the MHS Mission and Vision statements that were drafted by our staff members. We are now seeking input from all of you to finalize our Mission and Vision statement. ​

Please click on the button below to vote. It will close on ​Thursday, March 23rd.

Spring Athletics!

Our Spring seasons are off and running with more than 80 student-athletes participating in our three sports: track and field, badminton and swimming.

Swimming had their first meet of the year v. Mountain View and Wilcox and the team did wonderful! Highlights included Shreya Chhaparwal with a dominating victory in the 500 free and Evan Wang had a convincing victory in the 200 free. Coach Morgan has the team off to a great start in this first season!

Badminton hit the ground running with two matches last week with a road contest vs. Fremont, and a home match vs. Mountain View. Team captain Jay Chin went 2-0 to lead the Condors as Coach Rivera and Coach Pham continue to get the team ready for the challenges ahead.

Track and Field will start up this Thursday against both Wilcox and Santa Clara High School. In what will be an unofficial SCUSD Championships, the Condors will run, jump and throw as their first experience in high school track and field starts. Participation numbers are fantastic for our first year program (50) and the coaches are excited to start competing!

• Wednesday, March 22nd at 4:45pm | School Site Council/English Learner Advisory Council via ZOOM at: santaclarausd.org/macdonald/ssc-elac

• Wednesday, March 22nd at 6pm | Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) via ZOOM at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86172924800

• Wednesday, March 22nd at 7-8:30pm | Iftar Party at the MHS ASB/Leadership Room

Condor Cudos postcards were mailed out during the months of January and February. Thirty students were recognized. Each month, we will continue to recognize students for being F.I.E.R.C.E. Condors!

January 5, 2023

Dear Condors:

Happy New Year! I hope you had an enjoyable holiday break. Welcome Back!

As we head into a new semester, I would like to encourage students to reflect about last semester and identify 2 Glows and 2 Grows. What accomplishments are you most proud of? What areas will you focus on growing in?

Keep it up Class of 2026! Collectively, you are building a positive school culture, where it is known that every student belongs at MacDonald High, and can thrive.

We are offering unique learning experiences for students in the coming weeks. To name a couple, we are kicking off our Equity Ambassadors Program this week, and a series of Design Lab (Makerspace) Workshops early next month. All meetings and activities will take place during Lunch and PCBL Time. Please sign up using the buttons shown below. I am excited to see students engage in youth activism and become Design Thinkers!

Have a great second semester!

Warmly,

Principal Rhone-Lay

• Thursday, January 12th at 2:30-1:15pm | Pep Rally at the Large Gym

• Wednesday, January 18th at 6-7:30pm | 8th Grade Parent Night in person at the MHS Theater

• Thursday, January 19th at 2:30-1:15pm | Assembly- YWCA Teen Empowerment Presentation #1 at the Large Gym

• Wednesday, January 25th at 4:45pm | School Site Council/English Learner Advisory Council via ZOOM at: santaclarausd.org/macdonald/ssc-elac

• Friday, January 27th at 7-10pm | Winter Dance at the Student Union

Boys Basketball - the boys went into the break with a winning record and ready for league play! Their league season starts Friday, January 6th with a road contest against a strong Milpitas team (5:30 pm). The boys first game was postponed due to the storms.

Girls Basketball - the girls opened their league season with a loss to a talented Wilcox team at home on Tuesday. Leading scorer was Tiani Buten with 6. The girls travel to Milpitas on Thursday, January 5th (5:30 pm).

Girls Soccer - the Condors started their league season with a 3-1 loss to Milpitas on December 29th. The girls played very hard and had lots of opportunities to score in a very competitive league contest. Their season continues today, January 5th with a home contest against Monta Vista (5:00 pm).

Boys Soccer - the boys lost their first league game to Milpitas over the break. Coach Josh and the boys had a lot of takeaways from the game and looking forward to their next league contest vs. Fremont on January 10th at home (5:00 pm).

Wrestling - the Condor grapplers will open their season next Wednesday, January 11th with a pentagonal match up at Los Altos against Milpitas, Los Altos, Gunn and Saratoga. Good luck wrestlers!

During the Week of March 27th, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) will be sending a Visiting Committee to MacDonald HS to conduct an initial visit to begin our school accreditation process.

The WASC Committee will want to meet with Students and Parents during their visit. They will want to hear about what is going well, along with areas for improvement. Your participation in the visit would be much appreciated!

November 30, 2022

Dear Condors:

We are almost halfway through MacDonald's inaugural year!

With three weeks remaining in Semester 1, it is vital that students communicate with their teachers about: missing work, culminating learning experiences and finals. Semester grades are the ones that really count, as they are recorded on students' permanent transcripts.

What letter grades mean

As, Bs, and Cs are CSU/UC (4-year university recognized). Ds and higher equate to 5 credits earned per class per semester. Fs equate to 0 credits earned and require course repeats.

Let's fully utilize our instructional blocks and PCBL Time. Students, remember that you can request passes from specific teachers to visit them during PCBL Time.

As we close out Semester 1, there are some upcoming school events that everyone has an open invitation to attend. We will also be advertising unique learning experiences that will take place during Semester 2.

Let's finish the semester strong Condors!

Warmly,

Principal Rhone-Lay

• Wednesday, November 30th at 4:45pm | School Site Council/English Learner Advisory Council via ZOOM at: santaclarausd.org/macdonald/ssc-elac

• Wednesday, December 7th at 4:30-5:45pm | Prospective Staff Information Session in person at the MHS Staff Lounge

• Wednesday, December 7th at 6pm | Prospective Staff Information Session via ZOOM (Link to session)

• Wednesday, December 7th at 6:00pm | Winter Musical Concert at the MHS Performing Arts Center. Free admission. Refreshments for sale.

• Thursday, December 8th at PCBL Time | Holiday Rally at the Main Gym

• Thursday, December 15th at 6:00pm | Winter Musical Concert at the HMS Cafeteria. MHS & HMS Students will perform together. Free admission.

• Monday-Wednesday, December 19th-21st | Finals Week. Regular bell schedule M-W.

• December 22nd-January 4th | No School/Winter Break. Regular bell schedule Th-F.

Mon | Favorite Hoodie Day

Tue | Grinch Day

Wed | Funny Hat/Sock Day

Thu | PJ & Stuffy Day

Fri | UGLY Sweater Day

Winter Sports are off and running with five Condor teams in action!

Wrestling has been working very hard with Coach Matteo and Coach Eric and they will open their season in mid December at a local tournament. The team has 12 wrestlers ready to go and are excited to represent MacDonald.

Boys soccer is 1-0 on the short season with three home non-league games set up to play before the holiday break. Girls soccer will open next week with an away game at Prospect on 12/6 and a home game at MacDonald on 12/8.

Girls basketball is off and running five more preseason games happening within the next two weeks. Finally, boys basketball has opened up with two wins and no losses for Coach Elijah. The boys team hopes to continue their undefeated start with a home game against Prospect on the 1st of December, and two games next week.

Go Condors!

Condor Cudos postcards were mailed out over the Thanksgiving Break to the students listed below. Each month, we will be recognizing students for being F.I.E.R.C.E. Condors!

MacDonald High School welcomes students to join our Equity Ambassadors Program.

Starting next semester, we will meet 6 Thursdays during PCBL Time: 1/5, 1/26, 2/16, 3/9, 3/30, 4/27.

Students who are interested in cultivating a school culture that lifts up diversity, equity, and inclusion, are encouraged to become leaders in this work.

Students will have an opportunity to weigh in about content that should be covered during each of the upcoming schoolwide assemblies, as well as what we should do as a community to build an empowering school culture as the Founding Class.

Upcoming Teen Empowerment Education, schoolwide assemblies:

• Healthy Relationships (1/19)

• Bullying & Cyberbullying (2/2)

• Bystander Education (3/2)

• Sexual Assault Prevention (5/4)

Students who attend all 6 meetings will earn an Equity Ambassador Badge.

October 27, 2022

Dear Condors:

We are two weeks into the second quarter of the school year! So far, we have kicked off ASB/Leadership, have had a tremendously successful first Condor Athletics Season, and we are learning and growing together. Go Condors!

First quarter grades have been published. It is a great time for students to take stock of how they are doing in each class, and create a plan for how they will finish the semester strong!

Students are encouraged to:

1. Maximize our block periods by asking questions and collaborating with peers to complete assignments (e.g., AVID Interactive Notebooks, practice, projects)
2. Fully utilize PCBL Time by requesting PCBL Passes to see teachers for extra help, test retakes, and opportunities to review assigned work together to see how to improve
3. Remember to ask for help when needed

Recently, we sent out a message regarding living our values of inclusion and respect. As Condors, we are F.I.E.R.C.E., and the letter "E" in fierce stands for Equity Ambassadors and Effective Communicators. It is vital that we continue to set a positive culture that respects each and every person on this campus. Our staff has addressed inappropriate remarks made amongst students, as well as the spreading of gossip and rumors in person and online. Let's engage in statements and actions that demonstrate compassion, cultural sensitivity, and help raise each other up.

Warmly,

Principal Rhone-Lay

• Monday, October 31st at PCBL Time | Halloween Rally at the Main Gym
• Monday & Tuesday, October 31st & November 1st at lunch | Fall Celebration Lip-Sync Performance at the Condor Quad
• Wednesday, November 2nd starting at 6pm | Freshman Parent Night with the Counseling Department at the Student Union
• Friday, November 4th at 4:30 pm | Football Game V. San Jose High @ SJHS
• Saturday, November 5th 7-10pm | Homecoming Dance at MHS Main Gym, tickets are on sale at lunch and after school tomorrow, Tuesday, and Thursday. Bring your permission slip. $10 through Halloween. $15 in November. $20 day of.

Why Join PTSA?

PTSA is an opportunity to bring the community together and build a voice and advocate for the students at Kathleen MacDonald High School PTSA. Membership is just $10.

Hear from parents just like you who have gotten involved with their child's school, their child's education and the education of everyone in their community by joining a local PTSA. It's a Fact: Kids Do Better When Parents are Engaged in Their Learning.

Become a Member

Donate to the PTSA

Meet our Founding PTSA Board! - Freshman Parent Night next Wed 11/2 @ 6:00pm

Football

Football had a landmark victory on Friday against a tough and ready Evergreen Valley Cougars team. The Condors fought hard throughout the game and were victorious by a score of 20-12. It marked the first football victory in school history and players, families, coaches and supporters rejoiced with pride.

Volleyball

Volleyball earned another victory last week with a 3-0 win over the Summit Denali Varsity program. A strong defense and great serving led the way for the Condors. The team also completed their season with league games vs. Lynbrook, Saratoga and Homestead. Great job, great season and thank you to the players, parents, supporters and coaches!

Tennis

Tennis continued to march through their league season with matches against Fremont, Wilcox and Santa Clara. The team continues to work hard and improve as it moves towards the end of the season today.

Cross Country

Cross Country had the SCVAL Meet #3 at Baylands Park last week. A new school record for the course was set by Hayden Honjo and both the girls and boys teams set team PR's. Next up for the teams is the SCVAL Championships on Tuesday, November 1st.

September 23, 2022

Dear Condors:

We are running full speed ahead!

PCBL Time is really taking off with staff-facilitated schoolwide lessons and workshops, ASB-related events, and embedded recovery time (e.g., help from teachers, work/study time). Last Thursday, we had our very first Condor Rally! Our Leadership Class did an amazing job with all of the planning, and led fun games that seemed to capture the audience.

Condor Athletics Teams are working hard! Our football team had their first scrimmage last Friday. They drew a large crowd, and played very well. Our volleyball, cross country, and tennis teams have already participated in several contests, and have also played very well!

Next week we are kicking off our English Learner Advisory Council, School Site Council, and Parent Teacher Student Association. All three groups will meet virtually via ZOOM. Please know that all are welcome to attend these groups' monthly meetings. ZOOM links will be posted on our website under "Announcements".

Please mark your calendars. We have a few really exciting school events coming up, including our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on October 15th at 10:30 am. Please join us!

Warmly,

Principal Rhone-Lay

Please join me in recognizing our amazing students in Leadership, and those students who have stepped up to serve as ASB Officers, as part of our Founding Class!

Our ASB Officers are:

• Lucious Depew, ASB President
• Jiya Patel, ASB Vice President
• Jason Liu, Treasurer
• Jess Holley, Secretary

Our student leaders have begun to establish many "firsts":

• First Spirit Week
• First Dance
• First ASB Elections
• First Club Rush
• First Rally
• And are hard at work planning many more firsts...

As you can imagine, a lot of thoughtful dialogue, teamwork, and effort goes into each event that our student leaders host. Please share positive feedback with them, and reinforce their effort by participating in upcoming events.

Special shout outs to Ms. Cheng, our Leadership Teacher and ASB/Advisor, and Ms. Brooke, our Book Keeper, who provide our students with ongoing guidance and encouragement.

Follow @callingcondors --> for Spirit Rallies / School Events on Instagram.

Go Condors!!!

• Thursday, September 29th at Lunch and during PCBL Time | Makeup Picture Day
• Friday, September 30th at 6:30-9 pm | Hispanic Heritage Night
• Saturday, October 1st starting at 11 am | Santa Clara Parade of Champions
• Saturday, October 15th starting at 10:30 am | Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Our Leadership/ASB is selling snacks after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays in front of our Book Keeper's, Ms. Brooke's, office.

Volleyball - Girls volleyball got their first win of the year after defeating KIPP - Esperanza's varsity team in 3 games to 0. League play continues this week with matches against Fremont (home) at 5:30 and Santa Clara at 5:30 (away). The girls also have a non-league game on Wednesday, 9/21 v. Basis at 5:00; Santa Clara, 9/26 at 5:30 away; Homestead, 9/27 at 5:30 home; and Saratoga 9/29 at 5:30 away.

Cross Country - The JV girls and FS boys traveled to Lynbrook for our first meet of the year. Racing in the varsity division, the girls placed 4th out of 6 teams in the Varsity B division. Freshman Jovana Bierman let from start to finish and won the race by less than 1 second over the next finisher! The boys placed sixth out of seven teams in the 9th grade boys division. Leading running was Hayden Honjo who finished 16th out of the 50 runners in the race. The team also had their first league race at Baylands Park on Tuesday (SCVAL #1). The race included all 15 teams in the SCVAL. The girls finished 7th in the Varsity B race and the boys finished 11th in the JV race. Leading finishers were Jovana Bierman for the girls, and Evan Wang for the boys.

Tennis - The girls started their league matches with close losses to Santa Clara and Milpitas. Up this week is a home match v. Lynbrook (9/20) and a road contest v. Los Gatos (9/22); a home match v. Saratoga (9/27); and a road contest at Fremont (9/29). All matches start at 4:00.

Football - The Condors played their first home contest, a scrimmage v Lynbrook. The highlight of the contest was the incredible crowd! Football plays their first game of the season Friday, v. El Camino at 4:00 AT Lynbrook.

Follow @macdonald.athletics --> for Sports on Instagram.

Please join us at upcoming meetings!

All students, parent/community members, and staff are welcome to attend.

• Wednesday, September 28th 4-4:45pm via ZOOM* | English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC) & School Site Council (SSC)
• Wednesday, September 28th 6-6:45pm via ZOOM* | Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)

*Meeting ZOOM Links and agendas have been posted on the school website under "Announcements".

ELAC/SSC Elections

Thank you to our wonderful parents who have self-nominated to participate on our English Learner Advisory Council and School Site Council. Parents, please help us complete our election process by clicking here.

August 24, 2022

Dear Condors:

We've had a fantastic first few weeks of school!

Students are settled into their classes, and have begun building community with their teachers and peers.

Our Welcome Center Team has helped our school community to start off the school year right.

Condor Athletics are fully underway with about seventy students who are playing Football, Girl's Volleyball, Girl's Tennis, and running Cross Country.

The MacDonald High Associated Student Body (ASB) and Activities are also underway. This week, our Leadership class has kicked off our very first Spirit Week. ASB elections are also taking place later this week, and our fall-themed Back to School Dance will be taking place on Friday, August 26th.

Back to School Night is taking place next Wednesday, August 31st. Please join us for an opportunity to get to know our teachers, and vote for Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Officers, School Site Council and English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC) Parent Representatives.

Warmly,

Principal Rhone-Lay

Our Leadership class has kicked off our very first Spirit Week. Join in on the fun!

• Tuesday- Pajama Day
• Wednesday- Favorite Character Day
• Thursday- Condor Spirit Day
• Friday- Fall Day (since our first dance is fall-themed)

The founding parent community at MacDonald will have multiple opportunities to contribute to the school culture and climate. The three main organizations we hope will grow and thrive at MHS are the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), the School Site Council (SSC), and the English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC). We invite nominations to these organizations. Please fill out the form below and submit your nominations no later than Monday, August 29th.

MacDonald High School welcomes nominations and self-nominations (you can nominate yourself) for leadership roles in our Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), School Site Council (SSC), and English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC).

Click here to nominate or self-nominate.

On Thursday, students will be voting for our ASB President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. During PCBL Time, students will have an opportunity to view candidates' campaign videos and then cast their votes. Students will also be nominating one student per homeroom to participate in the Principal Student Advisory Council (PSAC), which will meet one time per month during PCBL Time.

Click here to view ASB Officer Candidate campaign slides and videos.

Our first dance is taking place this Friday, August 26th 7-10pm at our Student Union. Tickets will be sold, for $5, this Tuesday and Thursday at lunch and after school. Students need to turn in signed permission slips to Ms. Brooke, our School Bookkeeper, when they purchase their tickets.

Back to School Night is taking place on Wednesday, August 31st 5:30-8pm.

Here is the plan for the evening:

• Our school website, at santaclarausd.org/macdonald, will be our main hub for school information.
• Messages will be sent via email to families from our Welcome Center throughout the school year to ensure that everyone is aware of school happenings.
• Our school newsletter, the Condor Courier, will be sent out about bi-weekly.
• All members of the school community are invited to send our Welcome Center information and pictures that you would like us to feature.

August 8, 2022

Dear Condors:

The MacDonald High Staff is so excited to welcome everyone on August 11th for our very first, first day of school! #MakingHistoryTogether

As a Founding Community, we are embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to imagine and create possibilities for all that MacDonald High will become. Let's celebrate this!

Wishing you a wonderful school year!

Warmly,

Principal Rhone-Lay

Thank you to all of our Condor Families and MHS Staff who participated in Welcome Day!

Students toured the campus, received class schedules, learned about fall sports, returned old chromebooks and received new devices, completed an Inventing Design Challenge, picked up MHS swag and signed a Founding Class (c/o 2026) banner, took yearbook pictures/ID pictures, and gave input for our Fight Song and Alma Mater. Go Condors!

Later in the day, students led parents on self-guided tours, and families jammed out to live music at the Condor Quad. Churros were the prize for students who completed all of the day's activities. We had a food truck, and students and staff played Condor Spirit games. Parents met in our Student Union, where we shared about our school vision and discussed daily logistics.

Did you miss Welcome Day?

• Students who missed us on Welcome Day, are invited to attend a mini-orientation on Thursday, August 11th at 8 AM. We will be awaiting your arrival right in front of the Welcome Center/Administration Building underneath the overhang.
• Parents who missed us, are invited to view the presentation slides from the parent meeting.

Drop off & Pick up

Students can be dropped off as early as 8 AM using the school loop for drop off by entering the campus on Zanker Road and De Soto Road.

• During the morning drop-off, drive into the parking lot from De Soto, go right towards the parking lots, and follow signs for the high school parking lot.
• Students can be dropped off in front of the Welcome Center.
• During pick-up in the afternoon, enter the parking lot the same way as the drop-off, but please pull up as far as possible to avoid any backup in the lot.

• August 11th is the first day of school and students will attend periods 1-3. Students will report to their Advisors, as shown on their school schedules, for PCBL (flex time).
• On August 12th students will attend periods 4-6, and 7 if they have a 7th period class.
• Students will follow the regular bell schedule during the second and following weeks.
• Students will not dress out for the first days of school. PE Teachers will go over dressing out with students.
• With 10-minute passing periods, students are encouraged to use restrooms in between classes to optimize class time. All Gender restrooms are located right next to all open, multi-stall restrooms.
• Lunch will be served in the Condor Eatery located in the Student Union. Students are invited to eat in Student Union or out on the Condor Quad.

MHS Staff are excited to begin cultivating nurturing spaces within and outside of classrooms, where all students know that they belong, and their needs are known and met.

During the first days of school, Condor Students and Parents are highly encouraged to:

1. Review Course Syllabi for each class. Syllabi outline essential questions and priority standards/skills. They explain how students will know how they are progressing towards proficiency of standards on a 4-point scale, and how letter grades will be earned. Routines and expectations will be described, as well as how to get help when needed.
2. Review guidelines for PCBL Time @ MHS to ensure that this time is used optimally.

3. Go over the hyperlinked table of contents in our MHS Student Parent Handbook together. Use the hyperlinks for quick access to topics of interest.

4. Mark your calendars! We have already begun planning our first assemblies, dances, performances, and other school events. We would also love to see you at our School Site Council/English Learner Advisory Council and Parent Teacher Student Association meetings. View the MHS Calendar of Events.
   

5. Join at least one sport or club this school year! Information about Condor Athletics can be found on our website. We will be forming clubs during the first weeks of school.
   

Condors are F.I.E.R.C.E. Global Citizens!!!

Let’s build a positive school climate and culture, learn and grow into our best selves by leaning into these habits of mind and practice.

Future-Ready Learners: Condors will create a learning environment that nurtures, and enables development of competencies and habits of mind and practice.

Inclusive Empathizers: Condors will find opportunities to be kind and help others.

Equity Ambassadors: Condors will embrace and celebrate all students.

Resilient in Mind/Health/& Body: Condors will have grit.

Collaborative Problem Solvers & Critical Thinkers: Condors will work together and discuss more in-depth and higher order thinking.

Effective Communicators: Condors will be able to advocate for themselves.

• Our school website, at santaclarausd.org/macdonald, will be our main hub for school information.
• Messages will be sent via email to families from our Welcome Center throughout the school year to ensure that everyone is aware of school happenings.
• Our school newsletter, the Condor Courier, will be sent out about bi-weekly.
• All members of the school community are invited to send our Welcome Center information and pictures that you would like us to feature.

July 2022

Dear Condors:

We are making history together!

In our inaugural year, we have a very special opportunity to begin building Condor Culture and to set the foundation for all that MacDonald HS will become in the coming years.

We want our students, families, and staff to be empowered to create and partake in school activities throughout the year that will spark our very own traditions.

Wishing everyone an amazing inaugural year!

Warmly,

Principal Rhone-Lay

Students:

You are encouraged to participate in at least one sport or club this school year. Information about Condor Athletics can be found on our website. We will be forming clubs during the first weeks of school.

Families:

Please mark your calendars! We have already begun planning our first assemblies, dances, performances, and other school events. We would also love to see you at our School Site Council/English Learner Advisory Council and Parent Teacher Student Association meetings.

Communication:

Our school website will be our main hub for school information. Messages will be sent via email to families from our Welcome Center throughout the school year to ensure that everyone is aware of school happenings. Our school newsletter, the Condor Courier, will be sent out about bi-weekly. All members of the school community are invited to send our Welcome Center information and pictures that you would like us to feature.

Condor Way:

Students and Families are encouraged to go over the MHS Student Parent Handbook together. Please use the hyperlinked table of contents for quick access to topics of interest.

Example topics of interest:

Welcome Center Points of Contact

Vision & Mission Statements

We are excited about seeing you at Welcome Day on Friday, August 5th at 11:30am. Details about this event are provided on our school website.

• Students will receive their school schedules during Welcome Day on August 5th.
• August 11th is the first day of school and students will attend periods 1-3. Students will report to their Advisors, as shown on their school schedules, for PCBL (flex time). On August 12th students will attend periods 4-6, and 7 if they have a 7th period class. Please see the bell schedule.
• Students will follow the regular bell schedule during the second and following weeks.

Future-Ready Learners: Condors will create a learning environment that nurtures, and enables development of competencies and habits of practice.

Inclusive Empathizers: Condors will find opportunities to be kind and help others.

Equity Ambassadors: Condors will embrace and celebrate all students.

Resilient in Mind/Health/& Body: Condors will have grit.

Collaborative Problem Solvers & Critical Thinkers: Condors will work together and discuss more in-depth and higher order thinking.

Effective Communicators: Condors will be able to advocate for themselves.