MPCSD's June 2025 district family newsletter is available to read here. It includes budget updates, the MPAEF grant, Superintendent Gracia's summer message, and more.

MPCSD Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Dr. Stephanie Sheridan, was invited by the city council of Menlo Park to receive a proclamation declaring the city's support of Autism Acceptance Month. The proclamation states the city's support for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, highlights their contributions to our community, and urges us to build welcoming and inclusive communities to support them. Dr. Sheridan's department supports many students with Autism through the district's special education program. She is pictured here holding the proclamation with city council members.

Oak Knoll's school garden received some sprucing thanks to students and parents who came out for a recent garden work day. The mighty team of volunteers pulled weeds and enlivened the beds with a fresh crop of edible flower plants. Once again, special thanks is due to Geoff Long and his crew of eager helpers who sawed and drilled to construct protective cover crop boxes for strawberries. The garden is maintained by a PTO gardening committee.

The Encinal community celebrated Earth Day April 22 with a PTO-sponsored bike bus to help students increase their confidence in bike routes and encourage this environmentally-friendly way to get to school. The turnout was fantastic and included many parent chaperones. Learn more about the Bike Bus movement at bikebus.world. Thanks to Menlo Park's Safe Routes to School program and the many families districtwide who opt for "Anything But Car" when commuting to school.

MPCSD received a 2025 Kent Award from the San Mateo County School Boards Association for PAWZitivity: Wellness Facility Dogs Serving TK-8th Grade Students. PAWZitivity includes dogs Millie and Duke (pictured here on a break at Encinal School), Patches, Sunny, Cali, and Fiona. The dogs bring their calming, comforting, and lovable characteristics and offer patient, judgement-free companionship. Research shows that facility dogs at schools reduce stress and anxiety, improve attendance, and increase academic success. This MPCSD program is sponsored by the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation.

A group of students from Laurel's 5th grade Art Club recently attended a mural-making workshop at Red Morton Community Center in Redwood City and were thrilled to learn that their design was selected by the Redwood City Arts Commission to be included in the Youth Mural Alley project in downtown Redwood City. It will be installed over the summer and remain on display for years to come. Pictured here is their draft concept. Congratulations!