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MDUSD is continuing to upgrade the District’s phone system to VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol. (See "What is VoIP?" below for more information.)

The VoIP systems are being upgraded in phases, which started last school year, as part of Technology Infrastructure improvements. Please note that as phones are updated, extensions will change.

Sites upgraded: Mt. Diablo Elementary, Meadow Homes Elementary, Rio Vista Elementary, Silverwood Elementary, Willow Creek Center and Northgate HS.

Upgrading in early winter 2025: Loma Vista Adult Education, Wren Avenue Elementary and Ayers Elementary.

Upgrading in Spring, 2026: Gregory Gardens Elementary and the Dent Center (District Office) 

Upgrading in Summer, 2026: Central Services (M&O, Food & Nutrition Services, Purchasing & Warehouse, Transportation)

Upgrading in Early 2027: Sun Terrace and Hidden Valley elementary schools

New sites will continue to be added as network upgrades continue. District phone directories will be updated as sites are transitioned to VoIP.

What is VoIP? A VoIP phone system is a way to make phone calls using the internet instead of traditional phone lines. Instead of your voice traveling over old copper wires in landline phones, it gets turned into digital signals and sent over the internet—just like an email or video call.

Why are we making these upgrades? We are making these upgrades as part of our Technology Infrastructure Improvements, as well as in conjunction with other construction projects, such as the Elementary Modernization at Meadow Homes, Mt. Diablo and Rio Vista elementary schools. 

How will this improve MDUSD phone service districtwide? Upgrading to a VoIP phone system improves a school district’s phone system in several key ways—especially when compared to traditional landlines. 

1. Cost Savings

• Lower monthly bills: Internet-based calls are cheaper, especially for long distance.
• No need for separate phone lines: Uses your existing internet connection.
• Free internal calling: Call between schools or departments at no extra cost.

2. Scalability and Flexibility

• Easily add or move phones—no rewiring needed.
• Works on desktop phones, computers, tablets, and smartphones.
• Great for staff working from multiple campuses.

3. Advanced Features

• VoIP systems come with features that traditional systems often lack or charge extra for:
  • Voicemail to email or text
  • Auto-attendant/menu system (e.g., "Press 1 for attendance")
  • Call forwarding, routing, and transfers
  • Call logs and usage reports
  • Paging, intercom, and emergency broadcasts

4. Improved Communication and Collaboration

• Unified communications: Phone, video, messaging, and screen sharing in one system.
• Teachers and administrative staff can collaborate more easily, even across schools.
• Support for hybrid and remote learning environments.

5. Better Emergency Handling

• E911 services: VoIP can send exact room/location data to first responders.
• Alert systems can notify key staff instantly when 911 is dialed.
• Supports lockdown procedures with broadcast paging or emergency alerts.

6. Easier Management

• IT can manage the entire system via a web-based dashboard.
• No need to call the phone company to reassign extensions or fix issues.\Monitor call quality, uptime, and user activity in real time.

7. Future-Proof and Reliable

• Landline service is being phased out in many areas (including California).
• VoIP is cloud-based, always up to date, and supports redundancy for outages.
• Integration with other systems (like school bells, calendars) is possible.

Last week, Northgate High School's Senior class participated in Mock Congress: a two-day learning simulation that provides students with a transformative experience about lawmaking, said U.S. History and Ethnic Studies teacher Meg Honey.

Mock Congress has been part of Northgate High School's Government classes for 45 years. Over the course of the fall semester, Seniors research an issue, construct bills, meet in committees, and elect Party leaders. During the two day simulation, Seniors assume the role of United States Senators where they debate, amend, and vote on the student authored bills in four simultaneously run Senates, with over 400 students participating. 

Government teacher Jon Burchett shares that Mock Congress is a powerful and formative capstone project for Seniors: "Providing students with the opportunity to understand the legislative process by DOING has resulted in so many positive outcomes,” he said. “Our Seniors meaningfully collaborate and debate, and several of our students choose to pursue careers in public policy as result of their experience in Northgate's Mock Congress."

Honey added: "I vividly remember my own Mock Congress experience as a student here at Northgate, and it is so exciting to watch our Senior class fully engage with the process. This incredible capstone project also meets the requirements for the California State Seal of Civic Engagement, and we are proud that the hard work of our students is honored with this important recognition."

Senior Adam Novik served as a Party leader in the Blue Senate and commented on how many of voting outcomes transcended party affiliation. "Our Senate worked to pass bills on a variety of issues based on collective agreement,” he said. “We collaborated and cooperated across party lines. I loved my Mock Congress experience."

Bill topics included ending unrestricted taxpayer funded support to nations committing genocide, safeguards on AI, ICE restrictions, gun control, and a bill to stop the exploitation/forced labor of child YouTube influencers, Honey said.

Third-graders at Highlands Elementary learned about local government by researching the Concord City Council and issues of importance in their city, holding a mock City Council election that included campaigns focused on what they would do to address those issues, then following up with questions for Concord Mayor Carlyn Obringer when she visited them on Nov. 17th.

"We are currently studying local government as a part of our 3rd grade social studies curriculum," said teacher Amy Bilson, adding that Mayor Obringer agreed to visit the school "to provide a hands-on, experiential learning experience for our students." Mayor Obringer represents District 2 in the city, which includes the downtown area where Todos Santos Plaza is located. Each year, one of the city's five council members rotates into the role of Mayor, but Obringer's council term will last until 2028.

"Our students held a mock election, complete with campaigning, voting, and speeches given on the three most concerning issues to Concord residents according to the City web site," Bilson said. "Those three issues are public safety, housing costs, and homelessness. Our students were assigned one of five districts (about 6 students in each group) and had to run a campaign based on one or all of the three main concerns. Once elections were certified, we held a mock City Council meeting to solidify their learning of the process of local government. We also wrote questions for the Mayor."

During Obringer's visit, she gave students an overview of her job and answered lots of questions. She said the City Council assists people who are unsheltered and takes care of roads, parks, public safety and quality of life. The city works with the county on regional homelessness to provide shelters and mental health assistance and provides one of two shelters in the county. She invited students to check out a new playground a Todos Santos Plaza and said she often joins community groups to help pick up trash on weekends and has been involved in city tree planting projects. Obringer said the city is working with developers to build new housing and has adopted rent control laws to help rentals remain affordable.

When one student asked if people are happy with her, Obringer said, "I was re-elected last year with 76% of the votes, so I think on election day they were happy with me." She also urged families to shop in Concord to return money to the local economy, which helps fund improvements. One boy asked about the restaurant Chick-fil-A and Obringer said there is one in the city, but she doesn't anticipate any more opening in Concord. One teacher said, "We actually had a very heated discussion about Chick-fil-A." Obringer said she hopes a new restaurant will open soon in the former EJ Phair space downtown, noting that businesses provide jobs and serve people who live in the city, as part of its ecosystem.

After the visit, students debriefed in their classrooms, reflecting on what they learned. Bilson said some main take aways students noted were: there are only two homeless shelters in 19 cities in Contra Costa County, and the Mayor plants a lot of trees and picks up garbage. They also learned that their voice matters. Student Himala Johnson, who was elected to the District 5 City Council seat in the school's mock election, was most excited about getting the Mayor’s business card, Bilson said. 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• Concord Mayor Carlyn Obringer visits 3rd-grade classes at Highlands Elementary, where students held their own mock Concord City Council elections;
• Northgate HS Mock Congress, a two-day legislative simulation;
• 2 Mt. Diablo HS Patient Care Pathway students awarded John Muir Health Scholarships and HOSA students led a workshop for educators at the CAL HOSA Fall Leadership Conference
• Northgate HS art students placed 4th in the nation in the Crosley record player design contest,
• The Ygnacio Valley HS Community Cultural Club brings students who speak Dari and Farsi together,
• Bridge Program Friendsgiving;
• School and staff social media highlights, including turkey trots, 67th-day-of-school celebrations, and a spirited staff-vs-students soccer match at Oak Grove MS!

You can read it here.

To help educate students about the courageous, historic, and nation-changing “walk” of Ruby Bridges in November of 1960 to integrate schools, MDUSD's Focal Scholar program helped to coordinate a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day event at Delta View Elementary on Friday. Delta View was one of several District schools participating in the nationwide event, which is held on Nov. 14th to commemorate the anniversary of the day 6-year-old Ruby Bridges became the first African American child to integrate the formerly whites-only William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana. Schoolchildren around the country celebrate her accomplishment by walking to their schools, reading books and watching videos about Ruby Bridges, and talking about both historic and ongoing efforts to fight racism and discrimination.

At Delta View, 4th and 5th graders worked on art projects in the cafeteria focused on Ruby Bridges, and played games outside that Ruby Bridges enjoyed, such as jumping rope. They then watched a video about Bridges that explained her role in ending segregation in public schools. Then, several students in the after-school KTH Learning program presented short reports based on research they had done about Bridges. The event culminated with students re-enacting Bridges' walk by parading around the block carrying Ruby Bridges pennants.

Other schools that participated in similar events on their campuses include: Gregory Gardens, Monte Gardens, Mt. Diablo, Silverwood, Strandwood, Sun Terrace, Valhalla, Valle Verde, Walnut Acres and Westwood elementary schools, Holbrook Language Academy, and Riverview, Sequoia and Valley View middle schools.

The Delta View and Riverview events were hosted by members of MDUSD's Focal Scholars Team, which is helping K-12 students from seven Focal Scholar schools within MDUSD - including Delta View and Riverview - with their attendance, behavior, and academic endeavors to show growth in each area. Students receive free tutorial and counseling services as a benefit of being in this program. 

Focal Scholar Program Instructional Program Specialist Jaylani Cortes, who coordinated the Delta View program, said the purpose is to celebrate Ruby Bridges as one of the first African American girls to help integrate schools and to recognize her continued work as a Civil Rights activist. 

Fourth-graders Leilani Mar and Mary Diop said they enjoyed the activities. On a poster, Leilani wrote: "Be brave, kind, helpful and loving." Mary wrote: "We love you Ruby Bridges." Mary said Ruby made everything fair so that black people and white people could go to the same school together.

Students who gave the presentations talked about Ruby, as well as how they can be like her. "I can show courage and respect at school by being nice to others and treating everyone equally," one boy said. Another boy added: "She taught me not to give up and don't let anyone get to me." Another student concluded: "I can learn to be brave. I can also respect others. Unity starts with us."

The Riverview MS event included a walk, as well as discussions about civil rights, racial justice, anti-racism and anti-bullying. It aimed to inspire the next generation to be leaders who promote positive change in their schools and communities. 

Check out the school social media highlights below and click on this reel to see how other schools celebrated the event,

MDUSD is excited to have launched a new Teacher Residency program in partnership with St. Mary's College of California, which offers teachers in training the opportunity to work alongside a highly qualified teacher mentor in our District three days a week. This year, 12 teacher residents have been placed in Hidden Valley, Strandwood and Wren Avenue elementary schools; and at El Dorado and Riverview middle schools. They include residents pursuing multiple subject, single subject math, and special education credentials, who receive stipends of $31,400 per year and are given priority for substitute teaching positions while they are residents and for teaching positions after they earn their preliminary credentials at the end of this school year.

"I think it's going really well," said Christina Nelson, MDUSD's Teacher Residency Program Coordinator. "We're hoping to fill hard-to-fill positions and we are focused on diversifying the workforce." 

MDUSD and St. Mary's College are co-hosting a virtual information night from 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 for those who are interested in participating in the second year of the program in 2026-27 (see flyer for details and RSVP here). The application deadline to St. Mary's is March 1 and candidates can apply to the MDUSD residency after they are accepted.

At Riverview MS, teacher resident Dre Walker said he feels blessed to have been accepted into the program and paired with Special Education teacher Mary Acebu, a 13-year veteran who teaches Special Day Class students in grades 7-8. "I have to step up my game this year, in terms of lesson planning and being able to group the students strategically," she said, explaining how she is adapting to having another educator in the classroom along with para-educator Kimberley Montano. The students shift from one class to the next because many are mainstreamed for part of the day. "I'm here to show him the ropes on IEPs (Individualized Education Programs), testing, using different technologies to reach the kids, district requirements, and getting him ready for next year, once he becomes a full-fledged special education teacher."

Both Walker and Acebu agree that it is rewarding to teach special education. "Kids light up in the classroom once they understand something - that's always the goal," Acebu said. "They'll say, 'Oh, you taught me that last week,' and it just clicks. Those 'aha' moments - I live for those. I love that the most - being with the kids. I know if I can change even one student's life, I think I've fulfilled my purpose."

Walker sees the strong relationships that Acebu has built with her current and former students and he is working to establish his own connections with students. "She has found the students' superpowers," he said. "Most of our students have a skillset they don't realize. We bring it to light, so they can see it and run with it. These kids need an opportunity to be with quality teachers who believe in them."

One student named Alex said she likes both Acebu and Walker. "She's fantastic," Alex said of Acebu. "She's the fun teacher. She's nice and she's kind. And Mr. Dre - he's kind and he likes my artwork and how I try my best when I'm doing my work." Walker and Alex get along so well that they have created their own handshake, which they excitedly demonstrated.

Both Acebu and Walker are on the same wavelength in terms of blending academic and social and emotional learning by making their classroom a positive place where students feel safe, respected, academically challenged, welcome and valued. "We teach them to love themselves and to love others," Walker said. "Our kids are not afraid to ask questions," Acebu added.

Relying on the Universal Design for Learning, they design lessons to meet students' individual needs. Acebu, who is one of the school's Technology Integration Leaders, uses multimedia, websites and creates her own virtual lessons taking students places they have never been, such as Japan. When they use videos, such as CNN 10 current events, Acebu and Walker stop the program often to talk about it and how it relates to students' lives, explaining vocabulary words that may be unfamiliar. Acebu tries to make lessons engaging by rephrasing questions, alternating between multiple choice, writing and oral lessons. When some students said they didn't know why they were getting Tuesday off, that sparked a discussion about Veterans Day and why it's important - and Acebu learned that some students have military family members.

"She's fluid," Walker observed. "She's constantly changing based on the surroundings and characteristics of her students." By listening to the students, Acebu said she is able to figure out what they are interested in and what they have questions about. She also gives them short breaks during lessons so they don't feel bombarded by too many questions in a row. And she encourages students to ask questions if they don't understand something, which helps them feel confident and prepares them for high school. 

Walker attends staff meetings and is included in Acebu's communications to other staff members and to parents, which include weekly reports about what students are learning. Acebu said teaching life skills is Walker's forte. He loves explaining things like Native American History and Digital Citizenship to students.

Both Acebu and Walker said they would highly recommend the Teacher Residency program to aspiring teachers, as well as to veteran teacher mentors. "It can seem overwhelming to work with another person in the class, but it takes skill, patience and leadership," Acebu said. "When you know what you're able to bring to the table to help someone be the best teacher they can be, this is the perfect program to help people who want to be teachers in the future."

Walker said Acebu welcomed him with open arms and treated him as an equal when he first arrived. "At age 57, I'm learning new things," Walker said. "She's amazing."

This week's Friday Letter spotlights:

• Teacher Residency Program in partnership with St. Mary’s College of California,
• Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day at Delta View Elementary and other MDUSD campuses,
• Pleasant Hill MS 7th grader Charlotte Proctor won the 2025 local Lions Club Peace Poster Contest
• The Ygnacio Valley High School Math Team participated in the UC Berkeley Math Tournament,
• Members of the Beauty for Ashes club at Ygnacio Valley HS led a school cleanup effort,
• Northgate High School art team has been named one of five national finalists in the Crosley record player design contest,
• Board of Education ratified the new contract with the Mt. Diablo Education Association, , social media highlights,
• And more!

You can read it here.

MDUSD's SOAR (Support Office for Access and Resources) program is here to help families get connected with the resources and support they need. We provide basic necessities for all students, whether they are enrolled in the SOAR Program or not — including backpacks, school supplies, clothing, hygiene kits, and referrals to local food resources.

If you or someone you know could use assistance, please reach out to soar@mdusd.org or call 925-685-1011, ext. 62042.

If you’re in a position to help others, please consider making a donation to SOAR this holiday season during our annual drive to support families in need within our community. Every dollar donated goes directly to supporting MDUSD students in need. We are accepting donations through Jan. 20, 2026.

Please see the flyer for details. 

Hundreds of MDUSD parents/guardians and students had the opportunity to meet with representatives from several trades unions during the District's first ever Building Trades Night on Nov. 5 at Concord HS, where they learned about training and career opportunities. The event was presented through a partnership between MDUSD, the Torlakson Whole Child Institute and local trades unions. 

It included hands-on demonstrations, information booths and remarks from MDUSD Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark, Mae Cendaña Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, CA Building and Construction Trades Council President Chris Hannan, and a College Park HS grad who is now in a plumber's apprenticeship program, as well as his mom.

Thurmond said California and Contra Costa County need trades workers to build the infrastructure and housing our communities need. Hannan said trades workers can proudly build anything the state or country can imagine, while earning middle class wages without student debt, since they get paid while they are in the apprenticeship programs - and also receive health benefits and retirement pensions. Hannan also stressed the importance of math in the trades, saying: "If you are mechanically inclined, if you like to build things, if you like to be able to see what you've accomplished, if you like to be part of a sisterhood or a brotherhood, the trades are for you!" Rep. DeSaulnier said he was pleased to be part of such a special evening. "In this whole country," he said, "there is nothing like this unique partnership happening."

Second year plumbing apprentice Dylan Woodhall said he enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship program at Diablo Valley College before becoming an apprentice, where he uses math every day and works hard, while making great pay. "I'm 23 years old and I just bought a condo right down the street," he said. His mom, Jennifer Woodhall, told parents at the event: "I think it's a fabulous program." 

El Dorado MS math teacher Jodi Masongsong and Oak Grove MS math teachers Jeffrey Juico and Gian De Los Santos talked to parents about the math skills they teach, which are important in the trades, including measuring, converting units such as inches to feet or ounces to pounds, estimation, geometry and fractions. "Some need to calculate voltage and they all need to know how to problem-solve and think critically," Masongsong said. De Los Santos added: "And if your boss asks you for half of something, you need to know how to calculate that half."  

Celeste Sanchez, a member of the Laborers Union, said construction workers do a variety of jobs from pouring concrete to demolition, shoveling, and cleaning up debris. "I love it," said Sanchez, who is a petite 4'11" tall. "If I can do it, anyone can do it!" MDUSD parent Magdalena Rodriguez, who attended the event with her four children, said she came to learn more about options for them after graduation. Her son Oseas, who is a Sequoia MS 6th-grader, said he liked the copper pipe-fitting demonstration. Concord HS Sophomore Arjen Swift-Wade, who attended the event with his father, said he appreciated the opportunity to learn about a variety of jobs and what they entail. He suggested expanding the program to include lesser-known jobs such as mural artists, fine woodworking including furniture making, and music production. He was most interested in drywall, glazier, flooring and painting jobs and said he heard the message about the importance of math loud and clear. Arjen praised his Concord HS math teacher Jose Soltero, saying he explains geometry really well. Parent Juana Cisneros, who attended the event with her children including Concord HS sophomore Juan Villafan, said she enjoyed learning more about the trades and benefits. Juan said he found the laborer job opportunities interesting.   

MDUSD Board President Linda Mayo, who attended the Trades Night along with the rest of the Board members, expressed her gratitude afterward to everyone who organized and facilitated the event, including MDUSD and Concord HS staff members. "Your efforts showed our community and elected officials from throughout the county, and the Trades, what a shining star MDUSD is," she said. 

Click here to see a short reel highlighting the event. Click here to watch a 3:30 video recap of the event produced in partnership by the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California and the Torlakson Whole Child Institute.

More information about MDUSD's Career Pathways programs is here.