Mt. Diablo Unified School District

08/29/2026

Thank you to the Contra Costa County Office of Education for hosting a free Parent Webinar Series on Supporting your Children's Mental Health starting Sept. 3. Details are below.

Parent Webinar Series: Supporting Your Children's Mental Health VIA Zoom

Thursdays 6:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
September 3: What Parents Should Know About Mental Health
September 17: Supporting Your Child's Mental Health Needs
October 15: Understanding Anxiety

Join the Wellness in Schools Program (WISP) for this three-part series designed to help parents and caregivers better understand, recognize, and support their child’s mental health.

Learn practical strategies. Gain valuable insights. Connect with resources that can help your family thrive.

Register Now: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=aKjoLX0iqkmHRkCzjtznY0jOF4EPZEJAiZWgufDHX21UMlZVUkkzUjROUVBBWUg3WTNEOFBTNEg2MyQlQCN0PWcu

08/29/2026

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights: Our September Attendance Awareness campaign, "Be here. Be ready. Belong;" a recap of our latest Board meeting, Preliminary CAASPP results, Northgate High School junior Jennifer Alas selected as one of 16 students from 12 high schools across Contra Costa County to serve as a reporter for the 2026 - 2027 Contra Costa Youth Journalism program; College Park’s quarterback Ethan Havens earns recognition in the San Francisco Chronicle's Top 50 Bay Area High School football players to watch in 2026 at number 37, Ygnacio Valley High School connects families with resources at the Family Justice Center, back to school highlights from across Mt. D including the Superintendent's visit to Olympic High School and a brand new athletic field at Northgate was broken in by their Bronco flag football team; and more! You can read it here: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/85571156

08/27/2026

Reminder that tomorrow is the deadline for Concord's Youth Environmental Art competition! Details are below.

08/27/2026

MDUSD is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Raymundo as Director of Budget, Accounting and Fiscal Compliance.
Christopher is a business professional who has proudly served the community for over two decades. He began his career in school business as an accounting assistant doing Accounts Payable for Antioch School District. He has held advisory roles at the Contra Costa County Office of Education, and most recently, at the Alameda County Office of Education
Christopher holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance as well as a CBO certification.
He is a proud father and dance dad, and a supportive husband to his wife, who is a dedicated elementary school teacher.
Please help us welcome Christopher to his new leadership role in MDUSD!

08/27/2026

MDUSD is pleased to announce the appointment of Brenda Barbera as Executive Director of Fiscal Services.
During her career, Brenda’s roles in education finance have evolved from a school office setting to managing department budgets including Special Education and Educational Services, as well as serving as an internal auditor and as a Chief Business Officer in a neighboring district. Since June of 2025, she has worked as MDUSD’s Director of Budget, Accounting & Fiscal Compliance.
Brenda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration as well as a CBO certification. She is excited for the opportunity to continue learning and growing within MDUSD.
Please help us welcome Brenda to her new leadership role in our Fiscal Services Department!

08/27/2026

MDUSD is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Vargas as a School Support Administrator in the District.
Jennifer began her career in education in 1992 in MDUSD at Bel Air Elementary. Throughout her tenure there, she held multiple roles including Special Day Class Teacher, General Education Teacher, Reading Specialist, Title I Coordinator, and After-School Program Coordinator before serving as Vice Principal. She continued her administrative leadership as Vice Principal at Shore Acres Elementary, before becoming Principal at Westwood Elementary in 2005, where her commitment to excellence was recognized when the school earned the Distinguished School Award in 2008. For the past 14 years, she proudly led the Sunrise Social Emotional Educational Collaborative and Shadelands Special Education Preschool, where Sunrise was recognized with the California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award in 2022.
Jennifer’s educational philosophy is grounded in a fundamental belief: when you meet students and families where they are and build authentic relationships with them, anything is possible. This relationship-centered approach continues to drive her commitment to supporting the education of all students in MDUSD.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from California State University, Fullerton, and a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Reading from California State University, East Bay. Her credentials include Multiple Subject, Special Education, Reading Specialist and Administrative Services.
When Jennifer is not at school, she enjoys spending time with her three daughters, their partners, two grandchildren, and close friends. She enjoys traveling, cooking, and hiking.
Please help us welcome Jennifer to her new leadership role in the District.

08/27/2026

MDUSD is pleased to announce the appointment of Carrie Buchek as Principal of Shadelands and Sunrise Centers.
Carrie has been working in school mental health and special education programs for 25 years, including 21 years in MDUSD's Social Emotional Educational Collaborative (SEEC) programs. She has served MDUSD students and families in the roles of School Psychologist, Mental Health Clinical Specialist, Wraparound Facilitator, and most recently, SEEC Program Administrator.
Carrie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Educational Psychologist, holding two related master's degrees in counseling. Her spouse is also an MDUSD employee, and outside of work they enjoy spending time traveling with their two teenage boys, one who is soon transitioning to college.
Carrie is thrilled to be expanding her leadership journey within the MDUSD family. Please help us welcome her to her new role as a school principal in the district!

08/25/2026

Thank you to county officials and the City of Pleasant Hill - Government for providing these valuable community services and resources during a block party at the Pleasant Hill Library on Sept. 29th! Details are below.

Join us for Contra Costa County’s Annual Block Party on Tuesday, September 29th from 4 to 7 pm at the Pleasant Hill Library (2 Monticello Ave)! County departments will be tabling and offering a wide variety of on-the-spot government services at a single location. This is a great way to learn about services and programs available to you as a Contra Costa County resident.

Available services at the Block Party include:
📝 Sign-ups for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CalWORKs,
📝 Information about childcare and preschool options,
📝 Records within Reach from Clerk-Recorder's Office,
📝 Voter Registration,
📝 Contra Costa Television (CCTV), and
📝 Many more County programs.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/3ywI1va.

08/25/2026

MDUSD Staff Social Media Highlights include campus supervisors dressed as traffic cones at Riverview MS (https://www.instagram.com/p/DcL59e3M_lW/), the Pine Hollow MS Principal demonstrating "Mustang Madness" (https://www.instagram.com/p/DcCXshwPfQR/), Valhalla Elementary 5th graders enjoying a visit with Superintendent Dr. Clark (https://twitter.com/MtDiabloUSD/status/2089861424889929850), and a reminder to Ygnacio Valley HS students to "keep it professional" when addressing staff (https://www.instagram.com/p/DcPG6QTyx0R/).

08/25/2026

In the new school year, MDUSD High School students, staff, families and community members have been building bonds through a variety of activities including a football Decathlon at College Park HS (https://www.instagram.com/p/DcFWsV_TMON/), Fall Sports parent meeting at Concord HS (https://www.instagram.com/p/DcRDiejMvV9/), a community member's visit to the Auto Shop at Mt. Diablo HS (https://www.facebook.com/groups/68024History/permalink/28242872408685368/), and a Joybound visit to Olympic HS (https://www.instagram.com/p/DcCc1ALj_xM/?img_index=1)!