August 2008

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year.  Our educators and support staff are dedicated to providing your children with a high quality instructional program within the context of a safe and nurturing learning environment.  Parent participation is valued and there are numerous opportunities for working in partnership with the schools to enrich services for the students.

It is important that parents know that, as a school district, we are in a continual cycle of self-review and refinement.  This year, the instructional staff will be sharing expertise through regularly scheduled collaboration periods with the goal of success and challenge for every student.   

In addition to differentiating instruction for students in core academic subjects, we will continue to emphasize the incorporation of technology as a tool for learning and communication.  Also, Career Education objectives and learning experiences are being expanded and infused into the curriculum at elementary, middle and high school levels.  The goal is to prepare students with the academic knowledge, work-place skills and career awareness to be “work ready – college ready.”

I am pleased to share with you that the school facilities are being upgraded and well-maintained.  We are in the final stages of implementation of Measure R Bond projects, approved by the community in 2002, which has provided $33 million for school facility renovation and enhancement.  This summer, construction was completed on two new classroom wings which  replace portable buildings at Mountain Meadows and Arroyo West Schools. A new wing of classroom was completed at Campus Canyon School in early 2007.  I would like to thank the community for supporting education in our local school system through the generous passage of the bond - which is truly an investment in the future.  I am also very grateful to the members of the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC), who have diligently worked over the course of the past five years to monitor the expenditures of the school construction bond funds. Please see the District website for more information about the work of CBOC and Measure R Projects.

I am proud to serve and represent the Moorpark Unified School District; a community of students, parents, teachers, and staff, whose mutual support, dedication and creativity make this District one of the finest in California. 

Sincerely,

Ellen Smith,
District Superintendent