August 2023

MSJE Office Staff

Katy Carter, Principal

Shanthi Sukumar, Secretary

Wanda Chu, Attendance Clerk

Office: 510-656-1200

Fax: 510 651-4211

Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Mission San Jose Elementary School 

43545 Bryant St. Fremont, CA 94539 [MAP] 

MSJE Parent & Student Handbook 2023-2024

Hello Mission San Jose Elementary Families,

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! The first day of school is Wednesday, August 16. All of us at MSJE look forward to welcoming our new and returning students. Throughout the year, we will be serving the needs of our students by providing challenging academic instruction, intervention, enrichment, social-emotional learning opportunities, and character education. We all eagerly await our days that will soon be filled with learning, joyful moments of play, friendships, and good health.

As we embark on the 2023-2024 school year, we will continue to thrive with the anticipated support from all within the MSJE community. As the school year commences, new opportunities for supporting MSJE will be communicated. At this time, our most urgent need of support include:

For any questions you may have or for more information about how you can support MSJE, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I look forward to the opportunity to partner with all members of the MSJE community to provide our students with an amazing year! GO MUSTANGS!


In Partnership,

Katy Carter, Principal

kcarter@fusdk12.net

Mission San Jose Vision Statement

All students will be valued, encouraged, and challenged in a collaborative learning environment.  

Mark Your Calendars



2023-2024 MAZE

You should have recently received an email from FUSD regarding the MAZE registration process. If you have not done so already, please register and update your information ASAP.

School Site Council Membership Ballot - PLEASE VOTE

We currently have five (5) open seats on the MSJE School Site Council. The open positions include four (4) Parent/Community Member and one (1) Alternate Parent/Community Member. Please vote (here is the BALLOT) by September 1, 2023. 

Questions: Please address any questions to the principal, Katy Carter (kcarter@fusdk12.net). 

First Day of School for 2023-2024 School Year – Wednesday, August 16th, 2023

BP/AR 5113.1 – Students Must Be Present on the First Day of School 

All students must attend live instruction on the first day of school, August 16, 2023. Students who do not attend the first day of school will be dropped and will not be guaranteed a seat at their school and may have to be overloaded to another school if classrooms at their school are filled. The only exception will be students who are absent due to illness. If a student is absent the first day due to illness, parents/guardians must notify the school every day the student is absent. Seats will NOT be held for students on extended vacations or other optional activities, whether or not the school is notified. 

Board Policy 5111.1 states that if you move, you must notify the school prior to or within 5 days of any changes in residency. If you don’t, your enrollment may be revoked. 

Office Business and Visitor Policy

When possible our office staff prefers to support parents and families via email or phone. Please be sure your child(ren) has all of their belongings (backpack, lunch, water bottle, etc) upon school arrival. Our office will not accept any late drop-offs of lunches, water bottles, or other items.

All volunteers/visitors must be pre-approved by the teacher and principal. All volunteers/visitors must check in at the office prior to going into a classroom.

Communication from School

Fremont Unified is excited to launch ParentSquare, a unified platform that allows the District, schools, and teachers to communicate and engage with families and our community more effectively. Parents/Guardians will receive an activation email for their ParentSquare account before the start of school to gain access to a variety of features and tools. Those who do not register will still receive text, email, and phone notifications. 

School communication may also include email, phone, and other communication apps utilized by staff. Be sure to update your email in the online MAZE day forms to receive important communication from the school. Please access our web page at fremontunified.org/msje to find the school calendar, schedule, and important announcements. Newsletters are emailed and posted online monthly.

Voluntary Classroom Supply Lists

Here is the 2023-24 MSJE Supply List. Items on this list are suggested by teachers and your contributions are greatly appreciated. Materials should be sent to school with students during the first week of school.

2023-24-MSJE-Supply-List.pdf

Arrival & Dismissal

To ensure the safety of our students, please follow our Arrival and Dismissal Protocols.

Cell Phone / Smart Watch Policy and Agreement

Will your students be bringing a cell phone or Smart Watch to school this year?


Cell phones/Smart Watches may be brought to school for safety purposes and students must follow the following guidelines:

The school is not responsible if the cell phone/Smart Watch is lost or damaged. Students who use cell phones/Smart Watches at any time during the instructional day shall be subject to the following progressive discipline procedures:

Parents must provide a written request (MSJE Cell Phone / Smart Watch Agreement Form) to the school for a student to carry a cell phone/Smart Watch. By filling out this form, students and parent/guardian is agreeing to the MSJE cell phone policy. 

2023-2024 Bell Schedule / Minimum Days

Here you will find the 2023-2024 MSJE Bell Schedule.

Minimum Days:

New and Returning Teaching Staff at MSJE

MSJE is thrilled to welcome Ms. Loni Pietrusiewicz-Rexroad (Science teacher) and Ms. Heidi Ruscher (returning Science teacher).

MSJE's English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Volunteers needed: We are looking for parents of Multilingual Learners to serve on the 2023-2024 District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC) and the MSJE English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC). DELAC provides a forum for parents/guardians of Multilingual Learners to advise, assist and provide recommendations to District administration and the Board of Education for the continuing improvement of programs, services, and policies for English Learners and their families.

DELAC MEETINGS 2023-2024: Meeting dates TBD

MSJE ELAC: The ELAC meetings will be held in-person at the MSJE Library (2nd Wednesdays of Sept, Oct, Feb, Mar, and May at 3:00 - 4:00 PM  ). At ELAC meetings, our DELAC representative will share DELAC information with our School Site Council which is made up of staff and other parents.

Please contact Katy Carter kcarter@fusdk12.net if you are interested. 

Spirit Days 2023-2024

MSJE Student Council


2023-2024 FUSD School Year Calendar

Here you will find the 2023-2024 School Year Instructional Calendar | 學校日曆 | Calendario Escola.

Instructional-Calendar-23-24-English.pdf

Volunteers @ MSJE

We are thrilled to welcome parent volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year! 


We require that all MSJE volunteers: 

For more information, please see the Volunteer Page of the FUSD Website.

Have You Moved? 

Please complete and email the Change of Address Form along with 2 residency proofs of your new address to our School Secretary for processing.

If you are moving across town or changing apartment numbers, FUSD Board Policy states the family must inform the school within 5 days of your moving date or of any change in circumstance which would affect their student’s residency (AR 5111.1). 

Please be sure to reach out to our office if you have moved recently so that the we can maintain accurate records and you receive all mailing for the 23-24 school year. 

Counselor's Corner

Welcome to a new school year!  I am excited to continue as the School Counselor at MSJE.  I value building trusting relationships with our students and families to provide the best support for our students' social, emotional and academic needs.  Counseling support is available to students to address school based concerns that create barriers to learning (for example: transitions, self-esteem, anxiety, challenges with peers, etc.)  Counseling referrals for students can be made through the request of a student, parent or staff member.  You may visit our website for more information about our program.


As the new school year begins, it is typical for students to present a variety of different emotions and all feelings are okay.  Below are links to resources to help guide a smooth transition back to school.  Please feel free to reach out if your student needs additional support.  I look forward to working with you and your students this year.


Transition Back to School Resources:

Parent’s Guide to Kindergarten Transition

Taking Charge of Back to School Fears

First Day of School Jitters


Best Regards,

Ko Vue

kvue@fusdk12.net

MSJE PTC Contribution Drive flyer - 2023/2024.pdf

PTC Connections

We are all looking forward to a year of partnership, involvement, and enrichment! The support provided by parents and families will continue to play an important role in our students' lives.

Thank you, in advance, for your support!

The PTC mission is to facilitate excellent communication among parents and teachers together, and to build one another up for the benefit of these amazing children! The goal of the 2023-2024 PTC Contribution Drive is to raise and administer funds that provide enrichment opportunities to MSJE students beyond those provided by the FUSD. The PTC will react to the changing needs of our students and teachers, and focus on creative ways to complement the ever-changing learning environment, and we need your support to do so!

Over the years, the PTC has funded after-school programs, classroom, and school needs to promote a more advanced and holistic education for our students. Examples include STEM programs such as Math Counts, Math Olympiad, and Schmahl Science; Arts programs such as FAME, Music Programs, Creative Assemblies, Teacher Allotments, School Technology, School Library, Chess, and more. All funded by parents like you.

Your one-time donation for the current academic year is very important as the children’s needs are new. To donate, simply point your smartphone camera at one of the QR codes below and tap the link that pops up.

Suggested donation: $225 per student

Thank you in advance for your help!

For more information, please visit the PTC page on the MSJE Website or email the PTC at msjeptcexecboard@gmail.com.

Next PTC Meeting: Tuesday, September 12, 7:00 PM - join on Zoom

MSJE Community

Paperless fliers for community events, programs, and resources can be found at https://app.peachjar.com/flyers/all/schools/51584 . To sign up for automatic notifications, go to www.peachjar.com and click on 'Sign Up'.  

Remember to also check MSJE's School Website for updates and information.

Mission San Jose Elementary

43545 Bryant St. Fremont, CA 94539 [MAP] 

Office: 510-656-1200 ┃Fax: 510 651-4211

Office Hours: Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 4:00pm

"Fremont Unified School District is part of a culturally and linguistically rich community. Our policies embrace a discrimination and harassment-free environment."