January 2026

MSJE Office Staff

Katy Carter, Principal

Shanthi Sukumar, Secretary

Hazeena Azeez, 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 2025-2026

Hello Mission San Jose Elementary Families,

I am hopeful your winter break provided the opportunity to spend quality time with your family and friends.

As the new calendar year begins, I'd like to thank MSJE families for prioritizing a strong home-school partnership; MSJE students will continue to thrive when we work together. As routines are remembered following our winter break, here are a few best practices that will have a profound effect on students' success:

Read, read, read! Read with and to your child daily. Have conversations about the characters and plots of your family's favorite books. Let your children see you read, too.
Attendance is key! School starts at 8:20 AM. We recommend that students are dropped off between 8:05 and 8:15 AM. It is highly recommended that travel is planned for non-school days only.
Stay connected with the MSJE community! Take advantage of volunteer opportunities, attend MSJE PTC meetings, and stay in communication with your child's teacher.

Wishing you and your families a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2026!

In Partnership,

Katy Carter, Principal

kcarter@fusdk12.net

Mission San Jose Vision Statement

Students are empowered to be caring and responsible global citizens, equipped with the knowledge, skills, values, and environmental stewardship to make a positive impact on the world.

Mark Your Calendars

January 6-9: Lost & Found Claiming Week
January 13, 3:30 PM: Basketball Game - MSJE @ Gomes
January 13, 7:00 PM: PTC Meeting - join on Zoom
January 13, 3:30 PM: Basketball Game - MSJE @ Mission Valley
January 15, 3:30 PM: Basketball Game - MSJE vs Mission Valley
January 16: MSJE Spirit Day - Sports Day
January 16: Trimester 2 progress reports go home
January 19: MLK Jr. Day - No School
January 20, 6:00 PM: 5th Grade Science Camp Parent/Guardian Informational Meeting - join on Zoom
January 21: MSJE Spelling Bee
January 22, 3:30 PM: Basketball Game - MSJE vs Chadbourne
January 26-30: Great Kindness Challenge
January 27, 3:30 PM: Basketball Game - MSJE vs Gomes
January 29, 3:30 PM: Basketball Game - MSJE @ Chadbourne

2026-2027 Enrollment Information

2026-2027 NEW student enrollment is starting in December 2025. For your child that is currently enrolled with us, there is nothing you need to do. If you have other children not currently enrolled in FUSD, that you need to enroll, please visit FUSD's Enrollment Website for more information, dates, and the enrollment application. Sibling priority runs from December 1, 2025 - April 17, 2026. Complete the enrollment by April 17, 2026 to have the best chance of keeping your children at the same elementary school.

Spelling Bee

The MSJE Spelling Bee will be held on Wednesday, January 21 at 8:30 AM. The top two spellers of each 4th and 5th grade class will participate. MSJE's top two spellers will have the opportunity to participate in the regional qualifier test and potentially advance to the regional finals that are hosted by the San Ramon Valley Rotary Club. Parents are welcome to attend the MSJE Spelling Bee as audience members (seating available in the back of the MUR.)

FUSD's Young Authors Contest

We are so proud of all students who participated this year's Young authors Contest. Congratulations to MSJE's Young Authors Contest first place winners:

Nikhil L. (TK)
Devarsh M. (1st Grade)
Nandana S. (2nd Grade)
Uma P. (3rd Grade)
Gargi M. (4th Grade)
Maya S. (5th Grade)

The 1st place winners from each grade level at each school will be recognized by the Board at the February 25, 2026, Board meeting. A video will be made compiling photos from each school.

2025 - 2026 Spirit Days

January 16: Sports Day
February 6: Silly Hair/Silly Hat Day
February 27: Character Day
March 27: School Colors Day
April 17: Twin Day
May 8: Tie Dye Day
May 29: Sunglasses Day

Basketball at MSJE

Basketball Game Schedule (subject to change):

- Tues. 1/13: MSJE @ Gomes (girls, 3:30; boys, 4:30)
- Thurs. 1/15: MSJE vs. Mission Valley (boys, 3:30; girls, 4:30)
- Thurs. 1/22: MSJE vs. Chadbourne (girls, 3:30; boys, 4:30)
- Tues. 1/27: MSJE vs. Gomes (boys, 3:30; girls, 4:30)
- Thurs. 1/29: MSJE @ Chadbourne (boys, 3:30; girls, 4:30)
- Thurs. 2/5: MSJE @ Mission Valley (girls, 3:30; boys, 4:30)

2025-2026 MSJE Yearbook

It' not too early to order your 2025-2026 MSJE Yearbook. Order by 10/31 for a 10% discount.

To order your yearbook:

go to https://web.treering.com/validate
Enter school's passcode 1012826531584096.

School Attendance Awareness

The Fremont Unified School District is excited to provide ongoing opportunities for students to learn and engage with peers and staff! As we head toward the holiday season, we want to make sure you know that continuing the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever; please make all attempts to restrict family travel to non-school days.

Good attendance helps to:

● Build routines that help reduce stress

● Make new friends or reconnect with their friends and teachers

● Engage in learning

● Gain access to meals, health care, or fun activities

Every absence is a missed day of learning. Let’s work together to make daily attendance a top priority. Too many absences, excused or unexcused, can keep students from succeeding in school and in life.

How many are too many? 10% of the school year, that’s 18 missed days or 2 days a month, can knock students off track. Remember that good attendance benefits your child’s education. Students who miss a day of school not only miss instruction but must make up work and catch up with the new material at the same time.

For more information regarding the importance of regular school attendance, please see the English | Spanish | Chinese attendance flyers.

5th Grade Science Camp

We are thrilled to be sending our 5th graders to Mission Springs Outdoor Education Science Camp February 17-20, 2026.

MSJE depends on the generous support of parents/guardians to make science camp possible.

CHAPERONES: We are still in need of a male chaperone. Please reach out directly to Katy Carter if you are interested. For more detailed information, please see the Mission Springs Chaperone Information Page.
DONATIONS: This year, we will also be asking for donations of $390.00 per student. Donations cover the cost for science camp lodging, food, and transportation.

Permission slips and donation collection information were sent home with students on December 12 and are due by January 9, 2026.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to join us for an informational meeting on Tuesday, January 20 at 6:00 PM. This meeting will be on Zoom (click HERE for Zoom Link).

Please direct any questions to Katy Carter (kcarter@fusdk12.net)

MSJE Spirit Wear

There is good new for those of you who missed the deadline for the MSJE Spirit Wear Flash Sale. The on-demand store is now open and will be open all year round! Some FUN new items have been added including blankets, mugs, tumblers, bags, and more!

Check out the Mission San José Elementary Spirit Wear On-Demand Store today.

As a reminder:

No minimums – Families can order anytime!
Free shipping on orders over $75
Orders ship directly to students’ homes for convenience

i-Ready Diagnostic Testing for Reading and Math

i-Ready Diagnostics are assessments in reading (grades 1–12) and mathematics (grades 1–8) that help teachers understand student strengths and growth areas. The Fall diagnostic window ended on September 19, and results are now available to parents/guardians through the i-Ready “For Families” report.

To access the report of diagnostic results, your student should log in to their i-Ready account, and from there you can enter the FUSD access code W54RK3 to view results. For more help, you can download the step-by-step guide here: i-Ready For Families Reports 2025-26.

New MSJE Lost & Found Policy

The purpose of MSJE’s Lost & Found Policy is to reduce the quantity of personal items students lose at school and to responsibly repurpose unclaimed items to maintain a clean and healthy school environment.

Students are encouraged to look for any lost items in the MUR at lunch time. During the 1st week of every month, all lost & found items will be brought out to the bike lock/Kindergarten area for families to search for missing items. After each monthly “claiming week,” remaining items will be properly disposed of. Items of greater value (ex. jewelry, money, glasses) may be kept at the office. Writing your child’s name on the inside of jackets and on water bottles, lunch boxes, and containers is strongly recommended and will help us return belongings to students.

Due to winter weather, lost & found items will be kept in the MUR throughout January.

Questions, Comments, Concerns

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding anything at MSJE, please reach out directly to Principal Carter, office staff, or classroom teachers. Please be advised that any group chat that is used for PTC/parent communication is not monitored or verified by MSJE staff. Non-monitored forums such as WhatsApp are not appropriate forums to express concerns about MSJE staff, programs, students, etc. and we respectfully ask you to refrain from engaging in such dialogue.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Water Bottles

In California, all students at public schools are eligible for free breakfast and lunch every school day, regardless of family income, as part of the Universal Meals Program. This statewide mandate, in effect since the 2022-2023 school year, ensures all students requesting a meal receive it free of charge, supported by federal and state funding.

Free breakfast and lunch for students will continue to be available for the 2025-2026 school year. Breakfast is available for students on school days from 7:45-8:15 AM in the multi-use room. Only students who are eating breakfast are allowed in the multi-use room at this time.

Each morning during "lunch count," students will raise their hand if they will be getting the regular or vegetarian lunch. It is important that students only take what they ordered to prevent meal shortages. Students can receive their free lunch during their designated lunch period at school according to the 2025-2026 MSJE Bell Schedule. In the event that the regular or vegetarian entree runs out, students will receive a nutritionally balanced "snack pack" and choose from a la carte items (e.g., milk, juice, fruits and vegetables). For menus, nutrition info, and more, visit fusdcafes.org. Students may also bring lunch from home. Home lunches should be brought in containers that students are able to open by themselves. NO GLASS CONTAINERS are allowed.

Students should bring a pre-filled water bottle to school daily. Students may refill water bottles at our refilling station as needed.

No lunches or water bottles (or school materials) are permitted to be dropped off after the start of the school day. Students who forget to bring lunch may receive a free school lunch.

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:

Cell phone/Smart Watch must be turned off between 8:20 AM and 2:40 PM.
Cell phone/Smart Watch (and any watch with a digital screen) must be kept in the student’s backpack throughout the school day.
Cell phones/Smart Watches will not be loaned to another student.
Cell phones are used to make a phone call for a ride only. It is not allowed to take pictures, listen to music, call friends, etc.

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:

First Offense: the cell phone/Smart Watch will be confiscated and sent to the office with a referral slip. Parents will be called to pick up the cell phone.
Subsequent offense(s) - (defiance): Additional parent contact and more severe disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension.

Parents must fill out the MSJE Cell Phone / Smart Watch Agreement Form in order for their student to carry a cell phone/Smart Watch. By filling out this form, students and parent/guardian are agreeing to the MSJE cell phone policy.

Reminders for MSJE Volunteers

We require that all MSJE volunteers:

have pre-approval of the teacher/principal
sign in and out at the office
wear a visitor badge at all times
agree to uphold the FUSD Volunteer Code of Conduct and Confidentiality Agreement
submit an application through CiviCore
- Volunteers who are transporting students must submit proof of insurance
- CiviCore applications are good for 1 year and all FUSD children (even if at different schools)
- Science Camp chaperone volunteers who are independently supervising students must also undergo fingerprinting and a background check.

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

School Site Council Membership

The next School Site Council meeting is on Wednesday, March 11 at 3:00 PM.

The 2025-2026 MSJE School Site Council currently has two open positions. We are still in need of an alternate member. If you are interested in serving on the SSC as an alternate, please contact Principal Carter.

The Commitment: Elected members would serve a 2-year term and attend SSC meetings 5 times per year (2nd Wednesdays of September, October, November, March, and April, 3:00 to 4:00 PM). Parent/community members work with school staff to edit and approve the Comprehensive School Safety Plan (CSSP) and the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) for the continued growth of student success in order to close the achievement gap and enhance and enrich the school experience for all students.

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

English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Attention parents/guardians of Multilingual Learners: Attending MSJE's English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC) meetings in a great way to learn about MSJE's English Language Development instructional program. During these meeting, parents/guardians will be able to provide meaningful input on programs and services that support our English learners and on the development of the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).

2025-2026 MSJE ELAC meeting dates are September 15, November 3, December 15, February 23, April 13, and May 11. All meetings start at 6:00 PM (join on Zoom).

FUSD Family Resource Website

Welcome to the 2025 - 2026 school year! On this FUSD Family Resource Website, you will find resources, news, information about upcoming events that FUSD will host throughout the school year, past presentations, ways to encourage learning at home, and more. FUSD will continue to update this site so please be sure to bookmark this site and check back for more updates.

2025 - 2026 MSJE Bell Schedule

2024-2025 Bell Schedule / Minimum Days

Here you will find the 2025-2026 MSJE Bell Schedule.

Minimum Days:

Kindergarten:

First 4 Weeks (8/12 - 9/5) and Every Wednesday

1st-5th Grade:

First Week (8/12 - 8/15)
Back-to-School Night (8/26)
Halloween (10/31)
Family Conferences (11/19, 11/20)
Day Before Winter Break (12/19)
Day Before Spring Break (3/12)
Last 4 Days of School (5/28, 5/29, 6/1, 6/2)

On time Arrival: To ensure that your student is on time, we recommend arriving to school between 8:05 - 8:15 AM.

FUSD School Year Calendar

2025-2026 School Year Instructional Calendar

School starts on August 12, 2025

Counselor's Corner

Hello Families,

Happy New Year! During this time, many are inclined to reflect on the past year and consider new goals. One highlight for me from December was seeing the joy from our students as they shopped and gave holiday gifts to their friends, families and teachers. As we move into January, we will be participating in a school-wide initiative called The Great Kindness Challenge from January 26-30th. Students will be encouraged to participate in spreading kindness using a kindness checklist.

This month, students will learn about Empathy & Kindness from the Second Step Curriculum. At home, we encourage families to engage in conversation which reinforce their student’s learning and support additional practice beyond the classroom. The following resources provide an overview of the ideas and concepts your student will be learning: Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, and Fifth Grade.

Best Regards,

Ms. Vue, School Counselor

kvue@fusdk12.net

(510) 656-1200 ext. 33012

PTC Connections - Let's Do Something AMAZING Together

Dear Mustang Families,

The 2025–2026 school year is here — and we’re dreaming BIG for our incredible students! Imagine a school year packed with engaging programs, creative assemblies, exciting clubs, classroom upgrades, and enriching activities that light up your child’s face with joy and curiosity. Together, we can make all of this possible — and it starts with you.

This is your moment to make an impact!
Our MSJE Parent Teacher Club (PTC) is on a mission to go beyond the basics and bring extraordinary experiences to every Mustang on campus. We’re talking:

STEM adventures like Math Counts, Olympiad, and Robotics
Creative sparks through FAME, music, art, and assemblies
Classroom essentials for every teacher and student
Clubs and enrichment like Chess, Coding, and more
Technology tools, library upgrades, and much more
School-wide upgrades like new picnic benches, digital marquee, and more

This goes beyond what the school district provides — it’s all funded by parents like YOU. The sooner we hit our goal, the sooner the magic begins!

2025–2026 Goal:
We’re asking for a one-time donation of $300 per student to kick-start this amazing journey. If every family gives what they can, we’ll hit our goal fast — and your child will directly benefit from every single dollar.

Why now?
The earlier we raise the funds, the earlier we can launch programs and support classrooms. Let’s give our students the tools, creativity, and joy they deserve — starting right now!

Donate in Seconds:
Just scan the QR code on our Contribution Drive Flyer and tap the link that pops up. That’s it. No forms, no hassle — just one powerful step toward making MSJE even more amazing.

JOIN US!
Want to be part of the action? Our next PTC Zoom Meeting is on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:00 PM — open to ALL parents and guardians. We’d love to hear your ideas and share what’s ahead!

Let’s show our kids that when the Mustang community comes together, there’s nothing we can’t do.

Thank you for your heart, your support, and your Mustang spirit!

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

PTC Meeting Schedule: Every 2nd Tuesday at 7:00 PM (exception 11/18 instead of 11/11)

Next PTC Meeting: Tuesday, January 13, at 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: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

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

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