November 2025

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,

Happy November! It’s hard to believe we’re already wrapping up the first trimester. Our students have been working hard, and we’re so proud of all their growth and accomplishments so far this year. This week kicks off boys and girls basketball tryouts; Good luck to all our Mustang athletes! As we close out Trimester 1 on November 7, we’ll celebrate the hard work of our students with a fun PTC Movie Night at 6:00 PM; Bring your blankets, come for food, and enjoy a cozy evening with friends and family!

November is a wonderful time to give back to our community. From November 10–19, we’ll host our MSJE Food & Toy Drive, helping local families in need during the holiday season. A friendly reminder that Veterans Day is November 11, and there will be no school as we take time to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans. We’re also excited for our Kids Against Hunger Meal Packing Event on November 20, where students and families can come together to make a positive difference for others.

Family-Teacher Conferences will be held November 19–21. Conferences are a great opportunity to celebrate your child’s progress and set goals for the months ahead. There will be no school for students on November 21, followed by a well-deserved Fall Recess from November 24–28.

Thank you for your continued support, kindness, and school spirit. We’re so grateful for our amazing MSJE community. Wishing you all a warm and wonderful November!

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

November 2: Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 3: Lost & Found Claiming Week
November 3, 5: Boys Basketball Tryouts
November 3, 6:00 PM: MSJE ELAC Meeting - join on Zoom
November 4, 6: Girls Basketball Tryouts
November 7: End of Trimester 1
November 7, 6:00 PM: MSJE PTC Movie Night
November 10 - 19: MSJE Food & Toy Drive
November 11: Veterans Day (No School)
November 12, 3:00 PM: School Site Council
November 18, 7:00 PM: PTC Meeting - join on Zoom
November 19-20: Minimum Days (1st-5th grade - 1:30 dismissal)
November 20: Kids Against Hunger Meal Packing Event
November 21: No School for Students
November 19-21: Family Teacher Conferences
November 24 - 28: Fall Recess (No School)

MSJE Movie Night

It is time to get excited about MSJE's Movie Night - How to Train Your Dragon!

When: November 7, 2025

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM

RSVP: Please RSVP by submitting THIS FORM (click here)

Family Members Welcome: Come for Food, Fun, and Friends (Please note that this is not a drop off event - parents/guardians are responsible for supervising their children. No outside food, please.)

Click this FLIER for more information. This event is proudly presented by the MSJE PTC.

Kids Against Hunger

MSJE is thrilled to announce an authentic and impactful service-learning event that ALL MSJE students will be participating in. The Kids Against Hunger food packing event will be on Thursday, November 20.

In March 2023, our school partnered with Kids Against Hunger Fremont to host a meal packing event and our Mustangs packed over 20,000 meals (see video). We are excited to do this again on 11/20/25 to support families in need during the holidays. Your generous donations will help our students pack meals to support those less fortunate locally and around the world. Kids Against Hunger Fremont is run entirely by unpaid volunteers. Read more about Kids Against Hunger at https://kahfremont.org/

DONATIONS NEEDED: We are encouraging our students to earn the money to donate for the food-packing event. The Kids Against Hunger Informational Flyer includes an earning chart that students can use to track their donation earnings. Each meal costs 25 cents, so every $25 raised will feed 100 children. Our school goal is to collect $4000 to cover the cost of the food. Donate via Check (Payable to “Kids Against Hunger Fremont”), Cash, or to the MSJE PayPal page. You can donate by credit card through the PayPal link by clicking here or by scanning the Paypal QR code. No PayPal account needed. Please denote “Mission San Jose Packing Event, Classroom#, Student Name” in PayPal comment.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We need the support of 25 parent volunteers (3 per classroom). Please sign-up HERE. All volunteers must arrive on time and stay for the entire duration (Thursday, 11/20 from 8:20 AM-11 AM).

Thank you in advanced for your support.

FUSD's Young Authors Contest

The Fremont Unified School District’s Young Authors Contest is an opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and writing excellence. The contest aims to inspire a lifelong love of writing and reading. Although it is not required to participate, all TK - 5th grade students are encouraged to participate. Please carefully read and follow the Young Authors Contest Rules. A Young Authors Entry Form is required with all submissions. Please note that all submissions are due on or before December 5th, 2025. Submissions can be turned into the classroom teacher or to the MSJE office.

Say Something Anonymous Reporting System

As a school district, we are committed to creating and sustaining a comprehensive, coordinated effort to improve the overall safety and well-being of our students, educators, administrators, and the community at large.

To do this, we believe this must involve community-wide programs and initiatives involving parents, teachers, administrators, local law enforcement, mental health and wellness professionals, and elected officials to take meaningful action to protect our students.

I am happy to announce that “Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (ARS)” will continue to be used during the 2025-2026 school year. This program teaches students, teachers, and administrators how to recognize warning signals and threats, on social media, in school, or in their community, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and Say Something to a trusted adult OR use its anonymous reporting system. At MSJE, all 4th and 5th graders will watch a 17-minute video to learn more about the Say Something ARS on November 5, 2025. This training video educates and empowers students and adult participants to:

Recognize the signs and threats of at-risk behaviors
Take every sign and signal seriously and act quickly to get help by talking to a trusted adult, OR • Report it anonymously to the Say Something ARS 24/7/365 Crisis Center via a mobile app, website, or telephone hotline
Respond to and manage the submitted tips using a tip management system overseen by a designated school team
Sustain the curriculum and awareness via student clubs, in-school activities and call-to-action weeks

Our students are often aware of the problems their peers are facing, so we must empower them to recognize the danger signs and give them the tools to help each other with the assistance of trained and caring adults. As you know, most conversations are taking place on social media, therefore it is critical that we teach our students to look out for one another as these digital conversations are taking place. Say Something ARS teaches them what to look for in text, video and photos while empowering them to act quickly to help a fellow student. The program also teaches students to recognize at-risk behaviors in friends and classmates at school and in their local community.

The Say Something ARS program is provided by Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a nation-wide non-profit organization. SHP’s programs are in 50 states with over 21 million students and adults trained. They have a track record, reputation, and knowledge of how to work effectively with kids, parents, and teachers to improve school safety and culture. The program is age-appropriate and research-based. To date, Say Something ARS and other SHP prevention programs have helped stop multiple school shootings, suicides, and gun threats, The program has reduced bullying and cyberbullying, intervened upon cutting, drug use, and other violent acts. We know this program will do the same for our district.

Basketball at MSJE

This year, 4th and 5th-grade students have the opportunity to try out for the boys and girls basketball teams. Participation in school sports requires the submission of the following forms prior to tryouts:

FUSD Insurance and Permission Form
Participation Physical Evaluation Clearance Form
1. - Some doctors may use a different form which is OK as long as "unlimited participation" is noted.
  - Physical forms must be current (dated August 12, 2025 or after)
Elementary Sports Player/Parent Code of Conduct

Basketball Season Timeline (subject to change):

Tryouts:
- - - 11/3, 11/5, 3:00 - 5:00 (boys)
    - 11/4, 11/6, 3:00 - 5:00 (girls)

Team Selections Posted on Friday, November 7th

Practices (beginning the week of November 10):
- 1. - Mondays & Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:10 AM (girls)
    - Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:10 AM (boys)

Games (subject to change)
- 1. - 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.

5th Grade Science Camp - Save the Date

We are thrilled to be returning to SCIENCE CAMP this school year! This year, all 5th-grade students will be attending Mission Springs Outdoor Education Science Camp February 17-20, 2026. More information coming soon.

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.

This November's Lost & Found Claiming Week will be November 3-7.

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, November 12 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,

As we move into the holiday season, it is a great time to reflect and celebrate the things that we are grateful for. The act of practicing gratitude has many benefits in improving our mental health, bringing us closer to our loved ones, and building resilience. At school, there will be several opportunities for students to reflect and practice gratitude. During the week before the holiday break, there will be activities during lunch recess where students can participate in reflecting and practicing gratitude. Please encourage your child to participate and talk about the importance of gratitude.

The holidays are also a special time to spread joy. This month, students will have the opportunity to give back to their community by participating in our annual Holiday Drive. During the week of November 10-19, our Student Council students will be collecting unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items to benefit local families. We look forward to spreading cheer this holiday season.

Wellness Wednesdays happen every Wednesday in the Calm Room (Room 12). During this time, students will learn and practice activities that promote self-care. Last month, intermediate students had the opportunity to learn how to crochet and use oil pastels. The primary students focused on mindful coloring and positive affirmations.

This month, students will learn about “Emotional Management” 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, November 18, 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."

Page updated

Report abuse