Major General Murray High School

November 2025

Campus and Community

Get Involved: Exciting Programs and Community Resources This November!

We're thrilled to share an update on the fantastic opportunities and vital resources available through our Community School initiative! As a community school, we're dedicated to serving our students, families, and the wider neighborhood, and we have several exciting programs and events coming up this November and beyond.

Enrichment and Skill-Building Programs

We have a variety of enriching and free programs open to students and the community. Be sure to check out the Thursday PM Program Flyer (available in English and Spanish) for full details!

Arts & Music:
- Kainga Steel Drums: A vibrant opportunity for students to learn and play steel drums with the "KAINGA" group. Come see what this energetic music is all about!
Career & Technical Education (CTE):
- Welding Program at RBV: A hands-on opportunity to learn valuable trade skills.
- Cosmetology/Barbery at MGM with TNN Beauty: Learn the art and business of beauty and barbering right here on campus.
Health & Wellness:
- Garden 31: Get your hands dirty and learn about gardening! (Information available in English and Spanish.)
- Heavy Breathing Personal Training: Get fit with personalized training.
- Healthy Relationships Lunch Group: A supportive environment for students to discuss and learn about positive relationships.
Academic Support:
- Credit Recovery: Help for students needing to catch up on credits.

Family and Community Support

We are proud to host programs that support our families and community members:

Pathways to Citizenship and ESL Classes: Resources to help individuals on their journey toward citizenship and to learn English.
StandUpforKids Organization: Connecting our community with this organization dedicated to helping at-risk and homeless youth.

Student Leadership and Community Service

Our English Learner (EL) Adventures Student Group is actively building leadership skills through community service and fun excursions:

Tutoring: Our students are making a difference by tutoring younger students:
- Tuesdays: Alta students tutor at Grapevine Elementary from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM.
- Wednesdays: MGM students tutor at Grapevine Elementary from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM.

Adventures: Thursdays are dedicated to lesson plan prep and group adventures. Their most recent outing was to the Moonlight Amphitheater to see a production of the play Annie!

Please contact Rebekka Kinder or Danielle McKeever, MGM Community Site Leads,

if you have any questions or would like to be connected to any of these programs.

rebekkakinder@vistausd.org ▪ daniellemckeever@vistausd.org

College & Career News

As we move into November, I want to remind all students to schedule an appointment with me to work on their FAFSA or to discuss their college and career plans. You can email me at juanrodriguez@vistausd.org or stop by Room 204.

The FAFSA for 2025–2026 is now open, so don’t wait to apply — the earlier you submit your application, the better your chances of receiving financial aid. If you haven’t completed your College and Career Survey, please do so as soon as possible. It helps us provide the best support and resources for your goals.

I want to thank all the students who have been reaching out and emailing — keep it up! Every Friday, we continue our Email Lunch Challenge, where students who email staff are entered to win a free lunch.
A big thank you to the local restaurants who have been generous in donating meals to support our students:

Coyote Café (Vista)
Raising Cane’s
Chili’s

This month is also an important time for students who are planning to take college classes while in high school. Community college registration for spring classes opens in November, so if you’re interested in dual enrollment, come see me soon so we can get your forms and applications completed.

Lastly, I’m available for one-on-one meetings and can also meet with parents to discuss post-graduation plans. Don’t hesitate to reach out — I’m here to help you plan your next steps.

Let’s finish the semester strong and keep building toward your future!

If you need help with any of these opportunities, please feel free to walk into Room 204 or email me at juan.rodriguez@vistausd.org to schedule an appointment. I’m happy to assist you in navigating these opportunities.

Manny Rodriguez, College and Career Tech (760) 631-2502 ext. 89214

A Message from your Community Liaison

Greetings MGM Community!

My name is Adriana Gamino-Diaz and I’m the new Family and Community Liaison for Murray High School. I was previously at Mission Vista High School for three years and now I’m excited for this new opportunity to be at MGM! As the Family and Community Liaison my role is to help bridge the information and communication gap between parents/guardians and the school. As a liaison, I provide resources to all families for home, academics, social-emotional, and any community support they need to be academically successful. I also meet with parents, coordinate educational events/workshops, collaborate with other liaisons, attend school district events, work with community partners, and work closely with our MGM Staff.

I'm in the main front office, so feel free to stop by. I look forward to meeting and serving all of you. Go Bulldogs!

I can be reached by email at adrianagaminodiaz@vistausd.org

or by phone at (760) 631-2502 ext. 89008

Attendance News

Message from Ms. Melanie

At Major General Raymond Murray High School, we are committed to supporting student growth—academically, personally, and socially. As part of this commitment, we emphasize the importance of regular attendance and have established attendance guidelines to help all students stay on track for success.

If your child will be absent, please report the absence by calling:
📞 (760) 631-2502 ext. 89005
Kindly leave a detailed message including the following information:

Date(s) of the absence
Student’s full name
Date of birth and/or grade level
Reason for the absence
Your name, relationship to the student, and a callback number

Important Reminders:

Parents/guardians have up to 72 hours (3 school days) after a student returns to report the reason for the absence and to submit any necessary documentation.
After 10 verified excused absences, all future absences must be supported with official documentation from a professional (e.g., doctor, legal representative, etc.).
Documentation must be printed on official letterhead and include the reason for the absence.

Medical and dental notes may be submitted via email or fax:
📧 melaniepagayonan@vistausd.org
📠 Fax: 760-631-2503

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students succeed!

Beatriz Barron: Social Worker Jasmine Suleiman: Counselor Lydia T. Contreras: Community School Counselor

Toni Masciola: Peace Ed Mentor Vacant: Pass/Ameri Corps Mentor

If You See Something, Say Something
Is something or someone bothering your student at school?

If it upsets your student, makes them feel unsafe, or affects their safety at school, let us know.

It is a secure, anonymous, and confidential safety tip line.
You do not have to provide your name unless you want to. The report will be forwarded to
the proper staff to help resolve the situation.

Reminder: Tips are only monitored during your school's operational hours. If this is an emergency or your student or someone you know is in danger or harm's way, please call 911 immediately.