Major General Murray High School

January 2026

Campus and Community

Forging Ahead: New Skills, Student Success, and Community Connections

New Welding Cohort Launches Mid-January: Exciting Opportunities Ahead

We're thrilled to announce that a new Welding cohort will kick off in mid-January. This exciting new chapter will bring together a mix of returning students and new participants who will be interviewing for the chance to join the program. Welding is a skill that opens doors to numerous career opportunities, and we can't wait to see how this cohort develops.

December Exhibitions: Students Shine

As we wrapped up December, our students showcased their hard work during Exhibitions held across all Advisories. Each student had the chance to share their personal path and unique experiences. The presentations were nothing short of impressive, reflecting the dedication and growth our students have made throughout the year. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to holding similar exhibitions again in the Spring.

"Leave to Learn": Students Explore Interests

At our school, we believe in the power of learning through interests. This philosophy is at the heart of Big Picture Learning’s model, where students take ownership of their education by pursuing projects that align with their passions. As part of this, our students continue to embrace the "Leave to Learn" concept, using their interests and experiences as a foundation for deeper exploration. We’re excited to see how these pathways unfold in the new year.

After-School Programs & Support

In addition to our regular PM Program, we have several exciting opportunities coming up for students:

Stand-Up for Kids: This initiative will be back on January 8th and 22nd. Stand-Up for Kids offers valuable mentorship and support for students, helping them navigate challenges and develop essential life skills.
Healthy Campus: We’re thrilled to welcome Healthy Campus back to campus after the holiday break. They will be facilitating lunch groups to encourage healthy habits and well-being among students. These sessions are a great opportunity for students to discuss wellness, coping strategies, and overall health.

Save the Date: Next CSAC Meeting

The next Community School Advisory Committee (CSAC) meeting will take place on February 5th from 4:30-5:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend! This meeting is a chance for family members, students, staff, and community members to come together and discuss ways to further support and enhance our school community. We are grateful for the ongoing support from all our stakeholders and look forward to hearing your input at the meeting.

A Final Thank You

As we look toward the new year, we’d like to take a moment to thank all of our families, students, staff, and community members who continue to support our efforts. Your involvement is what makes our programs and events successful, and we are excited to continue building a strong, supportive community together in 2025. Stay tuned for more updates, and we look forward to seeing everyone back on campus soon!

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

Happy New Year, Bulldogs!
We are already into 2026, and I’m excited to start this new year with you!

As your College & Career Tech, I encourage all students to stop by Room 204 to connect with me.

FAFSA Support

Seniors graduating this year: Please come see me to apply for FAFSA.
Juniors: I’d also love to meet with you to get a head start and talk about future plans.
Parents are welcome to join appointments.

Community College Classes

If you’re interested in taking community college classes, now is the time!

Classes begin the third week of January at:
- Palomar College
- MiraCosta College

Stop by Room 204 to learn how to apply and enroll.

Scholarships & Post-Graduate Opportunities

We have many exciting scholarship opportunities available, as well as support for post-graduate planning. Please come see me or email me to set up an appointment.

🏀 Special Opportunity – January 15

There will be a basketball game on January 15 where students can:

Learn about possible careers in sports
Attend a Los Angeles Clippers game

If you’re interested, please email me or stop by Room 204.

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

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

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

Happy New Year MGM Community!

In December, we concluded our Bulldog Parent Academy for Fall Semester! We’ll be continuing the series in the Spring Semester so be on the lookout for those dates. As a friendly reminder, the Bulldog Parent Academy is an entire series of all the need-to-know information ensuring your student has the guidance and resources they need to stay on the pathway to graduation, college or advanced training, and beyond! The series will consist of:

First Generation Workshops (Post-Secondary Pathways and Financial Aid Overview)
Information on Dual Enrollment at Local Community Colleges
Guest Speakers & Inclusive Resources for ALL Students
College Campus Tours for Parents/Guardians
Other Post-Secondary Options and More!

MGM and Alta Vista hosted a Posada Navideña! The event was filled with food, music, craft stations, a photobooth, and even Santa stopped by. Families, students, and staff were able to enjoy a festive holiday themed event! Join us for more family events in the Spring!

A friendly reminder that there are resources available to MGM Students and Families, we are here to provide food, school supplies, toiletries, and other essentials for students and families in need through MGM's Basic Needs Pantry. If you'd like to be connected to any of the above resources or additional food opportunities from Frazier Farms or Panera, please reach out to Family and Community Liaison, Adriana Gamino-Diaz at (760) 631-2502 Ext. 89008 or adrianagaminodiaz@vistausd.org for more information.

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 Julie Guo: 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.