Major General Murray High School

OCTOBER 2026

Campus and Community

Hello! I’m Bekka Kinder, Community School Coordinator for Murray High School. I’m grateful to work alongside our students, families, staff, and community partners to create opportunities that connect learning with students’ interests and goals.

We’ve had an exciting start to the year. Back-to-School Nights brought our school communities together, and our PM School programs are giving students time after the regular school day for credit recovery, career exploration, and enrichment. Approximately 100 students have been accepted into programs in automotive, cosmetology and barbering, emergency medical response, construction, and welding. Our Translation and Interpretation class at Alta Vista has completed six sessions with 10 participants, including two Murray students. Students have also had opportunities to learn and connect beyond campus through experiences such as fishing trips,Super Girl Pro Surf, and scavenger hunts.

Our Community School work is guided by four pillars:

Integrated supports: Connecting students and families with health, mental health, and other resources that help them thrive.
Family and community engagement: Building relationships and inviting families and partners into school life.
Collaborative leadership: Listening to our school communities and planning together around students’ needs.
Expanded learning: Creating opportunities after school and in the community through career programs, internships, and enrichment.

Big Picture Learning helps us put students at the center of this work. Advisors learn about each student’s strengths and interests, help them set goals through an Individual Learning Plan, and connect classroom learning with internships, career programs, and community projects. Students can demonstrate their growth through projects, portfolios, presentations, and exhibitions.

Our PM School programs run Tuesdays at Alta Vista and Thursdays at Murray, with additional career experiences during the week. I look forward to continuing to connect students and families at both schools with meaningful opportunities, experiences, and resources throughout the year.

Please contact Rebekka Kinder, MGM Community Site Leads,

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

rebekkakinder@vistausd.org

College & Career News

Hi Bulldogs! I’m Manny Rodriguez, your College & Career Tech. I’m here to support you as you explore your options and plan for life after high school, whether that means college, a career, or entering the workforce.

🎓 FAFSA is now open! This is a great time to apply. The sooner you apply, the better. I’m available to meet with you and your parents/guardian to help with FAFSA and college applications.

🏫 Community College Tours
We’ll be visiting a community college every Wednesday in October:
Oct. 7 – Palomar | Oct. 14 – MiraCosta | Oct. 21 – MiraCosta | Oct. 28 – Palomar

These visits are a great way to explore different degree and certificate programs and career pathways, including nursing, automotive, welding, and many other opportunities.

💼 Looking for your first job? I can also help you with job applications and creating or polishing your résumé.

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

I’m Adriana Gamino-Diaz and I’m the Family and Community Liaison at MGM. I provide resources to students and families like school supplies, personal hygiene items, and host fun and educational events for families. As well as support families understand how MGM works and how they can support their child graduate high school and get to where they want to be.

Families, please save the date for our first Community School Advisory/School Site Council (CSAC/SSC) Meeting will be on Thursday, October 8th from 4:30pm - 5:30pm. Voice your opinion on various school topics and more! We hope you can join us.

Join us on any Thursday evening from 4pm - 7pm for our Community Garden (Garden 31), Kainga Music -Steel Drums, or Heavy Breathing - Fitness Club/Open Gym. They’re FREE and open activities for the community and all levels and ages are welcome to join us!

A friendly reminder that there are resources available to MGM Students and Families, we can support by providing some food items, school supplies, toiletries, and other essentials for students & families in need. 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 Isaac Flores: 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.