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Matilda Torres High School, the third school featured in a video series, is quickly growing a dynamic culture known as Toro Nation. This community spirit reflects Mrs. Matilda Torres’s significant influence on Madera Unified students. Many former students have become leaders in the district, embodying her dedication to success and fostering values like Trustworthiness, Optimism, Resilience, Open-mindedness, and Selflessness.

Matilda Torres High School (THS)  in Madera, California, has unveiled its crown jewel – the long-awaited Toro Stadium. This state-of-the-art facility marks the culmination of a five-year journey of planning and construction. Toro Stadium is the finishing touch to this new state-of-the-art high school campus, potentially giving THS one of the best home-field advantages in the Central Valley.

The new Toro Stadium is a state-of-the-art facility designed to be a powerhouse of athletic excellence and community engagement. This significant milestone provides a proper home for the school’s athletic programs, replacing the need for teams to travel across town for “home” games. The stadium boasts impressive features, including bleachers accommodating 5,500 fans, a large press box, two-level seating with a dedicated student section, advanced lighting and sound systems, snack bars, restrooms, team rooms, and a varsity training center.

This comprehensive facility is transforming the school’s athletic programs and overall student experience. By offering improved training and competition spaces, the stadium enhances the athletic experience and provides more consistent practice opportunities, potentially leading to improved performance. While football will likely be the primary beneficiary for boys and girls, soccer and track and field will also benefit.  The increased capacity for attendance and community support will likely create a stronger home-field advantage for the Toros.  Toro Stadium will also allow THS to host more significant events including graduations and potentially regional and state competitions, raising the school’s profile.

Beyond athletics, the Toro Stadium is poised to become a centerpiece of campus life. It is expected to boost student engagement and school spirit, contributing to a more vibrant campus culture. The facility also presents opportunities for revenue generation through ticket sales and concessions, which can further support athletic programs. Moreover, its enhanced hosting capabilities will allow the school to accommodate more significant events and competitions, raising its profile within the community and beyond.

In essence, the Toro Stadium represents more than just a sports venue. It symbolizes progress and unity, fostering athletic excellence, community pride, and a sense of belonging for the entire THS community. This new facility marks a significant step forward in the school’s development and promises to be a source of pride and excitement for years.

Parents, families,staff and community partners, we are excited to unveil the new and improved Community Services and Parent Resource Centers (PRC) website and a fresh PRC logo!

The first thing you’ll notice is our vibrant new logo. The design reflects the warmth, diversity, and unity of our community, symbolizing the partnership between parents, schools, and the wider community. This fresh, modern look aligns with our vision to have a fearless drive to continuously improve and our belief in building strong relationships with families.

Explore the Enhanced Features

1. Dynamic Calendar of Events

One of the standout features of the new website is the dynamic Calendar of Events. This user-friendly tool showcases all programming available for parents across the district. From workshops and webinars to family nights and special events, the calendar allows you to easily view and register for activities that suit your interests and schedule.

2. Community Resource Directory

Another key feature is the Community Resource Directory. The directory is designed to be your go-to resource for finding local services and support. Whether you need assistance with healthcare, education, transportation or social services, the directory allows families and community partners to search for resources that are relevant to their needs.

Why This Matters

The revamped PRC website is more than just a digital facelift; it’s a reflection of our commitment to empowering parents and strengthening our community. By making resources more accessible and providing a centralized hub for information, we hope to foster a stronger connection between families, schools, and community organizations. We believe that when parents are well-supported, children thrive, and communities grow stronger.

Get Started Today!

We invite you to explore the new PRC website designed with you in mind, discover all the ways it can support you and your family.

Welcome to our new PRC website- prc.maderausd.org

We’re thrilled to introduce our newly revamped Expanded Learning Department, dedicated to taking your child’s education beyond the traditional classroom. This department’s vision is all about empowering young minds through year-round, hands-on learning experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, and resilience, preparing them to excel in academia and beyond.

In 2022, the California Department of Education launched the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), designed to offer additional academic support and enrichment activities during after-school hours, as well as during winter and summer breaks. The goal is to give students more chances to learn, grow, and explore their interests in a fun and meaningful way. Best of all, these programs are offered at no cost to currently enrolled MUSD students.

At Madera Unified, our Expanded Learning Department functions as a comprehensive program, offering After School Programs for grades TK-12, along with the Summer Squad and Winter Crew enrichment camps during school breaks. We’re dedicated to creating high quality, diverse opportunities that support the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of our students through exciting and engaging learning experiences.

With the winter break and holiday season just around the corner, we’re excited to announce that students in grades TK-8th will have the chance to join our Winter Crew enrichment camps from January 6th-10th. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to get out of the house, socialize with their peers, and dive into fun learning activities. They’ll have the chance to participate in a variety of activities, including sports, art, STEM, and much more.

Keep an eye out for registration notifications being sent to families via text message this week. For more information about Winter Crew, visit our Expanded Learning webpage at www.madera.k12.ca.us/domain/4231 or follow us on Instagram MUSD_ExpandedLearning.

Don’t miss out on these exciting opportunities! We can’t wait to see your child join the fun!

School attendance makes a difference in your child’s life, it is the first way to help your child succeed in school. Students that attend school regularly have a higher chance of increasing their academic success. Each day that a student is absent is a missed opportunity to learn fundamental knowledge that will help them in their education and in life. Recurring absences can create gaps in a child’s knowledge that are essential for them to reach their full learning potential.  Missing 10 percent or more than 18 days of the school year can dramatically impact the child’s success negatively; 1 absence = 6 hours, 10 absences = 60 hours, 20 absences = 120 hours.

Excessive absences can be an indication that a student is not feeling connected and is struggling with academics or facing other challenges. Madera Unified School District is committed to helping your family find solutions or develop a plan to help your child attend school regularly. If attendance challenges begin, parents and students should email or visit the school site’s Attendance Secretary for support. Another great way to communicate with your school site if your child has an excused absence is through Parent Square. Parent Square is a mobile app MUSD utilizes to communicate effectively with parents and guardians. If your child must stay home due to an illness, ask his or her teacher for resources and ideas to continue learning at home so your child doesn’t fall behind.

Please enjoy your winter break between December 25th through January 10th and be ready to begin the second part of the school year on January 13th.

“We are committed to creating and sustaining a culture enabling Madera Unified Students to experience an unparalleled educational journey that is intellectually, socially and personally transformative.” Madera Unified Mission Statement.

A diverse group of educators from the Madera Unified recently participated in a cultural and educational exchange in Oaxaca, Mexico. The delegation, comprised of Elementary Dual Language Immersion teachers, school district leadership, school administrators, and even a Board Member, immersed themselves in the rich cultural heritage of Oaxaca while gaining insights into its educational practices and the deep culture of the families we serve. Madera California is home to a significant number of students from the state of Oaxaca, which is home to 16 official Indigenous languages out of the 68 Indigenous languages spoken in the county of Mexico with more than 350 variants and dialects.

The group stayed in the vibrant city of Oaxaca, the capital of the state of Oaxaca, known for its rich traditions, indigenous culture, and stunning landscapes. Their visit coincided with several important cultural events, offering them a firsthand experience of Oaxacan traditions.

The group also ventured beyond the city to explore the region’s artistic and natural wonders. In Teotitlán del Valle, a town renowned for its textile production, they observed the intricate weaving techniques passed down through generations. The educators were impressed by the artisans’ dedication to preserving their craft and incorporating natural dyes and traditional patterns into their work. The trip also included a visit to the archaeological site of Monte Albán, where they explored the ancient ruins of the Zapotec civilization, further deepening their understanding of the region’s history.

A key part of the trip was the exchange of ideas with Oaxacan educators. The group held a panel discussion at the Instituto de Ciencias de la Educación, a teacher preparation program focused on multilingual education. Here, the educators from Madera Unified and their Oaxacan counterparts discussed teaching methodologies, language preservation, and the challenges and successes of multilingual education.

Another significant interaction took place at Benito Juárez University, where the educators engaged in a panel discussion with university staff and students. This exchange provided a platform to discuss educational strategies, student engagement, and the role of higher education in promoting multilingualism and cultural understanding.

In Zimatlán de Álvarez, the group visited a rural school where students participate in a dual language immersion program in both Spanish and Zapoteco, one of the many indigenous languages spoken in Oaxaca. Witnessing the dedication of the teachers and students to preserving their linguistic heritage left a lasting impression on the visitors.

To further immerse themselves in the local culture, the group took language classes to learn basic Triqui vocabulary, gaining an appreciation for the diversity of indigenous languages in Oaxaca. They also participated in a gastronomy class in Tlalixtac, where they learned to prepare traditional Oaxacan dishes, adding a culinary dimension to their cultural exploration.

The trip to Oaxaca was not only an opportunity for the educators to expand their cultural horizons but also to bring back valuable insights that will enrich their teaching practices and strengthen the dual language immersion programs in Madera Unified.