Dear Monroe Families-

As we close another incredible school year, I simply want to say thank you.

Thank you for the tremendous care, partnership, and support you have shown our students, staff, and school community. Whether you volunteered through MPO or Site Council, attended activity nights, cheered on students at concerts and performances, chaperoned field trips, or most recently showed up in waves to decorate and celebrate our 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony, you helped make Monroe an even stronger place for kids.
As summer begins, I hope your family finds time to rest, recharge, and enjoy a well-deserved break from the routines of the school year. At the same time, summer can sometimes be challenging without the structure of a typical school day. Finding simple routines—sharing family meals, spending time outdoors, reading together, completing chores, connecting with friends, and taking intentional breaks from screens—can go a long way in helping students stay engaged, connected, and thriving.

When I reflect on this year, I am filled with gratitude for all we accomplished together:

• Cross country and track seasons full of Mustang pride
• Outstanding band concerts, music performances, school plays, and an incredible Talent Show
• Activity Nights and Art & Music in the Courtyard that brought our community together
• An Honor Roll Breakfast celebrating academic excellence
• FLEX opportunities, student clubs, affinity groups, and enrichment experiences that helped students discover new interests and build meaningful connections
• Hundreds of students staying On-Track for success
• Spirited Student of the Month assemblies recognizing more than 100 outstanding students
• Four exceptional Students of the Year
• Teacher collaboration, new curriculum implementation, classroom innovation, and grants that expanded learning opportunities
• Field trips to colleges and universities that inspired future possibilities
• An amazing office staff, dedicated educational assistants, counselors, and teachers who show up every day with care, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to kids
• And countless everyday moments of kindness, perseverance, and growth that make Monroe such a special place

This year also brought its share of challenges, including staffing reductions and saying goodbye to valued staff members who are moving on for personal, professional, retirement, or temporary assignment reasons. While change is never easy, we are incredibly grateful for the contributions each person has made to Monroe and wish them nothing but success in their next chapter.

Staff Transitioning from Monroe

• Autumn Valencia – Department Secretary
• April Colgrove – Long-Term Secretary Substitute
• Holly Campbell – Long-Term Secretary Substitute
• Joni De Saint Phalle – Long-Term Secretary Substitute
• Kenny Jeffries – Long-Term PE Substitute
• William McCauley – Long-Term PE Substitute
• Anisha Willey – Counselor
• Eric McKinney – Math Teacher
• Elizabeth Johnson – Counselor
• Meghan Holsapple – Counselor
• Anna Carter – Special Education Teacher
• Veronica Landeros – Spanish Teacher
• Will Forrester – Speech-Language Pathologist
• Charissa Nelson – Long-Term Spanish Immersion Substitute
• Alex Bellizzi – AVID/Social Studies Teacher
• Lauren McNamara – Language Arts Teacher
• Andrew Thomas – PE/Health Teacher
• Shari Martines – Special Education Assistant (Retiring)
• Sjana Barcroft-Hundt – Math Teacher (Retiring)

We are also excited to welcome new members to Team Monroe:

• Tim Neeno – Social Studies
• Scott Pierce – Counselor
• Autumn Youngman – Language Arts/Social Studies
• Elizabeth Perini – Special Education Teacher
• Jessica Suzuki-Bullard – Educational Assistant
• Jaime Aguayo – Math Teacher
• Alec Lamson – Math Teacher

We are hopeful for those leaving and excited for those joining Team Monroe, knowing they will continue to build upon the strong traditions and caring culture that define our school. 

What makes Monroe truly special is our people. We are a connected community that shows up for one another. Families volunteer without hesitation, students cheer each other on, staff go above and beyond every day, and community partners continually ask, "How can we help?" That spirit of care, generosity, and belonging is what makes Monroe feel like home, and it is something I never take for granted.

To our 8th graders and their families, congratulations and best wishes as you begin your next chapter. Once a Mustang, always a Mustang.
Thank you for trusting us with your children and for partnering with us throughout the year. Have a safe, joyful, and restful summer. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the fall.

With gratitude,
Sun Saeteurn
Principal, Monroe Middle School

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Summer Office Hours

June 16–18
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. & 1:00–3:00 p.m.
June 19
Office Closed – Juneteenth Holiday
June 22–26
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. & 1:00–3:00 p.m.
June 29
Office Closed for Summer (until late July)
Our main office will remain open for part of the summer to assist families with registration, enrollment, records requests, and general support. We encourage families to call ahead if they plan to visit, and we'll share additional back-to-school information later this summer.
Thank you for being such an important part of the Monroe community. We can't wait to see everyone again this fall.