Midland Messages

July 31, 2025

Welcome Back, Midland Families! 

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the final weeks of summer. I am beyond excited to welcome you to a brand new school year, and even more excited to introduce myself as the new Principal of Midland Elementary! It is a true honor to join this incredible community, and I can’t wait to meet each of you and get started on what I know will be an amazing journey together.

Before we dive into the nuts and bolts of the new school year, I wanted to take a moment to share a little bit about myself. For the past 24 years, I have proudly served in the Poway Unified School District in a variety of roles, including Special Education Teacher, School Counselor, Assistant Principal, and now Principal. Each of these experiences has shaped me as both an educator and a leader, and they’ve strengthened my passion for building strong, trusting relationships, fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments, and promoting a love of lifelong learning for both students and staff.

My wife, Liana, and I are originally from Baltimore, Maryland, and we moved to San Diego in 2001. We’ve been married for 18 years and are the parents of two daughters Lauren and Taylor who both attend schools here in Poway Unified. As a family, we enjoy reading, anything and everything related to lacrosse, and spending time outdoors together.

Midland is a school community that is rich in tradition and excellence, supported by a dedicated and passionate staff, and grounded in thoughtful systems designed to help every student thrive. At Midland, we believe deeply in the power of partnership, and that means YOU. Families play a vital role in everything we do, and I am committed to building strong connections between home and school as we work together to support our students.

Here’s to a year filled with learning, growth, and meaningful connection. I’m thrilled to be on this journey with you and can’t wait to meet you all very soon!

Save the Date - Annual Meet & Greet Tuesday, August 12th, from 2:00 to 3:00

We are excited to invite you to our Annual Meet & Greet on Tuesday, August 12th, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM on campus!

This special event is designed to help ease the transition from summer break into the new school year—especially for our youngest Rattlers in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten. It’s a great opportunity for students in all grades (TK–5th) to visit campus, locate their classrooms, and meet their teachers with a friendly face-to-face introduction.

To provide a bit of extra support, TK and Kindergarten families will be allowed to briefly enter the classrooms. We kindly ask families of students in grades 1–5 to refrain from entering classrooms during this time. Those teachers will be available in their designated areas and are happy to answer any general questions you may have.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back and starting the year off with positive energy and strong connections!

First Day of School Procedures - TK and Kindergarten

On the first day of school, we kindly ask parents to walk their child to the classroom and say their goodbyes at the door. While this can be an emotional moment (for students and parents alike!), please rest assured: your child is safe, supported, and will be well cared for. It’s perfectly normal if there are a few tears—this transition gets easier with time, I promise!

Please note that Midland is a closed campus, and walking children to their classroom is a Day 1 event only for parents. 

After the first day of school, TK and Kindergarten students will meet their teacher at Gate A each morning and walk together to their classroom.

To help ease the transition and build confidence, Kindergarten students will follow this routine for the first six weeks of school. Our TK students will continue to receive this support throughout the school year.

First Day of School Procedures - Grades 1 to 5

Starting the morning of August 12, 2025, families will be able to view teacher assignments for students in grades 1 through 5 by visiting: https://MyPlan.powayusd.com

To access your child’s teacher assignment:

1. Log in using your parent PUSD login.
   
   
2. Click on the Canvas login.
   
   
3. You will see a tile with your child’s teacher assignment information.

If you need help retrieving your login information, please visit: https://password.powayusd.com

Class Placement for the New School Year

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we know how much you care about your child’s educational experience and want what’s best for them, something we deeply value and share. Each spring, our staff takes great care and pride in thoughtfully creating class rosters. We consider many important factors to ensure balanced, supportive learning environments where all students can thrive. Because of this complex process, we do not honor specific teacher requests.

We appreciate your trust in our team and ask that you continue to partner with us in supporting your child’s growth and success. If you have specific concerns about your child’s needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly to me. We’re committed to working together to ensure a smooth and positive school experience. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Morning Arrival & Dismissal: Best Practices

To help ensure a smooth and safe start to the school year, please take a moment to review our updated arrival and dismissal procedures:

Breakfast gates open at 7:15 AM. 

Arrival for Grades 1–5: All students in grades 1–5 should enter campus through the playground gate near the lunch tables. Supervised playground access begins at 7:25 AM.

TK and Kindergarten Arrival: TK and Kindergarten families may enter through Gate A, located closest to the admin building. If older siblings are helping with a Kindergarten drop-off, they may also enter through Gate A.

Parking Lot Safety: For everyone’s safety, please use the crosswalk when walking through the parking lot. It’s a great opportunity to model safe behavior for our students!

Drop-Off Zone: Follow all traffic laws and use the designated drop-off zone near the ESS building. This helps keep our students safe and traffic flowing.

Dismissal Locations:

• TK & Kindergarten:
  Dismissal will take place at Gate A. Kindergarten follows a hand-to-hand dismissal process, so students will only be released to an approved adult. Please be patient as teachers learn which adult is picking up each child.
  
  
• First Grade:
  Students will meet parents at Gate B (just to the left of the admin building).
  
  
• Second through Fifth Grade:
  Dismissal for these grades will occur at Gate C (the large playground gate).

Midland Educational Foundation

Each year, the MDES Educational Foundation helps bring valuable resources to our schools by funding special projects and providing mini-grants for teachers to enhance their classrooms. These contributions directly benefit our students and help create a richer learning environment.

If you'd like to learn more about the foundation or are interested in making a donation, please CLICK HERE. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.

Thank you for supporting our students, teachers, and the entire Midland community!

PTA

Midland PTA Wants YOU!
Be part of something fun and important! By joining the Midland PTA, you’re helping to create a stronger, more connected school community—and making a direct impact on your child’s education.

As a member, you’ll:
✅ Support fun school events and activities
✅ Help fund important programs and classroom needs
✅ Stay in the know about what’s happening at school
✅ Connect with other awesome Midland families and staff!

Click HERE to read more about how to join this great organization!

You're also invited to our monthly PTSA meetings (check the school newsletter for dates). We’d love your ideas, energy, and input!

Together, we can make Midland an even better place to learn and grow!

Midland Elementary is turning 100!

Midland Elementary is turning 100 this year, a truly incredible milestone! We are so proud to be part of a school with such a rich history, and we’re excited to begin planning a celebration that honors all that Midland has meant to our students, families, and community over the past century. While some ideas are already taking shape, we would love to hear your thoughts and invite you to be part of the planning. Please keep an eye out for opportunities to share your ideas and get involved as we prepare to wish Midland a very happy 100th birthday!

Meet the new Principal!

As we begin this new chapter together, I’m eager to get to know you and build strong connections with our parent community.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be hosting a series of informal meet-and-greet events where we can connect, share ideas, and begin conversations that will help shape the year ahead. These gatherings will also be a great opportunity for you to ask questions and get to know me better.

Details around dates, times, and location on campus are still coming together, but I wanted to give you a heads-up so you can be on the lookout for more information very soon.

Useful Links

Midland Elementary Poway Unified School District

Welcome back to an exciting new school year!

GO Rattlers!
Principal Matt Hunt

August 8, 2025

 

Dear Midland Families,

School meals continue to befree for all students, regardless of household income, under California’s Universal Meals Program.  Every student enrolled in PUSD (PreK-12) is offered one free breakfast meal and one free lunch meal each school day.  Meals must be recorded by specific student account, either by scanning their barcode or entering their ID number in a pin pad.  Please note that a student cannot take just a free beverage; they must select enough items to make a reimbursable meal. 

Although meals are free for all students, our District is still required to process Applications for Free and Reduced-Price Meals.  We encourage all households to apply online at MySchoolApps.com, or using a paper application.   Meal applications are very important because meal reimbursements are still based on individual student eligibility, and State funding for school sites is partially determined by free/reduced eligibility.  Households that are income-eligible for free or reduced-price meals may also qualify for other benefits such as: free or discounted after-school care, reduced home internet costs, discounts on standardized testing fees, and food-purchasing assistance during summer breaks.

In addition to complete school meals, some school sites offer a la carte snacks and beverages for purchase.  PUSD Food and Nutrition is a cashless operation, so students must have money in their prepaid account or bring a check to buy a la carte items.  To load funds on a cafeteria account, families can visit MySchoolBucks.com or bring a check to the school cafeteria. 

• To view interactive school menus, with nutrition facts and allergen information, visit MySchoolMenus.com, which is also accessible from the PUSD Food and Nutrition webpage.

• Simple, printer-friendly PDF menus are posted monthly on the PUSD Food and Nutrition webpage, under School Menus > Printable PDF Menus.

• Information about special dietary accommodations and the CDE form to request special meals can be found on the PUSD Food and Nutrition webpage, under Resources and Links > Special Dietary Needs.

PUSD Food and Nutrition is ready to answer any questions you have about school meals.  Call us at 858-668-2570.

August 17, 2025

 

Greetings, Midland Families! 

Welcome back! On behalf of the entire Midland Elementary staff, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your amazing support as we opened the 2025–2026 school year. It has been a fantastic first week, and we couldn’t have asked for a more positive and energizing start.

As a fellow parent, I know how busy and sometimes stressful the lead up to the first day of school can be. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into making sure your children arrived on campus ready and excited. Seeing their smiles, confident steps, and eagerness to learn has been incredibly rewarding.

I spent much of the week visiting classrooms. Teachers and students are already building strong connections, classrooms full of curiosity and joy, and new friendships beginning to blossom. These early days are filled with excitement, and we are so grateful to share them with your children.

Save the Date - Back to School Night!

We’re excited to invite all parents and guardians to Back to School Night at Midland on Thursday, August 21st! This special evening is a valuable opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, explore the classroom environment, and gain important insight into the curriculum, expectations, and goals for the school year ahead. 

Attending helps strengthen the home-school connection, setting the foundation for a successful and supported year for your child. We truly hope you’ll join us as we partner together to ensure a positive and productive school year for every student!

Back To School Night Schedule: 

3rd-5th @ 5:00-5:45pm
PTA presentation 5:45-6:00pm
TK-2nd @ 6:00-6:45pm

Meet the new Principal!

I am excited to invite you to one of three upcoming Principal Meet & Greet events that I will be hosting as your new principal! These gatherings are a wonderful opportunity for me to welcome you to campus, share a bit about my background, begin building strong, positive connections, and answer any questions you may have. 

Each session will follow the same format, so please feel free to choose the date and time that works best for you and your family. While I absolutely love seeing our students each day, I kindly ask that this event be reserved for parents and guardians only. I look forward to meeting you soon and beginning this exciting journey together!

Dates: 8/26/25, 8/28/25, and 9/2/25
Time: 5:30 to 6:30
Location: Midland MPR

Lion King Production at Midland!

MEF is excited to announce the fall production of the Lion King! This opportunity is open to 1st through 5th grade students. There is a $50 suggested donation for each participant that will cover the costs for play scripts, costumes and a T-shirt.  MEF is offering ten scholarships to cover the cost of materials fees for families where that would be a hardship. The performances will be open to the entire school and parent community and will be held on 11/7 at 6pm and 11/8 at 2pm in the MPR. 

The participation is capped at 50 students. Registration will open on 8/24 and closes on 8/29,  and participation will be first come, first serve based on order of registration. So please plan accordingly. 

Spirit Days at Midland!

Let’s kick off each week with some Rattler pride! Every Monday is “Midland Monday”, and we love to see our students and staff showing off their school spirit. Wear your Midland gear or anything red or yellow to celebrate our fantastic school community. GO Rattlers! ❤️💛

Volunteer at Midland

We know volunteers are a vital part of our school community, and we’re excited to share that the district is updating the volunteer process to make it easier and more efficient.

While this new system is being prepared, we are still welcoming volunteers as visitors. We encourage anyone interested in volunteering this year to begin their TB assessment now so they’re ready to go when the updated process launches, which is expected in mid-September. You can learn more about this process by visiting our website.

Thank you for your patience and your willingness to help. We’ll provide more information as soon as it becomes available.

Morning Arrival & Dismissal: Best Practices

To help ensure a safe arrivals and departures throughout the school year, please take a moment to review our updated arrival and dismissal procedures:

Breakfast gates open at 7:15 AM. 

Arrival for Grades 1–5: All students in grades 1–5 should enter campus through the playground gate near the lunch tables. Supervised playground access begins at 7:25 AM.

TK and Kindergarten Arrival: TK and Kindergarten families may enter through Gate A, located closest to the admin building. If older siblings are helping with a Kindergarten drop-off, they may also enter through Gate A.

Parking Lot Safety: For everyone’s safety, please use the crosswalk when walking through the parking lot. It’s a great opportunity to model safe behavior for our students!

Drop-Off Zone: Follow all traffic laws and use the designated drop-off zone near the ESS building. This helps keep our students safe and traffic flowing.

Dismissal Locations:

• TK & Kindergarten:
  Dismissal will take place at Gate A. Kindergarten follows a hand-to-hand dismissal process, so students will only be released to an approved adult. Please be patient as teachers learn which adult is picking up each child.
  
  
• First Grade:
  Students will meet parents at Gate B (just to the left of the admin building).
  
  
• Second through Fifth Grade:
  Dismissal for these grades will occur at Gate C (the large playground gate).

Midland Educational Foundation

Each year, the MDES Educational Foundation helps bring valuable resources to our schools by funding special projects and providing mini-grants for teachers to enhance their classrooms. These contributions directly benefit our students and help create a richer learning environment.

If you'd like to learn more about the foundation or are interested in making a donation, please CLICK HERE. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.

Thank you for supporting our students, teachers, and the entire Midland community!

PTA

Midland PTA Wants YOU!
Be part of something fun and important! By joining the Midland PTA, you’re helping to create a stronger, more connected school community—and making a direct impact on your child’s education.

As a member, you’ll:
✅ Support fun school events and activities
✅ Help fund important programs and classroom needs
✅ Stay in the know about what’s happening at school
✅ Connect with other awesome Midland families and staff!

Click HERE to read more about how to join this great organization!

You're also invited to our monthly PTSA meetings (check the school newsletter for dates). We’d love your ideas, energy, and input!

Together, we can make Midland an even better place to learn and grow!

Midland Elementary is turning 100!

Midland Elementary is turning 100 this year, a truly incredible milestone! We are so proud to be part of a school with such a rich history, and we’re excited to begin planning a celebration that honors all that Midland has meant to our students, families, and community over the past century. While some ideas are already taking shape, we would love to hear your thoughts and invite you to be part of the planning. Please keep an eye out for opportunities to share your ideas and get involved as we prepare to wish Midland a very happy 100th birthday!

Class Placement for the New School Year

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we know how much you care about your child’s educational experience and want what’s best for them, something we deeply value and share. Each spring, our staff takes great care and pride in thoughtfully creating class rosters. We consider many important factors to ensure balanced, supportive learning environments where all students can thrive. Because of this complex process, we do not honor specific teacher requests.

We appreciate your trust in our team and ask that you continue to partner with us in supporting your child’s growth and success. If you have specific concerns about your child’s needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly to me. We’re committed to working together to ensure a smooth and positive school experience. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Upcoming dates and events!

• 8/21/25 MEF First Ask Fundraiser begins
• 8/21/25 Back to School Night
• 8/26/25 Meet and greet with Principal Hunt, 5:30 to 6:30
• 8/28/25 Meet and greet with Principal Hunt, 5:30 to 6:30
• 8/29/25 Rattler Rock - Character Counts 
• 9/1/25 Labor Day
• 9/2/25 Meet and greet with Principal Hunt, 5:30 to 6:30

Useful Links & attachments

Midland Elementary Poway Unified School District

GO Rattlers!
Principal Matt Hunt

August 24, 2025

September 7, 2025

 

Por favor haga clic aquí para la versión en español

Greetings, Midland Families! 

It’s been another fantastic week at Midland! Mrs. Miranda and I have enjoyed visiting classrooms, and we are so impressed with the teaching and learning happening across campus. We’re especially excited to see a strong focus on promoting higher-level thinking, teachers are encouraging thoughtful questioning, providing meaningful wait time, and giving all students the opportunity to not only respond, but also explain the “why” behind their thinking. 

Charlas con el Director/Chats with the Principal

Charlas con el Director/Chats with the Principal!  We invite families of English Learner (EL) students to join us for a meet and greet with principal, Mr. Hunt.

📅 Wednesday, September 18

⏰ 8:00 a.m.

📍 Midland Elementary MPR

We look forward to seeing you there!

Safety Week at Midland

Next week, we will be holding our annual Safety Week to help students and staff practice important emergency procedures. A detailed email has been sent home with more information about the schedule and the various drills taking place throughout the week.

Please note: Due to active pest control treatment for wasps, we will not be using the grass field during this time.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to ensure a safe and prepared school environment for everyone!

Midland Site Safety Committee

At Midland Elementary School and throughout Poway Unified School District, student safety remains a top priority. We are committed to continually improving our emergency preparedness and ensuring a safe learning environment for all.

To support this important work, we are looking for 3 to 4 parent volunteers to serve on the MDES Site Safety Committee. This committee plays a vital role in shaping our school safety efforts by:

• Reviewing and providing input on school emergency procedures
• Participating in campus safety walk
• Collaborating with teachers, staff, administrators, a Poway Sheriff School Resource Officer, and district representatives

The committee meets just a few times throughout the school year, but your insights can make a lasting impact.

If you’re interested in getting involved or would like more information, please contact Assistant Principal Selene Miranda at [email protected].

Midland Educational Foundation

Only a Few Days Left to Give!

Our first giving campaign of the year is almost over—now’s the perfect time to make a gift that directly enriches your child’s school experience. Your support brings exciting new programs to life while keeping favorites like the Disney Jr. musical, teacher funding, and classroom materials going strong. For the Red Envelope Drive click on this Link

Lion King Musical Update

Registration went live this week and the response has been amazing! Spots filled quickly, but our waitlist is still open— click on signup if your child would like to join.

 Save the Date: Two performances on Saturday, Nov.8th: 2pm and 6pm

Join the Fun—Volunteer With Us!

Want to get involved but not sure how much time you can give? No worries—we’d love your help in any way that works for you! Just fill out this quick survey to let us know your interests and availability, and we’ll follow up with opportunities. Volunteer Survey Link

Team Midland Padres Game: Sept. 28th at 12:10

Tickets are on sale now through Sept. 11th and only $40! Follow us on social media for a chance to win some fun Padres prizes. 

FB: @TeamMidland

Instagram: @TeamMidlandPoway

Buy your tickets now, click on this link Padres 

PTA

Kids Are First Fundraiser – Starts September 5

The PTA’s only traditional fundraiser of the year starts Friday, 9/5 and runs through 9/19! Funds go directly toward student activities, events, and programs. Be on the lookout for packets coming home with your student today!

Go to www.clubschoicefundraising.com and click SHOP NOW. Our school campaign ID is MIDL28.

We will be collecting prize ticket coupons from students outside each morning at a table near the office.

We thank you for your support!

Spirit Wear Available Now!

Hoodies available online: https://stores.inksoft.com/mid054. 4 colors available! 

Poway Parade | September 13

Calling All Proud Midland Rattlers!

Come walk with us next to the Midland float at the iconic Poway Parade. Wagons and strollers welcome! Our float will be for our smaller Rattlers! Meet at 8 p.m. at Pomerado Road and Metate Lane. Wear your Centennial or Midland shirt and help us show Poway what Midland pride looks like!

Join the PTA – Only $13!

Membership supports school programs and events. Visit jointotem.com and search Midland!

Reflections Art Program – Entries Due October 6

Celebrate creativity! The theme this year is “I Belong!”  Visit http://capta.org/programs-events/reflections for rules and categories.

E-Bike Safety event hosted by Poway Sheriff at Midland

E-Bike Safety Event: Saturday, September 20th

The Poway Sheriff's Office will be hosting an E-Bike Safety Event at Midland Elementary on Saturday, September 20th from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

This free event is open to both students and parents and will cover important topics like e-bike safety, traffic rules, and theft prevention. There will be bike raffles, free helmets, and other giveaways (while supplies last). Come out and learn how to stay safe while enjoying the ride!

Spirit Days at Midland!

Let’s kick off each week with some Rattler pride! Every Monday is “Midland Monday”, and we love to see our students and staff showing off their school spirit. Wear your Midland gear or anything red or yellow to celebrate our fantastic school community. GO Rattlers! ❤️💛

New Access System for Main Office Entry

Over the summer, Poway Unified installed new security technology to enhance the safety of our campus. The main office entry doors are now equipped with a video and intercom system (similar to a Ring camera) which allows our front office staff to see and communicate with visitors before granting access.

When you arrive on campus, please use this new system (pictured below). You’ll be asked to briefly state the reason for your visit. For example, you might say, “I’m here for a meeting with my 1st grader’s teacher.”

We appreciate your support and cooperation as we continue to maintain a safe and secure environment for all students, staff, and families here at Midland.

Upcoming dates and events!

• 9/9/25 PTA meeting 
• 9/16/25 Picture Day 
• 9/13/25 Poway Days Parade 
• 9/15 to 9/19 Start with Hello Week 
• 9/18/25 Charlas con el Director/Chats with the Principal 8am
• 9/19/25 Spirit Day Sports Day 
• 9/20/25 E-Bike Safety event hosted by Poway Sheriff from 9-noon at Midland 
• 9/26/25 Rattler Rock - Trustworthiness 
• 9/28/25 MEF Padres Game 
• 9/29/25 Non-student day PUSD Professional Development
• 9/30/25 Makeup Picture Day 
• 10/10/25 Spirit Day - Crazy Hair Day
• 10/20/25 Play it Safe Assembly 
• 10/24/25 Truck or Treat from 6 to 8pm 
• 10/27/25 to 10/31/25 - Red Ribbon Week 
• 10/31/25 - Character Parade 
• 11/11/25 - No School Veteran’s Day 

Useful Links & attachments

Midland Elementary Poway Unified School District

GO Rattlers!
Principal Matt Hunt