Friends of MIP

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Supporting Orange County's first public school Mandarin Immersion Program to be held at Marian Bergeson Elementary School in Laguna Niguel, CA.

Friends of MIP is the non-profit parent organization created to advocate for and support the establishment of a Mandarin Immersion Program in the Capistrano Unified School District. Friends of MIP’s primary goal is to raise funds to support the programs in MIP that are not funded by normal school district funds. Friends of MIP also strives to increase communication, creates a strong parent community, and encourages everyone to have fun and embrace the Chinese language and culture.

10/27/2026

🎃👻 FREE FAMILY FUN THIS FRIDAY! 🚗🍬

Get ready for a frightfully fun evening at Bergeson Elementary’s Trunk or Treat! 🧡💜

🎃 Decorated trunks & Halloween treats
🧪 Spooky STEM activities
🎨 Arts & crafts
🌮 Taco truck for dinner

📅 Friday, October 30
⏰ 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Bergeson Elementary School

✨ FREE & open to the entire local community! ✨ Bring the kids, tell your friends and neighbors, and join us for a spooktacular evening of Halloween fun! 🦇🍭 Costumes encouraged, smiles guaranteed!

We can’t wait to see you there! 🎃🧡

10/22/2026

📣 CUSD Board Candidate Forum | October 28

Election season is here! Join the MIP community on Wednesday, October 28, for a candidate forum featuring those running for CUSD Board Trustee Areas 4 and 6.

This is an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, introduce them to our Mandarin Immersion Program and community, and discuss the issues that matter to our schools and students.

🗣️ Attendees will also have the opportunity to share their own questions and concerns. Come for the full event or stop by for whatever time you can!

The forum is strictly nonpartisan, with no candidates or positions endorsed.

📅 Save the date, spread the word, and make your voice heard! We encourage our MIP families and community members to attend and help build stronger communication with our future board representatives.

10/22/2026

🚨 MIP FAMILIES: WE’RE $40K SHORT—and the clock is ticking! ⏰

We have until October 31 to reach our $300K Annual Giving goal, and only 50% of MIP families have donated. We need MORE families to step up NOW.

💔 What’s at stake? Teacher aides could be cut next year, meaning less classroom support for our students. Teacher development, Mandarin learning resources, cultural events, and community activities are also at risk.

These aren’t just budget numbers. They impact our kids’ daily experience and the strength of our TK–12 Mandarin Immersion Program.

💛 Our goal is within reach, but we can’t do it without you. Every family’s contribution counts!

🎯 Suggested donation: $550 per Bergeson student
📅 Deadline: October 31
🔗 Donate today: friendsofmip.com/donate-1

Let’s come together to protect the program our kids deserve. Every gift matters. Every family counts. Let’s finish strong! 💪

10/20/2026

🎉 Ready for TK or Kindergarten in 2027–2028? Discover Marian Bergeson Elementary, ranked the #1 elementary school in Capistrano Unified on Niche.com! 🏆

Our Mandarin Immersion Program offers so much more than language learning:

✨ Full-day, play-based TK
🌏 No Mandarin language background needed!
🧠 The benefits of bilingualism: strong cognitive and communication skills, cultural awareness, and expanded future opportunities
❤️ A diverse, welcoming, and supportive community
⏰ Before- and after-school care available

Ready to get started? Swipe through our 4-step guide to learn how to enroll and begin your family’s journey with CUSD’s premier TK–12 Mandarin Immersion Program!

📍 STEP 1: Attend a mandatory information meeting and campus tour!

🗓️ October 20 – December 8, 2026

📍 Marian Bergeson Elementary School
25302 Rancho Niguel Rd
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

☎️ Questions? Call 949-643-1540.

During your visit, you’ll learn about our program, what to expect, and the next steps to enroll for the 2027–2028 school year.

💛 No Mandarin required—just a world of possibilities.

We hope you will join us and be a part of Orange County and CUSD’s premier TK-12 Mandarin Immersion Program!

MissionViejo

10/14/2026

⏰ 17 DAYS LEFT! We’re 82% of the way there! 💙

Our FoMIP Annual Giving campaign is almost across the finish line! 🎉 Thanks to our amazing MIP community, we’ve raised 82% of our $300,000 goal. Now, we have just $55K left to raise by October 31!

Your generosity helps keep our TK–12 Mandarin Immersion Program strong by funding teacher assistants, smaller student-to-teacher ratios, teacher development, curriculum and technology, and cultural enrichment.

💙 Every gift makes a difference. Every family counts.

🎯 Suggested annual donation per student:
📚 Bergeson: $550
📚 Newhart: $250
📚 CVHS: $150

💝 Ready to help us cross the finish line?
🔗 Donate online: https://www.friendsofmip.com/donate-1

Thank you to everyone who has already given! Let’s finish strong and invest in the future of MIP! 🙌

10/01/2026

🚨 70% THERE. 30% TO GO. LET’S FINISH STRONG. 🚨

Our FoMIP Annual Giving Campaign is LIVE — and we’re on our way to our $300,000 goal!

⏰ Deadline: October 31

Your donations directly support the CUSD MIP experience our students have every day — including:

📚 Additional instructional support & teacher assistants
👩‍🏫 Lower student-to-teacher ratios
💡 Teacher development & instructional resources
💻 Curriculum, books, hardware & software
🎉 Cultural enrichment & community activities

We’ve come this far because our MIP community shows up. Now we need everyone to help us cross the finish line.

💛 If you haven’t donated yet, now is the time.
💛 If you have, thank you — and please help spread the word.

🎯 $300K by October 31. Let’s get there together!

👉 Donate today — every gift makes a difference. https://www.friendsofmip.com/donate-1

09/30/2026

📣 OUR FOMIP NEWSLETTER HAS DROPPED! 🎉

Wondering what’s happening across our TK–12 CUSD MIP community? It’s all in this month’s newsletter! 👀

Inside this month:
✨ The latest MIP program updates
💰 Budget + fundraising news
🍎 Meet our newest 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Chern
💙 And more from Bergeson, Newhart & Capo Valley!

📬 Check your inbox and take a look!

Not on our email list yet? You’re missing out! 👇 Subscribe to get the Friends of MIP newsletter delivered straight to your inbox each month and stay in the know on all things MIP.

🔗 Subscribe: https://www.friendsofmip.com/subscribe

09/30/2026

📣 FoMIP October 1st Board Meeting Agenda

Our upcoming board meeting will cover several important updates for the MIP community, including:

🏫 School & Staffing Updates
Updates from Bergeson, Newhart, and Capo Valley, including staffing updates and requests.

💰 Fundraising & Finances
An update on our Annual Giving campaign, current budget, and FoMIP financials.

📚 MIP Program Support
Discussion of a Level Learning budget amendment to support MIP students.

📣 Advocacy & CUSD Updates
Updates from CUSD meetings and opportunities for families to engage with district leadership.

🤝 Community Engagement
Updates on MIP Ambassador outreach opportunities, recent community events, and upcoming FoMIP activities.

We’re grateful to our MIP community for staying informed, engaged, and involved in supporting our program! ❤️

09/17/2026

We’re 60% of the way to our $300K goal!

Our 2026 Annual MIP Fundraiser is underway, but we still have a way to go before October 27!

Your support helps MIP thrive—from funding Mandarin-speaking teaching aides and teacher development to language-learning resources, cultural events, and community activities.

🎯 Suggested donations:
$550 per Bergeson student
$250 per Newhart student
$150 per CVHS student

Every family makes a difference. Help us reach our goal—donate today!

👉 https://www.friendsofmip.com/donate-1

09/17/2026

🎉 MIP is BACK—and what a way to kick off the year!

Thank you to all the amazing MIP families who joined our Welcome Back Social! 💙

We reconnected with old friends, welcomed new ones, celebrated our shared purpose, and enjoyed an incredible meal together.

🍽️ Special thanks to MIP parent Mauricio B. for generously catering the delicious food!

Here’s to an incredible year ahead! ❤️

🌕 Next up: Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Bake Sale — October 1! 🥮

Address

25302 Rancho Niguel Road
Laguna Niguel, CA
92677

Telephone

+13109275022

Website

http://www.friendsofmip.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Friends of MIP posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.