Please join us this Wednesday in giving back to the Orangevale community by participating in

our 6th Grade Holiday Food Drive Drive-Thru! Donate non-perishable items to help our local neighbors from 5 - 7p.m. at Pershing! The PTO and the 6th grade have a little gift for the first 150 families who drive through and donate. Our 6th grade class will assist in gathering the donations to take to the Food Closet located at the church across the street from Pershing, which serves 500 people in our community. This is a tradition at our school, and this year, our team has found a creative new way to keep the tradition alive! We look forward to seeing you Wednesday evening. Not sure where to go? Follow the festive lights!

Our School Site Council meets again this Tuesday morning at 7:15a.m. on Zoom. Thank you to those who voted for our two open Parent positions. If you have not yet placed your vote, please do so by Monday, December 13, before midnight by clicking this link: https://forms.gle/WS6oV94CWT8P3SYH9

As the weather continues to be challenging, please remember to make extra time, bring extra patience, and please stay off of cell phones as you arrive and depart Pershing. On rainy day arrival, students go to the classroom at 8a.m. for supervision (after eating, if having breakfast in the multi-purpose room). For dismissal, please plan to roll your vehicle window down so we can find out who you are here to pick-up. Students dismiss from the breezeway when it is raining too heavily to wait in the yellow-zone.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Kendra Shelton

Principal

The San Juan Unified School Board discussed three proposals for start times, which would take effect August 2022. Based on initial Board discussion, Option C seems a far shot because it would require hiring a large number of bus drivers, when there is already a huge shortage state-wide.

If Option A were chosen, Pershing's start time would move from 8:15a.m. to 7:55a.m. (dismissal at 2:25p.m.). [Carnegie Middle School would start at 8:55a.m.]

If Option B were chosen, Pershing's start time would move from 8:15a.m. to 8:55a.m. (dismissal at 3:25p.m.) [Carnegie Middle School would start at 8a.m.]

The School Board will vote on which option to choose next year (2022-2023 school year) at the December 14th Board Meeting. You are encouraged to give Board Members input prior to the meeting.

The Pershing staff are working to address challenges presented by either schedule change and recognizes that the District must both meet State requirements for middle and high schools to start after 8a.m. and 8:30a.m. respectively, while still providing transportation in a financially responsible manner for students who require transportation. One priority topic staff will continue to plan for is how to assist with supervision for students who arrive early to school.

To view the entire proposal, please go to pages 69 - 70 of the SJUSD Board Packet. You may also want to view the original presentation provided in October on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5Va8f2qx4M

Go to "1:47:30" for the presentation by Superintendent Kent Kern.