Dear Paularino Families,

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! I'm excited for the beginning of a new school year and the return of our Panthers back to campus as well as welcoming our new Panthers to TK and Kindergarten.

For new families - my name is Mrs. Schwartz, Principal at Paularino Elementary. This is my third year at Paularino. I am a passionate educator starting my 18th year in education. I am also a wife, my husband Ryan and I just celebrated our 7th anniversary, and mom of two boys - Harrison (almost 6) and Thomas (2). I look forward to getting to know our new Panthers and families this school year.

Each Friday I will send a weekly newsletter with updates from campus, dates to remember, and upcoming events. The newsletter is also posted on our school website under principal communication.

Friday August 19th - Meet & Greet

Please join us on the Paularino Blacktop from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM to meet your child's teacher, sign up for the PTA, and purchase or pre-order spirit wear. Classrooms will be closed at this time. *For families unable to attend the Meet & Greet - please log into the Aeries Parent Portal after 5:00 PM on Friday August 19th to see your child's teacher.

Monday August 22nd - First Day of School

School starts at 8:05 AM. Students will line up on the blacktop next to a sign of their teacher's name. Parents are welcome. Once the 8:05 AM bell rings teachers will walk students to the classroom. Parents - please say your goodbyes on the blacktop. Parents will have an opportunity to see the classrooms at Back To School Night September 8th. More information to come.

Thank you to all families who have completed their Aeries Parent Portal Data Confirmation. If you have not done so, please log in and complete. This information updates all contact information for emergencies, as well as confirms access and permissions from the guardian.

Thank you for your partnership in your child's education! Our teachers return to campus next week for professional development and to plan and prepare for the start of the school year.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Schwartz

Grades TK-6 Daily Schedule:

7:35 AM - Gates Open

8:05 AM - School Starts

2:20 PM Dismissal Monday through Friday

Masks are optional for all. Good hand hygiene (sanitizer/washing) will be practiced daily.

Arrival procedures

• Please park and walk your child to the front gates or pull through the Paularino parking lot at the front of the school.

• Bus riders and walkers will use the side gate on Coolidge.

• All parents/guardians will remain in their cars while students unload and walk through the gates.

• Free breakfast is served daily and available for all students.

• Students who arrive after 8:05 am will be marked tardy.

• Due to safety protocols, parents are not allowed through the gates except for special events or Flag Deck.

Recess

• Supervision is provided to support and reinforce recess and lunch expectations.

Lunch

• Free school lunch is available for all students. If your child does not want a school lunch, please pack them a lunch.

• Supervision is provided to support and reinforce recess and lunch expectations.

Dismissal

• Monday through Friday dismissal is 2:20 PM.

• Students are released outside the front gates, primary in front of the MPR and upper by the marquee. Bus riders and walkers will use the side gate on Coolidge.

• All parents remain in their cars.

Attendance

• If your child is feeling ill or has symptoms such as cough, stomachache, fever or chills please keep them home and consult your physician.

• If your child will be absent, please call the attendance line at (714) 424-4742 and leave a message with your name, your child's name, reason for absence, and a phone number.

Dress code

• Please send your student to school with appropriate clothes and shoes for the school day. Per our dress code, flip flops are not permitted on campus and are a safety concern when students play at recess and lunch.

• During warmer weather please make sure your child is wearing school appropriate clothing.

Thank you for your continued support.

Our Friday morning Flag Deck ceremony is a place for the whole school to gather, celebrate student accomplishments, hear school announcements, and build school spirit. If you would like to come to our Flag Deck celebration they are every Friday morning - weather permitting. Parents will wait outside the front office gate until 8:05 AM at the start of school. Once the bell rings parents are welcome to stand in the VIP section, Very Important Parents. At the conclusion of Flag Deck parents exit through the front gate. There are no requirements for masking, vaccination or negative tests when attending Flag Deck. As a parent observer we just ask you stay in the VIP section.

In an effort to continue to provide accurate and up-to-date information related to COVID-19 in our schools, a District dashboard was created that identifies the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases by school. The number listed includes current positive cases of staff and/or students within the past 14-day period. This information is updated daily and is located on the District webpage for COVID-19 Resources for 2021-2022.

There is no need to be alarmed or wonder if your child has been exposed when you see a positive case at your child’s school site. The District follows protocols which includes collaboration with the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA). In the event of a positive case in our schools, as appropriate and under the direction of the OCHCA, the school nurse, principal, or District staff will notify any staff or students who are considered to be a close contact (less than 6 feet apart for more than 15 minutes) with a COVID-19 positive person. Each case is unique and in some cases notification to low risk contacts may be necessary, based on the direction from the OCHCA. If you do not receive notification regarding a COVID-19 case, we do not believe your child has been exposed. Due to privacy laws, we cannot provide names or any other information about the people who test positive or those who have been in close contact.