Panther Press
July 31, 2020
Critical Updates for a Successful Start
Chromebook Distribution Begins Wednesday, August 5th
Pershing will begin Chromebook distribution to all students beginning Wednesday, August 5 from 7:30a.m. - 6:00p.m. in the multipurpose room. Feel free to stop by campus on Wednesday the 5th, or August 6th or 7th between 8:30a.m. - 3:30p.m. to check out a Chromebook.
Students will receive district-adopted textbooks/workbooks, and other classroom materials the following week after staff have returned to campus, prepared materials in person and compiled them. Teachers are not officially back at work after August 10th.
If you have not updated your information, you will be asked to complete the annual information update while on campus.
Face coverings are required at all times while on campus and visitors are expected to maintain six feet of physical distance from others.
School Office Opens Monday, August 3
With the 2020-21 school year right around the corner, San Juan Unified is excited to announce the reopening of school and district offices starting Monday, August 3.
Families are strongly encouraged to call, email, or schedule Zoom meetings with office staff and school administrators whenever possible rather than visiting the office.
When it is necessary to visit, the office will be open from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm daily. There are a few important safety precautions you should know before visiting:
- Only the school office will be open. All other parts of school campus remain closed.
- Before visiting, you should be free of a fever, cough, shortness of breath or any other COVID-19 symptoms for at least 72 hours.
- You must maintain six feet of physical distance from other individuals.
- The number of individuals allowed into an office may be limited at any one time to allow for maintaining proper physical distancing.
- Face coverings are required at all times when waiting to enter a building or once inside. If outside on school grounds, a face covering is required if you are unable to maintain six feet of physical distance with other individuals.
District offices that provide public services, including human resources for job applicants, payroll, the front lobby, technology support desk, and the enrollment center will be open as well. All district offices can be reached at their regular phone numbers or email addresses.
It's Time to Update Your Information
Our staff is eager to welcome students back to instruction on August 13. To help us prepare, parents and guardians are asked to complete the annual information update which can be accessed through parent portal.
As part of the update families will be asked to:
- Update contact information
- Update emergency contacts
- Indicate if their student needs a computer or internet access
- Provide student health information
- Optionally identify any housing challenges
To access the update process, parents/guardians can use their PIN and password to login to the parent portal. Once logged in, click the “Re-Enrollment” link in the top right of the screen and then complete each section of the questionnaire. Detailed instructions on how to access and complete the process are available on the login screen of parent portal.
Each student will need their own device in order to complete academic tasks; siblings should not be sharing devices. This will allow each student the opportunity to fully access both synchronous and asynchronous instruction during the school day.
Parents and guardians can get help with the process by emailing the help desk or calling (916) 971-7195 and selecting option 1. Or, parents may email our school secretary, Elizabeth Danforth at elizabeth.danforth@sanjuan.edu.
Moved Recently? Do You Need to Update Your Home Address?
San Juan Central Enrollment is now offering online address changes for the convenience of
families. Parents can now submit address change requests and proof of new address documentation directly through parent portal. Visit San Juan Central's website for additional address change information.
Classroom Assignments Available on Thursday, August 6
Parents can login to parent portal on Thursday, August 6 to view your child's tentative classroom assignment. If you have not updated your child's information, the class assignment will not show (see instructions above). Please do not contact school staff inquiring about your child's teacher. Since this is confidential information, we are unable to release the teacher's name by phone, email or Class Dojo.
Due to extensive efforts on the part of classroom teachers and the principal to create balanced classes, we will hold off on considering requests to move students from one teacher to another for the first three weeks of the school year. Contact our school office on or after Tuesday, September 9 if you have an ongoing concern with your child's placement that has not been resolved after meeting with the classroom teacher.
Please be aware that during these variable times, classroom assignments are tentative and subject to change if overall enrollment in the grade level shifts or changes.
Mark Your Calendars
- August 3: School Office Opens to the Public
- August 5: Chromebook Distribution and Pick-Up
- August 6: Class Assignments Available on Parent Portal (if you have updated your enrollment)
- August 13: First Day of School
- August 26: Zoom Back to School Night
- September 7: Labor Day (No School)
- October 5: Non-Instructional Day (No School)
- November 11: Veterans' Day (No School)
- November 16 - 20: Parent Conference Week
How is Distance Learning Different From Home Schooling?
Distance learning differs from home schooling in two key ways. First, distance learning is delivered directly by a credentialed teacher through both synchronous and asynchronous activities more similar to a traditional school environment. Second, distance learning provides students with a classroom community including the teacher and peer students who they interact with on a regular basis, complete projects and socialize.
Home schooling requires that a parent/guardian serve as a daily active partner in delivering instruction to students with the guidance of a credentialed teacher.
There is no need to enroll in distance learning. It will be the default instructional model for the start of the 2020-2021 school year as Sacramento continues to see increasing levels of COVID-19 infections and the state has ordered school campuses to remain closed.
How Can I Enroll in San Juan's Home School Program?
Families interested in the home school program are encouraged to contact the home school office at (916) 971-7017 or via email to have any questions answered prior to deciding to enroll in the program.
Parents/guardians may use this form to submit interest for moving their student to the TK-8 homeschool program.
Parent Leadership Opportunities Available
Parents are encouraged to participate in our School Site Council. This group of parents, teachers, school staff and the principal develop the school's academic and social-emotional support plan. School Site Council once a month on a Tuesday at 7:15a.m. for approximately one hour. If you are interested in joining the council, please email Principal Kendra Shelton by Friday, August 21. School Site Council elections will take place August 24-28.
Superintendent's Parent Advisory Council
The superintendent and senior district staff meet with a parent advisory committee at least four times per year to discuss current topics, issues and collect feedback. Each school principal selects a member of their parent community to represent the school at SPAC meetings. The only requirement is that you are a current parent at the school you represent. If you have an interest in serving on the SPAC, please email Principal Kendra Shelton by Friday, August 28.Still Have Questions?
For questions specific to the district, visit San Juan's microsite (www.sanjuan.edu/fall2020) designed to provide our community with the latest information about Fall 2020. Here you can find the latest district updates, details about the instructional options available to families, special education services during distance learning, as well as community resources available to support families.
For questions specific to Pershing, please contact our school office at 916-979-8076 or reach out to Principal Kendra Shelton or school secretary Elizabeth Danforth.
Pershing Elementary
Email: kendra.shelton@sanjuan.edu
Website: https://www.sanjuan.edu/pershing
Location: 9010 Pershing Avenue, Orangevale, CA, USA
Phone: 916-979-8076
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PershingElementarySchool/
Twitter: @Pershing_SJUSD