Stay Present to Finish Strong

As we approach the end of the school year, we want to remind you of the importance of staying present and engaged in your child's education to help them finish strong.

Your commitment to ensuring that your child attends school regularly and on time has been invaluable to their academic success, and we want to thank you for all that you have done to support their attendance and education.

As we look forward to the upcoming school year, we want to provide you with some information on what to expect for your child's grade-specific transition and how staying present and engaged can help them succeed.

For students transitioning to a new grade level, regular attendance is key to their ability to adjust and succeed in their new environment. Consistent attendance helps students stay engaged in their learning and build important skills, such as self-discipline, responsibility, and time management, which are essential for success in school and beyond.

As a parent, you can help your child make a smooth transition by staying present and engaged in their education, attending parent-teacher conferences, reviewing report cards and progress reports, and staying connected with your child's teachers and administrators to ensure that you are aware of any challenges or opportunities for growth.

For graduating students, staying present and engaged is more important than ever as they prepare for the next phase of their education or career. Many employers and universities place a high value on attendance and punctuality, and it's important for students to develop good habits early on.

We want to thank you once again for your ongoing support of your child's attendance and education, and we encourage you to stay present and engaged in their education to help them finish strong and achieve their academic goals.

As Mental Health Awareness Month, May is a time to raise awareness of and reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues, as well as highlight the ways in which mental illness and addiction can affect all of us – students, families, and our society at large.

Below is a list of events that are scheduled this month in our schools and school district this month:

Date: May 2, 2023

Event: Mental Health tabling events at Del Puerto High School

Date: May 3, 2023

Event: Fentanyl Town Hall (Spanish) in Grayson

Date: May 4, 2023

Mental Health tabling events at Patterson High School

Date: May 17, 2023

Event: Fentanyl Town Hall (Spanish) in Patterson

Date: May 18, 2023

Event: Fentanyl Town Hall (English) in Patterson

Date: May 25, 2023

Event: Mental Health Fair at Creekside Middle School

One of our district’s Strategic Goals is to provide safe and supportive environments for our students. In order to accomplish this goal we are:

• Linking students to mental health services.

• Integrating social-emotional learning in our classrooms.

• Training staff.

• Enhancing security protocols

• Allocating resources to enhance safety

• Increasing behavior support for students

• Providing targeted interventions for bullying

• Providing programs to address the wellness needs of both students and staff

• Expanding anti-drug and anti-alcohol curriculum

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) critical supports and services need to be comprehensive and community-wide.

What parents and families can do:

• Communicate openly and honestly, including about their values.

• Supervise their adolescent to facilitate healthy decision-making.

• Spend time with their adolescent enjoying shared activities.

• Become engaged in school activities and help with homework.

• Volunteer at their adolescent’s school.

• Communicate regularly with teachers and administrators.

Staying Connected at the End of the School Year

As we approach the end of the school year, we want to remind you of the importance of staying informed and staying involved in your child's education. May is a busy time of the year, but it's also the best time to stay well connected and ensure that your child finishes the year strong. Here are some tips to stay connected during this busy time of the year:

1. Check your email regularly: Schools often send important updates and reminders via email, so be sure to check your inbox regularly. If you're not receiving emails from the school, reach out to your child's teacher or the school office to make sure they have your correct email address.

2. Monitor ParentSquare accounts: Many schools use ParentSquare to communicate with parents. Check your ParentSquare account regularly for updates on school events, classroom activities, and other important information.

3. Follow school and district Facebook pages: Schools often post updates on their Facebook pages, including photos and videos of classroom activities and upcoming events. Following these pages can help you stay informed about what's happening at school.

4. Read school and district newsletters: Many schools and districts publish newsletters that provide updates on school events, curriculum changes, and other important information. Reading these newsletters can help you stay informed and engaged with your child's education. Be sure to check your email or school's website for links to these newsletters, or reach out to the school office to request a copy.

5. Connect with teachers and administrators: Don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teachers and administrators with any questions or concerns you may have. They can provide you with valuable information and insight into your child's academic progress.

6. Attend school events: The end of the school year is often filled with special events, such as concerts, performances, and end-of-year celebrations. Attend these events to show your support for your child and to stay connected with the school community.

7. Get involved with the PTA: Many schools have a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) that provides opportunities for parents to get involved in school activities and events. Consider joining the PTA or attending their meetings to stay connected with other parents and to help plan and organize school events. Volunteering with the PTA can be a great way to contribute to your child's school community and to stay informed about what's happening at school.

District Projects

As many are aware, Patterson Unified (PJUSD) successfully passed a $74 million General Obligation Bond in November 2022. In March, the District's Governing Board approved the sale of the first series of those Bonds and anticipates that revenue will be available around the end of May, early June.

The PJUSD Facilities Department has been working on several projects to support student achievement within the District. During the recent years we have completed the construction of the new Two Story Science Classroom Building at Patterson High School. Last summer, we completed the renovation of the entire parking area at Grayson Elementary, facilitating safer pick up and drop off processes at that site. Last summer we also broke ground on the construction of two new classroom buildings, one at Apricot Valley Elementary School and one at Las Palmas Elementary School. Both buildings are anticipated to be occupied for the coming school year and will each provide five new classrooms to each site.

As many know, we completed the construction of the beautiful new Patterson High School Performing Arts Center last September; however, we have also been working diligently on resolving the student safety issue associated with students gaining access to the new Performing Arts Center from the existing campus across 9th Street. We were very happy to reach an agreement with the City of Patterson to construct mitigation measures that include closing 9th Street to vehicular traffic during the normally scheduled school day in February, 2023. We now have approved plans from the City of Patterson to complete those mitigation measures as well as additional measures to support student safety even when the street is open to vehicular traffic. We are working on the procurement process for that work and we anticipate completion by this summer and approval from the California Department of Education shortly thereafter.

This summer we anticipate completing a project for the replacement of the Patterson High School Klein Gymnasium floor. We also anticipate the completion of a landscaping project at Patterson High School that will enhance and beautify the frontage between the Administration Building and the Klein Gym, making it a beautiful location for outdoor classroom activities as well as a student gathering place. The project also includes a new marquee sign along 7th street. Finally, our long awaited swimming pool project for Patterson High School will break ground this summer with completion anticipated for winter of 2024. Throughout this fiscal year, we have been working on processes that support our students, staff and employees to increase efficiency and accountability. We look forward to the implementation of these inorder to better support student achievement.