PJUSD Newsletter
March 2024
Contact:
Susan White
Senior Executive Assistant / Cabinet Member
Superintendent's Message (English)
Superintendent's Message (Spanish)
Join us for Special Olympics on March 15th!
Communications
Visit our district's News & Announcements page on our website to explore our new highlight feature:
Our Promise Features: Showcases our staff for the incredible work they do throughout the district. This spotlight is particularly aimed at those whose work often goes unnoticed but provides significant value to our district, schools, students, and/or staff. It offers a small moment of appreciation for their dedicated efforts in fulfilling our PJUSD Promise.
This month's Promise Feature recognizes our Library Technician at Walnut Grove Elementary, Clarissa Mendoza, for her innovative efforts in transforming the library into thematic adventures. Through her imaginative initiatives, students are invited to immerse themselves in their stories, fostering a deeper connection to literature and exploration.
Summer Workforce Development Program
Our district is excited to announce the launch of a new Summer Workforce Development Program! This 4-week paid internship program starting in June 2024 offers a unique opportunity for students to gain valuable work experience in jobs throughout our district and in our community.
In just one week since its announcement, our district has had an overwhelming response from students, with over 150 interest form submissions received. The program is open to all PJUSD 9th-11th grade students. We urge students to complete the interest form before Wednesday's deadline (3/13). Those who do will receive an exclusive invitation to a special program presentation and a crucial resume and application building workshop that will be vital for their application process.
Thank you to our partners for supporting this program: Stanislaus County
District 5 Supervisor, Channce Condit; City of Patterson; and Patterson Fire.
United Patterson Graduate Profile
Join us in celebrating the success of former Patterson graduates with our monthly United Patterson Graduate Profile series. Our latest profile features Serina Sierra Cabrera, a longtime Patterson student graduating in 2017.
Read her story and discover more inspiring profiles on our district's website under the News & Announcements page and by clicking on the "United Patterson Profiles" filter.
Do you know a Patterson graduate who has moved on to do some incredible thing? Share their story with our community by clicking the following link: https://bit.ly/UPprofile.
Student Support Services
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and each year the National Association of Council on Development Disabilities works to create a social medial campaign that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong diverse communities. This year’s theme is “A World of Opportunities.”
Our district is celebrating our students with disabilities with our next annual Special Olympics event at Patterson Community Stadium on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This year our athletes will be competing in the 100 yard or 50 yard dash, softball toss, standing and running long jump, and new in 2024, the 4 x 100 relay. Admission is free on the homeside field.
Additionally, Rising Sun Farm and Garden is holding its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be eight egg hunts with limited spaces for each age group. Arrive early to preregister. Additional free events include a petting zoo, crafts, planting, and an antique tractor display by the Barnstormers. Come out and enjoy the fun!
Educational Services
Greetings from the Educational Services Department! Below, please find information regarding the California state assessments students take in the Winter and Spring, including when they will be administered to students.
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP):
The CAASPP System was established on January 1, 2014. The CAASPP System encompasses the following assessments and student participation requirements:
Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics in grades three through eight and grade eleven.
California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA and mathematics in grades three through eight and grade eleven.
California Science Test (CAST) in grades five, eight, and once in high school.
California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science in grades five, eight, and once in high school.
Please click here for detailed information regarding the CAASPP assessments.
CAASPP Testing Window: April 15-May 3, 2024
English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC):
The ELPAC is the required state test for English language proficiency (ELP) that must be given to students whose primary language is a language other than English. State and federal law require that local educational agencies administer a state test of ELP to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve. The California Department of Education (CDE) transitioned from the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to the ELPAC as the state ELP assessment in 2018. The ELPAC is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It consists of two separate ELP assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners (ELs), and a second for the annual summative assessment to measure a student’s progress in learning English and to identify the student's level of ELP. ELPAC – CalEdFacts web page provides a more detailed overview of the test.
ELPAC Testing Window: Currently underway and ends on March 28, 2024
Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
The physical fitness test (PFT) for students in California schools is the FITNESSGRAM®. The main goal of the test is to help students in starting life-long habits of regular physical activity.
Students in grades five, seven, and nine take the fitness test. The FITNESSGRAM® has six parts, though California currently requires five parts be completed annually, that show a level of fitness that offer a degree of defense against diseases that come from inactivity. The test results can be used by students, teachers, and parents.
PFT Testing Window: Currently underway and ends on March 28, 2024
Administrative Services
Construction Projects Continue to Make Progress
We are excited to update you on the progress at the Patterson High School construction sites. The frontage revitalization project is well underway, enhancing our walking paths. At the pool site, significant progress has been made, with walls recently completed after blasting. We eagerly anticipate the upcoming phases of our construction projects and will continue to report on their progress as new developments arise.
School Construction Study Session
Last month district staff provided a special study session covering all school construction projects throughout our district. We invite those interested in delving into our current and planned construction projects to visit our district website for access to the full presentation. The presentation can be located on our Construction page located under our Administrative Services Department. You can also access the presentation on our district's News & Announcements page.
Human Resources
PJUSD Promise Awards!
Congratulations to our March 2024 "PJUSD Promise Award" recipients. These two outstanding individuals have exemplified the core values of our PJUSD Promise!
Certificated - Jennifer Sanchez (District Wide)
Classified - Martha Espinoza (District Wide)
Jennifer Sanchez - Certificated
Martha Espinoza - Classified
Success at our Teacher Hiring Event
Human Resources held a very successful job fair on Saturday, February 17 which led to 8 preliminary position offers.
We are also looking to fill vacancies from external candidates for classified substitute positions throughout the district.
Those not interested in permanent employment with Patterson Joint can apply to become a qualified substitute to fill in for staff absences. If you want more information on how to be added to our substitute list please use the following link: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/1879360
Classified Substitutes for Nutrition Services
Classified Substitutes for Maintenance, Grounds and Custodial
Connect With Us!
Website: https://www.patterson.k12.ca.us
Location: 510 Keystone Boulevard, Patterson, CA, USA
Phone: 209-895-7700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJUSD95363