Whitney Avenue Wildcat News

Dear Families,

As we approach the winter months, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership. December is a time of reflection and celebration, and here at school, we are proud of the growth and accomplishments our students have made so far this year. From academic progress to acts of kindness, it’s been a joy to see our school community thrive.

Looking ahead to January, we are excited to continue building on this momentum. The new year brings fresh opportunities for learning, goal-setting, and strengthening the connections that make our school a special place. I wish all of our families a safe, restful winter break and a happy, healthy start to the new year!

Warm regards,
Stephanie King
Principal

Tue 12/2: Fire Drill

Thu 12/4: Site Council Meeting 2:30pm in room D5

Thu 12/4: PTO Meeting 3:30pm in room D5

Mon 12/15- Fri 12/19: Spirit Week

Mon 12/22- Mon 1/5: Winter Break (no school)

Tue 1/6: Fire Drill

Mon 1/12: PTO Meeting 3:00pm in room D5

Tue 1/13: Lockdown Drill

Mon 1/19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school)

Tue 1/27: Mugs & Muffins 7:30-8:00am

Wed 1/27: STEM Night 3:30-5:00pm

Be sure to mark your calendar for upcoming school closures. There will be no school on the following days:

Monday 11/17 - Friday 11/21 (all grades dismissed at 10:55am)

Monday 11/24 - Friday 11/28 (Fall Break)

Monday 12/15 - Monday 1/5 (Winter Break)

Monday 1/19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

We invite students to return to school on Monday 12/1, Tuesday 1/6 & Tuesday 1/20 in their comfy clothes!

For information on school meals, menus, accommodations, and resources, click on the link below:

San Juan Unified Nutrition Services Department

Bridges After School is accepting applications for this current school year. If you're struggling to pick up your students on time after school, or looking for a safe environment, pick up an application today and turn it in to the office. We offer homework support, art and science activities, recreational time, and social connection for students. If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Amber, the Site Facilitator at (916) 496-2045.

Please help us keep our students safe! Below are a few reminders that will help with student safety during student drop off and pick up:

• School starts at 7:45am and ends at 2:15pm for grades 1st-5th with the exception of early dismissal Thursdays at 1:00pm. TK/Kindergarten are out daily at 11:45am, and students will be taken to the back gate for dismissal.
• TK/Kindergarten families are to park in the back parking lot for drop off and pick up.
• Do not drop off students before 7:25. We do not have supervision until 7:25. If you arrive early, please wait in your car with your child.
• Drive slowly and cautiously in both parking lots.
• The yellow curb is for loading and unloading of passengers only - drivers may not park/get out of their cars in a yellow zone or leave cards unattended in the pick up lanes. If you would like to pick up from the classroom, you must park in the back parking lot.
• We ask that you are only on campus no more than 5 minutes prior to pick up. Gates will be open in the back at 11:45am for TK/Kindergarten and 2:15pm for 1st-5th. Similarly, gates will be closed and locked by 7:50am in the morning. If you arrive late, please come around to the front.
• Please pick students up promptly at dismissal time, 11:45am for TK/Kindergarten, and for all other grades 2:15pm M/Tue/W/F and 1pm on Thursdays.
• Please do not use the bus lane.

Thank you for your support in keeping our students and campus safe.

Please help us keep our students safe! Below are a few reminders that will help with student safety during student drop off and pick up:

• School starts at 7:45 and ends at 2:15 for grades 1st-5th with the exception of early dismissal Thursdays at 1:00. TK/Kindergarten are out daily at 11:45, and students will be taken to the back gate for dismissal.
• TK/Kindergarten families are to park in the back parking lot for drop off and pick up.
• Do not drop off students before 7:25. We do not have supervision until 7:25. If you arrive early, please wait in your car with your child.
• Drive slowly and cautiously in both parking lots.
• The yellow curb is for loading and unloading of passengers only - drivers may not park/get out of their cars in a yellow zone or leave cards unattended in the pick up lanes. If you would like to pick up from the classroom, you must park in the back parking lot.
• We ask that you are only on campus no more than 5 minutes prior to pick up. Gates will be open in the back at 11:45 for TK/Kindergarten and 2:15 for 1st-5th. Similarly, gates will be closed and locked by 7:50 in the morning. If you arrive late, please come around to the front.
• Please pick students up promptly at dismissal time, 11:45 for TK/Kindergarten, and for all other grades 2:15 M/Tue/W/F and 1:00 on Thursdays.
• Please do not use or block the bus lane.

Thank you for your support in keeping our students and campus safe.

Why Volunteering Matters at Our School

Volunteers can be the heart of a school community! Whether you’re helping in the classroom, supporting events, or lending a hand behind the scenes, your time and energy make a big difference! Volunteering not only strengthens our school but also shows our students the value of teamwork, service, and connection. Every minute you give helps create a more vibrant and supportive learning environment. That’s why we are asking you to sign up today to be a Whitney Avenue Wildcat volunteer by visiting www.sanjuan.edu/volunteer. Step by step instructions are provided on the website, and we’ve also outlined them below:

Step 1: Complete Volunteer Verification form by visiting www.sanjuan.edu/volunteer

Step 2: (3-5 business days) Application reviewed/prescreened by analyst for current background review (fingerprinting) on file. If found on file, or if the application declines a background review, process skips to step 6.

Step 3: (2-3 business days) If a background review is not found on file, instructions on how to complete the process, and the required form for LiveScan are sent via email: “Authorized for Background Review.”

Step 4: If background review is needed, schedule a fingerprinting appointment with the district’s Human Resource Department at www.sanjuan.edu/fingerprint. Volunteer fingerprinting is offered at no cost through this process. Appointments are during business hours. A valid photo ID is required. Evening hour walk-ins are also available during the school year, no appointment needed. Evening dates available on the calendar on the sanjuan.edu/volunteer website.

Step 5: (5 - 30 business days after fingerprinting, some instances may take longer) Upon receiving results from the DOJ and/or FBI, an analyst provides the appropriate clearance level.

Step 6: (2-3 business days) Review for final approval. Volunteer and primary school site will receive notification via email upon completion. School staff and families may confirm volunteer status with the school office, or with the Volunteer Help Desk at (916) 971-7935.

Final Step: Volunteer! Connect with your school site for volunteer opportunities throughout the school year.

Thank you for being part of our Whitney Wildcat team!

Office Hours: 7:25am-2:45pm Monday-Friday

Phone Number: (916) 971-7407

Attendance 24 Hour Line: (916) 979-8589

Attendance Email: WhitneyAbsence@sanjuan.edu

Website: https://whitney.sanjuan.edu/

Instagram: @whitneyavewildcats

Principal, Stephanie King, stephanie.king@sanjuan.edu

School Secretary, Marquesa Kajar, marquesa.kajar@sanjuan.edu

Attendance Clerk, Shelby Godfrey, shelby.godfrey@sanjuan.edu

School Community Specialist, Whitney Belton, whitney.belton@sanjuan.edu

School Community Intervention Specialist, Semaj Verner, semaj.verner@sanjuan.edu

School Social Worker, Taylor Munion, taylor.munion@sanjuan.edu

Scool Psychologist, Julia McDaniel, jmcdaniel@sanjuan.edu

Free digital behavioral health platforms for children and families available through the state

The California Department of Health Care Services has launched two free behavioral health services applications for all families with children. The services provide free, safe and confidential mental health support for young people and families:

• BrightLife Kids is for parents or caregivers and children 0-12 years old.
• Soluna is for teens and young adults ages 13-25.

Each app offers coaching services in English and Spanish, as well as telephone-based coaching in all Medi-Cal threshold languages.

The San Juan Unified food closet is located at the Central Enrollment Center (3700 Garfield Ave. in Carmichael) Room 14 and serves families who are in need of non-perishable food items.

Hours: Monday through Friday (8:30 am - 2:00 pm)
Closed on non-school days and holidays. Questions? Call (916) 979-8878.

River City Food Bank
www.rivercityfoodbank.org/emergency-food-distribution

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Resources

www.sacramentofoodbank.org/find-food
Find food banks by zip code, serving all of Sacramento County:

• Orangevale
• Citrus Heights
• Fair Oaks
• Carmichael
• Gold River
• Sacramento

Tue 12/2: Fire Drill

Thu 12/4: Site Council Meeting

Thu 12/4: PTO Meeting

Mon 12/15- Fri 12/19: Spirit Week

Mon 12/22- Mon 1/5: Winter Break

Tue 1/6: Fire Drill

Mon 1/12: PTO Meeting

Tue 1/13: Lockdown Drill

Mon 1/19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school)

Tue 1/27: Mugs & Muffins

Mon 2/2- Fri 2/6: School Counselor Appreciation Week

Tue 2/3: Fire Drill

Fri 2/6: ELAC Meeting

Mon 2/9 - Fri 2/13: Friendship Week

Thu 2/12: Site Council Meeting

Thu 2/12: PTO Meeting

Mon 3/2- Fri 3/6: School Social Worker Week

Mon 3/2: Read Across America Day

Tue 3/3: Fire Drill

Tue 3/10- Fri 3/13: Parent Conferences (10:55 dismissal)

Thu 3/12: PTO Meeting

Tue 3/24: Mugs & Muffins

Mon 3/30- Fri 4/3: Spring Break

Mon 4/6: School Librarian Appreciation Day

Tue 4/7: Fire Drill

Fri 4/10: Spelling Bee

Mon 4/13: PTO Meeting

Fri 4/17: ELAC Meeting

Mon 4/20- Fri 4/24: Bridges Appreciation Week

Wed 4/22: Administrative Professionals Day

Thu 4/30: Principal Day

Thu 4/30: Lunch Hero Day

Fri 5/1: No School

Mon 5/4: No School

Mon 5/4- Fri 5/8: Staff Appreciation Week

Tue 5/5: Fire Drill

Wed 5/6: School Nurse Day

Thu 5/14: Site Council Meeting

Thu 5/14: PTO Meeting

Fri 5/15: 5th Grade Portrait Day

Mon 5/18: Speech Pathologist Day

Thu 5/21: Open House 4-5:30pm

Fri 5/22: Talent Show

Fri 5/22: Minimum Day (11:55 dismissal)

Mon 5/25: Memorial Day (no school)

Thu 6/4: Water Field Day

Fri 6/5: Kindergarten Promotion

Mon 6/8: 5th Grade Promotion

Tue 6/9: Last Day of School (11:55 dismissal)