PJUSD Newsletter

Dear PJUSD Parents, Staff, and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well.

With the arrival of March, we are entering an important stretch of the academic year. Across our schools, educators remain focused on maintaining strong instructional momentum as they prepare students for the final months of learning and growth.

As the spring season becomes increasingly busy, we also encourage families to help students maintain a healthy balance among academics, activities, and personal well-being. Ensuring students get adequate rest, remain engaged in school, and feel comfortable communicating about how they are doing can make a meaningful difference in their overall success.

This time of year also offers an opportunity to recognize students' progress while continuing to emphasize strong instruction, active engagement, and consistent attendance. Our educators and staff remain dedicated to ensuring every student has the support and opportunities needed to thrive.

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us provide a safe, supportive, and high-quality educational experience for all students.

Dr. Reyes Gauna

Our district hosted its second Walking and Talking Instructional Event of the year. Teachers, administrators, staff, and parents visited classrooms across the district to observe effective teaching and engage in meaningful conversations about strengthening instruction and supporting student learning. These collaborative experiences reflect our ongoing commitment to professional growth and ensuring every PJUSD student receives a high-quality education.

Patterson Joint Unified School District invites parents, staff, students, and community members to participate in the upcoming LCAP Advisory Committee Meeting. This meeting provides an opportunity for stakeholders to share feedback and help shape the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), which guides district goals and funding priorities.

The meeting will take place Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. at the PJUSD Professional Development Center (530 Keystone Blvd.). A Spanish-language session will be held Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. at the same location. Community participation is encouraged, and your input helps ensure our district continues to meet the needs of all students.

RSVP at: https://bit.ly/LCAPRSVP

Visit our district's News & Announcements page to explore "Our Promise Features"

Each month, this section will shine a light on the people, programs, and initiatives that make a difference across our District. From staff who go above and beyond, to programs that support student success, and initiatives that help us fulfill our PJUSD Promise, these stories remind us of the incredible work happening in our schools.

For this month’s Promise Feature, learn how our very own Special Education Department, and the programs, services, and events they provide like Special Olympics, help ensure every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

Our District has officially partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Stanislaus County to help expand early literacy opportunities for PJUSD families. Through this program, children from birth to age five can receive a free, age-appropriate book mailed directly to their home each month at no. The program supports early literacy and encourages a lifelong love of reading, with books available in both English and Spanish to help families build strong reading habits at home.

If you are interested in signing up your child (ages 0–5), please complete the attached registration form and mail it directly to the address listed on the application, or return the completed form to your child’s school.

Last fall, our district secured more than $1.8 million in new grant funding to expand student opportunities and strengthen Career Technical Education (CTE), student wellness, and college and career pathways.

Highlights include:

• Beam Circular Bioeconomy & Wet Lab Grant ($134,774): Expanding middle school Agriculture at CMS and improving Ag facilities at PHS.

• CCAP Grant ($100,000): Growing dual enrollment with Modesto Junior College so PHS students can earn college credit and increase college and career readiness.

• Restorative Practices Grant ($100,000): Expanding programs at PHS and CMS focused on accountability, repairing harm, improving attendance, and reducing suspensions.

• K–12 Strong Workforce Grant ($900,000 over two years): Launching middle school Ag courses and expanding high school pathways tied to certifications, college credit, and workforce experience.

• CTE Incentive Grants ($532,340 combined) and Perkins Grant ($48,652): Strengthening high-quality CTE programs districtwide.

• Bridgestone Adaptive Sports Grant ($25,000): Expanding Special Olympics to include Soccer in 2026 and modernizing adaptive equipment.

• NAMI Mini Grants ($2,000) and SPIE Mini Grant ($1,200): Supporting student wellness clubs and leadership opportunities in Trucking/Logistics.

We are also pleased to share that our application has passed Phase I of the $1.5 million CTE Facilities Grant, which would modernize Agriculture facilities at PHS to better support industry-aligned learning.

In addition to these awards, our district manages over $2.1 million in active grant programs and is always in pursuit of new funding aligned with our PJUSD Promise of Unlocking Potential and Empowering Lives.

In today’s connected world, our students are not only learners in classrooms—they are citizens in digital communities. Just as we teach respect, responsibility, and kindness on campus, we must reinforce those same values online.

Digital citizenship is more than knowing how to use technology. It is about using it ethically, safely, and with empathy. Every post, comment, image, and message contributes to a student’s digital footprint and, more importantly, impacts real people on the other side of the screen.

One of the most serious challenges we face is online bullying. Words typed in seconds can cause lasting emotional harm. Unlike traditional conflicts, digital harassment can follow a student home, circulate widely, and remain visible long after the initial incident. The effects can include anxiety, depression, loss of confidence, and disengagement from school and peers. What may feel like a joke to one student can be deeply painful to another.

As technology evolves, so do the risks. Artificial intelligence tools now make it possible to create realistic images, audio, and videos of individuals—sometimes without their knowledge or consent. Creating or sharing AI-generated videos or altered images of students or staff as a joke, prank, or form of retaliation is not harmless. It can damage reputations, undermine trust, and cause significant emotional harm. Even if the content is fabricated, the impact on the targeted individual is very real. Using technology to impersonate, embarrass, or harass others is a serious violation of our community standards and may carry disciplinary consequences.

We encourage families to partner with us in reinforcing 5 key principles:

1. Pause before posting. Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
   
   
2. Protect privacy. Personal information and images should be shared thoughtfully.
   
   
3. Verify before sharing. Not everything online is authentic—even realistic videos can be manipulated.
   
   
4. Speak up. Report harmful behavior and support peers who may be targeted.
   
   
5. Model respect. Adults set the tone—our digital habits matter.

At Patterson Joint Unified School District, we are committed to fostering a culture where students feel safe, valued, and respected—both in person and online. By working together, we can ensure that technology remains a tool for learning, creativity, and connection—not harm.

Let’s continue building a community where every student has the opportunity to live, learn, and grow with dignity—on campus and in every digital space they enter.

February attendance results are in, and we are proud of the strong effort across our District.

Our average attendance for February was 92.75%, an increase of 1.85% compared to last year. Thank you to our students, families, and staff for continuing to make attendance a priority.

Congratulations to Grayson, which had the highest attendance rate in the district at 95.96% for the month.

Creekside placed 2nd with 93.66%, followed by Northmead in 3rd with 93.39%.

Grayson also earned the G.O.A.T. necklace for the largest attendance gain from January to February, improving by 2.87%. Great work, Grayson students, staff, and families!

Thank you to all of our families who allowed their children to participate in the annual California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) and who completed the Parent Survey. Your feedback helps guide important district decisions that support student well-being, safety, and success. Families often ask what the survey tells us about students’ experiences at school. This year’s results show many positive outcomes.

At the elementary level, 93% of students reported feeling connected to their school, meaning they feel like they belong and have supportive adults around them. Ninety-six percent of students said they feel safe at school and traveling to and from campus. Eighty-seven percent reported that teachers help them build important skills such as empathy, responsibility, and emotional awareness, and 83% said bullying is not tolerated and that staff step in to help.

At the secondary level, 85% of students reported feeling connected to their school and 90% said they have at least one caring adult on campus they can turn to for support. Ninety-one percent of students reported feeling safe at school. In addition, 19% of students reported experiencing bullying, including rumors or online bullying, at least once.

We appreciate our families for partnering with us. Your participation helps us better understand student experiences and continue building safe, supportive schools for every student.

Our School Nurses would like to remind families about important student health requirements and resources. California Education Code requires schools to conduct periodic health screenings for students, including hearing and vision checks when students enter a California school district and at specific grade levels throughout their school years. If a potential concern is identified during a screening, parents or guardians will be notified so they can follow up with their healthcare provider.

If your student has an injury such as a sprain, strain, or fracture that requires activity restrictions, the school must receive a doctor’s note in order to modify or excuse participation in activities such as physical education. Students may provide up to three parent notes per semester for short-term excuses, but longer restrictions require medical documentation.

School nurses are also a valuable resource for families who may need help navigating health insurance or accessing medical care. If you have questions about screenings, medical documentation, or need assistance connecting with services, please contact your child’s school and ask to speak with the school nurse. Our health staff is here to support students and families.

Patterson Joint Unified School District, in partnership with Without Permission, Love Patterson, and Invest In Me, invites families and community members to attend a Human Trafficking 101 presentation. This important event will provide information on how to recognize the signs of human trafficking, understand the risks facing youth, and learn how our community can work together to prevent exploitation.

The presentation will take place on March 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the PJUSD Professional Development Center, located at 530 Keystone Blvd. Childcare for ages 2–10 will be available, Spanish interpretation will be provided, and refreshments will be offered.

Community members are encouraged to attend and learn how we can work together to support and protect our youth. Please use the QR code on the flyer to register for this training.

PJUSD families are invited to join us for this month’s Parent Café on Wednesday, March 11 from 5:00–6:30 p.m. at the District Office PDC-2 (530 Keystone Blvd., Patterson). This session will feature presenters from Stanislaus County’s Workforce Development program, who will share valuable information about local workforce opportunities, available services and resources, and strategies to help individuals build the skills needed for career advancement.

Childcare will be provided so families can fully participate. Parents are encouraged to bring a notebook, invite a friend or family member, and enjoy a cup of coffee while connecting with others and learning about opportunities that support families and our community.

We are excited to announce the recipients of our March 2026, "PJUSD Promise Awards:"

Certificated - Jasbindar Singh (Creekside Middle School)

Classified - Theresa Cagle (Apricot Valley Elementary School)

PJUSD is hiring! Check out or Edjoin page to see current open positions in our District: https://bit.ly/pjusdedjoin

If you or someone you know is interested, please reach out to: Katie Jones at kajones@patterson.k12.ca.us or Delia Salinas at dsalinas@patterson.k12.ca.us for more information.

Website: https://www.patterson.k12.ca.us
Location: 510 Keystone Boulevard, Patterson, CA, USA
Phone: 209-895-7700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJUSD95363
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattersonschools