Welcome Back to School
August 9, 2026
📝 Message from Dr. Johnson
Welcome Wood Families to the 2026–27 School Year!
At Wood Elementary, we take pride in being A School with a Heart. This year, we are embracing a theme of Joy—a celebration of kindness, connection, and learning with love. Whether you are returning to Wood after a wonderful summer or joining our school family for the very first time, we are absolutely thrilled to welcome you to our community!
We remain fully committed to Wood’s core mission: Success for ALL Learners!
This year, our theme of Joy reminds us that learning is a heartfelt journey—filled with exciting discoveries, heartwarming milestones, and endless opportunities to uplift one another and grow together.
The Wood Staff and I look forward to partnering with your family to make this a school year full of happiness, achievement, and inspiration for every child. Together, we’ll create a supportive environment where students can grow, thrive, and share their unique gifts.
At this time, Wood Elementary is proud to be home to 375 amazing students—each one ready to fill our school with enthusiasm, love, and brightness!
"We need joy as we need air." — Maya Angelou
📅 This week at Wood...
Tuesday - 8/11
TK/K Camp 9-11am
Wednesday - 8/12
TK/K Camp 9-11am
Thursday - 8/13
TK/K Camp 9-11am
RSVP to attend TK/K camp here --> Wood TK/K Camp 2026
⛺ TK/Kinder Camp
RSVP for Camp
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! To kick off the school year, we would like to invite your TK/Kindergarten students to Wood’s TK & K Camp this week. This will be a fun way to make friends and meet some of the Wood staff.
The camp will be held on August 11, 12, 13 from 9:00am - 11:00am at Wood Elementary School. Your child can come for all 3 days, 2 or 1 day. If you are interested in having your child attend the camp, please RSVP by filling out this TK & K Camp Google form. If you have any questions regarding the camp, please be sure to include it in the Google form.
Camp Info From TK & K Teachers
Dear Incoming Wood TK Families,
We are very excited that you've signed up your child for our TK Camp. This is a fun way to ease into the school year. It will allow us to get to know your child, as well as allow you and your child to get to know our school.
Camp is from 9-11am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (August 11-13). You can drop off your child at 8:45am. We will be on the TK playground that is just to the left of the main gates. Please walk your child to the TK Playground. Our TK teachers will be there to meet you.
Please send a small snack and water each day.
We will ask that you say your "goodbyes" or "see you laters" around 9:00. Parents do not stay for camp. You will be able to pick up your child at 11:00. We ask that you walk into the TK playground to pick up your child.
If your child is going to the YMCA next week, please let the YMCA know this information so they know when to drop off and pick up your child.
Feel free to email us, if you have any questions.
See you then!
Wood TK Teachers
👀 Looking Ahead
Fall 2026 Afterschool Enrichment Programs
August
8/19 - Welcome Back Popsicle Party hosted by Wood PTA 3pm
8/20 - First day of school - TK & K dismissed at 12pm
8/20-21 - TK & K Dismissed at 12pm
8/25 - PTA Fundraiser at Bruster's
8/26 - Early out Wednesdays - grades 1-5 dismissed at 2:27pm
Important Save the Dates:
9/10 - Back to School Night - grades 1-5 dismissed at 2:12pm
11/6 - Fall Picture Day (Retake day 12/9)
🔔 Bell Schedule
First Day of School -
The first day of school is Thursday, August 20. The campus opens for students to eat breakfast and play on the playground at 8:30 AM every morning. Families will be allowed on campus the first two days to walk their children to the room - we will begin saying goodbye at the gate on Monday, August 24.
August 20-21 Schedule
The beginning of a new school year is always filled with mixed emotions of excitement and nervousness. In order to provide our TK/K students an opportunity to smoothly transition to elementary school, the first week of school will end at 11:59.
TK & Kindergarten 8:59 -- 11:59
1st - 3rd grades 8:59 -- 3:12
4th - 5th grades 8:50 -- 3:12
Regular Bell Schedule begins Monday, August 24 -
8:30 AM Campus opens/Breakfast begins for all grades
8:50 AM SCHOOL STARTS – Grades 4th-5th
8:59 AM SCHOOL STARTS – Grades TK-3rd
10:15-10:30 AM RECESS – Grade TK
10:30-10:45 AM RECESS - Grades K – 5th
11:45-12:30 PM LUNCH – TK-2nd
12:30-1:15 PM LUNCH – 3rd-5th
1:59 PM DISMISSAL – TK & K
2:00–2:10 PM RECESS – Grades 1st – 5th
3:12 PM DISMISSAL – Grades 1st – 5th
2:27 PM PLC EARLY OUT WEDNESDAYS for grades 1st-5th
🚨 Annual TUSD PowerSchool Registration & Meal Application
26-27 PowerSchool Registration is now open for new and returning students!
How to Register:
Log in via Parent Account: ps.tusd.org (Forgot credentials? Use the "Forgot Username or Password?" link on the login page.)
Click your student’s name below the PowerSchool logo.
Click "Returning Student Registration" to open the forms.
Update contact info and medical history, and review the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.
Click "Submit" (you will receive a confirmation email).
Repeat for any additional students.
Adding a Student or New Registration:
You will need the student's Access ID and Password (previously emailed to listed parents/guardians). Please send an email to woodadmin@tusd.org if you have not received this information.
If you are new to Torrance Unified, click here follow the site instructions to create a new parent/guardian account.
Need Help? Contact Nilza or Kathy in the office at 310-533-4484 for PowerSchool login assistance or email woodadmin@tusd.org
🥪TUSD Meal Application
Great news! ALL Wood students will receive FREE daily breakfast and lunch this year through the California Universal Meals Program. Please complete the Universal Benefits Application form to help ensure our school continues to receive this benefit.
This is due shortly after the start of school. We would greatly appreciate your help filling out this form to ensure our Woodchucks continue to receive free meals and other benefits.
Please refer to TUSD Nutrition Services for more information and additional benefits.
📣 PTA News
🍧 PTA Popsicle Party
📝 Office Notes
Back to School Night -
Please save the date of Thursday, September 10, 2026.
It is a minimum day of school. TK and Kindergartners will be dismissed at the regular time of 1:59, but 1st through 5th graders will get out an hour earlier at 2:12 pm.
This is an important time for parents/guardians to hear about your child's school year. Classes will be open as follows:
6:00 - 6:30 grades TK/K/1/2
6:30 - Welcome, Introductions and PTA Assoc Meeting in cafe
7:00 - 7:30 grades 3/4/5
Class Assignments -
Tentative classroom assignments will be accessed through PowerSchool starting Monday, August 17. Class assignments are tentative and will not be finalized until after the first five days of school. Due to the amount of considerations that are taken into account to create balanced classes for the upcoming school year, requests/changes will not be accepted. We have a hard-working staff that will work with you and your child to ensure a successful school year.
Volunteers -
To truly reap the benefits of a strong home-school connection, I hope you will consider joining us as a volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out a TUSD District Volunteer Application.
All volunteers will need to sign in the Raptor Management System in the office and wear a printed sticker when on campus.
✅ Attendance Office Notes
🤒 Reporting Absences
It's easy to report absences because we have so many options available:
Email: woodattendance@tusd.org
Online form: Wood Elementary Absence Notification
Website: https://www.tusd.org/schools/wood and click on Report an Absence
Call: 310-533-4484
✍🏻 Sign-In Reminders
We appreciate your partnership in keeping our campus secure. Please remember the following procedures for student arrivals:
Late arrivals: If your student arrives after 9:30 a.m., please accompany them to the front office to sign them in.
Returning during the school day: If your student is returning from an appointment, you must also come to the front office to sign them back into school.
How to sign your student in/out: Scan the QR code at the front desk or posted in the Health Office with your phone. Thank you for helping us protect the planet by reducing paper usage.
🤔 Attendance Questions?
Do you have questions like…
What qualifies as an Excused Absence?
How do I know if my child is too sick to attend school?
What is an UNEXCUSED Absence?
What if my student needs to be absent more than 3 days in a row?
Then click on https://www.tusd.org/schools/wood/families/attendance for all the answers.
🏫 Afterschool Programs
ELOP
We are excited to have ELOP on campus again this year. Please make sure to complete the meal application in order to determine eligibility. Additionally, you must apply (or reapply) on PowerSchool for ELOP every year. If interested in ELOP and your family meets eligibility, please checkout the website.
ELOP inquiries please contact:
Jill Villalpando (Office Assistant)
Email: elop.wood@tusd.org
Phone: (626)757-5362
YMCA Before & Afterschool Care
The Before and After School Childcare programs are licensed child care programs operated by the Torrance-South Bay YMCA. The programs are located on-campus and offer before-school care opening at 7:00 AM and after-school care until 6:00 PM.
💻 Wood Social Media Accounts
📞 Have Questions? Contact Us!
Website: https://www.tusd.org/schools/wood
Address: 2250 W 235th St. Torrance, CA 90501
General Questions: woodadmin@tusd.org
Attendance Office: woodattendance@tusd.org
Office Phone #: 310-533-4484