Collegewood Connection: August 2025

Dear Collegewood Families,

Welcome to a brand new school year at Collegewood Elementary! I’m honored to serve as your Interim Principal for the 2025–2026 school year. Over the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside our amazing staff as the Elementary Learning Specialist, and I’ve seen firsthand the heart, dedication, and joy that define our school community.

As we begin this new chapter together, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement. Our theme this year, “Every Step Counts,” reminds us that each moment, each act of kindness, and each connection we build contributes to the incredible journey our students are on.

Together—with your partnership and support—I look forward to continuing the strong traditions of Collegewood while embracing fresh energy and new faces. Let’s make every step count for our kids!

With Cougar Pride,

Mrs. Jessica Cadena
Interim Principal
Collegewood Elementary

jcadena@wvusd.org

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year. Collegewood is continuing with an online Data Confirmation process for all students by using the Aeries Parent Portal. To view your child's classroom placement for the 2025-2026 school year, you will need to complete Data Confirmation. The Parent Portal will open for Data Confirmation on August 1st, 2025. Data Confirmation is required to update student enrollment information and for the school to have the most current contact, address, and health information.

Parents must update all student, parent, and additional contact information before the first day of school. This is the only information that will be utilized to make contact with a parent in the event of an emergency. It is required for all returning students AND new students each school year.

You may begin the Data Confirmation process now.

Upon completion, you will be able to view your child’s teacher assignment on the Parent Portal beginning August 7th at 5:00 PM.

Data Confirmation must be completed by the first week of school. You must click “Confirm & Continue” after each page until it indicates “Thank you for confirming the student data in the system”. No need to print the “Final Data Confirmation” page.

Click here for a TUTORIAL

Step 1 – Access Your Aeries Parent Portal Account:

The first step in the process is to access the Aeries Parent Portal account by going to https://parents.wvusd.k12.ca.us/aeries.net and signing in. Please use the primary email address and phone number you have on file with us. If you’ve forgotten your password, you can reset it by clicking “Forgot Password?”. If you are creating a new account, be sure to use the primary email on file and select “Parent” account. If the system asks you for a “verification code”, you are using the incorrect email address.

Families new to Collegewood can refer to the email sent when you initially registered. That email address will be the primary email on file.

Step 2 – Online Re-Registration:

Once you access your parent portal account, you may complete the online re-registration/data confirmation process. When you log in, you will see a yellow bar indicating “You have not yet completed the Student Data Confirmation Process”. Click on the link to begin OR select “Student Information” in the drop-down menu above and select “Data Confirmation”. You may begin the process with the first page. Read all the instructions and information on each page. Please make sure you update all contacts. You must click “Confirm & Continue” after each page until you reach the seventh page, the Final Data Confirmation Page.

Step 3 – Final Data Confirmation:

Once you click “Finish & Submit” after each page, you will reach the final page, indicating “Thank you for confirming the student data in the system”. No need to print the “Final Data Confirmation” page. You have now completed the 2025-2026 Data Confirmation process. Thank you.

If you need assistance with this process, please contact the office by phone or email starting August 5, 2025.

Class placements will be available in Aeries on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM.

We’re excited to welcome you to Back to School Night on Thursday, August 7, 2025! Please see the schedule below.

Back to School Night is a wonderful opportunity for the caring adults in our Cougars’ lives to hear directly from their child’s teacher about the year ahead. To help make the most of this informative evening, this will be an adults-only event.

Childcare will be available in the MPR for families who need it.
Children must be able to use the restroom independently.
If you plan to use our childcare, please complete the form here: https://forms.gle/nqLWU9Q2wFmMYemh9

The first day of school is Monday, August 11, 2025, and will be a Minimum Day.

Dismissal times are as follows:

• TK/Kindergarten – 11:25 AM

• Grades 1–5 – 11:35 AM

Families are welcome to walk their students to class on the first day.

All TK, Kindergarten, and new families are invited to join us for our Boo Hoo Breakfast at 8:45 AM in the MPR. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our school, connect with other families, and hear from our AMAZING Community Club!

Please note that some of the lists indicate the 2024-2025 school year; however, the lists have remained the same and are updated for this current school year.

We are thrilled to introduce the talented educators joining our Collegewood community for the 2025-2026 school year.

New Staff Members:

• Ms. Simone Sevilla - Title 1 Specialist
• Mrs. Nirali Valani - 3rd Grade Teacher
• Mrs. Susan Tang - 4th Grade Teacher
• Ms. Natalia Castro - 4th Grade Teacher
• Ms. Carolyn Campbell - TK Teacher
• Mrs. Jen Del Rio - Returning to Collegewood SDC Teacher
• Mrs. Jackie Brown- Interim ELS

Internal Role Transitions:

• Mrs. Stephanie Bauer - Moving from 4th Grade to Cotsen Mentor
• Mr. Roman Nunez - Transitioning from Intervention to 2nd Grade Teacher
• Ms. Sarah Lu- Moving from 2nd Grade to 3rd Grade

We look forward to the positive impact they will have on our learning community and encourage families to connect with our new and transitioning staff members as they settle into their roles.

We know mornings can be busy—getting kids out the door, heading to work, juggling multiple drop-offs—and we truly appreciate your partnership in helping keep our school safe and running smoothly.

To ensure the safety of all students and staff, please follow these important traffic guidelines:

🚗 Drop-off and Pick-up Guidelines:

• Use the white zone only for drop-off and pick-up.

• Stay in your vehicle while in the white zone—this area is for quick transitions, not parking.

• If you need to park, please use the neighborhood streets and avoid blocking driveways. Be kind to our neighbors!

🚫 Reminders:

• Do not use the red zone for drop-off or pick-up. It’s illegal and puts students at risk.

• Avoid U-turns near crosswalks—these areas are clearly marked and U-turns can be very dangerous.

• Please treat staff members assisting with traffic with respect. They are there to protect our students.

🕖 Make Your Mornings Easier:
Supervision begins at 7:35 AM in the Courtyard, so feel free to drop off a little earlier to reduce stress and beat the rush.

As a working mom myself, I understand the hustle. But let’s all commit to slowing down, being patient, and making safety our top priority. A few extra minutes can make a big difference.

Together, we can make Collegewood safer—and a little less hectic—for everyone.
Thank you for your continued support!

• Thursday, August 7, 2025

  • Back to School Night (see schedule above)

• Monday, August 11, 2025

  • First Day of School

  • Minimum Day

    • TK/Kindergarten Dismissal: 11:25 AM

    • Grades 1–5 Dismissal: 11:35 AM

  • Boo Hoo Breakfast – 8:45 AM in the MPR
    (For TK, Kindergarten, and new families/caring adults)

• Tuesday, August 12, 2025

  • Minimum Day – TK ONLY

• Wednesday, August 13, 2025

  • Minimum Day – TK ONLY

  • College Wear Wednesday

• Thursday, August 14, 2025

  • Early Release for ALL students

    • TK/Kindergarten Dismissal: 11:30 AM

    • Grades 1–5 Dismissal: 12:35 PM

• Friday, August 15, 2025

  • Minimum Day – TK ONLY

  • Spirit Assembly – Students are encouraged to wear a Collegewood shirt or blue/yellow to show their Cougar pride

• Monday, August 18, 2025

  • Minimum Day – TK ONLY

  • Happy Birthday, Mrs. Nouse!

• Tuesday, August 19, 2025

  • Minimum Day – TK ONLY

  • Fire Drill

• Wednesday, August 20, 2025

  • Minimum Day – TK ONLY

  • College Wear Wednesday

  • Community Club Meeting- All are welcome!

• Thursday, August 21, 2025

  • Early Release for ALL students

    • TK/Kindergarten Dismissal: 11:30 AM

    • Grades 1–5 Dismissal: 12:35 PM

• Friday, August 22, 2025

  • First Full Day for TK

  • Coffee with Mrs. Cadena – Save the Date

• Wednesday, August 27, 2025

  • College Wear Wednesday

• Thursday, August 28, 2025

  • Early Release for ALL students

    • TK/Kindergarten Dismissal: 11:30 AM

    • Grades 1–5 Dismissal: 12:35 PM

• Sunday, August 31, 2025

  • Happy Birthday, Ms. Moffa!