Cougar Community News

Upcoming April Activities:

• Spring Break is next week! NO SCHOOL April 14-18
• Return to school on Monday, April 21st. Dance and Cheer try-outs will be Monday, April 21.
• Dance and Cheer Tamales Fundraiser orders due Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Download an Order Form or pick one up in the office.
• Woodside Jog-a-thon is Friday, April 25th. Details about timing for grade-levels coming soon. Read PTO Notes below to learn more.

APRIL

• April 14-18 - SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL
• Tues. April 22 - SJUSD Board Meeting with Innovative School Update 6:30pm, Dance and Cheer Tamales order forms and money due
• Fri. April 25 - Jog-a-thon/Friendship Friday#2
• April 28-May 2 - CAASPP - ELA administered in Grades 3-8
• Tues. April 29 - PTO Meeting, 4:30pm in Art Room/Design Lab or Zoom LINK HERE
• Wed. April 30 - Woodside's Got Talent Preview Day starting at 2:40 pm in the MP Room

MAY

• Thurs. May 1 - Middle School Event 3:00-5:00pm, PTO Skate Night at Roller King 6:00-8:00pm
• Wed. May 7 - Trimester 3 Progress Reports viewable on Parent Portal
• Thurs. May 8 - Woodside Cultural Festival 5:30-7:00pm
• Wed. May 14 - Woodside's Got Talent! Rehearsal 2:30-4:00pm in the MPR
• Thurs. May 15 - Woodside's Got Talent! performance for families at 6:00pm in MPR
• Fri. May 16 - Woodside's Got Talent! Assembly performance for students at 9:00am, CAASPP closes
• Tues. May 20 - PTO Meeting, 4:30pm in Art Room/Design Lab or Zoom LINK HERE
• Fri. May 23 - Citizenship and End of the Year Awards Assemblies for TK-5th Grade, 3rd-5th 8:30am, TK-2 9:00am
• Mon. May 26 - Memorial Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL
• Fri. May 30 - Fire Drill

JUNE

• Thurs. June 5 - Field Day & Friendship Celebration...more details to come!
• Fri. June 6 - TK Fashion Show 8:30am and Kindergarten Promotion 10:00am
• Mon. June 9 - 6th & 7th Grade Trimester 3 and End-of-the-Year Awards 1:45pm
• Tues. June 10 - 8th Grade Promotion in the morning TBD

ELPAC testing is 100% complete! The students worked hard on their Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking tests and deserve a nice Spring Break!

ELD students will be returning to their regularly scheduled group times when we return from break.

ELAC: Our final meeting will be moved from May 8th to May 1st due to the Cultural Festival being scheduled for May 8th.

Cultural Festival:

SAVE THE DATE! MAY 8TH 5:30-7P.M.

We have many fun activities planned for our Woodside families. Come learn about different cultures and celebrate the diversity of our community!

We will have some entertainment (Taikko drummers and hopefully more). If you are a part of a group, or you know of any singers, dancers, or other cultural entertainment, please let us know.

Ana Julia, grandmother of the Sandoval family, will be preparing freshly made Pupusas, Tamales, Tacos, and Aguas Frescas for sale at a very reasonable price.

We will also have other foods and treats to sample for free and some snacks will be for sale.

Hi Woodside families,

Round Table Pizza fundraiser was a big hit, Woodside earned $512. Thank you to all the families who ordered pizza.

The Jog-a-thon is coming up April 25th the week we get back from spring break. This is always a school favorite because classes get to compete against each other for most laps or money raised. A flyer was sent home soon and signups for parents or anyone to help out or come and cheer on your student. If you would like to make a poster for day of the jog-a-thon we can hang it on the fence for your student to see.

May 1st we have our skate night at RollerKing in Roseville from 6:00-8:00.

The PTO is working hard on creating fun events for the Woodside community and if there are any suggestions for next year you would like to see, you can email us woodsidekto8pto@gmail.com

Thanks,

Nicole

From PTO Nominating Committee: NOMINEES are in! Please read these short biographies of the Woodside PTO Board Nominees for the 2025-2026 School Year. Voting will occur via a Google Form that will be sent out on April 20. Voting will close on April 28th at 5:00pm with one vote per household. The April PTO meeting has been moved to April 29th, where the results of the election will be announced.

Here they are: MEET YOUR PTO BOARD NOMINEES

April is often recognized as "Celebrate Diversity Month", a time to recognize and honor the diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, promoting inclusivity and understanding. "Celebrate Diversity Month" was initiated in 2004 to recognize and honor the diversity surrounding us all. It's a month of powerful observances, from honoring resilience and remembrance to advocating for inclusivity and environmental protection. These events highlight both global awareness days and cultural milestones that encourage reflection, support, and action. The month aims to foster a deeper understanding of each other and to celebrate the differences and similarities that make us stronger as a community.

On our Woodside Celebrating Diversity Bulletin Board, we recognize International Autism Acceptance Day (April 2nd) and World Autism/ Autism Acceptance Month, which celebrates and honors the experiences and identities of Autistic individuals. It emphasizes understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness towards meaningful acceptance.

Other April Celebrations:

• International Day of Pink – April 9: This day stands against bullying, homophobia, transphobia, and all forms of discrimination, with communities worldwide encouraged to wear pink in solidarity. It’s a call for inclusivity and respect, fostering awareness and support for a safer, more accepting world.
• Earth Day – April 22: Earth Day raises global awareness about environmental protection, inspiring action to combat climate change, reduce pollution, and promote sustainability. It’s a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the planet for future generations through conscious, everyday choices.
• National Arab American Heritage Month: During the month of April, the Arab America Foundation formally recognizes the achievements of Arab Americans through the celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). Across the country, cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and non-profit organizations issue proclamations and engage in special events that celebrate our community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions to society.
• National Deaf History Month: The month-long celebration aims to honor the history, culture, and achievements of individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

San Juan Unified is hosting a free, walk-in Fingerprint Clinic on Wednesday, April 16, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The clinic will be at the District Office, located at 3738 Walnut Ave. in Carmichael. We recommend filling out the volunteer verification form before attending, but assistance will also be available on-site if needed. All applicants must bring a valid photo ID. This is a great time to start the process for end-of-year volunteer opportunities.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact volunteer@sanjuan.edu or call (916) 971-7935.

Explore exciting summer program opportunities for students

San Juan Unified is committed to providing summer learning and enrichment opportunities for our students, from Camp Kinder, to Career Technical Education summer enrichment to high school credit recovery.

Families are encouraged to visit here to explore opportunities for their children. The summer program webpage will be updated regularly with new opportunities and information.

Stay informed and engaged with your school district! Students, parents, staff, and community members are encouraged to attend the following meetings:

• Board of Education Meeting – Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Board Room

• Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting – Wednesday, April 30, at the District Office Board Room at 6 p.m.

These meetings are an excellent opportunity to stay informed, share your input, and connect with district leadership.

To keep up to date on all committee meetings or learn more about each committee, visit sanjuan.edu/committees.

San Juan Unified School District is looking forward to launching FamFest on Friday, May 9, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Arden Middle School. FamFest will be full of free fun activities for the whole family – featuring dancing, yoga, art, raffle prizes, Sami’s Circuit and more!

The excitement does not end there. All San Juan Unified families, staff, students and community members are invited to join the San Juan Education Foundation for the Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, May 10 at Arden Middle School, in support of the fundraising efforts for the San Juan Unified Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council Scholarship Program.

Register for FamFest and sign your team up for the Pickleball Tournament today!

This summer, students have the chance to experience math through virtual reality! Our Summer Jump Start to Math Program using Prisms VR invites students to explore real-world problems in immersive environments that make math engaging, meaningful, and fun.

Who: Incoming 9th graders
When: July 7-31st, Mon-Thurs, 8:30-12:30
Where: El Camino High School
Why: To build deeper math understanding, boost confidence, and see how math connects to the world around us

Spots are limited—don’t miss this innovative and exciting learning experience!

Registration and additional information on the flyer below

Enrollment Dates:

Kindergarten Enrollment began February 3! Families with incoming kindergartners can visit www.sanjuan.edu/enrollment to complete their registration.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Lottery began February 10 and the priority window closes March 14. Enrollment is due by April 7. Families with incoming TK students can visit www.sanjuan.edu/TK for information.

Visit our Regional Community Care Hubs for free resources! www.sanjuan.edu/communityresources

• Thursday, April 24, 3:00-4:30 pm - Encina High (1400 Bell Street, Sacramento)

FREE April FACE Family Workshops! www.sanjuan.edu/familyed

• Level up Your Leadership

  Meets on Mondays: April 21 and April 28

  6:30 - 7:30 pm

  District Office Board Room - 3738 Walnut Ave, Carmichael

  
  

  Parent Project - Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior

  Starting on Wednesday, April 23

  Meets weekly on Wednesday from 5:45 - 7:45 pm

  Casa Roble High School - 9151 Oak Ave, Orangevale

  
  

  Talleres Familiares

  Tuesday, April 29

  6:00 - 7:30 pm

  Grand Oaks Elementary - 7901 Rosswood Dr, Citrus Heights

  
  
• Supporting Read Aloud at Home- pre-recorded video in our NEW Family Engagement Video Library at www.sanjuan.edu/familyed under the "Family Engagement Video Library" tab

Find resources, including monthly parent newsletters, family workshops and volunteer information, as well as staff resources, such as our Lending Library of Fun, Outreach Requests, and Digital Resource Library, on our website at www.sanjuan.edu/familyed.

The César Chávez Youth Leadership Conference and Celebration is a free college and career motivational event for junior high, high school and community college students, as well as parents and community members. Taking place on May 10 from 8:00 am-3:00 pm, the goal of this annual conference is to introduce the value of attending college - particularly to individuals who may not be considering higher education due to lack of information or financial resources.

Each year, the conference delivers an engaging program that:

• Nurtures the concept that all individuals are leaders;
• Provides information on the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) admission requirements;
• Provides information on the California Community College (CCC) matriculation and enrollment process; and
• Introduces college success resources and career workforce opportunities in STEM in the public and the private sector.

This free conference averages over 1800 attendees each year, from predominantly low-income and underrepresented backgrounds. Attendees leave empowered, believing they can achieve their goals and knowing the resources available to them to do so.

To learn more and register for free, visit https://diversity.ucdavis.edu/ccylc

No practices or games during Spring Break, 4/14-4/19.

Each spring, students participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).

Depending on your child’s grade, they will take the following tests:

• Students in Grades 3–8 will take English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and Mathematics tests
• Students in Grades 5, 8, and 11 will take a science test

The computer-based tests measure what your child knows and can do.

To learn more about the CAASPP system, go to the California Department of Education Parent

Guides to Understanding webpage at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp

You can become familiar with the testing format and the different types of test questions by looking at the practice or training tests at:

http://www.caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html

Woodside's CAASPP Schedule:

CAST (Science Test for 5th and 8th)

8:10-10AM, April 7-April 10

make-ups or if needed April 11

CAASPP (ELA 3rd-8th)

8:10-10AM, April 28-30 ELA Computer-Adapted Test (CAT)

8:10-10AM, April 30-May 2 ELA Performance Test (PT)

CAASPP (Math 3rd-8th)

8:10-10AM, May 5-7 Math Computer-Adapted Test (CAT)

8:10-10AM, May 8-9 Math Performance Test (PT)

Make-Ups for CAST and CAASPP 8:10-10AM

May 12-May 16

Please note that testing is scheduled for mornings. Try to refrain from scheduling appointments these mornings, and help to get your student to school on time for best performance.

Why it matters:
CAASPP tests are given statewide. They provide an opportunity to measure the skills of all students against the same academic standards, ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation. The results provide information that schools can use to improve teaching and learning and ensure students graduate college and career-ready. We appreciate all Site Coordinators for their careful planning of test administration and all teachers who support and encourage students.

Greeting Neighbors,

• The goats are returning to help with weed abatement in the open spaces between Bonnie Oak and Twin Oaks/Moss Oak from April 30-June 13 (weather permitting). See the attached map. Residents in the immediate area will receive a letter with more details.

• The City will hold a public meeting on April 23, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. to review and provide direction on a proposal to the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan. This is the Sunrise Mall proposal we heard about from Ethan Conrad. The meeting will be at the Citrus Heights Council Chambers, 6360 Fountain Square Drive. More information here:
  http://www.sunrisetomorrow.net/1009/Sunrise-Tomorrow-Specific-Plan

• The city is planning pedestrian/bicycle and roadway improvements along Old Auburn Rd. and Wachtel Way. You can participate in a community workshop to share your thoughts. See the attached flier and this Website:
  https://www.citrusheights.net/1343/Gateway-Activation-Project-GAP

Please join us for our monthly CHASEN Areas 7-8-9 meeting:

7:00 PM Tuesday, April 15

Foundation Christian Church

In this meeting:

• Citrus Height Police IMPACT Detectives will provide an update of crime for the city and our area.

  Guest Speaker

  • Darnell Dumas and Rochelle Disney (Habitat for Humanity - Learn about the planned multi-home construction in the Sayonara Drive Community

  See attached agenda and flyer for more info. Invite your neighbors!

Office phone - (916) 971-5216

Mrs. Taylor Gonzales-Moore, Secretary - taylor.gonzalesmoore@sanjuan.edu

Mrs. Ana Johnson, Clerk - ana.johnson@sanjuan.edu

Mrs. Deb Johnston, Vice Principal - debra.johnston@sanjuan.edu

Mrs. Beth Wahl, Principal - ewahl@sanjuan.edu

Facebook Woodside TK-8

SJUSD NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The San Juan Unified School District Board of Education is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in district programs and activities. District programs, activities and services shall be free from unlawful discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, and/or bullying based on actual or perceived characteristics of race or ethnicity, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information, or on the basis of a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For questions or complaints, please contact Equity Compliance Officer: Linda C. T. Simlick, General Counsel, 3738 Walnut Avenue, Carmichael, CA 95608, (916) 971- 7110, LegalServices@sanjuan.edu; Title IX Coordinator: Katie Fabel, Legal Analyst/Title IX Coordinator, 3738 Walnut Avenue, Carmichael, CA 95608, (916) 971-7110, TitleIX@sanjuan.edu; Section 504 Coordinator: Dominic Covello, Director, Student Support Services, 3738 Walnut Avenue, Carmichael, CA 95608, (916) 971-7220, DCovello@sanjuan.edu.