Cougar Community News

Highlights of this week include CAASPP testing, C-Bar-C grade-level and Buddies field trips, 3rd grade field trip to a Dairy Farm, and a skate night fundraiser. Also, check out the photos below of our 8th Grade Science Rocket Launches!

Our Third through Eighth Grade classrooms administered their state testing (CAASPP - Smarter Balanced) for English Language Arts. Overall, we have about 60% completion. Students that have been absent or are still working as these tests are not timed will be called for Make-Up sessions with our Intervention Teachers during the week of May 12th or during other open times in the coming week.

THANK YOU for keeping up efforts to have your student arrive to school on time ready to work and follow expectations!

We invite you to come celebrate our school community diversity in our first Cultural Festival. We will be setting up our Quad area with several booths that include activities, food samples, and entertainment from several countries and cultures. We thank our LatinX Club and ELD instructor, Susan Parker for taking the lead on this, and our hardworking staff and PTO for helping make this happen. We are in need of 10 pop-up shade structures. PLEASE reach out to susan.parker@sanjuan.edu if you can loan one

Math CAASPP Testing in 3rd -8th Grades

From 8:10-10:00am most mornings our 3rd-8th grade classes will be completing the Math portion of the California state test this week. Starting Monday, the students will work on the Computer-Adapted Test with multiple choice questions on math concepts. The latter part of the week is devoted to a Performance Task which includes reading word problems and real-world situations deeply and responding with written response that includes mathematical problem solving skills and strategies.

These tests 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. To learn more about the CAASPP system, check the Parent Guides to Understanding at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp

Testing Rules and Expectations

To ensure a fair and accurate assessment of student knowledge and skills, behavior guidelines are to be adhered to. These include:

• Limited disruptions during testing. This includes late arrivals, visitors, and student disruptions. Each classroom will have a reminder at the door. Students are asked to stay in seats, raise a hand for assistance, leave the room for bathroom break or break with permission, maintain respectful words and behaviors. We ask our elementary classes to help by staying quiet in the quad and testing wings.
• No cell phones and electronic devices. Students are required to have their cell phones turned off and stored away during the test. To enforce this expectation, teachers will be collecting cell phones, smart watches, and any other electronic devices in a pocket chart or box. They can be returned after testing, with our current cell phone policy. Middle School Cell Phone Policy Elementary Cell Phone Policy

How can I help my child?

• Remind your child that you and their teacher want them to try their best and that you are there to help them every step of the way.
• Help your student get a good night's rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and be on time to school each morning.
• Visit the Starting Smarter website at https://ca.startingsmarter.org to better understand Student Score Reports, review sample questions, and access resources to support your child’s learning.
• Take a practice test with your child on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress Online Practice and Training Tests web page at https://www.caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html.

Woodside's CAASPP Schedule:

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.

MAY

• Tues. May 6 - Middle School Game Day event 2:30-3:30pm in Room D1
• 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 - Volunteer Appreciation breakfast 7:30am in the Outdoor Learning/Garden (new event), 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 - First Grade Field Trip to Sacramento County Fair, 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
• Wed. May 28 - Middle School SunSplash Field Trip, 9:30am-4:30pm
• 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 8:45am, LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Dismissal at 11:25 for TK/K and 12:00pm 1st-8th

Lunch time clubs remain unchanged: Student Senate & Latin X on Tuesdays, Glee Club on Wednesdays, Diversity Club and Design Club on Thursdays.

After school clubs continue with Nature Watch Science Club on Tuesdays until May 13th. Project Optimism continues until May 15th. Middle School Track is closing out their season with the District Championship on May 8 (at Bella Vista)! We congratulate the following Track Team members who qualified for the District Championship in their races:

Piper Callison – Girls 100

Xavier Redman – Boys 100, Boys 200 & Long Jump

Arlen Navarro – Girls 400 & Long Jump

Jay Reinhard – Girls High Jump & Shot Put

Melody Howery – Girls Shot Put *

Ameilia Parks – Girls Shot Put *

Mel and Amelia tied for 1st in the section finals!

Piper, Arlen, Camila Martinez & Mia Covarrubias, Girls 4X100

Go Cougars!!

ELAC:

We had our final ELAC (English Learner Advisory Committee) meeting on Thursday morning. We had a great turnout with 10 people attending! We answered questions on many topics and helped some families enroll their children in summer school programs.

ELD:

Students are finishing their Cultural Festival posters and decorations this week.

LATINX CLUB:

Students have been making posters and decorations, and planning activities for their booth at the Cultural Festival next week. We will have a Cinco de Mayo celebration at our meeting next Tuesday.

CULTURAL FESTIVAL:

We're one week away from our 1st Annual Woodside Cultural Festival! We hope to see you all on May 8th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. We will have Mexican and Salvadoran food and drinks, pizza, and water for sale. We will have other food and treats to sample as well. Come enjoy the activities and learn about different cultures! PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU CAN LOAN US AN EASY-UP SHADE STRUCTURE FOR THIS EVENT!

What a great turn out for Skate Night last week! Woodside raised $378 from this fundraiser. We are heading into the end of the year, but the PTO is thinking of next year events. If you have any ideas for fundraising or maybe an event send an email to woodsidekto8pto@gmail.com.

Next week is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. A flyer is being sent home on how you can have your student participate next week. All the suggestions are just suggestions and feel free to appreciate teachers or staff in your own way for all the hard work they have done all year.

At our second to last PTO Meeting last week, discussion of the Jog-a-thon rewards concluded with having a Whole School otter-pop party, a KINDERGARTEN Dance Party, and Mrs. Hampton's class with their Buddies will pick the Inflatables for the second Inflatables Race. Dates for these will be coming shortly. The 2025-26 PTO Board voting results were President- Ciara Compton, Vice President- Nicole Goss, Secretary- Ashley Morales, Treasurer- Ken Kruse.

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.

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.

You are invited to join us for several upcoming family engagement events this month open for all district parents, guardians and community members, including:

• FACE FamFest event will take place on Friday, May 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Arden Middle School (1640 Watt Ave, Sacramento). This free family event is a community celebration focused on promoting health, wellness, and ways that families can have fun together. Join us for fun activities such as Sami’s circuit, mini sports clinics, dance, art, adaptive pickleball and more! There will also be a community partner village of resources and the first 150 families in attendance will receive a family gift bag. Additionally, snacks will be available, and families will be entered into fun raffle prize drawing opportunities.

• Families Matter: Summer Learning Resources virtual workshop, Tuesday, May 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom focus on learning about summer programs in the district and community that can support your child’s learning and social-emotional wellness during the summer break. Learn about diverse types of summer programs, family friendly summer activities and practical strategies to support learning at home.

• Understanding Special Education and Your IEP workshop will be on Wednesday, May 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at San Juan High School (7551 Greenback Ln., Citrus Heights). Join us for this informational workshop focused on learning about Special Education and the IEP process, along with tips for preparing and participating in your child’s special education meetings. Attendees will also receive an IEP binder and direct guidance to organize IEP paperwork and supplemental documents. Dinner and childcare assistance will be provided.

You can learn more details about these family engagement opportunities and access our digital family engagement video library at www.sanjuan.edu/familyed or by calling (916) 971-7929.

Greetings Neighbors,

Attached are the minutes from the April 15 CHASEN monthly meeting,

You can view the recorded video here:

https://youtu.be/XLZtiPh0JaU

The next meeting is May 20. See you there!

CHASEN (Citrus Heights Areas 7-8-9) Board

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.