PJUSD Newsletter

Dear PJUSD Parents, Staff, and Community,

As we enter April, we look forward to a well-deserved Spring Break from April 3–10. I hope this time provides our students, staff, and families an opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy time together. We look forward to welcoming students and staff back on Monday, April 13, ready to finish the year strong.

Upon our return, state testing will begin. We encourage families to support students by ensuring consistent attendance, healthy routines, and a positive mindset. Simple strategies such as getting a good night’s rest, arriving on time, and offering encouragement can make a meaningful difference in student confidence and performance.

As we move into the final stretch of the school year, we remain focused on strong instruction, student engagement, and celebrating the many accomplishments across our schools. Together, we will continue working toward a successful close to another great year.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

We were proud to host our recent LCAP Advisory Committee meetings in both English and Spanish, creating a welcoming space for all families in our community.

It was inspiring to see so many parents and community members come out, engage with our district teams, and learn more about the important work happening across departments. Even more meaningful was the opportunity to hear directly from our families. Their voices, ideas, and feedback are essential in shaping the future of our schools.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make these meetings a success. Your partnership makes a difference!

Greetings from the Educational Services Department. As we return from Spring Break, we want to share a brief overview of the state assessments students will be taking, along with important testing dates.

Students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11 will participate in the CAASPP assessments in English language arts and mathematics. Science assessments are administered in grades 5 and 8, as well as once during high school. Some students may take alternate versions of these assessments based on their individual learning needs. The CAASPP testing window is April 13 through May 8, 2024.

Students whose first language is not English will also participate in the ELPAC assessment, which measures English language development and helps monitor student progress. The ELPAC testing window is currently open and will continue through the last week of school.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact your school site.

We’re excited to share that the PHS Cosmetology/Barbering Salon will soon be opening to the community. Our senior students have completed their training and are ready to begin offering services as part of their hands-on learning experience.

We will start with a soft opening for students and staff after Spring Break, with plans to open fully to the public during Summer School.

Students are trained to provide a range of hair, face, and nail services. A full list of services, along with pricing and booking information, will be available on the district website.

Appointments will be scheduled through Square or by calling the PHS Salon and will be available during designated class times, before school, 8th period, and after school. All services are offered at reduced prices, and payments will be made by credit or debit card; cash will not be accepted.

As part of this student program, all clients will be asked to sign a Release of Liability acknowledging that services are performed by students in training.

All funds generated through salon services will be reinvested into the program to support supplies and student learning.

More information will be shared soon on the PHS Salon page in the Community section of the district website.

West Valley paraprofessional Rosa Zavala recently demonstrated exceptional care and quick thinking when she performed the Heimlich maneuver to assist one of our preschoolers, Wyatt, during an emergency. Thanks to her calm response and training, Wyatt is safe and doing well.

At Patterson USD, student safety is a top priority. All West Valley staff have access to CPR and First Aid training every two years through our October Professional Development Day, and State Preschool staff like Rosa are required to maintain certification.

Rosa and Wyatt were all smiles when they were recently pictured together at the West Valley Easter Egg Hunt. We are incredibly proud of Rosa and the dedication our staff show every day.

As our students spend more time learning and connecting online, we want to partner with you to help ensure their digital experiences are safe, productive, and positive. By working together, we can support students in building strong habits that keep them secure while they explore and learn in the digital world.

One important step is keeping devices up to date. Software updates do more than add new features. They often include important security improvements that protect against the latest online threats. Enabling automatic updates on tablets, laptops, and smartphones helps make sure your child’s device always has the strongest protection in place.

It is also important to encourage smart sharing. Remind your student that what is posted online can last a long time. Being responsible online means thinking carefully before sharing personal information, photos, or comments. A helpful guideline is to only share things they would feel comfortable saying or showing to a large group of people. Promoting kindness and respect in digital spaces is just as important as it is in person.

Creating a safe digital environment at home can also make a big difference. Setting clear expectations, using available parental controls, and keeping devices in common areas can help families stay involved in their child’s online activities. Taking time to ask your child about their favorite apps or games is a simple way to stay connected and guide them toward safe choices.

Online safety is not a one time conversation, but an ongoing one. Thank you for partnering with us to support and protect our students in every environment.

Our IT team had a great time connecting with students at Walnut Grove Elementary Career Day, sharing a behind the scenes look at the important work they do to keep our district running smoothly. From maintaining and repairing devices to supporting daily technology needs, they helped students learn about careers in information technology and the skills it takes to succeed in this growing field.

March attendance results are in, and we are proud of the continued effort across our District.

Our average attendance for March was 92.92%, a slight increase of 0.02% 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 96.12% for the month.

Walnut Grove placed 2nd with 94.04%, followed by Northmead in 3rd with 93.88%.

Las Palmas earned the G.O.A.T. necklace for the largest attendance gain from February to March, improving by 1.56%. Great work, Las Palmas students, staff, and families!

Stanford Study Opportunity for Families

Stanford University School of Medicine is currently conducting a research study and is seeking participants. Families with children under the age of 12 who have type 1 diabetes are invited to take part in the BEAD T1D Young Study, which focuses on understanding the experiences of children and families navigating diabetes and the use of diabetes technology.

Participants may choose to complete brief surveys lasting approximately 15 to 25 minutes, and some may also be invited to join a focus group lasting up to an hour and a half. Families will be compensated for their time and participation. The study is available in both English and Spanish.

Families who are interested can access the electronic screener here: https://redcap.stanford.edu/surveys/?s=PW9N7CNEJFKWWEMP

For additional information, please email beadt1dstanford@stanford.edu. For questions regarding participant rights, concerns, or complaints, please call 1 866 680 2906.

We encourage you to share this opportunity with any families who may be interested or eligible.

April is National Stress Awareness Month and a reminder that kids feel stress too. Schoolwork, friendships, activities, and changes at home can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Some signs to watch for include changes in mood, sleep or appetite, trouble focusing, or physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches.

There are simple ways you can help. Keep communication open and create space for your child to talk. Stick to consistent routines to help them feel secure. Encourage healthy habits like good sleep, regular meals, and physical activity. Teach simple coping skills such as deep breathing, taking breaks, or journaling. Try to avoid overscheduling so your child has time to rest. Most importantly, model healthy ways of handling stress.

If your child’s stress feels overwhelming or doesn’t go away, reach out to your child’s school for support.

Together, we can help our children build resilience, confidence, and the skills they need to thrive.

Our District, in partnership with the Center for Human Services and First 5 Stanislaus, invites families to a special evening of connection and community. Join us on Wednesday, April 15, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at 530 Keystone Blvd. in Patterson for a free, family-friendly event featuring dinner, activities for all ages, and opportunities to learn about valuable local programs and services. Free childcare will be available. Register at https://bit.ly/4bXpnfQ.

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

Certificated - Lauren Castillo (Patterson High School)

Classified -April Benefield (Districtwide)

Congratulations Lauren & April! We look forward to honoring you at our regular Board meeting on Monday, April 13, 2026.

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