Cougar Community News

You could feel the LOVE on Valentine's Day at Woodside with two fun events!

The main event: Our "Lunch with a Loved One" organized by the PTO was such a heartwarming event with over 200 families and friends coming to share a meal with their special student! HUGE APPRECIATION for Nicole Goss, Ciara Compton, Tenesha Caudill, and Kari Catullo for the decorations, treats, and their time and creativity!! Thanks to our staff for opening your hearts, changing schedules, and making it work. We also thank Project Optimism Mentors for making a special appearance to enjoy the day. Smiles and gratitude were felt throughout the campus!

Added fun was had through a campus game organized by our Student Senate! They taped paper hearts around the campus. Students were allowed to pick one to return for a sweet treat. Cougars of all ages enjoyed searching for these hearts. Thank you Lindsay Wohlford and Student Senate for adding to the positive vibes on campus! Enjoy a few photos here, but also check out the PTO Facebook page for more!

Most of our cougars were able to complete the Winter Diagnostic assessment and show progress! Compared to last year, we showed better growth in Reading with 86% meeting the projected growth! Third, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth grade showed the best grade-level growth in reading. Our math growth this year was 1% higher than last year, with about 55% of our students making the expected progress. The teachers will be utilizing these results to personalize instruction, provide small group targets, and collaborate on best practices. The iReady Personalized Instruction will be ready for your student to practice in the areas of greatest need, and is an important way to keep your student focused on his/her goals!

Next week, we do not have school because we are observing Presidents' Week, which includes Presidents' Day—a special holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February each year. But do you know why?

Originally, this holiday was created to honor George Washington, the first President of the United States, whose birthday is on February 22nd. Later, it was expanded to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12th, since he was another great leader who helped shape our country. Over time, the holiday became known as Presidents' Day to recognize all U.S. presidents for their leadership and contributions.

Many schools take Presidents' Week off as a time to reflect on our nation’s history and the important role presidents play in leading our country. It’s also a great time to spend with family, learn something new, and recharge before returning to school!

Enjoy your break, and we’ll see you back soon! 🇺🇸✨

FEBRUARY

• Feb. 1-April 30 - PFT (Physical Fitness Test) grades 5 & 7
• Feb. 17-21 - Presidents' Week - NO SCHOOL
• Wed. Feb. 26 - 3rd-5th Grade Assembly from Kaiser, 8:30am
• Thurs. Feb. 27 - Middle School Movie Afternoon, 3:00-5:00pm
• Fri. Feb. 28 - Cooperation Assemblies, 8:30am 3rd-5th Grade, 9:00am TK-2nd

MARCH

• Fri. Mar. 7 - End of Trimester 2, Big Air BMX Assembly 9:00am
• Mar. 10-14 - Scholastic Book Fair in the Library, times TBD
• Mar.11-Mar. 14 - Parent/Teacher Conferences for Trimester 2, Minimum Days, Dismissal TK/K at 11:00, 1st-8th at 11:20am
• Wed. Mar. 12 - Hearing Screening for 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 8th
• Mon. Mar. 17 - Middle School Trimester Awards 1:45pm, School Site Council Meeting 3:30pm, 8th Grade High School Course Selections with Counselor
• Tues. Mar. 18 - PTO Meeting, 4:30pm in Art Room/Design Lab or Zoom LINK HERE
• Wed. Mar. 19 - Woodside Alumni Panel to talk to 8th Grade about High School
• Fri. Mar. 21 - NO SCHOOL
• Mon. Mar. 24 - NO SCHOOL

APRIL

• Fri. April 4 - Integrity Assemblies, 8:30am 3rd-5th grade, 9:00am TK-2nd grade
• April 7-11 - CAST (California Assessment of Science Test) administered in Grades 5 and 8
• Thurs. April 10 - Spring Picture Day
• April 14-18 - SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL
• Tues. April 22 -PTO Meeting, 4:30pm in Art Room/Design Lab or Zoom LINK HERE
• Fri. April 25 - Jog-a-thon
• April 28-May 2 - CAASPP - ELA administered in Grades 3-8

Congratulations to our own Lyra Rutherford for being a finalist in the CHWD's water conservation poster contest! We are proud of you!!

Yearbooks for the 24/25 school year can be purchased by going to ybpay.com and entering code 14780125. Purchases may be made until May 2nd. Yearbooks are $30 and will be delivered to students after publication in late May.

Families can order 8th Grade promotion pictures by going to: mylifetouch.com and entering code: EVT9SG4FC. This ordering must occur after the proofs are returned. The preorder option has closed.

If you have any questions please reach out to Mrs. Pelley at nancy.pelley@sanjuan.edu.

Lunch clubs include Student Senate, Design Club, Glee Club, LatinX Club, and Celebrating Diversity. Click the photo to download your own copy of the schedule.

This week our second session of 3rd Grade Lego/Robotics Club begins! This will join our Nature Watch Clubs for a Tuesday line-up of opportunities. Our 5th-7th grade continue to have Project Optimism (POMS) each Thursday from 1:15-3:45pm, but our amazing mentors are on campus most of the day! This week they ran lunch time games on Thursday and returned to visit with families on Friday.

At our ELAC Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13, the main topic of discussion was plans for our first Annual Cultural Festival, scheduled for May 8th from 5:30-7. This will be a Family night, similar to Cocoa and Crafts, but held outdoors. We are planning activities in 4 categories:

• Food: dinner option, cooking demonstrations, and samples

• Arts: Music, dance, visual arts, and dress

• Geography: Flag-making, a large world map to place a marker where your family originates

• Activities: Crafts and Learning Centers

All stations will provide a stamp for the students' "passports." ELD students and the LatinX Club will be helping to make decorations for the event.

We will be sending out a Google Form Survey in Talking Points soon to get input from the community as to how people would like to participate and contribute. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to share and learn about the many cultures represented here!

Other topics discussed included Parent-Teacher Conferences for Trimester 2 schedules with translators, upcoming ELPAC testing, and suggestions from the families in attendance. One of those suggestions you will find above: for this newsletter to include history of holidays from both the US and around the world that our community is celebrating.

Our last PTO Meeting was loaded with information! We shared and discussed the DRAFT PTO Bylaws, as the Board and Administration have been working on these throughout the school year. They have now been approved by the Board and will go out the general PTO members for a vote. If you'd like to read over them now, here is the link: 2025 Bylaws. Look for a Talking Points to vote to approve soon.

We also formed a NOMINATING COMMITTEE to oversee the PTO elections for next school year. Thank you to Christina Foskey, Kari Catullo, and Rita Holverstott for volunteering for this committee. Look for information from this committee on how to nominate yourself or someone you think would be amazing on the PTO for next year coming soon!

Finally we discussed the final preparations for the Lunch with Loved One event that happened on Friday. If you had a fantastic time on Friday, please think about joining us at our next meeting to find out how you can be involved in more community activities coming up - like the jog-a-thon and the Cultural Festival!

Check out photos and information about campus on our Facebook Page: Woodside K8 PTO

Any questions or ideas for the PTO you can send an email to us, Woodsidekto8pto@gmail.com

Loving Solutions: A Parent Project Series
Wednesdays, January 22 - March 26
5:45 - 7:45 p.m.
Thomas Kelly Elementary
6301 Moraga Dr, Carmichael

Designed by parents, for parents raising strong-willed children ages 4 - 12 years old. Participate in learning activities to gain strategies to help your child maximize learning, address behavior challenges and help create an environment that encourages positive choices.

This series meets weekly on Wednesdays for ten sessions. Dinner and child care provided.

Talleres Familiares
Tuesday, February 25
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Presented in Spanish. Explore tips and tools to support your student's learning. Learn strategies for positive communication with school, college and career readiness, supporting student mental health, district and community resources, and more!

Community Care Hub
Thursday, February 27
3 - 4:30 p.m.
Encina High School
1400 Bell Street, Sacramento

Free resource fair to access essential tools for student success. Food, diapers, learning tools and community resources. Support for enrollment, Parent Portal, school communication, navigating district programs and services. Winter coats will also be offered at this event.

For more information and to register, please visit https://www.sanjuan.edu/resources/family-education-engagement

Access the below message in Spanish, Persian, Pashto, Russian and Ukrainian

Dear San Juan Unified staff and families,

I understand that many of you have questions or worries regarding the recent executive orders issued by the President related to education. We know these orders may create uncertainty and fear in some cases, and I want to assure you that we remain strongly committed to our students and our community.

Our highest priority is keeping students safe, supported and engaged in learning. We are dedicated to making sure every student feels welcome and respected, regardless of their background or identity. This commitment is reflected in our Strategic Plan and our 8-Point Commitment to Educational Justice. Our San Juan Unified values – belonging, relevance, voice, social and emotional intelligence, resilience, championing and innovation – guide our decisions every day.

It's important to know that executive orders do not immediately change how our schools operate. We are carefully reviewing them, working with legal experts and state education agencies, and working to fully understand the potential impact of these orders. We will communicate if any updates or changes to our policies and procedures become necessary.

In the meantime, please be assured that nothing is changing in our schools today. We remain committed to our existing policies and practices that support all students. We will continue to provide the same high-quality education and support services that our students and families expect.

I have included a list of references and resources below. If you have questions or concerns, parents and guardians can contact their principal, and staff members can reach out to their supervisor or employee group leadership. We will be working collaboratively to answer questions and ensure that appropriate staff are aware of any concerns.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting each of our students.

In community,

Melissa Bassanelli
Superintendent of Schools

***

References and Resources

District Strategic Plan: https://www.sanjuan.edu/strategicplan

8-Point Commitment to Educational Justice: https://www.sanjuan.edu/8point

Learn more about support for students: https://www.sanjuan.edu/sanjuan4all

Applications for San Juan Unified’s Curriculum Adoption Committees are open now through March 3 for parents/guardians, staff and community members.

These committees are responsible for reviewing new textbooks and other learning materials for eligible courses. After the review period ends in the Fall, these committees ultimately make learning material recommendations to the Board of Education.

Several subject areas will be eligible for adoption this year, including TK-8 math, American Sign Language, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish for Heritage Learners, AP Human Geography, AP Psychology, United States History and World History. Each course will have its own adoption committee and timeline.

Parents and guardians are highly encouraged to fill out this form to apply for a curriculum adoption committee and share their voice in their students’ education. For more information about participating in adoption committees, please visit sanjuan.edu/curriculum.

Thank you for your continued support.

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

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Lottery begins 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.

February's FREE IEP/504/Disability Support for families:

San Juan Unified Special Education Parent Information Nights

www.sanjuan.edu/SpecialEd

UC Davis MIND Institute:

https://health.ucdavis.edu/mind-institute/resources/family-resource-centers

Feb. 21 - Family Navigator Support Group: Parents of Adult Children & Teens (PACT)

Feb. 26 - Sankofa Support for Black children with disabilities

WarmLine Family Resource Center:

https://warmlinefrc.org/news-events/

Feb. 12 - Understanding Services for People with Special Needs (IN RUSSIAN)

Feb. 18 - Grupo De Apoyo en Espanol (IN SPANISH)

Feb. 19 - Understanding Special Education & Your IEP

Feb. 26 - Comprendiendo La Educación Especial Y Su IEP (IN SPANISH)

Feb. 27 - Support Group for Dads

See the flyer below for more dates and details.

Coach Sorgman will be doing a basketball clinic Wednesday Feb. 26th from 6pm-7pm. This is open to all 2nd/3rd grade girls that might want to play basketball. We will be going over the basics of dribbling, passing, shooting and footwork.

●We will have 2 full teams this year.

●Sign-ups are through sunrise parks and recreation.

●Practices are during the week, Tuesdays/Wednesdays between 6pm-8pm.

🏀Games on some Fridays, but mainly Saturday mornings.

Looking forward to another fun season.

Coach Bubba Sorgman

916-308-5420

Second & Third Grade Girls Basketball League registration is open! Season dates are Feb. 25-May 10. No practices or games during Spring Break, 4/14-4/19. During the first week, coaches will begin organizing team at your child's school. Specific practice times vary by location and are determined based on coach and facility availability. Practice schedule will be distributed at the end of the first week of practice. Register online to guarantee your child a spot on the team! Visit sunriseparks.com and use the Team Code 8820.185. For more information regarding the league, please email rbozzalla@sunriseparks.com or call 916-725-8843. Coaches Needed! If you have experience in the game of basketball and have the desire to share your knowledge by coaching, please contact Renzo at 725-8843.

Our Middle School Boys Basketball team has started! We wish them good luck for the season, and thank Kevin MacKay-Logue for taking on the coaching position again this year! The team practices Mondays & Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm. Contact Sunrise Parks if you would like to join.

Our two Elementary Boys Basketball teams continue practice on Tuesdays/Fridays for one team and Thursdays for the other and games at Rusch Park. If you have any questions, please email Renzo at rbozzalla@sunriseparks.com or call 916-725-8843.

We would like to shout out are CHASEN community partners! After attending our PTO Meeting this week, they have volunteered to donate supplies needed to our upcoming 4th grade field trip to Sutter's Fort! Thank you CHASEN!!

If you would like to learn more about CHASEN or get involved in their organization, attend their monthly meetings. They happen the third Tuesday of every month, 7:00pm at Foundations Christian Church, 7800 Wonder Street in Citrus Heights.

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.