This week we enjoyed Red Ribbon/Bully Prevention Week with Spirit Dress-up Days, a Buddy-viewing event, Character Day Parade, Peer Mentors presenting Readers Theater and a Lunch-time Game! With a focus on Gratitude, our students are showing school spirit and joy! Enjoy a few photos and watch the amazing video below!

November will be a whirlwind month! There are only 14 days of school in November, and five of those are minimum days. Use the Mark Your Calendars below to ensure you're ready for the special days.

We remind you to set your clocks tonight, as Daylight Savings ends at 2am on Sunday morning. Enjoy your extra hour, as you FALL BACK.

During November, we will continue to focus on Gratitude, appreciation, and positivity. Practicing gratitude can have a wonderful impact on elementary school students, promoting emotional, social, and academic well-being. Here’s how gratitude benefits young children:

1. Improved Emotional Health

• Increased Happiness: Practicing gratitude can help kids feel happier and more positive about their lives, as it shifts their focus to the good things they experience.
• Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Gratitude helps children manage emotions better by focusing on positives, which can reduce feelings of stress or worry, especially in social or academic settings.
• Enhanced Emotional Awareness: By reflecting on what they’re grateful for, kids become more aware of their own feelings and learn to recognize positive emotions.

2. Better Relationships and Social Skills

• Kindness and Empathy: Expressing gratitude encourages empathy, helping kids appreciate others' kindness and show compassion. This makes it easier for them to form friendships and be supportive classmates.
• Improved Peer Relationships: Students who practice gratitude are often seen as kinder and more cooperative, making it easier for them to build strong, positive relationships with classmates.
• Stronger Bonds with Teachers and Family: Practicing gratitude can encourage children to express appreciation to their teachers and family members, which helps build trust and respect.

3. Enhanced Academic Motivation and Focus

• Increased Engagement: Grateful kids are often more motivated to participate in class and take on new challenges, leading to a more positive attitude toward learning.
• Better Concentration: Gratitude can help reduce distracting thoughts, improving focus on schoolwork. This can enhance concentration and even improve test performance over time.

4. Greater Resilience and Coping Skills

• Coping with Challenges: Learning to focus on the good helps kids build resilience when facing setbacks. This mindset can help them feel more equipped to handle difficulties like tough assignments or disagreements with friends.
• Reduced Frustration: By learning to appreciate small wins and positive moments, kids may experience less frustration when things don’t go perfectly, like during group work or sports.

5. Boosted Self-Esteem and Confidence

• Increased Self-Worth: Gratitude helps kids recognize their own strengths and appreciate what makes them unique, boosting their self-esteem.
• Less Envy and Comparison: Practicing gratitude can help children focus on what they have rather than comparing themselves to others, which can reduce feelings of jealousy and increase satisfaction with themselves.

6. Encouragement of Positive Habits

• Healthy Routines: Practicing gratitude can be incorporated into daily routines, like journaling, sharing a “thankful moment” in class, or saying something kind to a friend. These habits can build a foundation for a lifelong positive mindset.
• Mindfulness: Gratitude encourages mindfulness, helping kids to focus on and appreciate the present moment. This can improve their overall awareness and appreciation for everyday experiences.

Cougars are encouraged to send GRATITUDE GRAMS as a way to practice! Gratitude Grams are small notes of appreciation and gratitude! The blank Gratitude Grams will be available in all classrooms and in the office. They will be delivered to homerooms each morning to start the day with positivity. This year, we will continue to offer FREE Gratitude Grams, but we will also be offering a $1 Smencil Gift attached to the Gratitude Gram to help support our Cheerleaders! Completed Gratitude Grams can be dropped in the Gratitude Gram box in the Quad. The cheerleaders will have a table out on Wed. 11/6, Fri. 11/8, and Tues. 11/12 in the morning before school. They will keep the Gratitude Grams that get the upgrade for delivery. Encourage your student to spread positivity by sending Gratitude Grams!

Teachers are preparing for the close of the first trimester, which includes grading, report cards, and sharing at Parent-Teacher Conferences the week of Nov. 18th. San Juan Unified leaders have created a video to help caregivers prepare for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Please view it as you prepare for this important partnership time together!

NOVEMBER

• Thurs. 11/7 - ELAC Meeting - 8am in Room A14, McTeacher Night at McDonalds, 4-8pm
• Mon. 11/11 - Veteran's Day - NO SCHOOL
• Tues. 11/12 - PTO Meeting, 4:30pm in the Art Room/Design Lab. Zoom LINK HERE
• Wed. 11/13 - Last Day of Lego Robotics and Nature Watch Clubs
• Fri. 11/15 - Teacher Work Day - NO SCHOOL, End of Trimester 1
• Nov. 18-22 - Parent-Teacher Conferences, MINIMUM DAYS: TK/K Dismissal at 11:00am, 1st-8th Grade Dismissal at 11:20pm, Scholastic BOOK FAIR in the Library
• Nov. 25-29 - THANKSGIVING BREAK - NO SCHOOL

DECEMBER

• Fri. 12/6 - Spelling Bee, Middle School Trimester 1 Awards Assembly 1:45pm
• Mon. 12/9 - Lockdown Drill
• Tues. 12/10 - PTO Meeting, 4:30pm in the Art Room/Design Lab. Zoom LINK HERE
• Fri. 12/13 - Woodside Visitation Day, 8:30am - meet and tour for prospective 2025-26 families
• Tues. 12/17 - Dental Screening
• Thus. 12/19 - Cocoa & Crafts, 5:00-6:30pm
• Fri. 12/20 - Minimum Day, Dismissal at 11:25 for TK/K and 12:00 for 1st-8th
• Dec. 23 - Jan. 3 - WINTER BREAK - NO SCHOOL

Review and motivation for attendance is communicated each month. Regular attendance is essential for students to get the most out of their education. Every day of learning helps build foundational skills, knowledge, and confidence that students will carry with them throughout life. When students attend school consistently, they benefit from engaging lessons, important class discussions, and collaborative activities that support their academic growth. Missing school means missing these key moments, which can lead to challenges catching up and can impact long-term success. By making attendance a priority, you're helping set your child up for a bright future!

Our October numbers reflect a little dip, and staff has noticed an increase in tardies and students needing breakfast after 8:00am. Please help plan your mornings to ensure your student is ready for the school day as the bell rings. We are walking the quad at 7:50am as a time for a bit of exercise and belonging!

Third Grade has the highest average attendance for October at 94.8%! Students will receive $10 Cougar Cash on Monday! Here are the grade-level totals: TK- 93.1%, K- 90.7%, 1st- 90.8%, 2nd- 93.3%, 3rd- 94.8%, 4th-93.8%, 5th- 94.4%, 6th- 93.6%, 7th- 90.0%, and 8th- 89.6%. Keep the focus Cougars!

Our second ELAC meeting is next Thursday morning, Nov. 7th from 8:00-9:00 in Room A14. We will be discussing report cards and conferences, among other topics. We encourage families of English learners to get involved!

There has been a change to the ELD Tutoring calendar. After-school tutoring for Newcomer English Learners happens Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday from 2:30-3:30pm.

What a fun month we have had for Woodside. Thank you again to all the parents who helped on Friendship Friday. McTeachers night at McDonald's is coming up soon, this is a great way ti help raise money for Woodside. Hope everyone can join us to dine and donate.

School spirit wear is available for purchase. The link below will take to the spirit wear store to purchase Woodside wear. https://woodsidek8.futurefund.com/store

If you have social media, follow us on Facebook: WoodsideK8PTO

Regional Community Care Hubs! www.sanjuan.edu/communityresources

• November 7, 3:00-5:00 pm at Carnegie Middle School (5820 Illinois Avenue, Orangevale)
• November 21, 3:00-5:00 pm at Mesa Verde High School (7501 Carriage Drive, Citrus Heights)
• Holiday Food Distribution will also take place at our November 21 Community Care Hub!

Volunteer Fingerprint Clinic- Thursday, November 14, 5:00-6:30 pm at the District Office Board Room (3738 Walnut Avenue)

FREE November Family Workshops! www.sanjuan.edu/familyed

• Nov. 5, 12, 19 - Family Leadership Academy at Churchill Middle School (4900 Whitney Ave.)
• Nov. 20 - Talleres Familiares (Spanish family workshop) at San Juan High School (7551 Greenback Ln.)
• Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences pre-recorded video in our NEW Family Engagement Video Library at www.sanjuan.edu/familyed under the "Family Engagement Video Library" tab

Our third graders enjoyed a Dictionary gift from the Rotary Club of Citrus Heights on Friday! This Dictionary Project for the Rotary club ensures that every third grader gets their own copy of a dictionary!

Greetings Neighbors,

Attached are the minutes from the October 15 CHASEN monthly meeting.

The next meeting is November 19. See you there!

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

As we are an Open Enrollment District, it is important to understand the offerings of each high school. Attending these High School Parent Information Nights can help inform important decisions! Mark your calendars for the following evenings:

• Bella Vista: 11/7 from 6-8pm
• Casa Roble: 11/6 from 5:30-8pm
• San Juan: 11/13 at 6pm
• Choices Charter, Tuesdays at 3pm
• El Sereno, 11/20 at 6:00p,
• Del Campo, 11/7 from 6:30-8:00pm
• Meraki, 11/21 at 6:00pm
• Mira Loma, 11/7 at 5:30pm
• Rio Americano, 11/6 at 6:00pm

The Open Enrollment Lottery is an annual process that allows families who live within boundaries of San Juan Unified School District to request a school of choice, provided there is space available at the requested school and families are willing to provide transportation.

Application Period: Dec. 9, 2024- January 24, 2025

For more information visit www.sanjuan.edu/openenrollment

Woodside will be hosting a Visitation Day on December 13 at 8:30am.

National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November. It's a time to celebrate all the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities, while helping to ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. This November and every month, we celebrate the heritage and culture of these incredible Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our Nation.

You can learn more about this important month by visiting:

https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/American_Indian_Heritage_Month.htm

https://www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/

Middle School Girls Basketball

The Middle School Girls Basketball League has begun. Practices will be Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30pm at Woodside MPR. Register online or turn in paper registration to the office at Rusch Park. Contact Davis Masters at 916-725-0185 or email at dmasters@sunriseparks.com for more information about registration. If you have any questions regarding the league please contact Renzo at 916-725-8843.

Season Dates 10/29 - 2/1, No practice or games from 11/23 - 11/30 (Thanksgiving) and 12/21 - 1/6 (Winter Break)

As the holiday season approaches, our Counselor Mrs. Garboushian wanted to share some resources for staff, students, and families. The attached holiday resource guide includes free family events and activities, toy drives and holiday baskets, and ongoing food and meal resources.

The Sacramento River Cats annual tradition to kick off the new season is the Art of Baseball Calendar! The attached flyer includes the artwork instructions. Participating students will send in their artwork by November 22nd, 2024.

Here are a few examples of art we are looking for you to create:

• Dinger
• River Cats Logos
• Holidays
• Tower Bridge
• Certain Days of the Month (Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, etc.)

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.