PJUSD Newsletter

February 2025

Dr. Reyes Gauna

Email

Contact:

Susan White

Senior Executive Assistant / Cabinet Member

swhite@patterson.k12.ca.us

Superintendent's Message (English)

Superintendent's Message (Spanish)

Communications

Visit our district's News & Announcements page on our website to explore our new highlight feature:

Our Promise Features: Showcases our staff for the incredible work they do throughout the district. This spotlight is particularly aimed at those whose work often goes unnoticed but provides significant value to our district, schools, students, and/or staff. It offers a small moment of appreciation for their dedicated efforts in fulfilling our PJUSD Promise.

This month's Promise Feature highlights Patterson High School Custodian, Augie De La Rosa, and his deep commitment to our students and community.

United Patterson Graduate Profile

Join us in celebrating the success of former Patterson graduates with our monthly United Patterson Graduate Profile series. Our latest profile features Brett Wheeland. a proud graduate of Patterson High School, Class of 2009.

Read his story and discover more inspiring profiles on our district's website under the News & Announcements page and by clicking on the "United Patterson Profiles" filter.

Do you know a Patterson graduate who has moved on to do some incredible thing? Share their story with our community by clicking the following link: https://bit.ly/UPprofile.

Administrative Services

Almond Blossom Elementary Schematic Rendering

Almond Blossom Elementary School

At our February 2025 Board Meeting, our Admin Services/School Construction Team and architects delivered an exciting presentation to the Board of Trustees on the progress of Almond Blossom Elementary School. The updates included new schematics to provide a clearer visualization of the school's design. Visit our School Construction page on the district website to view the full slideshow presentation.

Performing Arts Center Now Available for Booking!

Our district is excited to share that the Francis J. Bettencourt Performing Arts Center is now available for private and nonprofit organizations. Visit our Facilities Reservation page on the district website to learn more.

Student Support Services

PJUSD Draft Transportation Plan for Review & Feedback

The Patterson Unified School District Transportation Department is seeking feedback on our draft Transportation Plan from classified and certificated staff, school administrators, parents/guardians, students, local transit authorities, air pollution control districts, air quality management districts, and other stakeholders.

The draft Transportation Plan outlines our services. Your feedback will be reviewed and considered for updates to the plan before being recommended for adoption at the PJUSD School Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, March 3, 2025.

We invite you to review the draft Transportation Plan and submit your feedback by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21 by visiting the News & Announcements Page page on our district’s website and completing the online form.

No Shot? No Records? No School. Flyer (spanish)

Educational Services

ELP TK/Kinder Registration (English)

ELP TK/Kinder Registration (Spanish)

California state assessments are coming up soon and staff are eagerly planning and preparing for their successful implementation as our students take them and “show what they know”. Below, please find information regarding the state assessments students take in the Winter and Spring.

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP):

The CAASPP System was established on January 1, 2014. The CAASPP System encompasses the following assessments and student participation requirements:

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics in grades three through eight and grade eleven.
California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA and mathematics in grades three through eight and grade eleven.
California Science Test (CAST) in grades five, eight, and once in high school.
California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science in grades five, eight, and once in high school.

Please click here for detailed information regarding the CAASPP assessments.

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC):

The ELPAC is the required state test for English language proficiency (ELP) that must be given to students whose primary language is a language other than English. State and federal law require that local educational agencies administer a state test of ELP to eligible students in kindergarten through grade twelve. The California Department of Education (CDE) transitioned from the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to the ELPAC as the state ELP assessment in 2018. The ELPAC is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. It consists of two separate ELP assessments: one for the initial identification of students as English learners (ELs), and a second for the annual summative assessment to measure a student’s progress in learning English and to identify the student's level of ELP. ELPAC – CalEdFacts web page provides a more detailed overview of the test.

Physical Fitness Test (PFT)

The physical fitness test (PFT) for students in California schools is the FITNESSGRAM®. The main goal of the test is to help students in starting life-long habits of regular physical activity.

Students in grades five, seven, and nine take the fitness test. The FITNESSGRAM® has six parts, though California currently requires five parts be completed annually, that show a level of fitness that offer a degree of defense against diseases that come from inactivity. The test results can be used by students, teachers, and parents.

Human Resources

PJUSD Promise Awards

Please join us in celebrating this month's "PJUSD Promise Award" recipients. These two outstanding individuals have exemplified the core values of our PJUSD Promise!

Certificated - Dustin McClearen (Walnut Grove Elementary)

Classified - Jennifer Sisneros (Grayson Elementary)

Photo of Dusti McClearen,family and Walnut Grove staff at Promise Award recognition

Dustin McClearen - Certificated (Febraury)

Photo of Jennifer Sisneros,family and Grayson staff at Promise Award recognition

Jennifer Sisneros - Classified (February)

Join Our Team!

We are always looking to fill vacancies internal and external vacancies throughout our district. These roles may vary from part-time, substitute, to fulltime roles. Please visit our district's website to find out how to Join Our Team!

https://www.patterson.k12.ca.us/district/careers

Those not interested in fulltime employment with Patterson Joint can apply to become a qualified substitute to fill in for staff absences. If you want more information on how to be added to our substitute list please use the following link: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/1879360