Parent Resources

Parent/Student Handbook

The San José Unified Parent/Student Handbook is designed to help students and families understand the board policies, California laws, and school district procedures that ensure students have every opportunity to succeed in a safe learning environment.

The handbook contains a wealth of information that should be used as a guide to help you throughout the school year. You’ll find resources like the instructional calendar, a list of school organizations and committees to consider joining, expectations for attendance, behavior guidelines, and graduation requirements.

Click here to download SJUSD Parent/Student Handbook

Please refer to Board Policy 6020 and Administrative Regulation 6020, revised March 1, 2018, to see our policies and regulations for Parent Involvement

COVID Health and Safety

San José Unified’s top priority continues to be the health and safety of our students, families, employees, and community.  The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) continues to monitor the situation and update guidance on safety protocols for schools. Our mitigation strategies are consistent with CDPH guidance, and we will continue to use a layered approach to minimize COVID transmission at school. Highlights include:

• High-quality and well-fitting masks are strongly recommended while indoors with others
• Masks are available for students and employees who want to wear a mask and forget to bring one
• COVID positives should be reported at go.sjusd.org/COVIDtracker
• Antigen tests for at-home use are available for students and staff at all schools/work locations

San José Unified COVID Health and Safety

Volunteer

We welcome family and community members to volunteer in our schools. Please review the following processes and complete this online application.

New Volunteers

If this is your first time volunteering for San José Unified:

1. Review our Volunteer Policies
2. Complete the online application
3. Send required documents to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
4. Get fingerprinted with San José Unified

All volunteers must have the following:

• TB clearance
• Fingerprint/background check clearance

After completing the online application, you will receive an email with instructions on next steps. You will be invited to complete fingerprinting with San José Unified after you have satisfied the other volunteer requirements. We will send an email confirmation once you are cleared to volunteer.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at (408) 535-6139 ext. 15030 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Returning Volunteers

All volunteers must complete this process each year:

1. Complete the online application.
2. Send required documents to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

We will send an email confirmation once you are cleared to volunteer.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at (408) 535-6139 ext. 15030 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where can I find a volunteer packet and guidelines?
Volunteer Policies.

What types of ID’s are accepted?
Any form of valid photo ID is accepted (e.g. U.S. State ID or Driver’s License, ID from country of origin, passport, student ID, ACR card, etc.)

How do I know my fingerprints have cleared? We will send an email confirmation that you have been cleared to volunteer.

How long does it take to receive fingerprinting clearance?
Clearance may take up to a maximum of 30 days. If you don’t receive an e-mail within 30 days, please call us at (408) 535-6139 ext. 15030

I’ve had my fingerprints done for another school district. Do I need to do them again through you?
Yes. We do not accept fingerprint confirmations from other agencies, companies or school districts.

Where do my fingerprints go?
Fingerprints go to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to check for any past criminal records. We need to receive clearances from both agencies in order to approve your volunteer request.

Does my fingerprint information go to immigration agencies?
No. This information only goes to the DOJ and FBI. We are not interested in knowing the immigration status of volunteer applicants.

Where can I get a TB test done?
TB tests can be done through your own medical provider and are at your own expense. There are many clinics that perform TB testing at a low cost. There is a TB clinic conveniently located across the street from the District Office at the Santa Clara County Health Department.

How often should TB test be done?
Skin or blood tests should be updated every four (4) years. Chest X-Rays (CXR) need to be updated every 10 years.

Can I volunteer at multiple school sites during the same school year?
Yes. Fingerprinting clears you for any school inside San José Unified. You only need to complete one online application even if you are volunteering at multiple schools.

Family Engagement

San José Unified believes that family engagement is an essential component in the educational success of students. We are committed to establishing a positive, collaborative relationship with every family. We also acknowledge that the adults in our students’ families aspire to learn how to actively engage in their children’s education, both at home and at school.

Our Office of Family Engagement provides capacity-building opportunities such as classes and workshops that build on the knowledge base and experiences that families bring with them. These learning opportunities are interactive and linked to student learning.

Family University

Our Family University program offers a series of classes and workshops over the course of a single Saturday, when parents can get support and tips for everything from reading with their students to helping them apply for college.

School Transitions

Learn more about school transitions by clicking on the links below:

• Preschool to Kinder Transition
• Elementary to Middle School Transition
• Middle School to High School Transition

Parent Liaisons

Our Parent Liaisons help us promote classes and other engagement programs to San José Unified families. You will see them at principal’s coffees and other school site events, as well as maintaining office bulletin boards and other resources for learning about family engagement programs.

Check if your school has an assigned Parent Liaison

To learn more about becoming a Parent Liaison, please contact the Family Engagement Department at (408) 535-6404 ext. 14324.

ESL Classes

• Allen at Steinbeck: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am to 11:00 am
• Washington Elementary: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:05 am to 10:05 am
• Merrit Trace Elementary: Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30 am to 10:30 am
• Grant Elementary: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 am to 10:00 am

Canvas “How to” Videos

• How to download the Canvas Parent app on iOS
• How to download the Canvas Parent app on Android
• How to set up a Canvas Parent account and link it to your student (also available as a PDF)
• How to navigate Canvas courses as an observer
• How to use Canvas calendar as an observer
• How to reset your password as an observer

Tips for Parents

 

Parent Organizations

There are a number of ways to get more involved at your school and have a voice in school and district policies and initiatives. The first step is to contact your principal and learn more about the opportunities your school has to offer. Training for the committees listed below is available at the Fall Session of Family University: Leading Together.

Parent Teacher Associations (PTA)

Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) bring together a variety of volunteer stakeholders to advocate for the education, welfare, health, and safety of all children. These groups are generally organized at the school site level as an avenue to help parents and teachers cooperate in the education of our students and develop united efforts to elevate opportunities for all.

The San José Unified Council of PTAs provides leadership training and a forum to allow local PTA/PTSAs to work together on district-wide issues. Each PTA/PTSA Unit is a member of the San Jose Council.

For more information, please visit the San Jose Unified Council of PTAs website.

School-Connected Organizations (SCO)

Parents, guardians, or community members may wish to establish organizations for the purpose of supporting the educational and/or extracurricular programs of San José Unified and our schools. We support these activities and welcome your interest and participation.

Please review The Handbook for School-Connected Organizations for establishing or renewing a School-Connected Organization.

NOTE: PTAs do not need to complete this process. Please see above for more information.

School Site Councils

School Site Councils (SSC) are composed of parents, teachers, and the principal. In middle and high schools, students can also be members. Their peers must elect the committee members.

The SSC is responsible for recommending the proposed Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) to the Board of Education for approval. The SPSA outlines the school’s instructional program and how it works to improve student achievement. It also ties the school’s funding/expenditures to student needs.

The SSC also reviews school programs to make sure they meet federal and state guidelines and reviews school data to help evaluation the effectiveness in raising student achievement.

Please contact your school principal for more information about your school’s SSC.

School English Learners Advisory Committees

Each school with more than 20 English Learner students has an established English Learners Advisory Committee (SELAC). It may be a sub-committee of the School Site Council (SSC). The parents of English Learner students elect SELAC members, and members of the SELAC serve on the District English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC).

The SELAC is responsible for advising the principal and staff on the development of a master plan for bilingual education for the individual school and submitting the plan to the Board of Education for consideration for inclusion in the district’s master plan. The SELAC is also responsible for assisting in the development of the school needs assessment, language census, and ways to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.

Please contact your school principal to learn about how to join the SELAC.