Parent Resources

Parent/Student Handbook

The San José Unified Parent/Student Handbook is a guide 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. You’ll find resources like the instructional calendar, expectations for attendance, behavior guidelines, parent and student rights, and much more.

Download the 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

We anticipate having COVID cases across our schools and classrooms, in line with the COVID case counts in our community. Students who develop COVID symptoms should be tested and remain home while symptomatic. Students who test positive for COVID should report at go.sjusd.org/COVIDtracker.

COVID Procedures

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 that is valid for the entire school year
• 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.

After School Programs

We offer after school programs at no cost at all San José Unified elementary and middle schools for eligible students. The school day and the after school program combine for a total of nine hours each regular school day.

After school programs provide a safe space for students to strengthen social and emotional skills, practice academic skills and increase language acquisition rates for English Learners.

All students in grades TK-6 who meet the following criteria are eligible for the after school program at their school at no cost:

• Homeless youth
• Foster youth
• Meet state income eligibility requirements
• English Learners
• Children of full-time San José Unified employees

Students who are eligible for the program will receive an invitation to register for the program.

Some elementary and middle schools have capacity to extend the program to students who do not meet the eligibility requirements. Please see your school’s website or contact your school for more information.

San José Unified partners with local agencies to staff the after school programs. Please see your school’s website for information about the program at your school.

Everyday Well-Being

San José Unified encourages everyone to recognize mental health warning signs and build strategies to support everyday well-being.

Suicide Prevention Poster

Family Engagement

San José Unified believes that family engagement is an essential component in the educational success of students. 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 linked to student learning and offer a way for us to establish a positive, collaborative relationship with every family.

Contact the Manager of Family Engagement at (408) 535-6404 ext. 14319.

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

Family Liaisons

Our Family 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 Family Liaison

To learn more about becoming a Family Liaison, please contact the Family Engagement Department at (408) 535-6404 ext. 14319.

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

Parent Organizations

San José Unified acknowledges that parents and guardians are the first and most influential teachers of their students. We recognize that family engagement is an important part of a student’s success and helps contribute to a positive school environment. We encourage families to be involved in district and school activities including but not limited to advisory and advocacy roles, or volunteering time, talent, and knowledge.

Read Board Policy 6020 and Administrative Regulation 6020 for the Parent Involvement opportunities available to you to participate in your children’s education.

View opportunities to participate in our district and school Advisory Committees.

Learn about the requirements to becoming a San José Unified volunteer.

Parent Teacher Associations (PTA)/Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSA)

A Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a group of volunteers who supports the school through volunteer coordination, community events, school programs, fundraising, and parent education. PTA membership is open to all parents/guardians of students enrolled at the school. Middle schools and high schools have the choice of forming a PTA or PTSA. In the PTSA, students and parents may become members, vote, and hold elected office. Contact your school or visit your school’s website to see if there is an active PTA.

School-Connected Organizations (SCO)

A School-Connected Organization (SCO) convenes to support the educational and/or extracurricular programs of San José Unified and our schools. The Handbook for School-Connected Organizations has complete details for establishing or renewing an SCO. Contact your principal to see if your school has an operational SCO.

School Site Councils

The SSC is a decision-making group of parents, students, school staff, and administrators that evaluates the effectiveness of school programs in raising student achievement. The SSC coordinates with the SELAC to review programs for English Learners, assesses schoolwide data to help evaluate the Single Plan for Student Achievement, and monitors programs to ensure they meet federal and state guidelines. For more information or to get involved, visit the school’s website or office.

School English Learner Advisory Committee (SELAC)

The SELAC is a school-based committee that advises the principal and staff on programs and services for English Learners. The SELAC also submits a site plan for English Learners to the School Site Council for consideration in the School Plan for Student Achievement. For more information or to get involved, visit your student’s school office or website.