October is here, and with it comes that familiar stretch of the school year when calendars start filling up fast. Between conferences, minimum days, activities, appointments, and all the usual family logistics, this is a good time to keep an extra eye on the calendar, check backpacks before papers disappear into the abyss, and assume that if your child says, “I think there’s something tomorrow,” there probably is.
As the days get shorter and schedules get busier, we hope you’ll find a few minutes to look through what’s ahead and mark down anything that matters to your family.
Continue reading for what’s coming up across Paso Schools.
Announcements
The Announcements section features new information and opportunities being shared with families for the first time in the weekly newsletter.
Earthquake Drill & Urgent Alert Test is 10/15
This year's Great California ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is Thursday, October 15, at 10:15 AM, when millions of people across the State will participate in drills at work, school, or home. PRJUSD staff and students will join in the earthquake preparedness, practicing school specific routines and procedures to be followed in the event of an earthquake.
PRJUSD will also test our Urgent Alert feature in ParentSquare. This feature allows the District to send an urgent alert message to staff and families in a true emergency situation.
An Urgent Alert will override any settings users may have set up to either turn off ParentSquare notifications or to delay the delivery of notifications until a certain time of day.
Please note, this Urgent Alert notification is only a test and it will be labeled accordingly.
Now is a good time to make changes to your cell phone number in Aeries, if necessary, to ensure you receive the Urgent Alert test on Thursday, October 15.
You can also register yourself or your organization to be counted among the millions participating at ShakeOut.org/register.
Free Tutoring and Academic Support for Every PRJUSD Student
Parent-Teacher Conferences are a good time to talk about what’s going well, where your child may need a little extra support, and what resources are available to help
All PRJUSD students have access to Tutor.com, offering free, 24/7 academic support in more than 200 subjects. Students can connect with a live tutor for one-on-one help, get support with homework and difficult concepts, submit writing for feedback, and access test-prep resources.
Tutor.com is available to students across all grade levels, so whether your child needs help with an elementary math skill, an essay, a high school science course, or PSAT/SAT/ACT preparation, support is already available.
To get started: Students can open Clever on their district device and select Tutor.com.
It’s already included, already available, and a great resource to keep in mind as you head into conferences.
What will Measure G-26 do for Paso Schools?
Join us for one of two community presentations and Q&A sessions to learn more about the District’s Facilities Master Plan, hear directly from district leaders, and get answers to your questions.
📅 Wednesday, October 8 | 4:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 Patina Room at Cal Coast, 1346 Railroad St.
📅 Tuesday, October 14 | 4:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 Culinary Arts Academy, 1900 Golden Hill Rd.
These sessions are an opportunity to learn more about the facility needs identified across PRJUSD, the projects included in the Facilities Master Plan, and what Measure G-26 would mean for our schools and community. Live Spanish interpretation will be provided.
We hope you’ll join us, ask questions, and learn more about the plan for the future of Paso Schools.
Join the LCAP Parent Advisory Committee
PRJUSD is looking for dedicated parents and guardians to serve on our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Parent Advisory Committee for the 2026–27 school year.
This is an opportunity to have a direct voice in how the District sets priorities, invests resources, and works to improve outcomes for all students. Committee members will collaborate with district leaders, review student performance data, discuss goals and priorities, and provide feedback to the Superintendent and Board of Trustees as we develop our next three-year LCAP.
October is Walktober—a month-long celebration of walking, rolling, and walking to school safely! We encourage all students and families to get active and practice safe walking habits this month.
👟 Walktober BINGO Challenge
Students can complete fun daily activities on their Walktober BINGO board—from going on a neighborhood walk to practicing crosswalk safety!
Halloween Treat Prize: Turn in completed BINGO cards during October at participating SLO County Libraries (including Atascadero, Cayucos, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Oceano, San Luis Obispo, Santa Margarita, & Shell Beach) or the SLOCOG office to receive a special Halloween prize!
Students: Invite friends to walk with you. Stay on sidewalks, cross only at corners or marked crosswalks, look left-right-left before crossing, and watch for cars in driveways.
Parents & Caregivers: Help organize neighborhood walking groups or ask school staff how you can volunteer for Walk to School Day events! Check with your school principal to find out when your campus will celebrate Walk to School Day!
October is National Farm to School Month, and our Food Services team is celebrating with fresh, locally grown foods and hands-on opportunities for students to try something new.
Last week, students at Virginia Peterson Elementary participated in an apple taste test with Fair Hills Farms, sampling several varieties and voting for their favorite. Granny Smith came out on top! The farm grows more than 15 varieties of apples, giving students a chance to explore just how different one familiar fruit can taste.
This month’s districtwide featured harvest is finger limes from Shanley Farms in Morro Bay. Sometimes called the “caviar of citrus,” finger limes will be popping up in cafeterias in dishes like zesty guacamole and on salad bars, along with additional taste tests and “Meet the Grower” activities throughout the month.
Could You Spot the Signs? Hidden in Plain Sight Parent Workshop
Families are invited to Hidden in Plain Sight: Would You Recognize the Signs of Alcohol and Drug Use in Your Home? on Wednesday, October 28, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. in the District Office Board Room.
This adults-only workshop will be led by guest presenters from Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley and will give families a guided look at how alcohol and drugs may be concealed in a teen’s bedroom. Using real-life examples and a sample bedroom setup, presenters will highlight common hiding places, warning signs to watch for, and practical ways to begin conversations with your child.
You do not need to have a student enrolled in Paso Robles Joint Unified School District to attend—all community members are welcome. Spanish interpretation will be available at the event.
Free Flu Vaccine Clinics Coming Up
PRJUSD is partnering with the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Public Health to host two upcoming free flu vaccine clinics for the whole family, ages 3 and older. No need to attend the host school to participate.
The first clinic will be held:
Thursday, October 8, from 2:30–5:30 p.m.
Winifred Pifer Elementary, 1350 Creston Road.
Vaccinations will be offered in the Multipurpose Room.
A second clinic will be held:
Thursday, October 15, from 3:30–6:30 p.m.
Glen Speck Elementary, 401 17th Street.
Vaccinations will be offered in Room 219, with entrance by the side of the library near the Art Gallery, Room 217.
The Reminders section is a place to revisit information from previous weekly newsletters and updates you may have received from your child’s school.
Understanding the New Standards-Based Report Cards for Grades 1-5
As we look forward to our upcoming elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences, we want to share an important update about how we share your child’s learning progress this year.
We are moving to a Standards-Based Report Card for grades 1-5. This is a big shift from how grades were given in the past, and we want to make sure you know what to expect before you meet with your child’s teacher.
What is Changing?
In the past, students received one single grade for an entire subject, like Math or Reading. With our new report cards, you will see scores for specific skills within each subject. For example, instead of just one overall Math grade, you will see how your child is doing with adding, word problems, or telling time.
Understanding the Scores
Our goal is for students to master these grade level skills by the end of the school year in June. Because learning takes time, you should expect to see your child progress throughout the year;
● Trimester 1: It is completely appropriate for your child to receive a 1 or a 2 right now. This does not mean your child is failing or behind. It simply means we have just started learning these new grade-level skills.
● Trimester 2 & 3: As we practice and build on these skills each week, your child’s scores will grow.
● End of Year (June): The goal is for students to reach a 3, which shows they have fully learned that skill.
This new format gives all of us a much clearer picture of what your child does well and where they might need a little extra help.
Your child's teacher will go over this in more detail during your conference and answer any questions you have. You will also receive a parent-guide with the first report card.
Thank you for working with us to support your child’s learning!
See What’s Ahead for Paso Schools
What should our school facilities look like in the years ahead? Our new 2030 Vision: Facilities Master Plan lays out a long-term roadmap for maintaining, improving, and investing in campuses across Paso Robles Joint Unified School District.
Watch our new video for a closer look at the needs identified across the District, the planning behind the Facilities Master Plan, and the priorities that will help guide future improvements for students, staff, and our community.
Watch the 2030 Vision: Facilities Master Plan Video above, or check out the facilities plan for your school using the link below.
At its September 22 meeting, the Board of Trustees met for a full agenda of District business. Highlights included approval of the new Facility Master Plan and updates on Measure M, the Aquatics Complex, proposed PRHS tennis courts and parking, and the high school science pathway.
Read the latest News, Notes & Votes for more highlights from the meeting.
The newest issue of Paso Proud is here! Catch up on stories, programs, projects, and people from across Paso Robles Joint Unified School District.
Click the cover image above to read Paso Proud in English or Spanish.
Parent University Returns for 2026–27
PRJUSD’s Parent University is back with a new series of free sessions designed to give families practical information, tools and resources to support their children at school and at home.
This year’s topics include ALICE safety training, Hidden in Plain Sight, literacy by third grade, digital citizenship and online safety, and a three-part Mindful Families series. All parents are invited.
For more information, please contact Gabriela Clark at gclark@pasoschools.org.
Youth Sports Clinics: Basketball Registration
The new Paso Robles Youth Sports Clinics are underway, and registration is now open for basketball!
Sponsored by a JUSTIN Community Grant in partnership with Paso Robles Joint Unified School District, the clinics give local students in grades 4–8 more opportunities to learn, play, and build their skills with experienced local coaches right here at PRHS.
🏀 Basketball Clinics
Sundays, October 11–November 15
3:30–5:00 p.m.
PRHS Gil Asa Gymnasium
The program is designed to make high-quality youth sports instruction more accessible while helping young athletes build skills, confidence, teamwork, and resilience.
Clinics are open to all students in grades 4–8, and scholarships are available for eligible students.
🏐 Beach volleyball clinics are already underway, and 🤽 water polo clinics are coming in Spring 2027.
Space for basketball is limited, so families are encouraged to register early!
Calling all student writers, thinkers, and storytellers!
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and VFW Auxiliary are offering two scholarship opportunities for students in grades 6–12, with this year’s theme: “What a Veteran Taught Me About America”
Students in grades 6–8 can enter the Patriot’s Pen written essay contest by submitting a 300–400 word essay. The national prize is $5,000.
Students in grades 9–12 can enter the Voice of Democracy audio essay competition by recording an original 3–5 minute essay. The national first-place scholarship is $35,000.
📅 Entry deadline: October 31, 2026
Interested students and families can use the links below for complete contest rules, entry forms, and submission information.
Thank you to our local VFW for helping connect Paso Schools students with opportunities to share their voices—and potentially earn scholarship dollars along the way!
[Monday, Oct 5 at 5:01 PM] A quick update to this week’s newsletter: there are two upcoming opportunities to learn more about the District’s Facilities Master Plan and Measure G-26.
Families and community members are invited to attend either presentation to hear from district leaders, learn more about the facility needs identified across PRJUSD, and ask questions about the projects included in the Facilities Master Plan.
📅 Wednesday, October 8 | 4:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 Patina Room at Cal Coast, 1346 Railroad St.
📅 Tuesday, October 14 | 4:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 Culinary Arts Academy, 1900 Golden Hill Rd.
Live Spanish interpretation will be provided at both events.
We hope you’ll join us for a conversation about the future of Paso Schools facilities and an opportunity to get your questions answered.
