I am so excited to share with our Parkmead community that we have officially nominated our Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the year!
Congratulations to Mrs. Brittany Forrette and Mrs. Sandy O'Brien!
Sandi O'Brien is Parkmead's Science Specialist and man is she special! I have never seen students so excited to walk into a science lab and talk about something as simple as dirt. She lives, breathes and loves science and shares that same passion with the students. Who else can get kids excited about dirt ? These kids can't wait to share that dirt isn't just the brown stuff we walk on, it's a habitat and fuel for so many living plants and animals. Ms. Sandi is preparing scientists for the future and we lover her! Congrats on being nominated at the Parkmead Classified Employee of the year. You have earned it!
Brittany Forrette is our academic coach and the work she does for students, staff and myself is remarkable. She has the privilege of working with every student and teacher on campus helping their classrooms become more engaging for everyone. If she isn't demonstrated a lesson for a teacher or class, she is probably giving assessments or reading to students. She has been a huge part of every students class on campus and we can't thank her enough for her dedication to our school. Mrs. Forrette is also the WCSD Teacher of the Year candidate for Contra Costa County. We know she's going to rock it and we love that she is a Panther!
Congrats to both of you ladies. Your impact on Parkmead is one that will never be forgotten. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you and congratulations!
Used Bike Sale and Mini Fest - Bay Area Bike Project, a local nonprofit, is excited to bring you something that will help you get to school in an ACTIVE WAY—a Used Bike Sale and Mini Fest! Join BABP for a fun, family-friendly day where you can bring your old bike (or the one your kid has outgrown) to sell, or shop for a great bike at a great price. We’ll also have music, games, food, face painting, cargo bike demos, free mechanic checks, and a free Learn to Ride program. To sign up for Learn to Ride, please sign up here—spots are limited, so sign up soon!
Are you planning on moving over the summer? Are you planning to not return to Parkmead for the 2026/27 school year?
Please fill out THIS FORM and let us know as we start to work on enrollment projections for next year. You only need to fill this out if your plans are changing.
Thank you!
We need volunteers!
We are encouraging students to walk, bike or roll to school every Wednesday. Students will earn points and collectable charms for their backpacks just by walking, carpooling or biking to school. We need volunteers to help us check kids in when they arrive to school.
The commitment is minimal (30 minutes before school on Wednesdays). All you need to do is smile and scan student key cards. Plus, it helps if you want to have fun!
"In 2025, Assembly Bill 2630 amended the law to specify “Kindergarten” includes both transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten, requiring children enrolled in public school for their first year in TK, kindergarten or by first grade to have an oral health screening completed by a licensed dental professional.
Note: TK students that receive an oral health screening do not have to repeat the oral health screening at kindergarten or first grade for the purposes of this law. However, it is recommended that children receive regular dental care to improve school success, reduce chronic absences, and improve their overall health."
Please return THIS FORM to Jaine in the office by May 15, 2026. This is required for all TK & K students
Volunteers needed!
Are you looking to hang out with your kids during the day? Well guess what, now is your chance!
WCEF Taste & Toast to Education - Performance Opportunity
Parkmead GENERAL MUSIC students have a wonderful opportunity to perform at the WCEF Annual Fundraiser: Taste & Toast to Education!
All general music students in grades 1–3, as well as general music students in grades 4–5, are invited to participate on Wednesday, March 25 at Broadway Plaza. Each grade level will perform a song alongside students from across the district.
Call time is 4:30 PM. Students must arrive and be ready to perform by 4:30 PM in order to participate. We are unable to accommodate late arrivals. Please allow extra time for parking and walking to the stage near the Apple Store. There is no cost for students to participate in the performance.
If your student plans to attend, please RSVP here: RSVP Here
Tickets will be available for purchase for Taste & Toast to Education, a restaurant walk featuring local Walnut Creek favorites. Taste & Toast is a great way to discover new places—or revisit ones you already love—while supporting a great cause.
All proceeds benefit the Walnut Creek Education Foundation.
PERC News & Events
Parkmead Education Resources Council
Keep the Walkathon Donations Coming!
Parkmead families, we need your help! Our Walkathon fundraiser is underway, and now is the time to register your student and start collecting donations for PERC’s only fundraiser of the year.
The money we raise directly supports the programs, supplies, and experiences our kids rely on every day — from classroom materials and library books to art, STEAM, PE, field trips, and beloved community events.
Right now, we’re only at 20% of our fundraising goal, and every donation — big or small — makes a real difference for our school.
Thank you for helping keep Parkmead strong, vibrant, and full of opportunities for our Panthers!
PERC monthly meeting is March 13
PERC's next board meeting is on Friday, March 13 at 8:30 am in the Parkmead MPR or virtually online.
We all loved Simon’s mission to make the Tangerine Pines his forever home in this year’s One Book One School selection, but sometimes books need to relocate, just like families.
If you would like to donate your copy of Trouble at the Tangerine to another young reader, please drop it off at the Parkmead front office or in the library collection box. Ms. Westcoat will accept copies through the school year.
WCEF
Walnut Creek Education Foundation
Walnut Creek Families Turned Up the Heat in 2026!
WCEF’s Turn Up the Heat campaign was a huge success, thanks to YOU! Your generosity helped raise over $160,000 for weekly art and music classes, science labs, library funding, electives at WCI and Las Lomas and SO much more. The total amount raised was 15% more than last year, and overall participation increased from 33% to 44.6% across all schools! A special shoutout to Buena Vista, which led the way with a 56% participation increase- from 30% to 47%! Buena Vista will be bringing home the coveted participation trophy and celebrating with a popsicle party courtesy of WCEF. At WCI, Ms. Uyeda’s 6th period 6th grade class had the highest participation and will be celebrating with Chick-fil-A!
We also saw an impressive number of classes reach 67% participation or higher- Buena Vista, Indian Valley, Murwood, Parkmead, Tice Creek, and Walnut Heights. Those classes will receive a 6–7 prize per student. A special shoutout to Indian Valley, which had the greatest number of teachers achieving this milestone!
Congrats to all the prize-winners and thank you to all who participated, for championing this effort and turning up the heat to support our schools and our kids!
✨SAVE THESE DATES- YOUR FAVORITE WCEF EVENTS ARE COMING SOON!
Taste & Toast is back on March 25!
WCEF is excited to once again bring together our Walnut Creek community to Taste & Toast to education on March 25 from 5:30-8:30pm! Taste & Toast is more than an event - it's a lively fusion of flavor, community, and purpose, bringing together our love for local schools and the vibrant heart of downtown Walnut Creek. We’ll be showcasing our school's art, music, and wellness programs all around downtown Walnut Creek, while many downtown businesses provide bites and sips for you to enjoy. Keep a look out for more information here and in upcoming eNews– and join us for food, drinks, and fun in downtown Walnut Creek!
FORE! Education Golf Tournament - May 11th!
Join us for a great day out on the greens at Rossmoor’s Dollar Ranch Golf Course. The day is packed with fun activities, and you get to play the beautiful and challenging Dollar Ranch course, which is not open to the public! Registration opens March 1st. Click here for all the details. Interested in being an event sponsor? Click here for sponsorship info.
Dine Out at Melo’s on February 26th!
Come down to Melo’s in Walnut Creek on Thursday, February 26th, for some delicious food and to support WCEF. Eat in their fabulous restaurant or order food to go, and Melo’s will donate 15% to WCEF. Thank you Melo’s for investing in our schools and our kids!
Round up for Education at Ace Hardware!
Shop at Ace Hardware’s downtown Walnut Creek location during the month of February, and customers can round up the bill and donate that money to WCEF! Finish that home project you’ve been wanting to do; stock up on light bulbs, batteries, and other home essentials; and check out new paint colors - all while supporting our schools and students! Thank you Ace Hardware for your support!
Get better sleep with Mindlab’s Pocket Kado!
Mindlab, a Diamond Business Partner, is providing a free 90-day subscription of its award-winning Pocket Kado tool to anyone donating to WCEF during the month of February. Mindlab’s mission is to empower people around the world to be their best selves and lead fulfilling lives through accessible, innovative, and evidence-based mental health technology. It developed Pocket Kado to help you build healthy sleep habits and find balance in today’s always-on world. From daily rituals that nurture sleep and mental clarity, to tailored habit-building support, Pocket Kado empowers you to thrive every day.
Find out more about Mindlab here, and more about Pocket Kado here. Thank you Mindlab for your generous support of WCEF.
Attendance
Call or email by 9:00am
If your student is absence for any reason, please don't just tell your teacher. Our attendance clerk, Shelly, must know as well.
Phone number: 925-944-6863 - 24 hrs/7 days (Leave a message)
Please call or email before 9:00am on the day of the student's absence. Available 24/7.
If you are planning to be away, or on vacation, please contact Shelly in the attendance office PRIOR to leaving to set up an Independent Study Contract. The earlier the better so we can prepare!
