Stay positive Panthers....and don't forget to smile!
September 23, 2026
What's happening?
Sept 14 - 25: WCEF Readathon
October 1, 2, 5 & 6: Shortened Days
Tk & K: 11:30am
1st-5th: 12:25pm
October 3: Fall Carnival
October 8, 9 & 12: NO SCHOOL
Principal's Message
Happy fall Panthers!
We are officially into the fall season which means Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, Fall Carnivals, and the WCEF Read-a-Thon!
WCEF Read-a-Thon Update
Parkmead is currently in 4th place in minutes read at 99,213 and 3rd place with donations raised at $22,909.
While being in first isn't everything, I do want to keep our title from last year with most minutes read. So enter those minutes and remember that every donation counts no matter how big or small! We can do this Panthers!!!
The last day to log minutes is Friday at 11:59p. There are no exceptions so please log those minutes!
Easy tracking with Pledgestar:
Log reading minutes (Sept 14 - 25 ONLY) + donations in the app
The Fall Carnival will be on Saturday, October 3 from 3-6pm. Join the fun with games, crafts, prizes, the legendary Boo Bakery, and more - but we need volunteers like you to help make it possible!
The Boo Bakery needs your help! We are still in need of treats for our Fall Carnival booth on October 3rd. If your family is able to donate one dozen spooky treats please sign up here for more information!
We are looking for a few parents to join our School Site Council. School Site Council (SSC) is a committee of teachers, parents and administrators who work together to develop and monitor the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA). Our SSC meets virtually from 3:00-4:00.
If you are interested, please fill out the SSC Interest form.
English Learner Advisory Committee
English Language Advisory Committee Information
The rich diversity of our Parkmead community is one of our greatest strengths, and we are so proud that many of our students are emerging bilinguals.
This year, we are going to hold ELAC (English Learner Advisory Committee) meetings to gather as parents, caregivers, and staff to discuss programs, learning plans, and support for our multilingual students. We would love family feedback to ensure these meetings serve the needs of our community. Please take a moment to complete this brief voluntary ELAC Planning Survey to assist us with planning.
Thank you for your partnership and support in making this a wonderful year for our students!
SELPA Community Advisory Committee
We hope parents of students receiving special education services and supports can take advantage of these Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Parent Trainings throughout the school year. The Contra Costa SELPA CAC is an advisory body that provides input on special education local plans, policies, and parent education to the Contra Costa SELPA Governance Council and Director.
Key Functions and Membership
Advisory Role: Advises on the development and review of the Special Education Local Plan, policy revisions, and annual priorities.
Parent & Community Support: Assists in parent education, builds family advocacy skills, and encourages public involvement.
Composition: Consists of interested parents of students with and without exceptional needs, special and general education teachers, agency representatives, and community members, with a required majority of members being parents.
Participating Districts: Coordinates across 16 local education agencies and districts in Contra Costa County, including Walnut Creek School District.
We hope you see our Walnut Creek families there!
Volunteer Requirements
Deadline September 30, 2026
STEP 1: Complete the Parkmead Volunteer Module (Required for all volunteers) Many volunteers have skipped this step and it must be completed.
STEP 2: Upload TB assessment (required for Level 1) This form must be completed by a medical professional. You may also email this directly to Jaine in the office (jnejedly@walnutcreeksd.org)
STEP 3: Watch the Mandatory Reporter video. If you use the link provided, it will automatically record with the WCSD. (required for Level 2) You DO NOT need to complete the other trainings! (Blood-born pathogens, etc.)
STEP 4: Provide LiveScan fingerprinting clearance (required for Level 2)
STEP 5: For those planning to drive on field trips, provide the following documentation directly to Jaine in the office:
Copy of the POLICY PAGE of your auto insurance showing the limits of liability. ($100,000/$300,000/$100,000) This is NOT the card kept in your car.
STEP 6: If you are planning to JUST attend classroom parties, you need to watch the Mandatory Reporter training video and provide a TB assessment clearance.
**Please note that the MANDATED REPORTER training video is the only one you need to watch regardless of the level clearance you want.
Staff Birthdays - SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER
Jill McCauley, TK Para 9/23
Ms. Richards, Resource Teacher 9/25
Morgan McAllister Borade, ELD Teacher, 9/28
Mrs. Shelly, Attendance Clerk/Health Clerk, 10/2
Mrs. Thompson, Intervention, 10/3
Mrs. Caughlan, Music Teacher 10/7
PERC News & Events
Parkmead Education Resources Council
Fall Carnival - Volunteers Needed
The Fall Carnival will be on Saturday, October 3 from 3-6pm. Join the fun with games, crafts, prizes, the legendary Boo Bakery, and more - but we need volunteers like you to help make it possible! Everyone who signs up to volunteer for Fall Carnival will be entered into a raffle to win a family set of blue Parkmead hoodies!
The Haunted House also needs to borrow 3 large pop-up tents. If you are able to help, please email Natalie Miller at natalie.miller13@yahoo.com
Fall carnival - wristbands available
All are welcome to the Fall Carnival! To participate in games and activities, please purchase a wristband. Pre-sale pricing is $20 per person, and the day of is $25 per person. They are available for purchase on Membership Toolkit through the PERC website, under “PARKMEAD FALL CARNIVAL WRISTBAND”.
Annual Fund donation
Through your generous donation PERC, our school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), is able to purchase classroom supplies, cover the cost of school field trips, provide teacher appreciation, and much more not covered by the school’s regular budget. Your dollars stay right here and help make Parkmead Elementary a wonderful learning environment and community.
Donate to the Annual Fund The suggested donation to help meet the fundraising goal is $250 per family, but any amount is deeply appreciated! Your donation is tax deductible (Federal ID 61-1459498), and remember to find out if your employer has a corporate matching gift program.
Draft PERC Annual Budget
The draft PERC Annual Budget is available to view on the PERC website, in the Resources section. It will be voted on at the October PERC Monthly Meeting on October 16. Please have a look prior to attending the meeting.
Outdoor Family Movie Night
Thank you to all who came out to enjoy the Movie Night last week! We had a great turnout and the kids had a blast! Special shout out to Kim Golds and Shiela Rahimian-Groefsema for all their hard work in putting the event together.
Thank you also to La Roca Food Truck for the delicious Mexican food they provided.
WCLL Softball is here!
Follow us on Socials
PERC Instagram -> @percparkmead
PERC Facebook-> Parkmead PERC PTO
WCEF
Walnut Creek Education Foundation
The Read-a-thon Ends This Friday Sept 25!
⭐WCSD students have read over 436,165 minutes! There is still time to log those minutes, support our schools, and win prizes! Our goal is to read a million minutes!
⭐Our goal is to raise $210,000! So far we have raised $117,048! We are so close! You can still sign up, please visit pledgestar.com/wcef.
⭐Mayor Kevin Wilk and Superintendent Jon Campopiano have agreed to be guest greeters at the October 15th Third Thursday at Bar Camino if we achieve our district wide goals to read 1 million minutes and raise $210,000! How fun!
⭐Don’t forget you can increase your Read-a-thon fundraising with corporate matching! Click here for more info!
Two Upcoming WCEF Dine Outs! - Eat Yummy Food And Support Our Schools!
🌀Dine in or order your food to go (no delivery apps). Mention WCEF and these restaurants will donate!
🌀Eat Gotts on September 24th and they will donate 10%!
🌀Eat Melo’s on October 6th and they will donate 15%!
Attendance
Send a message 24/7
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!
