Principal's Message

August 2025

Dear Curren School Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year at Bernice Curren School, the Enriching Youth via Environmental Studies Academy. We are excited to welcome you and your child to what we anticipate will be a year filled with growth, learning, and meaningful partnerships. The school year will begin on Tuesday, August 19, and our dedicated staff is looking forward to working collaboratively with you to provide an exceptional educational experience for all students.

At Curren, we are committed to creating a safe, positive, and supportive learning environment where students are nurtured academically, socially, and emotionally. We believe all students have the right to learn and grow in a space that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and excellence. Our teachers are devoted to fostering a respectful and inclusive classroom culture, and we expect students to follow our school-wide CHAMPS expectations, classroom guidelines, and policies, including those related to dress code and cell phone use. High standards for behavior and academic performance are essential, and we appreciate your continued support in reinforcing these expectations at home.

Our school office hours are 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. This school year, our teachers district-wide will continue to have staff collaboration days on Wednesdays. Our student school hours will be as follows:

Kindergarten: 8:10 am - 2:25 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; and 8:10 am - 12:25 pm on Wednesdays

1st - 5th Grade: 8:10 am - 2:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; and 8:10 am - 1:25 pm on Wednesdays

6th - 8th Grade: 8:00 am - 2:34 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; and 8:00 am - 1:34 pm on Wednesdays

The first and last Wednesdays of the school year will follow a regular dismissal schedule, except for Kindergarten. A calendar with additional dates and information is available on our website or can be picked up from the front office.

Attendance and punctuality are essential to student success. Please ensure that students arrive on time each day and schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. Students in grades K–5 should be lined up on the playground by the first bell to avoid being marked tardy. Students are expected to go directly home after school unless other arrangements have been made in advance. We thank you in advance for your cooperation in promoting strong attendance habits.

For safety reasons, please be aware that there is no student supervision before 7:30 a.m. or after 2:40 p.m. We ask that families arrange drop-off and pick-up accordingly. Additionally, we strongly discourage the use of rollerblades, scooters, or skateboards as transportation to and from school. These are not permitted on school grounds. Students using bicycles must wear helmets, as required by state law, and secure bikes in the designated bike rack located near the school office. Please note that the school is not responsible for lost or unsecured bicycles, so we recommend the use of sturdy bike locks.

Many students carry cell phones, but they must remain turned off and stored in backpacks during school hours. Students may not use cell phones throughout the school day. All students in grades K–8 will receive a school-issued device for educational use in class and at home. Please remind your child that texting, emailing, photographing, or video recording that violates school or district policies is prohibited. Our shared goal is to maintain an orderly, respectful, and safe learning environment. We encourage parents and students to report any suspicious or unsafe behavior to school staff immediately.

Family engagement is a vital part of student achievement, and staying connected with your child’s teacher and school is more important than ever. We will communicate important updates and information through the Parent Square App. via voice, text, and email. Please download the parent Square App. to your electronic devises. Please notify the school office of any changes to your home address, phone number, or email address to ensure you receive timely updates. Additionally, we kindly ask that you complete and return the following required forms: emergency card, income verification form, and signed parent compact.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Curren School office. You are an essential partner in your child’s education, and we thank you for your continued involvement and support. By working together, we will ensure another successful year of academic progress and enrichment at Bernice Curren School.

Respectfully,

Pablo Ordaz, Principal
Kristin Deas-Chacon, Assistant Principal