The playground is DONE! 🎉
Our students had the BEST time this morning trying out the brand-new playground and swing set! To say they had a blast is definitely an understatement. We loved seeing all the smiles, laughter, and excitement as they explored their new playground!
What a great way to start the day! We love seeing our Pintos having fun, making memories, and enjoying these new spaces.
It’s a GREAT day to be a Pinto! 🐴
Our students had the BEST time this morning trying out the brand-new playground and swing set! To say they had a blast is definitely an understatement. We loved seeing all the smiles, laughter, and excitement as they explored their new playground!
What a great way to start the day! We love seeing our Pintos having fun, making memories, and enjoying these new spaces.
It’s a GREAT day to be a Pinto! 🐴
🚗🚌 A Quick Note About ES Drop-Off & Pick-Up
I wanted to take a minute to address a few things from yesterday, especially with morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
First, THANK YOU to the majority of our parents who are giving us a little grace during these first few days of school. When things are unfamiliar for students AND staff, everything takes a little more time. There are a lot of moving pieces, and everyone is still learning how the process works.
The good news? I can assure you that it WILL get faster once everyone gets familiar with the routines. So, here are a few tips that will help us get there:
🚗 MORNING DROP-OFF
Our car line drop-off operates as a single lane.
➡️ If there is room in front of you, please pull all the way forward to the stop signs. This allows us to get as many vehicles through the drop-off area as possible.
➡️ If your student needs some extra assistance getting out of the vehicle, please use one of the available parking spots instead of stopping in the drop-off line. Our staff will be happy to help your student get safely across the crosswalk and into the building.
➡️ If you get out of your vehicle in the drop-off line, a staff member may come speak with you about another option. This isn't about being difficult—it is simply about keeping the line moving safely and efficiently for everyone.
➡️ Please do not pull around another vehicle. This is a HUGE safety concern.
🚌 AFTER-SCHOOL PICK-UP
Here is how dismissal currently works:
🚌 BUS RIDERS — Teachers will walk students to their buses. On a normal day, buses will leave at approximately 3:10 PM.
🚶 WALKERS — For safety reasons, walkers will be released from the front door/Circle Drive after the car line has been completed and the buses have been released.
🚗 CAR LINE — Students will be dismissed through the car line process.
Right now, the end-of-day process may take a little longer because students, teachers, and staff are all getting familiar with the routine. Once everyone knows where they need to be and what they need to do, the process will move much more quickly. Last year, once everyone was familiar with the routine, we were typically finished by 3:10 each day.
Our goal is simple: get everyone where they need to go SAFELY and as efficiently as possible.
Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and most importantly, for helping us keep our students safe. We appreciate the grace you are giving us during these first few days!
And don't worry…we're learning too. 😁
We're going to get this figured out together!
I wanted to take a minute to address a few things from yesterday, especially with morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
First, THANK YOU to the majority of our parents who are giving us a little grace during these first few days of school. When things are unfamiliar for students AND staff, everything takes a little more time. There are a lot of moving pieces, and everyone is still learning how the process works.
The good news? I can assure you that it WILL get faster once everyone gets familiar with the routines. So, here are a few tips that will help us get there:
🚗 MORNING DROP-OFF
Our car line drop-off operates as a single lane.
➡️ If there is room in front of you, please pull all the way forward to the stop signs. This allows us to get as many vehicles through the drop-off area as possible.
➡️ If your student needs some extra assistance getting out of the vehicle, please use one of the available parking spots instead of stopping in the drop-off line. Our staff will be happy to help your student get safely across the crosswalk and into the building.
➡️ If you get out of your vehicle in the drop-off line, a staff member may come speak with you about another option. This isn't about being difficult—it is simply about keeping the line moving safely and efficiently for everyone.
➡️ Please do not pull around another vehicle. This is a HUGE safety concern.
🚌 AFTER-SCHOOL PICK-UP
Here is how dismissal currently works:
🚌 BUS RIDERS — Teachers will walk students to their buses. On a normal day, buses will leave at approximately 3:10 PM.
🚶 WALKERS — For safety reasons, walkers will be released from the front door/Circle Drive after the car line has been completed and the buses have been released.
🚗 CAR LINE — Students will be dismissed through the car line process.
Right now, the end-of-day process may take a little longer because students, teachers, and staff are all getting familiar with the routine. Once everyone knows where they need to be and what they need to do, the process will move much more quickly. Last year, once everyone was familiar with the routine, we were typically finished by 3:10 each day.
Our goal is simple: get everyone where they need to go SAFELY and as efficiently as possible.
Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and most importantly, for helping us keep our students safe. We appreciate the grace you are giving us during these first few days!
And don't worry…we're learning too. 😁
We're going to get this figured out together!
Change can be hard, and learning something new can feel overwhelming at first—we understand!
As we transition to our new communications platform, Apptegy, we appreciate your patience as everyone gets familiar with the new system. We truly believe this change will make communication easier, more accessible, and more streamlined for our students, families, and staff by bringing everything together in one convenient place.
If you have questions or need a little extra help, we've created resources to guide you every step of the way. Visit our Apptegy Rooms information page to find answers to frequently asked questions and helpful tutorials:
https://www.californiak12.org/page/apptegy-rooms-information
Thank you for your support as we continue making positive improvements across our district. We're excited for what this new platform will bring and can't wait for everyone to experience its benefits.
It's a great day to be a Pinto! ❤️
As we transition to our new communications platform, Apptegy, we appreciate your patience as everyone gets familiar with the new system. We truly believe this change will make communication easier, more accessible, and more streamlined for our students, families, and staff by bringing everything together in one convenient place.
If you have questions or need a little extra help, we've created resources to guide you every step of the way. Visit our Apptegy Rooms information page to find answers to frequently asked questions and helpful tutorials:
https://www.californiak12.org/page/apptegy-rooms-information
Thank you for your support as we continue making positive improvements across our district. We're excited for what this new platform will bring and can't wait for everyone to experience its benefits.
It's a great day to be a Pinto! ❤️
🌧️ Due to some rain, our poured-in-place surface for the new playground didn’t get installed as quickly as we had hoped, but no fear—it’s officially in!
Because the surface needs to sit for 24 hours before it can be played on, our students will have to wait just a little bit longer. But very soon, our Pintos will be enjoying this awesome new playground!
We can’t wait to share it with our students! It’s a great day to be a Pinto! 🐴
Because the surface needs to sit for 24 hours before it can be played on, our students will have to wait just a little bit longer. But very soon, our Pintos will be enjoying this awesome new playground!
We can’t wait to share it with our students! It’s a great day to be a Pinto! 🐴
🍎✏️ Welcome Back, Pintos! ❤️
The wait is almost over—we can't wait to welcome our Pintos back for the first day of school on Monday, August 24! 🎉
A new school year means new opportunities, new friendships, and new memories. We are excited to see our hallways filled with smiling faces and can't wait to kick off an amazing 2026–2027 school year together!
A few reminders:
📚 Get a good night's sleep.
⏰ Plan to arrive on time and ready to learn.
😊 Bring your Pinto pride and a positive attitude!
Here's to a fantastic year of learning, growth, and success. We'll see you Monday!
Go Pintos! ❤️ #PintoPride #BackToSchool #WelcomeBack #MOEducation
Free & Reduced Meal Applications Are Now Open for the 2026–2027 School Year!
Have you completed your meal benefits application yet? We encourage every family to apply—even if you aren't sure you'll qualify. Every application helps support our district and our students.
To apply:
• Log in to your Parent Infinite Campus account.
• Click More on the left-hand menu.
• Select Meal Benefits.
• Click Meal Benefits Application and complete the application.
Thank you for helping us spread the word!
Have you completed your meal benefits application yet? We encourage every family to apply—even if you aren't sure you'll qualify. Every application helps support our district and our students.
To apply:
• Log in to your Parent Infinite Campus account.
• Click More on the left-hand menu.
• Select Meal Benefits.
• Click Meal Benefits Application and complete the application.
Thank you for helping us spread the word!
💲🍎 Elementary Fun Fact Friday: Lunch Money Made Easy! 🍎💲
Wondering how to add money to your child's lunch account? It's easier than finding that missing lunchbox on Monday morning! 😉🥪
The quickest way is through your Infinite Campus Parent Portal!
📱 Simply:
✅ Log in to Infinite Campus
✅ Click the ☰ (three lines) on the left side
✅ Select Food Service
✅ Choose your student
✅ Enter the amount you'd like to add
✅ Add to your cart and pay!
💵 Prefer cash or a check? That's perfectly fine, too! Just send it to school in a sealed envelope with your child's name clearly written on it so it gets to the right account. All checks should be made payable to California R-1 School District.
Need to apply for Free & Reduced Meals? You can find the application on our Food Services webpage:
https://www.californiak12.org/page/food-services
One less thing to worry about means more time to enjoy the last days of summer! ☀️💙🐴
It's a great day to be a Pinto!
Wondering how to add money to your child's lunch account? It's easier than finding that missing lunchbox on Monday morning! 😉🥪
The quickest way is through your Infinite Campus Parent Portal!
📱 Simply:
✅ Log in to Infinite Campus
✅ Click the ☰ (three lines) on the left side
✅ Select Food Service
✅ Choose your student
✅ Enter the amount you'd like to add
✅ Add to your cart and pay!
💵 Prefer cash or a check? That's perfectly fine, too! Just send it to school in a sealed envelope with your child's name clearly written on it so it gets to the right account. All checks should be made payable to California R-1 School District.
Need to apply for Free & Reduced Meals? You can find the application on our Food Services webpage:
https://www.californiak12.org/page/food-services
One less thing to worry about means more time to enjoy the last days of summer! ☀️💙🐴
It's a great day to be a Pinto!
📚 It's almost time to head back to school!
We love seeing everyone's first-day-of-school photos! Be sure to print the grade-level sign for your student, snap a picture on the first day of school, and share it with us. We can't wait to see all of our Pintos smiling and ready for an amazing year!
It's a great day to be a Pinto!
We love seeing everyone's first-day-of-school photos! Be sure to print the grade-level sign for your student, snap a picture on the first day of school, and share it with us. We can't wait to see all of our Pintos smiling and ready for an amazing year!
It's a great day to be a Pinto!
Elementary Parent Update:
KidAccount will not be active until the first day of school. We will also be updating KidAccount on Monday with student schedules and other important information.
📚 Elementary Open House TONIGHT!
Registration for the upcoming school year is completed online through our student information system, Infinite Campus. Families will no longer need to complete a paper registration packet.
🏫 Elementary Open House
📅 Wednesday, August 19
🕔 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Open House gives students and their families the opportunity to:
🍎 Meet their teachers
🏫 Visit their classrooms
📸 Take Fall Pictures before the first day of school
⚠️ Important Reminder: Please complete your child's online registration BEFORE attending Open House. Completing registration in advance will help make the evening run more smoothly and ensure everything is ready for the start of the school year.
If you have questions or need access to a computer or internet, we will have assistance available during Open House. However, if you are able, we kindly ask that you complete your online registration beforehand.
We can't wait to welcome our elementary students and families back for another great school year! 💙❤️
Hey, Pinto Families!
Skip the cooking and join us for Open House! Chick-fil-A will be at the Elementary and Middle School Open House from 5:00–7:00 p.m. for a special Back-to-School Fundraiser.
A portion of the evening's sales will be donated right back to our school, so it's a great way to support our students while enjoying dinner.
Stop by Open House, grab a bite to eat, and help us kick off an amazing school year. We can't wait to welcome everyone back and see all of our students' smiling faces!
Skip the cooking and join us for Open House! Chick-fil-A will be at the Elementary and Middle School Open House from 5:00–7:00 p.m. for a special Back-to-School Fundraiser.
A portion of the evening's sales will be donated right back to our school, so it's a great way to support our students while enjoying dinner.
Stop by Open House, grab a bite to eat, and help us kick off an amazing school year. We can't wait to welcome everyone back and see all of our students' smiling faces!
📸 Reminder: Elementary Picture Day will be held during Open House on August 19, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. Be sure to stop by so your student can have their school picture taken! We can't wait to see all of those smiling faces! 😊
We LOVE to see the progress! Big things are happening here at our elementary school, and of course, we can’t forget about the playground progress!
We love watching the playground come together and can’t wait to see the finished product and, most importantly, share it with our students! We know they are going to LOVE it!
It’s a great day to be a Pinto!
We love watching the playground come together and can’t wait to see the finished product and, most importantly, share it with our students! We know they are going to LOVE it!
It’s a great day to be a Pinto!
⏰ Elementary Fun Fact Friday: Building Times! ⏰
🎒 Tick tock, Pintos! The school day moves fast, so let’s make sure everyone knows the schedule before the first bell rings! 🐴💙
We know mornings can be a little crazy — finding shoes, packing backpacks, and remembering where that missing water bottle went… 😉 — but arriving on time helps students start their day feeling ready and successful!
Here’s the scoop on our daily schedule:
🏫 Building Opens: 7:00 AM
🥞 Breakfast: 7:00 AM–7:45 AM
🚪 Doors Close: 7:50 AM
📚 School Begins: 7:50 AM
🏁 Dismissal: 2:55 PM
Students should be in their classrooms and ready to learn by 7:50 AM. Any student arriving after that time will be considered tardy and must be signed in at the office by a parent/guardian before heading to class. Students will make their lunch choice and receive an admission slip when signing in.
📌 A quick reminder: If you need to pick your child up during the school day, please stop by the office and sign them out before they leave.
Starting the day on time helps students get settled, connect with classmates, and not miss important learning! 💙
Set those alarms, pack those backpacks, and get ready for a great year, Pintos! ⏰🐴
It’s a great day to be a Pinto!
🎒 Tick tock, Pintos! The school day moves fast, so let’s make sure everyone knows the schedule before the first bell rings! 🐴💙
We know mornings can be a little crazy — finding shoes, packing backpacks, and remembering where that missing water bottle went… 😉 — but arriving on time helps students start their day feeling ready and successful!
Here’s the scoop on our daily schedule:
🏫 Building Opens: 7:00 AM
🥞 Breakfast: 7:00 AM–7:45 AM
🚪 Doors Close: 7:50 AM
📚 School Begins: 7:50 AM
🏁 Dismissal: 2:55 PM
Students should be in their classrooms and ready to learn by 7:50 AM. Any student arriving after that time will be considered tardy and must be signed in at the office by a parent/guardian before heading to class. Students will make their lunch choice and receive an admission slip when signing in.
📌 A quick reminder: If you need to pick your child up during the school day, please stop by the office and sign them out before they leave.
Starting the day on time helps students get settled, connect with classmates, and not miss important learning! 💙
Set those alarms, pack those backpacks, and get ready for a great year, Pintos! ⏰🐴
It’s a great day to be a Pinto!
California Elementary Picture Day is Wednesday, August 19, 2026!
Families can pre-order pictures online through Wagner Portrait Group:
Pre-Order Password: 4G5V4S5S
Pre-Order Online: http://www.wagnerportraitgroup.com/
Be sure your child comes ready for their picture on Wednesday, August 19!
We can’t wait to see those smiling faces!
https://wagner.portraitpics.co/api/v2/keys/lookup/wagner?key=4G5V4S5S
Families can pre-order pictures online through Wagner Portrait Group:
Pre-Order Password: 4G5V4S5S
Pre-Order Online: http://www.wagnerportraitgroup.com/
Be sure your child comes ready for their picture on Wednesday, August 19!
We can’t wait to see those smiling faces!
https://wagner.portraitpics.co/api/v2/keys/lookup/wagner?key=4G5V4S5S
🎒🍎 Back to School is Almost Here! 🍎🎒
The countdown is on! We can't wait to welcome our students back for an exciting new school year!
📅 First Day of School: Monday, August 24, 2026
🕢 School Begins: 7:50 AM
🕒 Dismissal: 2:51 PM
📍 California Elementary School
101 S. Owen St.
California, MO 65018
Be sure to complete your online enrollment before the first day of school:
es.californiak12.org/o/es
Here's to a year filled with learning, growth, and Pinto Pride! We can't wait to see everyone on August 24! 💙
The countdown is on! We can't wait to welcome our students back for an exciting new school year!
📅 First Day of School: Monday, August 24, 2026
🕢 School Begins: 7:50 AM
🕒 Dismissal: 2:51 PM
📍 California Elementary School
101 S. Owen St.
California, MO 65018
Be sure to complete your online enrollment before the first day of school:
es.californiak12.org/o/es
Here's to a year filled with learning, growth, and Pinto Pride! We can't wait to see everyone on August 24! 💙
📱 Elementary Fun Fact Friday: How Do I Contact My Child’s Teacher? 📚
Easy… we’ve got an app for that! 😉
By now, you’ve probably heard about our new California R-1 App — your one-stop shop for staying connected with everything happening at school! 🐴💙
Through the app, families can:
✅ Message teachers directly
✅ Access important school information
✅ Connect to Infinite Campus
✅ Visit the district website
✅ Receive one-way updates and two-way communication
Prefer email? No problem! You can still contact your child’s teacher directly that way, too.
This school year, stay informed, stay connected, and stay in the loop — all from one convenient place! 📲✨
It’s a great day to be a Pinto!
Easy… we’ve got an app for that! 😉
By now, you’ve probably heard about our new California R-1 App — your one-stop shop for staying connected with everything happening at school! 🐴💙
Through the app, families can:
✅ Message teachers directly
✅ Access important school information
✅ Connect to Infinite Campus
✅ Visit the district website
✅ Receive one-way updates and two-way communication
Prefer email? No problem! You can still contact your child’s teacher directly that way, too.
This school year, stay informed, stay connected, and stay in the loop — all from one convenient place! 📲✨
It’s a great day to be a Pinto!
🎉 Pre-K Families! The wait is over! Class lists are now posted on the outside doors of the Elementary Building at the car line drop-off entrance.
We can’t wait to welcome our newest Pintos and see all of those smiling faces soon! We’re excited for a great year ahead! ❤️
We can’t wait to welcome our newest Pintos and see all of those smiling faces soon! We’re excited for a great year ahead! ❤️
Please join us on Wednesday, August 26, at 6:00 p.m. in the CHS Library for our Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP) meeting!
A CSIP is our district's long-term strategic plan for improving student achievement, school operations, and overall performance. Your ideas, feedback, and perspective are an important part of shaping the future of California R-1.
We can't wait to collaborate with our families, staff, and community members as we work together to make our schools even stronger. We hope to see you there!
👀 Can you spot what's NEW on our playground? 🛝✨
As our playground transformation continues, we're excited to add another fun feature for our California Pintos to enjoy! We can't wait to see students soaring through the air, sharing laughs with friends, and making new memories this school year.
There's even more to come, so keep an eye out for additional playground updates as we get ready to welcome our students back!
Who's ready to take the first swing? 🙋♀️🙋♂️
#CaliforniaPintos #PintoPride #PlaygroundUpdate #BackToSchool #SwingIntoFun #GrowingTogether
As our playground transformation continues, we're excited to add another fun feature for our California Pintos to enjoy! We can't wait to see students soaring through the air, sharing laughs with friends, and making new memories this school year.
There's even more to come, so keep an eye out for additional playground updates as we get ready to welcome our students back!
Who's ready to take the first swing? 🙋♀️🙋♂️
#CaliforniaPintos #PintoPride #PlaygroundUpdate #BackToSchool #SwingIntoFun #GrowingTogether
