Parent Resources
San José Unified is dedicated to supporting families so they are able to help their student achieve success. We encourage you to explore the parent resource information to get familiarized with opportunities to participate in your student’s learning. We look forward to collaborating with you to provide an environment in which our students can learn and grow.
Parent Portal
Our Parent Portal is the best way to stay informed about all aspects of your child’s education.
- How to log in
If you received your Parent Portal activation email and are accessing it for the first time, follow these instructions.
If you need to reset your Parent Portal password or if you’ve never accessed your Parent Portal account before, but have an email on file, follow these instructions
If you’ve never accessed your Parent Portal account before and don’t have an email on file, please .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to verify your email address.
- Download and set up the Parent Portal app
Download the Parent Portal app for iOS or Android
Set up instructions for iOS
Parent/Student Handbook
The San José Unified Parent/Student Handbook is a guide to help students and families understand the board policies, California laws, and school district procedures that ensure students have every opportunity to succeed in a safe learning environment. You’ll find resources like the instructional calendar, expectations for attendance, behavior guidelines, parent and student rights, and much more.
Download the Parent/Student Handbook.
Please refer to Board Policy 6020 and Administrative Regulation 6020, revised March 1, 2018, to see our policies and regulations for Parent Involvement.
Addendum for Families
San José Unified School District has updated policies and resources to meet the requirements set forth by revisions or additions to California legislation and the Education Code. Based on recent legislative updates, changes were made to the following San José Unified policies and records.
COVID Health and Safety
We anticipate having COVID cases across our schools and classrooms, in line with the COVID case counts in our community. Students who develop COVID symptoms should be tested and remain home while symptomatic. Students who test positive for COVID should report at go.sjusd.org/COVIDtracker.
Volunteer
We welcome family and community members to volunteer in our schools. Please review the following processes and complete this online application.
- New Volunteers
If this is your first time volunteering for San José Unified:
- Review our Volunteer Policies
- Complete the online application
- Send required documents to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
- Get fingerprinted with San José Unified
All volunteers must have the following:
- TB clearance that is valid for the entire school year
- Fingerprint/background check clearance
After completing the online application, you will receive an email with instructions on next steps. You will be invited to complete fingerprinting with San José Unified after you have satisfied the other volunteer requirements. We will send an email confirmation once you are cleared to volunteer.
If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at (408) 535-6139 ext. 15030 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
- Returning Volunteers
All volunteers must complete this process each year:
- Complete the online application.
- Send required documents to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
We will send an email confirmation once you are cleared to volunteer.
If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at (408) 535-6139 ext. 15030 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where can I find a volunteer packet and guidelines?
Volunteer Policies.What types of ID’s are accepted?
Any form of valid photo ID is accepted (e.g. U.S. State ID or Driver’s License, ID from country of origin, passport, student ID, ACR card, etc.)How do I know my fingerprints have cleared? We will send an email confirmation that you have been cleared to volunteer.
How long does it take to receive fingerprinting clearance?
Clearance may take up to a maximum of 30 days. If you don’t receive an e-mail within 30 days, please call us at (408) 535-6139 ext. 15030I’ve had my fingerprints done for another school district. Do I need to do them again through you?
Yes. We do not accept fingerprint confirmations from other agencies, companies or school districts.Where do my fingerprints go?
Fingerprints go to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to check for any past criminal records. We need to receive clearances from both agencies in order to approve your volunteer request.Does my fingerprint information go to immigration agencies?
No. This information only goes to the DOJ and FBI. We are not interested in knowing the immigration status of volunteer applicants.Where can I get a TB test done?
TB tests can be done through your own medical provider and are at your own expense. There are many clinics that perform TB testing at a low cost. There is a TB clinic conveniently located across the street from the District Office at the Santa Clara County Health Department.How often should TB test be done?
Skin or blood tests should be updated every four (4) years. Chest X-Rays (CXR) need to be updated every 10 years.Can I volunteer at multiple school sites during the same school year?
Yes. Fingerprinting clears you for any school inside San José Unified. You only need to complete one online application even if you are volunteering at multiple schools.
After School Programs
We offer an after school program at no cost for eligible students. The school day and the after schoolprogram combine for a total of nine hours each regular school day.
After school programs provide a safe space for students to strengthen social and emotional skills, practice academic skills and increase language acquisition rates for English Learners.
All students in grades TK-6 who meet one of the following criteria are eligible for the after school program at their school at no cost:
- Criteria 1: Homeless youth, Foster youth, Meet state income eligibility requirements, English Learners
- Criteria 2: Children of full-time San José Unified employees
Students who are eligible for the program will receive an invitation to register for the program.
Additionally, we have a limited number of seats for students who do not meet the requirements in criteria 1. These limited seats provide after school programming on days when the regular school year is in session.
San José Unified partners with local agencies to staff the after school programs. Please see your school’s website for information about the program at your school.
Everyday Well-Being
San José Unified encourages everyone to recognize mental health warning signs and build strategies to support everyday well-being.
Family Engagement
San José Unified believes that family engagement is an essential component in the educational success of students. Our Office of Family Engagement provides capacity-building opportunities such as classes and workshops that build on the knowledge base and experiences that families bring with them. These learning opportunities are linked to student learning and offer a way for us to establish a positive, collaborative relationship with every family.
Contact the Manager of Family Engagement at (408) 535-6404 ext. 14319.
- Family University
Our Family University program offers a series of classes and workshops over the course of a single Saturday, when parents can get support and tips for everything from reading with their students to helping them apply for college.
School Transitions
Learn more about school transitions by clicking on the links below:
- Family Liaisons
Our Family Liaisons help us promote classes and other engagement programs to San José Unified families. You will see them at principal’s coffees and other school site events, as well as maintaining office bulletin boards and other resources for learning about family engagement programs.
Check if your school has an assigned Family Liaison
To learn more about becoming a Family Liaison, please contact the Family Engagement Department at (408) 535-6404 ext. 14319.
- Canvas “How to” Videos
- How to download the Canvas Parent app on iOS
- How to download the Canvas Parent app on Android
- How to set up a Canvas Parent account and link it to your student (also available as a PDF)
- How to navigate Canvas courses as an observer
- How to use Canvas calendar as an observer
- How to reset your password as an observer
Parent Organizations
San José Unified acknowledges that parents and guardians are the first and most influential teachers of their students. We recognize that family engagement is an important part of a student’s success and helps contribute to a positive school environment. We encourage families to be involved in district and school activities including but not limited to advisory and advocacy roles, or volunteering time, talent, and knowledge.
Read Board Policy 6020 and Administrative Regulation 6020 for the Parent Involvement opportunities available to you to participate in your children’s education.
View opportunities to participate in our district and school Advisory Committees.
Learn about the requirements to becoming a San José Unified volunteer.
- Parent Teacher Associations (PTA)/Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSA)
A Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a group of volunteers who supports the school through volunteer coordination, community events, school programs, fundraising, and parent education. PTA membership is open to all parents/guardians of students enrolled at the school. Middle schools and high schools have the choice of forming a PTA or PTSA. In the PTSA, students and parents may become members, vote, and hold elected office. Contact your school or visit your school’s website to see if there is an active PTA.
- School-Connected Organizations (SCO)
A School-Connected Organization (SCO) convenes to support the educational and/or extracurricular programs of San José Unified and our schools. The Handbook for School-Connected Organizations has complete details for establishing or renewing an SCO. Contact your principal to see if your school has an operational SCO.
- School Site Councils
The SSC is a decision-making group of parents, students, school staff, and administrators that evaluates the effectiveness of school programs in raising student achievement. The SSC coordinates with the SELAC to review programs for English Learners, assesses schoolwide data to help evaluate the Single Plan for Student Achievement, and monitors programs to ensure they meet federal and state guidelines. For more information or to get involved, visit the school’s website or office.
- School English Learner Advisory Committee (SELAC)
The SELAC is a school-based committee that advises the principal and staff on programs and services for English Learners. The SELAC also submits a site plan for English Learners to the School Site Council for consideration in the School Plan for Student Achievement. For more information or to get involved, visit your student’s school office or website.