Frequently Asked Questions

Teachers and staff have been planning and working on the safety and curriculum for next school year throughout the whole summer. The first day of school is so exciting and teachers are thrilled to usher in the new school year and meet YOUR kiddo. The PTA has also been working on plans for the upcoming year. We’re excited for all the teamwork ahead. When teachers, staff, parents, and caregivers come together, our community and kids have the best chance to grow and succeed.

That’s why we asked experienced caregivers and teachers to share information and ideas that would help kick off a successful school year. A lot of this is also part of Mrs. Fong’s New Family Orientation. We hope this helps you feel more confident and positive as the school year kicks off! We’re glad you’re here.

AM Kinder | Mon-Thu 8:10-11:35 | Fri 8:10-11:35

PM Kinder | Mon-Thu 11:35-3:00 | Fri 11:35-3:00

1st Grade | Mon-Thu 8:10-2:25 | Fri 8:10-1:05

2nd Grade | Mon-Thu 8:10-2:25 | Fri 8:10-1:05

3rd Grade | Mon-Thu 8:10-2:45 | Fri 8:10-1:05

4th Grade | Mon-Thu 8:10-2:45 | Fri 8:10-1:15

5th Grade | Mon-Thu 8:10-2:45 | Fri 8:10-1:15

Safety is the responsibility of ALL of us. Drop off and pick up times can be chaotic, especially at the beginning of the year. Please be patient and leave plenty of time to get to school and drop off your child. If you do not walk to school, please drop off your child in the safety valet area or park LEGALLY and see them off or walk them in. If you have any questions about the process, please direct them to your child’s teacher or your room parent.

TK/K Arrival:

  • Enter through the TK/K gate (South Gate on Marengo) at 8:10 am or 11:35 am.

  • Must be accompanied by an adult; Wait for teacher just outside gate

  • Please do not use Valet Line. This is a walk up gate, so please either walk to school or park legally and walk your child to school.

1st-5th Arrival:

  • Valet service is available after 7:50 every morning on Marengo Avenue.

  • Enter through the Marengo Avenue gate or the Stratford Avenue gate starting at 7:50 am.

  • To use the Stratford gate, please either walk to school OR park legally and walk to the gate. This is NOT a drop-off gate.

  • To use the Marengo gate, you may walk up, park and walk up, or use the drop-off valet staffed by PTA volunteers.

  • If you are unfamiliar with the valet line, please watch the video, read the protocols, and/or talk with one of the volunteers to understand how it works. *For the safety of all of our children, please pay attention to the valet line volunteers.

Bike Bus

  • Each Tuesday, join an adult-led, safety-in-numbers bike ride to school.
  • Bike Parking available both outside the school in front of the office or inside near the playground
  • Get more details at South Pas Active Streets

Dismissal
Students will exit campus through assigned grade level gates. If you are picking up students from different grade levels at the same dismissal time, they may exit from the youngest sibling’s gate. MAKE SURE your student knows who is picking them up. The little ones will be less nervous if they know the pick-up plan. For older kids, remind them to let their teacher know or to go to the office if they have a problem or don’t see the person picking them up.

  • TK/K: Exit through TK/K gate at 11:35 am or 3:00 pm. Must be picked up by an adult.

  • 1st: Marengo Avenue gate near the auditorium

  • 2nd: Stratford Avenue gate

  • 3rd: Marengo Avenue gate north of the office

  • 4th: Marengo Avenue classroom doors

  • 5th: Marengo Avenue gate south of the two-story building

  • If your child is in an aftercare program off campus, please check with the staff of that program to understand their pick-up procedures.

  • There will be a Wish Night on August 18th, during which you will learn more about your teacher’s hopes and dreams and how you and the PTA can support them.

  • Teachers will let you know what specific supplies your child will need. Some teachers only allow specific school supplies in the classroom so refrain from spending a ton of money on pencil boxes, erasers, etc. that the teacher will inevitably not prefer in the class.

  • Parents who are unable to attend Back-to-school night will get the information they missed from the room parent.

  • Free brunch and lunch is available daily this year.

  • Please refer to the district website and communication for more information, .

  • Help your student memorize their 6 digit student ID number.

  • Find your child’s student ID number on the Parent Portal at my.spusd.net → sign in → Student Info → Profile → General → Student ID.

  • If you send a snack with your child, please try to make it a healthy snack and let your child know that sharing snacks is not permitted.

Families should continue to monitor themselves for symptoms of infectious illness, such as flue or COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms should stay home and seek proper testing and care. Please be assured that student illness is taken very seriously by our school staff who do everything they can to uphold safety standards on campus.

Call the school at (626) 441-5850 and leave a message with the attendance line. It is also helpful to make contact with your child’s teacher to ask what the expectation is for making up missed work.

  • Please encourage your child to let the teacher know if they need help.

  • If they are not in the classroom, playground supervisors and other support staff are around during recess and lunch.

  • If there are ever any issues, please communicate with your child’s teacher. The more we strengthen the school/home partnership, the more we nurture student success.

Stop by the office (not during the rush of drop off or pick up). The office is where you will go if you’re volunteering or have meetings with school staff/teachers, need to pick up make-up work, or if the health clerk calls you to pick up your child. Ms. Leah knows everything Marengo, so you can think of her as a very busy resource.

Know how to access the Aeries parent portal and check out the following to help make sure you’re always in the know. Remember to update your email/phone number on these forums to ensure emails are not going to junk mail.

Yes! Mango (named by our students) the Lion joined our community in 2022. We couldn’t be happier when Mango shows up to dance.

  • Label EVERYTHING if you want it back. Jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes etc. If it’s not attached to your child it can and most likely will get lost. Label it. We have a lost & found, and we’re always in need of volunteers to help organize it!

  • Talk with your child about YOUR excitement and expectations for their first days of school then let them share THEIRS. Make sure everyone is on the same page to help make the start of the school year very powerful and positive.

  • Set norms/rules NOW for homework, bed times, etc.

  • Never doubt that you are an important part of our community. Get involved. Volunteer. Talk with others during drop-off/pick-up. Attend PTA meetings and Parent Education Workshops and Webinars.

Part of what makes Marengo so special is our vibrant community. Check out these local organizations to take part!

South Pasadena Education Foundation

DUDES

AYSO 214 South Pasadena/San Marino

South Pasadena Little League

South Pasadena San Marino YMCA

South Pasadena Public Library

Cub Scouts Pack 7

Scouts Troops 342

South Pas Active Streets