This orientation night for parents, provides an opportunity for opening up the communication lines between the school and the community. Parents can meet the teachers, review daily schedules, thumb through textbooks and other materials, and learn about the classroom philosophy, including our positive discipline procedures and homework policies.

This special night is held annually during Public Schools Week in April. At this time, parents are able to see their students’ workdisplayed in the classroom, meet with teachers and administration, view other classrooms, and visit with PTO members.

All 5th grade students have the opportunity to attend, with their teacher, this outstanding outdoor camp in the Redwood National Forest. Students are lead on learning adventures through old-growth redwood forests, salmon-bearing streams, and elk inhabited prairies. Lessons relate directly to 5th and 6th grade California State Science Standards and focus on ecological principles such as energy flow, interdependence, the water cycle, adaptation, and the scientific method.

During the school year teachers take their classes on at least two educational field trips. These are an extension of classroom instruction where learning occurs outside the classroom environment. If space permits, parents are welcome to accompany classes. Permission slips and medical release forms must be on file for each student and parent.

Students participate in a canned food drive bringing canned/boxed goods to school prior to winter break. The food products are then distributed to organizations in Arcata that help needy families in the area.

Each year the school celebrates the season with an evening Winter Community Sing-Along for parents and community while PTO sponsors a Cider on the Sidewalk morning for our community the Thursday before winter break.

All grade levels participate in the Spring Into Summer Dance in late Spring/early Summer. This year's dance is currently in the process of being scheduled. Each grade level performs their own dance, some are traditional and some change annually. The finale is traditionally a dance celebrating our graduating 8th graders.

This year we sponsor the annual Pacific Union Basketball Tournament involving 24 teams with a 6th grade bracket, 7th grade bracket, and 8th grade bracket. This tournament is the major fundraiser for our athletic teams.

An exciting volleyball tournament is held in our gym featuring regional teams in a round robin event with talented volleyball players. 

Annually our athletic teams play fun filled events with our faculty, parents, and coaches at the conclusion of the season. The golf team shares their expertise on the golf course, while the volleyball team challenges the faculty to a fun filled game during a school rally. The 8th grade players basketball players challenge parents, faculty, and coaches in an evening event as a post game finale. The last day of school plays host to our annual Staff vs. 8th Graders Softball game.