In September, the Yokayo Elementary School had an attendance level of 95.15%, making it one of the highest attendance levels within Ukiah Unified Schools; it was ranked third in attendance behind Frank Zeek and Grace Hudson Schools. Yokayo is a Title I school with 440 students enrolled (83% are economically disadvantaged) and has established a consistent culture of accountability and regularity through the Character Counts and Zones of Regulation programs to support the whole child's growth.

Q1.What is Yokayo Elementary Character Counts programme?

Ans. At Yokayo, we are implementing Character Counts! which is a character education programme based on six character values. These values are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. This is a national programme and is incorporated into our daily routines/principles throughout K-5. It helps to teach and create an inclusive environment enabling all students to make positive behaviours and ethical decisions.

Q2. What new programmes are being added at Yokayo in the 2024-2025 school year?

Ans. As part of Ukiah Unified's expansion of early learning intended under the California Universal Pre-Kindergarten Initiative, Yokayo Elementary will offer new Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Classrooms as of the 2024-2025 School Year. These additions will provide structured and supportive opportunities for our youngest students to participate in early learning programming.

Q3. Is there a GATE programme at Yokayo Elementary?

Ans. Yes, there is a GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) programme at Yokayo Elementary. Students are identified as GATE through the district's formal identification process using teacher referrals and academic assessment data as the determining factors. If parents feel that their child may qualify for this programme, they can start the identification process by talking with their child's classroom teacher or the school office.

Q4. At Yokayo, there is a program called the Zones of Regulation which teaches children how to understand and control their feelings. The program? Ans. has been implemented at Yokayo with the goal of helping students identify their feelings and develop ways to self-adjust their behavior and improve their mental health by identifying what "zone" they should be in.

Q5. Yokayo uses ParentSquare to provide timely communication from school to home about school events, attendance, and academic information?Ans. Yokayo encourages family involvement through Love and Logic, which promotes a parent/school partnership that provides shared responsibility for the development of students.