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Principal's Message

Payne Elementary School Front Photo

 

Payne Elementary School
2850 N. Mountain View Rd., El Monte, CA 91732

Phone: (626) 652-4900
Fax: (626) 602-3882

Grades: TK – 6th
Principal: Aileen J. La Corte, Ph.D.
Assistant Principal: Ricardo Ortega

Office Hours: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Instructional Time: 8:00 AM – 2:35 PM, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Instructional Time: 8:00 AM – 1:50 PM, Thursday, Friday

Message from the Principal

Portrait of Dr. Aileen J. La Corte, PrincipalWelcome to the 2026–2027 school year! It is with great joy and excitement that I welcome you to Willard F. Payne School as we embark on a truly historic year. Together, we celebrate 100 years of learning, belonging, and excellence with our centennial theme, "Your Adventure Starts Here, Celebrating 100 Years."

Inspired by Pixar's Up, we are reminded that adventure is out there—not only in faraway places, but in every classroom, every book, every question asked, every challenge overcome, and every friendship formed. Like the colorful balloons that lifted Carl's house toward new possibilities, our hopes and dreams lift each of our students toward a future filled with promise. 

At Willard F. Payne School, our mission is to foster a collaborative, multilingual community in which staff and families support the whole child. Together, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued, challenged, and inspired each day. By working in partnership with our families, we create a learning community where students develop academically, socially, emotionally, and linguistically while discovering their unique strengths and passions.

As we begin this new adventure, I invite each family to become an active part of our journey. Attend school events, volunteer when you can, celebrate your child's successes, and stay connected with our school community. When schools and families work together, children thrive.

As we celebrate 100 years of Payne School, let us remember that the greatest adventures are not measured by the places we go, but by the lives we touch, the dreams we encourage, and the community we build together. Thank you for entrusting us with your children and allowing us to be part of their story.

Here's to a year filled with curiosity, courage, kindness, and unforgettable memories. The adventure begins now—and we are so glad you're on this journey with us.

With Gratitude,

Dr. Aileen La Corte
Principal

  • Here are a few tips to help your child achieve their full potential:

    • Establish a consistent homework routine: Designate a quiet, well-lit space for homework and set a regular time for its completion.
    • Encourage reading: Read with your child daily, even for just 15-20 minutes. This helps develop vocabulary, comprehension, and a love of reading.
    • Limit screen time: Set reasonable limits on television, video games, and other electronic devices, especially during study time.
    • Celebrate effort and progress: Focus on your child's hard work and improvement, rather than just grades.
    • Ensure adequate sleep and nutrition: A well-rested and nourished child is better able to focus and learn.
    • Communicate with the teacher: Use ParentSquare to stay in regular contact with your child's teacher to discuss their progress, address any concerns, and collaborate on strategies to support their learning.

  • ParentSquare
    All schools in our district use ParentSquare for school communication, primarily with email, text, and app notifications.

    ParentSquare automatically syncs with our student information system to generate an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.

    ParentSquare is a safe, secure, and modern approach to communication and collaboration between school and home. Learn more and get started today by viewing our ParentSquare web page.