News

As we enter this Memorial Day weekend, our hearts are heavy with news of the tragedy that happened at Uvalde Elementary School in Texas.  The grief and sadness for the loss of innocent lives is unimaginable.  I appreciate the families that have reached out about site safety and how to help.  Phoebe Hearst is one of the safest sites in SCUSD as we are fully fenced with locked gates during school hours.  One of our SCUSD school psychologists shared parent resources for families that would like further support.  

Summer Matters
SCUSD Summer Matters school sites have now been confirmed and applications are now officially live. Unfortunately, Phoebe Hearst is not on the list for Summer Matters and we will not be running a fee-based program. However, there are many other nearby school sites on the list!  The link below will take you to the Youth Development Website where you can sign your student up for Summer Program. The applications will be due by June 10th. 
https://www.youthdevelopmentscusd.org/copy-of-summer-1

Library Books Due
Next week is the last week for school library. All Phoebe
Hearst library books should be returned by Friday, June 3 ^rd.

It’s Hot!
We are out of cups for our drinking fountains.  Please send your child with a water bottle so they can stay hydrated in this hot weather. Thank you!

Traffic Safety
Help needed with traffic counts

Our Traffic Safety Committee is collecting data in and around our parking lot to put real numbers to the volume and movement of cars during dropoff and pickup. If you can help take traffic counts before or after school next week (May 31 – June 3), please reach out to [email protected].

Phoebe Bike Bus
We had such a good week on the Bike Bus! We got new riders and all our bikers got stronger. It is always so fun to ride in a group. Together, Phoebe Hearst students rode more than 400 miles on the Bike Bus in May. It is going so well that we are going to keep it up until the end of the school year. That’s right – June is also Bike Month! If your child wants to ride with us, they do not need a parent to join. We have enough adults to help all of our riders. Join us at 7:30 am at 35th and M St, or anywhere on M St as we ride by. 

Open House COVID Protocols:
Teachers have been actively preparing to welcome families to Open House on May 25th at 5:30 pm.  Please join us on the blacktop at 5:30 pm sharp for staff introductions.  

On May 11th our district communicated updated COVID protocols pertaining to large outdoor gatherings to all SCUSD families.    Per the updated guidance, all students, families and staff attending open house will be required to wear a mask while indoors.   We have been experiencing an increase of COVID cases.  Mask wearing will reduce the risk of students and staff contracting COVID and being absent during the last days left of the school year.  We will have masks and hand sanitizer available for all.  Please ensure that you stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms.  

Phoebe’s production of Moana Jr is May 21st and 22nd

Tickets are now available for Phoebe Hearst’s production of Moana Jr, May 21st and 22nd at the Land Park Amphitheater. We have two casts with 2 shows each, so check cast lists before you purchase. You can buy tickets here:  https://www.youngactorsstage.com/tickets

The PARTY
Come join us for an adult only get together at Tower Brewery on Saturday, May 21st at 5:00 pm.  This is a celebration for our Phoebe community – past & present with live music, a food truck and beverages available for purchase.  Our live music is provided by our very own Mr. Iliff’s band, The Why Nots.  See you there!

Traffic Safety:
Get involved and be a part of the Drop Off/Pick Up team
For information on being a volunteer at drop off and pick up times please click on the link below, and fill out the form. The dedicated and involved families that are a part of our community help our school run smoothly, thank you for doing your part. Click here!

May is Bike Month! 
Thanks to those of you who have already pedaled into school. We would love to see you continue to ride next week and welcome new riders to get to school by bike so we’re offering a little incentive to do so. Participation in the Bike to School Week Program is easy. For all students who ride their bike to school during the week of May 23-27th, they will receive some bike swag and a $10 Jamba gift card to say “thank you” for your contribution to supporting a cleaner environment and a healthier you. A parent volunteer will be located at the bike racks in the morning when you get to school with a sign in sheet each day to log your participation. Students will be able to pick up their swag and gift card in the office on Friday June 3rd. As a bonus, any student who bikes to school all 5 days during this week, will receive an additional prize; we look forward to seeing you out there.

Important Dates:

May 30th – Memorial Day – No School

June 15th & 16th – Minimum Days

June 16th – Last Day of School

Thank you!
Michelle Pechette 
Principal

Open House COVID Protocols:
Teachers have been actively preparing to welcome families to Open House on May 25th at 5:30 pm. Please join us on the blacktop at 5:30 pm sharp for staff introductions.  

On May 11th our district communicated updated COVID protocols pertaining to large outdoor gatherings to all SCUSD families.    

Per the updated guidance, all students, families and staff attending open house will be required to wear a mask while indoors. We have been experiencing an increase of COVID cases.  Mask wearing will reduce the risk of students and staff contracting COVID and being absent during the last days left of the school year. We will have masks and hand sanitizer available for all. Please ensure that you stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms.  

Traffic Safety:
May is Bike Month!
The Bicycle Bus is going strong! We ride from 35th and M St at 7:30am every morning, gathering friends along the way. We have ten to twenty riders every day, from kinder to 6th graders. When you are ready to ride with us, just show up on M St! On Monday, May 16, let’s have as many Dragons as possible ride to school on the Phoebe Hearst Bike Bus! 

Handicapped  Parking:
Please remember that you must have a handicap placard to legally park in a handicap parking spot.  We have grandparents and families that need the use of those spaces. Please be kind and leave those spaces to those that need them.  

Michelle Pechette
Principal

I wanted to extend a special thank you to all of our wonderful families that showed appreciation to our staff this past week.  It was a wonderful week with lots of joy because of YOU!  

Open House 5/25 @ 5:30 pm
You are invited to Phoebe Hearst’s Open House on May 25th at 5:30 pm.  Please plan to meet on the blacktop for announcements and instructions of staff.  Classrooms will be opened after announcements.  We are SO excited to have families back on campus!

Phoebe’s production of Moana Jr is May 21st and 22nd

Tickets are now available for Phoebe Hearst’s production of Moana Jr, May 21st and 22nd at the Land Park Amphitheater. We have two casts with 2 shows each, so check cast lists before you purchase. You can buy tickets here:  https://www.youngactorsstage.com/tickets

PTO Updates:
Would you like to be part of the Phoebe PTO board?

It’s that time, where we look for new members to serve on next year’s PTO board. We expect to have a “regular” year where we bring back beloved Phoebe events like Harvest Festival, Science Night, and the Spring Live and Silent Auction. There’s lots to do! Contact Jenny Simmons at [email protected] before May 13th if you are interested to learn more and hear about the open positions.

Home Run Reader
Today (5/6) is our River Cats game day at 6:45 pm. 

Please buy your tickets today!   https://fevo.me/3JaTgJ4 The River Cats stadium is a clear bag, mobile ticket, and cashless facility. Questions? Please see attached pdf and/or email [email protected].

Traffic Safety Update:

Bike to School:
The Bicycle Bus is going strong! We ride from 35th and M St at 7:30 am every morning, gathering friends along the way. We’ve got ten to twenty riders every day this week, from kinder all the way up. When you are ready to ride with us, just show up on M St! On Monday, May 9th, let’s have as many Dragons as possible ride to school on the Phoebe Hearst Bike Bus! 

Drop off:
Just a reminder that traffic is very light for drop-off between 7:30 am and 7:45 am.  

Thank you and have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend.
Michelle Pechette
Principal

Phoebe Hearst Principal Search:
Community input is critical in helping us find our next Phoebe Hearst Elementary School principal. We will provide our community with opportunities to help us identify characteristics for our new principal and inform the type of interview questions we’ll use in the process. Please click on the link for more information and how you can add feedback.

Dollar Free Dress Friday, May 6th:
Friday, May 6th is a dollar free dress Friday supporting children in Ukraine.  This Friday will be unique in that we are asking families to donate online rather than bringing money to school.  Here is the link to donate.  Thank you for supporting children in Ukraine. 

Traffic Safety:
May is Bike Month:

The Bicycle Bus starts on Monday! Every morning in May, we will ride from 35th and M St to Phoebe Hearst, leaving at 7:30am. Your rider or roller can join us anywhere along the route. We will do a practice ride this Sunday, leaving 35th and M St at 11am. We would love for your student to join us. If you think your family will be part of the Bicycle Bus, please fill out this form: 2022 Phoebe Hearst Bike Train – Google Forms

PTO Announcements:
Teacher Appreciation Week:
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2-May 6. This year, rather than orchestrating how families show thanks with schedules and specific tasks, we ask our families to show appreciation in their own individual way. There are so many creative ways to say thank you to your teacher. Here are a few ideas…

• A homemade card, hand-drawn picture, or a letter
• Flowers from your garden
• Offer to bring their favorite coffee drink or snack
• A video message from your kiddo

Home Run Reader:
Please join us at the Rivercats game Friday, May 6th.  Everyone is invited!  Please click the link to buy your lawn seat tickets now.  Please share the link with friends and family too!  https://fevo.me/3JaTgJ4

Students who hit the Home Run level earn one free lawn seat ticket, provided by PTO.  It will be emailed to you by May 5 th.  Please see the attached list of home run level students.

Congrats to our top 20 readers school-wide and our top two kinders. We will email you directly with game day details by early next week. 

Can’t make it on May 6 th? You may go to the Rivercats box office to use your ticket at another Sunday-Thursday game during the 2022 season.

Prizes will be distributed to your student’s classroom the first week in May.

Questions? Please check phoebehearst.org/home-run-reader for details or email  [email protected].

Updated List of HRR Winners 2022

Parents of 6th graders:
For any families headed to Sutter Middle School next year  – a quick reminder to pre-order your Sutter Spirit Wear by Sunday, May 1st. Orders will be ready for pick up the first week in June — just in time for promotion gifts!  

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfW7CwNySUW9-d1gkMcqP3Dch8AYYhZB6tgXtV5h7aYl6oQ6A/viewform

Thank you,
Michelle Pechette
Principal

As we gear up for the home stretch, I wanted to put out a few reminders of upcoming dates as I know there are many questions surrounding the extension of the school year and how that might affect end of year activities.  Please note that our currently scheduled dates will remain no matter when the last day of school falls:

• Open House – May 25th from 5:30pm-6:30pm in-person!
• Book Fair – May 18th – 25th – Open during open house
• CAASPP Testing for 3rd-6th graders – May 9th – 20th 
• 6th grade Dance – June 14th from 6:00pm-8:00pm
• 6th grade Promotion – June 15th from 8:30-9:30
• 6th grade Swim Party – June 16th @ Cabana Club

A message from our Parent Teacher Organization:

Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2-May 6. This year, rather than orchestrating how families show thanks with schedules and specific tasks, we ask our families to show appreciation in their own individual way. There are so many creative ways to say thank you to your teacher. Here are a few ideas…

• A homemade card, hand drawn picture, or a letter
• Flowers from your garden
• Offer to bring their favorite coffee drink or snack
• A video message from your kiddo

Home Run Reader

• Please join us at the Rivercats game Friday, May 6th.  Please click the link to buy your lawn seat tickets now. Please share the link with friends and family too! https://fevo.me/3JaTgJ4
• Please join us at the 8 am line-up on Friday, April 29th, where Dinger will help us recognize the top 20 readers school-wide and our top two kinders. 
• Students who hit the Home Run level earn one free lawn seat ticket, provided by PTO.  It will be emailed to you by May 5^th.  Please see the attached list of home run level students.
• Questions? Please check phoebehearst.org/home-run-reader for details or email [email protected]. Can’t make it on May 6^th? You may go to the Rivercats box office to use your ticket at another Sunday-Thursday game during the 2022 season.

If your child is heading to Sutter Middle School next school year, we have graduation gift ideas! Fill out this google form and place an order for Sutter Spirit Wear. There are t-shirts, sweatshirts, and socks to choose from and the money supports important Sutter programs. Place your order by April 29th and it should be ready for pick up around the first week in June — just in time for promotion!

Traffic Safety Committee:

Phoebe Hearst Bicycle Bus!

Phoebe Hearst is celebrating May is Bike Month with a Bicycle Bus to school every day. All riders and rollers are welcome.The Bicycle Bus will bike together from 35th and M St at 7:30am; your student can hop on the Bicycle Bus along the route. We can help you get your bikes and riders ready. There will be a free bike mechanic at East Portal Park tomorrow  (Saturday, April 23 from 3 to 4pm) to tune up and fit bicycles. If your student will be taking the Bicycle Bus, please fill out this form:   https://forms.gle/sKk6vXgZHuoHynew7

The Phoebe Hearst Traffic Safety Committee would like to remind all parents that there will be a Parent-focused Traffic Safety Meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:00 pm. All parents are encouraged to attend to learn about progress made to improve traffic safety on and around campus, hear about developments of concern for our area, and share their feedback concerning student safety. The registration link can be found here.

Thank you and take care,
Michelle Pechette
Principal