Week 26 Grading Period 2 February 3, 2025
It was another great week at PBE! We kicked things off with a special morning huddle announcing this year’s Kindness Challenge Kickoff. We also had Mrs. Penny award Mrs. Lisa and Ms. Raugewitz award Ms. Cromar with the PBE Super Staff Awards for January. Congratulations to you both. PBE is blessed to have you as part of our staff family.
The Mission Bay HS student organizers of Mediums of Mental Health have graciously created and donated an SEL board: “Icebergs of Inspiration” for our students to engage with during recess. They will be introducing it to the students on Monday during our morning huddle. Don’t miss it!
We will be donating the lost and found clothing after Presidents’ Weekend, so be sure and look through it before then.
Here are the students who were caught demonstrating leadership last week:
2: Atwell Mya and Olivia
4/5: Cromar Nathan and Diego
3: Raugewitz Joaquin and Ruby
2: Taylor Sophia and Bernie
1: Denenbergs Le and Vera
K: Alba Julian and Benicio
UTK: Alba & Poole Ollie and Owen
1: Luce Isla and Madden
4: Reynolds Audrey, and Fynn
K: Arthur Steven and Lillienne
UTK: Wilson & LP Ben & Gianna
5.Erickson Carly & Aly
3: Warner Brera and Ben
It’s great to be a Penguin!
With penguin pride,
Dr. Karon Schnitzer
Dates to Remember
- February 3rd- Morning Huddle at 7:50
- February 4th- Scholastic Book Fair Begins
- February 4th- ELPAC Testing Begins
- February 7th- Final FREE Parent Workshop with Dr. Wais- 8:00-9:00 a.m. in PD Room
- February 10th- Morning Huddle at 7:50
- February 14-17th- No School in Observance of Presidents’ Day
- February 18th SSC 2:30-3:30
- February 19th- FOPBE Meeting 5:30-6:30- Hybrid
- February 21st- Penguin Dash
- March 7th- No School- District Non-Instructional Day
- March 8th- Spring Forward
- March 15th -PBE Gulls Games
- March 18th-SSC 2:30-3:30
- March 21st FOPBE Auction 6:00-10:00 p.m.
- March 24th- FOPBE Meeting 5:30-6:30 Hybrid
- March 27-28th- Minimum Days for Spring Conferences
- March 31-April 4th- Spring Break
- April 7th School Resumes for final grading period of the 2024-2025 school year
State testing is just around the corner.
Every year, California students take several statewide tests. When combined with other measures such as grades, class work, and teacher observations, these tests give families and teachers a more complete picture of their child’s learning. You can use the results to identify where your child is doing well and where they might need more support.
Your child may be taking one or more of the following California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC), and Physical Fitness Test assessments. For more information regarding state testing, please see this NOTIFICATION.
Did you know that you can practice these tests with your child before they test later this February and May? Here’s how:
Go to: https://www.caaspp-elpac.org/
Go to Practice and Training Tests:
Then select Practice and Training Tests for Students:
Don’t toggle anything, just select sign-in:
Select grader from drop down:
Then scroll to test Smarter Balanced or ELPAC:
No sign in is required. They can practice from any device.
ELPAC Testing Begins on February 4th
Please make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats breakfast so they can do their best on these tests. Please also make every effort to make sure your child is at school on these testing dates: 2/4, 2/5, 2/6, 2/7, 2/11, 2/12, and 2/13.
PBE is Looking for PALS!
PBE is looking for PALS! Pals is Parents at Lunch Support. Are you available to volunteer Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday, and/or Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.?
Being a PBE PAL is a great way to support our school and also see your child during the school day. If you are available and willing, even if it is just one or two days a week, please email Dr. Schnitzer at kschnitzer@sandi.net.
Being a PBE volunteer is easy, you just need to complete a volunteer application, provide a copy of TB (tuberculosis) clearance – these are good for 4 years, and provide a copy of your driver’s license.
Core Academy Continues on Saturday, 2/22 at PBE!
PBE is excited to offer a new program called Core Academy on Saturdays from 8 AM to 12 PM on campus. Core Academy is an additional instructional day offering academic support in various core subject areas (ELA/Math/STEAM) to help students reach their academic goals. Core Academy provides instruction for a minimum of four (4) hours, once a month. Not only do students take part in a mindful morning during this time, but they also have the opportunity to participate in breakfast, lunch and multiple recess breaks. Core Academy provides each student with additional academic skills above and beyond what they receive during a typical weekday school schedule, as well as social skills interacting with peers and teachers throughout the 4 hours of attendance.
In addition to additional instruction and support in academics, students attending Core Academy may recover one (1) eligible full day absence for each full day of attendance. It is worthwhile to note that each student who attends Core Academy and makes up one day of attendance provides PBE $62 in revenue. Core Academy is being run at other San Diego Unified School District locations and the excess money taken in by the school has allowed for additional resources for our students. By enrolling your student(s), you are contributing to the financial health of our school community. Core Academy participation is made available to all 1st through 5th grade PBE students and students can make up full day absences or unexcused absences from the regular school week by attending. If you have any additional questions regarding our Core Academy program, please feel free to contact Mr. Kamansky at gkamansky@sandi.net.
Free Women’s Book Club online with Dr. Wais
If you are interested in learning more, please email Dr. Wais at susan@partnersinthriving.com
PBE Cafe’s Salad Bar is Back!
This January students can find both green kiwis as part of our Harvest of the Month program, and broccoli at the salad bar. If you have not seen our year-end review video, I would encourage you to watch it.
Morning Huddles
In January, we will be moving the location of our Morning Huddle as a new phase of construction will be taking place. Students will be walked over by their teachers and parents may stand in the back. The new location will be in front of the office facing the building. Every Monday morning we are in school, we kick off the week strong by being together for our Monday Morning Huddle. Our student leadership team leads us in the pledges, shares announcements, and celebrates students caught being a leader. This is a time for all to come together and build community. Parents are encouraged to stay and participate. Morning huddles begin at 7:50 a.m. Please note that our gates will continue to lock at 7:55 a.m. so all adults will be asked to exit through the office.
This week we will continue learning the movements that help us understand the Seven Habits. You can see this PBE Leader in Me Video Here.
Jogging Club
Please arrive by 7:25am to find your Runner ID card and have a quick warmup. Family and friends are always welcome! ❤️
Jogging Club will be held every Wednesday and Friday at 7:30am, except in the case of rain. No need to sign up or commit; every student has a Runner ID card. Participants receive monthly incentives and mileage achievement awards, plus end of the year awards for top runners.
The grass is often wet in the mornings; we recommend bringing dry socks and shoes to change into.
Parents, we need volunteers to make Jogging Club happen! Please contact Ana Bailon at anabailon85@gmail.com or Sarah Weber at sarah.p.weber@gmail.com to be added to the volunteer list or with any questions.
See you on the field!
Free Parent Workshops at PBE- Dr. Wais Returns!!
The Attendance Competition Began on January 27th!
Similar to last year, each class needs 10 days of perfect attendance to win an award. For example, each day of perfect attendance, a class would receive a letter to the word ATTENDANCE. Once they spell the word ATTENDANCE, the class wins!
This is a school competition! There will be first, second, third, and fourth place rewards.
1st place- grand prize of a movie and popcorn afternoon.
2nd place- 45 minutes of extra recess.
3rd place- 30 minutes of extra recess.
4th place- 15 minutes of extra recess.
PBE School Site Council (SSC)
Part of the duties of the SSC are to ensure we have an effective school-level parent and family engagement policy. As a component of the school-level parent and family engagement policy, each school shall jointly develop with parents for all children a school-parent compact that outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve the state’s high standards. Please find the 2024-2025 school-level parent and family engagement policy Here. Another important function of the SSC is to ensure that we have strong school and family engagement. Please see the 2024-2025 Family Engagement Policy HERE.
Our next meeting is scheduled for February 18th from 2:30-3:30.
Academic Focus at PBE
After reviewing data with our teachers this school year, we have added to this year’s “Wildly Important Goal (WIG). Our WIG is:
All students will make growth in their math FAST scores from 80% to 85%, SWD from 60% to 75%, and our MELs from 28% to 50% by increasing student talk using collaborative conversations, especially in mathematics using the Three Reads/Number Talks Protocol and holding students accountable to explain their thinking and express it in writing and/or verbally.
This means that the students should be sharing their thinking multiple times throughout the day. Please be sure and ask your child what collaborative conversations they engaged in each day.
We are a Leader in Me School!
Founded on the belief that everyone has the potential to lead, Leader in Me is a comprehensive PK–12 framework that nurtures student leadership, fosters a culture of trust, and boosts academic success. This proven approach empowers students, educators, and families with essential leadership and life skills, preparing them to excel. This past week, some of Ms. Arthur’s students shared their Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) with the staff as well as their lead measure (strategy) for working on that goal. We also met as a staff to plan our very first World Penguin Day on April 25th! This will be a mostly student-led event. Stay tuned for more details.
PBE Mission and Vision Statements
We have been working on classroom mission statements. Last year, we took our then current school mission and vision statements and sought and embraced feedback and input from our staff, community, and especially our students. Our mission and vision statements we slightly revised to the following:
Our classes have been working on mission statements too. Ask your child what their mission statement is.
Communication
We believe that strong communication between home and school is vital for student success. We will continue to use our school website, school Messenger, weekly emails of our Penguin Press, and our mobile app, Konstella, to keep you informed about important events, updates, and classroom activities. Konstella: https://www.konstella.com/cd/FYA4UQ).Please ensure that your contact information is up to date in our system so that you receive all communications in a timely manner. Be sure to follow FOPBE on social media (https://www.instagram.com/fopbe and www.facebook.com/FOPBE)
PBE Leadership Pledge
School-Wide Expectations
As we strive to cultivate a positive and supportive learning environment at PBE, I wanted to take a moment to remind you of our school-wide expectations, which are:
Be Safe
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Kind
These expectations are not only integral to creating a conducive atmosphere for learning within the school premises but are also fundamental principles that contribute to the overall well-being and development of our students.
In line with our commitment to fostering these values, I encourage you to reinforce these expectations at home as well. By practicing safety, respect, and responsibility in your daily interactions and activities with your child, you not only support their growth and character development but also reinforce the importance of these principles beyond the classroom.
Friends of Pacific Beach Elementary (FOPBE)
FOPBE is on Instagram and Facebook! Follow FOPBE to stay up to date about PBE events, announcements, and reminders, plus fun facts and highlights about our wonderful school! Follow FOPBE at https://www.instagram.com/fopbe/ and/or https://www.facebook.com/FOPBE/
Please connect with our parent partners at: pacificbeachelementary@gmail.com
Parent/Family Handbook
Did you know that our handbook answers many questions that you may have. Please refer to our 2024-2025 Parent/family handbook here.
