The Penguin Press

Week 17 Q2 December 2, 2024

We hope you enjoy this week off to enjoy time with family and reflect on all of the things that make you grateful. I am so incredibly grateful for our amazing PBE staff, our parent/community partnership, and of course- your phenomenal children that bless our school with their presence. This past week during our morning huddle, Mrs. Busboom and Mrs. Warner were recognized by their peers for this month’s PBE Super Star Staff Award. We are so grateful for all they do for our school.

We look forward to seeing you all when you return from break. School resumes on Monday, December 2nd.

The students who were caught being a leader this past week were:

3: Warner Maju and Addie
4: Reynolds Coral and Miles G.
4/5: Cromar Kayla and Kirra
2: Taylor Crue and Vivi
K: Arthur Leo and Pippa
2: Atwell Reika and Penelope
1: Denenbergs Marin and Summer
3: Raugewitz Joaquin and Niccolo
1: Luce Nico and Yuritzi
5: Erickson Kyrylo and Soma
K: Alba Hannah and Noah
UTK: Wilson & Mr. LP Nick and Shae

It’s great to be a Penguin!

With penguin pride,

Dr. Karon Schnitzer

Dates to Remember

• November 25-29- Thanksgiving Break
• December 2- Morning Huddle- 7:50
• December 14th- PB Holiday parade- 1:00 p.m. Details to come
• December 16th Morning Huddle- with staff awards
• December 16th FOPBE Meeting 5:30- virtually
• December 17th SSC 2:30-3:30
• December 20th- Minimum Day- dismissal at 12:15
• December 23-January 6th- WINTER BREAK- SCHOOL is CLOSED
• January 7th- Schook Resumes- Students Return

New Safety Measures in Place at PBE

As you may have noticed, we have been using the new district security system. Upon your arrival, you will need to ring the doorbell and state your reason for the visit. You will then be welcomed into the secure door. Please be prepared to share your identification upon request.

If you are volunteering, please confirm that you have completed all of your volunteer paperwork and sign in – do not forget to take your visitor/volunteer sticker.

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.

Morning Huddles

Every Monday morning, 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. Please plan to stand in the back or on the side so that our students can see the presentation. Morning huddles begin at 7:50 a.m. Please note that our gate will continue to lock at 7:55 a.m. so all adults will be asked to exit through the office.

This week we will start learning the movements that help us understand the Seven Habits. You can see this PBE Leader in Me Video Here.

Jogging Club Has Begun!

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 is Underway at PBE!

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. 

Good luck to all classes! 

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.

During our October meeting, we reviewed data, the budget, elected Kimberley Ponsoll as our Chair and approved this school year’s SSC/SGT Bylaws which can be found HERE. Our next meeting with be on December 17th 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.

Modernization Info at PBE

The building 7- former UTK/K building- is supposed to be finished in December. If it is completed on time, the teachers in building 5- Taylor, Warner, Atwell, Raugewitz, Cortez, Christy and Luce will be moving over winter break. The Denebergs will also be moving to building seven as their permanent location. We appreciate your grace and flexibility as NO ONE wants to move mid-way through the year.

During winter break, the kitchen is supposed to be moving back to its location. We are looking forward to the opening of our new cafeteria and being able to serve our elementary menu which features 3 entrees per day plus a fresh salad bar.

Until that time, the current Modernization Lunch Menu can be found HERE.

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.

Political Neutrality

PBE staff members, students and our PBE families adhere to the following policy on political neutrality in our communications on campus and electronically.
While we understand that political engagement is a fundamental right of every individual, it is equally important to recognize that our primary focus at PBE is on the education and well-being of our students. As such, it is imperative that we refrain from expressing personal political opinions or engaging in political activities while on school grounds or during school-related events. It is our responsibility as educators to create a safe and inclusive space where all students feel respected and valued regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs. Expressing personal political opinions in the classroom or in interactions with students and family members can inadvertently create divisions and make certain individuals feel excluded or marginalized. Therefore, we kindly ask that all members at PBE refrain from discussing or promoting political viewpoints, endorsing political candidates, or engaging in any form of political advocacy while representing PBE. Instead, let us focus our efforts on fostering critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and a sense of community among our students.
By upholding our commitment to political neutrality, we can continue to uphold the values of diversity, inclusivity, and academic excellence that define our school community.

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.

Week 15 Q1 November 18, 2024

Our morning huddle will resume this Monday at 7:50 a.m. Last week was short but filled with much excitement as we held our first annual Military Breakfast. Mrs. Alba’s class kicked things off by leading us in the pledge and the National Anthem. Our SLT proudly served our military families, and we even had guests come and share resources from The Naval Region Southwest and the PB Women’s club.

It’s great to be a Penguin!

With penguin pride,

Dr. Karon Schnitzer

Dates to Remember

• November 18th-22nd- Parent Teacher Conferences- Minimum Days all week long
• November 25-29- Thanksgiving Break
• December 2- Morning Huddle- 7:50
• PB Holiday parade- 1:00 p.m. Details to come
• December 16th Morning Huddle- with staff awards
• December 16th FOPBE Meeting 5:0- virtually
• December 17th SSC 2:30-3:30

New Safety Measures in Place at PBE

As you may have noticed, we have been using the new district security system. Upon your arrival, you will need to ring the doorbell and state your reason for the visit. You will then be welcomed into the secure door. Please be prepared to share your identification upon request.

If you are volunteering, please confirm that you have completed all of your volunteer paperwork and sign in – do not forget to take your visitor/volunteer sticker.

Clothing Drive

November is a month for giving, and FOPBE would like to do its part to help others in need! Starting Monday, November 4th, FOPBE will be running a clothing & hygiene drive in partnership with local PB non-profit organization, We See You San Diego.

We See You San Diego’s mission is to see lives transformed among the homeless population in San Diego. Every Tuesday, families and individuals from all over San Diego come together to host a dinner party for people who live on the streets. It is during this dinner party that We See You provides its guests a personal shopping experience fulfilling their needs of clothing, blankets, hygiene products and more, all thanks to donations that come in from people like you! Our FOPBE clothing & hygiene drive is an easy way for our PBE families to give back to our community.

If you would like to participate, there will be a box set up in the PBE office where you can drop off your donations during office hours starting on November 4th. To see a full list of the most needed donations or to shop the We See You Amazon Wishlist, please visit https://www.weseeyousandiego.com/donating-items.

To learn more about the We See You San Diego organization, please visit https://www.weseeyousandiego.com.

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.

Morning Huddles

Every Monday morning, 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. Please plan to stand in the back or on the side so that our students can see the presentation. Morning huddles begin at 7:50 a.m. Please note that our gate will continue to lock at 7:55 a.m. so all adults will be asked to exit through the office.

This week we will start learning the movements that help us understand the Seven Habits. You can see this PBE Leader in Me Video Here.

Jogging Club Has Begun!

Jogging Club is back on the Joint Use Field! Enter the field via the gate on Turquoise Street. 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 is Underway at PBE!

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. 

Good luck to all classes! 

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.

During our October meeting, we reviewed data, the budget, elected Kimberley Ponsoll as our Chair and approved this school year’s SSC/SGT Bylaws which can be found HERE.

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.

Modernization Info at PBE

The building 7- former UTK/K building- is supposed to be finished in December. If it is completed on time, the teachers in building 5- Taylor, Warner, Atwell, Raugewitz, Cortez, Christy and Luce will be moving over winter break. The Denebergs will also be moving to building seven as their permanent location. We appreciate your grace and flexibility as NO ONE wants to move mid-way through the year.

During modernization, our cafeteria will have a dedicated menu. Without a functioning kitchen, we are limited in our offerings to the students.  As well, we are undergoing an Administrative Review this year and are unable to deviate from the menu.

The Modernization Lunch Menu can be found HERE.

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.

Classroom Communications Policy

In order to minimize classroom disruptions, we wanted to share our policy regarding requests for messages to be sent to students during the instructional day.  Our policy is to avoid classroom disruptions. We encourage parents to make after-school arrangements with their child prior to the beginning of the school day. Phone call disruptions will not be put through to classrooms. If an emergency message needs to be delivered, parents are asked to email the teacher, and a parent may also call the office where a message will also be documented and delivered to the teacher before the end of the day.  

Political Neutrality

PBE staff members, students and our PBE families adhere to the following policy on political neutrality in our communications on campus and electronically.
While we understand that political engagement is a fundamental right of every individual, it is equally important to recognize that our primary focus at PBE is on the education and well-being of our students. As such, it is imperative that we refrain from expressing personal political opinions or engaging in political activities while on school grounds or during school-related events. It is our responsibility as educators to create a safe and inclusive space where all students feel respected and valued regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs. Expressing personal political opinions in the classroom or in interactions with students and family members can inadvertently create divisions and make certain individuals feel excluded or marginalized. Therefore, we kindly ask that all members at PBE refrain from discussing or promoting political viewpoints, endorsing political candidates, or engaging in any form of political advocacy while representing PBE. Instead, let us focus our efforts on fostering critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and a sense of community among our students.
By upholding our commitment to political neutrality, we can continue to uphold the values of diversity, inclusivity, and academic excellence that define our school community.

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.

Week 14 Q1 November 11, 2024

We hope you are enjoying your three-day weekend. We want to extend a heartfelt statement of gratitude for all of our current and past military. We thank you for all that you do for our country. We are excited to host a Military breakfast on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. in the PBE PDR. Please see below to RSVP.

This past week’s Caught Being a Leader winners were:

K: Alba Bem, Hannah, Rocco,
4/5: Cromar Liam P., Carlos
2: Atwell Lena and India
UTK: Alba & Poole Crosby, Lily
3: Warner Sophie and Mia
1: Denenbergs Esme and lisa
5: Erickson Carly and Emily C.
2: Taylor Ryder and Breeze
1: Luce Grayson and Kayson
4: Reynolds Nile, Tanner
3: Raugewitz Marlen and Sawyer
UTK: Wilson & LP Gianna, Lukas

It’s great to be a Penguin!

With penguin pride,

Dr. Karon Schnitzer

Dates to Remember

• November 11th – NO School in honor of our veterans
• November 13th- Military Breakfast to honor our military families- 8:00-9:00 at PBE – details below.
• November 13th- FOPBE Meeting 5:30-6:30 online and in person
• November 18th-22nd- Parent Teacher Conferences- Minimum Days all week long
• November 25-29- Thanksgiving Break
• December 2- Morning Huddle- 7:50
• December 16th Morning Huddle- with staff awards
• December 17th SSC 2:30-3:30

New Safety Measures in Place at PBE

Last week, we began using the new district security system. Upon your arrival, you will need to ring the doorbell and state your reason for the visit. You will then be welcomed into the secure door. Please be prepared to share your identification upon request.

If you are volunteering, please confirm that you have completed all of your volunteer paperwork and sign in – do not forget to take your visitor/volunteer sticker.

Clothing Drive Started November 4th!

November is a month for giving, and FOPBE would like to do its part to help others in need! Starting Monday, November 4th, FOPBE will be running a clothing & hygiene drive in partnership with local PB non-profit organization, We See You San Diego.

We See You San Diego’s mission is to see lives transformed among the homeless population in San Diego. Every Tuesday, families and individuals from all over San Diego come together to host a dinner party for people who live on the streets. It is during this dinner party that We See You provides its guests a personal shopping experience fulfilling their needs of clothing, blankets, hygiene products and more, all thanks to donations that come in from people like you! Our FOPBE clothing & hygiene drive is an easy way for our PBE families to give back to our community.

If you would like to participate, there will be a box set up in the PBE office where you can drop off your donations during office hours starting on November 4th. To see a full list of the most needed donations or to shop the We See You Amazon Wishlist, please visit https://www.weseeyousandiego.com/donating-items.

To learn more about the We See You San Diego organization, please visit https://www.weseeyousandiego.com.

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 drivers license.

Military Breakfast- 11/13 at 8:00 a.m.

We want to honor you and all you do for our country. Please join us on 11/13 from 8:00-8:45 a.m. in the PDR. By 11/11, please complete this short RSVP.

Please note that this celebration is for families CURRENTLY serving our military.

Morning Huddles

Every Monday morning, 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. Please plan to stand in the back or on the side so that our students can see the presentation. Morning huddles begin at 7:50 a.m. Please note that our gate will continue to lock at 7:55 a.m. so all adults will be asked to exit through the office.

This week we will start learning the movements that help us understand the Seven Habits. You can see this PBE Leader in Me Video Here.

Jogging Club Has Begun!

Jogging Club is back on the Joint Use Field! Enter the field via the gate on Turquoise Street. 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 is Underway at PBE!

We started our attendance challenge on Monday, October 7th. 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. 

Good luck to all classes! 

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.

During our October meeting, we reviewed data, the budget, elected Kimberley Ponsoll as our Chair and approved this school year’s SSC/SGT Bylaws which can be found HERE.

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.

Modernization Info at PBE

Our MPR is complete! We hosted our first meeting last week which was PB Middle School coming and speaking to our 5th grade students about the exciting move to PBMS. We are so excited for this space to be returned to us, and we cannot wait to welcome you to it for the upcoming Missoula performances later this month.

The building 7- former UTK/K building- is supposed to be finished in December. If it is completed on time, the teachers in building 5- Taylor, Warner, Atwell, Raugewitz, Cortez, Christy and Luce will be moving over winter break. The Denebergs will also be moving to building seven as their permanent location. We appreciate your grace and flexibility as NO ONE wants to move mid-way through the year.

During modernization, our cafeteria will have a dedicated menu. Without a functioning kitchen, we are limited in our offerings to the students.  As well, we are undergoing an Administrative Review this year and are unable to deviate from the menu.

The Modernization Lunch Menu can be found HERE.

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.

Classroom Communications Policy

In order to minimize classroom disruptions, we wanted to share our policy regarding requests for messages to be sent to students during the instructional day.  Our policy is to avoid classroom disruptions. We encourage parents to make after-school arrangements with their child prior to the beginning of the school day. Phone call disruptions will not be put through to classrooms. If an emergency message needs to be delivered, parents are asked to email the teacher, and a parent may also call the office where a message will also be documented and delivered to the teacher before the end of the day.  

Political Neutrality

PBE staff members, students and our PBE families adhere to the following policy on political neutrality in our communications on campus and electronically.
While we understand that political engagement is a fundamental right of every individual, it is equally important to recognize that our primary focus at PBE is on the education and well-being of our students. As such, it is imperative that we refrain from expressing personal political opinions or engaging in political activities while on school grounds or during school-related events. It is our responsibility as educators to create a safe and inclusive space where all students feel respected and valued regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs. Expressing personal political opinions in the classroom or in interactions with students and family members can inadvertently create divisions and make certain individuals feel excluded or marginalized. Therefore, we kindly ask that all members at PBE refrain from discussing or promoting political viewpoints, endorsing political candidates, or engaging in any form of political advocacy while representing PBE. Instead, let us focus our efforts on fostering critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and a sense of community among our students.
By upholding our commitment to political neutrality, we can continue to uphold the values of diversity, inclusivity, and academic excellence that define our school community.

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.

Safety

Please supervise your children if you are hanging out in the front of the school after dismissal. Children are not permitted to climb the trees on school property. If/when they fall, we are liable. I LOVED climbing tress as a child, so please take them to a park off campus so they can explore the tree-climbing fun. We just cannot allow it to happen on school property. Please also be mindful with all the interactions that you engage in while on or near our elementary-school campus. Please refrain from videotaping other peoples’ children unless you have been given permission from the parent. As we teach our students to be respectful to each other we want to practice demonstrating respect in all our interactions with one another as well. Our children are always watching.

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.

Week 13 Q1 November 4, 2024

It was another great week at PBE! We kicked off the week with our fabulous Student Leadership Team and Mrs. Warner and Ms. Arthur and friends led us in the movements for the Seven Habits of Leader in Me.

We also celebrated as Mrs. Atwell and Mr. Pulido awarded the PBE Staff recipients with their awards. Congratulations, Ms. Toldeo and Mrs. Taylor!

We also enjoyed seeing everyone at the Halloween carnival and parade. Our staff dressed up for the fun parade too. We truly have the best staff ever, right?!

This week’s Caught Being a Leader winners were:

UTK: Alba & Poole Archer and Vivienne
2: Atwell Luca and Olivia
1: Denenbergs Lisa and Falcon
3: Raugewitz William and Anthony
2: Taylor Leila and Julia Semo
1: Luce Isla and Chance
3: Warner Mia and Ayabella
4/5: Cromar Frankie and Cruz
4: Reynolds Cali and Daniel
K: Arthur milo and pippa

It’s great to be a Penguin!

With penguin pride,

Dr. Karon Schnitzer

Dates to Remember

• Monday 4th Morning Huddle- all are welcome- 7:50-8:00 a.m.
• November 6th- Mission Bay Cluster (MBC) Meeting 5:30- 6:30 -virtually- see details below
• November 11th – NO School in honor of our veterans
• November 13th- Military Breakfast to honor our military families- 8:00-9:00 at PBE – details below.
• November 13th- FOPBE Meeting 5:30-6:30 online and in person
• November 18th-22nd- Parent Teacher Conferences- Minimum Days all week long

New Safety Measures in Place at PBE Starting on Monday

Staring Monday morning, we will have a new district security system in place. Upon your arrival, you will need to ring the doorbell and state your reason for the visit. You will then be welcomed into the secure door. Please be prepared to share your identification upon request.

If you are volunteering, please confirm that you have completed all of your volunteer paperwork and sign in – do not forget to take your visitor/volunteer sticker.

Clothing Drive Starts November 4th!

November is a month for giving, and FOPBE would like to do its part to help others in need! Starting Monday, November 4th, FOPBE will be running a clothing & hygiene drive in partnership with local PB non-profit organization, We See You San Diego.

We See You San Diego’s mission is to see lives transformed among the homeless population in San Diego. Every Tuesday, families and individuals from all over San Diego come together to host a dinner party for people who live on the streets. It is during this dinner party that We See You provides its guests a personal shopping experience fulfilling their needs of clothing, blankets, hygiene products and more, all thanks to donations that come in from people like you! Our FOPBE clothing & hygiene drive is an easy way for our PBE families to give back to our community.

If you would like to participate, there will be a box set up in the PBE office where you can drop off your donations during office hours starting on November 4th. To see a full list of the most needed donations or to shop the We See You Amazon Wishlist, please visit https://www.weseeyousandiego.com/donating-items.

To learn more about the We See You San Diego organization, please visit https://www.weseeyousandiego.com.

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 drivers license.

Military Breakfast- 11/13 at 8:00 a.m.

We want to honor you and all you do for our country. Please join us on 11/13 from 8:00-8:45 a.m. in the PDR. By 11/11, please complete this short RSVP.

Please note that this celebration is for families CURRENTLY serving our military.

Mission Bay Cluster

Morning Huddles

Every Monday morning, 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. Please plan to stand in the back or on the side so that our students can see the presentation. Morning huddles begin at 7:50 a.m. Please note that our gate will continue to lock at 7:55 a.m. so all adults will be asked to exit through the office.

This week we will start learning the movements that help us understand the Seven Habits. You can see this PBE Leader in Me Video Here.

Jogging Club Has Begun!

Jogging Club is back on the Joint Use Field! Enter the field via the gate on Turquoise Street. 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 is Underway at PBE!

We started an attendance challenge this past Monday, October 7th. 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. 

Good luck to all classes! 

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.

During our October meeting, we reviewed data, the budget, elected Kimberley Ponsoll as our Chair and approved this school year’s SSC/SGT Bylaws which can be found HERE.

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.

Modernization Info at PBE

Our MPR is complete! We are so excited for this space to be returned to us, and we cannot wait to welcome you to it next month for the upcoming Missoula performances in November.

During modernization, our cafeteria will have a dedicated menu. Without a functioning kitchen, we are limited in our offerings to the students.  As well, we are undergoing an Administrative Review this year and are unable to deviate from the menu.

The Modernization Lunch Menu can be found HERE.

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.

Classroom Communications Policy

In order to minimize classroom disruptions, we wanted to share our policy regarding requests for messages to be sent to students during the instructional day.  Our policy is to avoid classroom disruptions. We encourage parents to make after-school arrangements with their child prior to the beginning of the school day. Phone call disruptions will not be put through to classrooms. If an emergency message needs to be delivered, parents are asked to email the teacher, and a parent may also call the office where a message will also be documented and delivered to the teacher before the end of the day.  

Political Neutrality

PBE staff members, students and our PBE families adhere to the following policy on political neutrality in our communications on campus and electronically.
While we understand that political engagement is a fundamental right of every individual, it is equally important to recognize that our primary focus at PBE is on the education and well-being of our students. As such, it is imperative that we refrain from expressing personal political opinions or engaging in political activities while on school grounds or during school-related events. It is our responsibility as educators to create a safe and inclusive space where all students feel respected and valued regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs. Expressing personal political opinions in the classroom or in interactions with students and family members can inadvertently create divisions and make certain individuals feel excluded or marginalized. Therefore, we kindly ask that all members at PBE refrain from discussing or promoting political viewpoints, endorsing political candidates, or engaging in any form of political advocacy while representing PBE. Instead, let us focus our efforts on fostering critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and a sense of community among our students.
By upholding our commitment to political neutrality, we can continue to uphold the values of diversity, inclusivity, and academic excellence that define our school community.

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.

Safety

Please supervise your children if you are hanging out in the front of the school after dismissal. Children are not permitted to climb the trees on school property. If/when they fall, we are liable. I LOVED climbing tress as a child, so please take them to a park off campus so they can explore the tree-climbing fun. We just cannot allow it to happen on school property. Please also be mindful with all the interactions that you engage in while on or near our elementary-school campus. Please refrain from videotaping other peoples’ children unless you have been given permission from the parent. As we teach our students to be respectful to each other we want to practice demonstrating respect in all our interactions with one another as well. Our children are always watching.

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.

Week 12 Q1 October 28, 2024

It was another great week at PBE! We kicked off the week with our fabulous Student Leadership Team and we learned that we surpassed our fundraiser goal during our Contribution Drive! Thank you so much for all of your support to keep the amazing extra-curricular activities going for all of our beloved students. Sending a HUGE thank you to Ms. Cohen for all of her hard work with promoting this fundraiser.

We also started celebrating Red Ribbon Week by dressing up for themed days each day until October 31st. Wednesday was “Dress as your future, healthy self”, Thursday was sports day, and Friday was to share our penguin pride by wearing PBE spirit gear. It’s fun to be a healthy me!

This week’s Caught Being a Leader winners were:

4/5: Cromar Vincent and Sofie
3: Warner Jagger and Sophie
1: Denenbergs Nolan and Brennan
2: Atwell Aaron and Mya
2: Taylor Ashton and Vivian
UTK: Wilson & LP Cash and Gianna
K: Arthur Florence and Jade
1: Luce Alessio and Hart
4: Reynolds Atlas and Audrey

It’s great to be a Penguin!

With penguin pride,

Dr. Karon Schnitzer

Dates to Remember

• Monday 28th Morning Huddle- all are welcome- 7:50-8:00 a.m.
• October 23rd-31st – Red Ribbon Week
• October 30th – Halloween Carnival 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• October 31st – Halloween Costume Parade 8:00-8:45 a.m.- more details coming soon
• November 6th- Mission Bay Cluster (MBC) Meeting 5:30- 6:30 -virtually- see details below
• November 8th FREE PBE Family Night at the PLUNGE from 5:30-8PM
• November 11th – NO School in honor of our veterans
• November 13th- Military Breakfast to honor our military families- 8:00-9:00 at PBE – details coming soon.
• November 13th- FOPBE Meeting 5:30-6:30 online and in person
• November 18th-22nd- Parent Teacher Conferences- Minimum Days all week long

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 drivers license.

Red Ribbon Week is Here!

Red Ribbon is a national anti-drug campaign that is celebrated annually, October 23-31. During Red Ribbon, young people in communities and schools across the nation pledge to live drug-free by wearing red ribbons and participating in community-wide anti-drug events.

Red Ribbon Week is also a time to pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, whose death led to the creation of the Red Ribbon program. Today, millions of Americans all over the United States continue to wear red ribbons to symbolize their support for a united, drug-free nation.

Please join PBE as we celebrate Red Ribbon Week (October 23 – 31).  At school, students will engage in activities that promote a drug free and healthy lifestyle. 

PARENT PLEDGE

1. As parents and citizens, we will talk to our children and the children in our lives about the dangers of drug abuse.
2. We will set clear rules for our children about not using drugs.
3. We will set a good example for our children by not using illegal drugs or medicine without a prescription.
4. We will monitor our children’s behavior and enforce appropriate consequences, so that our rules are respected.
5. We will encourage family and friends to follow the same guidelines to keep children safe from substance abuse.

YOUTH PLEDGE

I pledge to grow up safe, healthy and drug free by:

1. Understanding the dangers of drug use and abuse.
2. Respecting myself and being drug free.
3. Spreading the word to family and friends about the importance of being healthy and drug free.

PBE Halloween Carnival

Halloween Parade

Please plan to join us for our Halloween parade. This parade will start around 8:10 a.m. on Thursday, 10/31. Please plan to stand in the designated parent/guest area marked in purple. We will call each grade level one at a time starting with UTK. We hope to see you there!

FREE PBE Family Night at the PLUNGE

We are thrilled to announce our FREE PBE Family Night Out at the PLUNGE!

Join us on Friday, November 8th from 5:30-8PM for a fun evening swimming and playing at the Plunge with family and friends!

We are also excited to announce that we will be providing tasty Pizza Port pizza generously donated by Belmont Park, while supplies last!

We are so thankful to the Plunge, Belmont Park and Pizza Port for hosting this event for PBE. In order to attend this FREE family event, you MUST RSVP! RSVP in our Konstella app to reserve your spot NOW!

We look forward to seeing you there! This will be a PBE event you won’t want to miss!

Mission Bay Cluster

Morning Huddles

Every Monday morning, 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. Please plan to stand in the back or on the side so that our students can see the presentation. Morning huddles begin at 7:50 a.m. Please note that our gate will continue to lock at 7:55 a.m. so all adults will be asked to exit through the office.

This week we will start learning the movements that help us understand the Seven Habits. You can see this PBE Leader in Me Video Here.

Jogging Club Has Begun!

Jogging Club is back on the Joint Use Field! Enter the field via the gate on Turquoise Street. 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!

The Attendance Competition is Underway at PBE!

We started an attendance challenge this past Monday, October 7th. 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. 

Good luck to all classes! 

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.

During our October meeting, we reviewed data, the budget, elected Kimberley Ponsoll as our Chair and approved this school year’s SSC/SGT Bylaws which can be found HERE.

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.

Modernization Info at PBE

I took a tour of building 7 (old UTK/K) and it is set to be finished in December. After the modernization is complete, this building will be home to our Makerspace and Sensory Room.

During modernization, our cafeteria will have a dedicated menu. Without a functioning kitchen, we are limited in our offerings to the students.  As well, we are undergoing an Administrative Review this year and are unable to deviate from the menu.

The Modernization Lunch Menu can be found HERE.

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.

Classroom Communications Policy

In order to minimize classroom disruptions, we wanted to share our policy regarding requests for messages to be sent to students during the instructional day.  Our policy is to avoid classroom disruptions. We encourage parents to make after-school arrangements with their child prior to the beginning of the school day. Phone call disruptions will not be put through to classrooms. If an emergency message needs to be delivered, parents are asked to email the teacher, and a parent may also call the office where a message will also be documented and delivered to the teacher before the end of the day.  

Political Neutrality

PBE staff members, students and our PBE families adhere to the following policy on political neutrality in our communications on campus and electronically.
While we understand that political engagement is a fundamental right of every individual, it is equally important to recognize that our primary focus at PBE is on the education and well-being of our students. As such, it is imperative that we refrain from expressing personal political opinions or engaging in political activities while on school grounds or during school-related events. It is our responsibility as educators to create a safe and inclusive space where all students feel respected and valued regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs. Expressing personal political opinions in the classroom or in interactions with students and family members can inadvertently create divisions and make certain individuals feel excluded or marginalized. Therefore, we kindly ask that all members at PBE refrain from discussing or promoting political viewpoints, endorsing political candidates, or engaging in any form of political advocacy while representing PBE. Instead, let us focus our efforts on fostering critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and a sense of community among our students.
By upholding our commitment to political neutrality, we can continue to uphold the values of diversity, inclusivity, and academic excellence that define our school community.

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.

Safety

Please supervise your children if you are hanging out in the front of the school after dismissal. Children are not permitted to climb the trees on school property. If/when they fall, we are liable. I LOVED climbing tress as a child, so please take them to a park off campus so they can explore the tree-climbing fun. We just cannot allow it to happen on school property. Please also be mindful with all the interactions that you engage in while on or near our elementary-school campus. Please refrain from videotaping other peoples’ children unless you have been given permission from the parent. As we teach our students to be respectful to each other we want to practice demonstrating respect in all our interactions with one another as well. Our children are always watching.

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.

Week 11 Q1 October 21, 2024

It was another great week at PBE! We kicked off the week with our fabulous Student Leadership Team and on Wednesday, I was showered with love, hugs, flowers, and gifts of appreciation. I am unbelievably honored and joyful to be your principal. Your children make my heart smile each day and I am grateful to all of you. Thank you for a wonderful principal’s day. It was also great to see so many of you at our FOPBE meeting and SSC meeting. Thank you for your partnership.

This week we also had Officer Pak lead us in a staff training. We reviewed the 2024-2025 Safety Response Team duties which is part of the Comprehensive School Safety Plan (CSSP). This plan will be reviewed at our next SSC, so be sure and plan to attend.

This week’s Caught Being a Leader winners were:

4/5: Cromar Marina and Owen
5: Erickson Soma and Cali
2: Atwell Valerie and Julian
UTK: Wilson & LP Ben and Kaia
3: Warner Sophie and Brera
1: Denenbergs Sophia and Brennan
4: Reynolds Miles F. and Koral
2: Taylor Breeze and Carter
1: Luce Avni and Leilanie
K: Arthur Weston and Milo
UTK: Alba & Poole Olivia and Liam
3: Raugewitz Layla and William

It’s great to be a Penguin!

With penguin pride,

Dr. Karon Schnitzer

Dates to Remember

• Monday 21st Morning Huddle- all are welcome- 7:50-8:00 a.m.
• October 23rd- Red Ribbon Week Kicks Off
• October 30th – Halloween Carnival 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• October 31st – Halloween Costume Parade 8:00-8:45 a.m.- more details coming soon
• November 6th- Mission Bay Cluster (MBC) Meeting 5:30- 6:30 -virtually- see details below
• November 11th – NO School in honor of our veterans
• November 13th- Military Breakfast to honor our military families- 8:00-9:00 at PBE – details coming soon.
• November 13th- FOPBE Meeting 5:30-6:30 online and in person
• November 18th-22nd- Parent Teacher Conferences- Minimum Days all week long

Red Ribbon Week is Coming!

Red Ribbon is a national anti-drug campaign that is celebrated annually, October 23-31. During Red Ribbon, young people in communities and schools across the nation pledge to live drug-free by wearing red ribbons and participating in community-wide anti-drug events.

Red Ribbon Week is also a time to pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, whose death led to the creation of the Red Ribbon program. Today, millions of Americans all over the United States continue to wear red ribbons to symbolize their support for a united, drug-free nation.

Please join PBE as we celebrate Red Ribbon Week (October 23 – 31).  At school, students will engage in activities that promote a drug free and healthy lifestyle. 

Please partner with us and discuss this message at home, at the dinner table, at family outings, and with friends and extended family. Ask your child to show you the flyer of the week’s activities he/she received from school about Red Ribbon Week.

.Want a fun way to start or continue the conversation about drugs with your children AND have a chance to win an iPad? National Family Partnership is sponsoring a photo contest. This contest is free, simple and you could win an iPad and $1,000 for our school. Log onto www.redribbon.org and find out more!

PARENT PLEDGE

1. As parents and citizens, we will talk to our children and the children in our lives about the dangers of drug abuse.
2. We will set clear rules for our children about not using drugs.
3. We will set a good example for our children by not using illegal drugs or medicine without a prescription.
4. We will monitor our children’s behavior and enforce appropriate consequences, so that our rules are respected.
5. We will encourage family and friends to follow the same guidelines to keep children safe from substance abuse.

YOUTH PLEDGE

I pledge to grow up safe, healthy and drug free by:

1. Understanding the dangers of drug use and abuse.
2. Respecting myself and being drug free.
3. Spreading the word to family and friends about the importance of being healthy and drug free.

Halloween Parade

Please plan to join us for our Halloween parade. This parade will start around 8:10 a.m. on Thursday, 10/31. Please plan to stand in the designated parent/guest area marked in purple. We will call each grade level one at a time starting with UTK. We hope to see you there!

Mission Bay Cluster

San Diego Youth Sciences in Back!

This week, our student scientists continued learning all about pocket mice. Before successfully reintroducing the endangered Pacific Pocket Mouse, extensive research was needed to ensure scientists could monitor the population’s health and well-being after their return to the wild. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted studies to identify the most effective data collection methods. To do so, researchers had to closely observe the mouse’s behavior—just like our student scientists did in the lab. They designed experiments to answer key questions, such as: What type of surface would the mouse prefer to walk on? How small a space would the mouse be willing to pass through?

We hope your student scientists left with even more curiosity and questions! To help them dive deeper into the topics we covered, we’ve gathered some resources for you to share with students and their families.

• San Diego Safari Park video on the Pacific Pocket Mouse: This video provides an insightful look into the history of the pocket mouse and the Safari Park’s breeding program aimed at reintroducing the Pacific Pocket Mouse into the wild. We recommend sharing this with your students and their families.
• Pacific Pocket Mouse Overview: Explore two comprehensive articles, one from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and another from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, providing a detailed overview of the Pacific Pocket Mouse.
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Pacific Pocket Mouse
• Safari Park Breeding Facility Video: A brief, one-minute video captured during our visit to the breeding facility, giving a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the conservation efforts.
  • Mrs. Adler at the Safari Park Breeding Facility
  • Pocket Mouse Baby Video

Morning Huddles

Every Monday morning, 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. Please plan to stand in the back or on the side so that our students can see the presentation. Morning huddles begin at 7:50 a.m.

Jogging Club Has Begun!

Jogging Club is back on the Joint Use Field! Enter the field via the gate on Turquoise Street. 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!

The Attendance Competition is Underway at PBE!

We started an attendance challenge this past Monday, October 7th. 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. 

Good luck to all classes! 

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.

During our October meeting, we reviewed data, the budget, elected Kimberley Ponsoll as our Chair and approved this school year’s SSC/SGT Bylaws which can be found HERE.

Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) – Annual Notice 2024-2025

The San Diego Unified School District (District) annually notifies students, employees, parents or guardians of its students, the district advisory committee, school advisory committees, appropriate private school officials, and other interested parties of the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) process.
The UCP Annual Notice is available on our website.
The District is primarily responsible for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, including those related to unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying against any protected group, and all programs and activities subject to the UCP. For the full policy, reference Board Policy 1312.3 and Administrative Regulation 1312.3.

Please use this link if needed.

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.

Modernization Info at PBE

I took a tour of building 7 (old UTK/K) last week and it is set to be finished in December. After the modernization is complete, this building will be home to our Makerspace and Sensory Room.

During modernization, our cafeteria will have a dedicated menu. Without a functioning kitchen, we are limited in our offerings to the students.  As well, we are undergoing an Administrative Review this year and are unable to deviate from the menu.

The Modernization Lunch Menu can be found HERE.

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.

Classroom Communications Policy

In order to minimize classroom disruptions, we wanted to share our policy regarding requests for messages to be sent to students during the instructional day.  Our policy is to avoid classroom disruptions. We encourage parents to make after-school arrangements with their child prior to the beginning of the school day. Phone call disruptions will not be put through to classrooms. If an emergency message needs to be delivered, parents are asked to email the teacher, and a parent may also call the office where a message will also be documented and delivered to the teacher before the end of the day.  

Political Neutrality

PBE staff members, students and our PBE families adhere to the following policy on political neutrality in our communications on campus and electronically.
While we understand that political engagement is a fundamental right of every individual, it is equally important to recognize that our primary focus at PBE is on the education and well-being of our students. As such, it is imperative that we refrain from expressing personal political opinions or engaging in political activities while on school grounds or during school-related events. It is our responsibility as educators to create a safe and inclusive space where all students feel respected and valued regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs. Expressing personal political opinions in the classroom or in interactions with students and family members can inadvertently create divisions and make certain individuals feel excluded or marginalized. Therefore, we kindly ask that all members at PBE refrain from discussing or promoting political viewpoints, endorsing political candidates, or engaging in any form of political advocacy while representing PBE. Instead, let us focus our efforts on fostering critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and a sense of community among our students.
By upholding our commitment to political neutrality, we can continue to uphold the values of diversity, inclusivity, and academic excellence that define our school community.

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 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.

Safety

Please supervise your children if you are hanging out in the front of the school after dismissal. Children are not permitted to climb the trees on school property. If/when they fall, we are liable. I LOVED climbing tress as a child, so please take them to a park off campus so they can explore the tree-climbing fun. We just cannot allow it to happen on school property. Please also be mindful with all the interactions that you engage in while on or near our elementary-school campus. Please refrain from videotaping other peoples’ children unless you have been given permission from the parent. As we teach our students to be respectful to each other we want to practice demonstrating respect in all our interactions with one another as well. Our children are always watching.

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.

Week 10 Q1 October 14, 2024

It was another great week at PBE! We kicked off the week with our fabulous Student Leadership Team and we continued our San Diego Youth Sciences sessions. See the SDYS section below for more details. I had an opportunity to walk the front yard and MPR. See the photos of modernization in that section below.

This week’s Caught Being a Leader winners were:

• 4/5: Cromar Kobe and Brysen
• 2: Taylor Oliver and Breeze
• 2: Atwell Reika and Penelope
• 1: Denenbergs Mateo and Esme
• K: Arthur Kenley and Karim
• UTK: Wilson & LP Raeya and Matthew
• 3: Raugewitz Marlene and William
• 4: Reynolds Koral and Charley G.
• 1: Luce and Nico
• 3: Warner Samuele and Brera
• 5: Erickson Flynn and Leah

It’s great to be a Penguin!

With penguin pride,

Dr. Karon Schnitzer

Dates to Remember

• October 15th- SSC- First Meeting of the Year 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the PDR-see agenda below
• October 16th FOPBE Meeting 5:30-6:30
• October 23rd- Red Ribbon Week Kicks Off
• October 30th – Halloween Carnival 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• October 31st – Halloween Costume Parade 8:00-8:45 a.m.- more details coming soon
• November 6th- Mission Bay Cluster (MBC) Meeting 5:30- 6:30 -virtually- see details below
• November 11th – NO School in honor of our veterans
• November 13th- Military Breakfast to honor our military families- 8:00-9:00 at PBE – details coming soon.
• November 13th- FOPBE Meeting 5:30-6:30 online and in person
• November 18th-22nd- Parent Teacher Conferences- Minimum Days all week long

Red Ribbon Week is Coming!

Red Ribbon is a national anti-drug campaign that is celebrated annually, October 23-31. During Red Ribbon, young people in communities and schools across the nation pledge to live drug-free by wearing red ribbons and participating in community-wide anti-drug events.

Red Ribbon Week is also a time to pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, whose death led to the creation of the Red Ribbon program. Today, millions of Americans all over the United States continue to wear red ribbons to symbolize their support for a united, drug-free nation.

Mission Bay Cluster

San Diego Youth Sciences in Back!

This week, our student scientists learned all about pocket mice. Before successfully reintroducing the endangered Pacific Pocket Mouse, extensive research was needed to ensure scientists could monitor the population’s health and well-being after their return to the wild. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted studies to identify the most effective data collection methods. To do so, researchers had to closely observe the mouse’s behavior—just like our student scientists did in the lab. They designed experiments to answer key questions, such as: What type of surface would the mouse prefer to walk on? How small a space would the mouse be willing to pass through?

We hope your student scientists left with even more curiosity and questions! To help them dive deeper into the topics we covered, we’ve gathered some resources for you to share with students and their families.

• San Diego Safari Park video on the Pacific Pocket Mouse: This video provides an insightful look into the history of the pocket mouse and the Safari Park’s breeding program aimed at reintroducing the Pacific Pocket Mouse into the wild. We recommend sharing this with your students and their families.
• Pacific Pocket Mouse Overview: Explore two comprehensive articles, one from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and another from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, providing a detailed overview of the Pacific Pocket Mouse.
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Pacific Pocket Mouse
• Safari Park Breeding Facility Video: A brief, one-minute video captured during our visit to the breeding facility, giving a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the conservation efforts.
  • Mrs. Adler at the Safari Park Breeding Facility
  • Pocket Mouse Baby Video

Morning Huddles

Every Monday morning, 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. Please plan to stand in the back or on the side so that our students can see the presentation. Morning huddles begin at 7:50 a.m.

Lost and Found

Please be sure and check the lost and found as we will be donating items to homeless shelters on Friday, October 4th.

Jogging Club Has Begun!

Jogging Club is back on the Joint Use Field! Enter the field via the gate on Turquoise Street. 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!

School Starts at 7:50 a.m. – Don’t Be Late

Being punctual plays a significant role in their academic success and personal development.

Here’s why being on time matters:

Maximized Learning Opportunities: Our instructional day begins promptly, and students who arrive late miss out on crucial information and classroom discussions.

Building Responsibility: Arriving on time helps children develop a sense of responsibility and respect for their own commitments, setting the tone for lifelong habits.

Minimizing Disruptions: When students come late, it can be disruptive not only for them but for their classmates and the teacher.

Smooth Start to the Day: Students who arrive on time are able to start the day calm and prepared, which enhances focus and engagement in learning.

School gates open at 7:40 a.m. and students can enjoy a free breakfast upon arrival. The Fanuel gate closes at 7:55 and then our campus gates are locked, and our campus is secure. Starting on Monday, September 30th, we will start marking students tardy if they need to come in through the office because the gate is locked. Our family handbook language has not been changed on this policy for several years and yet we have been permitting tardiness for up to 25 minutes. That is 4, 500 minutes per school year that your child is missing valuable instruction. We understand that us adhering to this previously established policy may be a change for some families, so we are giving a one-week grace period before we begin to mark children tardy.

We understand that occasional delays happen, but making punctuality a priority will greatly benefit your child. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in fostering a positive learning environment.

The Attendance Competition is Underway at PBE!

We started an attendance challenge this past Monday, October 7th. 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. 

Good luck to all classes! 

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.

Thank you to everyone who ran to be a member of our SSC. If you were not elected, please know that SSC meetings are open to EVERYONE and we welcome your attendance. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15th. Please find the proposed SSC AGENDA HERE.

Please join me in welcoming our two newest elected members: Erin Francis and Kimberley Ponsoll !! We are excited to partner with you.

Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) – Annual Notice 2024-2025

The San Diego Unified School District (District) annually notifies students, employees, parents or guardians of its students, the district advisory committee, school advisory committees, appropriate private school officials, and other interested parties of the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) process.
The UCP Annual Notice is available on our website.
The District is primarily responsible for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, including those related to unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying against any protected group, and all programs and activities subject to the UCP. For the full policy, reference Board Policy 1312.3 and Administrative Regulation 1312.3.

Please use this link if needed.

Modernization Info at PBE

I am excited to share that the fence is coming down!! Soon we will have new walkways and sod grass at the front entrance of our school.

Our Multi-purpose Room (MPR) will be turned over to us with new flooring, paint, and a new stage. This takes place on October 25th- just in time for our upcoming Missoula performances in November!

During modernization, our cafeteria will have a dedicated menu. Without a functioning kitchen, we are limited in our offerings to the students.  As well, we are undergoing an Administrative Review this year and are unable to deviate from the menu.

The Modernization Lunch Menu can be found HERE.

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.

Classroom Communications Policy

In order to minimize classroom disruptions, we wanted to share our policy regarding requests for messages to be sent to students during the instructional day.  Our policy is to avoid classroom disruptions. We encourage parents to make after-school arrangements with their child prior to the beginning of the school day. Phone call disruptions will not be put through to classrooms. If an emergency message needs to be delivered, parents are asked to email the teacher, and a parent may also call the office where a message will also be documented and delivered to the teacher before the end of the day.  

Political Neutrality

PBE staff members, students and our PBE families adhere to the following policy on political neutrality in our communications on campus and electronically.
While we understand that political engagement is a fundamental right of every individual, it is equally important to recognize that our primary focus at PBE is on the education and well-being of our students. As such, it is imperative that we refrain from expressing personal political opinions or engaging in political activities while on school grounds or during school-related events. It is our responsibility as educators to create a safe and inclusive space where all students feel respected and valued regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs. Expressing personal political opinions in the classroom or in interactions with students and family members can inadvertently create divisions and make certain individuals feel excluded or marginalized. Therefore, we kindly ask that all members at PBE refrain from discussing or promoting political viewpoints, endorsing political candidates, or engaging in any form of political advocacy while representing PBE. Instead, let us focus our efforts on fostering critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and a sense of community among our students.
By upholding our commitment to political neutrality, we can continue to uphold the values of diversity, inclusivity, and academic excellence that define our school community.

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 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.

Safety

Please supervise your children if you are hanging out in the front of the school after dismissal. Children are not permitted to climb the trees on school property. If/when they fall, we are liable. I LOVED climbing tress as a child, so please take them to a park off campus so they can explore the tree-climbing fun. We just cannot allow it to happen on school property. Please also be mindful with all the interactions that you engage in while on or near our elementary-school campus. Please refrain from videotaping other peoples’ children unless you have been given permission from the parent. As we teach our students to be respectful to each other we want to practice demonstrating respect in all our interactions with one another as well. Our children are always watching.

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.

Week 9 Q1 October 7, 2024

It was another great week at PBE! We kicked off the week with our fabulous Student Leadership Team at our morning assembly where Ms. Cohen spoke about this year’s contribution drive and how we are moving forward with our goal. Thank you so much for those of you are able to contribute to PBE. Without the extra funding from your contributions, we would not have the amazing program like San Diego Youth Sciences, Garden instruction, and Arts Attack- just to name a few. We greatly appreciate you!

We also were surprised by Malte from Shore Buddies who generously donated a book to every first and second grade student. Some students even won a “Stephen Seagull” who is made from recycled plastic bottles. You can read the book and see Stephen in our front office during your next PBE visit.

This week we kicked off our San Diego Youth Sciences sessions. See the SDYS section below for more details.

This week’s Caught Being a Leader winners were:

• 3: Raugewitz Frances and Maddie
• 4/5: Cromar Ryder and Raya
• 2: Atwell Marc and Luca
• UTK: Wilson & LP Camryn and Izabel
• 4: Reynolds Kaito and Ailec
• 5: Erickson Houdini and Corina
• 1: Luce Emilia and Emma
• 1: Denenberg’s Mateo and Lia

It’s great to be a Penguin!

With penguin pride,

Dr. Karon Schnitzer

Dates to Remember

• October 7th- Morning Huddle- all are welcome! 7:50-8:00 on blacktop
• October 7th- Attendance Competition Begins!
• October 11th- Minimum Day- ALL Students dismissed at 12:15 p.m.
• October 15th- SSC- First Meeting of the Year 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the PDR
• October 16th FOPBE Meeting 5:30-6:30
• October 30th – Halloween Carnival 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• October 31st – Halloween Costume Parade – more details coming soon

San Diego Youth Sciences in Back!

This week, our student scientists learned all about pocket mice. Before successfully reintroducing the endangered Pacific Pocket Mouse, extensive research was needed to ensure scientists could monitor the population’s health and well-being after their return to the wild. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted studies to identify the most effective data collection methods. To do so, researchers had to closely observe the mouse’s behavior—just like our student scientists did in the lab. They designed experiments to answer key questions, such as: What type of surface would the mouse prefer to walk on? How small a space would the mouse be willing to pass through?

We hope your student scientists left with even more curiosity and questions! To help them dive deeper into the topics we covered, we’ve gathered some resources for you to share with students and their families.

• San Diego Safari Park video on the Pacific Pocket Mouse: This video provides an insightful look into the history of the pocket mouse and the Safari Park’s breeding program aimed at reintroducing the Pacific Pocket Mouse into the wild. We recommend sharing this with your students and their families.
• Pacific Pocket Mouse Overview: Explore two comprehensive articles, one from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and another from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, providing a detailed overview of the Pacific Pocket Mouse.
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Pacific Pocket Mouse
• Safari Park Breeding Facility Video: A brief, one-minute video captured during our visit to the breeding facility, giving a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the conservation efforts.
  • Mrs. Adler at the Safari Park Breeding Facility
  • Pocket Mouse Baby Video

Morning Huddles

Every Monday morning, 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. Please plan to stand in the back or on the side so that our students can see the presentation. Morning huddles begin at 7:50 a.m.

Lost and Found

Please be sure and check the lost and found as we will be donating items to homeless shelters on Friday, October 4th.

Jogging Club Has Begun!

Jogging Club is back on the Joint Use Field! Enter the field via the gate on Turquoise Street. 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!

School Starts at 7:50 a.m. – Don’t Be Late

Being punctual plays a significant role in their academic success and personal development.

Here’s why being on time matters:

Maximized Learning Opportunities: Our instructional day begins promptly, and students who arrive late miss out on crucial information and classroom discussions.

Building Responsibility: Arriving on time helps children develop a sense of responsibility and respect for their own commitments, setting the tone for lifelong habits.

Minimizing Disruptions: When students come late, it can be disruptive not only for them but for their classmates and the teacher.

Smooth Start to the Day: Students who arrive on time are able to start the day calm and prepared, which enhances focus and engagement in learning.

School gates open at 7:40 a.m. and students can enjoy a free breakfast upon arrival. The Fanuel gate closes at 7:55 and then our campus gates are locked, and our campus is secure. Starting on Monday, September 30th, we will start marking students tardy if they need to come in through the office because the gate is locked. Our family handbook language has not been changed on this policy for several years and yet we have been permitting tardiness for up to 25 minutes. That is 4, 500 minutes per school year that your child is missing valuable instruction. We understand that us adhering to this previously established policy may be a change for some families, so we are giving a one-week grace period before we begin to mark children tardy.

We understand that occasional delays happen, but making punctuality a priority will greatly benefit your child. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in fostering a positive learning environment.

The Attendance Competition is Underway at PBE!

We are starting an attendance challenge this Monday, October 7th. 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. 

Good luck to all classes! 

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.

SSC Voting is NOW OPEN:

Don’t forget, please vote by 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 6th. You can use this SSC BALLOT

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.

The Cafeteria During Modernization

We have a dedicated menu for those sites undergoing Whole Site Modernization.  Without a functioning kitchen, we are limited in our offerings to the students.  As well, we are undergoing an Administrative Review this year and are unable to deviate from the menu.

The Modernization Lunch Menu can be found HERE.

FOPBE Contribution Drive Has Begun!

PACIFIC BEACH ELEMENTARY

CONTRIBUTION DRIVE

The Friends of Pacific Beach Elementary (FOPBE) is PBE’s non-profit parent-teacher organization dedicated to supporting students. FOPBE fundraises through various avenues to bring educational and enrichment programs to students, and funds school needs during the school year.

We are reaching out for your help to kick-start fundraising for the 2024-25 school year with our annual PBE Contribution Drive. FOPBE’s current annual budget of approximately $100,000 roughly equates to $320 per student of spending for each of our 312 currently enrolled students. Many of the programs offered at PBE are not provided by or funded by the school district and are instead made available to our students through the fundraising efforts of FOPBE. District funding continues to decrease, and we can expect another cut next year, which makes fundraising through FOPBE above our minimum paramount.

This important fundraiser will help ensure our incredible school and amazing students within continue to benefit from the valuable programs, activities & supplies that FOPBE provides throughout the year, including:

• Whole Child Playground Supervision: $30k – providing social/emotional support, building conflict resolution skills as well as playground safety.
• San Diego Youth Science Classes: $19-23k – providing unique hands-on scientific experiences to each classroom that inspire scientific curiosity within our students.
• Lexia/Achieve 3000 Educational Platforms: $10k – Academic software used by students to enhance and accelerate skills and growth in literacy.
• Teacher Funds: $8k – Discretionary funds used by each teacher for their own classroom needs; this includes pencils, notebooks, folders, and other classroom supplies.
• Class Field Trips: $8k – Funding for field trips for every grade including transportation, entry fees, etc.
• Garden Enrichment: $6.5k – Hands-on garden instruction in our large, beautiful school garden for all grades once a month. 
• Library Books: $2k – New books for our school library for students to check out during their weekly library days.
• Arts Attack: $1k – Parent led, monthly art lessons for all grades with video instruction and all art supplies included.

And while a total annual donation of $320 per student across all FOPBE fundraisers would help us meet our current budget, the more we are able to fundraise, the more benefits and support we can provide to our students, teachers and staff. Raising above and beyond the minimum of $320 per student allows us to provide extra San Diego Youth Science sessions for our students, upgrades and renovations to our school garden, additional class field trips, additional funds for our teachers to use within their classrooms, additional art supplies for Arts Attack, and MORE!

Donating is completely optional, and we understand this is a big ask for our PBE families.  But if you are in a position to donate more this year, please consider doing so as it would help us exceed our goal!

We also offer some fun incentives for your donation!

TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION:

• By ZELLE, scan the QR code below.
• By CHECK (made out to “FOPBE”) or CASH, please submit payment to the PBE School Office. 
• Or visit HTTPS://FOPBE.ORG to make a donation by credit card or PayPal (please be sure to include your name, your child’s name and teacher with each donation made online).

Friends of Pacific Beach Elementary School 

c/o Pacific Beach Elementary School

1234 Tourmaline Street, San Diego, California,  92109

fopbe.org

pacificbeachelementary@gmail.com

FOPBE is a non-profit 501(c)(3) – Tax I.D. 33-0549469

All donations are tax deductible and directly benefit our school, students and teachers.

Mission: “To enhance and enrich the learning environment for all students”

Classroom Communications Policy

In order to minimize classroom disruptions, we wanted to share our policy regarding requests for messages to be sent to students during the instructional day.  Our policy is to avoid classroom disruptions. We encourage parents to make after-school arrangements with their child prior to the beginning of the school day. Phone call disruptions will not be put through to classrooms. If an emergency message needs to be delivered, parents are asked to email the teacher, and a parent may also call the office where a message will also be documented and delivered to the teacher before the end of the day.  

Political Neutrality

PBE staff members, students and our PBE families adhere to the following policy on political neutrality in our communications on campus and electronically.
While we understand that political engagement is a fundamental right of every individual, it is equally important to recognize that our primary focus at PBE is on the education and well-being of our students. As such, it is imperative that we refrain from expressing personal political opinions or engaging in political activities while on school grounds or during school-related events. It is our responsibility as educators to create a safe and inclusive space where all students feel respected and valued regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs. Expressing personal political opinions in the classroom or in interactions with students and family members can inadvertently create divisions and make certain individuals feel excluded or marginalized. Therefore, we kindly ask that all members at PBE refrain from discussing or promoting political viewpoints, endorsing political candidates, or engaging in any form of political advocacy while representing PBE. Instead, let us focus our efforts on fostering critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and a sense of community among our students.
By upholding our commitment to political neutrality, we can continue to uphold the values of diversity, inclusivity, and academic excellence that define our school community.

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 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.

Safety

Please supervise your children if you are hanging out in the front of the school after dismissal. Children are not permitted to climb the trees on school property. If/when they fall, we are liable. I LOVED climbing tress as a child, so please take them to a park off campus so they can explore the tree-climbing fun. We just cannot allow it to happen on school property. Please also be mindful with all the interactions that you engage in while on or near our elementary-school campus. Please refrain from videotaping other peoples’ children unless you have been given permission from the parent. As we teach our students to be respectful to each other we want to practice demonstrating respect in all our interactions with one another as well. Our children are always watching.

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.

Week 8 Q1 September 30, 2024

It was another great week at PBE! We kicked off the week with our fabulous Student Leadership Team at our morning assembly where Ms. Cohen spoke about this year’s contribution drive and how we are moving forward with our goal. Thank you so much for those of you are able to contribute to PBE. Without the extra funding from your contributions, we would not have the amazing program like San Diego Youth Sciences, Garden instruction, and Arts Attack- just to name a few. We greatly appreciate you!

We also celebrated as Mrs. Reyna and Mrs. Erickson passed on their staff awards and awarded Mrs. Atwell and Mr. Pulido! Congratulations to you both.

Jogging club also kicked off this week. We had so many families and students kicking off their morning right with a little exercise and some endorphins. Thank you, Ms. Weber, for all you do for our PBE students.

This week’s Caught Being a Leader winners were:

• Zion from Mrs. Wilson’s class;
• Ella S., Julian, and Ryker from Ms. Alba’s Kinder class;
• Carter, Breeze, and Mia P. from Mrs. Taylor’s class;
• Goldie from Mrs. Warner’s class;
• Audrey from Ms. Reynolds’ class;
• Annabelle from Mrs. Erickson’s class

It’s great to be a Penguin!

With penguin pride,

Dr. Karon Schnitzer

Dates to Remember

• September 30th- Morning Huddle- all are welcome! 7:50-8:00 on blacktop
• September 30th SSC Nominations are Due
• October 2nd- FOPBE Meeting 5:30 on campus in PDR and virtually using THIS LINK
• October 4th- NO SCHOOL (District’s Non- Instructional Day)
• October 7th- Morning Huddle- all are welcome! 7:50-8:00 on blacktop
• October 11th- Minimum Day- ALL Students dismissed at 12:15 p.m.
• October 15th- SSC- First Meeting of the Year 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the PDR
• October 30th – Halloween Carnival 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• October 31st – Halloween Costume Parade – more details coming soon

Morning Huddles

Every Monday morning, 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. Please plan to stand in the back or on the side so that our students can see the presentation. Morning huddles begin at 7:50 a.m.

Lost and Found

Please be sure and check the lost and found as we will be donating items to homeless shelters on Friday, October 4th.

Jogging Club Has Begun!

Jogging Club starts next Wednesday, September 25th on the Joint Use Field! Enter the field via the gate on Turquoise Street. 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!

School Starts at 7:50 a.m. – Don’t Be Late

Being punctual plays a significant role in their academic success and personal development.

Here’s why being on time matters:

Maximized Learning Opportunities: Our instructional day begins promptly, and students who arrive late miss out on crucial information and classroom discussions.

Building Responsibility: Arriving on time helps children develop a sense of responsibility and respect for their own commitments, setting the tone for lifelong habits.

Minimizing Disruptions: When students come late, it can be disruptive not only for them but for their classmates and the teacher.

Smooth Start to the Day: Students who arrive on time are able to start the day calm and prepared, which enhances focus and engagement in learning.

School gates open at 7:40 a.m. and students can enjoy a free breakfast upon arrival. The Fanuel gate closes at 7:55 and then our campus gates are locked, and our campus is secure. Starting on Monday, September 30th, we will start marking students tardy if they need to come in through the office because the gate is locked. Our family handbook language has not been changed on this policy for several years and yet we have been permitting tardiness for up to 25 minutes. That is 4, 500 minutes per school year that your child is missing valuable instruction. We understand that us adhering to this previously established policy may be a change for some families, so we are giving a one-week grace period before we begin to mark children tardy.

We understand that occasional delays happen, but making punctuality a priority will greatly benefit your child. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in fostering a positive learning environment.

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.

SSC NOMINATIONS are NOW OPEN:

Would you be interested in serving on the Pacific Beach Elementary School Site Council as a parent/community member representative?  To nominate yourself or a fellow parent or community member, you may submit your/their name below by Monday, September 30th. School Site Council is composed of equal numbers of staff and parent/community/student representatives who serve a two-year term.  The SSC team may conduct monthly meetings to oversee the implementation of various programs in the school, including state and federally-funded programs.  The School Site Council is a governing body that is responsible for deciding how to spend of Title l and providing feedback on LCFF funding to improve the instructional program here at PBE. The School Site Council members work together, to set goals, for improving student achievement at the school and allocating the funds to accomplish those goals. For the coming school year, we have two Parent/Community Member openings.  The council meets every third Tuesday from 2:30-3:30 virtually and here on campus. This is a two-year position. A year membership term is October 4th, 2024, through September 2026. Agendas for meetings are sent via Messenger and in the principal’s weekly update at least 72 hours prior to the meeting and we post the minutes on our website.  

Please submit your nominations today using THIS FORM:

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.

The Cafeteria During Modernization

We have a dedicated menu for those sites undergoing Whole Site Modernization.  Without a functioning kitchen, we are limited in our offerings to the students.  As well, we are undergoing an Administrative Review this year and are unable to deviate from the menu.

The Modernization Lunch Menu can be found HERE.

FOPBE Contribution Drive Has Begun!

PACIFIC BEACH ELEMENTARY

CONTRIBUTION DRIVE

The Friends of Pacific Beach Elementary (FOPBE) is PBE’s non-profit parent-teacher organization dedicated to supporting students. FOPBE fundraises through various avenues to bring educational and enrichment programs to students, and funds school needs during the school year.

We are reaching out for your help to kick-start fundraising for the 2024-25 school year with our annual PBE Contribution Drive. FOPBE’s current annual budget of approximately $100,000 roughly equates to $320 per student of spending for each of our 312 currently enrolled students. Many of the programs offered at PBE are not provided by or funded by the school district and are instead made available to our students through the fundraising efforts of FOPBE. District funding continues to decrease, and we can expect another cut next year, which makes fundraising through FOPBE above our minimum paramount.

This important fundraiser will help ensure our incredible school and amazing students within continue to benefit from the valuable programs, activities & supplies that FOPBE provides throughout the year, including:

• Whole Child Playground Supervision: $30k – providing social/emotional support, building conflict resolution skills as well as playground safety.
• San Diego Youth Science Classes: $19-23k – providing unique hands-on scientific experiences to each classroom that inspire scientific curiosity within our students.
• Lexia/Achieve 3000 Educational Platforms: $10k – Academic software used by students to enhance and accelerate skills and growth in literacy.
• Teacher Funds: $8k – Discretionary funds used by each teacher for their own classroom needs; this includes pencils, notebooks, folders, and other classroom supplies.
• Class Field Trips: $8k – Funding for field trips for every grade including transportation, entry fees, etc.
• Garden Enrichment: $6.5k – Hands-on garden instruction in our large, beautiful school garden for all grades once a month. 
• Library Books: $2k – New books for our school library for students to check out during their weekly library days.
• Arts Attack: $1k – Parent led, monthly art lessons for all grades with video instruction and all art supplies included.

And while a total annual donation of $320 per student across all FOPBE fundraisers would help us meet our current budget, the more we are able to fundraise, the more benefits and support we can provide to our students, teachers and staff. Raising above and beyond the minimum of $320 per student allows us to provide extra San Diego Youth Science sessions for our students, upgrades and renovations to our school garden, additional class field trips, additional funds for our teachers to use within their classrooms, additional art supplies for Arts Attack, and MORE!

Donating is completely optional, and we understand this is a big ask for our PBE families.  But if you are in a position to donate more this year, please consider doing so as it would help us exceed our goal!

We also offer some fun incentives for your donation!

TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION:

• By ZELLE, scan the QR code below.
• By CHECK (made out to “FOPBE”) or CASH, please submit payment to the PBE School Office. 
• Or visit HTTPS://FOPBE.ORG to make a donation by credit card or PayPal (please be sure to include your name, your child’s name and teacher with each donation made online).

Friends of Pacific Beach Elementary School 

c/o Pacific Beach Elementary School

1234 Tourmaline Street, San Diego, California,  92109

fopbe.org

pacificbeachelementary@gmail.com

FOPBE is a non-profit 501(c)(3) – Tax I.D. 33-0549469

All donations are tax deductible and directly benefit our school, students and teachers.

Mission: “To enhance and enrich the learning environment for all students”

Classroom Communications Policy

In order to minimize classroom disruptions, we wanted to share our policy regarding requests for messages to be sent to students during the instructional day.  Our policy is to avoid classroom disruptions. We encourage parents to make after-school arrangements with their child prior to the beginning of the school day. Phone call disruptions will not be put through to classrooms. If an emergency message needs to be delivered, parents are asked to email the teacher, and a parent may also call the office where a message will also be documented and delivered to the teacher before the end of the day.  

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 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.

Safety

Please supervise your children if you are hanging out in the front of the school after dismissal. Children are not permitted to climb the trees on school property. If/when they fall, we are liable. I LOVED climbing tress as a child, so please take them to a park off campus so they can explore the tree-climbing fun. We just cannot allow it to happen on school property. Please also be mindful with all the interactions that you engage in while on or near our elementary-school campus. Please refrain from videotaping other peoples’ children unless you have been given permission from the parent. As we teach our students to be respectful to each other we want to practice demonstrating respect in all our interactions with one another as well. Our children are always watching.

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

Week 6 Q1 September 23, 2024

It was another great week at PBE! We kicked off the week with our fabulous Student Leadership Team at our morning assembly where Ms. Cohen spoke about this year’s contribution drive.

We also welcomed everyone to this school year’s Back-to-School Night on Wednesday. It was so great to see everyone. I hope you enjoyed your time learning more about your child’s teacher and sitting inside their learning environment from UTK to fifth grade.

We sadly ended our last session with our parent partner, Dr. Wais, but we have great news! She will return for more free parent workshops in January- stay tuned!

This week’s Caught Being a Leader winners were:

• Josie and Crosby from Miss Alba’s UTK class;
• Evan, Julian, and Kaia from Mrs. Wilson’s class;
• Ella, Julian, and Bem from Ms. Alba’s K class;
• Emma and Kayson from Mrs. Luce’s class

It’s great to be a Penguin!

With penguin pride,

Dr. Karon Schnitzer

Dates to Remember

• September 23rd- Morning Huddle- all are welcome! 7:50-8:00 on blacktop
• September 25th- Jogging Club Begins
• September 30th- Morning Huddle- all are welcome! 7:50-8:00 on blacktop
• October 4th- NO SCHOOL (District’s Non- Instructional Day)
• October 7th- Morning Huddle- all are welcome! 7:50-8:00 on blacktop
• October 11th- Minimum Day- ALL Students dismissed at 12:15 p.m.
• October 15th- SSC- First Meeting of the Year 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the PDR
• October 17th- ELAC- First Meeting of the Year- 8:00-9:00 a.m. in PDR

Jogging Club Begins this Week!

Jogging Club starts next Wednesday, September 25th on the Joint Use Field! Enter the field via the gate on Turquoise Street. 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!

School Starts at 7:50 a.m. – Don’t Be Late

Being punctual plays a significant role in their academic success and personal development.

Here’s why being on time matters:

Maximized Learning Opportunities: Our instructional day begins promptly, and students who arrive late miss out on crucial information and classroom discussions.

Building Responsibility: Arriving on time helps children develop a sense of responsibility and respect for their own commitments, setting the tone for lifelong habits.

Minimizing Disruptions: When students come late, it can be disruptive not only for them but for their classmates and the teacher.

Smooth Start to the Day: Students who arrive on time are able to start the day calm and prepared, which enhances focus and engagement in learning.

School gates open at 7:40 a.m. and students can enjoy a free breakfast upon arrival. The Fanuel gate closes at 7:55 and then our campus gates are locked, and our campus is secure. Starting on Monday, September 30th, we will start marking students absent if they need to come in through the office because the gate is locked. Our family handbook language has not been changed on this policy for several years and yet we have been permitting tardiness for up to 25 minutes. That is 4, 500 minutes per school year that your child is missing valuable instruction. We understand that us adhering to this previously established policy may be a change for some families, so we are giving a one-week grace period before we begin to mark children tardy.

We understand that occasional delays happen, but making punctuality a priority will greatly benefit your child. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in fostering a positive learning environment.

The Cafeteria During Modernization

We have a dedicated menu for those sites undergoing Whole Site Modernization.  Without a functioning kitchen, we are limited in our offerings to the students.  As well, we are undergoing an Administrative Review this year and are unable to deviate from the menu.

The Modernization Lunch Menu can be found HERE.

Empowering Student Voice: A Message from our SLT

Student Leadership Team (SLT) Weekly update:

This is your S.L.T news from the week. It has been hot, so make sure you are applying sunscreen and drinking lots of water. There is Yogurt on the rocks on Monday And ice cream on Friday. These prices range from $1-$4. And soon we will have Pizza Pal Pizza on Wednesday. We loved seeing you at penguin pride night and with the police and firemen. We would love for you to go to the Monday morning assemblies to see what is going on for the week. –

Written by Kendra -information by Claire and Delaney

On Monday 9/9/24 Claire, Kendra and Delaney went into these two classes and observed and asked about what they were learning.
(UTK) Little Ms. Alba’s Class:
Learning how to spell out and write out their names.

(1st Grade) Ms.Luce’s class:
Watching a video on how to collect data by using tally marks and data collection charts.

Written by Gwen Weber and Corina -information by Claire and Delaney

This week in Mrs. Alba’s class they were learning how to become a better writer and activities using their hands to sound out and pronounce different words.
Mrs. Arthur’s class was working on counting different objects finding the amount and then trading with a classmate. They were also working on learning all of the different jobs and roles in their class.
And finally, in Mr. LP +Mrs. Wilson’s class they were finding out different methods to relax and to calm down, they were also learning where to put their birthdays on the calendar. That is what was happening In UTK and kinder. – Written by Giana and Claire

FOPBE Contribution Drive Has Begun!

PACIFIC BEACH ELEMENTARY

CONTRIBUTION DRIVE

The Friends of Pacific Beach Elementary (FOPBE) is PBE’s non-profit parent-teacher organization dedicated to supporting students. FOPBE fundraises through various avenues to bring educational and enrichment programs to students, and funds school needs during the school year.

We are reaching out for your help to kick-start fundraising for the 2024-25 school year with our annual PBE Contribution Drive. FOPBE’s current annual budget of approximately $100,000 roughly equates to $320 per student of spending for each of our 312 currently enrolled students. Many of the programs offered at PBE are not provided by or funded by the school district and are instead made available to our students through the fundraising efforts of FOPBE. District funding continues to decrease, and we can expect another cut next year, which makes fundraising through FOPBE above our minimum paramount.

This important fundraiser will help ensure our incredible school and amazing students within continue to benefit from the valuable programs, activities & supplies that FOPBE provides throughout the year, including:

• Whole Child Playground Supervision: $30k – providing social/emotional support, building conflict resolution skills as well as playground safety.
• San Diego Youth Science Classes: $19-23k – providing unique hands-on scientific experiences to each classroom that inspire scientific curiosity within our students.
• Lexia/Achieve 3000 Educational Platforms: $10k – Academic software used by students to enhance and accelerate skills and growth in literacy.
• Teacher Funds: $8k – Discretionary funds used by each teacher for their own classroom needs; this includes pencils, notebooks, folders, and other classroom supplies.
• Class Field Trips: $8k – Funding for field trips for every grade including transportation, entry fees, etc.
• Garden Enrichment: $6.5k – Hands-on garden instruction in our large, beautiful school garden for all grades once a month. 
• Library Books: $2k – New books for our school library for students to check out during their weekly library days.
• Arts Attack: $1k – Parent led, monthly art lessons for all grades with video instruction and all art supplies included.

And while a total annual donation of $320 per student across all FOPBE fundraisers would help us meet our current budget, the more we are able to fundraise, the more benefits and support we can provide to our students, teachers and staff. Raising above and beyond the minimum of $320 per student allows us to provide extra San Diego Youth Science sessions for our students, upgrades and renovations to our school garden, additional class field trips, additional funds for our teachers to use within their classrooms, additional art supplies for Arts Attack, and MORE!

Donating is completely optional, and we understand this is a big ask for our PBE families.  But if you are in a position to donate more this year, please consider doing so as it would help us exceed our goal!

We also offer some fun incentives for your donation!

TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION:

• By ZELLE, scan the QR code below.
• By CHECK (made out to “FOPBE”) or CASH, please submit payment to the PBE School Office. 
• Or visit HTTPS://FOPBE.ORG to make a donation by credit card or PayPal (please be sure to include your name, your child’s name and teacher with each donation made online).

Friends of Pacific Beach Elementary School 

c/o Pacific Beach Elementary School

1234 Tourmaline Street, San Diego, California,  92109

fopbe.org

pacificbeachelementary@gmail.com

FOPBE is a non-profit 501(c)(3) – Tax I.D. 33-0549469

All donations are tax deductible and directly benefit our school, students and teachers.

Mission: “To enhance and enrich the learning environment for all students”

Classroom Communications Policy

In order to minimize classroom disruptions, we wanted to share our policy regarding requests for messages to be sent to students during the instructional day.  Our policy is to avoid classroom disruptions. We encourage parents to make after-school arrangements with their child prior to the beginning of the school day. Phone call disruptions will not be put through to classrooms. If an emergency message needs to be delivered, parents are asked to email the teacher, and a parent may also call the office where a message will also be documented and delivered to the teacher before the end of the day.  

Safety Patrol Volunteers Needed

We are in need of volunteers to support Safety Patrol at PBE. If you are able to donate your time Monday-Friday from 7:30-7:55 and 2:00-2:20 (Wednesdays from 12:00-12:30) then please contact Mrs. Erickson at adegoede@sandi.net

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)

School-Site Council Nominations are OPEN

The PBE School Site Council (SSC) nominations are now open for the 2024-2025 school year. Please email Dr. Schnitzer if you are interested. Email: kschnitzer@sandi.net

The School Site Council of Pacific Beach Elementary hereinafter referred to as the SSC, shall carry out the following duties:

• Obtain recommendations for, and review of, the proposed School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) from all school advisory committees.
• Develop and approve the SPSA and related categorical expenditures in accordance with all state and federal law and district regulations.
• Recommend the SPSA and categorical expenditures to the SDUSD Board of Education for approval.
• Provide ongoing review of the implementation of the SPSA with the principal, teachers, and other school staff members.
• Make modifications to the SPSA whenever the need arises.
• Submit the modified SPSA for district approval whenever a material change (as defined in district governing board policy) made in planned activities or related categorical expenditures.
• Regularly evaluate the progress made toward school goals to raise the academic achievement of all students.
• Carry out all other duties assigned to the council by the SDUSD Board of Education and by state law.

PBE 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.

Safety

Please supervise your children if you are hanging out in the front of the school after dismissal. Children are not permitted to climb the trees on school property. If/when they fall, we are liable. I LOVED climbing tress as a child, so please take them to a park off campus so they can explore the tree-climbing fun. We just cannot allow it to happen on school property. Please also be mindful with all the interactions that you engage in while on or near our elementary-school campus. Please refrain from videotaping other peoples’ children unless you have been given permission from the parent. As we teach our students to be respectful to each other we want to practice demonstrating respect in all our interactions with one another as well. Our children are always watching.

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