Phoebe Hearst Elementary School
Basic and Gifted & Talented Instruction
1410 60th Street, Sacramento, CA (916) 277-6690
Educational Programs
Two programs are offered at Phoebe Hearst: Basic Education and Gifted and Talented Education (GATE).
Our GATE program is an alternative program for identified GATE students. The program provides not only instruction in basic skills, but enrichment, acceleration, and in-depth learning experiences for the more academically able student.
Our Basic Education Program is an alternative for students and parents who want a more structured learning environment. It is based on the belief that the major function of a school is to provide every student with the opportunity to master the basic academic skills.
Clean Hands at Phoebe Hearst!
Personal hygiene is an integral part of staying healthy, and limiting the spread of germs. With flu season upon us, it is particularly important to remind students to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, or to use hand sanitizer when available. Good hand washing should include a vigorous lather for about 15 seconds.
At Phoebe Hearst teachers are encouraged to have students wash their hands before lunchtime, and to wash their hands again after lunchtime. Hand sanitizer can be used at either of these times as well. Hand sanitizer is available for students in the cafeteria in the lunch-line for their convenience. Many classrooms and the front office have hand sanitizer available for student use.
Attendance Line
Please call absences prior to 9:00 a.m. to
658-9961 x 35#
Open Enrollment
Would you like your child to attend Phoebe Hearst?
Is your 6th grade student looking for a Middle School?
We've just added a new page for enrollment options for incoming students and students who are moving on to middle school. Please browse the Enrollment page for helpful information about the open enrollment process. Please check the page periodically for updates and additions.
New Math Adoption in SCUSD
Sacramento City Unified School District has adopted a new math program for Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. After piloting several programs last year, the Macmillan McGraw-Hill Mathematics Program was selected. Teachers attended extensive training this summer, with ongoing grade level forums planned throughout the year.
The new program is in alignment with California's State Standards, STAR exams, and Benchmark exams. In accordance with the state's challenge to have students prepared for Algebra by Eighth Grade, the Macmillan McGraw-Hill curriculum centers around algebraic thinking and the vocabulary of mathematics. Students are challenged with not only the computation of algorithms, but also understanding the reasoning and theory behind the computations.
Phoebe Math Forum
Phoebe Hearst hosted a Math Forum on September 24, 2009 from 5-6 p.m. At this well attended event, Mr. Watters and Mrs. Egan discussed the new curriculum, and answered many questions surrounding the new materials. Associate Superintendent, Mary Hardin-Young, was also in attendance and she spoke about the new curriculum adoption process.
A sample problem was shown comparing a lesson in dividing two-digit numbers in Saxon Math and in Macmillan McGraw-Hill. The lessons were quite different, as Saxon emphasized solving the algorithm, while Macmillan not only showed how to solve the algorithm; multiple diagrams were used to show the actual division of a number, emphasizing the importance of understanding what 'dividing' really means.
Principal Watters entertained a variety of questions, many centered on the rigor of the new program, and the placement of students. Teachers and students have generally found the new program to be very challenging. Students at the Intermediate level are participating in the math exchange program, allowing for similar skill grouping and more appropriate pacing for individual student needs. The first Benchmark Exams will be administered in mid-November, allowing hard data to then make adjustments to student placements within the math exchange program.
