Welcome Back

Dear Phoebe Hearst Families,

Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year at Phoebe Hearst Elementary School! Class officially begins on September 7th, 2010, but it's important that we all begin preparing now for the rigors and challenges to come in just a few short weeks.

Hopefully you have all received the summer Connect-Ed phone call updates informing families of a dress code change and the date for New Parent Orientation. In case you have not received the updates, the dress code has been altered to eliminate denim from the options available. New Parent Orientation has been scheduled for September 2nd at 6:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Parents of new students to our community should join me for this opportunity to learn more about Phoebe Hearst.

This year we have some new clothing options for students which are in compliance with the school uniform policy. New polo shirt designs and hooded sweatshirts will be available for purchase at the New Parent Orientation, and our annual First Day Parent Coffee immediately following morning announcements. Polo shirts and sweatshirts will also be available to order - forms will be available online and on the counter in the main office once school begins.

Student supply lists are now online as well. Teachers may have a few additional requests for items once school begins; however, it is very important that students come prepared for class on the first day. In the past, the school has provided many luxuries for kids to utilize. This year has brought about amazing financial challenges, so families will have to provide many basic supplies. Extra sets of supplies are being accepted as donations to classrooms or the main office to be used as needed. These donations can be used toward parent hours.

The question you all want to ask, "Who is my teacher this year?" will be answered Labor Day weekend. Please swing through the parking lot and see the class lists posted on the office doors to see your class/room assignment. Special requests and requests for changes will not be entertained. Questions about our programs and class expectations however, are always welcome!

I am extremely excited about this school year. I am personally dedicated to assuring challenging and focused learning opportunities for students. I am also enthusiastic about some new after school enrichment opportunities and the fun events the PTA has been planning for families.

As the summer winds down, enjoy these last few days in the sun. Please send your children prepared to learn and focus come September 7th. I am dedicated to maintaining Phoebe Hearst's reputation for excellence, but I can't do it without your commitment and energy!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Andrea Egan
Interim Principal, Phoebe Hearst Elementary School

Enrollment

Phoebe Hearst is closed for the summer. We will re-open August 16, 2010. If you are interested in enrollment in the fall, please bring your child's last report card to the school, the week of August 16th and complete an open enrollment application. We will place children by the end of August in open spaces after the report cards have been screened. All children applying must be at or above grade level, with good attendance and good behavior. If your child is applying for 4th - 6th grade, we will also need a copy of their last STAR test scores received. If you have questions prior to August, you can e-mail Tammy Blunk, Office Manager at tammybl@sac-city.k12.ca.us. She will check her e-mail periodically. Thank you for your interest in Phoebe Hearst.

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.

2010-2011 Supply Lists

Each grade has a specific list of supplies to be gathered before the start of school. In the past Phoebe Hearst was able to supply more basic items, but this year we are looking to parents to supplement needed materials. Each child should come preparred the first day of school with the items listed for their particular grade. Additional sets of supplies can be donated at the "First Day of School Coffee" in the cafeteria. These extra supply donations can be counted toward parent hours. Once school begins, specific teachers may request that students purcahse a few more items as needs arise.

If you are in the position to be extra generous, please also see the "General Classroom Wish List." You can deliver these items to your teacher the first week of school, or make a general donation of any of these items to the main office. These donations can also be counted toward parent hours.

Please open and review the 2010-2011 Supply List and the 2010-2011 General Classroom Wish List.

Office Depot will generously donate 5% of all qualifying purchases back to the school that can be used as school supplies. Please give the number 70013338 to the cashier at the time of purchase.

New After School Programs at Phoebe Hearst

The Dragon Press

The Dragon Press is a Journalism/Media Broadcast class designed for students in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades. Students in this class will learn basic journalism and broadcasting skills. Students will enhance research and writing skills, while learning how to format and publish a school newspaper. Students will also learn how to set up and use media technology, including computer software and movie editing software. Students will create daily school broadcast videos on school events, create the school yearbook, and publish a school newspaper.

This class is will have two sessions offered, fall and spring. Applications for are available in the school office, on the school webpage here and at web.me.com/jdelagua. Applications are due by June 11th , 2010 for the fall class beginning in September, 2010.

Please read the Journalism Contract.

Class Schedule:
Wednesdays & Fridays, 2:30 - 3:30pm - 4th, 5th, & 6th grade students only

Character in Action

Character in Action is a Sports & Fitness program created and implemented by Coach Moreno for students of all ages and skill levels. This program will include strength and conditioning training, and speed and agility training. Coach Moreno will also include skill specific training for students playing sports such as: soccer, volleyball, football and baseball. This class is designed for all students from a beginning/basic skill level, all the way to advanced skills level.

This class will be offered in 4 week sessions beginning the second week of school and will continue throughout the 2010-2011 school year. This class will have monthly signups. Sign-ups will be available in the fall.

Class Schedule:
Tuesdays, 2:30 - 3:30pm - Intermediate students
Wednesdays, 2:30 - 3:30pm - Primary students

En Espanol

En Espanol is a Spanish class created and implemented by Senora Del Agua for students of all ages and levels. The class is designed to teach basic vocabulary development in Spanish. Students will also learn to how to conjugate Spanish verbs and create simple sentences. This class will focus on oral communication using basic Spanish phrases. Students will also be able to read and write simple Spanish phrases and sentences.

This class will be offered beginning the second week of school, in September and will continue throughout the 2010-2011 school year. This class is a year-long class. Sign-ups will be available in the fall.

Class Schedule:
Mondays, 2:30 - 3:30pm - Primary students
Tuesdays, 2:30 - 3:30pm - Intermediate students

Cost: For classes that meet once a week, the fee will be $20 per month. For classes that meet twice a week, the fee will be $40 per month. This breaks down to $5 a session! You can't beat this price anywhere!

For more information about these programs, please read the After School Flyer. You may also contact Mr. Moreno (Coach) at bryan-moreno@sac-city.k12.ca.us or Mrs. Del Agua (Room 4) at web.me.com/jdelagua or jewels221@aol.com. or by calling the school office at 916-277-6690.

Character in Action and En Espanol will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. The Dragon Press will have applications in the office or on the web sites listed above.

New District Strategic Plan 2010-2014

The Sacramento City Unified School District has rolled out its new Strategic Plan. The plan centers on three pillars; Career and College Ready Students, Family and Community Engagement, and Organizational Transformation. Please read the entire plan and the district's Vision Statement by opening the link here: http://www.scusd.edu/communityEngagement/Documents/Strategic Plan English.pdf.

Phoebe Hearst will strive to align with this plan over the coming year.

Contact Site Administrator: phoebeweb@gmail.com