Pepper Drive Family News

September 30, 2022

PBIS Overview: What is PBIS?

At Pepper Drive School, we practice PBIS, but what is it?

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based three-tiered framework to improve and integrate all of the data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes every day. PBIS creates a strong school foundation, where all children can succeed.


3-Tier System of Support

  1. Tier 1 practices and systems establish a foundation of regular, proactive support while preventing unwanted behaviors. Schools provide these universal supports to all students, school-wide. This means we TEACH and reteach expectations on a regular basis. Each week, the entire school focuses on one of our TIGER traits or all of the traits in a single location (hallways, bathrooms, etc).
  2. Tier 2 practices and systems support students who are at risk for developing more serious problem behaviors before those behaviors start. These supports help students develop the skills they need to benefit from core programs at the school. Sometimes these supports include individual behavior contracts, reminder meetings, or shadowing a staff member to point out expected behaviors.
  3. At Tier 3, students receive more intensive, individualized support to improve their behavioral and academic outcomes.


Teaching & Celebrating

PBIS is about prevention of negative behaviors through teaching, reteaching, and rewards. When a student struggles with math, we re-teach. We look at behavior through the same lens. We have a school PBIS team who meet monthly to analyze data and address challenges. Monthly TIGER Awards, Tiger of the Week Certificates and Tiger Paw raffles are part of our reward system to reinforce students making positive behavior choices and abiding by the school wide expectations.


This week's focus was Empathy. Having the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes can impact your child's life beyond school. Taking the perspectives of others impacts peer relationships, learning, flexibility, and resilience. Next week, our school wide focus is on Responsibility.

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TIGER Expectations

This week, your student reviewed the TIGER expectation of EMPATHY. The students below are some of our "Tigers of the Week"
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Pepper Drive BOOK FAIR

October 10th - 14th

9:00AM - 1:30PM


Virtual Online Book Fair Shopping

October 7th- 20th


We accept the following payment methods at our fair:

  • Cash
  • ChecksPepper Drive School
  • Student eWalletNew


What is eWallet? A SAFE, CASHLESS WAY TO SHOP THE FAIR

Easy to set up, EWallet funds are immediately available for use at both the in-school and virtual Book Fair. Plus, family and friends can contribute too! Create an eWallet account between September 16 - October 14. Click here to set up your child's eWallet

Parking Lot Safety

For the safety of all our students, their families and the staff, please SLOW DOWN. We have students and families walking in crosswalks who have narrowly missed being hit by cars that run the red light or rush ahead without looking. Please use an abundance of caution when approaching the school.


There are NO RIGHT TURNS on red when waiting at the light on Pepper Drive. Please take note of that sign, so we can help keep our kids safe. The CHP has been notified and will be out patrolling and giving tickets. This photo (left) is of the sign at the light. You may not have noticed it before.


Safety Patrol started this week. These are students who are trained to use whistles and stop signs to help peers to cross at the Marlinda Ave crosswalk. Please be patient with these students as they get used to the job, and do not ever have your car in the crosswalk while students are crossing. There will be students training in their Safety Patrol roles for the next 3 weeks. Please be patient with them as they learn.


Arrival and Dismissal: Please remember there is no staff supervision in the morning until 8:15am (8am for breakfast). Do not drop off students before that time. Also, if you are picking up students for 2nd dismissal, you will be asked to keep driving (out of the loop) if you arrive at the pickup area before 2:35. We must allow the time from 2:20-2:35 for the first dismissal parents to pick up. If you arrive early, park in the lower lot, then rejoin the line at 2:35. We appreciate you helping our lines run smoothly.


Breakfast: Breakfast is served at 8:00 each day and is free to all students. If your child is eating breakfast at school, please drop them off between 8:00 and 8:15 so they have time to eat. The kitchen will be CLOSED at 8:25 each day and students will not be able to bring that food with them to class.

Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15

At Pepper Drive, we take time to explore history and culture from different perspectives. We also celebrate the authors, historians, scientists and mathematicians who have contributed to the world around us. This month is Hispanic Heritage Month. Below, there is a link to a video on

A Brief History of Spanish Language


In Project Safe, our students created artwork related to Hispanic heritage and explained what it means to them (see below).

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Access Student Score Reports

2022 Spring CAASPP Student Score Reports and English Language Proficiency assessment (ELPAC) scores are available online. The state used to mail these scores out to your home, but that is no longer their practice. Reports are stored in the Parent/Student PowerSchool Portal. To access the report, follow these steps:

  • Go to the PowerSchool Portal login page at https://sis.santeesd.net/public/
  • Sign in with your PowerSchool credentials
  • Click on “Score Reports” in the left menu
  • Select 2021-2022 school year
  • Click “Get Report”

Grade 5-8 Fundraiser Extended through 10/7!

Our Boon Supply fundraiser has been extended through Friday 10/7. This gives our 5th-8th graders an extra week to raise money for 6th grade camp and 8th grade activities! Students, get out there and sell - we want everyone to enjoy these fun activities!
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Volunteers Needed

The Scholastic Book Fair will be back at Pepper Drive Oct 10-14. If you are an approved Volunteer and are interested in helping with the Book Fair, please click this link to volunteer. Mrs. Reyes, in the library would like to have 5 Volunteers for each time slot.

FREE After School Music Class from SD Youth Symphony!!

Pepper Drive School is excited to announce our partnership with the district Out of School Time (Project Safe) and the San Diego Youth Symphony to provide FREE Strings Instrument Classes for 4th-6th grade students who enroll in the program (link below), and can commit to this one-year program.
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Click Here to Volunteer at Trick or Treat @ Pepper!

Sign up to volunteer at the PTA "Trick-or-Treat From Your Seat" drive-thru Trick-or-Treat event

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Upcoming Dates

October

10/4 Santee School Board Meeting

10/5 PTA Stoves on Strike Fundraiser-Wings n Things Santee

10/7 Crazy Sock Day

10/7 Family Movie Night (Children with families-not a drop-off event)

10/10-10/14 Progress Reports go home

10/14 Middle School Activity

10/14 Crazy Sock Day

10/21 Crazy Sock Day

10/24-10/28 Red Ribbon Week

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