Pacific Sky Family Update
Principal's Weekly Message 5/1-5/5
Dear Pacific Sky Families,
Beginning Monday state standardized testing will begin. Students in third through sixth grade will take assessments in English language arts and mathematics. Fifth grade students will also participate in the California Science Test (CAST). Del Mar Union School District will be testing beginning May 1 through May 19. To learn about the types of questions on the computer-based test, you and your child can view the practice test online at the California Department of Education (CDE) CAASPP web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/practicetest.asp.
You are an important part of your child's education. To help your child prepare for the test, you can:
- Talk to your child about the test and address test anxiety if helpful. Remind your child that you and their teacher want them to they their best and you both are to help them every step of the way.
- Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and a nutritious breakfast.
- Make sure your child arrives to school on time.
Student score reports will be provided to parents near the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Reports will include an overall score and description of the student’s achievement level for each content area assessed, as well as other information related to the test.
Our students have been working hard throughout the school year and the Smarter Balanced assessments are an important academic check-up and one measure teachers use to inform instruction. The tests measure critical thinking, analytical writing, problem solving, and subject area knowledge. I am confident that the learning opportunities and experiences at Pacific Sky have prepared our team of Pilots well and that they will shine.
If you would like more information, please visit the Parent Resource Page of the CDE website at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp.
Gratefully,
Alison Fieberg, Principal
Important Dates
May 1st- 19th - CAASPP Assessment Grades 3-6
May 1st-5th - Staff Appreciation Week
May 2nd- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Parent/Guardian Night 6:00-7:30 pm
May 4th-5th- Summative ELPAC Assessment Grades K-2
May 15th- Field Day
May 31st- Full Day- 2:30 pm Dismissal
June 2nd- 6th Grade Promotion 8:30 am
June 2nd - Last Day of School Minimum Day 12:30 pm
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Parent/Guardian Night
We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Parent Night on May 2nd from 6:00-7:30 pm. We will explore the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
Every student deserves to feel valued and accepted for who they are. To achieve this, we need your help and support. This parent night will give you the opportunity to learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how you can contribute to our efforts.
During this event, you will have the chance to meet with Mrs. Allard, Mrs. Park, Mrs. Brand, and myself as we share our efforts to promote a welcoming and supportive school culture.
Childcare and pizza for those in childcare will be provided starting at 6:00pm while you attend our parent sessions. Childcare is limited and only available for school-age children, so please signup as soon as possible. The signup form is located HERE.
Strategic Planning Update
Personal Device Use at School
As personal devices become increasingly popular for a variety of age ranges, a review of our school district's personal device policy is necessary. Personal devices include cell phones and smartwatches. We have noticed many students are wearing smartwatches. Please see our policy noted in our Family Handbook below:
“We realize some parents may choose to have their child carry a cell phone or wear a smartwatch to school for before/after school communication. Cell phones are expected to be put away and remain off during the school day. Smartwatches used as communication devices are expected to be turned off during the school day. Use of electronic devices for texting, video recordings, making phone calls (including to parents), and taking pictures during the school day is prohibited. If electronic devices are disruptive to the learning environment, the educators will provide warnings, and the devices may be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the day through parent pickup in the office.
If your child needs to communicate with you during the school day, they will be given access to a school phone at an appropriate time. If you need to reach your child during the school day, please contact the front office and they can pass along a message.”
(page 19, Family Handbook)
With the desire to keep all our students safe and focused on learning, we ask for your support with cell phones and smartwatches. Please work with your child to ensure they are following the rules. HERE is a quick FAQ for use with students.
School Yearbooks
Get your Yearbook now! Yearbooks are only available to order on line. They will NOT be available for sale through the school office at the end of the year. Click on this link to learn how to order.
Child Nutritional Services
Counselor's Corner
The Power of Grit
Do you want your child to reach their full potential? Start nurturing their grit and perseverance!
It’s tempting to jump in and solve our children’s problems. Although it seems counterintuitive, giving your child a chance to fail and bounce back or just allowing them to struggle and feel discomfort, can be natural ways to foster grit. This spring revisit SMART goals previously set and focus on skills for building GRIT in your child!
Children’s read-alouds:
Here is this week's STEAM+ Spotlight on Science.
STEAM+ Spotlight: Growing Global Learners
Our STEAM+ programs promote global competence as students explore the world around them and understand how we are connected with, and learn from the world's people and cultures.
Commemorate your 6th grader’s memories at Pacific Sky
The Del Mar Schools Education Foundation (DMSEF) is excited to start a new Legacy Tree program at Pacific Sky. We will offer all 6th graders the chance to have a leaf, engraved with their name and promotion year, on this special tree to commemorate their time at Pacific Sky and leave a legacy. You may reserve a leaf for your 6th-grade student with a contribution of $400 to DMSEF. This will also count for the Jogathon and prizes!
Please use the Legacy Tree form to indicate whether you would like to reserve a leaf for your student. Let us know whether you have already made a contribution of at least $400 to DMSEF this year or if you still need to make a $400 contribution to secure your child’s leaf.
PTA events in the rest of the school year:
Apr 30-May 14: Spirit Wear Logo Design Contest Voting
Big thank you to all the students submitting to this contest and Principal Fieberg, our Art Teacher Mrs. Saw and our PTA President-Elect Ritu Singla being the judges! Three finalists are now selected and you can start voting for the final winner using this Google form https://bit.ly/3AqNlxQ. The voting is open from Apr 30 Sun through May 14 Sun. The final winner will get the grand prize of $50 Amazon gift card and the design will be used on some of our spirit wear/swag in the next school year!
May 1-5: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
Big thank you to all the room parents for organizing these!
Monday, May 1st- Bring Your Teacher a Flower
Tuesday, May 2nd- Make Your Teacher a Card
Wednesday, May 3rd- PTA’s Teacher and Staff Appreciation Lunch
Thursday, May 4th- Sweet Treat for a Sweet Staff
Friday, May 5th- Gifts of Gratitude
May 15 Mon: Field Day
8:30-9:45am for K-2 grades
10:00-11:15am for 3-6 grades
The PTA is very happy to sponsor the first Field Day at Pacific Sky School. Master Sports will provide and set up 9 fun and exciting sports game stations for all Pacific Sky pilots to participate on the Field Day. Volunteers are needed to help run the games and monitor the students; please sign up at http://bit.ly/3nfxmPJ.
May 18 Thu 8:00–9:30am: Last Principal Chat+PTA Association Meeting for 2022-23
Thank you!
About Us
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Website: https://pacificsky.dmusd.org/
Location: 6631 Solterra Vista Parkway, San Diego, CA, USA
Phone: (858)523-4799