Hancock Happenings: Week 22: Jan 5 - 9

Message to Hancock Community 

Dear Hancock Elementary Families,

Earlier this week, we shared the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved Principal, Irene Hightower. As we prepare to welcome students back to campus, we would like to provide additional information about how we will support students and families as we return to school.

We will be hosting a parent meeting on Monday, January 5th at 8:00 a.m. in the Auditorium to provide further details and to share the support we have in place for students. 

We also want you to be aware of what will be shared with children on Monday morning in class. We want to ensure that families have the opportunity to talk with their children beforehand, if they choose, and to know the language that will be used at school. Here are the classroom scripts that teachers will read to Kinder-1st grade students and 2nd-5th grade students.

We recognize that children may respond in different ways depending on their age, development, and personal experiences. Some students may have questions right away, while others may process this information later. Our counseling team and support staff will be available to support students and staff on Monday and in the days ahead.  In addition, we would like to share a link to resources from the Dougy Center to access information for supporting your child at home. 

Hancock Harvest- Distribution  (Jan 7)  🌽🛒

Our next food distribution will be held on Wednesday, January 7th, at the front of the school, starting at 2:00 p.m. Distribution is on a first-come, first-served basis. We kindly ask that you bring a stroller or a sturdy bag to assist with carrying the food home. Check out the attached calendar for upcoming distribution dates! Calendar

Welcome Back/Reminders

As we welcome everyone to the start of 2026, we want to remind everyone (and update those new families) on some important school and district wide policies.

• Please note that the Hancock parking lot is limited to staff only. We have implemented a staff parking pass system. If you are not a staff member with a parking pass please do not park in a spot. Please do not park in a Handicap Parking Space unless you have the appropriate placard. Do not park, drop off, pick up, or “quickly” unload in the RESERVED spots facing the TK/K playground and garden. These are for staff members only. You will be asked to move. You may always use the drop-off/pick-up lanes to safely arrive/depart from school. 

• The district’s "Phone-Free School Day Policy" is being implemented district-wide to help students focus on learning and prioritize their mental health and well-being. 📱 Phones: Must be turned off and stored out of sight, such as in a student's backpack, during the entire school day, including lunch and recess. Other Devices: Earbuds, headphones, and smartwatches are not allowed in K-8 schools. ✅ When Phones Are Allowed: Phones can be used before and after school (outside gates).

• Students may not use e-bikes or e-scooters at school. All approved bike riders must use a helmet when riding their bikes to and from school. 

• School starts at 7:50. Students not in class by 7:50 will be marked tardy and must get a tardy slip from the office before going to class.

Flag Assembly Friday (Jan 9)🎤 🏫🏅

Please join us for our monthly whole school flag salute at 7:50am on Friday Jan. 9th in the quad. A short awards presentation will follow.  Teachers will reach out to families of students receiving awards. 

Give Back Friday (Jan 9)🤝 💕

This Friday will be our next opportunity to “give back” to our teachers and staff. If you have an hour or more to donate during the school day, please plan to visit our Eagles Nest (Rm 702) any time between 8:00-2:00 on Friday Nov. 9th to see what projects could use your help. Typically this is anything from cutting shapes to assembling math workbooks. You do not need to be a cleared volunteer since you will not have any interaction with students. If you have a young child you are caring for and would like to bring them, there is a play area in the room to keep them busy while you work. Please contact Ms. Abi ([email protected]) with any questions. Please follow protocols for visitors by checking into the office when you arrive.  Your time is much appreciated!

After School Enrichment Programs 

After we return from Winter Break, we have a few opportunities for students to participate in After School Enrichment. 

• Chess Club - Every Wednesday. Current session ends Jan 28 Flyer

• 4th & 5th Grade Tennis - Every Wednesday starting Jan 21st (4th & 5th grade only) Flyer

• Lego Club - Every Friday. Current session runs until Feb 20  Flyer

• Heartlight Dance - New session starts on Thursday Jan 29  Details to come

• Boardgames Club - New session starts Jan 8th. Military Discount Offered this session  Flyer

• 4th & 5th Grade Girls Golf - Session starts Tuesday Jan 13 (4th & 5th grade girls only) Flyer

• Cooking Class - 4 Week session starts Tuesday Feb 3  Details to come

Note: Programs are run by independent organizations who have permission to use school facilities. Registration is done directly with the organization. 

Early Bird Pricing on Yearbooks Ends January 4th!📚💸

Pre-Order Hancock’s 2025-2026 Yearbook prior to Jan 4 and get the Early Bird pricing of $20 for Grades TK - 4*. Hancock’s Online Yearbook portal is https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/hancockelementaryschool.  Prices will increase to $24 starting Jan 5th. 

*A big thank you to Hancocks’ School Safety Patrol who will be purchasing yearbooks for ALL 5th Grade students this year!  Funds raised with Boo Grams and other fundraisers will cover this cost for our 5th Grade. Families will not need to place an order for these. All 5th graders will receive yearbooks when they are delivered in the Spring. 

Moving Soon?  We Need to Know!📦🚚📤

We know this time of year is not only the Holiday Season, but also “PCS Season”. If you and your family have upcoming orders during December or January, please be sure to let our School Clerk, Ms. Ashley, know about your tentative date. This allows us to prepare for the transfer of records and track outgoing and incoming students. You can stop into the office or contact her at 619-605-3200, Option 2 or [email protected].

Need to Report an Absence? 🤒

Communication with our Attendance Clerk, Ms Shauna, is important if your student is absent for any reason. Per San Diego Unified policy, if you do not report the reason for the absence to the office within 5 school days, even if it was for an excused reason (illness, medical or dental appointments, funeral services, military ceremonies, etc) it will automatically be changed to an unexcused absence. Please be sure to report the reason for the absence every time. You can do this 24/7 either online or by phone @ 619-605-3200 Option 1.

Upcoming Important Dates 🗓️

Jan 5 Return to School

Jan 5 SSC Meeting 2:30

Jan 7 Hancock Harvest Food Distribution

Jan 9 Flag Assembly

Jan 9 Give Back Friday

Jan 12 SGT Meeting 2:30

Jan 19 Martin Luther King Jr Holiday - No School

Jan 23 Family Friday - 3rd Grade

Stay Connected with Hancock: 

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