Potential Classroom Changes for Kindergarten and 1st Grade
As each school year commences, all schools open with a number of teachers based on an estimated enrollment. This estimate is based on a number of factors, including neighborhood demographics, previous years’ enrollment, past trends, among others. This year we have experienced an unexpected drop in enrollment.
The last ratified contract with the teachers union stipulates a class size average of 24 students in grades K-3rd. Our smaller enrollment resulted in a number of classes with fewer than 24 students. Unfortunately, that results in Hancock Elementary having to lose one teaching position at this time. According to the contract, the least senior teachers are to be placed at schools where there is a need. We are very saddened by having to say goodbye to any of our beloved staff. We know how much each and every teacher here means to the community. Regrettably, our enrollment numbers can’t support the staff as it is currently.
We as a staff have begun the process of looking strategically at our student population and making decisions in the best interest of the students. There are timelines we have to adhere to and you will continue to receive information about the transition if your student will be affected. Please remember, Hancock has a strong team of teachers and staff. Your children will be in good hands. Please help them through this time of transition by staying positive in front of them. They will mirror your reaction and we need them to not become unnecessarily anxious.
We realize this is not the news anyone wants to hear. We are very saddened to lose any of our team as they are all like family. Going forward, we ask for your patience and understanding during this time. With Back to School Night coming up on August 29th we would like to make classroom changes prior to that so parents can meet with the classroom teacher their child will have the rest of the school year. Letters will be coming home this week for students that will experience a classroom change.
UTK and Kindergarten Continue Early Dismissal
This will be the 2nd and last week of 12:00 Dismissal for our UTK and Kindergarten students. Teachers are continuing to assess our newest students and transition them into the full day program starting the week of Aug. 26.
Back to School Packets
Back to School Packets will be going home with your students this week. In these packets will be information about daily schedules, school calendar, lunch menus, etc. Please take care that you review the packets and return all required information promptly.
Back to School Night August 29th
Hancock’s Back to School Open House will be held on Thursday August 29th. The event will be held in person in the classrooms beginning at 5:00pm. At 5:30, the bell will ring and parents will be able to rotate to another classroom if they have multiple students. Watch for details from your classroom teachers. Please note - Mrs. Gapasin will be holding her Back to School Night this upcoming week. Please look for information from her regarding this week’s Back to School Night.
Parents Needed for Two Important Committees:
Parents, we need your help! We have two very important committees at Hancock that require parent participation. The Site Governance Team (SGT) helps to provide feedback and make recommendations on school programs. The School Site Council (SSC) helps decide how to spend state and federal funds on programs and items we have at Hancock. Both committees meet on separate Mondays at 2:30 and we are currently meeting on Teams for both committees. The SGT is in need of one parent volunteer and the SSC is in need of three parent volunteers. Please nominate yourself by Friday, August 23rd. The self nomination form links are below and parents may self nominate for one or both committees:
Hancock SGT Parent Nomination Form
Hancock SSC Parent Nomination Form
Breakfast and Lunch
Free Breakfast and Lunch is available to all enrolled Hancock students through a state wide program. The school district publishes menus that can be found here for all elementary schools. Students may come to the cafeteria as early as 7:15 to eat breakfast. Parents are welcomed to join their children. However, school breakfast is only allowed to be taken and consumed by students. We ask that you not allow non students or adults to take or eat student meals. Also, parents should not be supervising other students. Please direct any concerns to the supervision staff in the cafeteria.
Snacks
Hancock Elementary has been designated as a SDUSD Healthy School. Our Wellness Policy incorporates the following aspects: nutrition, physical education, health education, health services, counseling and support services, healthy school environment, health promotion for staff and family/community involvement. As such, we ask that parents consider sending Approved Smart Snacks with students to eat during their child’s recess/snack time.
Dropping Off Items for Students
The first week of school is behind us and the new routines and schedules are hopefully falling into place for everyone. We ask, going forward, that you make every effort with your child to check before they leave the house in the morning that they have everything they need for the day. This includes chromebooks, lunch boxes, and water bottles. When parents have to drop items off at the office for students, we make every effort to get the items to the student. However,we need to minimize interruptions to instructional time and staff may not have staff available to deliver directly to classrooms. Our policy is that items dropped off after 9:00 am are not guaranteed to make it to students before the end of the day.
Parking Lot for Staff Parking Only
Please note that the Hancock parking lot will be 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. You will be asked to move. You may always use the drop off/pick up lanes to safely arrive/depart from school. Reminder that the 8 parking spots along sidewalk to enter school are reserved at all times. Please do not put our staff in a position to ask you to move even for a “quick drop off.” We have staff that work at different locations throughout the day and rely on their spot open to get to work with students as quick as possible.
Fall After School Programs
We have a few after school programs set to return to Hancock this year. If you are interested in signing up your student for one of these programs, you will contact the group directly. We do not yet have flyers for all groups. Watch next week for more details.
549 Sports (Basketball): Begins Tuesdays on August 27 for a 8 week session. Flyer
Soccer Shots: Begins Thursdays on August 29th for a 16 week session. Flyer Linked
Young Engineers (Lego Club): Begins Fridays on August 30 for an 8 week session. Flyer
Youth Tennis San Diego: 4th & 5th Grades Only Begins Wednesdays on September 11 for an 8 week session. Flyer
Need to Report an Absence?
If your child will be absent from school, please be sure to report your absence to the office, not just your teacher. You may report the absence using this google form or you may also call our phone line at 619-605-3200 and press 1 for attendance to leave a message. Please be specific in your reason.
Upcoming Important Dates
8/29 Back to School Night (5p)
9/2 Labor Day - No School
9/6 Flag Assembly (7:50a)
9/9 School Site Council Meeting (2:30p)
9/16 Site Governance Team (2:30p)
Stay Connected with Hancock:
School Website School Facebook Page Hancock Counseling Facebook Page
Peachjar PowerSchool Parent Portal PTF Facebook Page