a day at the beach

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of our students, I am pleased to announce that our Student Safety Patrol program will begin on Monday December 2, 2024. This 5th grade team is a group of dedicated students who have been specially trained to assist students with crossing the street on their way to and from school.

Our Safety Patrol members will be stationed at key crosswalks to help safely guide students through crossings to and from school. They will be easily identifiable by their high-visibility safety vests and flags. These young leaders are excited to contribute to our school’s safety efforts and make a positive impact on our daily routines.

To support their efforts and ensure a smooth and safe experience for everyone, we kindly ask that all drivers exercise heightened caution while approaching the school area. Please adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Reduce Speed: Maintain a slower speed when driving near the school, especially in designated school zones.

2. Stay Alert: Watch for students and Safety Patrol members at crosswalks and intersections. Be prepared to stop when students approach intersections to cross.

3. Avoid Distractions: Refrain from using mobile phones or engaging in other distractions while driving in the vicinity of the school.

Your cooperation is essential in ensuring a safe environment for our students. By working together, we can create a secure and supportive community for everyone.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued support of our school community.

We are excited to share that a cartoonist will join us for an assembly on Friday, December 6! Award-winning and Best-selling cartoonist Jorge Cham (PHD Comics) engages kids and families with the wonders of the Universe in this fun and fact-filled event that is both creative and hilarious. Using live cartooning and fun animations, Jorge will present his new book, "Volcanoes are Hot," a story about a kid who one day decides to be an astrophysicist.

If you would like to purchase a copy of “Oliver’s Great Big Universe: Volcanoes are Hot” and/or “Oliver’s Great Big Universe” for the author to sign, please fill in this form. While the books are designed for 8+, the assembly is for all ages!

School attendance is very important. Did you know that when children miss more than 2 days a month, or 17 days a year they are considered chronically absent? Missing more than 10% of the school year can make it harder to learn to read. We want the very best for our students and believe the best gift we can give them is a good education.

Often during this time of year, student attendance begins to drop. We miss your students when they are not here, and more importantly, we don’t want them to miss important learning. Our teachers will be here teaching every day through December 20, please make sure your child is present each day as well to receive the gift of education!

If you are struggling to get your child to school (or to school on time) please reach out to Mr. Rhys (rnearyhills@pps.net) or Ms. Katrina (kdeboer@pps.net) for support.

We know that winter break can be challenging for families, especially families who rely on school for services like free meals. If your family might have a resource need for the upcoming break, check out the resources on our Beach School Counseling & Social Work website and reach out to Rhys the social worker by either email or text– rnearyhills@pps.net / (503) 679-8350.

Holiday-specific resources