Family Newsletter

Hello Bobcat Families,

For those families who are newly registered, some of this information will be repeated from last week!

Welcome to a new school year! I am Stephanie Higginbotham, Proud Principal of Felicita Elementary. This will be my 4th school year as principal and I am so excited to welcome our new and returning Bobcats!

We are so excited for you to be a part of the Felicita family. Be sure to watch our Felicita video (opens in a new tab) to learn more about our special community!

Last year was filled with incredible accomplishments — from academic growth to memorable events — and we’re ready to keep that positive momentum going.

We are especially proud of our academic achievements in 2025–2026, which are truly cause for celebration:

Achievements for 25-26:

We increased student proficiency in core subjects with more students being early on/mid/above grade level:
Reading (iReady): From 38.5% to 44.48%
Math (iReady): From 41.71% to 46.68%

Other noteable gains:
Attendance Goal: Average Daily Attendance increased from 91.9% to 92.76%
School Connectedness: From 71% to 82%
Caring Relationships: From 71% to 79%

Together, we’ll make this year another one to remember, filled with learning, growth, and community spirit.

Our teachers and staff are diligently preparing our campus for your student's arrival. We can't wait to see your smiling faces on the first day of school!

Let’s ROAR, Bobcats!
See you soon!

With Love,
Mrs. Higginbotham

The office will post a list on the front office window by 11:30 AM on 8/17. Want to see it sooner? You may view it online in your parent portal. Sign in or make an account with this link: Parent Portal (opens in a new tab).

We will have a Family Day Lunch for anyone who wants to attend (all grades) on Monday, 8/17, from 11:30-12:30. You are welcome to bring a picnic blanket and your own lunch to sit on the field and mingle with other families. Students will feel more comfortable being on campus and better prepared to start the year! Class lists will also be posted.

TK/K students will have a Meet and Greet on Monday, 8/17 from 12:30-1:30, following Family Lunch. See your TK/K child's classroom and meet the teacher!

For safety purposes, Felicita is a closed campus, meaning in order for a family or community member to come onto campus, that person will need to have a valid ID, check in the office, and be approved. The exception to this will be the 1st day of school. Families are welcome to come onto campus and walk their child to their classroom on the 1st day of school ONLY.

If your child will be eating breakfast, please note there are not enough seats for parents to sit down. Lunch tables are reserved for students.

TK/K students will eat breakfast in/near their classroom after the bell rings and are welcome to play on the TK/K playground in the morning.

1st grade students eat or wait in the cafeteria.

2nd-3rd grade students eat or wait in the Bobcat Den near the primary playground.

4th-5th grade students eat or wait in the Bobcat Courtyard near the front office.

At 7:55 AM when the bell rings, you may walk your child to the outside of the classroom door before exiting. All parents must exit campus by 8:00 AM.

Please note, there are not dogs or pets allowed on campus. Thank you!

Back-to-School Night is right around the corner! This event is intended for parents/guardians to meet the teacher and hear about grade level expectations for the year.

We are shooting for 100% attendance!
5:00-5:30 Meet the Principal and learn about Felicita in the MPR
5:30-6:00 + 6:00-6:30 2 sessions in your classroom to review expectations for the year

Reminder there are no dogs allowed on campus. Thank you!

DROP OFF:

TK/K students will need to be walked up to the TK/K gate. Please park your car, respecting red curbs and coned-off areas for student safety and drop them off with the staff member who will be stationed at the gate.

Grades 1-2 will enter through the Tulip St. gate. Students may only be dropped off in the loop if they can exit the car by themselves. If they require you to get out of the car to help with seatbelts, etc. you will need to park and walk them up. This will help the flow of traffic.

Grades 3-5 will enter on 13th Ave. at the very end of the parking lot (just passed the front office gate).

PICK-UP:

Grades TK-K will be picked up on 13th Ave. at the TK /K gate. Parents will need to walk up to get student(s).

Grades 1-2 will be picked up at the Tulip St. gate.

Grades 3-5 will be picked up on 13th Ave. at the very end of the parking lot (just passed the front office gate).

Only cars that display a valid handicap parking placard should park in the handicap parking spaces. This is extremely important for these spaces to be available to families with disabilities. Thank you for your cooperation!

A valid photo ID is required to sign out a student.

An early or late pick-up of a student also requires a valid I.D. of the parent, guardian, or authorized person. The following will be acceptable forms of identification to help facilitate this process the identification must be valid, or if the identification has expired, it must have been issued within the past five (5) years:

A valid state-issued driver’s license; a valid state-issued identification card; a valid United States passport; a valid foreign passport; a valid foreign driver’s license; a valid permanent Resident Alien Card; and a valid military identification card.

Valid identification cards must contain the following:
The photograph of the signer; the physical description of the signer; a serial or identifying number on the identification; and the signature of the signer.

No exceptions

Breakfast is served before school only! Two choices will be offered:

1) A hot meal served in the cafeteria 7:40-7:55.
2) A grab and go option for students running late after 7:55, that may be eaten at snack time.

It is critical for you to get your child to school before 7:55 if they would like to eat breakfast at school. We want all kids to start school with full bellies so they can focus on learning!

Felicita has a "free" dress code, and uniforms are not required. Clothes, however, need to abide by standard district dress code. Clothing or jewelry promoting alcohol, drugs (including Cookies brand), tobacco, violence, displaying unacceptable messages, displaying foul or inappropriate language or symbols will not be allowed.

We will still have 1 spirit day a week-- on Fridays, when students will be encouraged to wear school colors (red and black) or Felicita shirts/gear.

This year, we will continue putting into action our Redesign plans shared the last 2 years. We will continue to focus on our 5 Big Moves:

Big Move #1: Using the Global Competence Framework to: Investigate the World, Recognize Perspectives, Communicate Ideas, and Take Action!

Use Problem-Based Learning to reach 17 Sustainable Development Goals:
1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals

Big Move #2: Continue Felicita Families: Pair students up into "Families" so they get to know students in other grades. They will keep the same "family" throughout their entire time at Felicita. Family time will be a mix of learning, bonding, and fun!

Big Move #3: Expand Explore Classes for the Whole School: We will be designing engaging classes based on student interest once a month.

Big Move #4: Student Leadership with a Focus on Public Speaking.

Big Move #5: Staff Learning + Collaboration

We also want to have a very clear identity on who a Bobcat is.
Who is a Bobcat?
Bobcats:
Are Leaders
Are Public Speakers
Impact Their Community
Have a Global Perspective
Are Family!

Our slogan: Think Global, Act Local!

We will use these ideas to make a difference in our local communities, and eventually, the world!

Attached is your child's bell schedule for the year.

*School starts at 7:55, with the tardy bell ringing at 8:00 AM. If your child is not in his/her seat at 8:00 AM, they will be considered late. 8 is LATE!*

Please note that Thursdays are Early Release Days and school is out at 12:15!

Hello Felicita Families!

Some of you might recognize me as the math coach from the past 2 years, but this year I am so excited to support Felicita in a new way as your Community Schools and MTSS Site Specialist.

In this position, I will work collaboratively with school staff, parents, students, and community partners to expand the accessibility of programs and services geared to improve attendance and academic outcomes, increase positive behavior at school, and promote student and family engagement. I will work to make sure students get the right level of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support they need to succeed. I will also act as a bridge connecting our students, families, and staff with valuable community resources.

I can’t wait to partner with you this year! Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] (opens in a new tab).

PTA Corner: What's Happening Around Felicita - A Sweet Start to the School Year!
It’s a big week at Felicita, and the PTA is excited to see our Bobcat families!

Come Say Hi!
Look for the Felicita PTA table at the Welcome Picnic on Monday and Back-to-School Night on Wednesday. Stop by to:

• Meet your new PTA Board
• Pick up your PTA Programs & Events Calendar
• Order your yearbook, including 2 fully customizable pages to make your student’s yearbook their own (Order early and save 10%!)
• Check out and order our new Bobcat merch so you can show your school spirit all year
• Join the PTA and help your student’s class compete for an ice cream party

We can’t wait to meet you!

Life is Sweeter with the PTA!
Our membership drive is underway, and we’re making great progress toward our goal of 100 members!

The sweetest class with the most members joined in each grade wins an ice cream party! Be sure to list your students name when you join - or edit your dashboard if you are a renewing member.

Membership is $11 online / $10 in person, and anyone can join - students, siblings, grandmas out of state, neighbors, friends, community members - ANYONE!

No volunteering is required. Your membership is simply a way to say, “I support Felicita!” while helping our PTA continue the programs and events our Bobcat families know and love.

Help us make this our sweetest year yet! CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW! (opens in a new tab)

Don't Miss These Upcoming Dates:
Tues, Sept. 1 – El Pollo Loco Restaurant Night (opens in a new tab) - All Day - Take the night off from cooking and support Felicita - 40% of qualifying sales comes back to the PTA! THAT IS HUGE!
Wed, Sept. 16 – First PTA Meeting (opens in a new tab) @ 5:15pm - come hang out and hear what we are up to
Sept. 25 – Parents’ Night Out: Atomic Groove at Belly Up (opens in a new tab) @ 5:00pm - $14 at the door / $12 in advance - Save the date for a fun night out with other Felicita parents

Follow us: Facebook: @FelicitaPTA (opens in a new tab) | Instagram: @FelicitaElementaryPTA (opens in a new tab)

2026-2027 PTA Creating Memories | Building Community | Supporting Students

President: Adriana S.
Programs: Brittany H.
Treasurer: Karla M.
Secretary: Joe M.

Regular student attendance plays a critical role in our collective mission to ensure every student achieves their fullest potential.

Why Attendance Should Be a Top Priority:
1. Academic Achievement: Regular attendance is fundamental to student success. Each school day is a building block in the learning process. Consistent attendance helps students keep up with coursework, understand key concepts, and perform better academically.
2. Social and Emotional Development: School is a place where students develop crucial social skills and emotional resilience. Frequent absences can hinder their ability to form strong relationships with peers and teachers, impacting their overall development.
3. Future Opportunities: Consistent attendance is linked to higher graduation rates and better long-term outcomes, including higher education and career prospects. By prioritizing attendance, we are directly contributing to students' future success.
4. School Culture: Regular attendance fosters a positive school culture and enhances the learning environment for everyone. It creates a sense of community and ensures that all students have equal access to the resources and support they need.

Dear Felicita Families,

I'm excited to welcome you to the new school year, this is Laura Aguilera your Family Liaison, as we embark on this new journey together, I'm inviting you to be an active part of our school community, as your involvement makes a significant difference in our students' success.

We need your help! Felicita Elementary School is recruiting volunteers for the 2026-2027 school year:

Classroom readers, classroom helpers, tutors, field trip chaperones, and more! Fill out the Volunteer Form (opens in a new tab) and the Volunteer Application located on the EUSD Volunteer website (opens in a new tab). if you are interested in volunteering at our school. Thank you for your support!

The volunteer process is changing. The application is the same, and is still is good for two years, but the biggest change is that ALL field trip chaperones must apply for Level 1 which requires a TB test also for Level 2 and 3. The EUSD district office will be sending specific information to those current volunteers to let them know about their volunteer status.

This year promises to be filled with growth, learning, and new experiences and we want to know how you would like to be part of it. You can contact me M-F 8am - 4pm in our Family Engagement Center.

[email protected] (760) 432-2444, ext. 14028

AUGUST
8/24 Grades 1-5 iReady Testing Begins
8/27 Spirit Day: Wear Your Favorite Hat!
8/28 1st Felicita Families

SEPTEMBER
9/1 PTA Dine Out at El Pollo Loco
9/4 1st ROAR Assembly
9/7 Labor Day No School
9/11 Patriot Day + Felicita Families
9/16 PTA Association Meeting
9/21 PTA Read-a-thon Begins
9/25 Atomic Grove PTA Fundraiser

EUSD Printable School Calendars (opens in a new tab)

Be sure to follow Felicita on Facebook (opens in a new tab) and Instagram (opens in a new tab)!