Principal's Message
Hello Bobcat Families,
We had a wonderful first week of school! It is amazing how quickly students got right back into the swing of things.
I was in many different classrooms doing read alouds. I had so much fun sharing some of my favorite stories, and will continue next week.
It was wonderful to see so many of you at Back-to-School Night! That is a great way to start the school-home partnership! Here are some links to the videos from my principal presentation in case you couldn't make it:
Felicita Video (opens in a new tab)
What is a Bobcat Video (opens in a new tab)
Have a great week and let’s ROAR, Bobcats!
With Love,
Mrs. Higginbotham
Community Schools Information
Felicita Elementary 2025-2026 Community School Progress Snapshot
Think Global, Act Local!
Community Schools is EUSD's strategy for elevating, expanding, and strengthening our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Together with students, families, educators, and community partners, Felicita is creating the conditions for every learner to thrive.
EUSD Community Schools Collective Priorities
- Academic Achievement: Improve learning for every student.
- Attendance: Every day counts. Every student belongs.
- Safety & Connectedness: Ensure every child feels safe, seen, and supported.
- Family & Community Engagement: Build authentic partnerships with families.
How Felicita Is Strengthening Supports
Academics
- ELA + Math Intervention Classes
- After School EXPLORE Classes
- ELA + Math Universal Access Time
- Real-World Learning Experiences
Attendance
- School-Wide Attendance Activities + Awards
- Engagement Activities
- Regular Attendance Reviews
Behavioral & Social Emotional Health
- Individual/Group Counseling
- Full Time Social Worker
- Student Services Assistant
- PBIS Gold Award
Family & Community
- Parent Leadership Committees
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Weekly Family Communication
- Full Time Family Liaison
Progress at a Glance
25% — increase of 0.5% from 24-25
Academic Progress: Combined average of students proficient in ELA & Math state testing
22% — decrease of 5% from 24-25
Chronic Absenteeism: Improving through whole-child supports
85% — increase of 9% from 24-25
Students Feel Safe & Connected: Combined average of 5th Grade students reporting feeling safe & connected
2,545 — increase of 50% from 24-25
Family Participation: Family and community members engaged in learning and school activities
Community School Spotlight
Attendance World Cup Winners!
As a reward for having the top attendance in January and February, Ms. Dame's first graders enjoyed soccer games with their families!
Looking Ahead: Our Priorities for 2026-2027
- Continue Improving Attendance
- Strengthen Literacy Interventions
- Grow Authentic Learning Experiences
- Expand Student Leadership
- Increase Family Participation
Join the PBIS Team!
Would You Like to Join Our Felicita PBIS Team for This School Year?
What We Do
- Make Data-Informed Decisions to support Behavior and Social Emotional Learning.
- Determine Reinforcers for ROAR Behavior (Raffles, Events, Celebrations).
- Implement Evidence-Based Practices.
- Assist with California State PBIS Accreditation.
We applied for Platinum status for 2025-2026!
When & Where We Meet
- 2nd Monday of Every Month
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Room 8
How to Join
Come be a part of what makes Felicita great!
Please inform the front office if you are interested in joining our team.
Pick-up/Drop-off Procedures
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).
Handicap Parking
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!
Valid Photo ID Needed to Check Out Students
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
26-27 Bell Schedule
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!
Felicita School Bell Schedule 2026–2027
Mon–Wed, Fri
School hours: 8:00am–2:30pm
- TK — Recess: 9:15–9:35 | Lunch: 11:00–11:40
- K — Recess: 10:15–10:35 | Lunch: 11:50–12:30 (eats first)
- Grade 1 — Recess: 9:50–10:10 | Lunch: 11:50–12:30
- Grade 2 — Recess: 9:50–10:10 | Lunch: 12:30–1:10 (eats first)
- Grade 3 — Recess: 9:50–10:10 | Lunch: 12:30–1:10
- Grade 4 — Recess: 9:50–10:10 | Lunch: 11:10–11:50 (eats first)
- Grade 5 — Recess: 9:50–10:10 | Lunch: 11:10–11:50
\*Eats first
Thursday
School hours: 8:00am–12:15pm
- TK — Recess: 8:45–9:05 | Lunch: 10:10–10:50
- K — Recess: 9:10–9:30 | Lunch: 10:40–11:20
- Grade 1 — Recess: 8:45–9:05 | Lunch: 10:40–11:20 (eats first)
- Grade 2 — Recess: 8:45–9:05 | Lunch: 11:20–12:00 (eats first)
- Grade 3 — Recess: 8:45–9:05 | Lunch: 11:20–12:00
- Grade 4 — Recess: 8:45–9:05 | Lunch: 10:00–10:40 (eats first)
- Grade 5 — Recess: 8:45–9:05 | Lunch: 10:00–10:40
\*Eats first
Minimum Day
School hours: 8:00am–12:10pm
- TK — Lunch: 10:00–10:30
- K — Lunch: 10:30–11:00
- Grade 1 — Lunch: 10:30–11:00
- Grade 2 — Lunch: 11:00–11:30
- Grade 3 — Lunch: 11:00–11:30
- Grade 4 — Lunch: 11:30–12:00
- Grade 5 — Lunch: 11:30–12:00
Escondido Parent Leadership Institute Fall 2026 (Spanish)
In partnership with SDCOE, EUSD is hosting a six-week workshop series – starting on September 18 – aimed at building parent capacity to engage as school leaders and essential partners in supporting academic success.
Registration link (opens in a new tab)
Intended audience: Parents or guardians
Note: These parent trainings will be conducted in Spanish.
PTA Corner: The Fun is Just Getting Started!
School is officially underway, and there’s already a LOT happening around Felicita! Here’s what your PTA has coming up next:
El Pollo Loco Restaurant Night - Sept. 1 (opens in a new tab) Take the night off from cooking AND support Felicita! Show your flyer and 40% of qualifying sales comes back to the PTA. Yes, 40%!
Bobcat Spirit Wear - Order by Sept. 9! (opens in a new tab) Our new Bobcat merch is LIVE! There’s something for our littlest Bobcats, biggest Bobcats, and everyone in between. Orders close Sept. 9 — grab your gear and rep that Bobcat pride all year long!
Parents’ Night Out — Sept. 25 (opens in a new tab) This one is for the grown-ups! Join other Felicita parents for Atomic Groove at Belly Up in Solana Beach from 5–8 PM. Tickets are $12 in advance / $14 at the door, and this is a 21+ event. Line up that babysitter and come have some fun!
Don't Forget Your Yearbook (opens in a new tab) The 2026–2027 Felicita Yearbook is available now for $20 and includes 2 FREE customizable pages just for your family. Order by Oct. 31 and save 10%! You can still purchase a yearbook after Oct. 31 - that's just the deadline for the early-order discount.
We're Still Chasing 100! (opens in a new tab) Our PTA Membership Drive is still going strong! Every membership strengthens our Felicita community, supports the programs and events our students love, and shows you’re behind every Bobcat. Anyone can join — parents, students, grandparents, friends, neighbors and community members. No volunteering required!
And don’t forget: the class in each grade with the most PTA memberships wins an ICE CREAM PARTY!
Help us reach our goal of 100 MEMBERS - become a member today (opens in a new tab)!
Everything PTA, All in One Place: (opens in a new tab) Membership, Spiritwear, yearbooks, events, social media and more:
PTA Info & Links: linktr.ee/PTAFelicita (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.
Attendance Matters!
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.
This Week in Pictures
Important Dates
AUGUST
8/24 iReady Testing Begins
8/28 1st Felicita Families
8/31 Library Opens, 4/5 Band Starts
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 PTA Atomic Grove Parents' Night Out at the Belly Up
Felicita Social Media
Be sure to follow Felicita on Facebook (opens in a new tab) and Instagram (opens in a new tab)!