Tuesday of last week, our school community successfully completed a well-executed earthquake drill with a full campus evacuation, and I am incredibly proud of our students and staff. We take the time to practice safety drills because, in an emergency, calm, clear actions save time and protect everyone—practice builds confidence and preparedness long before they are ever needed. Because we rehearse these procedures at least once each month, our students and staff rely on muscle memory to respond quickly, safely, and without panic.

During Tuesday’s drill, classrooms transitioned smoothly, evacuation routes were followed efficiently, and accountability was quickly established, demonstrating just how focused and responsible our community is. This drill was a powerful reflection of our S.U.R.F. theme in action: we remained Safe by following set procedures, United by supporting one another, Responsible by taking the drill seriously, and Focused on the task of ensuring everyone’s well-being. Thank you for partnering with us in reinforcing the importance of preparedness and safety—it is truly a shared commitment that helps keep our school community strong and secure and we appreciate your understanding of necessary pauses in our learning day, such as this.

I am thrilled to share the exciting news that our site has officially begun its technology refresh cycle, a milestone that reflects our Board's continued commitment to providing students with engaging, future-ready learning experiences. This past Thursday, our 5th grade classrooms proudly swapped out their Chromebooks for brand-new iPads, and the excitement from students and staff was truly contagious.

This transition opens the door to many new ways of learning—enhancing creativity, collaboration, and personalized instruction through interactive apps, multimedia tools, and innovative instructional strategies that deepen understanding and engagement. This technology refresh is built on our district’s Focus Area 1, Academic Achievement, by expanding access to high-quality digital learning opportunities, and Focus Area 4, Responsible Use of Resources, by ensuring our tools are current, effective, and used with purpose.

We are excited to see how this refreshed technology will empower our students to think creatively, learn deeply, and thrive in an ever-evolving digital world. Over the next several weeks we will continue to roll out our new devices throughout the rest of our grade levels.

Over the course of each school year, we are happy to host classroom and event volunteers . . .there is no way we could do what we do, all on our own. This past week we held our annual Vision & Hearing screening for K/2/5. I would specifically like to thank Theresa Gill, Mandy Kraushaar, Michelle Poe and Geraldine Santo for their help in this event.

Please see the following highlights of events happening at Peterson and throughout our district this week.

With Dolphin Pride,

Dr. Smith-Johnson

Principal

Families with young learners are invited to attend a  Virtual Early Childhood Education Information Meeting to learn more about Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten enrollment requirements, immunizations and get questions answered:

Families are encouraged to visit the Enrollment website to review required documents and enrollment steps.

Families with children entering Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten (TK), or Kindergarten are invited to attend HBCSD’s Virtual Early Childhood Education Informational Meeting. This session will provide an overview of our early learning programs and what families can expect as their child begins their educational journey.

Topics include enrollment and registration, immunization requirements, ways to support early learning at home, and a live Q&A.

Meeting Dates:

Date: February 12, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM

Zoom Meeting Link

Date: February 19, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM

Zoom Meeting Link 

Both sessions will be recorded and shared on the TK/Kindergarten website for families who are unable to attend live.

HBCSD invites families to participate in our 2025–26 Parent Education Series, a three-part workshop series designed to support your child’s academic success and future readiness.

Sessions focus on family involvement, understanding academic progress, and building college and career readiness, with both virtual and in-person options available. Families are welcome to attend one or more sessions based on their interests and needs.

The English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) consists of parents, staff, and community members who advise the principal and school staff on programs and services for English Learners. The committee helps review and provide input on the school’s English Learner program, language development strategies, and how Title I and other funds are used to support these students. ELAC also promotes communication between English learner families and the school, encourages parent involvement, and ensures that the needs and voices of English Learner students and their families are represented in the school’s decision-making process. We are seeking up to five parents of English learners to serve on this committee that meets three times per year. If you are interested in serving personally or you would like to nominate somebody, please email Dr. Smith-Johnson at KSmith-johnson@hbcsd.us

School breakfast and lunch will be offered free of charge throughout the 2025-2026 school year.

Please refer to the HBCSD Food & Nutrition Services website for more information.

At Peterson, we pride ourselves on our strong sense of community and we love campus and classroom volunteers!

Parent & community volunteers are welcome to support our various classroom activities with proof of a negative TB test, Raptor clearance, and a signed Peterson Volunteer Agreement. All campus visitors must enter and exit through the main office.

Please contact the Peterson office with any questions regarding this requirement or to check the date/status of TB results you may have on file from last year.

Garden Days & Themes: Snacks and crafts provided, 10am - 1pm 

2/8/25 - Love Our Garden Day - Flower Seed Bombs and  Seed  Valentines 

3/15/25 - Spring Planting at the Garden 

4/12/25 - Flower Harvest Garden Day Gather flowers to press 

4/22/25 - Earth Day: Dinner Social  

5/3/25 - Celebrating Moms’ Garden Day:bookmarks for mom from pressed flowers 

6/7/25 - Annual Peterson Garden Party

01/19 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No school

01/21 - HBCSD Field Lighting Meeting in the Clapp Wing

01/23 - Dolphin Depot Delivery

01/29 - Teddy Bear Picnic Day (T.K. only)

01/31 - PTA Parents' Gala

02/02 - Musical Dress Rehearsal 3:10+

02/03 - Aristocats Student Performances

02/03 - Aristocats Parent Performances @ 6:00p.m. Tickets required

02/04 - Aristocats Parent Performances @ 6:00p.m. Tickets required

02/05 - Emergency Drill @ 1:45p.m. (no students received nor released until conclusion of drill)

02/05 - PTA Association meeting & K.R.O.C. Info. Meeting @ 6:00p.m.

02/06 - Spirit Assembly

02/06 - Dolphin Depot Delivery

02/06 - PTA Movie Night 5:00-7:00p.m.

02/08 - Garden Volunteer Day 10:00-1:00p.m.

02/09 - Lincoln's Birthday Observed - No school

02/10-02/20 - Open Enrollment for HBCSD

02/12 - K.R.O.C. Training Day - Kickoff at 8:00a.m.

02/12 - T.K. & Kindergarten Registration Zoom (Eng.)

02/13 - HBCSD Enrollment Opens for 2026-2027

02/13 - 5th Grade Walk Through the Revolution

02/16 - Presidents' Day - No school

02/19 - K.R.O.C. Training Day @ 8:00a.m.

02/19 - Dolphin Depot Delivery

02/19 - T.K. & Kindergarten Registration Zoom (Span.)

02/19 - PTA Executive Board Meeting @ 6:00p.m.

02/19 - Peterson's S.S.C. Meeting #2 via Zoom @ 4:00p.m.

02/23 - HBCSD Field Lighting Project Info. Meeting in the Clapp Wing

02/24 - Harvest of the Month

02/24 - 4th Grade Field Trip to Irvine Regional Park

02/26 - K.R.O.C. Training Day @ 8:00a.m.

02/27 - Read Across America Celebration 9:00-11:00a.m.

As a reminder, if you plan on participating / volunteering in any of our special activities in our classrooms or on campus, please be sure you have the appropriate documentation on file with the front office. If you are unsure of your volunteer status, please simply call the office and we can verify what you have on file or we can tell you what we are missing.