Peterson was proud to celebrate our 9th Annual Read Across America Day with the incredible support of our community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the many local leaders, community members, and dignitaries who generously gave their time to serve as guest readers in our classrooms. Your presence sends a powerful message that literacy matters and that our broader community is united in supporting our students’ success.

A very special thank you to Laura Costelloe and Deanna Garza for their thoughtful coordination of this special event, and to the Peterson PTA for their continued partnership and support in bringing this celebration to life each year.

This celebration also kicks off our annual Read-A-Thon, where our school-wide goal is to read 150,000 pages and raise $15,000 over the next two weeks. As our students dive into books, they are living out our S.U.R.F. expectations—being Safe by making positive choices in their learning spaces, United as a school community working toward common goals, Responsible in tracking their reading and commitments, and Focused as they build stamina and a lifelong love of literacy.

Thank you, to our entire Peterson community, for helping us champion reading and for continuing to stand alongside us in support of every child’s growth and achievement

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

With Dolphin Pride,

Dr. Smith-Johnson

Principal

Regular, consistent school attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success, and every day truly matters. When students are present, they benefit from direct instruction, collaboration with peers, and the routines that help build strong learning habits.

These classes will be celebrating their achievement with a frozen treat this Friday afternoon—well done! Thank you to our families for prioritizing daily attendance and punctuality.

As a reminder, if you know your child will be out for four or more consecutive days, please submit a request in advance for Independent Study so we can help keep learning on track.

During the month of March, our counselor-led classroom lesson will focus on learning and practicing assertive communication skills. Students will explore how to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs in a clear, respectful, and confident way.

Being assertive helps children stand up for themselves, solve conflicts peacefully, and express their feelings and needs with peers and adults.

Our goals for students include:

Students will engage in role-plays, discussions, and activities to practice these skills in real-life scenarios they may experience at school.

Families can help support this lesson by encouraging your child to share their thoughts and feelings at home, modeling calm and respectful communication, and practicing “I” statements together during everyday situations.

Thank you for your partnership in helping our students grow socially, emotionally, and confidently.

Please feel free to reach out to me at mpauw@hbcsd.us if you have any questions or would like ideas to reinforce these skills at home.

Sincerely,

Ms. Pauw

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.

Join the 26/27 Peterson PTA Executive Board! Our school needs you! Together, let's create unforgettable school experiences that inspire and uplift our Dolphins. Scan the QR code, click the link below and join us on March 5th at 9am in the learning commons for our March PTA meeting, learn about how it all works and take the first step towards making a meaningful impact. 

On behalf of our entire Peterson Elementary community, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Mitsubishi Electric for their incredibly generous $500 donation to support the Peterson Garden. This meaningful contribution will directly enhance hands-on learning opportunities for our students, allowing them to explore science, responsibility, and environmental stewardship in a real-world setting. The garden is a special place where students grow not only plants, but also curiosity, teamwork, and pride in caring for their campus. We are truly grateful for Mitsubishi Electric’s investment in our students and for partnering with us to help our garden—and our learners—continue to thrive! Pictured above is Kyle Martin of Mitsubishi Electric, Dr. Smith-Johnson and Garden Chair Rosann Marquez-Gaughan.

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

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

02/27 - 03/15 - 5th Annual Read-a-Thon

03/05 - Imagination Machine Assembly

03/08 - Daylight Savings - time goes forward

03/24 - Peterson's TK Tour & Info Session 9:30-10:30

03/25 - Peterson's Kindergarten Tour & Info Session 9:30-10:30

04/02 - 5th Grade Whale Watching field trip

05/01 - 3rd Grade field trip to Bolsa Chica Wetlands

05/29 - 1st Grade field trip to the O.C. Planetarium

06/03 - Kindergarten Assessments (by appointment only)

06/04 - Kindergarten Assessments (by appointment only)

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.