Panther Periodical
2024-2025
March 28, 2025
Happy Friday Panthers!
We hope that everyone in Panther Nation had a PAWStastic week!
We look forward to next week and all of the outstanding learning activities that are happening. In addition to the regular learning that will be going on the PTA is hosting the spring book fair next week. Please see the information listed below in the Panther Periodical to stay informed on the book fair.
Please see the information below for important information about the new California Reading Difficulties Screener that will go into place for the 25-26 school year.
California Reading Difficulties Risk Screener Update & Community Input Meeting
What is the CA Reading Difficulties Risk Screener?
The CA Reading Difficulties Risk Screener (RDRS) was introduced as part of Senate Bill 114 and is a tool that will be used annually with all K-2 students to assess their early reading skills. The RDRS is used to identify students who may be at risk of reading difficulties and need additional support in reading and literacy to ensure success in school. The RDRS screening process will begin in the 2025-2026 school year.
Why is the RDRS important?
The screener helps identify reading difficulties in the primary grades, giving students the best chance to improve their reading skills. By identifying challenges early, teachers can offer targeted support and interventions that help all students become confident readers. Early identification and support lead to better outcomes in literacy and overall academic success.
How does the RDRS work?
The screener will be administered to students in the primary grades (Kindergarten through 2nd grade) through a series of short assessments focused on foundational reading skills. The results help teachers understand where a student may be struggling and whether further assessment or intervention is needed. For more information, please click here for an infographic explaining the RDRS selection process and timeline.
RDRS Community Input Meeting – April 1, 2025, at 5:00 pm
Learning Support Services will be hosting a Community Input Meeting on April 1, 2025, from 5:00-5:45 pm. We invite parents and community members to join our Community Input Meeting to ensure all voices are heard in selecting new learning materials for our schools. Community feedback is essential in choosing resources that support student success, reflect our district’s values, and align with educational goals. This meeting will be held via Zoom, and can be accessed HERE.
To ensure that your questions are addressed, we invite you to submit any questions or comments via this link.
Continue to check our school website for events and updates as the year progresses
Panthers Use Their PAWS!
Practice Safety
Act Kindly
Wise Choices
Show Respect
It’s Great to be A Panther!!
Bryan Schultz
Proud Principal of Painted Rock Elementary
Important Dates to Remember!
APRIL 2025
- March 31st to April 4th -BOOK FAIR WEEK
- Tuesday, April 1st
- Panther Pacers (8:00 a.m.)
- Lunch w/Loved Ones
- Wednesday, April 2nd
- Lunch w/Loved Ones
- Thursday, April 3rd
- Panther Pacers (8:00 a.m.)
- Kona Ice (After School)
- Friday, April 4th
- Spirit Day - Crazy Sock Day!
- Lunch w/ Loved Ones
- Tuesday, April 8th
- Panther Pacers (8:00 a.m.)
- Wednesday, April 9th
- Science Fair
- Thursday, April 10th
- Panther Pacers (8:00 a.m.)
- DISTRICT RECESS 4/14 to 4/18
- Tuesday, April 22nd
- Panther Pacers (8:00 a.m.)
- Thursday, April 24th
- Panther Pacers (8:00 a.m.)
- Saturday, April 26th
- PTA Garage Sale
- Tuesday, April 29th
- Panther Pacers (8:00 a.m.)
- Thursday, May 1st
- Panther Pacers (8:00 a.m.)
District Announcements
How to View your child's Trimester 2 Progress Report:
Parent Vue by Synergy Informational Video:
https://www.powayusd.com/apps/pages/synergy
Parent Vue Log In Link:
https://sis.powayusd.com/PXP2_Login.aspx
Parent-friendly directions to trimester standards are provided below for you to review.
2025-2026 Enrollment
PUSD New Student Enrollment Reminder
Poway Unified New Student Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year opens on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 8:00AM. Please forward this information to families new to the area or our school district. This enrollment period includes new Kindergarten and TK students.
We can’t wait to meet our new families! New Student Enrolment for Poway Unified School District is an online process. Packets are completed digitally using any computer, tablet or smartphone with an internet connection. Please contact your assigned school of residence to schedule an appointment if you do not have access to a device/internet or need assistance with completing the online enrollment packet.
School starts on August 13, 2025 for the 2025-26 school year. Welcome to PUSD! For more information about our schools and programs, visit our website.
Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten Lottery Information
If a school reaches near capacity for TK or Kindergarten, a lottery may be needed to determine student placement. To be included in the lottery (if required), families must submit their new student enrollment packets between April 1, 2025, and April 9, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. Only students who enroll during this period will be eligible. If a lottery is necessary at our school, families will be notified. District conducts the lottery for each site.
Full Day TK in Poway Unified!
We have some exciting news regarding our district’s TK program! Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, PUSD Transitional Kindergarten will be a full-day program.
The range of age-eligibility will also expand - children who turn four-years-old on or before September 1, 2025, will be age-eligible for TK. (Students who turn five-years-old on or before September 1, 2025 will be age-eligible for Kindergarten). Enrollment for TK for 2025-26 school year opens on April 1, 2025. Please feel free to share this news with your friends and neighbors who have children in this age range
PTA
Foundation
5th Grade Promotion!
We are working on the details...............
Please check back regularly for updates regarding end-of-year activities and important promotion details from the 5th Grade PTA Committee.
Thank you!
Mrs. Finn's Counseling Corner
Please check out Mrs. Finn’s Counseling Newsletter for the month of March by clicking here. You’ll find information about Second Step lesson topics, our next No Place for Hate activity, and parent workshops put on by the district. Please reach out to Mrs. Finn with any questions - bfinn@powayusd.com
No Place for Hate Meeting Dates
Hope Squad Meeting Dates
April 4th
April 25th
Below is information about a free parent resource to support your child's emotional and behavioral needs:
Please also check out this Parent Guide to Mental Health and Wellness resource.
👟Monthly Run Down 👟
Student Council
Lunch Meeting Dates:
Wednesday, April 23rd
Wednesday, June 4th
Upcoming Events that Student council supports:
April: Work-A-Weekend - Date TBD
Spring Fling - May 16th
Lost and Found......... Are you missing anything?
Please check our lost and found. The next donation of items will be during our Spring Break District Recess, on April 11th!
Traffic Reminders
Please continue to follow traffic expectations to ensure the safety of our students and staff during drop-off and pick-up:
Yellow Zone: The yellow curb next to ESS is for drop-off and pick-up only. Do NOT leave your car or park in this zone.
Pull Forward: In the morning, please pull as far forward as possible in the horseshoe when dropping off your child.
Afternoon Pick-Up: When picking up in the afternoon, please tell the staff member the name(s) and grade level(s) of the student(s) you’re picking up. This will help us stage students by grade level, with 1st-grade classes near the office and 5th-grade to the north of the horseshoe in the grass area.
Student Safety Patrol: Please be mindful of the safety patrol members and follow their instructions during drop-off and pick-up.
Drive slowly and carefully: During drop-off and pick-up. Your attention, respect, and courteous behavior are greatly appreciated.
No Cell Phones: For everyone’s safety, please refrain from using your cell phone while driving students to and from school.
We appreciate your full attention to students and other drivers during this important time in the morning and after school.
After-School Programs
The following organizations have programs on our school site after school. Please reach out directly to the after school programs with any questions.
SESSIONS CANCELLED
Wednesdays 3:05 to 4:05pm
No Sessions Currently
Fridays 3:15 to 4:10p.m.
Painted Rock Housekeeping
Reporting a Student Absent
There are two ways to report your child's absence:
1. Attendance Line:
- 858.487.1180 ext.4232
- When reporting your child's absence, please include the student's full name, date and reason for absence, and the relationship to the student of the person reporting the absence
2. Email:
- Parents/guardians may email us at presattendance@powayusd.com each day your child is absent or tardy. Please be aware that only your valid PUSD registered email will be accepted to clear any absences or tardies.
- When reporting your child's absence, please include the student's full name, date and reason for absence and the relationship to the student of the person reporting the absence
Family Academy
Families can visit the website below to better understand the various educational technology tools used to support student learning in meaningful ways.
Classroom Deliveries
Please ensure your Panther has their lunch, water bottles, homework, band equipment, Chromebook, etc. that is needed for school before dropping them off. We want to create the best learning environment for our students with the least amount of disruption's during the instructional day. In the case that a student needs an important message or item, then the item/message can be placed in the front office for staff to deliver to your child by their recess or lunch time.
Parking and Dropping Off
Thank you for driving with extreme caution when dropping off and picking up your panther. When you pick up your Panther please stay behind the yellow line on the sidewalk when you walk your Panther off campus. Please be patient, kind, and attentive when dropping off and picking up your Panther(s). Please remember to follow the flow of traffic through the parking lot across the street from school that loops around to enter the horseshoe in front of school. Please ONLY park in marked parking spaces and do not leave cars unattended in yellow zones. If you park in the adjacent neighborhood to drop off or pick up please be courteous to our neighbors. Please do not block driveways, we want all in our Panther Community to be good stewards and model appropriate citizenship for those watching us.
Campus Security
As a reminder, Painted Rock Elementary School is a closed campus and all visitors to campus must check-in at the front desk. To continue our efforts to increase campus safety, the door to the front office has been equipped with a new door buzzer. This means the front door remains in a locked position throughout the day. When approaching the door, you will ring the door bell and school staff will “buzz” you into the office. We remain committed to welcoming and supporting all families coming to Painted Rock Elementary School and appreciate your patience in working with us to assure all Panthers remain safe.
Food and Nutrition
Updates and Reminders:
School breakfast and school lunch are FREE for all enrolled students, every school day. Meals must still be entered into the cafeteria computer by individual student account.
Even though meals are free, families are still highly encouraged to complete the application for free and reduced-price meal eligibility. School site funding depends in part on the number of students eligible for free/reduced-price meals. Families that qualify for free/reduced-price meals may qualify for other benefits, as well. The meal application is available online at MySchoolApps.com.
Printer-friendly PDF menus are available on the PUSD Food and Nutrition webpage. At the top of the page, click or hover over School Menus + and then Printable PDF Menus.
Interactive, web-based menus containing nutrient and allergen details are available at MySchoolMenus.com, as well as via links from the F&N webpage.
