McAuliffe News Shuttle
Christa McAuliffe Elementary School
March 13, 2026
Solar Project Update
Solar Panel Construction Update
The next phase of our solar panel project will continue to have the majority of our main parking lot fenced off for the next few weeks.
What this means for families:
- The center of the parking lot will be closed for construction.
- Limited parking will be available for staff.
- Additional street parking will be available.
- Drop-off and pick-up traffic flow will follow a modified flow pattern (see map below).
Student safety remains our top priority. Construction areas will be fully fenced, and staff will be present to help guide traffic.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we complete this exciting improvement to our campus. These temporary adjustments will allow us to move one step closer to a more energy efficient McAuliffe.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Yearbook Picture Submissions
Click on the image above to be taken to the submission form.
Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment
Don’t forget to schedule your child’s dental visit to complete the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) by May 31! KOHA is required in the first year of school, transitional kindergarten or kindergarten.
Our school will be providing a free oral health assessment to ensure your child has a healthy mouth. This will complete the Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA) requirement. KOHA is required for transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten students entering school for the first time. The screenings will take place on: Date: May 25-27 Please contact Nicole Rozo at nicole.rozo@oside.us if you don’t want your child to participate.
Every Day Counts at School!
At McAuliffe, every day of learning matters. When students attend school consistently, they build strong routines, stay connected to their teachers and friends, and keep up with important academic skills. Even missing just a day or two each month can add up quickly and impact learning over time.
We understand that illnesses and emergencies happen. However, whenever possible, please schedule appointments outside of school hours and plan family trips during school breaks. Consistent attendance helps your child feel confident, successful, and part of our learning community.
Let's work together to make attendance a priority. If your family is experiencing challenges that make getting to school difficult, please reach out. We are here to support you.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure every student is present, engaged, and ready to learn each day!
2026 Yearbooks
Scholastic Book Fair
March 16th – 20th in the Christa McAuliffe Library
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8:30am-3:50pm Wednesday: 8:30am-2:00pm
Last day Friday the 20th 8:30am – 10:00am
Set up eWallet at:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/christamcauliffeelemsch3
*all purchases support the Christa McAuliffe Library*
**eWallets with balances under $2.00 at the end of the Fair will be donated to Share the Fair
Device Protection Plan for Students
Device Protection Plan for New Students:
Families of new students have four weeks after enrollment to purchase the plan.
Register in the MySchoolBucks app.
Contact the OUSD IT Department at 760-966-4098 to confirm the student(s) start date. Once confirmed, we can provide an invoice to pay via credit card.
If paying with cash or check, go to the OUSD Fiscal Department at 2111 Mission Avenue between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to purchase the protection plan. You will need your student’s name, school ID#, and $20 cash or check per device.
Cost of the Protection Plan:
$20 per year for up to two (2) incidents per device.
$60 per year family cap, for up to two (2) incidents per device.
For Continuing Students, please visit the OUSD ITS website for more details: https://www.oside.us/departments/information-technology-services-its
Education Night at Frontwave Arena
FREE Mental Health Webinars for Parents and Caregivers
In partnership with mental health experts from the Transforming Mental Health Initiative at Rady Children’s Health, SDCOE is offering a free webinar series for parents and caregivers. Each session provides expert insights, practical tips, and tools to address common mental health challenges faced by youth today. Spanish interpretation will be available.
Time: 6:00–6:45 p.m., followed by a 15-minute Q&A
Location: Online (registration required)
Upcoming Sessions
March 18 — The Power of Positive Experiences: Building Resilience at Home
Grounded in the HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) framework, this session highlights how everyday moments of connection, trust, and belonging can buffer stress and support lifelong mental health. Parents will learn simple, meaningful ways to build resilience and make home a place of healing and strength.
Parking Lot Reminder
Please make sure to park in the designated visitor parking area rather than staff parking spots.
This ensures our teachers and staff can arrive on time and be ready to welcome students each morning. Please refer to the parking map below to see where visitor parking is located. Thank you for your cooperation.
PTO Information
Happy Friday PTO!
See below for some exciting upcoming events!
Tuesday, 3/17 - We have a Dine-Out Fundraiser coming up next week right around the corner at The Great Greek. Stop by on Tuesday, March 17 from 3–6 PM, and 10% of your order will be donated back to the PTO. Your support helps fund field trips, classroom donations, community events, and more for our students and teachers.
Saturday, 3/21 - Come join us for Hispanic heritage night with the San Diego Clippers. Use the QR code on the flyer below to grab discounted tickets, bring the whole family and help support McAuliffe.
Sunday, 3/29 - Come give high fives to your favorite San Diego Sockers players! Use the QR code on the flyer below for discounted tickets and join our parade of champions to high five the players and be on the field during the national anthem before the game.
Guidelines for Keeping Students Home
As we head into cold and flu season, please take a moment to review OUSD's "Guidelines for keeping students home." These guidelines help ensure the health and safety of all students and staff. If your child is showing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or persistent coughing, please keep them home until they are feeling better.
Your cooperation helps us keep our classrooms healthy and learning uninterrupted!
Counselor Corner
Upcoming Events
Scholastic Book Fair
March 16-20
Progress Reports
3/25/26
Spring Break
April 6-10
Drop-Off/Pick-Up Procedures
To keep traffic moving safely and efficiently during arrival and dismissal, please remember the following:
1. Pull all the way forward in the drop-off/pick-up lane so we can unload and load multiple students at once.
2. Stay in your car while in the lane. The drop-off and pick-up lane is for quick loading and unloading only.
3. If you need extra time or need to walk your child in, please park in the designated visitor parking area instead of leaving your car unattended in the lane.
Thank you for helping us keep the drop-off and pick-up smooth and safe for all of our families and students.
Important Reminder: Before School Student Supervision
Dear Families,
Please remember that there is no adult supervision for students before the school gates open at 8:25 AM.
OUSD District Cell Phone Policy
We are excited to share our new cell phone policy, "During the Day, Off and Away," for the 2024-2025 school year (Board Policy 5131.8). Our goal is to create a safe and focused learning environment for all students by minimizing distractions and promoting their mental well-being.
Key Points:
Cell Phone Usage: Students must turn off (ringer/tone/sounds off) and store their phones in their backpacks upon entering campus. Phones should stay off until they leave.
Exceptions: Students with specific accommodations (IEPs, 504 plans, or medical conditions) may have phone access as specified.
Communication: Classrooms have landlines for students to contact parents when necessary. Phones will be accessible in emergencies.
Academic Benefits: Reducing phone usage helps students stay focused and engaged in class.
Safety and Security: This policy helps prevent cyberbullying, ensures students focus during emergencies, and reduces the risk of theft or loss.
Support and disciplinary measures are in place for policy violations to help students adjust.
Thank you for your support as we work together to enhance our students' learning experience and well-being.
Mass Notifications Communication Platform
OUSD messages families using a platform called Mass Notifications. This allows teachers and staff to send an email, text or voice message directly to the email address or phone number you have listed in Aeries. You no longer need to download any third party apps to receive messages from OUSD. The only district supported app that families should download is the OUSD app. It’s important that all the adults in your student’s life have updated contact information in Aeries so everyone can receive important messages from your student’s school.
McAuliffe Elementary Breakfast/Lunch Menu
Breakfast and Lunch menus are now available online.
You are now able to do the following on our interactive menus!
- View images and descriptions for our menu items
- View nutritional information for each entree and food item
- Translate the menus into multiple languages
- Filter the menu for specific food allergens
- Rate foods and see carb counts!
Menus Subject to Change without Notice.
OUSD Mission and Vision Statement:
All students graduate college and career ready, prepared to be responsible global citizens and ambitious future leaders
VALUES
Students First: Our students are our highest priority. Every decision is made to maximize our students’ well-being.
Educational Equity: Every student receives the academic, social, and emotional support needed to thrive. Resources are allocated to address achievement and opportunity gaps.
Diversity: Our learning community’s diverse cultural experiences and intellectual variance drives our collective and individual success.
Collaborative Relationships: We foster learning environments where meaningful collaboration occurs. Members of our learning community forge respectful relationships based on integrity, empathy and dignity. Our community schools initiative and the support to military-affiliated students are just a couple ways OUSD continues showing up for everyone in the district.