Capitol Hill Weekly Update
9/11/26
Message from the Principal
One of the things we heard from families last year was a desire for more consistent information about what students are learning, upcoming assessments, and ways families can support learning at home. In response, our Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) developed a schoolwide approach to classroom newsletters that gives teachers flexibility while making sure every family receives this information at least once a month.
Beginning this month, you’ll be able to find your child’s classroom newsletter in two places. Teachers will continue to send newsletters directly to their families through ParentSquare, and the following week we’ll gather links to all of our classroom newsletters here in the schoolwide Smore. Some teachers send newsletters weekly and others monthly—either is great; our schoolwide commitment is at least once a month.
Our hope is that this makes it easier to stay connected to what’s happening in your child’s classroom and, over time, creates one predictable place where you can come back and find classroom information when you need it. You’ll find this month’s classroom newsletters below!
In service to students,
Febe Armendariz
Principal
September Newsletters
Early Release: A Day for Buddies & Community
Our Early Release days are designed to make space for something that matters deeply at Capitol Hill: relationships and belonging. As part of our Caring School Community social-emotional curriculum, students participate in cross-age Buddies—Kindergarten with 3rd grade, 1st with 4th, and 2nd with 5th. Buddies gives students opportunities to build caring relationships across grade levels while practicing skills like listening, cooperation, empathy, and responsibility. Older students get to be leaders and role models, while younger students develop connections with older students who help make our school feel like an extended family.
We create a special Early Release schedule so buddies have a block of time together for activities such as interviewing one another, creating artwork, and making collaborative posters about their shared interests. We also coordinate lunches so buddies can eat and play together—because some of the best relationship-building happens in those informal moments!
At 9:35 a.m., the whole school comes together for our Early Release Assembly to celebrate our students and our community. Each month we recognize students who exemplify our schoolwide value monthly focus—September’s is Inclusivity: Embrace diversity, show kindness, and celebrate each other. We’ll also celebrate classes with K–2 and 3–5 Attendance Awards, the Golden Boot for exemplary fire-drill behavior, and awards from Library, PE, Art, and Music. Our assemblies will include student performances as well, with families of students receiving recognition and students in performing classes invited to join us.
We’re looking forward to a morning of friendship, belonging, celebration, and community before students head home and our staff begins their afternoon of professional learning and collaboration.
From Our Counselors
Greetings from the counseling office, and welcome back to another year of school. We know that while the start of the school year can be an exciting time, for some students it can also be stressful as they transition from summer into new classrooms. If your child is feeling unsure or just nervous about the start of school, please know that our staff is here to support them.
For children experiencing anxiety during the morning, some helpful practices include:
Having a consistent and positive morning routine (a special way to say goodbye, or walking together to school)
Checking in with a school staff member in the morning (a counselor, or classroom teacher)
Having a special school appropriate item for a student to carry with them (small stuffy, or picture of family)
The counseling office in collaboration with our classroom teachers will make every effort to assist students who are having difficulty adjusting to their new school schedules. Students may always ask their teachers to schedule a meeting with a site counselor if they need to talk about something they are experiencing, and the counseling office can work with individual students and families to explore tools to help them manage and navigate some of the difficulties that come with the start of the school year.
Please find in this letter, some resources explaining how separation anxiety can present for children, as well as more routines and practices that might help if your student is experiencing anxiety or attendance hesitancy. If you would like to discuss these supports in greater detail, or believe your student may require a greater level of support, please feel free to reach out to Mr. Martin or Ms. Erika in the counseling office (myonn@pps.net, emoller1@pps.net).
Lunch Menu
Monday 9/14-Orange Chicken with Brown Rice
Tuesday 9/15-Bean & Cheese Nachos
Wednesday 9/16-Cheesy Garlic Twists
Thursday 9/17-Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza
Friday 9/18-Chicken Fillet Sandwich
Final Reminder for Fall After School Classes
It's not too late to register!
MUSE Band (for fourth and fifth graders) registrations are down from last year. It's not too late to register or seek more information if your kiddo is interested in learning how to play an instrument!
Also, Engineering for Kids (grades K-2) is at risk of cancelling or postponing their class due to low enrollment. If you are interested in this class, please sign up today.
Please check out the full schedule on the PTA website/Resources/After School Classes or CLICK HERE for more information and to register.
Please contact mariannemajors@gmail.com with questions.
PTA fundraisers
Bites for Bucks at Chipotle
WHEN: Weds Sept 16th, 4-8pm
WHERE: 9120 SW Hall Blvd location ONLY
Chipotle is donating 25% of sales to CHE PTA. Mention the fundraiser or show the flyer in store. Order online using code YCPBZ2N.
Corn Maze Fundraiser
WHEN: Sept 1st-Oct 31st
WHERE: Bella Organic Pumpkin Patch
The CHE PTA receives 50% of the proceeds on regular corn maze tickets at Bella Organic Pumpkin Patch this fall.
You must use our specific Capitol Hill ticketing page to purchase tickets: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/bellaorganicfarm/capitol-hill-elementary-corn-maze-fundraiser-2026
Upcoming Events
Our school year calendar has all of the important school-related dates for your reference.
- 9/16-Early Release (11:50 AM)
- 9/24-Back to School Night-5-6 PM
- 10/9-No School
- 10/21-Early Release (11:50 AM)
- 10/27-Picture Re-Take Day
- 10/29-No School
- 10/30-No School
Here is a link to next year's school calendar.
