Capitol Hill Weekly Update

This past Wednesday, April 29, our Instructional Leadership Team (ILT), Site Council, and Climate Team came together to review our FIT (Fidelity of Implementation Tool) Report. This process is part of the SWIFT Education Center, a national framework that supports schools in building strong, inclusive systems so all students can succeed.

We were fortunate to partner with Doina Moldovan, our MTSS TOSA, who is a certified SWIFT assessor. She conducted interviews with staff, reviewed materials such as team agendas and meeting minutes, and analyzed survey data to help us better understand how our systems are functioning across the school.

I’m proud to share that we have made tremendous growth. Much of this progress comes from our focus on building systems that go beyond individual teacher effort—systems that are consistent, collaborative, and tracked by our teams and administration. This means that the work happening in classrooms is supported by strong, schoolwide structures that help ensure all students experience high-quality instruction and support.

This growth reflects the dedication of our ILT, Site Council, and Climate Team, who have worked all year to review data, make meaningful adjustments, and build collective capacity among staff. It also reflects the partnership and support of our families—thank you for being such an important part of this work.

One area for continued growth identified in the FIT Report is ensuring families receive consistent and regular communication from homeroom teachers about the instructional program. To support this, I’ve included a brief survey below. Your input will help us better understand what information is most helpful to you and will also inform our class placement process for next year.

Speaking of partnership, we are so grateful for our PTA and the many ways they support our teachers, classrooms, and school community. We’re especially excited for the upcoming Auction this Sunday, May 3—it’s shaping up to be such a joyful and generous event!

I can’t wait to hear who will get to join me as Principal for a Day (one of my favorite auction items!). I’m so sad to miss the event this year—I’ll be away at a 20-year graduate school reunion in Davis, CA—but I’ll be thinking of you all and look forward to hearing all about it.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership.

In service to students,

Febe Armendariz

Principal

farmenda@pps.net

Creating class lists is a thoughtful and complex process. Our goal is to build balanced classrooms that support all learners while also ensuring that specialized services are delivered effectively.

In the coming weeks, we will begin drafting class lists. These are not finalized until August, as we take into account summer enrollment changes and mobility. Families will receive class placement information after teachers and office staff return and we’ve had time to make any necessary adjustments.

While class placement decisions are based on a variety of factors and we are not able to accommodate specific requests, we understand that families may have information they would like to share. If so, you are welcome to use this form.

More importantly, we are seeking your input on communication. One of our areas for growth is ensuring families receive clear and consistent information about the instructional program, student learning, and key dates. Please use the form to let us know what types of information are most helpful to you.

Thank you for your partnership as we work to create strong classroom communities for the coming year

We’re excited to celebrate our amazing teachers during Teacher Appreciation & Spirit Week, happening May 4–8! We hope all students will join in the fun each day:

Monday, May 4 – Monochrome Day
Wear all one color.
PTA provides: Coffee & donuts for staff

Tuesday, May 5 – Flower Day
Dress in flower or plant-patterned clothing.
Students: Bring or draw a flower for your teacher!

Wednesday, May 6 – Rainbow Day
Wear the colors of the rainbow.
PTA provides: Lunch for staff

Thursday, May 7 – Twin Day
Coordinate outfits with classmates.
Students: Write your teacher a note of appreciation!

Friday, May 8 – PJ Day
Wear your comfiest clothes or pajamas.
PTA provides: Afternoon treats for staff

We are also looking for volunteers to help with:

• Monday (May 4): Coffee & donuts purchase and delivery
• Friday (May 8): Treats purchase and delivery

If you’re able to help, please sign up here.

Thank you for helping us show our teachers how much they are appreciated!

• Wednesday, May 6th 2026
• Meet at the Moonlight Grill parking lot at 7:15am
• Enjoy breakfast snacks, coffee and pick up a fun prize
• We will walk, bike and roll to school at 7:30
• Please wear bright-colored clothes or reflective gear

• Date/Time: Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Route: A 2-mile multi-modal loop plus a separate 2.6-mile walking route
• What it is: Streets are closed to cars and opened for people to walk, bike, roll, shop, and connect. This free, family-friendly event features live entertainment, activities for all ages, local vendors, and community organizations.

As you may know, the CH PTA is working with The Missoula Children's Theater again this year for a performance of "The Tortoise and The Hare." As part of our contract, we are required to provide housing for the two directors. Specifically for the week of Sunday May 10 - Sunday May 17.

If you have:

-an ADU or Airbnb (local)

-a connection to an ADU or Airbnb (local)

-some form of guest quarters

-a desire to be a host family

-any lead on accommodations for the two directors

Please contact Ingrid Beaver, ingridjbeaver@gmail.com, with any questions or details on lodging.

Capitol Hill Field Day is Friday, May 22.

The third, fourth, and fifth grade field day session is 9:00-10:15.
Kindergarten, first, and second grade field day session is 12:30-1:45.

The games will be set up and ready to go. However, we are looking for volunteers to help at the field day games. Volunteers need to have a background check on file with PPS. If you would like to help out, here is the link to the signup:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Izt6VrRuAsAbTgm50IDI0kyAmIM909hb6MIVAaaXJII/edit?usp=sharing

Our school year calendar has all of the important school-related dates for your reference.

• 5/3 Auction-2-5 PM
• 5/6 Walk & Roll
• 5/8 Principal's Coffee
• 5/13 PTA Meeting
• 5/15 & 5/16 School Play Performances
• 5/18 Site Council
• 5/22 Field Day
• 5/25 No School
• 5/29 5th Grade Kickball Game
• 6/3 Assembly-1:45 PM
• 6/5 Last Day of School
  
  

Reminder: When picking up students early please make sure you (or who ever is picking them up) brings their ID so we can check to make sure you are approved to pick up the student.