NHES Newsletter
February 23, 2026
Shark shout-outs
- Congratulations to all our sharks who performed in the Talent Show on February 13th...so much talent & fun!!
- Thank you to our Foundation & PTA for organizing a fun staff vs. student Dodgeball Game before break. Congratulations to our staff for their win!
School Safety Reminders
Illnesses
If your student is ill, please keep them home until they are well enough to be successful at school. If you have questions about fevers, symptoms, etc. please reach out to our office.
Arrival & Dismissal
Please supervise all students and children outside the gates during arrival and dismissal. Fences, trees, signs, poles, etc. are not meant for climbing. Students should not be crossing the parking lot unattended, please use the sidewalks.
Parking Lot
Please follow all parking lot and street parking signs - there continues to be families who are disregarding safety protocols and putting convenience over student safety, please put our students first.
*the parking lot exit on Santa Ana Avenue is EXIT ONLY - please do not enter
*valet in the morning is meant for a quick stop & students exiting the car - please do not park your
car & get out of the driver's seat, staff are there to help students exit
*the parking lot is closed for cars during dismissal - please do not park on the curb inside the
parking lot
Visitors & Volunteers
If you are visiting school for volunteer activities or classroom special occasions, please bring your ID and sign in at the front office.
NHES Run Club + Youth Track Meet
If you're interested in participating in the NHES Run Club, check it out:
Newport Heights Run Club w/ Mrs. Hamilton!
- Wednesdays February 11th, February 25th, March 4th
- 7:30 am-8:00 am at Newport Heights Elementary blacktop
- bring your running shoes & positive spirit!
PTA's Family Dance Night: This Thursday!
"Read Across America" Week next week!
2026 Family Book Buddies Event: next Friday!
conference week: week of march 9th-13th
We are wrapping up Trimester 2 and preparing for Spring Conferences! During conference week this year, students are released early each day. This gives teachers and parents the opportunity to meet and discuss the report card, assessments, benchmark levels, and to set individual goals for students as we head into Trimester 3.
Please be on the look-out for information about Spring Conferences from your teacher!
Conference Week Schedule - March 9th-13th:
Monday-Friday
Early-out dismissal everyday @ 1:05 pm (TK-Kinder) // @ 1:09 pm (1st-3rd grades) // @ 1:14 pm (4th-6th grades)
new student enrollment for 2026-2027 is now open!
Enrollment is open for all NEW student TK-6th grade for the 2026-2027 school year!
ACE Spring Registration now open!
Check out the Spring ACE classes: https://www.newportbeachca.gov/government/departments/recreation-senior-services/ace
february focus
Much of February's focus is around community, from Black History Month to Presidents' Day to Valentine's Day to National California Day (it's a real thing)! I encourage you to engage in conversations with your students about community, read books about the power of community, and looks for ways to support our incredible community.
shark pride: engaged
For the month of February, our Shark PRIDE focus will be on E for Engaged. We encourage you to continue the conversation about being engaged at home, as it is important students are learning to apply these skills to all aspects of their lives.
You can promote engagement in your student by allowing them to decompress after a long day or activity, this gives their young minds a break and better opportunities to engage in school, assignments, and/or extracurricular activities. Our students are so used to being on the go, go, go! Sometimes it’s ok to let them be “bored.”
heights happenings
Check out our monthly calendar for all the happenings at NHES!
Let's celebrate school spirit each week...
Here at NHES, we love celebrating our community, school spirit & positivity!
T-Shirt Tuesday
Wear positive apparel like a t-shirt with a message of kindness, gratitude, encouragement, or positivity every Tuesday
Spirit Wear Wednesday
Show your Shark PRIDE by wearing NHES spirit wear, school colors (red, blue and/or white), or shark gear
Shark House Friday
Wear your Shark House colored t-shirt on Fridays
Keep an eye out for our Spirit Wear being sold by PTA at Flag Deck!
PTA & Foundation
save-the-date: foundation's gala fundraiser
Pizza & froyo fundraiser: first wednesday of the month
Foundation Sponsorship opportunities
nmusd community
NBPD Bike Safety
battery recycling contest
Farmer's Market
nhes handbook
For all your general school information needs, take a look at our NHES Handbook on our school website. You can find daily schedules, policies about absences & tardies, information about school lunches & breakfast, dress code expectations, and more!
SHARK PRIDE
go sharks!
Newport Heights Elementary remains committed to being a student-centered, academically challenging, safe and healthy, and positive place for our Sharks to live and learn each and every day by achieving great heights.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, we will be happy to assist you as best as we can!
School Office - 949-515-6970
Terri Clarke, Principal - tclarke@nmusd.us
Angie Miner, Office Manager - aminer@nmusd.us
Jackie Droste, Office Assistant - jdroste@nmusd.us
Elizabeth Aranda, School Community Facilitator - earanda@nmusd.us
#sharkpride
Go SHARKS,
Terri Clarke
Principal
Follow us on Instagram @newportheightssharks
Email: tclarke@nmusd.us
Website: http://newportheights.nmusd.us/
Location: 300 East 15th Street, Newport Beach, CA, USA
Phone: (949) 515-6970