NHES Newsletter

• Congratulations to all our sharks who performed at our Spring Concert on Friday!
• THANK YOU to Mrs. Jones, our music specialist for producing such a fun & silly performance.
• Thank you to our Foundation for hosting our Music & Memories: Special Persons Day celebration during our Spring Concert.

A letter to our parents/guardians from our teachers...

Our school is participating in the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments as part of CAASPP - CA Assessment of Student Performance & Progress this month. These assessments are a key part of implementing our Common Core academic standards and preparing all students for success in college and careers.

Our 3rd-6th grade classes will be taking the assessments on the following days:

Language Arts

April 29th - May 2nd

Math

May 6th - 9th

Science – 5th Grade ONLY

May 13th - 14th

You are the most important partner in your student's learning process. Please do all you can to ensure that your student is not absent during the testing periods or days and arrives at school on time each morning. It is highly recommended that your student gets a good night’s sleep and has a healthy breakfast each day.

If you would like more information about Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments, please visit the website at http://www.caaspp.org/ to see examples of test questions. Click on Practice and Training tests and log in as a guest. If you have any questions regarding your student’s participation, please contact your teacher.

This week begins the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California for our incredible K-2nd grade students whose second learned-language is English.

Assessment Dates:

Tuesday-Thursday

April 29th-May 1st

Areas of focus: Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking

If you would like more information, visit NMUSD's ELPAC webpage.

*more info & details coming from your room parent!

For more details, please contact NHES parent liaisons Lee-Anne & Todd Gasparik: lulu0717@gmail.com or (714) 318-7108.

These last few weeks of our school year are filled with fun, community, and learning opportunities! Mark your calendars & stay tuned for updates:

APRIL

• ELPAC Testing: K-2nd Grades (EL students) - Tuesday, April 29th-Thursday, May 1st
• CAASPP State Testing: 3rd-6th Grades - Weeks of April 28th + May 5th

MAY

• Awards Assembly - Friday, May 2nd
• School Lunch Hero Day - Friday, May 2nd
• VIP Lunch Date - Friday, May 2nd
• Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week - Week of May 5th-9th
• CAASPP State Testing: 3rd-6th Grades - Weeks of April 28th + May 5th
• School Nurse Day - Wednesday, May 7th
• CAASPP State Testing: 5th Grade Science - Week of May 12th
• Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast - Friday, May 16th
• Open House (early out) - Thursday, May 22nd
• Teacher/Staff-for-the-Day - Friday, May 23rd
• ted-ED Club Showcase - Friday, May 23rd
• Memorial Day: NO SCHOOL - Monday, May 26th
• School Spirit Week - May 27th-30th
• ELPAC Testing: 3rd-6th Grades (EL students) - Tuesday, May 27th-Wednesday, May 28th
• Awards Assembly & Last Flag Deck - Friday, May 30th

JUNE

• Field Day - Wednesday, June 4th
• 6th Grade Promotion - Thursday, June 5th
• LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (regular school day/regular dismissal time) - Thursday, June 5th

State Testing for 3rd-6th grades

ELPAC Testing for K-2nd grade English Learners

Tuesday

T-shirt Tuesday

Wednesday

Spirit Wear Wednesday

Friday

Shark House Friday

Awards Assembly @ 8:00 am

ELAC Meeting after Flag Deck

UPCOMING

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week - week of May 5th-9th

Check out our monthly calendar for all the happenings at NHES!

Heights Happenings: May 2025

• Last week we revisited our Shark PRIDE behavior rotations, reminding students about our school-side expectations. Please continue partnering with us by reinforcing expected behaviors, making positive choices & showing kindness towards everyone. If you ever have questions or concerns, please reach out to your student's teacher to work together.
• Our Lost & Found is overflowing, please take a look for any items your student may have misplaced.
• With 7 more weeks of school, students are deep in learning, preparing to matriculate to their next grade level PLUS working towards end-of-year celebrations like Open House. Please be mindful of attendance, supporting your students' on-time arrival, reducing early pick-ups, and attending school every day when they are well!

Enrollment is open for all NEW student TK-6th grade for the 2025-2026 school year!

*not for currently enrolled students - registration for returning students is in August

*scholarships available

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 + Shark House gear being sold by PTA!

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!

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

Email: tclarke@nmusd.us
Website: http://newportheights.nmusd.us/
Location: 300 East 15th Street, Newport Beach, CA, USA
Phone: (949) 515-6970