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Pico Canyon Elementary

Collaborate, Innovate, Persevere, Excel

Pico Press March 8, 2026

Posted Date: 03/13/26 (02:20 PM)


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March 8, 2026

Good Afternoon Pico Canyon Families,

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. A quick reminder that Daylight Saving Time went into effect this weekend, so be sure to set your clocks forward one hour.

Thank you for taking the time to read the Pico Press. We never want you or your child to miss out on the great things happening at Pico Canyon each week. We understand that communication from school can sometimes feel overwhelming, and our goal is to keep you connected and informed in a clear and meaningful way.

Have a great week ahead!

Sincerely,
Michele Krantz
Principal

 

ELA Curriculum Alignment

This year, the Newhall School District has continued to implement our curriculum alignment initiative in ELA. Teachers across the district have worked collaboratively to examine the rigor of our instruction and ensure alignment with the expectations of state assessments. Pico students continue to thrive and rise to the challenge. Our mission of all students learning at high levels is strengthened through this focused work.

Each grade level has identified 25 high-leverage standards that are assessed five at a time over five instructional cycles. After each cycle, teachers come together to review the results and design responsive interventions to extend, support, and refine learning for every student. We are already seeing the impact of this work. Last year, 85.3% of students in grades 3–6 improved their ELA CAASPP score from the prior year.

What can you do at home to support your child?
  • Encourage daily reading, even 20 minutes a day makes a difference.
  • Ask your child questions about what they are reading to build comprehension and critical thinking.
  • Have your child explain their thinking and provide evidence from the text.
  • Celebrate effort, growth, and progress.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s reading and learning at home. Together, we can ensure every student continues to grow and succeed.
 

THE GOAL: All students at line up by 7:55am

Tardies from Last Week:

Monday, 47 Tardies (same as previous week)
Tuesday, 42 Students (Down from 52)
Wednesday, 49 Students (Up from 34)
Thursday, 76 Students (Up from 42)
Friday, 36 Tardies (Down from 48). Downward trend for 3 weeks!
 

Super Attendance, Super Mario Day!

Let's have our best attendance day ever! Let's continue to Level up! MAR10 - Looks like Mario. So we are holding Super Mario Day on March 10th. And wouldn't you know, our wonderful day custodian, Mr. Mario, resembles Super Mario. So much so that our TKers affectionately call him Super Mario. So let's celebrate him while we are at it!

All students present on March 10th will get a stick-on mustache. We encourage Super Mario clothing and colors. What a fun day to attend. Don't let your Husy miss out.
Mar10
 

Author Visit to Pico

We’re excited to welcome back Evelyn A. Huckleberry to Pico March 24 - 26! A former teacher and author of The Picklepenny Adventures - and cousin of Mr. & Mrs. Eifert -she’ll be visiting select primary classrooms to read with students and lead fun illustration and rhyming activities. Her visits were a favorite last year, and we can’t wait to have her back! 

Students will also have the opportunity to pre-order signed books and fun Picklepenny merchandise, including bookmarks, stickers, and magnets. Please see the attached order form and return it to Room 123 by March 16 if you’d like to purchase items.
 

Final Photo Make Up Day - March 23rd

We are having one final photo makeup day in order to ensure that all of our new students can have their picture taken for the yearbook. This day is ONLY for students who have joined Pico Canyon Elementary School since October 15, or who were absent for BOTH picture day and picture retake day and never got a picture taken this year. If your child qualifies, please have them bring their best smile on March 23! You can use the below link to order photos if you wish.

On the same day, our 6th grade students will also have a graduation photo taken. They will have an individual photo taken, and as an entire 6th grade they will have a panoramic photo taken. These photos become part of a keepsake diploma, so some parents choose to have their child dress nicely that day, but it is not required!

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE TWO LINKS BELOW FOR NEW STUDENTS AND 6TH GRADERS. BE SURE YOU ARE USING HTE LINK FOR THE PHOTOS THAT APPLY TO YOUR CHILD.

What to expect on picture day
  1. When an order is placed online, the parent/guardian will receive a camera pass via email. This can either be printed or texted to the student and brought to picture day. The photographer will photograph the printed camera pass along with the student.
  2. If a student is not able to print their camera pass, that is not a problem. We will match up the student to their order manually in the production process.
  3. A parent may order from the flyer up until 24 hours after picture day. After 24 hours, the online ordering access may close. This will allow our imaging team to "Pull" all orders submitted and match them with the students photographed.
  4. When pictures are returned to school, all students that purchased pictures will receive their prepaid package. Any student that was photographed but did not order a package, will receive a "Proof" (PX) of their picture that was taken on picture day.
All proof packages offer parents a second opportunity to order prints. All orders are subject to shipping and handling costs of up to $8.50 and will be shipped directly to home. 

 

New Student Picture Link (click image)

Picture Day
 

6th Grade Promotion Picture Link (click image)

6th grade
 

Cafeteria Support

We are looking for a few extra hands to help support our TK–K students during lunch and brunch each week in the cafeteria. Support includes helping students open food packaging, providing reminders to walk safely in the cafeteria, and assisting with trash and clean up. We would greatly appreciate your help if you are available and willing to lend a hand. Your support truly makes a difference. If you can join us, please check in at the front office when you arrive. Thank you so much for your time and support.

Monday -Thursday:
TK Support - 10:50 - 11:30 and 12:05 - 12:50
Kinder: 10:00 - 10:20 and 11:25 - 12:10

Friday:
TK and Kinder: 9:40 -10:55
 
Pico PTA Logo
 

Pico PTA Membership

PTA
Did you know? Pico PTA helps fund field trips for all our Huskies - covering admissions, transportation, and more, so every student can join the fun!

That’s the power of being a member of the pack.

Join the Pico PTA (Click Here)
 

YEARBOOK

📸Secure your 2025–2026 Pico Canyon Yearbook now! 

Please note: Yearbook covers will not include personalizations this year.

Regular Sale (December 20, 2025 – April 24, 2026)
• Soft Cover: $30
• Hard Cover: $40
 
 

March Restaurant Night Out

Pico Restaurant Night Out — Jersey Mike’s!

Pico Restaurant Night Out is TOMORROW, MARCH 9, at Jersey Mike’s!

Skip cooking and support Pico Canyon at the same time! 
Join us for our next Restaurant Night Out at Jersey Mike’s tomorrow, Monday, March 9, from 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM on The Old Road.

Simply mention Pico Canyon or show the flyer when ordering in-store or use promo code JMGIVES in the app, and 15% of your purchase will be donated back to our school!

Grab a sub, support our students, and enjoy a delicious way to give back! We hope to see you there!
 

🚀 🪐🌱🔬Science Fair💡 🔍🔭🧪

Attention Husky Scientists!

Get ready for the 2026 Pico Canyon Science Fair — a fun and exciting opportunity for students to explore their curiosity, think creatively, and showcase their scientific discoveries! Whether your experiment is simple or complex, all Huskies are encouraged to participate while working safely and as independently as possible.

To participate, scan the QR code on the flyer or complete the Google Form application HERE by Thursday, April 16. All grade levels are welcome! Up to two students may work together, and partners must be in the same grade level, as awards are honored by grade. Each participating student must still submit a separate application.

Please note that all projects require Principal approval, coordinated by the Pico PTA. Once approved, additional Science Fair information will be sent via email. Projects are due on Wednesday, May 6, with participant setup taking place in the MPR from 2:00–6:00 PM on May 6. Completed projects will be proudly displayed during Open House on Thursday, May 7.

Project topics must be presented in the form of a question, so start brainstorming and get ready to investigate!

For questions, please contact: picosciencefair@gmail.com

We can’t wait to see the creativity, innovation, and scientific thinking our amazing Husky Scientists bring to this year’s Science Fair!
Science Fair
 

📕 📙Pico Scholastic Book Fair📘 📗

Save the Date! Our Book Fair is coming soon to the school library, March 25-27! This year's Fair is going to be epic! More Books. More Choices. More Fun.
 
Starting March 25, discover hundreds of new books with your kids. Every purchase supports our school. Visit our Book Fair website to see the schedule, preview books, shop online and register for eWallet - your child’s digital payment account for easy, cash-free purchases. Cash, check and credit card will also be accepted. We can’t wait to see your child at the Fair! Start exploring together on our school's Book Fair homepage: www.scholastic.com/bf/picocanyonelemsch
Save these dates and view our school’s Fair website:

Class Fair Preview Dates: March 23-24
School Fair Shopping Dates: March 25-27
Online Fair Dates: March 23 - April 5
 

🎸 🥁 🎹 Pico Variety Show🎵💃🕺

Announcement: Pico Variety Show Date Change!

The Pico Variety Show has a new date! Mark your calendars - the show will now take place on Friday, May 29, from 5:30 - 8:30 PM in the MPR. It’s sure to be a fun evening celebrating the amazing talents of our Pico students!

Auditions & Important Dates:
  • Student Auditions & Applications Due: Friday, March 20, from 12:05–3:00 PM in the MPR
  • 6th Grade Emcee Auditions: Friday, March 27, from 12:05–2:00 PM in the MPR
The Variety Show application will be shared via ParentSquare the week of March 16. Please bring your completed application with you to your audition. Costumes are not required for auditions. For 6th grade emcee auditions, short scripts will be provided at the audition.
Rehearsal dates are still to be determined, and more details will be shared soon.

Dates to Remember

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

Monday, March 9th - Restaurant Night Out, 10 am - 9 pm, Jersey Mike's (The Old Rd.)
Tuesday, March 10th - Super Attendance, Super Mario Day
Friday, March 20th - Spirit Day, Anything But A Backpack Day
Monday, March 23rd - Friday, March 27th - Scholastic Book Fair, more details to come
Wednesday, March 25th - PTA Association Meeting & Annual Election, 4:30-5 pm, Library
Friday, March 27th - All Pro Dads Plus, 7:15 am, MPR
Monday, March 30th-Wednesday April 1st - Spring Conferences
Thursday, April 2nd - Friday, April 10th - Spring Break
Tuesday, April 14th -Wedensday, April 15th - Spring Photos
Monday, April 20th - Restaurant Night Out, 4-9 pm, Habit Burger (McBean Pkwy)
Wednesday, April 22nd - PTA Association Meeting & Parent-Principal Exchange, 8:15-9:15 am, MPR
Friday, April 24th - All Pro Dads Plus 7:15 am
Friday, April 24th - Last Day to order your yearbooks
Monday, May 4th - Friday, May 8th - Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week, more details to come
Wednesday, May 6th - Science Fair Projects Due (pre-registration and approval required), 2-6 pm, MPR
Thursday, May 7th - Open House and Minimum Day
Friday, May 15th - Pico Prom (Family Dance), 5:30-8:30 pm, MPR

Minimum Day Schedule

Every Friday is an All School Minimum Day Schedule to support teacher collaboration
Class Schedule
Grades UPK – 6
8:00 – 12:05
Pico Canyon Bell Schedule 25-26
March Cafeteria Menu
NSD Parent Calendar 2025-26

Vacation and Appointment Planning

Please take a look at the NSD Parent Calendar to assist you in planning your vacations, appointments, and other days to ensure your child is available to attend school. Attendance Matters!
 
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Connect with Us

Phone: (661)291-4080
Facebook: facebook.com/pico
Instagram: @picocanyonelementary
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