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9 days and Counting to the 2026-2027 School Year!

Posted Date: 08/11/26 (02:53 PM)
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Dear Hope School Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year!

We have been busy this summer preparing for another wonderful year at Hope. Our staff has engaged in learning and planning, while our facilities team has been hard at work cleaning classrooms, painting buildings, repaving the parking lot, and completing improvements throughout the campus. We cannot wait to welcome our students back and see their smiling faces on Thursday, August 20!

POWERed to Learn: The Energy Behind Every Wave
This year, our theme is POWERed to Learn: The Energy Behind Every Wave.
At Hope, POWER describes who we are and how we treat one another:

  • Problem Solvers
  • Open-Minded
  • Work Together
  • Empathetic
  • Responsible
This year, we will build upon that foundation by helping students understand what they do as learners:
Think → Persevere → Reflect → Learn
Students will learn to:
  • Think by asking questions, making connections, trying strategies, and explaining their ideas.
  • Persevere by staying engaged, learning from mistakes, seeking help, and trying a new approach when something is challenging.
  • Reflect by considering what they learned, identifying what helped them grow, and setting goals for what comes next.
We want every student to see themselves as a capable learner who can think deeply, work through challenges, reflect on their progress, and continue growing. Throughout the year, you will hear students and staff using this shared language in classrooms and across our campus.

Hope School Family Guide

Our Hope School Family Guide is available here: English Family Guide, Spanish Family Guide

The guide brings together helpful information about Hope School, including our programs, routines, communication practices, student supports, activities, important dates, and ways families can become involved.
District policies and legally required notices are included in the district’s Annual Notification to Parents (ANTP):We hope the Family Guide makes it easier to find the information you need throughout the year. If there is information you cannot find, or something you would like us to consider adding in the future, please feel free to share your feedback with me. It is a working document. :-)

Back-to-School Reminders

Dr. Hubbard has sent several important districtwide messages. Here is a quick summary of the actions families may need to complete:

1. Complete Aeries Data Confirmation before the first day of school
All families must complete the annual Data Confirmation process through the Aeries Parent Portal. This electronic process replaces the large packet of paper forms previously completed at the beginning of each year.
If you have not activated your account or cannot remember your password, enter the email address you provided during enrollment and select “Forgot Password.”
In Aeries, families can also access:
  • Current and previous report cards under Grades → Report Card History
  • State assessment results under State Test Scores
  • Volunteer applications and other required annual documents
If you need assistance or do not have access to a computer, please contact the Hope School office. Forms are available in English and Spanish.

2. Make regular and punctual attendance a priority
Amazing learning happens in our classrooms every day, and we want students to experience it all. Please plan vacations and appointments around school breaks whenever possible.
Once a student is enrolled, state attendance requirements apply to every grade, including TK and kindergarten. A student is considered chronically absent when they miss more than 10% of school days, regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. State law also requires schools to monitor unexcused absences and repeated tardies of more than 30 minutes.
Families will receive attendance notifications and may be asked to meet with the principal or School Attendance Team when attendance concerns reach the thresholds described in the district’s notice. If your child is experiencing barriers that affect regular attendance, please contact us early so we can work together to help.

3. Complete Mandated Reporter Training if you plan to volunteer with students
We are grateful for the many family members who volunteer at Hope! Under SB 848, volunteers who have direct contact with or supervise students must complete the approved Mandated Reporter Training annually. This includes regular classroom volunteers and field-trip chaperones or drivers.
The training must be completed within the first six weeks of school—by October 1, 2026. After completing the volunteer training, families may either:
  • Purchase the $10 completion certificate; or
  • Submit a screenshot showing completion of the training along with the district’s affirmation form.
Please submit the certificate—or screenshot and affirmation form—with your Volunteer Application to the school office. Volunteers may not serve in roles involving student contact or supervision after October 1 until these documents are on file.
One-time event helpers who do not interact with students, as well as volunteers completing copying, filing, or other office tasks without student contact, do not need to complete the training.
Volunteer training and affirmation information: https://mandatedreporterca.com/

School Office and Campus Access
The Hope School office is now open. The district office has returned to its regular location in the Hope Center following asbestos remediation. Please be aware that access to the Hope campus may be limited while the parking lot repaving and exterior painting projects are completed. The city will be working on the crosswalk on August 13 and 14 so you won't be able to access the Hope Parking lot. 

A New Year of Learning and Growth
It is a privilege to serve as the principal of Hope School. I am grateful for the partnership of our families and excited about all that our students will experience and accomplish this year.

Together, we will help every Hope Wave discover the energy to Think, Persevere, Reflect, and Learn.
Enjoy the remaining days of summer. We cannot wait to see you on August 20!

Warmly,
Anna Scharfeld
Principal
Hope School