I have so enjoyed being part of the Sam Hughes community this school year! For health reasons, I am needing to resign, and Tuesday, April 15 will be my last day in the office. I will miss you all, and look forward to coming back to join you for community events.

Our CREW would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to Ms. Cindy for all of her hard work and dedication this year!

Please remember that there is No School on Friday, April 18th for Spring Holiday.

We wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable three-day weekend, filled with relaxation, fun, and quality time together.

Looking forward to seeing everyone back on Monday, April 21!

OMA UPDATE!! What is happening in the OMA room these days?

PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE THE OMA WEB PAGE:https://sites.google.com/tusd1.org/hughesoma/oma-home

There are so many resources, tutorials, and fun things to do there! Scripts for 5th grade, music to practice, videos, etc are all there.

Here is what each grade level has been up to lately:🎉

K-2 classes have been learning about elements of music, their songs for OMAPalooza, AND getting familiar with music they will hear at the Kinder Konzert! (More info below)

3rd graders are learning ukulele and are playing some fun songs! They have learned 4 chords so far!

4th graders are getting better and better on their string instruments!

5th graders are learning to assemble and play their BAND instruments!

We are having so much fun learning about the arts! 🎭🎶🕺🎨 😄

Other OMA News & Announcements:

~ CHOIR UPDATE: Choir is every Friday 7:45am for students who have signed up for choir

~ KINDER KONZERT - for Kinder, First and Second Grades is a TSO (Tucson Symphony Orchestra) performance geared toward our younger students.

This concert takes place on Thurs April 24 in the morning for all K-2 students.

~ YOUNG PEOPLE's CONCERT (YPC) - for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades is a TSO performance geared toward this age group.

This concert takes place on Tues May 6 in the morning for all 3-5 students

~ SPRING OMAPalooza: We have a date! Tues May 13 at 5pm (later time to avoid roasting in the sun...😉)

OMAPalooza is our amazing all school OMA music concert in the courtyard

The warmer temperatures of spring are back and with it, some exciting ecology updates.

• The swallows have migrated back to our school! The last few years we've kept track of their migration dates and it continues to be the first week in April. Welcome back, swallows!

• In the vegetable garden the students have been observing the black swallowtail caterpillars on our dill.

• We've found 2 vermillion flycatcher nests, and, based on the research of our 4th and 5th graders, believe we have at least 3 pairs of flycatchers at the school this year.

• A tortoises is out and lizards are abundant, once again.

Hello CREW! It's that time of year where our students in Grades 3-5 participate in the state assessments We want to ensure that every student has the best possible experience.

Please take note of the following important details regarding the upcoming testing days:

• Testing begins promptly at 9:00 am on the designated testing days. If a student arrives after 9:00 am, they will be placed in a non-testing classroom to assist as a helper until their homeroom class finishes testing. The student will then be scheduled for a Make Up Testing Day to complete the missed assessment.

• Please do not schedule appointments or other commitments during your child’s testing days. If you already have an appointment or other plans, kindly reach out to your child’s teacher as soon as possible so we can make arrangements for a Make-Up testing day.

• Once a student starts a test, they must finish it by the end of that same day. If a student leaves early for any reason, the test must be submitted at that time, regardless of whether or not it is completed.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us ensure a smooth and successful testing experience for all of our students. We greatly appreciate your support!

Please see the State Testing Schedule above!

We believe in our CREW and know our students are going to try their very best!

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Make a real difference at Sam Hughes Elementary before the tax deadline! Direct your Arizona tax credit towards enriching educational programs like fine arts, chess, and our treasured Ecology and Garden projects.

What is a tax credit? It’s a dollar-for-dollar reduction on your Arizona state taxes, costing you nothing extra! Eligible contributions are up to $200 for individuals or $400 for married couples filing jointly. Plus, you’ll receive every dollar back as a refund or tax bill reduction if you owe more than you contribute.

Your tax credit supports:

• Garden to Mouth Program: Where students plant, harvest, and taste fresh produce.

• Nature Studies: Observations and data collection on local wildlife and plants.

• Scientific Investigations: Hands-on activities like seed spacing and composting.

• Traditional Activities: Enjoying fresh grapefruit and making green smoothies.

Act Now!

• Donate Today: Use our tax credit portal to make your contribution easily.

• Spread the Word: Encourage others who pay Arizona state taxes to participate.

Ensure your tax credit contributions are made by April 15th to count for this tax year. Your support is vital for continuing these wonderful programs at Sam Hughes Elementary!

Mark your calendars! Our biggest PTA fundraiser, the APEX Fun Run, kicks off Monday, April 14 and runs through Friday, April 25. This year’s theme is “Future Leaders” and we’re excited to see our students grow and shine.

🌟 Event Highlights (Look for materials and instructions to be sent home next week!):

• Kickoff Assembly: Monday, April 14

• Fun Run Day: Friday, April 25, all students will run laps on our playground.

• Leadership Lessons: APEX Leadership Co will be on campus to lead daily activities focused on leadership and character development.

• Fundraising Pledges: Students can collect per-lap pledges or flat donations, with exciting prizes for reaching goals.

• Inclusive Experience: If your child feels worried or left out regarding pledges or prizes, please inform their teacher. Discreet prize distribution available to ensure every student feels celebrated.

• Volunteers Needed: Help us cheer and count laps on Fun Run day!

This event is a fantastic way to support our PTA programs and give our kids a fun break during testing season. Thank you for making our school vibrant and supportive! Let’s make this year’s Fun Run a huge success!

If you have any questions or want to volunteer, please reach out to us at samhughespta@gmail.com.

Join us for our next PTA meeting on Tuesday, April 22nd at 6 PM in the Sam Hughes Library. We’re setting the stage for a vibrant spring with crucial updates and planning:

📝 Meeting Highlights:

• Committee and Financial Updates: Get the latest insights from our committees and a financial review.

• Exciting Upcoming Events: Prepare for an active April and May with the APEX Fun Run, upcoming Book Fair, and Bare Book Literacy Night.

• PTA Board Election Discussion: Learn about the upcoming May elections and how you can be involved.

This meeting is a great opportunity to get involved and help shape the future of our school community. Join us to ensure you’re part of the decision-making process and to catch up on all the vital preparations for our upcoming events.

We look forward to seeing you there and working together to ensure a successful end to the school year. For questions or to get involved, please contact us at samhughespta@gmail.com.

As our current board members reach the end of their two-year term limits, we’re inviting new leaders to step forward and join the Sam Hughes PTA Board. This transition is your opportunity to make a significant impact and guide our community into the next school year. Elections for these roles will be held during the PTA meeting on May 14th.

Here’s a quick overview of what each role entails:

• President: Leads the PTA, sets agendas, and oversees meetings.

• Vice President: Supports the President, steps in as needed, and helps coordinate committee activities.

• Treasurer: Manages the PTA’s finances, keeps budget records, and reports on financial status.

• Secretary: Keeps minutes of the meetings, handles correspondence, and maintains records.

Interested in sharing the responsibilities? These positions can be co-chaired, so feel free to pair up with someone! Plus, current board members can offer support as ‘at-large’ advisors, helping ease the transition into your new role. Join us to continue shaping a vibrant school community!

Please reach out to the current board at samhughespta@gmail.com to express your interest or to learn more about these opportunities.

Welcome to the 24-25 school year! OUR PTA board is:

Rose Hagood, President

Raquel Salgado, Vice President

Elizabeth McDonnell, Treasurer

Olivia Alicea Secretary

Come to a PTA Meeting!

The Sam Hughes PTA meets about once a month. In an effort to reach more families we will be alternating between morning and evening meetings- please see schedule below!

PTA meetings are a great way to meet other parents and stay on top of everything happening at school. Kiddos are welcome to come along! At meetings we plan events and keep everyone up to date on the latest news. Families are encouraged to give feedback and ask questions.

2024-25 Meeting Schedule

April 22, 2025 - 6:00PM in the Library

May 14, 2025 - 7:45-8:45AM in the Library

Come on down - we'd love to see you!

• 14th APEX Fun Run Kick off Pep Rally 9:00am
• 15th Grades 3 - 5 AASA Math Part 1
• 17th Grades 3 - 5 AASA Math Part 2
• 18th No School- Spring Holiday
• 22nd PTA Meeting 6:00pm
• 25th APEX Fun Run
• KINDER- 2ND 8:45-9:45
• 3RD- 5TH 10:00-11:00

• 1st Literacy Night (Bare Books)
• 5th CREW Assembly 9:00am
• 13th OMAPalooza
• 14th PTA Meeting 7:45am
• 22nd Last Day of School, 5th Grade Promotion