Principal's Message

Message from the Principal

Greetings Foothill Families! 

I hope you are having a wonderful summer! As the start of a new school year approaches, I can feel the excitement building for the 2024-2025 school year. If you are a returning family, welcome back!  If you are new to our school, it is my honor to welcome you to our Foothill Dolphin Family!

As your new principal, I am thrilled to have the privilege of serving our wonderful school community. As a veteran teacher and administrator, I take great pride in nurturing the minds and hearts of our young learners. Every day is an opportunity for us to make a positive impact on those around us. I am inspired by the dedication of our hardworking staff, the unwavering support of our committed families, and the incredible achievements of our outstanding students. I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you in the coming year. Building strong relationships with our students and families is a top priority for me. I welcome any questions, concerns, or moments of celebration, so feel free to reach out. You can reach me through email at dstewart@saratogausd.org, or simply call the front office to schedule an appointment. Let's make the upcoming school year a memorable and successful one!

Below you will find some important information to help prepare you for the start of our new school year.  We are here to answer any questions.

• Welcome New Staff: I’m pleased to welcome two wonderful teachers to our 
• Foothill Elementary family.  Yvonne Pierre will be joining us as our Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teacher, and Rosanna Lee will be joining us as our Special Day Class Teacher.  We are fortunate to add these two wonderful educators to our incredible staff!
• Class Assignments: Class assignments will be posted on August 13th at 4:00pm. These will ONLY be posted virtually on Parent Square.  
• First Day of School: The first day of school is Thursday, August 15. This will be a full day of school for 1st through 5th grade students.  TKers and Kindergarteners will have a minimum day and will dismiss at 12:10pm every day through August 30.
• PTA Welcome: Our PTA has planned many community events for Foothill families. Kinder Splash is Wednesday, 8/14, from 10:30-12:00, starting in the MPR. TK & Kindergarten families will meet our principal and get a tour of the school. Afterwards we'll meet up in the Kinder Yard, where our TK & Kindergarten teachers will introduce themselves. We'll have snacks and a UPS employee present to do fingerprinting for those applying for volunteer clearance.
• All are invited to join us for the First Day Coffee, starting at 8:45am on Thursday, 8/15, in the MultiPurpose Room. Hear from our Principal, our PTA (Parent Teacher Association) and meet up with new and old friends! 
• The Ice Cream Social will be Friday, Aug. 16, in Foothill Park from 4:30-6:30pm. All families and staff are invited. We'll have lawn games, a DJ, t-shirt sales, and an ice cream truck. Please join us!
• TK/Kindergarten Schedule: TK and Kindergarten will have minimum days (12:10 dismissal)  to start the year off.  This will help our newest Dolphins transition into a full day of learning.  The first full day of Kindergarten (2:10 dismissal) will begin on Tuesday,  September 3 (following Labor Day).
• DAILY BELL SCHEDULE

Grade                                          Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri         Wed

• Drop Off Procedures – Safety First! Thank you for your patience and courtesy.
  • Time: Drop off begins at 8:15am; please respect this drop off time, as student supervision begins at 8:15 and not earlier.
  • On Foot: At this time, families are welcome to accompany their students to the blacktop and stay with their children until the teacher arrives to bring the students to their classes. 
  • By Car: Parents wishing to drop off or pick up their child from school without leaving their vehicle must do so through the traffic queues that lead into the school parking lots. Drop-offs are only allowed in the designated drop-off zones. During pick up and drop off times, all vehicles entering the parking lot must do so through the traffic queue. Vehicles should stay to the right to allow through traffic to pass. Please be mindful of allowing other vehicles and pedestrian traffic to cross safely. Once in the school parking lot, vehicles should pull as far forward as possible before having their child exit or enter the vehicle. Have your student enter or leave your vehicle only in the designated zones.
  • Parents intending to leave their vehicle should park their vehicle in a designated visitor parking space in the school parking lot (these are limited) or on city streets. 
• Pickup Procedures:  
  • Students waiting for parents are to remain in the supervised pick up areas near the parking lots.  Please pick up your student promptly following the end of the school day. Students on school grounds after dismissal must be supervised by an adult guardian.  
• School Absences: Please use the following email address when reporting student absences: fesattendance@saratogausd.org
• School Calendar: View our 2024-25 student calendar.
• Visitors: All parents and visitors must check in at the front office before entering any school building.
• Volunteers: If you would like to volunteer, please complete the required volunteer documents. 

Thank you for your partnership. The Foothill staff and I are looking forward to a wonderful year partnering with you in support of your children!