Parent Week Ahead 3/9/26
BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWCASTLE STAFF AWARD RECIPIENTS
Each year, we take time to recognize staff members whose dedication and excellence make an extraordinary difference for our students. This year, we are incredibly proud to celebrate several Newcastle team members who have been recognized at the county and community level for their outstanding work. These individuals embody the spirit of Newcastle through their commitment, care, and belief in every child’s potential. Whether in the classroom, supporting students’ social-emotional needs, assisting behind the scenes, or working directly alongside students every day, each plays an essential role in helping our students thrive. We are proud to celebrate these outstanding members of our staff and the lasting impact they have on generations of Newcastle students.
Placer County Teacher of the Year – Emmy Ainsworth
Placer County Counselor of the Year – Carrie Frost
Placer County Classified School Employee of the Year, Administrative Services – Tami Forcier
Placer County Classified School Employee of the Year, Paraprofessional Services – Brittany Lovejoy
ACSA Teacher Who Makes a Difference – Liz Landry
Auburn Rotary Teacher of the Year – Chuck Larsen
We are grateful for the dedication, talent, and heart each of these individuals brings to our school community.
HUGE KUDOS to our Destinations Imagination Team - The Disco Knights for their participation in this year’s Destination Imagination Challenge. The Disco Knights chose the Technical Challenge, where they had to create a game show that required a variety of technical methods and a theatrical performance that showed their game show in action. They had a blast developing and performing their challenge and qualified for the state tournament!
Way to represent Newcastle - Lanie, Camryn, Cody, Wyatt, and Finn!
We are very grateful to Jessica and Jason Hopper for joining us as guest speakers in our ongoing College and Career Speaker Series.
Their story and insight into becoming Family Law Attorneys were both inspiring and informative for our students.
The Newcastle Drama Club Presents: Willy Wonka Jr. Come see our incredibly talented students perform this classic tale. Performances are on April 15th and 16th, with two showtimes each day at 4:00 and 6:30 pm. HERE is the link for more information and to purchase tickets.
Knights Track STARTS THIS WEEK! Registration is open for grades 5-8 through Loomis Basin Athletics https://sportsplus.app/public/6585
Bring your running shoes, waterbottle, and a smile - Track Schedule HERE
Spring Enrichments - Check out this trimester’s offerings. Sign-ups are now open
Please note that most after-school enrichment programs will be canceled this week due to Parent-Teacher Conferences. We encourage all parents to sign up for a conference to meet with their child’s teacher and receive an update on their academic progress.
Next week is a Spirit Week! See the Upcoming Events for daily details. Let’s all show our school spirit!
Check out this month’s edition of Castle Connections
Yearbooks on Sale - Yearbooks are ONLY available for purchase ONLINE for $40 plus a $2 service fee. There will not be any yearbooks sold in person at the end of the year, so be sure to purchase this collection of memories now. To order: https://www.buytheyearbook.com/en/ School Code: 298684-2601. Please contact our Yearbook Coordinator, Lori Huffman @ lhuffman@newcastle.k12.ca.us if you have any questions.
March 2026
Knight’s Cafe March Menu
Stellar Knight Winners for the week of 3/2
TK - Kolbie C., Roman D.
K - Riley, Claire
1st - Ray C., Lars C.
2nd - Luke A., Emily P.
3rd - Carson S., Ellie V.
4th - Adrian M., Stella R.
5th - Evelyn N., Mia W.
6th - Zoey W., Emily
7th - Dylan F., Eleanor S., Dylan C.
8th - Evelynn K., Stella C.
PE - Dawkins (5th), Olive (6th)
Art - Maverick (3rd), Leilani B. (2nd)
Upcoming Events:
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3/16 - 3/20 Spirit Week
Monday - Matching Monday (match one or more friends)
Tuesday - St. Patrick’s Day - Wear Green
Wednesday - Sports Day
Thursday - Crazy Hair Day
Friday - Flip Flop (students dress as teachers/teachers as students)
3/20 - Spring Dance
3/25 - SOTM Assembly
3/26 - Tri 2 Awards Assembly
3/27 - No School (Snow Day)
3/30 - 4/6 - Spring Break - No School
4/7 - PTC Mtg 2:30 pm
4/8 - Board Meeting 7 pm
4/9 - Site Council Mtg 3 pm
4/10 - C & C Guest Speaker Grades 6-8
4/15 & 4/16 - Willy Wonka Jr.
4/17 - Superhero Run
4/21 - CAST Testing grades 5 & 8 begins
4/28 - CAASPP Testing grades 3-8 begins
5/4 - Staff Appreciation Week
5/13 - Board Meeting 7pm
5/14 - Open House 6:00 - 7:30 pm
5/22 - Volunteer Appreciation Day 7:30 am in the office courtyard
5/25 - No School - Memorial Day
5/27 - SOTM Assembly
5/27 - 8th grade Sunsplash Trip 9:30
5/28 - Grades 6-8 Tech Turn-In
5/29 - Field Day
6/1 - Trimester 3 Awards
6/1 - 8th grade Graduation Dinner @ The Ridge 6:30
6/2 - Graduation 7pm, Reception lower campus 8-8:30, Dance 8:30 - 10:30 (8:30 - 10 pm 7th is invited to attend; 10:00 - 10:30 is exclusively for 8th grade)
6/3 - TK/K Celebrations / LAST DAY OF SCHOOL / Minimum Day
Click HERE for all important school events
Ongoing:
Every Monday we wear Kindness shirts; Every Friday we wear spirit wear and/or Newcastle Green
Every Monday is early release - 1:10 for K and 1:30 for grades 1-8
School Site Council/DAC/LCAP Advisory Committee Meeting 1st Thursday of the month (unless otherwise noted) - All meetings are open to the public
PTC 1st Tuesday of the month
Yearbooks - 8th grade yearbook dedications are full! Yearbook orders are now available online only for $40.00 plus a $2.00 service fee. There will not be any yearbooks sold in person at the end of the year. All yearbooks will only be sold online. Please do not wait until the last minute to order! To order, click on the link below and enter our school code. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Huffman at lhuffman@newcastle.k12.ca.us. https://www.buytheyearbook.com/en/ School Code: 298684-2601
Athletics - The league is still finalizing schedules. All athletes must complete an Athletics Packet to participate.
Loomis Basin Athletics League (LBAL) - Athletics https://sportsplus.app/public/6585
7 & 8 Boys Volleyball - 2/10/26 - 4/9/26 - LBAL Schedule - Coaches Dobrinski & Rodriguez
5-8 Track & Field - 3/9/26 - 5/13/26 - LBAL Schedule - Coaches Caplinger & Eagleton
Incoming 7th grade Immunizations - California requires all students to have proper documentation of a Tdap vaccination and recommends a second dose of the varicella (chicken pox) vaccine before they can enter 7th grade. To ensure no delays in starting 7th grade, please provide a copy of your child's immunization record to the Office. When double-checking your child's vaccine record at home, please remember that the Tdap vaccine is different from a DTaP or DPT vaccine.
Dads on Duty - Engage with students and help create a safe, fun lunchtime environment for our students. For more information and to sign up, use the link Dads on Duty Sign-Up Form or contact Brendan Hogan at brendan.hogan33@gmail.com or 530-613-1579.
Newcastle Service Club Opportunities - Our 6-8 Service Club seeks opportunities to serve our Newcastle school and extended community. If you know of any service opportunities for students aged 10-14, please contact Mrs. Giove at cgiove@newcastle.k12.ca.us.
Discovery Club Openings! Discovery Club (after-school child care) has openings. Under the ELOP program, families who qualify as foster, homeless, or free-and-reduced lunch can enroll at no cost. Families who do not qualify may still receive financial support based on a sliding scale aligned with income and ability to pay. To see if you qualify for reduced-priced or free Discovery Club, please submit a “Meal Application” online at linqconnect.com. If interested in attending Discovery Club, please email Kasey Casl at kcasl@auburnrec.com.
National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs - How you can help!
Community Partners:
Pints with a Purpose - Auburn Alehouse will be offering, for the month of March, a percentage of sales each WEDNESDAY to be donated to the Newcastle PTC.
Placer Foothills Mountain Bike Team (PFMBTC) - If you’d like to learn more about what we do, check out our website and contact our club President, Nate Whitson, at president@placerfoothillsmtb.com.
Washington DC Club - This club is for 8th grade students. For more information, contact Whitney Bell at whitneyjbell@yahoo.com
Scout programs are available for all ages. Contact Sarah Gillmore – sarahgillmore@gmail.com
Where Adventure Grows & to purchase cookies - FLYERS
California State Parks Pass - Free entry for 4th graders and their families at 19 amazing state parks throughout the state. Mountains, deserts, forests, rivers … the choice of where to visit is yours.
Placer County Library - Resources and activities for adults and children.
*The Newcastle Elementary School District neither endorses nor sponsors the organizations or activities represented in these documents. The distribution of this material is provided as a community service.
Links:
2025-2026 Student/Parent Handbook
Back to School Night Presentations
Online Student Safety Apps Information
2025-26 Grade Level Supply Lists
Trimester #1 Award Winners:
6th - 8th GPA Awards
Scholar Awards / Sportsmanship 4th - 8th
GO KNIGHTS!