Welcome to a New School Year!
We hope you and your family have enjoyed a wonderful and restful break. On behalf of the entire Hancock Elementary staff, we are thrilled to welcome you to the 2026–2027 school year!
First Week of School Information
Arrival Information
On the first day, students will meet their teacher at a predetermined location (communicated via email and at the Meet the Teacher event). Staff will be on hand to guide students.
● 7:15 a.m. – Breakfast in the auditorium opens
● 7:35 a.m. – Campus gates open
● 7:45 a.m. – Teachers pick students up from lines
● 7:50 a.m. – School starts promptly (final bell)
Starting Tuesday, August 11th: Please say your goodbyes from the classroom line and refrain from entering classroom buildings. Students may line up as early as 7:35 a.m. Any student arriving after 7:50 a.m. must check in at the front office to receive a late arrival slip.
Regular Dismissal Times
● Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 2:00 p.m. (TK/K) | 2:10 p.m. (1st–5th)
● Thursdays (Minimum Days): 12:00 p.m. (TK/K) | 12:15 p.m. (1st–5th)
TK/K Assessment Minimum Days
August 10th – August 21st: TK and Kindergarten students will have 12:00 p.m. minimum-day dismissals for the first two weeks of school so that teachers can complete 1-on-1 student assessments. Please click HERE for important TK/K dismissal details.
Slight Change to Back Gate Operations
Following a recent review of our School Safety Plan with school police and our staff, we are updating our gate schedules to help keep our campus fully secure and protect classroom learning time until the end of the day. The two back gates will not open until closer to 2:10pm on regular school days or closer to 12:15pm on early release days. Please click HERE to read about our new protocol. NOTE: The back gates will not open on M,T,W, or Friday for the TK/K dismissal during the first two weeks of school. Please use the front gate closest to the kindergarten playground M,T,W, or Friday for TK/K dismissal during the first two weeks of school.
High Temperatures and Staying Cool
With these hot temperatures at the start of the school year, please remember to send your student to school with a refillable water bottle and wearing appropriate clothing to help them stay as cool as possible. Be sure to label all bottles, lunch boxes, sweatshirts, and hats with a permanent marker.
Bike Policy
Only fourth and fifth-grade students may ride bikes or scooters to school if their application form is approved by the administration team and is on file in the office. This process must be updated yearly. Safety helmets are required by state law. The school assumes no responsibility for bicycle security. Bicycles and scooters are never to be ridden on school grounds. Once students pass the school sign on Taussig, they must get off their bike/scooter and walk their bike/scooter to the bike racks to ensure their own safety as well as those walking to school. Students may not ride E-bikes/E-scooters, skateboards, or rollerblades to school. Failure to follow these directions may result in the loss of bike and scooter privileges. San Diego Unified and Hancock Elementary are not responsible for damaged, lost, or stolen bicycles or scooters.
Parking Lot for Staff Parking Only
Please note that the Hancock parking lot will be limited to staff only. We have implemented a staff parking pass system. If you are not a staff member with a parking pass, please do not park in a spot. Please do not park in a Handicap Parking Space unless you have the appropriate placard. Do not park, drop off, pick up, or “quickly” unload in the RESERVED spots facing the TK/K playground and garden. These are for staff members only. You will be asked to move. You may always use the drop-off/pick-up lanes to safely arrive/depart from school. Directions are below.
Getting to School Safely
If you plan to use the drop off/pick up lanes, please review this video on how to arrive at school safely that was made by our PTF. All of the rules pertain to both car drop off/pick up as well as those walking to school. It is less than 5 minutes to watch and will save everyone time and frustration as we arrive and depart Hancock safely. Click here: Getting to school Safely
Here is also a written version of how to use the drop-off zone safely: Hancock Drop Off Directions.docx
Please do not park on Brumby Street. There are signs notifying you that there is no school parking allowed, and residents have had difficulty parking in their own driveways due to cars blocking them. The housing office has advised us that vehicles may be towed if parked illegally.
We are still looking for regular volunteers for our Safety Patrol. Please contact Ms. Rachel ([email protected]) for more information.
School Breakfast and Lunch
All students are eligible to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day, regardless of family income. No cash or account balance is required. Students are also welcome to bring a packed lunch from home. If packing a lunch, please ensure your child can open all packages and containers independently and that their lunch box and any accessories have their name written on them. Here you can find the breakfast and lunch menu. Menu options are subject to change without notice due to inventory or supply issues by the district’s Food and Nutrition Services Department. As a district, we are following State and Federal guidelines encouraging only healthy food. Please only send nutritious snacks to school. Beverages with caffeine and energy drinks (soda, Prime, Red Bull) are not permitted. Students may not share any food items brought from home with other students.
SDUSD Cell Phone/Electronic Device Policy
Hancock Elementary follows the SDUSD School Board Policy with regard to cell phones and electronic devices on campus. According to the policy, students may use these devices outside the gates before school begins and after school ends. These devices must be kept out of sight and turned off during the instructional day. Unauthorized use of such devices disrupts the instructional program and distracts from the learning environment. Therefore, unauthorized use is grounds for confiscation of the device by school officials, including classroom teachers. Earbuds, headphones, and smartwatches are not permitted on elementary school campuses per SDUSD board policy (BP5131.8). Repeated unauthorized use of such devices may lead to disciplinary action. Students and parents are notified of this policy each year through the Facts for Parents booklet. The school is not responsible for lost, broken, or stolen devices.
Need to Report an Absence? 🤒
Communication with our Attendance Clerk, Ms Shauna, is important if your student is absent for any reason. Per San Diego Unified board policy, if you do not report the reason for the absence to the office within 5 school days, even if it was for an excused reason as permitted by CA Ed Code (illness, medical or dental appointments, funeral services, certain military-connected activities, etc.), it will automatically be changed to an unexcused absence. Please be sure to report the absence and the reason to the office every time. You can do this 24/7 either online or by phone @ 619-605-3200 Option 1. Our teachers cannot excuse absences, so be sure to only report absences to the front office.
Upcoming Important Dates
8/10 First Day of School
8/10-21 Minimum Days for TK and K (12:00 dismissal)
8/20 Back to School Night (5:30p)
8/28 PTF Family Game Night (5:00p)
Stay Connected with Hancock:
School Website School Facebook Page Hancock Counseling Facebook Page
Peachjar PowerSchool Parent Portal PTF Facebook Page