Hello Hawk Families,

Winter Recess brought something BIG to campus, and it marks an exciting milestone in our construction progress!

When students return to school on Monday, January 12, 2026, they will notice a large crane positioned inside the fenced construction zone. This crane will play an important role in supporting the next phase of work as crews begin building the new two-story classroom buildings. For our students, we are calling our friendly new helper, Captain Crane.

Here is what families should know:

• The crane stands over 120 feet tall and can reach approximately 144 feet
• It will always remain inside the secured construction area
• It will not hover or move above classrooms, walkways, playgrounds, or student spaces

Safety continues to be our top priority. All daily safety procedures are firmly in place, and we are working closely with our construction team to ensure the crane operates safely and appropriately at all times.

The crane will remain on campus for about six weeks. During that time, its base will stay in one fixed location except for one planned move to a nearby construction zone. That move will only take place before or after school hours, when students and staff are not on campus.

Families may also notice a temporary pedestrian bridge inside the construction area that allows workers to move safely from one zone to another without interrupting school activities. This bridge meets all safety requirements and remains fully secured within the fenced construction zone.

We know that seeing Captain Crane may be eye-catching at first, but please be assured that the district, the construction team, and our safety partners are closely monitoring all activity to maintain a safe learning and working environment.

We are excited to see visible progress taking shape on our campus. Thank you for your continued patience and support as we work toward creating an exceptional new learning environment for our students.

Warmly,

Amy Sannella, Principal

Dear Knob Hill Families,

We are excited to share that an important construction project will be taking place on our campus as the new school year begins. Funded by Measure JJ, these improvements are part of our district’s commitment to providing safe, modern, and inspiring learning environments for all students. They will enhance our facilities and create an even better campus experience for years to come. While we know that construction during the school year requires careful planning, please be assured that safety, continuity of learning, and minimal disruption remain our highest priorities.

Trusted Partners
We are pleased to be working with the same construction company and architect who successfully completed Richland Elementary School’s construction project. They are highly experienced in working alongside schools in our district and understand the unique needs of an active campus.

All construction supervisory staff undergo an extensive Live Scan background check before beginning work. In addition, there is a strict policy that prohibits construction workers from interacting with students or staff. They will use a dedicated entrance and will not be in areas of campus being used by students and staff during the school day.

Key Information for Families

1. Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up
   • Grades 1–5: Drop-off and pick-up will take place at the roundabout near the library.
   • TK–Kindergarten: Drop-off and pick-up will remain at the same location as in previous years—at the first gate upon entering the parking lot.
2. Breakfast and Lunch Services
   • All students will have access to a free breakfast and free lunch as part of California’s Universal Meals Program. Students will continue to enjoy nourishing meals that include the entrée, fresh fruit, vegetables, and milk.
   • Menus are posted online: View Our Menus
   • Breakfast times:
     • TK: 8:00–8:10 a.m.
     • All other students: 8:15–8:40 a.m.
3. Playtime and Recreation
   • Our playground will look a little different this year, but students will still enjoy favorites like basketball, foursquare, tetherball, and hopscotch—along with board games, arts and crafts, and other structured activities. Lunch times will be staggered so only one grade level is outside at a time, and we’re partnering with our PTO to introduce new play options. Throughout these changes, we’re keeping students’ developmental needs at the heart of every decision.
4. Temporary Power Supply
   • You may notice horizontal metal tubing at the top of some buildings. This is a temporary, fully safe power supply that has been inspected and approved by the appropriate agencies.
5. Construction Sound
   • While there will be construction noise during the school day, we have mitigation measures in place to help minimize its impact on learning.
6. Dust Control
   • Dust will be addressed and managed daily, as needed.
     Air conditioning filters will be changed more frequently during construction to maintain clean indoor air quality.
7. Emergency Preparedness
   • We have established and reviewed evacuation plans with law enforcement to ensure the safety of all students and staff in the event of an emergency.

We understand that construction brings change to our routines, and we are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and partnership as we work to improve our campus. We are confident that the results will be well worth it, and we look forward to celebrating these enhancements together once the project is complete.

If you have questions or concerns at any time, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.

With gratitude,

Amy Sannella, Principal

As you know, Knob Hill Elementary is undergoing a phased rebuild that will transform our campus for current and future Wildcats. As part of this work, we want to share an update about the student handprint tiles that have been displayed around campus for many years.

These tiles were created by students in past classes and permanently mounted to several buildings across the school. They hold deep sentimental value for many Knob Hill families and are an important part of our school’s history and tradition.

As buildings come down in stages, every handprint tile is being carefully removed and preserved. The TK/Kinder building has now been demolished, and all tiles from that area were safely removed beforehand and are currently being stored.

Tiles from other buildings will be collected as they are scheduled for demolition. Once every tile from every building has been retrieved, we will begin organizing a plan for families to pick them up. Because construction is occurring in phases, we do not yet have a confirmed timeline for when all tiles will be ready.

If you would like to receive updates, please complete this “Tile Return Request Form” with your contact information. We’ll reach out as soon as a date and distribution plan are finalized.

Your memories matter to us, and we’re committed to keeping these tiles safe throughout our campus rebuild.

Thank you for your patience and continued support as we build the future of Knob Hill—together!