Elk Hills School District

My name is Tiffany Touchstone, and I am honored to serve as the Superintendent/Principal of Elk Hills School District. Nearly ten years ago, I joined Elk Hills as a second grade teacher, drawn to the district’s small class sizes and close-knit, family-like atmosphere. Over the years, I have had the privilege of watching students grow and thrive while working alongside an incredible team of educators who always come together to support one another and our students. Before my time at Elk Hills, I worked in private education as both a teacher and administrator. However, my first career was actually in marketing, having earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. After a few years in that field, I realized my true passion was education, which led me to return to school for my teaching credential. Later, I pursued a Master of Education degree and an administrative credential from Concordia University, Irvine, reinforcing my dedication to leadership and lifelong learning. I firmly believe that it’s never too late to follow your passion or further your education. One of the things I love most about Elk Hills is the sense of community. I have enjoyed working with families and seeing multiple generations of students come through our school. Our staff is like family, always willing to collaborate and take on new challenges to ensure our students' success. Outside of work, I spend most of my time with family and friends. I am especially enjoying spending time in my new role as a "Lolli" to our first granddaughter. My husband and I have been married 30 years and have two daughters and a son-in--law. I enjoy working out, traveling, and binge watching my favorite tv shows and movies! My hope for Elk Hills School District is to continue fostering academic growth, strong character, and a supportive environment where students and staff can reach their fullest potential.

Saturday Learning Camps: Mrs. Cindy will be driving the school van, and Miss Pate will be driving the school Yukon. Hospital Stop (E. Center and 1st St.)Pick Up 7:45am Hospital Stop Drop Off 1:30pm Sunridge & Hwy 119 Stop Pick Up 7:53am Sunridge & Hwy 119 Drop Off 1:15pm

Attention Parents! Elk Hills will be offering Saturday Learning Camps beginning this Saturday, February 22 at 8:30am. During the morning hours, we will be focusing heavily on ELA and math. After school care is provided until 4:00pm if needed. Bus transportation is available for morning pick up and after instruction (1:30pm). Students who attend will be treated to a pizza lunch! And....for students who attend 7 out of the 9 camps, they will receive a trip to the BLVD! Help your student boost their end of the year test scores and register today!

Attention 8th Grade!

Attention Parents! Elk Hills will be offering Saturday Learning Camps beginning this Saturday, February 22 at 8:30am. During the morning hours, we will be focusing heavily on ELA and math. After school care is provided until 4:30pm if needed. Bus transportation is available for morning pick up and after instruction (1:30pm). Students who attend will be treated to a pizza lunch! And....for students who attend 7 out of the 9 camps, they will receive a trip to the BLVD! Help your student boost their end of the year test scores and register today!

Staff Spotlight: Cassandra McGowan, Community Engagement Coordinator. My name is Cassandra McGowan and I have been the Community Engagement Coordinator here at Elk Hills for almost 5 years. I have always had a passion for helping people and learning about different things, because of that I spent 13 years working in retail before going to Bakersfield College at age 27 to major in Journalism. I wrote for BC’s newspaper, The Rip, for one year before going on to write for Valley Ag Voice newspaper for about six months. I have an amazing husband who I have been with for over 15 years, and together we have three kids: two sons who are 18 and a daughter who is 22. We also have a 16-year-old cat named Earl and the CUTEST mini-Aussie puppy named George (don’t get me wrong, Earl is super cute too). When my kids were little I was always volunteering at the school and I really enjoyed my time there, so I switched careers at age 30, got a job as an Instructional Intervention Aide in the Panama Buena Vista Union School District in Bakersfield and applied to CSU Bakersfield where I had planned on gathering the necessary education to become an elementary school teacher. I decided that I enjoyed being in a support role, but continued my education and graduated from CSUB in 2018 ( I was 35, it's never too late!) One of my favorite things about working at Elk Hills is all the amazing connections I’ve made with families and students, as well as my colleagues. I also get to combine my passion for people and learning, so that’s a plus. In my free time I enjoy writing poetry, going to karaoke, going to the beach and spending time with my family doing fun things like going to amusement parks, going to the beach, hitting the snow at Bass Lake in the winter, and whatever else affords me time with them! My goal for this school year is to get our Community Support Services Center up and running so the community has a place to come and get the resources they need! If you need clothing, food, school supplies, a place to use a computer to do job training or fill out an application, or any other resource with which you would like to be connected- please contact me! I am here for you!

There is no school Monday, February 17th, 2025 in observance of Presidents Day. Presidents Day is observed in recognition of the first president of the United States of America, George Washington. We will return on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.

Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 14-20! We will celebrate this week by hosting dress-up days and giving students and staff some kindness tasks! Monday we don't have school, but you can still practice kindness by helping someone feel good by giving them a compliment! Tuesday please wear purple and practice good manners. Wednesday we let our kindness shine by wearing sparkles, sequins, or bright colors and writing a thank you note to family, friends, or teachers. Thursday is the day to celebrate our differences by wearing mismatched clothes/shoes and supporting one another by offering help to family, friends, or staff. Friday we acknowledge our differences, but realize we are all on the same team, please wear school colors (green, black, gold). This is a day to reconnect with an old friend, make a new friend, and invite someone new to play with you or hang out with you! "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted"- Aesop

From all of us here at Elk Hills School District: Happy Valentine's Day!

Show your love for Elk Hills on Valentine's Day by wearing red, pink, or purple! Valentine's Day is this Friday, 2/14/25.

Staff Spotlight: Shane Pate, Dean of Students: Hi! My name is Miss Pate and I am the Dean of Students at Elk Hills School District. This is my 23rd year working in education. I began my career in 2002 for Rosedale Union School District, where I taught for 12 years before coming to Elk Hills. The last 11 years I've had the pleasure of teaching grades five, six, literacy intervention, and in 2023 I moved into the position of Dean of Students. This position allows me the opportunity to connect, interact, and guide all students in each grade level on our campus daily. I am honored and especially love that I get to serve in the very community I grew up in. I LOVE to shop and when I am not at work you can find me, at a flea market, antique stores, or hunting a bargain at thrift stores. I enjoy decorating, home improvement projects, and spending time with my french bulldog, Ace. My goals for this year are to provide students with the necessary tools and skills to equip them for the future. I want all students to know they are valued, seen, heard, loved, and important in the eyes of our Elk Hills Family. I also want them to know that Elk Hills School is a safe place to be themselves and a learning environment where needs are met and learning is celebrated!

There is no school on Monday, February 10th, 2025 in observance of Abraham Lincoln's birthday. To learn more about Abraham Lincoln please visit: https://www.si.edu/spotlight/highlights-abraham-lincoln-1809-1865

The final Girls Power League Basketball game of the season is tomorrow, 2/6/25, @ 3:30 p.m. in the Elk Hills gym! Join us as we go up against Cuyama! #WeAreElks

Congratulations to our October winner of the monthly attendance drawing! To be eligible for the drawing, students must have an attendance rate of 97% for the month. The winner receives a customized gift! Great job Gustavo!

The Small Schools Consortium presents: Sweetheart Social. This event is for 6th-8th grade students only and will take place on Friday, February 14th, 2025 from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. at McKittrick Elementary School District. A DJ, snack bar (cash only), and photo booth ($5) will be available. Students not attending this event are still required to attend school.

The final Boys Power League Basketball game of the season is tomorrow, 2/4/25, @ 3:30 p.m. in the Elk Hills gym! Join us as we go up against Cuyama! #WeAreElks

Our monthly Community Bingo Night is this Thursday, 2/6/25, @ 5:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. Join us for this fun, free event!

Staff Spotlight: Chris Stark, Custodian/Maintenance. My name is Mr. Christopher Jay Stark, I'm custodian/maintenance, and I have been at Elk Hills School District for 20 years. I like working at Elk Hills because I feel like it's another home to me. I used to be a bull rider in my younger years. I like fishing and spending time with my family and friends, and my girlfriend Crystal. I have a dog named Dixie. I was born May 11th, 1985 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I hope I accomplish everything I set out to do this year.

Join us for girls Power League basketball tomorrow, January 30th, 2025 @ 3:30 p.m. as we go up against General Shafter on our brand new gym floor! Come support our Elks! Snack bar available, cash only. #WeAreELKS!

Mrs. Shara Neufeld Assistant to the Superintendent 13 Years I enjoy working at Elk Hills because it is a small district and I have gotten to know all the families. I also enjoy working so closely with all the staff. My personal hobbies include camping, shopping (LOL), and my family. I am married, have 3 adult children and 8 grandchildren. I love my 2 Doodle babies (Labradoodle Ryder, and Aussiedoodle Axle).