Dear Los Ranchos Friends and Families,
We are off to a great year. It was wonderful to see so many of you at Back to School Night. I ran into a parent the next morning while walking my dog. When asked about Back to School Night she exclaimed, "It made me want to be in school again." That is great to hear. Your children are fortunate to be part of all the recent changes in education. The changes are grounded in years of research on how children learn best and what they need to know, or what they need to be able to do, to be successful in college and/or a career. It is a good time to be working and learning at Los Ranchos Elementary.
Energy remains high on the playground. The new structure continues to provide opportunities for everyone to stretch and strengthen. We have some other opportunities for students during lunch recess. Our librarian, Mrs. Sabo, has the library open on Mondays and Thursdays. And, the music room is converted into a lively game room on Tuesdays and Wednesdays thanks to our PTA volunteers Kristin Escalle and Tiffany Emry. This is a very popular place. Kristin and Tiffany are always looking for other parents to enjoy the energy.
Students are enjoying options during lunch recess. I am looking for a couple of parent volunteers who are interested in starting a Tinker Room. Tinkering is the simple act of messing around with parts to see what you can build. Please call or email me if you, or someone you know is interested in getting this started. Parent and neighborhood volunteers strengthen our community of learners in countless ways.
Sincerely,
Marlie Schmidt
The chalk festival is scheduled for September 25th. Please remember to send your student(s) with hats and sunscreen. We are also looking for "ez up" tent loans. Volunteers are also needed. If you would like to help please contact Kasey Rosecrans at 704-3983 or kaseysews@earthlink.net.
The fall family dinner will also be on the evening of September 25th.
Counselor’s
Corner
Greetings! My name is Mary Kay Stratton and it is a
pleasure to be here at Los Ranchos School for another year. Here’s a little bit of information about
me. I have worked in the SLCUSD for the
past 22 years at Bishop’s Peak/Teach and Pacheco Elementary Schools. Prior to that, I spent 7 years at Fesler Jr.
High School in Santa Maria. I am at Los
Ranchos on Thursdays and Fridays from 8:00 – 3:30 and my office/playroom is
Room 35. I hope to become acquainted with
your child through classroom lessons on “Steps to Respect”, lunchtime fun, or
counseling support. My office, Rm. 35 ,is
open to students during lunchtime as an alternative space to the
playground. I have a variety of games,
toys, Legos, and drawing materials. Your
child might be recommended for emotional/social support which I provide through
small social skills groups or individual counseling sessions. During a
counseling session, your child will receive training and support with
emotional/social management skills through breathing and focusing exercises,
role playing, and games that promote empathic, rational and consequential
thinking. Like the counselors before me, I hope that my office is thought of as
a fun, safe, and helpful place to be. I
am here to assist and support you and your children. Feel free to call (596-4075 X 2290) or stop
by Room 35.
Donations: The sniffles are starting early this year. We are in need of tissues for classrooms. If you are able to donate tissues, please drop them off at the office. Thank you!
Sheltering Kits
·
In order to be prepared if there is an emergency
that requires sheltering, each child needs a “Sheltering Kit”. The kit contains a snack and a picture of the
child’s family to provide comfort. Please
send ONE sealed snack (granola bar, peanuts, cheese & crackers) and a
picture of your family to school for each child. Unused items will be returned at the end of
the year. The picture can be
photocopied, scanned or an original.
·
Donations of a case of bottled water (500 ml)
are also being accepted. Each classroom
needs a case of water to have on hand if there is an emergency.
