Newsletter, December 16, 2016

Principal’s Message

Dear Friends and Families of Los Ranchos,

It is hard to believe that 2016 is coming to a close. I can’t remember ever having school scheduled so close to the holidays. We know that students and families have many extra events planned over the next week. Excitement is running high. One thing that really helps us in the classroom is when parents keep routines with meals and bedtimes. We have a full four days next week. Your support will help to keep our days productive and positive.

Sincerely,

Marlie Schmidt

Upcoming Dates

• Winter Break, No School Starting, Friday December 23rd. Students return January 9th, 2017
• PTA Meeting, Tuesday, January 10th at  12:15 p.m.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, Monday, January 16th

Read your heart out for the holidays!

Fable Learning is offering a free winter reading program called The PopUp Library, starting on December 16, 2016. Their collection of 650 eBooks will be available free to anyone with Internet access to browse and read a broad range of engaging fiction and nonfiction eBooks for children.  The PreK-8 collection is carefully curated for exceptional quality titles from well-known and respected authors and illustrators and includes a robust Spanish Bilingual Collection.

How the PopUp library works:

• Access starting on 12/16/16 at FableLearning.com/PopUp
• No check-in or check-out is required to read any of the titles
• No user identification is required

From a Computer (including Chromebooks):

• Open your favorite browser and go to FableLearning.com/PopUp, starting 12/16/16.
• The Winter PopUp Library will automatically open, and you’ll have immediate access to their complete collection. Search or browse to find a book and begin reading.

From a tablet using the Fable Reader app:

• Download the free “Fable Reader” app from iTunes or Google Play or if you are using a Kindle Fire, go to Amazon.
• Once the app is downloaded, log in using PopUp (exactly as written - the log in is case sensitive) for both the username and password
• Search or browse to find a book and begin reading!

Newsletter, December 9, 2016

Principal’s Message

Dear Friends and Families of Los Ranchos,

Did you know it is Computer Science Education Week? Our 4th, 5th, 6th and some 2nd grade students celebrated the week by learning how to code. Students had the opportunity to explore the elements that make a digital computer, how they work together and the pervasiveness of computers in our homes. Then, each student went through a series of programming / coding exercises on a website called Code.org. Students had a great time. We are already thinking of ways to expand the opportunity to more students next year. I encourage you to explore the website with your child. It is chalked full of fun coding opportunities.

I want to thank Ken Rothmuller, Josh Tang and his colleagues at Amazon for taking time to make this possible for so many of our students. The response from students was so positive we are making plans for a Coding Club after winter break. Please give me a call or send me an email if you are interested in helping out. Stay tuned for more details.

Sincerely,

Marlie Schmidt  

Upcoming Dates

• PTA Holiday Boutique, Tuesday, December 13th 1:00 p.m. to 4:30pm
• Winter Break, No School Starting, Friday December 23rd. Students return January 9th, 2017
• PTA Meeting, Tuesday, January 10th at  12:15 p.m.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, Monday, January 16th

Roadrunner Times, November issue

We are attaching the November Roadrunner Times so anyone who missed the November issue can read it before we publish the December issue.

Holiday Boutique

 Make sure you've marked your calendar for December13th from 1-4:30 pm. There will be 17 vendors to shop from.  Vendors like LuLaRoe, Pampered Chef, 31 Bags, Aloette, and Doterra along with craft vendors. The PTA will have discounted Los Ranchos Gear for purchase and a yummy bake sale! Come support local business while supporting your school and getting some holiday shopping done. 

Library Corner - December 9, 2016

Our school library subscribes to TumbleBook Library, a curated database of children’s e-books.  First and second grade students read eBooks in the library this week.

TumbleBook Library has over 1100 titles for grades K-6, and includes unique animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, national geographic videos, nonfiction books, playlists, as well as books in Spanish and French. Plus, the collection features Graphic Novels – a student favorite!

There are no check-out times or wait lists: the books are always available, to everyone! It’s a great resource for kids, and teaches them the joy of reading in a format they’ll love.

To access the TumbleBook Library, log onto the school website:

Lr.slcusd.org.  

• Click on the library link on the right side of the page
• Select Los Ranchos Library
• Click on ETC Portal link in far right column
• Students can login with their email address and password, or parents can login as follows:
• Username:  etcportal
• Password:  parent
• Select the English icon under subject area
• Select TumblebookLibrary and get started.
• 
  

Newsletter, December 2, 2016

Principal’s Message

Dear Friends and Families of Los Ranchos,

I enjoy being in classrooms throughout the day. One of my favorite times to visit is during Readers’ Workshop. We have just recently started a focus on nonfiction texts in all grade levels. Nonfiction texts offer unique challenges to readers. The vocabulary is more challenging. There are text structures and features that can be confusing. Frequently we find that students need to be reading nonfiction books that are easier than their “just right” fiction book choices.  Whether it is fiction or nonfiction, we want to feed our readers with books!

Establishing a daily habit of reading at home is one of the most important things you can do as parents. Reading impacts every area of the curriculum. The table below illustrates the research on reading.  I encourage you to make sure your child has a book in his/her backpack at all times. Our kids have busy lives. A book in the backpack makes it easy for your children to squeeze in reading every chance they get!

Sincerely,

Marlie Schmidt

Upcoming Dates

• PTA Holiday Boutique, Tuesday, December 13th, 1:00p.m.-4:30p.m.
• Winter Break, No School Starting, Friday December 23rd. Students return January 9th, 2017
• PTA Meeting, Tuesday, January 10th at  12:15 p.m.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, Monday, January 16th

Roadrunner Times, December Issue - Student Poetry
The staff of the The Roadrunner Times is inviting students to submit winter poetry for the December issue. Students are to turn their poems into the office by Friday, December 9th.

PTA Holiday Boutique
The PTA's Holiday Boutique in our Multi-Purpose Room on December 13th from 1-4:30p.m. Please join us for some great shopping!

Battle of the Books...start reading now!

The Battle of the Books competition  may not happen until later in the year, but now is the time you should be reading your books. Visit the official Battle site to find a list of all 30 books for this year. http://www.battleofthebooks.org/book-list/traditional-standard-30-book-list-4-6-grades-2016-17.php

Congratulations to the following students who submitted a Battle question in the library and won a prize of sweet treats!

4th grade-Hannah and Brighton

5th grade- Vanessa and Maya

6th grade- Connor and Miles

Keep reading and submitting your questions to be eligible for next month's drawing.

Contact Melissa Allen at Melissa_a_allen@hotmail.com of you'd like to be involved with this year's Battle.

Affordable Care Act Enrollment Information

The California Department of Education, in partnership with Covered California and All In-Health Care for all families have provided a template for information on health insurance coverage.  http://www.slcusd.org/announcements.php

Información para Inscripción en la Ley de Asistencia Asequible

El Departamento de Educación de California en asociación con California Cubierta y Todo en el Cuidado de la Salud para todas las familias ha provisto una planilla modelo para información sobre la cobertura de seguro de salud. http://www.slcusd.org/announcements.php

LVN needed immediately

Work with the nurse team at SLCUSD.  It’s a great team and a great schedule.  Hours are 8:00 to 3:10, Monday through Friday.  This means no weekends, nights, school vacations or holidays!

Check EdJoin at http://www.slcusd.org/

(go to “about”, “employment”)

Questions? Call Judith Gier, School Nurse Team Coordinator 549-1283

Newsletter, November 18, 2016

Principal’s Message

Dear Friends and Families of Los Ranchos,

I want to thank everyone for a successful week of Parent Conferences. Our teachers put a tremendous amount of time and energy into planning and preparing for conferences. Parents, you take time out of busy, busy schedules to learn about the standards and curriculum that guide our work, to celebrate success, to puzzle over challenges and to help set a course for continued growth and success. We appreciate your support and partnership.

As we move into our much anticipated Thanksgiving break there are many things that I am  grateful for. I am especially grateful to work with such enthusiastic students, devoted parents and dedicated educators and staff members. Los Ranchos is a great place to work and learn.

I wish you and your family a restful and rejuvenating Thanksgiving!  

Sincerely,

Marlie Schmidt

Upcoming Dates

• Thanksgiving Break, November 21- November 23rd
• PTA Holiday Boutique, Tuesday, December 13th
• Winter Break, No School Starting, Friday December 23rd. Students return January 9th, 2017
• PTA Meeting, Tuesday, January 10th at  12:15 p.m.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, Monday, January 16th

Library Internet Access at SLO Public Libraries

Mi-Fi Devices Available at SLO Public Library branches

Mi-Fi devices are mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. The SLO County Library Black Gold Cooperative has announced that, beginning November 9th, all Black Gold member libraries will have mi-fi devices available for checkout. The devices will checkout like books using a library card. This is a great opportunity for SLCUSD students and families who do not have Wi-Fi at home to access the internet.  (the larger the branch, more devices are available)

Highlights of Mi-Fi Devices:

· Check out period is 7 days

· The devices can be requested and placed on hold

· Overdue fines and fees will accrue

· Up to 10 devices can be connected

2nd service is called Hoopla - this is a digital streaming service for audio books, movies and music - again free with a library card.

Blackgold.org has more info where you can see these two important upgrades.

Roadrunner Times, December Issue -

The staff of the The Roadrunner Times is inviting students to submit winter poetry for the December issue. Students are to turn their poems into the office by Friday, December 9th.

Battle of the Books...start reading now!

The Battle of the Books competition  may not happen until later in the year, but now is the time you should be reading your books. Visit the official Battle site to find a list of all 30 books for this year. http://www.battleofthebooks.org/book-list/traditional-standard-30-book-list-4-6-grades-2016-17.php

Congratulations to the following students who submitted a Battle question in the library and won a prize of sweet treats!

4th grade-Hannah and Brighton

5th grade- Vanessa and Maya

6th grade- Connor and Miles

Keep reading and submitting your questions to be eligible for next months drawing.

Contact Melissa Allen at Melissa_a_allen@hotmail.com of you'd like to be involved with this year's Battle.

SLCUSD District is hiring an LVN

San Luis Coastal Unified School District has an immediate opening for a LVN to work with the nurse team in our district. This job may involve driving to several school sites where there is a need for nursing support. Hours are  8 to 3:10. No working weekends, holidays, evening, nights, or during school vacation. If this sounds like something you are interested in and might fit your needs please check Ed Join (link below). If you need more details feel free to call  549-1283 and leave your name and best contact time for Judith Gier School Nurse Team Coordinator.  

https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/868500

Newsletter, November 10, 2016

Principal’s Message

Dear Friends and Families of Los Ranchos,

Before I move to next week’s events I want to send out a big thank you to all of you for making the Walk-a-thon such a fun, memorable and successful event! Los Ranchos students, staff and some parents ran and walked for a full hour. Parents, grandparents and friends cheered from the sidelines. More parents kept score, quenched our thirst with endless gallons of water and re-energized us with orange slices. The Solwicks, who own Cheetah and Cheetah, kept our spirits high with great music. It was a fabulous day!

This did not happen magically and I want to thank our amazing Walk-a-thon Team. Laurie DeSchryver and Stacey White were our fearless leaders. They could not have done it without their army of volunteers: Erika Schuetze, Kristin Escalle, Kiley Wellner, Barb Beckett, Heidi Gill, Tiffany Emry, Jen Ross, Amy Moore, Joanna Whitcher and Karna Stitt.

And, I am hearing that the early count of pledges shows again what a generous community we have. We were off to a great start thanks to our sponsors. Together, they donated $28K!  These sponsors are Los Ranchos families, family owned businesses and employers of Los Ranchos parents as well as non-family related businesses in our community who were willing to support our students.  We are fortunate to live in a community that supports public education - please encourage our parent community to support these sponsors and say thank you.  Parents can find the sponsors on the banners in the multi-purpose room as well as on the list below.

With the Walk-a-thon behind us if feels like fall is passing by even faster. But, we have one important week before Thanksgiving break. Next week is Parent Conferences!  Parent conferences are great opportunity to sit down with your child’s teacher and celebrate  successes from the trimester, learn ways to support learning at home and find out what is coming. We look forward to seeing you then.

I hope you have a restful Veterans Day and weekend.   

Sincerely,

Marlie Schmidt

Upcoming Dates

• No School - Friday, November 11th
• Kyle's Cartoon Platoon Family Night, November 14th at 6:30pm
• Minimum Days, 1pm Dismissal K-6th Grades, November 14-18th
• Scholastic Book Faire, November 14-18th  
• Thanksgiving Break, Monday, November 21- Friday, November 25th
• PTA Holiday Boutique, Tuesday, December 13th
• Winter Break, No School Starting, Friday December 23rd. Students return January 9th, 2017

Minimum Days All Next Week - Parent/ Teacher Conferences

TK students will be dismissed at their usual time, 12:20p.m.

All other students, K-6 will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m.. We are requesting that you do not pick up your student until the 1:00p.m. dismissal time.  Thank you. 

Free Family Drawing Night
PTA will be selling Pizza by the slice from 5:15pm-6:15pm for $1.00 per slice so your family can have dinner before drawing night!

Los Ranchos Homework Club

Please note, there is no homework club next week, November 14-18th due to minimum days and no homework the following week, November 21-25 for Thanksgiving Break.

School Directories
We have school directories for sale in the office for $6.00.  Please stop by if you would like a hard copy directory.

Lost and Found

Please stop by and take a look at Lost and Found for jackets, sweaters, and lunch boxes.  We will be clearing the lost and found over Thanksgiving Break so please stop by and look for lost items!

Walk-A-Thon

Together, our sponsors donated $28K!  These sponsors are Los Ranchos families, family owned businesses and employers of Los Ranchos parents as well as non-family related businesses in our community who were willing to support our students.  We are fortunate to live in a community that supports public education - please encourage our parent community to support these sponsors and say thank you.  Parents can find the sponsors on the banners in the multi-purpose room as well as on the list.

  

We would like to thank our Walk-A-Thon Team!  

2016 WAT Leads:  Laurie DeSchryver and Stacey White

2016 WAT Committee:

Erika Schuetze

Kristin Escalle

Kiley Wellner

Barb Beckett

Heidi Gill

Tiffany Emry

Jen Ross

Amy Moore

Joanna Whitcher

Karna Stitt

In addition, a great big "THANK YOU" to the army of volunteers that come out to help the day of the event to make it a success!