Principal’s Message

Dear Friends and Families of Los Ranchos,

April is turning out to be a month to celebrate and spotlight Science. Out and about around Los Ranchos we have crawfish crawling, seeds sprouting, windmills whirling and much, much more.

All of our students enjoyed a Science Safari in the multipurpose room. This is an all day event where students  enjoyed 12 interactive exhibits. Students had an introduction and lots of time to explore and have hands on learning experiences. We want  our PTA for funding this and the team of parent volunteers that helped run it. A special thanks to Ms. Beaudoin and Mrs. Bruce for making all the arrangements.

I mentioned in the last week’s newsletter that all of our students are participating in STEAM Design Challenge activities. The Design Challenge includes multiple steps:  identify a problem, brainstorm a solution or design,  build the design, test and reflect on your design, and rebuild design.  You can enjoy some of these and more at our Los Ranchos Celebration of Science and Inventions coming up on April 21.   Parents are welcomed to enjoy the Celebration between 1:30pm-2:50pm.

Sincerely,

Marlie Schmidt

Fourth graders designing and building windmills.

Kindergarteners designing and building earthquake strong structures.

“We created a skewer so that the tape doesn’t fall off the roof during the earthquake. Tape is our strongest material.”  by Kelton

“We are adding extra steadiness so that it won’t use sticky tape.  Then we are adding a disco ball.”  by McKinley

“We are adding sides to our building to make sure it is extra strong.”  by Henry

Upcoming Dates

• Science and Invention Celebration -Thursday, April 21st
• SBAC Parent Presentation by Neil Eckardt - Friday, April 28, 8:30am
• Los Ranchos Bike Parade, Friday, April 29th
• Battle of the Books, Friday, May 13
• Kindergarten Round-Up, May 16-17th
• Band Concert - Parents invited - May 19. 12:50pm-1:20
• Last Day of School, June 9th
• First day of 2016-2017 School Year, August 22nd

CAASPP Presentation and Parent Coffee

Neil Eckardt will be our guest speaker. He will share valuable information with parents about the the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) System, our new state testing. All 3rd - 6th graders will take the test in May. Students continue to take this test in Junior High and High School. All parents are welcomed,  even if your children are not old enough to  take the tests yet. The coffee and presentation will be in the library at 8:30 a.m.

Bike Parade

This year’s Paul Reinhardt Bike Parade is scheduled for April 29, 2016.

Please have students ride or bring their bikes to school for the parade beginning at 8:40am. Kinder/1st graders ride at 8:40am and 2nd / 6th will ride at 9:00am

Reminders:  NO BALLOONS PLEASE

Celebration of Science and Inventions

Thursday, April 21st. (We ask that no latex balloons be part of  the projects). Students need to bring their project to the Multipurpose room before school on the 21st. Parents can come view the projects from 1:30-2:50. We hope you can come to celebrate science with us!