Newsletter, September 9, 2016

Principal’s Message

Dear Friends and Families of Los Ranchos,

Volunteerism is one cornerstone of our school. On Saturday, September 3, twenty-six  parents, teachers, and students showed up with shovels, rakes and trowels in hand to prepare our garden for first grade science. It was a team effort and they transformed the garden area. I want to thank Ms. Baele for leading the gardening crew. It was a beautiful garden party!

There are many different opportunities for volunteering at Los Ranchos. You can volunteer in your child’s classroom, the library, PTA events, etc. We have a huge need in all areas and your time will have a positive impact on your child’s school community. Another way to volunteer is through our lunchtime activities. The playground is a fun place at lunch, but kids like options. Here are just a few options organized and run by parents:

• Tinker Room -  Last year Erin Lindvall started a Tinker Room. It was a huge success. It started with students  tinkering with tools and taking things apart. It evolved into a design challenge process. Students designed and built a beautiful chair. The chair will be auctioned at our Fall Family Dinner.  
• School Newspaper - A school newspaper has already started. There were twenty-five enthusiastic journalists at this week’s meeting. Traci Robertson is looking for one or two parents to help.
• Game Room - The Game Room is a popular lunch place.  Kristin Escalle is seeking another parent’s help.
• Ping-Pong - We have four ping-pong tables. It would be great to make those available for students during lunch. We just need a ping-pong enthusiast to head that up.
• Chess Club - Students have been requesting a Chess Club. This could be the club for you!

Please contact me if you, or someone you know (we have many grandparents who volunteer), would be interested in getting involved. Together, we make Los Ranchos a great place to learn, grow and play!

Sincerely,

Marlie Schmidt

Upcoming Dates

• Picture Day, Thursday, September 15th
• Roadrunner Assembly:  Friday, September 16th at 8:45 a.m.
• Chalk Festival and Fall Family Dinner, Friday, September 23rd
• Hearing Screening for 1st/2nd/5th Gr and students with an IEP: Date change: Now Oct 10th
• Mark your Calendars for Walk-A-Thon on October 28, 2016

San Luis Obispo Symphony:

Los Ranchos Elementary (violin)

San Luis Obispo

Mondays 8:20-9:20am

The San Luis Obispo Symphony offers beginning instruction on the violin, viola and cello for students in 3rd-6th grade. Classes begin the week of September 12th and meet weekly for 30 sessions. Students are expected to commit for the entire school year. Classes meet each week on the days listed below and enrollment is open to students from all schools.

For information on instrument rentals, visit our website at www.slosymphony.org. Additional rentals are available from Shar Music (sharmusic.com), Antonio Violin (antonioviolin.com), and locally at Music

Motive or Grand Central. Symphony instruments are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be checked out for a rental fee of $65 for the entire school year. The instrument checkout date is Saturday, September 24th (sizing and more information will be given on the first day of class).

Tuition is $375 for the year ($12.50 per class), and it’s easy to enroll!

When you return this form, or register online, you will be contacted with further information. Partial

Grants are available, please visit slosymphony.org for details.

Students who participated in Strings in the Schools last year are eligible for SUPERBOWS!, a beginning string orchestra. For more information on SUPERBOWS! visit slosymphony.org or call 548-1583.

Sign up NOW!!!

ONLINE: Visit slosymphony.org to submit a form online

Fast and Easy!

BY MAIL: Complete this form and send a check by mail to the address on the flyer attached to the newsletter email.

Join the PTA

Our PTA  membership drive will run through Friday, September 30th.  Any class that reaches 80% or more in parents signing up to join the PTA will participate in a popsicle party on Friday, October 7th.  

Each classroom has an ice cream cone tracking outside their room which lists the percentage for each teacher. We will get weekly updates on our ice cream cones!  NEW this year . . PAY ONLINE!! https://squareup.com/store/LosRanchosElementaryPTA

Fall Family Dinner

NEW THIS YEAR!!  Fall Family Dinner tickets can also be purchased by credit card - visit the PTA Online Store at https://squareup.com/store/LosRanchosElementaryPTA.  Don't forget to include your student's Last Name and Teacher's Name in the Notes before you check out - this is how we keep track of your tickets!!

Please join us on Friday, September 23rd from 6:00-8:00 pm to celebrate the start of the new school year. We will be having a buffet style dinner with cider brined chicken, homemade mac-n-cheese, salad, and more that will be prepared by the chef at the Avila Valley Barn. Mu-sic entertainment will be provided by Kramer Events. Also, the 6th graders will be hosting a bake sale that night to raise money for the 6th grade outdoor school so bring some cash!

Don’t forget that you’ll be able to see your kids’ wonderful chalk art from the

Chalk Festival that evening!

Please fill out the form and return to the classroom or main office with

your check as soon as possible.

*NO PAPER TICKETS WILL BE ISSUED. YOUR NAME WILL BE ON THE LIST AT THE DOOR*

Any questions please call Jenny Quaglino at 805-441-4528 or email: jenny@quaglino.com

Newsletter September 2, 2016

Principal’s Message

Dear Friends and Families of Los Ranchos,

Thank you for your participation in Back to School Night. It was great to have so many parents present. Reading is, and always will be, a big focus for us. Developing a strong foundation in reading supports a student in all academic areas. I addressed the importance building daily reading time for independent reading Just Right books, and I know teachers also talked about it. A parent of a first grader recently told me that his son reads everyday, but he still prefers being read to. That is great. Keep that up in addition to independent reading. I encourage parents of older students to read aloud to their children. When children grow out of that I encourage parents to read the same books as their children. It can be a book club of two. There are excellent teen books that adults enjoy too. Most importantly, books become great vehicles to discuss difficult topics like drugs, alcohol, and bullying in a safe and comfortable way.

School safety is something we take very seriously. We also think about students getting to and from school safely. Many of our students ride the bus. I had an opportunity to ride #13 with 78 Los Ranchos students and their bus driver, Carmen. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We also have many students who ride their bikes to school. On any given day you can see a parade of bikes making their way to school. It is a lovely thing. Whether students walk, ride, or bus home we want them to always be safe, be responsible and be respectful. Thank you for reminding your children of these simple and important rules.    

Sincerely,

Marlie Schmidt

No School Monday, September 5th - Labor Day

Upcoming Dates

• Holiday: Monday, September 5th
• Picture Day, Thursday, September 15th
• Roadrunner Assembly:  Friday, September 16th at 8:45 a.m.
• Chalk Festival and Fall Family Dinner, Friday, September 23rd
• Hearing Screening for 1st/2nd/5th Gr and students with an IEP: Date change: Now Oct 10th

Join the PTA

Our PTA  membership drive will run through Friday, September 30th.  Any class that reaches 80% or more in parents signing up to join the PTA will participate in a popsicle party on Friday, October 7th.  

Each classroom has an ice cream cone tracking outside their room which lists the percentage for each teacher. We will get weekly updates on our ice cream cones!  NEW this year . . PAY ONLINE!! https://squareup.com/store/LosRanchosElementaryPTA

Clothing Donations:

At times, students come in the office in need of a change of clothing. If you have any gently used  clothes, especially shorts or sweatpants with elastic waistbands, we could use them in our office. We could also use new packs of underwear in children's sizes.

The office can also use unscented baby wipes and kleenex donations!

School Site Council Parents:

We are looking for a few parents to be on our School Site Council. This is a 2 year position in which you are part of a committee of parents, teachers and other staff members who review policies, how money is spent and other basic oversight duties.  We meet once a month in the office.  Please email Cherie Bruce at cbruce@slcusd.org if you are intersted.

Fall Family Dinner

NEW THIS YEAR!!  Fall Family Dinner tickets can also be purchased by credit card - visit the PTA Online Store at https://squareup.com/store/LosRanchosElementaryPTA.  Don't forget to include your student's Last Name and Teacher's Name in the Notes before you check out - this is how we keep track of your tickets!!

Please join us on Friday, September 23rd from 6:00-8:00 pm to celebrate the start of the new school year. We will be having a buffet style dinner with cider brined chicken, homemade mac-n-cheese, salad, and more that will be prepared by the chef at the Avila Valley Barn. Mu-sic entertainment will be provided by Kramer Events. Also, the 6th graders will be hosting a bake sale that night to raise money for the 6th grade outdoor school so bring some cash!

Don’t forget that you’ll be able to see your kids’ wonderful chalk art from the

Chalk Festival that evening!

Please fill out the form and return to the classroom or main office with

your check as soon as possible.

*NO PAPER TICKETS WILL BE ISSUED. YOUR NAME WILL BE ON THE LIST AT THE DOOR*

Any questions please call Jenny Quaglino at 805-441-4528 or email: jenny@quaglino.com

Help Our School Raise Money

Los Ranchos PTA provides critical funds which contribute to funding assemblies, transportation for field trips, field trips, teacher classroom grants, literacy programs, teacher professional development, technology equipment, library books, school supplies and much more. Although the WalkAThon is our main fundraiser, we do have other ways of raising funds throughout the year. Below are additional fundraising activities that contribute to the PTA.

• We count on  generous donations of companies. Sunrun is one of those companies.   Sunrun has agreed to donate $250.00 to our PTA for any family from Los Ranchos that gets solar through them. We have already received one donation. Thank you Sunrun!

• Box Tops for Education – For every Box Top we send in, we receive $.10 for our school from General Mills.Box Tops are found on the packaging of items you buy every day. No additional purchase necessary. Visit www.boxtops4education.com for coupons and additional ways to collect box tops for our school. Turn in your Box Tops to your child’s class or to the main office. Organizer Kiley Wellner kileysim@hotmail.com .

• AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to our school.

• Shoparoo — Snap pictures of your receipts from any store, big or small,that sells grocery items to earn Roo Points (cash donations) for your school. Whether you’re shopping at a supercenter, dollar store, or local convenience store it doesn’t matter where you shop or what items you

buy Shoparoo will make a cash donation for every receipt! Sign up at www.shoparoo.com . . Organizer, Tiffany Emry bongogme@gmail.com

• Holiday Boutique – Tuesday, December 13, 1:00pm - 4:30PM multipurpose room. Vendors donate a portion of their  sales to the PTA and many of the vendors are from our LR family. LuLaRoe, Mary Kay, and Jamberry are just a few of the vendors. Great for teacher or holiday gifts. Organizer Tiffany Emry bongogme@gmail.com .

• Ravine Day —Friday, June 9, 2017 (the day after school is out). PTA sells tickets to the Ravine Waterpark in Paso Robles. The Ravine donates $4.00 per ticket. Fun family way to celebrate the end of school!

Have an Idea? We are always looking for new and fun ways to raise funds. If you have any ideas

or suggestions please contact Jen Ross at jentross1@gmail.com .

Want to help or volunteer? Contact Kristen Escalle Kristin.gracia@ferguson.com.  We always

need parents or grandparents that have special skills to contribute.

Box Tops For Education

Classroom Challenge is back! The winning class for each challenge will win an ice cream sandwich party!

Clip Box Tops for Los Ranchos!

It’s easy to find Box Tops. In fact, you may have some in your home right now. Clip Box Tops from your favorite products and turn them into your class today!

Easy as 1 2 3!

1.Clip Box Tops-Don’t forget to check the expiration date and make sure it is visible!

2.Tape or glue clipped Box Tops to the collection sheet, envelope or put  in a sandwich bag. Please note, bonus certificates must be submitted separately.

3.Send completed sheets or bags to your child’s class or return them in the office with your students teacher’s name. For more information on Los Ranchos Box Top program, contact kileysim@hotmail.com. To see more ways to earn cash for our school go to BTFE.com

This is a Box Top!

Challenge due dates:

Challenge 1: October 28th

Challenge 2: February 24th

Challenge 3: June 1st

9/11 Commemoration:

The SLO County Chapter of the American Legion will commemorate this historic event

What: 9/11 Celebration

(no speakers - just Taps, flags, and recognition of this event in our history)

When: Sunday, September 11, 2016, 8:45 a.m. sharp

Where: Firestation #1 in SLO

Bring your family and friends to honor those who lost their lives.  

Principal’s Message

Dear Friends and Families of Los Ranchos,

We had a great first week. Teachers launched into activities to build classroom community, develop smooth routines and introduced the work of writers, readers, mathematicians and scientists. Students were excited to be back. First graders were especially excited to move up from kindergarten. Ben shared, “the best part of first grade is keeping my desk organized.”  Evelyn reflected, “I like doing my writing and reading at my desk.”  My favorite quote, however, came from a sixth grader.  “This was the best day of my life,” was his response to the first day of school.

We hope to see you at Back to School Night. It is next Wednesday, Aug. 31. Please see the times below.  Our YMCA will be offering childcare during Back to School Night. This is a critical opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, connect with the families in your child’s class and hear about all the great things going on at Los Ranchos!

Sincerely,

Marlie Schmidt

Back to School Night

August 31, 2016

schedule at a glance:

• TK - 3rd grade Presentations: 5:30 - 6:15 p.m., classrooms
• Whole School Welcome:  6:15  - 7:00 p.m., multi-purpose room
• 4th - 6th grade Presentations: 7:00 - 7:45 p.m., classrooms

This is a parent only event. The YMCA is offering child care, if you are interested. Link to Back to School Night Child Care Application

Upcoming Dates

• Back to School Night: August 31st 5:30pm-7:45pm
• Holiday: Monday, September 5th
• Picture Day, Thursday, September 15th
• Roadrunner Assembly:  Friday, September 16th at 8:45am
• Chalk Festival and Fall Family Dinner, Friday, September 23rd
• Hearing Screening for 1st/2nd/5th Gr and students with an IEP: Monday, September 26th

Student Safety

Please be extra cautious and careful during pick-up and drop off.  We have many new kinder students and parents dropping off for the first time. Plan on needing a little extra time. Remember that students getting picked up in the pick-up zone need to picked up at the curb. They will not be allowed to get in a car that is in the drive through area. Safety is a top priority.

School Site Council Parents:

We are looking for a few parents to be on our School Site Council. This is a 2 year position in which you are part of a committee of parents, teachers and other staff members who review policies, how money is spent and other basic oversight duties.  We meet once a month in the office.  Please email Cherie Bruce at cbruce@slcusd.org if you are intersted.

Counselor’s Corner

Greetings!  My name is Mary Kay Stratton and it is a pleasure to be here at Los Ranchos School for another school year.  Here’s a little bit of information about me.  I have worked in the SLCUSD for the past 23 years and am currently working at Teach, Bishop’s Peak, and Los Ranchos Elementary Schools.  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, and/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.  I hand out “passes” at morning recess and try to alternate the students each week.  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.  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.  

Lunch Program

If you would like to sign up for lunch EZ Pay or if you would like to see if your family qualifies for free and reduced lunches, please click on the link below to access the district web page.  We also have lunch forms available in the office.

Link to Food Service EZ Pay and Free and Reduced Lunch

Aug 22, 2016 Welcome Back Blog

Principal’s Message

Dear Friends and Families of Los Ranchos,

We had a great first day starting the new school year. Students arrived eager to reconnect with friends, classmates and teachers. The energy at the flagpole this morning was high. After the initial excitement, students found their way to their new rooms, met their teachers, shared summer stories and then they wasted no time by jumping into the new routines, expectations and learning of the new year. We are so lucky to have students that show up every day, even the first day, ready to engage socially and academically. Thank you for all that you do at home to make that possible at school.

I want to thank the PTA for hosting their Back to School Parent Coffee. We had a great turn out this year. The coffee offers a great time for reconnection for returning parents and a warm welcome and introduction to our school community for new parents.  

Back to School Night is coming up. Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, August 31. Important information will be presented by your child(ren)’s teacher, PTA will share about the many ways to get involved and it is a lovely time to connect with our school community. Our YMCA will be offering childcare during Back to School Night.

Sincerely,

Marlie Schmidt

.

Student Safety

Please be extra cautious and careful during pick-up and drop off.  We have many new kinder students and parents dropping off for the first time. Plan on needing a little extra time. Remember that students getting picked up in the pick-up zone need to picked up at the curb. They will not be allowed to get in a car that is in the drive through area. Safety is a top priority.

Upcoming Dates

Back to School Night schedule at a glance:

• TK - 3rd grade Presentations: 5:30 - 6:15 p.m., classrooms
• Whole School Welcome:  6:15  - 7:00 p.m., multi-purpose room
• 4th - 6th grade Presentations: 7:00 - 7: p.m., classrooms

End of Year Newsletter

Principal’s Message

Dear Friends and Families of Los Ranchos,

It is hard to believe that our school year has come to an end. There are many things to celebrate about this school year. Your children have worked hard and learned so much. Everyone is looking a year older and wiser. We've celebrated our sixth graders during these last few days. We have had the honor of sharing many years together. We look forward to hearing about their future accomplishments and adventures.  We will miss them.

But before you go, we have a summer challenge!  It is the Los Ranchos READ in 50 PLACES challenge! Every Kindergarten through 5th grader will receive a copy of the challenge page so they can record all the fun places they read over the summer. Summer is a great time to discover new authors, share books with friends and keep reading strong! Email  a picture of your child reading  to Cherie Bruce at cbruce@slcusd.org as soon as they read in 30 places. We will add his or her picture in the READ in 50 PLACES slideshow at the first assembly next year. We hope to see everyone’s picture on the slide show. Click On this link ...READ IN 50 PLACES SUMMER CHALLENGE

I wish you a relaxing and memorable summer vacation.

Sincerely,

Marlie Schmidt

Next Year's Dates

• First day of 2016-2017 School Year, August 22nd
• Holiday, September 5th
• Holiday, November 4th and November 11th
• Thanksgiving Break, November 21-25th
• Winter Break, December 23- January 6th
• Holidays, January 13 and January 16th
• Holidays, February 13 and February 20th
• Spring Break, April 17-21st
• Holiday, May 29th
• Last Day of 2016-2017, June 8th

Medication Reminder

DISPOSAL OF MEDICATION: On the last day of school, the office will be cleaning out the student medication drawer.  If your child has medication at school, please come by to pick it up. Due to safety regulations, we are unable to send medication home with a student. All medication remaining at the school site after the last day of school in June will be disposed of according to safety regulations.

Medications at school next year: A new Medication Consent Form will need to be completed and signed by your health care provider each new school year. Forms are available from the school secretary.