AUGUSTA RANCH’S RATTLER NEWS

January, 2015 Principal: Mr. Michael Hansen Dean of Students: Mrs. Mulliken Dear Augusta Ranch Families, The second semester is already two weeks in and we have a great deal of exciting events on the horizon. On Thursday January 22nd we are having our annual Bingo Night at 6:15pm. For those of you who have signed up we look forward to seeing you there.

On Saturday January 24th from 8am-12pm Gilbert Public Schools is hosting its first annual Education and Technology Expo at Gilbert High School. This is your opportunity to come and explore all the different educational opportunities that Gilbert schools have to offer.

On Saturday, February 28th from 11am-2pm we will be having our Spring Carnival. Please save the date on your calendars and come join us for a day of amazing fun as well as supporting Augusta Ranch.

I am proud to be the Interim Principal of Augusta Ranch. I would like to thank everyone for being so welcoming and making me feel like part of the family. I hope you have a great three day weekend and take the time to relax and spend time with your family and friends.

Please feel free to contact me with any concerns that I can help assist with.

Mike Hansen

EDUCATION & TECHNOLOGY EXPO January 24th 8am – 12pm Gilbert High School, Tiger Hall

Please Join us for the 1st Annual…… Find out why Gilbert Public Schools should be your FIRST choice in education. Our 41 schools will showcase their outstanding programs. We’ll answer your questions about Pre-K programs and Kindergarten registration. Plus, meet the new leaders at GPS and join the Q&A session with Dr. Kishimoto. We will also have experts on-hand to help you navigate Infinite Campus. There will be food trucks on-site and a fun photo booth. You can enter to win a Chromebook! Log on to our website or Facebook page for details.

IMPORTANT NOTICE CONCERNING 3 RD GRADE STUDENTS: ARS § 15-701 Move on When Reading

Arizona has implemented an innovative new policy that will create multiple opportunities for 3rd grade students to master reading at the grade level. Students who score Falls Far Below on the AIMS reading test may be retained in the 3rd grade to meet the rigorous reading standards set forth in the Arizona English Language Arts Standards. The law does provide for exemptions under certain circumstances. Those include students who have disabilities and did not take the AIMS test; those who are English Language Learners or Limited English Proficient and have received less than two years of English instruction; and cases in which a district or charter governing board approves a parent’s request. The law will provide for extended time, intervention and remedial strategies for students who are not promoted. Those include providing summer school reading instruction; requiring the student to be assigned to a different teacher for reading instruction; online reading instruction; and intensive reading instruction during the following academic year either before, during or after the regular school day.

Special Education Parent Council Representative

Jessica Anderson is our Special Education Parent Council Representative for Augusta Ranch Elementary. She’s here to help parents navigate the IEP process, answer any questions or concerns about Special Education classrooms, and help build the relationship between your child's teacher and you as a parent.

The mission for Special Education Parent Council is "To help our parents be effective advocates for their children" with the vision of "To be an organization that supports our special education community by providing information, training, and support for administrators, teachers, and families.” If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything please feel free to email her at [email protected]

Gilbert Public Schools wants you to know…

The Special Education Policies and Procedures can be accessed via the District Website by copying and pasting the following link: http://www.gilbertschools.net/cms/lib3/AZ01001722/Centricity /Domain/238/procedural-safeguards-07-2013.pdf

Parking around Augusta Ranch neighborhoods…

We understand that parking is at a minimum especially when dropping off and/or picking up students. Please do not block a driveway in our neighborhoods. It is not only illegal to block an exit but it is inconsiderate of the home owners.

Augusta Ranch Park:

For the safety of our students, we will resume locking the park gates from 8:30am-9:00am and 3:30pm-4:00pm Monday through Friday on regular school days. (PLC afternoons it will be locked from 2:30pm 3:00pm.) Parking within the park to drop off or pick up students is not permitted. If you park in this lot, please know the gates will not be unlocked until 9:00am and then again at 4:00pm.

Thank you for your cooperation.

12:40pm

Release

ADK - 6th Grade

March 6 May 21        

EXCITING UPCOMING EVENTS

January 19 - Martin Luther King Day (No school) January 23 - Neon Day January 28 - Smoothie Day January 30 - Jersey Day February 6 – Twin Day February 13 – Wear Red and Pink February 16 – President’s Day (No school) February 25 – Smoothie Day

Release @ 2:40pm ADK - 6th Grade

January 21 * January 28 February 4 * February 11 * February 18 * February 25 March 18 * March 25 April 1 * April 8 * April 15 * April 22 * April 29 May 6 * May 13

A Dose of News from our Health Office

Maria Rivard, RN Nicki Scarlett, Medical Asst.

Cold / Flu / Virus Season has arrived!

Remember!

Sick children stay home to rest, hydrate and get well.

Remember!

Continue to send your students with water bottles, provide them with nourishing meals, make sure they are washing their days away prior to bed, and are getting plenty of much needed rest to keep that immune system in tip top shape. (Please do not share water bottles.)

Remember!

To teach them to cover their cough, wash hands frequently especially after blowing their adorable little noses.

Remember!

District policy states any student with a temperature over 101.0 must be sent home, and must be fever free for 24 hours without the help of antipyretics (such as Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen).

Remember!

District policy states any student who has vomited or experience and episode of diarrhea must stay home and be symptom free for 24 hours without the help of anti-diarrheal and/or stomach aids.

Augusta Ranch Elementary PTSO 2014-2015 Welcome Back, Rattlers!

Visit the Augusta Ranch Elementary PTSO webpage: http://www.augustaranchptso.com/ Check out the district facebook page

www.facebook.com/gpsdistr ict