It was a short but eventful week! 😉
Our students have started completing their baseline assessments, and our mCLASS results are ready for teachers to begin using. Baseline assessments are one way we measure growth and help us understand what students know and which skills may need additional support.
One thing I really appreciate about our master schedule at Rancho is our dedicated Universal Access (UA) time. During UA, teachers provide targeted small-group instruction without students missing core classroom learning. We also have a reading interventionist and ELD paraeducator who support reading and English language development.
Our English Learners, or multilingual learners, are assessed annually to measure their progress in English language acquisition. Rancho has a strong rate of students who are reclassified as fluent English proficient. Being bilingual, and sometimes trilingual, truly is a superpower!
I also want to share a little about my philosophy around student behavior and discipline.
When an incident is significant or we see a concerning pattern, it is important that we document it and communicate with families. At the same time, I believe behavior is communication and behavior serves a purpose. Our responsibility is not simply to respond to a mistake, but to help children understand it, learn from it, repair harm when needed, and make a better choice next time.
Children are learning so much about themselves, their emotions, friendships, and boundaries. Sometimes a child may make a choice that seems completely out of character. They may be trying something they have seen or heard or simply not yet have the skills to manage a big feeling or situation.
Mistakes are opportunities for learning. Acknowledging a mistake does not need to come with shame. When harm occurs, we acknowledge it, work to repair it, and help children move forward. Thank you for modeling for your children that we can take responsibility for our actions, repair mistakes, and continue to grow.
Ultimately, we all want the same thing for every Rancho Eagle: for our children to learn, grow, thrive, and become kind, responsible, and respectful members of their community.
Thank you for trusting us to care for and guide your children and for working alongside us. It truly takes all of us. 💜🦅
AnnaMaria Young
Principal
