Eagle News 9/25/26

Posted Date: 09/25/26 (07:25 PM)

EAGLE NEWS

September 25, 2026

Principal Message

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL, ELAC, AND TITLE I

As we continue to build strong opportunities for family involvement at Rancho, I want to share a little more about two important groups at our school: School Site Council (SSC) and our English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC).

Our School Site Council is made up of parents, teachers, staff, and the principal. The SSC reviews school data, discusses school goals and priorities, and helps develop and monitor our School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).

The council also has an important role in reviewing how certain school funds are used to support student learning. This is a great opportunity for families to learn more about how decisions are made at Rancho and to have a voice in our school improvement work.

ELAC stands for English Learner Advisory Committee. ELAC provides an important opportunity for families of our multilingual learners to learn about our English learner programs and services, share their experiences and perspectives, and provide input about how we can best support our students as they develop English proficiency while continuing to grow academically.

This year, Rancho has also received Title I designation. Title I provides additional federal funding to schools to help ensure that all students have access to the academic support and resources they need to be successful. Before we begin our SSC and ELAC work for the year, we will hold a Title I Parent Meeting to explain what Title I means for Rancho, how these funds support our students, and the ways families can be involved.

School Site Council with be held next Tuesday 9/29 at 5:30 pm, following by ELAC at 6:30 pm.

Meeting link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MmUzNzI5ZmYtOGUwNS00YmMxLTk3MGYtMDAyNjdlMjcyYzU2%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%224b511717-2f82-494b-8875-fe193a35b825%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%228209c032-8960-4476-8db1-f4882f8838a3%22%7d

BRINGING BACK RANCHO TRADITIONS

We are beginning to bring back more of our Rancho flag traditions. I know there is a lot of Rancho history that I still have to learn! I look forward to listening to our longtime staff and families and bringing back some of the beloved traditions that help create a strong sense of community, pride, and belonging at Rancho.

Have a wonderful weekend with your families.

Warmly,

Anna Young

Principal

Rancho Softball - Join!

Starting in early October, IVC Marin Campus becomes a wonderful place where parents from various schools come together and play softball. Kids play various games under the bright lights together. Friendly faces laugh together, and all of this effort supports a great cause. All of the registration fees support School Fuel's various programs that directly fund our teachers’ and students' projects. We are looking for parents of all softball skill levels to join our team. If you would like to meet someone new at Rancho and play slow-pitch softball in a fun and slightly competitive tournament, register at:

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/novato-foundation-for-public-education/school-fuel-softball-tournament.

We are recruiting for men's and Women’s teams. If you have any questions or need guidance, please contact:

Theresa Rogoff, theresarogoff@gmail.com - Women’s Admin Manager

Brian Whitlow, brian@sfcard.org - Men’s Admin Manager

INVESTING IN STRONG READING INSTRUCTION

I am also excited to share that six of our Rancho educators are beginning professional development in Orton-Gillingham. Orton-Gillingham is a structured, systematic approach to teaching foundational reading skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, and spelling.

This training will continue to build our staff’s knowledge and skills around effective literacy instruction and provide additional tools for supporting students who need more targeted reading instruction. This work connects directly to our focus this year on strong literacy foundations, early identification of student needs, and providing targeted support so that all of our students can continue to grow as readers.

I am grateful for this partnership with MCOE that has made it possible for our teachers to participate through a grant that provide subs and PD costs.

Lost and Found

We have moved our Lost and Found to the front of the school. We will bag up any clothes left there at the end of the month.

After another month, we will donate the items left for 2 months.

We routinely check for names in clothing and water bottles and return directly to the child's classroom. Any clothing there now, is not labeled. Please remember to label your child's clothing and items so we can return them.

Thank you!

No Dogs Allowed on Campus

Friendly reminder - there are no dogs allowed on campus. Please do not bring a dog for pick up or drop off.

Rancho Riders!

Track approximately how far and how often your kid rides to

or from school.

Submit about monthly to

rancho.riders.novato@gmail.com

Kids receive buttons for total mileage and daily

achievements at Friday Flag every couple of months.

From Our Nurse - Nosebleeds

NOSEBLEED PREVENTION

You can prevent epistaxis (nosebleeds) by keeping your nasal passages moist and avoiding

physical irritation to the inside of the nose.

Daily Habits to Prevent Nosebleeds

• Moisturize the nose: Use an over-the-counter saline nasal spray or apply a thin layer of

petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) or an antibiotic ointment gently to the inside of your

nostrils using a cotton swab.

• Humidify the air: Run a cool-mist humidifier in your bedroom to add moisture to dry

indoor air, especially during winter months.

• Blow gently: Avoid blowing your nose too forcefully or repeatedly.

• Stop picking: Keep your fingers out of your nose, and trim children's fingernails short to

prevent accidental scratching.

• Quit smoking: Tobacco smoke dries out and irritates the delicate lining inside your nose.

Protection and Safety

• Sneeze safely: Sneeze through an open mouth rather than a pinched nose to reduce

sudden pressure in the nasal cavity.

• Wear gear: Use protective headgear and face masks during contact sports or activities

with a high risk of facial injury.

Picture Day!

Picture Day is October 13 and October 14, 2026

We need about 4 volunteers each day to help make sure classes arrive on time, stay in the order they need to be in, and help make sure student hair is combed and they look their best.

If you would like to volunteer either day for any amount of time, please contact Lisa Casey at lcasey@nusd.org.

Picture days run from about 8:45am to noon both days.

Thank you for volunteering!

Staff Parking Lot

All the parking spots labeled "Staff" are for staff only from 7:30 - 3:30. Please honor our staff by leaving them a spot to park, so they can being their work with your children. There are 6 unmarked spots near the entrance of the school for guests. Thank you!

Morning Walks

I've flipped the switch again, sorry for any confusion: students should keep their bags on and not go to their classrooms when they first arrive on campus (we had too many kids running in the halls, and touching other people's things.)

Please join your child for morning walk - families are welcome!

Students are supervised starting at 8:25 am.

Attendance Information!

We've noticed an uptick in tardies and absences lately. Everyday counts, and every minute matters! Thank you for helping your student arrive at school on time and ready to learn. We truly appreciate your students' regular attendance. We love having our Rancho Eagles here!

Also, looking ahead, please take a moment to review our official Novato Unified School District Calendar and work to plan family vacations during scheduled school breaks, which include November 23 - 27, 2026, December 21, 2026 - January 4, 2027, February 15 - 19, 2027 and April 5 - 9, 2027. NUSD School Calendar 2026-2027

Having your students here each day makes a big difference. We love seeing them learning and growing with us. Thank you for being here and for your continued support!

If your student will be absent, please let us know each day by using one of the following options:

Scan the QR Code Below
Use the Absence Link: Click HERE
Call the Attendance Line: (415) 897-9082
Email: byaeger@nusd.org

Volunteer Information

In order to volunteer at Rancho, please complete these requirements. There are more requirements for field trips and drivers.

Here is what I need:

Watch this video
Log that you watched it here
Proof of Identification: e.g., Driver’s License or Passport
Volunteer Application
TB Clearance

Parent Volunteer Yard Supervisor

School Directory

You can find a lot of information on Parent Square, include our school directory. You will find it among other helpful links. Pic attached to indicate the links you can find.