Happy Friday, Rancho Families!
As we head into the weekend and look ahead to next week, here are a few important reminders to help everything run smoothly:
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Gear Up for Rainy Weather: Wet weather is on the way! Please send your students to school with rain jackets, umbrellas, and appropriate footwear so they stay warm and dry throughout the day.
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Label Everything: With extra layers and rain gear coming to campus, our Lost and Found fills up fast. Please take a quick moment this weekend to write your child’s name inside all jackets, sweatshirts, and sweaters so we can easily return them if they get left behind.
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12:45 PM Dismissal All Next Week: Just a reminder that every day next week is a 12:45 PM dismissal.
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Plan Ahead for Pick-Up Traffic: Because all students will be dismissing at the exact same time, combined with the rainy weather, we are expecting heavier traffic around campus. Please allow yourselves a little extra time for pick-up, drive carefully, and bring a little extra patience as we get everyone home safely.
Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support in making Rancho such a great place to learn and grow. Thank you to our community for coming to our community meetings this week - including the in-person update this morning after Friday Flag. I appreciate all the feedback and input from our families. Have a safe, cozy weekend, and we will see everyone on Monday!
Warmly,
AnnaMaria Young
Principal
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Understanding the Budget Reduction Process: How California Funds Schools, and What It Means for Your Student
California sets each district’s funding by formula, based largely on student attendance. Novato relies on the state for about 87.5% of its budget. Some Marin districts collect more in local property taxes than the formula provides and keep those additional funds, but Novato does not. State funding hasn’t kept pace with inflation or with rising costs for salaries, pensions and insurance.
As a result, the District must make $6.5 million in ongoing reductions starting in 2027–28, roughly 65 to 70 positions. Areas that could be affected include:
- Course offerings and class sizes
- All District libraries
- Counseling and wellness staff
- Signature program offerings such as MSA, STEM Marin and Dual Immersion
No decisions have been made. The Board of Trustees will discuss proposed reductions starting at its meeting on Tuesday, Nov 17.
The bottom line: Every school and every student could feel the impact.
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Meet Miss Jessica!
Miss Jessica is in her seventh year at Rancho and her fifth year as our Library Media Specialist. She loves getting to know students across all grade levels, helping them discover new books and series, and watching their love of reading grow. Her connection to Rancho began in 2016 when she joined the community as a parent. Both of her daughters attended Rancho, making it especially meaningful to now serve as a staff member at a school that has played such an important role in their lives. Originally from the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts, she also spent time living in Hawaii before making California home. Miss Jessica is a very proud mom of two daughters, who are the most important people in her life. Outside of school, much of her time is spent being a cheer and dance mom, cheering on her daughters at NHS Varsity Cheer and Love2Dance All-Stars. She's also a member of the Love2Dance "Parent Posse" dance team, which competes at Dance Nationals each year! When she's not at a practice, performance, or competition, she enjoys going to the movies, brunch, and happy hours with friends. Some of her favorite things include Starbucks vanilla lattes, bubbles at brunch, perfectly cooked bacon, the smell of gardenias, and beautiful Hawaiian beaches. She also loves good food, good friends, and laughing so hard her belly hurts! A fun fact: she taught herself to recite the alphabet backward as a child—a talent that unexpectedly comes in handy in the elementary school library!
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Meet Melissa Williams!
Melissa Williams is in her fifth year at Rancho and brings 22 years of teaching experience to her role as a kindergarten teacher. She loves working with Rancho’s newest students and their natural curiosity about the world. One of her favorite parts of teaching is helping kindergarteners begin their reading journeys and cheering them on as they discover new skills and celebrate their successes. Outside of school, Melissa enjoys spending time outdoors with her three children and their dog, Harley. Their family loves hiking, sports, beach days, and long summer camping trips—all squeezed into one van! An avid reader, Melissa's idea of a perfect rainy day is curling up on the couch with a latte and a good book. Her family also enjoys watching competitive cycling, especially the Visma Lease-a-Bike team, and cheering on their favorite soccer team, Arsenal!
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Accessing Your Child’s ELPAC Score Reports Please note that the district no longer mails paper copies of ELPAC score reports home. Instead, you can view and download official PDF copies of Initial and Summative ELPAC scores anytime in the Aeries Parent Portal by going to Test Scores > State Test Scores Reports.
For students who continue to be identified as English Learners, the district also sends an annual digital notification at the start of each school year via the ELLEVATION Family Communication portal (which includes your child's last two Summative ELPAC scores). Paper copies are only mailed if a digital notice cannot be delivered due to missing contact information.
Need help logging into Aeries or accessing your child's report? Please reach out! We are happy to help!
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Every grade level at Rancho has a parent-led WhatsApp group to help families connect and stay in the loop all year long. Use your grade's chat to ask questions, share event photos, coordinate meetups, and get to know other parents. Join your grade-level group today—strong school communities start with connected families! |
Help Your Family Navigate E-Bike Safety: Two Free Virtual Events
Have a young e-bike rider—or considering an e-bike for your child? Join these free online events for parents and caregivers to learn more about youth riding safety.
The Caring Parent: Raising Safer Riders in the E-Bike Age
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 | 5:30–6:30 p.m. Pacific
E-bike safety expert Beth Black will discuss how social media and marketing influence young riders and family purchasing decisions, with practical strategies to help caregivers guide safer choices. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation available.
A Parent’s Guide to E-Bike Safety for Youth
Thursday, December 3, 2026 | 7 p.m. Pacific
Join an interactive workshop with certified bicycle instructors from Sonoma County Safe Routes to School to better understand e-bikes and support youth safety. Presented by Sonoma County Safe Routes to School and the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition. Workshop presented in English.
Both events are free. Please register separately for each event you wish to attend and learn more on the Safe Routes E-Bike Resources page.
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Building Bridges: Rancho and Novato High AVID
We are excited to welcome AVID students from Novato High School to Rancho each week! Sophomores and Juniors alternate weekly visits, spending time with our Eagles in a variety of meaningful ways. From supporting classroom centers and reading with students to helping in the library, playing together at recess, and more, these high school students are wonderful role models for our younger learners.
This ongoing partnership provides valuable opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and building relationships across grade levels. We love seeing these connections grow and are grateful for the strong sense of community between Rancho and Novato High School!
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Three Rancho students (Arora Howard, Bailey Manuel, and Rosetta Jordan) were members of the 2026 Novato City Soccer Championship winning Goal'n Girls team. Congratulations! |
Rancho Elementary School Makeup Day
Monday - 11am
Makeup Day: 11/16/2026
This is the last opportunity for individual portraits this year.*
Missed Photo Day?
Students who were absent on the original Photo Day are on the Makeup Day list and will be photographed at no charge. This is their first session. Only students on the Makeup Day list can be photographed.
*Retakes are available for $10 through your student's online gallery until midnight before Makeup Day. Your student's original portrait gallery selections were provided at no cost; the $10 covers a brand-new photo session. High school students can also pay on-site with a QR code. If your student can't attend after paying, email CustomerSupport@MugsyClicks.com for a refund.
Your School Page
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On Wednesday, November 18, students across Marin will celebrate Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day—honoring the courage of a six-year-old girl whose walk to school helped change history.
Gather your friends, classmates, and families and walk & roll together in a celebration of kindness, courage, community, and inclusion.
Our fall theme continues: Community + Consistency. Every trip together strengthens our school community—and every positive habit starts with one step.
El miércoles 18 de noviembre, los estudiantes de todo Marin celebrarán el Día de Caminar a la Escuela en Honor a Ruby Bridges, recordando la valentía de una niña de seis años cuyo camino a la escuela ayudó a cambiar la historia.
Reúne a tus amigos, compañeros de clase y familiares para caminar o ir sobre ruedas juntos en una celebración de la bondad, la valentía, la comunidad y la inclusión.
Nuestro tema de otoño continúa: Comunidad + Constancia. Cada recorrido que hacemos juntos fortalece nuestra comunidad escolar, y cada hábito positivo comienza con un primer paso.
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Rainy Day & Outdoor Recess Info
With a wet winter ahead, we want to share a quick update on how we handle outdoor play. Our goal is always to get students outside for fresh air as much as possible.
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Outdoor Play Guidelines: Unless it is actively raining, students will be playing outside during recess and lunch.
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Equipment Maintenance: Our staff will do our best to wipe down benches and playground equipment so students can play safely.
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Extra Clothes: You are always welcome to stash a fresh, dry set of clothes (including socks) in your child's backpack just in case they get wet or muddy while playing.
Thank you for helping us keep our students warm, dry, and active this winter!
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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
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Upcoming TK/K Tour Dates are:
Wednesday, December 2 at 11:00am
Wednesday, January 6 at 9:30am
Wednesday, February 3 at 11:00am
Wednesday, March 3 at 9:30am
Please secure a spot with Lisa Casey at lcasey@nusd.org. We do ask that only adults attend the tours.
Also, do you have a new student who will be attending either TK or Kindergarten for the 2026-27 school year? Registration opens on November 1. You will be able to register at nusd.org beginning then.
If your student is currently in TK, you do not need to register for Kindergarten. Your student will roll over into the next grade.
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11/16 - Picture Day Make Up 11 am
All Week - Parent Teacher Conferences
11/16 - PTA General Meeting 6:30pm
11/23 - 11/27 - Thanksgiving Break
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THANK YOU to
Forrest & Charlie Gay
for assembling Principal's new conference room chairs!
THANK YOU Tom Jordan and the STEAM night volunteers!
Thank you to Sasha Vargas for a great Parcel Tax parent meeting.
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If your student will be absent, please let us know by doing one of the following:
- Scan the QR Code
- Use the absence link - CLICK HERE
- Call the Attendance Line: (415) 897-9082
- email Brandi Yaeger: byaeger@nusd.org
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