AUGUSTA RANCH’S RATTLER NEWS August 2013

1. Principal: Ms. Kreitzer Dean of Students: Mrs. Mulliken AUGUSTA RANCH’S RATTLER NEWSAugust 2013 Principal’s Note WELCOME BACK TO THE RANCH We hope that you all had a wonderful and restful summer. The staff and I were busy preparing for the return of all of our students and teachers were busy decorating their classrooms and preparing the curriculum and lesson plans. We have added Mrs. Abel and Ms. Goins to our Kindergarten Team, Ms. Nikolaus to our 2nd Grade team and Mrs. Harvey and Ms. Downey to our Special Education team. We are excited to have them at Augusta. We have two teachers that moved grade levels this year, Mrs. Quick will be teaching 2nd grade and Ms. Krein will be teaching 5th grade. We said goodbye to Mr. Barletta, Mrs. King, Ms. Cox, Ms. Janosik, Ms. Gorman and Mrs. Paez. We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors! We are looking forward to a great year and we are all anxious to see our Augusta Ranch students and listen to their summer stories! Gilbert Public Schools Mission and Vision Ensure exemplary education that inspires excellence and success within every learner. World-Class Teachers World-Class Education World-Class Graduates

2. IMPORTANT NOTICE CONCERNING 3RD GRADE STUDENTS: ARS§15-701 Move on When Reading Beginning in the school year 2013-2014, Arizona will implement 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.

3. Gilbert Public Schools wants you to know…The Special Education Policies and Procedures are available for review on the District Websitewww.gilbertschools.net 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 someone’s driveway in our Augusta Ranch neighborhoods. It is not only illegal to block an exit but it is inconsiderate of the homeowner(s). Thank you for your cooperation. BAND & STRING INSTRUMENTSPlease help us by encouraging your students to be responsible by remembering their own Band or String instruments. It’s very important that you label the instrument case with your student’s name.A lot of unnecessary time is being taken away from class instruction for students to call home or to come to the office topick them up. Calls home will no longer be allowed and the office will not be storing them for student pick up.

4. EARLY RELEASE DATES / TIMES Release @ 2:40pmADK - 6th Grade August 14* August 21 * August 28 September 4 * September * 11 September 18 * September 25 October 23 * October 30 November 6 * November 13 * November 20 * November 27 December 4 * December 11 January 8 * January 15 * January 22 * January 29 February 5 * February 12 * February 19 * February 26 March 19 * March 26 April 2* April 9 * April 16 * April 23 * April 30 May 7 * May 14 Release @ 12:40pm ADK - 6th Grade October 4 October 17 & 18 December 20 March 7 May 22 • EXCITING UPCOMING EVENTS • September 16-20 • Book Fair September 17 & 18 • Fall Pictures (Retakes 10/23) • September 26 Reading Night 6:00-7:00pm • Sept 30-Oct 2 Science Camp • October 17-18 Parent/Teacher Conferences • October 23-31 Red Ribbon Week • October 24 Sock Hop 6:00pm-7:30pm • October 29 4th Gr. Recorder Concert 3:00pm

5. A Dose of News from our Health OfficeMaria Rivard, RN Becky Sutton, Health Asst. • We trust everyone is ready for a year of exceptional education! • Please take a moment to peruse the Health Services area of the Gilbert Schools website found by going to www.gilbertschools.net, Departments, Health Services. There you will find district policy regarding medication administration, screenings, immunization and illness. • Please ensure your student is properly hydrated, (water bottles are encouraged), and light colored clothing along with sunscreen is recommended during the hot months. • Flip-Flops!!! … We support sending an inexpensive, “just in-case” set of flip-flops in your student’s backpack, they are lightweight and will save busy parents a trip to school in the unfortunate event of a broken shoe. In addition, the health office accepts donations to our limited supply. • Here’s to a year of health and safety for our lil’ Rattler’s! As a side note, we will be starting our hearing and vision screenings. All grades will be participating. Please do not hesitate to contact the health office if you have questions.

8. Augusta Ranch Elementary PTSO 2013-2014Welcome Back, Rattlers! Visit the Augusta Ranch Elementary PTSO webpage: http://www.augustaranchptso.com/