The Blazer Bulletin

Hello Trailblazers!

This week, many of our students participated in Hour of Code activities in honor of Computer Science Education Week. This event aims to introduce students to computer science, demonstrate that anyone can learn coding basics, and encourage broader participation in the field of computer science. Students had the opportunity to explore the PUSD Hour of Code Choice Board, learning about various coding platforms such as Kodable, Rodocodo, Code Monkey Jr., and Code.org.

We encourage you to ask your student about their coding experience and to show you what they learned!

Warmly,

Teri Heard

Your Very Proud Principal

December 17: Band/Orchestra Concert

December 19: First Grade Folk Dance Show

December 20: Community Gathering

December 23-January 5: District Recess

Thank you to all of our families who joined the North County Turkey Trot. As a result of this participation, Stone Ranch will receive $500 to use towards purchasing new playground equipment. We want to hear from our students and staff about what type of equipment you want us to purchase. Parents, you can help by sharing this short survey with your students.

Get ready to get in the holiday spirit. Our 5th grade students have been working hard all year to learn how to play either a band or orchestra instrument. They will have their first concert on Tuesday, December 17 in the MPR. Orchestra students will perform at 9am and Band students will perform at 11:20am. Parents are welcome and encouraged to come watch the performance. Our 3rd and 4th grade classes will also have the opportunity to watch one of the concerts.

Unfortunately, our Safety Patrol has reported increased levels of unsafe driving. We have parents disobeying traffic regulations, shouting at students, and causing potentially dangerous situations. Our Safety Patrol is comprised of 5th grade students. It is very difficult for them to have parents shout and ignore them. I am asking for your partnership in supporting our drop off and pick up process.

Please be our partners in ensuring safety during drop off and pick up. We simply ask you to adhere to the stop signs, pull all the way up in the bus/staff loop, and refrain from parking cars in the bus/staff loop areas. What seems like a minute for you to find your child, impacts the efficiency of the drop off/pick up process and causes potential hazards. Parents are encouraged to park in a designated parking spot if you need to get out of your car for any reason.

We appreciate your partnership in keeping our school a safe place!

As the holidays approach, we know that some families may be planning an extended absence. Please note that district policies allow for students to earn credit for missed days through an OCIS (off campus independent study) contract. This contract may be used for up to 15 days of absence. Please reach out to Mrs. Rubino, our Health Tech, if your child is planning on an extended absence and she can support you with the OCIS process. Mrs. Rubino's email is rrubino@powayusd.com.

Absences beyond 15 days have additional implications. It is very important that you reach out and communicate these absences with the school as soon as possible.

As the holiday season approaches, we are reminded of the importance of community, kindness, and supporting one another. At Stone Ranch, we recognize that this time of year can be especially challenging for some of our families. We have about 10 families on our campus that benefit from the support of the Giving Tree. In the spirit of giving, we are reaching out to ask for your help in making the holidays brighter for those in need within our school community.

Our “Giving Tree” is located in the front entryway. Please consider donating a gift card that will directly support families. The tree will have "ornamental leaves" with gift ideas or gift card amounts. You can simply select one of the "ornamental leaves" and return it with the designated item.

If your family is in need of support and you would like to receive help, please reach out to our school counselor, Ms. Nikki, via email. This is completely confidential. Our goal is to ensure that every child and family feels cared for and supported, no matter their circumstances.

Nouellette@powayusd.com

Thank you for your support and kindness,

Nikki Ouellette, School Counselor

If you have any photos from the Paper Family Picnic or from your child participating in Band or Orchestra, please share them with us in dropbox so this year's yearbook can be our best ever! Please upload your photos to the appropriate links:

2025 - Family Picnic

2025 - Band & Orchestra

Our Volunteers make SRES the amazing place that it is. Please share any pictures you have of yourself volunteering in class, the library, or other events to show how parents make a difference!

2025 - Volunteers

Ralph’s and the Kroger family have long supported schools in passive fundraising efforts but we need 5 minutes of your time to help us get a piece of the pie! This is an incredibly easy way to help us raise money for Stone Ranch! Up to 4% of your purchases come directly back to our school.

Even if you have done this in the past you will need to do this again! There are two easy ways to make this happen. The easiest way is to download the Ralphs app, sign up for an account or login to your account if you already have one. In the top right hand corner click the three little lines. A drop down menu will appear. Click “Rewards”, then click “Community Contributions” and search for our school. That’s it!

Alternatively, if you do not want to download the app, you may create an account on the Ralphs website and then follow these steps:

• Scroll to the bottom of the page

• Look under Community

• Click on Ralphs Community Rewards

• Under instruction Number 2 - Link your card to an Organization

• Go to Number 2 - Search for your Organization here (click Here)

• You may have to sign in again

• Search for Stone Ranch Elementary School PTA (organization number DB957)

• Add to your account

Every year during this season we put up a tree in the front office that is adorned with wish lists from children in PUSD. This year, Stone Ranch is committed to helping 9 children that are part of the Stone Ranch community. On the tree you will find apples, leaves and pumpkin pies that contain these wish lists as well as gift card options that can be used to support these children or other families in PUSD. Items will be put on the tree on Monday, December 2nd. Please come by the office starting December 3rd to pick an apple, leaf or pie and help us give back this season. All unwrapped items need to be returned to the front office no later than December 18th. Please contact presidentsres@gmail.com if you have any questions.

The Parent Ambassadors of PUSD's Special Education Department are offering a special holiday presentation to the families of students with special needs. Please share the following information with the families of your school site. We appreciate your support.

Knowledge & Network

Special Holiday Presentation

Tools to Find JOY in Your Family's Busy Seasons

Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 9:00-10:30 am

Make the holidays brighter and less stressful! Tina Campbell, Writer, and Chaos Coordinator will be speaking on the topic Tools to Find JOY in Your Family's Busy Seasons. Learning objectives include identifying the stressors and embracing the love of the season, obligations vs. celebrations, gift giving and receiving conversations, etc.

Please join us in person in the Community Room at the PUSD District Office, located at 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128, or on Zoom. Meeting ID: 539 621 4111 Passcode: 370586. Please RSVP here.

Please complete the free/reduced-price meal application! Although school meals are free for all students, the application for free and reduced-price meal eligibility is still very important. School funding depends in part on the number of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. If income-eligible families do not apply, we risk losing important educational funds for our school.

Students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals may also qualify for discounts on testing fees, before and after school care, and home internet! Income qualifications change annually, so a new application is needed every school year. For school year 2024-2025, children from a family of four are eligible if the total gross (pre-tax) household income is less than $4,810 per month, or less than $57,720 per year. Household income information is confidential and applying online is quick and easy. Apply online at MySchoolApps.com, or pick up a paper application in the

Nondiscrimination Philosophy and Policy Statement

The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is an equal opportunity employer/program and is committed to an active Nondiscrimination Program. PUSD prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, immigration status, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For more information, please contact: Title IX/Equity Compliance Officer, James Jimenez, Associate Superintendent of Personnel support Services, Poway Unified School District, 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128, 1-858-521-2800, extension 2121, jjimenez@powayusd.com. For students, you may contact Title IX Coordinator/504 Coordinator Jamie Dayhoff, Director of Attendance and Discipline, Poway Unified School District, 1-858-521-2840, jdayhoff@powayusd.com.

Stone Ranch Mission: To create an environment where each and every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to be their authentic self.

Principal email: theard@powayusd.com

Website: stoneranch.powayusd.com

Location: 16150 4S Ranch Parkway, San Diego, CA 92127

Phone: 858-487-8474