Welcome Back!
Let's Get Rolling, 2024 - 2025!
Superintendent's Message
Hello El Rancho Families!
As the new school year approaches, I hope you’re as excited as we are for what lies ahead! I trust your summer has been filled with joy, relaxation, and precious moments with loved ones. Whether you spent the break on adventures or simply savoring quiet time at home, I hope it was a season of renewal and happiness.
With the start of the school year, we’re brimming with enthusiasm and anticipation. We are eager to welcome our students back and embark on a journey of discovery, growth, and achievement together.
To our returning students, welcome back! We can’t wait to see what you’ll achieve this year. To our new students, we extend a warm welcome and look forward to getting to know you. And to our dedicated teachers and staff, thank you for your hard work and commitment to creating a positive and supportive learning environment.
We are thrilled to introduce our new vision: “Inspiring Learners to Thrive in an Ever-Changing World”, and our new mission: “We Create Opportunities for Growth and Success.” These guiding principles reflect our commitment to nurturing and empowering every student, ensuring that our educational environment inspires all students to strive for excellence.
Together, we can build a school community that is inclusive, inspiring, and empowering. Let’s embrace new challenges, support one another, and strive for excellence in all that we do.
I encourage each of you to come to school with a curious mind, an open heart, and a determination to succeed. Let’s make this the best school year yet!
Welcome back! Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
Sincerely,
Dr. Marco Villegas
Proud Superintendent of El Rancho Unified School District
Announcing our New Vision & Mission Statements
Strategic Planning sessions with students, parents, staff, Board Members, union representatives, school principals, and district administrators.
Taking this feedback into account, the strategic planning committee has formulated an updated vision and mission statement that mirrors the district's fundamental values and ambitions for student achievement.
Attendance Matters!
Did you know...? Why Daily Attendance Matters:
Missed Lessons = Falling Behind: Even one day can mean missing critical instructions and activities, making it harder for your child to catch up.
Impact on Future Success: Consistent attendance is a strong predictor of academic achievement and future opportunities.
Building Resilience: Regular attendance teaches your child the value of perseverance and responsibility—essential skills for success in life.
Stronger Friendships: Daily presence helps your child develop and sustain friendships, which are crucial for emotional and social development.
Healthy Routine: Attending school every day establishes a stable routine, promoting better mental and physical health.
Meet Our New Staff
Dr. Janet Alonso
Principal, El Rancho Education Center
Dr. Erin Andrade-Lopez
Shirley Lugo
Principal, Rio Vista Elementary
Kathryn Adame
El Rancho High School
Aeries Data Confirmation is now open!
New Playgrounds
Our new playgrounds are a dream come true! Designed with every child in mind, it's a place for laughter, learning, and endless fun.
Graduating Classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027
The El Rancho Unified School District is committed to the vision of “Inspiring learners to thrive in an ever-changing world.” Our goal is for each student to graduate with the skills to be ready for life and that their educational experiences will empower them to pursue a variety of post-secondary options. The path to a successful high school experience includes understanding the graduation requirements. This past June, our ERUSD school board approved the addition of a three-year science requirement for graduation; this requirement replaces the previous two-year science requirement. This new graduation requirement will begin with the Class of 2028, our current 9th grade class. We believe three-years of science will benefit our students by improving science literacy, increasing college and career readiness and fostering innovation and creativity.
Graduating Classes of 2028 and beyond
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SAFETY REMINDERS
El Rancho Unified School District is committed to providing students, staff, and visitors a safe , welcoming environment. Here are a few conversation ideas for you and your students to have before school begins:
School Zone Driving Safety Tips 🚗
- Be on the lookout for school zone signals and ALWAYS obey the speed limits.
- When entering a school zone, be sure to slow down and obey all traffic laws.
- Always stop for school busses that are loading or unloading children.
- Watch out for school crossing guards and obey their signals.
- Be aware of and watch out for children near schools, bus stops, sidewalks, in the streets, in school parking lots, etc.
- Never pass other vehicles while driving in a school zone.
- Never change lanes while driving in a school zone.
- Never make U-Turns while driving in a school zone.
- Never text while driving in a school zone.
- Avoid using a cell phone, unless it is completely hands-free, while driving in a school zone.
- Unless licensed to do so, never use handicap or emergency vehicle lanes or spaces to drop off or pick up children at school.
Walking to School 🚶🏻♀️
- Leave early enough to arrive at school at least 10 minutes prior to the start of school.
- Use the same route every day and never use shortcuts.
- Go straight home after school. Do not go anywhere else without permission.
- Always use public sidewalks and streets when walking to school.
- Demonstrate traffic safety awareness and pick the safest route between your home and the school and practice walking it with your children.
- Try and walk to school with other students. There is strength in numbers.
- Teach your children to recognize and obey traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings.
- Only cross streets at designated crosswalks, street corners and traffic controlled intersections.
- Always look both ways before crossing the street and never enter streets from between obstacles like parked cars, shrubbery, signs, etc.
- Always walk and never run across intersections.
- Avoid talking to strangers. Teach your children to get distance between themselves and anyone who tries to approach or make contact with them.
- If a stranger does approach your child, make sure they know to immediately report the incident to you or a teacher.
- Teach your children to never get into a vehicle with anyone, even if they know them, without your permission.
You are always welcome to our schools! 😀
Safety is our number one priority. During the school day, our exterior doors will be locked. If you visit, please push the call button on the gray rectangular box located on the front of the building next to the main set of doors. An indicator will flash, and you will be able to communicate with staff and you will be buzzed into the office. Once inside, you will need to provide photo identification.
Thank you for making it a habit to have your identification with you every time you visit!