El Rancho Charter School

Monday-Wednesday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Thursday 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Friday 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome to a new school year! As we embark on this exciting adventure together, I would like to introduce our school’s theme: "Something for Everyone." This theme reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive and engaging environment where every student can discover their passions, develop their talents, and thrive both academically and personally.

We recognize that every student is unique, with different interests, strengths, and dreams for the future. That’s why we’ve worked diligently to offer a diverse range of academic and elective courses designed to meet the varied interests and needs of our student body. Whether you’re drawn to the arts, technology, or physical activities, there’s truly something for everyone at El Rancho.

In addition to our wide array of electives, we are also proud to offer comprehensive support programs like Homework Club, Math Academy, and Tutorial. These programs are designed to provide extra help where it’s needed, ensuring that every student has the resources to succeed. Homework Club offers a structured environment where students can complete assignments with guidance, while Math Academy focuses on reinforcing math skills and concepts in a supportive setting, and our Tutorial sessions provide targeted assistance across various subjects. These supports are just one more way we are committed to helping our students reach their full potential.

As we begin the 2024-2025 school year, I encourage you to think about what excites you, what challenges you, and what you’re passionate about. Our goal is to ensure that each and every one of you finds a place where you can grow, learn, and be your best self. We are dedicated to making sure our students feel seen, valued, and supported throughout their educational experience. It is our hope to inspire a lifelong love of learning while equipping you with the skills needed to succeed in an ever-evolving world.

Let’s make this year one of exploration, discovery, and achievement. I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you will accomplish!

Sincerely,

Michele Walker

Executive Director

This weekend we celebrate Labor Day! Campus will be closed on Monday, September 2nd.

TUTORIAL STARTS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH!

On each Wednesday and Thursday, we have Tutorial for 30 minutes before lunch. Students should use this time to make up tests, complete missing assignments, and get help from teachers when needed.

Students who are stamped by their teacher must attend that tutorial session. If stamped by multiple teachers, the subject that has priority that day takes precedence.

Students who have C grades or better, are not stamped by a teacher, and do not have any detention stamps, can go to PE, the Little Theater, or Library to complete homework. It is the student's responsibility to check their grades prior to Tutorial.

Students have a 5-minute passing period to get to their tutorial room. Once students arrive at their Tutorial destination, they stay there for the entire 30 minutes. Please use the menu below to make a plan for this week!

Travel from class to class to meet your child's teachers and learn about course expectations and curriculum.

Save the Date! Back to School Night will be Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

After-school programs are held Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 2:50 pm to 3:50 pm. Students are expected to stay for the entire hour.

Homework Club in the Library

Math Academy in Room 306

There will be an informational meeting on my PE numbers at nutrition on Thursday, 8/29.

Boys’ tryouts will be Tuesday, 9/3 and Wednesday, 9/4.

Girls’ tryouts will be Monday, 9/9 and Tuesday, 9/10.

Calling all runners or those wanting to run better!

The Coyote Running Club is taking off soon!

Join our Google Classroom for more details! The code is on the grade-level pages for students.

Lifetouch student photos have arrived! We have an order, or proof, of every student who attended Registration. Please ask your student to see Ms. Garabedian in the main office, thank you.

If you missed Registration, make-up picture day is September 20th. Students will have their ID/Yearbook picture taken during their PE Class. Students can wear their school uniform and bring an alternate shirt with them for pictures if they would like to change for pictures.

Calling all of our creative Coyotes! Enter this year's PTSA Reflections contest. Create an entry surrounding the theme "Accepting Imperfection."

El Rancho PTSA is a great way to be involved and stay informed at the middle school level. Every donation supports programs on El Rancho's campus, for students and staff.

Two annual PTSA events are coming up: International Day in November and Career Day in February. We hope you will be able to participate in these fantastic events that students and staff look forward to each year.

This is your last opportunity! The Something for Everyone Fundraiser will end August 31st.

El Rancho has one school-wide fundraiser each year, which is a donation-based fundraiser.

Donations will be accepted for the entire month of August. Donations must be received by August 31st to receive a t-shirt, which can be worn on Fridays the entire year!

Donations can be made in three ways:

• During Registration when you purchase your student’s school Binder (Agenda) and PE lock.
• Online https://ercs.myschoolcentral.com/(S(4di1i4qpm4ep51bdlvaenxvs))/Index.aspx (Online donations can be made as early as August 1st and still, be counted towards prizes).
• Directly to Ms. Garabedian in the office. Credit cards, checks, or cash will be accepted. Checks should be payable to El Rancho Charter School.

For questions regarding the fundraiser or prizes, please contact Ms. Garabedian at

ngarabedian@orangeusd.org or at 714.997.6238.

All donations are tax-deductible! The generosity of El Rancho families benefits our school and students in numerous ways! Proceeds from this fundraiser will directly support students through incentives, ASB activities, award ceremonies, and class gifts such as a refillable water station, a new flag pole, updated sound equipment for our music classes, and a presentation screen and sound system for our new gymnasium.

With last year's donations were able to purchase new lunch benches! We look forward to an exciting and successful year!

The bell schedule for this year will remain the same as last year's schedule. On Wednesday and Thursday, Tutorial is built in to provide student support during the school day. Thursday will be our early release day to provide time for our staff development and collaboration.

Students will be expected to dress in their uniforms daily. Uniforms consist of navy bottoms and a polo shirt. PE clothes like track pants, PE shorts, PE shirts, and Dance clothes will only be worn during PE classes.

Uniforms are purchased from American Casual with the El Rancho logo on them. Purchases can be made at Registration or American Casual's store. Please note that from August 12-15, American Casual will be closed as they prepare to be at El Rancho for Registration, and all their stock will be on our campus.

Daily Uniforms include:

• Grey, green, or maroon shirts
• Navy pants, shorts, or skorts
• Sweatshirts, windbreakers, and jackets

Shirts should be tucked in.

Pants need to fit appropriately at the waist and should not "sag".

No hooded sweatshirts.

Long sleeves are not to be worn under the polo shirt.

Crocs may not be worn.

Belts are recommended with their pants and shorts.

Failure to comply with the Uniform Policy will result in lunch detention.

PE Uniforms:

• Navy track bottoms or green PE shorts
• Grey PE t-shirt
• Dance students wear black shorts or leggings and a black dance shirt.

All students will be expected to change into their PE clothes in the locker room.

Zero-period students should arrive in their PE clothes and then change into their uniform prior to 1st period.

Students will participate in PE four days a week, except for those in Zero-period which is five days a week.

Zero Period PE will begin on Monday, August 26th.

This year's school supply lists are provided for you below. They will also be available at registration on August 13th and 14th.

Students who intend to use the bus for transportation to and/or from school will need to purchase a bus pass through Orange Unified School District.

Avoid the last-minute rush and get your bus pass now!

Bus Pass:

Tuesday-Friday
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Closed daily for lunch
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Bus Pass Information

El Rancho offers a hot lunch daily, except for minimum days. Breakfast and lunch will be free of cost for all students this school year. OUSD requires a meal application to be completed by El Rancho families.

Online Meal Application

For student safety, students who have a late start or early release will need to be dropped off or picked up at the main campus. The gate at Santa Ana Canyon will close at the start of the 1st period and will not open until the end of 5th period.

Parking Lot Etiquette:

1. There are two lanes in the parking lot. The right lane is for drop-off and the left lane is for those who need to park in the lot.

2. When dropping off please pull all the way forward and have your student exit the car quickly.

3. At drop off, please do not drop students off in the middle of the parking lot. Either pull up to the curb or pull into a parking stall to drop your student off. The safest option is to drop students at the curb.

4. At pick-up, please do not park in the red zone. This makes it difficult for buses to park and pick up students.

5. If you would like to avoid the traffic, plan to pick your student up a little later, about 3:05 PM - 3:10 PM, it is so much easier.

6. Please drive SLOWLY!!!!

7. Please follow all traffic laws.

Santa Ana Canyon Drop-Off Area

1. Please pull all the way forward.

2. Do not double park.

3. Avoid blocking the intersection at Fairmont and Santa Ana Canyon.

4. If you would like to avoid the traffic, plan to pick your student up a little later, about 3:05 PM - 3:10 PM, it is so much easier.

We DO NOT recommend picking up students in the Hibachi or Big Lots parking lots. Students should not be in either area after school unsupervised, even on early release Thursdays.

During the 2024-2025 school year, all visitors must come to the office through the main doors to sign in. Parents dropping off "forgotten items" or lunches will also drop off items at the main office cubbies, not the Attendance office.

The Attendance office should only be used for signing in late students and picking up students early from school.

Mrs. Cannon, our Attendance Clerk, appreciates your phone call if your child has to miss school. Please call the Attendance Hotline 714-628-5427 on the day of your student's absence.

Please check Google Classroom for work missed up to 3 days.

Students who have a planned absence that is more than 3 days should pick-up an absence form at the attendance office.

During Tutorial, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, please avoid picking students up early, between 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM.

The Attendance Office is for signing-in students who are late to school and signing-out students who are picked-up early from school.

Cell Phones are expected to be on silent mode or completely turned off and in students' backpacks from 8:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., with the exception that is used as an in-class learning tool under the supervision of the teacher. Cell phones may not be carried in pockets.

Students who need to call their parents should come to the attendance office to use the available phone. Students who are not feeling well should come to the health office to call home and rest until a parent arrives to take their student home.

Parents, when an emergency arises and you need to reach your student, please call the office and we will get a message to your student or have them come to the office and call you.

The Cell Phone Policy also applies to headphones, earbuds, Airpods, and iWatches.

Using the Binder Reminder is a great way to stay organized and keep track of homework. Every student is expected to:

1. Have their Binder Reminder at school every day.

2. Have their name on the front page of their Binder Reminder.

3. Have their Binder Reminder out and ready on Tutorial days (Wed./Thurs.)

4. Keep all pages intact for the entire year.

5. Write their homework and upcoming tests and quizzes down for each class, daily.

Students without their Binder Reminder on Tutorial days will earn after-school detention.

Sept. 2: Labor Day-No School

Sept. 9-13: Fall Book Fair

Sept. 10: Back to School Night

Oct. 9 & 10: SOS Presentations

Oct. 29: 8th Grade Vision & Hearing Screening

Nov. 5: Staff Development-Non-Student Day

Nov. 8: Minimum Day 12:20 PM Dismissal

Nov. 11: Veteran's Day-No School

Nov. 15: End of Trimester 1

Nov. 18: Trimester 2 Begins

Nov. 19: International Day

Nov. 25-29: Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 5-6: Musical Theater Production

Dec. 10: Band/Drumline Concert @ 6:30 PM

Dec. 17: Dance Production @ 5:00 PM & 6:30 PM

Dec. 18: Strings Concert @ 6:30 PM

Dec. 19: Guitar Concert @ 6:30 PM

Follow El Rancho on social media to find up to date information, activities, and the talents of our fantastic students and staff. Click on each icon to get to El Rancho's accounts.

El Rancho administration works as a management team with three assistant principals, called advisors, who work alongside our principal, Mrs. Walker, to help students be successful. Advisors work with students in the areas of attendance, academics, behavior, and scheduling. The student body is divided into groups by their last name and assigned to an advisor who is like the principal for that part of the alphabet. Students with Section 504 Plans will have Mrs. Beard as their advisor.

Advisors are always happy to help answer general questions regarding school programs. We encourage families to first address questions regarding the grade book, assignments, and classroom interaction to the individual teacher and advisors can be cc'd on communications at any time.

• A-G..........Mrs. Ozuna.......... kozuna@orangeusd.org
• H-P..........Mr. Kilgore........... gkilgore@orangeusd.org
• Q-Z..........Mrs. Beard........... kbeard@orangeusd.org