Saddle Up!

Book clubs are in full swing. Our book clubs serve as a vibrant opportunity for student engagement by providing a space for exploration, discussion, and critical thinking. Our students are encouraged to actively participate and and offer diverse perspectives, these clubs serve as a way to deepen student understanding of literature while focusing on essential communication and analytical skills.

Have you heard of the Reece Challenge? Students during recess go out and find Mini Mrs. Whitney. This has been a game initiated by one of our 4th grade students. Students love the challenge!

Get ready to join the excitement at our upcoming Family Math Night on Thursday, March 21st, kicking off at 6:00 PM and wrapping up at 7:30 PM! Our event is set to be a blast, with fun and engaging stations led by our enthusiastic students. It's the perfect opportunity for families to team up and dive into some math fun together. Mark your calendars and come join us for an evening of learning and laughter!

Spring parent-teacher conferences are approaching. Our teachers will be reaching out to schedule meetings for those who may benefit from additional support or guidance. We look forward to engaging in discussions to ensure the continued success of your child. Note: These meetings, directed by teachers and held on a single day, will not involve all students.

Students in 1st grade worked hard this week creating a Leprechaun trap with their families. Monday they will find out if they caught a leprechaun!

Feel free to stop by and reclaim your belongings from the rack in front of the school. We're here to help reunite you with your lost items!

Yearbooks are now available for pre-order through the Jostens website. Please use the link (https://shop.memorybook.com/) to access the site to purchase a yearbook. Yearbooks are $15 and the deadline to purchase a yearbook is April 16, 2024.

New users to the Jostens website will need to register before purchasing a yearbook.

Steps for using the website:

1. Click on the link provided https://shop.memorybook.com/
2. Enter our school code: 079249M
3. Register if you have not already (if you have you will need to sign in)
4. Click on "Order Now"
5. Select the quantity of books you would like to purchase
6. Enter your student name (if you are ordering multiple, it will only allow you to enter one student's name)
7. Select your child's teacher from the dropdown menu
8. Click "Add to cart"

Remember we come very close to selling out of yearbooks each year, pre-ordering a yearbook online is the ONLY way to guarantee your child will receive a yearbook at the end of the year. Depending on our pre-orders we may still have some available in the office to purchase, but those are sold on a first come first serve basis.


**The deadline to purchase is Tuesday, April 16, 2024**

Congratulations to Emma and Tiffany on their artwork for the yearbook. You can see their artwork when yearbooks are distributed in June!

• Spring Book Fair: March 18- 22
• Wednesday, March 20: Minimum Day, Optional Spring Conferences
• Thursday, March 21: Family Math Night
• Monday, March 25: PTO Meeting at 9:30 am in the Library
• April 1-5: Spring Break

Increasing school attendance is a county-wide goal, as schools in the area have seen a drop in attendance since returning from COVID.

The state defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10% or more school days.

A Chronic Absenteeism Letter will automatically be sent home if a student has missed two or more days. This letter goes over the importance of good attendance and the effects a lack of attendance has on student learning. A mandatory attendance meeting will be scheduled if a student is consistently deemed Chronically Absent, especially if the absences are unexcused.

For absences, in general, please make sure to do the following:

1) Call/parentsquare the school to let us know why your student is absent.

2) Bring a doctor's/dentist's note if a student is absent for an appointment so we can excuse those absences.

3) Bring a doctor's note if a student is absent for an extended period due to illness so we can excuse those absences.

4) Let us know how we can help! If there is something that we can help with in getting your student to school, we want to do that.

5) When you know your child will be out for three or more days, notify the teacher and school office beforehand. We will support you with supplying school work so that your student can keep up on course work and not be counted as absences if students complete the work assigned to them on a Short Term Independent Study Contract .

It is important to note that by California Law, students are only allowed ten excused illness/wellness days (without a doctor's note). ​Any illness/wellness days beyond ten are considered unexcused.

Thank you, and please let me know if you have any questions.

Lunch Menu Calendar

Branch Student Handbook

Bell Schedule

Branch PTO Website

TK/ Kindergarten:
Late Start Mondays
MPR opens at 9:50 a.m.

10:10 a.m.-2:05 p.m.

Tuesdays-Fridays

Gates open at 8:55 a.m.
9:10 a.m. -2:05 p.m.

Grades 1-6:
Late Start Mondays

MPR opens at 9:50 a.m.
10:10 a.m. -3:35 p.m.

Tuesdays-Fridays

Gates open at 8:55 a.m.

9:10 a.m. -3:35 p.m.

Minimum Day Schedule:

Gates opens at 8:55 a.m.

9:10 a.m. - 12:55 p.m.

RAINY DAYS:

Students will report to the MPR at morning drop-off.

Branch Elementary School serves students from the rural countryside near Arroyo Grande, located along the picturesque coastline of San Luis Obispo County. Originally founded in 1889 by F.Z. Branch, the school maintains a sense of its rich history and close-knit family feeling, while providing a rigorous academic program. The caring, dedicated, and experienced staff works in tandem with parents and community members to ensure all students at Branch Elementary School receive the highest quality education possible.

Email: Whitney.whitney@lmusd.org
Website: https://branch.luciamarschools.org/
Location: 970 School Rd, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Phone: (805) 474-3720