The Blazer Bulletin

Hello Trailblazers!

This week brought extremely high winds and fire danger when the Bernardo/Center fire could be seen from campus. I am incredibly grateful to our teachers and staff who remained calm and kept our students safe under a difficult situation.

This week also brought some exciting news! We learned at Friday's Community Gathering that we have adopted a new PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System) to proactively support student behavior. This new program is called "Together, We RIDE!" We received a grant of over $7,000 to help us launch this new program which will include the introduction of Blazer Bucks to replace Character Catches and a new Student Store.

We need YOUR help. Please help your students take this Student Store Survey so they can tell us what they want in the store.

Lastly, we celebrated our Teacher and Classified of the Year nominees. Read below for more information about each one!

Warmly,

Teri Heard

Your Very Proud Principal

January 27 - Non Student Day (Staff Professional Growth Day)

January 28-31 - Great Kindness Challenge & Student Council Charity Drive

January 29 - Lunar New Year

January 30 - DNHS Ambassadors Visit Campus at lunch

January 31 - VAPA Vision

February 3 - Valentine Grams go on sale

February 4 - 100th day of school

February 3 & 5 - Spelling Bee

February 3-7 - National School Counseling Week

February 7 - Community Gathering, 5th grade field trip to Biz Town

Mrs. Ow was selected by the Stone Ranch staff as our Teacher of the Year nominee. Read below for some of the amazing reasons why she was chosen:

Mrs. Ow exemplifies the spirit of teaching and the definition of a community member. She has been a devoted SRES teacher for many years, and her commitment to her students and the broader SRES/PUSD community is clear as exhibited through the time and energy she invests in preparing lessons for her grade level, continual professional development such as ever-evolving technology in the classroom, supporting staff members and SRES families, and even jumping in last minute to coach at RB High before her work day begins. Her commitment and leadership extends beyond the classroom, playing a crucial role in our partnership with the Foundation to secure essential resources for our school. Her proactive attitude and willingness to help ANYONE is demonstrated time and again, and she doesn't hesitate to assist and/or seek resources to assist others. She has a heart of gold and is a deserving candidate for Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Rubino was selected by the Stone Ranch staff as our Classified of the Year nominee. Read below for some of the reasons why she was chosen:

I nominate Mrs. Rubino because of her exceptional care and dedication to students. She goes above and beyond to ensure the well-being of everyone in the school, always offering a kind word and a calm and compassionate attitude. Whether it's helping a student feel better after an injury or providing guidance to a teacher on managing health concerns in the classroom, Ms. Rubino is always there. Her expertise, compassion, and support make her an invaluable asset to our school community.

It is hard to believe it but our district has already begun planning for the 2025-2026 school year! In an effort to help us provide the most accurate information about the number of students who will be returning next year, please complete THIS SURVEY no later than Sunday, January 26, 2025. This will provide us with the number of returning students as well as those who will be leaving Stone Ranch and will ensure that your child(ren) is enrolled correctly for the 2025-2026 school year. Please submit one form per student.

Families do not need to complete the form for current 5th-grade students because they will be automatically enrolled in 6th-grade at their school of residence. This is NOT considered continuing student registration. Continuing student registration will take place February 28th - March 31st and needs to be completed for ALL students enrolled in PUSD for the 2024-2025 school year. Visit PUSD Continuing Student Registration for more information.

During the week of January 28-31, Student Council will be in front of the school collecting donations for the Poway Unified Youth in Transition program. Student Council officers chose this program as our charity this year, as we want to give back to students in our school district.

Student Council is excited to be selling Valentine Grams again this year! From Monday, February 3 through Friday, February 7, Student Council officers will be selling them before and after school in front of the office. Valentine Grams cost $1 each and include a pencil with a topper, as well as a card. Student Council officers will deliver the Valentine Grams on Valentine’s Day.

For more information about Chronic Absenteeism, please read this article.

Kids, get ready to party with your Stone Ranch Teachers! Parents, drop your kids off wearing their favorite PJs to join their grade-level teachers for fun activities and a pajama party on Thursday, February 13th from 5-7:30pm. The cost if $50 per child and all proceeds directly benefit the SRES Foundation. Sign up now. Spots are limited and will fill up quickly!

Yearbook dedication ads for your 5th grader can now be purchased for $15

Follow the instructions to submit your personalized message via Google form: 5th Grade yearbook dedications along with payment via paypal:

The deadline to place a dedication ad is Friday February 14 at midnight. Due to processing and assembly times for the yearbook, this deadline cannot be extended under any circumstances.

*Only ONE ad will be printed per student, each ad cannot exceed 350 characters, including spaces. Additional ads will not be printed, and the $15 purchase price will not be refunded.

Dedication ads are for 5th grade students only. Any ads purchased for non-5th grade students will not be printed and the $15 purchase price will not be refunded.

Ads will be printed as written so be certain to proofread!

For questions, email Stoneranchyearbook@gmail.com

Yearbooks can be purchased now for the last remaining discount of $35! Don’t delay, as prices will go up at the end of April to $40. Walk-ups during the last week of school will also be available for $40 though these yearbooks will not be reserved for your child and will be on a first come first serve basis. Many kids love looking back at their year and enjoy collecting messages from peers and teachers, so get your copy today!

Yearbook Photo Share

If you have any photos to share from your child’s classroom or club activity - please contact your classroom parent or cub sponsor for the dropbox link! While we have collected many pictures over the year so far, a handful of classes are still empty. Please help us make this year’s yearbook fully representative of the great year thus far by reaching out to your contact and letting them know you have photos to share.

Any questions - please reach out to stoneranchyearbook@gmail.com and we’d be happy to help!

Our team Lego Raptors includes 5 students from Stone Ranch Elementary 3rd Grade and 1 student from Highland Ranch Elementary 3rd Grade. In the course of two levels, one festival held in December and the next held in January ~ the team received these awards:

- All Around Excellence Award

- Perfect Score in Robot Game Award

- Ingenuity Award

- High Robot Score Award

Proud team members are:

- Reyansh Byali (SRES 3rd Grade)

- Aditya Eklahare (SRES 3rd Grade)

- Logan Redor (SRES 3rd Grade)

- Aarav Sharma (SRES 3rd Grade)

- Gavin Tejidor (SRES 3rd Grade)

- Ovee Mahajan (Highland Ranch 3rd Grade)

Coaches: Amey Mahajan & Glenn Tejidor

Lego Raptors are advancing to the final First Lego League Western Edge Open in Long Beach, a 3 day event happening between May 30 - June 1, 2025! Good Luck!

Rubiks Cube Time Trials (Flyer saved) - Optional Extra Curricular activity hosted by DNHS students.

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

In PUSD, we are committed to ensuring your child's online safety and privacy. As students engage in digital spaces—whether playing multiplayer games, using educational apps, or exploring new interests online—it’s crucial they understand the importance of keeping their personal information safe. With guidance on avoiding scams and protecting their digital footprints, students can enjoy learning and fun online while staying in control of their privacy. Families play an important role in helping children navigate these topics and establishing healthy, safe digital habits. Below are some Privacy and Security tips to share with your family.

• K-5 Family Tips

• 6-12 Family Tips

Sincerely,

Amy Fousek and Ken Wall

Director of Educational Technology and Director of Information Technology

Join Life Planning Specialist Wendy Smith for an insightful presentation on why creating a plan matters, how to take the first steps, and where to find support along the way. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with fellow parents, gaining valuable insights and support. Start building a strong foundation for your child's future today! Flier found here.

On February 27, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., Valley Elementary School will host PUSD's first-ever IEP Basics training exclusively in Spanish. In collaboration with the Exceptional Family Resource Center, this event is designed to support PUSD Spanish-speaking families of students with IEPs. More details are available in the event flier.

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