Principal's Update
             

Hart-Ransom A California Distinguished School:  We are very excited and proud that we were recognized for student achievement and were named a California Distinguished School in June at a ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel.  We are proud to fly our flag and display the sign that shows “Hart-Ransom is a great place to learn and grow.”

Great Beginning:  Our first week of school has been phenomenal.  The kids are excited and they are off to a great start.  Thanks to all families who came to Back to School nights.  We appreciate the high level of interest and involvement you show in your child’s education. 

More Welcomes to Hart-Ransom:    We have now a new Jr. High Math teacher.  Ms. Poulsen will be joining us next week.  Thanks to Mrs. Heinrich who so capably filled in for our first couple of weeks.

Open Position:  We are in need of an Eagle’s Nest group leader.  If you are interested, please go to the District Office for an application and information on the position.

School Site Council:  The SSC is a committee comprised of parents, staff and administration to oversee special funding from the state and federal governments and the programs that the funding provides.  Additionally, our SSC promotes many parent/child activities throughout the school year.  Meetings are held monthly from 3:00 – 4:00.  We anticipate some openings on this committee.  Please consider serving our students in this way.  You will find a nomination paper as part of this HR News. You may nominate yourself or someone else if you have consulted with them first.  Nominations are due September 3rd and ballots will go out September 9th. 

Minimum Day:  The only Minimum Day for the month of August will be Friday, August 27th.  Everyone is out at 12:50.  Eagle’s Nest will begin at 12:50 and there will be no 2:00 Care.  Check out the monthly calendar attached for holidays and minimum days for September.

Fitness Center:  As a result of Hart-Ransom’s dedication to and participation in the Governor’s Fitness Challenge we were asked to write an application for a $100,000.00 fitness center, AND WE WON IT!!  In September fitness machines will be arriving on campus and on September 17, Mrs. Boer and a student representative will go to the state capitol for the awards presentation.  We will be holding a dedication ceremony here late September or early October, after which we can begin using the center.  Our students in grades 4-8 will have opportunity to use this during PE and the staff will have opportunity to utilize this after school.  Great job, Hart-Ransom!!

Building Project:  Our multipurpose building and new Charter School complex, plus a new parking lot and ball fields will be finished next summer.  Progress is moving quickly on this project and it will be exciting to watch it grow and develop.  As a result we will not be able to participate in interscholastic football this year.  Next school year we will be back on track and with a new field!

Welcome to Hart-Ransom:  We welcome some new faces to Hart-Ransom this year and welcome some familiar faces to new positions.  Mrs. S. Wilson is now in the Reading Teacher position, Mrs. Unruh is teaching 3rd grade, Mr.Brown is teaching Jr. Hi PE.  Mrs. Barber and Mr. Martins are teaching 1st grade.  Welcome to our new Resource Specialist – Mrs. Shores and our new Resource Aide – Mrs. Cornejo.  Welcome also to a new CORE Jr.Hi teacher – Mrs. Hollcraft and Mrs. Laffin who is subbing in 6th grade for Mrs. Montgomery until January. 

Open Position:  We are in need of an Eagle’s Nest group leader.  If you are interested, please go to the District Office for an application and information on the position.

Girls Volleyball:  There will be a girls volleyball meeting for any 6, 7 or 8th grader interested in playing.  It will be Friday 8/27 12:10 – 12:30 in Mr. DelaRosa’s room #23.  Tryouts for the Varsity and Jr.Varsity teams will be September 1st and 2nd  3:00 – 4:30.  Teams will be posted Sept. 3rd.  The season will run the middle of September to the middle of October.  Parent permission and proof of insurance are mandatory before attending tryouts, practice and games.  Forms will be passed out at the 8/27 meeting and are available in the school office.
(Unfortunately, due to lack of field space, Hart-Ransom will not have a flag football or soccer team this year.)

Yearbook Orders, PDA’s & Business Ads:  It’s that time again to purchase your yearbook for this school year.  Forms are in this week’s red folders and are available in the office.  Ad deadlines for PDA’s and Business Ads are October 18th.  Oct.18th is the deadline for the early-bird yearbook price of $28.00. ($35 after 10/18).

Coaches:  If you are interested in coaching girl’s volleyball this fall, or girls or boys basketball this winter, please contact the school office for details.  These are volunteer positions and the timeframe is generally between 2:45 and 6:00 in the afternoons.

School Site Council:  The SSC is a committee comprised of parents, staff and administration to oversee special funding from the state and federal governments and the programs that the funding provides.  Additionally, our SSC promotes many parent/child activities throughout the school year.  Meetings are held monthly from 3:00 – 4:00.  We anticipate some openings on this committee and will be sending information home regarding this next week.  Please consider serving our students in this way. 

Lunch Program:  We offer breakfast and lunch to our students for a nominal price and the state subsidizes costs for families who qualify for a free or reduced meal for their children.  Please look for the application in today’s Red Folder.  Fill this out and have your child return it to his/her teacher or bring it into the office.

School Insurance:  We are providing information on health insurance that you can purchase for your child at an economic cost.  The options are coverage for just during school hours or for 24 hour coverage.  If you want to sign up, the information enclosed explains how to do it on-line.  If you would rather do this by mail, forms are in the school office in English and Spanish.

Sports Insurance:  School policy now requires that any student playing on a sports team have proof of insurance on file at the school.  If you have private insurance, we can make a copy of your child’s insurance card.  If you do not have private insurance, please look into the school insurance offered in this week’s Red Folder.  Students MAY NOT practice nor play on a team unless proof of insurance is on file.

Student Drop-Off/Pick Up:  Students must be dropped off and picked up in the Dakota lot ONLY.  Exceptions: After 8:10am for drop off and after 3:00pm (1:15 on Minimum Days) for pickup.  “Drop and Drive” is not permitted in the Shoemake lot for important safety reasons and Storer bus issues.    Do NOT drop students off at school before 7:45am as there is no supervision until 7:45 am.

Cell Phones and Other Electronics:  As noted on page 17 in the Parent-Teacher Handbook, cell phones and other electronics are prohibited.  These will be confiscated if noticed and a parent will have to retrieve items from the school office. 

Dress Code:  As noted on page 15 and 16 in the Parent-Teacher Handbook, our modesty rules apply to all K-8 students on campus.  Also, no hats or caps may be worn unless designated for warmth or health needs and  No flip-flop sandals may be worn without a back strap.

DAKOTA PARKING LOT SAFETY

1. Please drive slowly – speed limit is 5mph
2. Pull all the way up to the yellow zone for drop off and pick up not just in front of the gate.  Park in parking area, not at drop-off/pick-up zone, and walk your child onto campus if you want to be sure they go into the campus. 
3. No passing on the left to get to and through the parking lot.
4. One lane ONLY in drop-off area. 
5. Park in parking spaces and NOT along the curbs. Especially not on red curb zones.
6. Respect the Staff on parking lot duty.
7. Thank you for following these guidelines all year.

***There is NO Drop Off or Pick Up in the Shoemake Lot either before or after school.  This lot is reserved for Storer Busses.  Only if you’re picking up or dropping off a child during the school day (after 8:10 and 3:00), should you park in the Shoemake lot and come sign the child in or out.  Do not drop and run.  Thank you.

FROM THE OFFICE

• Parents need to accompany students to the office to sign in when the student is not

         here by 8:10 or are returning from an appointment.   

• Please send in or call in any home address/phone or cell phone changes that happen any

         time during the school year.

• Please try and work out transportation instructions before school. If you need to call to change arrangements we will do our best to locate the student but cannot make any guarantees.  If the teacher and/or office does not have a change of instruction the student will be sent home the normal way. 

FROM TRANSPORTATION

·

• BUS ISSUES:   Just some safety reminders regarding students who ride the bus. 

1. There is no eating or drinking on the bus at any time   2. Nothing, including arms can be thrown or hung out the window; and please talk to your children about their behavior at the bus stops.  Students should respect the property of the community at the stops and should NOT bully, squabble or fight with other students at the bus stops.  Thank you.

Si necesita traduccion por favor regreze la hoja con su nombre y telefono y se le llamara mas tarde.    Sra. Vieira

Nombre                                                                                                           Telephono                                           
Estudiante                                                                                                         Grado                                                 

PARENTS AS PARTNERS

Mealtime is a great time to build family communication and great memories. Focus on the positive events that occurred through the day, take turns so one person doesn’t dominate the conversation, ask each to share one interesting thing they learned that day at school, at practice, at work, or wherever. Enjoy that dinner conversation.

CELL PHONE AND EMPTY INK-JET AND LASER CARTRIDGE DONATIONS:

Did you or someone in your family get a new cell phone? If so, are you wondering what to do with your old one? Please let us recycle it for you. Hart-Ransom partners with the Funding Factory to recycle used cell phones as well as empty ink cartridges. In return, we earn points for lots of free things like digital cameras and even new ink for our school printers. Items can be turned in to Mrs. Martin in the computer lab or at the school office. Thanks for helping us help the environment and our school.

REMINDERS
Toys are not to be brought to school, as they may be a distraction, damaged, lost or stolen. Any toys found will be held until the end of the school year.

Cell Phones are not allowed on campus. If necessary, there is always a phone available to students. Any cell phones found will be kept in the office until a parent picks it up.