Paw Print News
Carol Rae Ranch Elementary
Principal's Corner
Happy holidays to all! You’re busy at home and we’re keeping busy at the Ranch! There is a lot going on at school. Music concerts, after-school programs, fun runs, and, of course, important learning are continuing with much energy. As we wind up these last few weeks of school, I want to thank you for the support you provide in so many ways!
With the many negative stories that we hear in the news, now is a good time to re-visit the mission and vision of our school.
Our Mission: Building a community of compassionate, life-long learners, reaching our maximum social & academic potential as global citizens.
Our Vision: Everyone Learning, Every Day.
Each day during the morning announcements a student council officer reads “Words of Wisdom” that promote kindness, considerate behavior, and treating others the way we want to be treated. The messages touch on all of the pillars of character and leave students with a message or quote to think about and a solution to try.
All Carol Rae students, regardless of race, color, national origin, immigration status, sex, disability, or religion will be educated in an environment free from fear, violence, and intimidation. Thank you for supporting our mission and expecting that your children continue to build a positive school environment for themselves and others. It is a pleasure to watch your children grow and learn while sharing their positive core values. I am so very proud of them. I sincerely hope that your family has a positive, restful, healthy, and happy winter break!
Educationally yours,
Thea Hansen
Principal
YOU DID IT!
Thank you, thank you for being a hunger hero!!!
Giving Tree - Dec 2nd - 14th
Thank you for your generosity!
Book Fair is Open until Dec 4th
It's Book Fair Time!
Our Book Fair will run from Monday, Nov. 30-Friday, Dec. 4 from 8 am-3:45 pm. Students may shop at any time during the day or after school. Only parents of K-1 students may come with their child either at their child's library time or after school hours. A flyer was sent home with a link to our online fair and to information on how to set up an eWallet for your child. Thank you for your understanding during these difficult times.
K-1 grade parents: Please make sure to wear a mask and practice social distancing while you are at the book fair.
December's Playbook:
Strings/Band Concerts
4th gr Musical - Dec 15th
The 4th grade Musical will be recorded during school hours and the link will be sent out at a later date. We're sorry but we will not be having outside visitors for this event.
Jingle Jog - Dec 18th
5th & 6th @ 8:15—8:45
BB, Kinder & 1st @ 8:50—9:20
2nd, 3rd, 4th @ 9:25—9:55
From the Nurse: Holiday Break Fun
As we prepare to enjoy time off of school and work over the winter break, it’s important to think of activities that we can participate in that will keep us, our family, our neighbors, and our community safe. Lucky for us, fall and winter are some of the best times to enjoy the outdoors here in Gilbert. Enjoying outdoor activities is a great way to social distance and decrease the spread of illness. Here are a few ideas of outdoor activities that you may enjoy.
- The Riparian Preserve. This is a lovely area to walk around, have a picnic, and make a
game of who can count the most rabbits. For those who enjoy kindness rocks, there are
always some here to be found.
- Drive-in Movies. Grab a couple of blankets, bring some snacks, and cozy up to watch a
flick or two.
-Christmas light seeing. The Gilbert/Mesa area has some fantastic light displays.
Whether in your car, or walking (staying socially distanced of course), this is a great time
to sip on some cocoa and enjoy our winter evenings.
- Put together an outdoor scavenger hunt.
-Tempe Town Lake offers paddleboats to rent. Just don’t fall in, it’s a bit chilly in the
water! This is also a fun place for a picnic, bicycle riding, and watching the cute dogs
enjoying the park.
- Put together an outdoor fitness class that allows for proper social distancing.
- Horseback riding. There are areas around the valley that offer full day and half day trail
rides.
- And of course hiking. We are surrounded by some beautiful natural landscape we can
explore. Plus, it’ll help balance out all of the food we will be enjoying over the holidays!
- And last, and not an outdoor activity, there is the reserve on-line option at the
Southeast Regional Library. This fantastic service will allow you to reserve books and
movies for you and your family. You are notified when your items are in and you simply
pop in to pick them up. Keep those kiddos reading over break!
I wish all of our students and families a wonderful holiday break. Socially distance, wear your masks, wash your hands, and stay healthy.
Love,
Ms. Elizabeth
School Nurse
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Let's Talk SEL:
Parents! Are you wondering what all the talk is about Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and social-emotional skills? Chances are you’re already doing a lot to support your student with these skills! We want you to know that we are doing a whole lot to support students here at school as well. We are implementing SEL activities throughout the day with students!
Why do students need social-emotional skills?
Think of a time when your child had a falling out with a friend or a difficult time fitting in socially. Was there a time you received a phone call from the principal as a result of a situation at school? Has your child come home sad or upset? Maybe he or she couldn’t sleep because of an incident at school? Was there a situation where your daughter or son could not finish a group project because of a problem with classmates?
Unfortunately, students often have these and other types of negative experiences. Parents & Teachers are there to help, but over the long-term students having social and emotional skills can minimize the worst of these experiences and make student’s experiences in life easier to manage.
With social-emotional skills, students can establish rewarding relationships with others, maintain meaningful friendships, and handle difficult social situations. They can manage times of high stress, and during times of anger, keep from launching into destructive actions they may regret later.
Over the next few months we will have a spot in the newsletter which will assist parents in better understanding all that SEL can be. Please feel free to reach out to your teacher or School Social Worker about what SEL is, why it’s important, and what resources you can turn to if you’re interested in doing more at home.
Michelle Ybarra
School Social Worker
McDonald's Night
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Have dinner and/or a treat to help support our school!
Marquee Birthday Announcmenet
Carol Rae Ranch Elementary
Home of the Coyotes!
A+ School of Excellence TM
School Hours: 8:10 a.m. – 2:55 p.m.
Early Release each Wednesday at 1:55 p.m.
*A+ School of Excellence is a trademark or service mark of the Arizona Educational Foundation and is used by permission.
Email: carolraeranchinfo@gilbertschools.net
Website: gilbertschools.net/carolraeranch
Location: 3777 East Houston Avenue, Gilbert, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-507-1359
Twitter: @carolraeranchcoyotes
Thank you to our Sponsors:
Gold Level
4540 E Baseline Rd, #102
Mesa, AZ
480-830-5466