The Round-Up
The Sonoma Ranch Elementary School Principal's Newsletter
Year 7 Issue 197
We Engage We Educate We Inspire
Well, the first three days of the school year were filled with successes and struggles. That makes it a lot like the first week of every school year. They are always filled with successes and struggles. This year's additional challenges of being online, and poor connectivity have certainly added to the challenge of the beginning of the year.
As Dr. McCord shared in his email last week, GPS Tech Services is working with CISCO to address the issues with Webex. We are told that connectivity should improve this week. We are all hopeful as that will help alleviate some of the stress of online learning.
I again thank all of the Sonoma Ranch community for their hard work last week. Everyone's patience continues to be appreciated. It should not be this hard. And my hope is that improves this week.
On Friday the staff working on campus were treated to a surprise lunch from an amazing SRE family. Barro's pizza and salad was delivered to campus for our staff to enjoy. If you haven't tried a Barro's sausage pizza, you're missing out. Thank you to Jace's family for this generous gesture. It was appreciated.
Starting on Monday, and continuing all week, we will be handing out Fundations materials to our families with students in Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, and 3rd Grade. They are individually bagged for easy pick-up. You can swing by campus any day during school hours to get the Fundations materials. We will also be handing them out on Monday from 5:00-7:00 PM.
Our 2020-2021 school shirts are in! If you pre-ordered a shirt, you can come to pick up your order on Monday evening from 5:00-7:00 pm. PTSO will be handing out shirts in the same way that chrome books were distributed.
If you didn’t order a shirt and you would like one, PTSO will have a very limited quantity to sell! It will be first-come, first-served. Shirts are $10 each, adult XX-large and XXX-large are $11. Please remember to wear a face mask and practicing social distancing.
Wednesday our online instruction will end at 1:55 PM in the same way we would do so in person.
Friday is a Stallion Style Day! Wear your Stallion gear and show your school spirt on Friday!
Do you shop at Fry's?
Enroll in Fry's Community Rewards and earn money for a Sonoma Ranch every time you shop. It’s easy and free to enroll! When you link your Shopper’s Card, every purchase you make provides funds for the Ranch! Plus, you’ll earn fuel points at the same time. Click the link to sign up: https://www.frysfood.com/topic/school-programs
Onsite Learning
Onsite Learning Support - Open Lab:
Supervision and academic support will be provided for young students who do not have a caregiver at home. This may include children of first responders and/or essential workers.
Elementary campuses will have designated classrooms, music rooms or multipurpose spaces for registered students to be supervised as they complete online coursework. Students must bring their GPS issued device as well as headphones, and supply their own transportation to and from campus.
With limited space and staff members available, and in alignment with our health mitigation strategies, we highly recommend students only stay on campus for the amount of time necessary to complete online coursework as there are no activities outside of VIK before/after school programs. Should a student need to stay on campus for the full duration of the school day for supervision reasons, it is expected that he/she brings materials such as books, art supplies, and/or individual games, which may assist in giving them an activity to complete after coursework is finished.
Breakfast and Lunch will be provided as well as breaks throughout the day. (There is no recess, in-person specials or direct instruction. All instruction is via online platform.)
- Before and after care is available through the Community Educations VIK program, fees do apply.
- Classrooms will be monitored by GPS staff.
- Students must bring a laptop device and charger to log in for their coursework. Logging in to Buzz will also take their attendance. The classroom monitor does not take attendance.
- Transportation is not provided to or from school for this program.
Hours of Operation:
M, T, Th, F 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
W 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Registration: (Students MUST register on home campus when space is available, other campus locations may be selected if necessary based on availability)
In an effort to adhere to local health guidance as well as ensure GPS has adequate staff available to supervise all onsite supports, each campus registration will be limited to 90 students. Should all campuses reach capacity, an expansion plan has been put in place based on staff availability. Students may receive support services within the school district and/or through community organizations; however this may not necessarily be on the home campus.
Registered students will be able to arrive and depart anytime between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Families will need to provide transportation unless the student qualifies based on IEP qualification or McKenny-Vento designation.
Registration will open every two weeks with the registration link provided to qualifying students through direct email and/or phone call communication. General Open Lab registration to be available during the designated times listed below. Register at the link below:
https://gilbertschools.ce.eleyo.com/courses/category/63/on-site-learning-support/open-lab
Onsite Learning - Qualifying Services
Students who qualify for special services in the areas of special education, english language learners, gifted, or at-risk (Title I, foster care/McKinney Vento) may receive direct services based on location, faculty availability and as scheduling allows. These students will be assigned to a location with access to specific resources as well as assistance from strategically assigned staff members. Members of the ELL, special education, gifted, Title I and SEL staff will blend in-person supports with electronically provided materials.
- Special Education (All campuses) - Special education paraprofessionals assigned to all campus locations to assist qualifying students with accessing online courses and navigating the instructional platform (Those qualifying for level C services please see Specifically-Designed Instruction below)
- English Language Learners - ELL staff assigned to each campus will work both individually and with small groups periodically throughout each week. Students will be clustered based on enrollment information to assist with providing service to the most students possible. The students will be with full-time support staff members with ELL targeted supports being provided on drop in or limited pullout basis by qualified instructors
- Title I/Foster/McKinney Vento - Title I staff assigned to each GPS Title I campus will work individually or with small groups to support the needs of students identified as academically at-risk. Students will be assigned to a full-time support staff member with academic support being provided on drop in or limited pull out basis by a highly qualified Title I staff member.
- Gifted - Students will be clustered based on qualification and provided various academic extension activities within each location. Full-time support staff members will supervise the students with instruction coming online or through the activities provided by GPS Gifted staff members.
Hours of Operation: Elementary 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Registration: (Students MUST register on home campus when space is available, other campus locations may be selected if necessary based on availability)
In an effort to adhere to local health guidance as well as ensure GPS has adequate staff available to supervise all onsite supports, each campus registration will be limited to 90 students. Should all campuses reach capacity, an expansion plan has been put in place based on staff availability. Students may receive support services within the school district and/or through community organizations; however this may not necessarily be on the home campus.
Registered students will be able to arrive and depart anytime between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Families will need to provide transportation unless the student qualifies based on IEP qualification or McKenny-Vento designation.
Registration will open every two weeks with the registration link provided to qualifying students through direct email and/or phone call communication. Ge
Onsite Learning - Specially-Designed Instruction
(Time/Location - TBD based on need and program)
Students who qualify for SDI will be contacted directly by the GPS Special Education Department in an effort to create an individualized plan aligned to the student IEP requirements.
This service will be provided regionally throughout the district with transportation provided if explicitly outlined within the IEP.
Further information is available below.
GPS Webpage including detailed information and registration
https://www.gilbertschools.net/Domain/1368
On-Site Learning Support - Open Lab
https://gilbertschools.ce.eleyo.com/courses/category/63/on-site-learning-support/open-lab
On-Site Learning Support - Qualifying Services
https://gilbertschools.ce.eleyo.com/courses/category/64/on-site-learning-support/qualifying-services
InstaTwit
Sonoma Ranch Elementary has a presence in the social media world. We have both an Instagram and Twitter account. The same content is posted to both, and it is a fun way to see all the amazing things happening at the Ranch. Follow us @Stallion_Strong on Twitter and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/stallion_strong/?hl=en)
Student Attendance Online
Questions?
Thank you for reading the Round-Up. I understand that this school year is so much different than anything we have done in the past. If you have questions or need clarification, please reach out to me. Send me an email at colin.kelly@gilbertschools.net and I will be in touch.
Breakfast and Lunch from GPS
Thank you and Be Safe!
Principal
About us
Email: lori.schuermann@gilbertschools.net
Website: sonomaranch.gilbertschools.net
Location: 601 N Key Biscayne Dr, Gilbert, AZ, United States
Phone: (480) 497-9343
Twitter: @stallion_strong
Support for Online Instruction
Each of the buttons below will remain in the Round-Up each week so you have easy access. They are also available on the parent resources page of our website.
If you have further issues, give us a call at school and we can help you through it!