Rancho News
From the Principal's Desk - August 21, 2022
Melanie Bowman, Principal
Upcoming Events
Reading with Grands - Friday, September 9th
Grandparents and Grandfriends are invited to join us on Friday, September 9th, 2022 in celebration of Grandparent's Day to share a great book and create a memory. You are welcome to bring a book of your own or read one in the classroom with your grandchild and others. We look forward to seeing you and sharing this special day!
If your ID has already been scanned into our system and you complete the linked form below, your badge will be pre-printed but you will still be required to show your ID for entry. If your ID has never been scanned into our system this school year, you may want to drop by before the 9th to scan it and expedite your entry. You must have your ID on the event day regardless if your badge is pre-printed or not. LHISD policy is "NO ID, No Entry". The RSVP process will speed along your entry however.
THIS FORM NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED by Monday, September 5th, 2022 to have a badge pre-printed.
Grade Level Reading Times:
8:30-9:00 PreK & 1st Grade
9:00-9:30 2nd Grade
9:30-10:00 Kinder & 3rd Grade
10:00-10:30 5th Grade
10:30-11:00 4th Grade
Car Line Safety
With a large number of families moving into our area, we know we have many families who are just now becoming familiar with our daily car drop-off and pick-up procedures. As the seasons change, morning drop-off will eventually be dimly lit so safety is of the utmost importance. We have established an efficient, orderly, safe process for car-lines both morning and afternoon. We move cars in large batches so that we can ensure students are safe while unloading and loading. We must ensure that students are away from vehicles before any cars move.
In the mornings, as you enter the parking lot, please have your child gather his/her things and prepare to exit the vehicle. Once your batch of cars has stopped anywhere along the sidewalk between the cafeteria doors and the library entrance, have your student exit your car and go to the closest door. Please do not wait for an adult to open the car door on the right side (closest to the curb) once the batch of cars is stopped. Please have your student exit on the school-side of the vehicle. We have adults stationed along the line as well as at every entrance door and inside to facilitate students' entry into the building. The carline is busiest between 7:30-7:40 each morning. The building is open and students may go to their rooms beginning at 7:10. That time between 7:10-7:30 is the sweet spot for the most efficient carline drop-off. If your child needs assistance to unbuckle or gather his/her things or an extended good-bye, please park in the parking lot and walk your child across at the crosswalk.
In the afternoons, please have your car tag visible when you turn into the parking lot. Cars are again batched into sections (A, B, C), and students will exit the building closest to their car pick-up section. Please put your vehicle in "park" when the batch comes to a stop since students will walk between cars to get to the outside line. We do not want any cars moving while students are in motion. You will notice that students will not be allowed to walk towards cars until ALL cars have come to a stop.
Finally, a few reminders:
Cell phone usage is prohibited in school zones at all times.
Display your car number tag on your mirror. If you do not have a tag, please park and walk into the office to get a numbered tag.
Please follow the directions of school personnel both in the car-line and at crosswalks.
Please only cross at marked crosswalks.
Please do not move or drive over our safety cones to avoid following assigned travel paths.
Observe speed limit signs and flashing lights on school buses.
Do NOT jump the line or change lanes once entering the lot in the afternoon. This will only slow the process as children are being 'batched' inside the building according to the data being entered by staff as you enter the car line.
Most importantly, stay attentive in the car line to ensure a safe area for staff and students.
Check out the video below to help you understand the process. Thank you for doing your part to keep our students and staff safe during arrival and dismissal each day.
No Car Tag?
If you do not have your car tag displayed, you must park your vehicle in the lot and walk in to the office. You will not be able to pick up your child in the car line without the school provided car tag to ensure that students are only released to parents or guardians.
Practicing Safety Protocols with Students and Staff
The first time a drill is practiced, teachers and staff will take extra time to explain that this is just a practice for being safe on campus. Our conversations with kids are always focused on creating safe places in our building. In the instance of a Secure/Lockdown drill, staff are asked to avoid sharing information about intruders that could instill fear. Prepare, not scare is our goal.
All LHISD campuses use the Standard Response Protocols (SRP). More information on school safety protocols for parents can be found on the Texas School Safety Center or at this link.
As a parent, we are sharing this information in case you would like to prepare or have follow up conversations with your child about how you stay safe in your own home and when in public places.
Here is the tentative Drill Schedule:
Week of Sept 5 - Fire Drill
Week of Sept 12 - Hold/Shelter Drill
Week of Sept 19 - Secure/Lockdown Drill
RSE Rates an 'A' in Accountability by TEA
We are very pleased to share that RSE has scored an overall rating of 'A' with a Distinction Designation for Closing the Gaps in student performance.
You can find ratings for Rancho Sienna Elementary and LHISD at TxSchools.gov as well as Parent Resources.
Fighting Panther Club
PTO Needs YOU!
Please remember to sign up to join the PTO this year....it's FREE! We have many fun events and things planned, need you as volunteers, and we would love to have as many parents as possible participating!
Follow Rancho PTO on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RanchoSiennaPTO
Details on how to sign up for the PTO, ordering Spirit Wear, and our Facebook page can be found on our website - https://ranchosienna.ptboard.com
Free and Reduced Meals
Some changes have been made for Child Nutrition Services for the 2022-23 Academic year. All school districts are required to go back to paid meals and offer free/reduced meals based on eligibility. LHISD families that qualify can submit their applications and still receive free/reduced meals.
To learn more about completing our Free and Reduced meal waiver application, we invite you to visit our Child Nutrition Services website: https://www.libertyhill.txed.net/Page/582
Join us to Student Literacy!
RSE Staff Birthdays
Aug 8 - Harley Lewis, Teacher Aide
Aug 12 - Debbie Clifton, 2nd Grade Teacher
Aug 14 - Tara Reyes, Cafe Manager
Aug 19 - Kaitlyn Netherton, Receptionist
Aug 20 - Denise Johnson, 1st Grade Teacher
Aug 22 - Josie Orona, 5th Grade Teacher
Aug 23 - Lauryn RIchardson, Behavior Support Specialist
Aug 27 - Audrey Roberts, Kinder Teacher
Sept 14 - Amanda Flournoy, Librarian
Sept 18 - Jessica Hernandez, PE Aide
Sept 21 - Staci Pinkerton, 1st Grade Teacher
Sept 24 - Julie Johnson, Assistant Principal
Sept 28 - Sadie Caven, Kinder Teacher
Meet the Teacher Night and First Days of School Pics!
Student/Athletic Accident Insurance is available through The Brokerage Store.
Are you needing insurance coverage for a student in grades K-12? Optional coverage is available. Please see the link below for more information:
General Campus/District Information Links
Rancho Sienna Elementary
Email: webmaster@libertyhill.txed.net
Website: https://www.libertyhill.txed.net/Domain/13
Location: 751 Bonnet Boulevard, Georgetown, TX, USA
Phone: 512-260-4450
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lhisd.rses/
Twitter: @rancho_panthers