The Round-Up
The Sonoma Ranch Elementary School Principal's Newsletter
Year 5 Issue 183
We Engage We Educate We Inspire
Hello Stallion Families!
Our second Stallions on Parade weaved through a few more Sonoma Ranch neighborhoods this morning. There were almost 70 cars with staff members (and their families) in today's parade. Sterling the Stallion even made an appearance. It was tremendous to see so many of our families. We miss you! Thank you to all of the families who showed their support along the parade route!
If you were unable to catch today's parade, don't worry! We will have another parade next Monday, April 6 through our remaining neighborhoods! Look for more info later in the week.
As I'm sure you know by now, Governor Ducey and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Hoffman announced this morning that schools will remain closed through the end of the school year. You can read that announcement at the link at the end of the Round-Up.
Gilbert Public Schools have been preparing for extended school closures, and extensive plans are in place to support student learning for the remainder of the school year. All Sonoma Ranch families should have heard from their teacher(s) already regarding the start of remote learning. Our teachers worked all last week to begin this process. They will continue to develop the content and materials to be shared with their students.
I have instructed all teachers to begin remote learning with a focus on strengthening the curriculum previously taught during the first three semesters of the school year. This is how they would have begun instruction had we had a normal return to school after Spring Break. With the decision being made to close schools for the remainder of the year, our teachers are now better prepared to plan out our enrichment remote learning through May. This is a work in progress. None of our teachers, or any teachers in the state, were prepared to transition their instruction from the traditional model to an online learning environment. There will be hiccups throughout this process. Your patience is appreciated.
Please keep in mind that remote learning remains optional. We understand the complexity of home life right now. Please do not feel as though you must have your student do everything that is being provided. We are working hard to balance the need to provide as much as possible, without overwhelming our families. Your students will ideally be able to learn remotely as independently as possible. They will, of course, need some assistance from you, but in no way are we going to ask our parents/guardians to teach material for us.
I am sure questions about remote learning will develop. I appreciate your patience as we all navigate this new reality. You can reach out to your teachers and they will respond. Mrs. Schuermann (lori.schuermann@gilbertschools.net), Ms. Murphy (karen.murphy@gilbertschools.net) and I (colin.kelly@gilbertschools.net) are also available. Please feel free to email us with your questions or concerns.
This Friday is a Stallion Style Day. I'm asking everyone to continue this simple tradition even though we don't get to see each other every day. Another tradition I'd like to continue is my morning announcements. If you've heard them, you know that I thoroughly enjoy doing them each day. On Friday, I'll send out an email with another short video clip. If you wouldn't mind sharing it with your students, it would mean a lot to me.
The extension of the closure of schools through the end of the year means that all remaining SRE events are canceled at this time. The end of a school year at Sonoma Ranch traditionally includes a number of events. These events include music programs and concerts, student council interviews, our Super Fun Day and Talent Show, and the last day of school Success Assembly and 6th Grade Walk to name a few. I recognize the significance of canceling all these events. I will work with the faculty and staff to develop ways to replace some of these events with remote/virtual ones. This will be a work in progress as well.
All of us at the Ranch will continue to strive to bring as much normalcy to our students and their families as possible. This is, as you know, incredibly difficult. I appreciate your patience throughout this rather challenging time. I will continue to provide you with as much information as possible. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me (colin.kelly@gilbertschools.net).
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