News from the Ranch
Empowering Leaders Every Day
A note from the Principal
Rancher Families,
Wow, just wow!!!! Thank you all for showering our teachers with lots of love this week. Teacher Appreciation Week was simply amazing. Our teachers feel blessed and loved and truly, deeply appreciated. Those little notes or flowers or treats mean the world.
With one week to go until spring break, please know that our students begin to get a little different before a holiday. They know it is coming. For some, it produces anxiety because there is a change. For others, they are literally bursting with excitement about the upcoming holiday. And, the weather is gorgeous and kids just want to be outside and play. We will all synergize together to help our students stay focused on the learning. Please help us with keeping bedtimes regular and routines stable for next week.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Beth Mohler
Future Ranger Sportsmanship Award
Andrew Chasco - 3rd Grade
Nominated by: Ms. Paschal and Ms. Volk
Drew is an incredibly compassionate, patient and wise kid. He treats everyone with respect - especially his table mate who joins us daily from SLE. He is welcoming, inclusive and sets an incredible example for our class every day. This guy is going to go big places in life and he’s really shining this year!
State Testing Next Week
Families please be aware that we have state mandated testing for students in grades 2-5 every day except Wednesday next week. We limit visitors during state mandated testing. Please don't plan to come for lunch or other volunteering next week.
We do know we have the 5th grade performing arts show on Thursday and Shark Tank on Friday and have planned accordingly. We will monitor the areas where testing will be taking place to avoid any potential for violation of test security and confidentiality.
Thank you for understanding as we follow the guidelines for testing set from the state.
5th Grade Performing Arts Showcase is coming up on March 9th!
Parents of 5th Graders, please complete the RSVP below to attend the 5th Grade ShowCase Thursday, March 9, 9:15 AM. Space is limited to TWO guests per student. Be prepared for parking challenges! Please help your child find a creative costume for the American music era of his or her choice OR go with jeans and a cool vintage rock tee shirt.
We can't wait to share our show! Thanks, Ms Elaine
Safety First
This is just a timely reminder that safety is our top priority. I am hearing multiple comments from parents about the behavior of some in our car rider line and in driving through the front of the school with the crosswalk. These are ALL our children and together we keep them safe. We know the lines are tedious and it can be frustrating. We also know that practicing unsafe behavior to pull around someone or drive through a crosswalk when it is unsafe does not make the situation any better. Let's practice looking at it through the paradigm of abundance. As a mother of a 19 year old, I will say to you that you are going to miss these days. They will grow up in the blink of an eye and you will drive past a school and remember the countless hours you spent picking up your kids. Maybe you will write the next best seller about your experience in the car rider line. We definitely don't want a student hit in a crosswalk and that has happened recently in our area. Let's be safe!
1st Grade's 120th Day of School on March 9th!
Join 1st Grade and wear workout gear for the 120th day of school on March 9. They are working out their brains for 120 days of school.
Free & Reduced Meals
LISD provides free and reduced-price (F&R) meals for children approved for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). To apply for this program, submit an application online, or download, print, and submit one of these forms:
Rutledge Staff Shout Out!
Our staff have loved all the kind words that have been shared with us since school has started! The smiles and tears shed by your words of appreciation are priceless.
If you would like to send a Shout Out to a Rutledge staff member or teacher, we will happily pass it along. It can be anonymous or signed. Thank you for lifting up our hardworking teachers and faculty. We love what we do and appreciate your partnership!
Submit a "Shout Out" here!
4th and 5th Grade Parents:
Teaching Your Child About Puberty
4th & 5th Grade Parents/Guardians:
Leander ISD 4th and 5th grade students are about to study an important lesson on the early stages of puberty which some students may be beginning to experience. In order for students to participate, parents must complete an OPT-IN form for their child.
At Rutledge Elementary, students will watch the videos listed below on March 10th. While watching the videos, students will be separated by grade level and gender. Counselor and educator, Lynsey Crawford, will teach the girls and Counselor and educator, Rachel Hunt, will teach the boys group. Click the links below to preview videos. For the 22-23 school year, previews will be made available Feb 20-March 9, 2023.
The videos review the following topics:
Reproductive systems
Health and nutrition
Hygiene and grooming
Self esteem
Physical changes
Emotional changes
Kids First
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to live with Autism, Dyslexia, be deaf/hard of hearing, or have a speech impairment? Kids First is a turn-key program that gives students and families insight into the daily lives of someone who lives with one of these unique abilities. This program contains several hands-on stations to help build a culture of understanding and acceptance on campus.
We are looking for 1-2 volunteers for each classroom as well as some lunch helpers on Wednesday, March 8.
https://leander.ezcommunicator.net/edu/leander/quick_login.aspx?App=28&Path=Survey&Id=1337
Clothes Closet
We really need 5 volunteers from Rutledge to help with the event on March 7th from 9:30-12:30 at Leander HS.
The Leander Clothes Closet is accepting Prom Attire donations! Or if you are looking for Prom Attire please check out the Clothes Closet!
Please contact Melissa Smith if you are able to help with either of these things at 512-470-9210 or melkel2@yahoo.com
Thank you!!
COVID-19 Reporting
For any student who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19, we ask parents/guardians to click here to notify the district.
Here are some resources for parents on where to get COVID tests:
https://www.wcchd.org/covid-19/testing.php
AustinTX.gov
If people do not have access to the internet, they can call 311 and ask for assistance with COVID testing sites.
