Rancho Gabriela News

There is no school on Friday, April 26th for a Spring Holiday. Enjoy the three day weekend!

Join us for Rattler Spirit Night at Mod Pizza on Monday, April 22nd located at 13668 N Prasada Parkway in Surprise. MOD Pizza will donate 25% of your bill to support RGES students and classrooms. TO Order online use code: MODGIVES25

Congratulations to Meghan Lord! She is a Rattler parent and a phenomenal employee! Meghan goes above and beyond working with her one on one student as well as many other 3rd grade students. She supports students with their differentiated work and is always patient, kind and enthusiastic when interacting with students. She prepares student materials and even helps support other students getting home safely at parent pick up. Meghan is a valued and critical member of our classroom community and we are so lucky to have her! Way to go Meghan!

Visit grads yearbooks and follow the instructions to order yours today.

Check out htis month's Rattler Report from Principal Mattingly.

This week is AZ testing Spirit week.  

Monday- Stay cool and wear shades of Blue and sunglasses 

Tuesday- Show your AZ support & wear AZ sports gear 

Wednesday- Wear a superhero shirt because you are super smart 

Thursday- Honor a staff member who has helped you and dress like them, like Coach Thursam 

Friday- Get some rest & be comfy in PJ's or sweat pants

Superintendent Croteau presented Rancho Gabriela Staff members with their Dysart Hero awards! One teacher and one classified staff member from RGES were nominated by their collegaues as Dysart Heroes of the Year! 

Michelle Ives is a 3rd grade teacher and Marcia Ideran is a Crossign Guard here at Rancho Gabriela Elementary! Congratualtions Rattlers! 

Rattler Field Day fun has been rescheduled! On Friday, March 29th all grades will participate in field day games and activities! Please ensure your child is dressed for PE and has sunblock applied.  Students can wear a hat and should also bring their water bottle. Woohoo! Let's have some fun!

Spring Break is March 18th-22nd. Enjoy a fun and relaxing break. School resumes on Monday, March 25th.

We will host a Kindergarten Showcase night on Tuesday, March 12 beginning at 5:30 p.m. so that families can learn more about the free, full-day Kindergarten program.  Tour the school , visit classrooms and meet Kindergarten teachers. 

Dysart schools are among the top-rated in the state of Arizona and provide a FREE, FULL-DAY Kindergarten program in a safe, caring environment. The Dysart kindergarten program follows Arizona state standards, and offers hands-on, real-life activities in the areas of Cognitive, Social, and Physical development. Dysart schools offering full-day kindergarten include Asante Preparatory Academy, Canyon Ridge, Countryside, El Mirage, Freedom Traditional Academy, Kingswood, Luke, Marley Park, Mountain View, Rancho Gabriela, Riverview, Sunset Hills, Surprise Elementary, Thompson Ranch, West Point, and Western Peaks.  

Enroll Now for 2024-2025 Enroll now for the 2024-2025 school year for Preschool through 4th grade! Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open for Dysart Schools. Parents may register their child online at Dysart.org/Registration or by visiting their local school.  In order to register for school, parents must provide a birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residency.  To determine the school boundary for your residence, please visit www.dysart.org/boundaries. Open enrollment is available for parents who would like their child to attend a school other than their home school. Information on Open Enrollment is available at Dysart.org/OpenEnrollment.

With the warmer weather, many sweaters and jackets ha vebeen shed on the playground and throughout the school. Please check out our overflowing Lost and Found to find your student's items. We also have lunch boxes and water bottles needin gto be claimed by thier owners. Any remaining unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity over Spring Break.

RGES Student Council is now accepting doantions through March 8th for Sun Valley Animal Shelter.  Help feed shelter pets by donating pet food, dog and cat toys, cat litter and animal dog beds.  Any new or gently used toys and bedding is greatly appreciated.  Thank you for helping us to grant their wishes.

Spring Picture Day is Tuesday, March 5th! 

All students will have individual pictures and class pictures taken and then proofs will be sent home 2 weeks later for ordering!

Check out Principal Mattingly's Rattler Report News!

Rattler Yearbooks are on sale now! Visit gradsyearbooks.com and follow the instructions to order yours today.

March 4th-March 8th is National Read Across America Week! Throughout the week we will have spirit dress days, District and community guest readers reading to classes and a Family Literacy Night. We hope you can join us  on Thursday, March 7th for Family Literacy Night! We will have fun reading games and activities for the entire family from 4:30pm-5:30pm. 

• Spirit Week Dress Days-
• Monday - Goodnight Moon: Pajama Day. Wear your most comfy school appropriate pajamas! No slippers! 
• Tuesday - Siegfried's Smelly Socks: Sock day, wear silly or mismatched socks (also Spring Picture Day)
• Wednesday - Grace for President: wear Red, White and blue or dress like a President. 
• Thursday - Leopold's Birthday: What do you want to be in the future. Dress for your future career. 
• Friday - Oh, the places you will go. Dr Suess Day! Wear vacation or college destination shirt

Join your friends and family from Rancho Gabriela at School Spirit Night at the Ballpark with the Los Angeles Angels and Kansas City Royals - Wednesday, March 20th at 6:05 p.m at Surprise Stadium!   

Join us at Surprise Stadium for an unforgettable afternoon of Spring Training excitement at our special Spirit Days event! Bring your loved ones to the ballpark and take advantage of exclusive ticket discounts while supporting your local school with every ticket purchase. Don't miss this chance to create lasting memories, enjoy America's favorite pastime, and give back to the community. Get your tickets today!   

You must pre-purchase your school spirit tickets through this link. The ticket offer will not be available to be purchased at the Box Office. Gear up and be ready to represent your Rancho Gabriela Rattlers school pride! Don't wait, availability through this link is limited. Secure your seats today!

Enroll now for the 2024-2025 school year for Preschool through 4th grade! Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open for Dysart Schools. Parents may register their child online at Dysart.org/Registration or by visiting their local school.  In order to register for school, parents must provide a birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residency.  To determine the school boundary for your residence, please visit www.dysart.org/boundaries. Open enrollment is available for parents who would like their child to attend a school other than their home school. Information on Open Enrollment is available at Dysart.org/OpenEnrollment.

We will host a Kindergarten Showcase night on Tuesday, March 12 beginning at 5:30 p.m. so that families can learn more about the free, full-day Kindergarten program.  Dysart schools are among the top-rated in the state of Arizona and provide a FREE, FULL-DAY Kindergarten program in a safe, caring environment. The Dysart kindergarten program follows Arizona state standards, and offers hands-on, real-life activities in the areas of Cognitive, Social, and Physical development. Dysart schools offering full-day kindergarten include Asante Preparatory Academy, Canyon Ridge, Countryside, El Mirage, Freedom Traditional Academy, Kingswood, Luke, Marley Park, Mountain View, Rancho Gabriela, Riverview, Sunset Hills, Surprise Elementary, Thompson Ranch, West Point, and Western Peaks.  

You are invited to Rattler Spirit Night at Babbo's Italian Eatery in Surprise on Wednesday 2/22 from 5-9pm. Enjoy a yummy Italtian dinner and help support your students at Rancho Gabriela! See you there!

There will be no school on Monday, 2/19/24 in observance of President's Day! Enjoy the 3 day weekend!

Check out Principal Mattingly's monthly Rattler Report with all of the February happenings at Rancho Gabriela!

Let's celebrate Valentine's Day with an entire week of Valentine's Spirit Dress Days! 

Monday-Wear Red, Pink or White 

Tuesday- Twinning Tuesday-dress alike 

Wednesday-Wear hearts 

Thursday-Wear Valentine accessories 

Friday-Love to be comfy-school appropriate PJs or comfy clothes

Congratulations to Michelle Ives, Rancho Gabriela's Staff Member of the Month! Mrs. Ives was nominated because she works tirelessly for all of her students.  She puts so much time, energy, and passion into making sure all of her students learn.  Her compassion for her students, coworkers and staff is profound.  When you enter her classroom, you naturally feel welcomed and her calm environment is conducive to student learning. Mrs. Ives is an amazing teacher, coworker and friend. 

This is Parent Teacher Conference week. Due to conferences, we have early dismissal at 1:45pm on Thursday, 2/8 and Friday , 2/9. If you have not yet scheduled your parent teacher conference, please email your child's teacher.

As a reminder-February 5th through February 9th is Parent Teacher Conference week. If you have not yet signed up for a conference, email your child's teacher.  Due to parent teacher conferences, Thursday, 2/8 and Friday, 2/9 are early dismissal at 1:45pm for Kinder -4th grade. There are no preschool classes on 2/8 and 2/9.

Would you like to send a special Valentine's message and treat to your student? Valentine's Grams will be for sale Monday, February 5th-Friday, February 9th for only $1. PTSO will be selling Valentine Grams before school everyday 2/5-2/9 and after school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Bus riders can purchase Valentine's Grams during the school day on Monday, February 12th. Valentine's Grams will be delivered to your student in class on Valentine's Day!

The RGES Scholastic Book Fair is 2/5-2/9! Don't miss out on purchasing terrific books for your student while supporting Rancho Gabriela.

Volunteers are needed to help at the Book Fair.

Benchmark testing will take place on Tuesday, January 30th and Wednesday, January 31st for 3rd and 4th grade students. Please ensure your child is on time to school, has had a good night's rest and a nutritious breakfast to be prepared to do their very best on benchmark testing. 

Join us at Peter Piper Pizza located at 128th Avenue and Bell Road in Surprise on Wednesday, January 24th from 4-8pm for Rattler Spirit night! Have fun with friends, enjoy a yummy dinner and support your school! Proceeds are donated directly back to Rancho to benefit students in the classroom.

Celebrate with us on Tuesday January 23, 2024 as we complete the first 100 days of school! Wear anything 100 related such as a shirt with the number 100, 100 colors, 100 hair accessories, or dress like a 100 year old! Be creative! We can’t wait to see your “100” wear!

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day, there will be no school on Monday, 1/15/24.  School resumes Tuesday, 1/16. Enjoy the three day weekend!

Check out Principal Mattingly's January 2024 Rattler Report with monthly news and information.

Congratulations to Shelley Hasseman! Shelley is a School Aide who has worked at Rancho Gabriela Elementary School since 2017! She was nominated by fellow staff members for always having a smile on her face and being friendly to everyone. She is so patient with the energetic young students in the cafeteria and on the playground. Shelley always taking initiative and gets the job done. She enjoys having fun with the staff and students while also making student safety a priority! Way to go Shelley! We are so proud to have you as part of the Rancho family!

Enjoy a relaxing Winter Break spent with your family! School resumes for students on Tuesday, January 9th, 2024.

Monday - Holiday headband or holiday hat 

Tuesday - Winter attire (hat, scarf, etc...) 

Wednesday - Holiday colors 

Thursday - Ugly Sweater Day 

Friday - P.J. Day   **Early release at 12pm today

The last day of school before winter break has early dismissal at 12:00pm. 

On Saturday, December 9th, Shop with a Cop was sponsored by the West Valley Mavericks Organization.  The mission of this organization is to assist children and families in need.   Shop with a Cop is an event that pairs children with a law enforcement officer for a shopping spree at Kohls. Participants got to shop for holiday gifts for family members. Students also enjoyed a Chick Fil A breakfast, a helicopter flyover and a visit from Santa Clause!

Congratulations to our fourth grade student, Gabriel Erekson who won 4th place in the Dysart Spelling Bee! Gabriel won Rancho Gabriela's school Spelling Bee and represented Rancho at the Dysart districtwide Spelling Bee on December 6th. He competed against 3rd through 8th grade students across the district. Way to go Gabriel!

Are you looking for the perfect gift for your child's teacher? Consider granting a teacher's holiday wish by visiting the Holiday Wish Tree in the front office and help support your child's classroom!

Principal Mattingly's December Newsletter with upcoming events.

Mrs. Haslam is always willing to step in and share her knowledge! She also provides amazing tech support! Thank you for all you do! Michelle goes above and beyond with supporting her teammates. She guides us with lesson planning and shares her ideas for enhancing student engagement. She is also a great support with creating CFAs and helping our district third grade teachers with getting prepared for AASA testing. She completes professional development on reading and literacy strategies and even completed her masters this year! Way to go Michelle!

Rancho Gabriela's Kids Holiday Shop will be open 12/5-12/8. Affordable gifts will be available from $1-$15. Students will visit the Holiday Shop at a designated class time.

We hope you enjoy a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving Break with your families!  School resumes on Monday, November 27th.

No school on 11/10/23 in Honor of Veteran's Day-Enjoy the 3 Day weekend!

All students’ families are invited to join us for our annual Turkey Trot FUN run and then stay for our Thanksgiving lunch in the cafeteria on Friday, November 17th.  Parents/guardians are welcome to run with their students or just cheer them on! 

The turkey trot is an event that focuses on the healthy lifelong activities of walking, jogging and running.  This non-competitive event allows students to participate in the walk/jog on the main field.   Kindergarten through 2nd grade will run a two-thirds of a mile turkey trot and the 3rd & 4th grade turkey trot will include a mile run. This run is optional. 

 Lunch tickets for parents, siblings & visitors can be purchased at the gate when you arrive. Lunch cost is $3.50 for adults or non-students and $2.60 for students. Only CASH is accepted- NO card payments. Students will go through the lunch line. Thanksgiving lunch includes turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans, a roll, a pumpkin bar and milk.  *Cash or  check only! Small bills or exact change are appreciated.      

Our modified Thanksgiving lunch schedule and Turkey trot times are below: 

Grade     Trot Time       Lunch Time     Lunch End Time 

Kinder      10:05               10:25                     10:55 

 2nd          10:45               11:05                     11:35 

 4th           11:20               11:45                     12:15 

1st            12:05               12:25                     12:55 

 3rd           12:40                1:05                         1:35

Please enter thru the front Courtyard gate.  The gate will open at 9:50. Please plan to arrive in time to allow for visitor sign in and purchasing lunch tickets.  

 **For security reasons,  all visitors will need to provide a PHOTO ID at the gate to enter and must be a parent/guardian or verified emergency contact.  

We are celebrating America's Veterans & Patriotism with Veteran's Spirit Week! 

Monday: Camo or Green 

Tuesday: Stars and Stripes 

Wednesday: Patriotic Wear (shirts, hats, etc...) 

Thursday: Red, White, and Blue 

Friday: No School, Enjoy the 3 day weekend for Veteran's Day!

We are so proud to announce that Rancho Gabriela Elementary School earned an “A” rating from the school accountability labels for the 2022-2023 school year! Rancho Gabriela is one of 18 schools in the district to receive the “A” rating.  Additionally, Rancho Gabriela ranked in the top 20% of schools  in the state. 

The school accountability labels measure year to year student academic growth, proficiency on English language arts, math and science, the proficiency and academic growth of English language learners, indicators that an elementary student is ready for success in high school and that high school students are ready to succeed in a career or higher education and high school graduation rates.

Congratulations to Mrs. Holly Leamaster.  Holly is taking on a new role this school year as an ESS Resource Teacher and she is crushing it. Holly has a willingness to learn and grow. She is willing to try anything and support anywhere she can. Holly is an amazing teammate and I am so glad she is an OFFICAL Rattler this year! She supports our Kinder and 2nd grade students with a smile on her face!  Holly has been so supportive and helpful in letting students move part of their day into her room! Holly is very open, welcoming, and flexible in adding more students to her room as needed. She is a great teammate when it comes to listening, bouncing ideas off each other or just venting about the millions things we are trying and doing. It is so great working with her and she is a natural teacher! We are so happy to have Holly Leamaster here at Rancho Gabriela supporting some of our most needy students. Way to go Holly!

Check out this month's news in our November Rattler Report from Principal Mattingly.  Don't miss information about our upcoming Veteran's Honors Assembly and Thanksgiving Lunch with Turkey Trot!

Help Rancho Gabriela support local families in need by donating non-perishable food items now through 11/17 for Valley View Food Bank! The grade level with the most items donated will win an ice cream party! Thank you for your support!

Fall Picture re-take day is this Wednesday, 11/1. All students new to Rancho since September, students who missed picture day and any students wanting retakes, will take pictures on 11/1. 

Calling all Rancho Gabriela family veterans and service members!  We would like to celebrate you on Thursday, November 9th with a Veteran's Day breakfast and assembly.  Please RSVP via the Veterans form and turn the completed form into the front office including the completed Veteran's Service Bio with a picture by Wednesday, November 1st. 

**Once we receive all forms and confirm reservations, we will send home tickets to attendees by Monday, November 6th.**                          **Each person must have a ticket to enter the Veterans Honors Breakfast. **   

Rancho Gabriela 3rd and 4th graders participated in our school wide Spelling Bee. Congratulations to all participants! Gabriel Erekson in 3rd grade was Rancho Gabriela's winner and will represent our school at the Districtwide Spelling Bee on November 29th. Way to go!

Congratulations Mrs. Crystal Campa who was selected by fellow Rattler staff as October's Staff member of the month! Mrs. Campa is our ESS STC teacher. Crystal goes above and beyond for her students. She is willing to take extra students an does what is best for them! She is a team player and always willing to partner up and try different ideas for the success of her students. She is so gracious and generous with her time. She helps where she is needed without ever being asked. We are happy to have her as apart of the Rancho team!

Rancho Gabriela's Trunk or Treat is Friday, 10/27 from 5:30-7pm. 

Come out for a night of FREE Family Fun!  We will have food trucks, games and prizes including for the best Halloween costume! 

Parents can sign up to hand out candy for our Trunk or Treat! Limited spaces are available.

Candy donations are needed to make this a terrific event! Donations can be turned into the front office through Friday afternoon-the class with the most candy donations will win a class prize! Cupcake donations are also needed for our cake walk also. Thank you!

The Book Fair is happening this week! We are looking for parent volunteers to help at the Book Fair. You can also pre-order books from the Book Fair online now. A portion of all proceeds goes directly back to students in their classrooms.

Book Fair Hours: 

Monday-Class preview walk thrus only

Tuesday- 8:30-8:55am Open to the public, 9:30-3:00 Class visits only

Wednesday- 8:30-8:55am Open to the public, 9:30-3:00 Class visits, 3:50-5pm-Open to the public

Thursday- 8:30-8:55am Open to the public, 9:30-3:00 Class visits only

Friday- 8:30-8:55am Open to the public, 9:30-12:00 Class visits only

School is closed for Fall Break from 10/9-10/13. Enjoy a relaxing week with your families! School resumes Monday, 10/16.

Due to Parent Teacher Conferences, Kindergarten through 4th grade students will have early release on October 5th and 6th at 1:45 pm.  Preschool classes are cancelled on these days.  There will be no school October 9th-13th due to Fall Break.  Enjoy!

Check out all of the school happenings for the month of October in Principal Mattingly's Rattler Report October 23-24

• Monday, 10/2- Shades Day=Attendance is so bright, you've got to wear shades
• Tuesday, 10/3-Twins Day=Team up, dress the same as a friend and come to school everyday 
• Wednesday, 10/4-Wacky Wild Hair Day=Wild Hair, we don't care! Be on time with your hairstyle
• Thursday, 10/5-Hat Day=Head for success by arriving on time in a fun hat
• Friday, 10/6-Rattler Spirit Day=Let's celebrate you and our school. Show school spirit and wear Rattler gear or school colors!

We want over 95% of Rattlers on campus all week! Let's reach our goal!

Rattler yearbooks are available to purchase! Visit gradsyearbooks.com and follow the online instructions.

Get you FREE Student library cards by completing the library card sent home with your student and returning it to RGES by October 3rd. Library cards will be delivered directly to your student on October 18th. 

Don't miss the chance to order the all new Rattler Spirit shirts and hoodies! Order by October 2nd to get your new spirit gear!

Grads Photography will be at  Rancho Gabriela Elementary School on September 19th, 2023 for Fall Pictures.  

 You may PRE-ORDER your pictures now. 

Check out our Rattler News Crew's daily announcements on Rancho's YouTube channel. 

We will be hosting a GLOW RUN in the gym on Wednesday, October 4th for students during their Specials time! This exciting Fundraiser is going to include music, glow sticks, black lights, and all things NEON! We are raising money for field trip busses, learning materials, and educational student activities!  Please sign up for the event/Fundraiser!

Prizes will be awarded for... 

-Top 3 students with the most donations

-Top Class with most donations 

-All students will be entered into a raffle, where we will randomly choose 5 winners!

Questions: Email PTSO                             

Thank you for your support!

Rancho Gabriela hosted a Goodies with Grandparents event in honor of Grandparents Day on September 10 to celebrate the Grandparents who bring joy and wisdom to the lives of our children.  Grandparents were invited to have a sweet treat with their grandchildren and walked them to class. 

Mrs. Meyer was nominated as September's Staff member of the month by her fellow Rancho Gabriela peers. 

Mrs. Ashley Meyer goes above and beyond to help others! As the ESS lead teacher, she helps with IEPs, taking the lead in meeting's with parents, and is always there to answer questions. She is an amazing mentor!  Ashley works hard to meet the needs of her students and to build a rapport with them and celebrate their success. She is encouraging, knowledgeable and kind. She provides great advice for focus and engagement strategies and has offered students who were having a difficult time an option for breaks. Ashley has joined in as support on a parent meeting and takes on leadership roles on campus. We are lucky to have Mrs. Meyer as part of the Rattler family! Thank you Ashley, you rock! 

Cross Country is open to 3rd and 4th grade students. Practices are held before school on Monday and Wednesday mornings beginning September 5th.  Students will compete at district meets on Saturday mornings. Interested students can pick up a flyer and more information in the school office.

It's RGES Spirit Night at Handel's Ice Cream on Tuesday, August 29th from 3-9pm.

15240 N Cotton Lane  Surprise AZ 85388

Enjoy a yummy ice cream treat with friends ad support Rancho Gabriela at the same time!

20% of the total purchase will be donated to the PTSO to directly benefit Rancho students.

All students have an assigned Chromebook to use during the school day and are responsible for any damage or repair costs.  Optional device protection insurance is available for $25. It is non-refundable and assessed to all students at the beginning of the school year. Payments are due by 9/1/23 and must be paid online via InTouch. Please follow the directions on the InTouch link. Non payment by 9/1 means you are opting out. No insurance coverage will be provided and the insurance fee will be removed from your student's account. Chromebook replacement cost without insurance is $400.

Please review the before school and after school student drop off and pick up lines. 

Student pick up and drop off procedures-please notice one entrance off of Gabriela Drive and one exit off of Cholla for a smooth traffic flow.

Principal Mattingly sends out a monthly newsletter with upcoming events and curriculum information at the beginning of each month.

You are invited to Meet the Teacher Night on Tuesday, August 1st from 5:00pm-6:30pm. Preschool through 4th grade students and their parents/guardians can meet teachers, visit classrooms and tour the school. Visit the Cafeteria to put money on student lunch accounts, receive free/reduced information or pick up school menus. Bus information for eligible students and Dens Club information for before/afterschool childcare will be available as well.

Rancho Gabriela loves volunteers! Volunteers help our students with academics, working in small groups, reading with students and helping at special events.  Parents and community members are welcome to volunteer! All volunteers must complete a volunteer application and pass a fingerprint back ground check.

School is out for summer. The office is closed from Friday, June 2nd until Monday, July 10th.  Register now for the 2023-2024 school year. Hav a fun and safe summer break!

•  Monday, July 19, 2023: The school front office re-opens for summer hours M-Th 8am-4pm. Register online now.
• Tuesday, August 1st, 2023:  Meet the Teacher Night from 5:00pm-6:30pm. Class lists will be posted at this time.
• Thursday, August 3rd, 2023: The 1st day of school for Kinder-4th grade students. School hours are 8:40-3:45pm.
• Monday, August 7th, 2023: The first day of school for Preschool students.

Rancho Gabriela is a Preschool through 4th grade Elementary School. We are now enrolling for August 2023.

As a convenience, parents/guardians can complete most of the enrollment process online. In order to finalize enrollment the following documents will be required by our office: a government-issued photo identification; birth certificate; proof of residency; and immunization records.  

Please note that currently enrolled Rancho Gabriela students do NOT need to complete student enrollment for the upcoming school year. 

The week of May 22nd is the last week of school. We have early dismissal as follows:

Monday, 5/22  1:45pm dismissal

Tuesday, 5/23  12pm dismissal

Wednesday, 5/24  12pm dismissal and final day of school

Community partners from Surprise visited Rancho Gabriela. Students in Preschool through 4th grade got to check out the different companies and public workers in our community including Surprise Public Works and Police and Fire during Community Day! 

May 3rd- Community Day

May 4th- 3rd and 4th Grade Choir Concert

May 10th- Showcase Night at 5pm, Talent Show at 6pm

May 12th-Preschool Water Fun Day

May 19th-Kinder Aloha Celebration

May 22nd- Preschool Celebration and last day of school for Preschool students

May 23rd-Early release at 12pm

May 24th-Early release at 12pm and last day of school for all students. Fourth quarter grades posted on the Parent Portal.

This week is Educator Appreciation Week! Thank you to our fabulous PTSO for making Rancho staff feel special! Our PTSO parents are fabulous volunteers who put their heart into supporting Rancho staff and students!

Congratulations to Rancho Gabriela Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Campbell.  Mrs. Campbell was nominated by a parent and awarded Teacher of the Month from a local community business.

As the parent stated, "she has done nothing but support and fight for my son. He was diagnosed with autism and also has a missing chromosome which delays his learning. Each day is the same, routine can’t change. If something is out of place, this can cause problems for him. She is so patient with him. She knows how to deal with him. She is the most caring teacher not only for my son but for all the kindergarten children’s that she has had in her classroom. Thank you for everything Mrs. Campbell. I wish I could give you the world."

This award recognizes a local teacher that goes above and beyond to love the kids in their class.  This recognition comes with a certificate for being named teacher of the month, a pizza party from Barro's Pizza for their class, and a gift card to their favorite restaurant, which for Mrs. Campbell, it was The Cheesecake Factory.

Dear Rattler Students and Families, 

Welcome to March. It’s hard to believe we are about to head into Spring Break and the final stretch of the school year. We will be analyzing our Third and Fourth Grade Reading and Math Benchmark Assessment data this week. This data will provide us the information we need to help students prepare for the Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment (AASA) in April. As a reminder, all students in grades 3rd and 4th grade must take the AASA exam. 

Additionally, Kindergarten - 3rd Grade students are preparing for their End of the Year DIBELS tests. Our students, teachers, staff and parents have worked incredibly hard! 

With the assessment season is approaching, we want all students to feel confident. I shared some tips on how you can assist your child with testing on the following page. You are such an important part of your child’s success in school - we can do this together! 

Lastly, I want to share a few important announcements: 

● Yearbooks are on sale for $26. Place your order for the yearbook at gradsyearbook.com 

● When dropping off or picking up your child at school, please park in dedicated parking spots and not in the fire lanes. 

● Rancho Family Night is at Surprise Stadium on 3/21! Purchase your tickets here: https://fevo.me/ranchogabrielaschoolspiritnight 

● Our Kindergarten Showcase for 23-24 Kindergartners is on 3/21. 

● Dysart’s Festival of the Art is March 25. Rancho’s choir will be forming. There will be various performances, an arts vendor fair, hands-on activities, and workshops on dance, bucket drumming, piano, ukulele, and art projects. There will also be food trucks onsite. This event is open to the public and is FREE to attend. We hope to see you there! 

As always, thank you for your continued support. Have a great March.

SAVE THE DATES

3/2 - Literacy Night 

3/3 - Character Counts Assemblies 

3/6 - PTSO Meeting 5:00 pm in the Library 

3/9 - Governing Board Meeting 6:00 pm - District Office 

3/10 - End of 3rd Quarter 

3/13-3/17 - Spring Break - No School 

3/21 - Kindergarten Showcase 5:30 pm 

3/21 - School Spirit Night - Spring Training Game 6:05 pm - Surprise Stadium 

3/22 - Hungry Rattlers Night @ Handel’s Ice Cream 3:00 pm - 9:00 

3/25 - Dysart Festival of the Arts 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Valley Vista High School 

3/30 - Governing Board Meeting 6:00 pm - District Office .

Spring Picture Day is Thursday, March 2nd.  All students will have their pictures taken on school picture day! Picture ordering information will go home with students after pictures are taken.

Rancho Gabriela Yearbooks are on sale until April 1st!  Yearbooks are $26.

Order Online in 3 Simple Steps:

1. Visit GRADSYEARBOOKS.COM

2. Select: Shop Online, Choose your location: Surprise and your school name: Rancho Gabriela

3. Follow the online instructions

Reminder-Early Release at 1:45pm this Monday & Tuesday

It is not too late to support Rancho Gabriela with a dollar for dollar state tax credit for 2022!

Rancho Gabriela is raising money for new student playground equipment and rubberized play pad. Please consider supporting our efforts and donate to Rancho Gabriela’s undesignated tax credit fund.

What is a tax credit? 

Arizona Law (ARS 43-1089.01) allows married couples filing jointly a tax credit of up to $400 and individual taxpayers a tax credit of up to $200 when they contribute to extra-curricular activities in public schools. This tax credit is available to all who reside in Arizona and have a tax liability at least equal to that of their donation. You do not have to be a parent of a child in a Dysart school to benefit from this law. Corporations are not eligible. Contributions are donated directly to the schools. This means your donations are used directly to support student activities of the Dysart school of your choice. Donations may be submitted through April 15, 2023.

How do I receive my tax credit? PAY ONLINE NOW

You may choose from the following four categories - School May Designate, Athletics, Fine Arts, or Enrichment Programs. If you have no preference or would like to specifically support our efforts in purchasing playground equipment and classroom technology, please choose the category School May Designate.

The students and staff of Rancho Gabriela Elementary thank you for your support!!

Students enjoyed the Fragile Planet Wildlife Animal Assembly today and learned about endangered species and conservation.  Some students enjoyed taking personalized pictures with animals as well.

Students will have the opportunity to shop for family and friends during school at designated class times throughout the week! The Holiday Shop is also open until 5pm on Tuesday, 12/7 for parents to visit and shop with students!

Thank you to all our Rattler families who came out to our annual Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving Lunch! We hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving Break!

Celebrating America's Veterans & Patriotism! 

Monday=Wear Stars & Stripes 

Tuesday= Wear Camo 

Wednesday=Wear Red, White & Blue 

Thursday= Wear ALL Patriotism gear-hats, shirts, etc... 

Friday=NO SCHOOL, Veteran's Day

You're Invited to Rancho Gabriela's Turkey Trot & Thanksgiving lunch on Thursday, November 17th!

All students’ families are invited to join us for our annual Turkey Trot FUN run and then stay for our Thanksgiving lunch in the cafeteria.  See the Trot and Lunch schedule below. Please RSVP today if you plan on joining us for Thanksgiving lunch.

Parents/guardians are welcome to run with their students or just cheer them on! 

The turkey trot is an event that focuses on the healthy lifelong activities of walking, jogging and running. This non-competitive event allows students to participate in the walk/jog on the main field. Kindergarten through 2nd grade will run a two-thirds of a mile turkey trot and the 3rd & 4th grade turkey trot will include a mile run. This run is optional. 

Lunch tickets for parents, siblings & visitors can be purchased at the gate when you arrive. Lunch cost is $3.50 for adults or non-students and $2.60 for students. Only CASH is accepted- NO card payments. Students will go through the lunch line. Thanksgiving lunch includes turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans, a roll, a pumpkin bar and milk.  *Cash or  check only! Small bills or exact change are appreciated.      

Please enter thru the front Courtyard gate. The gate will open at 9:50. Please plan to arrive in time to allow for visitor sign in and purchasing lunch tickets. 

**For security reasons, all visitors will need to provide a PHOTO ID at the gate to enter and must be a parent/guardian or verified emergency contact.  

• Kinder= Trot Time 10:05      Lunch   10:25-10:55 
• 2nd= Trot Time  10:45          Lunch   11:05 11:35 
• 4th= Trot Time   11:20          Lunch   11:45 12:15 
• 1st= Trot Time   12:05          Lunch   12:25 12:55 
• 3rd= Trot Time   12:40          Lunch     1:05 1:35   
  

Rancho Gabriela Elementary School is excited to announce that we have received an A-rating from the newly-released 2022 State of Arizona accountability labels. This letter grade provides us a glimpse into many areas of proficiency and growth for our school, including information about student achievement, college and career readiness, student growth, and other key areas of interest. We appreciate our hardworking students, staff and parents for their contributions in making our school an A-rated school! 

This is the first time the state has issued new labels since 2018-2019, due to House Bill’s 2910 and 2402, which temporarily paused the issuing of A-F letter grades. It is important to note that this year the state used the same cut marks as they did in 2019 for K-8 schools, the last year they issued letter grades. However, this year's K-8 growth score is only based on growth percentile and does not include growth-to-target.

About School Letter Grades: Arizona Revised Statutes § 15-241 requires the Arizona Department of Education, subject to final adoption by the State Board of Education, to develop an annual achievement profile for every public school in the state based on an A through F scale. The system measures year to year student academic growth, proficiency on English language arts, math and science, the proficiency and academic growth of English language learners, indicators that an elementary student is ready for success in high school and that high school students are ready to succeed in a career or higher education and high school graduation rates. 

 Dysart Unified School District invites parents and students to a Career and College Expo on Wednesday, October 26 from 5:30 - 7:30pm at the Dysart District Office, located at 15802 N. Parkview Place in Surprise.  

The expo showcases Dysart's Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, West-MEC, colleges and universities, and military representatives so families can explore opportunities to pursue in and after high school. This is a great way for 5th through 11th grade students and their parents to get hands-on with all of the career pathway classes and programs offered at Dysart Schools. The event is free and open to the public. Details can be found at www.dysart.org/CTEexpo. 

Dysart Schools currently offer 17 CTE programs at four high schools (Dysart High School, Shadow Ridge High School, Valley Vista High School, and Willow Canyon High School.) Program options include Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Digital Animation, Digital Photography, Education Professions, Engineering, Film and TV Production, Fire Science, Graphic Design, Laboratory Assisting, Law and Public Safety, Marketing, Nursing Services, Software and App Design, Sports Medicine, Stagecraft Design and Production and Technology Device Maintenance. Learn more at www.dysart.org/CTE. 

Join us for this family event of trick or treating through the haunted hallways with teachers and friends! Enjoy hot dogs, chips and drinks for dinner for only $5 along with music and fun! Don't forget to dress up in your favorite Halloween costume!

Order your Rancho Gabriela 2022-2023 Yearbook Now Online!

Don't miss School picture re-takes this Tuesday, 10/25. Order Online

The students at Rancho Gabriela Elementary School got a very special visit from the Arizona Cardinals Milk and Cookies Program this week. Big Red, the mascot, got the students energized and ready for reading. Big Red was joined by Cardinals cornerback Jace Whittaker and cheerleaders Caity and Zaryn who read a selection of books to students. 

The students were nominated by their classroom teacher to attend the special assembly for Character Counts. Cardinals themed student artwork adorned the walls of the library and the students made special posters and thank you cards to show their appreciation.  The students learned about Cardinals history, played a fun game of Heads Up with Cardinals trivia, and enjoyed three different fall themed books by the group.  After the reading, students enjoyed a yummy snack of milk and cookies, received an Arizona Cardinals backpack, and took part in a meet and greet complete with signings.

The Cardinals, SRP, and Albertsons-Safeway have teamed up for 20 years for the Milk and Cookies program, which supports and promotes literacy throughout Valley elementary schools.

What is Fairness? Fairness is treating people justly, not letting your personal feelings bias your decisions about others. You want to give everyone a fair chance, and believe there should be equal opportunity for all, though you also realize that what is fair for one person might not be fair for another.  These K-3rd grade students were recognized for using Fairness with their peers and in their classrooms.

To celebrate National Library Card Sign-Up month in September, Dysart Schools partnered with local libraries and encouraged students of all ages to apply for their library card and visit the library in their neighborhood.  

More than a thousand library cards were delivered throughout the district.  Rancho Gabriela Elementary School students had one of the biggest turnouts with more than 300 students receiving their card.  

Need a card? Visit one of the local branches in El Mirage, Surprise and Waddell including Asante Library, Northwest Regional Library, White Tank Library, Hollyhock Library and the El Mirage Library or visit https://mcldaz.org/en-US/.  A big thanks to the Maricopa Library District for encouraging the love of literacy in our students! 

Rancho Gabriela had a successful first day of school!  We were so excited to welcome back our students and families for another great year.  Please continue to check our website and social media to learn more about all the great activities and events planned, as well as updates on our academic progress!  We hope you have a great year, and please reach out if you need anything to help make your student successful!

Check out the photo gallery from the first day below!

Rattler Report July

Welcome Back Rattlers! Check out our school supply lists that are specific to your child's grade level as determined by their teachers.  Supplies can be dropped off in your child's classroom on Meet the Teacher Night-Monday, August 1st from 4:30-6pm or on the 1st day of school-Wednesday, August 3rd! Any extra supplies or additional donations are greatly appreciated!

• Preschool
• Kindergarten
• 1st Grade
• 2nd Grade
• 3rd Grade
• 4th Grade
• STC & ESS Resource

Preschool through 4th grade students are all welcome to come visit Rancho Gabriela on Monday, August 1 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. You will be able to tour the school, visit classrooms, and meet your teachers. Teachers will share grade level curriculum and classroom expectations. Bus and lunch information will also be available. We also have a food truck in the front of the school (Big Meaty Dogs) for those who would like to purchase dinner.  

We can't wait to see everyone back for the first day of school on August 3! Make sure you mark your calendars for event and activity dates and keep an eye on our new website for important information as the start of school approaches. 

Our Meet the Teacher night will be on August 1 from 4:30-6:30pm. Please join us to see the campus, meet your child's teachers, and get information on what to expect this year.  

Still need to enroll? There's still time to get your children enrolled for the 2022-2023 school year! Parents and guardians can complete the necessary registration information online at Dysart.org/enroll at any time.  Please note that in order to finalize registration the following documents will be required: government issued photo identification; birth certificate; proof of residency; and immunization records. For additional assistance with student registration, families are welcome to contact our front office. 

Don't forget to make sure you have access to the Parent Portal to keep up with your child’s academic progress throughout the year! Sign up or access the site online at Dysart.org/parentportal or via the Campus Parent app. 

Dysart Schools have many opportunities for the community to assist schools in providing an amazing educational experience to each and every student. Volunteers help to enrich children’s learning opportunities, provide individual attention to children who need one-on-one assistance, promote a school-home-community partnership for quality education, provide staff members with more time to work with students, and assist staff members and support personnel with non-instructional tasks.

Where is Help Needed?

• Classroom and teacher support 
• One-on-one student assistance 
• Event help (preparations, setup, operations, tear-down)  
• Guest speakers (experts or retirees in various fields) 
• Front office assistance

How to Become a Volunteer:

1. Review the volunteer handbook and complete the volunteer application at Dysart.org/Volunteer 
2. Make an appointment for your volunteer orientation 
3. Coordinate your schedule through the school office 
4. Put on your volunteer badge and have fun!

Who Should Apply to Volunteer?

Anyone who cares about children and education is a potential volunteer. Parents, grandparents and community members 18 years of age or older who want to make a difference in the lives of children and support educators are encouraged to apply to become a volunteer with Dysart Unified School District. Volunteers are welcome in all of our schools and prior teaching experience is not necessary.

Learn more or apply here.

Dysart Nutrition Services ensures that students at all schools have fresh, wholesome and nutritious breakfast and lunch options to support their education and focus in class. Learn more about Nutrition Services at Dysart.org/Nutrition. Menus and nutritional information may be viewed at Dysart.Nutrislice.com.

Apply for Free and Reduced Meals

Beginning July 1, 2022 the USDA is returning to income eligibility guidelines for free or reduced meals. All families should complete a Free and Reduced Lunch Application at SchoolCafe.com to help maintain school funding and make sure that qualified families receive this and other benefits. Only one application is required per family, and may be completed at SchoolCafe.com.

How to Add Meal Funds to an Account

Cash and checks are accepted for meal purchases, or families may utilize SchoolCafe.com to prepay for meals online, view their balances, or place restrictions on purchases. Online payments take 24 hours to post to student accounts.  

Meal Prices 

• Elementary Lunch $2.60, Reduced $.40, Adult $3.50  
• Elementary Breakfast $1.25, Reduced $.30, Adult $1.75  High School Lunch $2.85, Reduced $.40, Adult $3.50  
• High School Breakfast $1.25, Reduced $.30, Adult $1.75 

A la carte and snack items are available for purchase on each campus, and additional meals are available for an added charge. Parents are always welcome to dine with their child, but please be sure to call in advance and check-in at the school office. Adult meals may be purchased for $1.75 for breakfast or $3.50 for lunch. 

Dysart is the largest employer in both the cities of Surprise and El Mirage with over 2,700 employees. Dysart Schools offer highly competitive salaries, full benefits and an inviting school-year calendar with holidays and weekends off for most positions. 

With a wide-variety of positions ranging from groundskeeper, to mechanic, to office staff, and teachers, we’re always looking for great people to join our Dysart team!

Current High Need Areas: 

•  Bus Drivers and Aides
•  Childcare and Preschool Aides
•  Paraprofessionals
•  Behavioral Technicians 
•  Speech and Language Pathologists 
•  Special Education Teachers 
•  Math Teachers 
•  Science Teachers 
•  ASL Teachers 
•  Health Services Assistants 
•  Crossing Guards 
•  Maintenance Workers and Plant Managers 
•  Social Workers

Check out our current openings at Dysart.org/Careers and apply today!

The Parent Portal is a great tool to stay informed 24/7 about your child’s academic progress. Grades, attendance, assignments and more are viewable in real time online or via the app, Campus Parent. A single login allows parents with multiple students to access information for all of their children in one place. Learn more at Dysart.org/ParentPortal.

Update Your Communication Preferences and Contact Info

To make sure that we can keep you informed in emergency situations, please ensure that your contact information is current in the Parent Portal. You are also able to adjust your communication preferences (phone, text, and/or email) at Dysart.org/ParentPortal or on the Campus Parent app to ensure you are getting the various message types in the way that you would like. Remember that if you select more than one type of communication per category, you will receive the message multiple times via each of those avenues.