From the Desk of Mr. Ridge...Learn, Laugh, Lead Consistent Excellence Page 1 of 6 From the Desk of Mr. Ridge March 17, 2014 Howdy Wranglers Last week, I had the opportunity to meet

Learn, Laugh, Lead Consistent Excellence

Page 1 of 6

From the Desk of Mr. Ridge March 17, 2014

Howdy Wranglers

Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with roughly 100 Lang Ranch families to discuss the coming of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the new state testing system. We had a lively discussion about how these changes in education are challenging our students to demonstrate deep levels of knowledge within the curriculum. By that, I mean students will be expected to move beyond fact recall and into strategic and extended thinking. I can tell you that classrooms at all grade levels already challenge our students to do so. I have been observing classrooms lately in relation to the depth of knowledge our students are demonstrating, and I have found learning happening across the spectrum and indeed into those deeper levels. The school will endeavor to continue to provide students with access to those deeper levels in all areas. For example, in Language Arts, students will focus upon close examination of text as well as development of academic vocabulary. In Math, students will have an emphasis on concept development and problem solving. If you’d like to review the information covered at last week’s presentation, I’ve linked a PowerPoint presentation here for your review: http://www.conejousd.org/Portals/59/CVUSD%20District%20CCSS-NGSS-SBAC%20General%20Presentation.pdf. I have also attached a “CCSS Myths versus Facts” information sheet that was distributed earlier this year: http://www.conejousd.org/Portals/59/COMMON%20CORE%20STANDARDS%20-%20Myths-Facts.pdf A schedule of testing for students (in grades 3 – 5) will be forthcoming. The state changed the testing window last Friday, so we are adjusting the schedule now for the new window of March 25 – May 9.

This week, I’d also like to thank Kelly Bonanno and Dina Langhorne for their leadership and hard work with Green Ribbon Week. They have a great set of activities planned for this week that will reinforce the importance of wellness to our students by having them active each day and focusing upon healthy food choices.

Happy Trails!

Mr. Ridge


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The Weekly Wrangler

2450 Whitechapel Place, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

www.langranchelementary.com www.conejousd.org Weekly Flyers: http://www.conejousd.org/lre/Office/WeeklyFlyers.aspx

Helpful Contacts:

Main Office (805) 241-4417

Fax number (805) 241-4617

Child Care (805) 241-4027

Cafeteria (805) 241-4417 x 275 PTA Email: (Vaishali Bhargava) [email protected]

Mr. Ridge Email: [email protected]

Upcoming Dates:

March 17-21 ✱Green Ribbon Week

Wednesday, March 19 ✱Walk to School Day

Thursday, March 20 ✱Parent Project classes offered by

the Thousand Oaks Police Department begin.

Horizon Hills Adult Ed campus

Wednesday, March 26 ✱PTA Volunteer Recognition Luncheon

11:15-1:00pm Friday, March 28 International Night

5:00-8:00pm - Lang Ranch MPR

Friday, April 4 ✱Bingo Night

6:15-8:00pm - Lang Ranch MPR ✱last day to clairm any items from

our Lost and Found bins.

Volume 16, Issue 27 March 17-21

Lang Ranch Elementary

What’s new at the Ranch?

Green Ribbon Week 2014 Lunchtime activities

Monday, March 17 ~ WESTLAKE SPORTS CAMP hosted by Rob Bloom of Westlake Sports Camp Tuesday, March 18 ~ KIDS KICKBOX hosted by Chris Stevenson and Christy Rosen of Stevenson Fitness Wednesday, March 19 ~ TAE RYONG TAEKWONDO SCHOOL hosted by Master Stolsig and Mr. Ocampo Thursday, March 20 ~ 3B BOOT CAMP hosted by Jonathan Williams of New Chapter Fitness at Crossfit FAST in Westlake Village Friday, March 21 ~ TODAY I ATE A RAINBOW hosted by Lang Ranch Health and Wellness Committee

Please see the Weekly Flyers section of our website for more information.

Call to all Lang Ranch Families! Lace up your walking shoes for

Walk to School Day! Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Join your friends and parents to celebrate the benefits of walking. Forget the cars, vans, and SUVs for one day. Let’s

reduce traffic congestion, pollution, and speed near our school and do something good for our environment and get some great exercise at the same time! Thousand Oaks Police

Officers and “Officer McGruff” will greet you! We look forward to seeing you on the sidewalks!


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Word of the Week:

Patriotism

Notes From the Office

Yearbook Photo Submissions http://sw.balfour.com/tops-

services/publicupload/loginForm Project Number 412382~Password is not required

OPT-OUT FORM FOR CLASS LIST POSTING Parents, if you do not wish to have your

child's/children's name posted on an elementary class list the day before school starts in August, please go to the front page of our web site to download, print

and complete the “Opt-Out Form for Class List Posting” and return to the school office.

PTA Volunteer Recognition Luncheon

March 26th 11:15am ~ 1:00pm

The Lost and Found is overflowing!! Please check the bins for lost items. All unclaimed items will be donated on Friday, April 4, 2014.

Supporting the Adolescent Medicine Division of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles through donations by the

Lang Ranch community

Donation boxes will be set up throughout Lang Ranch the weeks of March 17-March 31.

Please support local homeless and at-risk youth by donating gently used:

*Sweatshirts/Sweat Jackets

*Bike Helmets *Bike Locks *Backpacks

Contact Holly Butler [email protected]

with any questions.

Thank you for your support!

Bingo Night Hard to believe but our final Bingo Night of the

year is scheduled for Friday,April 4th, in the MPR! Sign-up sheets for Student Council member

volunteers will be postedon the Student Council wall by this Friday, March 14th and taken down on Monday, March 31st. As always, doors will open at 6:15 p.m. and the evening ends at 8:00 p.m. Space is limited and entrance is based on a first come, first served basis. We will be selling Bingo cards for $1.50 per card and pizza for $1.50 per slice.

Drinks and snacks will also be available for purchase. All proceeds from Bingo Night go to help fund Student Council projects and the

Student Council Philanthropy. Come show your support and have family fun at the same time!

Please Note: Bingo Night is not a drop off event.

Each child must have an adult chaperone.

CVUSD CHILD CARE SUMMER CAMP Priority registration begins Friday, March 14, 2014 for

current child care families. General registration starts March 24th. For more information, please go to

the Weekly Flyers section of our website.

The Thousand Oaks Police Department is offering Parent Project classes. These classes begin Thursday, March 20. Classes will be every week (on Thursdays) for 10 weeks

(from 6-9 p.m.) at the Horizon Hills Adult Ed campus, 33 Greta St, Thousand Oaks. Please call (805) 371-8342 to

register and for more information or email [email protected]. You can also get more

information at: www.parentproject.com


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THE PTA NOMINATING COMMITTEE PRESENTS THE FOLLOWING SLATE OF NOMINEES TO THE PTA MEMBERSHIP

FOR ELECTION AT THE MARCH 28TH, 2014 PTA GENERAL ASSOCIATION MEETING:

President: Susan Medhurst Executive Vice President: Meghan Turner

1st VP Programs: Lisa Cusworth 2nd VP Ways & Means: Dina Langhorne

3rd VP Membership: Kristin Watters and Patty Dellocono

Treasurer: Juli Rice Financial Secretary: Katherine Loberg

Auditor: Emily Brent Recording Secretary: Julie Tasker

Historian: Julia Blietz

Other Important News:

DOODLE FOR GOOGLE 2014

Calling all fellow Artists, Inventors, Scientists, Gamers/Engineers, Mathematicians, Visually Gifted, Inspired,

Visionary, Ingenious students. Well I think that sounds like just about everyone at Lang Ranch.

The 2014 Doodle for Google has started. The theme this year is:

“If I Could Invent One Thing To Make The World A Better Place.”

You can be the one this year to win a $30,000 scholarship towards your education and $50,000 in technology for Lang Ranch Elementary. It’s easy just click on the link for your

application and instructions. https://www.google.com/doodle4google/index.html

You can scan or mail your entry. Google even offers inspiration, examples, and shows a quick video of how their own doodlers work. Please remember all entries must be

received before the deadline of March 20,2014.

COME FLY WITH US! We would like to invite you to our 2nd annual

International Night

Lang Ranch E lementary ’s In ternat iona l N ight Fr iday , March 28 , 2014 ~ 5 :00~8 :00pm

✈ Hop on board & Fly Away to learn about different countries through displays, artifacts, clothing, food and more! ✈ Passports are available to the first 500 participants ✈ Join in the fun with our scavenger hunt!

PTA sponsored event

We have a famous author coming to Lang Ranch Elementary!!

Brandon Mull

On Wednesday, March 26, 2014, Brandon Mull, the author of New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling series

Beyonders and Fablehaven will be here for two assemblies.

One for grades K-2 and one for grades 3-5. A limited number of Brandon Mull’s books will

be available for purchase.

Lang Ranch presents:

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Order SK Y R A ID E RS (F ive K ingdoms) above & other Mull books: ! please write personalization. ____ Fablehaven #1 ($8.71) ____________________ ____ Fablehaven #2 ($8.71) ___________________________ ____Fablehaven #3($8.71) ___________________________ ____ Fablehaven #4($8.71) ___________________________ ____Fablehaven #5($8.71) ___________________________ ____Beyonders #1($8.71) ___________________________ ____ Beyonders #2($8.71) ___________________________ ____Beyonders #3($8.71) ___________________________ ____Spirit Animals ($14.16) __________________________ ____Candy Shop War ($8.71)__________________________ ____The Candy Shop War #2 ($20.70) __________________ ___Fablehaven complete set ($43.55) ____________________

Brandon Mull is the author of the New York Times, USA TODAY , and Wall Street Journal bestselling Beyonders and Fablehaven series. He resides in Utah, in a happy little valley near the mouth of a canyon with his wife and four children. Brandon's greatest regret is that he has but one life to give for Gondor.

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Student name:_________________________ Teacher : _______________________ # of books _____ Total $ ___________ Check # _____ (make payable to Once Upon a T ime) or Cash $ _______ (exact change appreciated) All prices include tax. Please turn forms in by March 14. Only a limited number of books will be available the day of the signing ! "#$%&'()'"*+,--#*$&)"'! preorder now!


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Brandon Mull.




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Brandon Mull.




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Documents

From the Desk of Mr. Ridge...Learn, Laugh, Lead Consistent Excellence Page 1 of 6 From the Desk of Mr. Ridge March 17, 2014 Howdy Wranglers Last week, I had the opportunity to meet