2004-05 Template - School Accountability Report Card (CA Dept of Education)

Rancho Elementary

School Accountability Report Card
Reported for School Year 2004-05
Published During 2005-06

I. General Information

Contact Information
Information about school and district contacts.

School Information		District Information
School Name	Rancho Elementary	District Name	Novato Unified
Principal	Penny Loetterle*	Superintendent	Jan La Torre-Derby, Ed.D.
Street	1430 Johnson St.	Street	1015 Seventh St.
City, State, Zip	Novato, CA 94947-4459	City, State, Zip	Novato, CA 94945-2205
Phone Number	415-897-3101	Phone Number	415-897-4201
FAX Number	415-897-7492	FAX Number	415-898-5790
Web Site	http://ranchoschool.org/	Web Site	http://www.nusd.org/
E-mail Address	nusd@nusd.org	E-mail Address	nusd@nusd.org
CDS Code	21-65417-6024582	SARC Contact	Connie Benz

*The personnel and parent names listed reflect those in place in 2004-2005 as required by the state. For current information, please access our website.

School Description and Mission Statement
Information about the school, its programs, and its goals.

Rancho Essentialist School is a school of choice within the Novato Unified School District. The Essentialist Program offers parents a traditional approach to learning with an emphasis on the acquisition and mastery of basic skills in core subject areas. Staff and parents believe:

Students need a sequentially articulated program that is based on standards and includes grade level alignment in the basic skills.
Firm consistent discipline and a positive school environment are an integral part of education.
A high level of cooperation between parents and staff should be maintained.
Our students need to be skilled in technology, problem solving, and critical thinking in order to be prepared for the future.

School Description

Rancho Essentialist School is one of eight elementary schools within the Novato Unified School District. As a school of choice, the population is made up of students from across the district. Rancho has a capacity of 500 students and currently has an enrollment of 482 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The Essentialist Program began at Rancho as an alternative for parents who wanted a more traditional, “Back to Basics” approach to education. Even with the advent of curricular standards, Rancho continues to emphasize high standards for classroom and playground behavior, academic achievement, and a high level of parental involvement. Parents are involved both in the classrooms and in school activities. The P.T.A. and Leadership Team work collaboratively in support of school programs for our students.

Description of Programs

All students at Rancho Essentialist School receive instruction in the basic skills in core subject areas based on California State Content Standards using district adopted programs. Additionally, students also receive instruction in music, art and physical education. The primary method of instruction is direct instruction by the teacher with the goal of every student reaching mastery of grade level standards by year end. Teachers make every attempt to accommodate students who need extra support as well as students who are working above grade level.

We are in the second year of a standards based language arts adoption. In mathematics, students learn basic computational skills as well as mathematical concepts and the appropriate application of those concepts. We place special emphasis on problem solving. In science, instruction is both conceptual and hands-on to reinforce the scientific content in earth, physical, and life science. The social studies curriculum emphasizes history, community, geography, diversity, and cultural traditions. In all curricular areas teachers are working to deepen their knowledge of content standards. The focus in technology is on student achievement of district technology standards and the continual renewal of the computer lab. We are working toward the goal of establishing mini labs in all upper grade classrooms. Every teacher has a teacher work station consisting of a computer and a printer. The Library Media Center supplies print materials and internet

information for classroom projects and for individual students. Students also learn research and library skills in the Library Media Center.

Grade level and cross grade level teams meet often in order to collaborate about curriculum and instruction. Increased collaboration is one of our goals this year.

Rancho parents are committed to a Multi-cultural Day Program. This year the theme will be

“Reading Around the World.” Parents plan to purchase a variety of multi-cultural books that will be gifted to our library. They also are providing activities around multi-cultural literature. This event is a wonderful opportunity for our students and parent community to celebrate the diversity of students and families at Rancho School.

The annual Rancho Talent show is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills in the areas of dance, music, comedy routines, and dramatic readings. A parent volunteer works with students to get all students ready for the evening performance. This event is very well attended by parents and other students.

Currently our school library is open to students at lunchtime four days a week. Students can

come into the library and play chess or other word games, or choose to quietly read a book. Our computer lab is also open to students three days a week at lunchtime. Additionally, we have a parent led running club for primary students. Students earn tokens for every mile they run.

Three programs seek to connect students to school and the staff:

The Eagle Card Program reinforces academic progress, consideration of others, and responsibility in students. Students who earn 5 Eagle Cards have their photograph taken and displayed in the breezeway. Students who earn 10 Eagle Cards receive a school pennant. Those students who earn 20 Eagle Cards receive a Golden Eagle Certificate.
All students in grades 1 – 5 have the opportunity to have “pizza with the principal”. This is an opportunity for students to interact with the principal in a relaxed fun setting.
The Student Council promotes community service projects (Novato Human Needs,
Holiday Share, and UNICEF) along with Spirit Days (crazy hair day, sports day, twin day, etc).

We have a very active after school program sponsored by our P.T.A. After school you can see students learning a foreign language, participating in Lego engineering, or involved in chess or science experiments.

Parent and community support for the school remains very strong. It begins with the “Welcome Back Coffee” on the first day of school where parents sign up for volunteering in classrooms along with a host of P.T.A. committees and continues to the promotion ceremony the last day of school. The P.T.A. coordinates Authors’ Day, Career Day, Picture Day, Library Gift Book Club,

The New Book Fair, The Used Book Fair, the Talent Show, and Red Ribbon Week. The P.T.A

Family Dinner in the fall brings the school community together for a casual evening of a meal

and games for the children. The Spring Fling is a formal fund raiser with numerous auction

items. The Leadership Team meets monthly to monitor progress of the school and respond to identified school needs

Opportunities for Parental Involvement
Information about the contact person for parental involvement and a description of organized opportunities for parental involvement at the school.

Contact Person Name	Suzanne Fitzpatrick	Contact Person Phone Number	415-897-3101
Rancho’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of the home school partnership. Volunteers are at the heart of the program at Rancho Elementary School. Parents have installed playground equipment, built furniture for our computer lab and done tasks large and small that enhance our school environment and support student achievement. Rancho School has an active and committed PTA which not only funds supplementary programs for our students but also orchestrates the efforts of volunteers. During the 2004-2005 school year, volunteers contributed more than 46,250 hours to Rancho Elementary School.

II. Demographic Information

Student Enrollment -- Grade Level
Data reported are the number of students in each grade level as reported by the California Basic Educational Data System (CBEDS).

Grade Level	Enrollment
Kindergarten	79
Grade 1	80
Grade 2	80
Grade 3	80
Grade 4	89
Grade 5	73
Total Enrollment	481

Student Enrollment -- Racial and Ethnic Subgroups
Data reported are the number and percent of students in each racial and ethnic subgroup as reported by CBEDS.

Racial and Ethnic Subgroup	Number of Students	Percent of Students	Racial and Ethnic Subgroup	Number of Students	Percent of Students
African American	5	1.0%	Hispanic or Latino	15	3.1%
American Indian or Alaska Native	1	0.2%	Pacific Islander	1	0.2%
Asian	35	7.3%	White (Not Hispanic)	374	77.8%
Filipino	3	0.6%	Multiple or No Response	47	9.8%

III. School Safety and Climate for Learning

School Safety Plan
Information about the currency and contents of the school's comprehensive safety plan.

Date of Last Review/Update	April 2005	Date Last Discussed with Staff	April 2005
The comprehensive School Safety Plan addresses procedures observed throughout the district that support board policy and administrative rules and regulations. The Safety Plan clearly outlines procedures for crisis intervention. Part of our school plan includes actions that encourage a positive school climate, multicultural education; and procedures for discipline, parent involvement, drug and alcohol prevention, and maintenance of the physical environment.

School Programs and Practices That Promote a Positive Learning Environment
Information about the school's efforts to create and maintain a positive learning environment, including the use of disciplinary strategies.

School-wide activities include Ranchoberg, based on colonial Williamsburg, a science fair, Career Day, Author’s Day, and Red Ribbon Week. Students in third, fourth, and fifth grades have the opportunity to participate in student council and the Spelling Bee. Students in second and third grade participate in a dance program sponsored by Youth in Arts. The computer lab and library are open to students at lunchtime and there is also a parent sponsored running club for primary students. At Rancho School clear rules, expectations and consequences are established and implemented consistently. School rules go home every year in the first day packet and are signed and returned by every child. Positive behavior is rewarded with Eagle Cards. A school newsletter, The Friday Flash, detailing current and upcoming events goes home weekly with every child. Rancho has an extensive after school enrichment program run by the PTA. Students at all grade levels can attend classes ranging from foreign language to art and drama.

Suspensions and Expulsions
Data reported are the number of suspensions and expulsions (i.e., the total number of incidents that resulted in a suspension or expulsion). The rate of suspensions and expulsions is the total number of incidents divided by the school's total enrollment as reported by CBEDS for the given year.

	Rancho Elementary			Novato Unified K-12
	2003	2004	2005	2003	2004	2005
Number of Suspensions	0	4	0	1067	794	935
Rate of Suspensions	0	.008	0	.136	.102	.122
Number of Expulsions	0	0	0	10	12	25
Rate of Expulsions	0	0	0	.009	.002	.003

IV. School Facilities

School Facility Conditions -- General Information
Information about the safety, cleanliness, and adequacy of school facilities, including the condition and cleanliness of the school grounds, buildings, and restrooms. Additional information about the condition of the school's facilities may be obtained by speaking with the school principal.

Rancho School is a safe inviting place for our students. Parent volunteers keep potted plants and a memorial garden well tended. One day and one night custodian, together with the district’s maintenance and operations division, insures the facility is clean, attractive and well maintained. All visitors to the school follow board policy and check in with the office to obtain a visitor’s badge. Students are supervised on the playground before and during the school day. Before and after school YMCA daycare is available on the school grounds.

School Facility Conditions -- Results of Inspection and Evaluation
Data reported are the determination of good repair as documented in a completed Interim Evaluation Instrument, including the school site inspection date, the Interim Evaluation Instrument completion date, and the date of any remedial action taken or planned. Additional information about the condition of the school's facilities may be obtained by speaking with the school principal.

Interim Evaluation Instrument Part Completed 1/26/06	Facility in Good Repair		Deficiency and Remedial Actions Taken or Planned
	Yes	No	Deficiency and Remedial Actions Taken or Planned
Gas Leaks	X
Mechanical Systems	X
Windows/Doors/Gates (interior and exterior)	X
Interior Surfaces (walls, floors, and ceilings)	X
Hazardous Materials (interior and exterior)	X
Structural Damage	X
Fire Safety	X
Electrical (interior and exterior)	X
Pest/Vermin Infestation	X
Drinking Fountains (inside and outside)	X
Restrooms	X
Sewer	X
Playground/School Grounds	X
Other	--	--

V. Academic Data

Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR)
Through the California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program, students in grades 2 through 11 are tested annually in various subject areas. Currently, the STAR program includes California Standards Tests (CST) and a norm-referenced test (NRT). The CST tests English-language arts and mathematics in grades 2 through 11, science in grades 5, 9, 10, and 11, and history-social science in grades 8, 10, and 11. Prior to 2005, the NRT tested reading/language arts and mathematics in grades 2 through 11, spelling in grades 2 through 8, and science in grades 9 through 11. Beginning in 2005, the NRT tests reading/language arts, spelling, and mathematics in grades 3 and 7 only, and no longer tests science in any grade.

California Standards Tests (CST)
The California Standards Tests (CST) show how well students are doing in relation to the state content standards. Student scores are reported as performance levels. The five performance levels are Advanced (exceeds state standards), Proficient (meets state standards), Basic (approaching state standards), Below Basic (below state standards), and Far Below Basic (well below state standards). Students scoring at the Proficient or Advanced level meet state standards in that content area. Students with significant cognitive disabilities who are unable to take the CST are tested using the California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA). Detailed information regarding CST and CAPA results for each grade and proficiency level can be found at the California Department of Education Web site at http://star.cde.ca.gov/ or by speaking with the school principal. Note: To protect student privacy, scores are not shown when the number of students tested is 10 or less.

CST -- All Students
Data reported are the percent of students achieving at the Proficient or Advanced level (meeting or exceeding the state standards).

Subject	Rancho			Novato Unified			California
Subject	2003	2004	2005	2003	2004	2005	2003	2004	2005
English-Language Arts	77%	83%	87%	57%	57%	60%	35%	36%	40%
Mathematics	86%	88%	92%	60%	56%	59%	35%	34%	38%
Science	--	69%	70%	41%	41%	43%	27%	25%	27%
History-Social Science	--	--	--	50%	53%	55%	28%	29%	32%

CST -- Racial and Ethnic Subgroups
Data reported are the percent of students achieving at the Proficient or Advanced level (meeting or exceeding the state standards) for the most recent testing period. * Less than 10 students

Subject

African
American