Principal’s Message…..

1. Augusta Ranch News from The Rattler’s Nest April, 2014 Does teasing end when kids graduate from elementary school? Does it stop when they move on from middle to high school? Does it magically disappear when we become adults? Or is it sadly true that most of us will encounter bullies throughout our lifetimes? Because we can't ensure that the world will always be sweet and kind to our kids, common sense tells us that we ought to equip them with skills that allow them to cope with this sometimes less-than-considerate world. Listed below are some quick tips: Teach them that bullies get their power from our negative emotions. The more upset we get when picked on, the more powerful mean kids feel. Show your child how to trick bullies by pretending to be calm. If our children can learn to act calm when bullies hassle them, they become far less attractive targets. Teach your child to confuse or bewilder bullies by responding to verbal taunts with replies like, "Thanks for noticing" or "I appreciate the feedback.” Help your child develop great social skills so that they are liked, accepted, and protected by positive peers. Kids who don't know how to relate in healthy ways often find themselves gravitating toward peers who treat them poorly. In her wonderful book, Words Will Never Hurt Me, Sally Ogden provides practical strategies for achieving the goals stated above. A mother who read the book commented, "Because of this book, my daughter has convinced the bullies in her school that she's no fun to pick on! She loves to say, 'Thanks for noticing!' when they call her nasty things. She's become such a great actress that they leave her alone most of the time." Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend. Dr. Charles Fay Principal’s Message…..

2. Love and Logic Insider's Club Are we raising a society hooked on praise? Perhaps you know someone who doesn’t feel whole…doesn’t experience happiness…unless they are receiving acknowledgment from the outside. Do we want our kids dependent upon the praise of others, or do we want them guided by a voice of personal responsibility residing in their hearts and their heads? Far too many parenting and school discipline approaches rely on changing behavior by consistently providing praise and tangible goodies. While occasional praise is fine, do we set our kids up for difficulties when we overdo it? Life guided by an internal set of ethical principles…and a strong understanding of cause and effect…is far more likely to produce confidence and joy than a life dependent upon the fickle opinions of others. Take the following quiz to see whether you are creating responsibly independent kids…or praiseaholics: When my kids succeed on a task, I recognize their effort and their good feelings…rather than telling them how happy it makes me. I demonstrate that I love them, even when I don’t necessarily love their behavior. I allow my kids to see me resisting peer pressure…rather than always trying to project a perfect image. I provide praise rarely…and only when they have done something truly praiseworthy. My kids often overhear me talking about how I make my decisions based on my own beliefs...rather than seeing me make decisions based on what “everybody else is doing.” I allow my kids to make affordable mistakes and learn from them…rather than constantly telling them what to do. The more “yes” answers you gave, the more likely your kids will learn to resist peer pressure and lead lives where their happiness is based on doing the right thing rather than trying to please everyone. In our CD Shaping Self-Concept, Jim Fay gives parents and teachers the tools they need to help kids learn to look for their strengths and become motivated, confident, and proud. Kids who will be able to keep going when the tough gets going and see themselves as winners. Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend. Dr. Charles Fay

3. FARMER’S MARKET at AUGUSTA RANCH GOLF COURSE Thursday, 4pm – 8pm @ the Golf Club

4. LIBRARY NEWS Congratulations to all of our 2013-2014 Battle of the Books participants! Our top scoring team is Paige Cress, Daylia Garland, and Sarah Honeycutt. They will be representing Augusta Ranch at the District Battle of the Books on April 23rd. The Scholastic Spring Book Fair will be held in the library from April 21 through April 25. Please come by and support our library fundraiser!

5. Important things to know about school policy • To request homework for an absent child, please leave a voicemail or an email for your student’s teacher early in the morning to allow them time to gather the items. You will be able to pick it up in the afternoon at the front desk. • Phone calls will ONLY be made to the classroom for shoes or lunches that are dropped off. The office staff will not interrupt class for homework or instruments being dropped off. • If you are signing a student out early, we will not call them out of class until someone is here to sign them out. If someone other than the parent/guardian will be picking them up, please make sure in advance that his/her name is already on the yellow emergency card. • Throughout the school year, we have countless “lost” jackets, sweaters, lunch boxes, hats, etc. We will show them several times on morning announcements. After that time, we will offer them to students who are in need of the above-mentioned items. • To avoid this, please remember to put your child’s name in ALL of their belongings including backpacks. • While on campus, students are NOT permitted to have energy drinks or coffee. They may not have it in their lunch, on the playground or throughout the day. • Transportation change calls will be put through to the classroom AFTER 3:15pm. Parents calling before this time will be asked to call at that time.

7. Select ‘Find Stores’. Choose your store then select ‘Create Account’. You will then be prompted to check your email for a confirmation email. Click the hyperlink in your email to finish creating your Online Fry’s Account. Continue to step #2 to register for the Fry’s Community Rewards Program of your choice. STEP 2: REGISTER FOR FRY’S COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM Go to https://www.frysfood.com/topic/community?activePage=communityrewards-2 Select ‘Sign-In’. Enter your email and password then select ‘sign in’. (This will be the email and password you created in step 1) Select ‘My Account’ then select ‘Account Settings’ from drop down menu. Click ‘edit’ under Community Rewards. If prompted, enter personal information. Under Find Your Organization: Enter the NPO number 43404 or name of organization: Augusta Ranch then select ‘search’. Then select ‘save changes’. *If you have registered correctly, you should now see your organization information listed under ‘Community Rewards’ on your Account Summary page. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT! For more information, contact Carolyn Sexauer/PTSO grocery (ca.morinsexauer@gmail.com)

8. House Bill 2476 (seclusion/confinement) Dear Parents, As some of you may be aware, the State Legislature passed legislation regarding procedures a district must follow when using seclusion/confinement. Governor Brewer signed HB2476 in April 2013, to be in effect for the 2013-2014 school year. This legislation requires school districts’ policies to include a process for prior written parental notification and consent before seclusion/confinement is used. Seclusion is the solitary confinement of a student alone in any space from which the student is physically prevented from leaving. These policies must also provide for an exemption to prior written parental consent if a school principal or teacher determines that a student poses imminent physical harm to self or others. Please know that it has always been the district’s philosophy that seclusion/confinement be used only if there is a threat of imminent physical harm to self or others. For further information, see GPS Governing Board Policy GBEB. UPCOMING EVENTS April 18 Spring Holiday April 22 & 23 Spring Pictures April 21-25 Book Fair April 29 Academic Night

10. Augusta Ranch 2014 Summer Sports Camp By Athletic Fitness PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY ON REGISTATION FORM MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Athletic Fitness REGISTRATIONS CAN BE DONE ONLINE AT AZATHLETICFITNESS.COM STUDENT NAME:_____________________________________ $130.00 fee: _________ (*REGISTRATION FEE IS NON REFUNDABLE) SESSION I: _____JUNE 2nd THRU JUNE 19th SESSION II: _______ JUNE 23rd THRU JULY 10th Pro-rated weekly, daily rates are available (does not include t-shirt) SCHOOL:_____________________________________ GRADE: __________________ T-shirt size: (PLEASE CIRCLE ONE) Youth size YS YM YL Adult size S M L XL Home Address: __________________APT #___ City ______________ Zip __________ Home Phone number:_______________________ EMAIL:________________________ Parent's Name: __________________ Day Phone Number:_______________________ Please print clearly! Emergency Contact Name_______________________________ Phone: ______________ What is the relationship _______________________ (i.e. grandparent, neighbor, guardian) Waiver of Liability With knowledge and appreciation of the risk of injury, I wish to participate in this Activity. I agree to assume the risk of personal injury while participating. I understand the Athletic Fitness and or Gilbert Public Schools do not carry accident, sickness, or medical insurance for participants. I understand that all reasonable efforts will be extended to insure my health and safety. I understand there are no refunds. If the Class/Activity includes any physical exertion, I agree to perform the exercise at my own ability level. I fully understand the nature of this Class/Activity, and I waive and release and hold harmless Athletic Fitness and any of its agents, employees, officers, council members, and sponsors for any and all rights and claims for damages or costs I may have against Athletic Fitness, its agents, employees, officers, council members, and sponsors for personal injury, death, or property damage suffered by me, or that I may cause to others, as a result of my participation in this Class/Activity. I agree to look to my private physician for medical advice and care and to notify my teacher or instructor of any physical limitations I might have or modifications I might need to the Class/Activity. I will require the following as a condition precedent to participating in the Augusta Ranch 2014 Sports camp. I as the parent and / or legal guardian of : _____.(Students Name) agree to maintain health insurance for my son/daughter while he/she participates in this camp. If I do not maintain health insurance for my son/daughter, I agree to purchase the student accident insurance policy offered by the camp through the school district. I have read and clearly understand the above statements. I realize this is a contract between myself and Athletic Fitness and is a release of Liability. I sign it of my own free will. _________________________________________________________________________ REQUIRED: Parent or Legal Guardian SIGNATURE AND Printed Name DATE FEE: $ __________ Check# ____________________________________

11. If you have had a change in your contact information such as your home address, telephone numbers, or email address; please contact Ms. Kipp or Mrs. Esterly in the front office. That’s also a perfect time to double check the information on your yellow emergency card in the health office as well. Parent & Guardian Contact Info. If you, a friend, or relative are picking up a student, please be sure to bring your ID into the building. Also, allow time for us to locate your student in case they aren’t in the classroom. Ms. Kreitzer’s policy is that we are not to call students to the office until someone is here to sign them out. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Identification If you need to reach your student about a change in afternoon transportation arrangements, please call our office after 3:15pm on regular schools days. We will put your call directly into the classroom. You may also send a note to his/her teacher, email the teacher, or leave them a voice mail with the information. How to Get Home For the safety of our students, staff & parents: Whether you’re picking up students in the North Loop or the South Loop, please DO NOT get out of your cars. North & South Loop Pick Up