The Teacher Feature is a monthly series highlighting a teacher or an administrator. If you would like to request a specific teacher, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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This month: Lauren Stevenson, Kindergarten Teacher

Teacher Feature: Good Morning, Lauren. Thanks so much for sitting down with me to talk about your experience so far at Rancho Santa Fe School. Let’s get started with a little bit about what got you here. Did you always know you wanted to be a teacher?

Lauren Stevenson: I have wanted to be a teacher since a very young age. My parents have a home video of me after my first day of Kindergarten playing teacher with my younger brother, Ryan. I was reciting rules and being very explicit in my instructions. Let’s just say I was born to teach. =)

TF: Where did you work before you came to RSF?

LS: I just finished my credential program in May 2011 from San Diego State University. I did my student teaching at Hancock Elementary in Kindergarten and spring semester at Rosa Parks Elementary in third grade.

TF: What do you feel are the qualities necessary to be a good teacher?

LS: I believe that the passion to make a difference in the lives of your students is essential. This is why I teach. I also think that being supportive, understanding, organized, and challenging are qualities that set you apart and allow your students to succeed.

TF: What are some of your favorite moments so far this year?

LS: I will never forget my first days of school. The excitement of my students and the enthusiasm that I had for beginning my first year of teaching combined to make some really fun moments. I’m real with my kids – we are always learning, but we are always enjoying ourselves.

TF: I hear you are a big SmartBoard user – can you tell me a couple of ways you use technology in your classroom?

LS: I definitely gravitate to technology. I use it every morning for our morning meeting where we do the calendar, days of the school year, shapes, sight word practice and some math review. I use it for a lot of my math lessons – to teach whole class or pull a small group to re-teach or enrich. It is very engaging and the kids love to use it. I do some word study sorts, as well as shared reading.

TF: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

LS: I envision myself married with two children, teaching Kindergarten or another primary grade level, and living somewhere in Southern California. I hope to still be working at Rancho Santa Fe and am very optimistic about my future here.

TF: What do you do when you’re outside the classroom?

LS: I love to go to the beach, practice yoga, bake and laugh. I want to get better at photography and eventually want to take classes.

TF: Sounds great! Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy day to chat.

LS: My pleasure.

FAVORITES Favorite food and restaurant: sushi, Harney Sushi and Love Boat Sushi. Favorite way to spend an afternoon: Bikram (hot) yoga, bike riding to watch the sunset, and cuddling up with a blanket. Favorite animal: Monkey – zoo-like, Golden Retriever – pet-like Dream vacation location: Cinque Terre, Italy Favorite place to shop: Nordstrom Favorite TV show: Parenthood Favorite book: Tuesdays with Morrie How do you take your coffee?: Vanilla Latte

Teacher Feature is written by Ross Hansen, Librarian at Rancho Santa Fe School District.

Below you will find Report Card Letters for grades K-6. Report Cards were mailed home on Friday, December 9th. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher.

Academic Competitions 2011-2012:

BREAKING NEWS

Anna Davis will represent Rancho Santa Fe Elementary School in the National Geography Bee!

We wish the best of luck to Anna as she prepares to take the written test that will determine her placement in National rankings.

 

 

A huge thank you to Harriet Joslyn for her organization and leadership during this competition. We would like to congratulate our National Geographic Finalists who participated in the School Wide Bee: Alanna L., Michael R., Marcus P., Seth R., Jamie L., Weston D., Maria B., Anna D., Cole S., and Seraphine B. As a result of the competition, we congratulate Cole and Seth for their third place victory along with Seraphine as our second place contestant.

 

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List of Competitions

 

Click on the links below to access information about each competition.

 

Geography Bee	Spelling Bee
24 Challenge Math Program	Elementary Math Field Day
WordMasters	Elementary Science Field Day
Project Citizen Showcase	Middle School Math Field Day
Lego Robotics K-3	Lego Robotics 4-5

 

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Competition Descriptions

National Geographic Geography Bee (Gr. 4-8): Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography.  Students will practice during lunch over the next few weeks and at home during the holidays in preparation for tests in early January. Whoever finishes in first place will have a chance to be selected as a finalist for the national competition in Washington, D.C.

Starts: Immediately. Contact Harriet Joslyn @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details.

 

WordMasters (Gr. 3-8): This contest helps students learn to think both analytically and metaphorically.  At each grade level the contest consists of three 20-minute analogy-solving meets. This year the meets have been scheduled for the end of January and the months of February and April 2012. All meeting will be held after school. Each student that participates will receive a certificate and will be invited to an end-of-year pizza party!

Starts: Practice starts immediately. Contact Becky Wood @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details.

 

Elementary Science Field Day (Gr. 4-6): The San Diego County Elementary Science Field Day is a program designed, organized, and managed by elementary teachers from throughout San Diego County. Students in grades four through six practice and compete in up to 15 science-related events. In the spring, students will come together in one location and compete in these events. The primary goal is to develop a positive attitude towards science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Starts: Fall 2012. Contact Anne Wallace @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details.

 

Elementary Math Field Day (Gr. 4, 5): The Elementary Math Field Day offers a mathematics competition for elementary students to test their skills in strategy and math games. There are 5 events for fourth grade and 5 events for fifth grade. School teams do not have to have representation for all 10 events to qualify, and each student may enter only one event. Each school may send a maximum of 10 students.

Starts: Fall 2012. Stay tuned for updates.

 

24 Challenge Math (Gr. 4-6): Students compete using the 24 Challenge single/double digit and variable cards. This citywide tournament will be held at Marina Village at the end of May.

Starts: Immediately. Contact Dorri Hawkes @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details.

 

SD County Spelling Bee (7-8): This year’s 43rd annual San Diego Union-Tribune Countywide Spelling Bee will take place at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 from approximately 8:30 a.m. –1:00 p.m. The overall winner of the countywide spelling bee will be awarded the title of Spelling Bee Champion, and that student (and his/her advisor) will win an all-expense-paid trip to the Washington, D.C. area to compete in the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee held May 27 through June 1, 2012. 

Starts: Fall 2012. Contact Alison Murphy @ x511 for details.

 

Project Citizen Project Showcase (Gr. 6-8): We the People: Project Citizen is a curricular program for middle school students that promotes competent and responsible participation in local and state government. The program helps participants learn how to monitor and influence public policy. In the process, they develop support for democratic values and principles, tolerance, and feelings of political efficacy. In short, students choose a problem or issue, write a policy to correct it, and create an action plan. Their presentation is mounted on a board and evaluated in a showcase at the History Center in Balboa Park June 8^th.

Starts: January 2012. Contact Marika Fagan @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

 

Math Field Day (Gr. 6-8): A county wide annual math competition held at Francis Parker School in May.  Approximately 40 schools participate with students from 6th to 8th grade competing in 12 different math events. The events all take place from 8:00 AM to Noon, then after all the competitions have taken place, one event called "Math Wits" is spotlighted, and the five finalists from that event participate in the final round. At the end of the competition, awards are given out for all 12 events. Last year was the first year Rancho Santa Fe participated; this "pioneer" team had a good time and we even placed 8th in the Math Wits contest!

Starts: Has already begun, and registration is closed. For information about how to participate next year, please contact Lori Edwards at x609.

 

Lego Robotics (Gr. K-3): Focused on building an interest in science and engineering in children ages 6-9, Junior FIRST^® LEGO^® League (Jr.FLL^®) is a hands-on program designed to capture young children's inherent curiosity and direct it toward discovering the possibilities of improving the world around them.  Just like FIRST^® LEGO^® League (FLL^®), this program features a real-world challenge, to be solved by research, critical thinking and imagination. Guided by adult coaches and the Jr.FLL Core Values, students work with LEGO elements and moving parts to build ideas and concepts and present them for review.

Starts: In session now. Please contact Stuart Miller @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if interested.

 

Lego Robotics (Gr. 4-8): Introduces younger students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.

Starts: In session now. Please contact Stuart Miller @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if interested.

 

Started by Principal Kim Pinkerton in 2010, the lunch clubs program  allows students to learn, to grow, and to flourish in an environment that is both comfortable and nurturing, as they are run by our teachers and parent volunteers.

 

What Enrichment Clubs Do:

•Reinforce academic skills
•Engage students in activities that develop excitement and purpose for their learning
•Provide hands on activities in a relaxed environment
•Encourage a sense of belonging in the learning community
•Boost confidence and curiosity
•Help students explore their potential

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UPDATES

January 30, 2012

The RSF Garden Club is starting the new year with a good spring cleaning and a replanting. This year's seedlings include both fruits and vegetables and our students are excited to watch them grow! The Garden Club meets on Tuesdays at lunch, and its advisor is Brenda Hand. For more information, please contact Mr. Hansen in the library.

 

 

 

December 1, 2011

Lunch clubs are now in full swing! If your child did not sign up for a club but is still wanting to participate, please send them to the room where their club is being held. The list of clubs can be obtained by clicking here.

November 14, 2011

A message from your Librarian and Lunch Club Coordinator: Lunch Clubs second session begins!

Today's piece of advice: good friends don't let friends forget about lunch club sign-ups! Our second session is underway, and we've added some great new clubs in addition to the ones continuing from last session. Ever thought about gardening? Or maybe making a rubber stamp calendar?

We've also got a great club for 5th grade girls called Girl Power - trust me, ladies, you will not want to miss it! Go Green is also starting up, so now is the perfect time to join a club if you didn't attend the sign-up days at the beginning of this year. Of course, your old standbys are still available, from Chess Club to Dance to Art! Sign-ups are today (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday) at lunchtime. Come to the tables right outside the library - it'll take two seconds!

Clubs begin the week after Thanksgiving. Make your lunch more than just a boring old peanut butter and jelly...make it a club!

For more information on club offerings click here - or call Ross Hansen, Media Specialist, at 858-756-1141 Ext. 201.