Bobcat Strong Tracker
March 13, 2026
BE KIND. BE STRONG. BE WELL. - TOGETHER!
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Our Mission
At Santa Rita Elementary School, we foster curious, motivated learners who reach their highest potential in a supportive community that appreciates diversity.
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, March 18 - Report Cards Sent Home
Friday, March 27 - Illuminate LASD & Santa Rita PTA Meeting (8:45am)
Tuesday, March 31 - Walk & Roll to School Day
Monday, April 6- Friday, April 10 - Spring Break
Monday, April 13-17 - 3rd-6th Grade State Testing Practice
Saturday, April 18 - Junior Olympics at Mountain View High School
Monday, April 20- May 1- 3rd-6th Grade State Testing (please see individual teachers’ schedules)
LASD 2025-2026 Calendar
Reporting Attendance: Santa Rita Student Attendance
Santa Rita Website: https://www.santaritaschool.org/
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Santa Rita Families,
As we head into Spring, I want to take a moment to talk about two of the most important and most overlooked factors in your child's success: sleep and breakfast. Research consistently shows that children who get adequate sleep (9–11 hours for elementary-aged students) are better able to focus, retain information, manage their emotions, and perform at their best. When students arrive tired, even the most engaging lesson can feel like a struggle. Building a consistent bedtime routine is one of the most powerful gifts you can give your child this school year.
Equally important is starting the day with a nutritious breakfast. Eating in the morning fuels the brain and body, improves concentration and memory, and helps children stay engaged throughout the school day. Studies have shown that students who eat breakfast regularly are more likely to arrive on time, participate in class, and demonstrate better academic performance overall. Skipping breakfast, on the other hand, can lead to difficulty concentrating, low energy, and irritability, none of which set a child up for a productive day of learning.
We are proud to remind families that our school offers a free breakfast program every morning, served from 8:10 to 8:25 a.m. Please encourage your child to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Whether your morning is rushed or your child simply isn't hungry at home, our breakfast program ensures every student can begin the day nourished and ready to learn. Thank you for partnering with us to support the health and well-being of our students!
🚨SAFETY NOTICE: E-Bikes & Electric Scooters🚨
We just wanted to note a safety issue we have taking place on our campus. Many students bring e-bikes and scooters to school. This is not a problem, but it is not safe to be riding them on the blacktop after school. Many students are attending afterschool programs and there are still many students out on the blacktop after school, so riding ebikes is prohibited. Please make sure students are off campus before riding these types of bicycles and scooters. All bikes will need to be walked on the blacktop until they are off campus.
Reminder Regarding Dogs on Campus
As we continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of all our students, we want to kindly remind our school community that dogs and other pets are not permitted on school grounds before or after school while students are present. While we understand that many families have beloved furry companions, not all children are comfortable around animals, and some students have allergies or fears that can make their presence distressing. This helps ensure that every child feels safe and secure as they arrive and depart each day. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in keeping our campus a welcoming environment for all students. Thank you for your continued support!
Character Strong: Cooperation
Our trait of the month is Cooperation! Please read the family newsletter below for more information!
Social Media
I wanted to remind everyone about social media, specifically What’s App groups.
While group chats can be a wonderful tool for organizing birthday parties or coordinating school events, they are not the appropriate venue for discussing student progress, classroom challenges, or individual behaviors.
Why Privacy Matters
We are committed to protecting the confidentiality of every child. When specific student situations or classroom incidents are shared on social media:
Privacy is compromised: Even in "private" groups, sensitive information can be misinterpreted or shared further.
Direct solutions are delayed: Concerns shared online don’t reach the people who can actually help resolve them.
How to Share Your Concerns
If you have a question about your child’s experience, a concern about a classroom incident, or a student-related challenge, please reach out to us directly. We are here to listen and collaborate with you.
For classroom matters: Please email your teacher directly to schedule a time to talk.
For broader concerns: You are always welcome to contact me at dkhalid@lasdschools.org, come in, or call (650) 559-1600.
By keeping these conversations direct and confidential, we ensure that every student is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our school community a positive space for all families.
BOBCAT STRONG NEWS
Every LASD elementary school student benefits from specialized teachers for art, music, environmental education, PE, and the library, as well as access to mental health counseling. Generous donations from parents like you are making this possible.
If you have yet to give this school year, donate to LAEF today. Let’s keep our schools strong!
Can you represent Santa Rita on the LAEF Board for the 2026-27 school year? Join a fantastic group of parents representing our nine neighborhood schools and raise funds for teachers and programs at your student’s school. If you are interested in learning more about this important opportunity, please reach out to your Santa Rita LAEF Board representatives, Mike Beman and Betsy Williams, by emailing SantaRita@LAEFonline.org or admin@laefonline.org.
Walk & Roll to School Day (3/31) - Volunteers needed
Tuesday, March 31st
8:00–8:30 AM
Walk, roll, ride… and YES — there will be DONUTS 🍩 and our super popular Bike Course is back! 🚴
With enough Walking Leaders, students can join fun, safe group walks from neighborhood meeting spots—and we truly appreciate you giving your morning to make it happen!
Illuminate LASD is coming on Friday, March 27, and we need your help to make this district-wide celebration of student learning shine! We’re looking for parent volunteers to support in a variety of roles from helping to set up to directing traffic. If you’re interested in being part of this inspiring experience, please sign up here.
Peachjar Flyer
Please access the Peachjar flyer for Santa Rita Community here.
Email: dkhalid@lasdschools.org
Website: https://www.santaritaschool.org
Location: 700 Los Altos Avenue, Los Altos, CA, USA
Phone: (650)559-1600
Follow Mrs. Khalid on TikTok @principalkhalid