September and October 2025

Our Ramona community has so many reasons to be proud. Beginning with the challenges of COVID, we have come a long way starting with the time we successfully reopened our school and were honored with the California Pivotal Practice Award. In both 2024 and 2025, we were voted San Gabriel Valley’s Best Elementary School. In 2025, Ramona was also recognized as the Best Middle School and as the Favorite Workplace in the San Gabriel Valley. Most recently, we received the California Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Gold Level recognition. Thank you for being an essential part of our Ramona community and for continuing to help our stars shine brightly.

Parent conferences are an important opportunity for us to strengthen the partnership between home and school. During these meetings, teachers will share your child’s progress, celebrate their achievements, and discuss ways we can work together to support their continued growth. We encourage parents and guardians to take this time to ask questions, share insights, and collaborate with us in ensuring each child’s success. We look forward to seeing you and continuing to build a strong foundation for your child’s learning journey.

Please plan to arrive on time for your scheduled conference so we can make the most of the allotted time. Delays may unfortunately shorten your meeting, as we need to stay on schedule for all families. Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us ensure that every parent has the opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher.

Discover the "Power of One Hour" with our monthly workshop series, starting this October at Ramona Elementary School, facilitated by our amazing psychologist, Mr. Dylan Lofgren. Learn how dedicating more time with your child on a daily basis can strengthen the parent-child relationship and further develop the bonds that tie us together. The workshop series will start off with four sessions designed to discuss the tools and strategies needed to be a more purposeful and present parent. Our last four sessions are all about providing the opportunity for you to interact with your child in meaningful ways: Using a DIR/Floortime approach, you'll participate in fun, engaging activities with your child to build communication, creativity, and connection. Please join us and take up the “1 hour a day” challenge!

Dates

• October 7th - Meaningful Interaction
• November 4th - Co-Regulation
• December 9th - Teach, Don't Test!
• January 13th - Parent with Purpose
• February 3rd - Family Builders
• March 3rd - Story Makers
• April 7th - Family Art Night
• May 5th - Team Challenge

Location

• Ramona School, room A-7

Time

• 5-6 p.m.

As a culmination of their eighth-grade year at Ramona, students have the opportunity to participate in several exciting activities and events. You can support our eighth-grade class by joining us at Shakey’s Pizza on Wednesday, September 24th, from 5:00–8:00 p.m.. Twenty-five percent of all proceeds will benefit our eighth-grade students.

The Alhambra Educational Foundation makes it possible for every sixth-grade student to participate in a two-night, three-day outdoor Science Camp. This incredible experience allows students to engage in hands-on learning while exploring the beauty of nature. To help support this opportunity, Ramona School and the Alhambra Educational Foundation will be hosting a Panda Express fundraiser on Wednesday, October 8th, where 28% of all orders will benefit our students.

1. Place your order for pickup or delivery on Wednesday, October 8th.
2. Orders can be made nationwide on www.pandaexpress.com
3. Apply the code 9008033 in the fundraiser code box during the online checkout or on the app.

Join us Sunday, October 26th for the Alhambra Pumpkin Run, a Halloween celebration of running, costumes, and community. Proceeds benefit the Alhambra Educational Foundation.

Ramona Community School is excited to announce the opening of our wellness room, The Zen Den. Students are welcome to check it out when it is open during their recess time.

When it comes to keeping schools safe, different emergencies call for different responses, and each type of drill is designed to prepare students and staff for specific situations. Whether it's fire, earthquake, lockdown, or a medical emergency, the right drill can make all the difference in how effectively everyone responds.

Each drill addresses specific risks and challenges, helping schools navigate unpredictable situations with clarity and confidence. By understanding the purpose behind each drill, our school will build a stronger, more cohesive safety plan.

Here are the different drills.

Fire Drills

Since fires can spread in under 5 minutes, evacuation readiness is critical. Fire drills are designed to help schools respond quickly and safely during emergencies, knowing what to do when the alarm sounds. They also help familiarize everyone with the safest and quickest exit routes.

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Earthquake Drills

To stay safe, students are taught the “Drop, Cover, and Hold ” method. Evacuation drills prepare schools for emergencies that require everyone to leave the building. While these situations are rare, they can happen quickly and without much warning.

Lockdown Drills

Lockdown drills are essential to school safety and are designed to prepare everyone for situations involving active threats or dangers around the school. The goal is to ensure everyone knows how to quickly and safely secure themselves in a classroom or other safe areas until the threat is resolved.

Shelter-in-Place Drills

Shelter-in-place drills prepare schools for emergencies where it’s safer to stay indoors. During these drills, students and staff remain in classrooms or designated safe rooms, away from windows and exterior doors. Classes continue as normally as possible to keep everyone calm. These drills help students understand that staying put, quiet, and waiting for instructions can sometimes be the safest response to danger outside.

Our Halloween parade will be held on Friday, October 31st, which is a minimum day. Students may volunteer to dress in a costume as long as it follows the guidelines listed below. Parents and family members will be invited to join us on the blacktop as soon as all students are ready. The Sixth Street gate will open at approximately 8:30 a.m. to allow time for teachers to take attendance and have students settle in.

Costume Guidelines

• All costumes must be appropriate and follow the Alhambra Unified School District's dress code guidelines (appropriate length, no mid-drift tops).
• No masks, weapons, gory, bloody, violent, scary images or items allowed.
• Students need to be able to change themselves out of the costume to resume normal classroom routines. There will be free dress that day as long as the district's dress code is followed.
• Due to the fear of the Fentanyl crisis, candy will not be distributed. If you are interested in bringing treats for the class, let your child's teacher know in advance, and please consider non-food items for students with food allergies to enjoy.