El Rancho Unified Weekly Newsletter
August 28, 2026
This Week at ERUSD | August 28, 2026
Each week, Our El Rancho Story brings you highlights from our schools, important District updates, upcoming opportunities, community resources, and the people and programs supporting students across El Rancho Unified.
Building Stronger Readers at Rio Vista
Inside classrooms at Rio Vista Elementary, learning to read can look different from one student to the next. Some students may be practicing letter sounds, while others work with a teacher in a small group or talk with classmates about what they have read. Behind those different activities is a shared goal: helping every student become a strong, confident reader.
Over the past year, Rio Vista teachers have been working together to strengthen literacy instruction across grade levels. Through ERUSD's investment in Getting Reading Right, teachers are using explicit, research-based approaches to reading instruction, including phonics instruction that helps students connect letters and sounds and build the skills needed to read words.
Teachers are also using information from i-Ready and other assessments to better understand what students already know and where they may need additional support. That information helps teachers form small groups and focus instruction on the specific skills students are ready to work on next.
The work extends beyond reading lessons. AVID and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies are also being incorporated into classrooms to help students organize their thinking, work with others, ask questions, stay engaged, and find different ways to show what they know.
Behind the scenes, teachers regularly come together to look at student work and assessment results, share strategies, and determine what adjustments may help students continue growing. Rather than approaching literacy one classroom at a time, Rio Vista staff is working toward a common goal across the school.
For Rio Vista, building stronger readers is an ongoing effort. By responding to what students need and giving teachers opportunities to learn and plan together, the school is working toward its goal of every Panther achieving grade-level literacy and continuing to grow beyond it.
Advanced Placement
At El Rancho High School, students can challenge themselves academically while getting an early start on college through the Advanced Placement (AP) Program. AP gives students the opportunity to take college-level courses while still in high school and, depending on their AP exam scores and future college, potentially earn college credit or advanced placement.
ERUSD also covers the cost of AP exams for students enrolled in the corresponding AP course. Along with the opportunity to earn college credit, AP courses can help students strengthen their GPA and potentially save time and money as they continue their education after high school.
ERHS students are already finding success in the program. In recent AP exam results, students outperformed California averages in several subjects, including AP 2-D Art, Calculus AB, Spanish Literature & Culture, and Chemistry.
Learn more about the AP Program, its benefits, and student achievement at El Rancho High School.
Measure ER: Latest Construction Update
A new school year brings new and improved spaces across ERUSD. Rivera Elementary recently celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated multi-purpose room, while work continues on the next group of MPR renovations at Birney Tech, Magee Academy, North Ranchito, and Rio Vista.
At El Rancho High School, students are also seeing changes across campus, including an updated front entrance and the recently completed music classroom. Work continues on the new pool shade structure and restroom and concessions building.
Watch our latest Measure ER Construction Update for a closer look at what’s happening across our schools.
Have you downloaded the ParentSquare app yet?
The free app makes it easy to keep up with ERUSD wherever you are. You can:
• View school and classroom updates
• Send and receive messages
• Complete forms and permission slips
• Respond to signups and event invitations
• Manage your notification and language preferences
See What’s Happening Across ERUSD
There’s always something happening across our schools! From family events and school activities to important District dates, the District Events Calendar is your go-to place to see what’s coming up.
View events across the District or select the individual school calendars you want to follow.
Check the calendar and see what’s ahead across ERUSD.
The Team Behind Rio Vista’s Front Office
This week, Rio Vista Elementary is recognizing Ms. Rios, School Secretary; Ms. Moreno, Health Clerk and Attendance Clerk; and Ms. Banuelos, Clerk, for the important role they play in supporting the school community each day.
As members of Rio Vista’s front office team, Ms. Rios, Ms. Moreno, and Ms. Banuelos are often among the first people to welcome students, families, and visitors to the school. From assisting families and responding to questions to supporting the many day-to-day needs of a busy elementary school, their work helps keep Rio Vista running smoothly.
Together, they represent the care, organization, and service that happen behind the scenes each day to support students, families, and staff across the Panther community.
Pacific Clinics
For more than a decade, Pacific Clinics has partnered with El Rancho to support the mental health and well-being of students and families. Through three nearby locations in Santa Fe Springs, the agency provides high-quality school-based and outpatient mental health services to the ERUSD community. Pacific Clinics also operates more than 100 programs across Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties, offering behavioral health treatment and culturally responsive services for youth and families.