Marvelous Maverick Newsletter

As we enter the state testing season, I want to take a moment to speak directly from the heart—as your principal, a former teacher, and a fellow parent—about the importance of this time of year for our students.

State testing isn’t just another thing on the calendar. It’s an opportunity. It’s a chance for our students to show what they’ve learned, to demonstrate their growth, and to step into their full potential. These tests are more than just numbers on a page—they help shape the academic paths of our students in meaningful ways.

Why Does It Matter?

While state testing does not define a student’s worth, it can play a role in the academic opportunities they’ll have moving forward. At our school, testing results are one of the tools we use to help determine course placements and eligibility for certain elective classes. That means a strong performance can help open doors to the electives and enrichment opportunities your child is most excited about—whether it's robotics, advanced art, music, coding, or leadership development.

Set the Stage for Success

Here’s where we need your partnership. You can help your child feel confident and prepared each day by ensuring they:

• Get a full night’s rest (8–10 hours is the sweet spot for middle schoolers)

• Eat a healthy breakfast—either at home or right here at school

• Arrive on time and ready to focus

State testing requires stamina, concentration, and a positive mindset. The simple things—rest, nutrition, and encouragement—make a huge difference. And if your student walks into the building believing, “I’ve got this,” then they’re already halfway to success.

Let’s Motivate and Inspire

Talk to your student about why this matters. Not just the test, but the habits they're building—the grit, the pride in their work, the ability to meet challenges head-on. Remind them that they are capable of great things, and that these tests are just one of many ways they get to shine.

We believe in our students. We see their brilliance every day in our classrooms, hallways, and lunch tables. Now it's time for the world to see it too.

Let’s finish strong, together.

With pride and purpose,

Principal Prudhomme

Our dedicated staff came together to launch our annual testing prep initiative, setting the tone for a successful and supportive testing season. During our kickoff meeting, we aligned on key strategies, shared resources, and discussed how we can best encourage and empower our students as they head into this important time of year. Our goal is to not only prepare students academically but also to build their confidence and reduce anxiety by showing them they are surrounded by a team that believes in them. Let’s continue working together to create a calm, focused, and positive testing environment for all!

Rancho was recognized in Monterey for being selected as a School to Watch.

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible parental involvement in our school community! Our parents have been enjoying our monthly Coffee with the Principal meetings and Award celebrations. Additionally, we want to highlight the ongoing commitment of parents in our African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC). Meeting monthly, our AAPAC serves as a vital space for collaboration, advocacy, and support, ensuring the success of our African American families. We encourage all parents to join us in these efforts as we continue building a strong, inclusive school community together! Our next AAPAC meeting is May 8, 4pm in the library, join us!

Our school recognized National Down Syndrome Day by wearing crazy socks!.

Students got to participate in the positive rewards party. Playing games, participating in art projects and enjoying sports in the gym during PE time celebrated our students that have been following STAR expectations.

Students were rewarded at lunch for not being on the NO GO list with tasty otter pops at lunch. Thanks to our care team helping us distributing our tasty treats!

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Band also had a collaboration with Taquitiz High school celebrating music across the curriculum.

Congratulations to our amazing cheer team for placing 1st place in their Jamz competition! We are so proud of you! Go Mavericks!

Our AVID students enjoyed Magic Mountain at the park's annual AVID night.

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Congratulations to all our students that scored proficient or better on last year's State Test. If you would like to participate in next year's event make sure that you lock in during testing!

Rancho Viejo recently celebrated the achievements of our Boyz Summit group with a fun and well-deserved Game Day. This special event recognized the hard work, growth, and successes of the young men who have been part of the program throughout the year. The Boyz Summit focuses on leadership, academic improvement, and personal development, and the Game Day served as both a celebration and a reminder of the positive path these students are on. Through team-building activities and friendly competition, the boys had the chance to bond, reflect on their progress, and enjoy the rewards of their commitment and dedication.

Thank you to our community leaders Calvin Smith and Chief Michael Arellano volunteering to participate in Principal for a Day!

We are so proud of you and your achievements! Be sure to take a moment to look around the walls of the MPR, where you’ll find your pictures along with the wonderful words your teachers have shared about you. Keep up the great work! 🌟👏

Thank you Vallarta Supermarket for donating $1500 to our school at your grand opening! The students and staff deeply appreciate it!

Principals and district personnel recently visited Rancho Viejo Middle School, where they toured classrooms and observed firsthand the academic rigor that has earned the school its reputation as the #1 academic middle school in the Valley. The walkthrough highlighted the school’s strong instructional practices, student engagement, and commitment to high expectations. Rancho Viejo continues to lead with excellence, showcasing the dedication of its educators and the hard work of its students.

Students participated in a variety of activities that highlighted their creativity.

We proudly celebrate our incredible school nurse, Marina Toledo, whose dedication and compassion make a lasting impact on our campus every single day. Whether it’s caring for a student in need, managing health plans, or offering a comforting presence, our nurse goes above and beyond to ensure the well-being of every child at Rancho Viejo. Her tireless work behind the scenes and genuine care for our students does not go unnoticed. We are deeply grateful for her unwavering commitment, and we thank her for being such a vital part of our school community.

We’d like to recognize Ms. Reller, our dedicated Literacy Intervention Specialist, for the incredible impact she’s had on our students this year. Through her expertise and encouragement, she’s helped create a positive and supportive learning environment where students feel confident and motivated to grow. Thanks to her guidance and targeted instruction, we’ve seen significant gains in student Lexile levels across the board. Ms. Reller’s passion for literacy and student success continues to make a lasting difference at Rancho Viejo.

Our yearbook team has worked tirelessly all year to capture the heart and spirit of Rancho Viejo, and their dedication has truly paid off. From covering campus events to designing creative layouts and highlighting unforgettable moments, the team has poured countless hours into creating a yearbook that celebrates our students, staff, and the memories we've made together. Their attention to detail, teamwork, and passion for storytelling have resulted in a yearbook that our school community will treasure for years to come. A huge thank you to the yearbook staff for their incredible effort and commitment!

Testing Schedule:

ELA Tuesday/ Thursday 4/22 & 4/24

Math Tuesday/Thursday 4/29 & 5/1

Science and Makeups Tuesday & Thursday 5/6 & 5/8

Spring Show 4/23 evening

Sports: 4/1 Volleyball and Track

School Site Council Meeting: 5/6 4PM

AAPAC 5/8 4PM

Choir Concert 5/8 6PM

Drama Improv Show 5/12

Band Concert 5/13

Track Meet 5/13

7th Grade Field Trip 5/14

Cheer EYO Ceremony 5/14

Coffee with the Principal 5/20

Track Banquet 5/22

Inflatables! 5/23

No School Memorial Day 5/25

AVID Awards night 5/26

8th Grade Knotts Field Trip 5/30

Minimum Days: 6/2, 6/3, 6/4

Awards! 6/3

Promotion 6/4