Welcome Back to School

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year. I hope you had a restful summer and excited to have an amazing school year. To our new families, welcome to Ramona School. I look forward to meeting you soon. To our returning families, I look forward to continuing our partnership as we work together to provide an inclusive, engaging, and successful school year for all of our students.

Student Safety and Weather Conditions

Your child’s safety will always be one of our top priorities. As we know, living in beautiful California also means experiencing changes in weather and environmental conditions. During periods of extreme heat or poor air quality caused by wildfires, smoke, smog, or other factors, our district will do its best to communicate general information and recommendations received from local authorities, including the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and the California Department of Public Health.

These agencies provide Air Quality Index (AQI) information and recommendations to help schools and families make informed decisions. At our school site, we are also equipped with a Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer (WBGT), which allows us to accurately monitor heat conditions and make appropriate decisions regarding outdoor activities and student safety.

Welcome to Our New and Returning Staff!

We are excited to welcome several new staff members to our Ramona family this school year. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Jesse Toribio, who will serve as our Assistant Principal through a shared assignment with Ynez School. On the days Mr. Toribio is at Ynez School, Ms. Olga Rodriguez will support our students as our school counselor.

We are also pleased to welcome Mr. Mike Martinez, who will be joining us as our Psychology Intern under the supervision of Mr. Lofgren, our school psychologist. It is also wonderful to welcome Ms. Sarah Smith back to our Ramona family as our Learning Center Teacher. We are excited to have her experience and expertise as part of our team.

Please also welcome Ms. Karla Shayen, who previously taught third grade at Baldwin Elementary and will be joining us at Ramona as a third-grade teacher. Finally, Mr. Jose Macias will be joining us as our Physical Education Teacher, along with our P.E. aides, Ms. Jamie Marin and Mr. Charles Baldelomar.

Please help me give all of our new and returning staff members a warm Ramona welcome. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated team working together to support our students and families.

I look forward to a wonderful 2026–2027 school year filled with learning, growth, connection, and success. Thank you for being an important part of our Ramona family.

Sincerely,

Dr. Debbie Kotani

Principal

The Alhambra Unified School District follows a school uniform policy. All students are required to wear closed-toe shoes for safety. Students may wear white, light blue, or navy blue collared shirts, paired with navy blue or khaki bottoms.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, comfortable, and consistent learning environment for all students.

I could not be more proud of our students, staff, parents, and community members for their outstanding work, dedication, and commitment. Most importantly, our students are able to articulate their learning while also demonstrating strong interpersonal skills.

At Ramona, we focus on the whole-child approach and the implementation of Project-Based Learning to make learning engaging, meaningful, and purposeful. By connecting learning to real-world experiences, we help our students develop the academic knowledge and essential skills they need to thrive.

These collective efforts and positive impacts have helped Ramona earn recognition at both the state and national levels as a Middle School to Watch.

At the end of June, school representatives traveled to Washington, D.C., to accept this national recognition. We were also selected to present our best practices at both the state and national conference, and I am incredibly proud to share that our session was among those with the highest attendance. Our presentation attracted Board Members, Superintendents, Directors, and educators who were eager to learn more about the work happening at Ramona.

This recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication of our entire Ramona community and the belief we share in providing meaningful, engaging, and impactful learning experiences for every student.

1. Missed Lessons = Falling Behind: Even one day can mean missing critical instructions and activities, making it harder for your child to catch up. Every minute matters. When your child enters the class late, your child will miss information and instructions on their expected outcome for their first lesson.

2. Impact on Future Success: Consistent attendance is a strong predictor of academic achievement and future opportunities.

3. Building Resilience: Regular attendance teaches your child the value of perseverance and responsibility—essential skills for success in life.

4. Stronger Friendships: Daily presence helps your child develop and sustain friendships, which are crucial for emotional and social development.

5. Healthy Routine: Attending school every day establishes a stable routine, promoting better mental and physical health.

If your child is absent, please call (626)943-3661 to clear your child's absence. I look forward to our partnership in teaching your child to be successful and learn to be responsible.

We are asking for your support in completing the Alternative Income Form (AIF). Your participation is essential because the information collected helps determine the amount of federal Title I funding our school receives. The more forms our families complete, the better we can ensure Ramona receives the maximum funding available to support our students.

These funds directly impact the programs and services we are able to provide. Through Title I funding, Ramona supports:

· Intervention specialists who provide targeted support to students who are approaching or not yet meeting grade-level standards.

· Instructional programs and resources aligned with the goals outlined in our Single School Plan for Student Achievement.

· Project-Based Learning opportunities that make learning engaging, meaningful, and connected to real-world experiences.

Every completed form helps us advocate for the resources our students deserve. Your participation can make a meaningful difference in the opportunities and support we are able to provide at Ramona.

The deadline to complete the AIF is mid-September, so we encourage all families to take a few moments to complete the form as soon as possible. Please note that all information is strictly confidential.

You can complete the form in any of the following ways:

· Parent Portal: Complete the form electronically through Parent Portal.

· Printed Copy: Request a paper copy from the school.

· In-Person Support: Make an appointment with our School Community Coordinators, Ms. May Yuen or Ms. Patricia Mendoza, for assistance.

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Alhambra Unified School District’s Mobile Communication Device Policy is in effect. The policy establishes clear expectations for the appropriate use of cell phones and other mobile communication devices during the school day, with the goal of creating focused, safe, and engaging learning environments. Families are encouraged to review the policy with their students and partner with our school community in supporting responsible device use.