El Rancho Unified Weekly Newsletter

This Week at ERUSD | October 9, 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.

Every Day Counts: Making Attendance Fun at Durfee

At Durfee Elementary, showing up to school can come with a little yellow surprise.

On September 28, Durfee held its first Surprise Attendance Day of the school year. Students who arrived at school that morning received a small themed duck figurine to add to their attendance stamp card for the year. Each month for the rest of the school year, Durfee will hold another Surprise Attendance Day, giving students the opportunity to collect a new themed duck by being at school that day. Since the dates are not announced ahead of time, students never know when the next duck might appear, giving them another reason to look forward to being at school each day.

The first Surprise Attendance Day came at the close of Attendance Matters Month, recognized throughout September as an opportunity to highlight the important role regular attendance plays in student learning. Missing just two days of school each month can add up to chronic absence over the course of a school year, which can make it harder for students to stay on track with their learning.

Surprise Attendance Days aren’t the only way Durfee is promoting regular attendance. This week, Durfee recognized 110 of its 298 students who achieved perfect attendance throughout September.

While September was Attendance Matters Month, Durfee’s efforts will continue throughout the school year. Each month will bring another Surprise Attendance Day, another themed duck to collect, and another opportunity to celebrate students for showing up and being part of their school community.

Behind the fun is a simple message Durfee will continue reinforcing all year long: every day at school is another opportunity to learn, connect, and grow.

Measure ED on the November 3 Ballot

El Rancho Unified families and community members will see Measure ED, a $118 million general obligation bond measure, on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot. If approved by at least 55% of votes cast, the measure would authorize the District to issue bonds for school facility repairs and improvements across ERUSD.

Proposed projects include repairs and upgrades to HVAC systems, roofs, classrooms, school grounds, safety and emergency systems, technology infrastructure, Special Education facilities, and Career Technical Education spaces, among other facility improvements. Bond funds would be restricted to District projects and subject to independent oversight and audits.

Visit the District’s Measure ED webpage to learn more about the measure, proposed projects, taxpayer information, and voting information.

Measure ER: Latest Construction Update

Exciting changes are taking shape across El Rancho Unified! From multipurpose room renovations at our elementary schools to major improvements at El Rancho High School, Measure ER projects continue to bring new and improved spaces to our campuses.

Watch our latest Measure ER Construction Update to hear directly from ERUSD students and see the progress happening across our schools!

Career Exploration Labs in Our Middle Schools

At North Park Academy of the Arts and Rivera Middle School, students have opportunities to explore different careers through hands-on Paxton Patterson Labs. Working in collaborative teams, students participate in interactive, project-based activities that introduce them to different industries while building problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

Through modules covering fields such as engineering and design, healthcare, veterinary medicine, culinary arts, forensic science, and flight and drone technology, students get an early look at the skills and knowledge used in different professions. These experiences give students opportunities to discover new interests and begin thinking about the college and career pathways they may want to explore in high school and beyond.

Explore the Career Exploration Labs at each school to learn more about the modules available to students.

Optional Chromebook Coverage

Every ERUSD student is loaned a Chromebook at no cost. Optional coverage is available through School Device Coverage.

Covers: accidental damage, loss, and theft — including cracked screens and liquid spills. No deductible, no claim limits.

Cost: $26, or $36 with the charger. Coverage runs through July 31, 2027, beginning when payment is received. Paying by check avoids the 4% card processing fee.

Coverage is optional. No student loses access to a device, and families who aren’t able to pay can ask their school about a voluntary work option.

What’s Ahead at ERUSD

Here are a few upcoming events and reminders for El Rancho Unified families:

⭐ Week of the School Administrator | October 11–17

This week, El Rancho Unified joins our Board of Education in recognizing the principals, assistant principals, and district leaders who support our schools each day. Through a Board resolution, October 11–17 was proclaimed Week of the School Administrator in ERUSD. We thank our school and district administrators for their leadership, dedication, and commitment to our students, staff, and families.

🌎 Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill | Thursday, October 15

On October 15, El Rancho Unified will join millions of participants in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. Students and staff across our schools will practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On and review earthquake safety procedures to help prepare for an emergency.

Please check with your school for additional information about Great ShakeOut activities and procedures.

📅 Stay Connected with Your School

Check your school calendar and ParentSquare for upcoming activities, family events, schedule changes, and important reminders.

Looking for more? Visit the District Events Calendar for additional events and important dates across ERUSD.

Supporting the Whole Student: Durfee’s Student Support Team

This week, Durfee Elementary is recognizing its student support team: Ms. Alice Kuftedjian, Intervention Teacher; Ms. Gina Paolucci, RSP Teacher; Ms. Maria Cervantes, ELD Classroom Aide; Dr. Tiffany Smith, Speech Language Pathologist; Ms. Kate Felipe, Psychologist; Ms. Julia Gomez, Mental Health Counselor; and Ms. Malany Cabrera, Behavior Technician.

Throughout elementary school, students may need different kinds of support to help them learn, communicate, build confidence, manage emotions, or navigate their school day. Durfee’s student support providers bring different areas of expertise to the school community, helping meet students’ academic, social-emotional, communication, and behavioral needs.

From additional academic support to mental health, speech and language, and behavioral services, these staff members help ensure students have people at school who can support them in different ways as they learn and grow. Together, their work reflects Durfee’s commitment to supporting the whole student and helping each Dolphin have opportunities to succeed.

Alma Family Services

For more than a decade, Alma Family Services has partnered with El Rancho Unified to connect students and families with mental health support and community resources. The partnership began through the District’s Safe Schools Healthy Students Grant, which concluded in 2014, and has continued to serve families across the El Rancho community.

With a location in Pico Rivera, Alma Family Services provides community- and school-based mental health services for individuals and families experiencing emotional, behavioral, substance use, and developmental challenges. In addition to these services, the organization supports the community through educational workshops, outreach activities, and crisis response services, helping students and families access care and support when they need it.