News From the Ranch
August 31, 2025, Vol. 1, Issue 5
Dear TRE Family,
We had another great week of learning at TRE! Fit PE and Music (2nd-5th) are in full swing, as is 100 Mile Club for our 4th and 5th graders. Students are engaged in creating both math and literacy communities in their classrooms. They are working with math tools, exploring and discussing how and why the solved problems the way they did. Students are reading, writing, and studying letter and word patterns. It is exciting to see the engaged class communities of learners across the ranch.
Highlights in this week's newsletter...
- Important Dates
- TRE Spirit Wear - Labor Day Discount Code
- School Site Council Reps
- Dino Dash
- PTA Updates and Fundraiser Info
- Community Flyers
Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend! See you back at the ranch on Tuesday, Sept 2nd.
In partnership,
Mrs. Ciecek (pronounced: chess - ick)
Weekly Highlights
FRIDAY FLAG
DINO DASH - NOV 2nd!
FRIDAY FLAG - 4TH GRADE LEADERS
ELICITING STUDENT THINKING IN MATH
COLLABORATION IN MATH
MATH TOOLS EXPLORATION
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, Sept 1st: Labor Day Holiday - NO SCHOOL
Wednesday: Music Assembly (TK/K/1st)
Tuesday: Fit PE (wear athletic shoes)
Thursday: Music (2nd-5th grade)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
September 10th: School Picture Day
September 11th: Patriot Day (wear Red/White/Blue)
September 17th: Constitution Day (wear Red/White/Blue)
September 25th: PTA Association Meeting (2:30 PM)
EARLY PICK UP REMINDERS
It is difficult to find students at lunch for early pick up when they are playing across our playground and it takes time away from our supervisors observing students to ensure safety. Please plan accordingly when scheduling appointments and try to schedule appointments after school when possible. If you need to pick up your child early, please pick up before or after lunch (see lunch times below).
LUNCH TIMES
- TK/K: 11:40 AM - 12:25 PM
- 1st-2nd: 11:55 AM -12:40 PM
- 3rd-5th: 12:20 PM - 1:05 PM
We also ask that you NOT pick up your child 15 minutes before school ends as it is very busy in the front office at this time.
SPIRIT WEAR
This year TRE spirit wear will be available all year long. Click HERE to explore all the awesome spirit wear options. The webstore is currently running a 20% off code (SPIRIT20). Also for holiday weekend, they are offering a Labor Day code good on 9/1 only (LABORDAY25).
Both our mascot Rocky the Cool Coyote, as well as our 30 year Anniversary logo are available for purchase. The spirit wear webstore has everything from t-shirts, to sweatshirts, to hats and sweatpants. I recommend clicking on CUSTOMIZE IT to explore the variety of customizable options. You can choose shirt color and adjust design colors.
5th grade families - Class of 2026 items have been updated!
SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL | Parent Members Needed
Dear Parents,
The TRE School Site Council (SSC) is now accepting nominations for parent members on the SSC. This is a two-year term. We are still in need of 2 more parents for School Site Council.
The School Site Council serves the students and the school by:
Developing the School Plan with teachers and support staff
Implementing the Plan, putting it into effect for student learning
Evaluating the Plan to see if it is helping all students
Verifying and assuring expenditures in the School Plan are used to improve academic performance of all pupils.
Parent members of the SSC...
Attend 4 1-hr meetings ( see meetings days/times below) - virtual option available
Represent parents in the neighborhood and community
Become knowledgeable about the School Site Plan
If you are interested, please click HERE to share your interest by Tuesday, Sept 2nd.
Meeting Dates for 2025-2026:
- Meeting #1: Monday, Sept 29, 3:00-4:00 PM
- Meeting #2: Monday, Nov 17, 3:00-4:00 PM
- Meeting #3: Tuesday, February 10, 3:00-4:00 PM
- Meeting #4: Monday, April 20, 3:00-4:00 PM
MESSAGES FROM THE PTA
PAWS FOR A CAUSE | Join the pack!
Join the PTA and support amazing programs for our TRE students. Click HERE to join. Thank you to the families who have already joined!
If you are unable to join at the Single Cub or Family Pack level, the PTA would be grateful for any donation you are able to make. It takes all of our TRE families to support the awesome opportunities our Tustin Ranch PTA provides for our students.
MARQUEE MESSAGE
BOX TOPS | Fundraiser
SUN BUCKS - SUPPORTING ELIGIBLE FAMILIES
Dear Parents and Families,
As the new school year begins, we want to make sure your family doesn’t miss out on SUN Bucks – a special program that gives $120 per school-aged child to eligible families to help with grocery costs.
Eligible families can still apply through September 2nd. Don’t wait—applications submitted after the deadline will not receive SUN Bucks for this year. If missed, you’ll need to reapply next school year by submitting a new Universal Benefits Application (UBA).
Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Click on the link to apply Universal Benefits Application (UBA)
Step 2: Submit your application before Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Complete the application for your child(ren)’s in your household.
Step 3: Watch your email
Once approved, you’ll get a letter and a SUN Bucks EBT Card in the mail by December 2025 with your benefits. To avoid any delays, please ensure your mailing address is current with your child(ren)’s school.
Need help or have questions? Visit: cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks. Let’s start the school year strong—with extra grocery support for your kids!
DINO DASH - JOIN US
Support TUSD schools & join TRE at the TPSF Dino Dash on Sunday, Nov. 2nd. Each sign up provides money back directly to our classrooms. www.DinosaurDash.net
SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE: BBQ
COMMUNITY FLYERS
TUSD WELLNESS COMMITTEE
Tustin Ranch Elementary
Principal: Michelle Ciecek, dciecek@tustin.k12.ca.us
Secretary: Sumitra Vittal, svittal@tustin.k12.ca.us
Office Assistant: Karen Dillon, kdillon@tustin.k12.ca.us
Community Liason: Lupe Inutan, ginutan@tustin.k12.ca.us
Community Specialist: Maura Vaughn, mvaughn@tustin.k12.ca.us
Health Clerk: Victoria Lawrence, vlawrence@tustin.k12.ca.us
Website: https://www.tustin.k12.ca.us/tustin-ranch
Location: 12950 Robinson Drive, Tustin, CA, USA
Phone: (714)730-7580
Twitter: @trecoolcoyotes
TUSD Nondiscrimination Satement
The Tustin Unified School District prohibits discrimination, intimidation, harassment (including sexual harassment) or bullying based on a person’s actual or perceived ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, national origin, religion, race or ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For questions or complaints, please contact Equity Compliance Officer: Stephanie Yang, Director Educational Service TK-12, 300 S. C Street Tustin, CA 92780, 714-730-7301 ext. 51318 | Title IX Coordinator: Stephanie Yang, Director Educational Service TK-12, 300 S. C Street Tustin, CA 92780, syang@tustin.k12.ca.us, 714-730-7301 ext. 51318 and Section 504 Coordinator: Michelle Everitt, Coordinator of Student Services, 1151 San Juan St. Tustin, CA 92780, 714-730-7301 ext. 51326.