El Rancho Unified Weekly Newsletter
October 2, 2026
This Week at ERUSD | October 2, 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 Belonging: Creating Opportunities for Every Student
Every student comes to school with different strengths, needs, and learning styles. Across El Rancho Unified, our goal is to ensure those differences do not stand in the way of students having opportunities to learn, participate, build relationships, and feel they belong in their school community.
That belief is at the heart of ERUSD’s approach to inclusion. Rather than thinking of Special Education as a particular classroom or place, Special Education encompasses individualized services and supports designed around what a student needs to access their education and make progress. Families, educators, specialists, and other members of the student’s team work together to make decisions about each student's educational journey and determine the services and supports that best meet their individual needs.
Across the District, ERUSD is continuing to strengthen inclusive practices by bringing general and special education teams together through professional learning, collaborative planning, and instructional practices designed to create more opportunities for meaningful student participation. The focus is not simply on sharing the same space, but on ensuring all students have opportunities to contribute, connect, and be part of their school community.
Those opportunities can take many forms. For some of our youngest learners, collaboration between Special Education and State Preschool creates opportunities for students to learn and interact with a broader range of peers based on their individual strengths and needs. At the elementary level, inclusive recess, shared school activities, and student leadership roles provide other ways for students to participate and contribute. At El Rancho High School, Unified Sports brings students together through athletics and shared experiences.
While inclusion varies for every student, the goal remains the same: ensuring every individual can learn, participate, and contribute meaningfully. Special Education services are tailored to individual needs, but belonging is universal. Across ERUSD, we are committed to building school communities where all students feel valued and actively included in school life.
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.
Construction Update: Measure ER Projects
Several Measure ER projects reached new stages this week. At Birney Tech Academy, exterior plaster and restroom flooring are complete, with acoustic wall panels now being installed. At Rio Vista Elementary, crews are preparing for upcoming electrical inspections, while fire alarm installation is underway at North Ranchito Elementary.
At El Rancho High School, excavation and grading continue for the new Science Building as crews prepare the site for the new structure.
Read the full construction update below for more details on this week’s Measure ER progress across the District.
Earning College Credit, Starting in Middle School
Through the Dual Enrollment Early College Academy, a partnership with Rio Hondo College, El Rancho Unified students can start taking free college courses as early as middle school and earn credit toward a certificate or degree while working toward their high school diploma.
In high school, students choose a pathway in Business Administration, Administration of Justice, Automotive Technology, or Elementary Teacher Education. Students who complete a pathway earn a certificate or associate degree by high school graduation, and many courses also transfer to CSU and UC campuses.
Find program details and next steps online.
Take Two Minutes to Update Your ParentSquare Notifications
Did you know you can choose how and when you hear from ParentSquare? Your notification settings let you decide how you receive Posts and Direct Messages, while important Alerts and Notices can still reach you when needed.
- Posts: Choose Instant to receive notifications as Posts are published or Digest to receive one summary each evening. Digest can be especially helpful if you receive messages from multiple schools.
- Direct Messages: Choose whether you receive notifications by email, text, app, or a combination of methods.
- Alerts & Notices: Important alerts and notices can still reach you right away, helping make sure you don’t miss time-sensitive information.
Watch the short video above to see how to review your notification settings.
You can also find step-by-step instructions in ParentSquare by logging into your account and visiting the ParentSquare Help Center.
What’s Ahead at ERUSD
Here are a few upcoming events and reminders for El Rancho Unified families:
🌎 Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill | Thursday, October 15
On October 15, El Rancho Unified will join millions of people participating in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. Across our schools, students and staff will practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On and review important safety procedures for an earthquake.
Regular drills give our school communities an opportunity to practice how to respond before an emergency happens. Please check with your individual school for additional information about Great ShakeOut activities and procedures.
đź“… 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 Students Behind the Scenes
This week, El Rancho Unified is recognizing Special Education Program Specialists Ms. Pegadiotes and Mr. Edwards for the work they do to support students, families, and staff across the District.
As Program Specialists, Ms. Pegadiotes and Mr. Edwards collaborate with teachers, administrators, service providers, support staff, and families to help ensure students receive support based on their individual strengths and needs. Their work includes consulting with school teams, coordinating professional learning, and helping staff and families navigate Special Education programs and services.
For Ms. Pegadiotes and Mr. Edwards collaboration is at the heart of their work. Whether learning about a student’s experiences, consulting with staff and families, or seeing students grow and make progress over the years, they share a commitment to keeping students at the center of the decisions and support surrounding them.
Students Learn to Help Peers Resolve Conflict Through Peer Mediation
The Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) is a nonprofit organization that builds peace, resilience and leadership through youth-centered education and restorative practices.
Through its partnership with El Rancho Unified, WPDI has provided peer mediation training at five schools so far: El Rancho High School, North Park Academy of Arts, Rivera Middle School, Ruben Salazar High School and STEAM Academy @ Burke. The training prepares students to take on leadership roles, helping their peers work through conflict in a compassionate, nonjudgmental way.
Along the way, students strengthen their communication and problem-solving skills, and they help create a positive school climate built on empathy, accountability and belonging.