Bobcat School Tracker

August 2, 2021

Santa Rita

Back to School Update

Dear Santa Rita families,

I am thrilled to welcome all students at all grade levels back to in-person learning on August 18th: the first day of the 2021-22 school year. This means a return to school similar to what we experienced before the coronavirus pandemic, including after school programs and extracurricular activities.

You should have received a recent email from our Superintendent, Jeffrey Baier, regarding a Back to School Update.

I’d like to highlight two very important items from the update for our families. Please read the original Back to School Update if you haven’t already.

1. Prioritizing In-Person Learning in Our COVID-Safe Schools

The State of California has prioritized in-person learning for all students. We know children learn best in classrooms with their teacher and peers.

Just as we did last school year with great success, LASD will safely and confidently operate our schools to prevent the spread of illness. Our COVID-safe operations are now second nature to our administrators, staff and educators. We have proven time and again we know how to ensure students follow these important health guidelines to keep everyone safe.

These critical protocols will be in place when school begins on August 18:

Students and staff must complete a daily symptom screener before coming to campus
Students and staff must stay home if they are sick
Students and staff will be required to wear a mask unless eating or drinking, or if they have a documented medical exemption
LASD will follow all CDPH guidelines regarding any identified positive COVID-19 cases

2. Independent Study Option

LASD believes in-person learning is the optimal educational experience for students at all grade levels. Students who are unable to return to campus for medical reasons may enroll in a 100% virtual Independent Study program for the upcoming school year. Please note, this program will be operated by a third-party following California Department of Education requirements and will not be the same as our LASD Virtual School from the 2020-21 school year. For more information on the Independent Study option, please read below and register here for an Independent Study Town Hall on Wednesday, August 4 at 7:00 pm. If you would like to enroll your child in the Independent Study program, please complete this Independent Study Application. Please contact Erin Green for additional program details.

All of our teachers and staff at Santa Rita look forward to an amazing year of learning with your children!

Sincerely,

Kelly Rafferty

Principal

Santa Rita Elementary

Letter from your New Principal

‘Once a Bobcat Always a Bobcat!’

Hello! My name is Kelly Rafferty and I’m your new principal. I am ecstatic to be back at Santa Rita. I would like to welcome all families and students to the new school year and introduce myself.

I am truly honored to be at Santa Rita.I am going to focus on building relationships and our school community this year. I look forward to meeting and getting to know every student and family member and look forward to reconnecting with those I already know. I am excited to partner with families and staff to create the most engaging, supportive, rigorous and joyful year as we move forward.

Our theme for this year is Teams and Teamwork. I can not think of better words to describe the last year and our future. I believe working together, we can support our students, our school and families, as we move forward and regain our strength and passion for learning. With that in mind, I plan to continue building our sense of community with our traditional school wide events such as the Bobcat Chase on August 21st, Family Fun Nights, Grandfriends’ Day, Witches Delight and so many more!

Our community is why my heart has always been with Santa Rita. Did you know that I grew up being a Bobcat? I went to Santa Rita as a child, as well as Egan and Los Altos High. I moved away for college, then to Tahoe and Colorado where I taught Kindergarten, 2nd grade and 4th grade, and returned home in 2004.

I was a Santa Rita teacher, coach and parent for 13 years. I taught 5th and 6th grade from 2004-2013, then I was our STEM teacher for 4 years. I moved to Covington and the District Office in 2017, where I served as a STEM coach at many LASD schools and built science learning plans and STEM lessons for all grade levels.

My sons Cole and Drew are also Santa Rita Bobcats. They went on to Egan and are now at Los Altos High, a senior and a sophomore. When they were here, I experienced how truly wonderful and loving the Santa Rita teachers and community are. It is a different perspective when you are a parent and I appreciate how Santa Rita families live out the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. As a current LAHS parent, you will find me every Friday night this fall at their football games. In the spring, I will be cheering at the baseball diamond. If you come cheer on the Eagles this year, you may even catch me on the field as part of the chain gang or in the snack shack helping to raise money. My husband Tyson and I feel so fortunate to call this unique place our home and are always looking to give back.

When you see me ar our kickoff events, please stop and say hello. This is going to be a wonderful year! Go Bobcats!

Sincerely,

Kelly Rafferty

Principal Santa Rita