By Peggy Rauch
Scottsdale Ranch Real Estate Update
As
Some takeaways .
• As you can see Scottsdale Ranch has been holding its own as part of Scottsdale
• For the past year we have been in a steady decline, but it appears to be slowing each month.
• Only three cities have shown an increase while 14 have declined.
• Several cities have moved substantially in favor of buyers including Tempe, Gilbert. Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, Goodyear, Cave Creek, Glendale and Chandler.
• It is a fairly balanced market – neither an overall Seller’s nor Buyer’s.
• The increase in supply has begun to slow compared to the beginning of the year and without an excess in inventory the demand that would be created by lowering interest rates could be mitigated.
Peggy Rauch
Table of Contents
Stay up-to-date! Visit the Scottsdale Ranch Community Association website, www.scottsdaleranch.org
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Social Life on the Ranch
Knitwits Crochet Group Retired Active Men’s Coffee
Scottsdale Ranch Community Center
19 Community Wide Sale
20 Scottsdale Ranch Women’s Association
Wine Experience
Corks & Forks
Canasta Club
20 SRCA Block Party Trailer
21 Get Involved
Lake Serena Activities
Reserve the SRCA Block Party Trailer
Scottsdale Ranch Community Center
In the Community
In Every Issue
To discover Scottsdale Ranch is to discover a premier and forward-thinking residential community just right for you. At Scottsdale Ranch, you will find a community that reflects your taste and individuality. From luxury waterfront homes and spacious single-family dwellings to private patio homes, you will find a home to suit your needs. Scottsdale Ranch was established in 1981 and encompasses 1,118 acres bordered by 96th Street to the West, 112th Street to the East, and Shea Boulevard south to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. There are 3,939 dwellings in Scottsdale Ranch.
Scottsdale Ranch’s prestige is complemented by its luxurious amenities. Lake Serena, a forty-two-acre manmade lake offers fishing and boating and is considered the jewel of Scottsdale Ranch. Likewise, the Community Center, which also houses the administrative offices, provides a comfortable gathering place for parties, community events, or even a game of cards.
Conveniently located at the corner of Via Linda and Mountain View is the Mercado which offers a variety of specialty stores, restaurants, a drug store, a gym, offices, and professional services. Centrally situated in the heart of Scottsdale Ranch is a 64-acre general public use area featuring many fine amenities such as Scottsdale Ranch Park, a world-class tennis facility, several lighted baseball fields, a beautiful Desert Garden, the Via Linda Senior Center, Virginia G. Piper Boys and Girls Club and Laguna Elementary School, an A+ School of Excellence.
The Scottsdale Ranch Community Association and the active participation of Ranch residents design the lifestyle, integrity, and aesthetics of our community. Visit our website at www. scottsdaleranch.org for more information about our fabulous community!
Meet Your HOA Your HOA
Mike Metz President
Dave Specht Vice President
Mike Breslin Treasurer
Nina Munson Secretary
Larry Schmalz Director
Louba Rapoport Director
Ron Auerbach Director
A seven member Board of Directors governs Scottsdale Ranch Community Association (SRCA). The Board establishes the basic policies of the Association and oversees the operation of the professional staff while demonstrating values of fiscal responsibility, openness and inclusiveness, legacy and innovative leadership. It is our vision that by basing our decision making on our shared values, new ideas will be implemented, property values and quality of life will be enhanced, residents will feel a stronger sense of belonging, leadership and facilities will be recognized as best in class and Scottsdale Ranch will be the most desirable community in the Valley. SRCA’s Board employs an Executive Director who oversees the administrative, landscape and building/lake departments including a full-time, on-site administrative staff and a contracted landscape maintenance company, who all work behind the scenes to implement the mission statement.
The Board of Directors meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Community Center. These meetings are open to the membership. Meeting minutes can be found on our website at www.scottsdaleranch.org under SRCA Documents and Forms, Board of Directors.
Association Information
Scottsdale Ranch Community Association (SRCA) 10585 N. 100th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Office: (480) 860-2022/Fax: (480) 860-8264
After Hours SRCA Emergency/Answering Service Number: 1 (888) 271-0019
Website: www.scottsdaleranch.org
THE SRCA OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED SEPTEMBER 2ND IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY.
OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY – THURSDAY: 8 AM – 5 PM
FRIDAY: 8 AM – 3 PM
PHONE HOURS: MONDAY – THURSDAY: 9 AM – 5 PM
FRIDAY: 9 AM – 3 PM
Staff emails:
Kathe Barnes ......................................................... kbarnes@scottsdaleranch.org Executive Director
Kathy Diab ................................................................. kdiab@scottsdaleranch.org Homeowner Liaison
Genevieve Long glong@scottsdaleranch.org Community Relations/Events Coordinator
Ricki Stamos rstamos@scottsdaleranch.org Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper
Joni Shepherd jshepherd@scottsdaleranch.org Member Services Coordinator
Diane Botica dbotica@scottsdaleranch.org Architectural Liaison
Your HOA
Manager’s Report
By Kathe M. Barnes, CAAM, LSM, PCAM Executive Director
Governance: The Board’s Responsibility
Our community is more than just a bunch of neighborhoods. In so many aspects, it is a business. Collectively, our regular annual assessments amount to almost 2 million dollars each year that needs to be budgeted carefully and spent wisely to ensure we follow our Mission Statement – “The Mission of the Scottsdale Ranch Community Association is to serve as the organization through which its residents may sustain and enhance the character, quality of life and desirability of our community”. The residents (your neighbors) who have volunteered and been elected to serve on the association’s board are responsible for making critical decisions—on your behalf—about managing the community and your money.
Community associations like ours have a lot in common with municipal governments. As members of a governing body, our board members meet regularly to discuss and vote on important community issues, like setting policies, funding our reserves and contracting with vendors to keep the community amenities in good repair, to name a few.
Also, like a government, our association board has the legal authority to enforce the rules and regulations—somewhat like laws—and to collect assessments, like a government collects taxes, to pay to maintain the common areas and amenities like parking lots, landscaping and fencing, and to pay the association’s bills.
The Scottsdale Ranch Community Association (SRCA) Board of Directors has a fiduciary responsibility to its members. Fiduciary duty means protecting assets, budgeting responsibly, planning for the future, investing wisely and observing laws and regulations that affect association resources. Fiduciary duty requires the board to ensure that the assessments you pay are used properly to maintain the community and cover insurance, contracted services, utilities and other needed materials and services. The board is obligated to make ethical and legal decisions that best serve the entire association.
Each year, the board and management develop long-range plans—like when the Community Center roof will need to be replaced or when the tens of thousands of linear feet of common walls need to be repaired and/ or painted or the deep well pump replaced. The board must set aside funds so that these kinds of projects can be accomplished on schedule or even ahead of schedule in the event there’s an unexpected breakdown or the need arises. I am happy to report that our reserve and replacement fund has just been updated and is fully funded per the recommendations of the Reserve Study performed by an outside consultant.
The board’s decisions can have a significant impact on the community’s appearance and, consequently, on your property values. Be sure to communicate with the board or management regularly, attend board meetings, and attend annual meetings to elect responsible board members and to participate in conversations about significant community issues.
We are partners in keeping Scottsdale Ranch a premier community!
PARKING RULES REMINDER
Why can’t I park on the public street? For single-family residential subdivisions, the SRCA CC&Rs restrict on-street parking as much as possible requiring residents to use their garage and driveway first before parking on the street. If you are utilizing all of the spaces in your driveway and garage for parking and have more vehicles than those spaces allow, please contact the SRCA office so we can note your account. If you live in a neighborhood with a sub-association, please check with your sub HOA for what the rules are. Many are private streets which on street parking is not allowed.
The expectation is to keep vehicles off the street as much as possible even if that means shuffling vehicles in and out of the driveway and/ or garage. We appreciate the effort to keep the streets clear and safe.
Board Briefs
May 2024
No regular board meeting was held in May.
June 2024
• Board heard homeowner appeal regarding architectural decision about installed fire bowls.
• Board heard appeals regarding fines for a homeowner and Heritage IV.
• Property and Liability insurance renewal was approved.
• Doug Kiley was appointed to the Architectural Committee.
SRCA office will be closed September 2nd in observance of Labor Day.
President’s Message
By Matt Metz SRCA Board President
Those of you who read my columns on a regular basis know I am obsessed with proper management of homeowner associations. Although financial management is just one part of that, it’s an important part.
Just a few months ago, I wrote about how well funded SRCA’s reserves are. But I’m back, talking again about how we should think about reserves.
Reserves are very simply a way to make regular, periodic contributions to a fund so that when expensive assets need repair, maintenance, or replacement, we have the money to do that without having to do a dreaded special assessment.
Many small associations are under the misconception that they are saving their members money by keeping dues (assessments) low – and doing that in part by failing to contribute enough to keep reserves fully funded.
We shouldn’t think about reserve contributions as being a “rainy day fund.” That suggests those monies don’t have a specific purpose. The fact is that everything your association is responsible for (it might be a clubhouse, a swimming pool, a community center, a gatehouse, roofing for shared units, air conditioners, streets, etc.) deteriorates, slowly, and will eventually have to be replaced or have a major service project.
Here’s an example. The roof I just put on my house that cost $30,000 will last about 30 years before having to be replaced.
That means it is slowly, but steadily, deteriorating at the rate of $1,000 per year. If I don’t set aside $1,000 a year to replace it, I might struggle to find the $30,000 to replace it when it finally needs to be replaced. Everyone who lives in Scottsdale Ranch for six years should pay for six-thirtieths of the annual deterioration: their share of the Community Center roof. That’s only fair. If someone else lives in SRCA for 25 years, they are “consuming” 25 thirtieths of their share of the roof and should pay for that share. Reserving on a regular basis makes sure all Scottsdale Ranch property owners pay their fair share of the deterioration of community assets.
SRCA is always fully funded for its reserves (actually, at any point, we are between 95% and 105% funded). This means when major replacements or maintenance needs to be done, SRCA has the funds to do that – we don’t have to come and ask for additional funds over and above your annual dues, nor do we have to borrow money to do these projects.
If your sub-association is keeping dues artificially low by not adequately funding its reserves, that means it’s just a matter of time before you will be asked for extra money (a “special assessment”) to do the work that was completely predictable and should have been planned for.
You can trust that SRCA is always fully reserved, avoiding the need for special assessments. Can you say the same about your sub-association, or your own personal finances?
City of Scottsdale Community Notices
Scottsdale Electronics Recycling Event
Scottsdale residents can properly recycle electronics like computers, printers, phones, cameras, flat panel televisions/monitors and stereo equipment at our free Electronics Recycling Event. The next event will be Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 7:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. at 9191 E. San Salvador Drive. Review items accepted at www.scottsdaleaz.gov.
Scottsdale EZ / Report a Problem
Whether it’s a broken streetlight, a fresh pothole, a missing trash can, or an out-of-place scooter, our EZ online service makes it simpler for residents to report problems with city facilities or services. Scottsdale EZ allows you to quickly report issues on your desktop or mobile device and provides the city with a consolidated tracking and reporting system. Please visit https://eservices.scottsdaleaz.gov/ez.
Home & Landscape
From Your Homeowner Liaison
By Kathy Diab SRCA Homeowner Liaison
POLITICAL SIGNS
Voting season is upon us!! Every street corner and median are cluttered with political signs. The street corners and private property in SRCA are no exception. You may be asking if this is allowed. The answer is unfortunately yes.
Within Scottsdale Ranch, political signs are allowed on private property within the HOA in accordance with AZ Statute §33-1808 of the Planned Community Act.
C. Notwithstanding any provision in the community documents, an association shall not prohibit the indoor or outdoor display of a political sign by an association member on that member’s property, except that an association may prohibit the display of political signs as follows:
1. Earlier than seventy-one days before the day of a primary election.
2. Later than fifteen days after the day of the general election.
3. For a sign for a candidate in a primary election who does not advance to the general election, later than fifteen days after the primary election.
D. An association may regulate the size and number of political signs that may be placed on a member’s property if the association’s regulation is not more restrictive than any applicable city, town or county ordinance that regulates the size and number of political signs on residential property. If the city, town or county in which the property is located does not regulate the size and number of political signs on residential property, the association shall not limit the number of political signs, except that the maximum aggregate total dimensions of all political signs on a member’s property shall not exceed nine square feet.
• Political signs are permitted no earlier than seventy one days (71) before the Primary Election. For 2024, the Primary Election was held July 30th. Political signs were allowed starting March 19th.
• Signs for Primary Election candidates who do not advance to the General Election must be removed 15 days following the Primary Election.
• The state General Election will be held November 5, 2024. Signs displayed for the General Election must be removed 15 days following the election.
Did you know...
Per the Arizona Revised Statutes Title 16. Elections and Electors § 16-1019. Political signs; printed materials; tampering; violation; classification
It is a class 2 misdemeanor for any person to knowingly remove, alter, deface or cover any political sign of any candidate for
The use of SRCA facilities and amenities are voluntary and at your own risk. The Association is not the guarantor of your personal safety if renting the community center, recreational boat rentals, or attending any groups, clubs or SRCA events.
For up-to-date information, please visit our website at www.scottsdaleranch.org or sign up to receive our weekly email blasts.
Palm Tree Trimming
By now, palm trees on your property should have already been pruned to remove any dead fronds, pods and flowers. If this task is outstanding, please arrange for it promptly to prevent any fines being assessed to your property. Brush pickups are planned for the week of August 12th and September 16th. Please ensure proper disposal of the cut fronds to avoid blocking the sidewalk. If tree trimming doesn’t align with the bulk pickup schedule, your trimming service will need to handle the disposal. We appreciate your cooperation.
public office or in support of or opposition to any ballot measure, question or issue or knowingly remove, alter or deface any political mailers, handouts, flyers or other printed materials of a candidate or in support of or opposition to any ballot measure, question or issue that are delivered by hand to a residence for the period commencing forty-five days before a primary election and ending fifteen days after the general election, except that for a sign for a candidate in a primary election who does not advance to the general election, the period ends fifteen days after the primary election.
Residents with concerns about unsafe or improperly placed campaign signs can contact Scottsdale’s Code Enforcement hotline at (480) 312-2546, by email at codeenforcement@scottsdaleAZ.gov, or by using the city’s ScottsdaleEZ eservices site.
For more information regarding political signs, check out the websites below.
https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/codes/signs/campaign-signs https://www.azleg.gov/ars/16/01019.htm
And remember...Don’t Forget to VOTE!!!
Architectural Report
By Diane Botica SRCA Architectural Liaison
SECURITY CAMERA
The ever-popular Ring cameras and the like are everywhere. Yes, these are easy alternative methods to keep us safe in the current over accessible way of the world. These products, be it security doorbells or security cameras of all types and brands, require architectural approval before installation. They are an exterior change, and all exterior changes require architectural approval.
The architectural rules for security cameras are designed to address neighboring privacy rights. When submitting the required information for architectural committee review, a view of what the camera captures is required. In this captured view, no neighboring properties are allowed to be seen captures by the camera. Your property, public streets, public sidewalks and common areas are all permitted. Repositioning the camera can easily be done to meet this requirement. Blackout lines or highlighted areas showing the larger view are not acceptable methods to meet this privacy requirement.
Once your application is received, we disclose this to the neighbors so they can be informed of what is being installed and that the view does not infringe on their privacy.
Please remember to submit a completed architectural packet for review by using the project checklist which is available on the architectural page of the Scottsdale Ranch website. https://www. scottsdaleranch.org/plan-my-project-architectural-guide/.
When in doubt, reach out! Please submit! We appreciate your cooperation.
Does SRCA have my correct mailing address on file?
If you are a resident who does not spend the full year here, please make sure you update your address with our office when returning to Scottsdale Ranch for the season. Though you may update your address with the post office, it is not automatically changed in our system when submitting a change of address to the post office, Scottsdale Ranch must be notified as well. Visit our website at www.scottsdaleranch.org, on the home page to submit an ‘Update My Contact Information’. Once you complete and submit the address change, our staff will update accordingly.
info@miceliconstructiongroup.com www.miceliconstructiongroup.com
Home & Landscape
Late Summer Landscape Tips: Prepping for Fall’s Arrival
By Jesus Cera SDL SQP Manager
As we approach the end of summer and look forward to the cooler days of fall, it’s important to take care of our landscapes to ensure they thrive. August often brings much-needed relief with monsoon rains, which enrich the soil with nitrogen and benefit both plants and people. During this hot and humid period, it’s crucial to minimize stress on your plants and yourself by working in your landscape early in the morning before the temperatures soar into triple digits.
Trees
August is the perfect time to assess your trees and lighten their branches before the monsoon winds arrive. Prune back elongated limbs to reduce the pressure at the points where they connect to the trunk. Contrary to the old practice of opening up the canopies to let wind pass through, modern research suggests that reducing elongated branches strengthens the bark connection. This approach helps trees withstand strong winds better and grow more naturally. Be careful not to over-prune, as this can be just as harmful as under-pruning. Evaluate each species and make informed decisions for overall tree health. Removing cross branches and dead wood can also reduce the risk of downed limbs during windstorms.
Shrubs
Limit pruning of shrubs during August and September, except to clear sidewalks or driveways. Plants stressed by triple-digit heat are vulnerable after pruning, so it’s best to be conservative with trimming during this period. If your plants are spaced properly, there should be little need to prune now, and waiting until fall’s cooler temperatures is often a better choice.
Water Management
Managing water during this time of year can be challenging. Keep an eye on weather forecasts for rain and shut down your irrigation system accordingly. For every 0.25 inches of rain, you can typically turn off your system for two to three days, conserving water. Natural rainfall is rich in nitrogen, which benefits plants, trees, and turf. After summer rains, you may notice a dramatic greening effect on your Bermuda grass. Avoid fertilizing your turf after August to prepare for overseeding with rye grass in October. Bermuda turf looks its best in August and September due to high humidity and supplemental rainfall.
Annual Flowers
To keep your annual flowers looking their best, remove spent blooms weekly. This encourages new blooms and maintains their appearance until the next changeout in October. Water your flowers every other day to a depth of a couple of inches for optimal results.
As late summer transitions to fall, take the time to plan your landscape with new flowers and rye grass. Evaluate your current setup and prepare for the next beautiful season in Arizona, where cooler temperatures and shorter days are just around the corner. Congratulations on making it through the Dog Days of Summer!
SRCA offers many communication avenues to keep SR residents connected on important SRCA information, community communications, announcements, events and more.
SRCA website.
www.scottsdaleranch.org
Our interactive website offers a plethora of important information. We encourage you to peruse this great online tool. Here, you can also find all SRCA documents and forms, including our: CC&Rs, Architectural Rules & Guidelines, Rental Agreements for our Community Center, Pontoon Boat Rental, Recreational Boats and Party Trailer, Architectural Applications, Approved Paint Colors, current Magazine issues, Board and Committee meeting minutes..
Weekly email blasts.
Sign up to be on the contact list by submitting your contact information on the front page of the SRCA website. Your email address will only be used for Scottsdale Ranch Community Association communications.
Bi-monthly magazines.
SRCA magazines are published every other month and are mailed to all residents the first week of the magazine’s issue month. Not only does it include information on the latest happenings around the community, but it also includes important articles from the SRCA Executive Director, Board Members and Staff. You will also find landscaping tips, news from the City of Scottsdale, and information on upcoming SRCA events!
Homeowner Portal.
The homeowner portal provides easy access to your account balance information and all other important SRCA information, documents, and forms that you can find on the SRCA website. You must also be registered for the portal to place an e-vote for the yearly SRCA Annual Board Elections.
CommunityLink.
Once you have registered for the online portal, you will have access to log into the mobile app from your tablet or phone. The CommunityLink app is available to download in both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store on any Apple/ Android devices. Once you have downloaded the app on your phone, log into the mobile app using the same username / password you set up when registering for your homeowner portal account. The same information you see on the online portal version is available in the CommunityLink app, right at your fingertips.
Social media.
Facebook: scottsdaleranch
Instagram: scottsdaleranch
Stay Connected!
Communication is key in our organization. As always, we welcome any suggestions to improve our communications.
Neighborhood Spotlight
Las Brisas Block Party
Las Brisas recently hosted an Italian Fest-themed block party, where 65 residents enjoyed dinner, dancing, and live performances of Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack songs. Their Board members took on the role of servers for the event! What a fun evening!
City of Scottsdale Collection Services
August 12th & September 16th
SCOTTSDALE RANCH IS AREA 3
This Information can be found on the City of Scottsdale’s website at www.scottsdaleaz.gov.
The earliest items can be placed out is the Wednesday prior to the week of pickup and must be placed out no later than 5:00 am on Monday the week of the scheduled pick up. Residents, please be considerate of your neighbors - do not put your items out before the designated dates. Placing items out before this time can result in hefty fines being assessed to your account.
Please be patient as the city has all week to pick-up in our area.
NOTICES FROM THE CITY OF SCOTTSDALE:
Please separate your brush and bulk pickup into two piles – one for green waste and one for everything else. The piles will be picked up by separate trucks during your designated brush and bulk pickup week.
*Please refrain from placing trash containers or bulk trash where it blocks the sidewalk and would prevent pedestrians or wheelchair bound residents from passing along the sidewalk.
Mercado Spotlight
Voila French Bistro
10135 E. Vía Linda Ste. C120
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Family owned & run, Voila French Bistro offers classic bistro dishes in an exquisitely designed setting filled with more than a touch of the real France. Authentic dining at its finest.
Chef Maxime
With an extensive culinary experience of twenty plus years in France, Maxime excels in the traditional French cuisine, with a keen interest on leveraging and innovating with seasonal products. His extensive experience was enriched from working for Michelin star chefs in the east of France, as well as from his training by Chef Jean-Christophe, the previous chef at Voila.
Maxime is a recognized chef with a strong experience in French food trends, allowing him to always add a modern twist to his traditional cuisine. He possesses a real passion for new culinary creations as well as new coordination of audacious flavor.
In the kitchen, originality in dish plating and taste are words he thinks about every day. At Voila, Maxime will share with you his many years of experience in developing traditional French dishes with a modern elegant twist. What you will experience is not la nouvelle cuisine but la cuisine traditionelle moderne.”
“You cannot invent passion, but you can create it.”
Sandrine and Luc
Sandrine and Luc are both from Paris and came to the US in their 20s. They have lived in AZ for ten years and have two boys. They became very close friends with the previous owners Segolene and Jean-Christophe, after they met eight years ago. Their love of food and of the French culture, combined with their entrepreneurial nature, made it obvious to partner with chef Maxime and take over this valley jewel.
Sandrine is delighted to be your main hostess at Voila and will be there to guide you through your culinary experience during your next visit at the bistro. You might see Luc once in a while
in the kitchen helping when things get busy during our gorgeous winter months.
Au plaisir de vous acceuillir bientôt!!
Pastry Chef Cécile
Cecile and her husband Gaultier moved from Les Vosges in France more than a year ago, and she has been the pastry chef at Voila since then.
Cecile started her career in France as a pastry chef at the renowned Relais et Chateaux, Michelin star hotel, L’Arnsbourg in Alsace, after working for Chef George Blan for a couple of years.
Her French pastry training was then solidified by attending the prestigious Ferrandi pastry school in Paris, a world wide recognized institution where most famous pastry chef get their skills from.
Her last two roles as a pastry chef were at the Bristol Hotel in Paris and as a at the Roch Hotel in Paris for three years.
If you have not tasted some of her creations, please visit our gallery or our pastry page. Foremost, please casually stroll in Voila and fall in love with her delightful pastries’ display as you come in. Careful, they are all addictive!!
Au plaisir de patisser pour vous!!
https://leesata.com
https://bodybarpilates.com/studios/scottsdale-ranch/
https://lupofamilydentistry.com
Amenities
Laguna Elementary School
By Krisse Kelly Principal
Greetings from sunny Scottsdale! I am excited to be the new Principal this year at Laguna. This marks my eighth year as a proud Laguna Eagle, but my first year as Principal. I am thrilled to continue many of our wonderful traditions, as well as bring exciting new programs and ideas to our school.
We are happy to introduce our new Assistant Principal, Ms. Anna Kaplan. Though Ms. Kaplan is new to Laguna, she is not new to SUSD. Originally from Chicago, she has been teaching in our district for over 20 years. You will soon find out that her smile is infectious and her energy is never-ending.
As an award-winning A+ STEAM school, we focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math. We are proud to offer many different programs, like Drama Club, Baking Club, Ambassadors Club, Media Club, Makerspace Club, Student Council, Kids Club, Choir Club, a new Sports Club, and more! We are conveniently located directly next to the Boys & Girls Club, who also offer many different fun after-school activities.
This past year, we completely redesigned our Makerspace, making it even more engaging for all students! Our teachers use it on a weekly basis and students love collaborating in the space. While there, kids solve real-world problems, work together, and think creatively. For example, our fifth graders created prototypes for water filtration systems for countries that do not have clean water. Pretty impressive!
We are thrilled that we are redesigning our courtyard, as well. Soon, we will be installing a large shade structure, faux grass, and outdoor seating, where students can work and learn outdoors.
Also new this year, Laguna has adopted a new dress code. Students will wear polos, pants, shorts, or skirts, and enjoy “free dress” on Fridays. This will help our students focus on academics, instill greater school pride, and ensure that everyone dresses for success.
We are happy to bring our Senior Citizen Tutoring Program back to Laguna. This year, we will work closely with the Scottsdale Ranch Senior Center to bring free one-on-one after school tutoring to campus. (This used to be a very popular and successful program before Covid.) In addition, we will start a new program, where we invite Desert Mountain High School students to tutor our students after school for free. We have found that kids love learning from other kids, especially when they are Desert Mountain Wolves!
This past year, we started the first Senior Walk at Laguna! We invited all of our former Laguna Eagles who were graduating from Desert Mountain High School back to campus during the last week of school. In their caps and gowns, they strutted down our hallways, high-fived our Laguna Eagles, and hugged their former teachers. We are so proud of our former Eagles and wish them the very best!
This past year, we started the Ambassadors Club at Laguna, which is a combination of fourth and fifth grade students who focus on leadership and service. They delivered Valentine’s Day cards to senior citizens, handed out roses to our staff on Valentine’s Day, and visited the State Capitol this past Spring. We are so lucky to have such an active Student Council, led by our amazing fifth grade teacher, Mr. Brian Vogan, who also serve our campus well.
We are lucky to have a strong Media Club at Laguna, led by our amazing Librarian, Mrs. Anda Feldman. Every morning, she meets a group of fifth graders who write, produce, and film our morning announcements, which are broadcasted into every classroom. First, we play a patriotic song, say the Pledge of Allegiance, Preamble to the Declaration of Independence, deliver the weather, announce birthdays, and daily news. We thank her for her continued service and these students for their hard work and leadership.
Last year, we took our fifth graders back to Science Camp in Tonto and we cannot wait to go back again this year. (Same camp where the ASU Football Team trains every summer!) Our students enjoyed hiking, team-bonding, science experiments, sports, campfires, skits, singing, and more.
At Laguna, we also have a strong Parent Teacher Organization, who welcome your participation and help! They hold various fundraisers and several free family events for the entire school throughout the year. They are incredibly supportive and we thank them! This past year, we started “LADS,” a Laguna Dads Program at Laguna, where Dads and guardians can come to campus and play with their kids at recess. We also started “Mondays with Moms,” where Laguna Moms and guardians can come play with their kids at recess. We hope to expand these programs and continue to welcome families on campus.
We are one of the few schools in the area that has a preschool program that starts with two-year-olds, includes three-year-olds, four-year-olds, and goes all the way to fifth grade. We also offer gifted services, as well as special education services.
We are constantly giving tours and would love to meet you and your family. If you would like to set up a tour, please contact our front office at 480–484–2400 and please visit our website at susd. org/Laguna for more information. Don’t forget to follow us on social media on Instagram: @lagunaelementaryschoolsusd and on Facebook: Laguna Elementary School SUSD.
Whether you have a student coming to Laguna or you live in the community, our doors are always open to you and we look forward to meeting you in person. Please stop by and say hello!
Social Life on the Ranch
Social Life on the Ranch
Do you receive the weekly SRCA email blasts?
Stay up to date on the latest community news and events!
Sign up to be on the distribution list by submitting your information on the front page of the SRCA website at scottsdaleranch.org.
Your emailaddresswillonlybeusedfor ScottsdaleRanchCommunityAssociation communications SRCA considers an email addresspersonalinformationoftheindividual memberandeligibletobewithheldfromany recordsrequestunderA.R.S. §33-1805.
Movie In The Park!
Friday, October 18th at 6:00 P.M. (The movie will start shortly after sundown.)
Bring your blankets and chairs and watch the movie on a jumbotron.
Scottsdale Ranch Park
10400 E. Via Linda
Complimentary snacks and drinks will be available.
This event is for Scottsdale Ranch residents only.
Social Life on the Ranch
Social Life on the Ranch
In the Community
By Brian Hartman, #866 Scottsdale Police Department Crime Prevention Officer
Via Linda District
Safe Driving Tips for Back to School 2024-2025 School Year
As we ramp back into the start of the new school year, Officers will be back monitoring school zones throughout the City of Scottsdale to ensure motorists are driving in a safe manner. It is important to keep in mind these school zone and bus safety tips:
Tips for Students:
• Always buckle up and wear your seatbelt when inside of a vehicle.
• When walking to school, practice pedestrian safety rules by obeying all traffic signs, traffic lights, and always cross at designated crosswalks.
• Always wear a helmet and follow traffic safety rules when riding your bike.
• When riding a school bus, practice safety rules for waiting at a bus stop, getting on and off the bus, as well as conduct while riding the bus.
Tips for Parents:
• Help your children learn and practice the safety rules for walking, bicycling, or riding in a passenger vehicle, school bus, or city bus.
• Be aware of the reduced speed limits within school zones. Photo Enforcement cameras are utilized by the City of Scottsdale in school zones, as well as officers conducting traffic enforcement.
• Familiarize yourself with the areas the school has designated for the parents to drop-off and pick-up students. Feel free to communicate with the school to ask clarifying questions.
• Allow yourself more time to get to where you are going until you can better gauge the effects of increased traffic.
• Be cordial and courteous with other drivers on the road. Remember everyone is there for the common goal of getting their children safely to and from school.
Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians:
• Do not block crosswalks when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a right turn. This forces pedestrians to go around you, possibly putting them in the path of moving traffic.
• Always be aware and make sure to completely stop for crossing guards holding up a stop sign.
• Take extra precaution to look out for children within school zones, near parks, playgrounds, and in all residential areas.
• Yield to children/parents in crosswalks, as they have the right-ofway.
Sharing the Road with School Buses:
• The area 10ft around a school bus is the most dangerous for children. Stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.
• If the yellow and/or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.
• Allow a greater following distance when traveling behind a bus than if you were driving behind a car. This provides more time to stop once the lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus stopped to load or unload children.
• Be alert to surroundings; children are often unpredictable and tend to ignore hazards and take risks.
We are looking forward to another great school year. Thank you in advance for doing your part to ensure the safety of our children in Scottsdale.
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2024 SRCA Calendar of Events
AUGUST
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