City Manager's Message

The recent fire in the vicinity of Holy Jim Canyon in the Cleveland National Forest brought many first responders to Rancho Santa Margarita, and while the sound of helicopters and sirens is always unnerving, fortunately, the City was never in imminent danger. During the event, staff took the opportunity to test and evaluate emergency policies and procedures. We rely on our partners at the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff's Department, whose Public Information Officers (PIO's) are the official source of real-time information and updated status reports. I urge you to register for Alert OC for personalized emergency notifications and follow the City's website alerts and our Facebook page and Twitter feed for official information obtained from agency officials.
 
In other news, I am pleased to report that Rancho Santa Margarita's specialized Child Safety Deputy Calvin Silva will be in attendance at the Wednesday, September 14th regular meeting of the City Council. Meetings occur on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. and the public is welcomed and encouraged to attend. As the school year begins and students return to the classroom, Deputy Silva will make a timely presentation on the programs and resources available to the students and families who attend school in the City of Rancho Santa Margarita.
 
Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Cervantez

Crime Prevention - Back to School Safety

With school back in session now is the time to review these simple safety rules & tips:

• If your child is going to walk to school, take a few “trial runs” with him/her on that route and make sure he/she is comfortable with it.

• Discuss traffic signals, stop signs, and the importance of cooperating with adult crossing guards, school safety patrols, and police personnel with your child.

• Remember that the speed limit in a school zone and adjacent residential areas is 25 mph.

• When a crossing guard is directing students and holding up a “STOP” sign, no traffic may enter or pass through that crosswalk. Once the crossing guard has returned to the curb and lowered the “STOP” sign, traffic may then proceed.

• A driver approaching a school bus, with flashing red lights activated, from behind must always stop behind the bus and stay there until the flashing red lights are turned off.

• A driver approaching a school bus, with flashing red lights activated, from the opposite direction, must also stop and wait until the flashing red lights are turned off before passing the school bus unless the bus is on the opposite side of a divided  or multi-lane roadway (i.e. raised center median, two sets of painted double yellow lines, two or more lanes of traffic in each direction).

• A driver approaching a school bus with flashing yellow lights activated does not need to stop but should proceed with caution as children may be crossing the street or nearby streets, after exiting that bus.

 
 
For more information or questions related to school safety tips in Rancho Santa Margarita, please call Police Services at (949) 635-1830.

September Recreation Highlights

ABCs with Tiny Tots

Come experience a fun way of preparing your child for kindergarten. Using hands-on interactive learning with art, science, cooking, music and much more, your child will learn their numbers, letters and shapes, learn to write their name as well as develop social skills of patience, listening, cooperation and sharing. No parent participation needed. Children must be fully potty trained.  This is a year round program with month-to-month registration to meet the needs of your schedule. Ages: 3-5 yrs. What to bring: healthy snack & lunch.
 
Instructor:  SoCal Tiny Tots
 
$264/ month
310761   01   M,W,F   Sep 7 - Sep 30           9 am - 1 pm
 
$176/ month
310761   05   T,Th      Sep 6 - Sep 29           9 am - 1 pm
 

Princess Ballet
The princess series ballet session is an introduction to the fundamentals of ballet and creative movement with an element of fun and fantasy. Participants learn age appropriate beginning ballet movements through creative imagery. They will also hear their favorite princess stories, dress in princess tutus and make princess crafts. Performance for parents on last day of class. Session includes dance progression worksheets for dancers to see their accomplishments each week. Optional recital will be held in December; recital participants must be enrolled in the September and October sessions of Princess Ballet (a nominal costume fee applies). Ages: 3-6 yrs.What to bring: $5 cash materials fee.
 
Instructor:  OC Dance Productions


$79/ 6 Classes
310402   01   W         Sep 14 - Oct 19         3:30 - 4:15 pm
 

Stretch & Grow
In this class children will learn the importance of exercise while having fun!  Each week participants will learn sports skills, yoga, endurance, flexibility, aerobic fitness as well as  their bones, muscles and nutrition. Ages: 3-6 yrs.
 
Instructor:  Jen Audet
 
$93/ 8 Classes
310242   01  Th          Sep 15 - Nov 3          1 - 1:45 pm
 

Tap, Jazz, Ballet Combo
In this intro to dance class, participants will learn beginning tap, jazz and ballet moves and terminology. Class also improves musicality, rhythm, balance and listening skills. Performance of routine on last day of class for parents and friends. Session includes dance progression worksheets for dancers to see their accomplishments each week. Optional recital will be held in December; recital participants must be enrolled in the September and October sessions of Tap, Jazz & Ballet (a nominal costume fee applies). Ages: 3-6 yrs.
 
Instructor:  OC Dance Productions

$79/ 6 Classes
310403   01   W          Sep 14 - Oct 19         4:20 - 5:05 pm
 

AM Yoga with Roz
This class provides a safe, supportive environment to explore the practice of yoga. You will build strength, flexibility and balance while exploring the various postures. Connecting breath and movement brings calmness of mind, stress release and enables us to function better both on and off the mat. This is a great way to start your day; you will experience better clarity and ease. Ages: 18 yrs. & up. No Class: 10/12, 11/11 & 11/25.
 
Instructor:  Roz Maissy

$165/ 15 Classes
$155/ 14 Classes*
 
340211   01   M          Sep 12 - Dec 19        9:15 - 10:15 am
340211   02   W          Sep  7 - Dec 21         9:15 - 10:15 am
340211   03*  F           Sep  9 - Dec 23         9:15 - 10:15 am
 

Jazzercise
Do you love music? Do you love to dance? Then come check out the new Jazzercise! It’s a pulse-pounding, beat-pumping fitness program that gets you results while you dance to popular Top 40 hits. You’ll burn up to 800 calories in one fun and powerfully effective total body workout. Each class combines dance-based cardio with strength training to sculpt and tone muscles for a maximum fat burn. Everyone is welcome, no matter what your current fitness level is. So grab a water bottle, an exercise mat and some hand weights and let’s get dancing! Ages: 18 yrs. & up.  
 
Instructor:  Maureen Stewart
 
$115/ 12 Classes
340243  01   T,W,Th    Sep 6 - Sep 29           7:15 - 8:15 am
 
$99/    8  Classes
340243  05   T,Th        Sep 6 - Sep 29           7:15 - 8:15 am