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Principal Message

It is an honor to introduce myself as the new principal of Rancho Tehama Elementary School and to join this extraordinary school community. I hope that this note finds you well and that you and your children are looking forward to beginning a wonderful school year together in August. I can assure you, all members of the Corning Union Elementary School District are working diligently to open schools safely and responsibly in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.  The safety of our students and staff members is of utmost importance.  
 
I arrive at Rancho Tehama from Olive View Elementary where I was the Assistant Principal for the past two years.  Previous to that I taught in the Willows Unified School District for 7 years with the majority of my experience teaching in 4th and 5th grade.  Although I have always felt at home in the classroom, it is in my position as an elementary administrator where I have been most fulfilled in my life’s work. As the site principal it affords me the ability to work collaboratively with our teachers on a daily basis while remaining engaged and connected to our students and their learning. My unwavering belief is that every child can reach their potential with a united community and a strong partnership between our families and school staff.  In building confidence and resilience in our students we are setting them on a path in which they will have the knowledge and tools to shape their future, the future of our community, and our country. 
 
At Rancho my role is principal, but at home, it’s as a husband and “Daddy”.  I’ve been blessed to have been married to my wife Kate for 7 years this October.  Our daughter Mabel is our light and a source of so much love and joy.  She will be starting her second year of preschool and will be 5 in January.  We are also very excited to announce that Mabel will be a big sister as Kate is to deliver on November 24th. I look forward to introducing my family to the many wonderful people that call Rancho Tehama “home” in the near future.
To our students, I cannot wait to meet you all! I hope that you are excited for this coming school year and that you are out this summer playing and reading tons of books with your family and friends. It is going to be a fun year of learning together. 
 
In closing, please know that my door is always open to you. I heartily welcome your conversation and positive input throughout this year. Let us always keep our students the primary focus of our work. I look forward to celebrating our collective successes during the 2020 - 2021 school year.
 
Sincerely,
Mr. Josh Niehues, Principal