August 1, 2015
Dear Ridge Families,
I hope this letter finds you all well rested and ready to begin a new school year. We are gearing up for what will be a highly successful school year, but cannot be fully successful without your support and partnership. Expect to hear from the school often to ensure you are fully informed with the instructional program. Together, our students will soar to great heights. It is an exciting time as we begin looking forward to a fantastic school year for your children: seeing friends again, making new friends, and learning as much as they can. There are some exciting new things to share with you as we begin our new school year.
New Staff
There have been staffing changes for this upcoming year. Mrs. Bassford has joined a teaching team on the Eastern Shore. Mrs. Fisher will become Mrs. Lockley’s 4th grade teaching partner. Mrs. Fisher comes to us from George Washington Carver Elementary School. Mrs. Cox will be joining the RES teaching team as the school counselor replacing Mrs. Adams who has left us to pursue other endeavors. Mrs. Cox, a veteran counselor, comes to us from Virginia. Ms. Pflaum, our art teacher, left us to teach art at Piney Point Elementary School. Our new art teacher is Ms. Durrman, coming to us from Deleware and is an experienced art educator. Mrs. Harris, our part time secretary left us to work full time last school year. Our new part time secretary is Mrs. Brownell. There are two more positions we are working on filling at this time. We have the expectation that we will increase achievement for all students this year. Please continue to be our partner as we strive to be the best. Together we all succeed.
Attendance
We recognize that there is a link between good attendance and student achievement. Our overall attendance rate is not as good as it should be and we need your help to have your children in school, on time, every day. Missing instruction for even one day of school cannot be easily made up. The School Improvement Team has continued its recommendation that we review our attendance data and work with families in a supportive role. We recognize and appreciate your efforts in planning appointments around the school day and ensuring students are in school all day. All absences must be reported to the school. There are a number of ways to notify the school of an absence: the RES website where you use the Report a Student Absence tab, send a note or email to the teacher, call the office. Please reference the SMCPS
Operational Calendar and our website for holidays as you plan appointments and vacations.
Breakfast Program
Ridge will continue to participate in a whole school breakfast program. This program offers breakfast, free of charge, to all students every day. We know that students do better academically and behaviorally when they are well fed. Students will be offered breakfast in their classrooms daily. Students are not obligated to take a breakfast, but will be offered the choice daily. Breakfast will conclude by 9:15 am each day so that the instructional day may begin. Additional information about the breakfast program can be obtained by calling the Department of Food Services at 301-475-4256.
Positive Behavior Initiative
We are entering our seventh year as an official Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) school. We were again recognized with the highest honor, a Gold Award, signifying another successful year. The continued school goal is to provide consistent behavioral expectations in all environments and follow three school rules: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Ready. With consistent expectations, students need only focus on increasing their capacity for learning. We will be highlighting and rewarding the positive behaviors, setting the model for all students.
Dress Code
The school system will continue to follow the system wide Dress Code for students. This Dress Code is posted on the school system website as well as the RES website. Please assist us in adhering to this dress code.
Open House
The staff at Ridge and I would like to invite you to our Open House. This is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18th between 1:00 – 3:00 where you can come to school and meet your child’s teachers for the upcoming school year. If your child will be attending Kindergarten in the fall, we ask that you report to the multipurpose room from 1:00 – 1:30 for Kindergarten Orientation. It is also a time for us to get reacquainted, informally, before we begin the rigorous school year on Wednesday, August 19th. You may set up your child’s account in the cafeteria for meal service.
School Improvement Team
All parents are invited to be a part of the School Improvement Team. This team meets quarterly with a September date to review the Draft School Improvement Plan for the 2015-2016 school year. There will be more information coming home soon with details about the School Improvement Team.
Day / Date / Time / LocationThursday / September 24 / 4:15 pm / Media Center
Thursday / December 17 / 4:15 pm / Media Center
Thursday / March 17 / 4:15 pm / Media Center
Thursday / May 19 / 4:15 pm / Media Center
We anticipate an extremely successful year instructionally. We have the expectation that we will increase achievement for all students this year and increase our level of communication with all parents taking an active role. Please continue to be our partner as we strive to be the best. Together we all succeed. Thank you all for the continuous support you provide to Ridge Elementary School and to all of the children here. Together we move mountains and reach high standards. Our doors are open and we welcome your assistance.
Sincerely,
Sandra Kerner, Principal