RIDGECREST ROAR August 21, 2022
Good evening Ridgecrest families,
Our first week of school was busy! Your children are doing a fantastic job of learning our rules and expectations. Our enrollment is higher than the past few years with 550 students currently enrolled. This is an increase of about 40 students! Part of this is because of our change to 4 full day kindergarten classes this year and others are new families to our area. If you are new to our community, we want to welcome you! Ridgecrest is a great place to be.
School Information
Drop off and pick up: Parents, it has been wonderful to have so many of you at our building during this past week and we are very grateful for the way most of you have slowly pulled back to our procedure where parents wait at the curb near the parking lot during dismissal and arrival rather than standing in the lineup area. This procedure helps us to better monitor all our children. It is a carefully orchestrated process to ensure we get all children safely to and from their correct location whether that is on one of the various daycare buses, regular buses, to their adult who is waiting, or for walking home with guardian permission. Having fewer people in this area is very helpful to us.
This week, your children were taught how to make sure arrival and dismissal are as safe as possible. This could be a good conversation for you to discuss with them. We have noticed some adults not using the crosswalks. We have stressed the importance of this with your children because most of them are not tall enough to be seen by drivers. Please help us to model this correctly for our students. We know safety is a priority for all of us.
Huntsman Mental Health Institute: For many children and parents, the beginning of a new school year brings anxiety and stress. Good grades, getting enough sleep, and getting along with teachers and other students can be hard for anyone, but one of the most concerning issues continues to be bullying. It can lead to low self-esteem, health problems, poor grades, and suicidal thoughts.
This is where Community Conversations may be able to help. These are monthly events hosted by Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah where experts discuss various mental health topics, treatment options, and care while answering questions submitted by you. These community-based events are held once per month, for one hour and are held virtually via zoom.
If you would like more information, please contact them at Community Conversations
Information previously shared that still might be helpful
Donors Choose: is a program that allows teachers to request help with specific wants and needs for their classrooms. Teachers at Ridgecrest have some creative ideas they could use your help with. If you are interested in donating to help our teachers see the attached link: Donors Choose Ridgecrest .
Parent Square: Our school will be using Parent Square this year as its primary form of communication with families. This platform provides many options that will improve communication with families of all languages. You are not required to sign up or download the app to receive communication from Parent Square, but it will improve the features for you if you do. More information about Parent Square is attached here.
Overview video of Parent Square
Parent Square Training Modules
Ridgecrest is Hiring: Ridgecrest is still hiring sweeper positions to help clean our school in the afternoons. If you or someone you know is interested, please get more information here: jobs.canyonsdistrict.org.
Champions: Give your kids a boost with Champions!
We’re at Ridgecrest before and after school to give your kids help with homework, STEM projects, all sorts of crafts and fun activities. Unlike other daycares, we’re inside the school so drop off and pick up is so much easier. And your child is already in a place they’re familiar with.
You can sign your kids up for just remote learning days, in-service days, or 1-5 days a week. You aren’t stuck to a schedule; it can change every week if you need it to.
Contact Jessica Nelson (Site Director) at 385-233-1900 or ch002152@discoverchampions.com with any questions or simply go to DiscoverChampions.com to learn more! See more information on the attached flier.
PTA News:
Hi parents!
We had a great first week of school!
Spirit Wear is still for sale. Make sure to visit ridgecrest.memberhub.com to order your shirts, hoodies, and joggers! That is also the link to sign up and pay for your PTA membership.
Our Room Parent/Commissioner Social is coming up. We need your help. We are looking for a couple more Room Parents and several more Commissioners. If you are interested in chairing or co-chairing an event or program, please let us know! Or let us know on this Google Form: https://forms.gle/7rWncSbc4cXNuBoK9
We are excited to hear from you and are excited for this school year!
Thank you,
Your 2022-23 Ridgecrest Elementary PTA Board
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR:
August
22 PTA Meeting 12:00PM Media Center
23 First Fire Drill 2:30 PM Outside
26 Room Parent Social 2:00 PM Media Center
September
10 Fun Run – Fundraiser Launch
16 Fun Run TBD Outside
-Sara
