October 23, 2024 – Minutes

Ridgecrest Elementary School Community Council

Monthly Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, Oct 23, 2023

4:00pm- Library

• Call to Order: 4:00 p.m.

• In attendance: Sara Allen, Carrie Christensen, Chris Hettich, Rhea Eggert, Brooke Schneider, Court Bouldin, Elias Perez, Sammy Fan, Fengmin Li, Jeanne Herbert, & Anna Whitely

Absent: Alex Gibbs and Stephanie McCabe

• Finish writing Safe Walking Plans – Due Nov. 1 (For the 2024-2025 School Year)
  • Concerns from School Community
    • Ramona (crossing guard) would like to see the crosswalk sign moved closer to the crosswalk.
    • Need to reteach students to walk on sidewalks instead of through the parking lot after crossing at the crosswalk.
    • Safety patrol is asking for people to slow down and be mindful of the crosswalks
  • Update to safety report 
    •  Chris Lane, Deville Drive and Brookhill roads were separated to indicate the needs of sidewalks.
  • Concerns for CSD: 
    • “Do Not Cross” sign is put on the fence at the end of the sidewalk to help remind parents and students to cross at the crosswalk.  
    • Cars turn left and slow traffic – Ben Movey (Facilities Manager) is looking into signs the district has to remind parents it is a right turn only during certain hours.
    • Kindergarten entrance and playground continues to be dangerous in the winter due to it being north facing; with the snow it becomes icy and remains icy until spring.  

Elias and Chris offered to organize and manage volunteers to monitor the cars and students during pick-up and drop-off.   

• Concerns for Community (City, Utilities, Etc.) and request being proposed:
  • Chris Lane (south of 7200) does not have sidewalks and is a main route for walkers 
  • Sidewalks will be repainted at the intersection of 1700 East and 7200 South.
  • Sidewalks are to be placed in areas north of Fort Union where students wait for buses.  Concerns during winter because snow piles block safe areas for students to wait for the buses.
  • Additional crosswalk signs will be placed in front of the school.  Requesting a sign with an arrow pointing to the sidewalk.
  • Ask families to consider alternate routes during construction.

• Work on and possibly finish School Safety, Digital Citizenship – Due Dec. 20th
  • Devices used
    • K-1st use I-pads
    • 2nd-5th use Chrome books
    • Used at teacher direction and discretion
      • Main programs used at school:  ST Math, Beanstack, Keyboarding, Lexia 
    • Lanschool is used by trained teachers to see and control what the students are doing on their devices
    • All devices require students to log-in 
    • Classroom routines
      • Devices assigned to students
    • Content Keeper: filtering software that alerts for inappropriate language and searches
  • Greatest concern for students is social media
  • Policies
    • Personal devices are asked to left at home or placed in backpacks during the school day 
  • As a school we recognize the importance of having digital skills and teach with intentionality the skills necessary to be successful on devices
  • Teaching opportunities we engage in as a school: 
    • Students will attend an assembly in November to address Digital Citizenships (Wired Well)
    • The Ridgecrest Roar and school website includes tips sent to parents about digital safety
    • Digital citizenship is taught during THRIVE time and in STEM class.
    • Teacher coordinator (Amanda Lundberg) educates/trains the faculty on Digital Citizenship
    • School advertises district classes offered to parents on Digital Citizenship
    • Will provide information for parents at STEM Night about on-line safety
  • Safety Report Current Concerns:
    • School Safety Report: https://www.canyonsdistrict.org/safe-schools/
    • Main concerns
      • Rubber mat needs to be replaced on the primary playground
      • Advocating for a fence to surround the play fields
      • Pick-up and Drop-off  – adults following procedures to maintain student safety
    • Curious if more SROs are being planned for schools. Cottonwood Height City has offered to pay their half of another SRO.
      • Will add to the safety school report as a concern for our school.
    • Will see if Officer Wallace has any concerns before finalizing the safety  report.

• Additional school climate updates or principal report
  • Allie Teller has accepted a new position and will be working in the district office
  • A school counselor has been hired to fill the vacant counselor position.  
  • Extra Funds were used to hire an additional recess aide which allowed for the movement of an aide to be available for students’ needs within classrooms.  
  • PTA is developing lactation stations to address teachers’ needs.

• Next meeting Wed., Nov. 20
• Meeting adjourned at: 5:14 pm.   Chris and Court motioned to end the meeting.