The Lake Ridge Bridge
October 2, 2021
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From the Principal
Hopefully this message finds you well and in good spirits. Another successful week occurred at Lake Ridge Elementary. Scholars experienced new learning and growth opportunities. We recognized our Gear Up Go Get It Week scavenger hunt winner, Eden, and continued on with our morning announcements that feature various facts as Hispanic Heritage Month continues. We ended the week celebrating our three Custodians, Ms. Rosalia, Ms. Elena, and Ms. Juanita. Their daily, dedicated efforts are appreciated, and it is our joy to partner with them in keeping our campus spotless. We also celebrated our student teacher, Mr. Taylor, for successfully completing his scheduled internship with us via 4th Grade ELAR with Mrs. Windham. An interesting fact is that Mr. Taylor is a former Lake Ridge scholar who had a chance to complete his student teaching at his former elementary campus. It was our pleasure to host him and allow our scholars to see how they can travel a similar path.
LRE Spirit shirt pre-sales concluded, NWEA/MAP testing finished up with us capturing those who were previously absent, and CHISD Transportation released the SafeStop bus tracker app. Parents of bus riders are encouraged to download this app, and you can see the instructions on below in the newsletter (access code: CedarHill1).
This week, we look forward to engaging instruction, hands-on experiences, reinforcement of expectations, continued relationship building, and fun times. Lake Ridge Longhorns will support our high school football team as they Go For The Win against Waxahachie High School. Check out the various themed dress up days, and participate if you can.
Also, remember that this will be a short week due to Parent Conference Day being scheduled for Friday, October 8; there is no school for scholars on this day. Teachers have sent information about scheduling a virtual parent conference. Please sign up for a time so that you can receive valuable information regarding your child and pose questions as necessary; contact your child's teacher(s) for scheduling information. Be sure to plan accordingly since there is no school on Monday, October 11 due to this being our district's fair day. School will resume on Tuesday, October 12 with our regular hours.
Finally, October is National Principals Month (#ThankAPrincipal), and I just want to share that it is my pleasure to continue to serve alongside dynamic, effective educators at Lake Ridge Elementary as we serve scholars, each unique and with so much personality. When we all work together to do what's right for our scholars, we add value to their lives and give them the tools that they need to be successful. I am simply one person walking in my purpose, so let's all (faculty, scholars, and parents) continue to collaborate on this race for excellence. #LRENoFinishLine
Be sure to keep the following dates(s) in mind:
- September 15-October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
- October 4-7: DCCA #2 for 2-5 Grades
- October 4: Dress Like a Millionaire
- October 5: Dress Up in an Ole' School Outfit
- October 6: Dress w/Crazy Hair, Mismatched Clothes, Sneakers, Wild Colors
- October 7: Dress in Longhorn Attire
- October 8: No School for Scholars/Parent Conference Day
- October 11: No School/Fair Day
Question to Pose to Your Child: What does it mean to be proactive, and how can you be proactive?
Read on below for scenes from the week, updates from our AP, information regarding counseling & guidance, upcoming events, and other helpful resources.
Always remember that "The Race for Excellence has No Finish Line."
Principal McCullum
#LRENoFinishLine
#LakeRidgeNation
#LakeRidgeMontessori
#GraceChangesEverything
Scenes from the Week
Gear Up and Go Get It Week Winner
Custodian Appreciation Day
Assistant Principal Updates
Parents/Guardians,
Next week, teachers will administer the 2nd district common assessments (DCCA) October 4-7. The breakdown is as follows:
- Math and Reading: Grades 2-5
- Science: Grades 4-5
- Social Studies: Grade 5
Please encourage your child to continue to complete their homework to reinforce learning, read 15-20 minutes per night, and participate on the following computer programs: IXL, Achieve 3000, and Smarty Ants.
Thanks for your continued support!
Dr. Washington
Guidance Services
Cedar Hill Homecoming
Longhorn Homecoming is October 4th - 8th. Scholars in grades PK-5 will join Cedar Hill High School Longhorns in support of homecoming spirit week as they take on the Waxahachie Indians, Friday, October 8. Please see the 2021 homecoming calendar of events.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated September 15 – October 15. It is a time to honor the contributions, achievements, culture, and history of Hispanic Americans. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Hispanic Heritage Week and in 1988, President Ronald Reagan extended the commemoration for one month to include all Latin and Central American countries. Please check out the LRE Guidance Office for Hispanic Heritage Month activities, live events, and a virtual tour of the Smithsonian Latin Center.
Counseling Department Newsletter
Each month CHISD's Counseling Department will release department services, news , and community resources. Please review the department newsletter for district wide services available to scholars, parents, and CHISD staff. Please click here for the most recent issue.
Counseling & Guidance Services: LRE Guidance Office
Counseling Request Form: LRE Counseling Request Form
School Counselor: Rashonda.Johnson@chisd.net
CIS Facilitator: Christopher.Coit@chisd.net
Restorative Services: Emily.Kelly@chisd.net
Upcoming Events
Attendance
Attendance Incentives
Attendance Notes
- Notes regarding an absence must be brought to the office within three days of the absence; parents can also enter via Family Access. Notes should include the scholar's full name, date of absence, and signature/date of parent/guardian.
- You can email Principal McCullum for any attendance questions or concerns.
- If the method of your child getting home needs to change, notify the Main Office or your child’s teacher by 2:00 p.m. so that there is enough time to communicate the change to your child. If e-mailing the teacher, include an administrator in case the teacher is absent on that particular day.
- 2:45 p.m. is the latest that a scholar may be checked out due to preparation for dismissal.
Reminders
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Morning Arrival Procedures:
Doors open daily at 7:15 a.m.
Scholars arriving by bus will enter through Door #14.
Scholars in Pre-K & their siblings will enter through Door #12.
Scholars in ECSE/SKILL & their siblings will enter through Door #11.
All other scholars (car riders and walkers), will enter through Door #1/Main Entrance.
- Vehicles may enter the school driveway via the back/second driveway that runs behind the building and form one line.
- Only those going to the Main Office or dropping off with the classes indicated for Door #11 and Door #12 should enter the main driveway.
Parents should follow the arrows that indicate the flow of traffic, and drop off only in the lane next to the sidewalk. Children should not be dropped off in the center lane to ensure safety.
After the first day of school, parents will not be able to walk their children to their classrooms. All parents & visitors must report directly to the Main Office.
Dismissal Procedures:
Dismissal occurs daily at 3:00 p.m.
Scholars in Pre-K & their siblings will exit through Door #12.
Scholars in SKILL & their siblings will exit through Door #11.
Scholars who ride the bus or walk home will exit through Door #14.
Scholars picked up via Private Daycare transportation will exit through Door #1.
Scholars who are picked up by car will exit through Door #5 (remain in cafeteria until called).
Parents may enter the school driveway via the back/second driveway that runs behind the building and form one line.
As the cars approach the pick-up area, the scholars will be called outside and will wait for a faculty member to load them into the cars.
Anyone picking up a scholar must have the color-coded card prominently displayed. If the card is not present, then the scholars(s) will be sent to the front office, and the driver will need to show proper identification.
Parents, please stay in your car at all times. Children will not be released if a parent walks up to the cafeteria door.
Only those going to the Main Office for appointments or picking up with the classes indicated for Door #11 and Door #12 should enter the main driveway.
If there is a change in how a scholar regularly gets home, please call the Main Office or email Principal McCullum AND Dr. Washington by 2:00 p.m. This will help avoid confusion.
The latest time to check a scholar out via the Main Office is 2:45 p.m. After that time, please wait until the regularly scheduled dismissal.
If your child is in Right at School, remember that checkout begins after 3:30 p.m.; that occurs at Door #5.
The picture below shows how to properly place your car tag(s) for dismissal:
Driveway #1: Yellow
Driveway #2: Orange
K-5: Green Line (morning arrival=Door #1; dismissal=door #5)
ECSE/PK/SKILL: Blue Line
Main Office/Parking: Red Line
Self-Care
Helpful Resources
CHISD C.A.R.E.S. & CHISD KUDOS
CHISD C.A.R.E.S
Unfortunately, there are times when a member of the Longhorn Family experiences a death. Employees, or families of scholars or former CHISD employees who wish to share the information are asked to complete the CHISD CARES (Cares About Retirees Employees & Scholars) form. The CHISD Communications Office handles all CHISD C.A.R.E.S submissions and shares the information via email to all staff. C.A.R.E.S notifications will be sent out by the end of the day that the form was received; if the submission is received after 2:30 p.m. it might not be sent out until the following business day.
The C.A.R.E.S form is available on the communications page of chisd.net. Here is a direct link.
CHISD KUDOS
The CHISD Communications Department loves to share the positive experiences and interactions happening across the district.
If you want to share some kudos for a parent, employee or scholar who exhibits the Longhorn Essentials, please email a description/information to webmaster@chisd.net and you might see your kudos on one of the district’s social media accounts.
Have a Concern?
All concerns are encouraged to be addressed at the lowest level possible first in an effort to resolve the matter using the steps below:
Step One: Contact the teacher, and schedule a conference.
Step Two: Contact the Assistant Principal (all behavioral/discipline issues) or Counselor (mental health/academic advisement).
Step Three: Contact the Principal.
When emailing or calling the Main Office, it is helpful to provide details so that the inquiry is directed to the correct individual. No in-person meetings are taking place at this time.
Upcoming Activities/Events
- September 15-October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
- October 1-31: National Principals Month
- October 4-7: DCCA #2 for 2-5 Grades
- October 4: Dress Like a Millionaire
- October 5: World Teachers’ Day
- October 5: Dress Up in an Ole' School Outfit
- October 6: Dress w/Crazy Hair, Mismatched Clothes, Sneakers, Wild Colors
- October 7: Dress in Longhorn Attire
- October 8: No School for Scholars/Parent Conference Day
- October 11: No School/Fair Day
Lake Ridge Elementary
Email: marquita.mccullum@chisd.net
Website: http://www.chisd.net/lre
Location: 1020 Lake Ridge Parkway, Cedar Hill, TX, United States
Phone: (972) 293-4501
Twitter: @LRELonghorns