The Lake Ridge Bridge
April 3, 2021
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From the Principal
Hopefully this message finds you well and in good spirits. It was a short but productive week. Teachers planned, and scholars engaged in various instructional activities. We are seeing the integration of more technology usage during instruction due to the majority of scholars now having their own device. If you have not signed the handbook agreement or if you opted out, it is not too late to get the information submitted so that your child can receive a district-issued, new Chromebook. We also celebrated Mrs. Vega (Darden) with a wedding shower since she was recently married, and we recognized our Academic Interventionist, Mrs. Moore, and our Instructional Facilitator, Mrs. Berry.
This week, we will kick it off by recognizing World Autism Day on Monday since we were out of school on this past Friday; everyone is encouraged to wear blue. Our 4th grade scholars will take their STAAR Writing assessment on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Remember that ONLY 4th grade and ECSE/SKILL scholars will be on campus Tuesday, April 6, 2021. If you are not sure if this includes your child, please email me, or call the Main Office on Monday so that you can make arrangements for your child to participate in asynchronous/at-home learning on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 since ONLY 4th grade and ECSE/SKILL scholars will be on campus. You can see additional information in the "Assessment" area on below for the May dates.
Did you know that reading 20 minutes a day with your children is one of the best investments your family can make in their future? Research shows that children who read just 20 minutes per day score in the 90th percentile on standardized tests. Families may shop our Scholastic online book fair that will run April 4-16 to stock up on the books your child will love reading and ignite your home reading habits.
Finally, some have inquired about making a contribution towards Coach Courtney and his family, so you can click here. The family is appreciative of all love offerings, positive thoughts, and prayers.
Be sure to keep the following dates(s) in mind:
- April 4-16: Spring Scholastic Virtual Book Fair
- April 5: World Autism Day Recognition (wear blue)
- April 5-9: Assistant Principal Appreciation Week
- April 6: STAAR Writing-4th Grade TRA & OFL (4th Grade & ECSE/SKILL On Campus)
- April 6: Asynchronous Learning/Not on Campus (PK, K, 1, 2, 3, & 5)
- April 9: Kindergarten Completion Pictures (8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
Read on below to find out about upcoming events, news from The Counselor's Corner, and other helpful resources and links.
Always remember that "The Race for Excellence has No Finish Line."
Question for You to Pose to Your Child: Who can you go to when you need support?
Principal McCullum
#LRENoFinishLine
#LakeRidgeNation
#LakeRidgeMontessori
Scenes from the Week
Game Winners
Upcoming Events
Parent Liaison: Ms. Lakeisha Jones
Upcoming Assessments
A Google form was sent directly to families of 4th Grade Online Flex Learners to see who would participate in the STAAR Writing assessment on Tuesday, April 6. If you did not receive it, please email Dr. Washington.
While STAAR is only administered to 3-5 grades at the elementary level, ALL parents should be mindful of STAAR testing dates because of asynchronous/at home learning that will take place on those days for those who are NOT testing.
Due to campus COVID-19 protocols, spring testing will be different this year for CHISD. Face-to-face scholars whose grade level is not taking the STAAR test will not come to school that day.
Please review this information below carefully, and take notes as to which date(s) your child will NOT attend school on campus and will work asynchronously/at home (TRA=traditional instruction/face-to-face; OFL=online flex learning/virtual):
April 6: Grade 4 (TRA & OFL) & ECSE/SKILL
May 11: Grades 3, 4, & 5 (TRA), Grade 5 (OFL), & ECSE/SKILL
May 12: Grades 3, 4, & 5 (TRA) & ECSE/SKILL
May 13: Grades 3, 4, & 5 (OFL), Grade 5 (TRA) & ECSE/SKILL
May 14: Grades 3, 4, & 5 (OFL) & ECSE/SKILL
Asynchronous/At Home
April 6: Grades PK, K, 1, 2, 3, & 5 (All)
May 11: Grades PK, K, 1, 2 (All)
May 12: Grades PK, K, 1, 2 (All)
May 13: Grades PK, K, 1, 2 (All) & Grades 3 & 4 (TRA)
May 14: Grades PK, K, 1, 2 (All) & Grades 3, 4, & 5 (TRA)
Here is the webpage on the district website that has all STAAR testing dates:
https://www.chisd.net/Page/16072
For questions or concerns regarding assessments, email Dr. Washington, our Assistant Principal/Test Coordinator, at emily.washington@chisd.net.
The Counselor's Corner
Spring Gifted & Talented Nominations for Grades 1-5
Scholars enrolled in grades 1-5 who were nominated for Spring Gifted & Talented assessments, will be tested on campus April 12th - 16th. GT eligibility and results will be sent directly to parents via email no later than May 14, 2021.
AVID Program
Scholars currently enrolled in 5th grade are eligible to participate in AVID as a 6th grade scholar. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. An AVID scholar profile may include: a desire to attend college, passing state assessments, GPA= 2.0 - 3.5, good attendance, and few or no discipline referrals. If you would like to learn more about AVID, email Counselor Johnson for a brochure at rashonda.johnson@chisd.net.
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.
Virtual Counseling Office
Please visit my virtual counseling office at the link below. The virtual counseling office offers guidance activities for traditional and remote learners as well as resources for parents and teachers. Guidance activities and lessons have been developed to meet the needs of both traditional and remote learners. February was a difficult month for many. Guidance lessons from February will be offered in March as well.
April Guidance
Core Curriculum: Study Skills/ Test Taking Strategies
Guidance Topic: Transition
SEL Skill: TBD
Attendance
Attendance Incentives
Attendance Measures for Traditional Instruction Learning
- Teachers will take attendance at the scheduled time during the instructional day.
Attendance Measures for Online Flex Learning
Daily Engagement Measures:
Daily Bell Ringer
Phone Contact with Scholar
Email Exchange with Scholar
Engagement in Schoology on any combination of assignments for the course
Interaction with scholar’s counselor and/or campus administrator
For your child to receive attendance, aim for the following:
Daily Bellringer(s) Completed
Assignments Completed by 3:00 p.m.
Assignments Completed by 11:59 p.m.
There will be a generated phone call by the district's system at 6:00 p.m. if your child has not participated in a daily engagement measure to be counted present for the day. This will serve as a reminder to do so by 11:59 p.m..
Important Information
Instructional Technology Resources
For all handbooks, guides, and resources pertaining to instructional technology/scholar devices, visit the website below for the most up to date links:
WIFI Assistance
SPECTRUM PUBLIC WI-FI
Connecting as a Spectrum Internet Customer
To connect to Spectrum WiFi as a Spectrum Internet or Spectrum Mobile customer:
- Enable WiFi on your mobile device.
- Select a SpectrumWiFi network from the list of available networks.
- Enter your Spectrum Username and Password.
- Review the Terms & Conditions, and then select Sign In to accept.
- Enter a nickname for your device to sign in automatically in the future.
- Select Continue to connect to the Spectrum WiFi network.
Note: When signing in to SpectrumWiFi for the first time, you’ll be asked to verify your secure profile (certificate).
To Get 2-Hours of Free Spectrum WiFi Access
To connect to Spectrum WiFi as a non-Spectrum Internet or non-Spectrum Mobile customer:
- Enable WiFi on your mobile device.
- Select CedarHill_WiFi from the list of available networks.
- Open your web browser, which displays the sign-in screen.
- Review and agree to the Terms & Conditions.
- Select Connect to join the Spectrum WiFi network.
Public WIFI In Cedar Hill
Below is the list of current Public Wi-Fi spots that are available from Spectrum for students to potentially use if/when needed.
Zula B. Wylie Public Library
225 Cedar Street
Alan Sims Cedar Hill Recreation Center
310 e. Parkerville Rd
Community Center Park
1740 Mansfield Road
Valley Ridge Park
2851 Park Ridge Dr
Crawford Park
401 Straus Road
Cedar Hill City Hall
285 Uptown Blvd
Parental Involvement
PTA Updates
PTA's Website
https://www.lakeridgeelempta.org/
Join/Pay Online
https://lake-ridge-elementary-pta.square.site/
Executive Board:
President: Denishea Williams
Vice President: Megan Micheli
Secretary: Kristi Lacy
Treasurer: She'Anka-Marie Johnson
Popular Links
active April/Self-care
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 have a conference.
Step Two: Contact the Assistant Principal (all discipline issues) or Counselor (mental health/academic advisement).
Step Three: Contact the Principal (if a school-wide concern, this becomes step one).
When emailing or calling the Main Office, it is helpful to provide details so that the call is directed to the correct individual.
Upcoming Activities/Events
- April 4-16: Spring Scholastic Virtual Book Fair
- April 5: World Autism Day Recognition (wear blue)
- April 5-9: Assistant Principal Appreciation Week
- April 6: STAAR Writing 4th Grade TRA & OFL (4th Grade & ECSE/SKILL On Campus)
- April 6: Asynchronous Learning/Not on Campus (PK, K, 1, 2, 3, & 5)
- April 9: Kindergarten Completion Pictures (8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
- April 12: 4th Nine Weeks Begins
- April 12-16: Spring Scholastic Book Fair (TRA & Faculty)
- April 16: MP3 Report Cards Post
- April 21: Administrative Professionals Day
- April 29: CHISD Teacher of the Year Announcement
Ms. McCullum, Principal
marquita.mccullum@chisd.netDr. Washington, Assistant Principal
emily.washington@chisd.netMrs. Johnson, Counselor
rashonda.johnson@chisd.netLake 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