The Lake Ridge Bridge
October 16, 2021
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From the Principal
Hopefully this message finds you well and in good spirits. We had another short yet productive week this past week. Scholars learned new concepts and strategies, wrapped up Hispanic Heritage Month with special projects/activities, and participated in their first Enrichment Clubs rotation. With that, our Club Friday schedule has started, and one Friday out of the month will be dedicated to the STEM Clubs that are being implemented. Montessori t-shirts were received, and we started the distribution of those on Friday, and it will continue on this Monday. As soon as we receive our LRE Spirit t-shirts, distribution will begin on those.
We want to give a special shout out to Ms. Doolin and Mrs. Nunez for working with their Primary class to learn the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish, and they delivered it during the morning announcements this week. We also appreciate our NEHS members for continuing to lead our morning pledges/affirmation. Last week featured Brooklyn and Sofia.
This week, the race for excellence continues with engaging instruction, World Unity Day (wear orange on Wednesday, October 20), and our Scholastic Book Fair. Information is included here for your convenience regarding the Book Fair, and parents/guardians are encouraged to set up an eWallet to eliminate scholars needing to keep up with cash.
Scholastic Book Fair
- Monday - Set-up and previews only (no sales)
- Tuesday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. OPEN FOR SALES-NO OUTSIDE VISITORS.
- Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. OPEN FOR SALES-NO OUTSIDE VISITORS (2:00 - 2:45 - take-down and wrap-up; Library Club will assist)
Online Website
How to Create an eWallet
https://players.brightcove.net/1543299976/Eyj59PHsg_default/index.html?videoId=5831064261001
Gifted and Talented Nomination Period
Our 1st through 12th grade Gifted & Talented nominations period will be held between Tuesday, October 5, 2021 and Friday, October 29, 2021. The testing will occur between January 31, 2021 and February 9, 2021 for all Kindergarten and any 1st - 12th grade nominated scholars.
For more information regarding the nomination process, please view the Nomination Process form found here. To nominate a scholar, please click here (Spanish version) for the Nomination Form. If you are interested in attending a virtual informational meeting to be held on October 13, 2021 @ 6:00 p.m. regarding the Gifted & Talented Nomination Process please, RSVP here.
Be sure to keep the following dates(s) in mind:
- October 1-31: National Principals Month
- October 1-31: National Bully Prevention Month
- October 5-29: Gifted & Talented Nomination Period
- October 18-22: Scholastic Book Fair
- October 20: World Unity Day (wear orange)
- October 22: PTA Movie Night at Valley Ridge Park
Question to Pose to Your Child: What is something that I can do to help you establish or continue a love for reading?
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
Enrichment Clubs
Assistant Principal Updates
Parents/Guardians,
We all know that COVID-19 has had an negative impact on education. With that being said, below are a few tips that you can do at home to help close the learning gaps that we see in school:
- Read to your child every night and ask comprehension questions: Who were the main characters? What happened in the story?
- Go over basic sight words. Here is a link by grade: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Eq-Px2NoCHP1j8eSZ1DknqsWlYk2Gr2S/view?usp=sharing
- Practice on IXL Math at least 3 times per week for 20-30 minutes for scholars in grades K-5.
- Practice on Smarty Ants at least 3 times per week for 20-30 minutes for scholars in grades K-2.
- Practice on how to hold a pencil correctly for scholars in grades PK-2 (higher grades if necessary). Help them with writing their name and numbers.
Anything that you do can help your child improve academically.
Thank you for all of your support,
Dr. Washington
Guidance Services
Bully Awareness Month
October is Bully Awareness Month. Scholars at Lake Ridge Elementary will participate in guidance lessons that bring awareness to bully behaviors. Scholars will explore bullying vs. conflict, types of bullying, and how to address bullying behaviors.Please visit our Virtual Guidance Office for parent tips and information on bullying and how to address issues of bullying with your scholars. If you suspect your child or any child is experiencing bullying, please contact your child's school.
Substance Abuse Prevention
Scholars at Lake Ridge Elementary will participate in Red Ribbon Week, October 25 - 29, 2021. Red Ribbon week is a national campaign that addresses drug and alcohol abuse prevention. This year's national theme is Drug Free Looks Like Me. Please visit the Virtual Guidance Office for RRW 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.
October Guidance Focus
- Bully Awareness/Anti-Harassment
- Substance Abuse Prevention
- Social Awareness
Counseling & Guidance Services: LRE Guidance Office
Counseling Request Form: LRE Counseling Request Form
School Counselor: Rashonda.Johnson@chisd.net
CIS Site Coordinator: Christopher.Coit@chisd.net
Restorative Services: Emily.Kelly@chisd.net
Upcoming Events
October 18-22, 2021
Online Website
How to Create an eWallet
https://players.brightcove.net/1543299976/Eyj59PHsg_default/index.html?videoId=5831064261001
Flip Book Catalog
https://bookfairsfiles.scholastic.com/flippingbooks/F21-ES-Case-Booklist/F21_ES_Case_Booklist.html#p=1Attendance
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 Mrs. Vance at sheila.vance@chisd.net 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.
Walkers should not be dropped off via car. To be a walker, that means the scholar walks to the campus from his/her residence.
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.
Walkers should not be picked up via car. To be a walker, that means the scholar walks to his/her residence from the campus.
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
- October 1-31: National Principals Month
- October 1-31: National Bully Prevention Month
- October 5-29: Gifted & Talented Nomination Period
- October 18-22: Scholastic Book Fair
- October 20: World Unity Day (wear orange)
- October 22: PTA Movie Night at Valley Ridge Park
- October 25-29: Red Ribbon Week
- October 26: 50th Day of School
- October 29: 2nd Six Weeks Ends
- November 3: School Pictures (Uniforms)
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