The Lake Ridge Bridge
January 1, 2022
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From the Principal
Hopefully this message finds you well, in good spirits, rested, and ready to return when it is time. Happy New Year! I hope that each of you are prepared and poised for what 2022 will bring. We ended the 1st semester with some special moments, and the major one was the Winter Wonderland/Concert that occurred. It was great to see the majority of our families out in a safe space outdoors cheering on our scholars as they performed and participating in the various stations. Thanks a bunch to Ms. Jones and Ms. Peterbark for coordinating such a spectacular event along with our faculty and PTA who pitched in wherever and however needed. Thanks a bunch to attendees who helped out in the end when it was time to bring in all of the equipment. Finally, THANKS A BUNCH to our scholars for giving their all for the performances.
The last few days of the 1st semester were filled with celebrations including the C.I.S. party and class parties. Along with the ending of the 1st semester comes some farewells. Ms. Brown, 5th Grade ELAR Teacher, retired, and we wish her well in her retirement. We also said farewell to Mr. Gates, Montessori Instructional Aide; he received a Music Teacher position, and we look forward to hearing about the positive impact that he will make on their program because he made a positive impact in the classroom and with the various performances that we had.
Shout out to Pre-K, 1st and 4th grades for meeting the attendance goal (96%) as a grade level for the week of December 13!
With the new year comes a new face or two on our campus. Welcome to Indy Williams who will serve as our 5th grade ELAR Teacher. Ms. Williams is a recent graduate, and she is excited to join The Lake Ridge Nation. Specific contact information will be sent to our 5th grade families later. We look forward to welcoming back scholars on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, reviewing expectations, continuing the process of establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and diving into new learning.
The first portion of the "Choose Your Seat" campaign kicked off with families currently enrolled completing the intent to return form. If you are interested in learning more about our Montessori Program in preparation of the upcoming application window for 2022-2023, watch this video, and be mindful of the informational sessions that will occur in January 2022; attendance at one is required to have a complete application.
Be sure to keep the following dates(s) in mind:
- December 20-January 4: Winter Break for Scholars
- January 3-21: Choose Your Seat Application Window
- January 3: Campus Planning/Work Day-No School for Scholars
- January 4: District PD Day-No School for Scholars
- January 5: School Resumes
Question to Pose to Your Child: What are your goals for the new year?
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
CHISD Choice Program: Montessori at Lake Ridge
Assistant Principal Updates
Hello, Parents/Guardians!
I hope that everyone remains safe, and your children are ready to start the 2nd semester of school when they return. During the upcoming months, we will be conducting our middle of the year diagnostic testing to assess growth in all content areas. It is important that scholars make sure that they charge their Chromebooks nightly and bring them to school daily.
Additionally, please make sure that your child is well rested and comes to school ready to learn and demonstrate their best academically as well as behaviorally.
Below is the schedule for testing during the month of January:
- January 6-11: IXL (Math; Grades K-5)
- January 11-14: Achieve 3000 (Reading; Grades 3-5)
- January 25-28: MAP (K-5; All grade levels are assessed in Reading and Math. 2nd-5th grades have additional tests in different content areas.)
- January 6-28: Circle and TX-KEA (PreK-Kindergarten)
Thank you again for all of your assistance.
Dr. Washington
Guidance Services
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.
December Guidance Focus
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Social Awareness
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
Upcoming Events
Attendance
Attendance Incentives
Class Perfect Attendance: Each scholar in a class has an opportunity to receive an incentive once the class spells out A-T-T-E-N-D-A-N-C-E (a letter will be earned each day the homeroom class has perfect attendance). This is ongoing and repeats.
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. Cooke, Attendance Clerk, at frances.cooke@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
- December 20-January 4: Winter Break for Scholars
- January 3-21: Choose Your Seat Application Window
- January 3: Campus Planning/Work Day-No School for Scholars
- January 4: District PD Day-No School for Scholars
- January 5: School Resumes
January 7: Lake Ridge Time Assembly
January 10: Montessori Parent Informational #1 at 6:00 p.m.
January 13: Montessori Parent Informational #2 at 6:00 p.m.
January 14: Enrichment Clubs
January 15: Montessori Parent Informational #3 at 10:00 a.m. (Virtual)
January 17: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday/No School
January 19: 90th Day of School
January 20: Family Engagement Night (STEM) at 6:00 p.m.
January 21: Enrichment Clubs
January 28: STEM Clubs
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