The Lake Ridge Bridge
October 30, 2021
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From the Principal
Hopefully this message finds you well and in good spirits. Last week was an exciting one with new learning, the continued Scholastic Book Fair (largest turnout since 2015), and engaging activities. On Tuesday night, some families attended the dedication of the Dr. Peggy M. Wilson building. During the event, we had a chance to explore the new STEM Center (see more information below regarding an upcoming opportunity this week). Scholars in ECSE, Pre-K, Primary, and SKILL received a hands-on learning experience from our Cedar Hill Fire Department; thanks a bunch to Ms. Henderson for organizing the learning opportunity. We also recognized Red Ribbon Week. The week was started with a Kick-Off Assembly led by our National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) members. Throughout the week, we dressed in themed attire. Thanks a bunch to Counselor Johnson for coordinating these efforts. We also wore pink throughout the week as Breast Cancer Awareness Month came to a close. We ended the week with our launch of STEM Clubs. STEM Clubs will take place once a month, and all scholars are able to engage in instant challenges that promote critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.
Below, are two links worth sharing that speak to the heart and dedication of all of those in Cedar Hill ISD:
Mr. Coit's Story (English)
Mr. Coit's Story (Spanish)
CHHS vs. Midway Special Moment
https://twitter.com/txfblife/status/1454309716088311811?s=21
Our very own Mr. Coit was able to immediately respond to a scholar in need during lunch, and NBC5 and Telemundo featured a story. Our CHHS Varsity Football team was able to be a part of a special moment for a scholar-athlete on the opposing team. Titus, a scholar with special needs, had a dream of scoring a touchdown, and during the final play of Friday night's game, that dream became a reality. It was affirming to see players on both teams running with and celebrating him. Shout out to the positive happening because it outweighs the negative.
This week, the race for excellence continues as we start the 3rd Six Weeks. We will distribute Lake Ridge spirit t-shirts this week; the delivery came at the end of the day on Friday. Thank you for your patience in receiving these. Due to the pandemic, some vendors are experiencing delays in getting products because of shortages, and we are glad the order was able to be fulfilled. Scholars will take school pictures on Wednesday, November 3; the attire is our standard uniform. Report cards for the 2nd Six Weeks will post in Skyward/Family Access on Thursday, November 4. Be on the lookout for a YouthTruth survey that will come your way this week (details will be included in that specific email).
November 1-3, Counseling Services will present SELebrate STEM which includes a tailgate on November 1 and elementary STEM nights on November 2-3 (the night for Lake Ridge is November 2). Bring your elementary children out to participate in a variety of STEM activities while developing Social and Emotional Learning Skills.
Registration is required for the elementary STEM nights, and the registration link is here: https://forms.gle/op1wuMyXVmbtWsye6
Be sure to keep the following dates(s) in mind:
- October 1-31: National Principals Month
- October 1-31: National Bully Prevention Month
- November 1-19: YouthTruth Survey
- November 1: 3rd Six Weeks begins
- November 2: SELebrate STEM Event 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the STEM Center
- November 3: School Pictures (Uniforms)
- November 4: MP2 Report Cards Post
- November 5: Enrichment Clubs
Question to Pose to Your Child: What can you do if you are having a difficult time?
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
Red Ribbon Week
STEM Clubs
Assistant Principal Updates
Parents/Guardians,
We finished up with the 3rd district assessment last week. Thanks for making sure that scholars were in attendance. Please continue to help us close the learning gaps caused by COVID-19 by having your child read at least 15-20 minutes daily. Reading is the foundation of all learning.
Continue to take care.
Dr. Washington
Guidance Services
World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day is November 13, 2021. World Kindness Day is a global day that promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. Every year on November 13th, this day is celebrated to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together. Promote World Kindness Day by performing at least one (1) "Random Act of Kindness" on November 13th.
Bully Awareness Month
October was Bully Awareness Month. We will continue this topic throughout the month of November so that every scholar has the opportunity to 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.
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.
November Guidance Focus
- Bully Awareness/Anti-Harassment
- Wellness
- Self Awareness
- Native American Heritage Month
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
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
- November 1-19: YouthTruth Survey
- November 1: 3rd Six Weeks begins
- November 2: SELebrate STEM Event 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the STEM Center
- November 3: School Pictures (Uniforms)
- November 4: MP2 Report Cards Post
- November 5: Enrichment Clubs
- November 11: Veterans Day Parade at 8:15 a.m.
- November 13: World Kindness Day
- November 19: CHISD Staff Development Day/No School for Scholars
- November 22-26: Thanksgiving Break/No School
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