The Lake Ridge Bridge
February 5, 2022
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From the Principal
Hopefully this message finds you safe, well, and in good spirits. Our genuine hope is that everyone was safe and warm during this extended weekend with the weather and various conditions that were experienced. Last week was cut short due to the wintry weather; however, it was a productive one while we were there, and we ended the week at school on the 100th day of school. Scholars were very creative with their attire to capture the day. As we started analyzing our NWEA/MAP data, it was reassuring to see so much scholar growth reflected, and we will highlight scholars and teachers in the near future for growth.
No grade level met the attendance goal (96%) for the week of January 31; however, we hope all scholars who were absent are doing well, and parents are encouraged to contact the Main Office regarding absences within three (3) days.
This upcoming week, we will recognize National School Counseling Week (see dress up attire for the week), engage in various instruction and learning, take part in intervention/enrichment groups, and participate in Enrichment Clubs. To learn some of Counselor Johnson's favorites, click here; purchasing something is not required. We wanted to share options for those who would like to provide a token of appreciation.
Be sure to keep the following dates(s) in mind:
- February 7-11: National School Counseling Week (NSCW)
- February 7: Attire for NSCW-Wear a hat.
- February 8: Attire for NSCW-Wear superhero attire.
- February 9: Attire for NSCW-Wear your favorite team jersey.
- February 10: Attire for NSCW-Wear red.
- February 11: Attire for NSCW-Wear school spirit attire.
- February 11: Enrichment Clubs
Question to Pose to Your Child: What is one thing that you can do when you get frustrated?
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
100th Day of School
CHISD Choice Program: Montessori at Lake Ridge
Assistant Principal Updates
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Here are the upcoming state/district tests that will occur during the month of February:
- February 15: STAAR Science Field Test-Grade 5
- February 22-24: Interim Assessments-Grades 3-5
- February 22-23: DCCA #6: 2nd Grade
Please continue to make sure that your child's Chromebook is charged and powered down nightly. Also, continue having your child read 20-30 minutes nightly, work on IXL at least three (3) times per week, and complete all homework assigned.
Thank you,
Dr. Washington
Guidance Services
National Elementary Honor Society
Scholars in grades 4 & 5 who met national eligibility requirements for NEHS were considered for induction into the Lake Ridge Chapter of NEHS. NEHS candidates will be announced on February 10, 2022. An induction ceremony will be held for new candidates at Lake Ridge on February 15th at 6:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
Fifth Grade Course Selections
Scholars in 5th grade will meet with Counselor Johnson to select middle school courses for the 2022-2023 school year at Permenter Middle School. One-to-one meetings will occur on campus during the instructional day beginning February 9 - 24, 2022. Please review and sign your scholar's green course selection form and return to Counselor Johnson no later than February 9th, if you have not already done so. Scholars who plan to attend a different middle school should complete a course selection form so that each student has an opportunity to meet with Counselor Johnson to discuss secondary opportunities, personal interests, and individual goals.
Gifted & Talented Testing for Grades 1-5
Scholars in grades 1-5 who were scheduled for Gifted & Talented testing are being rescheduled from Saturday, February 5th to Saturday, March 5th. Scholars who were scheduled for GT Testing were notified in January. This is only for scholars in grades 1-5; this does not include scholars enrolled in PK and Kindergarten scholars. Please note the changes on your calendars.
Gifted & Talented Screening for Kindergarten
Scholars who are currently enrolled in Kindergarten completed Gifted and Talented screenings on campus, during the instructional day. You will be notified via email, if your kindergarten child is eligible for the Gifted & Talented Program in Cedar Hill ISD. If you have any questions, please contact Counselor Johnson at rashonda.johnson@chisd.net or Natalie Garrett at natalie.garrett@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
Birthday Recognition
If you would like to recognize your child at school on his/her birthday that falls on a school day, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher so that he/she can notify the office. On your child's birthday, you may drop off store bought cupcakes or packaged fruit and individual juice/water at the time indicated by the teacher if you have communicated with the teacher. If your child's birthday falls on a weekend or on a non-school day for students, no alternate arrangements will be made.
Arrangements should be made prior to the child's birthday so that the teacher can verify that it will not interrupt scheduled class activities.
Montessori
Birthdays in Montessori Primary and Lower Elementary are generally celebrated with an activity called "Walk Around the Sun". Each classroom, including Upper Elementary, has their own way of celebrating birthdays which is communicated by the classroom teacher.
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
- February 7-11: National School Counseling Week
- February 7: Attire for NSCW-Wear a hat.
- February 8: Attire for NSCW-Wear superhero attire.
- February 9: Attire for NSCW-Wear your favorite team jersey.
- February 10: Attire for NSCW-Wear red.
- February 11: Attire for NSCW-Wear school spirit attire.
- February 11: Enrichment Clubs
- February 15: TEA Field Test (Grade 5)
- February 17: District PD Day/No School for Scholars
- February 17: Evening Parent Conferences
- February 18: Parent Conference Day/No School for Scholars
- February 21: Holiday/No School
- February 22-25: Interim Assessments (3-5 Grades)
- February 25: STEM Clubs
- February 28: Spring Pictures (Free Dress)
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