The Lake Ridge Bridge
April 24, 2021
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From the Principal
Hopefully this message finds you well and in good spirits. We wrapped up another productive week. Scholars engaged in various instructional activities, and teachers challenged them along the way. Our scholar leaders in the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) started leading morning announcements, and they are sharing information for the month of April not only to bring awareness of autism but to stress the importance of acceptance. We are blessed to have an inclusive environment at Lake Ridge that allows our scholars to understand and appreciate the uniqueness that each individual offers.
In addition to instruction happening in the classroom, scholars had a chance to get out and make an impact on Earth Day and simply appreciate the beauty. Some 5th grade scholars who met the criteria went fishing, and doing so allows them to gain great experience and insight. Scholars are enjoying yoga and the peace that comes along with it. We also had a chance to show some love to our administrative professionals, Mrs. Castillo and Mrs. Vance. Our Teacher of the Year, Ms. Peterbark, was recognized at the Monday night CHISD Board meeting, and everyone is invited to watch the live stream on the district's Facebook page and YouTube channel that will take place this upcoming Thursday at 6:00 p.m. During this time, they will highlight each campus's Teacher of the Year and announce the district winners for Elementary and Secondary.
This week, the learning continues on this race for excellence. We will recognize our Bus Drivers and our Restorative Aide for their contributions. Friday will be the last day that scholars can submit videos for the virtual talent show; contact Ms. Jones at lakeisha.jones2@chisd.net for questions. NEHS will also kick off their service project "Got Sneakers?" that calls for individuals (adults and children) to donate new, gently used, and/or moderate condition athletic/tennis shoes. Questions about the service project can be directed to Counselor Johnson at rashonda.johnson@chisd.net.
Parents are reminded to send scholars to school with a refillable water bottle and a face mask daily.
Be sure to keep the following dates(s) in mind:
- April 25: Mommy & Me Yoga at Prairie View Park (PTA Event) 2:00 p.m.
- April 26-May 7: NEHS Service Project-Got Sneakers (donate athletic/tennis shoes)
- April 27: School Bus Driver Appreciation
- April 27: General PTA Meeting (Virtual) at 6:00 p.m.
- April 28: Restorative Aide Appreciation
- April 28: Montessori Interest Parent Informational (Virtual) at 6:00 p.m.
- April 29: Teacher of the Year Announcement at 6:00 p.m. (CHISD Facebook & YouTube)
- May 1: National School Principals Day
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 encouraged you this week, and how did that make you feel?
Principal McCullum
#LRENoFinishLine
#LakeRidgeNation
#LakeRidgeMontessori
Scenes from the Week
Autism acceptance announcements
Game Winners
Upcoming Events
Sponsored by the Lake Ridge PTA for parents with children ages 0-5.
Parent Liaison: Ms. Lakeisha Jones
Deadline: Friday, April 30 by 3:00 p.m.
Upcoming Assessments
OFL families should complete the following, respective form:
3rd & 4th Grade Online Flex Learners
5th Grade Online Flex Learners
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):
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
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
NEHS Community Service Project
National Elementary Honor Society will host a service project entitled, "A Qwest for Sneakers'', April 26th - May 7th. NEHS will partner with gotsneakers? to collect new, gently-used, and moderate condition sneakers. Gotsneakers? will pay $1.00 - 7.00 for each pair of athletic shoes that are donated. This project is limited to athletic shoes only. Sneaker collection boxes will be available at morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal. Proceeds will go to Qwest's Love Offering.
Spring Gifted & Talented Nominations for Grades K-5
Gifted & Talented results for spring nomination are complete. Please check your email for your child's results. If your child was nominated for GT (1st - 5th) or screened for GT (Kindergarten) and you do not receive results via email, please contact Counselor Johnson at rashonda.johnson@chisd.net .
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.
April Guidance
Core Curriculum: Study Skills/ Test Taking Strategies
Guidance Topic: Autism Awareness
SEL Skill: Building Relationships
Virtual Office: Virtual Guidance Office
Counseling Request: LRE Counseling Request Form
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 25: Mommy & Me Yoga at Prairie View Park (PTA Event) 2:00 p.m.
- April 26-May 7: NEHS Service Project-Got Sneakers (donate athletic/tennis shoes)
- April 27: School Bus Driver Appreciation
- April 27: General PTA Meeting (Virtual) at 6:00 p.m.
- April 28: Restorative Aide Appreciation
- April 28: Montessori Interest Parent Informational (Virtual) at 6:00 p.m.
- April 29: Teacher of the Year Announcement at 6:00 p.m. (CHISD Facebook & YouTube)
- May 1: National School Principals Day
- May 3-7: Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
- May 6: Nurse Appreciation Day
- May 7: School Hero/Cafeteria Staff Appreciation Day
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