The Lake Ridge Bridge
November 13, 2021
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From the Principal
Hopefully this message finds you well and in good spirits. Last week was filled with moments that will last a lifetime. Scholars learned new standards/concepts, reinforced those previously taught, participated in intentional activities meant to increase engagement, continued launching rockets, took part in various labs, and ended the week with a focus on collaboration, communication, and critical thinking during STEM Clubs. Speaking of STEM, five of our teachers participated in the STEMspired Saturday for teachers, and we look forward to learning from them. Thanks a bunch to Mr. Figueroa, Mr. Gaines, Mrs. Gardner, Mrs. White, and Ms. Williams for attending.
Shout out to 1st and 5th grade for meeting the attendance goal (96%) as a grade level for the week!
A special parade and presentation took place on Thursday, November 11 in honor of Veterans Day because we appreciate the service and sacrifice of each individual who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans connected to our Lake Ridge family were invited to participate in a parade that allowed us to celebrate them and show our appreciation as a campus. We all lined up on the perimeter of our building to wave and cheer as Veterans circled the building. We then had a brief ceremony to present certificates to each Veteran in attendance and those whose names were submitted. You can view the recording of the impromptu presentation via the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18qZAk7_2pF3mQQoPZNaRErWwjTCjKDfI/view?usp=sharing
Thanks a bunch to Ms. Peterbark, Ms. Jones, and Ms. Abdelhadi for collaborating to make the day phenomenal. We also thank each class that created a poster to present to each Veteran. The creativity, details, and thought are notable.
Saturday, November 13 is World Kindness Day, so you are challenged to participate in a random act of kindness. Check out this article featuring one of our teachers, Ms. Doolin, who is leading a project that exhibits kindness. https://www.chisd.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=19252&ViewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f-a8b4987d588f&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=32016&PageID=14706
This week, the race for excellence continues as scholars dive into new learning. We look forward to seeing our families Thursday, November 18 at our Health Fair that will take place from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Various vendors and exhibitors will be available to provide information. Flyers will come home on Tuesday with additional details. A flyer will also be sent regarding a service project that allows families to provide items on the wish-list of the Tri-City Animal Shelter & Adoption Center; items can be dropped off in the Main Office.
If you have not already done so, parents/guardians should aim to complete the YouthTruth family survey. Thanks a bunch to the 59 parents/guardians who have already completed it. Here is the link to the survey: http://ytsurvey.org/chisdfamily21
Be sure to keep the following dates(s) in mind:
- November 1-19: YouthTruth Family Survey
- November 1-30: Native American Heritage Month
- November 13: World Kindness Day
- November 18: Lake Ridge Health Fair 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- November 19: CHISD Staff Development Day/No School for Scholars
- November 22-26: Thanksgiving Break/No School
Question to Pose to Your Child: What random act of kindness did you make happen?
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
Veterans Day Recognition
Assistant Principal Updates
Parents/Guardians,
We are strongly encouraging mask wearing. Thus far, wearing masks has proven to be effective in minimizing the transmission of COVID-19. With that being said, please send your scholar to school with a mask.
Dr. Washington
Guidance Services
Christmas Cedar Hill
Cedar Hill ISD has partnered with several local organizations to host a Christmas Cedar Hill Gift Card drive for scholars in the community. If you wish to donate to Christmas Cedar Hill, please purchase gift cards from Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Gift cards may be dropped off to the Cedar Hill Government Center, Monday- Friday from 8:00 am - 4:00 PM. The deadline to make donations is November 30th. Please click here for more information regarding Christmas Cedar Hill.
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. 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
- November 1-19: YouthTruth Family Survey
- November 1-30: Native American Heritage Month
- November 13: World Kindness Day
- November 18: National Parent Involvement Day
- November 18: Lake Ridge Health Fair 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- November 19: CHISD Staff Development Day/No School for Scholars
- November 22-26: Thanksgiving Break/No School
- November 29: School Resumes
- December 1: 70th Day of School
- December 3: Enrichment Clubs
- December 8: Campus Spelling Bee
- December 10: STEM Clubs
- December 15: 80th Day of School
- December 16: No School for Scholars/Campus Planning
- December 17: No School for Scholars/Work Day
- December 20-January 4: Winter Break
- January 5: School Resumes
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