The Lake Ridge Bridge
January 8, 2022
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From the Principal
Hopefully this message finds you well and in good spirits. We had a productive week as we welcomed scholars back on Wednesday to kick off the 2nd semester. It was so great to see the smiling faces walking through the doors and filling the hallways even behind the masks. Scholars checked in, reviewed expectations and procedures, and held each other accountable. Instruction focused on reviewing and diving into some new content, and the majority of K-5 scholars completed their IXL Diagnostic for the mid-year. We ended the week with a campus-wide virtual assembly with the focus of understanding self-efficacy and the importance of scholars believing in themselves. Self-efficacy is a word that they will hear often on this race for excellence.
We would like to recognize two major accomplishments. Mr. Gaines, 5th Grade Science/ Social Studies Teacher, had work published in a book (see pictures on below), and that speaks to his effectiveness of teaching and consistently analyzing data and providing feedback to scholars. Ms. Doolin, Primary Montessori Teacher, was featured in an article regarding a project that consisted of blankets being made by our scholars and donated to Bridges Safehouse. Thanks a bunch to all families who donated the materials to make the blankets and all who contributed towards the effort. Be sure to check out this news article via the link below:
No grade level met the attendance goal (96%) for the week of January 5; however, we hope all scholars who were absent are doing well, and parents are encouraged to send a note (i.e. doctor's note, parent note regarding illness, etc) that will be dropped off in the Main Office.
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, 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. The information is available on our website. Remember that the "Choose Your Seat" campaign pertains to all Cedar Hill ISD choice programs. The application does not have to be completed for scholars currently in the respective program.
Be sure to keep the following dates(s) in mind:
- January 3-21: Choose Your Seat Application Window
- January 10: Montessori Parent Informational #1 at 6:00 p.m. (Virtual)
January 13: Montessori Parent Informational #2 at 6:00 p.m. (Virtual)
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
Question to Pose to Your Child: What is self-efficacy, and what does that mean for you?
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
Published Author: Mr. Gaines
CHISD Choice Program: Montessori at Lake Ridge
Assistant Principal Updates
Hello, Parents/Guardians!
We are starting the year off by explaining to scholars self-efficacy and the brain's capability and capacity to learn. We want all scholars to understand and believe that they can learn and they're smart. This week, each teacher discussed the different parts of the brain and what each part does. They also started having scholars say positive affirmations such as, I can learn. During our virtual assembly on Friday, Principal McCullum and I discussed self-efficacy and read a book about the brain.
Please help us continue to build self-efficacy in your child by telling them daily they are smart and can learn.
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,
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.
January Guidance Focus
- Study Skills
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
- January 3-21: Choose Your Seat Application Window
- January 10: Montessori Parent Informational #1 at 6:00 p.m. (Virtual)
January 13: Montessori Parent Informational #2 at 6:00 p.m. (Virtual)
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: 5th Grade Course Selection Preview
- January 21: Enrichment Clubs
- January 27: Family Engagement Night (STEM) at 6:00 p.m.
- 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