Ridgeway RAP May 5, 2023
Phone (573)214-3550 ~ Fax (573)214-3551
Listening Session
Ridgeway Parent Listening Session for New Principal Hire
When: Tuesday, May 9th at 5:45 PM
Where: Ridgeway Media Center
The Ridgeway Autonomous School Committee (ASC), along with Columbia Public Schools Human Resources, will be conducting the listening session on Tuesday in the Media Center as part of the hiring process for a new Ridgeway Principal. Please join us to discuss what qualities you find important in the next Ridgeway principal.
As an autonomous school, the ASC will be involved in the interview and recommendation process for the new principal, and we want to hear from you! All parents, families, and community members are welcome.
Childcare will be provided by Ridgeway PTSA. Please call the office at 573-214-3550 by noon the day of the meeting to reserve your child's spot.
We hope to see you there!
Upcoming Events
- Basketball A Team and Ridgeway Cheer Squad - Saturday, May 6 at 10:15 AM at Smithton Middle School.
- Basketball B Team - Saturday, May 6 at 12:30 AM at West Middle School.
Principal Pen
You might be wondering how students are assigned to homeroom teachers when they transition to a new unit!
Ridgeway teachers spend time meeting with other unit teams to ensure that each child is placed in a classroom where they will thrive academically and socially. We work hard to make sure each and every classroom is a stimulating academic environment. We know that parents know their child best! If any parent would like to write a letter outlining their child’s individual learning needs, we are happy to consider this input. We are not able to accommodate requests for a specific classroom or teacher. Specific placement requests do not allow us to balance classrooms effectively. One of the great things about Ridgeway is the flexibility within each unit team. Children are assigned to a homeroom, but work with the other teachers in the unit. This approach to grouping students makes it possible for children to get to know and work with all of the teachers. We feel that a collective responsibility for students helps to make Ridgeway a great place to learn. Parent letters regarding their child’s learning needs should be submitted to Shari Lawson (slawson@cpsk12.org) by May 19, 2023.
Unit Notes
Unit A
We cannot believe the end of the year is almost here! To help celebrate, Unit A will have a “Countdown to summer” for the last 10 days of school. We are asking for a few supplies to be donated to help us have the most fun. If you are willing or able to donate, we greatly appreciate it! There is one day when students will bring something from home, and your child’s homeroom teacher will be in contact with that specific date. Thank you for your support. We are asking that all supplies be at school by Friday, May 12.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4EADAB2AA5FD0-countdown
Unit C
Unit C Families! We will have a Unit C picnic lunch, at Ridgeway, for our students on Friday, May 19. Unit C teachers will provide a lunch of applesauce, cookie, beverage, and a hot dog. Your student is welcome to bring their own lunch if this does not appeal to them or they need something different. Or, if your child/ren prefers to purchase a school lunch, please notify Mrs. Cox so we can plan accordingly. We will spend much of the day outdoors. Please have your child wear sunscreen or bug spray in the morning – it cannot be brought to school. Students may bring their own towel to sit on, a hat, and a water bottle.
Specialist News
From Mrs. Munsterman, Ridgeway Media Specialist
Today was the last day for student library checkouts. Please return ALL library books and Parent Lending Library bags on or before May 12.
Now is the time for that deep search for missing books. Books that are lost or damaged should be paid for as soon as possible. Please contact Mrs. Munsterman with any questions: rmunsterman@cpsk12.org
To check to see what books are currently checked out, have your child log into the CPS student portal, click on electronic library, choose Follett Destiny Ridgeway. Then click on the three lines on the upper left hand corner and choose “checkouts.”
From Mrs. Ryberg, Ridgeway Counselor
Hello Ridgeway Families,
Research from the Search Institute suggests that connection and building relationships with a trusted adult or caregiver is an important factor in helping children succeed. What are developmental relationships? Developmental relationships are close connections through which young people develop character strengths to discover who they are, gain the ability to shape their own lives and learn how to interact with and contribute to others. These relationships are characterized by five essential actions, each of which is described from the perspective of a young person:
1. Express Care: Show that you like me and want the best for me.
2. Challenge Growth: Insist that I try to continuously improve.
3. Provide Support: Help me complete tasks and achieve goals.
4. Share Power: Hear my voice and let me share in making decisions.
5. Expand Possibility: Expand my horizons and connect me to opportunities.
Parents and Caregivers play a key role in developmental relationships with their children: learn more here:https://www.search-institute.org/developmental-relationships/developmental-relationships-framework/
TIGER TUESDAY WINNERS
Detailed Information about End of Year Events
Ridgeway School Picnic - May 16
The Ridgeway Picnic will be Tuesday, May 16. School lunch for that day will be hot dogs, carrots, applesauce, cheese stick, chips, and milk. Students also have the option to bring a lunch from home. All students will travel to the park first thing in the morning and return to school for dismissal. Ridgeway staff supervise this day, so parent volunteers are not needed. A few notes about the day:
- We will be outside for the majority of the day. Please put sunscreen and bug spray on your child.
- Your child should wear tennis shoes and be dressed for the weather.
- All students are welcome to bring a water bottle labeled with their name.
- Apple slices will be served for morning snack.
Ridgeway Picnic Snack on May 16
Our tradition is to have a community snack in the afternoon. Students may bring a snack to share. Any donations are welcome! Please send 8-10 individual serving-size snack bags of snacks. Some suggestions might be: washed and ready-to-serve fruit, bags of chips or pretzels, Cheezits, small packs of cookies, etc. No items containing nuts should be sent for the community snack. Please send these snacks to school from May 11-16. Fruit may be sent on May 15-16 to keep it fresh.
Field Day Volunteers - May 22
Ridgeway families,
Ridgeway Field Day is on Monday, May 22, with activities from 11:30 AM – 2:15 PM. The activities will be mostly outside at Ridgeway Elementary.
We are looking for volunteers for Field Day from 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM. We will have two shifts, with one being 11:00 am - 12:45 pm and the other 12:45 - 2:30 pm. We will have two workers at each activity for 11 different stations. You can sign up with the Sign Up Genius link that is provided below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944A8AF28A4FDC43-field
We will email a map of the stations, instructions, and other information when we are closer to the date. You would check in on this day in the office. We appreciate any help to make this a great event!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Coach Mason at nmason@cpsk12.org
Nathan Mason
Teacher - Physical Education
Ridgeway Elementary School
Last Day of School - May 23
Due to space limitations, only families of fifth grade students should attend this event.
End of Year Events Schedule
- May 9 - Principal Search Listening Session, 5:45 PM
- May 9 - PTSA Meeting 6:30 PM
- May 10 - Early Dismissal at 12:10
- May 16 - Ridgeway School Picnic
- May 16 - PTSA Board Budget Meeting
- May 17 - IGE in Action/Art Show 5:30-6:30
- May 17 - Choir Concert at 6:30
- May 22 - Field Day
- May 23 - Parade, Promotion and Awards Ceremony 8:15 AM
- May 23 - Early Release @ 12:10