Pine Ridge Weekly
6/1/2020
What a year! But I already miss all of you!
Everyone needs some summertime relaxation. Thank you for hanging in there with us! We are so proud of how our Rangers have stuck it out. #RangerStrong!
We are so proud of our Odyssey of the Mind Teams! They competed and made us proud once again. Under the leadership of Ren Brace, our Rangers are a force! See the full story and acknowledgments below.
Thank you, Grace Springsteen, for putting all of our challenge videos together! Here is the last one. Enjoy some of our fantastic Rangers!
Ranger Collage Challenge Video
Schedule for Thursday, June 4th- To ease traffic flow, attend at your assigned time following your family’s last name. If for some reason you are not in town, please consider having a family member, friend, or neighbor pick-up your items.
PR - FHC Ranger Wrap Up 6/4/2020
Timeframe Ada, Pine Ridge, Thornapple, CW 5/6, CMS, CHS
10:00am - 12:00 pm Families A - I
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Families J - Q
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Families R - Z
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm As Needed
Start rounding up Media Center and Classroom books! (Labeling with the last name of would be so awesome!)
Device Drop-Off - We are not accepting devices. All Chromebooks have to be dropped off at either Central or Northern High School on a Tuesday or Friday, now through Friday, June 12.
A message will be sent out on Wednesday with more logistics about the pickup
and drop off process. Stay tuned!
Fourth Grade Families - We will have yard signs for all of our fabulous FOURTH GRADERS that are moving on to the Big CW! We anticipate passing them out to you during pick up on Thursday, but if that does not work out, they will be delivered to your homes. :)
If you did not get an opportunity to complete this form yet for your 4th grader, use the link below to provide Central Woodlands with information that could be helpful to placement.
Report Cards - These will be emailed out on Friday of this week. The letter that was sent our on Friday is attached.
PR - Report Card Letter To Families
Don't forget to bookmark this site for resources and information. This site will contain this newsletter in case you need to reference it later. :)
Pine Ridge Elementary Google Site: Bookmark this page!
Google site: https://sites.google.com/fhps.net/pine-ridge-elementary-site/home?authuser=0
Other Items:
- Dan Behm/Forest Hills Foundation letter and video below.
- 4th Grade Families: Central Woodlands Learning Environment Form for 5th Grade.
- Yearbooks are in! We will distribute them during the personal item pick up day.
- Kids Read Now Announcements regarding books, the app, and summer opportunities.
- Device Drop Off Information: Chromebooks can go back to High Schools. See below for more information.
- FHPS Food Distribution will continue Tuesdays and Fridays through June, 26th!
- If you have moved or are planning to do so, please contact our Registrar - Trish Bond at pbond@fhps.net
I know a break is needed, but I am going to miss all of you!
Stay safe this summer, rest, and enjoy!
Tamasha James
Our Wonderful Counselor, Kathy Wittland, is Retiring! Congratulations, Kathy!
Pine Ridge Counseling Connection
June 1, 2020
Hello Pine Ridge Families,
This will be my last newsletter for all of you. As you may have seen from Mrs. James’ announcement, I will be retiring at the end of this school year. When I first came to Pine Ridge two years ago, I did not think that I would be retiring this soon, but several things came together in my life this year that led me to make this decision. I have already experienced how much I will miss the Pine Ridge students, staff, and families. Ending my career during a pandemic is difficult. I am however amazed to have seen the tremendous resilience of our staff and families during this time. It is a time that I won’t soon forget.
I want you to know that I am doing everything that I can to make the transition to a new counselor as smooth as possible. If you have questions or concerns for me, please feel free to email me this week. If something comes up over the summer, I will no longer have my school email, but Mrs. James and the classroom teachers will be able to make the connection and I will get back to you. I may also be around at the start of the school year to introduce the new counselor so that the students see a familiar face. We are still working on that. I have two open Zoom meetings this week to connect with kids if they would like. These are individual meetings, so I will try to keep them short but there may be a wait if I am meeting with another student at the time you connect. The links to those meetings are:
Time: Jun 1, 2020, 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81708685111?pwd=R2ZDQW9KMG93bTBxRXhBVE9IaGhGQT09
Meeting ID: 817 0868 5111
Password: 0MN3WN
Time: Jun 3, 2020 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85274549591?pwd=VitJMk54eWNYd2xLVFJGTE11RGsrZz09
Meeting ID: 852 7454 9591
Password: 1H3fuz
I have attached below some activities for students to work on to deal with their feelings during this very different summer ahead. I hope that they will be helpful!
As a person who has experience working in two different school districts, in several buildings, I want you all to know what a wonderful school this is. I am beyond grateful for my time here with all of you. I wish you all the best in the years ahead.
Warmly,
Kathy Wittland
Pine Ridge School Counselor
Great tips for kids who are experiencing anxiety with all of the changes in the world right now:
https://veryspecialtales.com/how-help-child-with-anxiety/
Kids Social-Emotional writing prompts for journaling over the summer:
https://veryspecialtales.com/writing-prompts-kids-gratitude-self-esteem/
Resources for Summer
Odyssey of the Mind - PR Went to Worlds (Virtually) and Competed!
Dear PR Families,
I'd like to give a proud shout-out to both of the FHPS Pine Ridge Elementary Odyssey of the Mind Teams that competed in the first-ever Virtual World Finals! Whether they were trying to save the world from Aliens or solve the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster, these two teams had creative solutions and awesome teamwork, all while having to submit their solutions and explanations virtually. They even had to compete in a Spontaneous Competition using a timed, virtual online format! They took a risk and had to work extra hard to compete in a completely new environment, all while proving that even in the midst of a global pandemic, we're "Better Together", even if that means not being able to be with their team in person. So proud of all of their accomplishments and I know that you are too!
All the best,
Ren Brace
Division I, Problem 1 – Longshot Solution – Regional SILVER Medalists, State Finalists and Virtual World Finalists.
- Charley Sanial
- Marley Reiffenberger
- Avery Kozial
- Maddy O'Donnell
- Dheeraj Khandavalli
- Darshan Khandavalli
Division I, Problem 3 - The Effective Detective – Regional GOLD Medalists, State Finalists, and Virtual World Finalists.
- Macy Satterthwaite
- Ciana Fors
- Alec Malinowski
- Lexi Nims
- Perrin Vandermeer
- Julia Fisher
- Evee Heslip
Ren Brace
Odyssey of the Mind - Coordinator
Pine Ridge Elementary
(616) 481-2108KDL Summer Wonder Starts Today, June 1
Summer Wonder, our annual summer reading (and more!) program, starts Monday, June 1, this year and runs through Saturday, Aug. 8.
Sign up online via Beanstack starting May 27, print out a PDF of the summer reading log or pick up a paper form at your nearest KDL branch. To complete Summer Wonder, log all your 30-Day Challenge activities.
Prizes will be available for pickup at your nearest KDL branch starting Wednesday, July 1.
Little Readers will get a free book. Youth readers will get a prize that is to be announced. Teens and adults will receive a stainless-steel water bottle, available while supplies last. Adults will automatically become eligible for a chance to win a special prize basket.
All completers will be entered for a chance to win one of 16 $250 Meijer gift cards. The Meijer gift card drawing will be done Monday, Aug. 17. Once we have contacted the winners, the drawing results will be posted here and on Beanstack.
Log your reading online using Beanstack
All of this and more can be found at:
KRN - Kids Read Now Summer Reading Books
Some of your KRN books should have arrived!
- The first three books will be mailed automatically one after the other in May/June
- Each book has a unique three-digit code
- Parents/guardians must report the three-digit code to get their next book (after the third book)
- Instructions on how to report the code to KRN are located in each book and the Parent Guide
- Books can be reported by text, phone call, or the free KRN app
Starting in June, KRN will send your families weekly reminders to report book codes, but they can report as soon as they receive them!
From KRN:
Read below for some exciting updates on Virtual Family Reading Events, a chance to win books and information on the Kids Read Now app.
Win Free Books
We are constantly looking to improve our program. Click here to take a brief survey to help us, and you will be entered to win free books for your school!
KRN App
Kids Read Now has a new and improved app. The KRN app makes it easy for your families to report books to get more and view Discovery Sheets. Families can download the app here on mobile devices.
Please do not hesitate to email me or success@kidsreadnow.org or call 877-536-0130 with any questions. I am here to help you and your students succeed this summer!
Device Return Process - Drop Off At Central or Northern High School Only
Dear Families,
If your family received a loaner Chromebook this spring from FHPS we will be providing a number of opportunities to return the Chromebooks on Tuesdays and Fridays during the food distribution times (11:00 am - 1:00 pm) at Central High School and Northern High School now through Friday, June 12.
You may use either drop off location (either CHS or NHS); it is not necessary to return to your original pickup location
Include the bag, charger, and Chromebook
Include a slip of paper in the bag with the first/last name and student ID number of all students in the household sharing the device
Thank you for your assistance!
The Technology Team
Dan Behm Video
Food Service Update: Now Serving Through June 26th!
- Free meal distribution for children ages 18 and under continues on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11a-1p at FHN and FHC. Children do not need to be in the vehicle to receive free meals.
- If your financial status has recently changed due to COVID-19, you may temporarily qualify for free or reduced-price meals for the first 30 days of the new school year. Visit www.lunchapp.com to fill out a confidential application. (This will also qualify you to receive the P-EBT benefits described below.)
- Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transaction (P-EBT) Program - Families on the free or reduced-price meal program will receive extra funds on their EBT card for each child in their household ages 5-18.
- March & April benefits - $193.80 per eligible child will be loaded on the EBT card by the end of April.
- May & June benefits - $182.40 per eligible child will be loaded on the EBT card at a later date.
- If you don't currently receive food assistance benefits, a pre-loaded card will be mailed to you. Benefits for all eligible children will be loaded onto one card.
Links to Books Read Aloud by Mrs. James - Updated
Previous Newsletters
Kindergarten Kick-Off Video
Connect With Us!
Pine Ridge Elementary Google Site: Bookmark this page!
Google site: https://sites.google.com/fhps.net/pine-ridge-elementary-site/home?authuser=0
Pine Ridge Elementary Site — Video
https://www.loom.com/share/683fe4f797ba4c8b98d5947dbe70ab83
Pine Ridge PTO Website: https://www.pineridgepto.com/
Pine Ridge Facebook Page: https: //www.facebook.com/PRfhps/
Other Helpful Links:
Forest Hills Public Schools Website- https://www.fhps.net/
School Messenger Notification- https://www.fhps.net/departments/technology/school-messenger-notifications/