Ridgeway RAP September 10, 2021
Phone (573)214-3550 ~ Fax (573)214-3551
Principal Pen
Ridgeway learners are bringing home their Friday Folder today. This folder will be one method that teachers use to communicate about student behaviors, effort, conduct, and learning in the classroom. Please watch for the folder approximately every two weeks, or four to five times each trimester.
Student behaviors, effort, and conduct will be evaluated in three main areas: work habits, interaction with peers, and interactions with adults. The broad category of these skills is called ‘Success Ready’. Progress is monitored with a 4-point scale in which 3 is the eventual goal. 4s are rarely used, as they show mastery beyond the standard. At this point in the school year, a score of 1 or 2 is fairly normal. Please look for the comments to give additional information.
If your child has a score of 2, celebrate that! If they receive a score of 3, celebrate that! Please remember that students are learning skills. If they have a score of 1, celebrate that, they are not to the level of 2 YET. Each score represents the first few weeks of school. There is plenty of time for learning and growth. Teachers think like this: here’s where the student is now, here is where we are headed, and this is what we can do. The goal is progress and growth!
Parent Advisory Committee
The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meets once a month at 6:00 p.m. for 30 minutes before our PTSA meetings. Both teacher representatives, parent representatives, and the principal attend and bring suggestions, questions, and topics for discussion. Several years ago, a parent described PAC like this:
The mission of the Parent Advisory Council is to establish a positive and respectful environment for the discussion of Ridgeway community concerns that affect the school
or its units as a whole. PAC attendees are encouraged to be mindful and respectful
that some issues are better suited for individual communication with the Ridgeway teachers or principal.
Any parent is invited to attend at any time. We encourage PAC members to join us for PTSA at 6:30. Childcare is provided by the Adventure Club staff and is available for school-age children. Please call the school office by noon the day of the meeting if you will utilize childcare. The number is (573) 214-3550.
Please fill out the form below and indicate if you are interested in attending the meetings and/or being a PAC Unit Representative. Please remember that parents are invited to attend at any time. Members represent all parents and may bring group questions and comments to the meeting. The first PAC meeting is on October 12, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Please plan to attend. Also, please mark your calendar for our future meeting dates: November 9, January 11, February 8, and March 8. We will meet in person. Please watch the Ridgeway RAP in case we need to change to a virtual meeting for a month or two.
Unit News
Unit A
Unit B
Unit C
Unit C began our Second Steps, social and emotional skills curriculum this week. Ask your scholar, “How does empathy impact respect?”
Library checkout will be on Thursdays each week.
Continue having daily conversations about the To-Do list and school work. This will be great practice for when your scholar enters middle school.
Message from the Nurse
Ridgeway Ram Flu Vaccine Clinic
Thursday, September 30
The 2021 influenza vaccine (flu shot) will be offered to students at Ridgeway Elementary.
For your child to be vaccinated, you must have completed an electronic form as part of the annual registration update, or return a completed and signed consent form to the school nurse. A form is attached to this newsletter. You do not need to complete the form if you did the electronic permission form.
Specialists News
A message from Mrs. Ryberg - Counselor
Hello Ridgeway Families,
I am so excited and grateful to be a part of Ridgeway Elementary and to serve as your school counselor!
The counseling program at RWE is here to help students focus on strengths and wellness while addressing personal, social/emotional, and academic needs. Feel free to contact me at any time for parent consultation if you have any concerns for your student in these areas so we can work together for student success. I work closely with students, teachers, and families to help promote success at school and address needs. The counseling program can provide crisis intervention for grief or mental health issues and referral. The comprehensive counseling program is for all students and addresses the areas of academic, personal/social-emotional, and career growth through individual counseling, small groups, and in-class curriculum/counseling class twice per month.
Twice per month counselor lessons in each classroom focus on:
- Friendship/social skills, listening skills, assertive communication skills, goal setting, study skills, careers
- Respect, diversity, strengths, kindness, and empathy
- The brain: its function in learning and how it responds to stress
- Decision making, anger management, coping skills, problem-solving, and collaboration.
- Safety and the Ways to Stay Safe. Recognizing what is safe and how to refuse unsafe situations and reach out to an adult for help, abuse prevention, recognizing and responding to bullying
- Problem-solving, working as a team, and making connections through deeper thinking.
- Children’s literature, language arts, discussion, role-play, games, activities, and utilizing resources in technology
Small Groups
Small group counseling is educational in nature and offers students a chance to experience activities and learning in a smaller group environment that focuses on skill-building, strengths, building relationships, and experiencing connection with others. Permission slips are required for your student to participate. Some topics that may be addressed in small groups may include new student groups, friendship, social skills, conflict resolution, resiliency, study skills, self-control, handling worries, grief, outreach, and more.
Individual Counseling
I am also available for individual counseling sessions. (Permission is required after three sessions). Individual counseling can include weekly or bi-monthly visits where students have a solution-focused place to address their concerns or needs and offer a listening ear to process thoughts and emotions with a focus on strengths and goals. Counseling may include using art, bibliotherapy, sensory-based activities, discussion, and role-play for skill-building. Individual counseling addresses issues of personal, friendship/social skills, family changes, grief, self-esteem, self-control, study skills, decision making, and more.
I am looking forward to working with the students and families of Ridgeway! Feel free to call or make an appointment to visit. I encourage you to work closely with us for your child’s growth in learning. Through the counseling program, it is my hope that your child will develop their strengths and a lifetime love of learning.
Please contact me anytime! (573) 214-3550 ext 59003 or email: eryberg@cpsk12.org
Sincerely,
Beth Ryberg, M.Ed., LPC
Ridgeway School Counselor
Professional experience: I have been an Elementary School Counselor for the past 9 years. I am also a Licensed Professional Counselor and have worked in a variety of settings with families and children with special needs including Counselor of teens in residential care with dual diagnosis, and private practice., Other: Preschool Teacher, Children’s Librarian. Prior Volunteer experiences include Sunday School Teacher, Coordinator of Rainbows for All God’s Children, and Children’s Ministry Board Member. Interests include spending time with family (I became a grandma in 2020! :)) friends, church activities, music/ concerts, reading, and exercise in the great outdoors.
PTSA News
New Ridgeway shirts are here! - Orders due September 30
Check out this year's great design and variety of apparels options. All orders are done online using the link below. Ordering ends September 30, so order yours today!
Looking to get involved and help out at Ridgeway?
Join the PTSA! Many hands make it happen—the first meeting will be Tuesday, September 14 at 6:30 pm in the Media Center. Childcare is provided.