The Lake Ridge Bridge
September 18, 2021
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From the Principal
Hopefully this message finds you well and in good spirits. Last week wrapped up the 1st Six Weeks. During the week, there were opportunities to engage in hands-on instruction, visits to the LRE Store, t-shirt orders placed, birthday recognitions, a chance to sign up for Cub Scouts, and countless moments to make an impact as a part of the Lake Ridge Elementary family. Dr. Whitaker, Executive Director of Student Services, presented a "Sonic Salute" due to our campus decreasing the number of outstanding free/reduced lunch applications, so we look forward to that percentage continuing to decrease. Having 100% of families complete the application allows us to be placed in the correct reporting group by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and this affects our ability to receive distinctions as a campus.
This week, we kick off the 2nd Six Weeks along with Gear Up Go Get It Week. Scholars, faculty, and families are encouraged to dress up based on the themed days each week. The week will present chances to share information regarding college, career, and military readiness. Spirit t-shirt purchases will also continue online via MyPayments Plus through October 1.
An exciting event that will happen for the first time at Lake Ridge is our participation in the "International Day of Peace" event sponsored by the United Nations on Tuesday, September 21. The United Nations General Assembly declares that each year, this day is devoted to encouraging and strengthening the value of peace by observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire around the world. On Tuesday, all scholars and faculty will take a moment to hold a special observance of peace by singing "Light a Candle for Peace" and signing it in American Sign Language. This will be recorded and uploaded to the United Nations Website, and at 10:30 a.m., Lake Ridge Elementary School will be featured in the 24-hour around the world singing of the song.
We will host our Virtual Open House on Thursday, September 23. Be on the lookout for an email sent directly to you with instructions on how to join the campus-wide session that starts at 5:30 p.m. and the sessions with your child's teacher(s). Each self-contained class/grade level will offer three (3) sessions that share the same information; this will allow parents with multiple children a chance to attend one for each child. Remember that Open House is a chance for teachers to share expectations, highlights, and other important information based on what's transpired so far and what's to come. If time permits, questions will be posed/answered. Specific questions regarding your child's grades/progress will need to be addressed in a private conference at a later time.
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.
Be sure to keep the following dates(s) in mind:
- September 9-October 1: Spirit T-Shirt Orders Placed
- September 15-October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
- September 20-24: College Spirit Week
- September 20-September 24: BOY Assessments Continue (MAP/CLI)
- September 20: 2nd Six Week Begins
- September 20: Attire-Dress for Your Future Career
- September 21: International Day of Peace
- September 21: Attire-Represent a Texas College/University
- September 22: Attire-Represent an HBCU or HSI
- September 23: Attire-Wear Camouflage or Attire for any Military Branch
- September 23: MP1 Report Cards Post in Skyward Family Access
- September 23: Virtual Open House/Title I Meeting at 5:30-7:00 p.m.
- September 24: Wear Longhorn Spirit Gear
Question to Pose to Your Child: What does it take to be prepared for college, a career, or the military?
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
Updates from Our AP
Parents and Guardians,
The LRE Store is a huge success (see pictures below)! Scholars are earning "LRE Bucks" for meeting and exceeding behavior expectations. They are also learning life skills such as budgeting, counting money, and mental math. We want to always have the store, and we could use your help.
If you are able to contribute to the store, that would be great! Most of the items that have been purchased come from the reasonably priced stores. Donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday in the Main Office between 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Thank you parents for all of your support during MAP testing. Scholars are alert and focused on doing their best. This data will be used to address learning gaps and provide opportunities for enrichment to those scholars who are on target.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
We are in this together!
Contact Information: emily.washington@chisd.net; (972) 293-4501 Ext. 5308
Dr. Washington
Counseling & Guidance Corner
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.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated September 15 – October 15. It is a time to honor the contributions, achievements, culture, and history of Hispanic Americans. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Hispanic Heritage Week and in 1988, President Ronald Reagan extended the commemoration for one month to include all Latin and Central American countries. Please check out the LRE Guidance Office for Hispanic Heritage Month activities, live events, and a virtual tour of the Smithsonian Latin Center.
College Awareness Week
CHISD will host its annual GEAR UP & Go Get It Week, September 20th - 24th. This is a collaborative weeklong event, aimed at bringing attention to the options scholars have after high school and supports Student Outcome Goal #1 (increase the percentage of scholars graduating college, career, and military ready). Please see the calendar of events in the LRE Guidance Office. Scholars in grades PK-5 are encouraged to explore college opportunities and experiences through virtual college tours located in the LRE Guidance Office. Remember to tweet out pictures in your college spirit week photos @LRELonghorns and @LRECounselor.
September Guidance Focus
- Suicide Prevention
- College Awareness
- Hispanic Heritage Month
Counseling & Guidance Services: LRE Guidance Office
Counseling Request Form: LRE Counseling Request Form
School Counselor: Rashonda.Johnson@chisd.net
CIS Coordinator: Christopher.Coit@chisd.net
Restorative Services: Emily.Kelly@chisd.net
Upcoming Events
Many have inquired about spirit shirts, and our design for this year has been finalized. Individuals will be able to place orders September 9-October 1. This will also serve as a school-wide fundraiser. Flyers with ordering information will be sent home this week. To place an order online, use the following steps:
- Go to https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome (create an account or sign in)
- Click on Events & Activities.
- Select Fundraisers.
- Choose your sizes needed, and place your order.
Once the ordering window closes, the group order will be placed, and t-shirts will be distributed once received on campus.
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 Principal McCullum 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.
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.
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
- Ongoing: 2021-2022 Registration
- August 30-September 24: BOY Assessments (MAP/CLI)
- September 9-October 1: Spirit T-Shirt Orders Placed
- September 15-October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
- September 20-24: College Spirit Week
- September 20: 2nd Six Week Begins
- September 20: Attire-Dress for Your Future Career
- September 21: International Day of Peace
- September 21: Attire-Represent a Texas College/University
- September 22: Attire-Represent an HBCU or HSI
- September 23: Attire-Wear Camouflage or Attire for any Military Branch
- September 23: MP1 Report Cards Post in Skyward Family Access
- September 23: Virtual Open House/Title I Meeting at 5:30-7:00 p.m.
- September 24: Wear Longhorn Spirit Gear
- October 1: Custodian Appreciation Day
- October 8: Parent Conference Day/No School
- October 11: Fair Day/No School
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