South Ridge Elementary
Home of the Roadrunners
Welcome Back Roadrunners!
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,
Welcome back to South Ridge Elementary for the 2023/24 school year! I hope this letter finds you all in good health and high spirits. As we embark on a new academic year, I would like to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to both our returning students and those joining us for the first time.
We are thrilled to be starting this academic year with such an exceptional group of students, dedicated parents, and talented staff. Together, we form a strong community committed to fostering a positive and enriching learning environment.
At South Ridge, our mission has always been to provide a well-rounded education that nurtures not just academic excellence but also promotes the development of character, critical thinking, creativity, and a sense of responsibility towards the community. As we move forward, we will continue to uphold our core values and work tirelessly to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive space for each and every student.
We are proud to announce that over the summer, our school has undergone some exciting developments!
Thanks to a grant obtained through the ESD, we have added a new nature trail around our playground to enhance the learning experience and provide more opportunities for outdoor learning activities. This is phase 1 of a plan to grow more outdoor learning environments for our students. We are grateful to have this new addition to our space.
Speaking of the playground, you will notice that we have updated our playground equipment! Our play space makeover will provide a more inclusive space for all of our students.
As we embark on this new school year together, let us remember that each day is an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to make a positive impact on the world. Let's support and encourage one another, and together, we can achieve great things.
We look forward to a fantastic year filled with laughter, exploration, and discovery. Welcome back to school! Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated staff. Wishing you all a successful and fulfilling academic year!
Warm regards,
Jill Neyenhouse, Principal
Tawny Malone, Assistant Principal
South Ridge Elementary
Important Information
Class placements will be released the week of August 21. There is much thought, effort and time that goes into appropriately placing each child. We want to make sure that each class is equitable in size and make up so that every student can have a successful learning experience at South Ridge.
Our Back to School Night is August 28th, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. This is your opportunity to drop off supplies, meet your student’s teacher, and find their classroom. We will have food trucks on site to enjoy hotdogs and sweet treats . I hope to see many of you at this event! In order to mitigate the number of people we have on campus at a time, we are asking families with a last name starting with A-L to attend from 5:30-6:15 and M-Z to attend from 6:15-7:00.
The first day of school for Grades 1-4 is August 30th. Kindergarteners will start on September 5th. School begins at 9:05 (except on Wednesdays 10:05) and students are welcome to arrive at 8:50, especially if they are eating breakfast at school. Our release time is 3:35 every day. School supply lists are posted on the school website (click here).
Important Kindergarten Dates
Transportation
The first day of school for the 2023-24 school year is Wednesday, August 30th for grades 1-12 and Tuesday, September 5th for Kindergarten. In order to ride the bus to school, new students must first register with Ridgefield School District’s transportation services provider, KWRL Transportation. Note that registration is not required if your student was previously registered in the district and rode the bus during the previous school year.
Bus transportation is not available for students on a choice transfer or in-district transfer. Per the transfer agreement, you are responsible for transporting your students.
Registration to ride the bus is required if:
- Your student is an incoming Kindergartener
- Your student is new to the Ridgefield School District
- Your student has never ridden the bus before but will for the 2023-24 school year
- You have changes to your existing registration (like a change of address, alternate stop additions, etc.)
Before registering with KWRL, students must first be registered with the Ridgefield School District and have an active Skyward account (you will use your Skyward credentials to sign in to KWRL’s registration portal). If you need to register with the Ridgefield School District, get started at www.ridgefieldsd.org/o/district/page/boundaries-enrollment-transfers.
If you already have your Skyward credentials and are ready to register with KWRL for bus transportation, the links to register are:
- For incoming Kindergartners: www.kwrl.org/kindergarten-bus-registration
- For students in grades 1-12: www.kwrl.org/school-bus-registration
If you have a change of plans that varies from your student's normal means of transportation home, PLEASE LET THE OFFICE KNOW by calling, or emailing: kathy.andrew@ridgefieldsd.org.
GUIDELINES Parent Drop off/Pick Up
We utilize LOT A (by main office) for our KWRL bussing and licensed daycare transportation before and after school.
Parent drop off and pick up is designated to LOT B (the newer building, see visuals below for specifics).
Thank you for adhering to the guidelines for parent drop off and pick up. Observe the directions provided by staff in Lot B for arrival and dismissal. This guidance is in place to ensure the safety of students and yourself during a time with moving vehicles. We do our best to get students on and off of campus in a timely manner. Following these expectations helps to expedite the process.
If you have a change of plans that varies from your student's normal means of transportation home, PLEASE LET THE OFFICE KNOW by calling, or emailing: kathy.andrew@ridgefieldsd.org.
NEW Parent Drop Off/Pick Up Traffic Flow
Absences
Your child’s daily, on-time attendance is critical to their success in school. And while some challenges to your child’s school attendance are unavoidable, it is important to understand the impact of each absence. When your child is not in class, they are missing out on critical learning.
Whether the absence is excused or unexcused it is important for parents to contact the Attendance Office before 9:15am to excuse their student’s absence/tardy. Your student will be marked as “truant” until the absence is verified by an adult.
You may report absences in writing, by calling the Attendance Office, entering the absence on skyward or email to: kathy.andrew@ridgefieldsd.org.
NEW: Before and After School Roadrunner Club
The club will run daily from 7:30-9:00am and 3:30-5:00 pm.
Cost: $23 per day if only before school OR after school, $38 for both before AND after.
Please express interest here for more information. Spaces are limited and we hope to continue to grow so more Roadrunners can join.
Meal Information
Costs for cafeteria meals:
Breakfast: $1.80
Lunch: $3.30
Just Milk: $.0.50
Parents/Guardians are responsible for paying all meal charges on the student's account. You may pre-pay, and pay account balances online. Parents will receive an alert when your student meal account is low. We HIGHLY ENCOURAGE families to use the online payment system, as turning in checks/cash at the school is time consuming for the office, and often gets lost from point A to point B with younger children. It may take up to 2 days for your payment to process.
It is the District’s intent to ensure all students have access to healthy and nutritious food regardless of income levels. Families in financial need will be provided an application to determine eligibility for the free and reduced meal program. This year there is no cost for meals if your family qualifies for Free OR Reduced meal service. Applications are available by contacting the student’s school building, the district office, through Skyward Family Access, or using this link. A NEW APPLICATION is required each year. Families can also contact the Ridgefield School District Family Resource Center to request other financial assistance, or receive additional services.
Health Office
South Ridge PTA
About Us
Location: 502 NW 199th St, Ridgefield, WA, USA
Phone: 3606191500
Facebook: facebook.com/SRESRoadrunners