The Cedar Ridge Weekly
August 16, 2020
Message from Dr. Ramirez
Dear Cedar Ridge Learning Community,
Welcome to the first week of school. We are both excited and somewhat nervous about moving to a remote educational program to start the year. This is one for the books.
As staff at CRHS, we are doing our very best to make things run as smoothly as possible. We do anticipate that there will be start-up issues. We ask that you be patient, understanding, and thoughtful of our teachers and staff as we work through whatever challenges may arise. We are sure to learn from them.
This weekly newsletter is focused on ways to stay connected as we move to remote learning. Two-way communication will be key to a successful transition. Please make sure to read our messages and check in on your student’s Canvas and emails daily for the first several weeks of school. Teachers will be communicating with students through Canvas and emails.
Again, thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we collectively move to a new format.
Yours,
Dr. Ramirez
First day of School Instructions and Attendance
All classes should appear in Canvas before the school day begins on Monday.
How to start your classes.
1. Log in to Rapid Identity.
2. Click the Canvas icon.
3. In Canvas, review the tabs. Check your inbox for special start-up messages.
4. Click the appropriate link.
Some teachers have sent out information and instructions through your Gmail account. If you have not received any notifications from your teachers by Monday morning, please email them as soon as possible. They will be able to resend or provide you the access information. If you don't have a computer, please stop by the school to get one. If you have computer issues, please create a help desk ticket.
Here are some important links:
If you have questions about accessing accounts, please contact Josh Miller our Digital Learning Coach:
Mobile- 1-919 885-4230
School- 1-919-245-4000 x21060
Please email any school administrator if you have questions.
Student Bell Schedule
Distance Education Resources
https://docs.google.com/document/d/15bTdorOKOFGi4SKIMgiT9Q4NGn8LIc4AhzoTkiB3gTw/edit?ts=5f350d9d
Highlighted programs include:
Chromebook
A quick Go To for your questions about Chromebook and its differences from home computers.
How to open your Chromebook.
The first time a student logs into their Chromebook they need to add a person.
How to sign out of your Chromebook.
How to to connect through a filter system to keep your student safe on the internet.
Learn how to use the trackpad on the keyboard instead of an external mouse.
How to connect to the internet.
How to access resources used by Orange County teachers through a one-step process.
Learn what to do when your Chromebook screen turns black to save battery life.
How to log on to a Chromebook after the account has been created
How to browse the Internet.
How to add bookmarks to your Internet browser.
How to use the built in camera.
External Mouse
How to connect an external mouse.
Allow Camera/Microphone Access
How to use your camera and microphone for communication.
Learn what each button means on the top row.
New feature in tablet style Chromebooks to offer more space for students to do work.
Access on-screen keyboard (touchscreen Chromebooks only)
How to turn on the on-screen keyboard when you have the Chromebook in tablet mode.
Ctrl+shift+refresh- rotate screen
Learn how to correctly adjust the Chromebook screen.
Back-to-School-Night Teacher Recordings
Please click this link to access the recordings of each teachers' presentation. We hope to have all recordings posted within the next few days.
Calendar with Important Dates
Aug. 17- 20: Canvas Training for Parents & Students, 12-1(drop in, see website for links)
Aug. 17- First day of school
Aug. 19 - IB Parent Booster Meeting, 6-7 p.m
Sept. 7- Labor Day Holiday -no school
Sept. 8 - PTSO Meeting
Sept. 22 - Staff Development day; students learn remotely.
Please note: All meeting links will be available on our school website.
To see the OCS 2020-21 District Calendar, click here:
IB Update
Please join us for our first IB Parent Boosters meeting of the year!
Wednesday, August 19 from 6-7 pm
Topic: Cedar Ridge IB Boosters: Welcome meeting
Time: Aug 19, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://orange-k12-nc-us.zoom.us/j/87470486282?pwd=MUowQWJEVHpMMVluUmk4aTVWRXV0QT09
Meeting ID: 874 7048 6282
Passcode: 89met2
**All IB and pre-IB families are welcome!**
If you are interested in joining but unable to attend, please email our President, Deborah Momsen-Hudson at dmomsenhudson@gmail.com
Parents, please check the IB Open House document (divided by Class of 2021 and Class of 2022) shared last week for our teachers' recorded presentations if you were unable to attend our Open House. Thank you to those who were able to join us, and we look forward to working with you this year!
Cedar Ridge Guidance Update
Here are the latest updates:
Check out the Counseling Department website. CRHS Counseling Department
Counselors will be launching appointment slots. Select one to schedule a meeting with your counselor.
Grade level Parent Nights will be held in September and October.
Counselors will schedule individual meetings with seniors to discuss plans for post graduation. These will begin in September.
The 9th counselor will be reaching out to students to facilitate the transition to high school.
Counseling assignments for the year:
All 9th grade: Mary-Katherine Scheppegrell
10-12 A-G: Mrs. Tiffany Brooks
10-12 H-Ra: Mr. Greg Walters
10-12 Re -Z: Mrs. D.J. Pappas
Cedar Ridge High School PTSO
Welcome CRHS families from your PTSO!
All CRHS families are automatic members of the PTSO and are encouraged to participate. Our goal is to help and support our teachers and school. We host teacher appreciation events throughout the year and also fund an academic mini-grant program that awards teachers with small grants for classroom projects and supplies.
Our activities are supported through voluntary donations from parents, teachers, and the community. No membership dues or sales fundraisers! We simply rely on your contributions throughout the year, which may include donations or sending in items for teacher events, or helping us with school or classroom needs that come to our attention.
Please visit the PTSO website for more details and to make a donation: http://crhsptso.weebly.com
PTSO Board meetings are held virtually via Google Meet at 6:30-7:30 PM on the first Monday of every month and everyone is welcome. Please note that the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8 (changed due to Labor Day) at 6:30 PM.
We are currently seeking candidates to fill the Board positions of Vice President, Volunteer Coordinator, and SIT (School Improvement Team) Representative.
If interested in a Board position or to attend our meetings, please contact us at CRHSPTSO@gmail.com
Please join us to support our school, keep informed about school happenings, and get to know other parents and teachers.
You can also help support us by using the Amazon and grocery store rewards programs listed below.
AmazonSmile
Go to smile.amazon.com and select Cedar Ridge High School PTSO as the organization you wish to support. Then every time you make a purchase, start at smile.amazon.com and CRHS PTSO will receive 0.5% of all your eligible purchases.
Harris Teeter Together in Education
Link your VIC card to 5131.
Lowes Foods Fresh Rewards
No school number needed. Link your card:
Weaver Street School SCRIP program
Load a Weaver Street gift card with money and give them the school code 224 at the time of the transaction. THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS THE CO-OP NUMBER! Use the gift card to pay for purchases. Each quarter, CRHS PTSO will get 5% of sales paid for with these gift cards. Cards can be reloaded when they reach a zero balance.
And join us on Facebook!
Bad Internet Access?
Orange County Schools is in the process of ordering new devices to provide hotspots for students and staff who do not have Internet service. There is NO charge for this. If you are in need of a hot spot, check out more information here: https://www.orangecountyfirst.com/Page/826 You may also reach out to Tracy Carver at tracy.carver@orange.k12.nc.us to request a hotspot.
Textbook, Computers, School Pictures, and Senior Portraits
Pictures: Stay tuned. We will be having school pictures!
Computers: If you are a returning OCS student or an incoming 9th-grade student, you may come in during school hours to pick up your computers. For all students, if your computer is broken or if you are missing a power cord, contact the OCS help desk 919-245-4014 or email at ocshelpdesk@orange.k12.nc.us.