Ridgecrest Panther Press
September 6, 2024
We Feel the Need-the Need to SUCCEED!
News from Mrs. Gardner and Mrs. Nguyen
It’s a great day to be a PANTHER!
We are noticing a great deal of students arriving late to school, after our 8:45 bell.
Arriving to school on time is important for student success!
Students that are tardy start their day at a disadvantage. They have to wait in the office to be escorted to class, they miss the morning routine, and they enter class after instruction has begun.
Please do your best to ensure your child is here on time.
We want your child to have the very best experience possible at Ridgecrest which starts in the morning!!!
Please note date change:
DAD'S TAKE YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL moved to 9/18
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gardner
Mrs. Nguyen
PARKING AT THE YMCA
Please Remember that the YMCA is kind enough to let us use their parking lot as long as we park in the back lot. There is NO PARKING in the front of the YMCA. They ask that we park in the back of their building so as not to inconvenience the paying members who need to park out front. The YMCA hours of operation are 6:00am to 8:00pm daily. All cars parked in front of the building, that are not members will be towed at the owners expence.
Upcoming Dates and Events
September
9/13 - PTA Meeting and Movie Night 5:30pm
- LAST DAY to buy Rays Tickets!
9/16-9/20 Start with Hello Week
9/15 -10/15 Hispanic Heritage Month
9/17 -Open House for 4th Grade and Ms. Karst and
- Mr. Joines (Gr. 3) and Ms. Stuart (Gr. 2) Only 5:30 to 6:15pm
9/18 - Dad Take Your Kids to School @ 7:45-8:15am Originally scheduled for 9/17
9/18 - Spirit Night at Raising Cains 3:30 to Close
9/20 - Raise the Flag for the Bucs! Wear Red!
9/22 - Rays Game, 1:40 PM
9/23 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
9/26 - Annual Title 1 Open House and One School/One Book Kick Off!
- First Session - OPEN HOUSE 5:30-6:15
- Second Session - OPEN HOUSE 6:30-7:15
9/27 - Raise the Flag for the Bucs! Wear Red!
October
10/1 - Spirit Night, Texas Road house 3:00pm until closing
10/11 - Coffee with the Principal @ 7:45am
10/14 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
10/18 - Raise the Flag for the Bucs! Wear Red!
- PTA Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat @ 5:30pm
10/25 - iMom’s @ 7:45am
- Raise the Flag for the Bucs! Wear Red!
10/28 - 11/1 PTA Food Drive
November:
11/1 - Food Drive ENDS
11/8 - Raise the Flag for the Bucs! Wear Red!
11/12 - Discovery and SEM Night 5:30pm
11/13 - Great American Teach In
11/22 - All Pro Dads @ 7:45 am
11/25-11/29 - Thanksgiving Holiday
December:
12/2 Students return
12/6 - Raise the Flag for the Bucs! Wear Red!
Take Me Out to the Ballgame!
The Tampa Bay Rays are again offering discounted tickets to students, staff, and their families as part of 2024 Fall Pinellas County School’s Spirit night with the Rays. This year the Pinellas County School’s night is Sunday, September 22nd, at 1:40 pm, vs. the Toronto Blue Jays (there is NO school on Monday, September 23 for students) Tickets will be offered for $25 (up to $70 value) in the following seating categories in the Lower Level while supplies last: Lower Box and Lower Reserved.
This year we are using a link for the parents and staff to go in and purchase their own tickets! We are hoping this makes it a lot easier for people to purchase tickets.
The District link is: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/pinellasspring2024
The deadline to purchase tickets is September 13th through link.
2024-2025 OPEN HOUSE
BECOME A MAD SCIENTIST!
- Join the Mad Scientist Club! Scan the QR code below! Last day for Registration for this 6 week event is September 24! The cost is $106.00 and all supplies are provided.
- Don't miss your chance to change the world!
GREAT AMERICAN TEACH-IN
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
You are invited to come to school and speak with students about your Occupation, Hobby, or Other Area of Interest. You choose the amount of time you wish to spend at our school. Presentations can last for 1 hour or an entire school day! If you are interested in participating in the Great American Teach in, scan the QR code to the right. If you are interested in becoming a VOLUNTEER in any capacity, please contact Candice Barron at: (727)588-3580 or barronc@pcsb.org
Employment Opportunities with Pinellas County Schools
We Need You!
Are you looking for a change in carreer or would you like to work the same hours as your child's school? Well, Pinellas County Schools need you!
Right now Pinellas County Schools is looking for Bus Drivers, Food Service Workers, Paraprofessionals, and Medical Behavior Specialists. There are some requirements for each position. You can learn more about job opportunities at: pcsb.org. Be sure to click on Employment and then ALL Jobs. You may have to create a user name, but all jobs will be listed there with the qualifications for each. PCSB offers benefits to those who qualify along on the job training!
NEW TARDY POLICY
Scholars who are tardy must be escorted into the office lobby by the parent or guardian.
THIS IS INCLUDING SCHOLARS WHO WALK TO SCHOOL.
The adult MUST sign the child in.
How to be Ridgecrest Ready!
- Arrival begins at 8:15 am *No drop offs before 8:15am*
- Dismissal begins at 2:55 pm
- Breakfast is available daily from 8:15-8:45 in the cafeteria
- Crocs, slippers, flip-flops, slides or bubble shoes are not permitted on campus
- Hoods are down w/ no hats or beanies
- Cell phones/wireless communication devices need to be powered off and put away upon arrival
Cell phones/wireless communication devices
The resulting actions will be taken for students not adhering to our Ridgecrest cell phone and/or wireless communication protocols:
- Verbal reminder
- Warning *note home*
- Parent contact to pick up device in office
- Discipline referral
- Discipline referral and action plan
- PARKING
- Please Remember there is NO PARKING in the front of the YMCA, they ask that parents and staff only park in the rear of the building.
- Parking around school is limited, but you may park in the Staff Parking and the Back Field for most events in the evening and during school hours.
- Please DO NOT park in the Bus Circle.
We show KINDNESS at Ridgecrest
Each month our school focuses on a character trait to model, practice and showcase around our campus. For the month of August, we highlight KINDNESS
You can support us by talking about what KINDNESS looks like, sounds like, and feels like at home and at school.
Ways we encourage KINDNESS at school:
- Using kind words
- Ensuring our actions do not disrupt the learning of others
- Treating others the way we want to be treated
COMING SOON!
Coming soon will be a platform for families to praise and recognize any staff member exemplifying our core values. This will be shared directly with our staff and recognized in our weekly staff newsletter. This platform will be ready for submissions next parent newsletter.
CORE VALUES
- Commitment to children, families and the community
- Respectful and caring relationships
- Cultural competence
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Connectedness
SPANISH CLUB
Did you know that Spanish classes are offered here at The Ridge?
Session A:
- All levels
- 8 classes from 8/27 -10/15
- Cost $160.00
Session A & B
- All levels
- 14 classes long from 8/27 - 12/03
- Cost $280.00
Sessions run from 3pm until 4pm. Please email principal.languagemission@gmail.com, or text; 727/278-3828. Hope to see your child in class!
(Ridgecrest Elementary and Pinellas County Schools neither promote nor endorse this program. This is an independant program from PCS.)
STATE MANDATED SAFE SCHOOLS PLAN
House Bill 1473
• All gates or other campus access points that restrict entrance to, or exit from a school campus must be closed and locked when students are on campus.
• All access doors, gates and other access points that allow ingress to, or egress from a school building must be closed and locked at all times.
• Anyone who is aware of a violation of section 1006.07(6)(f), F.S., must report the violation to the school principal.
Due to the new changes, scholars will be escorted by an adult while on campus. This may take additional travel time when tardy or for early dismissals. Please be patient with our front office and plan accordingly.