RES Rocket Weekly

Dear Ridge Students and Families,

As we continue with the online instructional programs and print packets, we are so proud of all of our kiddos for their hard work and efforts. We know and understand that this has not been an easy process for many and we appreciate everyone's efforts.

Keep hanging in there and we will get through this!

Keep up the great work and send us pictures of our students at work! It's been great seeing all of our students through the pictures shared thus far!

May you and your loved ones stay healthy and hopeful.

Working together collaboratively and collectively, our students will continue to soar to great heights!

Sincerely, with warm wishes,

Mrs. Batelka

Continuous Learning Opportunities began on Tuesday, April 14th.

Students in grades Kindergarten through 5th Grade are accessing the online program Imagine Learning.

• Classroom teachers will be monitoring participation and progress within the online instructional platforms (Imagine Learning Language & Literacy and Imagine Learning Math) for English Language Arts and Math.

Students unable to access the internet or technology will receive print packets.

• Classroom teachers will also monitor participation and progress for students accessing print materials. However, the participation process is still being determined (packets are to be returned once schools are open again) and feedback on progress will not be as timely.

Pre-K students will receive printed materials from Central Office.

Specials (Art, Media, Music, and PE) have worked to identify optional activities for students to work on and participate in during the period of school closure.

Any optional instructional activities, for content areas, provided by the classroom teacher will not be used to monitor a student's participation and progress during the period of school closure.

Academics:

• English Language Arts - 20 minutes (Primary) and 30 minutes (Intermediate)
• Math - 30 minutes
• Written Language (Optional) - 20 minutes
• Social Studies (Optional) - 20 minutes
• Science (Optional) - 20 minutes

Specials (Optional):

• Art - Draw a picture or make a craft
• Media - Read for 20 minutes
• Music - Sing a song or make up a beat
• PE - Participate in a physical activity for 60 minutes

For students working on the online platforms:

• Log into Clever to access Imagine Learning Language & Literacy for 20 minutes (Primary) and 30 minutes (Intermediate).
• Students need to complete the assignments independently as the computer-based program will adjust activities based upon student responses.

For students working on print materials:

• 30 minutes of English Language Arts

All students: Read for 20 minutes.

For students working on the online platforms:

• Log into Clever to access Imagine Math for 30 minutes.

• Students need to complete the assignments independently as the computer-based program will adjust activities based upon student responses.

For students working on print materials:

• 30 minutes of Math

Pre-K - 2nd: Click here for a template with writing lines

• Magical Monday: I wish...
• Teach Me Tuesday: My favorite thing about my teacher...
• Weather Wednesday: I love it when it is a ________ day (sunny/rainy/cloudy/snowy/windy...
• Tell Me a Story Thursday: Once upon a time in a land far far away...
• Fitness Friday: When I'm outside I like to...

See below for a calendar of Optional Free Write Questions of the Day for Primary Students.

3rd through 5th:

• Magical Monday: What magic trick do you wish you could do? Why?
• Teach Me Tuesday: Write directions on how to make something. Send it to your teacher to try and make!
• Weather Wednesday: If you could control a type of weather, what would it be? Why?
• Tell Me a Story Thursday: Once upon a time in a land far far away...
• Fitness Friday: Write about the best outdoor game to play and why its the best.

See below for a calendar of Optional Free Write Questions of the Day for Intermediate Students.

Family Traditions - Click here!

A family tradition is a special family activity passed down from one generation to the next. These are not just about holidays, but rather other unique activities that make up a family’s traditions. Examples can be:

• Family vacations to the same place each year

• Yearly family reunions

• Eating special meals together on special occasions

• Telling important family stories

Task #1: Please talk with a family member about family traditions and any new traditions that you wish to continue.

Task #2: Create a list of traditions and look for pictures that illustrate them.

Task #3: Complete the graphic organizer.

Task #4: Create a Family Tradition Booklet

Please email Mrs. Goddard if you would like a copy mailed to you.

Outdoor Science Scavenger Hunts!

• General Science Scavenger Hunt: This is a fun outdoor activity for students and their family members to look for examples of science concepts in their backyards!

• Slow Changes Scavenger Hunt: This is a fun outdoor activity for students and their family members to look for evidence of slow changes rights in their backyards!

Solar Still Investigation!

• Materials: Large bowl or container, cup shorter than the bowl, water, salt or sugar, food coloring, juice/soda/water-based liquid, plastic wrap, small rock

• Day 1: Separate a Solution

• Day 2: Follow-up Investigation

• Day 3: Choice Activity

Send pictures via email or ClassDojo to Mrs. Batelka

to posted next week!

Be creative and have fun!

• Draw a picture or work on a craft!
• Click here to access SMCPS Activity Choice Boards

The activities being provided follow the National Art Standards and are modified in-class art lessons.

Students are being encouraged to complete at least one art activity weekly, but this is not required.

Each choice board provides instructions and guides for 6 different activities!

Additional links suggested by Mr. McCracken:

• Smithsonian: National Portrait Gallery
• Digital Workshops
• FEELartistic
• Incredible Art Department
• Skill-Share Art Activities
• Art Projects for Kids (how to draw)

Mr. McCracken would appreciate seeing any artwork your students complete, and he is happy to provide any feedback if desired! Mr. McCracken may be reached through his school email hmmccracken@smcps.org.

Media: Get into a comfy space and curl up with a good book or access read alouds and audiobooks!

• Pre-K through 2nd Grade Read Alouds
• 3rd through 5th Grade Read Alouds

The Media Center has a site that gives you access to at home activities, ebooks, read alouds, online databases, optional lessons, and other helpful resources. Enjoy, and have some fun with the opportunities on this site!

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Mrs. Deeney at jmdeeney@smcps.org.

Children's Books Emoji Pictionary!

Can you figure out what the titles of these books are based on the emojis?

Click here for the answer key when you are ready to see how you did!

Send pictures of our kiddos working through this challenge

via email or ClassDojo to Mrs. Deeney and Mrs. Batelka to be posted next week!

Music: Make some noise, sing a song, and let the music make you smile!

• Make up a song or your own beat using pots and pans!
• Click here for K - 2nd Grade Music Lessons
• Click here for 3rd - 5th Grade Music Lessons

Students in 1st -5th Grades may also receive a Google Classroom invite from Mr. Earley in their school email. This contains a class assignment (with no due date or points assigned) that links to the same site with the optional music activities.

Students may choose to submit a music activity for Mr. Earley to see and comment upon via email. Mr. Earley's email address is: bnearley@smcps.org.

See below for a music picture shared this week!

Keep sending them as we love seeing our students

making music at home!

Physical Education (PE): Get those muscles moving and keep your body heathy!

• Goal is to participate in a physical activity for 60 minutes
• Click here to access the OPENPhys Ed Program via Clever

Students are asked to record their physical activity time using a Physical Activity Log - Click here.

Mrs. Simmons has asked, when possible, for students to return the log via email or parents via ClassDojo (picture) on the following schedule:

• Monday: Kindergarten
• Tuesday: 1st Grade
• Wednesday: 2nd and 3rd Grades
• Thursday: 4th Grade
• Friday: 5th Grade

Click here for Fitness and Character Education Videos (Access Code: home)

Ridge students have been taking advantage of the nice weather and it shows in their PE minutes.

Mrs. Simmons wants to recognize the following students for physical activity logs last week!

• James Jahn for 545 minutes last week
  
• Kyler Cotugno for 480 minutes last week
• Landon David for 480 minutes last week
• Caitlin Coon for 460 minutes last week
• Lexis Thelen for 440 minutes last week
• Olivai Thelen for 440 minutes last week

Some fun activities have included kayaking, roller skating, playing tag, and swimming. Keep up the good work!

Ms. Cox is available as a resource to communicate with parents. Feel free to email her if you would like her to call you in reference to mental health resources and/or help pertaining to your student or family concerns.

There is a resource folder in Clever that includes counseling lessons for students and families to access during Distance Learning. Families can find Social/Emotional lessons created by SMCPS School Counselors. New lessons will be uploaded throughout the weeks.

In addition, click here for Mental Health resources available and shared via the SMCPS website.

As our families work with their children (overseeing, monitoring, and supporting) work both within the online platforms and print packets, we have received questions on how best to support our students.

See below for 7 Helpful Tips on Sharing Feedback with your Child.

The Children's Mental Health Matters! Campaign is a collaboration of the Mental Health Association of Maryland & the Maryland Coalition of Families with support from the Maryland Department of Health - Behavioral Health Administration. The Campaign goal, with School & Community Champions across the state, is to raise public awareness of the importance of children's mental health.

Please see below for daily calendar tips for fostering resilience in your child!

We know all of this is difficult. Many of us are working at home while trying to help our own kids learn, and many teachers (and your principal) have similar issues - kids needing help, kids sharing devices, glitchy internet, internet getting bogged down because we are working at the same time our kids are learning, etc.

Each week, we will post some distance learning tips!

Please remember: We're in this together and please reach out if you need anything!

It's not too late!

Our community businesses have been working hard to support our overall community during this historic period. These businesses have continued to stay open to provide essential items for our community and we'd like to express to them our appreciation!

• Coloring Thank You Template
• Thanks for being a Friend of Ridge Template
• You are Appreciated Template

• If you need a copy of template please email Mrs. Batelka and one or more will be mailed to you this week.

• Once done, take a picture and email it to Mrs. Batelka.

• All submitted "Thank You" letters will be printed and mailed to our local community businesses as they have stayed open to provide essentials for all of us during this period of time.

Dear School Family,

Before your students embarked on their distance learning adventure, they all worked very hard on their Square 1 Art projects.

Ridge Elementary and Square 1 Art wanted all families to have the opportunity to still be able to purchase the artwork. Therefore, all Square 1 Art orders placed before June 30,2020, are eligible to be delivered directly to your home and have a limited time flat fee of $4.95 at checkout.

This change has been made by Square 1 Art in order to provide an easy, safe way for you to receive your order due to school closings. (After June 30, 2020, Retail Orders may still be made online, but the shipping fee will change to our regular Retail Order ship fees.)

To Search for Your Child Art Code online:

• Simply go to https://shop.square1art.com/shop/
• Click on "Find Your Child's Art"
• Enter your state, school name, and your child's name

Your child's art code will appear. Once you enter your child's art code provided, you may view your child's art, and order products!

Mobile Users: If you are already logged in to your Square 1 Art account, and do not see "Find Your Child's Art", scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and click on "view full site" and the page will re-load and you will see, "Find Your Child's Art Code".

If you have any questions please email Ms. Knight @ jaknight@smcps.org

Stay safe and stay healthy!

Ridge Elementary and Square 1 Art Staff

Although this year's 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony may look different, we do know that the students will have a promotion in some way or form!

The following things are needed for all 5th Grade students:

• A baby picture of your child for the traditional promotion slideshow
• A current photo of your child wearing sunglasses to match "Our Futures Are So Bright" theme
• Any photos you have from this school year or previous school years of your child with fellow 5th Grade classmates

Please send phots to your child's homeroom teacher (Ms. Shively or Ms. Steiger) via email or a ClassDojo message.

SMCPS ITS has installed External Wireless Access Points that will broadcast a WiFi signal into our parking lots for SMCPS staff and students at the following locations:

High Schools

• CHS

• GHMS

• JAFCTC

• LHS

Elementary Schools

• DES

• GWCES
  

• EES

• LMDES

• RES

Access is restricted to individuals with an official SMCPS email address. Students and staff can log in with their SMCPS credentials. Visit www.smcps.org for details.

Below are screen shots on how to connect to the smcps Connect wifi hotspots. You can click here for the PDF Document.

Internet Service Providers Wireless Hotspots for Subscriber and Non-Subscriber Links:

Atlantic Broadband (ABB) has 50 locations - Click here for locations

• ABB has introduced “Atlantic Broadband Internet Assist” for a limited time for residents in need in its service areas who do not presently have internet with Atlantic Broadband.
• The new 15 x 1 Mbps service, normally priced at $9.99 per month plus taxes, will be offered free for 60 days.
• New Atlantic Broadband Internet Assist customers also will receive free installation and a free modem with the service.
• If the house does not currently have a connection to ABB, requests for a reduced connection fee would be considered on a case by case basis.

Comcast - Click here for locations

• Internet Essentials Free to New Customers.
• New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month.
• Additionally, for all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service was increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream.
• That increase will go into effect for no additional fee and it will become the new base speed for the program going forward.

Parents/Guardians may not access both the packet and Imagine Learning. Parents/Guardians must choose one or the other, based on each family's needs. If a parent/guardian is looking for additional resources, see the options in Clever, or options that teachers may have provided to you.

Imagine Learning is Dynamic:

• Pre-assessments will help identify students’ current proficiency levels in math and reading, and match instruction to their current level. Additionally, the platform is adaptive and will continue to gather information as students progress and adjust lessons to their needs.
• Lessons include incentives and instructional portions. Videos will provide students with instruction related to the independent work and earning tokens will incentivize students and help keep students interested.

• Imagine Learning will provide teachers immediate information to let them know how students are progressing through the lessons.

• Students need to complete the assignments independently as the computer-based program will adjust activities based upon student responses.
  

• In summary, Imagine Learning will be engaging, adaptive, and dynamic and provides access to instructional activities that students are not receiving directly from their teachers at this time. It will make learning easier for both students and parents, and provide teachers with immediate information about the progress to their students.

By Contrast, Printed Packets will be Static:

• There is no assessment to judge the current level, and will not be adjusted to the independent work level, or change for students. Students will receive the grade-level packet according to their assigned grade.

• Additionally, no instruction will be included with the print packets. They still provide something for your children to do, but they are not the best/first option.

• The process for gathering packets, for our RES students, is still being developed and there won't be the same real-time feedback provided to their teachers that Imagine Learning offers.

• Understanding that access to the internet or technology may be difficult for some families, we do want to continue to provide something to your children, and that is the intended use for the packets.

Families Needing Print Packets:

• Families who do not have the resources to support the online platform for continuous learning and need paper copies should contact Mrs. Batelka.
• Please be sure to include the student's full name and best contact information.

If there are technical difficulties - contact your child's teacher. If he/she can’t help, he/she will go to the appropriate tech support.

If there are multiple kids sharing devices, consider adjusting the schedule for them to work at different times. Elementary students only need an hour a day to participate online. This also might help if the internet speed is not supporting everyone working at the same time.

Imagine Learning works best using Google Chrome.

Please try working through issues before giving up and going to packets. At least one week of trying would be a good place to start.

Click here to access the link for Imagine Learning at Home Resource Site

Click here to access the SMCPS Online Learning Frequently Asked Questions

See below for tips on what to do when your child is struggling and click here for the full PDF Document.

Students are currently able to access these platforms through the Clever app. This single sign-on portal uses their SMCPS login information. Once your student has logged in through the portal, he/she will be logged into all applications found there.

• Student Username: Initials and last 4 digits of Student ID (lunch number)
• Student Password: Student ID (lunch number)

Example for Clever login:

• Student Name: Jeffrey Scott Gibson
• Student ID: 123456
• Student Username: jsg3456
• Student Password: 123456

If you need assistance with your student's ID Number, please contact your child's classroom teacher or Mrs. Goddard and someone will follow-up with you to provide assistance.

If your student is unable to log into Clever, and you have verified his/her student ID Number, please email your classroom teacher. Classroom teachers will forward Clever Login issues through an internal process to be addressed as appropriate. Follow-up will be conducted via email with the parent/guardian reporting the issue.

The primary method of communication with both students and families will be via email.

• Students in Pre-K and Kindergarten do not have an email address; therefore there is no direct communication between these students and their teacher. However, parents may contact the classroom teacher via email as needed.
• Students (1st through 5th Grade) are able to email teachers via their SMCPS email if they have questions regarding their online instructional program activities, the print materials (for those without internet access or technology), and the optional Art, Media, Music, and PE activities.
• Click here if you need assistance with your child's being able to access his/her email. If a student is still unable to access his/her email account, after viewing and following the directions in the PDF, please contact Mrs. Goddard (bdgoddard@smcps.org).

Classroom teachers will not be providing direct instruction during this period on online instruction.

Classroom teachers will be monitoring student participation in Imagine Learning Language & Literacy and Math.

Classroom teachers will be providing feedback on progress in the Imagine Learning Language & Literacy and Math Programs at least weekly via email.

Please note: Classroom teachers will not be sending individualized assignments or activities to students/families. Although optional activities may be provided (e.g., Freckle or Story Works) these activities will not be used to determine student participation or progress during this period of online instruction for our students.

At this time, SMCPS Staff may not interact with students with face-to-face technology (e.g., Face-Time or Zoom) and all communications with students are to be conducted via the student's SMCPS email. Students in 1st through 5th Grade have access to a SMCPS email.

RES Staff are available, beginning Tuesday, April 14th, to respond to email communications from both parents and students, during their designated Office Hours.

• Click here to access all Office Hours for RES Staff.
• RES Staff will be available via email to answer and respond to any questions parents or students may have.
• Although Staff may be available outside of these times, depending upon their schedules, please be aware that responses to any communications received outside of these hours may be delayed.
• In advance, thank you for your patience, flexibility, and understanding!

Please note: Email addresses are not hyperlinked.

Throughout this period of extended school closure, St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) is providing continuous opportunities for learning.

This is not our normal way of doing business, so there are many questions. We will provide ongoing updates for these questions.

• Click here for the SMCPS Update 6 (May 14, 2020)
• Click here for the SMCPS Update 5 (May 7, 2020)
• Click here for the SMCPS Update 4 (April 30, 2020)
• Click here for the SMCPS Update 3 (April 22, 2020)
• Click here for the SMCPS Update 2 (April 16, 2020)
• Click here for the SMCPS Update 1 (April 9, 2020)

We are working on a process for students to retrieve belongings from the school. Each school will communicate this process with families before the conclusion of the school year.

Information will be posted to Home Access Center beginning May 22 providing information about course placement for Grade 6.

If a parent has a question about course placement, please contact Mrs. Batelka via email and a phone conference will be arranged to discuss any questions.

• The 4th Marking Period will be graded Pass/Incomplete based on students’ participation and progress in the online platforms, or paper packets as appropriate.
• Teachers are monitoring progress in the online platforms and are aware of the students who have received paper packets.
• The weighting of the 4th marking period grades in the final grade calculation will be determined based on the date of school reopening.

5th Grade recording of a student’s “participation and progress” in HAC in the 4th quarter will be captured as follows:

• Teachers will only use TAC/HAC as a recordation device for auditing purposes for each student’s “participation and progress.”

• Students receive one of the following alpha marks each week during MP4 that schools are closed. They are as follows:

• P – Participated,

• NP – Not Participated,

• PCC – Packet Check-In Completed, and

• NPCC – No Packet Check-In Completed.

The Division of Instruction presented the plan for grading during this fourth quarter to the Board of Education on Wednesday, April 29. The presentation can be viewed HERE on our YouTube Channel.

The Superintendent presented an updated plan for commencement for the Class of 2020 for all SMCPS high schools.

This presentation was shared with the Board of Education on May 6, and can be viewed HERE on our YouTube Channel.

• The State Board of Education has waived five of the ten missed days of school.
• The three built-in makeup days will be used, along with April 27 and April 28 now being school days.
• The last day of school will be June 18.

The Pre-K and Head Start application process, as well as Kindergarten registration, will begin when schools reopen. Visit www.smcps.org/ssp for more information.

• Census 2020 is underway, and it's important that we make sure our families and communities are counted.
• The U.S. census — a once in a 10-year count of U.S. residents — determines how and where federal funding will be spent over the next decade.
• For each person counted in St. Mary's County, we receive more than $18,000 in federal funds, which pay for our schools, public services, and many other programs that directly impact our community.
• Visit my2020census.gov, or call into 1-844-330-2020.
• It takes less than 10 minutes for you to fill it out.

The drive-up lunch service will continue from, Monday-Friday, at the locations listed below from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Meals will be offered to all children 18 years and younger free of charge. Parents and children can walk or drive up to these locations and receive meals that they can take home during our current school closures.

Leonardtown Elementary School

22885 Duke Street

Leonardtown, MD 20650

Greenview Knolls Elementary School

45711 Military Lane

Great Mills, MD 20634

Margaret Brent Middle School

29675 Point Lookout Road

Mechanicsville, MD 20659

Lexington Park Elementary School

46763 Shangri-La Drive

Lexington Park, MD 20653

For more information visit our website.

Additional Community Sites:

St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen, 20850 Langley Rd., Lexington Park is distributing take-and-go meals between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday. One meal per person.

The soup kitchen also has bagged lunch distribution sites on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with a Pop-Up Pantry on Wednesdays between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot at the following locations:

• Ridge - Dollar General, 13270 Point Lookout Rd.

• Piney Point- Chief's Restaurant, 44584 Tall Timbers Rd.
  

• Charlotte Hall - April's Pools, on the corner of Rt. 5 and Rt. 6
  

• Bushwood – Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 23080 Maddox Rd.
  

For more information on the St. Mary’s Caring program, call 301-863-5700.

This year's event has been cancelled.

All proceeds raised thus far will transfer to next year's event.

An October event is being planned to recognize the efforts of our Relay for Life Teams across the county.

Individuals are still able to join our team - Click here!

Stay tuned for upcoming news!

FOR will meet again (virtually via Zoom) on Tuesday, June 9th at 5:30pm.

Please email Mrs. Batelka if you would like to be invited to attend the Zoom Meeting!

We hope to see more of our families as we work together to plan activities for our students and staff.

Working together, we're building a strong School Family!

Click on the site below to access the Friends of Ridge (FOR) the Kids Site for additional news and information. Also be sure to join the FOR Facebook group using the link above!

Website: https://sites.google.com/smcps.org/respto/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FriendsOfRidge/

Please click here to access a folder of RES Staff members' "favorite" things.

FOR meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of the month with alternating times of 4:15pm and 5:30pm to accommodate the availability of parents and families.

As many families may not be able to attend evening meetings, other options are available to support and participate in activities FOR the Kids. Meeting notes will be posted below for families unable to attend meetings and notifications of volunteer opportunities will be shared via our Rocket Weekly for Families and ClassDojo.

Previous Meetings are posted below:

• April 2020 Meeting Notes - Will be posted once ready
• March 2020 Meeting Notes - Will be posted once ready
• February 2020 Meeting Notes
• January 2020 Meeting Notes
• December 2019 Meeting Notes
• November 2019 Meeting Notes
• October 2019 Meeting Notes
• September 2019 Meeting Notes

Offering several different items to show your RES Pride all year!

Orders may be made at any time and most items come in a variety of color combinations.

If a paper copy is needed to place an order please contact the RES Main Office and one will be sent home.

Please click here to access the site.

Please follow us: @res_smcps. We will be using Twitter for updates and reminders as well as a means of showcasing for everyone all of our Ridge Pride!