RES Rocket Weekly

Dear Ridge Students and Families,

As Dr. Smith, Superintendent of SMCPS, shared on Friday, April 17th, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon announced that all Maryland public schools will remain closed through Friday, May 15, 2020. If you did not have a chance to hear his message, or read his letter, I encourage you to do so. Please click here for his message to our students and families.

My heart is heavy as I think of the extended closure of our physical school doors. That being said, my heart is FULL as I reflect upon all of the ways our school staff are working to maintain our relationships with our students and families and the amazing response we've had from our families. A heartfelt thanks to all of our families for their patience, their understanding, their support, and especially for the kind words and expressions of gratitude for the efforts our staff have put forth.

Although our school doors are closed, instruction is continuing through our continuous learning opportunities. School staff are available via email to communicate with students and parents/guardians during identified Office Hours. School staff are also available to speak directly with parents/guardians via Google Hangouts. The RES Staff wants our students and families to know that although we are not physically together under one roof, we are thinking of, caring for, and wishing our students and families well!

At the beginning of the school year our staff works with students to identify everyone's "Hopes and Dreams." As our school experience has changed, and we are no longer together, our school staff continues to hang onto our Hopes and Dreams for our students. Although adjusted a bit, the message is the same, in that we hope and dream our students are continuing to grow throughout our school year.

Click here for a special message from school staff to our RES students!

May you and your loved ones stay healthy and hopeful. Working together collaboratively and collectively, we will all get through this.

Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding.

Sincerely, with warm wishes,

Mrs. Batelka

Continuous Learning Opportunities began on Tuesday, April 14th

and will continue through Friday, May 15th.

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 reading 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 - 30 minutes
• 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

Although schools are closed and most of us are teleworking, we are still making efforts to recognize and celebrate our military children.

Naval District Washington is continuing with plans to Purple Up on Wednesday, April 22, however, now we will do it virtually!

Wear purple and upload your pictures here! If you're unable to upload, please email or ClassDoJo pictures to Mrs. Batelka.

For students working on the online platforms:

• Log into Clever to access Imagine Learning Language & Literacy 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 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:

• Monday: That was Funny... (click here for a template)
• Tuesday: I Love... (click here for a template)
• Wednesday: Did You Know... (click here for a template)
• Thursday: My Favorite Toy... (click here for a template)
• Friday: All About my Family... (click here for a template)

3rd through 5th:

• Make a Change Monday: How can you make to world more awesome? Explain.
• Turn it up Tuesday: What song puts you in a good mood as soon as you hear it? Why?
• Wish Upon a Star Wednesday: If you could wish for anything in the world, what would it be? Why?
• Thumbs Up Thursday: "What is something you've done recently, that your teacher would be proud of you for?
• Fun Fact Friday: Write about something weird, fun, interesting that you would want others to know.

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

We are living through history right now!

Calling all RES Students and Families to participate in a Time Capsule Activity!

Click here to access the Time Capsule Activities.

Please email Mrs. Goddard if you need a printed copy sent home for your child.

Primary Activity: Clouds!

• Do a little bit of research online and then take it outside to make some observations!
• Click here to access the activity

Primary/Intermediate Activity: STEAM Break - Build it!

• Build a bridge that will fit two objects
• Build a miniature treehouse
• Make a catapult that can thrown marshmallows or cotton balls

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 on 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 be 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.

Can you use a toilet paper roll to create your favorite book character?

Send pictures via email or ClassDojo to 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 Grades 1st -5th 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.

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)

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

• James Jahn for 600 minutes in one week
  
• Colton Andrews and Caitlin Coon for 525 minutes in one week
  

Students have been doing all kinds of fun activities like trampoline jumping, roller blading, tether ball, frisbee, walks with family, basketball, yoga, and even one student learned how to ride his bike without training wheels.

Great job to everyone who sent in a log!! And remember yard work and helping to clean the house counts as PE minutes, so get to helping your parents out.

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. Feel free review these resources.

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

Pre-K students will receive a learning packet in the mail focusing on Literacy and Math activities.

Ridge Pre-K students also have the opportunity to access the following optional resources:

• Epic Books
• ABC Mouse account

Invites were sent by email last week. Please email Mrs. Cendana if you did not receive an invite or could not successfully log into the programs.

Pre-K students are also encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle by moving their muscles! Record your child's physical activity (click here) and email/Dojo the log the Mrs. Simmons.

May 4th through May 8th

Friends of Ridge (FOR) thinks the teachers and staff at Ridge Elementary School are incredible and wants to gather our school community together (virtually) to share our love and appreciation for them afar!

Click here for the flyer or see below for some ideas and optional suggestions to participate in Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week beginning in two weeks!

As we navigate this new "normal," plans are being worked on to highlight our 5th Grade students as they wrap up their elementary school careers.

A survey will be sent at the end of the week to all 5th Grade Families via ClassDoJo regarding some of the planned activities.

Scheduling for 6th Grade Electives and transition to middle school is also being worked upon and students will receive a survey via their SMCPS email to complete.

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 sharing devices, glitchy internet, internet getting bogged down because we are working at the same time our kids are learning, etc.

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.

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.

Ridge Elementary School is in the process of developing a plan for laptop distribution for families in significant need of technology. Access to the internet must be confirmed prior to consideration for a laptop. At this time, distribution of laptops may begin as early as Thursday, April 30th.

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.

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 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

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.

English Language Arts: Students will have learning opportunities for English Language Arts using the computer platform of Imagine Learning Language and Literacy. This is a reading program that provides differentiated instruction on important reading skills critical to reading through engaging activities.

• Access Imagine Learning Language & Literacy through the Clever app.
• Students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade will participate in Imagine Learning Language & Literacy.
• RES has been using Imagine for the past two school years.
• If your child has "completed" the program in the past, he/she will still take an assessment and be placed in the program based upon his/her performance.
• If you child "completes" the program during the time-period of school closure, classroom teachers are able to assign additional instructional activities through Imagine Learning Language & Literacy identified and created by Central Office Content Supervisors.

Math: Students will have learning opportunities for Math using the computer platform of Imagine Learning Math. This is a math program that provides individualized instruction through use of games and interactive lessons to support mathematical concepts.

• Access Imagine Learning Math through the Clever app.
• Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade will participate in Imagine Learning Math

• Students in 3rd through 5th Grade will begin with a pre-assessment.
• Students in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade will not begin with a pre-assessment. They will begin their grade level instructional activities after they listen/watch the introductory song, complete the introductory lesson, visit the map, complete Lesson 1. They will then take the Beginning of Year (BOY) Benchmark for placement in the content sequence based on their BOY benchmark performance.

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 (i.e., 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 an 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 1 (April 9, 2020)

Click here for the SMCPS Update 2 (April 16, 2020)

Report Cards and Comment Sheets were mailed home on April 15th.

Please Note: Student progress is reported based on information gathered through March 13, 2020. State-mandated school closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic decreased the 3rd Marking Period by 10 school days.

• 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 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 April 20th - April 24th, 2020, 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 questions regarding the lunch service program, please email foodserrvices@smcps.org.

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.

Sheetz

• Is proud to announce a new Kidz Meal Bagz program providing free food to help children and families in need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Meal Bagz will be available all-day starting Thursday, April 2 and will include a turkey sandwich, chips and a drink.
• Families interested in taking advantage of the free Kidz Meal Bagz program should go to participating Sheetz locations and ask an employee at the register for a meal.
• Families will be offered one bag per child and meals will be available daily while supplies last.

• A list of St. Mary's County Sheetz locations can be found on the St. Mary's County Resource Map.

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, May 12th 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!