Ridgecrest Panther Press

It’s a great day to be a PANTHER!

Dear Parents,

Happy Friday Families!

Our Winterfest Family Night is TONIGHT, December 13th from 5:30-8pm. Please plan to join us for a holiday Trunk or Treat, games, prizes, a bounce house, Nightmare before Christmas House, and lots of fun. ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.

School Spirit Week starts on Monday, December 16th through the 20th, see article below for events.

Don't forget the 4th & 5th grade Chorus Concert is on Tuesday, December 17th. Scholars are requested to arrive no later than 5:15pm. Doors will open at 5:40pm for seat selections.

iMoms is scheduled for Friday, December 20th, at 7:45am in the Media Center.

December 20th is also the last day of school for the year 2024!

We welcome scholars back to school from winter break on Monday, January 6th, 2025. This is a schedule change which is a hurricane make-up day. All scholars should return to school, ready to learn at 8:45am.

Hope to see you around campus this week!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Gardner

Mrs. Nguyen

December:

12/2-12/20- FAST PM3 TESTING for all Grades K-5

12/4-12/16 - Help Ridgecrest by purchasing TEXAS ROADHOUSE GIFT CARDS, see below.

12/13 - WINTERFEST 5:30-8pm - see details below.

12/16 -12/20 - Winter Spirit Week, See details below

12/17 - 4th and 5th Grade Chorus Concert at 6:00pm

12/20 -iMoms 7:45am

• Last day of school for 2024! 🌲Winter Holidays🌲 See you on January 6, 2025

January:

1/6/25 - Hurricane Make-up day- School is back in Session, students should be in their seats no later than 8:45.

1/9 - Picture RETAKE Day!

1/14 - PTA Meeting 5:30pm

1/21 - Spirit Night @ Texas Roadhouse 3:00pm to Close

1/20 - Martin Luther King Day - No Students

1/27 - 1/31 - Literacy Week

• BOOK FAIR - RIDGECREST LIBRARY details to follow soon.

1/31 - ALL PRO DAD'S 7:45am

February:

2/6 - Ready Set Kindergarten - 5:30 to 6pm details coming soon

2/11- 2/12 - Walk-A-Thon Color Run

2/12 - Spirit DAY - Chick-Fil-A- 6:30 am to 10pm

2/13 - Class Pictures

2/14 - Coffee with the Principal

2/14 - 2/22 - Dental Health Week-School based sealant application

2/17 - Students in class for Hurricane Make-up day

2/28 - iMoms, 7:45 Media Center

In last week's newsletter, the date for Martin Luther King Day was misprinted. The date should have read, JANUARY 20TH. The date has been corrected in this newsletter, please make sure to correct your calendars. Sorry for the Confusion.

Remember scholars must wear school appropriate attire and shoes. No hats, masks, or weapons.

MONDAY - Wear your favorite holiday hat and socks

TUESDAY - Dress like twins with a friend

WEDNESDAY - Wear your favorite tacky shirt, outfit or sweater

THURSDAY - Dress like a tacky tourist

FRIDAY - Wear your favorite Pajamas

Join us for a night of holiday classics! Scholars performing should be back at school no later than 5:15pm, dressed in red, green, gold, black, brown, or white. Scholars will meet in the Music Room at this time. The show starts promptly at 6:00pm and should last about a half hour.

Doors will open at 5:40pm for parents to gain access to seating.

Although the weather has cooled off a little, students are expected to wear sneakers/athletic shoes for PE. Please No boots, crocks, or slides, or heels. This is a safety concern- students must wear appropriate footwear for our PE activities.

Congratulations to our own Mr. Charles Derexson! Support Employee of the Year Finalist!

Mr. Derexson was one of the twelve finalists chosen out of over 150 entries. Whatever you need, whether staff or student, or parent, Mr. Derexson is ready, willing, and able to assist.

Thank you Mr. Derexson for all that you do!

Join the Ridgecrest YMCA for a FREE BREAKFAST WITH SANTA!

Various activities including breakfast, photos, and games! No Reservations Required.

Parents will need to sign their children in and stay with them for this event.

Tuesday, December 24th, from 9am to 11am.

As you know, attending school is one of the most important steps we can take towards building a bright future for our students.

School is not just a place of learning; it is a community.

Every day at Ridgecrest is an opportunity to grow our scholars.

For this reason, we are excited to announce the Popping for Attendance incentive and competition!

Starting on December 2nd, the entire school will be participating in this friendly competition to see which class has the best attendance rate.

Each Friday we will be tallying the numbers, and the class in each grade with the highest attendance will earn a popcorn point.

Additionally, the class with the most popcorn points at the end of each month will earn a class reward! Our attendance incentive will continue through the end of the school year so everyone will have an opportunity to show up and show out.

Improving our attendance is just one more step to meet our goals!

PM2 FAST make-up testing continues this week. If your child has not completed their FAST testing, please contact the teacher so that a make-up session can be scheduled.

State law requires the school to provide your child's score within 7 days of completing their assessment. In grades K-2, letters will be sent home. Grades 3-5, scores will be posted in Portal. Directions will be listed in our family newsletter when scores become available.

Parents must complete the online application and return 1 teacher recommendation form from a current ELA or math teacher by January 17th. We will review all applications by the end of January and send out acceptance letters and waitlist letters in February. We had a lengthy waitlist last year and we are only taking 75 students for 6th grade next year, so spots will fill up quickly.