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RES Rocket Weekly

March 23rd - March 27th

RES RocketWeeklyMarch 23rd - March 27th

School Closure Update

Dear RES Students, Families, and Staff,


I hope this message finds you safe and well!


I also hope everyone has taken this opportunity to rest and reconnect with your families. We have never faced challenges such as these before and we are working very hard to provide you with creative solutions. As always, it is our responsibility to take universal precautions, practice social distancing, and stay informed. With that being said, no decision has been made as to whether we will be returning to school in the near future or if our closure will be extended through Spring Break.


In the meantime, here are instructional resources housed on our SMCPS web page that you can access. You will see a new purple button entitled “Access Online Instruction Resources”. The button links directly to online instructional resources for students and families. Once there, you can access Clever, which serves as a single-sign-on host for many of our online resources. Please email Mrs. Batelka is assistance is needed with logging into Clever.


At this time, we are still set to return to school on March 30th. There has not yet been a change to that directive. You may have seen that Governor Hogan held a press conference on March 19th, and deferred a decision about extending the school closure for another day.


While we await answers regarding an extended break, we continue to discuss important issues such as extending the third quarter, state testing requirements, scheduled activities, scheduling for 5th graders transitioning to middle school, Pre-K and 5th Grade Promotion. As soon as any decisions are made regarding these events, we will let you know.


We also know that things are changing rapidly, and so SMCPS is gathering information and planning for the possibility of an extension to learning from home. You should have received a survey to help the school system get a better understanding of home internet access for our families. If you did not, please click here to complete the internet access survey.


Finally, recognizing that the uncertainty of current events has an impact on our kids, here are some resources about how to help them cope:


In the meantime, continue to work on your missing assignments, read daily, access Freckle and Imagine Learning (for those with accounts), and stay healthy!


We are a School Family and we miss you!


Stay safe, stay well,

Honora Batelka

Principal RES

Week at a Glance

Virtual Spirit Week!

Although we may not be able to see one another in person, we are a School Family!


Join us as we come together as a School Family in our Virtual Spirit Week!


Each day, students and families will be encourage to upload pictures which will be shared via Class Dojo and Twitter!!!!


Please note: All pictures uploaded will be viewable by all individuals uploading pictures and may be selected to be posted on social media.


Let's Go Ridge Rockets!!!!

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Monday, March 23rd

Virtual Spirit Week: Sleepy Monday!
  • Share a picture in your pjs reading a book in your favorite home reading space.
  • Click here to upload pictures to be shared!


3pm National Family Fun Run Kickoff streamed Live on Facebook!


  • Please note: There is not a fundraising event.
  • Click here to join in the fun!
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Tuesday, March 24th

Virtual Spirit Week: Crafty Tuesday!
  • Draw, paint, make a craft, build with Legos, etc.
  • Click here to upload pictures to be shared!


3pm National Family Fun Run streamed Live on Facebook!

  • Please note: There is not a fundraising event.
  • Click here to participate in dance breaks, learn character lessons, and do fun challenges!

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Wednesday, March 25th

Virtual Spirit Week: Workout Wednesday!
  • Share a picture doing something active - Jumping Jacks, playing outside, dancing, etc.
  • Click here to upload pictures to be shared!


3pm National Family Fun Run streamed Live on Facebook!

  • Please note: There is not a fundraising event.
  • Click here to participate in dance breaks, learn character lessons, and do fun challenges!

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Thursday, March 26th

Virtual Spirit Week: Throwback Thursday!
  • Share an old toy, game, picture, or special item in your room from long ago.
  • Click here to upload pictures to be shared!


3pm National Family Fun Run streamed Live on Facebook!


  • Please note: There is not a fundraising event.
  • Click here to participate in dance breaks, learn character lessons, and do fun challenges!
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Friday, March 27th

Virtual Spirit Week: Ridge Pride!
  • Share a picture wearing our Ridge Clothing or our school colors!
  • Click here to upload pictures to be shared!


3pm National Family Fun Run streamed Live on Facebook!


  • Please note: There is not a fundraising event.
  • Click here to participate in dance breaks, learn character lessons, and do fun challenges!

Upcoming Events

Please note: Schedule and activities listed below are pending updates and directives from the Governor's Office, The Maryland State Department of Education, and the St. Mary's County Public School System.

Save the Date!!! Upcoming Activities/Events

Picture Day - RESCHEDULED for April 23rd

  • Class pictures will be taken on Thursday, April 23rd.
  • If picture order forms are needed please contact Mrs. Goddard.
  • Get those smiles and outfits ready!!!

Important Informational Items/Reminders

On-line resources for instructional activities at home

  • Mystery Science: free digital mini-lessons and full lessons with hands on activities for students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade






  • abcya: Math and Reading activities Kindergarten through 5th Grade

Fitness and Character Education Videos

www.BoosterthonCharacter.com (Access Code: home)

Academy Application Dates of Interest

St. Mary’s County Public Schools will accept online applications for its four signature Academy Programs: The STEM Academy, The Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, The Academy of Global and International Studies, and The Academy of Finance.


Applications can be accessed online at www.smcps.org/academies and will open beginning

Wednesday, March 4, 2020. The application window will close on Friday, April 17, 2020. Please note that no late applications will be accepted.


Additional information about the Academy Programs, to include course offerings, application

criteria, and frequently asked questions, can be found at www.smcps.org/academies. For more information, contact the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at 301-475-5511, extension 32104.

Friends of Ridge (FOR) the Kids Volunteer Group!

FOR will meet again on Tuesday, April 14th at 5:30pm.


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!

Ridge Elementary School Relay for Life Team

Relay for Life - Next Meeting is April 8th, at 4:30pm

We are very excited to announce that the Ridge Rocking Rockets Relay for Life Team is up and running!


Ridge Elementary School will have a Relay for Life Team this school year to support and honor our School Family Members affected by cancer.


Please click here to donate or join our team!!!!!


Our last Relay for Life meeting was held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.



Stay tuned for upcoming fundraisers and activities sponsored by our Relay for Life Team!

Yearbooks on Sale through March 30th!

Yearbook sales are now open through March 30th.


For $20, students and families can capture this school year's memories!


Click here to order a yearbook!

Attendance Matters!


See below for our February Attendance Class Winners!!!!

FOR (Friends of Ridge) for the Kids!

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Volunteering Updates and News

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/

RES Staff "Favorite" Things

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

Next Meeting - April 12th at 5:30pm

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:


The St. Mary's County Public School System (SMCPS) believes volunteer service to our schools is an essential component of student success.


At Ridge Elementary School, we are continually striving to build opportunities for our families and community members to volunteer to support both students and staff. We understand, and believe, that the success of our students comes from the partnership we have between homes and school. Only working together, collaboratively and collectively, will our students SOAR to Great Heights!


As we encourage and foster opportunities for volunteers, we also need to ensure the safety and security of all of our students and your children. All volunteers (e.g., field trips and assistance with small groups) must be a registered SMCPS Volunteer.


Please click here to begin the SMCPS Volunteer Registration Process if you're not a registered volunteer.

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RES Spirit Webstore is OPEN!

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.

SMCPS 2019-2020 School Calendar
Please click on the link above to access the SMCPS 2019-2020 School Calendar.
Ridge Elementary School Supply List
Please click on the link above for our 2019-2020 School Supply List.
Morning Car Rider Procedures
Please click on the link above for the RES Morning Car Rider Procedures
Food Services - Online Meal Application Form
The on-line meal benefit application, as well as, the paper application are now available for families to use to submit an application for free and reduced meals. Please contact Mrs. Goddard if a paper copy is needed.
Food Services - My School Bucks
Parents/Guardians may also use "My School Bucks" to load funds directly into their child(ren)'s lunch account.
Bus Transportation for Head Start, Kindergarten & Pre-K
To ensure safety at the bus stop, a responsible person (at least 13 years old) must be on time to meet the bus, at the bus door, at the assigned stop for all Head Start, Kindergarten and Pre‐K students. Click on the link above for more information.
SMCPS 2019-2020 Student Handbook
Please click on the link above to access the Student Handbook for additional information and forms. This document is accessible on-line only. If you're unable to access, or need a form printed, please contact the main office for assistance.
SMCPS 2019-2020 Code of Conduct
Please click on the link above to access the Student Code of Conduct for additional information. This document is accessible on-line only. If you're unable to access, please contact the main office for assistance.
Student Handbook & Code of Conduct Presentation
Please review the Student Handbook & Code of Conduct Presentation accessible via the link above. Critical information is highlighted and all families and students need to be aware of students' rights, responsibilities and administrator responses.

RES Twitter

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!