Tiger Tracks

To the Parents of Students at Ringgold Primary School:

I wanted to take this opportunity to discuss a topic of concern with you: words and actions that express violence. Sadly, we live in a day and age where our children are exposed to many things that perhaps you and I were not. It has unfortunately become more common in the school setting for a primary-aged child to express frustration or hurt feelings with words like, “I’m going to kill you.” Students also sometimes say these words when playing, along with inappropriate hand gestures that insinuate violence. Most of these children do not mean or understand the significance of these words or actions. However, it is important to know that in schools today when words or actions like these are used, they have to be taken seriously. Our words and actions matter. Any threat of violence against students or staff may result in school discipline and has the potential for law enforcement involvement.

--

The Spring Parent Advisory Council meeting will be sent out via link on Class Dojo on April 15. Please take a moment to look it over and give your input on our Title 1 Family Engagement Policy for the upcoming school year.

You may review the current policy by clicking the button attached below.

Thank you to ALL that completed the Spring Parent Survey! We excelled our quota with 44% completed! This information helps us to build a better engagement program.

The Parent Resource Room is available for you to visit during school hours, Monday-Friday. Stop in to help with preparing materials for teachers or grab some resources on several different parenting topics. Room 804 welcomes you to come visit!

I look forward to seeing you!

Volunteer Opportunities & Events:

Earth Day Planting- April 25

Game Day- May 9

End of Year class parties (contact your teacher)

Parent Resource Room

Tracy Wilson, Parent Involvement twilson.rps@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Congratulations to the RPS classroom winners for the YGA essay contest!

Here are some pictures from the winners reception.

The Catoosa County Public Schools Child Nutrition Department is excited to announce a transition to a new online meal payment and processing system to better serve our students and families. The current provider, K12 PaymentCenter, will cease operations at 4:00 PM on Friday, December 13th, 2024, and the new system, EZ School Pay, will begin accepting payments on Friday, January 3rd, 2025.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SET UP YOUR NEW ACCOUNT BY USING THE LINKS BELOW.

For more information, click HERE to visit the Child Nutrition District Website.

To set up your EZSchoolPay account, click HERE. You will need to know your child's lunch account number.

You can apply for free or reduced lunch by using this link: www.easymealapp.com

Parents you are invited to join us for Game Day on May 9th! We will begin around 8:30 on the playground. Snacks will be for sale at the Power Up Pavilion Station. Items priced $1-$2 and will be CASH ONLY. Don't forget to take a pic at the photo booth! Students may check out without penalty after the games!

Our kids have leveled up, now let's play! Game ON!

-Coach Mc

Character Education Trait

Character Education Trait for April is Cooperation, which means working together for a common

purpose.

Child Abuse Prevention Month

Teach your children personal safety rules and encourage them to trust their instincts about

situations or people they may encounter. Safety rules that children learn at school through the

Child Safety Matters program are:

• Know What’s Up- teaches students that it is the job of adults to keep them safe but that

they can help adults by learning safety rules and choosing to follow them

• Spot Red Flags- teaches students to watch for warning signs that a situation may not be safe, to trust their instincts and ask a grownup for help if they are not sure if they are safe or not

• Make a Move- teaches students to get away from situations where they feel uncomfortable or unsafe

• Talk to an Adult- teaches students to identify safe adults who they can go to for help if

they are being hurt or if a friend is in danger

• It’s Never Your Fault!- teaches students that they are not the one at fault if someone

breaks safety rules and does something to hurt them on purpose

If you suspect that a child is being abuse or neglected, please call the Childhelp USA National

Child Abuse Hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-422-4453 to make a report of

abuse or neglect.

Is Your Child Too Young to be Left Alone?

• Children eight (8) years old and younger should never be left alone.
• Children between the ages of nine (9) and twelve (12) years old may be left alone for brief periods of time when the child is determined to be mature by the

parent or guardian. Brief is defined as less than two (2) hours.

• Children ages thirteen (13) and older may be left alone and may perform the role of babysitter as authorized by the parent or guardian. It is advisable to limit

this time to twelve (12) hours or less and only when the child is determined to

be mature by the parent or guardian.

From Georgia Child Protective Services Policy- Catoosa County Child Abuse

Protocol Committee

Care Solace Information for Families:

April is Stress Awareness Month—a reminder to prioritize mental well-being. With academic and daily demands, both students and staff should take intentional moments to reset, breathe, and practice mindfulness. Taking small breaks makes a big difference. Step outside, take deep breaths, or do a quick mindfulness exercise—your well-being matters!

Stress Management Tips for Families

Create a Relaxing Home Environment – Consider keeping spaces organized, incorporating soft

lighting, or playing calming music to promote a peaceful atmosphere.

-Prioritize Family Time – Set aside time for activities like game nights, walks, or cooking together

to strengthen connections and reduce stress.

-Encourage Open Conversations – Check in regularly with family members about their feelings

and challenges, offering support and reassurance.

-Set Healthy Boundaries with Technology – Establish screen-free times, especially during meals

and before bed, to encourage mindfulness and relaxation.

-Model Healthy Coping Strategies – Show your children positive ways to manage stress, such as exercising, journaling, or practicing gratitude

Stress Management Tips for Students

-Take Brain Breaks – Step away from studying every 30–45 minutes to refresh your mind and

improve focus.

- Get Moving – Physical activity, even a short walk or stretching, can help release tension and

boost mood.

-Practice Deep Breathing – Try inhaling for four counts, holding for four, and exhaling for four to

reduce stress instantly.

-Stay Organized – Use a planner or to-do list to manage assignments and prevent last-minute

panic.

-Limit Social Media & Screen Time – Taking breaks from screens can help reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being.

The drawing will be held on April 14, virtually. This is a lottery, so it is not guaranteed your child will be picked. For more information view the flyer and visit the website HERE.

Dear CCPS Bus Rider Families,
We are excited to announce a new bus-tracking app called Traversa MyRide K-12, starting on March 26, 2025, for the entire district. CCPS Parents will have access to our new app, MyRide K-12. Please scan the QR code shown in this article with your smartphone's camera to download and sign up for our new CCPS Bus app.

Changing over to Traversa offers a more advanced and user-friendly platform designed to improve the safety and efficiency of our student transportation. Key benefits include:

Improved Efficiency: Streamlined processes and real-time updates.

Click HERE for directions to download the MyRide k-12 App

rps.catoosa.k12.ga.us/home

Whitney Hood, Principal

whood@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Michele Cribb, Assistant Principal

mcribb@catoosa.k12.ga.us