Ridgecrest Panther Press

It’s a great day to be a PANTHER!

Our next Ridgecrest spirit night is Tuesday, October 1st at Texas Roadhouse from 3:00-8:00pm. Come out between 5:00-7:00 to participate in a putting challenge against one of our staff members to win a prize! Remember, a portion of the receipts come back to Ridgecrest Elementary.

Just a reminder- Open House is rescheduled to Monday, October 7th.

The next Coffee with the Principal is on Friday, October 11th 8:30-9:30am in Wigfall Hall. The topic will be our Center for Gifted Studies Program Review.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Gardner

Mrs. Nguyen

💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛Did you know that every Friday is spirit day at the Ridge? Please encourage your child to show off Ridgecrest colors (blue and yellow) or wear a Ridgecrest t-shirt on Fridays.

At Ridgecrest we are 2 programs with 1 HEART! 💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛

October:

10/1 - Spirit Night, Texas Road house 3:00pm until closing

10/7 - OPEN HOUSE- Rescheduled from 9/26/24)

• First Session 5:30-6:15pm
• Second Session 6:30-7:15pm

10/11 - Coffee with the Principal @ 8:30-9:30

10/14 -HURRICANE MAKE UP DAY- SCHOOL OPEN

10/18 - Raise the Flag for the Bucs! Wear Red!

• PTA Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat @ 5:30pm

10/25 - iMom’s @ 7:45am

• Raise the Flag for the Bucs! Wear Red!

10/28 - FOOD DRIVE BEGINS THROUGH 11/1/2024

November:

11/1 - Food Drive ENDS

11/8 - Raise the Flag for the Bucs! Wear Red!

11/12 - Discovery and SEM Night 5:30pm

11/13 - Great American Teach In

11/19 - Spirit Night @ Chipotle on Ulmerton

11/22 - All Pro Dads @ 7:45 am

11/25-11/29 - Thanksgiving Holiday

December:

12/2 Students return

12/6 - Raise the Flag for the Bucs! Wear Red!

12/12 - Jet's Pizza Spirit Night 4:00-8:00pm

12/13 - Dress Rehearsal for Choral Concert 9:30am

12/16-20 - Winter Spririt Week, Details to follow.

12/17 - Choral Concert 6:00pm

12/20 - Last day of school for 2024! See you on January 7, 2025

This year, our district is conducting a Center for Gifted Studies Program Review where district staff members meet with families to share CGS related information and gain parent input. Please consider joining us on Friday, October 11th from 8:30-9:30 am in Wigfall Hall for our next Coffee with the Principal. Our district will he hosting the program review at this time. All parents are welcome to attend.

ALL are invited to come and share with the students the things you have learned through the years. Share your love of a hobby, your career, travel, cooking, gardening, or any other area of interest!

Presentations can last for 1 hour or an entire school day!

• If you are interested in participating in the Great American Teach in, scan the QR code.
• If you are interested in becoming a VOLUNTEER in any capacity, please contact Candice Barron at: (727)588-3580 or barronc@pcsb.org

Hard to believe that the Holiday Season is so close. Toys For Tots would like to help those that need it this Holiday Season. Below is information on how to apply for their help.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Resident of and children living in Pinellas County Scan this QR to register.
2. Children Ages 12 and under as of 12/25/24
3. Financial need (i.e., receiving financial assistance of some type, homeless, or has recently had life changing event such as unemployment, fire, hurricane damage, etc.)

How to Request Toys from Toys for Tots

1. Go to https://t4tpinellas.ptaptsa.org/pre-registration before November 10th to register.

2. Enter your e-mail address. You will receive an email from Toys for Tots with a link to the registration page.

3. Fill out the form entering your family name, address, and your preferred date and time for toy pickup as well as information for each child (ages 12 and under) by adding their name, age and school they attend. Submit the registration request after confirming all information is correct. The screen should now tell you that you have an application pending. You can check the status of any application at any time by going to https://t4tpinellas.ptaptsa.org/pre-registration and re-entering the email address you used at registration.

4. You will receive an e-mail acknowledging your request and another email when you have been approved by December 11th.

5. You will receive a confirmation e-mail

• You MUST acknowledge this email and confirm your appointment by December 18th.
• FAILURE TO RESPOND WILL REMOVE YOU FROM THE LIST!
• Upon acknowledgement of this email, you will receive your bar code.

6. Toy pick up will be held on 12/20/24 and 12/21/24. Toys for Tots will send you an e-mail with the pick-up location. Please arrive no earlier than 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. You must bring your bar code with you to distribution (either on your phone or a printed copy).

If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact

Ms. Della Penna, Curriculum Specialist

727-588-3580 ext. 2060 or dellapennal@pcsb.org

Please Remember that the YMCA is kind enough to let us use their parking lot as long as we park in the BACK lot. There is NO PARKING in the front of the YMCA. They ask that we park in the back of their building so as not to inconvenience the paying members who need to park out front. The YMCA hours of operation are 6:00am to 8:00pm daily. All cars parked in front of the building, that are not members will be towed at the owners expence.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a yearly observance from September 15 to October 15 in the United States to recognize and celebrate the cultures, histories, and contributions of Latin American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at home:

• Read books by Hispanic/Latin authors
• Listen to and learn about Spanish dialects
• Study a country
• Try a free language-learning app
• Take a virtual tour of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo's home
• Take a virtual tour of the National Museum of the American Latino

Scholars who are tardy must be escorted into the office lobby by the parent or guardian.

THIS IS INCLUDING SCHOLARS WHO WALK TO SCHOOL.

The adult MUST sign the child in.

1. Arrival begins at 8:15 am *No drop offs before 8:15am*
2. Dismissal begins at 2:55 pm
3. Breakfast is available daily from 8:15-8:45 in the cafeteria
4. Crocs, slippers, flip-flops, slides or bubble shoes are not permitted on campus
5. Hoods are down w/ no hats or beanies
6. Cell phones/wireless communication devices need to be powered off and put away upon arrival.

Cell phones/wireless communication devices

The resulting actions will be taken for students not adhering to our Ridgecrest cell phone and/or wireless communication protocols:

1. Verbal reminder
2. Warning *note home*
3. Parent contact to pick up device in office
4. Discipline referral
5. Discipline referral and action plan

• PARKING
• Please Remember there is NO PARKING in the front of the YMCA, they ask that parents and staff only park in the rear of the building.
• Parking around school is limited, but you may park in the Staff Parking and the Back Field for most events in the evening and during school hours.
• Please DO NOT park in the Bus Circle.

Each month our school focuses on a character trait to model, practice and showcase around our campus. For the month of October, we highlight OPTIMISM.

You can support us by talking about what OPTIMISM looks like, sounds like, and feels like at home and at school.

Ways we encourage OPTIMISM at school:

1. Encourage each other to believe in our own successes.
2. Believing in yourself and accomplishing great things.
3. Working together for the greater good.