Ridgeway RAP September 20, 2024
Phone (573)214-3550 ~ Fax (573)214-3551
Upcoming Events
September
- Monday, September 23 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday
- Thursday. September 26 - Picture Day, Unit A Curriculum Night 5:15-6:30 (Parents only)
October
- Wednesday, October 2 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday
- Thursday, October 3 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday
- Friday, October 4 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday
- Monday, October 7 - Friday October 18 - One Read
- Friday, October 11 - Munch-n-Read, Unit A families are welcome to join.
- Thursday, October 10 - 6:30 PTSA Meeting
- Thursday, October 31 - Fall Parties
Final Call!
- Monday, September 23 - Ridgeway Shirt Order Due - 5:00 PM: https://www.fastyowi.shop/ridgeway-rams
Principal's Pen
Parents and Guardians -
The City of Columbia is doing work that will require a road closure on Sexton all next week. Below are screenshots of information from the City as well as a map to refer to. I met with our transportation department and STA today to finalize a plan, as this will certainly impact us in terms of arrival and dismissal. Please read through these screenshots and review the map (below) prior to reading the rest of this information, so you have context and understand where the road closure is.
Arrival -
Buses typically pull past Ridgeway and turn left onto Mary Street or travel further down Sexton after they’ve dropped students off. They will be unable to travel this path, due to the City road closure. Buses will stop between King Street and Woodlawn Street to unload students, so that they can take a left turn down Woodlawn off of Sexton. We will have a staff member stationed between King and Woodlawn so that when a bus comes to a stopping point in that area, we can go ahead and unload them. The line should still continue to move close to normal, just instead of the bus stopping in front of the school, they’re stopping further down the line. The parent drop off car line will not change in terms of what parents are doing, except you MUST turn right on Grand after dropping your student off due to the city closure. If you park and walk your child to the front of the building, you will not be able to turn right onto Sexton when leaving, you’d have to turn left. We have crossing guards to help, but PLEASE pay attention to the crossing guard and be patient as we help people cross safely.
Do not park on Woodlawn, as it is already a tight squeeze for buses to get turned and travel that road. Some neighbors don’t have driveways and must street park. Let’s give buses as much room as we can by not parking there or traveling that street during arrival.
Please do NOT try to pass a bus.
Do NOT travel down Woodlawn and attempt to enter the middle of the drop off line. This goes for every morning, not just next week.
Turn RIGHT on Grand when exiting the parent pick up line
Dismissal -
As stated above, buses cannot travel their normal route, and will need to use Woodlawn Street and the space between Sexton and King to park, load, and drive. Students will have to load streetside on Woodlawn (which includes crossing Sexton), and therefore, we cannot have thru traffic. There will be several road closures, as indicated with red Xs on the map below, to ensure cars are not traveling through the area while we are loading students off and onto buses. Students from Locust, Benton and Jeff transfer buses here, so it is a larger operation than just getting our students onto buses. These road closures (red X) will include a sign, as well as a police officer to help enforce. Road closures will begin at 2:20 each day and will open again after buses have pulled away (approximately 2:55). This is where things will get complicated for parents picking students up. Please read through the bullet points so you know your options in terms of parking.
Park North facing on either side of Grand Street- this would require arriving prior to 2:20 so that you can travel down Sexton in order to make a right turn onto Grand. Sexton will be closed starting at 2:20.
Park on 4th street - there are no restrictions to parking anywhere on 4th
If you are parked South facing on Grand, you will not be able to turn left onto Sexton until road closure is lifted at 2:55(ish). If you’re ok with waiting until close to 3 to pull away, parking facing South is a fine option. Please wait until the road closure sign is moved before putting your vehicle in motion.
If you park South facing on Grand and attempt to leave while roads are still closed, it would require turning around, which will be very difficult and dangerous given the lack of space and parking lot area we have. Please avoid doing this.
We will have two crossing guards helping get families across the street safely, and I have requested an additional officer to help with traffic control on our block of Grand.
Trust me, I understand how frustrating this is. The City did not ask me about this or even inform me directly, I learned about it through an online post, which I immediately forwarded to our transportation department, CPS Safety and Security, and STA so they could work out a plan. Please bear with us next week and try to be as patient as possible, as there could be delays.
Picture Day!
Check your student's backpack for picture day order forms. You can place orders online by scanning the QR code below or through the link provided.
School Code: 86884MB
Unit Notes
Unit A
Literacy
Reading: We have been working on identifying fiction and nonfiction texts, making predictions, and integrating science skills like using our five senses to explore apples.
Writing: We are working on answering questions about the text that we read in our ‘Reading block’ time and adding details to the pictures and words to our responses while working on our writing stamina.
Math
Triplett/Mincke: We began Unit 1 this week and continued exploring various math tools and practicing our math routines.
Blades/Horn: We are working on using number lines, using various math tools, graphing, and number sense routines.
Unit B
Writing: We are kicking off our narrative writing unit with a fun project about secret lives. Ask your child about what they have written so far. You are likely to get some giggles out of them!
Reading: We are learning about main idea and key details. You can discuss these topics at home as a way to build comprehension.
Reminders:
*Unit B will be out of the building from 12:00-2:00 on Thursday, September 26, for a Planetarium visit at Rock Bridge High School.
*Library Checkout Days:
*Monday: McCoy
*Tuesday: Basham
*Thursday: Rice
*Friday: Malloy
Unit C
- In Literacy, we have been reading about birds and using those texts to plan and organize an informational writing piece.
- In Math, we took a Unit 2 pretest to begin planning for instructional needs.
- 5th Grade Math - An optional review packet for Unit 1 is coming home on Tuesday. Our Unit 1 test will be Wednesday.
- In Science, we have been investigating animal structures and adaptations. Students are researching an animal of their choice and how they survive in nature.
Students should be bringing their Home-School Folder and Unfinished Work folders home each night. Please do not take work out of the unfinished work folder – that is work that needs to be completed and returned to school.
Mini Mac Scholars
Mr. Gray is sponsoring mini mac this year. A letter came home with your students today explaining the program. Please take some time this weekend to go over the letter and talk about this opportunity with your child.
Fifth Grade Group Picture - Orders due on or before Picture Day
Specialist News
Message from Mrs. Ryberg, School Counselor
Operation School Bell is a program that is provided to Columbia Public School students by the Assistance League of Columbia. It provides clothing and coats free of charge for students in need. If this is something your student could benefit from, please reach out to Beth Ryberg, RWE School Counselor at 573-214-3550 ext. 3 or email at eryberg@cpsk12.org All requests are considered in priority, but please know that spaces are limited. Thank you! Beth Ryberg
Tiger Tuesday
9/10 Winners
PTSA News
Calling all Veteran’s United employees! Ridgeway needs you!!!
Did you know, as an employee, you are eligible to request up to $250 a year to support a cause you are passionate about? With the timing of this, you should be able to put in a request now for a donation for 2024 and again in 2025 for Fun Day! That’s a $500 donation on your behalf going to the school for Fun Day!
Not a Veteran’s United employee but interested in helping? Please reach out to your employer to see if they would be interested in supporting Fun Day or even better - becoming one of Ridgeway’s Partners in Education!
Please message Stephanie Huett either Facebook or at 573-808-2500 to get step by step instructions on how to reach out to Veteran’s United and what to say to secure a donation on your behalf.
Fire Prevention Week Kickoff Event, Columbia Fire Department
It is almost time for the Columbia Fire Department's annual Fire Prevention Week Kickoff Event!
We would like your organization to join us on Sunday, October 6th from 10 am - 2 pm as we share important safety messages and fun activities with our community. We are so excited about this year's event. We hope that you will be able to attend and bring safety messages, a table or booth, activities, department vehicles, and anything else that you think would be a good addition to the day! As we have more information, we will share it as soon as possible.
Don't forget to RSVP, if you have any questions in the meantime, don't hesitate to reach out!
We look forward to hearing from you soon, and having a great Fire Prevention Week!
Call the Columbia Fire Department at 573-874-7391 or email Fire_Marshal@CoMo.Gov with any questions.