Ridgecrest Panther Press

It’s a great day to be a PANTHER!

Pinellas County Schools will be participating in “Start With Hello Week” the week of September 16th-20th. Start With Hello is led by the Sandy Hook Promise, an organization that aims to help prevent violence before it occurs. The purpose of the week is to empower students to create a culture of inclusion and connectedness within their school and community. By building a culture of inclusion and connectedness, schools and communities can better support young people and reduce their risk of bullying, violence, and depression.

Throughout the week, we have an established a common theme to show how we can make our campus better each and every day.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Gardner

Mrs. Nguyen

Movie Night will be rescheduled for a different night. More details will be shared once another date is secured.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

STAKEHOLDER SURVEY

Please help us stock our Library!

• Take the survey to the left by clicking on the QR code, there are only 6 quick questions.

September

9/13 - PTA Meeting and Movie Night 5:30pm

• LAST DAY to buy Rays Tickets!

9/16-9/20 Start with Hello Week - ALL ARE WELCOME HERE!

9/15 -10/15 Hispanic Heritage Month

9/17 -Open House for 4th Grade and Ms. Karst and

• Mr. Joines (Gr. 3) and Ms. Stuart (Gr. 2) Only 5:30 to 6:15pm

9/18 - Dad Take Your Kids to School @ 7:45-8:15am Originally scheduled for 9/17

9/18 - Spirit Night at Raising Cains 3:30 to Close

9/20 - Raise the Flag for the Bucs! Wear Red!

9/22 - Rays Game, 1:40 PM

9/23 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

9/26 - Annual Title 1 Open House

• One School/One Book Kick Off! Which book will it be this year? You will find out tonight!
• First Session - OPEN HOUSE 5:30-6:15
• Second Session - OPEN HOUSE 6:30-7:15

9/27 - Raise the Flag for the Bucs! Wear Red!

October

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

10/11 - Coffee with the Principal @ 7:45am

10/14 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

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

11/22 - 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!

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

Wednesday, September 18, is the Annual Dad Walk Your Child to School Day! Hosted by All Pro Dad's.

Please join us in Wigfall from 7:45-8:15am. Light refreshments and drinks will be provided.

See the flier to the right Left for details, and the QR code to sign up!

The Tampa Bay Rays are again offering discounted tickets to students, staff, and their families as part of 2024 Fall Pinellas County School’s Spirit night with the Rays. This year the Pinellas County School’s night is Sunday, September 22nd, at 1:40 pm, vs. the Toronto Blue Jays (there is NO school on Monday, September 23 for students) Tickets will be offered for $25 (up to $70 value) in the following seating categories in the Lower Level while supplies last: Lower Box and Lower Reserved.

This year we are using a link for the parents and staff to go in and purchase their own tickets! We are hoping this makes it a lot easier for people to purchase tickets.

The District link is: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/pinellasspring2024

The deadline to purchase tickets is September 13th through link.

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.

• Join the Mad Scientist Club! Scan the QR code below! Last day for Registration for this 6 week event is September 24! The cost is $106.00 and all supplies are provided.
• Don't miss your chance to change the world!

You are invited to come to school and speak with students about your Occupation, Hobby, or Other Area of Interest. You choose the amount of time you wish to spend at our school. 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 to the right. If you are interested in becoming a VOLUNTEER in any capacity, please contact Candice Barron at: (727)588-3580 or barronc@pcsb.org

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 September, we highlight RESPECT

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

Ways we encourage RESPECT at school:

1. Using kind words
2. Ensuring our actions do not disrupt the learning of others
3. Treating others the way we want to be treated

Did you know that Spanish classes are offered here at The Ridge?

Session A:

• All levels
• 8 classes from 8/27 -10/15
• Cost $160.00

Session A & B

• All levels
• 14 classes long from 8/27 - 12/03
• Cost $280.00

Sessions run from 3pm until 4pm. Please email principal.languagemission@gmail.com, or text; 727/278-3828. Hope to see your child in class!

(Ridgecrest Elementary and Pinellas County Schools neither promote nor endorse this program. This is an independant program from PCS.)