Ridgecrest Panther Press
August 30, 2024
We Feel the Need-the Need to SUCCEED!
News from Mrs. Gardner and Mrs. Nguyen
It’s a great day to be a PANTHER!
Did you know?
Staff such as teachers, counselors, coaches, and administration can safely send you texts, recorded messages, and emails through FOCUS. You can even reply with questions!
If you have not opted to receive text messages, just use your cell phone to text “Y” or “yes” to the number 67587. Also, if you have not already done so, please log in to your Focus Portal at focus.pcsb.org to complete your back-to-school forms.
If you need help, call our school, and ask for Melissa Folks, our Data Management Technician or email focusquestions@pcsb.org.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gardner
Mrs. Nguyen
Upcoming Dates and Events
8/30 - Panda Express PTA Spirit Night
9/2 - Labor Day: School Closed
9/6 AVID IMPACT DAY! Dress for a future career.
9/13 - PTA Meeting and Movie Night 5:30pm
9/15 -10/15 Hispanic Heritage Month
9/17 -Open House for 4th Grade and Ms. Karst and Mr. Joines (Gr. 3) Only 5:30 to 6:15pm
9/17 - Dad Take Your Kids to School @ 7:45-8:15am
9/18 - Raising Canes on East Bay Spirit Night from 3:00-8:00pm
9/23 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
9/26 - Annual Title 1 Open House and One School/One Book Kick Off!
- First Session 5:30-6:15
- Second Session 6:30-7:15
10/1 - Texas Roadhouse Spirit Night from 3:00pm until closing
10/11 - Coffee with the Principal @ 7:45am
10/14 - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
10/18 - PTA Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat @ 5:30pm
10/25 - iMom’s @ 7:45am
10/28 - 11/1 PTA Food Drive
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 Holidays, Students return 12/2/24
SPANISH CLUB
Did you know that Spanish classes are offered here at The Ridge?
Session A, all llevels are 8 classes long and are from 8/27 -10/15, $160.00
Session A & B, all levels, are 14 classes long and are from 8/27 - 12/03, $280.00
All ;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.)
NEW TARDY POLICY
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.
Give a Kid a Lift!
Be a Bus Driver! We are short Bus Drivers! If you are interested in giving kids a lift to school, Pinellas County School Board, will teach and train you with the drivers license you need. Applications are accepted by going to the PCSB website at: www.pcsb.org and clicking on the Employment icon.
STATE MANDATED SAFE SCHOOLS PLAN
House Bill 1473
• All gates or other campus access points that restrict entrance to, or exit from a school campus must be closed and locked when students are on campus.
• All access doors, gates and other access points that allow ingress to, or egress from a school building must be closed and locked at all times.
• Anyone who is aware of a violation of section 1006.07(6)(f), F.S., must report the violation to the school principal.
Due to the new changes, scholars will be escorted by an adult while on campus. This may take additional travel time when tardy or for early dismissals. Please be patient with our front office and plan accordingly.
RIDGECREST SUNCOAST YMCA
Please Remember that 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 members who need to park out front. All cars parked illegally will be towed at the owners expence.
How to be Ridgecrest Ready!
- Arrival begins at 8:15 am *No drop offs before 8:15am*
- Dismissal begins at 2:55 pm
- Breakfast is available daily from 8:15-8:45 in the cafeteria
- Crocs, slippers, flip-flops, slides or bubble shoes are not permitted on campus
- Hoods are down w/ no hats or beanies
- 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:
- Verbal reminder
- Warning *note home*
- Parent contact to pick up device in office
- Discipline referral
- 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.
Tampa Bay Rays
Take Me Out to the Ballgame!
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.
Seeking opportunities to support our Ridgecrest Panthers?
Volunteers and Mentors Needed
Help a child excel in school!
We are seeking volunteers and mentors to work with our children. Please see Candice Barron in the front office for volunteer opportunities. Call the school at (727)588-3580 extension 2045.
We LOVE our Volunteers!
Character Development
We show KINDNESS at Ridgecrest
Each month our school focuses on a character trait to model, practice and showcase around our campus. For the month of August, we highlight KINDNESS
You can support us by talking about what KINDNESS looks like, sounds like, and feels like at home and at school.
Ways we encourage KINDNESS at school:
- Using kind words
- Ensuring our actions do not disrupt the learning of others
- Treating others the way we want to be treated
AVID
Ridgecrest is an AVID school!
AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.
Friday, September 6th is AVID IMPACT Day at Ridgecrest!
On this day we will celebrate future careers.
Have fun and come to school dressed as your future profession!
COMING SOON!
Coming soon will be a platform for families to praise and recognize any staff member exemplifying our core values. This will be shared directly with our staff and recognized in our weekly staff newsletter. This platform will be ready for submissions next parent newsletter.
CORE VALUES
- Commitment to children, families and the community
- Respectful and caring relationships
- Cultural competence
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Connectedness