
Ridgecrest Panther Press
January 31, 2025
We Feel the Need - the Need to SUCCEED!
News from Mrs. Gardner and Mrs. Nguyen
It’s a great day to be a PANTHER!
Dear Parents,
Beginning on Monday, February 3rd, the PCSB Stakeholder Survey will be open to staff, students, and families. Follow the directions on the flyer to provide valuable feedback that will help us celebrate our accomplishments, while also supporting continued growth at our school! At Ridgecrest, we are committed to providing an exceptional educational experience for every child and we want to hear from YOU.
Wednesday, February 5th is the 100th day of school! Students are allowed to dress as if they were 100 years old! Please remember that clothing and shoes must be school appropriate.
Many exciting events occurring on campus this month. Hope to see you all soon!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gardner
Mrs. Nguyen
Teacher Feature
Maria Lugo Martinez
Current Title: VPK Teacher
Years in Education: 24
Hometown: Yauco, Puerto Rico
Hobbies: Crocheting and Reading
What I LOVE about Ridgecrest is the support and resilience of teachers and staff. At the Ridge we always put our students first and have formed tight bonds with them and their families.
Latwana Fowler
Current Title: CDA
Years in Education: 16
Hometown: Largo, Florida
Hobbies: Traveling the world, Shopping and decorating my home
What I LOVE about Ridgecrest is that I love working with the children and families of MY community. My heart is at Ridgecrest!
ANNUAL STAKEHOLDER SURVEY FOR PINELLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS
The PCSB Stakeholder Survey will be open to staff, students, and families, Feb 3rd. Follow the directions on the flyer to provide valuable feedback that will help us celebrate our accomplishments, while also supporting continued growth at our school!
At Ridgecrest, we are committed to providing an exceptional educational experience for every child and we want to hear from YOU!
DATES TO REMEMBER
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
February:
2/5 - 100th DAY OF SCHOOL - All students are allowed to dress as if they were 100 years old.
2/6 - Ready Set Kindergarten - 5:30 to 6:30pm see flier below for details.
2/11- 2/12 - Walk-A-Thon Color Run
2/12 - Spirit DAY - Chick-Fil-A- 6:30 am to 10pm
2/13 - Class Pictures
2/14 - Coffee with the Principal - 8:30 - 9:30am Topic will be iStation and Dreambox
2/14 - 2/22 - Dental Health Week-School based sealant application
2/17 - Students in class for Hurricane Make-up day
2/28 - iMoms, 7:45 Media Center
March
3/3 - 3/7 - Read Across America - Plans to follow
3/6 - Enterprise Village - 5th Grade Students
3/14 - PTA Pi/Pie Day - PTA to supply Pie for Teachers
3/17-3/21 SPRING BREAK!
3/26 - Spring Photos
3/28 - All Pro Dads 7:45 am
April
4/11 - Coffee with the Principal - 3:30 - 4:00 pm
4/11 - Dress Rehearsal for Chorus Concert
4/15 - Chorus Concert - 6-7:30pm
4/18 - No School for Students
4/25 - iMoms - 7:45 in the library
May
5/1 - PTA MEETING
5/5 -5/7 - Staff Appreciation Week
5/23 - All Pro Dad's - 7:45 am
5/26 - Memorial Day - All Schools Closed, enjoy the 3 day weekend!
5/28 - 5th Grade Graduation Social - volunteers needed, more information to follow
5/29 - Last day of School for Students - Whole day, not a half day, as originally scheduled due to Hurricanes.
Students from Ridgecrest Attend Student Summit
Summit held at USF, St. Petersburg
Fourth and fifth grade students from throughout the county have been chosen to attend the STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, to be held at USF, St. Petersburg. Ridgecrest has two students from each grade attending. The students will meet with District Leaders and Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Mr. Hendrick, to share ideas on how to improve our schools. They will also attend breakout sessions to learn what strong, effective Leadership means and will tour the University of South Florida, St. Pete campus.
COLOR FUN RUN 2025
OUR BIGGEST FUNDRAISER FOR RIDGCREST ELEMENTARY
The Color Fun Run is one of the biggest fundraising events of the year, it takes place February 11 and 12th and all classes participate. Our Goal for this year is, $8,000.00!
Follow these steps to get ready for the Color Fun Run!
1. Visit https://app.99pledges.com/fund/ridgecrestcolorfun/addme OR scan the QR code to create your fundraising page.
2. Visit your fundraising page and click DONATE to make your first donation.
3. Share your fundraising page with your family and friends! Send e-mails and text messages, and post your link on social media so everyone can help support your Color Fun Run!
Our school goal is to raise $8000 by February 21, 2025!
When we meet this goal, the whole school will get an ice cream party, and Mrs. Gardner will get a pie in the face!
Plus, there will be tons of fun prizes for creating a fundraising page and earning donations!
The PTA is excited to host an incredible Color Fun Run to benefit our amazing students at Ridgecrest Elementary!
LUNAR NEW YEAR
GONG HEI FAT CHOY
Chuc Mung Nam Moi
What does that mean? Happy New Year! Wishing everyone prosperity and good fortune.
This is the year of the wood snake. 🐍
WE CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH
WITH THE THEME OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN LABOR
WHAT THE THEME MEANS
- The theme recognizes the hard work of African Americans in shaping the country's history.
- It explores the many ways that labor has been central to the Black American experience, including voluntary and involuntary, skilled and unskilled work.
- It highlights how collective action among Black workers has helped advance social and political rights.
SPOTLIGHT ON A. PHILLIP RANDOLPH
In 1925, A. Phillip Randolph established the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), the first nationally recognized Black labor union in the United States.
Under Randolph's leadership, the BSCP expanded its mission to advocate for broader social and economic justice, paving the way for the modern Civil Rights Movement. Randolph went on to organize the famous March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.
READY SET, KINDERGARTEN!
Thursday, February 6th from 5:30-6:30 PM
Join us to learn all about KINDERGARTEN! Bring your in-coming Kindergarten student to meet a teacher and see a classroom!
5TH GRADE PARENTS NEEDED!
LOOKING FOR PARENTS TO HELP PLAN AND VOLUNTEER AT THE 5TH GRADE END OF THE YEAR SOCIAL
PTA is looking for 5th grade parents to help plan and celebrate the class of 2025!
PTA will provide the funding for the event, but are in need of parents to plan, set up, chaperone and make sure the event runs smoothly. Teachers will be with their classes, but it takes volunteers to run the show! Please email president@theridgepta.org, if you are willing to help to spearhead the event.