Ridgecrest Families:

I hope this email finds you and your family well and in good spirits during this prolonged school closure. As difficult as it has been for everyone, I do hope you are finding some ways to enjoy the time you have with your loved ones.

We are nearing the end of the 2019-20 school year—traditionally a time when we have many schoolwide events to culminate our year of learning. COVID-19 may have dampened our plans a bit but certainly has not extinguished them!  We are finding ways to “COVIDitize” our events so that students can still participate, and we can still celebrate another great year of learning and growth.

Here are some events coming up:

1. Virtual 5K Run/Walk (replaces Elementary Track Meet). 5^th and 6^th grade students run/walk the 5K distance (3.1 miles) and send their elapsed time to Ms. Holt or Mr. Ulloa. The last day to participate is June 12. Medals will be awarded to 5^th and 6^th grade participants between 10 am and 1 pm at the Pick-Up Pad in the Ridgecrest Parking Lot on Monday, June 15. See attached flyer for details. (We welcome all family members to participate; however, only 5^th and 6^th graders will receive medals.)
2. Ridgecrest Drive-Through Volunteer Celebration: We invite all PTA, WatchDOG and school/classroom volunteers to drive through our Bus Loop on Tuesday, June 2 from 12-1 pm. Volunteers should have received a postcard mailed home.If you volunteered this year and did not receive an invitation, please email Nikole Milliken at MilliNL@puyallup.k12.wa.us to RSVP. (This way we know how many volunteers to expect.)
3. Egg Drop Contest:Yes, we are still doing our Egg Drop this year!We invite every Ridgecrest student to participate.Build your egg capsule and watch a video of Dr. Fox and Mr. Huson launching the eggs to see if the capsule can protect it from breaking!Egg capsules can be dropped off at any time between 9:00 am and 3:30 pm on Monday, June 15 or Tuesday, June 16.
4. 6^th Grade Drive-Through Promotion Certificate/Swag Bag Pick-Up: Sixth graders and their families are invited to come to Ridgecrest on Wednesday, June 17^th between 2:00-3:00 pm to drive through the Bus Loop for a bit of a Drive-Through Promotion Ceremony! They will hear their name and any special awards they are receiving being announced on the loudspeaker by Dr. Fox and Mr. Huson. The PTA will be handing out Junior High Survival Kits and Swag/Bags in the Pick-Up Pad. Families can park and stay to take photos outdoors while maintaining social distance.
5. 6^th Grade Virtual Promotion Ceremony: In keeping with our tradition, Ridgecrest staff will be putting together a pre-recorded virtual promotion ceremony and slideshow for students and families. We will upload the video to YouTube and send out a Zoom Invite to watch the Promotion Ceremony together at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, June 17^th after the drive through Promotion Certificate Pick-Up.
6. 6^th Grade Social Zoom Hour following Promotion: We will send out a special Zoom invite for 6^th graders to socialize one last time together after the Promotion from 6:30-7:30 pm.
7. Ridgecrest Staff Parade: Ridgecrest staff will be parading through our neighborhood on Thursday, June 18 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. We welcome all Raiders to line the streets of the parade route and celebrate the end of our school year with us. A copy of the parade route will be sent out via School Messenger. 

   Important Reminders:

8. Device (laptop), Textbook, and Library Book Drop-Off and Check-In: We will be collecting all laptops, textbooks, and library books on Monday, June 15 and Tuesday, June 16 from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm. Parents/guardians will drive through the bus loop to drop off. Laptops will be visually inspected for damage. If you know your student’s device is already damaged, call 253-841-8600. More information will be forthcoming soon!
9. Spring Individual Picture Pick-Up: We have received individual spring photos from Lifetouch and they are ready for pick-up. Unfortunately, we have not received all group photos and are working with Life Touch to get these delivered prior to the end of the school year. If you would like to pick up your child’s photos, please come to the school between 9 am and 3 pm Monday-Friday. Ring the doorbell, state your child’s name, and we will bring the photos out to you. Again, when you pick up your child’s spring individual picture and you did not receive the group picture you ordered, please understand we are working with Lifetouch. You can call them directly at 800-598-2466.

Please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions at 253-841-8753.

Stay healthy and well,

Dr. Michelle Fox, Ridgecrest Principal