Greetings, Ridgecrest Families!

We cannot tell you just how wonderful it has been to have ALL our students back with us this week here at Ridgecrest! The sight of them learning in classrooms, playing at recess, and going to the lunchroom to get a hot lunch has been wonderful! There is no doubt in my mind that this is right where they belong, learning in-person with their teachers, support staff, and peers. We hope you have heard great stories from your student(s) about their first two days at school! We can't wait to welcome our kindergarten students here next Wednesday! To say it has been a successful start to the school year would be an understatement. Of course, we have had to work out some glitches - shortages in bus drivers has been felt all around the district and state, causing many of our runs to be late. We appreciate your patience and grace during this time of transition.

Here are some important reminders:

•  • No school Monday, September 6 - Labor Day
•  • First day of Kindergarten is Wednesday, September 8
•  • Early dismissal at 1:06 pm on Wednesday, September 15 for Fair Day! Students should have brought home a complimentary ticket for entrance into the Puyallup Fair this week. 
•  • Got pictures of the first day of school?  Post your ‘first day of school’ photo on social media and use the #PuyallupFirstDay hashtag, or email your ‘first day of school’ photo to [email protected].  

Our district released the updated PSD Health and Safety playbook. Click on this link to read about how we are mitigating the effects of the pandemic: PSD Health and Safety Playbook.  

Student drop-off and pick-up changes:

• Bus Loading and Unloading Zone: Pierce County has approved our plan to relocate the bus loading and unloading zone to 130th Avenue. This has helped tremendously, as we are able to get our students home as safely and quickly as possible. 
• Morning Drop-Off: We will ONLY be using the primary student drop-off and pick-up lane for morning drop-off (this is the lane closest to the school). We do not want to use the Pick-Up pad in the parking lot because there is too much traffic and crossing the primary lane is a safety hazard.
• Afternoon Pick-Up: We will no longer be separating students into two groups for pickup. Instead, all students will be brought to the Pick-Up Pad and families/carpool drivers can CHOOSE which lane to use to pick up their student. If all students are in the Pick-Up pad, we can easily load vehicles from both sides of the Pick-Up Pad. We encourage drivers to go where the line is shortest. Parking Lot Map
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Thank you so much for bearing with us as we are working out the kinks to our plans and schedules. Overall, it has been an incredible start to the 2021-22 school year! Please consider joining our PTA! We need your support to help our school be the best it can be! 

Please follow/like us on Facebook at http://rid.puyallup.k12.wa.us/pages/Ridgecrest_Elementary 

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I am here to support you and your student(s).

Go RAIDERS!

Michelle

Dr. Michelle Fox, Ridgecrest Principal