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3.25 Hour Early Releaseat 12:21 pm-All Grades - Fair Day
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No Schoolfor students- Supplemental Day
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2-5 Hour Early Releaseat 1:06 pm- All Grades–Conferences
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2.5 Hour Early Releaseat 1:06 pm- All Grades - School Improvement
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No School - Veterans' Day
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No School - Thanksgiving Break
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Please swing by the school or ask your teacher for a copy of our 2021-22 Ridgecrest info card. We tried to get copies to families during our Family Connection Meetings butmay have missed you. We have lots of copies available in the office!
Last Week to Order Raider Gear!
This is the last week to place your orders for Raider Gear. We won’t open another store until the spring. You can order online at Winning Seasons. All orders will be delivered to Ridgecrest and passed out to students. The holidays are coming! Raider Gear makes great gifts!
Twenty years ago today, the United States sufferedthe most devastating terrorist attack in history. There were 2,977 people who lost their lives that September morning, including first responders, workers, and innocent bystanders. I am sure you remember the exact place you were when you heard of or witnessed the horrifying attack. As I met with students this week to welcome them back to Ridgecrest and talk about what it means to be a Ridgecrest Raider, I reflected on the fact that our students have no real memory of 9/11. Their understanding of the event has been shaped by those of us who lived through it. In the wake of the tragedy, our nation came together in a powerful way. We grew stronger together. Now amida global pandemic, we must find a way toget better together. May your day be filled with gratitude for all first responders and those who put their lives on the line everyday to ensure our health, safety, and protection. May we all never forget and always remember.
Welcome Kindergarten Students!
Since we couldn’t have our kindergarten parade indoors this year, we welcomed our new kindergarten students on Wednesday with an all-school parade around the track. Even Rocky the Raider was all dressed up and high-fiving students as they entered the building for their first day. We now have all 449 of our Ridgecrest Raiders learning in-person. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have a full-house once again.
Back-to-School Student Assemblies
This week I have been meeting with each grade level to talk about what it means to be a Ridgecrest Raider. I welcomed students into our extraordinary family, talked about our core values, and abiding by the Raider Way. We care deeply for all our Raiders and want them to feel as if Ridgecrest is their second home; we are their second family. Creating a true sense of belonging among our students is our top priority. Please take a few minutes to review the Student Expectations Presentation I shared with our students so you can be aware and support the Raider Way!
Volunteers Welcomed, Wanted, and Needed!
You, too, are a big part of our family and we want to welcome you back. Please consider volunteering to help in your child’s classroom or on our PTA. The latest Washington State mandate requires that volunteers are to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 or obtain a medical or religious exemption.Volunteers working onsite at a district facility for periods of 15 minutes or more are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or obtain a religious or medical exemption. This requirement does not apply to volunteers who are onsite for shorter periods of 15 minutes or less. There are many ways to get involved! Let’s join togethertomake Ridgecrest better than ever!
Please consider joining the PTA! There are countless ways to get involved and many open positions! Also, here is a link to the Ridgecrest Facebook page. It’s a great place to go to get connected with our Ridgecrest community and stay up to date on PTA events!
COVID-19 Updates and Reminders
Since school began, Ridgecrest has had 2 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 among our students and no confirmed cases among our staff. Because we must identify all students who had close contact with the positive student, we have had 18 additional students have to quarantine. It is always so difficult to tell our students and their families that they will have to quarantine, even though they may not contract the virus. Here is the best way to prevent this from happening:
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Keep your student home if they are sick. Studentsshould stay home when they have signs of any infectious illness and be referred to their healthcare provider for testing and care.Sending your child to school when they are not well or presenting symptoms puts many students and staff at risk. Your child will be excused, and they will be able to make up any work/assignments due to their absences.
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Seek testing if you, your child, or someone in your household has been exposed.People who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to be tested 3-5 days after exposure, regardless of whether they have symptoms.
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Encourage mask-wearing. All students, staff, and visitors must wear masks at school, regardless of vaccination status. Research has shown that wearing a properly fitted mask can prevent the spread of the virus as well as protect individuals from contracting the disease. Students, staff, and visitors not complying with the mask mandate will be referred to Dr. Fox for intervention.
Please don’t hesitate to call or email me if you have any questions, concerns, or would like to chat. Ridgecrest Principal, Dr. Michelle Fox 253-841-8753; [email protected].