Welcome to Ridgecrest
Elementary
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
The united mission of Ridgecrest Elementary
is to encourage and empower our students
in mind, body and heart to discover and
pursue their lifelong goals as a productive
citizen of our world.
Basic School Information
School Hours: 8:35 am – 2:35 pm
Students are not to be dropped off prior to
8:10 am unless they attend the R’Club or have
made arrangements with a teacher.
Please make sure to pick up your child by 2:50
pm.
Students can not be picked up from the office
after 2:20 pm.
School Information
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School Website: www.ridgecrest-es.pinellas.k12.fl.us
PTA Website: theridgepta@gmail.com
Facebook Page
Phone 588-3580
588-4608 FAX
School District Admin Bldg 588-6000
Transportation Office 587-2020
Student Assignment 588-6210
R’Club 584-7587
YMCA 559-0500
School Information
 Services students in Grades K – 5
 Enrollment is 820 students
 420 students are in the general
education program
 400 students are in the center for gifted
studies
Transportation
 District will mail you bus information if
eligible.
 Students are assigned to a specific bus
and stop. The only way for you to
change this is to contact the
transportation department.
 Students assigned to a bus will ride the
bus home unless the office or teacher is
notified that they will be a car rider.
Communication
 Student Agendas
 Email
 School Newsletter – The Ridgecrest Roar
 Community Phone Call
 Websites
 Facebook
 Receive School Calendar & Handbook
Attendance
 Each day starts promptly at 8:35 am
 Tardy students miss out on valuable
instruction
 A written note from a parent stating a reason
for any absence is required.
 If a student is out for an extended period,
please bring a doctor’s note and work with
the teacher to complete make up work.
Car Riders
 All car riders will be dropped off and picked
up in our car circle.
 Every attempt is made to create an efficient
process to ensure timely pickup in the
afternoon.
 Please have your child’s name and grade level
posted in the windshield for a staff member
to see to allow us to call your child to wait at a
pickup station.
First Day Packet
 Emergency Contact Card (yellow card) –
Important to keep current. Please contact the
office for any changes made.
 Title One Compact
 Magnet Program Agreement
 Code of Conduct to read, discuss with your
child and sign.
Family Involvement Opportunities
 All Pro Dad - www.allprodad.org
 IMOM – www.imom.org
 Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
 School Advisory Council (SAC)
 Volunteering
 Mentoring Students
Family Involvement Continued
 School Events – Muffins with Moms, Holiday Nights,
Great American Teach-In, Club Sponsors, Valentine’s Day
Dance, etc…
Parent Workshops – Student Research, Math Strategies,
Social/Emotional Needs of Students, Science Fair
Promise Time After School Program – Provides
mentoring and tutoring to students needing extra
support.
What does the typical day look like?
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(30) Minute Lunch Daily
(150) Minutes of PE Weekly
Art and Music once a week (45 minutes)
Math (90 minutes)
Language Arts (120 minutes)
Science (45 minutes)
Social Studies (integrated)
Health (integrated)
Volunteering at School
 Sharon Johnson is our Volunteer Coordinator
 Phone number is 588-3580
 Information will be sent home about
becoming a registered volunteer
 Many opportunities to include field trips,
mentors, tutors, media center, book fair,
teacher helpers, etc…
 All visitors must go through the front office to
check in and obtain a Visitor’s Pass
Breakfast and Lunch
 To receive free/reduced lunch you must complete
application form.
 Breakfast starts at 8:10 am and ends at 8:30 am.
 Lunch 30 minutes and students sit with their class
 Students can bring lunch to school and also purchase
milk and/or snacks from the line.
 Emphasis placed on serving healthy food.
 No glass containers or candy.
 Parents are welcome to have lunch with their child.
 You may not take other students to lunch with you
without a note from their parent.
Dress Code
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Arrive to school ready to learn
Voluntary Uniform (Khaki bottoms, polo shirt)
Shirts with sleeves
Pants secured at waist
Sandals must have back straps
Students need gym shoes for PE
No inappropriate sayings on clothes
Guidelines for Success
 The Ridgecrest Student Guideline for Success were
designed by the school’s character education team.
The guidelines serve to help establish a school-wide
culture culture based on our core beliefs.
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Panthers are PAWS-itive
 Practice Respect
 Act Responsibly
 Work Together
 Stay Safe
Character Education Program
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Core Essentials Character Education Program
Respect
Responsibility
Honesty
Self-Motivation
Perseverance
Teamwork
Friendship
Code of Conduct
 Each student will bring home a code of conduct and
class behavior management plan used by the
classroom teacher.
 Students may not bring candy, gum or toys to school.
 When students fail to follow school expectations,
parents are first notified.
 Please review the school code of conduct and class
behavior plan with your child.
Student Cell Phones
 Students are allowed to bring cell phones to
school but they must be turned off and placed
in the student’s backpack.
 If a cell phone goes off in class or if a student
plays with it at school, the phone will be taken
away requiring a parent to pick up.
Student Medication
 Ridgecrest has a school nurse 1-2 days a week
 All medications must be kept in the office with a
proper release form.
 Prescription medicine must be in the original
container.
 Office staff cannot administer any medication, even
Tylenol, without the appropriate form.
 If you have any questions about medication at school,
contact the school office.
Student Clubs
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STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Robotics
Major school initiative
Multicultural Club
Art Club
Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE)
Student Council
Computer Club
4-H Clubs
Debate
Spanish
Leadership
Girlfriends
Girls on the Run
Tips For Parents
 Establish Routines with your children
 Each day ask your child how their day went and to see
their homework assignments
 Read nightly
 Have a designated time and spot to complete homework
 Check Portal regularly to monitor your child’s grades
 Make sure they get to bed at a normal time
 Make sure they arrive on time to school
 Maintain healthy communication with the teacher
 Become involved at school through our many wonderful
opportunities
Upcoming Dates
August 21st – Meet the Teacher from 2:00 – 3:00 pm
August 21st - Class lists posted outside cafeteria
August 24th – First Day of School
August 24th - Boohoo Breakfast for KG Parents 8:30 am
September 8th – Back to School Night (K-2) 6:00 pm –
7:00 pm
September 10th – Back to School Night (3-5) 6:00 pm –
7:00 pm