Good afternoon, Rocket families!
This is Erika Bower, Superintendent of Ridgedale Local Schools, where our mission is to empower students to reach their full potential while focusing on learning, safety, partnerships with our community, and fiscal responsibility. Welcome back to our first weekly one call for the 2023-24 school year! We have missed you and are excited for the new year!
We have many wonderful changes as we start the school year! One of these changes is the drop off/pick up transportation flow. Families will now drop off/pick up their students in the front (east side) of the buildings by entering in the middle drive. Buses will unload/load at the back of the building (west side). Student drivers will enter and exit at the north end of the jr/sr high building only. Please look at the MAP linked here. We know this transition will require some patience, especially the first week of school, but it is critical for the safety of our students and staff.
Take a look at our new playground equipment! We are thankful for the generosity of Grand Prairie Township as they donated the equipment! We are also grateful for our staff and community members who assisted throughout the entire project! What a blessing for our students!
When you are in the buildings, be sure to check out the former computer labs and cafeterias in each building. We were able to utilize 21st Century Grant money to transform these areas for use by Power Hours as well as school day activities!
Open House is scheduled for Monday, August 21st, from 4-6pm. Students in grades 1-12 will start school on Tuesday, August 22nd at the normal time with doors opening at 7:43am. The late bell continues to be 8am. Kindergarten has a special start to their school year to allow us to learn more about our kindergarteners and create balanced class lists. On Tuesday, August 22nd, all kindergarteners will participate in activity stations from 9am-2pm. Families will drop off students at 9am and pick them up at 2pm. On Wednesday, August 23rd, and Thursday, August 24th, students and a family member will attend their child’s scheduled KRA testing session. Students will only be at school for their scheduled time. On Friday, August 25th, due to stagger start, students with last names beginning with A-M will attend regular school hours. On Monday, August 28th, stagger start will continue as students with last names beginning with N-Z will attend regular school hours. All kindergarten students will attend on Tuesday, August 29th as our stagger start concludes. Thank you for your patience as we transition our kindergarten students!
Preschool students will start on August 28th. The full calendars for the district and PK can be found on our website.
Don’t forget that mandatory drug testing for jr/sr high students involved in extracurriculars, athletics, and/or driving takes place on Wednesday, August 16th beginning at 9am.
We have events kicking off this week! Our golfers will compete on Monday at the Waynesfield Goshen Invite. Our varsity football team will host Hilltop on Friday. Check out all events by going to our website and clicking on “Menu,” then “School Calendar.”
Thank you for all you do for our students, our staff, and our community! Make it a great week and year, and Go, Rockets!