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To read our newsletter in other languages, please view it on the Centre Ridge website.
Para leer nuestro boletín en otros idiomas, visite la página web de Centre Ridge.
لقراءة النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى ، يرجى الاطلاع عليها على الموقع الإلكتروني
영어가 아닌 다른 언어로 뉴스레터를 보시기 원하시면 이 웹사이트를 클릭하여 주십시오.
.اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے
Volume 2, Issue 2; August 28, 2023
We can make better connections with our students when they are in school!
Dear CRES Community,
As we segue into the second week of our school year, we want to remind you of the importance of attendance.
The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’s Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
In addition, please continue to read our newsletter for an introduction to your Centre Ridge Leadership Team! We are here to support you every step of the way!
Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Wu, and Ms. Baugh
Kiss and Ride
The Kiss and Ride lane is designed to expedite student drop-off in the morning and student pick up in the afternoon. To ensure the safety of all adults and students at Kiss and Ride, no one should enter or exit the vehicle on the driver’s side.
Please do not get out of your car to assist while driving in the Kiss and Ride Lane. This causes a back-up and disrupts the momentum of the lane.
If your child requires assistance to exit your vehicle, please park in the lot, and walk your child to/from the car.
Thank you for adhering to this safety request!
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Save the Date!
Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 28th is our Back to School Night.
Kindergarten: 5:00 pm presentation (café); Classroom visit: 5:30 pm
Grades 1 & 2: 5:45 pm presentation (gym/café); Classroom visit: 6:15 pm
Grades 3 & 4: 6:30 pm presentation (gym/café); Classroom visit: 7:00 pm
Grades 5 & 6: 7:15 pm presentation gym/café); Classroom visit: 7:45 pm
Classroom visits will be 15 minutes. You will have an opportunity to view student learning and progress!
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Introducing your Centre Ridge Leadership Team!
We are here to help your child reach, or exceed, their potential!
(Also pictured is our Executive Principal for Region 4, Ms. Lisa Reddel.)
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Hello, Rams! My name is Miah Ford, and I am excited to be your Academic Dean!
Education has always been at the center of my heart, which led me to teaching. I was born and raised in Oakton, Virginia and had the privilege of being in Fairfax County Public Schools from preschool through 12th grade. My passion for teaching led me to one of Virginia’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Virginia State University, in Petersburg, Virginia. Since graduating college, I have been given the opportunity to teach in the county for the past 15 years. During this time, I have worked on refining my craft as an educator, fulfilling leadership roles to support teachers, and engaging with the community. In my free time, I like to enjoy a wide range of hobbies and activities.
As the Academic Dean, my focus is supporting the school with AVID and related instructional aims.
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Hi, Centre Ridge Community! My name is Karen Helmer, and I'm excited to be your Dean of Engagement where I will support Centre Ridge's ABCs: Attendance, Behavior, and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. I’m coming to you after more than a decade in the classroom and serving in various school leadership capacities. I feel passionately about creating spaces where learning is joyful, students and families are heard and valued, and all feel welcome. Our students are at the heart of this work, and I can’t wait to partner with you on this journey! |
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Dr. Jennifer Hertzberg, Principal
From Tennessee, to New Jersey, to Washington D.C., this is how I found my way to Fairfax County Public Schools! As I enter my 22nd year, and even after much schooling (Go Revolutionaries! and Wahoowa!), I continue to learn so much from our students and families each day!
As your Principal, I am tasked with many important responsibilities, including ensuring the safety and welfare of your children. Nothing is more important to me than their success. Thank you for your trust, support, and faith in Centre Ridge and FCPS. I look forward to making many connections with you this school year!
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Ms. Kelly Baugh, Assistant Principal
I grew up in Illinois, attended the University of Kansas as an undergraduate and went to the University of Texas at Austin for graduate school. After moving to Virginia, I attended grad school at GMU and became an ESOL teacher.
I have lived and worked in the Centreville Pyramid for nearly 20 years. I was an ESOL teacher at Willow Springs, led the Elementary ESOL Community of Learners for the Office of ESOL Services at Centreville ES for 5 years, and I served as Assistant Principal at Colin Powell ES for 5 years.
I live in Reston with my husband and dogs, Milo and Buddy. My son and daughter, Katie and John, both graduated from FCPS and grew up in Centreville.
I speak Spanish and love traveling and getting to know people from around the world. I look forward to a wonderful year with you!
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Tiffanie Wu, Assistant Principal
I was born and raised in Vienna, Virginia, and attended Oakton High School. I graduated from Virginia Tech, where I received my Bachelor’s degree and Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. My first position in Fairfax County was a fourth grade teacher at Cardinal Forest Elementary School. During that time, I went to George Mason and received my Master’s degree in Mathematics Specialist Leadership. In pursuing my love for math, I worked at Providence Elementary School for ten years as a Title I math specialist and instructional coach. During that time, I returned to George Mason to receive my endorsement in administration. This is my sixth year at Centre Ridge Elementary as an Assistant Principal.
In my spare time, I love spending time with my family and friends. I have a daughter in 8th grade and a son in 5th grade. We also have two dogs that keep us very busy!
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2023 Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29th.
Parental Permission to Use Digital Resources
Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Parent Consent webpage. This page also includes directions for providing permission.
Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the online Digital Ecosystem Library.
Parents can find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.
Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success.
Our first goal in the strategic plan is to help all students develop academic skills, curiosity, and a love for learning. These skills and attitudes are crucial for success from pre-K to 12th grade. Our related equity commitment is to ensure authentic and affirming partnerships with families and key stakeholders through collaborative decision making that results in each student's success.
Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of Goal 1.
Ronnie Ram's Tweet of the Week!
We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!
Check out our entire third grade #communicating and #collaborating for a successful year! This is what building a community of learners looks like!
For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!
Please click on our main hashtags, #CRESCulture and #CRESConnections, for more awesome highlights from Centre Ridge!
We also expanded our social media presence! Find us on Instagram for all our #CRESConnections!
DedicatED:
For Parents and Teachers
Advancement Via Individual Determination: AVID
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As you may be aware, we are investing in a strong college-going culture at Centre Ridge to encourage our students to think about their college and career plans. You will soon see more college pennants and banners in our school building, in addition to your child's teacher speaking about their college experiences. Our aim is to provide the academic foundation our students need to be on a path for college and career success. This is why we have begun to learn about, and further, AVID Elementary--to close the opportunity gap before it begins. |
Curious about AVID's impact on your student?
Discover the significant findings of a UCLA study on the benefits of the #AVID program. Tune in to Unpacking Education as they discuss the positive effects on students' well-being. Listen here!
Please Mark Your Calendars!
Great news! Centre Ridge Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our
Friday, September 1st & Monday September 4th: Labor Day Holiday; no school.
Thursday, September 28th: Back to School Night; evening schedule illustrated above.
See the complete 2023-2024 school year calendar.
FCPS Cares Program
Recognizing employees who go above and beyond
FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Centre Ridge employees.
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Ram Reflection
To provide feedback directly to Dr. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!
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