The Ram Gram! Hot Off the Press!

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۔


ram_gram_original

Volume 2, Issue 29; June 9, 2024


Happy summer!

We have 3 more days until summer break arrives, and we plan on making the most of these days with our students!


Dear CRES Community,

As we approach the end of a fantastic school year at Centre Ridge, we want to take a moment to reflect on our journey, share some important updates, and prepare for an exciting year ahead!

Reflecting on Our Year:

This school year has been filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences. From engaging classroom activities and enriching field trips, to various school-wide efforts such as AVID and Portrait of a Graduate Presentations of Learning, we have seen our students connect deeply with curriculum and develop as thinkers and learners!

Changes in Staff:

We must bid farewell to beloved staff members who will be moving on to new opportunities, including Ms. Wu, our amazing Assistant Principal, who has served Centre Ridge for six years! We extend our deepest gratitude to all those who are moving on for their dedication and contributions. You have made a lasting impact on our students and will be greatly missed.

At the same time, we are excited to welcome new staff members, including Ms. Sutton, our new Assistant Principal. Her passion for education and commitment to fostering a nurturing environment will help us continue our focus on advancing student achievement.

Looking Forward:

Next year, we are implementing a new literacy curriculum, expanding our technology programs, and will be offering additional extracurricular activities, ensuring every student at CRES has the resources and support they need to thrive.

Summer Break:

As we transition into summer break, we encourage our students to continue their educational journeys. Summer reading lists and activity suggestions will be sent home to keep their minds engaged and curious.

Thank you, once again, for your partnership and trust. Together, we are shaping a bright and promising future for our students!

Warmly,

Dr. Hertzberg, Ms. Wu, Ms. Baugh, Ms. Helmer, and Ms. Ford


Ms. Sutton

Welcome, Ms. Sutton!

Get ready for a high-five and a smile because Ms. Sutton is joining the Centre Ridge Elementary administrative team as our new Assistant Principal! Ms. Sutton brings 18 years of experience in education, all dedicated to supporting Title I schools.

She has worn many hats in her educational journey—from inspiring young minds as an elementary classroom teacher, to supporting schools across the district as a Central Office Title I Resource Teacher. Currently, she is fulfilling her childhood dream as an Assistant Principal at Pine Spring Elementary School.

As our new Assistant Principal, Ms. Sutton is excited to connect with students and families, collaborate with our staff, and contribute to a positive school culture. Her goal is to foster a learning environment where every Ram feels enthusiastic, motivated, and goal-driven.

When Ms. Sutton isn't cheering on students, she is cheering on the Baltimore Ravens (she is a HUGE fan!). Fun fact: She even had the unique experience of being a Baltimore Ravens Cheerleader for two seasons!

A proud graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, and originally from Maryland, Ms. Sutton also knows the joys of parenthood. She is a busy mom to two energetic boys, Aiden (7) and Jackson (2).

Ms. Sutton is brimming with knowledge, skills, and tons of positive energy, and she can't wait to join the CRES community!

Ms. Sutton's family

new-student-registration

New Student Registration is Open for the

🧸 2024-2025 School Year! 🧸

Registration is available online or you can pick-up paperwork in our front office.

Required documents for registration:

  • Proof of residency: A deed, lease agreement
  • Proof of birth: Original birth certificate
  • Health documentation: A certificate of physical examination including required screenings completed within the last 12 months prior to starting school by a US licensed physician.

Please contact Patricia Kirkpatrick, our School Information Assistant (SIA), for more information. She can also be reached via phone at 703-227-2605. 

For support in Spanish, please contact Mary Pierri, 703-227-2656.              

For support in Korean, please contact Toyon Eum, 571-536-8009.


resources

Resources for Newly Registered Families

  • Being connected to your school community helps you stay informed and support your child’s success. Take some time to get familiar with the many resources and tools available to FCPS families, including:
  • School Age Child Care (SACC) – This Fairfax County government program provides a safe and fun environment before and after school for elementary school-age children.
  • FCPS Communications for Families – FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family involvement.
  • Family Engagement Resources – FCPS works to connect, strengthen, and support our families, schools, and communities. 
  • Do You Know About Family Liaisons? Family liaisons serve as a link between families and schools. You may contact Mary Pierri, 703-227-2656 (Spanish) or Toyon Eum, 571-536-8009 (Korean) for assistance.

FCPS

📈 SOL Scores Posted in SIS ParentVUE

Families can find Standards of Learning (SOL) reports for spring testing in the SIS ParentVUE Documents section on or before the last day of school. Log in to your ParentVUE account to access the following:

  • For all students – the official SOL Score Report with overall and reporting category performance for all spring tests.
  • For grade 3-8 students – the SOL Growth Parent Report shows performance over time for state reading and math tests completed this school year.

Visit the FCPS website for additional information about spring assessment reporting practices and timelines.

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.


INOVA Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs

Inova Cares Clinic (ICC) will provide children ages 5 and older with free school entrance physicals and immunizations at summer health fairs for children on Medicaid or who are uninsured. The clinics will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following dates:

  • Saturday, June 29, at ICC for Children - Manassas
  • Saturday, July 20, at ICC for Children - Herndon
  • Saturday, August 17, at ICC for Children - Falls Church

Appointments are required; no walk-ins will be allowed. Call 703-698-2550 for an appointment.


Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations

This summer, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from Monday, June 24, through Friday, August 2. Any FCPS parent or secondary student will have an opportunity to schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker by phone or videoconference. 

Parents of students in any grade level can request a consultation to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.

Students in middle or high school can request a consultation to receive guidance and support for concerns related to anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions, or school transitions and changes. Strategies and tools can also be provided to address academic challenges such as organization and time management.

We encourage all families to take advantage of this service. Request a consultation or call and leave a message at 703-503-2520.


Summer Fun for All! Summer Camps and Adapted Recreation

The Family Resource Center (FRC) has a list of dozens of summer camps including general camps, camps for students with a variety of needs, and camps for children of military personnel. 

They’ve also prepared a list of adapted resources, sorted by activity, that are inclusive for children and adults of various physical abilities. 

Learn more by calling 703-204-3941, emailing FRC@fcps.edu, or visiting the FRC webpage.


ToTW

Ronnie Ram's Tweet or InstagRAM of the Week!

We love highlighting learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms!

Our Multilingual Team hosted their fourth family engagement opportunity for our parents this year! We are always seeking opportunities to support our students at school and at home!

#ResilientLearners

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!

Ms. Climo Tweet #2

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

Chronic Absenteeism Update!

good school attendance

We are thrilled to share that this year we successfully reduced chronic absenteeism by over 15%! As of Friday, June 7th, we were tracking at approximately 9%. This significant improvement, from a high of 25% this year, is a testament to the collective efforts of our students, parents, and staff in prioritizing consistent school attendance. As we look forward to the next school year, we remain dedicated to further reducing chronic absenteeism and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed through regular school attendance.

Stay tuned for updates regarding our attendance incentives for students who maintained or improved their attendance this year!

Please use the 2024-2025 school calendar to plan for appointments and vacations next year. We need our students in school each day to ensure student academic progress. Thank you for your ongoing support!


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 calendar feed, please go here.

Tuesday, June 11th: 6th Grade Promotion, 9:15 am, CRES gym

Wednesday, June 12th:Last day of school for students/early release

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.

FCPS CARES

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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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