Ridgeview Elementary600 Westridge Road
Craig, CO 81625
Phone 970-824-7018
Fax 970-824-7010
Principal: Amber Clark (970) 826-6595
Secretary: Cyndee Owens (970) 826-6461
Ridgeview is one of four elementary schools in Craig, CO and is located in the Ridgeview Subdivision in west Craig. Constructed in 1981, we are a two story building with a preschool and two classes at each grade level from K-5 grades.
| Preschool Teachers: Gayle Kendall Kari Neuman Kindergarten Teachers: Megan Charchalis Lauren Padon 1st Grade Teachers: Rhonda Counts Kim Conci 2nd Grade Teachers: Crystal Lytle Jennifer Stagner 3rd Grade Teachers: Mariah Doolin Katie Wheeler 4th Grade Teachers: Candi Hellander Heather Trapp 5th Grade Teachers: Kara Holden Donna Weinman |
Art: Steve Martinson Counselor: Stacy Durham Health Tech: Karra Juergens Interventions: Shannon Samuelson Library: Cresh Wilson Music: Phyllis Reed Physical Education: Matt Ray Special Education: Crystal Miller Aides: Sally Beauchamp Judnita McIntyre Deanna Rowley Kim Thompson |
We strive at Ridgeview to create an ideal learning environment for all of our students. Numerous programs are in place to help our students reach their maximum potential. Academic achievement with a focus on literacy and math is a top priority. The development of a positive self-concept while promoting student responsibility is emphasized throughout the school. Physical education, music, art and technology are also integrated into the learning experience to offer a balanced approach to educating the "whole child."
At Ridgeview, we believe the development of the whole child is fostered by meaningful communication between home and school. This belief encompasses the child's academic, physical and social development.
Parents are encouraged to develop a partnership with the school and become involved in their child's education as a volunteer or as a member of the Parent Advisory Committee.
The staff at Ridgeview welcomes parents to visit their child's classroom at any time.
.Daily Schedule
-Playground supervision begins at 7:45
-School Begins 7:55 a.m.
-School Dismissed 3:24 p.m.
*** Every Friday is Early Realease at 2:09 p.m.
Preschool
-Morning 7:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
-Afternoon 11:50 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.
Food Service
Lunch menus are sent home monthly during the year
-Student Lunch $2.50
-Student Breakfast $1.50
Book Fees
$12.00
Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
Meetings are the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
We encourage everyone to attend.
Printable Version of Mrs. Clark's letter to parents.
December 17, 2012
Dear Parent/Guardian,
I am sure that you are aware of the tragedy that took place in a Connecticut Elementary School on Friday, December 14th. The Ridgeview staff and I send our thoughts and condolences to the victims and their families, and are sobered by the thought that so many children have been torn from their parents and this world in such a violent manner.
Our thoughts also turn inward as we reflect on the safety of our children here in Craig and at Ridgeview Elementary School. This occurrence in Connecticut may have aroused fears and questions about our readiness for such an event. Some parents have already been asking about our safety protocols and procedures. In addition, many relatives and parents are requesting advice on how to speak with children about this incident.
Our district superintendant, Dr. Joe Petrone, issued a letter to the community on Saturday via a media press release. This letter is an attempt to address the many concerns that community members and parents may have. A copy of this letter can be found on both the district website and the school’s web page. In addition to his communication about safety, Dr. Petrone also provided various helpful resources that can assist parents in talking with their children about this event. Please take a few moments to review these recommendations. Should you need a hard copy of these resources, please don’t hesitate to stop by the office. If needed, we are happy to place these in a sealed envelope and send them home with your student upon request. The school counselor, Mrs. Durham, and myself will be checking in with classes, teachers and students to assist as needed in small groups or with individuals. Please know we are available to meet with you or your family at the school should the need arise.
As to the issue of school security, be reassured that the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. Our safety protocols are discussed and updated regularly. As noted in Dr. Petrone’s letter, we conduct regular drills so that all students and staff are able to prepare and practice for a multitude of different situations, including the type that occurred this past Friday. To assist parents in understanding our safety procedures, two community meetings will be held by the district. School administrators and counselors will be available to answer questions and assist parents.
Tuesday, December 18th - 6:00 pm at Moffat County High School
Wednesday, December 19th - 6:00 pm at Sandrock Elementary School
If you are unable to come to either of these meetings, I am happy to meet with you individually this week. Any questions prior to or after this meeting can be directed to me in person, via phone (824-7018) or via email (amber.clark@moffatsd.org )
Partners in Education,
Amber Clark, Principal
Printable version of Press Release from Dr. Petrone
December 15, 2012 
Dear Moffat County School Community,
We know that most of you heard about the tragic events, which took place at a Connecticut school on Friday, December 14. Our entire community is devastated to learn of the many lives lost in this horrific shooting.
Our grief is profoundly deep and intensified when we think of the innocence of lives lost and the heroic efforts of teachers and administrators. Their quick and deliberate actions undoubtedly saved lives.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the students, staff and families of Sandy Hook Elementary School and the city of Newtown, Connecticut. The thought of so many innocent children and caring adults lost is sobering and extremely sad. The parents, extended families and friends of the victims will forever be affected.
This is a devastating reminder that we must continue to be mindful of the need for strong safety protocols in our schools. Therefore, in the aftermath, we turn our thoughts to safety of our children in Moffat County. This horrifying massacre has aroused worries and questions about our readiness and our ability to counsel children as they cope with senseless death. Some parents will be requesting advice on how to speak with children about this frightening development. Following this letter are several articles and web links to information. We think this information has the potential to be directly helpful.
We honor the range of emotions and we will address collectively and individually any of the issues, which surface from any one of our constituencies, especially our students and their parents. Our immediate aim is to help our children, families and community cope with this tragic loss of innocent lives.
Our District’s highest priority is the safety and security of our students and staff, and we will emphatically renew our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment.
We are fortunate to have a strong partnership with our police and fire departments. As you know, the City of Craig supports us daily with two Security Resource Officers, and we meet regularly with them, and more widely with law enforcement partners, to continually improve the safety and security of our District’s campuses.
We have a crisis plan in place for each school campus and conduct regular drills. Our teachers also work with students on drills that prepare them to respond in the safest manner possible, if there is a dangerous situation at school. We encourage vigilance when it comes to securing our entrances and requiring that all visitors check in at our school offices. We use a variety of communication tools to help ensure that families and staff are informed about any incidents as needed.
Our counselors and psychologist are equipped to work with students and their families and provide guidance about ways to discuss the tragedy in an age-appropriate manner. This group of professionals, along with principals and other administrators, are convening early morning, December 17. We will be preparing for student and staff questions and the variety of emotions certain to be present when our children and teachers arrive to school on Monday.
Finally, you might wish to access several helpful links to information regarding talking to your children about school violence and subsequent emotions. The articles, which are reprinted from these helpful sources, are as follows:
· “Helping Children Cope with Tragedy and Related Anxiety” (from Mental Health America)
· “Talking to Children About Community Violence (from American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
· “School Violence and the News” (from Kids Health)
· “Helping Children Manage Stress in the Aftermath of a Shooting” (from the American Psychological Association)
Also, please know, any question your have is a good one. We stand ready to assist you, our children and wider community, as we process this atrocious event.
Sincerely,
Joe Petrone, Superintendent
Moffat County School District Re-1
Helping Children Cope with Tragedy and Related Anxiety
(. . . from Mental Health America – See web link following this article.)
Children sense the anxiety and tension in adults around them. And, like adults, children experience the same feelings of helplessness and lack of control that tragedy-related stress can bring about. Unlike adults, however, children have little experience to help them place their current situation into perspective.
Each child responds differently to tragedy, depending on his or her understanding and maturity, but it’s easy to see how an event like this can create a great deal of anxiety in children of all ages because they will interpret the tragedy as a personal danger to themselves and those they care about.
Whatever the child’s age or relationship to the damage caused by tragedy, it’s important that you be open about the consequences for your family, and that you encourage him or her to talk about it.
Quick Tips for Parents
- Children need comforting and frequent reassurance that they’re safe make sure they get it.
- Be honest and open about the tragedy or disaster.
- Encourage children to express their feelings through talking, drawing or playing.
- Try to maintain your daily routines as much as possible.
Pre-school Age Children
Behavior such as bed-wetting, thumb sucking, baby talk, or a fear of sleeping alone may intensify in some younger children, or reappear in children who had previously outgrown them. They may complain of very real stomach cramps or headaches, and be reluctant to go to school. It’s important to remember that these children are not "being bad" --they’re afraid. Here are some suggestions to help them cope with their fears:
- Reassure young children that they’re safe. Provide extra comfort and contact by discussing the child’s fears at night, by telephoning during the day and with extra physical comforting.
- Get a better understanding of a child’s feelings about the tragedy. Discuss the tragedy with them and find out each child’s particular fears and concerns. Answer all questions they may ask and provide them loving comfort and care. You can work to structure children’s play so that it remains constructive, serving as an outlet for them to express fear or anger.
Grade-school Age Children
Children this age may ask many questions about the tragedy, and it’s important that you try to answer them in clear and simple language. If a child is concerned about a parent who is distressed, don’t tell a child not to worry--doing so will just make him or her worry more.
Here are several important things to remember with school-age children:
- False reassurance does not help this age group. Don’t say tragedies will ever affect your family again; children will know this isn’t true. Instead, say “You’re safe now and I’ll always try to protect you,-- or--Adults are working very hard to make things safe.” Remind children that tragedies are very rare. Children’s fears often get worse around bedtime, so you might want to stick around until the child falls asleep in order to make him or her feel protected.
- Monitor children’s media viewing. Images of the tragedy and the damage are extremely frightening to children, so consider limiting the amount of media coverage they see. A good way to do this without calling attention to your own concern is to regularly schedule an activity--story reading, drawing, movies, or letter writing, for example--during news shows.
- Allow them to express themselves through play or drawing. As with younger children, school-age children sometimes find comfort in expressing themselves through playing games or drawing scenes of the tragedy. Allowing them to do so, and then talking about it, gives you the chance to "re-tell" the ending of the game or the story they have expressed in pictures with an emphasis on personal safety.
- Don’t be afraid to say, "I don’t know." Part of keeping discussion of the tragedy open and honest is not being afraid to say you don’t know how to answer a child’s question. When such an occasion arises, explain to your child that tragedies are extremely rare, and they cause feelings that even adults have trouble dealing with. Temper this by explaining that, even so, adults will always work very hard to keep children safe and secure.
Adolescents
Encourage these youth to work out their concerns about the tragedy. Adolescents may try to downplay their worries. It is generally a good idea to talk about these issues, keeping the lines of communication open and remaining honest about the financial, physical and emotional impact of the tragedy on your family. When adolescents are frightened, they may express their fear through acting out or regressing to younger habits.
- Children with existing emotional problems such as depression may require careful supervision and additional support.
- Monitor their media exposure to the event and information they receive on the Internet.
- Adolescents may turn to their friends for support. Encourage friends and families to get together and discuss the event to allay fears.
Talking to Children about Community Violence
(. . . from American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – See web link following this article.)
By David Fassler, M.D. Once again, parents and teachers are faced with the challenge of discussing a tragic incident of community violence with children. Although these may be difficult conversations, they are also important. There are no "right" or "wrong" ways to talk with children about such traumatic events. However, here are some suggestions that may be helpful:
• Create an open and supportive environment where children know they can ask questions. At the same time, it's best not to force children to talk about things unless and until they're ready.
• Give children honest answers and information. Children will usually know, or eventually find out, if you're "making things up." It may affect their ability to trust you or your reassurances in the future.
• Use words and concepts children can understand. Gear your explanations to the child's age, language, and developmental level.
• Be prepared to repeat information and explanations several times. Some information may be hard for them to accept or understand. Asking the same question over and over may also be a way for a child to ask for reassurance.
• Acknowledge and validate the child's thoughts, feelings, and reactions. Let them know that you think their questions and concerns are important and appropriate.
• Remember that children tend to personalize situations. For example, they may worry about their own safety or the safety of friends and relatives, especially those who are away at college.
• Let children know that lots of people are helping the students, teachers, and families affected by the recent shootings.
• Children learn from watching their parents and teachers. They are very interested in how you respond to local and national events. They also learn from listening to your conversations with other adults.
• Don't let children watch too much television with frightening images. The repetition of such scenes can be disturbing and confusing.
• Children who have experienced trauma or losses in the past are particularly vulnerable to prolonged or intense reactions to news or images of violent incidents. These children may need extra support and attention.
• Children who are preoccupied with questions or concerns about safety should be evaluated by a trained and qualified mental health professional. Other signs that a child may need additional help include: ongoing sleep disturbances, intrusive thoughts or worries, recurring fears about death, leaving parents or going to school. If these behaviors persist, ask your child's pediatrician, family physician, or school counselor to help arrange an appropriate referral.
• Although parents and teachers may follow the news with close scrutiny, most children just want to be children. They may not want to think about or discuss violent events. They'd rather play ball, climb trees, or ride bikes.
Incidents of community violence are not easy for anyone to comprehend or accept. Understandably, some young children may feel frightened or confused. As parents, teachers, and caring adults, we can best help by listening and responding in an honest, consistent, and supportive manner. Fortunately, most children -- even those exposed to trauma -- are quite resilient. However, by creating an open environment where they feel free to ask questions, we can help them cope with stressful events and experiences, and reduce the risk of lasting emotional difficulties.
David Fassler, M.D., is a child and adolescent psychiatrist practicing in Burlington, Vermont. He is also a clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. More information about helping children cope with violence and trauma is available at:
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/resources_for_families/talking_to_children_about_community_violence
School Violence and the News
(. . . from “Kid’s Health in the News” – See web link following this article.)
News of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, in which children and school staff were killed, might make you think that school violence is on the rise. But as terrible and frightening as incidents like these are, they are rare. Although it may not seem that way, the rate of crime involving physical harm has been declining at U.S. schools since the early 1990s.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), less than 1% of all homicides among school-age children happen on school grounds or on the way to and from school. The vast majority of students will never experience violence at school or in college.
Still, it's natural for kids and teens to worry about whether something like what happened in Connecticut may someday happen to them. How can you help them deal with these fears? Talking with kids about these tragedies, and what they watch or hear about them, can put frightening information into context.
Talking to Your Kids
It's important for kids to feel like they can share their feelings, and know that their fears and anxieties are understandable.
Rather than waiting for your child to approach you, consider starting the conversation. Ask kids what they understand about these incidents and how they feel about them.
Share your own feelings too — during a tragedy, kids may look to adults for their reactions. It helps kids to know that they are not alone in their anxieties. Knowing that their parents have similar feelings will help kids legitimize their own.
What Schools Are Doing
Many schools are taking extra precautions to keep students safe. Some have focused on keeping weapons out by conducting random locker and bag checks, limiting entry and exit points at the school, and keeping the entryways under teacher supervision. Other schools use metal detectors.
Lessons on conflict resolution have been added to many schools' courses to help prevent troubled students from resorting to violence. Peer counseling and active peer programs help students become more aware of the signs that a fellow student may be becoming more troubled or violent.
Another thing that helps make schools safer is greater awareness of problems like bullying and discrimination. Many schools now have programs to fight these problems, and teachers and administrators know more about protecting students from violence.
How Kids Perceive the News
Of course, you are not your child's only source of information about school shootings or other tragic events that receive media attention. Kids are likely to repeatedly encounter news stories or graphic images on television, radio, or the Internet, and such reports can teach them to view the world as a confusing, threatening, or unfriendly place.
Unlike movies or entertainment programs, news is real. But depending on a child's age or maturity level, he or she may not yet understand the distinctions between fact and fantasy. By the time kids reach seven or eight, however, what they watch on TV can seem all too real.
For some youngsters, the vividness of a sensational news story can be internalized and transformed into something that might happen to them. A child watching a news story about a school shooting might worry, "Could I be next? Could that happen to me?" TV has the effect of shrinking the world and bringing it into our living rooms.
By concentrating on violent stories, TV news can also promote a "mean-world" syndrome that can give kids a misrepresentation of what the world and society are actually like.
At the same time, kids often need parents to help them feel safe. It may help to discuss in concrete terms what you have done and what the school is doing to help protect its students.
Discussing the News
To calm fears about the news, parents should be prepared to deliver what psychologists call "calm, unequivocal, but limited information." This means delivering the truth, but in a way that fits the emotional level of your child. The key is to be truthful, but not go into more detail than your child is interested in or can handle.
Although it's true that some things can't be controlled, parents should still give kids the space to share their fears. Encourage them to talk openly about what scares them.
Older kids are less likely to accept an explanation at face value. Their budding skepticism about the news and how it's produced and sold might mask anxieties they have about the stories covered. If an older child is bothered about a story, help him or her cope with these fears. An adult's willingness to listen will send a powerful message.
Tips for Parents
Keeping an eye on what TV news kids watch can go a long way toward monitoring the content of what they hear and see about events like school shootings.
Here are some additional tips:
• Recognize that news doesn't have to be driven by disturbing pictures. Public television programs, newspapers, or newsmagazines specifically designed for kids can be less sensational — and less upsetting — ways for them to get information.
• Discuss current events with your kids on a regular basis. It's important to help them think through stories they hear about. Ask questions: What do you think about these events? How do you think these things happen? Such questions can encourage conversation about non-news topics as well.
• Put news stories in proper context. Showing that certain events are isolated or explaining how one event relates to another helps kids make better sense of what they hear.
• Watch the news with your kids to filter stories together.
• Anticipate when guidance will be necessary and avoid shows that aren't appropriate for your child's age or level of development.
• If you're uncomfortable with the content of the news or it's inappropriate for your child's age, turn it off.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/school_violence.html#
Helping Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting
(. . . from the American Psychological Association – See web link following this article.)
As a parent, you may be struggling with how to talk with your children about a shooting rampage. It is important to remember that children look to their parents to make them feel safe. This is true no matter what age your children are, be they toddlers, adolescents or even young adults.
Consider the following tips for helping your children manage their distress.
Talk with your child. Talking to your children about their worries and concerns is the first step to help them feel safe and begin to cope with the events occurring around them. What you talk about and how you say it does depend on their age, but all children need to be able to know you are there listening to them.
- Find times when they are most likely to talk: such as when riding in the car, before dinner, or at bedtime.
- Start the conversation; let them know you are interested in them and how they are coping with the information they are getting.
- Listen to their thoughts and point of view; don't interrupt — allow them to express their ideas and understanding before you respond.
- Express your own opinions and ideas without putting down theirs; acknowledge that it is okay to disagree.
- Remind them you are there for them to provide safety, comfort and support. Give them a hug.
Keep home a safe place. Children, regardless of age, often find home to be a safe haven when the world around them becomes overwhelming. During times of crisis, it is important to remember that your children may come home seeking the safe feeling they have being there. Help make it a place where your children find the solitude or comfort they need. Plan a night where everyone participates in a favorite family activity.
Watch for signs of stress, fear or anxiety. After a traumatic event, it is typical for children (and adults) to experience a wide range of emotions, including fearfulness, shock, anger, grief and anxiety. Your children's behaviors may change because of their response to the event. They may experience trouble sleeping, difficulty with concentrating on schoolwork or changes in appetite. This is normal for everyone and should begin to disappear in a few months. Encourage your children to put their feelings into words by talking about them or journaling. Some children may find it helpful to express their feelings through art.
Take "news breaks." Your children may want to keep informed by gathering information about the event from the Internet, television or newspapers. It is important to limit the amount of time spent watching the news because constant exposure may actually heighten their anxiety and fears. Also, scheduling some breaks for yourself is important; allow yourself time to engage in activities you enjoy.
Take care of yourself. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your children. Be a model for your children on how to manage traumatic events. Keep regular schedules for activities such as family meals and exercise to help restore a sense of security and normalcy.
These tips and strategies can help you guide your children through the current crisis. If you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed, you may want to consider talking to someone who could help. A licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist can assist you in developing an appropriate strategy for moving forward. It is important to get professional help if you feel like you are unable to function or perform basic activities of daily living. Thanks to psychologists Ronald S. Palomares, PhD, and Lynn F. Bufka, PhD. who assisted us with this article.
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/aftermath.aspx
