CEDAR RIDGE SCHOOLS

Cedar Ridge School District was blessed with 140 FREE Barbie dolls from a neighboring school district to give to our students! Drive by the Ag Ed and Professional Development Center this Thursday, June 4th from 1 PM to 3 PM to receive your FREE item. See you then!

Cedar Ridge community, We understand the concerns you may be having regarding the 2020-2021 school year. As you know, the safety and security of our students and staff are a top priority. While we hope to get back to face-to-face instruction starting in August, we also want what is best for everyone. Options will be available. Cedar Ridge School District is working hard to provide a virtual learning option. We will be working on our virtual plan under the guidance of the ADE. Please know that whether instruction is presented in the classroom, virtually, or a blend of the two, we will continue to provide students with the best education possible. We expect plans to evolve and adapt as further guidance becomes available. Please continue to follow our district social media pages, website, and app through the summer for updates and additional information. Have a great summer!

SENIOR PARADE Saturday, May 9th 11am around Newark This parade does NOT replace graduation. Seniors: meet at the high school gym at 10:15am for line-up. Please wear your cap and gown. The parade will be recorded and shown at graduation. Parents/Guardians should drive so seniors can enjoy the parade. You can ride in a vehicle, tractor, or ATV. Mr. Conyers will be playing some graduation songs and announcing seniors on the radio. If you or a family member would like to record something to be played during the parade, please email Mr. Conyers at caleb.conyers@cedarwolves.org or call him at 870-201-2577 ext. 0201.

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to these ladies! Jennifer Copeland Debra Treadway Kayla McAdams Brittany Brown Wanda Wilson Janis Toste Marla Crotts You are appreciated more than you know! 💙🧡

Over 4,500 meals went out this week to Cedar Ridge students (and younger siblings). Thank you to everyone who helped!

The School Choice deadline for the 20-21 school year is May 1, 2020. Applications can be found on our website at https://www.cedarwolves.org/o/cedar-ridge/page/freedom-of-choice or at each building office.

Spring Picture Proofs are in! You may view your proofs in one of the following ways: 1. Proofs can be delivered with food & AMI packets on Monday. 2. Proofs can be picked up during normal school hours in the Agri Lobby. 3. Proofs can be viewed online at https://pinkstonphotography.photoreflect.com. Please call Sherry Pinkston at 870-219-8188 with your order. If at all possible, please order by April 17th.

Parents and Guardians — Please visit the link below to view the new system in place for Pre-K and Kindergarten registration. https://www.cedarwolves.org/article/229521?org=cedar-ridge

VIRTUAL SPIRIT WEEK The Cedar Ridge School District would like to invite all students, staff, and community members to participate in our Virtual Spirit Week! Submit your pictures each day to be featured on our social media pages! Post your pictures in the comment section, send them to us through Facebook messenger, or email them to brianna.goodman@cedarwolves.org.

To students (and parents of students) who attend the after school program: It’s that time of year when we ask students and parents to complete a survey about our after school program. This survey helps in the funding of our program and your help with this is much appreciated. Please go to this website: cypq.org/ar21cclc, scroll down to 2019-20 Statewide Evaluation Surveys and complete youth and/or parent survey. If you do not have internet, you may pick up a paper copy at the agri building. If you have any questions, please call Shanda Wood at (870) 307-3999 or Cindy Paarman at (870) 307-2793.

Parents and Guardians: Below is a link to the most recent COVID-19 update for today, March 31, 2020. https://www.cedarwolves.org/article/223221?org=cedar-ridge

March 30, 2020 Dear Cedar Ridge Parents and Guardians: Thank you for your continued attention to district communication regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and our district plans. The health of our students, their families, and our staff members is our utmost priority. As of 1:30 p.m. this afternoon, there are 473 positive COVID-19 cases in the state. At the authorization of Governor Asa Hutchinson, all school districts in Arkansas shall remain closed through April 17, 2020. At this time, Cedar Ridge School District is scheduled to reopen on Monday, April 20, 2020. Please be aware this could change based on a directive from the Governor. A member of the Cedar Ridge staff will be reaching out to each family this week to go over meal needs, AMI access, and other important matters. If you or your child have not heard from us by Thursday evening, please contact us at 870-201-2577 ext. 0210 or 0308. AMI (Alternative Methods of Instruction): Starting Tuesday, March 31, 2020, students in grades PK-8 are to follow “Arkansas AMI” on Arkansas PBS (public broadcasting system). If you need help getting the show on your television, please call 501-682-2386 or email info@myarkansaspbs.org. Broadcasting times for each grade are as follows: Pre-K - 2nd: 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. 3rd - 5th: 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. 6th - 8th: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. If you miss the live broadcast, the AMI instructional content will be available online after 4 p.m. of the same day of broadcast. To connect to the website, go to www.myarkansaspbs.org/ArkansasAMI. Students are to fill out the PBS AMI self-reporting checklists, which is located on the Arkansas PBS website, and submit to their teacher. Submissions can be made through email, ClassDojo, or Google Classroom. Students in grades 9-11 are to continue with their AMI assignments on Google Classroom. WiFi Access: Cedar Ridge Schools will have network connectivity outside the buildings through an open “Guest” wifi network. School-owned Chromebooks will automatically connect to the network. Personal devices will have to manually connect. To view a map of where to access the wifi, visit www.cedarwolves.org/article/222335?org=cedar-ridge. Food Access: Requested breakfast and lunch deliveries will begin on Monday, April 6th at 10 a.m. for students ages 18 years of age and younger. If you prefer to pick up breakfast and lunch, they will also be available in the Agri building lobby from 11 a.m to 12 p.m Monday-Friday. Seniors: We understand the concern regarding graduation, graduation requirements, and other senior events. Our desire is for the graduating class of 2020 to have the once in a lifetime experience of a graduation ceremony. As of today, graduation will be postponed until the state of emergency has ended. Grades from the 3rd nine weeks meet the requirements for graduation. If you are not satisfied with your current grades, complete AMI days 1-10 by Friday, May 1st. Other: Students enrolled in concurrent credit classes will still be required to complete the course per university requirements. For questions, call Mrs. Kathleen Holder at 870-201-2577 ext. 4224. Prom will also be postponed until further notice. For accurate school information and updates please check the Cedar Ridge Schools website and download the district app on iPhone or Android. Thank you for your attention, your flexibility, and for being prepared. We will continue to monitor and communicate as information becomes available. We are doing all that we can to provide the best care for our children. Sincerely, Dr. Andy Ashley Superintendent

Attention Parents & Guardians: Sunday, March 29, 2020, marks the end of Spring Break. Students would typically be returning to school on Monday, March 30, 2020, but Governor Asa Hutchinson has closed all Arkansas school districts until April 17, 2020. Students should continue to work on Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI). Monday, March 30, 2020, is AMI Day #5. Tomorrow the District Leadership Team will be meeting to determine the long-range plan for the education of Cedar Ridge Students. More information will be provided very soon. We appreciate your attention to district communications regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The health of our students, their families, and our staff members is our utmost priority. For accurate school information and updates please check the Cedar Ridge Schools website (www.cedarwolves.org) and download the district app on iPhone or Android. We are doing all that we can to provide the best care for our children. Dr. Andy Ashley Superintendent

Cedar Ridge Parents, Faculty, Staff, and Community Members, Thank you for your attention to district communications regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). As we round out the first week of off-site schooling during the building closures, I just want to take a moment to update you with what we know at this time. As of 8 p.m. on Friday, March 20, there is at least 1 confirmed case of COVID-19 in Independence County, with the number of confirmed cases in AR totaling 100. Yesterday the Governor announced that schools would continue doing off-site instruction after Spring Break (March 23-27) through April 17. That means we plan to be back in school on Monday, April 20. While that is our true hope, we understand that the closure could be extended if the situation escalates. Today our Secretary of Education announced that the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) would be filing for a federal waiver made possible by President Trump that will cancel ACT Aspire testing for this school year. We want to make sure our students and families have everything they need to get through this unprecedented time. Parents, please contact us if you need additional AMI packets, food, etc. Call Paula or Tracey at 870-201-2577 ext. 0210 or 0308. I want to thank our faculty and staff for jumping in and doing their very best to make this situation work. I think everyone learned some good lessons about remote instruction this week, and so I think our students will have an even better experience with this distance learning when we return from Spring Break. Please continue to practice social distancing for you and your families. While you’re distancing yourselves from some of the most common distractions we face, I hope you’ll enjoy time together and be able to make the best of this unusual situation. This situation is not at all ideal, but I appreciate the support and understanding that parents are giving us as we try to create the best possible instructional opportunities for your children. We have enjoyed partnering with our parents and community members this week, and we look forward to continuing that partnership. Sincerely, Dr. Andy Ashley Superintendent

Attention Cedar Ridge community: At the authorization of Governor Asa Hutchinson, all school districts in Arkansas are to be closed until April 17, 2020. At this time, Cedar Ridge School District is scheduled to re-open on Monday, April 20, 2020. Information regarding Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) that will take place during this time, along with other important announcements, will be posted soon. We appreciate your attention to district communications regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The health of our students, their families, and our staff members is our utmost priority. For ​accurate​ school information and updates please check the ​Cedar Ridge Schools​ website (www.cedarwolves.org) and download the district app ​on​ ​iPhone​ or ​Android. We are doing all that we can to provide the best care for our children.

Cedar Ridge Special Education Department will continue to offer related services to students who receive Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and/or Speech Language Therapy Services as written in their Individual Education Plan (IEP). Services will continue to be provided by the same therapy providers that provide services at our school: Speech Language Therapy: Laura Keller Occupational Therapy: Kim Crouch Physical Therapy: Meshell Gipson Services will be provided at the Magness Community Center; however, transportation will not be provided. The building, as well as all equipment, will be well sanitized, and precautions will be taken to minimize risks as much as possible. To schedule a therapy session for Wednesday, March 18 - Friday, March 20, please call or text Kim Crouch at (870) 307-5688 by Wednesday.

Parents and Guardians: Cedar Ridge Schools will be offering FREE sack lunches for pickup between 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 - Friday March 20, 2020. Lunches will be available in the Agri building lobby for all students 18 years of age and younger. Food bags will also be available in the Agri building lobby from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. during the closure. These food bags will contain additional food (not pre-made) for our students and families. If you need to have a food bag delivered, please contact us at 870-201-2577 ext. 0210 or ext. 0308

Happy Friday! Today for #StaffFeatureFriday, we are spotlighting Mrs. Jabeth Willett. Jabeth was born and raised in Swifton, AR and graduated from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She started working at Cedar Ridge in August of 2018 and currently works as the Resource English Language Arts teacher for grades 6-12. Her favorite part of teaching is being able to share different perspectives and opportunities with her students (even new food experiences) and having great conversations with them. "I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in second grade. I had some amazing teachers throughout my school career. I hope I can give my students as much as those teachers gave me. I have taught individuals with special needs at every age level birth to adulthood. My heart lies with students with Autism and severe needs. I have been married to Nolan Willett for 22 years. We met thanks to a tornado in 1997. He was in the Army National Guard and was on duty protecting Jacksonport when we met. We lived in Swifton until our oldest child graduated and then moved to Newark about 10 years ago. We have 6 children and 9 grandchildren. They are a true blessing in our lives. Together we enjoy spending time with family, kayaking with the adventure crew in the summers, and watching our 7 year old daughter compete in Brizillian Jiu Jitsu. We like to tent camp, swim, love to fish, and go on spontaneous road trips." Cedar Ridge is lucky to have someone like you, Jabeth!

Attention Cedar Ridge community, Earlier today, false information was dissimenated involving the COVID-19. We would like to clarify that there is no positive case of the coronavirus at Cedar Ridge School District. Please disregard all false statements concerning the virus. As of today, our District is not at risk. However, we continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and other viruses including the flu and the common cold, and are closely following guidance from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). Thank you, Dr. Andy Ashley Superintendent

Join us for a night of laughter and fun!