Welcome to Kindergarten

Dear 2022-23 Kindergarten Families!

If you are a new family, I'd like to be the first to offer an official welcome to the Ridges community. If you are a returning family with a newly enrolled younger sibling, we are very happy to continue partnering with you to give your child the best educational experiences we can.

This special kindergarten newsletter is to provide our new and returning families with the information you need to successfully start the school year with your soon-to-be Kindergarten student. You are always welcome to reach out by calling the Ridges front office at 503-825-5700.

Miranda Johnson

Principal, Ridges Elementary

We are very excited for you to join our Ridges community! As we approach the 2022-23 school year we are eagerly making plans for your child’s transition to Kindergarten. The first few days of school will look different than is typical as we ‘Ramp-Up to Kindergarten.’ Our ‘Ramp-Up’ schedule gives us time to get to know your child before being placed into their permanent classroom.

“Kindergarten Orientation Days” September 1, 2, & 6

Kindergarten Orientation Days: Your child will be invited to one of the three orientation days. They will spend this day doing fun activities with all Kindergarten teachers in a small group setting.

Students’ assigned day for Kindergarten Orientation is determined by the first letter of their last name:

• Student Last Name A – G: Thursday, September 1 (8:05am – 2:15pm)

• Student Last Name H – M: Friday, September 2 (8:05am – 2:15pm)

• Student Last Name N – Z: Tuesday, September 6 (8:05am – 2:15pm)

Students will enter via the exterior kindergarten doors on the Edy side (see map linked here for directions). We will have plenty of staff on hand to guide you to the kindergarten classrooms.

• 8:05 - Kindergarten drop off

• 8:15 - Parents meet under the Edy covered play area for a Welcome and Q & A with staff.

“Ramp-Up Days” September 7-8

• Wednesday, September 7 & Thursday, September 8 - all children attend the full school day (7:55am - 2:15pm). During these two days, students will spend time in each kindergarten classroom with a variety of students and staff.

• Friday, September 9 - No school for kindergarten students - teachers thoughtfully create balanced classes and prepare classrooms. Kindergarten class lists will be emailed by noon.

• Monday, September 12 – Kindergarten students begin in assigned classes (7:55 - 2:15).

Additional Important Information

• Please send a healthy, nut-free snack, with your child each day.

• Cold lunch is strongly recommended for the first days of school; however, hot lunch may be purchased. Lunch money should be sent with your child in a sealed envelope or zip-lock bag with your child's first and last name clearly marked on the front. If you are interested in seeing prices, lunch menus or applying for free meals, please see the section below.

• School supplies will be brought to school on August 30th for our open house Supply Night from 4-6 pm. A list of supplies for kindergarten can be found linked here.

• Please fill out this “Go-Home Survey” to let us know your child’s end-of-day transportation plans for the Orientation and Ramp-Up days.

Information about lunch and breakfast prices and menus can be found on our Nutrition Department web page linked here. If you would like to apply for our free lunch program please complete the application linked here.

TODAY! | Register your child for Kindergarten online or pick up a paper registration packet from the front office (if you haven't already)

• Students must turn 5 on or prior to September 1

August 22nd or 23rd | 9-11 am One-Day Kinder Camps (see info below)

August 30th from 4-6 pm | Open House Supply Night

• Families can bring school supplies and see classrooms

September 1st, 2nd and 6th | Kindergarten Orientation

• Kinder students attend one of the three days (please see above for items to bring)

September 7th-8th | Kindergarten Ramp Up

• All K students attend starting September 7th

September 9th | No School for Kindergarten

September 12th | Kinder Students Attend with Assigned Teacher

If your home address is more than one mile radius from our school, or you live on the opposite side of Hwy 99W, you may be eligible for transportation. To view transportation maps, routes, and pick-up/drop-off times please visit the transportation web page linked here.

If your child has not already attended one of our Kinder Camps we have two dates left in August! Students can sign up to attend for a day, visiting the building and seeing our classrooms. They will also get to play on the playground, meet our kinder teachers, and participate in some fun school activities!

Pre-registration is required. If you are interested in signing up, please email me at: mmjohnson@sherwood.k12.or.us

The school day begins at 7:55 a.m. with doors opening at 7:45 for general arrival. Students eating breakfast at school may arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. The school day ends at 2:15 p.m., with the exception of Wednesday when school dismisses at 1:15 p.m.

The Sherwood School Board has approved our school calendars for the 22-23 and 23-24 school years. These calendars can be found on the district calendar webpage linked here.

Our parent volunteer group is a very important part of our school. Get connected with the Ridges PAC today! Visit the link here to see upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and other ways to get involved and be connected.

Registration for our incoming Kindergarten class is available online using the link below. If you have not yet registered for Kindergarten please complete your paperwork ASAP. Incoming Kindergarten students must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2022.

Online Kindergarten Registration

During online registration, new families will create a Sherwood ParentVUE account. Parents of current and former Sherwood students will log in with their existing ParentVUE account. Please call the Ridges front office at 503-825-5700 if you have any questions.

Paper Registration

Families are also welcome to register using paper registration. Paper registration packets can be picked up from the Ridges front office.

If you’re enrolling your student or looking to move to Sherwood, you may locate the schools for a home address using our online Boundary Map. Enter your address in the upper left corner to search. Contact Kami Golden at kgolden@sherwood.k12.or.us or 503-825-5011 with boundary questions.

Ridges Front Office: 503-825-5700

Helpful Links for Incoming Kindergarten Families

• Ridges Elementary homepage
• Ridges PAC website
• Enrollment Information
• Champions (after school child care)
• School Lunch Menus
• SHARE Center | (503) 825-5087
• Sherwood Community Information
• Sherwood School District Calendar

Website: https://re.sherwood.k12.or.us/
Location: 21472 Southwest Copper Terrace, Sherwood, OR, USA
Phone: (503) 825-5700