Above The Nest

Happy Friday, Redhawks!

We are in full swing of the second marking period, and that means it’s time for one final celebration of our first marking period accomplishments—RALLY DAY! Our Renaissance Team has worked hard to recognize and celebrate students who have consistently demonstrated our school expectations. On Friday, October 30, each grade level will have a scheduled time in the afternoon to celebrate their hard work and success. We look forward to a fun-filled afternoon recognizing our Redhawks!

Red Ribbon Week begins MONDAY! Please see the spirit week schedule below, and we hope all of our Redhawks will join in the fun and participate throughout the week! As a reminder, students may wear costumes on Friday; however, costumes may not include face coverings, weapons, or inflatable components that make it difficult to participate in classroom learning. If you’re looking for an opportunity to show off those costumes, we encourage you to attend the Trunk or Treat tomorrow at the middle school, hosted by our AMAZING Mountain Ridge PTO!

Thank you to all of our families who have responded to the conference sign-up link. Teachers have been scheduling in-person conference times with the families who have requested them. We appreciate your continued communication and partnership!

Have a wonderful weekend, Redhawks! We look forward to seeing everyone on Monday when our doors open at 8:20 AM.

Make today great!

Carrie

Our Above The Nest Redhawk Report is our family newsletter that will be sent to our families every other Friday. This a primary resource for our families to know what has been happening at Mountain Ridge and what is forthcoming. There will be portions of the newsletter that will remain a constant in our messaging for easy family access. You will note at the bottom of this newsletter there are links to the Berkeley County Schools webpage, our Mountain Ridge Intermediate school page, and Schoology.

Our Flight Report will provide brief updates and reminders as we go through the school year. Our last Flight Report was sent Thursday, September 3

***We encourage our families to download the Berkeley County Schools App so important information can get to families quickly. In this app you can select all the schools your students attend to receive information in one location. As a parent of four who has had four different schools my children were at - I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS APP***

We want each of our students to begin the school year with consistent attendance—a habit we hope they will carry throughout the year. We are encouraging every student to STRIVE FOR LESS THAN 5 ABSENCES. Regular attendance has a significant impact on academic success, builds a strong foundation for learning, and helps reinforce the importance of commitment.

Your student is an essential part of our school community, and their presence matters. Consistent attendance helps students stay confident, connected, and prepared for success.

This SEPTEMBER 2026, our regular attendance for our students was 94.5% - with our THIRD GRADE having the best regular attendance in September at 95.1%!!

Let's see what October brings.

Students are invited to culminate Red Ribbon Week in costume; We will also have our first marking period Rally Day this day. Costumes should not include masks, weapons, body paint, etc. Additionally, students will still have instruction on this day, therefore costumes should not prohibit them from engaging in their typical Friday School schedule.

Our fourth- and fifth-graders have been busy building their rhythm and meter skills! Students have been practicing how to count quarter notes, quarter rests, pairs of eighth notes, triplets, and sixteenth notes.

Ask your student to show you how they can speak through sixteenth notes and triplets—they may be able to teach you a new rhythm skill!

Students have also begun rhythm stations, where they are exploring composition on xylophones, creating rhythmic patterns in multiple meters, and practicing rhythm through a variety of fun games and activities. We are learning that rhythms can be read, performed, created, and shared in many different ways!

Our third graders have been learning all about ostinatos—short, repeated patterns. Each class worked together to create a rhythmic ostinato, and then students worked in groups to create their own movement ostinatos.

We are now beginning to learn proper technique for using mallets on classroom instruments so students can create a melodic ostinato. Students have also had opportunities to improvise on bucket drums, developing their creativity and confidence as young musicians.

Along the way, third graders are learning about the musical alphabet and building the skills they will use to read, create, and perform music.

On March 5, 2018, Governor Justice signed House Bill 4402, requiring that all West Virginia students, grades K-12, receive age-appropriate body safety education at least once during the school year.

During the month of October this will be covered through Guidance lessons with Ms. Schminkey. Topics that will be discussed include body boundary and safety rules, identifying feelings and early warning signs, difference between good secrets and bad secrets, and identifying five safe adults they can talk to if they feel unsafe. Be sure to ask your child what they remember from our discussion. Third grade will have their lessons the week of October 5th, fourth grade will have their lessons the week of October 12th and fifth grade will have their lessons the week of October 19th. The more they discuss this with adults with whom they feel safe, the safer they will be.

We LOVE our families and community members who share their time and talents with our Redhawks...BUT...to ensure the safety of all, EVERYONE is required to complete training and a background check BEFORE assisting in our classrooms, going on field trips or being at school events.

If volunteering or chaperoning is something you may be considering in the coming school year, please check out the Berkeley County Schools Volunteer & Chaperone page for the steps you will need to take to become a volunteer or chaperone.