Blue Ridge Family Newsletter

We are almost a full month into school, though I can't decide if it's still summer or moving into fall! Thank you so much to everyone who was able to make time to come to our Get the Scoop Night this past Thursday. If you were unable to make it, I have included some of the information in the newsletter below. Our next two weeks are focused on getting our Small Group Reading Instruction up and running so we can support students with their individual needs. We are also continuing our progress through our new BRIDGES math program, and I am learning just as much as our students! Please note that there is NO SCHOOL FOR TEACHER WORKDAY ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 where our staff will work on collaboration and furthering our own knowledge to better support students based on our beginning of year assessments. Stay tuned for our next newsletter, which will include information about our All School Field Trip to MU Bradford Farms as we welcome family members to join us. Stay cool out there!

Wednesday, September 17th- Family Teacher Organization Meeting @ 5:30 (virtual option available, see link below!)

Monday, September 22nd – No School – Teacher Work Day

Friday, October 3rd- Fall Picture Day (all students get their picture taken even if you have not pre-purchased unless you opted-out of the Yearbook and photos at the beginning of the year registration)

Monday, October 13th- Bradford Farms Field Trips for Kindergarten & 1st Graders

Tuesday, October 14th- Bradford Farms Field Trips for 2nd & 3rd Graders

Wednesday, October 15th- Bradford Farms Field Trips for 4th & 5th Graders

Blue Ridge Elementary will be holding a School Safety Week. The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority, and this week gives us an opportunity to learn, practice, and build confidence in what to do during different emergency situations.

Throughout the week, we will introduce and practice the five safety responses that are part of the “I Love U Guys” Standard Response Protocol:

Hold – Stay in the classroom, clear the hallways
Secure – Get inside, lock outside doors
Lockdown – Locks, lights, out of sight
Evacuate – Move to safety away from the building
Shelter-in-Place – Hazard and safety strategy (e.g. severe weather- tornado and earthquake)

Each day, we will focus on one of these responses in a calm, age-appropriate way. Our teachers and staff will guide students through the routines so they understand what to do and feel reassured that these steps are in place to keep everyone safe.

We encourage you to talk with your child at home about what they’re learning. Practicing these procedures helps everyone—students, staff, and families—feel more prepared and confident.

Thank you for your support as we work together to keep our Blue Ridge community safe.

Mitchell Pittman
Assistant Principal

We are continuing with our 7 Habits lessons in all classrooms, as well as featuring our learning on our Morning Shows. Our focus for the next few weeks is talking about how students will grow as leaders of themselves before becoming leaders of others. We will continue reviewing our school expectations that help us focus our time on learning. We will also continue diving in to what it means to be a leader, to form habits that help us be good people and good leaders, and to develop under the 7 Habits as individuals as as parts of our school team.

Wellness Wednesday Strategy

Ms. Kirchner joins every few weeks on our Wednesday morning show to share strategies with students for mindfulness, regulation, communication, and personal growth. Please feel free to use these same strategies at home!

Please join our Family Teacher Organization for their first meeting of the year on September 17. We will be discussing our events for the school year, and our goals for supporting our school staff and connecting with our families!

Free Breakfast & Lunch for All Students This Year

As we return for the 2025-2026 school year, please know that Blue Ridge Elementary is now qualified for FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. We still ask our families who may qualify to complete the Free & Reduced Lunch form to support this qualification in future years. Any funds that are in lunch accounts from past years can be used by students to purchase extras. If you would like to make changes to your account, you can reach out to our cafeteria manager, Ashley Guerrero. As always, please reach out with any questions!

Nutrition Services

BRE Facebook Page for Updates & Reminders

Same as link right below

Blue Ridge Elementary Family Handbook

Columbia Public Schools Student Handbook

Family Portal Login

Get Access to the Family Portal

The Family Portal houses multiple apps and pieces of information for families. Please make sure you can get into the Portal: https://login.classlink.com/my/cpsfamilies

Can't get into the portal?!

For technical assistance accessing the CPS Families Portal, visit our FAQ page.

Your guardian ID and/or password information can also be found at the CPS Families Portal Username and Guardian Email Check.

Blue Ridge Elementary Website