On January 14, Ridgefield School District officials recognized the January Employee and Students of the Month at the regular Board of Directors meeting. \r\n
\r\nEmployee of the Month\r\n
\r\nA familiar sight at South Ridge Elementary School is seeing Lee Ann Young helping a student prepare for the rigors of class work and providing guidance in facing life’s challenges. Lee Ann has worked tirelessly for decades to offer the highest quality education a student, parent, or school district could ask for.\r\n
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During her last year educating, Lee Ann remains the ever-present sentry. She arrives early in the morning and stays far past her contract hours to organize for her students the information that drives her teaching. She is always gathering information, tailoring it to meet the needs of her students. In the classroom, Lee Ann creates a metered environment, providing her students with fair, predictable rewards to keep them focused on their own success. As a respected colleague to other teachers, she offers constant support and ideas. It is just who she is. The community of Ridgefield is fortunate to have such an exemplary educator serving its students. Ridgefield School District is proud to select Lee Ann Young as January’s Employee of the Month.
\r\nStudents of the Month\r\n
\r\nLincoln Stevens is January’s Student of the Month at the Early Learning Center. Lincoln has a great work ethic in the classroom. He always tries his best and participates in class. He’s a great leader! Lincoln also has a kind and respectful attitude and is always willing to help others. He includes everyone in his play, often seeking out peers who may have challenges in initiating play. The Early Learning Center is so very proud of Lincoln. He’s a wonderful example of our Hashbrown pride!
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Emma Sekidde, a fourth grader, is January’s Student of the Month at South Ridge Elementary School. Emma is an amazing young lady. She comes every day with the drive to do her best. Emma is a wonderful friend and cares deeply about her classmates. She is quick to volunteer and do what is right, no matter what! Emma is an excellent example to younger Roadrunners about what it means to be Respectful, Responsible, and Resilient. At the beginning of the school year, during our first assembly, she organized a group of fourth graders to hand out tokens to students who were demonstrating respectful and responsible assembly behavior. South Ridge Elementary is very thankful to have Emma as part of the Roadrunner family!
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Jaxxsun Schmidt, a third grader, was selected at Union Ridge Elementary due to significant growth this year, not only in his overall academic skills but also for his participation level and connection in class. His support team in school celebrates the adversity that he has overcome as a student and in life. We are so proud of his recent accomplishments in class. Jaxxsun has a contagious smile, a positive spirit and extra hugs to share. He is a good friend to others and a shining example of what Union Ridge believes of their students—that ALL students can learn and succeed. Jaxxsun Schmidt is a champion of inspiration. We congratulate him for this recognition.
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Alexandra (Ally) Nebeker, a sixth grader, was selected at Sunset Ridge Intermediate School. Ally is so deserving of the Student of the Month award. She works hard every single day in school and pushes herself to do her best and to be her best at all times. She always offers help to other students or asks what other work she can do to further her knowledge and skills, demonstrating how self-motivated she is. Ally is cheerful and friendly to all staff and to her peers. She is always following classroom and school expectations, completing all of her work and participating in discussions and work with her classmates. She does these things on her own without any needed direction. Ally is a name you can leave for a substitute teacher if they ever need help in the classroom. She is the epitome of the 3R’s at Sunset Ridge. She is respectful, responsible and resilient. Always. Every day. For these reasons and so many more, Sunset Ridge Intermediate is proud to select Alexandra Nebeker as January’s Student of the Month.
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Kaylee Kirkelie, an eighth grader, was chosen at View Ridge Middle School. Kaylee is a wonderful student who always gives great effort and does her best work. She comes to class each day ready to learn. She is persistent, asks great questions, and takes charge of her own learning. She is a helpful, supportive classmate and always contributes positively to our learning environment. Kaylee is friendly and easy to work with, helps others and always has a smile ready! She cares about her learning and grades and will ask questions when needed. We love having her in class!
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The Ridgefield High School Student of the Month for January 2020 is freshman Emily Trost. In her less-than-four months’ time at RHS, Emily has been nominated by four different teachers in three different months. She has made an immediate and substantial impact on the staff and students at RHS, standing out among the many exceptional students we have. Says one of her teachers, “Emily is a very responsible student and brings out the best in her classmates.” Another teacher describes her as “an absolute pleasure to have in class and a natural born leader.” Emily brings her best to class every day, is welcoming to others, is respectful and thoughtful and shows “wisdom and maturity beyond her years.” In addition to earning straight A’s, Emily is involved in theater and French Club and has completed her bronze award in Girl Scouts. Her interests include theater, math and numbers. Emily hopes to pursue a career in accounting or in the travel industry after graduation.
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Special thanks to the local office of James Schmeling at Allstate Insurance Company, the Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation and the Ridgefield Boosters for sponsoring the district’s recognition program this school year.