Ridgefield School District

January 29, 2021

Dear Ridgefield Families,

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Today marks the midpoint in our school year.  Staff spent the day preparing for the second half of the school year and attending professional development training to grow their practice.  The semester break is an ideal time to reflect on where we began this year (all students in a fully remote learning environment), embrace how far we have come (nearly every grade has some level of in-person learning occurring), and double down on the goals that lie ahead.    \r\n

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This week we welcomed back second graders.  It was heart-warming to see more students in our buildings accessing in-person learning in a safe and sensible manner.  The District continues to expand in-person learning options.  Next up...3rd grade, which will start on Monday, February 1st.  Below is the schedule for the planned expansion of in-person instruction options for the remaining elementary grades.  \r\n

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• Monday, February 1 - 3rd grade starts \r\n
• Monday, February 8 - 4th and 5th grade starts (tentative - pending limited transmission at school sites) \r\n

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Speaking of expanding in-person services, the District will be adding limited numbers of sixth and ninth grade students on Monday.  As shared last week, instruction for all secondary students is still coming from our talented certificated staff via the remote environment; our incredible classified staff provide supervised learning support.  The District remains committed to expanding in-person supervised learning support for additional secondary students.  Below is the schedule for our remaining secondary grades.\r\n

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•  Monday, February 1 - limited in-person student support for 6th and 9th graders 
• Monday, February 8 - limited in-person student support for 10th graders\r\n
• Tuesday, February 16 - limited in-person student support for 11th graders\r\n

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Monday, February 1, also marks the beginning of high school athletics.  Our student-athletes will open practice for a season currently scheduled to run through March 20.  If our southwest region can advance to Phase 2 of the Governor’s Healthy Washington -Roadmap to Recovery on February 15, all fall teams will begin competitions in February.  Our low-risk fall sports (cross-country, golf, and tennis) are already able to compete, starting the week of February 8.  Go Spuds! 

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On Tuesday, during the regular school board meeting, Director Zenia Bringhurst shared how much she has enjoyed the photos submitted and shared in these Community Updates.  I know she is not alone.  Let’s keep the student/family photos coming.  Use the email address (student.photos@ridgefieldsd.org) to share these candid moments.

Stay well and remain #RidgefieldResilient.  \r\n

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Sincerely,

Dr. Nathan McCann\r\n

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Superintendent\r\n