New Service Learning Program Started

Our Middle School Alternative Program has initiated a Service Leaning Program. As part of the program, each student is required to complete 30 minutes of service learning each week. Mrs. Courtney Chandler, our Restorative Interventionist, coordinates this program. Service learning gives students an authentic educational experience while teaching empathy. That's about as important as it gets. Through service learning, students get a chance to contribute to our school community and learn that they can make a difference. There are many benefits to service learning such as developing leadership skills and abilities. Some of the activities in which our students participate are peer tutoring, assisting in our garden project, assisting custodians with tasks around the building and assisting teachers with small jobs. Students enjoy the opportunity to give back to their school. 

BIG NEWS! Ridgedale was one of 7 Knox County schools to be selected to be a Model Trauma Informed School.

Ridgedale was one of 7 Knox County schools to be selected to be a Model Trauma Informed School. In a Trauma Informed School, the adults in the school community are prepared to recognize and respond to those who have been impacted by traumatic stress. Those adults include administrators, teachers, staff and parents. Trauma Informed Schools provide students with clear expectations and communication strategies to guide them through stressful situations. The goal in a model Trauma Informed School is to not only cope with extreme situations but to create an underlying culture of respect and support.

Becoming a model Trauma Informed School aligns with the many practices Ridgedale already has in place. This designation will allow us as a school and community to not only continue, but also increase our system of supports, meeting the social, emotional, academic, and physical needs of every Ridgedale student.

Through the Tennessee Department of Education's Office of Student Support, Ridgedale School will receive high-quality training, resources, and on-going support as they implement trauma informed practices. A team of 5 participated in the initial training and will be working to train all of our staff. Our Trauma Informed Team includes:

Mrs. Kristi Phillips, Assistant Principal

Ms. Carrie Balent, School Counselor

Ms. Courtney Chandler, Restorative Interventionist

Mr. Bill West, Teacher

Ms. Laura Walston, Teacher

A Big Thank You! Knoxville Dream Center!

We have recently been adopted by the Knoxville Dream Center. You can get the information about this organization at their website www.knoxvilledreamcenter.org. They support several other Title 1 schools in Knox County. They will be helping us with obtaining school supplies and snack items for our students. We are excited to be working with them! They also operate mobile food pantry trucks, and the locations of these were attached to the newsletter recently sent home with your student but can also be found on their website. 

Walmart Turkey Creek and JoAnn's Fabrics (Kids in Need Foundation) continue to support our school by providing surplus items to our teachers. We use many of the items for classroom projects and our art program.

School Supplies Accepted for Ridgedale

Due to the specialized instruction which takes place at Ridgedale School, we do not require that parents/families send in school supplies. However, we welcome donations of certain items which support instruction. We are always in need of the following items:

• Kleenex
• Hand Sanitizer
• Individually wrapped snacks (such as gold fish, crackers etc.)
• Dry erase markers
• Pencils
• Notebook paper
• 2-Pocket Folders
• Disinfecting Wipes

Any of these items would be greatly appreciated!