Ridgely Elementary School

Check out this opportunity for 3rd-5th graders in our community!

Check out this event on September 13th at Lincoln Library for an engaging, hands-on program designed to inspire children about healthcare and the value of human life. This free event, recommended for ages 8–14, features fun activities, games, and seminars led by healthcare professionals.

3rd–5th grade girls are invited to join Hello, Bold Heart!—a program that builds confidence, teamwork, and joy through movement. Practices are Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:45–5:00 PM, starting the week of Sept. 1. Season ends with a fun 5K on Nov. 8!

📝 Register Aug. 11–Sept. 1 at www.GOTRcentralillinois.org.
💲 Fee: $25–$175 (sliding scale, payment plans, no one turned away).
📧 Questions? Contact Katie LaCamera at klacamera@sps186.org.

We are deeply grateful for the Downtown Rotary’s continued partnership with Ridgely. All of their extremely generous contributions including the grant for our weekend care bags, school supplies, and restocking the food pantry has such a huge impact on so many of our families and community members. Without their support, we would not be able to continue these wonderful programs.

Every day at school is a new opportunity for your child to learn, grow, and succeed. Let’s make each day count together!

✨ Shout out to the AMAZING community partners who helped Ridgely School kick off the 2025–2026 school year in style! ✨

Big THANKS to 💙
☕ Papo's Cafe
🥯 Cafe Moxo
🥞 IHOP on Wabash
💪 Springfield YMCA
☕ Custom Cup Coffee
📚 ISBE
🛒 County Market on Carpenter
⚽ Scheel's
🎀 Designed with Detail
🔠 Alpha-Lit Springfield
🍩 Mel-O-Cream Donuts
⛪ West Side Christian Church
🎉 Card My Yard

We’re so grateful to have businesses and partners who care about our staff and students! 💙 Here’s to an amazing year ahead! 🐾

Compass for Kids, Springfield Clinic, and Molina Healthcare are offering free school physicals for children entering kindergarten, 6th, or 9th grade on Tuesday, August 26th, from 9:00–3:00 at the Compass for Kids office in Springfield. Reservations are required, and families can also get blood pressure checks during the event.

A big thank you to the Springfield Downtown Rotary Club for their generous donation of school supplies to Ridgely School! We are truly grateful for their ongoing partnership and support.

Check out this back to school giveaway today!

Ridgely teachers have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming school year!

Congratulations to Mrs. Barnard, who won a Bunn Coffee Maker from Pease’s Candy Shop as a door prize at our BBSS Meeting. Thank you, Pease’s, for the awesome surprise!

A big shout-out to Papo’s Café and Café Moxo for warmly welcoming our Ridgely staff and taking such great care of us as we met this week. We appreciate your support of our team!

Check out this coupon to use at Dick's Sporting Goods this weekend. We want to thank the YMCA for sharing this with our families!

🩺 Keep Kids in School Clinics – No Appointment Needed 🩺

Is your student ready for the school year? District 186 in partnership with SIU School of Medicine & Sangamon County Department of Public Health are offering walk-in clinics to help families stay on track with required physicals and immunization no appointment necessary.


These clinics are for District 186 students entering Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6th grade, 9th grade, or those new to the state of Illinois who must provide a current physical and immunization record.


A parent or legal guardian must accompany the student.Please note: sports physicals will not be provided.



Walk-In Physical Only Clinic

Date: Wednesday, August 6

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: Matheny-Withrow Elementary School

Offered by: SIU Family Medicine Providers

Services: Physicals only (PreK, K, 6th, 9th, and new to Illinois students)



Walk-In Immunization only Clinics

Dates: Wednesday, August 6 and Friday, August 8

Keep Kids in School Clinics – No Appointment Needed

📚 Free Backpack Giveaway – Sunday, July 27 at 1 PM! 🎒

Springfield-area Verizon Wireless stores will be giving away hundreds of free backpacks to support students heading back to school!

Participating Locations:

2501 Wabash Ave, Springfield (inside White Oaks Mall)

1699 W. Morton Ave, Jacksonville

1275 Woodlawn Road, Lincoln

1101 W. Spresser St, Taylorville

This is part of the 13th annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway, hosted by Verizon authorized retailer, Round Room. Any leftover backpacks will be donated to local schools of the store’s choice.

🕐 Starts at 1 PM on Sunday, July 27 — be sure to get there early!

Please join us for our first-ever district-wide Back-to-School event.

This event is designed to bring families, educators, and community partners together to celebrate the start of a new school year—and we'd love to have you join us!

Event Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025
🕒 Time: 3:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Springfield Public Schools Administrative Office – 3063 Fiat Ave., Springfield, IL

This family-friendly event will feature:
School supply and backpack giveaways
Music
Food and treats
A variety of exhibitors sharing valuable information and resources for families and educators!

We’re excited to announce that registration for Project SCOPE, our before and after school care program for students K-5th is now open for the 2025-2026 school year! Project SCOPE provides a safe, engaging, and enriching environment for students outside of regular school hours. Whether you need care before school, after school, or both, SCOPE offers flexibility and support for busy families. You can sign up for Project SCOPE while registering your student for the upcoming school year. Just look for the SCOPE section during the online registration process. Get registered today - https://186.springfield.k12.il.us/IS3/Registration/Main.php

Please join us for our first-ever district-wide Back-to-School event. This event is designed to bring families, educators, and community partners together to celebrate the start of a new school year—and we'd love to have you join us! Event Details: 📅 Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025 🕒 Time: 3:00–7:00 p.m. 📍 Location: Springfield Public Schools Administrative Office – 3063 Fiat Ave., Springfield, IL This family-friendly event will feature: School supply and backpack giveaways Live student performances Food and treats A variety of exhibitors sharing valuable information and resources for families and educators!

Check out this opportunity to attend a basketball camp this summer!

Huge thanks to our coaches, students, and families who showed up to support our STRIDE race at LLCC this weekend! Our team rocked it!

Thank you to all of our families who came out to our VIP Breakfast!