Ridgeway School promotes message of respect, inclusion and empathy

At Ridgeway School, the hallways echo with more than the students’ footsteps – they resonate with the inspiring messages of the RIDGE Way: Respect, Inclusion, Doing Your Best, Growth Mindset and Empathy.

Principal Dr. Kimberly Crawford on Wednesday proudly displayed the banner that carries the core principles, which shape the way the children start their day and how the teachers promote the sense of family in the building.

“We are working to be inclusive because we are in alignment with (White Plains City School District Superintendent) Dr. Ricca’s message about a dynamic and diverse world,” Dr. Crawford said in her office, which is teeming with literature about the mission to “educate and inspire all students while nurturing their dreams.”

“Inclusion is very important to us at our school and we are currently in the process of rebranding,” she said, referring to the RIDGE Way initiative.

As an example of inclusivity, the principal described how the school serves students on the autism spectrum.

“We have a special-needs committee – so our school is inclusive of 33 classes, three of which are self-contained classes of children who are on the autism spectrum,” she said.

“We have five classes per grade, but we have a full continuum of special-education services … We want to send a message that regardless of any type of ability or disability, you’re all included here at Ridgeway,” continued Dr. Crawford, who is in her fourth year as principal.

 
She said the school seeks to build a community system in which everyone feels the value of inclusion, having a growth mindset and displaying empathy.

“‘Do your best’ was the school motto, so that’s at the center of it,” she added. “We’re trying to make sure that children know that they are always valued, always respected and our leadership style is not to condemn but to support.”

Asked how the concept of the RIDGE Way was created, Dr. Crawford credited the Student Council, PTA special-needs representative Lauren Carasso and teacher Amy Frishman, who leads the School Culture and Climate Initiative team.

Students also kick off their day by reciting the Children’s Credo: “I am a serious learner; I keep myself healthy so I can be alert; I can and will get smart, with effort and hard work; I have respect and I give respect; my confidence grows and grows; teach me, guide me and support me; and I will become productive for myself, my community and society, for I am a serious learner.”

And to further drive home the message, the school also promotes character traits of the month. After beginning the year with “respect,” the current word is “friendship,” to be followed with “gratitude,” “generosity,” “empathy,” “compassion,” “responsibility,” “acceptance,” “diversity” and “reflection.”

Messages that promote the spirit of family and community also are posted along the hallway walls, where space also is devoted to inspirational notes written about “The Best Part of Me.”

First-grade teacher Kristen Spedafino described herself as being on the “front lines” of the RIDGE Way.

“So my role as a teacher, and especially in the younger grades and first grade, is to kind of mold that understanding early on … really, having that incorporated into every part of our day,” she said.

“Our biggest time of the day where we talk about all the things we do at Ridgeway is our morning meeting time. The word of the month is friendship, so we talk a lot about how to make friends,” said Ms Spedafino, who has been at the school for 20 years.

“We also have a class motto that we recite every day to kind of empower students to just be themselves and be proud of themselves,” she added. “We say, ‘I am important, I am proud, I am loved, and we are a family.’”

Ms. Frishman, who teaches third grade and is in her 26th year at the school, credited Dr. Crawford for having a “vision” when she arrived at the school 10 years ago – before becoming principal.

“It is about inclusivity. We are a family, and everybody is welcomed, and everyone has a voice, and that's what we push in the classrooms -- for everyone to use their voice and advocate for themselves,” she said.

Third-grader Piper Blamey, who was busy studying about current events, shared a few words about how she feels about Ridgeway.

“It’s really fun and we do many fun activities,” she said, adding that she especially enjoys fundraisers that make money for the school.