Meet the Administrators

Welcome Back to Park Ridge Elementary to the 2025-2026 School Year!

Dear Park Ridge Families,

We hope you had an enjoyable and restful summer filled with fun, family, and unforgettable memories. As we prepare to kick off an exciting new school year, we are thrilled to welcome our students, staff, and families back to Park Ridge Elementary—where every child is destined to do great and be great!

This year, we’re going on an educational adventure with our school-wide theme: “Wild about Learning, Fierce about Succeeding.” Throughout the year, students will engage in hands-on learning, exploration, and discovery—nurturing their curiosity and helping them grow into confident, capable learners. Our classrooms will be vibrant, engaging learning environments where curiosity is encouraged, hands-on experiences are celebrated, and every student is inspired to explore and grow.

At Park Ridge, we are proud of our passionate faculty and staff who are deeply committed to creating a nurturing, student-centered atmosphere. We set high expectations for all scholars, and we work daily to support and challenge each student to reach their fullest potential.

This school year, we have clear and focused goals:

• Increase English Language Arts and Math proficiency for every scholar

• Use data to support our ESE students in reaching higher academic heights

• Maintain and grow strong partnerships with our families, community members, and stakeholders

We believe in the power of collaboration, and we encourage all parents and guardians to stay connected and involved. Your partnership makes a lasting impact. We invite you to connect regularly with your child’s classroom teacher, volunteer your time, and join our PTA and School Advisory Committee (SAC) to help guide and support our shared vision for excellence.

We are truly excited to begin this new school year with enthusiasm, high expectations, and a united commitment to student success. Thank you for choosing Park Ridge Elementary as the place where your child can thrive, grow, and reach their greatest potential. We’re honored to be a part of your child’s academic journey and can’t wait to see all the great things they will accomplish.

Let’s make this school year WILDLY successful—together!

With Dolphin Pride,

Samantha Whitehead, M. Ed

Principal, Park Ridge Elementary