Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
September 23, 2022
Principal's Message:
Hello Ridgeview Families,
Students, staff and community members were literally bubbling with excitement during the first ever Pickerington Family and Community Festival on Saturday, Sept. 17th.
The free and well-attended event featured free Dilly Bars & Kona ice, live music by Hog Weasel Breakdown (a band composed of PLSD teachers), food vendors, games, line dances, chalk art, a dunk tank, story time, and lots of swag.
There were also booths and exhibitions from local businesses, visits from PLSD athletes and local first responders, performances by PHSC & PHSN marching bands and cheerleaders, along with family bingo led by Superintendent Dr. Chris Briggs.
More than 600 cups of Kona ice were handed out and it’s estimated that well over 1,000 people attended the three-hour event!
Visit this shared Google folder to view pictures from the event.
Thank you vendors, volunteers, and staff for your hard work, and we thank our students, families and community members who attended as well. You truly made this first PLSD Family & Community Festival a tremendous success!
We do want students wearing their IDs. If you would like to purchase a Tiger lanyard from the front office they are $10 and the proceeds benefit our students and staff. Please remind students they should have their ID on them at all times. If your student did not get their picture taken at picture day they will not have an ID yet, they should get their picture taken at our upcoming make up day, which is scheduled for this coming Wednesday, September 28th! All students should have their picture taken even if no pictures are being purchased.
Also we will be having a career day coming up! Please see in Counselor's Corner for more information. We would really love for you to come in and share about what you do!
Please see below in our Counselor's Corner for our upcoming Panorama Survey that will be occurring from Sept 26th until Oct 17th.
Thank you for your continued support of the Pickerington Schools!
Sincerely,
Beth Richardson
Principal
A MESSAGE TO FANS REGARDING GAME DAY BEHAVIOR
Nothing matches the excitement of being in Tiger Stadium to cheer on our Tigers and Panthers! Our cross-town rivalry is unmatched in the quality of our football teams and in the passion with which our fans support those teams. This amazing experience does not happen on its own. We depend on our athletics staff, safety and security personnel, and local police to move thousands of people safely in and out of Tiger Stadium and the neighborhood surrounding it. This only works when we all demonstrate patience and mutual respect for each other and full cooperation with the safety guidance and protocols.
We are asking that every student, parent, and fan attending games, take personal responsibility for a safe and positive football experience that reflects the best of Pickerington Schools.
- Bookbags and large purses are not allowed in Tiger Stadium.
- Any fan that appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be permitted into the stadium.
- There is no re-entry to Tiger Stadium. Once you leave the stadium, you must leave the premises.
- Children under the age of 13 are not permitted in Tiger Stadium without parent or guardian supervision.
- Fans are not permitted to rush the field.
- Adult fans are expected to be positive role models for our younger fans! You are expected and encouraged to display good sportsmanship.
- Violation of these rules will result in consequences including, but not limited to seat relocation, loss of ticket buying privileges, ejection from the facility without ticket refund, and/or arrest.
- Students are expected to adhere to the Pickerington Schools Student Code of Conduct at all times. Students who violate our code of conduct risk significant consequences.
Pickerington Schools is a strong community and passionate about its football teams. Our fans, guided by our Pickerington Schools Fan Code of Conduct , show how much they support and love our teams at every game. We have so much to be proud of with our schools. So let’s remind our community that we are Pickerington Proud!
November 8th Bond Issue
Nov. 8 Bond Passage Qualifies PLSD for ~$75 Million in OFCC Funds
Passage of the November 8 bond issue will enable Pickerington Schools to nearly double the money spent on our schools — for free! In addition to building a new junior high and adding classrooms to both high schools, with bond passage the district will qualify for approximately $75 million in future funding from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. These funds can be used to address future capital needs in our schools. Community approval of the bond issue will help PLSD and its students for years to come! Learn more about the bond issue on the district's website. And, don’t forget that the voter registration deadline is Oct. 11. Information about registering to vote and how to vote is available at: www.VoteOhio.gov.
Change of Address Information
It is very important that an address be changed as soon as the move occurs. Both Pickerington Schools and Petermann Bus Transportation need the most up-to-date information to better serve our families. Addresses cannot be changed through the Parent Portal. You must contact the Welcome Center to change your address and provide the necessary proof of residency.
To change an address:
- Complete a Change of Student Information form
- Return form to the Welcome Center with proof of new residency (i.e., signed settlement statement, signed lease agreement, current electric or gas bill)
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Welcome Center at 614.920.6180.
MyPayment Plus Accounts
Please note that the My Payments Plus system will be activated in early August each school year.
If you don’t have an account yet, we ask that you take a moment and create a free account at MyPaymentsPlus. Obtaining a free parent account will give you 24/7 access to information such as the balance in your student’s school meal account and record of what they have purchased in the cafeteria.
Place money on your “MYPaymentsPlus” account
Go online or call 1-866-711-7341. For a $2 fee, through MyPaymentsPlus, you are able to deposit funds directly into your student’s cafeteria account. Deposits can take place both on the MyPaymentsPlus website and via the mobile app. You may also add money to your student’s account on the phone by calling 866-711-7341.
If you prefer auto-payments, you have that ability as well. The system will even allow you to set the parameters for when you would like an auto-payment to take place.
Parent help line
The MyPaymentsPlus Support Team can be reached Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. EST at (877) 237-0946 or via email at: support@mypaymentsplus.com if you require assistance.
We also accept checks for meal payments
Pickerington Schools also accepts checks for payment of meals. Make checks payable to Pickerington Food Service Department. Please include child’s name and ID# on the check.
For more information, visit the Food Services web pages.
*Note: Cafeteria Expectations have been updated. Please review the Cafeteria expectations with your student. As a reminder, all food will stay in the Cafeteria this year, including breakfast.
PICTURE RETAKE DAY IS - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH!!
YOUR PHOTOS ARE READY!
RIDGEVIEW STEM JUNIOR HIGH SCH
Event Code: FE189822
Also Needed: Lunch ID
Good news! JostensPIX was recently at your school to photograph picture day,
and your student's photos are now available for viewing and ordering!
Click on the button below to get started.
PHOTOS NOT APPEARING IN YOUR GALLERY?
FIND YOUR STUDENT USING EVENT CODE: FE189822
DID YOU KNOW?
- You can personalize your photos with a variety of backgrounds and text
- Photos are shipped directly to your home
- High-res digital downloads are available
- If you have more than one child, you can order together and pay once
If you have any additional questions, please contact the Customer Care Line: 1-877-515-1447 or email our team at and someone will respond within one business day (if not sooner).
Thank you,
The JostensPIX team
1-877-515-1447
WISE Partnership with United Way
WISE is a program that we developed in partnership with United Way of Fairfield County over 15 years ago. United Way has provided much of the funding to support the program. It's designed to help students who are struggling academically to help them improve grades, learn study skills and time management, and ultimately, help them to be more confident and successful in school. We have helped thousands of students over the years to develop skills to be successful in high school and beyond. Please watch the video and see one of our former WISE students, Bella, talk about the program.
SOS (Signs of Suicide) Program provided to all Ridgeview STEM Students. Please see the attached letter.
PANORAMA SURVEY
Once again the PLSD School District is requesting your help in making our schools the best environment for your students to learn and grow. Please click the letters below to learn more about the upcoming Panorama survey. Only complete the form if you don't wish for your child to take the survey.
Career Day is Coming!
We are going to be hosting a Career Day in the next couple of months and we need speakers. That's where you come in! All careers are being accepted. Please consider sharing your expertise with our students. We love having parents as the majority of presenters because you have a vested interest in making this day great. However, we would love to have any friend or family member who would want to give our students insight into the opportunities that they have to choose the best career for them. If you know someone, or you yourself would be willing to speak, please complete this very brief form. We look forward to having you as a career guest. Thanks in advance for your help. Career Presenter Suggestion.
Emergency Resources
Crisis Text Line: text "HOME" to 741741
Nationwide Children's Youth Hotline: 1-614-722-1800
Teen Hotline: 1-614-294-3300
Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
Safe Schools Tip Line: Call or text 1-844-723-3764
Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 1-614-221-5445
Sheriff Department: 1-740-652-7900
MESSAGE FROM THE NURSE!!
- If anyone in the household is being tested for COVID-19, do not send your student to school until you have test results!
- If your child is absent from school for reasons due to Covid-19, please be sure to call the School Nurse as soon as possible (614-548-1708). This is very important when recording absences and tracking Covid-19 cases in the school building.
- Please remember to screen your student daily for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever over 100, sudden onset of severe headache, sore throat). If your student has any of these symptoms, please do not send them to school/extra curricular activities.
- If your student is a close contact and has been vaccinated, they may continue to attend school and extracurricular activities if they are asymptomatic. They will be required to wear a mask for two weeks after exposure.
- We received clarification from the health department regarding modified quarantine. If your student is correctly and consistently wearing their mask in the classroom setting, they may be eligible for modified quarantine and continue to participate in school/extracurricular activities.
Here is the new website for parents who have questions regarding COVID and return to school policy.
https://sites.google.com/plsd.us/nurse-rachel-tiger-talk/covid-update
Rachel Ross, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
School Nurse
Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
Phone: 614-548-1708
Fax:614-548-1710
Sycamore Creek Elementary
Phone: 614-834-6208
Fax: 614-834-6210
Nationwide Children's Mobile Unit will be at Ridgeview at 8:00 on 9/28
Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Mobile Care Center will be at our school on September 28, 2022. Nationwide Children’s health care providers will be available to provide checkups, give physicals, provide immunizations (shots) and more! NationwideChildrens.org/Mobile-Care-Center
PTO CONNECTION
Please be sure to join us and help out this school year, we are planning some great things and would love for you all to be involved.
If you have any questions feel free to message us on Facebook (be sure to like our page too) and or contact Kelly Martin at kelly.martin_rvjhpto@hotmail.com.
PTO NEWS & MORE
We hope you have had an awesome week and ready for the weekend!
Teen Night was a hit! Thank you for all that donated and volunteered for the event the kids had an amazing time. We have a Halloween Teen Night in the making and will meet to discuss the details next week, so be sure to check us out on our Facebook page and next week’s newsletter.
It’s that time of year we are getting ready for the annual PEF tree fundraiser for the Pickerington Education Foundation. Ridgeview Junior High School theme is “Date Night” and we are looking for donations – this can be gift cards that the winner would use on a date or a monetary donation to help build the tree for the online auction. Please also feel free to donate lights, ornaments, etc. Just to share a few items from last years winning tree (Ridgeview JH won for the past few years) Steak and a Movie (Outback and AMC), Top Golf, Dave & Buster, Buff City gift certificate, gift certificate to a paint night, etc. Also please feel free to share any ideas with us, we would love to hear from you. The tree must be submitted for online view by October 17th, so we are asking for all donations to be received by October 12th 2022. Below you will find some background information about PEF and the auction:
“The Pickerington Education Foundation was founded in 2004 to enrich, enhance, and support the educational process in Pickerington Schools so that every student can achieve his/her full potential. Through its commitment to the community and its support of quality education programs, the Foundation strives to serve as a catalyst for fostering opportunities to enrich the curriculum, instruction, and extra-curricular activities of students, faculty, and staff. The Foundation’s core values are integrity, collaboration, and vision.
The Pickerington Education Foundation is a permanent public charity as a fund within the Fairfield County Foundation. As a public charity, all contributions to the Foundation will receive the maximum tax deduction allowed by law.
The silent auction includes upscale baskets and themed, decorated trees. Proceeds from this event provide grants to Pickerington teachers and buildings for a variety of classroom projects.”
(https://www.pickerington.k12.oh.us/pickerington-education-foundation/)
Lastly, as promised we have some additional fundraisers in the works – we have Family Night at Chipotle set for October 19th from 5p to 9p, once Chipotle has provided flyers we will share via Facebook and here via the newsletter. We have a tentative PTO meeting set for September 27th from 5:00p to 5:45p at Ridgeview JH in the cafeteria, however this may change so be sure to check our Facebook page for updates. Also we are working with Web Leaders to host Movie Night afterschool – more details to come however mark your calendars for Friday October 21st for this event as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Week. The movie our student Web Leaders have decided on is “Selena”.
We are always available to answer any questions and take suggestions you have, please reach out to myself Kelly Martin at kelly.martin_rvjhpto@hotmail.com or Qiana Ellis at qsmith6@hotmail.com.
ATHLETIC & SCHOOL FEES UPDATE
CLASS FEES HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED.
*Note:
7th and 8th grade class fees were assigned this week. In grades 7 - 12, class fees are assigned mid - late September to allow for the class drop/add season at the start of school. This is a change from grades K - 6. The only fee assigned at the start of school is the $40 tech protection plan. Class fee assignments vary depending on the selected courses / electives each student takes.
Each year, the Pickerington School Board approves a schedule of fees for materials used in the course of instruction (ORC §3313.642). For the 2022-23 school year, the Board approved Junior High and High School fees at its January 24, 2022 regular board meeting. Elementary School and Middle School fees were approved at the April 11, 2022 regular meeting.
The district assesses fees to students for supplies and consumable materials, including consumable subscriptions or licenses used as materials in the course of instruction. These fees are typically available on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal a few weeks after the start of school. (This delay allows for students to change courses at the junior high and high school levels.)
The District also offers an optional protection plan for student one-to-one devices.
- The Technology Protection Fee for student one-to-one devices is $40 for all grades. This is an optional fee, but highly recommended. Once fees are assigned, the Treasurer’s Office will send an email alerting parents of activities on a student’s account.
- Student fees for students in grades K-6 will be on IC as information becomes available.
- Student fees for grades 7-12 will be on IC after the add-drop period (about two weeks after the start of classes.)
- Athletic/pay-to-participate fees will be on IC as they become available from coaches.
The preferred method of payment is by logging into the Parent Portal on Infinite Campus. While schools will accept a check or cash, paying via the Parent Portal ensures there is a record of payment (and that students do not misplace a check or cash.)
Families who are financially unable to pay for necessary materials should refer to Board Policy 6152.01 regarding fee waivers. Applications are available in the school office. Failure to pay school fees will result in grades and transcripts being held until payment is received.
Grades 7-12
Student fees in grades seven through twelve are based on individual class schedules. Fees for courses were listed in the Program of Studies when students register for classes in the spring. The Program of Studies can be found on the high school and junior high school websites under “Academics” and then “Courses and Class Registration.” These courses of study were also approved at the January 24, 2022 Pickerington Local School District Board of Education Meeting.
Parents/Guardians can pay by Check (without any additional online fees!) through the Parent Portal. You will have the option to set up payment by credit card, debit card, or eCheck in the portal. Online payments are strongly encouraged.
2022/2023 INFORMATION & UPDATES
22/23 General Basketball Information:
To attend conditioning or tryouts, MUST BE...
1. Registered in Final Forms
2. Have a current 22/23 OHSAA physical on file
3. Academically eligible: Q1 grades will determine eligibly for the winter season. Eligible equals passing 5 classes AND having GPA of 1.75 or higher.
Tentative Basketball Information for the 22/23 Winter Season:
Conditioning Dates: Week of October 10 - 14
Tryout Dates: Week of October 24 - 28
*specific dates and time TBA
Athletics:
7 - 12 Academic School Fees for the 22/23 School Year have been posted in Infinite Campus.
REMIND PARENTS TO PAY ONLINE
- CHECKS are accepted online via the Parent Portal! Many folks do not realize this. They can choose eCHECK as their Payment Method in the Portal.
- Card payments can be made online.
TICKET PURCHASE INFORMATION
All tickets for Ridgeview home athletic events (Football, Volleyball, Cross Country, Basketball, Wrestling, Lacrosse, Track) will be sold online at: www.pickerington.k12.oh.us/ridgeview-stem-junior-high/ridgeview-stem-junior-high-box-office/
Check out our Central/Ridgeview weekly Athletic Schedules at: pickeringtontigers.net/
2022-2023 SCHOOL CALENDAR
HELP Make Our Schools Safer
The Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Public Safety have launched the SaferOH tip line that will accept both calls and texts 24 hours a day.
This tip line allows students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety—whether that involves a threatened mass incident or harm to a single student.
Every tip can remain anonymous. School safety analysts may ask for additional information, but the caller can remain secret or leave his or her contact information for later follow-up.
Calls or texts to 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764) are answered by analysts in the Ohio Homeland Security’s Threat Assessment and Prevention (TAP) Unit. When action is needed, the TAP Unit immediately forwards information to Pickerington Schools, local law enforcement agencies, and others, if necessary.
Ridgeview Values
Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
Email: beth_richardson@plsd.us
Website: pickerington.k12.oh.us
Location: 130 Hill Road South, Pickerington, OH, USA
Phone: 614-548-1700
Twitter: @RidgeviewPLSD