Dear RMS Families,

The final full month of the school year is here. As we wrap up these final weeks, we want all of our students to finish the year on a positive note, both academically and behaviorally. To that end, please make sure that your child comes to school each day focused, prepared, and ready to learn. Also, continue to encourage and expect good behavior from your child. Additionally, please take time as a family to review our PBIS Behavior Expectations “Be RMS”.

I would also like to invite each family to come out to our end-of-the-year music concerts and support our PTA by donating needed items for our end-of-year celebrations as well as serving as a volunteer. Additionally, I encourage our returning parents/guardians to become active members in or PTA during the 2023-2024 school year. Parental support is needed, encouraged, and appreciated at Ridgeview!

I hope that each RMS family has a safe, relaxing, and joyous summer break.

Be Well,

Natalie M. James

Principal

• May 1, Monday at 5:30 pm: RMS Track & Field at Africentric HS

• May 4, Thursday at 5:30 pm: RMS Girls Softball at Dominion

• May 4, Thursday at 5:30 pm: RMS Track & Field at Africentric HS
• May 5, Friday at 11:59 pm: The Last Day to Complete the RMS Family Survey
• May 6, Saturday at 11:00 am - 2:00 pm: Ready for Summer Rally
• May 9, Tuesday at 5:30 pm: RMS Girls Softball hosts South
• May 13, Saturday at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm: CCS Career Hiring Event
• May 13, Saturday at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at Franklin Park: Pathway Express
• May 15, Monday at 6:00 pm at RMS: Vocal Concert
• May 16, Tuesday at 5:15 - 5:45 pm: School Board Office Hours
  

• May 16-19, Tuesday - Friday: 7th & 8th Grade Class Trip to Chicago, IL
• May 20, Saturday, at 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Fort Hayes Metro Campus: Countdown to Kindergarten!
• May 22, Monday, at 6:00 pm: Academic Awards Night at Ridgeview Middle School
• May 24, Wednesday at 6:00 pm at RMS: Instrumental Concert
• June 20, Tuesday: Summer Experience Begins
  
• August 19, Saturday, at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Back to School Fair at Fort Hayes Metro Campus
• August 23, Wednesday: 1st Day of Classes for the 2023 - 2024 School Year
• September 4, Monday: Labor Day Holiday (No School)

Columbus Board of Education has been holding regular office hours before all regular business meetings from 5:15 - 5:45 p.m. The office hours allow the community members to meet with Board Members one-on-one, ask questions, and share their thoughts and concerns.

Additionally, the Board has taken its business meetings to school sites across the District once a month to be more accessible to the community and encourage authentic engagement.

The next meeting is scheduled to be held on

Tuesday, May 16th,

the meeting is slated to be held at Mifflin High School.

Future school sites will be announced.

Preparations are underway for the 2023 Ready to Go Back to School Fair, which is one of the largest back-to-school events in Columbus!

Last year this event welcomed over 7,500 families to receive school supplies, learn about community resources, and ask questions of District staff about the upcoming school year.

The 2023 - 2024 event particulars are below:

August 19, 2023

10:00 am -2:00 pm

Fort Hayes Metro Campus

546 Jack Gibbs Blvd., 43215

Greetings RMS Famlies,

Did you know May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and Asthma Awareness Month?

Many are unaware, so let me explain how each of these very important health recognitions gained popularity.

National Physical Fitness & Sports Month

It began in 1983 when the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition set out to encourage Americans to adopt healthy lifestyles. And, 40 years later it is still important to focus on this topic due to the inactivity of students and adults.

Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month

May is the perfect time to educate students, families, and friends about asthma and promote awareness about how this serious and sometimes life-threatening chronic respiratory disease can be controlled.

This being the last newsletter for the school year, I wanted to provide you with ideas to

#1. Exercise and Play Sports During the Summer

#2. Drink Water First for Thirst

#3. Be aware of Tips and Cautions for Asthma and Allergy Season

So during this summer break, DO NOT take a break from taking care of your health!

Have a Fantastic Summer,

Nurse Gina

Ms. Braddix, the gifted and talented teacher at RMS, believes this partnership will make a difference in the lives of the RMS girls. The first session was comprised of an introduction to the program along with explaining what Eryn PiNK is to the girls.

Lastly, each girl was taught the PiNK pledge and each letter was explained so that the girls could embrace it. The graphic below is a depiction of that pledge.

RMS is looking forward to continuing this partnership with the Eryn PiNK Girl Empowerment Program.

Dr. Quaranta is who we affectionately refer to as Dr. Q.

He was born in Elyria, Ohio and has lived in Columbus since fifth grade. He attended Cranbrook ES, our own Ridgeview MS, and graduated from Whetstone HS in 1975.

Upon graduating, he went on to earn three degrees from The Ohio State University: B.A. in Photography and Cinema; M.A. in Elementary Education; and a PhD. in Rehabilitation Counseling.

It's not surprising that Dr. Q. followed in the footsteps of his parents who were also teachers. At the end of this school year he will have completed 36 years as a teacher at CCS.

Dr. Q has been married for 40 years, has three children, three grandchildren and one on the way. He enjoys cooking, gardening, and open world video games. In addition, he is diligent in walking Beau, who is a 90 pound English Labrador, over three miles a day, no matter the weather.

In closing, Dr. Q states, "My major influences in my life were my grandparents and parents who taught me the importance of education and integrity."

Here's some celebrations during May.

• May 1, Monday: May Day
• May 5, Friday: Cinco de Mayo
• May 5, Friday: African World Heritage Day
• May 14, Sunday: Mother's Day
• May 15, Monday: International Day of Families
• May 16, Tuesday: International Day of Living Together in Peace
• May 20, Saturday: Armed Forces Day
• May 29, Monday: Memorial Day

Remember we are better when we work together!

The following field trips have been planned as rewards to students who qualify.

Students must meet established criteria in order to be eligible to attend the field trips:

• 6th Grade: Skate Zone 71
• 7th Grade: The Columbus Zoo
• 8th Grade: Ninja Citi Adventure Park

Remember, the motto at Ridgeview Middle School is "Be RMS"

Dear RMS Families,

The PTA officers are volunteers who commit to lead the PTA for one year (July to June). Officers for the 2023 - 2024 school year are needed. If you are interested in becoming an officer of the PTA, please let us know. Send an email to RidgeviewMSPTA@gmail.com and let us know which position you are interested in serving.

There are 4 roles that need to be filled:

• President: shall preside over meetings of the organization and executive board, serve as the primary contact for the principal, represent the organization at meetings outside the organization, serve as an ex officio member of all committees except the nominating committee, and coordinate the work of all the officers and committees so that the purpose of the organization is served.
• Vice President: shall assist the president and carry out the president’s duties in his or her absence or inability to serve. The vice president shall also oversee the committees of this organization.
• Secretary: shall keep all records of the organization, take, and record minutes, and send notices of meetings to the membership.
• Treasurer: shall receive all funds of the organization, keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures, and pay out funds in accordance with the approval of the executive board. He or she will present a financial statement at every meeting and at other times of the year when requested by the executive board, and make a full report at the end of the year.

Keep an eye on Infinite Campus for opportunities to volunteer or donate to upcoming events. We will need volunteers to help with Teacher Appreciation Week, 8th grade celebration, and field day concessions. We will need donations for all 3 of these events.

Our Spirit Wear store is still open!! A few new things have been added. Don’t miss out – order today! Ridgeview Webstore

Help us! Please take the time to set RMS PTA as your organization on the Kroger Community Rewards program. Encourage your family and friends to do the same. It is a no-cost method to earn money for our school!

• At Kroger.com or on your Kroger App, under Rewards, then Community Rewards, add our organization number 84721
• No cost to you and RMS PTA does not receive your personal information

Mrs. Pompi, President

Ms. Manko, Vice President

Please Join us for our upcoming monthly meeting on May 4th,

via Zoom from 6:00 - 7:00 pm.

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83808379105

• LSS 211 offers services from homeless shelters to senior living. Call 211.

• City of Columbus CARES Act offers assistance with utilities.

• Cap4Kids provides resources for families in the areas of meals, housing, utilities, mental health, and lots more!

• Charity Newsies offers clothing assistance & winter coats.

• Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio offers pharmacy services and medicines, counseling on proper medication usage, health screenings, wellness education, and social program assistance for those who cannot afford them. (614) 227-0301.

• Clintonville Resource Center serving all of Central Ohio by providing assistance through the food pantry, child and youth programs, senior services, and kinship care program.

• Franklin County Children Services 2022 Guide provides information on local emergency or non-emergency assistance to families.

• Mid Ohio Food Bank provides food locations by zip code.

• OhioKAN ensures every kinship and adoptive family who wants support navigating the resources available to them can get it.

• Project Connect provides help to families living in shelter, car, motel, campground, and doubled-up families.

• Emergency Broadband Benefit provides relief for broadband services and a laptop, computer, or tablet.