Ridgeview STEM Junior High
October 6, 2023
Principal's Message:
Hello Ridgeview Family,
Gentle Reminder: There is no school on the following days next week:
October 11 (Professional Development Day)
October 12 (Professional Development Day)
October 13 (School Closed)
October 16 (Parent/Teacher Conferences) 7am-2pm
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Families, as I'm sure you know, our hallways during transitional periods are very crowded. Due to the crowding, cell phones, ear pods or headphones are not permitted to be in/on during transitions between classes. We want students to first pay attention to where they're going, as well as hear adults when needed. Hoodies (or any headgear not of a religious nature) is also not permitted to be worn anywhere in the building, whether during transitional periods or not. To help with making sure students are following our building-wide expectations, we've implemented halls weeps. If a student is caught in a hall sweep for violating one of the items above, an after school detention will be assigned and must be served within a week. If it's not served within that time frame, the student will then serve a day of ISS. If parents have questions about our policies, please don't hesitate to contact an administrator.
The end of the first grading period is next Friday October 13th. Students have until next Tuesday October 10th to turn in work for a grade though, as they don't have school for the rest of the week. Please make sure your kiddos are turning assignments in on time and are doing their very best to finish the grading period strong. First quarter final grades will be available to view in Infinite Campus the week of October 16th.
The Ohio Department of Education is requiring school districts to inform staff and families of its District Testing Security Plan. Please see the below flyer for more information pertaining to this plan. If you have questions, feel free to contact a building administrator.
Thank you for your continued support of the Pickerington Schools!
Sheila Evans, Principal
Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
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ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY for student technology.
This video about the Acceptable Use Policy offers some helpful information and reminders about student technology usage when it comes to school devices and accounts. It is important to know that while the school is able to monitor usage on its devices outside of the school day, we depend on families to set restrictions on their home wifi and internet as appropriate for their situation. It is our goal to help students make good choices and be engaged as good citizens in our communities and online. Please have conversations with your students about what you feel is appropriate online content and usage (both the types of things they do online as well as the amount of time spent online).
Have a great weekend.
DISTRICT OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE
This is an important message from Pickerington Schools
Beginning October 3rd, Pickerington Schools will begin accepting cash at athletic and school events (games, plays, concerts, etc.). To align with what the majority of the OCC schools are charging, the fee will be $10 for varsity level tickets if you choose to pay in cash. Online tickets will still be available at a slight discount - $8 with a surcharge of $1.58 through HomeTown tickets. The district will still charge $5 online (with a surcharge) or cash for lower level tickets.
Also, please note that there are updated football game expectations for students and adults. An adult must accompany all K-8 students to enter the game and once inside the game, the K-8 students must be supervised by the accompanying adult.
Junior high football players wearing their football jerseys and cheerleaders wearing their cheer shirts will be admitted for free; and all K-8 students must be accompanied and supervised by an adult to enter the game.
Any action that could cause mental or physical harm is deemed inappropriate behavior and may be subject to immediate exclusion from the game and all-season games.
Let's continue to work together to support a safe environment for all attendees!
National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th marks the first day of National Hispanic Heritage Month. This celebration begins September 15th and concludes on October 15th. The 2023 theme is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation,” to honor the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latina/o/x Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. As we endeavor to create and in many cases, maintain diverse learning and work spaces, the National Hispanic Heritage Month resource link will be very valuable in providing you with ways to imbed this kind of historical and celebratory information into your everyday lessons and work environments.
The more you are able to practice infusing cultural artifacts into your lessons, the sooner you will be able to reap the rewards of an even more engaged classroom and work environment. Representation matters, especially for young people who crave to be seen and valued, even though they may not always use those terms to describe it. Children need books and learning experiences that provide:
Mirrors to allow them to see themselves and their own experiences
Windows that they can look through to see other worlds that they can the compare to their own
Sliding Glass Doors that allow them to enter other worlds.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-w2_ywBJcOo4b5X-PglsB_znRXBzFDtcv5PmE9vBcxc/copy?usp=sharing
RIDGEVIEW 2023/24 CLASS FEES
Ridgeview 2023/24 Class Fees posted in your Infinite Campus parent portal.
Fees are assigned based on the classes your student is taking this year.
NOTE: If your student receives Free & Reduced Lunch, that application will serve to adjust school fees; this adjustment will occur around mid-October at the earliest so please wait to pay until those adjustments are made.
Pay fees through your IC parent portal: click 3 lines in upper left < click FEES < select student fees & add to cart < check out
LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE UPDATES
Pickerington Schools will take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) have meaningful access and an equal opportunity to participate in all services, activities, and programs available throughout the district. It is the policy of Pickerington Schools to ensure meaningful communication with LEP students and families and to communicate information related to the education of all students. All services needed to comply with this policy will be provided for students and their families in need of such assistance free of charge. For assistance, please call 614-833-2110.
En Español:
Las escuelas de Pickerington tomarán medidas razonables para garantizar que las personas con dominio limitado del inglés (LEP) tengan un acceso fácil y la misma oportunidad de participar en todos los servicios, actividades y programas disponibles en todo el distrito. La política de las escuelas de Pickerington es asegurar una comunicación significativa con los estudiantes LEP, sus familias y comunicar información relacionada con la educación de todos los estudiantes. Todos los servicios necesarios para cumplir con esta política se proporcionarán a los estudiantes y sus familias que necesiten dicha asistencia de forma gratuita. Para obtener ayuda, llame al 614-833-2110.
भाषा सहायतासम्बन्धी सूचना:
Pickerington Schools ले सीमित अङ्ग्रेजी प्रवीणता (LEP) भएका व्यक्तिहरूसँग डिस्ट्रिक्टभर उपलब्ध सबै सेवा, क्रियाकलाप र कार्यक्रमहरूमा अर्थपूर्ण पहुँच र सहभागी हुन पाउने समान अवसर छ भनी सुनिश्चित गर्नका लागि उचित कदमहरू चाल्ने छ। LEP भएका विद्यार्थी र परिवारहरूसँग अर्थपूर्ण सञ्चार सुनिश्चित गर्ने र सबै विद्यार्थीहरूको शिक्षासँग सम्बन्धित जानकारी सञ्चार गर्ने Pickerington Schools को नीति हो। यो नीतिको अनुपालन गर्न आवश्यक पर्ने सबै सेवाहरू यस प्रकारको सहायता आवश्यक भएका विद्यार्थी र उहाँहरूका परिवारहरूलाई निःशुल्क रूपमा उपलब्ध गराइने छ। सहायताको लागि, कृपया 614-833-2110 मा कल गर्नुहोस्
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Goodnight Sweetheart...Teens & Sleep
Do you remember when you kids were babies? We were so good at making sure they were on a schedule because we would pay the price when they would get cranky because they were tired. Why then is it so difficult to keep that going when they are teens? There are many answers to this question, some of which include things we have all heard of like too much caffeine late in the day or screen time before bed. However, this video Common Sleep Trends for Teens (6:44 min.) provides a few more suggestions as to why teens, or really anyone, might struggle with sleep and it gives some good suggestions for improving sleep.
PICKERINGTON LOCAL SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO WASHINGTON D.C.!!!! 2024 8TH GRADE TRIP
For Ridgeview Students - Please contact Ms. Kim Forcey kimberly_forcey@plsd.us for any questions or concerns. OCTOBER 13TH IS THE LAST DAY TO SIGN UP FOR THE TRIP!
VALID ID WHEN ENTERING THE BUILDING
In an effort to enhance our safety and security across the district, all visitors who wish to enter the building during school hours and certain events should be prepared to do the following:
If students are being picked up, students will not be released to anyone without a valid
ID. Parents/Guardians will be asked to produce proper identification.
Everyone will enter and exit the building via the school's main entrance.
Upon entering the building, provide a government issued (U.S.) driver's license or ID.
Visitors will have their ID scanned in the the visitor management software to be
check against various national and local databases, which aid with the check-in process.
Please note the system will only record the visitors name, date of birth, and check against
the sex offender database. Additional data from the government issued driver's license or
ID is not collected. In certain instances, the visitor's photo will be taken to be printed on a
temporary badge.
If a visitor does not have a valid government-issued ID, they will not be permitted to
continue into the school without an escort or approval from a building administrator.
Once the check in process is complete, staff will issue a visitor badge that contains the
visitor's photo and information related to the purpose of their visit. Visitors will be required
to wear their badge throughout the duration of their visit and adhere to all board policies
related while in the building and on school grounds.
In most instances, parents will only be required to provide an ID on the first visit of every
school year.
Those who are dropping off items will not be required to check in via the system.
We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation with this new standard that has
been widely accepted amongst school districts across Central Ohio and the nation, and we are looking forward to continue a safe and exciting school year with you and your family!
A NOTE FROM THE NURSE
In the event your child needs to take prescription medication while at school, please be sure to have the Request for administration of prescription medication by school personnel (pdf) form or completed by the child’s physician and parents. Forms are available in the school office and on the website.
Nonprescription medication such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and cough drops may be administered to students if the parent/guardian sends in the medication (in original container) along with written permission for the medication to be given. Dosages cannot exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations for age and weight. (i.e., We cannot administer medication to children under 12 if the label says: “Do not administer to children under 12, except under the direction of a physician.” We need to have a note from the doctor in order to give a dose of medication that is different than the dose stated on the bottle.) All medications, prescription and non-prescription, must be sent in the original container.
PTO CONNECTION
Ridgeview Families & Friends!
TEEN NIGHT HAS BEEN POSTPONED until Saturday, October 28th!
Parents you can begin purchasing tickets today when paying by Cash App or Venmo. Please be sure to include $1.50 fee - total ticket cost will be $16.50. Also be sure to include your students name, lunch period and grade. On the 27th wristbands will be handed out to your child and will need to have them on their wrist on Saturday the 28th. This event will start at 5pm and end at 8pm. Students will need to be picked up promptly after the event is over.
Sign Up Genius link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CA5A62EA2FA7-44994821-teen
Also, next week starting Monday, students can purchase tickets with “CASH” the cost is $15, otherwise its Venmo and Cash App (preferred for $16.50)
Venmo: @RVJHPTO
Cash App: $RidgeviewPTO2021
(Look for the Ridgeview STEM Junior High logo)
*Email us directly for QR code if it doesn't load!
ATHLETIC INFORMATION
WINTER SPORTS ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
Athletic Participation Requirements:
Q1 Academics - passed 5 classes & GPA minimum of 1.75
Registered in Final Forms: https://pickerington-oh.finalforms.com/
OHSAA 23/24 physical on file (physical good for 13 months)
Mandatory Drug Test taken at the school once tryouts are completed.
Pay to Play fee of $155 and drug test fee of $16 – IF make the team
Ridgeview Sports Offered:
Co-ed Wrestling
7th & 8th Girls basketball (tryout required)
7th & 8th Boys basketball (tryout required)
Ridgeview Basketball Calendar - see below link for complete details
(Key: GBK = girls basketball / BBK = boys basketball)
Tiger Athletics can be found on our new website: https://pickeringtoncentral.bigteams.com/
2023-2024 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Districtwide Calendar
Upcoming events and important dates are listed in the Districtwide Google Events Calendar, which is synced with individual building, program and athletic team calendars. Once inside the district wide calendar, to display the events of a particular building, team, program or activity, you will need to check the specific corresponding color-coded box(es) from the list on the left-hand side.Pickerington Community Calendar
Pickerington Schools partners with the City of Pickerington and Yodel to bring you the Pickerington Community Calendar!
Visit this link to view all Pickerington Schools activities included on the calendar and don’t forget to “favorite” our Pickerington Schools schedule! Once favorited, Pickerington Schools' events will be front and center on your calendar, enabling you to see what’s coming up.
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 JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL MAIN OFFICE STAFF
Principal: Sheila Evans
Assistant Principal 8th Grade: Henry Lee
Assistant Principal 7th Grade: Kevin Smith
Dean of Students: Sydney Dillard
Building Secretary: Tracy Redmond
Athletics/Guidance Secretary: Lisa Holley
Attendance: Pat Petrini
Office Assistant: Madelyn Gomez
Counselors: Meghan Wade(8th grade); Erica Reynolds(7th grade)
Nurse: Rachel Ross/Mindy Stillwell
Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
Email: Sheila_Evans@plsd.us
Website: pickerington.k12.oh.us
Location: 130 Hill Road South, Pickerington, OH, USA
Phone: 614-548-1700
Twitter: @RidgeviewPLSD