Ridge Relay
Soaring to Success! 1/29/21
Message from the Principal
Hello Eagle Families,
Next week as we kick off February, we will be starting our “Love your Library: Book Round Up.” From Feb 1-12, we are asking all Eagle families to look for any library books that you may still have from when we closed school for the pandemic and the book may not have been returned. Many students have requested these books so help us round-up all of our missing books and return them to campus! We have over 500 books missing that if not returned, will have to be replaced, hurt the library budget and prevent us from getting new reading material for next year. We have a new library book return bin that will be outside by the front doors of the school so you can return at your convenience during school hours. Or you can drop off books during our library curbside service in the bus lane on Tuesdays from 10:30-11:30 and Wednesdays from 4:00-5:00pm. See CRMS Library website for info on how to check your library account and pay for lost books in the Webstore.
We are so proud of our CRMS Eagles that entered the National PTA Reflections Art program this Fall and are pleased to announce the following awards from Leander District Level. All these artists will be acknowledged at the Leander District award ceremony in the spring.
The following CRMS artists were awarded the following District level awards, congratulations on your accomplishments! (pieces shown below)
Tibbie Mustacchia - Visual Arts “Make a Difference” LISD Honorable Mention
Shreya Poladia - Visual Arts “Unity in Diversity” LISD Award of Excellence
Lucas (Luke) Williams - Visual Arts “Northern Lights” LISD Honorable Mention
The following artist’s work will be advancing to the STATE Level! This is the highest award level for each district and in itself a big accomplishment, but also an opportunity to advance to National if they make it into the top tier at the State Level. Congratulations!
Aashna Garg - Film Production “My family loves me” State AE
Shreya Poladia - Literature “Charity Begins at Home!” State AE
Go Eagles!
Mrs. Wendy Sturdevant
Leander ISD Mental Health Minute: February 1
Instagram: Canyon_Ridge_MS
Twitter: @Sturdevant_CRMS
Northern Lights by Lucas (Luke) Williams
Make a Difference by Tibbie Mustacchia
Unity in Diversity by Shreya Poladia
Acts of Service & Kindness Challenge
In an effort to promote, recognize, and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and nationally honored MLK Day of Service, ALL VHS feeder pattern schools are being challenged to complete acts of service/kindness.
The challenge will kick off on January 18th, MLK day, through February 15th, President's day. The school with the highest percentage of service/kindness acts will have their school colors proudly worn by all other schools in the feeder pattern. Acts of service/kindness can come in many forms. Here are some examples:
- Write a note of gratitude to a teacher, neighbor or friend
- Create positive messages with sidewalk chalk in your neighborhood
- Ask an elderly neighbor if you can rake their leaves
- Gather and donate items to a food bank or shelter
There is no act of service/kindness that is too small! To maximize our impact in the community, multiple submissions are encouraged and allowed!
Eagles, we hope that you will join us as we do acts of service and kindness. You will be able to submit your acts of service and kindness through your Advisory classes.
LEEF Gala is THIS WEEKEND on January 30th!
You can attend virtually this year!
Or try out the new drive-in gala experience!
YEARBOOKS!
2020-21 Yearbooks are available for sale NOW! Don't wait to pre order your yearbook for this extraordinary and unforgettable year! Yearbooks are $40 through April 14th. On April 15th, the price will increase to $45. There is a limited supply, so order yours today! Click here to order.
Did you miss out on purchasing a CRMS yearbook from last year? We still have some yearbooks available that will be sold for a discounted price of $30. If you'd like to purchase last year's yearbook, please visit the front office at CRMS with $30 exact cash or check. Books will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
Track & Field Boys & Girls Parent Meeting
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Feb 9, 2021 06:00 PM
Topic: CRMS Boys and Girls Track & Field Parent Meeting
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://leanderisd.zoom.us/j/81978802451
Passcode: 326149
Questions? Contact: Seth.Simmons@leanderisd.org or Brenda.Edwards@leanderisd.org
AVID Application for 2021 (for current 6th and 7th grade students)
Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college-readiness program that places special emphasis on growing writing, critical thinking, teamwork, organization and reading skills. Are you interested in taking in being part of the AVID program next year? Applications are due Friday, February 19, 2021at 4:30.
Please join our AVID Application Google Classroom for all access on AVID information and all application materials (Code: wem7ozg)
Email Monica Diaz Carle (monica.diazcarle@leanderisd.org) if you need help or have any questions!
Parent Information Webinars: Course Transitions-Save the Date
I know it seems crazy to already be thinking about next year, but we will begin that process next week. Students will be getting course registration information through Advisory classes February 1-5. In addition, we will be hosting parent webinars to help with all of this information too. Please plan to join us. Some CRMS courses will require an application, and those will be specified on the choice sheet.
(For current 8th grade students, your course transition is coordinated by VHS. More information can be found on Mrs. Gripentrog's webpage under 8th grade lessons and on the VHS the website.)
February 1-5:
Counselors in advisory classes for transition lesson and Q&A.
February 3:
- Optional parent Webinar @ 5:30-6:00 for current 6th grade parents; passcode 672700
- Optional parent Webinar @ 6:10-6:40 for current 7th grade parents; passcode 672700
February 5:
Course selection open (google form on website)
February 12:
Choice sheet DUE for current 6th & 7th graders (google form on website)
February 16:
Webinar @ 5:30-6:30 for current 5th grade parents
Course Transition Resources:
Courses and Transitions Website
Courses and Transitions Overview Video
QUEST-G/T Information for 2021-22
Since enrollment for next year is beginning to happen, we wanted to provide some information about high school gifted services for 8th grade QUEST-G/T students who are in-coming 9th graders. High School QUEST-Gifted services look differently than middle and elementary school QUEST. The attached High School QUEST Facts provides an overview of gifted services available to high school students.
Students are automatically enrolled in 9th QUEST English. The attached Side-By-Side shows how Advanced English and QUEST English differ and are similar.There are no separate QUEST-G/T projects as in middle school QUEST Studies. As in elementary and middle school, the QUEST-G/T teachers are available to provide additional support, as needed, through QUEST-G/T Lab, which is described in the attached High School QUEST Lab document.
After reviewing the three attached documents, if you have any additional questions, please email the LISD Director of Gifted Services at kathy.wood@leanderisd.org.
LifeGuard Presentations
Reminder: LifeGuard presentations will take place in 7th Grade Science classrooms January 11th - 14th as described in previous district communication. If you would like more information regarding LifeGuard Presentations, please view the link here.
Information was previously supplied back in September and parent meetings were held on October 20th & December 10th. One more parent meeting will take place in February prior to the 8th grade student presentations February 24-March 1:
Parent Workshops:
Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 | 6–7:30 p.m.
For more information about these parenting workshops, or if you have questions about LifeGuard, please contact Alicia Westcot at alicia.westcot@leanderisd.org.
Attention 8th graders: VHS Varsity Swim Team tryouts for Fall 2021 - for NEW swimmers
Swim Try-out Information flyer
Who is eligible: Current 8th graders at CRMS or FPMS, or any current VHS students not currently on the varsity swim team
Date: Friday, February 12th
Time: 7:30pm (arrival at 7:15pm)
Location: Bella Mar Pool in Steiner Ranch
Requirements:
See Information document, and contact Coach Denison by January 29th to sign up for a tryout spot and receive the required questionnaire.
A physical exam is required to tryout (see info. document and use the LISD specific physical exam form that must be emailed to the VHS trainers by Feb 5th)
Exam for Acceleration
Each year, LISD offers students an opportunity to take an Exam for Acceleration (EA) at no cost to the family. LISD offers multiple EA testing windows each school year. Click this link for more information and dates. Students and parents can request the exam through their grade level counselor. The next testing window and deadline to register is listed below.
Testing Window: March 1-3, 2021
Registration deadline: February 8, 2021
Logistics: Arranged with student's counselor & UTHS
Note: Students who pass an Exam for Accelerationin the March 2021 testing window will complete the 2020-2021 school year in his/her current class. Students will receive their acceleration in the 2021-2022 school year.
COVID-19 update for 2020/2021 school year: Currently grades 3-12 testing is only being administered online.
Foreign Language Testing
Advanced Theater for 2021 Sign-ups Now:
Are you interested in taking a WHOLE YEAR of Advanced Theatre Arts next year? Here’s what you’ve got to do! Go to Google Classroom and join the Advanced Theatre Application Google Classroom. Class Code = nwcdm5s
Due Friday, February 19, 2021
Applying doesn't obligate you to take Advanced Theatre if you end up choosing Leadership, Art, Journalism, etc. but you can't choose Advanced Theatre if your application is incomplete.
Email Mrs. Roth (brandy.roth@leanderisd.org) if you need help or have any questions!
Use Randalls & Amazon Smile to donate to CRMS PTA
Turn your sound on and please watch this video from CRMS students!
*Randall's will donate to CRMS PTA if you select us as your Good Neighbor Program just because you shop there! Complete this form and then e-mail to good.neighbor@randalls.com or take to any store customer service location..
*Did you know you can buy all your Amazon purchases through Amazon Smile, and they will donate to our PTA all year long?!?! It doesn’t cost you anything and you order the same way. Just set up your Amazon Smile profile to donate to PTA Texas Congress Canyon Ridge Middle School PTA.
*CRMS PTA: If you have not yet, please consider joining the CRMS PTA. Memberships start as low as $10.
*SPIRIT WEAR: Spirit Wear has recently been restocked. Porch pickup is very close to CRMS.
Be sure to follow Canyon Ridge Middle School PTA on Facebook and join the Facebook group for your child's grade level. Thank you for your time and all of your support for our Eagles!
Library Grab & Go
Grab & Go Library Curbside hours have been updated:
Tuesdays 10:30-11:30am
Wednesdays 4:00-5:00pm
See the CRMS Library website for all the details and MORE on how to get books from your CRMS Library at curbside or on-campus! Thank you for checking at home and returning all library books during curbside hours or on the cart in the hallway outside the CRMS Library!
Athletic Events Updates/Leander ISD to limit spectators at sporting events:
CRMS Basketball games Livestream now available online!
As part of our efforts to keep our students, staff, and community safe by minimizing the spread of COVID-19 and maintaining in-person operations for students who depend on our schools, we will be limiting attendance at all athletic and fine arts events effective immediately.
Each student-athlete or performer will be allowed two spectators to attend games and events. We will permit siblings under five to attend with their parent or guardian. Coaches, sponsors and directors will contact students and families with details for their games and events.
We will notify our families of updates to this policy as we monitor the conditions of COVID-19.
To ensure you have the most accurate and up to date information on our sports schedules, please visit the Athletics Website.
Here is the Leander ISD General Spectator information for all Leander ISD athletic events.
Everyone entering the stadium/gyms will be required to wear a face mask the entire time they are at the school event.
You will be asked health screener questions when you arrive and must be completed by each person attending. If you have symptoms, please do not attend.
Stadium and gyms will have reduced, limited capacity and we will not be able to allow anyone to enter when at capacity.
Seating will be marked off on bleachers for social distancing. Please do NOT sit on the blue tape.
We ask that when your child’s game is over, please leave the stadium/gym, so that we can let in more families for the following games.
MS game tickets will be sold at the gate of each event. No presale tickets for MS events.
Limited passes will be accepted.
No student athlete passes will be allowed.
Concession stands will be open with prepackaged food items and drinks for sale.
Hand sanitizer stations will be provided and restrooms will be open. Water fountains will not be available.
Deadlines for Parents to Change from Virtual to In-Person Learning
Deadlines for Parents to change from Virtual to In-Person Learning & Date Students Return to In Person Learning:
Returning to in-person for the 1st time this year? Here is some CRMS info to assist in your transition.
Deadline - December 11 for 4th 6-weeks beginning January 5th OR January 19th*
- Deadline - February 5 for 5th 6-weeks beginning February 16
- Deadline - March 26 for 6th 6-weeks beginning April 5
Pre-AP Name Changing to Advanced
In the fall of 2021, Leander ISD will use the label Advanced instead of Pre-AP to identify courses that are designed to challenge as well as prepare students to be successful in future AP and/or IB courses.
The College Board is requiring the use of their national curriculum in order for courses to be
labeled Pre-AP. Leander ISD is committed to differentiating and meeting the needs of each and every student as we currently do through the LISD established curriculum and instruction. Leander ISD will, therefore, not adopt the national standardized curriculum required by the College Board’s Pre-AP program. Furthermore, Leander ISD has demonstrated successful outcomes in both AP and IB programs and does not foresee any negative impact on student success as a result of not adopting the College Board Pre-AP program.
In order to simplify naming conventions of advanced course pathways leading into AP and IB,
Leander ISD will use the label Advanced instead of Pre-AP/IB. This is only a name change of
the label Pre-AP to Advanced. There will be no changes to the local Leander ISD curriculum or
expectations for students in these courses.
Health Screener App - required NOW!
**Please note that we will no longer be using the Student Google Form due to a district-wide switch to this new screener app.**
Leander ISD has licensed a NEW Frontline Health Portal to provide you with a convenient way to complete your child’s COVID-19 self-screen prior to arriving at school every day. You may download the Frontline App, or use the attached QR Code to register and login to your portal.
- Please review the directions below for setting up your portal to register and create a Frontline account. You may do this through the Frontline Health Portal app or through the web address, Click Here.
(It is recommended you use a desktop computer to register, once registered the Frontline Health App and QR code will work with ease)
Use the primary email that you provided to the district and confirm the Portal Terms of Use.
You will receive an email with a temporary password and a link to confirm your account.
You will need your child’s Student ID # to add your child to the account
Important Note: All children in a family can be added to the same exact account. As well as families that have multiple homes, both parents can create an account for their child with their own email.
If you are having technical difficulties, there are two ways to receive technical support: 1) Call the Help Desk or 2) Enter a Technology Help Ticket:
1. How do I contact the Help Desk?
Call: 512-570-0566
Help Desk Hours: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F
2. Technology Help Ticket: http://servicemanager.leanderisd.org/
Thank you for your assistance with the required daily screener!
***DO NOT REGISTER IF YOUR CHILD IS STILL VIRTUAL, THIS IS ONLY FOR IN-PERSON STUDENTS***
Maintain the social distancing, wear your mask, wash your hands & sanitize!
If anyone in your household tests positive for COVID, please notify Mrs. Sturdevant or our school nurse, Rachael Kristoff, immediately. Also, since we are in between holiday breaks, if your child is in-person & was with someone over the holiday break that has now tested positive for COVID, you must notify the nurse of the exposure. We are doing our best to properly contact trace & keep all of our students & staff safe.
We encourage our families and staff to do their part to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
By coming to school, you are attesting that you confidently answered “NO” to ALL of the questions related to COVID-19 symptoms and have a very low risk of carrying or spreading COVID-19. If you answered “YES” to ANY of the questions, you are to stay home. All screening information will be kept confidential by the campus administration and the campus nurse.
Students experiencing ANY of the symptoms from the list, in a way that is not normal for the student, MUST REMAIN AT HOME and a parent/guardian should email the CRMS Attendance Clerk (CRMSAttendance@leanderisd.org) and provide the student’s Full Legal Name, Student ID Number, date and reason for absence.
***Students who are required to stay home due to COVID-19 related symptoms can still access learning virtually if they feel well enough to attend virtual classes.
@AusPublicHealth is offering risk guidance for gatherings to help keep #1LISD healthy & safe. With the recent surge in COVID cases in central Texas, we're especially mindful of how the pandemic continues to affect our community and potentially our schools. Our most important goal is keeping our campuses open so that our students can learn and our families can thrive. We can't do it alone. Please do your part to celebrate safely during the holidays so that we can support and safeguard our teachers, students and students.
To minimize the spread of COVID-19 and ensure everyone has a safe and healthy holiday season, Austin Public Health is offering risk guidance for gatherings. En Espanol
Looking to Donate Items?
If you are wanting to donate and unsure how, we will gladly accept donations of bottled water, paper towels, hand sanitizer or Clorox wipes on campus.
Please note: there are COVID EPA requirements on certain products so please check those before purchasing. As long as the item meets the those requirements, is sealed and brand new, we can accept deliveries of donations during office hours on campus.
April 12th will be an A day.
Launch to Learning Guides and FAQ
As the upcoming school year takes shape, we want to ensure the information families need to make important decisions is easy to access in our Launch to Learning 2020-21 guides.
We know that our community still has questions, so we’ve worked hard at cultivating an expansive, updated FAQ section of the Launch to Learning site. The latest additions will be highlighted green for a few days and then moved into a queue under the appropriate heading.
Canyon Ridge Middle School
AP/Counselor by grade-level:
- 6th: Cassandra Ricks/Shirley Dean
- 7th: Mandi Vogel/Staci Cote
- 8th: Monica Diaz Carle/Lauren Gripentrog
Instagram: Canyon_Ridge_MS
Email: wendy.sturdevant@leanderisd.org
Website: https://crms.leanderisd.org/
Phone: 512-570-3500
Twitter: @Sturdevant_CRMS