Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
March 6, 2020
Coming Up at Ridgeview
March 10-Parent-Teacher Conferences-see details below
March 11-2 hour late start for students
March 13-First pay-to-play payment due
March 23-27-No School-Spring Break
Please Have a Talk With Your Student
Dear Tiger Families,
Recently we have experienced an increase in physical fights. It has come to our attention, that some of the fights are happening because students are competing to see who can win the fight. They then talk about who took the "L" or "W". We have also noticed incidents that have started on social media outside of school and then escalated once students are in the building. As you are aware, this presents a dangerous situation for both the students fighting and individuals in the area. There have been incidents of students using their cell phones to record the fight and placing it on social media later. Again, this is inappropriate and causes disruptions to the educational learning environment. Unauthorized touching and violence are discipline worthy violations of the student code of conduct. In addition, this is a good time to remind everyone that cell phones and air pods/beats (Bluetooth enabled devices) should be put in our lockers during the school day. We as a staff are looking for ways to help students handle conflict in a more appropriate manner. We could use your help in having conversations with your students about the appropriate use of social media and guiding them on how to resolve situations without escalating to violence. As always we want what is best for our students and we want to make sure our school is a great place for them to come and learn. We would like to thank you in advance for addressing this with your students at home.
Building a better community together,
Eric Koch
Fight Flu First to Prevent Coronavirus
Dear Parents, As more information is released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) about the Coronavirus and its potential impact on our school community, we want you to be aware that we are staying up-to-date on the latest information and we’re reviewing all of our public safety plans. Prevention of the spread of disease in our school community is an initiative we work on daily in all of our Pickerington Schools. We need the help of our students, families and staff to continue in this effort. We know an outbreak in our region could impact schools, so we are preparing for many what-if scenarios to minimize disruption while keeping students and staff safe. In the meantime, our school nurses are educated on the signs and symptoms of the coronavirus—many of which are similar to the flu. We encourage you to visit the CDC website to learn more about prevention and treatment. Just as with other illnesses, we are asking you to do your part to help prevent the spread of disease. The CDC recommends these everyday preventive steps: We are committed to the health and safety of our community and we will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Spring Awards Criteria
At the end of the school year, we always have an academic awards ceremony. This event will be May 12, 2020. As in years past, the following criteria will be used to qualify for the awards ceremony this school year. Students who receive an average cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher after the second trimester, will receive recognition of making the Gold Honor Roll. Students who earn an average cumulative GPA between 3.50-3.749 after the second trimester will be recognized as making the Silver Honor Roll. In addition, students are recognized by their team teachers in each content area. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at eric_koch@plsd.us.
PTO News
Sports Information
STUDY TABLE CONTRACT -------------------------------->
Please read the expectations for athletes attending after school study tables.
Spring Sports
- Spring Pay 2 Play: first payment due Friday, March 13th. Fee will be assigned on IC once rosters are set
Boys Tennis:
Contact Coach Jamie Kettel: debusj@hotmail.com
Please email with the following info:
- Athlete's Name
- Parent's Name
- Email where you want weekly schedules sent
- Phone contact
Interested in Girls Lacrosse?
For questions or information, contact:
Boys Volleyball
Contact Coach Bartges RBartges@gmail.com with questions
Check the 8 to 18/Ridgeview website for all updated sports information, dates, cancellations, drug testing times, schedules and forms.
May Dance Criteria
Yearbook Orders
Cell Phones
In addition, students who are not feeling well should not be contacting parents to pick them up. Students need to go to the clinic, where parents will be contacted by the nurse.
Ridgeview's policy is that cell phones are to be in lockers from 7:15 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. Students are reminded each day during morning announcements. Your student's phone may be confiscated until the end of the day it is seen. If there are repeated incidents, it is possible the phone will be held until a parent comes to pick it up.
Make a Difference Day
Ridgeview Junior High School believes that learning happens both inside and outside of the classroom. We believe in providing students with authentic learning opportunities that provide real world connections. By participating in activities in the Columbus, Lancaster, Newark and Pickerington communities, we align with our STEM focus of service learning. By learning through service, the students will make connections through multiple disciplines and engage in innovative thinking and problem solving. We believe that service learning also promotes and builds positive relationships between the school and the community.
On May 20, Ridgeview students, staff, and parent volunteers go into the Pickerington and surrounding communities and do volunteer work. Examples of sites we have done are: yard work & cleaning windows for the elderly, preparing meals on wheels for LifeCare Alliance, reading and working with elementary students, washing cruisers and service vehicles for the Police and Fire departments, cleaning up and painting at the recreational facilities for PYAA, sorting clothing donations for a Clothing Pantry, packing lunches for a homeless shelter, and much, much more.
Students find that it is a very positive experience.
We will be in need of volunteers to make this day successful. Please mark your calendars and look for more information to come in the upcoming months if you are able to help with this event!
Ridgeview Values
Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
Email: eric_koch@plsd.us
Website: pickerington.k12.oh.us
Location: 130 Hill Road South, Pickerington, OH, USA
Phone: 614-548-1700
Facebook: facebook.com/RidgeviewStem
Twitter: @RidgeviewPLSD