Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
March 25, 2022
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Happy Last Friday of March!
Spring Break week is almost over, and it is time for students to gear back up for school! Before students return on Monday, March 28, please sit down with your student and discuss acceptable behaviors for school (see school-wide expectations reminders section below). Getting to classes (all classes including lunch and E&I) on time is going to be one of our focuses at Ridgeview until the end of the school year. Students also need to stay in class unless they have permission to leave (from a teacher). As we head back into the building, please encourage your student to look for any items they may have lost or left at school before spring break. We have most of the lost and found items in the vestibule as they enter and/or exit the building by the office. On Monday, March 28, student IDs will be passed out. Students are expected to have it on them at all times (safety and security). Many staff members wear theirs around their necks on a breakaway lanyard or keep it on their key chain which again stays with them at all times.
The Ohio ELA test will be given in 2 parts: Part 1 will be March 31st and Part 2 will be April 1st for both 7th and 8th graders. Encourage your student to take their time and do the best that they can! We would love to see those students hit their Level Up goal! Please remind your student to charge their Chromebooks every night before coming to school (not just the night before OST tests).
Upcoming important dates:
Thursday, March 31: ELA OST Part 1 (7th and 8th grade)
Friday, April 1: ELA OST Part 2 (7th and 8th grade)
Friday, April 1: Interims
Wednesday, April 6th: 2 hour delay day.
The student day will start at 9:15 AM and students do report to school!
Thank you for your continued support of the Pickerington Schools!
Sincerely,
Beth Richardson
Principal
School wide expectations reminders
Cell phones are off and away all day. If you have any questions regarding cell phones please review Board Policy 5136. If you know your student is having issues with staying off their phone during their classes, we suggest leaving them home or turning them into the office at the beginning of the day to not be tempted to use.
One-way hallways have been in place for 6 years at Ridgeview, students need to follow the one-way hallway traffic all day and that includes going to and from lunch. Please remind students this is due to the amount of students in our hallways, and will help keep them safe.
Language there is vocabulary that is not appropriate for school. We continue to remind students that curse words are not appropriate at school and give students other vocabulary to vent their frustration. If it is inappropriate to say, saying that one was just kidding or only a joke does not negate the conversation from being inappropriate.
Lockers students should access their lockers at the beginning of the day, lunchtime, and at the end of the day. Students can carry their book bags from class to class.
Hands to ourselves and our own items: Our hallways do get crowded and sometimes students do accidentally bump into each other. However, we have made announcements that we cannot play around, play fight, play tag, or grab others as it creates a safety concern. We address each of these as they occur, remind them that horsing around or rough house play is not appropriate at school and could escalate into something more so we ask that they do not do that at school. This also goes for our personal items as well and not touching items that do not belong to us.
Lunchroom behavior: It is expected that students remain in their seats unless going to the restroom or throwing food away (both need permission). Students are not supposed to be up, walking around, and going to another table to chat with friends. It is for everyone's safety and security that they must be seated. If they were all up, we would not be able to see what was going on well. Additionally, students are not allowed to throw food (carrots, apples, pears, corn, milk, applesauce, etc). It is also expected that students remain in the lunchroom area; they are not permitted to walk around the building. Students are also not permitted to go to a teacher's classroom to eat unless they have a pass from the teacher each time they want to leave. Finally, students must pick up after themselves. We remind students daily of these expectations. If students choose not to follow our expectations, they will be issued a QST (Quiet Study Time) which must be served on either a Tuesday or a Thursday from 2:15-4:00 PM in Mr. Watts' classroom (room 210). We will contact the parent or guardian if a QST is issued.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Wednesday April 6th we will be hosting an all day safety day for all students. This safety day will focus on both personal and drug safety. We are excited to share that we will have a few presenters coming to share with our students & the opportunity to learn some yoga, personal regulation, and how to rise above peer pressure! Students will have the opportunity to learn physical self-defense, 7th grade will get to hear from Syntero counseling agency prevention specialists on relationships & wellbeing, and 8th grade students will get to hear from prevention specialists from Mary Haven behavioral health on drug safety.
From Syntero the key points that our 7th grade students will learn are:
How to recognize healthy and unhealthy relationships.
What makes a relationship healthy.
How to recognize relationship red flags.
What coercion is and how victim blaming is harmful.
The different types of Personal Boundaries and consent.
Different communication styles (passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive and assertive).
Which communication style is most effective when dealing with conflict and trying to express your needs/wants.
From Maryhaven the key points that our 8th grade students will learn are:
Prevention & education around misuse that often leads to addiction.
Definitions & signs of addiction
Education around behavioral changes with those who have an addiction
If you would not like your student to be present for the presentation from Syntero (7th grade) or Mary Haven (8th grade) Please complete the opt out form and return to Courtney Smoot at courtney_smoot@plsd.us
Thank you!!
Counselors do not maintain 24/7 access to their emails. If this is a counseling emergency that cannot wait until the next business day, please reach out to one of these 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
**This message and any response to it may constitute public record and thus may be publicly available to anyone who requests it.
Global Scholars Information & Video
Recently, the first informational meeting was held for next year's incoming cohort of Global Scholars. The session was recorded for the students who could not make it. (See the link below).
If you have ever wondered what the program is about, how it is structured, etc, the recording is available to anyone in PLSD.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z3kRYQHkZjy3rp-dm9hSWLUQ26hDQic9/view?usp=sharing
Marie Hurt, Ph. D.
Global Scholars Program & Employability Skills
#TeachSDGs Sustainable Development Goal Ambassador
Pickerington Local School District Needs YOU!
PLSD has a critical need for substitute paraprofessionals, health care assistants, duty aides, custodians, and food service employees! Do you love working with kids? Do you need a job that will work around your schedule?
Ridgeview is still looking for duty aides to help in our cafeteria. We are looking for 2 duty aides who would monitor students by walking around the cafeteria, monitoring behavior, helping students through the lunch line and cleaning up after themselves. These are part time positions and while hours vary they can run between 9:45 AM and 2:30 PM. If interested please check out the district website to fill out an application online:
LET'S ERADICATE BULLYING AT RIDGEVIEW!
Mental Health Resources + How students can see their counselor:
Mental Health Resources:
Many people feel stress, anxiety, and depression. Please take note of these helpful resources, should you need them:
Emergency: 911
Crisis Text Line: text "HOME" to 741741
Nationwide Children's Youth Hotline: 614.722.1800
Teen Hotline: 614.294.3300
Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.4673
Safe Schools Tip Line: Call or text: 844.723.3764
Suicide Lifeline: 800.273.8255 or 614.221.5445
Pickerington Police Department: 614.575.6911
Sheriff Department: 740.652.7900
New Horizons Mobile Crisis Team: 211
How to See Your Counselor:
Students wishing to see their counselor must complete a request google form found in Class Link. The counselor will then send a pass or email the student as soon as possible.
8th-grade counselor:
Mrs. Owen
7th-grade counselor:
Mrs. Smoot
YOUR STUDENT NEED HELP WITH HOMEWORK???
2021-2022 YEARBOOK Information
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)
Below is the last date for our National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) students to meet after school this year from 2:10pm - 3:00pm.
April 25th
For any questions, please contact Leanne Ross at Leanne_Ross@plsd.us.
ATHLETIC INFORMATION & UPDATES
Ridgeview spring sports are fully underway!
Tryouts are complete and registration is now closed for spring sports.
Study Tables Reminder - a contract needs to be on file to attend study tables. If athletes do not follow the study table contract, the athlete will need to go home after school and return for practice. Both track coaches will also address study table behavior as they deem necessary.
Full Payment $155
Due Friday April 22nd
How to Pay: 1. Go into your Parent Portal - Infinite Campus 2. Click the 3 lines in upper left corner (in green banner at top) 3. On the drop down menu, select Fees. 4. Add the drug test & P2P fee to your cart. 5. Check out and pay. 6. To split the payment - click optional payments in bottom right; enter the payment amount.
Ridgeview Tiger Cheer - 2022/2023 School Year
Informational Tryout Meeting:
Monday, April 18th at 6:00pm at PHSC
Cheerleading Clinics:
May 15th-16th 5:00-7:00pm at PHSC
Tryouts:
May 17th High School 4-6pm; Junior High 6-8pm
Fittings - (if make the team)
May 18th 3:30pm at PHSC
SUMMER JOB LISTING
RIDGEVIEW'S - SPRING DANCE INFORMATION & Student Council Update
When: Saturday, April 23rd 7-9:30 pm
- Ridgeview Students ONLY- no outside guests
- There is a dress code (See details below)
- Tickets will go on sale the week of the dance
We look forward to seeing you Saturday, April 23rd for our Hollywood Premiere Spring Dance. Keep your ears open for more announcements regarding presale tickets and other dance updates.
Spring Dance is for Ridgeview students ONLY!
The Do’s and Don’ts of Spring Dance Dresses
Ladies:
DO make sure your dress meets the fingertip rule.
DO have at least one strap. No, the hanger straps on strapless dresses do NOT count as straps. One-shoulder dresses are permitted. Students may wear spaghetti straps or halter dresses as well. No strapless dresses. 2-piece dresses are permitted; however, the belly CANNOT be shown (the bottom of the top needs to meet the top of the skirt).
DON’T buy a prom dress. Save it for high school.
DON’T spend a lot of money on a new dress. You probably have something in your closet already that will be fantastic!
Gentlemen: We encourage you to wear nice slacks or non-denim pants with a polo or button-down shirt. If your pants sag below your waist, please make sure you have a belt.
Please note that any student receiving an ISS or OSS will not be permitted to attend the Spring Dance. Please remind your student to follow expectations and make good choices so they may continue to attend the Spring Dance.
We are looking for parent volunteers to chaperone the Spring Dance. Please contact Carley Fontana (carley_fontana@plsd.us) or Beth Hoffman (beth_hoffman@plsd.us) if you have questions or would like to chaperone.
PTO INFORMATION
Roosters fundraiser cards are still available for sale. We are selling to our Ridgeview parents, staff and teachers for $7. Please reach out to Qiana, Catharyne or Kelly as we have a limited amount available - also the cards do not expire until 12/31/2022. (See Flyer Below)
Want to be a part of the Ridgeview PTO Family??
Please feel free to contact President Kelly Martin at kelly.martin_rvjhpto@hotmail.com; Catharyne Henderson at catharyneh@yahoo.com or Qiana Johnson at qsmith6@hotmail.com.
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
Facebook: facebook.com/RidgeviewStem
Twitter: @RSJHSPrincipal