Panther Tales
February 7, 2020
Para Ver El Boletín En Otro Idioma, Vaya Hasta Abajo Y Haga Clic En El Botón "Translate". NOTA: El enlace no funcionaba, pero ahora está funcionando. Si usted quiere leer las noticias de nuestra escuela vaya a nuestro RCMS website.
To View This Newsletter In Another Language, click HERE to open the newsletter on the website. Scroll To The Bottom and Click Translate.
Tales From the Principal…
With this being the first letter I pen for 2020, Happy New Year to each of you; though the excitement of January 1st has come and gone, the Ridgeview Team is excited for the spring of 2020 and many events on the horizon.
As you know, our strategic plan and our focus areas at Ridgeview include teaching through the International Baccalaureate lens. In the students’ classes each semester they complete an International Baccalaureate MYP project which demands inquiry, critical thinking, and problem solving as part of our instruction. We’re looking forward to March 10th at 3:15 when we hope you’ll join us and your students for our 2nd annual IB Showcase to highlight some of their incredible IB work. At 3:15 that day, we’ll open our doors and classrooms to you and invite you to come and see your own student as well as others present one of their IB projects to you. Last year’s showcase was an incredible time to learn about the work your students do and the exemplary products they make. We hope you’ll join us. And, for the first time, our PTA is putting on a Ridgeview Global Exhibition from 4:15-5:15 on this same day, March 10th, where we’ll enjoy the rich diversity of our IB student and family community with 20+ countries represented, information about each, and small food samplings from that country’s cuisine.
Another of our focus areas is using high-engagement teaching strategies in all classes each week to build skills in Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading – what we call “WICOR.” We’re honored to host for the second time an AVID “WICOR” Showcase to the educational community on February 25th. What that means is that we are a model school implementing these strategies in such a way that we have been asked for the second time to host other educators from around the state who want to observe this program of instruction in action. The great news for you and your students is that they are the daily benefactors of this work!
And, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that thanks to an anonymous community sponsor and the Ridgeview Foundation we’ll host a Ridgeview Music Showcase in the prestigious City Springs Byer’s Theatre on February 12th at 7:00 p.m. It is a phenomenal experience for our middle school music students to be able to perform in our community and in this venue. We certainly hope you’ll join us at this incredible event where we’ll highlight some of the many amazing musicians and their directors. Doors to this event open at 6:30.
These large-scale events simply would not be possible without our PTA, Foundation, and the direction of our school governance council. If you are interested specifically in supporting the school in its strategic direction and taking an active role in the governance council, consider declaring your candidacy as we are seeking candidates in the upcoming election to be a member of our SGC. Check out the related blurb in this panther tales or visit our Ridgeview website.
This month I hope you’ll join me in a few celebrations. Firstly, we are proud to announce our Teacher and Professional of the year. Our Teacher of the Year is Señor Micah Tucker, 8th grade Spanish teacher and World Language Department Chairperson. Our Professional of the year is Mr. Greg Brown, day-time custodian. Out of the many candidates who were our teacher and professional of the month, we’re proud to recognize these two incredible individuals and the many folks who were finalists. Secondly, in February these staff members are celebrating birthdays: Mr. Harrold (1), Ms. Simmons (4), Mrs. Brown (5), Ms. Cook (6), Ms. Stafford (7), Ms. Connor and Ms. Parham (19), Mr. Fludd (22), Ms. Wilber (25).
Lastly, for a celebratory piece of news from the fall, thanks to the hard work of your students and the staff, we saw great gains in reading and math as we compared iReady scores from the start of the year to mid-year; I highly encourage you to ask your student to give you a glimpse of how many lessons they’ve passed and what they’re working on – it’s always a resource available at home for an academic rainy-day activity.
Again, happy 2020, and please let us know if we can do anything to support your student this spring. Thanks as always for your support of Ridgeview.
Opie Blackwell, Principal
RCMS Musical Showcase Chaperones and Volunteers Requested - 02/12/2020
The RCMS Music Directors need your assistance to make this wonderful evening run smoothly! Please click HERE to review the available slots and click on the button to sign up. Please note: Chaperones will have reserved seating while their group is performing. If you have further questions, please contact Ms. Gilbert, Ms. Stanton, or Ms. Dixon directly. Thank you!
School Governance Council 2020 Elections
The SGC is a great way for parents and teachers to have a role in the vision and direction of Ridgeview. There are two open positions for this election cycle – an Elected Parent Member and an Elected Staff Member. Please consider running and take an more active role in our school.
Important Dates:
Candidate Declarations: February 3rd – February 24th
Elections: March 17th – March 24th
All eligible teachers and parents may now declare their candidacy by clicking the following link and completing the Candidate Declaration Form. Additional information on the election process may also be found here: https://www.fultonschools.org/Page/7358 .
Scheduling 101 for Parents - Thurs, February 20th at 6 pm
Ridgeview will offer “Scheduling 101” for parents of rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to help parents be informed about the scheduling process, course offerings including some new math and CTAE components, and how parents can give input into these processes. Last year this session was one of the most popular parent education evenings, so please plan to attend!
Title I Education Workshop - Georgia Milestones Awareness & Preparation - Feb. 27th at 5:30 pm
For all RCMS Families and Community Join us for
The Georgia Milestones Awareness and Preparation Workshop
Do you need to learn new skills to help your child become a better test taker and
be ready for the GMAS test?
Thursday, February 27th,
5:30pm-6:30pm
RCMS MEDIA CENTER
Hardship Transfer Deadline: Feb. 28, 2020
Hardship Transfer applications are available beginning Jan. 1 for employees/parents who wish to apply for a 2020-21 student hardship transfer or to renew a current hardship to another Fulton elementary, middle or high school. Click the following link and scroll to the bottom to access the application: https://www.fultonschools.org/studentassignment.
Seeking Families to Support our Inaugural Global Exhibition after the IB Showcase on March 10th.
RCMS plans to hold its Inaugural Global Exhibition this year after the IB Showcase. It will be March 10th from 4:15-5:15pm in the Gym. We are looking for families to participate and share their heritage and country of origin. Exhibitions will include an informational display piece (poster board or tri-fold) and either a food sample or craft/activity.
If you are interested in participating please complete this form (link below). Our first planning meeting will be February 5th at 9am in the Media Center. Contact Caroline Donohue (carolinedonohue@me.com) with questions.
RCMS Spring Sports Tryout Information Is Available
Please click HERE to go to the Athletics page on our website for all the dates and details.
Scoliosis Screening will take place on Thursday, Feb. 13 for 6th and 8th grade students.
Order Your 8th Grade Ad Now! Deadline is February 14th
Questions? Please contact Ms. Kosloski in the media center.
Not sure if you ordered your yearbook? Please check with Ms. Kosloski first before placing an order.
Ridgeview's Got Talent! on Tuesday, February 25, at 6 pm
Ridgeview's got heart...Ridgeview's got soul...but do we have talent? We have decided to raise money for our Black History Month donation drive by hosting Ridgeview's Got Talent! on Tuesday, February 25, at 6 pm. Tickets will be sold for $5 in the morning and during lunch.
The Front Office is looking for volunteers to help each Friday.
There are two hour shifts available but any time you can give would be appreciated. Check out more information and sign up here - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090844aaa922a3fc1-front1.
RCMS Media Center Volunteers Needed!
Come help in the Media Center on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. There are 30 minute time slots available in the morning and afternoon. Check in with Mrs. Gunter upon arrival.
Click HERE for schedule information and to sign up.
Box Tops For Ridgeview!
Make sure you have the NEW Box Tops app on your phone! It's the all-new way to earn cash for our school—no clipping required.
Join the PTA today!
The PTA has many volunteer opportunities available.
Check out how you can help HERE.
Join the PTA today to support our purpose of connecting parents and teachers for the benefit of ALL our students. You can become a member, donate, and purchase spirit wear online at RCSstore.org.
Follow the PTA on Facebook - @RidgeviewCMSPTA . View our Facebook page HERE.
NEXT MEETING:
Feb 18 at 7:45 am in the RCMS Media Center
Learn About The RCMS Foundation & Join Today!
The Ridgeview Charter Middle School Foundation provides funding to support Ridgeview’s sports and music programs. These programs cannot exist without parent donations.
To join, please click HERE.
NEXT MEETING:
Feb 12 at 7:45 am in the RCMS Media Center
SGC (School Governance Council) Corner
Next Meeting:
Feb 11 at 7:30 am in the RCMS Media Center
Coming Soon To The View!
NEXT WEEK
Feb 11 RCMS School Governance Council Meeting - 7:30 am
Feb 11 Black History Month Talent Show REHEARSAL
Feb 12 RCMS Foundation Meeting - 7:45 am
Feb 12 RCMS Music Department Showcase at City Springs - 7:00 pm
Feb 13 Scoliosis Screening - 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
COMING SOON
Feb 17 Presidents' Day (Inclement Weather Day) - School Closed
Feb 18 RCMS PTA Meeting 7:45 am
Feb 19 Black History Month Talent Show DRESS REHEARSAL
Feb 20 Scheduling 101 - For parents of rising 6th, 7th and 8th graders - 6 pm
Feb 21-22 6th Grade State-Wide Chorus
Feb 21 PBIS Store Day
Feb 21 Black History Month Assembly - 9:15 - 10:30 am
Feb 22 Linguapalooza Competition at Ridgeview - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Feb 24 Chorus Pre-LGPE Workshop - 4:15pm
Feb 25 RCMS Avid Showcase - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Feb 25 Black History Month Talent Show - 6:00-7:30 pm
Feb 27 Title I Parent Education Workshop: Georgia Milestones Awareness & Preparation Workshop - 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Feb 27-28 6th Grade Statewide Honor Choir
Feb 27-29 All-State Honor Choir
Feb 29 Saturday School
Click HERE for full calendar.
Ridgeview Charter Middle School
Email: woodruff@fultonschools.org
Website: www.ridgeviewcharterschool.org
Location: 5340 South Trimble Road, Sandy Springs, GA, USA
Phone: 4702547710
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RidgeviewCharterSchool
Twitter: @CLCRidgeview