THE VIEW
Newsletter for Ridgeview Middle School (Issue 4: 11.2023)
The Principal's Post
Dear RMS Families:
At Ridgeview, we are moving full speed ahead into the 2nd Nine Weeks! As I share with our students on a regular basis, their primary role when they come into the building each and every day is to stay focused on their academics. We want all students to put their best foot forward and to believe they can be anything they want to be. Setting goals as a family and making an actual plan to achieve these goals will put your child on the path to success!
Additionally, I want to remind all families of our PBIS Behavior Expectations, “Be RMS” as well as the CCS/Ridgeview Dress Code. My expectation for all students is that they will adhere to our behavior expectations and dress appropriately each day. This includes not wearing sleepwear (i.e., pajama pants, bonnets, durags, house shoes, etc.). Please review both documents with your child. Copies of these documents are available on our website (https://www.ccsoh.us/Page/10618 on page 7).
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Finally, the month of November is a great time to focus on gratitude, which is the quality of being thankful. Did you know practicing gratitude can improve one’s mental health and boost relationships with others?
“Gratitude sweetens even the smallest moments.”
I encourage each Ridgeview family to practice the art of gratitude each and every day!
Be Well,
Natalie M. James
Principal
Getting Real with Mr. Reese
Ridgeview's Assistant Principal, Mr. Reese, knows through experience ...
When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.
People know themselves much better than you do.
That's why it's important to stop expecting
them to be something other than who they are.
--Dr. Maya Angelou
Nurse Gina: Sleep Health and National Diabetes Month
Greetings,
Here's two ways to help your student:
SLEEP HEALTH: It is never to late to begin to establish and maintain healthy sleeping habits. Adequate sleep contributes to a student's well-being, ability to concentrate, academic performance, and overall health. Here's a few Healthy Sleeping Habits:
Make sufficient sleep a family priority (be a role model of sleeping habits)
Keep a regular daily routine (wake up and go to bed at the same time)
Be active during the day
Monitor screen time (turn off all screens 1 hour prior to bed)
Create a sleep supportive environment (dim the lights and control the room temperature)
Avoid over scheduling (Allow for time to wind down)
Learn to recognize sleep problems (nighttime awakening, snoring, sleep apnea, etc.)
DIABETES FOR CHILDREN: National Diabetes Month is in November. It's a time when communities across the country seek to bring attention to diabetes. This year's focus is on taking action to prevent diabetes health problems. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.
Click on the links below to learn more about Sleep & Health and Diabetes in Children.
Let's work together to have--
Healthy Bodies. Strong Minds. Long Life!
Nurse Gina
Calendar of Events
- 11.13-17, Mon - Fri: RMS Spirit Week
- 11.17, Fri, 10:30 am - 9:00 pm: Band Fundraiser at Bibibop (see below for details)
- 11.20-24, Mon - Fri: All Schools Closed - Wellness Week
- 11.22, Wed: Compensatory Day for Parent Conference
- 11.28, Tues, at 5:15 - 5:45 pm: Community Board Meeting at Briggs HS
- 12.5, Tues, at 6:00 pm: Choir Concert
- 12.07, Thurs, at 6:00 pm: PTA Zoom Meeting
- 12.13, Wed, at 6:00 pm: Instrumental Music Concert
- 12.19, Tues, at 5:15 - 5:45 pm: Community Board Meeting at Marion Franklin HS
- 12.19, Tues: 30-Minute Early Dismissal
- 12.20.23- 01.2.24: All Schools Closed - Winter Break
Girls and Boys Basketball begins at 4:30 pm
- 12.4, Mon: Girls Dominion at RMS and Boys RMS at Dominion
- 12.6, Wed: Girls RMS at Indianola and Boys Indianola at RMS
- 12.11, Mon: Girls and Boys RMS Bye
- 12.13, Wed: Girls Medina at RMS and Boys RMS at Medina
- 12.18, Mon: Girls RMS at World Language and Boys World Language at RMS
- 1.8.24, Mon: Girls RMS at Woodward Park and Boys Woodward Park at RMS
- 1.10.24, Wed: Girls RMS at Dominion and Boys Dominion at RMS
Columbus City Schools Board Meets with the Community
Don't fret if you missed last month's meeting, there is still an opportunity for you to attend the Community Board Meetings:
- 11.28, Tues: Briggs HS
- 12.19, Tues: Marion Franklin HS
Families are encouraged to attend the Board of Education meetings beginning at 6:00 pm. There will be a 30-minute open discussion time held from 5:15 - 5:45 pm where families and community members can speak to board members without early sign up.
Families are always welcome to attend regular board meetings at 3700 S. High St. but must sign up to speak by 3:45 pm the day of the meeting. For a full list of board meeting dates, please visit: Board of Education / Homepage (ccsoh.us)
You Can Help ... Eat at Bibibop on Nov. 17th - 20% of Sales go to the RMS Band
RMS Policy - After School Athletic Events & Safety Protocols
Pick up time is 5:30 pm. Students who are not picked up on time will be ineligible to attend any after school activities for the remainder of this year.
Note: Basketball Game cost is $3.00.
IMPORTANT: READ THE GAME DAY SAFETY PROTOCOLS LISTED BELOW
Boys Soccer
Girls Volleyball
Coach Steele enjoyed his first year as coach with a team of 14.
When asked, "What is the biggest takeaway for the team after completing 10 games?" He responded, "The team including me, learned how to face adversity, learn from it, and be better prepared for the next challenges."
RMS Clubs & Sports - Pen Writing Contest
Patriot's Pen essays were delivered to the VFW office in Reynoldsburg last month. In fact, they volunteered to come to Ridgeview to talk to students about the Korean war and other wars.
Below is Commander John Johnston and Service Officer Denny Willeck, who were very touched to receive the essays from Ms. Braddix (see picture below).
Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Maxwell
She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but has lived most of her life in Columbus. However, she did live in West Virginia for eight years, but she is glad to be back in the Buckeye state.
She is a proud graduate of Columbus City Schools where she attended elementary school (Dana and Livingston), Starling MS, and East HS.
Ms. Maxwell has one sister and is the proud mother to three children: Lily (20), Rose (17), and Jake (14). Ironically, all her children were born in May and are three years apart. Also, she has fur babies: a Great Dane and two cats.
She received an undergraduate degree from Capital University and completed her master's degrees at Ohio Dominican University and Fairmont State University. She began as an undergrad majoring in English because she loved reading and writing. She chose education because she was always interested in being a teacher. And, being a teacher is the only career she could possibly imagine doing with her life. She is adamant that teaching is one of the most important jobs with huge and far-reaching impact for students, community, and the world.
She loves chocolate, pasta, and Monster energy drinks.
When she has an opportunity, she wants to travel all over Europe. She professes to be a huge nerd and loves everything Harry Potter, Tolkien, Star Wars, Marvel, D.C., and many more.
If you ever ask Ms. Maxwell, "What have you learned over and over during your life?"
She will reply,
"Everyone is going through something in their lives, so it is always
best to be kind to everyone."
The Counselor's Corner: Mrs. Thomas
Middle school is a time of many changes, both physically and emotionally. Middle school students need your help to mature emotionally and intellectually -- but they also need freedom. Parents can best help them find their place in life by understanding this exciting stage of development.
Emotional Development
This is generally an age when your children are going to want to "fit in" with their peers and will seek the opinions of friends more often than the opinion of parents. Middle school children fear social rejection and may become overly critical of others because of insecurity about themselves. Their conscience begins to develop and they also become fairly responsible for themselves. To promote good emotional health:
- Help your children develop a positive self-image by showing them your love, respect and acceptance.
- Spend time with your child when possible -- but don't force the issue.
- Encourage friendships based on mutual acceptance
- Reassure them that different rates of physical growth are normal.
- Seek professional help if your children do not seem to be able to cope with their problems.
- Know your child's friends.
Mental Development
Middle school students begin to think more abstractly and begin to understand more than one viewpoint. They are able to complete more long-term assignments and are able to handle more homework. To help your child develop mental skills:
- Help your child structure time to work and play if he is faced with new academic demands and monitoring the completion of assignments.
- Work together with your child's teachers and school.
For more information:
refer to last month's issue of the THE VIEW
on Physical Development, Struggles for More Independence, and About Discipline.
Destination #2: Wexner Center for the Arts 12.9.2023 @ 1871 N. High St Columbus, OH 43210 Fun begins 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Theme: Fine Arts Pathway
Special Needs and Services: Help Your Child to be Kind to ALL Students
Teaching children to be kind and accepting towards others is a goal most parents value highly. Here are few tips to help and encourage RMS students to be friendly and kind to ALL students.
- Answer your child’s questions in a clear and reassuring manner. Your child may have worries about their own future well-being. They may wonder about “what happened” to their peer. Help your child identify similarities between themselves and their peer with a disability. Do they share interests? What are the many ways in which the other child is just like every other child?
- Your child may have questions about how their peer copes with normal daily activities. Deal with this natural curiosity by answering in a matter of fact way. Expose your child to examples presented in the media, in books, and in real life of children and adults with disabilities who are successful socially, academically, and artistically.
- Remind your child that all children have feelings. Help them to see that a child with a disability will feel as happy to have a kind friend as anyone would and would feel hurt and sad to be left out.
- Think aloud with your child about ways that they can reach out to and include a peer who may need to do things in a slightly different way. Don’t be afraid to approach the parents of the child with special needs to ask how their child might be included in a birthday party or play date.
For the complete article entitled
"Information on Kindness & Inclusion: Friends with Disabilities"
click here.
CCS Mission & This Year's School Theme
Columbus City Schools Mission: Each student is highly educated, prepared for leadership and service, and empowered for success as a citizen in a global community.
2023-24 School Year Theme: Start Strong. End Stronger!
The RMS PBIS Corner
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) provides an ideal framework for promoting social-emotional competencies to improve outcomes for our students. Listed below are activities and beliefs.
#1: Be RMS Definition
- Be Responsible
- Be a Member
- Be Safe
This month the focus in THE VIEW is - IN THE RESTROOM.
BE RESPONSIBLE:
- Come with a pass
- Use the closest restroom at appropriate times
- Use time wisely, go back to class, or assigned area when finished
- Keep cell phones and electronics off and put away
BE A MEMBER:
- FLUSH the toilet
- Clean up after yourself and put trash and other items in appropriate containers
- Respect others’ privacy
- Use only what you need and conserve paper and water
BE SAFE:
- Wash your hands
- Report problems to the office and help keep area clean
- Keep hands, feet, and objects to self
- in the HALL (check The VIEW September edition)
- in the CLASSROOM (check The VIEW October edition)
- in the RESTROOM
- in the CAFETERIA
- in the AUDITORIUM
- on the BUS
- at RECESS
- at ENTRY AND DISMISSAL
- and AGAINST BULLYING
#2: "Be RMS" Student vs. Staff Dodgeball Game
Back by popular demand - the staff challenged the students. The qualification period for consideration was October 2 - 27, 2023. With the clash for the title occurring on Friday, October 27th. It was a good time for all and the RMS staff walked away with the victory. Check out the pictures below.
#3: "Be RMS" Golden Ticket Kona Ice Truck Grade Level Parties
It's another opportunity for 50 students from each grade level.
Qualification Period: November 6 - 30, 2023
Event Date: Thursday, November 30, 2023
HOW DO STUDENTS QUALIFY TO ATTEND THE EVENT?
- Follow the school rules - "BE RMS"
- Go to class On Time and No Tardies
- Listen to ALL adults in the building
- Display RMS behavior throughout the building, at recess, and on the bus
- Follow the CCS Dress Code
- NO 190s, REMOVALS, SUSPENSIONS, EXPULSIONS, BUS WRITE-UPS, or AFTER SCHOOL DETENTIONS
- The administration will have final say in who will attend the event.
Fall Family Mix and Mingle
A special thanks to First Tee and DJ Remedy!
Although, you missed it. Below are a few pictures. You know they say a picture is worth a thousand words ... well below is 12,000 words!
RMS VISION, MISSION, and CORE VALUES
The Vision: Each student at Ridgeview Middle School will show a year's worth of growth or more in reading and math as measured by District and/or state assessments by the end of each school year.
Our Mission: We exist to create an environment where students are educated through a lens of culturally responsive teaching, mindfulness, and the use of high-quality data. Collectively we aim to advocate, challenge, and support student growth in all areas of development.
Our 4 Core Values: 1. Create a safe, encouraging, inclusive, and supportive environment. 2. Maintain high expectations. 3. Inspire student success. 4. Demonstrate respect through empathy and inclusivity
Tutoring & Academic Support
Do you need academic support for tutoring for your student?
Click on the links below.
Celebrating Diversity in November
It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity, there is beauty, and there is strength.
~ Maya Angelou
Check out these celebrations in November:
- November: National American Indian & Alaska Native Heritage Month
- November 11th: Veterans Day
- November 19th: International Men's Day
- November 23rd: Thanksgiving
- November 24th: Native American Heritage Day
- December 3rd - December 24th: Advent
- December 7th - 15th: Hanukkah
Remember, we are better when we work together!
PTA Point-of-View
Thank you for all your support in October! We were able to provide dinner for the October 19th conferences, a table at the Fall Family Mix and Mingle and have begun the popcorn sale fundraiser!
Your involvement is important, and we are still looking to fill one vacant position on our board. If you are interested, please send an email to RidgeviewMSPTA@gmail.com expressing your interest.
Here are the 2023/2024 Ridgeview MS PTA board members:
- President: Michelle Manko (parent to 8th grade student)
- Vice President: Adam Newman (parent to 8th grade student)
- Treasurer: Carol Ferry (parent to 8th grade student)
- Secretary: VACANT shall keep all records of the organization
- Officer: Joanna Newman (parent to 8th grade student)
- Officer: Whitney Wagner (parent to 6th grade student)
Don’t have time to commit to being a board member but want to help?! Please let us know by becoming a member https://rmsraiderspta.memberhub.com/store and sending an email to RidgeviewMSPTA@gmail.com with the level of commitment you can give. There is no such thing as too little!! We are all working adults who help each other as needed.
Outside of fundraisers – KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS – has been our best way to raise money. If you have not done so already, PLEASE, make RMS PTA your organization. Our number is 84721.
Our spirit wear shop is LIVE!! Get your RMS gear shipped directly to you. Shop our link: Ridgeview Webstore
Looking for a Ridgeview Raiders yard sign or a magnet for the back of your car?!?! Sign up as a supporting (magnet) or gold member (yard sign) of our PTA! https://rmsraiderspta.memberhub.com/store
PTA Meetings: PTA meets the first Thursday of every month, at 6 PM over zoom. Please join us for these meetings. They are filled with information about fundraisers, events and how PTA funds are being allocated. It is also a good opportunity to meet other families with students are Ridgeview.
If you haven’t done so already, get added to our mailing list! Send an email to us at RidgeviewMSPTA@gmail.com and ask to be added to the list to make sure that you are aware of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
Facebook: Join our Facebook by searching "Ridgeview MS PTA".
Ways to Provide Support: Here are some no cost/low time way to support the PTA:
● Download the Box Tops app, add Ridgeview PTA as your school and scan all your receipts
- If this is your first-time registering be sure to use our code: HXSC8XH4 – we receive a little bonus
- https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=HXSC8XH4
- No cost to you and RMS PTA does not receive copies of your receipts.
● Make RMS PTA your organization on the Kroger Community Rewards program.
- At Kroger.com or on your Kroger App, under Rewards, then Community Rewards, add our organization number 84721
- No cost to you and RMS PTA does not receive your personal information.
Mark your calendar to attend our December 7th meeting via Zoom from 6 to 7 PM.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81196889925?pwd=VGJKaEVkcXV1WllaZkRUcm9Gc052dz09
Meeting ID: 811 9688 9925
Passcode: RMSPTA
Sincerely,
RMS PTA
Got Questions? Call the FACTLine
Need Help? Check Out Our Community Partners
LSS 211 offers services from homeless shelters to senior living. Call 211.
- City of Columbus CARES Act offers assistance with utilities.
- Cap4Kids provides resources for families in the areas of meals, housing, utilities, mental health, and lots more!
- Charity Newsies offers clothing assistance & winter coats.
- Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio offers pharmacy services and medicines, counseling on proper medication usage, health screenings, wellness education, and social program assistance for those who cannot afford them. (614) 227-0301.
- Clintonville Resource Center serving all of Central Ohio by providing assistance through the food pantry, child and youth programs, senior services, and kinship care program.
- Franklin County Children Services 2022 Guide provides information on local emergency or non-emergency assistance to families.
- Mid Ohio Food Bank provides food locations by zip code.
- OhioKAN ensures every kinship and adoptive family who wants support navigating the resources available to them can get it.
- Project Connect provides help to families living in shelter, car, motel, campground, and doubled-up families.
- Emergency Broadband Benefit provides relief for broadband services and a laptop, computer, or tablet.
Ridgeview Middle School
Ridgeview Attendance email: attendance.ridgeview@columbus.k12.oh.us
Ridgeview Attendance phone number: 380.997.6994
FACTline Email: factline@columbus.k12.oh.us
FACTline Phone Number: 614.221.FACT (614.221.3228)
Customer Relations Phone Number: 614.365.8888
Customer Relations Email: customerrelations@columbus.k12.oh.us
Family Ambassador Debora Myles: 614.365.5506
Email: ridgeviewms@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/RidgeviewMS
Location: 4241 Rudy Rd, Columbus, OH 43214, USA
Phone: 614.365.5506
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RidgeviewProud