Ridgeview STEM Junior High
September 22, 2023
Principal's Message:
Hello Ridgeview Family,
2023 Ohio State Test (OST) scores are out and Pickerington Local Schools scored 4.5 out of a possible 5 stars as a district! Ridgeview Junior High scored 3.5 out of a possible 5 stars!! Both great work but we know we still have room for growth. Our goals this school year are based around two things: academics and safety. Our main concern this year is that all our students are being challenged at the highest level in the classroom and everyone in the building is safe at all times. We believe we can make great strides to surpass last year's OST overall score, and we're off to a great start this year making that a reality.
Student Interim grades are now posted in Infinite Campus. TO VIEW: Log into IC Parent Portal <select MORE upper left 3 lines <Documents <select Ridgeview Interim Grades Q1
September 27 & 28 students will be completing the Fall Panorama Survey during their Pawtime period. Our overall goal for the Fall and Spring survey is 100% participation. One 7th and 8th grade class with the highest percentage of completion (in the Fall and Spring) will earn a donut party on Principal Evans. Good luck to all students. Make your voice count!
**We still have many Ridgeview students who do not have their Infinite Campus 2023-2024 Annual Online Registration Update completed. This annual update contains emergency medical information so we can care for your student & field trip permission. Individual families will receive notification next week to get it completed. However, instructions are below. You may also contact Lisa Holley through the main office for more information.
TO COMPLETE: log in to IC parent portal < select MORE upper left 3 lines < ONLINE REGISTRATION < click HERE to start UPDATE -- EXISTING STUDENT.
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Parent/Teacher conference dates are fast approaching. Please see the upcoming date(s) available below for you to choose from. Conferences this year will be offered virtually, however; if there is a need to meet in-person, please make sure to secure a date and time slot with your student's team of teachers.
PARENT/TEACHER EVENING CONFERENCES FOR GRADES 7-12
WILL BE AVAILABLE DURING THE FOLLOWING DATES:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH! (3:40pm-7:15p)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3RD (3:40pm-7:15pm)
*MONDAY, OCTOBER 16TH (Daytime Conferences)(7am-2:45pm))
Please look for scheduling communications through email, talking points and IC messenger from your students team teachers.
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Thank you for your continued support of the Pickerington Schools!
Sheila Evans, Principal
Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
DISTRICT OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE
A MESSAGE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDANT
PLSD Family,
Congratulations! PLSD received 4.5 Stars out of a possible 5.0 on the Ohio State Report Card! (see chart below). This score reflects and confirms the amazing students, teachers, support staff, and administrators we have in our district. I have attached data that shows how we scored with "like" districts and Fairfield County schools.
I am extremely humbled to serve as superintendent of such a high achieving school district that has such dedicated, caring, and passionate employees that care about the success of our students. The rating by the State also justifies the work you do every day for our students and their families.
PLSD is not perfect, but today feels pretty good! Enjoy the weekend!
Respectfully,
Chris
National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th marks the first day of National Hispanic Heritage Month. This celebration begins September 15th and concludes on October 15th. The 2023 theme is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation,” to honor the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latina/o/x Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. As we endeavor to create and in many cases, maintain diverse learning and work spaces, the National Hispanic Heritage Month resource link will be very valuable in providing you with ways to imbed this kind of historical and celebratory information into your everyday lessons and work environments.
The more you are able to practice infusing cultural artifacts into your lessons, the sooner you will be able to reap the rewards of an even more engaged classroom and work environment. Representation matters, especially for young people who crave to be seen and valued, even though they may not always use those terms to describe it. Children need books and learning experiences that provide:
Mirrors to allow them to see themselves and their own experiences
Windows that they can look through to see other worlds that they can the compare to their own
Sliding Glass Doors that allow them to enter other worlds.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-w2_ywBJcOo4b5X-PglsB_znRXBzFDtcv5PmE9vBcxc/copy?usp=sharing
TALKING POINTS
Ridgeview will be consistently using Talking Points to communicate with families about things going on in class and to send reminders. Talking Points runs concurrent with Infinite Campus, therefore, whoever is listed as priority 1 in Infinite Campus receives the Talking Points communication. Also, some families have selected to receive the communication via the Talking Points App instead of as a text message. You may want to login to Talking Points (https://app.talkingpts.org/login) to see your preferences. If you would like more than 1 parent to receive the Talking Points communications, please email Lisa_Holley@plsd.us, who can add contacts to Talking Points.
RIDGEVIEW 2023/24 CLASS FEES
Ridgeview 2023/24 Class Fees posted in your Infinite Campus parent portal.
Fees are assigned based on the classes your student is taking this year.
NOTE: If your student receives Free & Reduced Lunch, that application will serve to adjust school fees; this adjustment will occur around mid-October at the earliest so please wait to pay until those adjustments are made.
Pay fees through your IC parent portal: click 3 lines in upper left < click FEES < select student fees & add to cart < check out
PARENT DROP OFF PROCEDURES & EARLY DISMISSALS
GENTLE REMINDER: THERE ARE NO DISMISSALS AFTER 1:45PM
Please review the following information concerning parent drop off procedures in the morning and what you need to know about signing out your student early for an appointment.
Signing Out Your Student Early
Here is a quick reference guide for student sign out (what we have posted) Student Check Out
LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE UPDATES
Pickerington Schools will take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) have meaningful access and an equal opportunity to participate in all services, activities, and programs available throughout the district. It is the policy of Pickerington Schools to ensure meaningful communication with LEP students and families and to communicate information related to the education of all students. All services needed to comply with this policy will be provided for students and their families in need of such assistance free of charge. For assistance, please call 614-833-2110.
En Español:
Las escuelas de Pickerington tomarán medidas razonables para garantizar que las personas con dominio limitado del inglés (LEP) tengan un acceso fácil y la misma oportunidad de participar en todos los servicios, actividades y programas disponibles en todo el distrito. La política de las escuelas de Pickerington es asegurar una comunicación significativa con los estudiantes LEP, sus familias y comunicar información relacionada con la educación de todos los estudiantes. Todos los servicios necesarios para cumplir con esta política se proporcionarán a los estudiantes y sus familias que necesiten dicha asistencia de forma gratuita. Para obtener ayuda, llame al 614-833-2110.
भाषा सहायतासम्बन्धी सूचना:
Pickerington Schools ले सीमित अङ्ग्रेजी प्रवीणता (LEP) भएका व्यक्तिहरूसँग डिस्ट्रिक्टभर उपलब्ध सबै सेवा, क्रियाकलाप र कार्यक्रमहरूमा अर्थपूर्ण पहुँच र सहभागी हुन पाउने समान अवसर छ भनी सुनिश्चित गर्नका लागि उचित कदमहरू चाल्ने छ। LEP भएका विद्यार्थी र परिवारहरूसँग अर्थपूर्ण सञ्चार सुनिश्चित गर्ने र सबै विद्यार्थीहरूको शिक्षासँग सम्बन्धित जानकारी सञ्चार गर्ने Pickerington Schools को नीति हो। यो नीतिको अनुपालन गर्न आवश्यक पर्ने सबै सेवाहरू यस प्रकारको सहायता आवश्यक भएका विद्यार्थी र उहाँहरूका परिवारहरूलाई निःशुल्क रूपमा उपलब्ध गराइने छ। सहायताको लागि, कृपया 614-833-2110 मा कल गर्नुहोस्
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Panorama Survey during P.A.W. - September 27th & 28th
Students will have the opportunity to complete Panorama SEL Surveys during their P.A.W. time. The survey will provide us with social and emotional learning (SEL) information. SEL is the process through which children and adults apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. These are the skill sets that promote success in life.
While our goal is 100% participation, parents may choose not to have their child participate. If you prefer your child not to participate in this survey, please fill out the opt-out Form below or email your child’s School Counselor by September 22, 2023.
One 7th & one 8th grade P.A.W. time class with the highest percentage of completion will receive a donut party given by Mrs. Evans, Principal! YUM!!!
If there is a tie, a draw will be conducted.
Panorama SEL Fall Survey Nepali 2023
Panorama SEL Otoño Survey Spanish 2023
Panorama SEL Fall Survey English 2023
PICKERINGTON LOCAL SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO WASHINGTON D.C.!!!! 2024 8TH GRADE TRIP
PBIS INFORMATION
This edition of the newsletter will provide parents and guardians with the building's PBIS initiatives and expectations. PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports.
More information will be forthcoming in our next newsletter!
A NOTE FROM THE NURSE
In the event your child needs to take prescription medication while at school, please be sure to have the Request for administration of prescription medication by school personnel (pdf) form or completed by the child’s physician and parents. Forms are available in the school office and on the website.
Nonprescription medication such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and cough drops may be administered to students if the parent/guardian sends in the medication (in original container) along with written permission for the medication to be given. Dosages cannot exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations for age and weight. (i.e., We cannot administer medication to children under 12 if the label says: “Do not administer to children under 12, except under the direction of a physician.” We need to have a note from the doctor in order to give a dose of medication that is different than the dose stated on the bottle.) All medications, prescription and non-prescription, must be sent in the original container.
PTO CONNECTION
Ridgeview Families & Friends!
We have some exciting events coming up and want you all to mark your calendars!
September 28th:
PTO is hosting dinner for Parent Teacher Conference, but we need your help and support. We've created a Sign-Up Genius for those who like to cook and or able to donate. PTO has ordered the meat and platters, as well as will supply the drinks, but looking for our bakers and those who can throw down in the kitchen for side items. Please see the link below and sign up. All drop off food items should be in office by 1:15/1:30 on the 28th - or feel free to arrange a drop off or pickup as we will come to you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CA5A62EA2FA7-44540239-parent
October 7th:
It's official and all is in place for our first Teen Night for 2023/2024 school year. Parents you can begin purchasing tickets today when paying by Cash App or Venmo. Please be sure to include $1.50 fee - total ticket cost will be $16.50. Also be sure to include your students name, lunch period and grade. On the 6th wristbands will be handed out to your child and will need to have them on their wrist on Saturday the 7th.
Venmo: @RVJHPTO
Cash App: $RidgeviewPTO2021
(Look for the Ridgeview STEM Junior High logo)
*Email us directly for QR code if it doesn't load!
kelly.martin_rvjhpto@hotmail.com or qsmith6@hotmail.com
Have a great weekend
ATHLETIC INFORMATION
New Ridgeview Swim Club starting!
- 3 practices weekly: T, TH & F
- 5:30am - 6:30am
- @ Jerry Garver YMCA
- will have 4 meets
If you are interested plan to attend a parent/swimmer meeting:
Date: October 4 @ 7pm
Location: The Commons @ PHS Central
Coach Contact: Coach Axel Birnbrich. (coachaxel1980@gmail.com)
Ridgeview Girls Basketball Conditioning Starts Soon:
If you are interested in trying out for girls basketball, here are SEPTEMBER conditioning dates:
M , W, F, 3:30 - 4:30, starting Friday 9/15
*make sure to register for basketball in Final Forms
* have a current OHSAA physical on file
Tiger Athletics can be found on our new website: https://pickeringtoncentral.bigteams.com/
2023-2024 SCHOOL CALENDAR
Districtwide Calendar
Upcoming events and important dates are listed in the Districtwide Google Events Calendar, which is synced with individual building, program and athletic team calendars. Once inside the district wide calendar, to display the events of a particular building, team, program or activity, you will need to check the specific corresponding color-coded box(es) from the list on the left-hand side.Pickerington Community Calendar
Pickerington Schools partners with the City of Pickerington and Yodel to bring you the Pickerington Community Calendar!
Visit this link to view all Pickerington Schools activities included on the calendar and don’t forget to “favorite” our Pickerington Schools schedule! Once favorited, Pickerington Schools' events will be front and center on your calendar, enabling you to see what’s coming up.
HELP Make Our Schools Safer
The Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Public Safety have launched the SaferOH tip line that will accept both calls and texts 24 hours a day.
This tip line allows students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety—whether that involves a threatened mass incident or harm to a single student.
Every tip can remain anonymous. School safety analysts may ask for additional information, but the caller can remain secret or leave his or her contact information for later follow-up.
Calls or texts to 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764) are answered by analysts in the Ohio Homeland Security’s Threat Assessment and Prevention (TAP) Unit. When action is needed, the TAP Unit immediately forwards information to Pickerington Schools, local law enforcement agencies, and others, if necessary.
Ridgeview Values
RIDGEVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL MAIN OFFICE STAFF
Principal: Sheila Evans
Assistant Principal 8th Grade: Henry Lee
Assistant Principal 7th Grade: Kevin Smith
Dean of Students: Sydney Dillard
Building Secretary: Tracy Redmond
Athletics/Guidance Secretary: Lisa Holley
Attendance: Pat Petrini
Office Assistant: Madelyn Gomez
Counselors: Meghan Wade(8th grade); Erica Reynolds(7th grade)
Nurse: Rachel Ross/Mindy Stillwell
Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
Email: Sheila_Evans@plsd.us
Website: pickerington.k12.oh.us
Location: 130 Hill Road South, Pickerington, OH, USA
Phone: 614-548-1700
Twitter: @RidgeviewPLSD