Ridge Relay
April 5, 2023
Hello Eagles!
We need your help to please reinforce good choices with your students when they are in the school bathrooms and around campus. This week at lunch and again today during announcements, we have reminded students of the expectation to not be wasteful or make messes in the bathrooms. Our hard-working custodians are doing their best to clean up but it has been particularly bad in the last couple of weeks, and so we need our Eagles to step-up and report if they see someone causing destruction. Students can send an email or speak to an administrator, or send an anonymous alert if they witness someone making poor choices in the restroom. As well, simple items like discarding used paper towels in the trashcan would go a long way to keep CRMS the campus we are all proud to be a part of.
In addition, we are short custodial staff right now, so if you are interested in signing-up to volunteer to help vacuum, the PTA is coordinating an effort described below.
*Reminder: This Friday, April 7th is a Holiday. Also, Monday, April 10th is a Student Holiday for teacher professional development.
DQ Spirit Night today!
TODAY, Wednesday, April 5th, head to Mayfield Dairy Queen for dinner from 5-8pm! Please mention CRMS PTA & they will donate back to us!
Mark your Calendar! April 13th Parent presentation & Coffee Talk
Join us for guest speakers Belinda Swan and Jennifer Newman from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children as they speak on Child Internet Safety. They will address current and ongoing threats that kids are facing online in order to better protect your children as they navigate their lives in a digital world. And Principal Sturdevant will be available for Q&A during the Coffee Talk.
All attendees will be required to check in at the front desk with a valid ID. Please allow time for this check in process. Your RSVP helps us to be better prepared for your visit.
This event is hosted by the CRMS PTA but all parents/guardians are welcome to attend!
Thursday, April 13th
10:30-11:30am
Seussical the Musical
- April 13th at 7pm,
- April 14th at 7pm,
- April 15th at 2pm and 7pm.
Tickets are $5/children and $10/adults at the CRMS Stage.
Attn: 8th grade students!
Volunteers Needed at CRMS
Respite Recruits: PTA is coordinating volunteers to assist our teachers!
BYOV (Bring your own Vacuum) or use one of the school's! Help us vacuum classrooms to provide relief to our teachers who have been vacuuming due to custodial shortages. If you have some time, we can use the help! Open to any parent (not just PTA), community member or high school students looking for volunteer services hours.
Sign-up today to volunteer at CRMS this Spring.
Parents and community members must have completed this short volunteer approval form.
Save the Date! PTA hosting LISD Bond Presentation
We hope you will join us!
Thursday, April 20th
4:45-5:45pm
CRMS Cafeteria
Attn: 8th graders interested in golf!
Parent Meeting - Incoming Golfers
- When: April 24th @ 6:00pm
- Where: Vandegrift High School - athletic meeting room (building 2). Park in the parking lot in front of the cafeteria. You will see a sidewalk that goes to the left that leads to a ramp. Walk down the ramp and enter through the first door. There will be signs helping guide the way.
- Who: Anyone interested in playing high school golf for Vandegrift HS. Both parents and players are welcome to attend
- What To Expect: Coach Ford will talk about all aspects of the Vandegrift golf program. Please feel free to attend the meeting with any questions you may have.
Dream Dinners Fundraiser is back!
Relay For Life - Vandegrift
Feel free to join us on April 14th for Vandegrift’s Annual Relay for Life at Monroe Stadium at 6 p.m.!
For more information about Relay for Life and to sign up, visit this link.
Attn: Current 6th grader families!
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: May 9, 2023 06:00 PM
Topic: Incoming 7th Grade Athletics 2023 Parent Meeting
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://leanderisd.zoom.us/j/84501440230
Passcode: 555784
2023/2024 Course Change Request
If you wish to make a change to your child's requested courses for the 23/24 school year, parents should submit a course change request form. This form is located on the CRMS Counseling website. Parents will need to submit this form for each course you would like to change from the original submitted choice sheet. The last day for course change requests is May 26, 2023 at 12pm. Late requests will not be accepted.
Leander ISD Student transfers for 2023-24
Choir Sweepstakes!
On Wednesday, both of our boys choirs competed in UIL and got ratings of all 1s. And the Varsity Tenor Choir brought home the coveted Sweepstakes trophies.
Yesterday, the girls JV Treble Choir also got perfect 1 ratings and earned the Sweepstakes trophy!
The girls Varsity Choir competed today and finished the clean sweep bringing home all perfect 1 ratings and another Sweepstakes trophy. All of the choir students worked hard and sang beautifully this week earning amazing ratings!
CRMS Destination Imagination State results:
Here are the State results from Arlington, Tx.
All three CRMS DI teams competed in the Fine Arts Challenge ("Flip the Script") (and one team also competed in the eXtreme Challenge). There were 38 total teams competing in the Fine Arts Challenge and 10 teams in the eXtreme Challenge.
ALL 3 of our teams will move onto Global Competition on May 20-23 in Kansas City, Missouri
Canyon Ridge Middle School #1:
- 2nd Place - Fine Arts Challenge (Going to Global Finals)
- 1st Place - Instant Challenge
- 2nd Place - eXtreme Challenge
Team Members: Dante Leffler, Sunaina Dewagan, Siri Krishna, Shanyu Suraparaju, Ronith Reddy, Chris Bargiel
Team Manager: Jake Leffler
Pluto Punk:
- 5th Place - Fine Arts Challenge (Going to Global Finals)
Team Members: Isla Riley, Sophie Haney, Sana Raja, Avinash Dewaggen, Jack Martin, Claire Archer, Sunjay Vu
Team Manager: Bob Riley
Banana Split:
- 8th Place - Fine Arts Challenge
- Renaissance Award for Outstanding Design, Engineering, Execution, Performance (Going to Global Finals)
Team Managers: Scott and Heather Nielson
Team Members: Hope Nielson, Violet Ralian, Sofia Malacara, Paula Martinez, Magnolia Carroll
Leander Virtual Learning Academy for the 2023-24 school year
Leander ISD is excited to announce the continuation of Leander Virtual Learning Academy for the 2023-24 school year. The virtual academy is for students in elementary and middle school grades. We offer small class sizes, synchronous learning, digital and hands-on-learning experiences which aligns with Leander ISDs curriculum. All current and new students must apply. Questions regarding our program can be emailed to remotelearning@leanderisd.org
2023-2024 Application: https://forms.gle/Qx3pE85Cu4cQeR4q6
Vandegrift High School PTSA Would Love to Have You, 8th Grade Parents!
Our PTSA is currently seeking volunteers for various positions on our Board or on our Committees! As a parent, you already know how much impact PTAs can make on schools and your community. It does not end, we need you in High School! Although we have many Booster Clubs that need support, the PTSA is the only organization that supports the entire student population and ALL the teachers and staff at Vandegrift High School. Your impact is great and widely appreciated!
Our election meeting is scheduled for April 20th and we encourage you to consider joining us! This evening, we are hosting a webinar presented by College Inroads, learn how you can help your student get into the college of their dreams! More information to follow!
To learn more about the positions, please visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KFD0bRtDBF4USrfLUrFlGFG60RfgTohT/view?usp=sharing. If interested in joining our board or any of committees, please reach out to president@vandegriftptsa.com.
ATTENTION: 8th Graders / Incoming 9th Graders!
Did you know Leander ISD has a school where you can earn BOTH a High School diploma AND an Associates Degree at the SAME TIME?
Click HERE to submit your application today!
Give a shout-out to CRMS faculty!
CRMS Yearbooks
Important dates for this Spring!
- Friday, February 17: **New! End of the 4th Grading Cycle
- Monday, February 20: Teacher PD day/Student Holiday
- March 13-17: SPRING BREAK
- Monday, March 20: Teacher PD day/Student Holiday
- March 27-31: College & Career Awareness Week (each day during Advisory)
- Friday, March 31: Rumble at the Ridge
- Thursday, April 6: End of 5th Grading Cycle
- Friday, April 7: HOLIDAY
- Monday, April 10: Teacher PD day/Student Holiday
- Tuesday, April 25: STAAR-6th ELA
- Wednesday, April 26: STAAR-7th/8th ELA
- Wednesday, May 3: STAAR-8th Science
- Thursday, May 4: STAAR-8th SS
- Tuesday, May 9: STAAR-6th Math
- Wednesday, May 10: STAAR-7th/8th Math & Algebra
- Thursday, May 18: Viper Camp (all 8th graders to VHS for the morning)
- Friday, May 26: Half-day Early Release for students at 1:05 & Faculty meeting/lunch at 1:30pm
Exam for Acceleration
Each year, LISD offers students an opportunity to take an Exam for Acceleration (EA) at no cost to the family. LISD offers four EA testing windows each school year. Click this link for more information and dates. Students and parents can request the exam through their grade level counselor. The final testing window of 22/23 and the deadline to register is listed below.
Testing Window Four:
Time: June 6-June 8, 2023
Registration Deadline: April 21, 2023 @ 10:30am
Location: Reagan Elementary School
Logistics: Arranged with LISD & UTHS
Note: Students who pass an Exam for Acceleration in the June 2023 testing window will complete the 2022-2023 school year in his/her current class. Students will receive their acceleration in the 2023-2024 school year.
NEW! CRMS Spirit Wear for sale
Soft & cozy white hoodies and blue shirts available.
Other Sale items available too!
7th & 8th gr LISD Human Sexuality Curriculum Presented By LifeGuard
In Leander ISD, students in Grades 7–9 are taught Human Sexuality Curriculum through presentations by LifeGuard, an independent organization. The topics covered in this abstinence-based curriculum are found in the Texas Health TEKS. All content has been reviewed by the Leander ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) and is grade-level specific and developmentally appropriate.
Texas House Bill 1525 requires that students must opt-in to participate in the LifeGuard presentations. Please see below to access the opt-in form:
When will CRMS host LifeGuard this year?
- Grade 7 : May 15-17, 2023 during Science classes
- Grade 8 : May 11, 15 & 22, 2023 during Science classes
How can parents/guardians preview the material?
- If you wish to preview the curriculum, you may do so at your home campus. Parents/Guardians may contact their campus to schedule an appointment for viewing.
- LISD will host a virtual parent workshop via Zoom; future times are listed below. Parent workshops are designed to give parents helpful tips for communicating with their children (grades 7-9) about human sexuality, allow them to review the district curriculum, explore statistics from health officials, and ask questions of LifeGuard and LISD staff.
- To access additional LifeGuard information, please visit the LISD Human Sexuality Curriculum website.
Parent Workshop Date & Registration:
- Thursday, February 23, 2023 6:00pm-7:30pm (Register Here)
- Recorded February 23, 2023 Workshop (Click Here to Access)
Leander ISD approves school calendar for next year 2023-2024
Thank you for joining PTA!
All of these teachers and staff received a PTA gift right the day before the holiday break :)
Make a Difference, Become a Mentor
Are you looking for a way to volunteer and make a real difference in a child’s life? We have students at our campuses that need you! You can choose to volunteer at the campus(es) that works best for you.
If you are interested in becoming a HEROES Mentor, please complete a volunteer application and then submit your mentorship interest form.
Visit the Mentoring page for more information on how to get involved.
You can specifically request to mentor at CRMS or any campus.
Shop & support CRMS
Simply copy/paste the below message to send an email to good.neighbor@randalls.com with the following:
Hello,
Please link my customer account connected to phone number [type your Randall's phone number] with Good Neighbor Charity #14216 for Canyon Ridge Middle School PTA.
Thank you,
[type your name]
*Did you know you can buy all your Amazon purchases through Amazon Smile, and they will donate to our PTA all year long?!?! It doesn’t cost you anything and you order the same way. Just set up your Amazon Smile profile to donate to PTA Texas Congress Canyon Ridge Middle School PTA.
Important Attendance Reminders for Parents
- Absence notes should be emailed to crmsattendance@leanderisd.org within 48 hours.
When you email the school, please include the student's first and last name and ID #. Student nicknames can cause confusion with attendance coding.
If you will be picking up your child from school early, please call the school (512-570-3500) ahead of time to let the Receptionist know. This allows our Receptionist time to get a pass written ahead of time and helps to move the process along more quickly.
The only people who will be permitted to pick up a child will be parents/guardians and those individuals listed as an emergency contact in your Home Access Center (HAC). Due to safety reasons, we are no longer allowing a parent to call in and give permission for someone to pick up your child during the school day other than those listed in HAC.
We do not allow early pick up after 4:00pm.
- If you feel like there is an error for a particular class period, please email the teacher directly first. For example, if your student was tardy and the teacher accidentally already marked the student absence, email the teacher because the attendance office has to have it in writing from the teacher before attendance can update anything
- There is a turn around time in updates if a student was with the nurse, AP, counselor, etc. It is not necessary to email the attendance office. Please remember that we have over 1100 students so it will take 1-2 business days to show the update. We appreciate your patience and understanding that our team is working tirelessly to support all of our Eagles!
Homework Hotspots available for families
Here's the link to a form the students/families need to fill out to request a hotspot.
Clubs!
https://sites.google.com/leanderisd.org/crmsclubs/clubs-home
Sports Equipment Donations needed!
Our students love our outdoor “recess” time after lunch each day but our basket of sports equipment is almost empty. If you have any sports equipment in your garage that you would like to clean out and donate, we will gladly accept footballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, kick balls and basketballs. It does not need to be new--we welcome used equipment that we can put to good use for all of our students. Please drop off your donations anytime during school hours in the front office. Thank you for helping to provide for this valuable outdoor time for our Eagles!
Clothes Closet needs your help!
The South Location of the Leander ISD PTA Clothes Closet is up and running! This resource provides free clothing to families with students who reside within the LISD boundaries in grades PRE-K through the SELF (18+) program. The South Location can be found at River Place Elementary School in Portable #3 & #4. See flyer for address, shopping dates, and shopping hours.
If you would like to contribute to the clothes closet, you may donate gently used shoes and clothing at the green bin outside of Four Points Middle School located near the football field. Additionally, you can help out by purchasing off of their Amazon Wish List.
Volunteer Registration
To complete or renew your volunteer registration, click the appropriate link:
Back-to-School Resources
Back-to-School Resources:
CRMS Cell Phone Procedures
We are reaching out to let you know of some updates we have made to cell phone practices currently in use on our campus for 2022-23.
Cell phones are everywhere. They can be handy tools, but also insidious distractions. We have seen a rise in student violations with regards to the use of cell phones, AirPods, and social media on campus, which directly impacts our campus culture, student learning, and safety.
Campus Cell Phone Expectations
Maintaining the integrity of the learning environment is our top priority, which is why these changes will be implemented. We will begin using new practices, detailed below, so that students know what to expect and teachers have a consistent system to help students manage expectations.
At CRMS, students will be permitted to bring cell phones or other items used for communication. However, cell phones and all functions within the cell phone (i.e. cameras, AirPods/headphones, smart watches, and all other applications) are prohibited during class unless permitted under Section 504 or within a student’s IEP. When students walk into each classroom, they will have a secure location to safely store their silenced cell phone for the class period. Phones and AirPods/headphones may be used on school grounds before school, during lunch, and after school as long as students are not violating the District’s acceptable use guidelines.
We are aware that special circumstances arise and sometimes an important call must be made or received. Students are advised to communicate with their teachers if there are extenuating circumstances on a particular day. In the event of a true emergency, family members should call the main office at 512-570-3500 if they need to get in touch with a student.
Why the change?
We looked at data and at policies from a half dozen other school districts. We learned some important things. 95% of all middle and high school students have phones they bring to school. Some teachers allow students to use phones as part of their instruction, and others do not. However, nearly all teachers agree phones distract students in class. Most students want to be able to carry their phones, but they agree their phones can be distracting in classes. Parents want to be able to contact their kids during the school day, but they also recognize students remain focused on classwork at school.
Keeping these things in mind, the campus came to consensus on the changes above for the 2022-2023 school year. As these new rules are implemented, the CRMS team will meet periodically to gauge the impact of the changes, and suggest adjustments that need to be made as needed.
Check out these short videos for more information:
According to the Leander ISD Student Code of Conduct, students are required to follow the expectations around proper usage of technology. This extends to the use of personal devices while on an LISD campus. Below are the expectations copied from the handbook for your reference.
1. Violating any of the prohibited behaviors/conduct listed in the LISD Technology Resource Acceptable Use Guidelines.
2. Recording the voice or image of another without the prior consent of the individuals being recorded, or administrative approval, in any way that disrupts the educational environment or invades the privacy of others.
3. Copying, downloading, reproducing, distributing, retransmitting, redisplaying, or modifying items from the District’s website.
Campus Guidelines
If a student violates the cell phone procedure during class, in the halls, restroom, etc., the following consequences will apply consistent with the gravity of the infraction.
1st Offense: The student may pick up his/her phone from the Counseling Office after the dismissal bell at the end of the school day.
2nd Offense: The student’s parent may pick up the student’s phone from the Receptionist after the dismissal bell at the end of the school day.
3rd Offense: The student will be assigned appropriate consequences, and the student’s parent may pick up the student’s phone from the Receptionist after the dismissal bell at the end of the school day.
4th Offense: The student will be assigned appropriate consequences, and the student’s parent may pick up the student’s phone from the Receptionist after the dismissal bell at the end of the school day.
CRMS Student Pick-up and Transportation change requests
Student Pick Up Rules
If you will be picking up your child from school early, please call the school ahead of time to let the Receptionist know. This allows our Receptionist time to get a pass written ahead of time and helps to move the process along more quickly.
The only people who will be permitted to pick up a child will be parents/guardians and those individuals listed as an emergency contact in your Home Access Center (HAC). Due to safety reasons, we are no longer allowing a parent to call in and give permission for someone to pick up your child during the school day other than those listed in HAC.
We do not allow early pick up after 4:00pm.
Transportation Changes
If you need to change your child’s transportation for the end of the school day, please call the school to let us know. Parents must call to make the change – students are not permitted to make their own changes. Transportation changes will not be accepted after 2:00pm.
Changes in Meal Service for 2022-23 School Year
Beginning this 2022-23 school year, meals for Leander ISD students will be provided by Sodexo, a food-services provider committed to improving the quality of life of students within districts they serve through quality food services.
All students who qualify for free and reduced-price (F&R) meals during the 2022-23 school year will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. Due to a partnership with USDA, reduced-price meals will be free for the 2022-23 school year.
For elementary students who do not qualify for F&R meals, prices are remaining the same as they were in 2019. The cost of breakfast is $1.50 and lunch is $2.90. For secondary students, the cost of breakfast is $1.75 and lunch is $3.15.
Parents who would like to apply to find out if they are eligible for F&R meals for their children can visit our Child Nutrition Services website for more information.
Bus updates from Transportation
We recognize that there have been some bus delays, issues with SMART Tag, and weather in the past few days. We know this has been frustrating for our families and apologize for the inconvenience. We appreciate your patience and support as we are working out the kinks with our new system and expect to be on track with expected pick-up and drop-off times soon. Please go here for information and to sign up for the SMART Tag portal.
Bus Routes & Bus Stops
2022-23 Bus Route Information will be available after Friday, August 5, 2022. To maximize efficiencies and ensure students arrive at their respective campuses safely and on time, bus stops will be located on main roads and centralized, near neighborhood parks, pools, mailboxes and campuses, wherever feasible. This will potentially reduce the number of bus-stops in a sub-division from prior years, reduce the number of miles on each route and the time it takes to run the route.
Get Ready for Smart-Tag
After a successful pilot roll-out at several LISD Campuses, Smart-Tag will roll out district-wide for the 2022-23 School Year. This system provides real-time route information to drivers, campuses, and families letting them know where the bus is, approximate arrival time, if a student loaded the bus and also ensures they do not get on the wrong bus or off at the wrong stop. Find out more information here. And you can get a jump start and pre-register with Smart-Tag.
Interested in supporting CRMS and getting paid to be here?!?!
COVID-19 Health Protocols
Athletic events tickets for Middle School online!
Tickets can be purchased through link on the athletics webpage:
Join PTA & Amazon Smile to donate to CRMS PTA
*Did you know you can buy all your Amazon purchases through Amazon Smile, and they will donate to our PTA all year long?!?! It doesn’t cost you anything and you order the same way. Just set up your Amazon Smile profile to donate to PTA Texas Congress Canyon Ridge Middle School PTA.
*CRMS PTA: If you have not yet, please consider joining the CRMS PTA. Memberships start as low as $10.
Be sure to follow Canyon Ridge Middle School PTA on Facebook and join the Facebook group for your child's grade level. Thank you for your time and all of your support for our Eagles!
Canyon Ridge Middle School
AP/Counselor by grade-level for 2022-2023:
- 6th: Leah Cox / Staci Cote
- 7th: A-K Leah Cox & L-Z Cassandra Ricks / Sabrina Anderson
- 8th: Cassandra Ricks / Katie Young
Email: Wendy.Sturdevant@leanderisd.orgg
Website: crms.leanderisd.org
Location: Canyon Ridge Middle School, Country Trails Lane, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-570-3500
Twitter: @Sturdevant_CRMS