Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
April 3, 2020
Coming Up at Ridgeview
March 30-May 1-ONLINE LEARNING (see latest info below)
April 10-no school
April 15-no school-Teacher PD day
Make a Difference Day has been canceled for this school year.
Panorama Survey-Deadline is April 10
Update from Mr. Koch
Tiger family,
As you know by now, Gov. DeWine has ordered schools to remain closed until at least May 1. We realize how strange this may seem and how challenging it can feel. Please know we are all in this together and we are here to support you.
Online learning will continue through this time period. Our teachers have been doing an amazing job so far transitioning from a traditional classroom to digital learning. Moving forward, to help them as they navigate this new "normal", Fridays will be prioritized for instructional planning at the 5-12 grade levels. As a result, teachers will be less available to students on Fridays as they prioritize their work toward posting their lessons online for the upcoming week. Students are still expected to complete work on Fridays as it will continue to be an instructional day for them.
We appreciate your patience and support with this unusual, ever-changing and historical situation. Our goal is to keep students safe and learning. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. We are happy to work with you and do what we can to help your child through this challenging time.
Our counselors are available as well. Doug Rittmeyer is our 7th grade counselor Doug_Rittmeyer@plsd.us and Kris Owen is our 8th grade counselor Kris_Owen@plsd.us.
IMPORTANT i-READY INFORMATION
During this unexpected time of distance learning, it is important for your student to continue their personalized online instructional path in the i-Ready resource.
Why is I-Ready Important?
i-Ready Instruction provides students with lessons based on their individual skill level, so your child can learn at a pace that is just right for them. These lessons offer explicit, yet challenging instruction at each student’s level of ability by providing systematic practice and feedback.
Tips to Support Your Child’s Learning
• Encourage your child to take each lesson and quiz question seriously. Emphasize “thinking before clicking,” because just clicking through will not give teachers an accurate report of what your child knows.
• Encourage your child to use the tools that appear at the bottom of the screen in some lessons.
• Track and celebrate your child’s progress. (Your child should aim for 45 minutes of i-Ready Instruction per subject per week and maintain a range of 30–49 minutes of Online Instruction while passing at least 70 percent of lessons. )
Discussing i-Ready Data with Your Child
1. My Progress: Ask your child to click on My Progress at the bottom of the home page.
Consider asking general questions such as, “What are you learning about?”, or “What are you working on?”
2. Lesson Stats: This section shows your child stats about their online lessons.
Time-on-Task: Look at the number of minutes your child has spent this week on Online Instruction. Consider asking, “Have you met your goal?”
Lessons Passed: Look at the total number of lessons your child has passed this school year. Consider asking, “What is your goal?” or “What are you proud of?”
3. Lesson Streak: See how many lessons your child has passed in a row. Congratulate them and ask about what they are learning.
4. Completed Work: Ask your child to click on Completed Work.
You will see lesson names and quiz scores. Consider asking, “ What did you learn in ___ lesson?”, “What did you enjoy?”, “What did you find challenging?”, or “How do these lessons relate to your learning goals?”
You might also see your child’s last Diagnostic score. Consider asking, “What were your strengths?”, “What are your areas for growth?”, or “What are your goals?
Check on Infinite Campus to see if your child is keeping up with his/her personalized path . Has your child’s teacher indicated "missing" or "turned-in" for i-Ready for this week?
Want More Information?
Have your student log into the i-Ready program. Click on the top right to visit the i-Ready Family Center for additional information and answers to FAQs.
From Our Superintendent
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered all of the state’s K-12 schools to remain closed until May 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DeWine said the state will reevaluate whether to remain closed or to resume classes as we get closer to May 1.
Pickerington Schools will continue with our current protocols with online learning and Blizzard Bag assignments. Educators are working on the Week 3 online and Blizzard Bag assignments and PLSD will send an announcement once they are available. These home and online assignments have been successful for us so far as together, we have worked to keep our students safe and learning.
Remember, you can always view details about how Pickerington Schools is handling this extended closure in a “one-stop” webpage. Click the big blue “Coronavirus Closure” button at the top of the homepage for the latest info, and check our social media channels as well.
Please know that Pickerington Schools is prepared, and staff are continuing to work hard to keep our entire learning community safe. Please take care of your loved ones and yourself during this tough time and know we are all in this together.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Briggs
Superintendent, Pickerington Schools
Pickerington Public Library Info
Pickerington Public Library is still here for you – even if “here” is somewhere in cyberspace. As the community maneuvers through the new stay-at-home reality, the library is offering exciting opportunities to assist the public and enable members to utilize traditional services in new and convenient ways.
“Our programming team is moving book clubs, early literary classes, ASL classes and other activities to online services,” said Tony Howard, library director. “Using these tools, customers are able to connect and interact with librarians and library resources at their convenience.”
Like other libraries in the area, Pickerington Public Library is also allowing new customers to apply for library cards remotely. In doing so, new and existing cardholders can take advantage of online services such as downloadable e-books, audiobooks, magazines, streaming movies and music.
Using tools including Zoom, YouTube and more, these new offerings are a result of Pickerington Public Library’s everlasting commitment to staying connected and providing services to the public in times of need by providing access to your favorite services with reliable resources.
We know and understand how important it is to be flexible to accommodate your needs and varied schedules. Below are ways to connect with us as your time allows.
Our updated website calendar features a collection of our new virtual events, including:
Art Online: Learn a thing or two about art and create your own masterpiece on our YouTube channel. Limited on art supplies? We’ll give tips on how to use what you already have on hand at home.
Family Fun: Missing early literacy classes? Connect with your favorite #PPLibrarians on YouTube for online story time with the whole family.
Facebook Live Chat: Facebook live chat with Librarian Jenn is back two times a week!
Stay-at-home STEAM: Enjoy fun activities on YouTube that use materials from around the house and that incorporate science, technology, engineering, art and math.
Anime Club Online: Discuss your favorite anime and manga, get recommendations for what to read next, and compete in virtual challenges that test your knowledge and skills on Zoom live!
Learn with Laura: Learn how to access and use online library resources with #PPLibrarian Laura on our YouTube channel!
ASL Live!: Our April adult ASL class is now ASL Live on Zoom! Find your way to a computer and join Reference Librarian Erikka to learn some introductory American Sign Language.
Teen Writer’s Club Online: Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, whether you write poetry or horror or even fanfiction, chat with fellow teens on Zoom about tips, challenges, and successes.
Through our website and social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, we will let you know as new videos have been uploaded to our YouTube channel.
In the meantime, check out our e-branch to access online databases, magazines, news sites, e-books, audiobooks, movie, music and television streaming apps. You can also get national, state, local and Pickerington Public Library news and updates by visiting our Online Coronavirus Resource Guide.
Need help accessing library resources or looking for recommendations? Visit our website pickeringtonlibrary.org or email our librarians at pplrefstaff@pickeringtonlibrary.org.
School, City-Owned Playground Equipment Closed
Pickerington Schools and the City of Pickerington jointly announce the closure of all city and school-owned playground equipment, basketball courts and picnic shelters, effective March 27, 2020.
Although we have already implemented measures in our parks, social gatherings on these playgrounds, courts and shelters continue to be a threat to the health and well-being of all our citizens due to the spread of COVID-19. “We feel these closures are now necessary and fall in line with the CDC and Governor DeWine’s guidelines for social distancing,”
“Pickerington Schools will still allow the public to walk, run and bike on school grounds, but, we will have staff on patrol to discourage groups of more than a few people from congregating,” said Pickerington Schools Superintendent Chris Briggs.
City-owned parks, walking and bike trails will remain open, though visitors are strongly advised to practice social distancing as they engage in any recreational activity.
Face-to-Face Tech Support Schedule
Pickerington Schools will continue to support student’s Chromebooks and the Every-1 Connected Program throughout the closure of our schools.
Weds., 4/8 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Weds., 4/15 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Weds., 4/22 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Weds., 4/29 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Weds., 5/6 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Weds., 5/13 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Weds., 5/20 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Locked Out of Device
If your student has issues logging into their device, please have them email their teacher, admin, or counselor and they can put in a help desk ticket for a password change. If students do not change their password when prompted to do so by the device, their password will eventually stop working and they will be locked out. Obviously, they will need to use another device to email or have someone email for them.
Free School Meals Provided on Monday, 4/6
Grab & go meals will be distributed on Monday ONLY from Tussing Elementary School, Harmon Middle School, and Ridgeview STEM Junior High. Pick-up is from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., and we ask that you please stay in your vehicles! Remember, you can receive a meal for each child present in the car who is 18 years old and younger. #PLSDProud
Thank you to our Pickerington Schools Food Services and Transportation Departments for taking care of our students during this difficult time!
Important new documents, resources and updates from the Ohio Department of Education
Yesterday, Governor DeWine announced Ohio’s “Stay at Home” order will be extended through May 1. As families and educators settle in to a new and different way of teaching and learning, the Ohio Department of Education applauds your efforts and thanks you for all you are doing to rise to the challenges we all are facing.
In a continuing effort to provide updated information regarding Ohio’s coronavirus-related school-building closure, the Ohio Department of Education today released important new documents, family and educator resources and updates related to the following subject areas:
Remote Learning Resource Guide
A new Remote Learning Resource Guide is available to assist parents, families, caregivers and educators as they navigate the world of remote learning during Ohio’s ordered school-building closure.
State Testing
With the passage of HB 197 and the approval of federal waiver requests, new information about State Testing during the Ordered School-Building Closure has been made available to help explain the latest developments.
Early Learning and School Readiness
A new document has been posted to help explain how Early Learning and School Readiness efforts are impacted by the coronavirus-related closures and changes.
Community Schools
As community schools navigate what the school-building closure order means for them, new information regarding Considerations for Community Schools and Sponsors has been posted.
Whole-Child Nutrition Updates
As many schools continue to provide meals to students during this time, we are committed to updating our available information on this topic as new details emerge. A new memo regarding Area Eligibility Policy was issued to provide additional direction to food sites. And important updates about new waivers has been added to the Emergency Feeding Application Process for Schools and Sponsors document.
We will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available so please keep checking back at www.education.ohio.gov/coronavirus.
Finally, hang in there! You’re doing a great job! We are so proud of Ohio’s education community and all the amazing things you’re doing to support Ohio’s students during this time.
Need an Administrator?
Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. We know this is new to all of us.
We encourage you to always start with the teacher regarding course material or content, but we are happy to help as best as we can.
Beth Richardson, Lead Assistant Principal: beth_richardson@plsd.us 614-548-1706
Kevin Smith, Assistant Principal: kevin_smith@plsd.us 614-548-1707
--Ridgeview Values
Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
Email: eric_koch@plsd.us
Website: pickerington.k12.oh.us
Location: 130 Hill Road South, Pickerington, OH, USA
Phone: 614-548-1700
Facebook: facebook.com/RidgeviewStem
Twitter: @RidgeviewPLSD