The Storm Report
January 29, 2021
RIDGELINE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Craig Curry, Principal
Kyle O'Neil, Asst. Principal
10605 Carter St. SE
PO Box 476
Yelm, WA 98597
Phone: 360-458-1100 Fax: 360-400-1256
Successful ~ Trustworthy ~ Organized ~ Respectful ~ Motivated
Message from the Principal
Greetings RMS families,
Our Ridgeline staff is excited for upcoming hybrid learning in March. We miss connecting with our students and families in person, so we cannot wait to see kiddos in our classrooms again. For those families who are choosing to remain in 100% online learning, we will continue to provide the best possible online learning experience for your child.
All RMS parents received a survey on January 15th to select between two choices for their child’s learning for the rest of this school year:
to return to in-person learning two days per week and still have online learning the rest of the week; or
to remain in 100% online learning and not return in-person to the building.
The survey was closed last Friday, Jan. 22nd, and we had 65% percent of our families respond. If you are one of the 35% of our families who did not respond, you will be automatically signed up for in-person learning.
Students who attend in-person learning are being placed in two different cohorts:
Cohort A will attend school in-person on Monday and Tuesday;
Cohort B will attend school in-person Thursday and Friday;
Wednesday will remain an at-home learning day.
Both groups will do online learning the other days of the week. All in-person students will be assigned to Cohort A or B. We will inform parents and students which cohort they are in by February 17th or sooner.
Also in mid-February, parents and students will receive a video that demonstrates routines and procedures for preparing for in-person learning, including the health attestation process, safety protocols, what to bring to school, and where to go when you get there. Our staff will help orient students and parents to being in the building again. We are confident that we can welcome students back safely and effectively.
Parents will use Skyward each morning to attest to their student’s health. Students will be able to use the Skyward app on their phones to show that their parents have attested. Otherwise, students will have their completed attestations checked off a printed list at the entry door.
Look for communication soon with a video showing you how to prepare for hybrid learning. Also look for details about a Virtual Coffee with the Principal on February 18th at 6 p.m., where I will host a Zoom meeting to review the plan for hybrid learning and answer any questions our parents may have. Look for the Zoom link that will be sent out about a week before.
Please help your student get off to a good start in the second semester, which began on January 28th. We want students continuing to focus on being successful in the current distance learning model, even as we plan to transition to the hybrid model.
Thank you to students, parents, and community for your perseverance and resilience this school year. It has been tough, but it has also been a positive learning experience for students. We look forward to helping them navigate another change in March, and we will work hard to make it a positive experience in which students feel safe and supported.
Thank you for all your support. Please call our office if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Craig Curry
RMS Principal
End of Term 2 / Semester 1
This Wednesday, January 27, is the last day of Term 2/Semester 1. Report cards will be mailed home next week.
Please remember to check your Skyward Family Access often to review any missing assignments, grades and communications from teachers! If you do not have Skyward Family Access, click the button below to sign up! It only takes a minute and is a very valuable tool for you and your student!
If you do not receive a report card by Monday, February 8, please notify our office.
Congratulations to our very own Vicki Aden, Library Technician!
Recipient of YCS Board Recognition Awards for Family Engagement
Vicki extends her workday once a week to make herself available to families. She is highly responsive to students and families and has built a high level of trust with the community. Vicki goes above and beyond to support Ridgeline's staff, students and community. RMS is grateful for the difference Vicki is making in the lives of their students and her many years of support.
National School Counselor Appreciation Week
National School Counselor Appreciation Week ~ February 1 - 5, 2021
School Counseling is a work of Heart! We are so grateful for our extraordinary school counselors Ms. Jansen and Mrs. Keller for they go above and beyond for our RMS families, students and staff!! We appreciate you more than words can express! We thank you for all that you do!!
Please return Semester 1 Materials
Semester 1 items needing to be returned are as follows: guitars, library books, textbooks and jump ropes.
Guitars - Please turn into the Library to Mrs. Aden
Book titles The Giver and Fahrenheit 451 - Return to the library drop box outside
Jump Ropes - Return to the PE box outside
Drop off times are:
Mondays from 11:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00am - 3:00pm.
Please call our office at 360-458-1100 for questions.
Transfers & Nonresident Requests for 2021-2022
Approval or denial of transfer requests is based on criteria outlined in board policy 3131 for resident and 3141 for nonresident students.
Key Dates for 2021-2022 Student Transfer Requests to attend Yelm Community Schools
FIRST ROUND - February 1 to March 15, 2021
Applications received by March 15 will be given first priority and will be notified of the district decision by April 30. New applications may be subject to a wait list and should register at their resident school until a decision is made.
SECOND ROUND - March 16 to May 31, 2021
Applications received by May 31 will be given second priority and notified of the district decision by June 30. New applications may be subject to a wait list and should register at their resident school until a decision is made.
After June 1, 2021 through the First Day of School
Applications received after May 31 will be considered in August on a case-by-case basis and may have to wait until actual enrollment counts in September before receiving notification.
School Capacity and Waiting Lists
Many of our schools are experiencing over-crowding in some grade levels. This limits their ability to accept transfer students. Students denied based on capacity will be assigned to their resident school and placed on a waiting list for their requested school and notified if a space becomes available. Consideration of transfers from waiting lists typically does not occur until late August or early September.
Transportation
Parents will provide transportation for students who voluntarily attend a school outside their attendance area.
A Note About "Feeder" Schools
Something to think about before requesting a transfer is that our elementary schools have designated "feeder" middle schools. If you request an elementary school that feeds into a middle school outside of your home attendance school, you will either have to continue to request transfers and transport your child to and from school, or your child will have to separate from his or her peer group when moving up to middle school.
Yelm Middle School - Fort Stevens Elementary, McKenna Elementary, Southworth Elementary
Ridgeline Middle School - Lackamas Elementary, Mill Pond Elementary, Prairie Elementary
State Laws on Family Choice
Learning by Choice (a publication created by the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction)
Click this link for "Within District Transfer" and "Nonresident Choice Transfer Request"
WHAT'S NEW WITH DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS?
Yelm's Dollars For Scholars chapter is a nonprofit foundation that supports academic success in our community. We hope you can join us as we raise scholarship money for the graduating class of 2021 and look forward to an exciting virtual event.
Key Auction Dates:
Procurement Deadline: Feb. 11 (to donate click here: Donate Item)
VIP Boxes Go On Sale: Feb. 19
Item Catalog Goes Live: Feb. 26
Silent Auction Opens: March 5
Silent Auction Closes: 5 p.m. March 12
Live Auction Items Open for Bid: 5 p.m. March 12
Live Auction Program: 7-8 p.m. March 13
Proceeds provide scholarships for Yelm High School’s Class of 2020!
Taste of the Prairie Dates:
*A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Dollars for Scholars from the below restaurants on the following dates*
Red Lantern: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb.16
Varsity Pizza: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb.17
Red Lantern: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 2
Red Lantern: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 9
Varsity Pizza: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 13
"Coffee with the Principal"
Zoom Link will be sent next week and posted on our website soon.
Mark your Calendar....
February 1
- Black History Month Begins
- National School Counseling Week
February 8, 9, 11, 16, 17, and 18
- SmileMobile (See details below)
February 11
- School Board Meeting, 6:00pm, @ Mill Pond
February 12
- No School (Possible Snow Make up Day)
February 14
- Happy Valentine's Day
February 15
- NO SCHOOL—President’s Day
February 18
- Virtual "Coffee with the Principal" 6-7pm
February 19 - March 13
- Dollars for Scholars Events
February 25
- School Board Meeting, 6:00pm, @ YCS DO
February 26
- Term 3 Mid-Term Progress Reports home with students today
SmileMobile
The Smile Mobile is coming to Yelm!
This is a little-to-no-cost mobile dental clinic for children, youth, pregnant/postpartum people, and adult family members with Apple Health (Medicaid, ProviderOne, etc.) and those without insurance.
The clinic will be parked in the bus loop of Yelm Middle School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 8, 9, 11, 16, 17, and 18. Call 888.286.9105 to register.
College Bound Scholarship
Your child may be eligible to sign up for the College Bound Scholarship! This early promise of financial aid is funded by the state of Washington to encourage students to dream big and continue their education after high school.
What does the scholarship pay for?
College Bound combines with other state financial aid to cover the average tuition (at comparable public colleges), some fees, and a small book allowance. It is not a “full-ride” scholarship. Other college costs--such as room and board, transportation, and personal expenses--will be the student and family's responsibility. These could be covered by a combination of the family’s funds and federal grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.
Who is eligible to apply?
Any 7th or 8th grade student who meets one or more of the following requirements is eligible to apply:
- Their family meets the income requirements as listed in the brochure or on www.collegebound.wa.gov.
- They are a foster youth or a dependent of the state.
- Their family receives basic food or TANF benefits.
How can my child sign up?
Apply Online (available in English and Spanish) or print an application form and Q&A in multiple languages.
Remember, the deadline to apply for College Bound is June 30 at the end of a student's or the student's 8th grade year. Students only have to apply once even if they move or change schools in Washington.
To learn more, visit www.collegebound.wa.gov, call 888-535-0747 (Option 1), or email collegebound@wsac.wa.gov.
PARENTS: Opt in for Text Messages - Text YES to 67587
Thank you to our school-community business partners!
We want express our gratitude for the continued support from our wonderful school and community business partners. This support has played a key role in the success of our students and makes such a difference in their lives.
WE APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH!
RIDGELINE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Counselors:
Melanie Keller (A-LI)
Stacey Jansen (LM-Z)
Secretaries:
Kim Gosney, Administrative
Tracy Ubrun, Attendance/Registrar
Phone: 360.458.1100
Fax: 360.400.1256
Newsletters are always available online at www.ycs.wednet.edu/ridgeline
Email: craig_curry@ycs.wednet.edu
Website: www.ycs.wednet.edu/rms
Location: 10605 Carter St. SE Yelm, WA 98597
Phone: 360-458-1100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YCSnews
Twitter: @Ridgeline_MS
Nondiscrimination Statement
Yelm Community Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee(s) has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights: Greg Davis, 360-458-1900, gregory_davis@ycs.wednet.edu ; 504 Coordinator: Shannon Powell, 360-458-6124, shannon_powell@ycs.wednet.edu; Title IX Coordinator: Lisa Cadero-Smith, 360-458-6120, lisa_cadero-smith@ycs.wednet.edu; Address: 107 First St. N., PO Box 476, Yelm, WA 98597