Happy New Year RMS Families,

I hope each family is well and hopeful for the possibilities that each new year brings.

At Ridgeview, our students are being asked to “refocus” their attention on our “Be RMS” PBIS Behavior Expectations as well as making an effort to finish the second nine weeks strong in all of their classes.

Also, I am asking each RMS Family to take the time to revisit our PPIS Behavior Expectations as well as the importance of coming to school each and every day dressed appropriately and ready to learn.

We want all of our students to be their best each day!

Be Well,

Natalie M. James

Principal

The test is approximately three hours and will be conducted from 8:45 - 11:45 am.

Parents and students should have received an email from Mrs. Thomas providing more details.

The new year is the perfect time to help your student begin healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

Here are some tips to help you and your child to establish SMART—Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic, Time-Related-Goals. Take the time to have fun and track results relative to goals, depending on their age. So let's begin and remember to have fun:

• I will try to eat two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables every day and eat the right types and amounts of food. I will drink sodas or fruit drinks only at special times.
• I will do my best to take care of my body through fun physical activity
• When I have some down time for media, I will try to choose educational, high-quality, non-violent TV shows and video games that I enjoy. I will spend only one to two hours each day—at the most— on these activities. I promise to respect our household rules for video games and internet use.
• I will try to get 8 to 10 hours of sleep that my body needs each night.
• I will do what I can to help out in my community. I will give some of my time to help others, working with community groups or others that help people in need. These activities will make me feel better about myself and my community.
• When I feel angry or stressed-out, I will take a break and find helpful ways to deal with the stress, such as, exercising, reading, writing in a journal or talking about my problem with a parent or friend.
• When faced with a difficult decision, I will talk about my choices with an adult I can trust.
• When I notice my friends are struggling, being bullied, or making risky choices, I will look for a trusted adult so that we can attempt to find a way to help.
• I will resist peer pressure to try drugs, alcohol, smoking or vaping.

Source: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/Pages/Healthy-New-Years-Resolutions-for-Kids.aspx

• January 13, 2023, Friday: End of Quarter 2
• January 16, 2023, Monday: All Schools Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• January 17, 2023, Tuesday: Professional Development Day, Students Not in Attendance
• January 18, 2023, Wednesday: Records Day, Students Not in Attendance
• January 26, 2023, Thursday, at 6:00 via Zoom: January Parent University Class--Topic: Responsible Decision Making
• January 31, 2023, Tuesday from 3:00 - 6:30 pm: Parent Teacher Conference
• February 1, 2023, Wednesday: Professional Development Day, Students Not in Attendance
• February 10, 2023, Friday, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm: Winter Dance
• February 16, 2023, Thursday from 3:00 - 6:30 pm: Parent Teacher Conference
• February 17, 2023, Friday: Professional Development Day, Students Not in Attendance
• February 20, 2022, Monday: All Schools Closed, Compensatory Day for Parent Conferences

Raiders Basketball Schedule and all games begin at 4:30 pm

and admission is $3 and must be paid via a QR Code:

• January 9, Monday: Girls Basketball hosts Dominion / Boys Basketball at Dominion
• January 11, Wednesday: Girls Basketball at Indianola / Boys Basketball hosts Indianola
• January 23, Monday: Girls Basketball hosts Medina / Boys Basketball at Medina
• January 25, Wednesday: Girls Basketball at World Language / Boys Basketball hosts World Language

The OELPA (Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment) test will take place at the beginning of February. Practice sessions will continue through the end of January.

In preparation for the OELPA (Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment) test, students are working one to two days a week in their CORE class on practice materials for the four parts of the OELPA test. They will be tested in the areas of--

• Speaking
• Listening
• Reading
• Writing

Because scores were lowest in Reading and Writing, there is a greater focus before testing time. In order for a student to pass the OELPA, they must receive all 4s and 5s on the assessments.

Important Note: The Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA) is the state summative test used to determine an English learner’s proficiency level and to exit from the English language program. The OELPA is aligned to the K-12 English Language Proficiency Standards and is used to meet the federal requirement of an annual assessment of English proficiency measuring listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Let me introduce you to Mrs. Thomas, a National Board Certified School Counselor, and the one and only counselor at RMS serving 500+ students.

1. She is a graduate of State University of New York (Fredonia), where she earned a B.S. in Elementary Education.
2. As mentioned earlier, she is a National Board Certified School Counselor and at one time she was one of two people to have this certification at CCS that must be renewed every 10 years. In addition, she is practically fluent in Spanish and is always looking for opportunities to strengthen this skill.
   
3. Her first teaching assignment was in Swansea, Wales during the summer, where she taught elementary school students.
4. She taught 8th grade for four years and 3rd grade for two years, before settling in at RMS for 25 years.
5. Married for 28 years with two daughters. The youngest is attending the University of South Carolina, while the oldest is a graduate at The Ohio State University and is teaching English in South Korea before returning this summer to enter grad school.
6. Mrs. Thomas is the second eldest among her two brothers and one sister. She and her sister enjoy getting together for short trips together.
7. She is a strong supporter of SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) and most recently she received additional funding to continue the work at RMS. Check out the article below for the next Parent University Night topic.
8. Scrapbooking, watching movies, reading fiction books, visiting national parks for biking and hiking, and family time are all the joys that are so important to her happiness and mental health.
9. After 31 years in education, Mrs. Thomas is still having fun mentoring counselors, and helping students make good decisions.
10. And, lastly her mantra is, “BE KIND!”

6th Grade

• This 6th grade male has great attendance and is a hard worker. He advocates for himself and his peers. We will miss him when he goes back to Sweden!

• She has great attendance and is a hard worker. This 6th grader advocates for herself and her peers.

• This 6th grade female is an excellent student in all of her classes. She is responsible and makes sure that she gets all of her work done. She has excellent behavior and is a pleasure to have in class.

• He is an excellent student in all of his classes. This 6th grader shows responsibility by getting his work done and asking questions whenever he needs help. He is a model student that is a pleasure to have in class.

7th Grade

• This 7th grader is an amazing young man! He strives everyday for excellence and is a gentleman in and out of the classroom. Thank you for being so great. We appreciate you.
  

• She is RMS! She is always following class procedures and goes above and beyond when doing assignments and projects. She is kind, sweet and OVERALL AMAZING!! Thank you for being you.

8th Grade

• This 8th grade female has had a positive impact in her classes, conscientious of her progress and seeking to improve. She has shown a dedication to achieve academically.

• He is a hard worker and well-behaved. This 8th grader strives to do the right thing.

Unified Arts

• This 8th grade male is always RMS and sets the example for other students in class.

MD

• She is always positive and willing to help her teachers and friends in whatever ways she can. This 6th grader exemplifies being RMS!

Congratulations to The Ridgeview Middle School Debaters!

Ridgeview had two teams participate in the debate tournament at Capital University on Friday, December 16. We had a 6th grade team in Division 1 and a 7th/8th grade combined team in Division 2.

There were more than 100 students from 10 schools debating the following resolution:

The United States Federal Government should significantly

reduce the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.

The 6th grade team was in a 4-way tie with a record of 4-2 and finished 4th overall out of a field of 12 teams.

The 7th/8th team finished 4th overall with a record of 4-2 out of a field of 13 teams.

We are very proud of the hard work and effort our students have demonstrated to learn the debating process. They all did an amazing job!

Thank you for supporting this academic enrichment opportunity.

This is a change from years past where we have accepted cash.

No cash will be accepted to enter games and all tickets must be purchased online.

Columbus City Schools and the Columbus Crew teamed up for a historic partnership promoting the importance of school attendance.

ATTENDANCE + ENGAGEMENT = SUCCESS

Check out these facts that can help your student succeed in school.

• Regular school attendance in elementary school improves the chances that your child will read on grade level.
• Columbus City Schools students missing more than 8 days are 56% less likely to meet 3GRG requirements.
• Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with peer conflicts or facing some other potentially serious difficulty, and help is available.
• Columbus City Schools students missing more than 8 days are 53% less likely to graduate on-time.

Click here or on the picture above to learn more about

Staying in the Game and improving your child's attendance in school!

Listed below is important information that you and your student must complete on a weekly basis.

WEEKLY GRADES: Every Friday, students should check their own grades in Infinite Campus on the Chromebook. Students will place an X over any day that they have missed for the week in each class as well as sign the bottom of the page. This page will STAY in the notebook.

WEEKLY TO DO LIST: Every Friday students will complete the Weekly To Do List. Using their Chromebook, students will check Infinite Campus for any missing or late assignments and write them under the class title. A current grade will need to be placed on this page for parents to see. Students will create a goal for improving grades and reflect on the grades from the previous week.This paper will go home on Friday and be returned with a parent signature on Monday.

Parents remind your student to bring the paper home that has a grade

on it so you can sign it over the weekend and your student

can return the signed form to school on Monday.

Let's begin 2023 celebrating! Click on the links below and learn more about each of the celebrations listed.

• January 11: Learn Your Name in Morse Code Day
• January 16: Martin Luther King Jr Day
• January 22: Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year
• January 27: Holocaust Remembrance Day

Remember we are better when we work together!

At Ridgeview Middle School, Be R-M-S is real and not just a saying. We live and breath--

• Be RMS
• Be Responsible
• Be a Member
• Be Safe

So just for fun, the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in conjunction with the girls volleyball team challenged the RMS staff for the last PBIS event for the year.

The students were competitive and challenged the staff; however, the staff swept all four volleyball games.

Stay tuned for the 2023 challenges. You won't want to miss Fear Factor in January.

And, last but not least, thank you for the following organizations for supporting our PBIS initiative so far this school year:

1. Columbus Section - NCNW, Inc. (National Council of Negro Women)

2. Friends of Art for Community Enrichment (F.A.C.E.)

3. Ridgeview PTA

4. Christian Community Church

Thank you and remember, we are always looking for community partners.

January: 13, 20th, and 27th.

February: 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th.

No appointment is necessary.

Dear RMS Families,

Plan a fun outing at Brush Crazy on January 14th or 15th. Mention you are there supporting Ridgeview and they will donate a percentage of their sales to RMS PTA.

Plans for the Valentine's Day Dance are under way!! We are excited to have the dance for all RMS students on February 10th from 6 to 8 PM. Watch your email for a sign-up genius to volunteer for chaperoning the students or donating snacks.

Help us! Please take the time to set RMS PTA your organization on the Kroger Community Rewards program. Encourage your family and friends to do the same. It is a no cost way to earn money for our school!

● 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

Concessions are for sale at the basketball games! Please stop at the PTA table on the way in and purchase some snacks.

Please Join us for our upcoming monthly meeting February 2nd, via Zoom from 6 to 7 PM Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83808379105

Sincerely,

Mrs. Pompi, President

Ms. Manko, Vice President

• 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 resource 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.