Dear Ridgeview Families:

We are already moving full speed ahead into the new school year! This year our theme at Ridgeview is "Raising the Bar for Student Success"! We want all of our students to challenge themselves to raise up to the next level both academically and behaviorally. In order to achieve our goals, we will need the support of each Ridgeview family. I encourage each parent/guardian to become or continue to be an active participant during the middle school years. Often times parents/guardians want to pull back and give their child more freedom. In my experience as a seasoned middle school educator, I have found just the opposite is needed. Your child will need you even more as they navigate their way through adolescence.

Collectively, at Ridgeview we want to work with each family to help your child, "Dream. Achieve. and Succeed."

Be Well,

Natalie M. James, Principal

All students are expected to be at school every day on time.

Students will be counted tardy after 7:30 a.m. Students who arrive after 7:30 a.m. must report to the office to receive a tardy permit to class. If a student is to be absent from school, the parent/guardian is expected to call the school before 9:30 a.m. to report the absence. A note from the parent/guardian explaining the absence is required when the student returns to school.

Students will be excused for an absence only for the following reasons: “personal illness or quarantine, illness or death in the immediate household, emergencies or any other occurrences or situations which, in the judgment of the superintendent or designee, may necessitate absence from school for good or sufficient cause, religious holiday, medical or dental appointment and college visitation.” Habitual excused or unexcused absences or tardiness will result in a referral to the school social worker. Students who have 10% or more unexcused absences may fail a course or grade. Students are also expected to arrive to school on time.

Teachers will address tardiness to class. Repeated tardiness to class will result in

disciplinary actions. All student attendance guidelines as defined in House Bill 410 are followed at Ridgeview.

Attendance email: attendance.ridgeview@columbus.k12.oh.us

Attendance phone number: 1.380.997.6994

* Click on the graphic to the right and go to page 3 of the Ridgeview MS Family & Student Handbook 2022-2023.

RMS has three behavior expectations for students.

Students are expected to be RMS: be RESPONSIBLE, be a MEMBER, and be SAFE at all times.

Click on the graphic to the right and go to pages 4-6 of the Ridgeview MS Family &

Student Handbook 2022-2023 so you and your student can become familiar and memorize the RMS expectations. These expectations are to be practiced daily-

in the HALL ... in the CLASSROOM ... in the RESTROOM ... in the CAFETERIA

in the AUDITORIUM ... on the BUS ... at RECESS

at ENTRY and DISMISSAL ... AGAINST BULLYING

Be RMS Proud:

Be RESPONSIBLE. Be a MEMBER. Be SAFE.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

Qualification Period: September 9th - 30th

Event Date: Friday, September 30th

HOW DOES A STUDENT QUALIFY TO HAVE THEIR NAME ENTERED INTO THE DRAWING?

• Follow the school rules - "BE RMS"
• Go to class On Time and No Tardies
• Listen to ALL adults in the building
• Display RMS behavior throughout the building, at recess, and on the bus
• NO 190s, REMOVALS, SUSPENSIONS, EXPULSIONS, BUS WRITE-UPS, PEAK/ISS or AFTER SCHOOL DETENTIONS
• The administration will have final say in who will be eligible to be entered into the drawing.

*45 students will be selected from each grade level.

THE VISION

Each student at RMS will show a year's worth of growth or more in reading and math as measured by the District and/or state assessments by the end of each school year.

THE MISSION

We exist to create an environment where students are educated through a lens of culturally responsive teaching, mindfulness, and the use of high-quality data. Collectively, we aim to advocate, challenge, and support student growth in all areas of development.

THE CORE VALUES

1. Create a safe, encouraging, inclusive, and supportive environment.

2. Maintain high expectations.

3. Inspire student success.

4. Demonstrate respect through empathy and inclusivity

Where there is no vision, there is no hope.

George Washington Carver, inventor and botanist

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR RMS FAMILIES

1. NOT A MEMBER? BECOME A PTA MEMBER: Please consider signing up as a member of the PTA at https://rmsraiderspta.memberhub.com/store.

2. EMAILS: If you currently are not receiving occasional email updates from the PTA, please email us at RidgeviewMSPTA@gmail.com and ask to be added to the list to make sure that you are aware of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

3. FALL FLOWER FUNDRAISER: The RMS September Fall Flower Fundraiser kicked off on September 6th, Tuesday. Remember sales close on September 20th. Keep an eye on your email for the Flower Distribution date.

4. BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT: The PTA will continue work on the Beautification project on Saturday, September 17th beginning at 10 a.m. Check out the pictures below.

5. WANT TO DONATE TO PTA: General donations are always appreciated (no amount is too small) write your check to Ridgeview PTA and drop it off at the school or reach us online at https://rmsraiderspta.memberhub.com/store/items/114887

6. OTHER WAYS TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE PTA: Here are some no cost/minimal time options to support the PTA:

● Download the Box Tops app, add Ridgeview PTA as your school and scan all your receipts

o If this is your first-time registering be sure to use RMS code: HXSC8XH4 – we

receive a little bonus

o https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=HXSC8XH4

o No cost to you and RMS PTA does not receive copies of your receipts

● Make RMS PTA your organization on the Kroger Community Rewards program

o At Kroger.com or on your Kroger App, under Rewards, then Community Rewards,

add the RMS organization number 84721

o No cost to you and RMS PTA does not receive your personal information

● Make “PTA Ohio Congress Ridgeview Middle” – your organization on Amazon Smile

o https://smile.amazon.com/charity/my-impact?ref_=nav_cs_smile

o Sign in using your existing Amazon account

o Add PTA Ohio Congress Ridgeview Middle as your organization

o Shop through smile.amazon.com

o No cost to you and RMS PTA does not receive your personal information

7. SAVE THESE DATES:

o October 6, Thursday from 6:00 - 7:00 pm: The Next PTA Zoom Meeting

That's it for now and we look forward to working together to support RMS!

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.

• 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.