Dear Ridgeview Families,

We are more than halfway through the school year and now, more than ever, we must work together to help your student finish strong. Here’s a list of things you can do.

• Ensure your student gets enough sleep each school night.

• Make sure your student gets breakfast at home or at school.

• Impress upon your student the need to arrive at school on time and do the work.

• Stay Informed via the Parent Portal.

• Be familiar with your student’s class assignments.

• Attend the Parent Teacher Conference on Thursday, February 16, 2023, from 3:00 – 6:30 pm (if you did not attend the January 31st date).

• Remember to sign the weekly form that goes home with your student on Friday and should be returned with a parent/guardian signature to RMS on Monday.

• Work together with the RMS Team to prepare your student.

Our Team is committed to the Power of One!

· MISSION

Each student is highly educated, prepared for leadership and service, and empowered for success as a citizen in a global community.

VISION

A world-class model of public education that prepares all students to be Portrait-ready graduates and reach their full potential.

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE

Our North Star – the hopes, dreams, and aspirations we have for every student.

To learn more about the Power of One, click here.

Sincerely,

The Ridgeview Middle School Team

February is the month for love. It is during this time we celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th. But what if we took a closer look at loving and caring for each other?

Did you know that February is American Heart Month? It's one time designated each year that we can focus on cardiovascular health and shine a light on Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Hypertension (high blood pressure)--a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Click on the links below and help yourself, your student, and the entire family

establish or continue

heart-healthy habits that can reduce future heart ailments.

LOVE YOUR HEART AND IT WILL LOVE YOU.

During the month of February, Ridgeview Middle School will be conducting one-hour School Choice Tours. See the 2023 RMS Profile Video by clicking on the picture to the right.

Sign up by calling:

1.380.997.6994

Tours begin at 7:45 am and last about an hour.

Select from the dates below:

February 2, 8, 15, 16, 21, 23, and 28, 2023

We look forward to showing you our building, staff, and students!

View our school profile video click here.

• February 1, Wednesday: Professional Development Day, Students Not in Attendance
• February 10, Friday, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm: Winter Dance
• February 16, Thursday from 3:00 - 6:30 pm: Parent Teacher Conference
• February 17, Friday: Professional Development Day, Students Not in Attendance
• February 20, Monday: All Schools Closed, Compensatory Day for Parent Conferences
• March 8, Wednesday: Professional Development Day, Students Not in Attendance
• March 24, Friday: End of the Quarter

• March 29, Thursday: Records Day, Students Not in Attendance
• May 16-19 (Tuesday - Friday): 7th & 8th Grade Class Trip to Chicago, IL

Check back here for future sports details.

Games begin at 4:30 pm and admission is $3 and must be paid via a QR Code.

Mr. Eric Sztul is one of our 7th grade teachers and this year marks his 15th year wearing the black and yellow and walking the hallways of RMS!

Family of Educators

Originally, from Mayfield Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, Mr. Sztul was born into a family of educators. His father, mother, and uncle were all teachers. His father taught at Cleveland Heights High School, his mother taught at Regina High School, and his uncle taught, and then later was an elementary principal here in Columbus for close to twenty years.

Education & Finding His Passion

Mr. Sztul graduated from Mayfield HS and moved on to Bowling Green State University (BGSU). His major was Elementary Education. While at BGSU, he also played soccer. At first, being a teacher was not his preferred career path. Mr. Sztul wanted to be a sportscaster on ESPN. Needless to say, his career path changed after tutoring students while still in high school and then later at BGSU. After working with students and loving it, he learned his true passion was to become a teacher and help others.

The Move to Columbus, OH

After graduating from BGSU, Mr. Sztul moved to Columbus in 1998. His first teaching position was at John Burroughs Elementary School on the west side. He taught fourth grade for five years. From there, he wanted to be able to work with older students and coach. In 2003, Mr. Sztul began teaching at Yorktown Middle School, where he taught sixth grade and coached soccer and softball for five years. During his time teaching in Columbus, he earned his Master's Degree in Educational Administration from The Ohio State University.

Becoming a RMS Raider

In 2008, Mr. Sztul moved his home to the northwest side of Columbus, and then became a seventh-grade teacher, and coach here at Ridgeview. Today, he is our soccer and track coach. While teaching and coaching, Mr. Sztul has had countless amazing memories. His favorite parts of teaching are taking students on annual trips to Chicago, and or Washington D.C.; seeing students' faces light up when they have figured something out; and, forming lifelong relationships with his students, former students and colleagues. His favorite coaching moment is seeing former Ridgeview student-athletes be drafted in the NFL and NBA. He is very proud of those gentleman.

Family & Lifestyle

Mr. Sztul is happily married to his beautiful wife Monica, and they have two cats, Max and Oliver. Together, they like to travel, go to concerts and eat at local Columbus restaurants. His favorite trips with Mrs. Sztul were to Iceland, Holland, England, and France a few summers back. Iceland was absolutely incredible! Mr. Sztul loves to do many things, his perfect day would be to go on a hike in the woods, eat at Roosters, and then watch the Cleveland Browns either in person or on the television (Unfortunately, they will probably lose).

Mr. Sztul loves being at Ridgeview and working with our Raiders in the classroom, on the field, or on the track. He plans to be here until he retires. There is no better place to be in Columbus!

Once a Raider, Always a Raider!!! GO RAIDERS!

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!

Stay active in helping your child stay in the game!

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.

• February 1 - 28: Black History Month & American Heart Month
• February 9: National Pizza Day
• February 11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
• February 12: Super Bowl Sunday
• February 14: Valentine's Day & National Donor Day
• February 17: Random Acts of Kindness Day
• February 20: President's Day & World Day of Social Justice
• February 21: International Mother Language Day
• February 22: World Thinking Day

Remember we are better when we work together!

Be RMS:

• Be Responsible
• Be a Member
• Be Safe

For fun during February, Ridgeview Middle School will experience Fear Factor. Students will qualify to attend by doing the following--

• Be RMS
• No tardies
• Listening to all adults in the building
• Following the Dress Code
• No wearing hoods in the building
• Keeping electronics and accessories put away
• Storing book bags and heavy coats in the locker
• Display RMS behavior throughout the building, recess, and on the bus.

Winners for Fear Factor will be congratulated in next month's newsletter.

Dear RMS Families,

Thank you to all who shopped at Brush Crazy on January 14th and 15th. We received $143 from this event.

We are excited for the Valentine's Dance on February 10th from 6 to 8 PM. We need family support! Please sign up to chaperone or donate: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094FA9A72BAA8-dance

Our Spirit Wear store is still open! A few new things have been added. Don’t miss out – order today! Ridgeview Webstore

If you are interested in becoming a committee member of the PTA for the 2023/2024 school year, please let us know! RidgeviewMSPTA@gmail.com

Help us! Please take the time to set RMS PTA as 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

Please join us for our upcoming monthly meeting on Thursday, March 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.