Ridgeview Junior High School
December 17, 2021
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Happy Friday Ridgeview Families,
I am sure most people are ready for 2021 to be over and are looking forward to spending time together over the winter break. Just a few reminders, if your child is displaying any illness symptoms please do not send them to school. We are seeing a rise in positive COVID cases in our building and will continue to follow our sanitizing procedures put in place last school year. We also, still encourage students and staff to wear masks. If your student is not feeling well, please call our attendance line at 614-548-1703 and leave a message if no one is able to answer. As we close out 2021 just a reminder that students next week should make sure to finish up all assignments as upon return teachers will be posting interim grades for students. It is hard to believe we are halfway through the trimester and school year, some days it feels like we just started school and others feel like it has to be May already! I want to make sure that students are keeping up with their assignments so teachers and I have an accurate picture of what they are learning and able to do within their content standards.
We will continue to provide lessons on empathy, being kind, respect and our building expectations during our PAW time. I encourage you to ask your students what they remember about E + R = O and how can we respond to adversity and different situations to get a positive outcome and not a negative consequence. We very much appreciate our families and their involvement in helping shape their student not only academically but looking at their overall development as well. We continue to hear it takes a village, and it truly does. We consistently remind students the importance of taking accountability for our actions and being remorseful when we make a poor decision. We recognize that none of us are perfect, but we still try to do better. Better today than yesterday and better tomorrow than today. We hope that you will talk with your students about "roasting" which is making fun of another back and forth, this consistently leads to hurt feelings and can potentially escalate to more serious physical altercations. We also want to emphasize that talking about other students, starting rumors or spreading gossip, does not look good on the person saying it and can cause serious issues between students, we continue to have conversations with students about the way they talk to each other. It is not uncommon to hear students call each other "slow","stupid", "hoe", "n-word" (but actually say it), "bitch", and "SPED" (meaning Special education). These are just a few of the words we are now hearing even friends call each other. While we continue to address this, and work on face to face communication and being kind.
The year is quickly coming to an end, with only three days of school next week (20th, 21st and 22nd) before the winter break! With that being said, students will return to school on Tuesday, January 4th. For Monday, January 3rd is set aside for teacher Professional Development day. During the break, it is encouraged for students to enjoy family time and to also take the time to READ something. I wish everyone well and Happy Holidays!
Thank you all and enjoy your weekend!
Beth Richardson
Principal
Ridgeview STEM Junior High
LPDC Co-Chair (RSJHS, PHSN & DO representative)
AWARD WINNING STUDENTS!! for exhibiting Traditional Art & Illustration-Hosted by the Eastland Fairfield Career Center
KUDOS!!! to the following four Ridgeview Junior High students who hosted a virtual Art show:
(Kate Russell, Riley Runyon, Bella Vacca, and Jillian Jett).
Bella won second place in the Traditional Art and Illustration Category. Please see the link below for more Pickerington School winners!
Trimester Important Dates
At the junior highs, we are on trimesters so our dates for grading periods do not align with the other levels in the district. Here are the trimester dates.
TRIMESTER 2: NOVEMBER 8-FEBRUARY 11
INTERIMS: DEC 22nd
TRIMESTER 3: FEBRUARY 14-MAY 20
INTERIMS: APRIL 1st
Video Link for Restart Information
Concerns over Social Media
CNN recently posted a story concerning the dangers of Instagram and Social Media for children. This story points out some major concerns linking social media usage and mental health. While the school does not condone (nor advocate for) providing illegal substances to minors in place of social media, the expert interviewed uses illegal substances as a comparison to help illustrate the potential for negative impact that social media can have on students. Please be sure to monitor your student's social media usage and engage them in conversations around digital citizenship and their mental health. Here in our school, we often see the effects of social media influencing student mental health as well as physical and verbal altercations between our students.
Pickerington Local School District Needs YOU!
PLSD has a critical need for substitute paraprofessionals, health care assistants, duty aides, custodians, and food service employees! Do you love working with kids? Do you need a job that will work around your schedule? If so, please apply online at https://www.applitrack.com/pickerington/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Substitute+Positions&fbclid=IwAR0WbQ0l5J_O4KbMRDbQsHphmBptPL5rS5W1pC_yQp8u_QpXTSgLZClEUgE
Sharing The Holidays (Fairfield Center for disABILITIES and Cerebral Palsy)
Hello and Happy Holidays from the Fairfield Center for disABILITIES!
We would you like to invite you to help give a little joy this year by purchasing a gift for one of their Adult Day Service participants. By signing up, you will be paired with a buddy from our Program, and will receive a list of their "favorites" and something they need. After you're done shopping for your buddy ($25 limit, please), simply drop off your gift at FCdCP 681 East 6th Avenue, Lancaster, OH 43130 and we will wrap it for you. We also encourage writing your buddy a note or a card, so they know you care.
Please see the personal flyers below of some of our recipients!
We are excited to spread some cheer to our ADS participants this holiday season, and hope you'll join us!
For questions, please contact Laura Johnston. Phone: 740-653-5501.
Email: ljohnston@fcdcp.org
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
ALSO PRESENTING...... 1ST Steps to Broadway!
1st Steps to Broadway School of Dance. This is a Christmas production that will showcase many students from within the Pickerington school district. This is our way of giving back and creating a festive and fun family outing for everyone to enjoy this holiday season. It is a 45 minute dance production with four show times available (please see detailed flyer below) between December 18th and 19th for the convenience of our attendees.
In order to reach as many people in the community as possible, please share this information with other families of the community. See direct link to tickets below:
themostmagicaltimeoftheyear.eventbrite.com
On behalf of 1st Steps to Broadway, thank you for your assistance, and we hope to see you all at the show!
School wide expectations reminders
Cell phones are off and away all day. If you have any questions regarding cell phones please review Board Policy 5136
One way hallways have been in place for 6 years at Ridgeview, students need to follow the one way hallway traffic all day and that includes going to lunch.
Language there is vocabulary that is not appropriate for school. We continue to remind students curse words are not appropriate at school and give students other vocabulary to vent their frustration. We also are having conversations about what students refer to as "dark humor." If it is inappropriate to say, saying that one was just kidding or only a joke does not negate the conversation from being inappropriate.
Lockers students should access their lockers at the beginning of the day, lunch time and at the end of the day. Students can carry their book bags from class to class.
Hands to ourselves and our own items: Our hallways do get crowded and sometimes students do accidentally bump into each other. However we have made announcements that we cannot play around, play fight, or grab others as it creates a safety concern. We address each of these as they occur, remind them that horsing around or rough house play is not appropriate at school and could escalate into something more so we ask that they do not do that at school. This also goes for our personal items as well and not touching items that do not belong to us.
LET'S ERADICATE BULLYING AT RIDGEVIEW!
Message from the Clinic
- If anyone in the household is being tested for COVID-19, do not send your student to school until you have test results!
- If your child is absent from school for reasons due to Covid-19, please be sure to call the School Nurse as soon as possible (614-548-1708). This is very important when recording absences and tracking Covid-19 cases in the school building.
- Please remember to screen your student daily for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever over 100, sudden onset of severe headache, sore throat). If your student has any of these symptoms, please do not send them to school/extra curricular activities.
- If your student is a close contact and has been vaccinated, they may continue to attend school and extracurricular activities if they are asymptomatic. They will be required to wear a mask for two weeks after exposure.
- We received clarification from the health department regarding modified quarantine. If your student is correctly and consistently wearing their mask in the classroom setting, they may be eligible for modified quarantine and continue to participate in school/extracurricular activities.
COVID Testing Update
Test results need to be sent to the School Nurse
Rachel_Ross @ PLSD.us
Questions about Close Contacts and Quarantining
Please see the following flow chart that will guide our decision making about quarantining for students and staff who have been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Marcia Stewart (Marcia_Stewart@plsd.us) or Rachel Ross(RachelRoss@plsd.us) our school nurse.
Pickerington Food Pantry in need of VOLUNTEERS!!
On Saturdays in December from 9:30am to 12:30pm.
Address - Pickerington Food Pantry
70 Cross Street, PO Box 914, Pickerington, OH 43147
(614) 834-0079
info@pickeringtonfoodpantry.orghttps://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050e44a8a92fa5f94-pfppantry
2021-2022 YEARBOOK Information
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)
Below is a list of dates for our National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) students to meet in the cafeteria immediately after school this year. This is ONLY for 8th Graders who completed the process last spring.
*Note: All dates are Mondays; from 2:10pm - 3:00pm.
January 24
February 28
March 28
April 24
*NJHS dues/fees this year will be $5 and may be bought to the front office for collection by Mrs. Ross or office designee.
For any questions, please contact Leanne Ross at Leanne_Ross@plsd.us.
November P.A.W. Time Update
In November, PAW Time will focus on gratitude. Here is a video that we shared to stay Thank you Veterans. Here is a Gratitude video (#3) that we shared with students to help prime the pump on thankfulness and cultivating a perspective that appreciates.
**8th Graders discussed how to reach their potential and to not settle for less than their best.
**7th Grade has the R-Factor lesson focusing on R2 for 7th grade.
ATHLETIC INFORMATION & UPDATES
Winter sports are in full swing. Check out game schedules on the athletic website and come out to support our Tigers!
https://pickeringtontigers.net
REMINDER:
Trimester 2 Interim Grades close on 12/22. Eligibility for the remainder of the winter season will be determined, so make sure to get all assignments turned in!
PTO INFORMATION
Our continued goal is to hear from each of you, any ideas you may have, events or fundraisers you would like to share, and or feedback you may. We want to do all we can for our students (children) and the faculty and need your help to make this happen! With the pandemic still very alive, we want to have as much fun as we can and be safe at the same time. With that being said, we look forward to meeting and speaking with you all.
Want to be a part of the Ridgeview PTO Family??
Please feel free to contact President Kelly Martin at kelly.martin_rvjhpto@hotmail.com; Catharyne Henderson at catharyneh@yahoo.com or Qiana Johnson at qsmith6@hotmail.com.
WE'VE GOT SPIRIT WEAR!!
We’ve got spirit wear - YES WE DO!! We have OURS - How About YOU!!! Just in time for the holidays! Get your special someone the gift of the “Tiger” and look stylish at the same time! Order by December 14th to receive before the holiday break as one of our members will pick up all Ridgeview orders to avoid shipping cost. (our gift to you)
https://www.chic-loco.com/search?type=product&q=Tigers
There is a special discount available if you order the tie dye purple hoodie be sure to enter “Ridgeview” at checkout.
We also wanted to share that the School Store is open 3 days a week now. Monday, Thursday and Friday from 7:00am to 7:10am.
We have partnered with Buff City for one more fundraiser of the year! Starting December 17th visit the store and mention Ridgeview Roars, for each bar of soap purchased we will receive a small percentage.
One last thing, please follow and like us on Facebook - Ridgeview STEM Junior High PTO.
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*NO SCHOOL - WINTER BREAK DEC. 23RD thru DEC. 31ST*
Ridgeview Values
Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
Email: beth_richardson@plsd.us
Website: pickerington.k12.oh.us
Location: 130 Hill Road South, Pickerington, OH, USA
Phone: 614-548-1700
Facebook: facebook.com/RidgeviewStem
Twitter: @RSJHSPrincipal