Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
February 25, 2022
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Hello Families,
Happy Friday!
REMINDERS:
Next Week, on Wednesday, March 2nd, it will be a Virtual Learning Day/Professional Development! Also, the Superintendent's Office recently added Wednesday, March 9th, as another Virtual Learning Day/Professional Development Day:
We recognize that this year has been challenging, and the Pickerington Education Association (PEA) and Pickerington Schools District Leadership Team are working in conjunction to provide our teachers with the time needed to increase student achievement and meet our educational goals.
This message is also to inform you that the Pickerington Schools will be converting Wednesday, March 9, 2022, to an asynchronous virtual learning day for students. Students will be able to access their asynchronous assignments through Google Classroom.
Just a reminder - Thursday, March 3rd and Tuesday March 8th are parent teacher conferences. If you would like to have a conference with your student's teachers, please email them to set that up.
Enrollment for the Pickerington Schools' Virtual Learning Academy for the 2022-2023 School Year:
Will open tomorrow, Thursday, February 24th (at 9:00 AM) and close on Friday, March 11th.
The VLA is a fully virtual option for students in grades 1-8 and a partially virtual option for students in grades 9-12. There is a one-year commitment for enrolling in the VLA. There are no transfers in or out of the VLA in the middle of a semester.
Pickerington Schools partners with APEX and Edmentum to provide curriculum and teachers in a virtual setting. The majority of the work is self-paced and teacher access is limited.
If you are interested in learning more about the Pickerington Schools' VLA please view the Virtual Learning Academy page at: https://www.pickerington.k12.oh.us/virtual-learning-academy/
Also, available (starting at 9:00 AM on 2/24/2022) on the VLA site is the waitlist/registration form that needs to be completed if you would like your student to be placed on the waitlist for VLA for the 2022-2023 school year. In addition to completing the form, parents and students are required to attend an in-person orientation. Information about the dates, times and locations of the orientation sessions is on the VLA website.
If you have any questions, please email VLA@plsd.us
*Note: Clarification to our deliveries message last week: If a student is coming back from an appointment and families stop along the way to pick up food, because the student is potentially missing their lunch period, we will have them eat in the office and then send them back to class.
Central High School Theater perform Chicago
8th graders to see Chicago:
On March 17th, barring unforeseen circumstances, Ridgeview 8th graders will get the opportunity to see the Central High School Theater perform Chicago. More information will be coming in upcoming Newsletters. Please see below about the High school production.
Chicago-*The High School Version
Broadway’s longest-running American musical, "Chicago" is a dazzling and satirical look at fame, justice, and the media machine. Set in 1920s Chicago and based on real-life murders and trials, "Chicago" follows Roxie Hart, a wannabe vaudevillian star who murders her lover and is arrested, despite her attempts to convince her pushover husband, Amos, to lie for her. In the Cook County Jail, Roxie meets her hero, the famed double-murderess and nightclub performer Velma Kelly. When both acquire the same lawyer, the greedy and cocky superstar, Billy Flynn, tensions come to a head as they vie for the spotlight-- though instead of onstage, they’re mugging for the flashbulb of the newspaper reporters. With catchy, swinging music and timeless lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and a funny, intelligent, and utterly engaging book by Kander and Bob Fosse, Chicago is a musical spectacular that is as addictive as gossip rags and as unforgettable as any trial of the century.
Pickerington Central is overjoyed to be a part of the "Marquee Awards" along with 19 other schools. The "Marquee Awards" are a part of "CAPA", following "CAPA" guidelines. As of now, masks will be required for entry, but this may change at any given moment.
*Chicago: High School Version- This show has been adapted to remove overtly sexual references and adult language.
Thank you for your continued support to the students, staff, and community of Pickerington Schools!
Sincerely,
Beth Richardson
Principal
Safety Reminders
If you have any questions or concerns about these pieces please feel free to reach out and we would be happy to try to answer them for you!
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
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. If you know your student is having issues with staying off their phone during their classes, we suggest leaving them home or turning them into the office at the beginning of the day to not be tempted to use.
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 and from lunch. Please remind students this is due to the amount of students in our hallways, and will help keep them safe.
Language there is vocabulary that is not appropriate for school. We continue to remind students that curse words are not appropriate at school and give students other vocabulary to vent their frustration. 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, lunchtime, 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, play tag, 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.
Lunchroom behavior: It is expected that students remain in their seats unless going to the restroom or throwing food away (both need permission). Students are not supposed to be up, walking around, and going to another table to chat with friends. It is for everyone's safety and security that they must be seated. If they were all up, we would not be able to see what was going on well. Additionally, students are not allowed to throw food (carrots, apples, pears, corn, milk, applesauce, etc). It is also expected that students remain in the lunchroom area; they are not permitted to walk around the building. Students are also not permitted to go to a teacher's classroom to eat unless they have a pass from the teacher each time they want to leave. Finally, students must pick up after themselves. We remind students daily of these expectations. If students choose not to follow our expectations, they will be issued a QST (Quiet Study Time) which must be served on either a Tuesday or a Thursday from 2:15-4:00 PM in Mr. Watts' classroom (room 210). We will contact the parent or guardian if a QST is issued.
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.
If you have any questions about contact tracing, quarantining, testing, or anything else, please feel free to reach out to Rachel Ross(Rachel_Ross@plsd.us), our school nurse.
Mental Health Resources + How students can see their counselor:
Mental Health Resources:
Many people feel stress, anxiety, and depression. Please take note of these helpful resources, should you need them:
Emergency: 911
Crisis Text Line: text "HOME" to 741741
Nationwide Children's Youth Hotline: 614.722.1800
Teen Hotline: 614.294.3300
Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.4673
Safe Schools Tip Line: Call or text: 844.723.3764
Suicide Lifeline: 800.273.8255 or 614.221.5445
Pickerington Police Department: 614.575.6911
Sheriff Department: 740.652.7900
New Horizons Mobile Crisis Team: 211
How to See Your Counselor:
Students wishing to see their counselor must complete a request google form found in Class Link. The counselor will then send a pass or email the student as soon as possible.
8th-grade counselor:
Mrs. Owen
7th-grade counselor:
Mrs. Smoot
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! Scheduling!
Here are the upcoming dates to remember.
7th to 8th grade students
Feb. 22 - Students received scheduling information
Feb. 28 - Portal in Infinite Campus opens to input elective selections
Mar. 1 - Parent meeting 7:30 Live and Live Streamed
Mar. 2 - Google Meet or in-person with school counselors 10am-12pm
March 11 - All registration due in the system
8th to 9th grade students
Feb. 25th - All registration due in the system
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.
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.
ATHLETIC INFORMATION & UPDATES
8th Grade Softball:
Anyone who is interested in playing softball this spring should join us for conditioning/open gym over the next couple weeks!
You must be registered in Final Forms and have a current OHSAA physical uploaded to Final Forms.
Questions: Contact Coach Gramlich
SPRING SPORTS INFORMATION:
Softball coaches have already communicated via Final Forms
Tryouts are set for: Monday-Friday; 4:30p-6:00p
Baseball will not have conditioning just tryouts 2/21-2/25
Tryouts are set for: M/W/F; 6:00p -7:30pm
Girls Lacrosse should have communicated via Final Forms
Boys Lacrosse should have communicated via Final Forms
Track no conditioning, will start on 2/28, 3p-4:15p
Boys Tennis season starts on March 7th - conditioning starts the week of 2/21 once a week (day/time - TBD)
THE COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS PRESENTS - Discounted Ticket Offer
PTO INFORMATION
It’s been a long week, we hope everyone is looking forward to a long weekend! Spring is around the corner! We are excited to share that we have several fundraisers coming up, our 7th Grade Teen Night and Parent Teacher Conference Dinner.
7th graders get ready, it’s “Teen Night”. Parents, please mark your calendar for March 11th 2022 as we look forward to hosting Teen Night for our 7th grade students. The cost is $10 for each student, we will provide food and drinks. The School Store will also be open for students to purchase other items as well. If you have any questions feel free to email kelly.martin_rvjhpto@hotmail.com or message us on Facebook. See Flyer below.
March 11th - Teen Night please see flyer below and Sign Up Genius to volunteer or donate:
March 3rd we are providing dinner for our wonderful teachers and administrative team! We appreciate all of their hard work and can't thank each of them enough for their dedication to our students. Below there is a Sign Up Genius available for items or donations to send in. All food items please have in the office by 2:15 on March 3rd, if sending a cash or check donations please place in envelope with Ridgeview Junior High PTO listed on it.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CA5A62EA2FA7-parent
We still have Roosters fundraiser cards available for sale. We are selling to our Ridgeview parents, staff and teachers for $7. Please reach out to Qiana, Catharyne or Kelly as we have a limited amount available - also the cards do not expire until 12/31/2022.
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.
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