Ridgeview STEM Junior High
October 5, 2018
CONGRATULATIONS, MRS. McGARVEY!
Eileen McGarvey was selected as the Ohio Middle School Counselor of the Year. She will be recognized and awarded at the Annual Conference this year. Ridgeview is proud and fortunate to have her!
Signs of Suicide Screening
The teen years are marked by a rollercoaster ride of emotions – difficult for teens, their parents, and educators.
It is easy to misread depression as normal adolescent turmoil; however, depression (among the most common of mental illnesses) appears to be occurring at a much earlier age, and the past decade has seen teen suicide rates increasing.
In order to proactively address this issue, Pickerington School District and New Horizons Mental Health Services will provide a suicide prevention lesson as part of the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention program. This program has been used by thousands of schools over the past nine years. It has proven successful at increasing help-seeking by students concerned about themselves or a friend, and is the only school-based suicide prevention program selected by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for its National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices that addresses suicide risk and depression, while reducing suicide attempts.
Our goals in participating in this program are straightforward:
• To help our students understand that depression is a treatable illness, and help them assess whether or not they may have symptoms consistent with depression.
• To explain that suicide is a preventable tragedy that often occurs as a result of untreated depression.
• To provide students training in how to identify serious depression and potential suicidality in a friend.
• To impress upon teens that they can help themselves or a friend by taking the simple step of talking to a responsible adult about their concerns.
With generous funding and support by the Fairfield County ADAMH Board and the United Way of Fairfield County, we will begin implementation of the SOS Program in our middle and high schools in September. The program will take place during one health class or a class the school deems appropriate. A voluntary depression screening tool is part of the SOS program. This tool cannot provide a diagnosis of depression, but does give an indication of whether your child should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional.
All students will:
• Watch the video, “Time to Act”
• Participate in a discussion
• Complete a depression screening form (voluntary)
Students whose responses indicate they are thinking about suicide will be seen by a New Horizons clinician immediately and parents/guardians will be notified. Other students whose responses indicate potential depression will be seen within a week and parents will be notified if there is a concern. Students may also request to talk with a clinician regarding a friend they are concerned about.
Communication will be made with school counselors regarding information relevant to your child should a concern be present after screening
***If you do NOT wish your child to take a written screening test for depression, please contact the school office in writing by 10/8/2018 and return it to the school office. If we do not hear from you, we will assume your child has permission to participate in this screening.***
If you have any questions or concerns about this program, please do not hesitate to contact,
Betsy Mathess at 740-304-7637, Joan Brandstaetter at 740-785-0607 or your child’s school counselor.
**If you DECLINE the free screening offered during the SOS program, please contact the school office in writing, providing your child’s name, grade, school name, signature, and the date.
Conferences
Thursday, October 18th, 3:40 - 7:15 PM
Monday, October 22nd, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 25th, 3:40 - 7:15 PM
If you wish to schedule a conference, you will do so directly with the team of teachers through the scheduling link found online.
Please note: we ask that your child attend the conference with you. Students will be prepared to share their academic progress and goals. Looking ahead, Spring conferences will be entirely student-led. More information will follow about Spring conferences in March.
Portrait Retakes
We will be having a photo make up day/ retake session during lunch periods on Tuesday, October 9th for any student who was absent and not already photographed.
If you wish to have another photo taken due to poor quality (eyes closed, etc), you must return the original portrait package to the photographer. Students who were already photographed, or do not have their original portraits will not be released from the lunch room to be photographed.
Students who were absent and not photographed for the first time may get a picture envelope from the main office, or you may order online at www.inter-state.com
There are no retakes for ID cards.
Spirit Wear On Sale NOW
Online Yearbook Orders
Yearbooks will be delivered in May, allowing all of the events and activities to be captured throughout the year.
Don't delay - purchase today!
COMING UP AT RIDGEVIEW
Tuesday, October 9 - Portrait retakes, during lunches
Friday, October 12 - NO SCHOOL
Monday, October 15 - PTO Meeting, 8:30 AM, all are welcome
Thursday, October 18 - Conferences, 3:40 - 7:15 PM
Monday, October 22 - NO SCHOOL for grades K-8 ONLY, Conferences 11AM - 7 PM
Thursday, October 25 - Conferences, 3:40 - 7:15 PM
Tuesday, October 30 - Band Concert, 7 PM, RJHS Gym
Looking Ahead - Mark your calendars
Annual Craft & Antique Show
Pickerington Central HS
Saturday, November 3rd
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
Email: eric_koch@plsd.us
Website: www.pickerington.k12.oh.us
Location: 130 Hill Road South, Pickerington, OH, United States
Phone: 614-548-1700
Facebook: facebook.com/RidgeviewStem
Twitter: @RidgeviewPLSD