Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
March 13, 2020
Coming Up at Ridgeview
March 16-20-ONLINE LEARNING (see note below)
March 23-27-Spring Break
March 30-April 3-ONLINE LEARNING (see note below)
Information from the Superintendent
Dear PLSD family — Classes are canceled in Pickerington Schools beginning on Monday, March 16, 2020, as part of an extended closure which will last for at least three weeks as ordered by Gov. Mike DeWine due to the coronavirus. Although the Governor mandated school closings to begin at the end of business on March 16, Pickerington Schools has opted to cancel classes Monday so that staff may finish up preparations to transition to online learning. Beginning on Tuesday, March 17, students will be given Blizzard Bag assignments to complete at home during the duration of the closure, which is expected to last at least through April 3, 2020. Students and staff will not be expected to work/complete assignments during the district’s normally scheduled Spring Break, March 23-27. Since students will be completing assignments at home, classes will not have to be extended into the summer. All school events, athletic practices and games, clubs, meetings, etc. are canceled until further notice. There will be no student events during the required school closure period. Please note: Pickerington Schools’ Welcome Center will remain open during the extended closure for new families registering in our district. More details about Blizzard Bags and the transition to online learning will be released tomorrow. Please watch our social media channels, your Infinite Campus inbox, and the PLSD website, www.pickerington.k12.oh.us, for the latest information. Thank you for your patience in allowing us to finalize the details as we respond to this unprecedented situation. Sincerely, Dr. Chris Briggs, Superintendent
From the Ohio Department of Education
ATHLETICS AND EXTRACURRICULAR
Due to the Governor's recommendation, all athletic and extra-curricular activities will be canceled or postponed during the 3 weeks that we are closed. No games, practice, conditioning, lifting, etc is permitted until at minimum after April 3rd (and maybe beyond).
- Pay to participate fees first payment has been changed to April 10th. If parents have paid and we don't have Spring sports, the money will be refunded. We suggest you please hold off on making any payments. This is evolving every minute so it could change moving forward. Be patient. PLEASE CHECK THE 8-18 WEBSITE FOR ANY CHANGES AND UPDATED INFORMATION ON SPORTS PRACTICES, GAMES, ETC.
FROM THE PICKERINGTON LIBRARY-COVID-19
Spring Awards Criteria
****DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE CORONA VIRUS IT IS POSSIBLE THIS WILL BE RESCHEDULED/CANCELLED. WE WILL POST ANY CHANGES AS SOON AS WE GET THEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING.****
At the end of the school year, we always have an academic awards ceremony. This event will be May 12, 2020. As in years past, the following criteria will be used to qualify for the awards ceremony this school year. Students who receive an average cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher after the second trimester, will receive recognition of making the Gold Honor Roll. Students who earn an average cumulative GPA between 3.50-3.749 after the second trimester will be recognized as making the Silver Honor Roll. In addition, students are recognized by their team teachers in each content area. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at eric_koch@plsd.us.
May Dance Criteria
****DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE CORONA VIRUS IT IS POSSIBLE THIS WILL BE RESCHEDULED/CANCELLED. WE WILL POST ANY CHANGES AS SOON AS WE GET THEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING.****
Although it seems like the end of the school year is awhile away, the reality is that these next few months will go very fast. One of the highlights of the year is always the May Dance which will be on May 16 this year. Beginning Monday, March 2, any student receiving an In-School Suspension or Out-of School Suspension will not be permitted to attend the May Dance. Please be sure to remind your students of this, as we would like to see all of our students have the opportunity to attend. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the school
Make a Difference Day
****DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE CORONA VIRUS IT IS POSSIBLE THIS WILL BE RESCHEDULED/CANCELLED. WE WILL POST ANY CHANGES AS SOON AS WE GET THEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING.****
Ridgeview Junior High School believes that learning happens both inside and outside of the classroom. We believe in providing students with authentic learning opportunities that provide real world connections. By participating in activities in the Columbus, Lancaster, Newark and Pickerington communities, we align with our STEM focus of service learning. By learning through service, the students will make connections through multiple disciplines and engage in innovative thinking and problem solving. We believe that service learning also promotes and builds positive relationships between the school and the community.
On May 20, Ridgeview students, staff, and parent volunteers go into the Pickerington and surrounding communities and do volunteer work. Examples of sites we have done are: yard work & cleaning windows for the elderly, preparing meals on wheels for LifeCare Alliance, reading and working with elementary students, washing cruisers and service vehicles for the Police and Fire departments, cleaning up and painting at the recreational facilities for PYAA, sorting clothing donations for a Clothing Pantry, packing lunches for a homeless shelter, and much, much more.
Students find that it is a very positive experience.
We will be in need of volunteers to make this day successful. Please mark your calendars and look for more information to come in the upcoming months if you are able to help with this event!
Please Have a Talk With Your Student
Dear Tiger Families,
Recently we have experienced an increase in physical fights. It has come to our attention, that some of the fights are happening because students are competing to see who can win the fight. They then talk about who took the "L" or "W". We have also noticed incidents that have started on social media outside of school and then escalated once students are in the building. As you are aware, this presents a dangerous situation for both the students fighting and individuals in the area. There have been incidents of students using their cell phones to record the fight and placing it on social media later. Again, this is inappropriate and causes disruptions to the educational learning environment. Unauthorized touching and violence are discipline worthy violations of the student code of conduct. In addition, this is a good time to remind everyone that cell phones and air pods/beats (Bluetooth enabled devices) should be put in our lockers during the school day. We as a staff are looking for ways to help students handle conflict in a more appropriate manner. We could use your help in having conversations with your students about the appropriate use of social media and guiding them on how to resolve situations without escalating to violence. As always we want what is best for our students and we want to make sure our school is a great place for them to come and learn. We would like to thank you in advance for addressing this with your students at home.
Building a better community together,
Eric Koch
PTO News
Sports Information
STUDY TABLE CONTRACT -------------------------------->
Please read the expectations for athletes attending after school study tables.
Spring Sports-
- Spring Pay 2 Play: DUE DATE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO APRIL 10
Boys Tennis:
Contact Coach Jamie Kettel: debusj@hotmail.com
Please email with the following info:
- Athlete's Name
- Parent's Name
- Email where you want weekly schedules sent
- Phone contact
Interested in Girls Lacrosse?
For questions or information, contact:
Boys Volleyball
Contact Coach Bartges RBartges@gmail.com with questions
Check the 8 to 18/Ridgeview website for all updated sports information, dates, cancellations, drug testing times, schedules and forms.
Yearbook Orders
Cell Phones
In addition, students who are not feeling well should not be contacting parents to pick them up. Students need to go to the clinic, where parents will be contacted by the nurse.
Ridgeview's policy is that cell phones are to be in lockers from 7:15 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. Students are reminded each day during morning announcements. Your student's phone may be confiscated until the end of the day it is seen. If there are repeated incidents, it is possible the phone will be held until a parent comes to pick it up.
Ridgeview Values
Ridgeview STEM Junior High School
Email: eric_koch@plsd.us
Website: pickerington.k12.oh.us
Location: 130 Hill Road South, Pickerington, OH, USA
Phone: 614-548-1700
Facebook: facebook.com/RidgeviewStem
Twitter: @RidgeviewPLSD