Ridgeview STEM Junior High

Happy Friday Ridgeview families! Here are your weekly updates.

We would like to thank everyone who was able to join us for our EL Family meeting on Thur evening. It was a huge success and we’re excited about the connections we made with our families. If you weren’t able to attend, it’s okay. We have a powerpoint presentation and folder of information that can be shared with you. Please touch base with Mrs. Skarsten or Mrs. Roe through the main office for more information.

State Report Cards came out on Fri Sept 13th. We are very excited and proud to inform families that we did grow from 3.5 Stars in 22-23 SY to 4 Stars last school year. The star system is out of 5 total stars that can be awarded to a school and/or district. Our district as a whole stayed unchanged at 4.5 Stars. We still have work to do, as there is a lot of room for improvement. However, we are going to celebrate this accomplishment first! If you would like to dive deeper, you can access our Ridgeview report card here. You can also access the district report card here.

September is Attendance Awareness Month! Pickerington Local Schools are

partnering with the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network to promote the importance

of daily attendance. Join Pickerington Local Schools in making attendance a priority. Let’s work together to ensure every student stays in the game and on the path to success by showing up to school daily. Join us in building a school-going culture at Ridgeview. To show students their support, the district is giving any student who has perfect attendance for the month of September a free ticket to a High School fall sporting event (not the North/Central football game). At Ridgeview, the grade level with the highest attendance percentage was our 7th grade class with 95.70% over the last three weeks. Congrats to the 7th grade team and their students on a job well done.

First Quarter Interim Reports will be available in Infinite Campus the week of Sept 23rd. This same week is also our first round of Parent/Teacher Conferences. It will take place on Thur Sept 26th from 3:30-7:00 pm. Teachers have been contacting families already. Please try to join us if you can.

Our favorite family event will be coming back next month: Lunch With A Loved One. We will be having this event every grading period this year, with the first one being on Wed Oct 9th. This event is open to all Ridgeview families. Families can bring their student lunch and hang out with us during their lunch period. We do ask that families sign-up in advance so we know how many people to expect each lunch period. You can do so by completing this form. We hope you can join us!

As a reminder to our families about attending sporting events, especially high school events, per the district office the following will still be in effect this school year:

• K-8 students must be accompanied by an adult (high school siblings do not count) and seated/supervised by that adult throughout the event.

• Backpacks are not permitted in the stadium.

• Junior High students will now have to show their school ID as well in order to get in. If your student does not have an ID card yet, you can show the attendant your Infinite Campus information from your phone until your ID arrives.

• Students should make transportation plans before attending a high school sporting event.

Sporting events are an extension of our school day. Please press upon your student about behaviors and applying our T.I.G.E.R. expectations, even when they are away from Ridgeview. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact the district office (614-833-2110).

Lastly, we are having more and more students break the code of conduct by stealing tags off of student backpacks or other personal items. This is unacceptable! We don’t condone theft from anyone of anything. Students who do this will receive at least one day out of school as a consequence. Please talk with your student about this, as we all work hard for the things we have. It’s not okay for someone to take anything without that person’s permission.

Take care and we’ll see everyone soon! GO TIGERS!

Important Dates:

Week of Sept 23rd: 1st Quarter Interims Available in IC

Th Sept 26th: Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences

Tu Oct 1st: Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences AND Picture Make-Ups

Tu Oct 8th: Student of the Month Recognition Breakfast

W Oct 9th: Lunch With A Loved One Family Event

Sheila A. Evans, Principal

Ridgeview STEM Junior High School

Dress Code:

• All students should have shoes that cover their toes and that are appropriate for school (no slides, sandals, or slippers). Crocs are appropriate but must have the strap for the heel.

• Clothes should be appropriate length and cover all parts of the body (ex: no crop tops, spaghetti straps). If writing or pictures are on the clothing, it should be appropriate to wear at school. PJ’s are not appropriate clothing to wear to school.

• Students are permitted to wear hooded sweatshirts to school, but cannot have the hood (or any hat) on their head during the school day.

Personal Communication Devices:

• For this school year, when students enter the building, all devices (phones, wireless headphones or pods, iPads) are to be turned off and put out of sight for the entire school day. Smart watches may be used as a watch only. If it’s used for anything else, it will be confiscated.

• If a student is seen with a device OR uses their smart watch for anything other than a watch, the device will be confiscated and locked up in the main office. The first time it’s taken, the student may pick it up at the end of the school day. After the first time, a parent will have to pick up the device - it will not be returned to the student moving forward.

• Pick-up times for Personal Communication Devices will be Mon - Fri in the main office from 8:00 am - 1:45 pm and again from 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm as long as school is in session. The main office closes at 3:00 pm daily.

• The purpose of this is to have our students more engaged in classes. Devices are becoming more of a distraction every single day. We want to set our Ridgeview students up for success in every class. We believe this will be a better start to doing just that!

• We’re collecting more devices daily. If your student has a device confiscated and it doesn’t belong to them, the person that it belongs to AS WELL AS the student who had it taken from will be added to our spreadsheet for a confiscated device. Please make a note of this.

School Fees were applied to all students at PLSD on September 9th. Please check your Parent Portal to see your balance, and pay online.

HOW TO PAY FEES:

• click 3 lines in upper left corner
• select FEES
• select school year & student
• add fee to cart
• check out/save a payment form in portal

HOW TO APPLY FOR FREE/REDUCED FEES:

• click 3 lines in upper left corner
• select MORE
• select MEAL BENEFITS
• follow all prompts to end/SUBMIT

Tech Protection is optional and will fall off after September 30th, if not paid for by then.

If approved, your student fees will fall off of the account. Please see the Income Guidelines below.

If you have any questions about your child's fees, please contact Tiffany Dalton at tiffany_dalton@plsd.us or 614-548-1702.

Dear Ridgeview Families, based on feedback from some of your peers, we wanted to share some tips that will help you support your student here at RJH, helping them to be successful and helping you to know how to support their academic growth.

We look forward to a great year!

Tips for successfully navigating Jr. High.

District Policy states that only guardians listed on Infinite Campus are permitted to pick up their student. If your student needs to be picked up early by someone who is NOT their guardian, a guardian must call the office to let us know who will be picking up their child. The other adult must present a valid ID to office staff for the student to be released to them.

Due to the new cell phone bill recently passed in Ohio, students will not have access to their personal devices during the school day - including lunch periods. If you need to reach your student we encourage you to email them, as they always have access to their Chromebooks during the school day.

If you did not get your picture taken during Welcome Days, please come back and see us for another opportunity on

OCTOBER 1st, from 3 - 7 PM.

**This will be your last opportunity to get your picture for the 24/25 School Year!**

Click on the camera to order!

Event Code: FE61024

Questions?

Customer Care

M - F 8am - 5pm:

1-877-515-1447, Option 1

Ridgeview is always looking for volunteers from our families and it's now easier than ever! If you're interested in sharing your time, please click the link below and fill out the Google form. Approval will be communicated once the application process is complete.

https://forms.gle/5yETp2JixH9ZgF9u5

Ridgeview's Care Closet is in need of a little TLC. The care closet is a quick and easy way to ensure our students are prepared to start each day as a successful TIGER! We are looking for donations for both boys and girls. If you're able to help, our immediate needs are listed below.

deodorant

short/long sleeve shirts (S-XL)

shorts/pants (S-XL)

shoes

coats/jackets

backpacks/lunch boxes

**PLEASE NOTE: If you're paying with Venmo, there will be a fee - $1 for $20 and $1.75 for $40 or more. Please add the extra in your payment.**

Payments of cash and/or check will be accepted in the office with Ms Tiffany.

Email: tiffany_dalton@plsd.us with any questions!

IMMUNIZATION REMINDER: In order to start school, all immunizations must be up to date.

Click HERE for complete guidelines.

School-Based Health Clinic

Pediatric Associates has an office located at Tussing Elementary that is available to all PLSD students and the community of Pickerington. The clinic offers the following services: helping with sore throat, headaches, earache, bad cough, strep test, immunizations, blood work, physicals, well check-ups, sports physicals, medication, asthma, etc.

The clinic is open on Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 - 3:00 and closed from 1:00 - 2:00 for lunch. Walk-ins are welcome or to schedule an appointment call 614-864-3222.

Emergency Resources

Crisis Text Line: text "HOME" to 741741

Nationwide Children's Youth Hotline: 1-614-722-1800

Teen Hotline: 1-614-294-3300

Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Safe Schools Tip Line: Call or text 1-844-723-3764

Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 1-614-221-5445

Sheriff Department: 1-740-652-7900

Students will complete Panorama SEL Surveys during their P.A.W. time on Thursday, September 26th and Friday, September 27th. The survey will provide social and emotional learning (SEL) information. SEL is the process through which children and adults apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. These are the skill sets that promote success in life.

While our goal is 100% participation, parents may choose not to have their child participate. If you prefer your child not to participate in this survey, please fill out the opt-out form below or email your child’s School Counselor by September 20, 2024.

One 7th & one 8th grade P.A.W. time class with the highest completion percentage will receive a special treat from Mrs. Evans! If there is a tie, a draw will be conducted.

Panorama SEL FALL Survey Nepali 2024

Panorama SEL FALL Otoño Survey Spanish 2024

Panorama SEL FALL Survey English 2024

We Need Your Help!

Families, we are having a Career Day on Oct. 4th and we need your help. We love it when parents, grandparents, siblings, friends come in to share their career with our students. Your career can be in any field, it doesn't have to be high profile. Those who present would only have to prepare 20-25 minutes of a presentation. Hands on activities or props that relate to your career are great time fillers too. We are asking for people to present 6 sessions from 9:30-1:30 (you would also have a half hour lunch during that time.) If you or someone you know could present a session or would be a great keynote speaker or both, Please complete this form ASAP. Thanks in advance for your help. https://forms.gle/VeTmYCVrUSGt6ZJ97

We have a new Family liaison that speaks Amharic, Oromo, Afan Oromo. We would like to get him connected with families that could use his help. The new liaison's name is Wagari Beti. He can be reached at wagari_beti@plsd.us or 614-638-7292.

****NEXT PAY TO PLAY PAYMENT IS DUE SEPTEMBER 20:****

Your fees can be found and paid on your Parent Portal

Tiger Athletics Website

Athletic Handbook

Volleyball Website

Football Website

If you ordered athletic pictures and had them shipped to the school, they have been distributed to your student during their PAW period. Please check with your student.

If you ordered through HR Imaging and haven't yet received your pictures, you can contact them at 815.433.1766 or hrimaging.com, for more information.

Please click on the picture below to get good to know information for Football Friday Nights at Pickerington High School Central!

Students: $5 Adults: $7

Cash/Card is accepted at the gate. If you pay online, there will be additional fees.

Click here to purchase tickets: https://www.pickerington.k12.oh.us/Page/126

You may purchase a Tiger Club Pass ($50/student) or a Central Club Pass ($100/adult) that is good for all regular home games for every sport.

To purchase Club Passes, use the same link as above and select Central. Once there, you will select Purchase Yearly Passes.

**Students are now required to show their student ID card to attend athletic events. If your student does not have an ID card yet, you can show the attendant your Infinite Campus information from your phone until your ID arrives**

Happy Friday and TGIF Tiger Families!

We have a ton of information to share with you today! Please be sure to read all the details so your kiddos don't miss out next week.

We are having our first "Sucker/Airheads Candy Sale" on Tuesday September 24th! How it works your students will have a chance during PAW TIME ONLY to purchase tickets (each ticket is $1) in which he/she will be able to redeem during their lunch. Each ticket will allow your student to receive 2 suckers or 2 airheads, or 1 of each, so it will be 2 for $1. Your student can purchase as many tickets as they wish. Parents we offer several payment options, so you can pre-purchase for your child (preferred but not required) and or have the cash option the day of. If you send via Cash App you will have to provide your child's name, PAW TIME teacher and grade, this is the same for Venmo - however if you send with Venmo be sure to add $0.25 more for each dollar you send, so if you are purchasing $5 dollars worth of tickets you will need to send $6.25, this is due to Venmo's fees they charge. If your child brings cash we will give change back. Please feel free to email us with any questions you have about this - kelly.martin_rvjhpto@hotmail.com or qsmith6@hotmail.com (you can even Facebook DM us).

New PTO Members you all should have an email invite to join us for our first meeting on September 24th at Ridgeview at 5:30p, we will meet in the cafeteria. Please communicate if you are unable to attend.

Teen Night is looking to be set for October 18th, but we are still awaiting all specifics from our meeting on the 24th so mark your calendars now, if anything changes we will share with you all the details - the best place to find it is here and on our Facebook page.

We have Parent Teacher Conferences coming up, PTO will be providing lunch/dinner for our staff on October 1st. We will provide a Sign-Up Genius for our Ridgeview families to provide a treat or donations - the sign up will be available next Friday and all drop offs will be accepted in the office on September 30th and the day of up until 1:15pm. We appreciate all your support in advance.

We still have Roosters Discount Cards for $10. By purchasing this discount card, you get 10% off your bill at Roosters and the card doesn't expire until 12/31/2025. You can find details on our Facebook page or send us an email to purchase! Let's support our Pickerington Roosters, as they help support all of our Pickerington Schools.

If you are interested in joining us, please see the link below to sign up, and as always feel free to email us or message us on Facebook we are always available to answer any questions you may have. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook "Ridgeview STEM Junior High PTO (look for the Tiger logo and Ridgeview STEM logo). This year we will also have our Instagram page up and running - follow us there as well "ridgeviewstemjuniorhighpto".

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r2CTnX9t8EWOc67w6w17zQ5AbXc_aC8Zo0YsdCnDuOA/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DU6NxxmCQuonuRFOw3ftj8c_qdRF58Cvypl9w7nmoq4/edit

Have a great weekend!

Kelly Martin - kelly.martin_rvjhpto@hotmail.com

Qiana Ellis - qsmith6@hotmail.com

• PLSD 2024-2025 District Calendar - click here

• Districtwide Activities Calendar

  Upcoming events and important dates are listed in the Districtwide Google Events Calendar, which is synced with individual building, program and athletic team calendars. Once inside the district wide calendar, to display the events of a particular building, team, program or activity, you will need to check the specific corresponding color-coded box(es) from the list on the left-hand side.

  Pickerington Schools partners with the City of Pickerington and Yodel to bring you the Pickerington Community Calendar!
  

  Visit this link to view all Pickerington Schools activities included on the calendar and don’t forget to “favorite” our Pickerington Schools schedule! Once favorited, Pickerington Schools' events will be front and center on your calendar, enabling you to see what’s coming up.

FLYER INFORMATION STATION

The Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Public Safety have launched the SaferOH tip line that will accept both calls and texts 24 hours a day.

This tip line allows students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety—whether that involves a threatened mass incident or harm to a single student.

Every tip can remain anonymous. School safety analysts may ask for additional information, but the caller can remain secret or leave his or her contact information for later follow-up.

Calls or texts to 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764) are answered by analysts in the Ohio Homeland Security’s Threat Assessment and Prevention (TAP) Unit. When action is needed, the TAP Unit immediately forwards information to Pickerington Schools, local law enforcement agencies, and others, if necessary.

Here at Ridgeview STEM Junior High we value being Timely, Innovative, showing GRIT, being Engaged in our learning, and Respect! Notice the letters spell out TIGER! Click on our behavior expectations, and please take a moment to look over and review with your student(s).

Principal: Sheila Evans

Assistant Principal 7th Grade: Henry Lee

Assistant Principal 8th Grade: Kevin Smith

Dean of Students: Sydney Dillard

Building Secretary/Athletics: Tiffany Dalton

Building Secretary/Registrar: Lisa Holley

Attendance: Pat Petrini

Office Assistant: Madelyn Gomez

Counselors: Kris Owen: A-Ga, Erica Reynolds: Ge-N, Meghan Wade: O-Z

Nurse: Rachel Ross/Mindy Stillwell

Safety/Security: Jon (JT) Haynes

School Resource Officer (SRO): Mathew Swaney, Jeremy Collier

Email: Sheila_Evans@plsd.us
Website: pickerington.k12.oh.us
Location: 130 Hill Road South, Pickerington, OH, USA
Phone: 614-548-1700
Twitter: @RidgeviewPLSD