Ridgeview STEM Junior High

Happy Friday Ridgeview families! Here are your weekly updates.

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). Also at Ridgeview, the grade level who has the highest attendance percentage from Sept 3rd to Sept 19th will earn a popcorn party during their Pawtime period. We will do an attendance challenge at least each grading period. We want to build on our great attendance here at Ridgeview, with a goal of reaching at least 95% attendance for the school year. Click here for a letter explaining this more in depth. Thank you in advance for your support and help making it happen!

On Mon Sept 2nd there is no school due to the national Labor Day holiday. We hope everyone enjoys the three day weekend!

On Thur Sept 5th, students will be taking their Math iReady diagnostic test. This assessment will give teachers good information/insight on where they are with their reading, as well as what strategies they’ll implement for the first half of the year. This assessment is very important. Please help us encourage your student to do their very best, as we want accurate information on their abilities.

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.

• 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).

If you missed our parent meeting at Open House, below were the main points that were discussed. We communicate this information to students regularly. If you have questions, please speak to anyone on our administrative team.

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 are having some issues with student pick-up in the afternoon. Please be advised if you’re picking your student up early from school (before 2:10 dismissal), you must arrive no later than 1:45 pm. We will not release students past this time. For pick up after school, car pick-up must be in the staff parking lot. No cars, for any reason, should ever be in the bus lot. We want to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families. We’re asking that you all abide by our guidelines so we all can get home safely.

Lastly, we are looking for PoPPS volunteers as well as PTO members for the school year. If you’re interested or would like more information about the PoPPS program, please reach out to our Dean of Students, Sydney. Dillard by email: sydney_dillard@plsd.us. If you’re interested in our PTO, please contact Kelly Martin by email: kelly.martin_rvjhpto@hotmail.com.

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

Important Dates:

M Sep 2nd: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day!

Th Sept 5th: Math iReady Diagnostic

Th Sept 19th: End of the Grade Level Attendance Challenge

Sheila A. Evans, Principal

Ridgeview STEM Junior High School

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.

Click on the camera to order!

Event Code: FE61024

Pictures were taken during Welcome Days. If you did not get your picture done then, no worries - there's another opportunity!

PICTURE RETAKE DAY:

October 1st

3:00 - 7:00 PM

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

Drug Testing Information:

If you missed drug testing, please test at any AverHealth location.

NEXT PAY TO PLAY PAYMENT IS DUE SEPTEMBER 20:

Your fees can be found and paid on your Infinite Campus Parent Portal

Tiger Athletics Website

Athletic Handbook

Volleyball Website

Football Website

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.

Happy Friday!

We hope everyone is ready for this long holiday weekend - we sure are!

We would like to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to the parents/families who have sent a donation to support PTO which in return helps our students and staff. We appreciate the support! We are still in need of donations to avoid parent/student fundraisers such as candle, candy or gift-wrapping sales - by donating just $10 we will be able to avoid these types of fundraisers- thank you in advance for any support!

PTO is currently doing a fundraiser for you - we 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 ~ Happy Labor Day!

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.

Great news! PLSD is now offering FREE breakfast and lunch for ALL students!

This school year, PLSD will have free breakfast and lunch for all students. Regarding free/reduced lunch & fees...here are great links to answer your questions:

Free Meals & Academic Fee Waiver Questions

Are there any forms or applications I need to fill out for academic fees waivers?

Yes, in order to apply for the academic fee waiver or the AP/ PSAT waivers, you must complete the Household Income Survey within your Parent Portal in Infinite Campus. The form must be completed in its entirety, which includes providing permission to share your information with the approved programs. (You may also request a paper Household Income Survey from your child’s school / print the application located on the Food Services webpage BUT this is a slower process than the online application).

Please click the picture below for more FAQ's!

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.

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