Dear Ridgeview Families,

I hope each family is doing well. We are in the homestretch of the 2023-2024 school year! With only 14 days left to go, it is critical that all students remain focused on ending the school year in a positive manner. All students are expected to adhere to our PBIS Behavior Expectations (i.e., BE RMS), the CCS/Ridgeview Dress Code and to continue to stay focused on their academics. Additionally, students who meet established criteria will be eligible for our School-wide Field Day and our Last Day of School Field Trips. Each grade level team sent home letters to families regarding the criteria to be invited to these activities. Please reach out to your child’s respective teachers should you have any questions.

As we are looking towards next school year, I encourage the families of our rising 7th and 8th graders to get involved in our PTA. We are in need of PTA officers for the 2024-2025 School Year. Our PTA has always provided support to both students and staff at Ridgeview. Please consider providing your time and energy to continue the tradition of the Ridgeview PTA.

Finally, I would like to wish each family a safe, relaxing, and joyful summer!

Be Well,

Natalie M. James Principal

Dear Columbus City Schools Families and Staff,

I hope this message finds you well. As we continue to navigate the path toward shaping the future of education within Columbus City Schools, I am excited to share a pivotal update with you.

On Tuesday, May 7, we took a significant step forward when the Superintendent’s Community Facilities Task Force presented its initial recommendations regarding potential school closures or consolidations to the Columbus Board of Education during its business meeting. These initial recommendations mark a crucial milestone in our journey toward reimagining the educational landscape within our District.

The Superintendent’s Community Facilities Task Force, which was established in accordance with Board Policy 7105, consists of 27 members, both internal and external, who were approved by the Board of Education. Its mandate was to evaluate data-driven insights and engage comprehensively with the community to create recommendations regarding potential school closures or consolidations. The Task Force began its work on February 6, 2024, and has since diligently worked towards its objectives.

During the presentation, the Task Force outlined recommendations and potential scenarios for school closures and consolidations. CLICK HERE to watch the Task Force presentation to the Board.

Next Steps:

• Throughout the month of May, the District will actively engage the community in a series of events, including community forums, gallery walks, and surveys, to obtain feedback.
• The Task Force has scheduled the submission of its final recommendations to the Board of Education for consideration in June.

For further information and updates on the Superintendent’s Community Facilities Task Force, please visit the official Columbus City Schools website at ccsoh.us.

Respectfully,

Superintendent/CEO Dr. Angela Chapman
Columbus City Schools

(Click here for ALL Scenarios)

VERSION 3A:

• In the first, the Columbus Gifted Academy is moved to Dominion Middle School and Oakland Park Elementary School.
• Gifted grades 6-8 would go to the middle school while the elementary grades would go to Oakland Park.
• Cranbrook and Hubbard Elementary Schools would be consolidated with other area elementary schools.
• In this scenario, eventually the Columbus Gifted Academy site would close as would Cranbrook and Hubbard Elementary Schools.

VERSION 3B:

• In the second version of scenario 3, Ridgeview Middle School is consolidated with Dominion Middle School.
• The Columbus Gifted Academy is then moved to Ridgeview Middle School.
• Cranbrook and Hubbard Elementary Schools would be consolidated with other area elementary schools.
• In this scenario, eventually the Columbus Gifted Academy site would close as would Cranbrook and Hubbard Elementary Schools.

Ridgeview's Assistant Principal, Mr. Reese, offers these words of advice for the summer and a lifetime ...

KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

-Walt Disney

• 5.9, Thurs, at 5:30 pm: Ridgeview Softball at Dominion
• 5.14, Tues, at 6:00 pm: Choir Concert
• 5.27, Mon: All Schools Closed - Memorial Day
• 5.29, Wednesday at 6:00 pm: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony (by invitation only)
• 5.30, Thurs: Last Day for Students
• 5.31, Fri: Records Day- Students Not in Attendance
• 8.21, Wed: 1st Day of Classes for Students

Dear CCS Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the end of the school year, we are initiating the mandatory collection of all student-issued Chromebooks and their chargers. This step is crucial for the upkeep of our educational technology to prepare for the next academic year.

WHY YOUR ASSISTANCE IS ESSENTIAL?

Inventory: To effectively manage our technological resources, we must account for every device.

Maintenance: We need to conduct necessary tests and repairs on the returned devices

Safety: It is crucial to remember to return the charges along with the Chromebooks to prevent any safety hazards. While the Chromebook chargers may use a USB-C connection like several devices, they may not be suitable for other gadgets and could pose a significant threat of fire or electric shock if not used correctly.

WE NEED HELP FROM YOU:

Please ensure that your child returns his/her CHROMEBOOK AND CHARGER

to the school by Monday, May 20, 2024.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Any Chromebooks and chargers not returned by the specified date, except for those exempted due to educational needs, will be temporarily disabled until they are returned.

Thank you for your cooperation in this important matter. Your prompt response will support a smooth and successful start to the 2024-2025 school year.

Sincerely,

Columbus City Schools

8th Grade Students and Families!

We have a lot of fun and exciting activities planned for our 8th graders:

• 8th Grade Promotion – 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 29th
• Field Day (Wednesday, May 29)
• Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park (Thursday, May 30th)

For clarification, we want to make sure all families have the same information that has been shared with students. Our expectation is for all students to continue to strive for academic excellence and behave appropriately. We sent home this information at the end of March, but want to send out a reminder.

8th Grade Promotion

Our promotion ceremony is for students that have passed the 8th grade and will move on to high school without intervention. Invitations will be provided to students. Any student that is failing two or more academic classes for the year will not be promoted. They may attend summer school, or another intervention and be “placed” in high school, but would not be invited to the promotion ceremony.

Students will be ineligible to attend Urban Air and participate in field day for the following infractions during the fourth grading period:

• He/she is failing two or more classes
• He/she is sent to a buddy teacher three times or more
• He/she is suspended or assigned to in-school suspension
• He/she has two or more office referrals
• He/she has three or more unexcused absences
• He/she does not exhibit RMS behavior in the hall, classroom, restroom, cafeteria, auditorium, on the bus, at recess, at entry and dismissal, and against bullying
• He/she is assigned two or more after school detentions

Greetings RMS Families,

Congratulations!

We've almost made it through the 2023-2024 school year at Ridgeview Middle School.

In April, we completed testing and now we are moving through the final days. So, this is the perfect time to think about how families can keep their middle schoolers active, engaged, and prepared for the next school year.

Check out the link below and learn about some of the activities included:

Participate in Physical Fitness

Start a New Hobby

Grow Your Mind

Find Alternatives to Video Games

Seek Volunteer Opportunities

Sincerely,

Julie Thomas

Your RMS Counselor

Did you know that the single highest factor in high college entrance exams is reading more? Therefore the most important thing about reading is to find what you like, because then you'll keep doing it!

With that, here are Mrs. Lawson's (RMS librarian) summer author suggestions, even if you think you dislike reading:

• Kwame Alexander
• Suzanne Collins
• Sharon Draper
• Carl Hiaasen
• Anthony Horowitz
• Kazu Kibuishi
• Gordon Korman
• Walker Dean Myers
• Jewel Parker Rhoades
• Jason Reynolds (my all-time favorite!)
• Louis Sachar
• Neal Shusterman
• Holly Goldberg Sloan
• Jerry Spinelli
• Nic Stone

Don't forget that your student ID can be used to check books, ebooks, and much more from the Columbus Metropolitan Library! However, if you want a library card, click on the link below.

Greetings,

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is celebrating 40 years of awareness via “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.” May was selected because it is a peak season for people with asthma and allergies and a perfect time to educate everyone about allergic diseases. Click on the link below to learn more.

Lastly, click on the last two links to gain ideas on how to keep your middle schooler healthy and active during the summer break.

Afterall, RMS wants its students to return in August healthy and ready to learn.

Be and Stay Healthy!

Nurse Gina

Meet Mrs. Vanengelenhoven, affectionally known at Mrs. V., the Ridgeview 8th grade science teacher.

Mrs. V. was born in Rapid City, South Dakota which is where Mt. Rushmore is located. She has three ornery younger brothers. She has been married for 29 years to her husband Vinny and has two children: daughter Ellie and a son Parker. Her four-legged family includes Hope, a cockapoo.

She has lived in three states: South Dakota, Minnesota, and Ohio.

She graduated from SDSU (South Dakota State University) and majored in Biology. Her initial plan was to be a Physical Therapist; however, the requirements changed to a six year program the year she started. As a result she graduated with a Biology degree and then decided to go into education. As a woman in science, Mrs. V. wanted to impact girls by showing them that scientists can be female. Moreover, she wanted students to see how science touches their lives in so many ways. Education was definitely the right career for her because she loves learning and sharing with her students.

Mrs. V. enjoys fashion and shopping. Her passion is running and yoga. In fact, she starts her day at 4:45 am in the gym because being healthy is very important to her. She has been a vegetarian for 30 years, so her diet is very simple--lots of fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

She enjoys reading mysteries with many twists and turns and vacationing at the beach. In fact, she relaxes and rests every year at Siesta Key, Anna Maria, and Duck, NC. In addition, her summers are spent traveling with her son for baseball and also going home to see her parents in South Dakota.

Most are surprised to learn that Mrs. V. was the center of her 6th grade basketball team. However, most would not be surprised that she enjoys hiking. Her bucket list includes hiking the Grand Canyon and going to the Galapagos Islands.

Lastly, an important lesson she learned is “Kindness matters.” She has made it her lifelong mission to “Try to be a positive person in all that I do.“

Lockers are the property of the Board of Education.

The Contents of all lockers

ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM SEARCH AT ANY TIME.

Ohio Revised Code section 33.13.20(B)(1)(b)

Attention all RMS Families,

Everyone (i.e. all visitors, including parents) is required to enter the building via the Attendance Office.

This is the "check in" point that enables the school to manage

the safety and security for our students and staff.

Thank you for your Support!

Family ECHO: Autism is a virtual learning program for families and caregivers raising children with autism. This series is designed to educate families so that parents and caregivers can learn to better support and care for their child with autism.

From navigating a diagnosis to learning about new therapies, parents and caregivers of children with autism need an immense amount of knowledge and support to provide the best care for their loved ones. This information can be difficult to access – so Family ECHO: Autism is here to help.

Click here to go to the Nationwide Children's Hospital website.

The Vision: Each student at Ridgeview Middle School will show a year's worth of growth or more in reading and math as measured by District and/or state assessments by the end of each school year.

Our Mission: We exist to create an environment where students are educated through a lens of culturally responsive teaching, mindfulness, and the use of high-quality data. Collectively, we aim to advocate, challenge, and support student growth in all areas of development.

Our 4 Core Values: 1. Create a safe, encouraging, inclusive, and supportive environment. 2. Maintain high expectations. 3. Inspire student success. 4. Demonstrate respect through empathy and inclusivity

Columbus City Schools Mission: Each student is highly educated, prepared for leadership and service, and empowered for success as a citizen in a global community.

2023-24 School Year Theme: Start Strong. End Stronger!

At Ridgeview, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is the ideal framework for our students to develop social-emotional competencies and improve outcomes. Below you will find our beliefs and monthly fun events and activities.

#1: Be RMS Definition

• Be Responsible
• Be a Member
• Be Safe

May's focus in THE VIEW is - AGAINST BULLYING.

BE RESPONSIBLE:

• Understand and think about what you are saying to others
  
• Be responsible for yourself and your actions
• Don’t engage in name-calling, gossip, or spreading rumors

BE A MEMBER:

• If you think someone could use a friend, Be ONE!
  
• Respect everyone, differences and all
• Stand up for fellow classmates; don’t allow yourself to be a bystander

BE SAFE:

• Keep your hands to yourself, no play fighting or engaging in inappropriate behavior
  
• If you see a bully, report it to a staff member

Click HERE for the full meaning of Be Responsible, Be a Member, and Be Safe for all nine categories.

1. in the HALL (check The VIEW September edition)
2. in the CLASSROOM (check The VIEW October edition)
3. in the RESTROOM (check out The VIEW November edition)
4. in the CAFETERIA(check out (The VIEW December edition)
5. in the AUDITORIUM (The VIEW January edition)
6. on the BUS (The VIEW February edition)
7. at RECESS (The VIEW March edition)
8. at ENTRY AND DISMISSAL (The VIEW April edition)
9. and AGAINST BULLYING

#2: "Be RMS" Golden Ticket Kona Shaved Ice Truck Grade Level Parties

This was the last opportunity of the school year for students from each grade level to be considered for the Golden Ticket event.

Qualification Period: April 15 - May 3, 2024

Event Date: Friday, May 3, 2024

HERE'S HOW STUDENTS QUALIFIED TO ATTEND THE EVENT

• Follow the school rules - "BE RMS"
• Go to class On Time and No Tardies
• Listen to ALL adults in the building
• Hoods down and hats off
• Display RMS behavior throughout the building, at recess, and on the bus
• Follow the CCS/Ridgeview Dress Code
• Leave book bags, fanny packs, and book bag purses in your lockers

• NO 190s, REMOVALS, SUSPENSIONS, EXPULSIONS, BUS WRITE-UPS, or AFTER SCHOOL DETENTIONS
• Keep your cell phones put away
• Stay out of your lockers in between classes
• No headphones, earbuds, Air pods, or cell phones
• The administration will have final say in who will be eligible to enter into the drawing.

All appreciated the warm sunshine has they enjoyed a cool treat in front of the building.

Did you know that Columbus City Schools is Ohio’s largest public school district and we are committed to providing a world-class model of public education?

Our mission is “Each student is highly educated, prepared for leadership and service, and empowered for success as a citizen in a global community.”

Let’s take a glance at Columbus City Schools, per the 2022 statistics:

• 110 Languages Spoken
• 24 Distinctive District Programs and Certifications
• 3,285 Teaching Staff
• 15 is the Average Years of Teaching Experience
• 647 Students enrolled in College Credit Plus
• 4 Language Immersion Schools Serving Grades Pre-k through 12th Grade
• 20+ Diverse Art and Music Programs
• $51,024,857 Earned in Scholarship Dollars
• 2,152 Industry Recognized Credentials Earned
• 16 High Schools Offer Interscholastic Athletics
• 274,560 Community Service Hours Logged by Students in 2020-2021
• Language Interpreters Available

Diversity at CCS and RMS is when people from all different backgrounds come together. This includes people of different races, genders, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, visible and invisible disabilities, class, or status.

Help your child to understand that ...

Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another's uniqueness"

- Ola Joseph

Do you need academic support for tutoring for your student?

Click on the links below.

Also, help your child get a library card and make trips to the library a family fun activity.

• Academic Support - https://www.ccsoh.us/search?query=academic+support&referrerPageUrl=https://www.ccsoh.us/

• Summer Experience: - https://www.ccsoh.us/domain/3052

Here's a list of Columbus City School Partners providing assistance.

• LSS 211 offers services from homeless shelters to senior living. Call 211.

• City of Columbus CARES Act offers assistance with utilities.

• Cap4Kids provides resources for families in the areas of meals, housing, utilities, mental health, and lots more!

• Charity Newsies offers clothing assistance & winter coats.

• Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio offers pharmacy services and medicines, counseling on proper medication usage, health screenings, wellness education, and social program assistance for those who cannot afford them. (614) 227-0301.

• Clintonville Resource Center serving all of Central Ohio by providing assistance through the food pantry, child and youth programs, senior services, and kinship care program.

• Franklin County Children Services 2022 Guide provides information on local emergency or non-emergency assistance to families.

• Mid Ohio Food Bank provides food locations by zip code.

• OhioKAN ensures every kinship and adoptive family who wants support navigating the resources available to them can get it.

• Project Connect provides help to families living in shelter, car, motel, campground, and doubled-up families.

• Emergency Broadband Benefit provides relief for broadband services and a laptop, computer, or tablet.

Ridgeview Attendance email: attendance.ridgeview@columbus.k12.oh.us

Ridgeview Attendance phone number: 380.997.6994

FACTline Email: factline@columbus.k12.oh.us

FACTline Phone Number: 614.221.FACT (614.221.3228)

Customer Relations Phone Number: 614.365.8888

Customer Relations Email: customerrelations@columbus.k12.oh.us

PTA: RidgeviewMSPTA@gmail.com

Family Ambassador Debora Myles: 614.365.5506 and dmyles@columbus.k12.oh.us

Email: ridgeviewms@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/RidgeviewMS
Location: 4241 Rudy Rd, Columbus, OH 43214, USA
Phone: 614.365.5506
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RidgeviewProud