Happy Friday Ridgeview families! Here are your weekly updates.

If you missed our Welcome Days last week, we’re sorry we missed you! However, you’ll still have an opportunity to visit the building before school starts. Open House will take place this year on Tue Aug 13th from 5:00-7:00 pm. All staff will be in the building so students and parents will get to meet staff and see/find classrooms. Please be advised that this will be the last time for students to pick up their schedule before school officially starts. Students who received their schedule during Welcome Days will not get another copy during open house. Infinite Campus will be open to families sometime during the day on Aug 9th for you to view and/or print off. Please have your student bring their schedule with them to follow during the evening. We will also have a brief parent meeting in the main gymnasium starting at 6:45 pm for those who would like to attend. T-shirts will still be available to purchase or order as well for those interested. $20 S - XL; $22 - 2XL; $23 - 3XL. Cash, check, or cash app will be accepted for payment.

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).

All students entering junior high school must have an updated immunization record on file with the school nurse. Information about what immunizations are required can be found in the clinic section of the newsletter below, but I wanted to bring your attention to this as well because not having this turned in will delay your student’s start and/or continuation in school. Please be mindful of the following:

• If your student is newly enrolled in PLSD (meaning they did not attend a PLSD school last year), whether a 7th or 8th grader, you have 14 days from the start of the new school year (14 days from Aug 15th) to turn in an updated immunization record. If it’s not turned in by Sept 6th, your student will be excluded from school until it's received.

• If your student is not newly enrolled in PLSD (meaning they did attend a PLSD school last year), an updated immunization record is due now. Your student will not be permitted to start school at all until it’s turned in.

If you have additional questions about immunizations or the requirements, please reach out to our school nurse, Rachel Ross at rachel_ross@plsd.us.

The district will be doing a staggered start again to start the school year. This will give all students a little time to get acclimated to the building before everyone is here together. Both junior highs are starting with our 8th graders first (Aug 15th) and then our 7th graders (Aug 16th). As a reminder, students may enter the building as early as 7:00 am, with first period beginning promptly at 7:15 am. All students report on Aug 19th.

IMPORTANT INFO FOR FAMILIES: A new state house bill, HB 250, has been put in place by the governor's office about student usage of Personal Communication Devices during the school day. This includes but is not limited to cell phones, smart watches, headphones, earpods, and iPads. Communication will be coming from the district office about this bill soon and how it will affect students in our district. We will update families as soon as we know, but please understand that Personal Communication Devices will not be permitted to be used and must be stored out of sight during the school day. Questions about this new bill can be directed to a grade level administrator.

Our main office hours will still be on summer hours until Aug 12th, which are from 8:00-2:30 pm. Starting Aug 12th our hours will be 7:00-3:15 pm for the remainder of the year when in session (unless otherwise noted).

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:

T Aug 13: Open House from 5-7 pm / Parent meeting at 6:45 pm

TH Aug 15: Staggered Start - 8th graders only

F Aug 16: Staggered Start - 7th graders only

M Aug 19: All Students are in session!

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.

As of August 5th, student passwords for Google accounts have changed.

The new passwords should be #(first initial CAPS)(student number)

Ex: #A123456

Notebook/Folder for each class

Composition Notebook (1)

Highlighters (2 colors)

Pencils

Colored Pencils

Wired Headphones/Earbuds (NO BLUETOOTH)

Pens (2 colors)

Tissues (2)

Water Bottle (NO GLASS)

Disinfecting Wipes

Some classrooms/teachers may have a separate list of supplies that is more specific.

To see our District Supply lists, please click here.

IF you attend PLSD on a shared residency, here are a few reminders:

• This must be updated EVERY year.
• Due date for next school year: August 1
• The sooner it is submitted in the summer, the more quickly it is processed.
• If submitted after August 1, your student may not be able to start school on time.

See the 2024/2025 form below.

REMINDER: The information you provide when completing the Pickerington Schools Student Annual Update is necessary for us to communicate with you regarding your student, school activities and opportunities, school delays and closings, and during emergencies. It also keeps staff up-to-date on any of your student’s health concerns and who to contact if your student should become ill or injured during the time your student is at school. Without up-to-date information, school district staff will not be able to reach you in an emergency! If your Student(s) Annual Update has not been completed prior to the first day of school, you will not receive teacher assignments or schedules from school.

*URGENT Information: Your student(s) will not be permitted to come to school if their Immunizations are not up-to-date.

**PARENTS/GUARDIANS: IF YOU ARE ON THE HOLD LIST DUE TO BEING NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SHARED RESIDENCY STATUTE - Your student will not be able to come to school. Students will not be permitted to go to class - and Parents/Guardians will be called to come and pick student(s) up from school.

The Student Annual Update is on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

To access the Student Annual Update, you will need:

• Your username and password for your account on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
• Your student’s Student ID number (This is your student’s lunch code. )

You may find your student’s Student ID number on Infinite Campus.

Problems? Click here to find out how to create a Help Desk ticket.

You also will need internet access for some of the online information referenced below. If you do not have internet in your home, free access is available at the Pickerington Public Library.

Click on the camera to order!

Event Code: FE61024

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

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.

Seventh Grade Immunization Requirements

Per the Ohio Department of Health, all students entering grade 7 must show proof of vaccination against tetanus,diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap vaccine) and meningococcal disease (MCV4 vaccine). Your student will not be able to start school on August 15th and devices will be deactivated until documentation of the required vaccines or a signed exemption form is on file.

New Student Immunization Requirements

All new students to Pickerington Schools must present written evidence of immunizations or written evidence to indicate that they are in the process of receiving immunizations, to be completed no later than the day of entrance. Students failing to complete immunizations within 14 days after entering are not permitted to return to school.

Drug Testing Information:

If you missed drug testing, there will be a make up day on August 12th from 3-430pm at Pickerington Central High School. This is the only make up date for Fall Sports. After this date, you will need to test at any AverHealth locations.

FIRST PAY TO PLAY PAYMENT IS DUE AUGUST 23RD:

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

Registration for 2024/2025 Athletics:

Final Forms is open for registration for the 24/25 athletic seasons.

Tiger Athletics Website

Athletic Handbook

Volleyball Website

Football Website

Ridgeview Family & Friends💜

We are looking for new PTO members, so please reach out to Kelly or Qiana if interested. Enjoy the summer!

💜As always, we thank you all for your support! 💜

Kelly & Qiana

kelly.martin_rvjhpto@hotmail.com or 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!

Please click the picture below for 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.

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 - 3:30 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

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

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