Ridgeview Junior High
November 1, 2024 Vol. 17
PRINCIPAL'S WEEKLY MESSAGE
Happy Friday Ridgeview families! Here are your weekly updates.
We took time to celebrate our Ridgeview Scholars who had at least 92% attendance (792 students) and/or made honor roll (577 students) for the 1st quarter. Students were given certificates during Pawtime on Tuesday. Congrats to all the students who received this recognition and keep up the great work!
The second grading period is off and running! We’ve implemented a new structure to our Pawtime/E&I period. Teachers have identified students, for both reading and math, that they will work with intentionality to help boost academic production and achievement overall. Every team has a plan implemented for their grade level students and teachers and administrators will monitor progress to ensure student outcomes are aligned to our goals as a building, individual student goals, as well as data points for the grade levels. As mentioned before, families can assist us in making sure students are completing iReady (reading and math), Aleks (gifted math), and/or Membene (gifted reading) assignments on time and with accuracy. You can also assist in making sure your student is on time to school daily, and actively communicating with teachers on a regular basis.
On Thur Oct 24th, a new senate bill went into effect about how students use technology while at school. Additional information was sent out this week to staff, students, and families about the parent version of Go Guardian that this bill references. We encourage parents to take time and read through the info, as it is very informative and important to the communication you may get from the school and/or district moving forward. We also encourage parents to activate their Go Guardian account. You will have similar access to your student’s searches that we have here at school. If after receiving this you have additional questions, please reach out to a building administrator.
Please continue to speak to your students about the proper use of technology, whether it’s on a personal or school device. Students who are unable to use technology appropriately could potentially lose their right to use it at school, and/or be applied discipline for their actions.
There has been an email going around to some families pretending to be me. This has now happened twice. The email can be found here. If you receive this or anything that does not have my district email address, please be assured it did not come from me. Feel free to report this to our technology department if something is received. Thank you in advance.
Reminder: Parents, please be advised that we cannot release students past 1:45 pm, due to dismissal. We have had an increase in parents coming in to get their students past this time. Please understand that preparing for the end of the day is a process that needs undivided attention from everyone in the building. If you need your student for an appointment or otherwise, please plan to have them picked up before 1:45 pm. If you have additional questions, please contact an administrator.
Lastly, our next day off from school is Election Day - Nov 5th. This is another staff professional development day. All schools will resume classes on Wed Nov 6th.
Take care and we’ll see everyone soon! GO TIGERS!
Important Dates:
Tue Nov 5: ELECTION DAY! No School - Staff PD Day
Week of Nov 18: Q2 Interims available to view in IC
Nov 27-29: Thanksgiving Break - No School
Sheila A. Evans, Principal
Ridgeview Junior High School
BUILDING NEWS
Holiday Assistance
Once again we will be helping families for the holidays. If you are able, please donate in one of the ways listed below for a donation to the district collection. Ridgeview also accepts gift card donations in the office. Many of the donations that are received by the district are toys for younger kids. At RJHS, we collect gift cards that are appropriate for Teens ages 12-18 so we can provide more of what they like. We use them for the families that we help and donate the rest to the other schools with older kiddos.
Friendly Reminders
Early Dismissal Information
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.
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.
YEARBOOK CLUB NEEDS YOUR HELP!
We’re excited to start compiling this year’s yearbook and need your help! If you have any photos of art projects, tennis matches, or other school and sports events, we would love to include them.
Please send your pictures to aaron_christley@plsd.us or allison_garwood@plsd.us.
Your contributions will help make this yearbook truly special!
Student Council Fundraiser
Happy Friday!
RIdgeview's Student Council is selling Roosters FUN CARDS! The cards cost $10 each, and last until December 31, 2025! You will get 10% off your bill EVERY TIME you dine at Roosters, and this is valid at ALL Rooster locations!
Send an email to: Beth_Hoffman@plsd.us with your name, your students name and the number of cards you would like to purchase.
We will be selling them through Friday, November 8th. I have them already, so once you purchase them, I can get you your card immediately.
You can purchase the cards with cash or a check made out to PLSD.
PICTURE ORDER DETAILS
Click on the camera to order!
Event Code: FE61024
Questions?
Customer Care
M - F 8am - 5pm:
1-877-515-1447, Option 1
JOIN OUR TEAM
Click on the pictures below to apply!
Become a Substitute
The application process begins at the Fairfield County Educational Service Center website.
SPIRIT SHOP - WINTER EDITION
**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!
Rachel Ross
School Nurse
Mindy Stillwell
Health Care Assistant
A NOTE FROM THE NURSE
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
Ridgeview's Counseling Team
Student Counselor (A-Ga)
Student Counselor (Ge-N)
Student Counselor (O-Z)
Hi families. I am reaching out to ask for help in supporting our Girls group at Ridgeview. The ROX Program equips girls with tools to succeed in relationships, academics and life with evidence-based curriculum. This program will also help girls cope with stress/anxiety and address perfectionism while coaching families how to best support their child. Here at Ridgeview, we like to run a 7th grade group first semester and an 8th grade group second semester.
Your tax-deductible gift will help create generations of confident and successful girls who can control their own decisions, relationships, experiences and futures. For all the ways that you are able to give, we are honored to have your support in this work.
A gift of $100 provides a scholarship for 1 girl to participate in 20-weeks of the ROX Program. However, we appreciate any donation you are able to make. If you or your business want to sponsor a girl or make a donation please use the QR code below.
Cash App
Venmo
Please click the pic for the link!
Earning Foreign Language Credit and/or Seal of Biliteracy through the AAPPL assessment
ATHLETIC INFORMATION
Winter Sports Registration is now OPEN!
Please be sure that your student is registered on Final Forms.
YOUR STUDENT MUST HAVE AN UPDATED PHYSICAL ON FILE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN TRY OUTS OF ANY SPORT
Boys & Girls Basketball
Wrestling
Open Mats are being held on Wednesday's & Saturday's for all 7th & 8th graders at the Pickerington High School Central Field House.
First day of practice:
November 4
Please scan the QR code for more information.
Swimming
Season:
October 29 - January 16
Practice Schedule:
Tuesday/Thursday/Friday
5:30 - 6:30 am
Garver YMCA
6767 Refugee Rd
Winter Sports Information
Be sure to register your student in Final Forms so that you get all of the up to date information regarding try-outs and practices.
Athletic Event Ticket Pricing
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**
Central Tigers Playoff Games
Join us as the Tigers enter game one of the playoff's!
Please note: Anyone attending the playoff games must have a ticket. No passes are being honored for these games (no teacher passes and no season passes) Please remember that students in 8th grade or below must be accompanied by an adult to attend.
Student ID's will be verified at the gate.
Friday, Nov 1, 2024, 06:00 PM
Pickerington Ridgeview Junior High School, Hill Road South, Pickerington, OH, USA
PTO CONNECTION
Happy Friday!!
We hope you all had a wonderful week and excited for the weekend. Just a few updates this week!
We want to thank everyone that helped support us during our Fall Dance a few weeks ago, it was a HIT! The students were great, parents were awesome, weather was terrific, just overall a great evening. PTO officers and members will meet soon to discuss a dance in February, no specifics yet just in talks for now (however we would like to make a Valentine's/Sweetheart Dance) but still have the same type of events we had during our Fall Dance, more to come!
Our PEF Tree is posted on Facebook the theme "Grinchmas Christmas" it is filled with cute grinch items, a $25 gift card, 5 lottery tickets and more. We want to thank the parents that signed up and donated items for the tree, we appreciate you ladies so much! The link has not yet been posted for the auction for bids - it will likely be available within the next day or so (not in time for the newsletter) so please be sure you go to our Facebook page to check out and bid - let's bring home the "WIN" to Ridgeview as we battle the other schools. Also the dinner is 11/09 at the Wigwam if anyone is interested in the event please email us, or check out the flyer listed within the newsletter for more details.
We will have another fundraiser next week during PAWtime, we have had a few and really appreciate the support you all have given us as we continue to raise money for the PTO, ROX, Web Leaders and Student Council. We do want to share that we are targeting the parents more for pre-sales due to the students no longer being able to use their cashless options during school (Cash App and or Venmo) due to the new law in place. We will offer cash options for the students to make purchases, but we know a lot of our students have moved to using their apps and cards which we absolutely love, however due to the limitations we now have to ask for the payments to be sent from the parents. When sending your payments using Cash App or Venmo be sure to include their full name, lunch period and PAWtime to be safe, we want to make sure that your child receives their special treats. We will also send out the Talking Point notification to ensure you all are aware, but can't stress enough to be sure you are checking out our Facebook page for all the details too.
Final reminder, we are still working on our walk-a-thon fundraiser, I have provided details to administration and once we get the OK we will set a date and details of the event with you all to ensure a successful event. In the meantime, the sucker and popcorn fundraisers will be what we have available to our students.
Oh, and don't forget we still have the Rooster fun cards available for $10!!!
Have an amazing weekend!
Kelly Martin and Qiana Ellis
PLSD DISTRICT NEWS
2024-2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR
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.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Click the Pic for Tix!
HELP Make Our Schools Safer
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.
Ridgeview Values
RIDGEVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL MAIN OFFICE STAFF
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
Ridgeview Junior High School
Email: Sheila_Evans@plsd.us
Website: pickerington.k12.oh.us
Location: 130 Hill Road South, Pickerington, OH, USA
Phone: 614-548-1700
Twitter: @RidgeviewPLSD