Dear Ridgeview Families:

We are moving into one of the “most wonderful times of the year”! Our families and staff are gearing up for their respective holiday seasons. Our scholars and staff are looking forward to their Winter Break. Sleigh rides, hot chocolate and even the possibility of a snow day or two in January are swirling in everyone’s heads as well! However, at Ridgeview we still have a lot of work to do before break. Next week our scholars will take their i-Ready Middle of the Year (MOY) Assessments. Each scholar is expected to do their best to show growth in both Reading and Math. Each scholar will also have the opportunity to engage in goal setting prior to taking their assessments.

Additionally, we are at the half way point of the second nine weeks of the school year. It is imperative that each of our scholars stays focused on the last three weeks before break to ensure a successful conclusion to the first semester. When we return from break, there will only be two weeks remaining of the current grading period. I encourage each family to check Infinite Campus on a regular basis to stay abreast of your child’s academic performance.

Finally, at Ridgeview we will end of our final weeks of 2024 with the RMS Food Drive to support families in need, the “RMS It’s Almost Winter Break Door Decorating Contest” to build community within the school and our PBIS- "Be RMS" Student vs Staff Volleyball Game to recognize scholars who meet and exceed our behavior expectations. We will be busy indeed!

Thank you for your continued support and have a joyful Winter Break!

Natalie M. James, Principal

Ridgeview's Assistant Principal, Mr. Reese, offers these words of advice from Herman Edwards Jr. (born April 27, 1954) an American football coach and former player. He played cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles. Edwards was also a head coach in the NFL from 2001 to 2008 with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. Following the conclusion of his NFL coaching career, Edwards was a football analyst at ESPN from 2009 to 2017. He later served as the head coach of Arizona State Sun Devils from 2018 to 2022. (Click HERE for more information about Herman Edwards.)

• 12.5, Thurs: PTA Meeting on Zoom

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83610318134?pwd=5uzHiGt7NEHhjJtqDpy0oqTpa9Npmv.1

Meeting ID: 836 1031 8134

Passcode: 5C5JcK

• 12.10, Tues at 6:00 pm: RMS Instrumental Music Concert (orchestra and band)
• 12.17, Tues at 6:00 pm: RMS Choir Concert
• 12.20, Fri: School is Dismissed 30 Minutes Early
• 12.23.2024 - 1.3.2025: Winter Break
• January 2025: PTA Candy Bars Fundraiser (watch for more details)
• 1.9, Thurs: PTA Meeting on Zoom

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83610318134?pwd=5uzHiGt7NEHhjJtqDpy0oqTpa9Npmv.1


Meeting ID: 836 1031 8134

Passcode: 5C5JcK

• 1.17.2025, Fri: End of Quarter 2
• 1.20.2025, Mon: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - No School
• 1.21.2025, Tues: Professional Development Day - No Students

All the scholars/athletes must go home first and return at 4:30 p.m. All must be picked up by 5:30 pm. Those who are not picked up on time will not be allowed to stay for any after-school activities the remainder of the school year.

Games are $3.00

• 12.9, Mon: Dominion at Ridgeview
• 12.11, Wed: Linden at Ridgeview
• 12.16, Mon: Indianola at Ridgeview
• 12.18, Wed: Medina at Ridgeview
• 1.6.25, Mon: Ridgeview at World Language
• 1.8.25, Wed: Woodward Park at Ridgeview
• 1.13.25, Mon: Ridgeview at Dominion
• 1.15.25, Wed: Ridgeview at Indianola
• 1.27.25, Mon: Ridgeview at Medina
• 1.29.25, Wed: World Language at Ridgeview
• 2.3.25, Mon: Ridgeview at Wedgewood

Please note the testing dates for our RMS scholars. Help ensure your scholar is ready and prepared.

Tuesday, December 10 - Math

Thursday, December 12 - Reading

RMS Food Drive

What: Collecting canned goods and non-perishable items

Why: To help those who are in need

When: Monday, December 9th – Wednesday, December 18th

Who Should Donate: All Staff, Scholars, and Families

Items will be donated to a local food pantry (i.e., TBD).

During the week of October 28th, Ridgeview kicked off the second grading period with a new i-Ready incentive using punch cards for math and reading.

Here's how it works:

1. All reading and math teachers will have punch cards for every student.
2. Each card will have 10 numbered circles that CORE Enrichment teachers can either hole punch or initial once a lesson is completed at 80% or higher.
3. Once students have a completed card, they will turn it into the office where their completed cards will be tracked for the appropriate rewards.
4. All scholars have the opportunity to request a new card so that they can work on earning the next reward.
5. Rewards are distributed in the cafeteria on either Mondays or Fridays.

The photo below shows the students who earned having their name on the board in the cafeteria, and earned various treats once the cards are completed. Lastly, all completed cards will be entered into a pizza party drawing that will be held at the end of the grading period.

Families, please read about how you can support your child at home using i-Ready.

On November 15th, 50 RMS students comprising 15 teams from 7th and 8th grade participated in the Korda Institute’s Green Spot Challenge Solutions Presentation.

RMS science teacher Mrs. V. states, "This project was designed to create a program to drive local businesses in adopting practices that will improve the Columbus environment."

Each of the groups were presented with the challenge in October and had 3½ weeks to prepare a solution. The project addressed making local businesses more sustainable for future generations.

Greetings RMS Families,

As we approach the two-week Winter Break, it is extremely important to keep our scholars active mentally and physically. This will help to keep them entertained and ward off boredom. Listed below are seven ideas and click on the link below to gain more insight on each of the seven suggestions.

1. Help Them Try Their Hand at Baking

Baking is very popular this time of year and with good reason.

2. Ask Them for Help With Decorating

If you haven’t put up your winter decorations, get your kids to help.

3. Go See the Holiday Lights

There are tons of creative light displays for the holiday season.

4. Organize a Secret Santa Event

Everyone loves receiving gifts, but giving presents to others is an even more important part of the holiday season.

5. Participate in Service Activities

There are a lot of people who are stuck in unfortunate circumstances that make it difficult for them to enjoy the holiday season.

6. Encourage Snow Days

When there’s a lot of snow outside, there are two main options presented. The first is to bundle up indoors all day and play video games, which a lot of kids today will default to. The second is to take advantage of the temporary weather and have some fun in the snow. Do your best to encourage the latter!

7. Look for Online Activities

Keeping your kids entertained doesn’t always mean you have to force them out of the house.

Sincerely,

Julie Thomas

Your RMS Counselor

December News from Nurse Gina

It is hard to believe we are already into the month of December! This school year is going so fast! Just a couple of reminders …

Please do NOT send your child to school if they have or have had:

1. Fever more than 100 degrees within the past 24 hours (must be fever free without medication)
2. Vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours
3. Continuous coughing not relieved with cough medicine.

Columbus City Schools does not allow ANY school personnel, including the nurse, to give ANY medication without a Medication Authorization Form completed and signed by the parent/guardian and healthcare provider. This includes ALL over the counter medications, even cough drops.

As we are entering the cold/flu season, we would greatly appreciate your assistance in preventing the spread of illnesses in our school. Please help us teach your children good health habits to protect themselves as well as others:

1. Plenty of rest and nutritious food are needed.
2. Do not eat or drink from the same utensil or container after someone else.
3. Keep hydrated by drinking a lot of water.
4. When coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth by coughing or sneezing into a tissue or bent elbow.
5. Practice FREQUENT hand-washing with soap and water, as this is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs.

Since students need to be picked up when they become ill at school, we must have CURRENT telephone numbers in Infinite Campus. Please check your parent portal to make sure this information is up-to-date.

Thank you in advance for working with us to keep students and staff healthy and in school.

Nurse Gina

Gina Rancitelli, RN, MEd, BSN, LSN

Licensed School Nurse

Ridgeview Middle School

office: 380-997-7600 | email: grancitelli@columbus.k12.oh.us

Let RMS introduce you to the new social worker, Mrs. Fulton who is in the building two days a week.

She was born and raised in Columbus (Clintonville, to be precise), and she states she will probably stay there for life. Mrs. Fulton has been married to her husband, Brendan, for almost three years. The couple enjoys traveling and they have been to several National Parks, the Dominican Republic, and Italy. Because they just bought a house, they expect to curtail their travel over the next few years in order to renovate and restore their 1917 home. She states, "I am an old house enthusiast, so I am thrilled to be taking this on."

Mrs. Fulton earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees from The Ohio State University. As it turns out, RMS is her third school in the district. She states she loves working with young people and when she reflects on why she chose this line of work, she references the words of Fred Rogers: "Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. She closes by saying,

"When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone." This, in a nutshell, is why I am a school social worker, because what is mentionable is manageable."

Free language assistance is available to Columbus City Schools parents regarding school programs and activities.

Note, each issue of Ridgeview Middle School newsletter, THE VIEW, can be translated. Just go to the top of the newsletter and click on Translate.

Click on the link below to learn more.

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.

2024-25 School Year Theme: Dream Big. Achieve More!

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

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based three-tiered framework to improve and integrate all of the data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes every day. PBIS creates schools where all students succeed.

RMS is a supporter of PBIS and encourages families to implement PBIS at home.

Ridgeview Middle School has three behavior expectations. Students are expected to be RESPONSIBLE, be a MEMBER, and be SAFE at all times.

• In the Hall
• In the Classroom
• In the Restroom
• In the Cafeteria
• In the Auditorium
• On the Bus
• At Recess
• At Entry and Dismissal
• Against Bullying

Won't you help your child to Be Responsible, a Member, and be Safe?

Sincerely,

Julie Thomas

our RMS Counselor

Qualification Period: December 2 - 20, 2024

Event Date: Friday, December 20th

HOW DOES A SCHOLAR QUALIFY TO HAVE THEIR NAME ENTERED INTO THE DRAWING?

• Follow the school rules - "BE RMS"
• Go to class On Time and No Tardies
• Listen to ALL adults in the building
• Display RMS behavior throughout the building, at recess, and on the bus
• Stay out of your lockers in between classes
• Follow the CCS/Ridgeview Dress Code
• Keep your hoods down and hats off
• No headphones, earbuds, Air pods, or cell phones
• NO 190s, REMOVALS, SUSPENSIONS, ISS, EXPULSIONS, BUS WRITE-UPS, or AFTER SCHOOL DETENTIONS
• The administration will have final say in who will be eligible to attend the event.

Check out this article below via the live link on how you can celebrate diversity by raising inclusive kids:

1. Model Inclusive Behavior
2. Build Self-Esteem and Empathy
3. Be Prepared to Answer Questions
4. Prepare for Various Scenarios
5. Expose Children to Diverse Experiences and People
6. Emphasize Similarities
7. Read Books that Celebrate Differences.

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/

The Ridgeview PTA requests your support.

WAYS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT: Here are two no cost efforts to support the PTA:

-Download the Box Tops app, add Ridgeview PTA as your school and scan all your receipts.

• If this is your first-time registering be sure to use our code: HXSC8XH4 – we receive a little bonus
• https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=HXSC8XH4
• No cost to you and RMS PTA does not receive copies of your receipts.

-Make RMS PTA your organization on the Kroger Community Rewards program.

• At Kroger.com or on your Kroger App, under Rewards, then Community Rewards, add our organization number 84721
• No cost to you and RMS PTA does not receive your personal information.

STAY INFORMED: If you haven’t done so already, get added to our mailing list! Send an email to us at RidgeviewMSPTA@gmail.com and ask to be added to the list to make sure that you are aware of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

Facebook: Join our Facebook by searching "Ridgeview MS PTA".

Mark your calendar to attend our meeting via Zoom from 6 to 7 PM.

December 5, 2024, Thursday

Jan 9, 2025, Thursday

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83610318134?pwd=5uzHiGt7NEHhjJtqDpy0oqTpa9Npmv.1

Meeting ID: 836 1031 8134

Passcode: 5C5JcKJoin Zoom Meeting

The first RMS PTA Fundraiser has been completed.

Thank you for your support: $343 in profit was raised!

Support the upcoming candy fundraiser in January.

Watch for future details via flyers and the

RMS website for more information: https://www.ccsoh.us/RidgeviewMS

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!

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)

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