Hello RMS Families:

Spring has sprung and we are now in the final weeks of the 4th grading period! At Ridgeview we want all of our scholars to finish the year strong. Staying focused on our academics is a top priority. Additionally, we are still holding strong to our “Be RMS” PBIS Behavior Expectations as well.

At Ridgeview the final weeks of the school year are always busy times. When we return from Spring Break, we will wrap up our OST testing in the subject area of math for all grade levels. All scholars will be expected to follow the 3 Bs of RMS Testing which were previously shared with all families. Spring sports will still be in full swing, and our scholars will also have the opportunity to qualify for our end of the year activities. Our end of the year concerts, our academic awards night, and our NJHS Induction will also take place.

Please encourage your child to stay focused and make appropriate choices during these final weeks so that they can end the school year on a positive note.

Have a relaxing Spring Break!

With Joy,

Natalie M. James, Principal

Mr. Reese provides a motivational quotes that can be applied for a lifetime.

• 4.14, Mon, 4:15 pm: Coed Track Meet at Whetstone
• 4.15, Tues, 5:30 pm: Boys Baseball Ridgeview at Buckeye
  
• 4.17, Thurs, 5:30 pm: Boys Baseball Dominion vs. Ridgeview
• 4.17, Thurs, 5:30 pm: Girls Softball Dominion at RIdgevie
• 4.17, Thurs: 30-Minute Early Dismissal for Spring Break
• 4.18 - 4.25, Fri - Fri: All School Closed - Spring Break
• 4.28, Mon, 3:00 -6:00 pm: PTA Flower Sale Pickup at Gables ES at 1680 Becket Avenue, Columbus OH 43235
• 4.28, Mon, 4:15 pm: Coed Track Meet at Beechcroft
• 4.29, Tues, 5:30 pm: Girls Softball Arts Impact at Ridgeview
• 4.29, Tues: Ohio’s State Tests for 6th.7th, and 8th Grade Math (Part 1)
• 5.1, Thurs, 5:30 pm: Girls Softball Mifflin at Ridgeview
• 5.1, Thurs: Ohio’s State Tests for 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Math (Part 2)
• 5.1, Thurs, 6:00 pm: PTA LAST MEETING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR on Zoom
  

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

Meeting ID: 836 1031 8134

Passcode: 5C5JcK

• 5.5, Mon, 4:30 pm: Coed Track Meet at Africentric (North South Finals)
• 5.6, Tues, 5:00 pm: Girls Softball Ridgeview at Indianola
• 5.6, Tues, 5:30 pm: Boys Baseball Ridgeview vs. Medina
  
• 5.8, Thurs, 4:30 pm: Coed Track Meet at Africentric (Finals)
• 5.8, Tues, 5:30 pm: Boys Baseball - BYE
• 5.19, Monday 5:30 pm: RMS Art Show
• 5.19, Monday, 6:00 pm: RMS Choir Concert
• 5.21, Wed, 6:00 pm: RMS Instrumental Music Concert (orchestra and band)

All the scholars must go home first and return for the after school event. All must be picked up immediately after the event. 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.

Now is the time to support spring sports.

The coaches are as follows and you can email each coach by clicking on the name.:

• Girls Softball: Coach Steele
• Coed Track: Coach Sztul
• Boys Baseball: Coach Boerner

This camp is a nice opportunity for CCS students!

Date: July 7 – 11, 2025

Location: Champions Tennis Club

Registration: Opens April 15, 2025 - www.championstennis.org (or click on the graphic above)

Greater Columbus Tennis Association is seeking to provide this opportunity to

students enrolled in CCS middle and high schools.

This camp is a nice opportunity for CCS students!

Explore and play at the Columbus Museum of Art! Enjoy student art, performances, gallery activities, and more! This event is FREE.

Sunday, April 13, 2025

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Columbus Museum of Art (480 East Broad St)

Free Parking

&

COTA Bus Route 10 to Washington Ave

What’s up with all the super sized sculptures popping up around the school?!

Well 8th grade art survey members have been busy creating art! In class we learned about artist Clase Oldenburg, a Swedish artist who takes everyday objects and enlarges, or super sizes, them proportionally.

In groups students selected an object and created a super sized version!

RMS is wrapping up the Korda project for the year. This second challenge is with Rumpke and our scholars are working on a solution to help significantly reduce the amount of waste that ultimately ends up in the landfill in Columbus, Ohio.

The presentation will take place in the library on April 3rd at 11:00 am and 12:45 pm.

Students have been researching, interviewing, and creating presentations to share with Rumpke around the challenge they were given. The teams have been learning so much and were quite inspired by their tour of the Rumpke state-of-the art recycling center that opened last year.

Mrs Rupp, Mrs. V, and all of our students felt very fortunate to get the opportunity to tour and learn so much about the exciting things that are happening in our community.

Rumpke Waste & Recycling is a family owned and operated company and has been in business for over 90 years. The company serves more than 1.9 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers throughout the United States, including 500 municipalities and public entities. The company owns or operates landfills, transfer stations, and recycling centers in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and West Virginia. With a fleet of nearly 3,000 hauling vehicles and a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees, Rumpke is a leader in solid waste and recycling solutions.

We have finished Quarter 3!

The awards have been compiled for the mid-quarter (February 14) and the final awards will be based on end-of-quarter (March 21).

RMS will be rewarding and recognizing students shortly and photos will be displayed in the RMS lobby:

• Scholars who have the highest grade in the class
• Scholars who are most improved in class

Hi Reading Raiders!

As the weather warms up and I get outside more, I've got SPORTS books on my mind.

• You know it can't be a recommendation list from me if I don't include some Jason Reynolds, so first up is the Track series. The first in this quartet is Ghost, and the inspiration for the book lives in Columbus!
• If you loved the Disney series The Crossover (how could you not?), Kwame Alexander has another excellent story in Booked, a tale in poems about Nick who loves soccer and hates books.
• Sink or Swim is one of my favorite graphic novels, about a swim team star whose anxiety keeps him from getting back in the water.
• Paul Volponi is a stellar author, but most of his books skew toward high school audiences. Lucky for you, Crossing Lines is a middle school read about a football player who tries to decide whether his own social status is worth putting on the line.
• In my previous district, I could never keep anything by Mike Lupica on the shelf. He's a great sports writer, but his books always have deeper questions and inspiration to balance that out, too.
• Finally, my personal favorite is How Angel Peterson Got His Name, a book of short stories about sports and stunts gone hilariously wrong.

Happy reading!

Mrs. Lawson

Melissa Lawson, MLIS

RMS Librarian

During the month of March, RMS is implementing a Math Competition, “Top Scholar”.

The purpose of the competition is for our scholars to learn and have fun.

The competition runs from March 3 - April 4, 2025.

i-Ready Mathematics is an online custom math curriculum that provides students of all ages with differentiated instruction and supports them on their individual paths to success. Backed by cutting-edge research on best mathematics learning practices, students gain experience through concrete examples and engaging lessons. This personalized math curriculum features responsive instruction that provides consistent insight into student understanding and performance, enabling teachers to monitor their students’ progress and help them prepare for standards-based assessments and beyond.

March was Women's History Month in the United States.

It was a time for RMS to celebrate and recognize the achievements and contributions of women throughout history, with International Women's Day being on March11th serving as a key focus.

RMS takes attendance seriously and the partnership with the Columbus Crew has helped scholars—

Stay in the Game

Keep Learning Every Day

.

As a result, RMS students were rewarded for having 97% or greater attendance. The reward included the opportunity to meet the Columbus Crew Mascot and Franklin County Pups.

Students were rewarded for good attendance by attending.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Regular school attendance in elementary school improves the chances that your child will read on grade level.
• Columbus City Schools students missing more than 8 days are 53% less likely to graduate on-time.

CHECKING YOUR CHILD'S ATTENDANCE

• Parents/Guardians can log into Infinite Campus to view their child's attendance. For additional support with accessing and using Infinite Campus visit the Infinite Campus Handbook for Parents or view this video.

PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITY WHEN A CHILD IS ABSENT

• Parents should contact the school before or after the absence(s)
  
• Notes can be handwritten or emailed
  
• Notification from parents should be occur within 48 hours but no later than 5 days after absence
  

HOW IS ATTENDANCE DETERMINED FOR STUDENTS AND ARE THERE NOTIFICATIONS?

• Middle School: Attendance is taken each period. For the last period of the day, attendance should be taken and submitted within 15 minutes of the end of the period.
  
• Parents and Guardians will be notified regularly when students are absent. Infinite Campus (IC) will send automatic phone call will be made when your child is absent. When students miss the 5% or 10% of school, parents will receive additional text messages and letters about student attendance.

Academic Options are slowing down as we get closer to the end of the year.

Chess Club

Chess Club is ongoing. We are still meeting on Mondays (5th period for 6th grade, 8th period for 7th and 8th grade) in the library.

Debate, Poetry, and Power of the Pen

Debate Club and Power of the Pen are both done for the year. Congratulations to all of the students who participated in these programs for doing a great job. Our last activity for the year is the District Poetry Slam on April 12 at Eastmoor Academy. Our team of six 8th graders is busy writing their poems and getting ready to SLAM the competition for the second year in a row.

Math Club

The Math Club meets every Thursday and the new Noetic Math Challenge is spicing things up. The end of year recap for the math club will be in the next issue.

Nominate an Outstanding Teen or Young Man for Black Boy Honors!

We are excited to invite you to participate in Black Boy Honors, a celebration recognizing the accomplishments, resilience, and positive impact of young Black boys and men in our community.

Do you know a young man between the ages of 11-24 who deserves to be honored for his leadership, perseverance, or contributions to his school or community? Now is your chance to nominate him for this prestigious recognition!

Event Details:

Save the Date: August 24, 2025

Nomination Deadline: April 30, 2025

This is a powerful opportunity to uplift and celebrate the next generation of Black leaders. We encourage parents, educators, mentors, and community members to submit nominations and help us highlight these outstanding young men.

Visit us online to submit a nomination and for more details

https://epicyouth.org/ or click on the logo above.

Thank you for helping us shine a light on the excellence within our community!

Eryn Hathaway

Executive Director | EPIC Youth

614-285-7465

RMS and parents can work together to help our scholars meet their full potential

Listed below are seven tips for success provided by The HUN School or Princeton.

1. Set realistic expectations

2. Develop organizational skills

3. Seek out teacher support

4. Build a supportive network of friends and mentors

5. Cultivate resilience

6. Practice self-care

7. Embrace opportunities for growth

For more details click live link below.

Greetings RMS Families,

Testing is in full swing at RMS. English and Language Arts (ELA) have been completed. However, science and math will continue through May 1st.

Please mark the following dates on your calendar for Ridgeview's Ohio’s State Tests (OST) dates:

6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Math

• Part 1 - Tuesday, April 29
  
• Part 2 - Thursday, May 1
  

The links below provide many ways to help your child:

1. Information and Resources (click HERE)
   
2. OST Practice Tests and Sample Test Items (click HERE)
   

Share these test-taking tips for middle school students provided by AI (Artificial Intelligence):

• Prepare: Get enough sleep, arrive early, and have a plan

• Listen: Pay close attention to instructions and read questions carefully

• Practice: Practice the test format and content

• Read: Read all answer choices, even if you think the first one is correct

• Answer: Answer questions completely and in order

• Check: Review your answers and don't change them unless you're sure

• Stay calm: Try to relax and take deep breaths
• Don't rush: Take your time and don't let others distract you
• Be strategic: Use key words to anticipate answers and eliminate wrong choices
• Ask questions: Ask questions if you're not clear about something

Sincerely,

Julie Thomas

Your RMS Counselor

It is important to note that State achievement tests tell us how well our students are growing in the knowledge and skills outlined in Ohio’s Learning Standards. These tests help guide and strengthen future teaching so we can be sure that we are preparing our scholars for long-term success in school, college, careers, and life. Also, test results allow citizens to know how their local schools are performing compared to others around the state.

April Nurse Newsletter:

SPRING SEASONAL ALLERGIES

With the arrival of the spring season often comes symptoms of seasonal allergies for some kids. Seasonal allergies can start at any age but usually begin in children older than 2 or 3. Symptoms could include: runny nose, sneezing, throat clearing, coughing, and itchy, burning, or watery eyes. Allergy symptoms can impact a child's quality of sleep and ability to focus in school. Simple changes can help your child find relief from seasonal allergies, including: Staying inside when the pollen count is high or if it's a dry and windy day, limit your time around grass or flower beds, washing clothes and bathing after being outside, keeping doors/windows closed, and using a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate) air filter in your home. The frequency and severity of allergy symptoms can help determine the best allergy treatment for your child. Talk with your child's pediatrician about the best way to help your child's symptoms. Be sure to communicate any allergies and doctor’s orders with your school nurse to help your child stay healthy in school.

References: HealthyChildren.org, Luries, Children's Health

APRIL IS AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH

April is Autism Acceptance Month! Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex, lifelong developmental condition that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. The autism experience is different for everyone. It is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is often referred to as a “spectrum condition” that affects people differently and to varying degrees. While there is no known single cause for autism, it is generally accepted that it is caused by differences in brain structure or genetic factors. Early diagnosis and intervention can greatly support an individual with autism with the resources needed to live fully.

References: Autism Society, CDC

UPCOMING HEALTH CLINICS AT RIDGEVIEW

Friday, May 2nd, 2025: Ridgeview is hosting a vaccination clinic with Nationwide Children’s Hospital! If your student is in need of any vaccines (EXCEPT influenza or covid) please see the attached information and return the permission to Nurse Gina as soon as possible.

**ALL rising 7th graders need to have a Tdap and meningitis vaccine BEFORE the first day of school. This clinic is a perfect opportunity to get those required vaccinations.

Monday, April 14, 2025: Upcoming dental sealant clinic for current 6th graders!

Nurse Gina

Gina Rancitelli, RN, MEd, BSN, LSN

Licensed School Nurse

Ridgeview Middle School

4241 Rudy Rd. Columbus, OH 43214

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

Remember, there is a School-Based Health program at

Columbus City Schools and transportation may be provided.

(see below)

This month’s spotlight is on Mr. Cooper, Ridgeview’s ED Instructional Assistant.

From his early days at Dayton Public Schools, Mr. Cooper has had an interest in education. While in high school he excelled in basketball.

Currently, he has an Associate of Business Administration (ABA) degree and is attending Capital University where he is working on a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education. This coupled with his on-the-job experience enables him to become a special education teacher and continue to work with students with disabilities in various settings in middle school. His superpower is his ability to be very patient with students. He has truly taken the words of Steven Covey, the author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People— Seek First to Understand and then be Understood.

Mr. Cooper is the father of two daughters and a new son. When not at RMS or spending time with the family, he enjoys basketball, spades, and video games. His favorite food is macaroni and cheese.

In closing he lives by the words of his high school basketball coach,

LEARN TO LISTEN AND LISTEN TO LEARN!

Ridgeview Middle School was represented with over 100 Columbus City School educators at the Ignite the Classroom event on March12.

Thanks to Ignite the Classroom scholarships from Huntington National Bank, educators, and administrators will travel to the renowned Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, for an immersive professional development experience.

This summer, 111 educators from CCS will dive into high-energy teaching methods designed to captivate students and create a culture where learning is encouraged and celebrated.

Click on the link below to learn more about Ignite the Classroom.

Did you know that free language assistance is available to Columbus City Schools parents regarding school programs and activities? You’ll be glad to know that it is!

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.

In addition, Click on the link below to learn more ESL Language Assistance.

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!

You are encouraged to help your scholar by staying informed about school assignments, teacher contact, and using the parent portal.

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.

Each parent is challenged to take the time to share this information with the RMS scholar.

It is only through understanding the

Vision, Mission, and 4 Core Values

that we can expect to experience success!

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.

March Madness is here at RIdgeview!

The competition took place from March 3 - 28, 2025 and the rewarding event was on Friday, March 28th.

Listed below were the qualifying factors that enabled scholars to participate in the drawing for the Kona Ice event.

• 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.

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?

Here are a few holidays celebrated around the world.

• International Children's Book Day (April 2nd)
  
• World Autism Awareness Day (April 2nd),
  
• International Day of Human Space Flight (April 12th),
  
• World Book Day (April 23rd)
  
• Global FOP Awareness Day (April 23rd).
  

Diversity – the concept of understanding that each individual is unique, and that each of our individual differences share a purpose in society. Unfortunately, diversity has not always been embraced. But as we continue to grow as a society, we are starting to see the importance of bringing difference races, nationalities, religions, and sexes together as one team and community. And doing so holds a number of advantages for communities and groups. Let’s take a look at three major benefits that come along with diversity:

1. Diversity drives creativity and innovation
   
2. Higher rates of Productivity and Performance
   
3. Personal Growth
   

Click on the link below to see the remainder of the article.

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 6:00 - 7:00 pm on May 1, 2025

Join Zoom Meeting

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

Meeting ID: 836 1031 8134

Passcode: 5C5JcKJoin

Zoom Meeting

UPCOMING EVENTS (Refer to IMPORTANT DATES section on this newsletter)

Flower Sale Pick Up at Gables ES: Wednesday, April 28 from 3:00 - 6:00 pm

Online Popcorn Sales: Noon April 9th through Noon April 13th

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