Dear RMS Families:

I hope all of our families are doing well. This month at Ridgeview, we are ROARING in with two very important dates, the end of the third nine weeks (March 21st) and the beginning of the Ohio State Testing (OST) season (March 25th)! At Ridgeview, we continue to keep our focus on academic achievement. We want all of our scholars to finish the third nine weeks strong!

Additionally, we want all of our scholars and staff to get energized about the OST! To accomplish this goal, we are having March Madness themed events at Ridgeview.

• March 3rd- April 4th- March Madness i-Ready Math Top Scholars Competition
  
• March 17th- March 21st- March Madness OST Spirit Week
  
• March 28th- March Madness “Be RMS” Kona Ice-Golden Ticket Event (Qualification Period- March 3rd- March 28th)

As previously requested in the February edition of “The View” we are asking each of our RMS Families to encourage their child to do their best on each of their Ohio State Test! As a school, to encourage our scholars’ efforts, we will once again provide recognition through our RMS “3 B’s of Testing”.

• Be on Time (i.e. during each day of testing)
  
• Be Your Best Self
  
• Be Ready to Show Growth
  

Scholars who meet or exceed our expectations during the OST Testing Sessions will be eligible to receive recognition/rewards for their efforts. We want all of our scholars to SOAR at Ridgeview!

With Joy,

Natalie M. James, Principal

Check out one of Mr. Reese's favorite motivational quotes.

• 2.28, Fri Evening - 3.29, Sat: Ramadan
• 3.3 (Mon) - 14 (Fri): Panorama Survey Period
• 3.5, Wed - 3.19, Wed: RMS PTA Online Flower Sale Fundraiser

• 3.6, Thurs: PTA Meeting on Zoom

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

Meeting ID: 836 1031 8134

Passcode: 5C5JcK

• 3.10, Mon 4:00 - 8:00 pm: Band Fundraiser at Chipotle at 771 Bethel Rd.
  
• 3.21, Fri 10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Columbus HBCU College Fair (Columbus Metropolitan Library, 96 South Grant Ave.)
  
• 4.3, Thurs: PTA Meeting on Zoom
  

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

Meeting ID: 836 1031 8134

Passcode: 5C5JcK

• 4.12, Sat 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Pathway Express - Destination #3 - Champions Golf Course at 3900 Westerville Rd, Columbus, OH 43224
• 4.28, Mon 3:00 -6:00 pm: PTA Flower Sale Pickup at Gables ES at 1680 Becket Avenue, Columbus OH 43235

Spring sports conditioning and try outs are happening now.

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

CHECK BACK FOR SPORTS SCHEDULES

Date: July 7 – 11, 2025

Location: Champions Tennis Club

Registration: Open April 15, 2025 –

Link: 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!

8th grade Art Survey students learned about artist Judy Chicago’s artwork The Dinner Party.

Chicago made place settings (e.g., plate, cup, silverware, placemat) for 39 women (fictional and historical) that she felt were not recognized enough/or not at all throughout history.

Students then chose their own artist (a person who creates), researched their work and created a place setting to represent their chosen artist. Please enjoy their creations.

On Tuesday, February 25th, Mrs. Rupp and Mrs. V’s classes had the opportunity to visit Rumpke Waste and Recycling in order to find out what the challenge would be for their upcoming project.

Students will work over the next few weeks, utilizing primary and secondary research in order to develop solutions to the challenge.

Next month, we will share the results.

THE CHALLENGE

Create a plan for Rumpke to dramatically decrease the Columbus waste that ends up in landfills

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 and solid waste and recycling solutions.

Invention Convention Competition is coming on March 6th. Mr. Sztul, Mrs. V, and Ms. Debnam are working with inventors to identify a problem, develop a creative solution, and find a way to get the supplies needed to construct a prototype. Here are 5 of the 11 entries for the competition and come back next month to find out the results of the competition.

NEW & IMPROVED WIRELESS EARBUDS

Definition: The inventor is creating wireless earbuds with a hard drive in one of the ears to download music to pause when somebody says your name.

Advantage: Enables the person with noise canceling earbuds to be able to hear when addressed.

What I Learned: One has to have perseverance and be ready to do lots of work to get the invention completed.

STACKABLE PENCIL

Definition: The straight pencil is a combination of a stackable pencil with multiple erasers.

Advantage: Provides a back-up eraser and this is especially important when taking written tests.

What I Learned: Learning about all the raw materials needed and gaining knowledgeable on Canva software for developing the presentation of this new product was interesting.

SHOES

Definition: The invention is a three in one shoe that is really three pairs (slippers, boots, etc.) of shoes in one.

Advantage: It enables the buyer to have one pair that can be slippers, boots, and standard shoes. Paying one price instead of 3 prices is a big cost savings.

What I Learned: Because it’s versatile, economical, and it will be helpful to everyone. Also, we had fun.

FIGHT THE BITE

Definition: This invention is a covering designed to cover the nails and prevent the bad habit of nail biting.

Advantage: Enables person to have pretty healthy nails and avoid nail biting.

What I Learned: It’s important to provide additions to make the nails fashionable and make pretty stickers with messages encouraging no nail biting.

THE MAGICAL WATER BOTTLE HOLDER

Definition: The hydro flask water bottle tumbler comes with magic markers and supports creating a new design for the water bottle holder.

Advantage: It can be sold at an affordable price in many retail outlets.

What I Learned: It can be hard to create and stay focused and get items or raw materials because of the multi-functions of the raw materials.

MVP is our incentive program for scholars during the third grading period.

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

The lobby will display the MVPs from all classes. One scholar (or more if there is a tie) will be recognized for the highest grade in the class, and one scholar (or more if there is a tie) will be recognized for the most improvement.

Ridgeview Readers,

Here are my recommendations for your March reading:

Our graphic novels check out more frequently than other titles, but sometimes the nonfiction variety is overlooked. It's too bad, because some of my FAVORITE nonfiction OR graphic novels are titles that are both! Here they are:

• A First Time for Everything, by Dan Santat. You probably read his picture books when you were younger, and this graphic novel memoir documents his first trip to Europe and first time traveling without parents, both in middle school. I always love his illustrations, and the way he talks about trying new foods for the first time really captures how I felt the first time I traveled and was surrounded by new things.

  
  

• Hey, Kiddo, by Jarrett Krosoczka won the National Book Award. By turns gritty and tender, Krosoczka chronicles growing up with his grandparents with a mother who was an addict and his father was "a mystery," as well as the decisions in that childhood that lead him to becoming a graphic novelist. It's wonderful.

  
  

• Yummy, A History of Desserts, by Victoria Grace Elliott, is on the list with a little bit of a lie... I don't know that I love it because I haven't read it. But those of you who come to the library know that I use my "I hate reading" 14-year-old as a barometer for what is worth checking out, and he loved this so much we had to go buy a copy. The sunny illustrations look like the sweetest bakery themselves, and how can you dislike a book that has a portion titled, "An Atlas of Cake"? I can hardly keep this on the shelf at either of my schools, so you're lucky if you catch it here.

  
  

• It's no secret I love Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, but my favorite is The Underground Abductor about Araminta Ross, a.k.a. Harriet Tubman. After reading this and another biography, She Came to Slay, I felt like I had known almost nothing about this truly amazing woman and was so glad I had taken the time to learn more. I would tell you, but I don't want to ruin any surprises you might not know about.

  
  

• When Stars Are Scattered, by Omar Mahmood Mohamed tells of his childhood in a refugee camp in Kenya before moving the US as an adult. It's beautiful, telling of the difficulties he and his brother faced with a gentle hand and beautiful illustrations by a Newberry Award winner. I can't name anyone who has read this book and not loved it.

Happy reading!

Mrs. Lawson

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 17th through March 21st is March Madness OST Spirit Week at RMS!

Chess Club

The Club continues to meet on Mondays in the library. We had a district-wide tournament on Friday, the 28th, at the Main Library downtown. The team is comprised of two sixth graders, two 7th graders, and two 8th graders and all will be playing against other middle school teams from throughout the CCS district. The top 4 players will move on to the finals in the afternoon.

Power of the Pen

The tournament was February 8th. Six RMS scholars participated and did well. A special congratulations to two students for qualifying to move on to the Regional Tournament at Ohio University—Lancaster on March 7th. If they qualify, they will move on to the State Tournament at Ashland University in May.

Math Club

The Math Club meets every Thursday and the new Noetic Math Challenge is spicing things up.

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://icementors.org/blackboyhonors/

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

Eryn Hathaway

Executive Director | ICE Mentors

614-285-PINK (7465)

erynpink.com

icementors.org

Check out recent news story Click Here

Check out our 2023 all girl talent show. Click Here

Greetings RMS Families,

The time is approaching for Columbus City Schools to implement its testing. Please mark the following dates on your calendar for Ridgeview's Ohio State’s Tests (OST) dates:

6th, 7th, & 8th Grades English & Language Arts (ELA)

• Part 1 - Tuesday, March 25
  
• Part 2 - Tuesday, April 1

8th Grade Science

• Thursday, April 10
  

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)
   

Here are some 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.

Greetings!

This is Nurse Gina and March is National Nutrition Month and National Poison Prevention Week is March 16-22, 2025!

Middle schoolers should eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. They should also limit their intake of saturated fat and sugary drinks.

Recommended Nutrients

• Fruits and vegetables: Eat at least 5 servings per day.
• Protein: Eat lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, soy products, and nuts.
• Whole grains: Eat 6 ounces per day.
• Calcium: Eat 1,300 milligrams per day.
• Iron: Boys need iron to support growth, and girls need it for growth and to replace blood lost through menstruation.
• Healthy fats: Choose unsaturated fats like olive, canola, safflower, sunflower, corn, and soybean oils.

Other Recommendations

• Drink low-fat milk and water instead of sugary drinks.
• Limit juice intake.
• Be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day.
• Choose nutrient-dense foods over high-energy-density foods.

Helpful Nutrition Tips

• Read the Nutrition Facts label to learn about the nutritional content of foods.
• Look for "whole grain" as the first ingredient on the food label.
• Include nut oils in your diet, but avoid animal fats.

You can also help your child understand the Nutrition Facts label by using the FDA's Read the Label materials. https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-facts-label/read-label-youth-outreach-materials

National Poison Prevention Week is March 16-22nd

With spring on the way, the Poison Control website has posted pointers in preventing poisonings from common household items. Please visit the following website for more information https://www.poisonhelp.hrsa.gov.

• Keep household cleaning products in original containers and follow directions for use and disposal.
• Allow good ventilation when using chemicals by opening windows or using fans.
• Stay away from bug and weed killers that have been sprayed for at least an hour.
• Wear protective clothing when spraying.
• If you suspect someone has been poisoned, call the Poison help line and talk with an expert at 1-800-222-1222. They are open 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

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)

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.

RMS is ready for March Madness!

Qualification Period: March 3 - 28, 2025.

Event Date: March 28th

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.

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?

RMS celebrated Black History Month by creating an interactive display in the library. This effort was led by Mrs. Wharton, Special Education Intervention Specialist.

A special thank you from Mrs. Wharton for everyone’s help in supporting this project. It should be noted that over 300 students were able to view and become knowledgabale about Black History, because Black History is American History!

CELEBRATION OF RAMADAN is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer (salah), reflection, and community. It is also the month in which the Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

Ramadan traditions include fasting, prayer, charity, and meals.

Fasting

• Muslims fast from dawn to dusk each day during Ramadan.
• They avoid food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity.
• They also avoid unkind or impure thoughts and words.

Prayer

• Muslims pray together at their local mosque.
• The month of Ramadan begins with a special prayer called "Tarawih".
• Families and communities gather to recite and listen to the Quran.

Charity

• Muslims organize charity events or distribute essentials like dates, water, or food to the needy.

Meals

• Muslims eat a pre-dawn meal called Suhoor before beginning their fast.
• Muslims eat Iftar at the end of the fast, when the Sun has gone down.
• Many Muslims break fast with dates and some water.

Other Traditions

• In Egypt, people light colorful fanous lamps during Ramadan.
• In Turkey, drummers march in the streets before Suhoor starts.
• In the United Arab Emirates, trained soldiers fire cannons at designated locations throughout the UAE.

The month of Ramadan starts once Muslims see the Ramadan moon and lasts until the moon of Shawwal enters the horizon.

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.

March 6, 2025 and April 3, 2025

Join Zoom Meeting

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

Meeting ID: 836 1031 8134

Passcode: 5C5JcKJoin Zoom Meeting

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 5th: Beginning of the Spring Flower Sale

(See information below)

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