Ridge Relay

Attn 7th grade families! The 7th grade state mandated vision and hearing screenings will take place tomorrow, 10/12/22, during Science class. Please make sure your 7th grade student brings their glasses, if they use them.

Please plan to join Mrs. Sturdevant and the other VHS feeder pattern (VHS, CRMS, FPMS, RPE, RRE, GHE, SRE & LWBE) community principals tomorrow (Wednesday, October 12) at 6:00pm for an information session on the upcoming elections. We will host it at Four Points MS for all of our community to come get more information on the Leander ISD Proposition A and B election.

Go Eagles!

Polished Nails in Steiner Ranch donating 15% off sales for the whole day back to CRMS: October 11th, 2022.

"Book your appointment anytime on 10/11/22 and help support CRMS PTA! Polished Nail Bar in Steiner Ranch is donating 15% of sales that day. This is a staff development day at school, so bring your student along!"

7th/8th grade art students finished their oil pastel cropped logos last week. Here is a compilation of the art work. Take the Logo Challenge and see if you can identify some of these student masterful pieces.

Here is the logo quiz link for all students, staff and parents to take on the challenge!

The Vandegrift Vipers Pink Out game against Round Rock is coming up on Friday, October 14th at Monroe Stadium! Get your PINK OUT Game Day shirt! Pre order online. https://www.vandegriftcheer.com/GAMEDAYSHIRTS. Pre order online and pick up the Pink Out shirt at CRMS on 10/12 during lunch. Pink Out shirts will only be available for pre order pick up. No onsite sales.

The game day shirts are worn at:

• 10/14 PINK OUT (Round Rock @Monroe)
  
• 10/28 HOMECOMING (Vista Ridge @Monroe)

Items will be available for pick up at CRMS during lunch before the game.

The shirts are Comfort Colors Brand T-Shirts.

PICK UP ONLY, NO DELIVERIES, NO REFUNDS

Update as of 10/5/22:

Thank you to those of you who were able to join us for our first PTA coffee talk on Monday to preview and have a thoughtful conversation about the challenging but important topic of Bullying Awareness. Mrs. Cote and I took your questions and feedback and debriefed with our admin and counseling team. We are working to make some adjustments to the video and our lessons, so I wanted to update you with that information.

For those of you who signed up but were not able to attend, we will only be showing clips of the video to make it more age appropriate for our students. Our intention was to utilize clips from the film as a springboard for our discussions with students. On Monday, at the parent coffee talk we got some valuable feedback that demonstrated additional concern so we are working to tweak our video presentation based on the input we received. We also are unable to share out the specific clips due to copyright concerns. It is only something we can share in person with our campus students/parents rather than emailing it out or providing a link.

Since we were only able to offer one time for parent feedback this week, we have decided to postpone using the video clips as part of our October bullying awareness lessons. We would like to offer another opportunity for parents to preview and give input before moving forward. If needed at that time, we will plan to extend the timeline for parents to opt-out. (We are looking at the calendar to avoid scheduling conflicts and then will share out in the Ridge Relay as soon as we have a date/time confirmed for an update.) Since bullying awareness is such an important issue, October will not be a one time only for student lessons and activities. We anticipate rolling out follow-up lessons at the start of the next semester.

Also, it was requested to provide you all with more information on the activities that the counselors and student group have planned for the lessons next week. Mrs. Cote graciously put together this parent preview for you to see the plan for a variety of tools and resources that they will be utilizing. Please note: She made this preview for you before we decided to postpone the video clips, so please disregard the calendar that she shares as well as the Alex update.

We are so grateful for your partnership in our efforts to educate students on this very important and current issue. As I mentioned Monday, no one person can fix bullying. It takes a community who comes together to support students in understanding the impacts of bullying. Let’s start making a difference.

#StrongerTogether,

Wendy Sturdevant

In honor of October as National Bullying Prevention Month, the CRMS team is preparing a variety of activities:

• Wednesday, October 19 is Unity Day. Unity Day was created to encourage solidarity against bullying and foster kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. We do this by students & staff wearing and sharing ORANGE!
  
• We also want to encourage students to join our Eagle Allies student club! For more information on the meetings and events, see club info below and join Google Classroom code: ouii5lo

As a district and school, we strive to make our campus a safe and effective learning environment for all. Reach out to your grade level AP or Counselor with any questions.

Leander ISD middle school students receive yearly prevention lessons in order to promote and support wellness, healthy choices, and a drug-free lifestyle. See lesson dates and parent information below. Contact your grade level counselor with any questions.

6th grade lessons on October 4-6, 2022

6th grade ATOD Lesson Parent Information - English

6th grade ATOD Lesson Parent Information - Spanish

7th grade lessons on October 18-20, 2022

7th grade ATOD Lesson Parent Information - English

7th grade ATOD Lesson Parent Information - Spanish

8th grade lessons on November 29-December 1, 2022

8th grade ATOD Lesson Parent Information - English

8th grade ATOD Lesson Parent Information - Spanish

Each year, LISD offers students an opportunity to take an Exam for Acceleration (EA) at no cost to the family. LISD offers four EA testing windows each school year. Click this link for more information and dates. Students and parents can request the exam through their grade level counselor. The next testing window and deadline to register is listed below.

Testing Window Two: December 5-7, 2022

Registration deadline: October 28, 2022

Location: CRMS

Logistics: Arranged with student's counselor & UTHS

Note: Students who pass an Exam for Acceleration in the December 2022 testing window will complete the 2022-2023 school year in his/her current class. Students will receive their acceleration in the 2023-2024 school year. December testing is not recommended by CRMS counselors. We suggest waiting until the March 2023 or June 2023 testing.

The Fall sessions at CRMS have been canceled due to low registration. If interested, please plan for the Spring classes...

Our LISD Student and Family Support Team is facilitating the six-week Parenting the Love and Logic Way® course during the Fall of 2022 and the Spring of 2023. Both courses will be offered on Thursday evenings from 6-8 pm. This six-week program is designed to help parents nurture responsible, respectful, fun to be around children who will learn how to make their own choices, own their problems, think critically and logically for themselves, while parents let empathy and consequences do the teaching. The course is appropriate for parents with any aged child and any situation: home, school or even work. The series is open to any parent.

2022-2023 Love and Logic Flyer

Registration Form

Fall 2022 Class - CANCELED due to low registration

Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Dates for the 6-week series: October 6, 13, 20, 27 & November 3 & 10, 2022

Location: Canyon Ridge Middle School Lecture Hall

Spring 2023 Class:

Thursdays from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Dates for the 6-week series: January 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, & March 2, 2023

Location: Running Brushy Middle School Library.

Did you know that we have student-created clubs at CRMS like D&D gaming for students?!?! Check out our clubs & activities website and if there is something new you want to add there is a link at the top to help you get a new club started too:

https://sites.google.com/leanderisd.org/crmsclubs/clubs-home

Our students love our outdoor “recess” time after lunch each day but our basket of sports equipment is almost empty. If you have any sports equipment in your garage that you would like to clean out and donate, we will gladly accept footballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, kick balls and basketballs. It does not need to be new--we welcome used equipment that we can put to good use for all of our students. Please drop off your donations anytime during school hours in the front office. Thank you for helping to provide for this valuable outdoor time for our Eagles!

Art Club will meet at 8:15 am the last Thursday of each month. There will be a different project each meeting.There is no cost to join. Regular attendance is preferred

● Students attending this month’s meeting will meet Mrs. Blevins at the main entrance at 8:15am- Late students won’t be able to enter the building until the doors open at 8:35am, thus will be unable to attend art club

● Students will work on the lesson until 8:55am, then they will be dismissed for first period.

● Students will pick up their work at the end of the day to take home!

"Eagle Allies" exists to promote inclusion, kindness, diversity, and acceptance at Canyon Ridge. All are welcome!

As part of Eagle Allies, members will also work toward CRMS's No Place for Hate® initiative which provides educators and students with the resources to ensure that anti-bias and diversity education are an integral part of the school curriculum. No Place for Hate® also helps to create and sustain inclusive school environments where all students feel valued and have the opportunity to succeed by promoting respect for individual difference while challenging bigotry and prejudice.

We meet every other Tuesday morning at 8:15 in room 1130.

9/13, 9/27, 10/4, 10/18, 11/1, 11/15, 11/29, 12/13, 1/10, 1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 3/21, 4/4, 4/18, 5/16

Google Classroom Code: ouii5lo

Library Club Website

Meeting is one Wednesday each month 8:15-8:55 AM

Students meet at the main doors of the school to get let in for the meeting. Students who arrive after 8:20 at school can come to the Library Club meeting in progress when the doors open at 8:35.

Library Club will meet one Wednesday each month: 10/19, 11/16, 12/14, 1/18, 2/15, 3/22, 4/12, 5/17.

The CRMS Library is a great place to find a home, make friends and help promote a love for reading on campus. The Library Club once-a-month meetings are held on the second Thursday before school in the CRMS Library. The monthly meeting usually include a group game/team building activity, library care, planning upcoming events, and prize drawings at each meeting. Library Club members help run the Read-a-Thon, Adopt-a-Shelf program, chess and game mornings, maker-space crafts, and assist with Book Fair, author visits, book clubs and general library upkeep. This is a vibrant club where students really take ownership in their library and make long-lasting friendships. Students will meet other readers and can even form their own student-run “Lunch Bunch Book Clubs” within Library Club to meet at times that work for the students and library schedule.

Co-Directed by Student Library Aides, Sponsor: Mrs. Illingworth, CRMS Librarian

Students must go through the LISD testing process to be identified as a QUEST student and enroll in the course. If you are a current student, reach out to your campus counselor or campus QUEST teacher for testing information. If you are a student who is currently in QUEST, you may choose to stay in QUEST without further testing. Students referred for testing by November 11, 2022 will be screened to determine the need for additional G/T assessment and identification. Those selected for additional screening will be notified and then will be assessed during the 22/23 school year. Please contact your grade level counselor for the referral form.

The CRMS coaching team and the new Athletic Booster Club board are working behind the scenes to get another great year of CRMS sports underway. Here is the Athletics newsletter. Read the Athletic Booster Club Newsletter and get connected today!

The South Location of the Leander ISD PTA Clothes Closet is up and running! This resource provides free clothing to families with students who reside within the LISD boundaries in grades PRE-K through the SELF (18+) program. The South Location can be found at River Place Elementary School in Portable #3 & #4. See flyer for address, shopping dates, and shopping hours.

If you would like to contribute to the clothes closet, you may donate gently used shoes and clothing at the green bin outside of Four Points Middle School located near the football field. Additionally, you can help out by purchasing off of their Amazon Wish List.

Proposition A on the November ballot is an Attendance Credit Election, which state law requires when a district’s revenues from property values exceed its calculated entitlement and the excess is due to the state through a process called recapture (also known as Robin Hood). If voters approve Proposition A, the school district will proceed with making its mandatory recapture payments to the state as required. If voters defeat Proposition A, the state could detach a portion of the district’s total property value — effectively shrinking the tax base. This “Detachment of Territory” is permanent and irreversible, even if in future years the property values within the district make it no longer subject to recapture.

Proposition B is a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election, or VATRE. It would ratify the action the Board took on August 18, 2022 by adopting an increase in the tax rate for Maintenance & Operations, which is the component of a school district tax rate that pays for operating expenses such as teacher salaries.

If voters approve Proposition B, the district will see an estimated $32 million net increase in revenue, which would fund pay increases for teachers and other employees that trustees approved earlier this year. The additional revenue will prevent future cuts to personnel and programs — especially because LISD is now subject to recapture at a greater level than past years.

Because of state-initiated reductions in the M&O rate, and the Board’s action to lower the LISD Interest & Sinking tax rate, taxpayers will see a reduction in the overall tax rate of more than 6 cents per $100 in property valuation if Proposition B is approved.

“If Proposition B does not pass, we expect a deficit of $35 million,” Gearing said. “That deficit could impact future pay raises for teachers and the sustainability of educational and extracurricular programs.

“State law and the state school finance system require us to put this decision before the voters,” he added. “We encourage everyone to participate in the upcoming election.”

For much more information about these propositions, please visit leanderisd.org/elections.

To complete or renew your volunteer registration, click the appropriate link:

New volunteer in LISD | Returning LISD volunteer

Back-to-School Resources:

• Back-to-School CRMS Parent 2022 Webinar for all families Recording (from 8/8/22)
• CRMS Virtual Open House 2022

We are reaching out to let you know of some updates we have made to cell phone practices currently in use on our campus for 2022-23.

Cell phones are everywhere. They can be handy tools, but also insidious distractions. We have seen a rise in student violations with regards to the use of cell phones, AirPods, and social media on campus, which directly impacts our campus culture, student learning, and safety.

Campus Cell Phone Expectations

Maintaining the integrity of the learning environment is our top priority, which is why these changes will be implemented. We will begin using new practices, detailed below, so that students know what to expect and teachers have a consistent system to help students manage expectations.

At CRMS, students will be permitted to bring cell phones or other items used for communication. However, cell phones and all functions within the cell phone (i.e. cameras, AirPods/headphones, smart watches, and all other applications) are prohibited during class unless permitted under Section 504 or within a student’s IEP. When students walk into each classroom, they will have a secure location to safely store their silenced cell phone for the class period. Phones and AirPods/headphones may be used on school grounds before school, during lunch, and after school as long as students are not violating the District’s acceptable use guidelines.

We are aware that special circumstances arise and sometimes an important call must be made or received. Students are advised to communicate with their teachers if there are extenuating circumstances on a particular day. In the event of a true emergency, family members should call the main office at 512-570-3500 if they need to get in touch with a student.

Why the change?

We looked at data and at policies from a half dozen other school districts. We learned some important things. 95% of all middle and high school students have phones they bring to school. Some teachers allow students to use phones as part of their instruction, and others do not. However, nearly all teachers agree phones distract students in class. Most students want to be able to carry their phones, but they agree their phones can be distracting in classes. Parents want to be able to contact their kids during the school day, but they also recognize students remain focused on classwork at school.

Keeping these things in mind, the campus came to consensus on the changes above for the 2022-2023 school year. As these new rules are implemented, the CRMS team will meet periodically to gauge the impact of the changes, and suggest adjustments that need to be made as needed.

Check out these short videos for more information:

• https://youtu.be/la1lRcq2-LU

• https://www.edutopia.org/video/theres-cell-phone-your-students-head

According to the Leander ISD Student Code of Conduct, students are required to follow the expectations around proper usage of technology. This extends to the use of personal devices while on an LISD campus. Below are the expectations copied from the handbook for your reference.

1. Violating any of the prohibited behaviors/conduct listed in the LISD Technology Resource Acceptable Use Guidelines.

2. Recording the voice or image of another without the prior consent of the individuals being recorded, or administrative approval, in any way that disrupts the educational environment or invades the privacy of others.

3. Copying, downloading, reproducing, distributing, retransmitting, redisplaying, or modifying items from the District’s website.

Acceptable Use Guidelines

Student Code of Conduct

Campus Guidelines

If a student violates the cell phone procedure during class, in the halls, restroom, etc., the following consequences will apply consistent with the gravity of the infraction.

• 1st Offense: The student may pick up his/her phone from the Counseling Office after the dismissal bell at the end of the school day.

• 2nd Offense: The student’s parent may pick up the student’s phone from the Receptionist after the dismissal bell at the end of the school day.

• 3rd Offense: The student will be assigned appropriate consequences, and the student’s parent may pick up the student’s phone from the Receptionist after the dismissal bell at the end of the school day.

• 4th Offense: The student will be assigned appropriate consequences, and the student’s parent may pick up the student’s phone from the Receptionist after the dismissal bell at the end of the school day.

Student Pick Up Rules

If you will be picking up your child from school early, please call the school ahead of time to let the Receptionist know. This allows our Receptionist time to get a pass written ahead of time and helps to move the process along more quickly.

The only people who will be permitted to pick up a child will be parents/guardians and those individuals listed as an emergency contact in your Home Access Center (HAC). Due to safety reasons, we are no longer allowing a parent to call in and give permission for someone to pick up your child during the school day other than those listed in HAC.

We do not allow early pick up after 4:00pm.

Transportation Changes

If you need to change your child’s transportation for the end of the school day, please call the school to let us know. Parents must call to make the change – students are not permitted to make their own changes. Transportation changes will not be accepted after 2:00pm.

Beginning this 2022-23 school year, meals for Leander ISD students will be provided by Sodexo, a food-services provider committed to improving the quality of life of students within districts they serve through quality food services.

All students who qualify for free and reduced-price (F&R) meals during the 2022-23 school year will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. Due to a partnership with USDA, reduced-price meals will be free for the 2022-23 school year.

For elementary students who do not qualify for F&R meals, prices are remaining the same as they were in 2019. The cost of breakfast is $1.50 and lunch is $2.90. For secondary students, the cost of breakfast is $1.75 and lunch is $3.15.

Parents who would like to apply to find out if they are eligible for F&R meals for their children can visit our Child Nutrition Services website for more information.

We recognize that there have been some bus delays, issues with SMART Tag, and weather in the past few days. We know this has been frustrating for our families and apologize for the inconvenience. We appreciate your patience and support as we are working out the kinks with our new system and expect to be on track with expected pick-up and drop-off times soon. Please go here for information and to sign up for the SMART Tag portal.

Bus Routes & Bus Stops

2022-23 Bus Route Information will be available after Friday, August 5, 2022. To maximize efficiencies and ensure students arrive at their respective campuses safely and on time, bus stops will be located on main roads and centralized, near neighborhood parks, pools, mailboxes and campuses, wherever feasible. This will potentially reduce the number of bus-stops in a sub-division from prior years, reduce the number of miles on each route and the time it takes to run the route.

Get Ready for Smart-Tag

After a successful pilot roll-out at several LISD Campuses, Smart-Tag will roll out district-wide for the 2022-23 School Year. This system provides real-time route information to drivers, campuses, and families letting them know where the bus is, approximate arrival time, if a student loaded the bus and also ensures they do not get on the wrong bus or off at the wrong stop. Find out more information here. And you can get a jump start and pre-register with Smart-Tag.

We are looking for community members to join our CRMS team as a substitute. It is a great position that doesn’t require teacher certification or a specific college degree where you can support students and teachers, get paid, follow the school calendar to be off during holidays with your children and have the flexibility to choose what days (or even half-days) you work. Email Wendy Sturdevant or visit the substitute site for more information today!

For the most up-to-date information regarding LISD’s COVID-19 protocols, including a quick reference guide and frequently asked questions, visit our COVID-19 Health Protocols page.

Beginning last school year, all tickets for all high school and middle school athletic events hosted at LISD facilities will be sold online only. There will be NO cash sales at the gate.

Tickets can be purchased through link on the athletics webpage:

https://www.leanderisd.org/athletics_ticketspasses/

*Did you know you can buy all your Amazon purchases through Amazon Smile, and they will donate to our PTA all year long?!?! It doesn’t cost you anything and you order the same way. Just set up your Amazon Smile profile to donate to PTA Texas Congress Canyon Ridge Middle School PTA.

*CRMS PTA: If you have not yet, please consider joining the CRMS PTA. Memberships start as low as $10.

*SPIRIT WEAR

Be sure to follow Canyon Ridge Middle School PTA on Facebook and join the Facebook group for your child's grade level. Thank you for your time and all of your support for our Eagles!

AP/Counselor by grade-level for 2022-2023:

• 6th: Leah Cox / Staci Cote
• 7th: A-K Leah Cox & L-Z Cassandra Ricks / Sabrina Anderson
• 8th: Cassandra Ricks / Katie Young

Email: Wendy.Sturdevant@leanderisd.orgg
Website: crms.leanderisd.org
Location: Canyon Ridge Middle School, Country Trails Lane, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-570-3500
Twitter: @Sturdevant_CRMS

With a continued focus on the safety and security of our students, Leander ISD is hosting a Safety, Security, Health and Wellness Summit, “Empowering Parents.” In response to community requests for more educational awareness, district leadership and our community partners will answer questions about substance abuse, particularly the use of fentanyl. We will also address concerns about campus safety and security.

If you missed this event, you can view the Video Recording.