Ridge Relay

This week, May 5-9, is Teacher Appreciation Week and we need your help! Please sign-up below to volunteer to cover lunch duty. This is also is a wonderful time to take the opportunity to email your child's teacher and tell them what an impact that they have made on your child's life. And/or have your child write a card/note of thanks. A positive note of support and encouragement is so meaningful and is greatly appreciated.

Also, a reminder that tomorrow, May 5th is the deadline for our 7th & 8th graders to Opt-IN for the Human Sexuality lessons that are offered each year. CRMS 7th and 8th Grade Opt-In Form Please see below for more information.

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9), we want to show our Teachers our gratitude, and Lunch Duty is a great way to show teachers appreciation by giving them a lunch break or extra time to plan/grade, but also is a way for you to connect with CRMS by getting to know the staff, students and seeing how the systems at CRMS work during the school day. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. You are welcome to sign-up for as many time-slots that work for you. :)

LISD Human Sexuality Curriculum

The newly created Leander ISD Human Sexuality Curriculum is created specifically for Leander ISD with the support of a health educational specialist, and meets the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) for Human Sexuality. Each of the grade levels has 4 lessons. These lessons will be delivered through Google Classrooms for students to engage with. Campuses will provide space and time for students who are opted in for the learning to work through the independent lessons with a teacher facilitating their work.

Texas House Bill 1525 requires that students must opt-in to participate in Human Sexuality Curriculum. Please see below to access the opt-in form.

When will CRMS have the opt in students learning for this year?

• 7th and 8th grade CRMS lesson dates are May 12, 13, 14.

(Note: 6th grade Puberty lessons are also OPT-IN by parents and they are receiving that information via email directly from their PE/PreAthletics/Dance Coaches the week of April 21st. 6th grade Lessons will also be done for 6th grade May 12, 13, 14, 2025.)

How can parents/guardians preview the material?

• If you wish to preview the curriculum, you may do so online here.
• To access additional information, please visit the LISD Human Sexuality Curriculum website.

How can my student Opt-In for the Leander ISD Human Sexuality Curriculum?

For your child to be able to attend the presentations, you must submit this OPT-IN form:

• CRMS 7th and 8th Grade Opt-In Form CRMS Forms must be completed by May 5th to participate.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar!
When: May 5, 2025, 6:00 PM
Topic: CRMS Incoming 7th grade Athletics Parent Webinar
https://leanderisd.zoom.us/j/85727988162
Passcode: GoEagles
Description: This meeting is for any current CRMS 6th graders (boys and girls) planning on taking Athletics next year in 7th grade (2025-2026)

As part of ongoing efforts to partner with the #1LISD community, students will be provided lessons on the dangers of substance use. Lesson dates and lesson previews are provided here. If you prefer your child to not receive this instruction, please complete the opt-OUT form by May 7th at noon.

-CRMS Counseling Team

This Wednesday, May 7th at 11am at CRMS is our last General Meeting of the year!

(You can attend in-person or join on Zoom Passcode: CRMSPTA) We will be voting to approve next year's budget and having a round table conversation regarding the scooters and electric/dirt bikes on campus. And Principal Sturdevant will review end-of-the year event dates and preview beginning of next year too. We would love parent involvement and hope to see you then!

Please view your child's HAC courses for accuracy. If there is a mistake or you would like to make a change, please utilize the appropriate grade level google form on our counseling website. Changes to course requests will be allowed until noon on May 23, 2025. No action needed if courses are correct. We hope you all have a great summer and look forward to our 2025/2026 school year!

How to view your course requests:

Log-in to Home Access Center → Select ‘Classes’ → Select the ‘Schedule’ tab.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see 2025/2026 Course Requests.

Notes:

• This is not a course schedule. These are student requests and are in no particular order.

• Course requests are a yearlong commitment. No changes to courses will be accepted after May 23rd at noon.

• Due to scheduling constraints, some specific class combinations may not always be available. Additionally, the availability of specific classes will be dependent on student interest and master schedule considerations.

• Home Access viewing of course requests will be viewable through May 23rd and then closed until schedules are live in August.

*Update for next year 8th graders: All students will be enrolled in Advanced ELA 8. Click here for more information.

Reminder: The last day of school, Friday, May 23, 2025 is a half-day. For Middle School, early release is at 1:05pm.

• To help us prepare for the last day of school, please let us know if you wish to opt-in to purchase a sack lunch for your child(ren). We will not have our regular lunch schedule on the last day of school. Breakfast WILL be provided as usual. Regular secondary meal pricing (including free/reduced meals qualifications) applies to breakfast and lunch. Your child can pick up their sack lunch in the CRMS cafeteria when school ends on 5/23. Please fill out this form by 5/16 at noon if your child will get a lunch on 5/23.
• We will NOT be taking early pick-up requests by phone or note on Friday, 5/23. A parent/guardian listed in HAC must come inside with a photo ID prior to 12:20pm. All students will be participating in fun, last-day-of-school activity rotations & may take time to locate, so please plan accordingly.
• Bus permits will NOT be provided on Friday, 5/23. Buses will only transport assigned students home.
• We encourage ALL students to bring as few items to school as possible. No laptops, school supplies, etc. Students should bring a small drawstring backpack or almost empty school backpack. They should ONLY bring a water bottle, snack if they want, hat/sunscreen, yearbook & a pen.
• Please put your name inside your yearbook. And remember NO Sharpies are allowed at school.
• We encourage refillable water bottles & sunscreen/hats as some choice activities will be outdoors.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In order to be compliant under Texas Administrative Code regarding immunizations, an updated immunization record is required for your (current 6th grader) soon to be 7th grade child. The updated immunization record must include the required Tdap booster and 1 quadrivalent Meningococcal vaccine after the age of 11. To avoid exclusion, your child’s campus nurse must receive the updated record prior to the first day of school. Please visit the Texas Department of State Health Services website to view a full list of K-12 immunization requirements.

If you are unsure whether your child has received these required immunizations, please contact your physician. You may request a copy of your child’s immunization records by emailing student.records@leanderisd.org.

We hope this early communication prevents missed instructional days in your child’s upcoming 7th grade school year. Please contact the campus nurse where your child will be attending 7th grade should you have any questions regarding state required immunizations.

Thank you,

Rachael Kristoff RN, BSN

School Nurse

Canyon Ridge Middle School

T: 512-570-3507

Confidential Efax: 512-570-9258

E: rachael.kristoff@leanderisd.org

CRMS Clinic Website

Parents, the fifth newsletter from the CRMS counseling office is available via the link below. The newsletter serves to highlight CRMS students, provide an overview of guidance lessons, insights from the counselor’s book study, middle school tips, and upcoming dates. Enjoy!

Counseling Newsletter – The Echo

Reflecting Positivity through CRMS Counseling Services

Volume 7 Issue 5

April 2025

Are you a curious and innovative student ready to showcase your project at the Regional and State Science Fair? Our Science Fair Club is the perfect place to explore your ideas, get support, and prepare for competition.

Sign-up deadline: May 19, 2025

Please review the Google Form details with your child before signing up.

Students can begin signing up on April 1 to register and pay their security deposit for the 2025-2026 school year. Students who enroll now will be able to keep their devices over the summer.

*New this year, pay through MySchoolBucks (same app you do your lunch account)

2025-2026 mLISD Brochure

All secondary students in LISD have the option to receive a district-provided device for use during the school year. In order to provide maintenance, support, and accidental damage protection for the mLISD district owned devices, LISD will collect a non-refundable security deposit for each device. The maintenance and support yearly non-refundable deposit is:

$60 High School Students

$40 Middle School Students.

($0.00 Students who qualify for Free and Reduced meals)

See the mLISD options page for additional information

Transportation registration is now open for the 2025-26 school year! Every eligible student in need of transportation MUST register to ride each year. Register your student(s) by May 31 to guarantee transportation on the first day of school.

• To determine if your general education student(s) is/are eligible for transportation, search your home address in infofinder-i.
• Submit the Student Transportation Registration form only if eligible. Please only complete one form per rider.

Full details here.

CALLING ALL 2025 CANYON RIDGE 8TH GRADE STUDENTS - ALL ARE WELCOME!!! We will have a delicious food buffet, DJ - Dance Party, a photo booth, and much more. This is the perfect event for them to hang out with their classmates before soaring to be a Vandegrift Viper, or wherever their future may take them!!

WHEN: Friday May 9, 2025, 7:30-9:30pm

WHERE: UT Golf Club Pavilion, 2200 University Club Drive

TICKETS: Get your ticket today for your 8th Grade student. $45 pre-sale/ $50 at the door. Tickets and volunteer opportunities are included in the registration form.

NOTE: This event is for CRMS 8th graders only. No students from other grades or other schools will be allowed in.

*This is not a CRMS school event. It is hosted off campus by community families but all 8th grade students are welcome.

Off campus PE is an optional program utilized by students in grades 6-12 who wish to apply to receive their PE credit through an outside, privately funded, pre-approved organization. All off-campus PE student applications for the 2025-26 school year can be found on the OCPE website: rmd.me/xicJK6ERPTS
Applications are available beginning Feb. 1 through May 30, 2025.
Updated OCPE guidelines can also be found on the OCPE website. For additional questions, please reach out to candace.mckinley@leanderisd.org.

Dear Canyon Ridge Middle School Students, Parents, and Community,

I am writing to request your help regarding an increasing safety concern at CRMS. With the arrival of warmer weather, we are experiencing a rise in walkers, as well as various types of bikers and scooter riders. Unfortunately, this has led to several safety issues that we must address for the well-being of our students, staff, and community....

Letter sent April 8, 2025

Our AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) class is looking for college students/graduates to tutor our CRMS middle school students in collaborative study groups as they prepare for classes.

AVID tutorials take place in small groups that are subject area specific. AVID tutors assist the students achieve their full potential by facilitating collaborative tutorial groups.

Apply Today

The April Special Programs Newsletter is here! We have exciting updates on student achievements, the latest episodes of the Collaborative Partners Podcast, and upcoming events like the Parent Inspiration Group and our Family Workshop Conference. You’ll also find engaging activities for AAC users and their families, helpful academic tips to support learning at home, and valuable community resources. Don’t miss out on all the ways you can stay connected and support your student’s success!

Leander ISD’s Special Programs Parent Liaison, Ashley Anderson is joined by Assistive Technology Specialist, Cici Fritts to talk about the supports available for families.

What’s a Parent Liaison? Listen now

Check out the Special Programs Parent Advisory Council Resources to find this month’s family socials, learning opportunities, and more! It’s a quick way to stay connected and informed with all things Special Programs.

Trustees approved the 2025–26 academic calendar, closing out a monthslong process of community feedback.

Responding to a common refrain heard from each stakeholder group, the approved Version C calendar adds additional two-day holidays for students and staff in each semester – in October and in February – to help break up what were previously uninterrupted stretches in the calendar. In order to accomplish this version, the last day of school is pushed one week later, ending May 29, the Friday after Memorial Day.

Key features of the calendar include:

• First day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, the same week as in 2024–25
• ** New ** Student and staff holiday Oct. 16–17, with a staff professional development day Oct. 20
• ** New ** Student and staff holiday Feb. 12–13, with a staff professional development day Feb. 16
• Last day of school Friday, May 29, one week later than in 2025–26
• Student early release days at the end of each semester: Dec. 19 and May 29
• Continuous Improvement Conference: Nov. 3–4, aligning with Tuesday’s student holiday for Election Day.
• Spring Break: March 16–20, aligning with Austin Community College
• Staff development days during the school year will balance new learning with teacher planning and collaboration time: Sept. 22, Oct. 20, Jan. 5, Feb. 16, March 23 and April 6

Hello 5th grade families,

We had so much fun welcoming students to the CRMS campus on February 20th!
And we are so grateful that so many of you joined us for our parent webinar on Tuesday, February 18th. We have posted the webinar recording for your reference. You can find the digital course registration sheet with teacher videos, webinar recording and all the due dates/information here on our website.

*For any 5th graders, who need to make a change to the courses they put on their submitted form, here is the 5 to 6 Course Change Request. No changes will be accepted after the due date on Friday, May 23, 2025 at noon.

We are so excited to welcome a new batch of students joining the #1LISD family for the 2025-26 school year. Enrollment for new students opens Tuesday, April 1.

Beginning April 1, families can enroll online through the New-student Registration page. Enrollment will remain open through the summer.

This year, in-person PreK registration will be held by region at each elementary school in the district on Wednesday, April 2, and Thursday, April 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please click here to find the date and time for your child’s campus.

Read More

Cold & Flu Season Tips

Notice regarding state measles cases

Friendly reminder: When a student is absent, parents or guardians should submit any necessary documentation as soon as possible; recommended within 48 hours of the absence. *Please make sure that last and first name, student ID and date/s are included in all attendance notes.*

By following the guidelines, we can work together to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for all students and staff. Thank you for your support in keeping our school community well!

CRMS Clubs and Organizations Site

Attention Parents! Has a teacher or staff member at CRMS made a difference that you believe merits recognition? If so, nominate him or her to receive the Golden Eagle Award. Each week, from the Eagle community's nominations, a worthy faculty or staff member will be awarded the Golden Eagle. Recipients of the Golden Eagle Award have the privilege of keeping the coveted Golden Eagle statue in their office or classroom until the next faculty or staff member is recognized. Please nominate someone today!

Golden Eagle Award Nomination Form

Earlier this Fall, we updated you on our new vending machines at CRMS so we want to also share with you the flyer with directions and contact information if there are any questions/concerns.

The district has added vending machines that are being stocked with the same snacks/drinks that are sold in the cafeteria during lunches. The intent is for students to access during the school day when the cafeteria is not open for times like end-of-school-day when students may have practices/events. Students can use their school ID# (or cash) to purchase from these machines so it uses money from their "lunch accounts" so you may notice more snack purchases. We have noticed these machines are popular purchases so please have conversations with your student(s) about what your expectations are with the amounts being purchased. Please note that we will be telling students that they cannot leave class and miss instructional time to purchase extra snacks.

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/

Important Attendance Reminders:

• Absence notes should be emailed to crmsattendance@leanderisd.org within 48 hours of the absence.
  

• When you email the school, please include the student's first and last name and ID #. Student nicknames can cause confusion with attendance coding.Please note why the student was absent or what kind of appointment they had (medical/dental) otherwise it will be unexcused due to lack of info.

• If you will be picking up your child from school early, please call the school (512-570-3500) 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 latest a student may be picked up early is 4pm due to our end-of-day dismissal.
  

• 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.

• If you feel like there is an error for a particular class period, please email the teacher directly first. For example, if your student was tardy and the teacher accidentally already marked the student absence, email the teacher because the attendance office has to have it in writing from the teacher before attendance can update anything

• There is a turn around time in updates if a student was with the nurse, AP, counselor, etc. It is not necessary to email the attendance office. Please remember that we have 1000 students so it will take 2-4 business days to show the update. We appreciate your patience and understanding that our team is working tirelessly to support all of our Eagles!

Leander ISD has partnered with MySchoolBucks as our new online store. You can easily pay online for school items and add money to your student's lunch account. We are adding new items to the store everyday.

Create your free MySchoolBucks account to conveniently and securely pay for your student’s school fees online or with the mobile app.

With MySchoolBucks you’ll be able to quickly browse school items in our School Store, be notified when fees are due, and make payments from anywhere!

Get Started Today:

1. Go to myschoolbucks.com or download the mobile app
2. Create your free account and add your students using their school name / student ID or birthdate
3. Add school items or invoices to your cart
4. Check out using your credit / debit card or electronic check.

We appreciate you using this online option as a way to help reduce the amount of physical cash and checks that our staff would need to handle for these school fees.

If you need assistance with your account, you can find helpful how-to videos and answers to commonly asked questions by visiting myschoolbucks.com. Or, you can contact MySchoolBucks directly by logging into your account to start a chat conversation or give them a call at (855) 832-5226.

Thank you,

Leander ISD

Please Note:

• $$$ account for snacks, additional food
• Snacks may not always be available all year long due to staffing shortages
• For the 24/25 school year, students who qualify for reduced price, breakfast will be free and lunch will be reduced.
• You must apply each year for free/reduced lunch.

Middle School Student’s spring 2024 STAAR score results should be available to parents on the Texas Education Agency Family Portal beginning June 14th.

Directions for Accessing your Child’s STAAR Report Card from TEA:

• Click on the TEA Family Portal Login
• If you know your child’s unique access code, found at the bottom of STAAR reports from previous administrations, enter that code in the Access Code box. Enter the date of birth using the drop-down menus. Click on the blue Go button to access results.

• If you do not know your child’s unique access code, you can still access STAAR results if you know your child’s social security number and date of birth. Click on “How do I look up my access code?” link below the Sign-On Button and enter the following information:
• TSDS ID or PEIMS ID (often same as social security number)
• Child’s date of birth
• Child’s legal first name
• Click “Search”

Additionally, results may be accessed through the Home Access Center (HAC) after June 14th:

• Log into your Home Access Center (HAC) account.
• Select the Grades tab
• Select Texas Test Scores
• Click on the link to STAAR English/Spanish – this will log you into the parent portal and you will see assessment results.

Randall's has agreed to add CRMS to the Good Neighbor Support program and it is SO easy! Email below, then do your regular shopping and Randall's will donate back to the CRMS PTA.

Simply copy/paste the below message to send an email to good.neighbor@randalls.com with the following:

Hello,

Please link my customer account connected to phone number [type your Randall's phone number] with Good Neighbor Charity #14216 for Canyon Ridge Middle School PTA.

Thank you,

[type your name]

AP/Counselor by grade-level for 2024-2025:

• 6th: Brian Bass / Staci Cote
• 7th: Dr. Ashley Thompson1 / Kimberly Mills
• 8th: Leah Cox / Jillian Baaklini

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