Hello CRMS families!

Thank you to everyone who has participated this week in Unity day and wore orange, joined PTA as part of our membership competition and attended the VHS Homecoming parade and pep rally. It is so nice to have our community coming together again as our Eagles soar to success! This week our Eagles won the district championship in Cross Country and numerous band UIL honors. See below for the outstanding student successes in the classroom and in extracurriculars.

Next week, we will be celebrating Red Ribbon week and having dress-up days at CRMS. We encourage all students to enjoy these fun activities! And soon we will be celebrating Veterans Day, so please find below how you or a family member can be part of that tribute.

Update: Parents you MUST have your ID when you come to campus to pick up your child during the school day. The system recently did a reboot as part of a software update and so there are currently no previous IDs for anyone at this time. So please do not forget that you must bring ID so we can rescan them.

Reminder: Get your orders in to One People's Kitchen by Sunday to count for the PTA spirit night.

Please keep reading for even more events and ways for students to get connected at CRMS! Go Eagles!

Follow us on social media:

Twitter: @Sturdevant_CRMS

Instagram: Canyon_Ridge_MS

Facebook: Canyon Ridge Middle School PTA

• Monday: Rally against Drugs--Wear Red!
• Tuesday: Peace Out to Drugs--Wear Tie Dye or your favorite 70's outfit!
• Wednesday: Sock it to Drugs---Wear Crazy Socks!
• Thursday: Put a Cap on Drugs---Wear a Hat!
• Friday: Drugs Can't Scare You---Wear a Costume!

Expectations for Halloween costumes: Costumes must be school appropriate and may not include any weapons or face masks that fully cover a student's face (staff need to be able to see a student's face). If any props are a distraction in class or around campus, they will be confiscated by a staff member and the student may receive it back at the end of the school day. We want students to enjoy this dress up day as part of Red Ribbon week, but they still must be engaged in classroom instruction and maintain proper behavior.

Veterans Day is quickly approaching on November 11th! While we unfortunately cannot have our traditional Veterans Day assembly, we still want to take the time to recognize and honor those in our Eagle Community. We are creating a video assembly to show our appreciation and give thanks to all who have served our country with grace and honor. The video will include various student pieces, and we would really love to feature our veteran community members. Please complete this form if you are a veteran or have a veteran in your family that you would like to honor. Form submissions will be accepted through Wednesday, November 3rd.

This past Saturday was District Auditions for the band program here at CRMS, and our kids had an amazing day! We had 66 students make District Band, 52 that will advance to the next round of contest (Region Band Auditions), and 9 students make 1st chair on their instrument.

These are the best results we have ever had at the District Level and we are so proud of them! Here is the amazing list of all of the muscians. Students highlighted in yellow made the first chair. Kudos to all of our band students and the directors on their tremendous success!

Break open the record books! On Thursday, our Eagles brought home 1st place in ALL 4 divisions (7th girls, 7th boys, 8th girls & 8th boys) at the district cross country meet with an UNDEFEATED season! There were 5 individual medalists and truly a team effort!

1st, Quinn - 7th grade

2nd Karson - 7th grade

1st Elizaveta - 8th grade

3rd Bella - 8th grade

1st Kai - 8th grade

The PTA has joined with our community business One People's Kitchen for our next Spirit Night. Order your dinner by Sunday, October 23rd and it will be delivered to your home on October 28th. Dinner is served and it supports our local community and CRMS!

It's time for Reflections! We are hoping to bring our school and community together this year to show off our talented students. This year's theme is "I Will Change the World By..." Any student can enter with their answer to this prompt and share their interpretation in the form of dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography and visual arts. Entries are due Monday, November 8th.

Here is a link for Entrance forms and they can be returned to the front office at CRMS or to Margie Aston. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Recently, we have been fortunate to have a few notable guest speakers in classes like 6th grade STEM and 8th grade History. This week, we were excited to have had special guest Dr. H.W. Brands from UT speak to our 8th graders about the American Revolution! Students were so appreciative to hear from a real historian about his work. Thank you Dr. Brands for engaging our students in a great history discussion! We are grateful for our local community sharing their expertise with our Eagles!

Parents, the second grading cycle 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, and upcoming dates. Enjoy!

Counseling Newsletter – The Echo

Reflecting Positivity through CRMS Counseling Services

Volume 4 Issue 2

October 22, 2021

Our Board of Trustees called for a Bond election to:

• Keep up with growth.
• Take care of existing schools and impact every student.
• Replace equipment and technology.

Three propositions will be on the ballot for voters to consider. Proposition A includes $727.2 million worth of new construction, renovation, and equipment replacement projects. Proposition B includes $33.3 million to replace existing technology devices, including student and staff laptops, over the next three years. Proposition C includes $11.7 million in renovation and lighting/sound upgrades to our high school and district performing arts centers.

We worked with a community committee of over 150 volunteers to identify and prioritize our district’s needs over the next three years. The proposed projects impact every student and school in our district and can be financed without a tax rate increase and will be paid for by layering in debt payments using tax collections from rising property values.

Election Details

• Last Day for Voter Registration: Monday, Oct. 4, 2021
• Early Voting: Oct. 18–29, 2021
• Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021

This year our Fall Scholastic Bookfair Oct 25th-Nov 7th will be ONLINE! Free shipping directly to your home on book orders over $25. Online purchases made thru the ‘Canyon Ridge Middle’ Scholastic link earn 25% back and proceeds will go towards book purchases for our school.

All CRMS students, please join the 'Student Poll' to share your favorite books & enter to win a free book weekly.

Visit the CRMS PTA Bookfair page for the most updated info and links: CRMS PTA site: bookfair

Thank you for your support!

Take a look at the Special Programs October Newsletter!

International Club is for any students interested in connecting by language and culture and wanting to celebrate their heritage. This student-led club can provide both friendship and academic support.

The International Club will meet about once or twice a month, right after school on Thursdays in room 0117 with Mrs. Schuck.

If students are interested, they can complete this brief Google Form. They will receive the Google Classroom code via the form.

Student Council is hard at work this week planning for Red Ribbon week later this month. Are you interested in being part of StuCo? Email Mrs. Miller at Ali.miller@leanderisd.org

The 2021-22 Destination Imagination teams are now forming. All student registration forms are due by Oct 8th. More information can be found on the CRMS Clubs page or contact Mrs. Seema George.

Just a reminder that CRMS will not be proctoring the PSAT 8/9 for our 8th graders this year. We are partnering with More Than A Teacher to host 2 options for students to take a practice PSAT test either on November 2nd or November 6th. Here is the link to the information.

10/13/21 update - PSAT 8 registration closed Friday 10/8/21 due to LISD reaching capacity at the testing locations. If you still want to register, please email Staci Cote to be added to a waiting list. If an additional testing location is opened, it will be at Vista Ridge High School on November 2nd.

10/22/21 update - PSAT 8 registration and the additional waitlist option is closed.

Yearbooks for the 2021-2022 school year are available online NOW! Don't miss out on the lowest price of the year; Order your yearbook before December 1st for $35. On December 1st, yearbook prices increase. Additionally, we are offering an opportunity for CRMS families to highlight their 8th grade students with a shout out. Shout outs are very similar to senior ads in a high school yearbook and are only available for 8th grade students. They can be purchased as an add on to the yearbook for $25. Shout outs must be purchased on or before January 31, 2022 and your short message and photos must be submitted by February 15, 2022. Our school orders a limited number of yearbooks each year. By pre ordering your yearbook now, you ensure that you will receive a yearbook. If you have any questions please email Jared.Lichtenberger@leanderisd.org .

Students begin their high school four year plan during their 8th grade year. Over the course of this year, Mrs. Cote will be delivering student lessons as part of the 8th to 9th grade transition. Additionally, Vandegrift High School Counselors will be meeting with your child and hosting events in the spring semester for this transition. See VHS dates below and mark your calendars!

• 1/10/22 VHS Counselors to CRMS Campus for Course Registration Presentation
• 1/11/22 8th Grade Family Night @ VHS (may be virtual)
• 1/18/22 VHS Counselor to CRMS Campus for Review of 9th Grade Choice Sheet
• 1/19/22 VHS Counselor to CRMS Campus for Review of 9th Grade Choice Sheet

*Dates subject to change. Accurate as of 10/8/2021

Each year, LISD offers students an opportunity to take an Exam for Acceleration (EA) at no cost to the family. LISD offers multiple 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 6-8, 2021

Registration deadline: November 1, 2021

Time: Arranged with student's counselor

Location: CRMS

Logistics: Arranged with student's counselor & UTHS

Note: Students who pass an Exam for Acceleration in the December 2021 testing window will complete the 2021-2022 school year in his/her current class. Students will receive their acceleration in the 2022-2023 school year.

Students from Vandegrift High School began a homework help service in 2012. Today Viper Nation Homework Help continues as a student-led, free tutoring service for elementary, middle and even high school peers in our community. To sign up your student for one of the Tuesday evening sessions, please visit https://signup.com/go/zmqysDO.

Leander ISD updated our Health Response Protocols and on August 17th, elevated to a new Red Stage. Please review and partner with us to keep people healthy and schools open:

• COVID-19 Update: New Health Response Protocols
• August 6th Update to COVID Notifications, Contact Tracing and Dashboard data
• August 17th Update: Mask Requirement for All
• Leander ISD COVID dashboard

CRMS Frequently Asked Questions - COVID

• Beginning Monday, Aug. 30, indoor extracurricular events in Leander ISD will be limited to 50% capacity. This will remain in effect while LISD is in the “red stage.” Masks are required at indoor LISD events. More info

• Effective Monday, August 30th, STUDENT SPECTATORS must be accompanied and supervised by their parent/guardian to attend indoor events. In order to ensure family members of our student athletes and performers are able to attend and support them, student spectators will be required to be accompanied and supervised by a parent/guardian at indoor events. We recognize that our students are eager and proud to support their peers at games and performances. When LISD returns to the Yellow Stage we will adjust this policy.

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/

Many have generously reached out and asked how you can donate or support the teachers/school during this time. If you are wanting to donate and unsure how, we will gladly accept donations on campus of the following:

• bottled water
• masks
• paper towels
• hand sanitizer
• Clorox wipes

Currently, there is no state funding for PPE this year, so donations will be accepted and very appreciated! You can drop off in the school front office at your convenience during school hours.

Home Access Center (HAC) provides families with an online tool where they can view helpful student information to support and guide their children through the educational process. From home or work, at any time of the day or night, parents can access the web portal to track academic achievement.

Features include:

• Grade notifications,

• Class schedules

• Attendance records.

Visit the Home Access Center page to learn more. Please allow time for our campuses to complete schedule and teacher assignments in the coming days prior to the start of the school year.

Beginning Aug. 5, Leander ISD parents can enter their home address into Infofinder to look up their child’s bus route number, pick-up/drop-off times, and bus stop locations for the 2021-22 school year. Bus routes are subject to change, so LISD parents are strongly encouraged to confirm their child’s bus information again the week prior to the start of school.

The Transportation Department will continue to use the Remind platform to communicate delay notifications and other important updates. Bus riders and their guardians will be added to a Remind “class” for their assigned bus route.

All students at CRMS must have a working computer/device with a keyboard. If you do not have your own device, that is okay! Click on this link to sign-up/re-enroll and pay the 2021-2022 mLISD non-refundable security deposit so you can get your computer as soon as possible!

Our schools and teachers use Remind to send text messages and emails to our parents. Make sure you log into Remind to set up your notification preferences, see archived messages, and send messages directly to your teachers and school staff. Download the mobile app (Google Play, Apple) for the best user experience.

Click here to learn more about Remind.

As Leander ISD Child Nutrition Services will continue to offer free breakfast and lunch meals to all students for the 2021–22 school year, low-cost meals are not being served at this time. To manage your student’s meal balance for snacks or extras beyond the meal service, please create your Titan Family Connect account (formerly MealTime). Leander ISD school menus, along with complete nutrition information, are available through Nutrislice.

School start and end times for elementary, middle and high school are listed below.

• Elementary School: 7:40 a.m.–2:55 p.m.
• Middle School: 8:10 a.m.–3:25 p.m.
• High School: 8:40 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

90-minute Early Release Schedule for 2021–22 School Year

• Elementary School: 7:40 a.m.–1:25 p.m.
• Middle School: 8:10 a.m.–1:55 p.m.
• High School: 8:40 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

*District Calendar linked below

Turn your sound on and please watch this video from CRMS students!

*Randall's will donate to CRMS PTA if you select us as your Good Neighbor Program just because you shop there! Complete this form and then e-mail to good.neighbor@randalls.com or take to any store customer service location..

*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: Spirit Wear is restocked. Porch pickup is very close to CRMS.

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 2021-22:

• 6th: Monica Diaz Carle/Sabrina Anderson
• 7th: Cassandra Ricks/Katie Young
• 8th: Leah Cox /Staci Cote

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

Mark your Calendar: October 22nd during all lunches. All students who took school photos earlier this year have received those pictures back. October 22nd is for those who missed the earlier photos or prefer to re-take this year's school photo.

More information will be posted on the website soon.