Hello Eagles!
STAAR starts this week and we know that our Eagles are prepared, so we want to make sure everyone has the tools they need to soar to success!
- First, we need ALL students who have a LISD device to bring the laptop and cord to school on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week. It is important on Monday that we make sure each student's device is restarted on the school network so that it is updated and ready for testing to begin this week.
- Campus is closed to visitors during testing so please plan accordingly for STAAR testing dates. Students cannot be picked up early during testing so please do not schedule appointments on dates that your child's grade-level is testing.
- Snacks! Parents, please plan to send your students with thoughtful, nut-free snacks for STAAR testing. Last year, we had a large number of students show up with large bags of nothing but sugary snacks and enough to share with the whole class. Remember, we can NOT share food. And students are going to be required to stay in a testing environment for hours so stopping at Wag-a-bag for only sugar is not going to help them be prepared to sit quiet and focused for a test. A couple other tips - consider snacks that aren't going to make the testing room smell for hours and snacks that aren't the loudest, messiest disruption as we all work together to provide a nice testing environment for our students :)
- Only water is allowed in testing rooms, no other drinks please.
As always, please make sure your child gets a good night's sleep, arrives on time, eats breakfast, and brings their water bottle/healthy snack/book.
You can find all of our campus testing dates and details here.
We want our students to do their best and show what they are capable of! We must take it seriously and follow STAAR testing procedures. However, please also reassure your student(s) that STAAR tests are not the only measure. We absolutely do not want testing to cause stress or anxiety for our students. If there are any concerns, please reach out to your grade-level counselor - we are here to support our students through this process.
Go Eagles!
Wendy Sturdevant
PEC Teacher Spotlight
Rooted in community, Pedernales Electric Cooperative invests in an array of educational programs to help brighten classrooms and communities across the Texas Hill Country. Today, PEC announced a new Teacher Spotlight Award — intended to recognize the incredible work teachers do in their classrooms and their communities. PEC is accepting nominations for its first Teacher Spotlight Award through April 30 and encourages members to fill out the form online. Please feel free to share this with your community to recognize your hard working educators.
PEC’s Teacher Spotlight Award will take place bi-annually, in the spring and in the fall. From the nominations received, PEC will select teachers from across the co-op’s service territory to receive awards. This round’s winners will be announced in May and PEC will visit the teachers at their schools to present them with a thank-you basket of resources and materials to support classroom learning.
Members can learn more details and nominate a teacher by visiting pec.coop/youth-programs. I’m also available if you have any questions.
8th graders - Get your Vandegrift Class of 2028 T-Shirt for Viper Camp
The Vandegrift High School PTSA is excited to offer all of our incoming Freshmen an option to purchase the “Second to None” Vandegrift High School Class of 2028 T-shirt that you can wear to Viper Camp on May 20th! T-shirts will be delivered back to your school prior to Viper Camp. You don’t want to miss this opportunity as these will not be sold again! Consider purchasing two for as they grow or keep one as a memento!
Join the VHS PTSA and get a discount on your T-Shirt! Different bundles are available to purchase at our online store at MemberHub. HARD DEADLINE to order t-shirts is SUNDAY, MAY 5 – do not wait, order now!
Calling all 8th graders!
Click here to sign up and for more information.
CALLING ALL 2024 CANYON RIDGE 8TH GRADE STUDENTS - ALL ARE WELCOME!! We will have a delicious food buffet, DJ - Dance Party, a photo booth, candy station, games 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 17, 2024, 7 - 10 PM
WHERE: UT Golf Club Pavilion, 2200 University Club Drive
WHAT: EAGLES BLACK OUT GRAD PARTY!!!!!
ATTIRE: Dressy BLACK attire (think Sunday best, dance party, wedding, holidays!)
COST: Cost is $45/student. $50.00 at the door but would prefer to get everyone registered prior!
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 students are welcome.
7th & 8th gr LISD Human Sexuality Curriculum Presented By LifeGuard
In Leander ISD, students in Grades 7–9 are taught Human Sexuality Curriculum through presentations by LifeGuard, an independent organization. The topics covered in this abstinence-based curriculum are found in the Texas Health TEKS. All content has been reviewed by the Leander ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) and is grade-level specific and developmentally appropriate.
- Texas House Bill 1525 requires that students must opt-in to participate in the LifeGuard presentations. For your child to be able to attend the presentations, you must submit this OPT-IN form by May 6, 2024:
Grade 7 & 8: May 8, 9, and 13 through science classes
- If parents wish to preview the curriculum, you may do so at your home campus. Parents/Guardians may contact their campus to schedule an appointment for viewing.
- LISD will host a virtual parent workshop via Zoom; future times are listed below. Parent workshops are designed to give parents helpful tips for communicating with their children (grades 7-9) about human sexuality, allow them to review the district curriculum, explore statistics from health officials, and ask questions of LifeGuard and LISD staff.
- Parent Workshop Date & Registration:
Monday, April 29, 2024 6:00pm-7:30pm (Register Here)
Recorded Parent Workshop (Click Here to Access)
Available during the 2 week window of: April 30 - May 14
- To access additional LifeGuard information, please visit the LISD Human Sexuality Curriculum website.
Exam for Acceleration
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 and final testing window of 23/24 and the deadline to register is listed below. This is the final testing window available if you are interested in acceleration for the 24/25 school year.
Testing Window Four (final window of the year):
Time: June 4-June 6, 2024
Registration Deadline: April 26, 2024 by noon
Location: Henry Middle School
Logistics: Arranged with LISD staff, CRMS counselor, & UTHS
Exam will be electronic and students will use their own device. If students do not have a device, one will be provided for testing.
2023-2024 Yearbooks for sale!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jared.Lichtenberger@leanderisd.org
Please note that we have a new yearbook vendor for this year, so please make sure you are purchasing with our link for Jostens Canyon Ridge Middle School Yearbook.
Coach Smith, PE Teacher & Athletics
Coach Smith has been teaching for 4 years and is one of the boys athletic coaches here at Canyon Ridge. He says his favorite part about working at CRMS is the sense of community that we have on campus. As a coach he enjoys seeing our athletes grow as leaders. He says he has seen a ton of this growth this year with his students. His advice to his students is to always ask questions and go 100% with everything you are doing.
Mrs. Hunter, 8th ELA Teacher
Mrs. Hunter teaches 8th grade Language Arts here at Canyon Ridge and has been teaching for 9 years. Her favorite part of CRMS is the sense of community; the teachers and staff support each other tremendously. She says, “I am blown away by the attention, love, and support the entire staff pours into each child, even behind the scenes.” The upcoming Investigative Journalism unit in her class is something she is really looking forward to. She says it was her favorite as a college student, and it is always fun to watch the students become budding journalists themselves. Her advice to her students is to work and study each day as if you have a test the next day. That way, you'll never need to cram for a test! Fun fact about Mrs. Hunter, she grew up on a farm and ranch. She says she still loves and misses the quiet and fresh air out there. She also loves to fly fish, especially in Colorado.
Ms. Ruiz, 7th Math Teacher
This is Ms. Ruiz’s second year of teaching and she is one of our fantastic 7th grade math teachers and our Cheer Coach! Her favorite thing about CRMS is the students and the staff. She says that the students always give it their all. She can be confident that every staff member has her back! Her advice to her students is to be the positive!!! Always try and be the light in someone's day, even if you are feeling low. Remember that they can come to her if they need some pep in their step. She is always going to be on your side. She will put you first! Fun fact in her free time Ms. Ruiz is an avid yogi!
Special Programs Updates
The Special Programs Parent Advisory Executive Council has openings for the 2024-2025 school year. Click here to learn more about the positions and apply by April 12th.
The April Special Programs & Services Newslettercontains information about upcoming events, Special Programs Parent Advisory Council, Disability Awareness, and Academic Corner.
Special Programs Spring Family Workshops Save-the-Dates
Learn about upcoming family events, 2024 Summer Camp Guide for students and adults with special needs, social studies at home activities, and community resources.
Off Campus PE (OCPE) for 2024-25
During our course registration parent meetings and student information sessions, we shared with you that the Leander ISD Off Campus PE (OCPE) guidelines for 2024-25 were revised. At this time, those updates will be postponed and the OCPE program will continue without the removal of recommended activities. To access OCPE guidelines and application, please visit the Leander ISD OCPE website. All off-campus PE student applications for the 2024–25 school year must be submitted via OCPE Form no later than 4 p.m., Friday, May 31, 2024.
If OCPE impacts your CRMS Course requests for the upcoming school year, please apply according to the Leander ISD OCPE guidelines page linked above AND utilize the course change form located on the CRMS Counseling website. The last day for CRMS course change requests is May 24, 2024 at 12pm. Please contact your grade-level counselor if you have any questions about this process.
2024/2025 Course Change Request
If you wish to make a change to your child's requested courses for the 24/25 school year, parents should submit a course change request form. This form is located on the CRMS Counseling website. Parents will need to submit this form for each course you would like to change from the original submitted choice sheet. The last day for course change requests is May 24, 2024 at 12pm. Late requests will not be accepted due to staffing and master schedule constraints.
Calendar for 2024-25 approved
During its consent agenda, Trustees approved the 2024–25 academic calendar, closing out a months long process of community feedback.
Key features of the calendar include:
- First day of school is Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, the same week as in 2023–24
- Last day of school is Friday, May 23, 2025, maintaining an end date before Memorial Day
- Preserves two dedicated teacher workdays incorporated into the schedule before school starts
- Student early release days for teacher work time: Dec. 20 and May 23
- Continuous Improvement Conference: Nov. 4–5, aligning with Tuesday’s student holiday for Election Day.
- Spring Break: March 17–21, aligning with Austin Community College
- Staff development days during the school year will balance new learning with teacher planning and collaboration time: Sept. 23, Oct. 7, Jan. 6, Feb. 17, March 24 and April 21
Summer camps at CRMS and VHS!
Check out the Summer Camp dates at both CRMS and VHS now!
Registration starts May 1st - May 30th:
- 2024 Canyon Ridge Middle School Co-Ed Track and Field Camp, 4th-8th Grades
- 2024 CRMS Sports and Games Camp Co-Ed, 3rd-5th Graders
- 2024 CRMS Sports and Games Camp Co-Ed, 6th - 8th Graders
- 2024 Canyon Ridge Middle School Get Ready for Volleyball Tryouts 7th and 8th Girls
Golden Eagle Weekly Recognition
Parents: Here is an opportunity to recognize a Canyon Ridge Middle School teacher or staff member who has made a difference! Every week, a faculty member will be chosen as the Golden Eagle recipient. If the teacher or staff member you nominated is recognized for this award, you will be invited to come to campus and join us to present the award with the admin team. Please complete this brief form to honor a CRMS teacher or staff member.
Shop & support CRMS
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]
Attendance
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.
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 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 cannot allow 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 almost 1100 students so it will take 1-2 business days to show the update. We appreciate your patience and understanding that our team is working tirelessly to support all of our Eagles!
mLISD devices for the 2023-2024 year are still available!
At CRMS, we are a 1-to-1 device campus. All students are required to have a device with a keyboard each day at school. Students may bring their own device or get a device from mLISD.
This coming school year, all 6th graders will begin receiving new devices as part of the technology rollout from the last bond election.
The payment window is now open for families to secure their students’ district-provided laptops for the 2023-2024 school year. Plans to distribute laptops will be communicated at a later date. This program is optional. A non-refundable security deposit will be required for participation. The security deposit will be waived for students who qualify for Free and Reduced meals.
Price:
Middle School Students: $40 per school year, starting December 1: $20 for remainder of school year
High School Students: $60 per school year, starting December 1: $30 for remainder of school year
Students who qualify for Free and Reduced meals: $0.00
(Registration through our online store, currently EdPay, or submission of a signed acceptance form is required.)
Payment methods:
A) Debit/credit cards through the mLISD website
B) Scholarship opportunities are available. Please contact mlisd@leanderisd.org or your counselor for more information. Please include the following information in your email:
The student’s name
Campus
Student ID number
Parent phone number
Click here for more information about mLISD, scholarships and access to sign-up and pay
Bus updates from Transportation
The Leander ISD Transportation Department uses SMART Tag – a system that provides accurate, near real-time monitoring of where and when students load onto and unload off of their school bus – to help promote student safety and security, keeping parents, school administrators and the district’s transportation department more informed.
Returning bus riders are asked to continue to use the SMART Tag card they were issued last year. If they do not have a card, the student will punch in using their lunch number (student ID) when getting on and off the bus. Bus drivers will begin to issue cards in September for new bus riders.
The online parent portal allows parents and guardians to register to receive alerts for when the bus will arrive at their child’s stop; see a live map of their child’s bus; and view a riding history for their child. Be sure to register if you have never done so.
By Wednesday, Aug. 9, 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 2023–24 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.
School Breakfast & Lunches
During the 2023–24 school year, Leander ISD will welcome back Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE) as its food-services provider. That’s right – that means Crispitos are coming back!
All students who qualify for free meals during the 2023–24 school year will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. In 2023–24, students who qualify for reduced-price meals will receive free breakfast meals and lunch for $0.40.
For elementary students who do not qualify for F&R meals, prices will remain the same from last year. At elementary school, 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.
Athletic events tickets for Middle School online!
Tickets can be purchased through link on the athletics webpage:
Canyon Ridge Middle School
AP/Counselor by grade-level for 2023-2024:
- 6th: Dr. Ashley Thompson1 / Kimberly Mills
- 7th: Leah Cox / Jillian Baaklini
- 8th: Brian Bass / Staci Cote
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
