This latest Ridge Relay: Back to School Edition added a few more new updates such as cafeteria details, campus procedures, athletics booster club, volunteer sign-up and more! And please note that ALL returning students need to complete the Returning Student Enrollment Verification linked below.

On behalf of the faculty and staff of Canyon Ridge Middle School, welcome to the 2022-2023 school year. As the principal of CRMS, I am proud and honored to continue to be a part of the LISD tradition of excellence and to have the opportunity to share in this unique experience.

Our teachers & staff have been here working and participating in their professional learning for just over a week. We will continue to learn and reflect on best practices to engage your students in their courses and support them this year. The entire CRMS faculty and staff is ready to help your students begin the 2022-2023 school year.

We had a great turn out for our back-to-school webinar, but if you missed it or have questions, here is the recording for your reference: Back-to-School CRMS Parent 2022 Webinar for all families Recording (from August 8, 2022)

As well, here is our CRMS Virtual Open House 2022, where you can get information from your individual teachers.

• All students will enter through the main front doors. Doors open for students each day 8:35-4:40.

• Class starts at 9:05. Bell Schedule

• For the 1st day, students do not need to bring supplies or laptops. Just need paper and pencil. (mLISD laptops will be distributed later this week)

• Schedules are online in the HAC. If you are unable to access, we will have rosters and staff in the hallways to help students find their 1st period.

• Breakfast/Lunches are not free this year. You can bring your lunch or add money to your Titan account here: https://www.leanderisd.org/childnutritionservices/

We need your help with returning student enrollment! If your student(s) attended a #1LISD campus for the 2021-22 and they will be in school with us again this year, please fill out your returning student enrollment form on the Home Access Center. This article details the how-to's and FAQs: https://bit.ly/3PYmFKx

• The last day for schedule change requests was May 26th, 2022. We cannot accommodate schedule changes due to teacher or period preference. However, if there is an error in your student's schedule please let their grade level counselor know.

• Student aide will show as staff and room number as n/a

  those placements will occur by Aug 17 and updated schedule will be given to kid day one of school. For now, students know what period they have student aide, but not who they have.

• CRMS families, be sure to check/update information in Home Access Center this week. If you are unable to get into HAC, try "forgot password". HAC is where you will also be able to view your child's schedule, grades and attendance during the school year.
  

Leander ISD Board of Trustees approved a revised bell schedule that will impact the 2022-23 school year. During the June 13 Board meeting, members voted to place Bus Route Redesign and Bell Schedule on the June 23 agenda. During the meeting, Board members voted to amend the recommendation, approving the following start times:

• Elementary – 7:30 am to 2:45 pm (shifts 10 min earlier)
• HIGH School – 8:15 am to 3:35 pm (shifts 25 min earlier)
• MIDDLE School – 9:05 am to 4:20 pm (shifts 55 min later)

*District Calendar linked below

• Students taking PE/dance/cheer/band on campus will purchase/use a standard combo lock. You do not have to have this on the 1st day of school. More directions will be provided by the teacher for those specific programs.

• Once again this year, academic lockers will not be available, unless there is a medical need. If there is an individual medical need, please contact your student's Assistant Principal for assistance.

As the start of the new school year is fast approaching, I wanted to remind you that the State of Texas requires all students to receive a Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) and a Meningococcal Vaccine (MCV4) prior to the start of 7th grade. Many times, these immunizations are given at your student's well-visit with their doctor. Please review your student's immunization record and submit an updated copy to the school nurse (Rachael Kristoff). You may contact her by email or by phone for any questions. Please reference the Texas Department of State Health Services for Students for additional information.

Thank you,

Rachael Kristoff RN, BSN

Canyon Ridge Middle School Nurse

512-570-3507

512-570-9258 confidential eFax

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

New volunteer in LISD | Returning LISD volunteer

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.

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.

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.

Get ready Eagle families! The countdown to school has begun. 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 link to our first newsletter. Read the Athletic Booster Club Newsletter and get connected today!

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.

When:

Thursday, August 18

Friday, August 19

Monday, August 22

7th Grade: 7am - 8:45am

8th Grade: 4:30pm - 6:00pm

Who: Incoming 7th and 8th grade students interested in playing volleyball

Requirements to tryout:

1. Athlete must have a physical on file with Coach Edwards prior to tryouts

2. All Rank One Online Forms must be completed

3. Complete the signup form

4. Look at the schedule to determine if you are able to make all tournaments and games

5. Print and sign Commitment Form - give to Coach Dunn prior to tryouts

A parent meeting will be held for all parents of the student athletes that make the 2022 Volleyball teams on Tuesday, August 23 @ 6pm. This is an extremely important meeting for parents, as they will have the opportunity to purchase game day meals, game day shirts and additional athletic clothes. As well as hear from the coaches as they discuss the ins and outs of the season. This meeting will be a webinar and the link to join will be emailed to parents of those athletes making the teams.

Is your child interested in joining our District Championship Cross Country team? There will be a mandatory meeting on Friday, August 19th at 8:00 AM in the Small Gym for athletes interested in joining the team. This meeting is for student-athletes only. There will be a webinar on August 24th at 6:00 PM during which Coach Edwards and Coach Lichtenberger will share the details of our Cross Country program with parents. All runners will need an updated physical turned in to the coaching office on, or before, the first practice (Monday, August 22nd). Please email Coach Edwards or Coach Lichtenberger with any questions.

Information was already sent directly to all students enrolled in 7th and 8th grade Athletics for Football. Please email Coach Simmons with any questions.

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 One: September 21-23, 2022

Registration deadline: August 24, 2022

Location: CRMS

Logistics: Arranged with student's counselor & UTHS

Note: Students who pass an Exam for Acceleration in the September 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.

Here is our CRMS Virtual Open House 2022, where you can get information from your individual teachers.

Open House for 6th-8th grades, Thursday, August 11 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

This year, we will continue to offer our virtual Open House option and also return back to having an in-person “meet & greet” opportunity.

On the afternoon of Thursday, August 11th, we will post student class schedules online in the Home Access Center (HAC). Additionally, we will send out our virtual Open House individual teacher videos, as well as the recorded CRMS webinar link.

From 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., we will open the building for families to engage in a come and go “meet and greet” with teachers and walk their student’s schedule. There will be no formal meetings or presentations during the in-person Open House since all of this will be shared with you virtually. This “meet & greet” time will be an opportunity to come to campus at your convenience anytime between 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., introduce yourselves to teachers, and walk your student’s schedule. (Please note: Do not park in red fire lanes; If needed, overflow parking will be available across the street at Bush Elementary)

Virtual Open House for 6th-8th graders, Tuesday, August 23rd: The school district has released a second possible Open House date for middle schools; however, since CRMS will be opening the building for all families prior to school starting on August 11th, we will only have the virtual Open House available on August 23rd and will not be opening the building to families.

We look forward to answering your questions on August 8th, and then seeing 6th graders and new-to-district 7th & 8th graders at Eagle Camp on August 10th and all families at Open House on August 11th. We are very excited for the school year to begin, and we can’t wait to get to know our students. Go Eagles!!!

Eagle Camp Webinar for ALL parents (Grades 6 - 8), August 8th at 6:00 p.m.:

Link (Passcode: 646397)

We invite all CRMS 6th-8th grade families to join us for a back-to-school online webinar to discuss CRMS processes as we welcome all students back for in-person learning. We will be addressing our new bell schedule, school safety, campus procedures such as cell phones, traffic patterns for drop-off/pick-up, etc. The online meeting will include both campus Administrators & Counselors and allow for Q&A.

Note: If you are unable to attend the zoom, we will also record and post this webinar for all CRMS families to reference.

Eagle Camp for 6th graders and NEW to CRMS students, August 10th, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Please complete this 6th grade & New Student RSVP/required registration to attend.

6th grade & new students will be dropped off by parents to tour the campus, engage in fun activities, and learn all about CRMS and our traditions. Masks are encouraged, but optional for students and staff. Please enter the campus at the main driveway entrance (bottom of Country Trails) and follow the drop-off route provided for students to enter the cafeteria entrance.

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/

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 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