Hello Eagles!
We hope you are enjoying your break and having a nice summer.
We are so excited to see you THIS week online at our back-to-school webinar (8/1) and next week at Eagle Camp. Below is important information to help you prepare for the upcoming events and your student’s return to school.
Go Eagles!
Wendy Sturdevant
CRMS 2024-2025 School Supply List
PrePackaged School Supply pack sales ended June 16th. Supplies will be distributed to students during the first week of school.
If you choose to not buy a packaged school supply pack, here is the 2024/25 CRMS School Supply List for the start of the school-year.
Returning Student Enrollment Verification
ALL students attending CRMS (or other Leander ISD campuses) need to complete enrollment verification for returning students – specifically, students who attended a Leander ISD campus in the 2023–24 school year and plan to return for the 2024–25 school year. By verifying your student’s enrollment for the upcoming year, this helps our team hire enough high-quality staff.
Here’s how:
- Log onto Home Access Center (HAC).
- Click on the Registration Icon
- Click on the Update Enrollment Tab
- Click on Start
Parents or guardians will need to complete the registration for each student on your HAC account.
For additional information check out our registration access guide. Using the Chrome browser will provide the HAC user the best experience.
Calendar for 2024-25
Leander IS 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
- 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
CRMS Open House 2024
Open House for 6th-8th grades, Thursday, August 8:
Student last names A - M from 6:00 - 6:45 p.m.
Student last names N - Z from 6:45 - 7:30 p.m.
This year, we will continue to offer our virtual Open House option and also an in-person “meet & greet” opportunity.
On the afternoon of Thursday, August 8th, 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 all CRMS 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.
Virtual Open House for 7th-8th graders, Tuesday, August 20th: 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 14th, we will only have the virtual Open House available on August 20th and will not be opening the building to families.
We look forward to answering your questions on August 1st at the Webinar, and then seeing 6th graders and new-to-district 7th & 8th graders at Eagle Camp on August 7th and all families at Open House on August 8th. We are very excited for the school year to begin, and we can’t wait to get to know our students. Go Eagles!!!
Update on Cell Phone Expectations at CRMS
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 2024-25. 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 student learning, student relationships, bullying, campus culture and safety.
CRMS Campus Cell Phone Expectations
Maintaining the integrity of the learning environment is a 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, and all other applications) are expected to stay in their backpacks at all times, on do not disturb or powered off, and are prohibited during class unless permitted under Section 504 or within a student’s IEP. Phones and AirPods/headphones may only be used on school grounds before school, during “recess” time at 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, parents who need to get a message to their student during the school day can call the CRMS Receptionist at (512)570-3500, and a message will be delivered to their child. Should a student need to contact their parent(s) during the school day, they may use the phone available in the front office area.
Student Expectation: Cell phones and earbuds/headphones are to be stored in students’ backpacks for the entire school day (including in class, hallways, passing periods, bathrooms, while eating, in athletics areas, etc). If a student violates the cell phone procedure during class, in the halls, restroom, etc., consequences will apply consistent with the gravity of the infraction and the CRMS cell phone use guidelines.
Why the change?
Here is a recent video clip for reference and more information on why we are making a change to our campus requirements this year. Here is more information on why the change at CRMS.We are excited to begin a new school year and are looking forward to a school experience where students are “untethered” from their personal devices and social media during the school day as we foster a culture of interactions and build a stronger, more connected, and positive school community.
Computers for the 2024-25 upcoming year
LEANDER ISD's goal is to provide students with increased access to digital content, resources, and devices to support anytime/anywhere learning. Leander Mobile Learning Initiative (mLISD) has been specifically created to make the best use of our resources in order to support student engagement in learning.
A non-refundable security deposit is required to participate in this program. Sign up and pay for your student's 2024-2025 non-refundable security deposit now. All students who pay, will be issued their device the first few days of the 2024-2025 school year. Students who qualify for Free and Reduced meals will not need to pay the annual deposit but will need to turn in a signed acceptance form or register through EdPay. Click on this website: mLISD Information and Payment Website for more information and to pay the security deposit.
Hardship Scholarship opportunities are available. Please contact your child’s counselor or send an email to mlisd@leanderisd.org 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 regarding scholarships.
Order your Back-to-School Dinners
Place your order and Dream Dinners will donate 10% of all sales from the event to CRMS PTA (no discounts/coupons, please). Pick up meals at Canyon Ridge Middle School during the Open House! Thursday, August 8 from 6:30-7:30 PM
Scan the QR code below or enter the link into your browser to place your order now! The ordering deadline is Sunday, August 4th by 4:00pm.
2024-25 Important Bus Registration Requirement
2024-25 Leander ISD Important Bus Information: Register to Ride
All eligible students will be required to REGISTER to RIDE the bus for the 2024-2025 school year. Please use the link provided to be sure that your student is registered to ride the bus if you are planning to utilize LISD transportation services.
Attn: 7th graders!
State Required Immunizations for Students in 7th Grade during the 24-25 School Year
Dear Parents/Guardians,
In order to be compliant under Texas Administrative Code regarding immunizations, an updated immunization record is required for your incoming 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 Rachael Kristoff at Canyon Ridge Middle School should you have any questions regarding state required immunizations.
Thank you,
Rachael Kristoff RN, BSN
Canyon Ridge Middle School Nurse
512-570-3507
512-570-9258 confidential eFax
Lunches - Child Nutrition Services (CNS)
Online Lunch account information:
Create your free MySchoolBucks account to conveniently view your student’s cafeteria purchases, check their balance, and securely pay for school meals or snacks from anywhere. Previous positive account balances will transfer automatically from Titan/Linq to MySchoolBucks.
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
3) View cafeteria purchases and add funds using your credit/debit card or electronic check
- $$$ account for snacks, additional food
- Snacks may not 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.
CRMS Library Wishlist & Needs
Eagle families, as you are preparing for back-to-school and doing some organizing or shopping, please consider looking at our CRMS Library Wishlist & Needs . We would greatly appreciate your donations of gently used or new items from crafting supplies, cricut vinyl, empty fish/reptile tank, interactive tree, quilting materials to prizes for reading challenges. Please contact our amazing librarian, Jamie Wright, if you think you can help out with any of these items or if you are open to volunteering this year in our library. Our student led clubs have grown and we LOVE to have parent volunteers helping in our library with our clubs and activities.
Update on Science Fair for 2024-25
New this year at CRMS - Science Fair will be open to all 7th AND 8th graders at CRMS!
Take your spirit of science and exploration to a different level. As a junior scientist, you will develop various skills that engineers and scientists utilize everyday in their research and application of different phenomena. We hold a school wide Science fair, qualifiers go to the regional science fair, and then, if they qualify, they move on the the state Science fair. Our junior scientists have gone all the way on to the state level every year!
Sign up by August 22nd to be in the Science Fair Advisory. Find out more on the CRMS Science Fair website here.
Contact Ms. Bantolo for more information.
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 first testing window of 24/25 and the deadline to register is listed below.
Testing Window One:
Time: September 16-27, 2024
Registration Deadline: August 23, 2024 by noon
Location: CRMS
Logistics: Arranged with student's counselor, LISD, & UTHS
Additional Info: High school credit courses only; CRMS counselors recommend waiting until March or June for testing.
Note: Students who pass an Exam for Acceleration in the September 2024 testing window will complete the 2024-2025 school year in his/her current class. Students will receive their acceleration in the 2025-2026 school year.
Want to have a voice in the school dstrict?
District Advisory Committee Application Now Open for 2024–25
Leander ISD invites our community to support our students and teachers by volunteering on a district-wide or campus-based committee.
To apply for one of the district advisory listed below, please complete the application by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23.
Student STAAR Scores Available
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.
CRMS Library Reading Challenges, Resources, and More
CRMS Library Reading Challenges, Resources, and More Newsletter
- Summer Reading Bookmark Challenge
- Watch Beanstack for a variety of reading challenges from May through August
Summer Library Books
GraphicDesignOpportunity
Video/PodcastingOpportunity
- PhotoContestOpportunity
Maker Day - Friday, May 17th
Issues with Lost Library Books
Next Year in the Library
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]
Canyon Ridge Middle School
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
