Hello Eagles!
Tonight (Tuesday, December 5th) is a PTA Spirit night at Moonies Burger House - Steiner location (in same parking lot as Randall's). Please stop by Moonie's from 5:30-8:30pm and tell them you are there to support CRMS and they will donate back to the Eagles. We appreciate the partnership with our local businesses to support our local schools!
Please check out the calendar below for our CRMS Countdown to the Holidays. We will start themed dress-up days on Monday and we have many opportunities for you to check out a CRMS sporting event or Holiday concert.
Go Eagles!
Mrs. Wendy Sturdevant
New CRMS Dance Director Announcement
As many of you know, Mrs. Ferguson, our CRMS Dance Director and teacher is retiring at the end of this semester. And we have been on the search for a new Dance Director to take over the program and dance classes starting in January. We are thrilled to announce that we have found a wonderful new Director who will be able to seamlessly transition into the role starting January 8, 2024 - Ms. Kathleen McKenney.
As a current CRMS faculty member, Ms. McKenney is committed to fostering a positive and nurturing learning environment for our CRMS students. She brings a wealth of experience, passion and ideas to continue to grow the legacy of CRMS dance. Please join me in congratulating Ms. McKenney as the new teacher and Director of CRMS Dyami Dancers!
Restroom damage - Reward
CRMS families - we need your help!
We continue to have students making poor choices in our restrooms (primarily in the boys restrooms). Just to give you a few examples, they are breaking soap dispensers, peeing on the floor, wetting paper towels and throwing on the walls/floors, cramming items in toilet or sink to cause an overflow, etc. - below are some images for your reference. We know we have a lot of amazing students and this is not all of our Eagles, but it is a almost daily occurrence in one or more bathrooms, and it is leaving our restrooms in a condition that other students don't want to go into the restroom. This has been a priority for our admin team this year because I know it's disgusting to have boys coming out of the restroom with shoes squeaking from getting wet from the urine on the floor. Our hard-working custodians clean them regularly and our staff is monitoring them as consistently as we can, but due to privacy, we cannot have someone standing in the restroom staring at students or have cameras inside the area.
Please talk to your students about this issue and encourage them to report damage or a mess being made as soon as they see it. Student names will be kept CONFIDENTIAL, but it is critical that they report it in a timely manner on the day that they see the issue.
Inclusive Schools Week
The Heart of Inclusive Classrooms: At the core of inclusive classrooms are activities that transcend the boundaries of abilities, disabilities, backgrounds, and differences. Being an inclusive school is not just about learning; it is about creating experiences that foster collaboration and nurture empathy.
- Empathy and Understanding
By experiencing the challenges and triumphs of their peers, students develop empathy. They learn to understand the diverse needs and perspectives of others, which in turn nurtures a culture of compassion.
- Collaboration and Teamwork
Inclusive activities emphasize cooperation over competition. They’re activities where students learn to collaborate and appreciate the strengths each member brings to the team. This collaborative spirit extends beyond the classroom and prepares them for the demands of the real world.
- Confidence and Self-Esteem
In inclusive classrooms, every student’s contribution is valued. As students actively participate in activities, their confidence soars. Recognition and encouragement foster a positive self-image, laying the foundation for future success.
- Lifelong Values
Inclusive education instills values such as respect, acceptance, and openness. These values become an integral part of a student’s character.
2024-25 Academic Calendar Feedback Requested
It’s the time of year when the district reviews the current academic calendar and finalizes the academic calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. 2024-2025 Calendar Draft
Our community’s insights are essential to ensuring we develop an academic calendar that best meets the needs of everyone in the district. There are two different formats for community members to provide feedback. Choose the one that works best for you, or participate in both. Our goal is to collect as much feedback as possible.
Complete our Community Survey
The survey will open Monday, Nov. 27, and close at 8 a.m. Jan. 8, 2024
Share your Culture - Holiday Tree
At Canyon Ridge Middle School, we want to highlight diversity and inclusion through the various cultures that are represented on our campus. We'd like to share information with our campus through two opportunities:
1. PTA will be decorating a holiday tree at CRMS and wants to include Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza and any other holidays that our CRMS families celebrate.
2. Various "Culture Blasts" spread throughout the year. "Culture Blasts" are short videos that highlight information about our diversity, inclusivity, and learning opportunities for the CRMS community.
We would appreciate your input on this short form to increase awareness and understanding of all aspects of your culture. Culture is much more than celebrations, languages, customs, food, dance, folklore, values, heritage, etc. It is everything! We invite you to share your culture. Thank you!
Mr. Trom, 7th gr Math Teacher
Mrs. Miles, 6th gr Math Teacher
Mrs. Caceres, 8th gr SS Teacher
While Mrs. Caceres is new to Canyon Ridge her students are benefiting from her 26 years in education. She is currently one of our 8th grade Social Studies teachers. She says that her favorite thing about CRMS is the amazing teachers, the administration, and of course, the kids! One of the units she is most looking forward to in her class is when they will act as the Constitutional Convention delegates and debate the ratification of the Constitution. Her advice for her students; read carefully, learn for learning’s sake, and enjoy it!
2023/2024 Spring Semester Schedules in HAC
Families, some students may have a different schedule for the spring semester. There are various reasons for changes in schedules, so we encourage all students and parents to check the HAC to view their child’s schedule. Classes designated with C1-C6 are full year classes. Classes that show as C4, C5, C6 are spring semester classes. If you have questions, please reach out to the grade level counselor. Have a wonderful break! We look forward to seeing students back on campus January 9, 2024.
2023-2024 Yearbooks for sale!
Yearbook Recognition Ads are also available to purchase for 8th Graders ONLY; they cost $25.
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.
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.
Off-Campus Physical Education (OCPE) Guidelines Update
It is important that any student interested in applying for OCPE for the 24-25 school year look over these guidelines and become familiar with the changes.
LEEF Gala - January 27, 2024
The Leander Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF) is hosting its annual Gala and Auction on January 27, 2024 at The Crossover in Leander, Texas. We welcome you to come walk the yellow brick road with us into An Evening in the Emerald City where we will honor and celebrate our Leander ISD students and staff. You will enjoy cocktails, dinner, dancing and the opportunity to help raise funds for LEEF to continue investing in Leander ISD and your future leaders!
Come join us and we'll show you why #There'sNoPlaceLikeLISD
Attn: 8th graders mark your calendar!
8th Grade Parents--save the dates! Information will be updated on the VHS Counseling Website as the dates get closer. Be sure to check there for all VHS related information!
**These dates are accurate as of 10/5/23.
February 22 // 8th Grade Parent/Guardian Info Webinar // Link will be posted here
counselors will provide a high school academic planning overview to 8th grade families
parents/guardians will learn about the course selection process and ask related questions
February 26 - 27 // Four-Year Planning & Course Selection Overview with VHS Counselors (2 days at each school)
VHS counselors will visit Four Points and Canyon Ridge Middle Schools to provide a high school academic planning overview to 8th grade students
students will submit tentative course requests
students and their parent/guardian will be emailed a PDF copy of these tentative requests
choices are editable - a new PDF copy of updated courses will be emailed after each edit
VHS counselors will meet individually with 8th grade students to review four-year plans and course selections
March 4 @ 4pm
deadline to lock in initial course selections for the 2024-25 school year
- while there will be additional change opportunities, finalizing your requests as early as possible provides the highest likelihood of being placed in the classes you want
students and families will have the opportunity to further explore course options
Viper Night will include an elective fair, club & org fair, breakout sessions, and student panels
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]
Sports Equipment Donations needed!
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 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 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