Dairy Queen Four Points Spirit Night TODAY (2/22)
Give a shout-out to CRMS faculty!
Beef Fundraiser is back!
Locally raised, heart healthy, free range, grass-fed Texas Longhorn Beef from Dear Run Land & Cattle in Buda.
Choose 1 of 3 packages offered and help support the CRMS PTA! Pick up will be 3/8/23 in Steiner Ranch.
Order deadline is 3/3/23.
CRMS Yearbooks
8th gr History Day Students Advancing!
Here are the results from the regional competition (Central Texas History Day) on 2/18/23. Our students did an outstanding job! CRMS was a juggernaut and had both the highest participation of any school and amazing performance in each category. It was a really amazing day - all of the students and parents who participated were so enthusiastic. All students who placed first or second will go on to compete at the state level for Texas History Day on April 15th.
Group Documentary
- First Place: Ana Bolshakova, Judy Song for Deep Blue vs. Kasparov: The Frontier-Breaking Match Between Man and Machine
- Second Place: Aaron Bielik, Alexavier Miranda and Shaurya Singh for The Video Camera That Changed The World!
Group Exhibit
- First Place: Emma Edington and Brooke Oatman for Mary Edwards Walker: The Women Who Created Frontiers in Medicine and Women's Rights
- Second Place: Aarya Apte, Aadya Ganjalagunte, and Sanya Hooda for Evolution Of Prosthetics
Group Performance
- First Place: Abbie Hurley, Elena Nassar, Sophie Smetana and Kat Wilson for Thomas Gallaudet: Crossing Frontiers in Deaf Communication!
Group Website
- Second Place: Vinisha Gandhi, Cora Harper, and Sean Paz for Project Echo
Individual Documentary
- First Place: Abigail Xu for Anna May Wong: The Toll of Stardom
Individual Exhibit
- Second Place: Alicia Valeiro Vázquez for From the cotton fields to manufacturing hair goods: How Madam C.J. Walker became the first female self-made millionaire in America
- Third Place: Shaye Wirth for Political Playgrounds: How The Kyoto Protocol Introduced a Frontier in Addressing Environmental Policy
Paper
- Second Place: Oorja Kumar for Elizabeth Blackwell: The First Female Physician Who Crossed the Frontier for Equality in the Medical Profession
- Third Place: Emerson Fitzgerald for Dorothy Arzner: Pioneering a Path for the Future Female Directors of Hollywood and the Film Industry
*In addition, our awesome, hard-working teacher, Mrs. Coffee, was nominated for and named as a finalist for the DeBoer teacher of the year award for Texas History Day.
Counselor Corner
Parents, the fourth 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, middle school tips, and upcoming dates. Enjoy!
Counseling Newsletter – The Echo
Reflecting Positivity through CRMS Counseling Services
February 2023
It’s Feedback February - Student Experience & School Climate
Providing a safe, welcoming and caring school environment while partnering with our families has positively impacted student learning and personal growth. As we continue to measure these attributes of our school climate, engaging our students and families will help us assess where we have been, and where we currently are and identify opportunities to improve and grow for the future.
We invite our students and families to share their student experience and what their school climate has been this year. Leander ISD is partnering with K12Insights to help us collect your feedback. The results of this survey will provide critical evidence of progress for our LISD Strategic Plan, Campus and District Improvement Plans, and our Community-based Accountability System (CBAS). They will be used by campus and district leaders to guide our ongoing improvement efforts.
The LISD Student Experience/Climate Surveys for students (grades 3 - 12) and parents will be open from Feb. 22 to Mar. 19.
Preview the surveys (Note - you will not be able to take the survey from these links):
How will surveys be administered?
Parents will receive an email with a link to the electronic survey from K12Insights.
CRMS Students (middle and high school) will have the opportunity to participate during the school day during Advisory class on March 6th.
Save the date! April 13th Parent presentation & Coffee Talk
Join us for guest speakers Belinda Swan and Jennifer Newman from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children as they speak on Child Internet Safety. They will address current and ongoing threats that kids are facing online in order to better protect your children as they navigate their lives in a digital world. And Principal Sturdevant will be available for Q&A during the Coffee Talk.
All attendees will be required to check in at the front desk with a valid ID. Please allow time for this check in process. Your RSVP helps us to be better prepared for your visit.
This event is hosted by the CRMS PTA but all parents/guardians are welcome to attend!
Leander ISD Early College High school
Students at the Leander ISD Early College High school may earn up to 60 college credit hours completely FREE from Austin Community College while also earning their high school diploma.
Learn more at one of our 3 Townhall Q&A Sessions!
2/18 10AM: Virtual Session
2/20 at 6PM: Four Points Middle School (Library)
2/22 at 6PM: ECHS Campus (Tour ECHS Campus!)
Additional info can be found by clicking the links below:
Schedule a Tour (most Wednesdays)
Call us at 512-223-2650.
Ready to apply? Apply Now!*
*Submissions due prior to March 3rd.
Instructional Materials Selection - feedback extended to February 24
This spring, Leander ISD will consider/adopt new instructional resources for six courses: American Sign Language I-IV, Chinese I-IV, AP US History, AP Calculus AB and BC, African-American Studies, & Mexican-American Studies. Members of our LISD community have opportunities and are encouraged to provide feedback on these resources from January 17 - February 24 (date extended from 2/17 due to ice days) through in-person viewing at Central Office and Cedar Park High School or by viewing the materials virtually on the district website. We will host three Q&A Zoom meetings with district curriculum experts that allow community members to explore the options, ask questions and provide feedback. For questions about the instructional materials selection process, please reach out to Matt Bentz, Chief Academic Officer.
Recognizing African-American History Month
Secondary Attendance Zoning
First Step in Long-Range Plan, Zoning for Secondary School Relief
At the Nov. 15 Board meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the Attendance Zoning Charter for the rezoning of the middle schools and high schools.
Unlike previous attendance zonings that often centered on the opening of a new school at the respective level, this upcoming rezoning is meant to accomplish the following two main objectives:
- To provide relief to current enrollment numbers
- To defer the timing of future school construction
This process has begun and the first set of scenarios will be published and released on Jan. 23. The district will be providing opportunities for our community to discuss, ask questions and provide input on scenarios presented. Four in-person and one virtual community forum have been scheduled with an electronic survey to also be sent via Remind on Jan. 23. Both middle and high school scenarios will be discussed at each forum.
In-Person Community Forums
- Feb. 8, Leander HS | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
- Feb. 13, Henry MS | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Vista Ridge HS*
(*Rescheduled from Feb. 7 at Cedar Park HS) - Feb. 27, Wiley MS | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
- Feb. 28, Virtual/Zoom | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
WANT TO BE A DYAMI DANCER?
Mandatory Parent/Candidate Meeting
Date - February 28, 2023
Time - 6:00 pm
Place - Zoom Webinar: LINK (Passcode: 820701)
Dyami Dancers Audition Clinic
Date - March 8th - March 9th
Time: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Location - CRMS main gym
What to wear- Black leggings, black t-shirt or tank, jazz shoes or tennis shoes.
Mandatory Team Fitting Date
Date - April 12th
Time: 4:45 pm - 6:15 pm
Location- CRMS dance room
**Payment due at fitting
**The time will be divided by alpha last name to prevent overcrowding in the dance room.
A - M - 4:45 pm - 5:30 pm
N - Z - 5:30 pm - 6:15 pm
Mandatory Summer Line Camp
Date- TBD (usually the 2nd or 3rd week of July)
Time - 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location - TBD
Attn 8th graders! 2023-2024 ViperBots Robotics Applications
The ViperBots, Vandegrift High School’s award-winning robotics program, is now accepting New Member applications for the 2023-2024 season. Interested students should apply by clicking on the link below and following the detailed application instructions.
https://www.viperbots.org/apply-now
Applications are due 3/10/2022 by 4:00 pm
Required Parent/Applicant Meeting is on 3/7in the VHS Lecture Hall
(See application page for complete details)
For more information, please contact Rad Allen at irad.allen@leanderisd.org
Banana Split:
1st Place - Fine Arts Challenge (Going to State)
Renaissance Award for Outstanding Design, Engineering, Execution, Performance
Team Managers: Scott and Heather Nielson
Team Members: Hope Nielson, Violet Ralian, Sofia Malacara, Paula Martinez, Magnolia Carroll
Canyon Ridge Middle School #1:
3rd Place - Fine Arts Challenge
1st Place - Extreme Challenge (Going to State)
Team Members: Dante Leffler, Sunaina Dewagan, Siri Krishna, Shanyu Suraparaju, Ronith Reddy, Chris Bargiel
Team Manager: Jake Leffler
Dates updated! - Course Transition and Parent Webinars
I know it seems crazy to already be thinking about next year courses, but we will begin that process soon. Students will be getting course registration and transition information through advisory class and Language Arts class in the coming weeks. In addition, we will be hosting parent webinars to help with all of this information too. Please plan to join us! Some CRMS courses will require an enrollment form/application/meeting/etc., and those will be specified on the choice sheet. For current 8th grade students, your course transition is coordinated by VHS. The dates below are for current 6th and 7th grade students.
January 17, 23, 30:
Students preview course registration information in advisory class. No selections made at this time.
January 26:
- Current 6th grade & current 7th grade webinar recordings shared here
Updated! January 30-February 8
Students complete a choice sheet in Language Arts class with their grade level counselor. Choice sheet will be brought home for a parent signature. Current 6th graders will now receive their choice sheets in classes 2/6-2/8.
Updated! February 10
Choice sheet with parent signature DUE by Friday 2/10 for current 6th & 7th graders.
February 13, 21:
Students have time in advisory class to complete applications and enrollment forms if necessary.
February 27:
Applications and enrollment forms DUE for current 6th & 7th graders.
5th to CRMS 6th grade planning
NEW! CRMS Spirit Wear for sale
Soft & cozy white hoodies and blue shirts available.
Other Sale items available too!
6th Grade Puberty Lessons
6th grade Lessons will be done in PE/Pre-Athletics/Dance classes. CRMS families: Opt in Form
QUEST Testing 22/23
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. Please see below to access the opt-in form:
When will CRMS host LifeGuard this year?
- Grade 7 : May 15-17, 2023 during Science classes
- Grade 8 : May 11, 15 & 22, 2023 during Science classes
How can parents/guardians preview the material?
- If you 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.
- To access additional LifeGuard information, please visit the LISD Human Sexuality Curriculum website.
Parent Workshop Date & Registration:
- Thursday, February 23, 2023 6:00pm-7:30pm (Register Here)
- Recorded February 23, 2023 Workshop (Click Here to Access)
Leander ISD approves school calendar for next year 2023-2024
Thank you for joining PTA!
All of these teachers and staff received a PTA gift right the day before the holiday break :)
Make a Difference, Become a Mentor
Are you looking for a way to volunteer and make a real difference in a child’s life? We have students at our campuses that need you! You can choose to volunteer at the campus(es) that works best for you.
If you are interested in becoming a HEROES Mentor, please complete a volunteer application and then submit your mentorship interest form.
Visit the Mentoring page for more information on how to get involved.
You can specifically request to mentor at CRMS or any campus.
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]
*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.
Important Attendance Reminders for Parents
- Absence notes should be emailed to crmsattendance@leanderisd.org within 48 hours.
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 over 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!
Homework Hotspots available for families
Here's the link to a form the students/families need to fill out to request a hotspot.
Clubs!
https://sites.google.com/leanderisd.org/crmsclubs/clubs-home
Sports Equipment Donations needed!
Our students love our outdoor “recess” time after lunch each day but our basket of sports equipment is almost empty. If you have any sports equipment in your garage that you would like to clean out and donate, we will gladly accept footballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, kick balls and basketballs. It does not need to be new--we welcome used equipment that we can put to good use for all of our students. Please drop off your donations anytime during school hours in the front office. Thank you for helping to provide for this valuable outdoor time for our Eagles!
Clothes Closet needs your help!
The South Location of the Leander ISD PTA Clothes Closet is up and running! This resource provides free clothing to families with students who reside within the LISD boundaries in grades PRE-K through the SELF (18+) program. The South Location can be found at River Place Elementary School in Portable #3 & #4. See flyer for address, shopping dates, and shopping hours.
If you would like to contribute to the clothes closet, you may donate gently used shoes and clothing at the green bin outside of Four Points Middle School located near the football field. Additionally, you can help out by purchasing off of their Amazon Wish List.
Volunteer Registration
To complete or renew your volunteer registration, click the appropriate link:
CRMS Cell Phone Procedures
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:
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.
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.
Changes in Meal Service for 2022-23 School Year
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.
Bus updates from Transportation
We recognize that there have been some bus delays, issues with SMART Tag, and weather in the past few days. We know this has been frustrating for our families and apologize for the inconvenience. We appreciate your patience and support as we are working out the kinks with our new system and expect to be on track with expected pick-up and drop-off times soon. Please go here for information and to sign up for the SMART Tag portal.
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.
Interested in supporting CRMS and getting paid to be here?!?!
COVID-19 Health Protocols
Athletic events tickets for Middle School online!
Tickets can be purchased through link on the athletics webpage:
Join PTA & Amazon Smile to donate to CRMS PTA
*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.
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!
Canyon Ridge Middle School
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