Hello CRMS families!

Don’t forget that this Tuesday, November 2nd is a Student Holiday for staff professional development. The campus will be closed to students because CRMS is also a Travis County Voting location. We encourage all CRMS families to be informed about the election this Tuesday (11/2) as it includes a bond election for Leander ISD that directly impacts CRMS. Please read more about the bond election below and vote!

Even though Tuesday is off, on Monday we will run a regular bell schedule with all regular classes. And due to the day off on Tuesday, this Wednesday (11/3) is NOT an early release day. It is a full school day!

We had a great week with District Championships in Football for BOTH 8th grade Blue and Gold teams, Regional Choir qualifiers, Red Ribbon dress-up days, Advanced Theater shows and wrapping up the end of the 2nd grading period. We look forward to next week kicking off the 3rd grading period and our finals of the Spelling Bee. Please keep reading for even more events and ways for students to get connected at CRMS! Go Eagles!

Reminder: Parents you MUST have your ID when you come to campus to pick up your child during the school day. The system recently did a reboot as part of a software update and so there are currently no previous IDs for anyone at this time. So please do not forget that you must bring ID so we can rescan them. Please allow time to be patient and respectful to our hard working office staff.

Follow us on social media:

Twitter: @Sturdevant_CRMS

Instagram: Canyon_Ridge_MS

Facebook: Canyon Ridge Middle School PTA

Veterans Day is quickly approaching on November 11th! While we unfortunately cannot have our traditional Veterans Day assembly, we still want to take the time to recognize and honor those in our Eagle Community. We are creating a video assembly to show our appreciation and give thanks to all who have served our country with grace and honor. The video will include various student pieces, and we would really love to feature our veteran community members. Please complete this form if you are a veteran or have a veteran in your family that you would like to honor. Form submissions will be accepted through Wednesday, November 3rd.

This past Saturday, the choir program had 34 students audition for the All-Region Choir. We are proud to share that we had 22 students make the Region Choir, with nine placing in a top 5 chair spot, and a first chair as well. This is a huge honor for these students, and we are proud of them!

Our Board of Trustees called for a Bond election to:

• Keep up with growth.
• Take care of existing schools and impact every student.
• Replace equipment and technology.

Three propositions will be on the ballot for voters to consider. Proposition A includes $727.2 million worth of new construction, renovation, and equipment replacement projects. Proposition B includes $33.3 million to replace existing technology devices, including student and staff laptops, over the next three years. Proposition C includes $11.7 million in renovation and lighting/sound upgrades to our high school and district performing arts centers.

We worked with a community committee of over 150 volunteers to identify and prioritize our district’s needs over the next three years. The proposed projects impact every student and school in our district and can be financed without a tax rate increase and will be paid for by layering in debt payments using tax collections from rising property values.

Election Details

• Last Day for Voter Registration: Monday, Oct. 4, 2021
• Early Voting: Oct. 18–29, 2021
• Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021

This year our Fall Scholastic Bookfair Oct 25th-Nov 7th will be ONLINE! Free shipping directly to your home on book orders over $25. Online purchases made thru the ‘Canyon Ridge Middle’ Scholastic link earn 25% back and proceeds will go towards book purchases for our school.

All CRMS students, please join the 'Student Poll' to share your favorite books & enter to win a free book weekly.

Visit the CRMS PTA Bookfair page for the most updated info and links: CRMS PTA site: bookfair

Thank you for your support!

It's time for Reflections! We are hoping to bring our school and community together this year to show off our talented students. This year's theme is "I Will Change the World By..." Any student can enter with their answer to this prompt and share their interpretation in the form of dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography and visual arts. Entries are due Monday, November 8th.

Here is a link for Entrance forms and they can be returned to the front office at CRMS or to Margie Aston. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Parents, the second 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, and upcoming dates. Enjoy!

Counseling Newsletter – The Echo

Reflecting Positivity through CRMS Counseling Services

Volume 4 Issue 2

October 22, 2021

Each year, LISD offers students an opportunity to take an Exam for Acceleration (EA) at no cost to the family. LISD offers multiple 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 Two: December 6-8, 2021

Registration deadline: November 1, 2021

Time: Arranged with student's counselor

Location: CRMS

Logistics: Arranged with student's counselor & UTHS

Note: Students who pass an Exam for Acceleration in the December 2021 testing window will complete the 2021-2022 school year in his/her current class. Students will receive their acceleration in the 2022-2023 school year.

Students will have the opportunity to have a Thanksgiving lunch at CRMS on Thursday, November 11th. Due to both the size of our cafeteria and also being short-staffed in the cafeteria, this will be for students only. We will not be able to open up Thanksgiving lunch to parents and families, but look forward to serving our students this fun traditional meal.

I am Shreya Poladia, 8th grader at CRMS. I am doing an Art Show, “Teachers: Our True Heroes” and donate 100% of the net profits to CRMS PTA to support our wonderful teachers at CRMS!

Here is a preview of my website that gives details about the Art Show “Teachers: Our True Heroes”: https://shreyasatelier.wixsite.com/crms-artshow

The LISD PTA Clothes Closet wanted to let you know that we will be hosting a Thrift Teen Night, an outdoor pop-up event, with lots of FREE food, music and FREE shopping, under the Texas stars. It will be held in our North Location's parking lot in a safe environment, between LEO and LMS, where teens may mingle, shop for FREE clothing and eat some FREE delicious food.

As with any event of this caliber, we will need support with volunteer hours and donations to make this a successful event. This is our inaugural event and we hope to host another Thrift Teen Night in the Spring - if it is a hit with our teens.

Volunteer Shifts (Students & Parents are welcome):

Monday, November 8, 2021 from (6:30pm-8:30pm)

Prep for our Saturday's event - signup via this link

Saturday, November 13, 2021 from (4:30pm-7:00pm)

Help set up for the event, check in shoppers and still have time to enjoy the festivities - signup via this link

Saturday, November 13, 2021 from (6:30pm-9:30pm)

Check in and out shoppers and still have time to enjoy the festivities - break down the event and place racks inside the store - signup via this link

Monday, November 15, 2021 from (6:30pm-9:30pm)

Help organize the store after the event and get the store ready for the next shopping day. - signup via this link

Donations needed are listed in the below SignUp Genius Link

Donation items can be dropped off at our North Location at 324 S. West Drive any Tuesday or day/evenings that we are open, or please reach out to us if you need to make special arrangements for drop off.

Tents and ice chests should be dropped off on Friday, November 12th from 6:30pm-8:30pm - please label your items.

The Donation SignUp Genius link is here: Thrift Teen Night Donations

As always, thank you for supporting our program and events! We appreciate each of you! We are looking forward to hosting a fun event for our teens.

Leander ISD middle school students receive yearly prevention lessons in order to promote and support wellness, healthy choices, and a drug-free lifestyle. See lesson dates and parent information below. Contact your CRMS grade level counselor with any questions.

6th grade lessons (Electronic Cigarettes & Refusal Skills) on December 6, 7, & 9, 2021

English 6th grade Parent Info

Spanish 6th grade Parent Info

7th grade lessons (Alcohol, E-Cigarettes & Refusal Skills) on November 8, 9, & 11, 2021

English 7th grade Parent Info

Spanish 7th grade Parent Info

8th grade lessons (Opioids, Electronic CIgarettes, Marijuana, & Refusal Skills) on November 15, 16, & 18, 2021

English 8th grade Parent Info

Spanish 8th grade Parent Info

Students begin their high school four year plan during their 8th grade year. Over the course of this year, Mrs. Cote will be delivering four year planning student lessons as part of the 8th to 9th grade transition. The second student lesson with Mrs. Cote will occur 11/5/21 during advisory class. Please watch this parent preview video of lesson two. Thanks for partnering with us to support your child in their 8th to 9th grade transition!

Additionally, Vandegrift High School Counselors will be meeting with your child and hosting events in the spring semester for this transition. See VHS dates below and mark your calendars!

• 1/10/22 VHS Counselors to CRMS Campus for Course Registration Presentation
• 1/11/22 8th Grade Family Night @ VHS (may be virtual)
• 1/18/22 VHS Counselor to CRMS Campus for Review of 9th Grade Choice Sheet
• 1/19/22 VHS Counselor to CRMS Campus for Review of 9th Grade Choice Sheet

*Dates subject to change. Accurate as of 10/8/2021

International Club is for any students interested in connecting by language and culture and wanting to celebrate their heritage. This student-led club can provide both friendship and academic support.

The International Club will meet about once or twice a month, right after school on Thursdays in room 0117 with Mrs. Schuck.

If students are interested, they can complete this brief Google Form. They will receive the Google Classroom code via the form.

Student Council is hard at work this week planning for Red Ribbon week later this month. Are you interested in being part of StuCo? Email Mrs. Miller at Ali.miller@leanderisd.org

The 2021-22 Destination Imagination teams are now forming. All student registration forms are due by Oct 8th. More information can be found on the CRMS Clubs page or contact Mrs. Seema George.

Yearbooks for the 2021-2022 school year are available online NOW! Don't miss out on the lowest price of the year; Order your yearbook before December 1st for $35. On December 1st, yearbook prices increase. Additionally, we are offering an opportunity for CRMS families to highlight their 8th grade students with a shout out. Shout outs are very similar to senior ads in a high school yearbook and are only available for 8th grade students. They can be purchased as an add on to the yearbook for $25. Shout outs must be purchased on or before January 31, 2022 and your short message and photos must be submitted by February 15, 2022. Our school orders a limited number of yearbooks each year. By pre ordering your yearbook now, you ensure that you will receive a yearbook. If you have any questions please email Jared.Lichtenberger@leanderisd.org .

Students from Vandegrift High School began a homework help service in 2012. Today Viper Nation Homework Help continues as a student-led, free tutoring service for elementary, middle and even high school peers in our community. To sign up your student for one of the Tuesday evening sessions, please visit https://signup.com/go/zmqysDO.

Leander ISD updated our Health Response Protocols and on August 17th, elevated to a new Red Stage. Please review and partner with us to keep people healthy and schools open:

• COVID-19 Update: New Health Response Protocols
• August 6th Update to COVID Notifications, Contact Tracing and Dashboard data
• August 17th Update: Mask Requirement for All
• Leander ISD COVID dashboard

CRMS Frequently Asked Questions - COVID

• Beginning Monday, Aug. 30, indoor extracurricular events in Leander ISD will be limited to 50% capacity. This will remain in effect while LISD is in the “red stage.” Masks are required at indoor LISD events. More info

• Effective Monday, August 30th, STUDENT SPECTATORS must be accompanied and supervised by their parent/guardian to attend indoor events. In order to ensure family members of our student athletes and performers are able to attend and support them, student spectators will be required to be accompanied and supervised by a parent/guardian at indoor events. We recognize that our students are eager and proud to support their peers at games and performances. When LISD returns to the Yellow Stage we will adjust this policy.

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/

Many have generously reached out and asked how you can donate or support the teachers/school during this time. If you are wanting to donate and unsure how, we will gladly accept donations on campus of the following:

• bottled water
• masks
• paper towels
• hand sanitizer
• Clorox wipes

Currently, there is no state funding for PPE this year, so donations will be accepted and very appreciated! You can drop off in the school front office at your convenience during school hours.

Home Access Center (HAC) provides families with an online tool where they can view helpful student information to support and guide their children through the educational process. From home or work, at any time of the day or night, parents can access the web portal to track academic achievement.

Features include:

• Grade notifications,

• Class schedules

• Attendance records.

Visit the Home Access Center page to learn more. Please allow time for our campuses to complete schedule and teacher assignments in the coming days prior to the start of the school year.

Beginning Aug. 5, 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 2021-22 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.

The Transportation Department will continue to use the Remind platform to communicate delay notifications and other important updates. Bus riders and their guardians will be added to a Remind “class” for their assigned bus route.

All students at CRMS must have a working computer/device with a keyboard. If you do not have your own device, that is okay! Click on this link to sign-up/re-enroll and pay the 2021-2022 mLISD non-refundable security deposit so you can get your computer as soon as possible!

Our schools and teachers use Remind to send text messages and emails to our parents. Make sure you log into Remind to set up your notification preferences, see archived messages, and send messages directly to your teachers and school staff. Download the mobile app (Google Play, Apple) for the best user experience.

Click here to learn more about Remind.

As Leander ISD Child Nutrition Services will continue to offer free breakfast and lunch meals to all students for the 2021–22 school year, low-cost meals are not being served at this time. To manage your student’s meal balance for snacks or extras beyond the meal service, please create your Titan Family Connect account (formerly MealTime). Leander ISD school menus, along with complete nutrition information, are available through Nutrislice.

School start and end times for elementary, middle and high school are listed below.

• Elementary School: 7:40 a.m.–2:55 p.m.
• Middle School: 8:10 a.m.–3:25 p.m.
• High School: 8:40 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

90-minute Early Release Schedule for 2021–22 School Year

• Elementary School: 7:40 a.m.–1:25 p.m.
• Middle School: 8:10 a.m.–1:55 p.m.
• High School: 8:40 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

*District Calendar linked below

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 2021-22:

• 6th: Monica Diaz Carle/Sabrina Anderson
• 7th: Cassandra Ricks/Katie Young
• 8th: Leah Cox /Staci Cote

Email: Wendy.Sturdevant@leanderisd.org
Website: crms.leanderisd.org
Location: Canyon Ridge Middle School, Country Trails Lane, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-570-3500
Twitter: @Sturdevant_CRMS

Mark your Calendar: October 22nd during all lunches. All students who took school photos earlier this year have received those pictures back. October 22nd is for those who missed the earlier photos or prefer to re-take this year's school photo.

More information will be posted on the website soon.