Ridge Relay

We can't wait to welcome all of our Eagles to school this Wednesday (8/14/24)! Here are some important 1st day of school tips:

• Students do NOT need to bring supplies or laptops to school on the first day. Only bring something to write with and something to write on.
• You can view your student schedule in the Home Access Center (HAC). If you are having difficulties accessing the HAC, here is a tip-sheet to reset your password. If you still cannot get in, we will also give all students a paper copy of his or her schedule when they arrive on the first day of school. There will also be staff/signs/rosters directing students to 1st period when they arrive on the 1st day of school.
• Students should arrive prior to 9:05am so they are on time for class. In Middle School, parents do not walk students into the building so allow time to take 1st day pictures at home :)
• Please make a plan for how your child will meet you for pick-up or get home when school releases at 4:20pm. In Middle School, all students are released when the bell rings so it may feel chaotic for the first couple of days as students learn the routines.
• Allow time and PATIENCE for traffic the first week of school. It will get better and remember safety is our #1 priority!

Reminder: To get you ready for the school year, check out the Leander ISD Back-to-School Checklist

On behalf of the faculty and staff of Canyon Ridge Middle School, welcome to the 2024-2025 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 MS experience as we celebrate #20YearsOfSoaringToSuccess at CRMS!

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 meaningful learning experiences in their courses and support their needs this year. The entire CRMS faculty and staff is ready to help your students begin the 2024-2025 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: 2024 CRMS Back-to-School August Webinar.

Go Eagles!

Mrs. Wendy Sturdevant

*Schedules are live now (started Thursday, August 8th) online in the Home Access Center (HAC). If you are having difficulties accessing the HAC, here is a tip-sheet to reset your password. If you still cannot get in, we will also give your student a paper copy when they arrive on the first day of school.

*The last day for schedule change requests was May 24th, 2024. 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 both the staff and room number as "n/a." Those placements will occur by Aug 14 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.

PrePackaged School Supply pack sales ended June 16th. 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.

*Students do NOT need to bring supplies or laptops to school on the first day. Only bring something to write with and something to write on.

*If you pre-ordered a school supply pack in May-June, students will receive those packs on the second day of school (8/15) during his or her Science class period.

The school times this year will remain the same as last year:

• Elementary – 7:30 am to 2:45 pm
• High School – 8:15 am to 3:35 pm
• CRMS - Middle School – 9:05 am to 4:20 pm

2024-2025 CRMS Bell Schedule

• For this school year, we will have an Advisory period on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

• Please note: This schedule will stay consistent even when there are holidays or teacher professional development days that affect the number of school days in a week. It is not an A/B schedule that changes by week. It will stay consistent every week by the day of the week!

• To start the school year, students will stay in 1st period for Advisory time activities like beginning-of-the-year assemblies, and then they will have assigned Advisory classes starting after Labor Day.

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.

Reminder: All Middle School students need a laptop/device for school. If you do not own your one, you can get one from the district:

Middle School Students: $40.00 per year

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.

mLISD Quick View Information Brochure -English

mLISD Quick View Information Brochure -Spanish

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.

*Open House for 6th-8th grades was Thursday, August 8th. Here is the Virtual Open House with live links for you to get to know each of your student's teachers/classes.

*Here is the Back-to-School Webinar Recording recording for your reference and our virtual Open House information that was released on August 8th.

*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 8th, we will only have the virtual Open House available on August 20th and will not be opening the building to families.

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.

2024 Volleyball Tryouts dates:

Thursday, August 15

Friday, August 16

Monday, August 19

7th grade: 7:00am - 8:45am

8th grade: 4:30pm - 5:30pm

All 7th and 8th grade girls must have the following completed before tryouts begin on August 17:

1. Completed physical turned in to the coaches

2. All Rank One papers filled out online

3. Signup for tryouts

4. Complete and turn in Commitment letter

A parent meeting will be held for all parents of the student athletes that make the 2024 Volleyball teams on Thursday, August 22 @ 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.

Attention incoming 7th and 8th grade students! If you are interested in joining our District Championship Cross Country team, please check the Cross Country website for information on signing up. We will be hosting an informational meeting for student-athletes only on Tuesday, August 20th at 8:15AM in the small gym to share more information about participating in this sport at CRMS. Cross Country is for anyone interested in developing as an athlete - whether you consider yourself a fast runner or not! If you have any questions please reach out to Coach Lichtenberger at Jared.Lichtenberger@leanderisd.org .

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

A parent meeting will be held for all parents of the student athletes on the football teams on Monday, August 19 @ 7pm. This meeting will be a webinar and the link to join will be emailed to parents of those athletes in football.

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.

BE THE REAL MVP

NEW this year! White OUT, Pink OUT, and Blue OUT Spirit days!

ALL students, parents and siblings are invited to participate in spreading school spirit and supporting our Eagle athletes!!!! Each sport will have their own “White/Pink/Blue Out” game days this season! Be the real MVP and purchase the bundle of shirts, so you can wear them to school and games!

Get your CRMS Athletic Spirit Wear NOW! This will cover all the sports – fall, winter and spring sports!

DEADLINE to order is August 16th! Booster Club will not re-order shirts for the winter and spring sports so don’t wait – get yours today! (Ordering after Aug. 16th means limited quantities and no guarantee on sizing!)

Link to all the items is here

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

OFFICIAL VHS HIGH SCHOOL GAME DAY/SPIRIT APPAREL STORE

PreSales for Game Day Bundles Available Now

PICKUP ALL SHIRTS AT ONCE ON 9/4!

Buy now to save money & to guarantee correct size. Presales end midnight on 8/15/2024.

Shirts are for the following games:

• 9/6 - CEDAR PARK (WHITE OUT GAME)
• 10/11 - CEDAR RIDGE (PINK OUT GAME)
• 10/25 - HUTTO (HOCO GAME)
• 11/8 - ROUND ROCK (BLACK OUT GAME)

Pick-up will be on Wednesday 9/4 from 11am - 2pm outside of building 2 by the cafeteria

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU RECEIVE AN EMAIL RECEIPT TO CONFIRM YOUR ORDER WAS PROCESSED! APPLE PAY INVOLVES AN EXTRA STEP!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Leander ISD 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

Randall's has agreed to add CRMS to the Good Neighbor Support program and it is SO easy! Email below, then do your regular shopping and Randall's will donate back to the CRMS PTA.

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]

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