Ridge Relay

Today, we honor Martin Luther King Jr day. "The time is always right to do what is right."

Reminder: Students have no school on Monday, January 20, 2025 for the school-wide MLK holiday. For our 8th graders, you have a deadline due - please don't forget the information below for the due date for 8th grade Viper camp shirts today!

Weather Update: All LISD classes and activities are canceled Tuesday, Jan. 21, due to the winter weather warning, which is forecasting sleet and snow along with temperatures remaining below freezing throughout the day, significantly impacting travel. We will continue to evaluate conditions and notify families of any impact to Wednesday’s school day as soon as a decision has been made. Stay warm and stay safe! Read More

January is School Board Appreciation Month and a couple of our students were asked to speak or shown here in this video about school leadership. Also, Canyon Ridge was the Spotlight on Learning campus at last week's board meeting. And CRMS was highlighted here on social media (or here on youtube) for our student and community engagement with clubs We are truly blessed by our students, teachers and parents at CRMS!

Go Eagles!

Mrs. Wendy Sturdevant

Viper Camp permission slips will be going home 1/10/24. Students will receive their permission slips from their ELA teachers. If they are absent 1/10/24, please have them get one from their ELA teacher when they return. These are due by Friday, January 24th at the latest.

Viper Camp is coming on February 6th. Our 8th graders will be headed over to Vandergrift to visit and if you would like to order a t-shirt for that day, please see the link here. Students also have this link in their 8th-grade Google Classroom. Shirts need to be ordered by January 20th and will be delivered to Canyon Ridge. These shirts are not mandatory to order, but there will be no additional shirts to order after January 20th.

For our Incoming Freshmen Class of 2029! Get your Vandegrift Class of 2029 T-Shirt for Viper Camp: The Vandegrift High School PTSA is excited to offer all of our incoming Freshmen an option to purchase the “Second to None” Vandegrift High School Class of 2029 T-shirt that you can wear to Viper Camp on February 6th! T-shirts will be delivered back to your school prior to Viper Camp. You don’t want to miss this opportunity as these will not be sold again! Consider purchasing two for as they grow or keep one as a memento!

Join the VHS PTSA and get a discount on your T-Shirt! Different bundles are available to purchase at our online store at MemberHub. HARD DEADLINE to order t-shirts is MONDAY, JANUARY 20th at 9:00pm – do not wait, order now!

IB- International Baccalaureate Programme is open to any students who are attending VHS. The programme does require students to take advanced level courses in their 9th and 10th grade years, then IB level courses in their 11th and 12th grade years. IB encourages students to investigate and dive deeper into the course content. It also encompasses some elective subject areas. There is still time to sign-up for the student information session! The VHS IB Coordinator will be here at CRMS on Thursday, January 30th during advisory. If you are interested in this programme, please fill out this form.

All Pro Dads started at CRMS! This new opportunity this year is for dads (or any adult figure in the student's life) to spend time with their children (boy or girl) at school, strengthen their relationship, connect with other CRMS parents and learn more about our school. We will host the sessions about once a month for dads to connect at school and get involved at CRMS.

Join us for our next meeting January 31st at 8:05am to learn more and talk about what you want to do to get more connected as a parent at CRMS.

Please RSVP here so we can plan accordingly for breakfast.

In honor of February, we want to show our Teachers some LOVE and Signing up for Lunch Duty is a great way to show teachers appreciation by giving them a lunch break or extra time to plan/grade, but also is a way for you to connect with CRMS by getting to know the staff, students and seeing how the systems at CRMS work during the school day. Please review the available slots and click on the button to sign up. You are welcome to sign-up for as many time-slots that work for you. :)

3 easy requirements:

1. You must be signed-up as a Leander ISD volunteer. Super quick, easy form that gets approved in approximately 24-hours.

2. You must show up on time and be prepared for our lunch duty so that the school duty spot is covered for student safety.

3. You must bring a photo ID when you arrive to get a visitor badge at check-in.

It is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes as you may be moving about going from the cafeteria to the courtyard, etc. :) Thank you for supporting the CRMS community!

Our AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) class is looking for college students/graduates to tutor our CRMS middle school students in collaborative study groups as they prepare for classes.

AVID tutorials take place in small groups that are subject area specific. AVID tutors assist the students achieve their full potential by facilitating collaborative tutorial groups.

Apply Today

Save the date! StuCo will soon host our annual event. This year's theme will be: Cupid's Shuffle Glow Party this year on Friday, February 14th.

It is hard to believe it is already time to start thinking about high school but we don't want you to miss any of the upcoming dates for transition information for 8th to 9th grade. Mark your Calendars for...

VHS Course Selection Timeline PDF

• February 25th, 2025 6:00 PM: Parent / Guardian Webinar // Registration Link
• February 26th & 27th, 2025: 8th Grade Student Informational Sessions during Social Studies classes
• March 3, 2025 5:00 - 7:30 PM: Viper Night at VHS

• • Elective fair

  • Club & Organization fair

  • Student Panels

  • Breakout Sessions - International Baccalaureate (IB), ACC Dual Credit, AP Capstone

  • Students and parents are encouraged to take advantage of this evening to explore and learn more about ALL Vandegrift has to offer!

• March 4th - 5th (CRMS) // March 7th (FPMS), 2025: Student Meetings with VHS Counselors - High School Counselors will meet with 8th grade students individually at their middle school campus to verify their course selections

Mark your calendars for our 2025-2026 Parent/Student annual webinars for course registration information...

• Incoming 7th graders (current 6th graders): January 28 at 5:30pm (Zoom link, passcode: 7thEagles)
• Incoming 8th graders (current 7th graders): January 28 at 6:30pm (Zoom link, passcode: 8thEagles)
• Incoming 6th graders (current 5th graders): February 18th at 5:30pm (Zoom link, passcode: GoEagles)

Calling all multilingual students! The Global Languages and Cultures Department is hosting the 4th Annual Leander ISD International Film Festival on March 8, 2025 in the Leander High School PAC. We invite EC-12 students to submit videos by February 21. For more information, please see Film Festival Info and Links 2025

This is an opportunity for students to showcase their multilingualism, academic strengths, and creativity. Participating in the International Film Festival empowers students to be creative & critical thinkers, skilled communicators & collaborators, compassionate community contributors, and adaptable & reflective individuals. The audience for the film festival will include students, staff, families and community members. Contact Darla Brown if the article above does not answer your questions.

Parents, the second 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

Volume 7 Issue 3

January 2025

The January Special Programs Newsletter is bursting with exciting updates! Dive into resources like the Special Programs Parent Advisory Council, 18+ Services, Spring Family Workshop Conference, Destination Life Conference, and Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES). There’s something for everyone—don’t miss out!

Special Programs News!

Did you know there are valuable resources available for families in Special Programs? Check out the Special Programs Parent Advisory Council Resources to find this month’s family socials, learning opportunities, and more. It’s a quick way to stay connected, informed, and supported. Thank you!

The Canyon Ridge Middle School Yearbook is on sale now! Books can be purchased from the Jostens online store for $45 through May 2, 2025.

CRMS Clubs and Organizations Site

Updates:

• Eagle Allies started on Monday 11/18/24 and is regularly meeting. See Mrs. Eaves or Mrs. Hubbard for more information.
• Art Club is meeting the last Thursday of each month. Contact Mrs. Abouelela for more information or join Google classroom: w77uvwb
• Our next Library Club meeting is January 17th - Future meeting dates are: 1/17, 2/7, - 2/28 is Read A Thon, 3/14, and 4/25) from 8:15 - 8:55

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 third testing window of 24/25 and the deadline to register is listed below.

Testing Window Three:

• Time: February 24-March 7, 2025 (The specific dates will be selected by the CRMS campus and communicated to those who register.)

• Registration Deadline: January 31, 2025 by noon

• Location: CRMS

• Logistics: Arranged with student's counselor & UTHS

Note: Students who pass an Exam for Acceleration in the March 2025 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.

Referrals for G/T services are accepted year-round. Students referred for testing by March 14, 2025 will be screened to determine the need for additional GT Identification. Those who qualify for additional screening will be notified in April for the Spring Identification Window. Notification of results will be sent before the end of the school year to qualify for the beginning of the new school year. Please contact your counselor for the referral form.

Step into a world of wonder and possibility at the Wrinkle in Time Gala, benefiting LEEF, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at The Crossover. Inspired by the timeless story of adventure through space and time, we’re preparing for an unforgettable night in support of Leander ISD students and staff.

The 2025 LEEF Gala will feature:

• Student Art Gallery
• Live Auction
• WOW Packages & Campus baskets
• Entertainment & More

Save the date, be among the first to secure your tickets and sponsorships, and join us for this stellar night where every moment will make a difference!

Get Tickets

Want to be a CRMS Cheerleader? Join Now for 2025-2026

Cheerleading helps build and maintain school spirit by energizing crowds at games and events. The enthusiasm of cheerleaders boosts school pride and creates a positive atmosphere. Cheerleaders play a key role in enhancing school events, from sports games to pep rallies. Their presence adds excitement and can make events more enjoyable and memorable. By supporting teams and participating in school activities, cheerleaders contribute to a positive and inclusive school culture. The coaches this year are Marlena Ruiz and Hannah Allred. Please reach out to either of us with any and all things cheer and spirit!

Process starts with Mandatory Parent/Candidate Meeting

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.

When: Feb 10, 2025, 6:00 PM
Topic: Cheer 2025-26 Mandatory Parent/Student Zoom Meeting
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://leanderisd.zoom.us/j/86174655573
Passcode: CRMSCheer

Want To Be A Dyami Dancer?

Please read over the enclosed information regarding the Canyon Ridge Dance Team, our tryout requirements, and other important information about how to become a CRMS Dance Team Member.

Process starts with Mandatory Parent/Candidate Meeting

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.

When: Feb 28, 2025, 6:00 PM
Topic: Dyami Dance 2025-26 Mandatory Parent/Student Zoom Meeting
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://leanderisd.zoom.us/j/84511686401
Passcode: Dyami

Rally Day is just around the corner and we need you to help support our Texas students and teachers! Please share this information with your teachers,students, and families and consider attending Rally Day at the Capitol on Monday, February 24th, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Rally Day is a popular advocacy event and thousands of PTA members across the state of Texas will be in attendance. Rally Day is open to all PTA members. (Reach out to your school's PTA Membership Chair or to me for more information about joining the PTA.) This will be an excellent opportunity for your students and their families to participate in a caucus, rally on the steps, enjoy a picnic lunch together, attend legislator meetings, and participate in literature drops. Rally Day is considered an excused absence for your students, but parents must notify the attendance clerk.

If this sounds like something your students and their families are interested in, please have them fill out this Google form: Rally Day Interest/Attendance Form

We also have a T-shirt design contest for the Rally Day T-shirt running:

ECHS- Early College High School is accepting applications now for the 2025-2026 school year. ECHS offers the opportunity for students to graduate high school with an associates degree in Liberal Arts tuition free! Students who attend ECHS will take college level courses as early as 9th grade. If your student attended the information session or you want more information this is the link for the presentation from the ECHS counselor. If you have additional questions, please reach out to Heather Lyle, the ECHS counselor.

LISD ECHS is now accepting applications for its fourth cohort, which will then be selected through a blind lottery process later in the spring for incoming 2025–26 9th-graders. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 14, 2025.

Learn More

Apply Now

Attention Parents! Has a teacher or staff member at CRMS made a difference that you believe merits recognition? If so, nominate him or her to receive the Golden Eagle Award. Each week, from the Eagle community's nominations, a worthy faculty or staff member will be awarded the Golden Eagle. Recipients of the Golden Eagle Award have the privilege of keeping the coveted Golden Eagle statue in their office or classroom until the next faculty or staff member is recognized. Please nominate someone today!

Golden Eagle Award Nomination Form

Earlier this Fall, we updated you on our new vending machines at CRMS so we want to also share with you the flyer with directions and contact information if there are any questions/concerns.

The district has added vending machines that are being stocked with the same snacks/drinks that are sold in the cafeteria during lunches. The intent is for students to access during the school day when the cafeteria is not open for times like end-of-school-day when students may have practices/events. Students can use their school ID# (or cash) to purchase from these machines so it uses money from their "lunch accounts" so you may notice more snack purchases. We have noticed these machines are popular purchases so please have conversations with your student(s) about what your expectations are with the amounts being purchased. Please note that we will be telling students that they cannot leave class and miss instructional time to purchase extra snacks.

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/

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.Please note why the student was absent or what kind of appointment they had (medical/dental) otherwise it will be unexcused due to lack of info.

• 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 latest a student may be picked up early is 4pm due to our end-of-day dismissal.
  

• 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 1000 students so it will take 2-4 business days to show the update. We appreciate your patience and understanding that our team is working tirelessly to support all of our Eagles!

Leander ISD has partnered with MySchoolBucks as our new online store. You can easily pay online for school items and add money to your student's lunch account. We are adding new items to the store everyday.

Create your free MySchoolBucks account to conveniently and securely pay for your student’s school fees online or with the mobile app.

With MySchoolBucks you’ll be able to quickly browse school items in our School Store, be notified when fees are due, and make payments from anywhere!

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 or birthdate
3. Add school items or invoices to your cart
4. Check out using your credit / debit card or electronic check.

We appreciate you using this online option as a way to help reduce the amount of physical cash and checks that our staff would need to handle for these school fees.

If you need assistance with your account, you can find helpful how-to videos and answers to commonly asked questions by visiting myschoolbucks.com. Or, you can contact MySchoolBucks directly by logging into your account to start a chat conversation or give them a call at (855) 832-5226.

Thank you,

Leander ISD

Please Note:

• $$$ account for snacks, additional food
• Snacks may not always 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.

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, decrease to $20.00 starting December 1st

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

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.

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