Families,
Can you believe that we are starting our last full month of the school year? The year has definitely flown by. But, we still have lots to do before we are done! With state testing coming up in a bit, along with students finishing out their classes, we have a lot to work for and we are going to continue to remind students to finish strong in their academics and their behavior!
I hope you all get to take advantage of this nice weather and enjoy the weekend!
Shaun Takenouchi
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5/4 - 5/8: Cert Staff Appreciation Week
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5/4: 6th Grade SOM Assembly ( Lower Gym)
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5/5: 7th Grade SOM Assembly ( Lower Gym)
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5/6: 8th Grade SOM Assembly ( Lower Gym)
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5/6: Family Lunch Day
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Each week we will feature staff members at Ridgetop so that families get to know OUR Raider family better. |
What is your role at Ridgetop?
- Physical Education teacher
What is your favorite TV show/movie and why?
- Movie Shawshank Redemption. It is a fantastic lesson on resilience and redemption.
Do you have a favorite childhood memory?
- Just playing outside with the neighbor kids and my sister. We always found something to do. I lived on a farm for some years, and when we were not playing in the field, at the river, or doing chores we were riding bikes. I also miss the family camping trips.
What was your favorite subject when you were a student?
- Well, I liked PE. I had to be moving. I'm sure my teachers have some interesting stories. My favorite core classes were Science and Social Studies.
Tell us how you either LEARN, LEAD, or GROW in your life, in your personal life or as an educator.
- Life experience comes with time. We all make mistakes. It is important to learn from those mistakes and the mistakes of others. I try to be a good role model for kids. Whether it is health/nutrition/activity related, or interpersonal. It is important for me to be a positive example for kids.
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What is your role at Ridgetop?
- PE Teacher, Softball & Basketball Coach
What is your favorite TV show/movie and why?
- I actually have several "favorite" movies, but I will choose one for today...Enchanted! It's a blend of animation and real action, very Disney, and has amazing music. It is cute and silly and fun and has a touch of danger. I love the cast as well.
Do you have a favorite childhood memory?
- YES ~ going camping during the summers with my family! We would take the trailer out, go fishing in the lakes, dad would blast his country music on his 8-tracks, and we'd play cards late into the evening as a family.
What was your favorite subject when you were a student?
- I loved everything about school. EVERYTHING! I would even "play school" during the summers with my stuffed animals. Some days I would tell you math was my favorite, other days I'd say reading, other days I'd say science or health, and of course I'd ALWAYS say PE! :)
Tell us how you either LEARN, LEAD, or GROW in your life, in your personal life or as an educator.
- Life is all about life-long learning, and we are in constant need of growth. For the past few years, I have been focused on learning and growing in my personal life. Re-learning how to set healthy boundaries and re-framing ideas & thought patterns that I grew up with; adjusting to my new ways of thinking & philosophies. Never be afraid to become a better version of *YOU*!!! :)
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What is your role at Ridgetop?
- 6th grade Magnet Language Arts/World Geography/PE/Track & Basketball Coach/Honor Society Advisor
What is your favorite TV show/movie and why?
- There are too many to pick! The Voice, Hamilton, The Mandalorian, Stranger Things, Law & Order, Dances with Wolves, I love music, mysteries, history and quirky characters.
Do you have a favorite childhood memory?
- My family camped often, especially with my cousins. My dad was always a jokester and would try to prank us. One time we were camping up in Mount Rainier when we heard what we thought was a bear rustling around our tents. Suddenly, we heard a big growl which scared us to death. The growl was followed by laughter from all of us when we realized it was just my dad. It's a memory that still gets laughed about when we all get together.
What was your favorite subject when you were a student?
- I'm not sure I had one subject that stands out as my favorite. Learning about people' whether it was through other cultures or through reading and writing was probably the most natural for me. Band, theater, and writing for the school newspaper were fun classes, too!
Tell us how you either LEARN, LEAD, or GROW in your life, in your personal life or as an educator.
- I have always loved learning from the time I was young. As an educator I have loved teaching all kinds of subjects over the years as well as discovering how we all learn, including how our brains function. From science museums to new novels to musicals to the newest technology, there is so much to learn out there!
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Starting on May 12th, we are going to be administering the SBA Assessment for Reading, Math and Science (8th Graders). Below is the schedule of testing.
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May 12th and 13th: Reading SBA
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May 19th and 20th: Math SBA
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May 26 - 28th: WCAS (8th Grade Only)
If you are wanting to opt your student out of the SBA test, please go to this link for the opt out form.
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Next week is Certifcated Staff Appreciation Week. Our amazing PTSA is helping with this on a couple of days. Please see below for more info on how you can help as well!
Help us celebrate the wonderful RMS CERTIFIED STAFF on Wednesday, May 6th & 8th! We've worked with amazing local partners to provide sweet treats, but we are still in need of fruit, drinks, and a few volunteers to help us serve the staff.
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This is our last sale before yearbooks arrive in June. Purchase yours today before they sell out! Yearbooks are $35. They may be purchased online or at the ASB window.
Username: Student ID
Password: Student's last name capitalized at it is in PowerSchool (ex. Smith, McKenzie, Smith-McKenzie)
Our online payment portal may now be accessed through PowerSchool. Once you are logged into PowerSchool, simply click on the "Payments and Purchases" at the bottom of the left-hand menu. (NOTE: This is only available on the website portal, not the PowerSchool App.)
You may check to see if you have ordered a yearbook online by looking up your "Purchase History" under the "Reports" tab on the online payment portal. The system will also tell you if you have already purchased a yearbook if you try to buy a second one. Students may also check in at the ASB window to see if they have purchased.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the ASB Bookkeeper, Kenzee Lauth, via email: KenzeeL@ckschools.org.
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Our Spring Fling is fast approaching! This is a casual dance right after school until 4:00pm in the cafeteria.
Tickets go on sale Monday, May 4. Tickets are $3 with ASB, $5 without. Students enrolled in our Fee Waiver Program receive free dance tickets. They must still go to the ASB window to add their name to the ticket list. Students may also reach out to the counselor for financial assistance.
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If your family is planning to move and your student will not be returning to Ridgetop Middle School for the 2026–27 school year, please take a moment to complete the Google Form below. This information helps us plan and support a smooth transition for all students.
Thank you for keeping us informed—we appreciate your cooperation!
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Washington state law requires all students entering 7th grade to have a Tdap booster or an exemption form on file before the first day of school. Tdaps given on or after 10 years of age meet this requirement. If you need an appointment with a provider, schedule it now; wait times can be lengthy. If your student needs a sports physical, your provider may be able to give the Tdap booster at the same time. If you need help finding a provider, contact your school nurse or call the Kitsap Public Health District at 360-728-2235. |
On April 27th, RMS in partnership with Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo hosted Mary Boone, a non-fiction author from Olympia. She held two sessions with over 150 6th graders participating. Our students did an awesome job and had some great questions for the author!
Huge thank you to Liberty Bay Books and Mary Boone for providing us with this opportunity!
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Here is another great summer activity for incoming 6th grade students and current 7th grader students. Click on the image to get more info. |
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The Future Focused Summer Academy is a free program offering support for students in their transition from elementary to middle school. It engages rising sixth graders in activities to grow in their self-regulation and mindfulness skills, build hope and resilience, and explore interests, strengths, and future pathways. Parents/guardians of enrolled students have the opportunity to participate in a complementary workshop on Strengths-Based and Hope-Centered Parenting for Student Success.
Date: Monday-Thursday, July 20-23 and July 27-30 (8 day session)
Time: 8:30-12:30, including lunch
Location: Olympic College campus in Bremerton
Busing provided by most districts.
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Washington State University 4-H Military Teen Adventure Camps offer campers high-adventure activities such as archery, bicycle moto crossing (BMXing), climbing, swimming, zip lining, completing ropes courses, and sea kayaking. Lodging accommodations include open-air cabins and yurts. Between adventures, campers enjoy family-style meals, campfires, and other camp traditions.
Washington State University 4-H is the partner in charge of this camp location. For more information, contact Stormy Ingersoll at 4h.militarycamps@wsu.edu or (360) 804-0860.
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This year, every month we are going to have a specific character focus that we are working on as a school. Each week, we will be focusing on different aspects of being a professional student.
For the month of April, we are focusing on Inclusion. We are working on helping students understand what it means to embrace differences and celebrate diversity.
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Here is a link to our sporting events for the coming week. |
Ridgetop is in need of adult mentors. All it takes is 1 hour per week to make a difference in a student's life. The goal of the mentoring program is to develop positive relationships between schools and students, parents, and community. All mentors receive training on how to support students with goal setting, and peer relationships.
Mentoring takes place on school property. Mentors may play board games, draw, practice flashcards, read, discuss grades and study habits, or just spend time talking. If this sounds like something you can do, please get in contact with our building coordinator Jeff Kahler@ jeffreyk@ckschools.org. Adult mentors make a huge difference in a youth's life.
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