Raider Family Weekly: 8/28/26

Raider Families,

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Open House! It was great to see so many students and families back in the building, reconnect with familiar faces, and welcome those who are new to our Raider Family. The energy in the building was a great reminder of how excited we are to get this school year started!

As we begin the year, our goal is to create a school where every student feels like they belong, are supported, and are known. We want our students to build strong connections with their peers and the adults in our building, be challenged in their learning, and continue to grow both academically and socially.

Along with that support comes high expectations. We believe our students are capable of great things, and we will challenge them to show up each day ready to learn, treat others with respect, make good choices, take responsibility for their actions, and give their best effort. There will be times when students make mistakes and that is part of middle school and part of growing. Our job is to help them learn from those moments, take ownership, and continue moving forward.

It takes all of us working together to make that happen. The partnership between our students, staff, and families is incredibly important, and we appreciate your support as we work to create a school where students feel connected while also being challenged to become the best versions of themselves.

We are excited about what is ahead and can't wait to welcome our students back!

Shaun Takenouchi

View the full events calendar 📅

This year, things are somewhat different for the first week of school. We wanted to share out what the week is going to look like so you can feel prepared.

As we enter a new school year, one of the things that I really want to stress is our drop off and pick up process.

Please ensure that if you are dropping off and/or picking up your student that you go into our parking lot area to do this. There will be two lanes of traffic as you drive through. Please remind your student to use the cross walk as they are crossing the bus lane to get in and out of school. If you are wanting to park and wait for your student, you can do so on the side parking lot. Please make sure to park in a stall and not along the road.

Please do not drop off students on Hillsboro Dr as that interrupts the flow of traffic for those that are driving through and can be very unsafe. Also, please do not drop students off in the bus lane area as busses come in and out of that area.

Before participating, students must:

Returning Ridgetop students who can access their school email should complete the student portions of Final Forms before the season begins. If your student does not yet have access to their school email, no worries, they will have the opportunity to review the Athletic Code of Conduct and complete their student forms prior during Athletic Study Hall on September 3.

Once registered for a sport in Final Forms, families should receive updates from coaches before the season begins.

Cheer tryouts also take place this fall. Cheer takes place all year. If your student is interested, please register them in Final Forms now. Dates for Ridgetop’s cheer interest meeting, clinics, and tryouts will be shared prior to the start of the year.

All fall athletes must attend Athletic Study Hall on Thursday, September 3, before tryouts or practice. Students will report to the cafeteria immediately after school and remain there until 2:05 pm. Mrs. Frank, Ridgetop’s Athletic Director, will review Athletic Study Hall expectations and the CKSD Athletic Code of Conduct. Students may bring a snack and there is an opportunity to purchase snacks as well. At 2:05pm, coaches will meet their athletes in the cafeteria. Students will then have time to change in the locker rooms before tryouts or practice.

Email Ridgetop’s Athletic Director, Kayla Frank, at kaylaf@ckschools.org or contact your student’s coaches directly through FinalForms.

We are looking for enthusiastic coaches to join our teams who are passionate about working with middle school students, building positive team cultures, and having a positive impact on our student-athletes, school, and community.

Track & Field and Cheer interviews will take place later this month (August), with interviews for the remaining positions expected to begin in September.

Interested or know someone who would be a great fit? Learn more and apply at ckschools.org/athletics-staff. Questions? Contact RMS Athletic Director, Mrs. Kayla Frank, at kaylaf@ckschools.org.

This year, we are going to be introducing our students to Character Strong. It is a social/emotional curriculum that aims to accomplish three things, increasing a sense of belonging for all students, improving skills that support student well-being, and deepening student engagement in their academics, in their school, and in their community.

We are excited to be using this curriculum in our Advocacy classes each week. For more information on Character Strong, please feel free to watch this video and/or check out their site for families.

We are pleased to announce that Ridgetop Middle School is providing a Student Assistance Program to improve the social and emotional health of our students. The Student Assistance Program includes education, intervention and recovery support services. The Student Assistance Professional provides information and guidance to students who are impacted by emotional stressors, substance use and mental health challenges. Social and emotional development is a significant part of a student’s learning in middle school; we want to provide them with support, so all students can thrive emotionally and academically.

 

The goals of the program include:

 

Derik Marshall is the Student Assistance Professional assigned to Ridgetop Middle School. His office hours are Monday, Wednesday and every other Thursday from 7:00AM – 3:30PM. Before and after school hours can be arranged if needed. Mr. Marshall meets with students individually and in small groups throughout the school day. The services provided are available to all students who need support related to substance use and/or mental health concerns. Students may self-refer, or be referred by peers, faculty, parents or juvenile probation.

 

Mr. Marshall is available to parents as well. If you are worried about your student and would like to speak to him, please call him directly at 360-662-2900 Ext: 2910 or email at dmarshall@oesd114.org.

 

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.

Below are links to how to videos on being able to change the language on our Ridgetop website.

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!

Also, if you are planning to move, please have your student return their Chromebook and charger on Monday, June 15 to the Library to avoid fines. Thank you!

 

Here is a link to our sporting events for the coming week.