Raider Family Weekly: 9/11/26

Raider Families,

As we wrap up our second week of school, it feels like we are beginning to find our rhythm here at The Ridge!

Students are settling into their classes, learning new routines, reconnecting with friends, and getting a better feel for what each school day looks like. It has been great to see our students becoming more comfortable in the building and our classrooms beginning to shift from the start-of-the-year excitement into learning.

As students learn our routines and expectations, we also want them to understand the why behind them. Our routines aren't simply about having rules to follow. They help keep students safe, keep our school organized, and create an environment where everyone can focus on learning. It takes some time at the beginning of every school year for these routines to become habits, and we appreciate your continued partnership in reinforcing them at home.

Academically, students have begun STAR testing this week and will continue through the rest of this month. These assessments provide our teachers with valuable information about where students are in their learning and help us identify how we can best support and challenge them throughout the year.

We are also excited to see opportunities for students to connect outside of the classroom getting underway. We had our first full week of track and girls fastpitch, along with cheer tryouts. A huge congratulations to ALL of our students that tried out for fall sports. Regardless of whether you made the team or not, we are so proud of you!

There is a lot happening as we settle into the school year. Looking forward to the first full week ahead. Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we help our students find their rhythm and build a great year together. Have an awesome weekend!

Shaun Takenouchi

View the full events calendar 📅

All families are encouraged to complete a Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefits (CNEEB) Form at the beginning of each school year.  This form will help qualify your student(s) for Free or Reduced Price Meals, reduction of school fees and SUNbucks Summer EBT benefits.  Completion of a CNEEB form also helps your child's school qualify for other benefits.

The federal government sets eligibility guidelines based on household income and size.

Reduced price breakfast and lunches for grade K–12  are free at all schools. You can complete a CNEEB application online through Linq Connect, pick up an application at your child's school, or print and complete a paper application (PDF), Spanish form (PDF), or request a paper application in another language by contacting Child Nutrition. Please return completed applications to your child's school.

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 coming week will be our kickoff week of Character Strong. The focus of this week will be on building connections. This foundational relationship-building session explores the definition of community and helps students to build connections with others in the class.

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.

This past week our students spent one of the half days going through our Student Handbook.  For those that are new to our school this is a great guide to help everyone understand our student policies and expectations. 

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.

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