Mountain Ridge Newsletter August 2014

5/20/2018 Mountain Ridge Newsletter August 2014

1/13

AdvertisinginthisnewsletterdoesnotimplyendorsementbyDouglasCountySchoolDistric

t.

A note from the principal . . .

AUGUST 2014

Main Office

303-387-1800

Fax

303-387-801

Attendance

303-387-1802

Athletics/Activities303-387-1812

Bookkeeper

303-387-1808

Registrar303-387-1820

Transportation303-387-0415

Weather Hotline303-387-7669

Twitterfollow@mountainridgems

Online Payments

dcsdk12.revetrak.net

What an amazing start

to the beginning of the school year!

The energy at Mountain Ridge this year is off the charts as we continue to

focus on building a strong community. All of our teams have embraced the

idea and have come up with some very creative ways to do this. We have

had a secret agent visit a team with their mission for the year. We have had

a team navigate through several challenges for an afternoon on the football

field. We have a team asking What for?, as a way for students to see the

impact of their learning and decisions. These are just a few examples of the

way that Mountain Ridge is creating a strong community.

Mountain Ridge has also taken on the ALS ice bucket challenge. The

challenge made its way to MRMS when Ms. McDaniel accepted the

challenge from a friend and began nominating fellow staff members. It has

made its way through teachers, support staff, administration, and sports

teams. The challenge was also sent off to our friends at Cresthill and Rocky

Heights! This has been a great way to support a worthy cause while building

community. That is a great reflection of MRMS: Do the hard work, but have

fun doing it!

continued on next page
http://www.childrenscolorado.org/about/locations/highlands-ranch?utm_source=school&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_content=grant-ranch&utm_campaign=denver-preference


2/13

P A G E 2

Mountain Ridge Middle School

A note from the principal . . .continued

Speaking of doing the hard workMountain Ridge TCAP scores are up. We

easily outscored the state on every assessment and outscored every other

middle school in Douglas County on 4 of the 6 assessments. We are very

proud of our students and teachers for continuing to achieve at such high

levels and continuing to lead the state and the district.

We are so excited for this year; and if the beginning is any indication, it is

going to be a great one! A big thanks to our parents and community for your

continued support. This was evident by how many of you braved the parking

and traffic to attend back-to-school night. We apologize for the trafficsituation, but the parking lot is open to the community, and we were caught

off guard with the sheer number of community events happening that

evening! I appreciate how many of you still came in smiling and

understanding that when things happen out of our control, we can just try to

make the best of it. We will always evaluate any event, just like we do in our

classrooms, and look for better ways to do it next time. This night was such

a great example of the support that you all give us. Thank you!

Thank you for sending us your amazing students each and every day. They

make the energy in this building dynamic! Lets have a great 2014-2015

school year!

Shannon Clarke

Principal
http://www.lessonsonly.com/http://www.warriorsyouthsports.com/


3/13


General Announcements

P A G E 3

New Faces at Mountain RidgeChris Graham-Herring

Social Studies Team 72

Jon Digiorgio

Social Studies Team

Alison Wilkinson

Language Arts Team 83

Melissa St. Louis

Educational Assistant
http://gridironflag.com/league/highlands-ranch/http://www.slimgenics.com/


4/13

General Announcements

New Faces at Mountain Ridge

P A G E 4


Bo Johnson

Science Team 81

Jake Schaner

Practicum student

Briana Dunn

Attendance Clerk

Vicki Castillo

Education Assistant Team 83

Shanna Spangler

Educational Assistant Team 84
http://www.medvedsouth.com/http://www.planetcheerco.com/


5/13

P A G E 5


Mountain Ridge Is All Washed Up . . .

The Mountain Ridge community has taken on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge wit

a wave of enthusiasm. According to Emily Steel of the New York Times, With

everyone from former president George W. to Justin Bieber to Shakira to

Shannon Clark, Zach Hess, Ryan Lopez, Victoria Winslow, Tiffany Nortan, Brett

Beckett and many others posting online videos of themselves dumping bucket

of ice over their heads in the name of charity, the viral Ice Bucket Challenge

continues to dominate social media and has now raised more than $40 million

for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrigs disease.

About 30,000 Americans now have A.L.S., which attacks nerve cells and

ultimately leads to total paralysis, though the mind remains sharp. Life

expectancy is typically two to five years from the time of diagnosis. The exact

cause is not understood and there is no cure or treatment that stops or reverse

the disease.

continue on the next pa

Just

Bieb

Shakira?
http://hanleetkd.com/http://www.thewildlifeexperience.org/


6/13

P A G E 6


Mountain Ridge Is All Washed Up . . .

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6Zie2Pu1ck2WkRtZlBSWWhDdDA/edit?usp=sharing

If photographs arent enough for you, check out these videos

https://drive.google.com/a/dcsdk12.org/file/d/0B6Zie2Pu1ck2eE9PME9XQTdNM00/edit?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6Zie2Pu1ck2WkRtZlBSWWhDdDA/edit?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/a/dcsdk12.org/file/d/0B6Zie2Pu1ck2eE9PME9XQTdNM00/edit?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/a/dcsdk12.org/file/d/0B6Zie2Pu1ck2eE9PME9XQTdNM00/edit?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6Zie2Pu1ck2WkRtZlBSWWhDdDA/edit?usp=sharing


7/13

P A G E 7


Meet The MRMS Assistant Principals!

Ms. Victoria Winslow is the Assistant

Principal working with 7th

grade for the 2014

-2015 school year.

This is her 35th

year in education, with most

of those years being in middle school. She

was a classroom teacher for 24 years, and

this is her eleventh year as an assistant

principal. She has been at MRMS for seven

years. Ms. Winslow will be working with

Teams 71, 72, and 74 this year. She also

works with student leadership and Parent

Academy.

Outside of school, Ms. Winslow enjoys spending time with her dog, Sweep, and

vacationing at the beach in Florida.

We have had an amazing opening to our school year! Our seventh graders ar

excited about learning, full of curiosity, and a joy to see each day!

Mr. Zac Hess is the Assistant Principal

working with 8th

grade for the 2014-2015

school year.

Mr. Hess has been in education for 8

years, seven of which have been here at

MRMS. He has been an AP for the last

three years, and was Dean of Students fo

three years before that. Mr. Hess is also

the Athletic Director and in charge of ac-

tivities. He will be working with Teams

81, 83, and 84 this year.

Mr. Hess is married and is the father of two children, 5 year old Kila and 2 yeaold Liam. He is outside most mornings, wearing a gorgeous neon vest and

helping with traffic.

One of the most important things I can encourage students to do is get in-

volved at our school. Join a sport, try a club, get connected!

Both Assistant Principals agree: Our goal is to help you and your students

have an amazing school year! Please feel free to call us or email if there is

anything we can do to help you or student in any way!


8/13

P A G E 8


Notes From The Counseling Department

Welcome Back

We are thrilled to be back. August is a busy, crazy, fun time of year for counse

ors and we love it! The Counseling Department has some new exciting pr

grams that we will launch this year, including B.I.O.N.I.C.and Connections. Bo

of these groups foster student success and build community. B.I.O.N.I.C.stan

for, Believe it or not, I Care. It is a student service group that will reach out

new students, students needing a note to brighten their day and studen

needing support if they are hospitalized or have an extended illness. The Co

nect group will teach students organizational and time management skills an

the importance of homework completion. Look on our web page for upcomin

news on programs we facilitate and services we offer.

Please contact your students counselor if you have a question or concern. W

are here to help and support students. We will be available at Student Le

Conferences, September 24th & 25th

, so come to the counseling office an

meet your students counselor.

Counselor Teams

TEAM 71 & 72 Catherine Scholz [email protected]

TEAM 74& 81 Paula Moore [email protected]

TEAM 83 & 84 Jennifer Hutchings [email protected]

Kathy Sheehan, Registrar, Catherine Scholz, Paula Moore, Jennifer Hutchings


9/13

P A G E 9


Safety at MRMS

Safety is a top priority for our students, staff, and parents.

Parking LotAM/PM Drop Off / Pick Up

We knowthe traffic is crazy! You can help us keep everyone safe by observi

the following procedures:

Be extra careful when dropping students off in the morning. Please do not go

around other cars to exit. It is easier for us to maintain traffic flow and safety o

our students if drivers stay in line. We also have many people exiting cars to

enter the building in the morning.

If you are parked in the parking lot for dropping off or picking up your student

before or after school, we are asking you to please escort your student to and

from the school. As you drive through our parking lot, please be extra careful o

pedestrians crossing.

Locked Doors

All doors to our school are locked. If you need access to our school at any tim

come to the front door and ring the bell. If you are meeting a person or picking

up a student after school office hours, please exchange cell numbers so you ca

call the person directly. Students are instructed to not open doors. Thank you

for helping us maintain a safe environment.

Pete Mazula

Craig Harvey

MRMS Security


10/13

P A G E 10


Welcome to the wonderful world of Middle School and the 2014 2015 schoo

year! Congratulations! By now, youre past those first day jitters and worries

about the schedule. Your student has met his/her teachers, found some new

friends, and is getting used to the rhythm and routine of life here at MRMS. Yo

braved the traffic at Back to School Night and now have some faces attached to

the teacher names your student has been talking about.

One tip for a successful school year is to keep the communications loop open.

Please visit the team and teacher websites and check IC (preferably WITH your

student!) on a regular basis. The fastest way to communicate with teachers is

through email, and many teachers/teams also tweet updates. MRMS also

tweets updates and infofollow us @mountainridgems.

Student Led Conferences are coming up September 24 and 25. This is a great

way to see firsthand the progress your student is making. And stay tuned for

news about Mountain Ridges Parent Academy dates. We will focus on topics

interest to help parents and students have an amazing and successful year!

Parent Corner

continue on the next pa

Athletics And Activities

Mountain Ridge Middle School is off to a great start with our athletics. Our 8th

grade girls volleyball team started out their season with all teams victorious

against Cresthill Middle School. This seasons district tournament will be

September 12, 2014. The coaches will be communicating the times and place.

Our Friday clinics are also off to a good start. Every Friday is a skills clinic. This

an expected practice for the students in season and an opportunity for off

season athletes and any other student wanting to improve their skills. When

basketball starts in the winter we will offer the same opportunities.

Our cross country team is running hard and dodging thunderstorms! Many of

our athletes are running in meets on the weekends just for fun and conditionin

There will be many opportunities for our runners to participate in different

meets around the metro area; contact one of the coaches for more informatio

The end of the season district meet will be September 13, 2014 at Sports

Authority stadium in Parker.

Tackle football is going strong. Their first game will be September 4, 2014

against Cresthill. We are working very well with our Mountain Vista freshman

football team and sharing the field. We are trying to prepare our football

players to be successful at Vista by using common language and common

offensive and defensive schemes. This should give our athletes the best chanc

to be successful at Mountain Vista should they elect to play football.


11/13

continued on the next page

P A G E 11


Safety is always our top concern. Every athlete is at risk for a concussion and o

coaches are being very vigiliant. Please read the Concussion Management

Protocol below:

When in doubt, sit them out

(1) Expectation is a 10-21 day recovery from a concussion within the pediatric

population

(2) Needs: No physical activity and light academic work during recovery period

(3) Think Medical Clearance +7 days

Initial Head Injury Protocol

(1) Any student suspected of having a head injury must be pulled from play and

not returned during the game.(2) Parents are encouraged to seek medical attention for their child. If student

diagnosed with a concussion by a medical doctor, then student will not

participate in any physical activity for at least 7 days from the time of diagnosis

and symptoms.

(3) Count 7 days from last reported symptom. If symptoms re-emerge at

anytime, restart 7 day clock. Ask student when he/she experienced last sympto

(headache, dizziness, fatiguesee concussion symptom second page, or acces

ImPACT website for list).

(4) Student must have doctors clearance, in written form, to begin RTP.

Return to Play (RTP) Guideline : RTP is a slow step-wise process. (3-4 days)Step 1: Light aerobic exercise- 5 to10 minutes on an exercise bike or light jog; n

weight lifting, resistance training, or other exercises. *Monitor for symptoms

(headache, nausea, etc.)

Step 2: Moderate aerobic exercise.- 15 to 20 minutes of running at moderate

intensity in the gym or on the field without a helmet or other sports related

equipment. *Monitor for symptoms

Step 3: Non-contact training drills in full uniform. May begin weight lifting,

resistance training, and other exercises. Monitor for symptoms

Step 4: Full contact practice or training.

Step 5: Full game play.

Each step will be separated by a minimum of 24 hours.

Athletics And Activities continued


12/13

continued on next pag

P A G E 12



Special Considerations

Coach or AD cannot allow a student to participate in DCSD sports without a

doctors note (clearance) after a suspected head injury.

Coach or AD can be more conservative than doctors clearance. For example

you feel the student is having symptoms or the student is still feeling the effect

of a head injury, you can sit them out from play, regardless of medical clearanc

When in doubt, sit them out.

Post injury students need academic as well as physical rest.

Contact Paulette Joswick or Peter Thompson (303)-919-1478 for questions /

consultation

Resources for Students with Concussions

REAP Manual: Reduce, Educate, Accommodate and Pace--Contact

DCSD-Health Services for REAP

Rocky Mountain Youth Sports Medicine Institute RYMSI: Dr. Karen McAvoy

Dr. Brooke Pengel Ph. 720-979-0840

Childrens Hospital: Concussion Clinic: Dr. Michael Kirkwood (Director)

Ph. 720-777-2806

SIGNS OBSERVED BY STAFF

Appears dazed or stunned

Is confused about assignment

Is unsure of game, score, or opponent

Answers questions slowly

Loses consciousness

Shows behavior or personality changes

Cant recall events prior to hit

Cant recall events after hit

SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY ATHLETE

Balance problems or dizziness

Double or fuzzy vision

Sensitivity to light or noiseFeeling foggy or groggy

Concentration or memory problems

Confusion or any odd type behavior not typically seen with athlete


13/13

P A G E 13



Activities

Auditions started 8/25/14 for the musical Aladdin! The Tech Ninjas are startinto plan and design. The show will amaze you! Performances start November

2014.

There are numerous clubs going on and a lot in the works. All the choir and

band clubs have started in the mornings. Mountain Bike club is riding strong.

BIONIC (Believe It Or Not I Care) is off and running. Student Council has begun

Interact started out with a rootbeer social on the first Friday of school and they

are making a difference already. TSA (Technology Student Association) is getti

interest and they have started their planning. NJHS is also underway. Gamma

Nu is geeking out! Make a Child Smile just got started. The Green Team is sav

the planet. Thespian troop is working of their performance skills.

There are so many opportunities for our students to get involved! Please cont

Zac Hess if you have any questions about athletics or activities.
http://theschoolnewslettercompany.com/districts/douglas-county-school-district/

Documents

Mountain Ridge Newsletter August 2014