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Ridgetop Middle School

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Ridgetop Family Weekly: 12/5/25

Posted Date: 12/05/25 (04:11 PM)
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Families,
 
It was great to have our students back from break! We have got a busy couple of weeks before we head off to Winter Break. This coming week we continue our music concerts and we also have our 2nd Spirit Week of the year. Lastly, our sports teams are starting to get to the home stretch of their seasons as well. Lots of great stuff happening here at The Ridge as we finish off the calendar year!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Shaun Takenouchi

Upcoming Events

  • 12/9: Winter Band Concert @6:30pm
  • 12/11: Winter Choir Concert @6:30pm
  • All Week: Holiday Spirit Week (See below)


View the full events calendar 📅
 

Raider Staff Spotlight 🔦

Each week we will feature two staff members at Ridgetop so that families get to know OUR Raider family better.
A family poses for a photo at a Christmas tree farm, with mountains in the background.

Staff Spotlight (Mrs. Jaeckel)

What is your role at Ridgetop?
- Math Teacher

What is the coolest thing on your bucket list?
- The coolest thing on my bucket list is going on a cruise. I’m excited about the chance to enjoy the ocean, good food, and beautiful views.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?
- My favorite holiday tradition is buying different advent calendars for my kids. Each year, they get one that matches their interests, and every day of December they’re filled with so much joy from just one tiny present.

Which fictional family would you most like to join? Why?
- I’d join the Weasley family because they know how to make everyday life an adventure—and there’s always room for one more at their table.

Tell us how you either LEARN, LEAD, or GROW in your life, in your personal life or as an educator. 
- As a middle school math teacher, I learn from my students every day, lead by creating a supportive space where they feel confident to take risks, and grow by reflecting on my teaching and trying new strategies to help them succeed. 
Raider Staff Spotlight featuring Oscar Newman, Science Teacher, with family and in his classroom.

Staff Spotlight (Mr. Newman)

What is your role at Ridgetop?
- Classroom Teacher - 6th and 7th Grade Science

What is the coolest thing on your bucket list?
- I am fortunate to have had a chance to travel to many places. Trips that involve science, nature, and travel are especially memorable: a lunar eclipse on an island in Mexico or seeing the Northern lights for the first time on a paleontology dig in Montana. Those experiences fill me with awe and wonder at the beauty of our world. I took my family to the last two total solar eclipses in the US, but I have never traveled internationally to see a solar eclipse. Sharing an experience like that with family makes it even more special!

What is your favorite holiday tradition?
- After dinner, we hang spoons on our noses on Thanksgiving, then lots of family time with board games and a movie.

Which fictional family would you most like to join? Why?
- My wife thinks I would fit right into the Costanza family from Seinfeld. I could have a blast trying not to burst out laughing in every scene with Jerry Stiller. Serenity Now!

Tell us how you either LEARN, LEAD, or GROW in your life, in your personal life or as an educator. 
- I have been teaching a graduate course in human development for a few years. I love working with future educators and making time to read more about a fascinating and important topic. A highlight of the class is recruiting a panel of middle school experts: middle school students who teach the graduate students what it's like to be a young person now. I am very grateful for a career and life with so many opportunities to learn things, try them out, and get better at what I do.

Holiday Spirit Week ❄️

Our ASB has been hard at work getting ready for our 2nd Spirit Week of the year. Below are the dress up days for each day.

  • Monday: Holiday Headgear 
  • Tuesday: Channel your Flannel, or Ugly Sweater Day 
  • Wednesday: Sun or Snow 
  • Thursday: Holiday Character Day 
  • Friday: Cozy Day

Fundraiser Items Arriving Soon!

Thank you so much for supporting our school during our All-School Fundraiser in partnership with Cherrydale Fundraising! Items will be arriving on Friday, December 12th. Pick up is from 1:00 to 3:00pm in the cafeteria. Please let us know in advance if this time does not work for you. We will do our best to find a solution.
 
Students may not take fundraiser items home on the bus. An adult must pick up all items on delivery day.
 
For questions, please reach out to our ASB Bookkeeper, Ms. Kenzee, via email: KenzeeL@ckschools.org or phone: 360-662-2900 ext. 2923.

Kidzz Helping Kidzz Toy Drive 🧸

Would you like to brighten the holiday season for a child in the hospital? Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy to our Annual Toy Drive to support Kidzz Helping Kidzz. To learn more about where donation goes, please visit these links: 


Student Withdrawal From Ridgetop 🚚

Planning a move or withdrawal? Please contact our Registrar, Kim Nededog, at 360-662-2900 ext. 2940 at least three days ahead of your student’s last day so we can help make the transition smooth.

December Focus

This year, every month we are going to have a specific character focus that we are working on as a school. For the month of September, we are focusing on Professional Student. Each week, we will be focusing on different aspects of being a professional student.

For the month of December, we are focusing on compassion. We are working on caring for others and being able to support others in our Raider Family.

Purchasing Yearbooks and 8th Grade Baby Photos 📸

Please purchase a yearbook for your Raider NOW through Feb. 1st. They are back on sale for a short time for $35. We sold out last year so buy one now! We seek PET photos from ALL grade levels:)

We also seek 8th grade baby photos. The deadline for these will be March 1, but please don't wait...the designers are excited to work on their spreads. and we may run out of space.
Thank you parents and guardians!!
Becky Marshall, yearbook advisor

Sports Weekly 🏀

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

After School Homework Help 📚

Just a couple of reminders for students that are planning to attend this:

  • Please try to pick up your student no earlier than 3:45
  • Students should stay in the library the whole time to work on homework and get support.

Thank you! We are glad so many students are starting to utilize this resource.

Would you like to be an Adult Mentor for our students? 🙋🏼‍♂️

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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