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PTSA

PTSA Newsletter, Reflections

Our wonderful PTSA has put together a newsletter with a variety of things that you’ll definitely want to check out. You can view the newsletter below.

Reflections Contest

The annual PTSA Reflections contest is also nearly upon us. The theme this year is “I Matter Because…” Here’s a video recap.

Submissions are due October 8th online at utahpta.org/ref. Submissions at the school are not accepted.

Categories include:

  • Dance Choreography
  • 2D Art
  • 3D Art
  • Literature
  • Film
  • Photography
  • Music Composition
  • Special Artists

If you have any questions, please contact Diana Baun at diana.baun@gmail.com.

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COVID-19 Skylert Wally the Wapiti

Skylert: Picture Day, Memory Books, Tech Basics

Picture Day

This year’s picture day is September 2nd. Students will come to the auditorium in small groups based on their language arts teacher. We’ve attached a copy of the form here, and you can also look up the information on the LifeTouch website (as well as safety information) using the Picture Day ID: EVTK448JR

Memory Books

Memory Books have arrived! If your student is still at Elk Ridge (8th and 9th graders), they should have received it last Thursday in 7th period. If they didn’t and they ordered one, just have them swing by the main office to pick it up.

If your student is at another school, you can pick up your memory book at the main doors of Elk Ridge on:

  • Sept. 11 (Fri) from 10 am – 1 pm
  • Sept. 16 (Wed) from 5 pm – 7 pm

We’ll put the word out at other schools, but if you know someone who went here last year, we would love the help spreading the word. If we don’t hear from you and have your memory book after all of that, we’ll send it to you in the mail.

The books look simply amazing, and we appreciate our PTSA’s ongoing efforts with this and so many other things!

Skyward Basics

Skyward can do a lot, but most importantly it’s where students check their grades. Visit this page to see how to help your student learn to use Skyward. They’ve also seen this information in their math class.

Canvas and Google Classroom Basics

Skyward houses grades, but Canvas and Google Classroom often house the actual learning. If you want to learn how to set up an observer account, help your student log in, etc., we’ll be adding a page to our website soon. Until then, here are some videos from ERMS and other places that cover the most-asked questions courtesy of our ever-prepared math department:

Submit Assignment

Submit More Than One File

Set Notifications

Check Grades

Use The Canvas Inbox

Set Up Parent Observer Account

See how teachers can track your activity in Canvas

How to make sure your submission pictures are right-side-up

How to take a picture using a Chromebook

Scan to PDF using Microsoft Lens App on iPhone or Android

Screenshot your: iPhone, Android, Chromebook, Windows, Windows with Snipping Tool, Mac

Canvas Student App: iOS Devices, Android Devices  

IMPORTANT:  If you don’t know how to do something, ask a friend, ask your teacher, ask the internet…Google it!  There are tons of things you can learn on your own by asking Google or YouTube.

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COVID-19 Wally the Wapiti

Memory Book Pick-Up

Memory Books have arrived! If your student is still at Elk Ridge (8th and 9th graders), they should have received it last Thursday in 7th period. If they didn’t and they ordered one, just have them swing by the main office to pick it up.

If your student is at another school, you can pick up your memory book at the main doors of Elk Ridge on:

  • Sept. 11 (Fri) from 10 am – 1 pm
  • Sept. 16 (Wed) from 5 pm – 7 pm

We’ll put the word out at other schools, but if you know someone who went here last year, we would love the help spreading the word. If we don’t hear from you and have your memory book after all of that, we’ll send it to you in the mail.

The books look simply amazing, and we appreciate our PTSA’s ongoing efforts with this and so many other things!

Categories
COVID-19 Skylert Wally the Wapiti

Skylert: Memory Books, Fridays

We have a few last time-sensitive updates before we resume sending out information primarily once a week and on our website. Before we get to that information, I heard a perspective this week that’s worth passing along:

Whenever change happens rapidly, we face the choice of prioritizing efficiency or flexibility. Obviously we strive for as much of both as we can, but as a district, we have decided that providing the most choices to people in crisis as possible is our priority. With that in mind, please continue to be patient and kind as we work to give you that flexibility, especially if things take a bit longer than usual. The feats pulled off by staff so far have been superhuman, and I couldn’t be happier with how many seemingly impossible things have already been accomplished.

Now the updates:

Friday Basics

Students should have something to do in each of their classes. This may range from new assignments or preparation activities for the coming week to enrichment and extension activities. It can also be meeting with the teacher in person by appointment or virtually. Most of all, it allows teachers to be responsive to the needs of our students and proactive in intervening and enriching as needed. This will develop and improve week to week, and we would love your input on how it goes. 

Counseling Center Priorities

Our counselors and registrar have been working overtime (literally, a lot of overtime) to get schedules arranged and students placed where they need to be. For your information, this is the priority breakdown as they run triage on schedules:

  1. Completing enrollment of students in online courses
  2. Correcting schedule errors and optimizing class size distribution
  3. Working on emergency schedule changes
  4. Accommodating schedule requests

Please contact the counselors by email if at all possible so there is a paper trail of your request and communication can happen at any time of day. If you feel you need to speak with a counselor in person, please make an appointment before coming in so that we can make sure they are available to meet with you.

Memory Books

At long, long, long last our memory books have arrived! Our wonderful PTSA has sorted them by students’ 7th period classes and we handed them out to students today if they are still at Elk Ridge. If they are at Bingham, West Jordan, or Copper Hills High School, our PTSA will be set up outside the school soon for drive-by pick-up. More on that as soon as it’s scheduled. Any books not picked up will be brought back to the main office and after a week or two of waiting to see who picks them up, we’ll send them to you in the mail. Thank you for a wonderful 25th-year anniversary!

Skyward Registration

If you haven’t completed registration in Skyward, please do so ASAP. Your student can’t be issued a Chromebook until it is complete.

Online Courses Update

There are still some minor changes to online courses. Please be patient if you haven’t heard much from your teacher just yet. As rosters settle, we’ll hit our stride and really get going.

Cafeteria Note from Mrs. Taylor

Dear Parents,

Welcome back! I hope everyone’s summer was great and fun. It’s time for another year at Elk Ridge Middle School, and I wanted to go over a few changes in the cafeteria this year. Everything will be prepackaged in 3 compartment containers that will be labeled. They will be able to choose a fresh fruit or canned fruit, and a milk that we will hand them. Everything else will be ready for them in the container. It makes me sad that we won’t be able to offer everything else like normal, but welcome to the new normal. Breakfast and lunch prices will be the same as last year – regular lunches are $2.00, reduced are $.40 , and breakfast is $1.00, reduced is $.30

Because of Covid – 19 we are only serving on 4 lines:

  • Line 1 & 3, which are Ala Carte, will have:
    • Hamburger’s, spicy chicken sandwiches and chicken rings every day
    • One day a week we will have popcorn chicken, mini corndogs and corndogs
  • Line 2, which is our main line, will change every day as it shows on the lunch calendar
  • Line 4, will have only pizza   

There will not be a salad bar, deli line, desserts, ice cream. There will not be money exchanged from student to cashier for everyone’s safety. The only money that is handled will be lunch payments and all money will have to be deposited into their lunch accounts. You are welcome to make online payments and bring payments to the main office.  PLEASE let your student know that they will not be able to get change for the candy machines. There are a lot of changes, and it will take time for all to adjust. If you have any questions, please feel free to call 801-280-0206.

Thank you for your support with all the changes.

–Holly Taylor, ERMS Cafeteria Manager

Future Updates

We hold tightly to avoiding inbox overload for you by only sending out a Skylert once a week on Mondays. This first week has been the exception, as there are so many moving parts that were time-sensitive for a smooth experience. Continue to look for weekly updates in your inbox, and we’ll post mid-week updates on our website and include it in our Skylert the following week. This should allow you to have as much or as little communication as you want. We also only use the text message function of the Skylert sparingly so that when we do need it, you know it’s especially important.

Thank You!

This first week has been incredibly smooth, especially considering how many moving parts are involved for everyone from the students to staff to parents. Our goal is to be safe, kind, and responsible, and as an Elk Ridge community, that mark has definitely been hit. Thank you again for your patience, kindness, and feedback. It’s good to be back in school!

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COVID-19 Skylert Wally the Wapiti

Skylert: First Day Notes

Online Students: There is a section of this email specifically for you below.

IN-PERSON STUDENTS

Thank you to all of your wonderful children for their active participation in 7th Grade Orientation. They are an absolute delight, and made our first day back so enjoyable! With one day under our belts, we have a few things that we can pass on to make tomorrow even smoother:

Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Please pull as far forward as possible, and continue to move forward as the line moves. One car stopped can back us up all the way to 9800 S. We’ve normally had much more to say about drop-off and pick-up, so thank you for navigating it so well!

Please also drop your students off as close to the start of school (or their schedule, if partially online) as possible. Also please pick them up directly after school. Students will not be allowed to linger on campus until we are able to resume after school activities unless they have an appointment with a teacher.

Masks

Everyone was phenomenal today with masks. It’s a new experience for all of us, but everyone seems to be adjusting quickly. The only area we could use some reinforcing at home is reminding students that they should still stay 6 feet apart while outside, especially if they have removed the mask to eat or drink. If students are unable to do so, we’ll have to have them eat inside where it’s monitored more closely, and it’s much too nice outside for that. A few steps back while eating make it possible for us to enjoy the outdoors while we can.

Complete Skyward Registration

If you still haven’t completed registration in Skyward, please do so tonight. We cannot give your student a Chromebook unless it has been completed. Students attending in-person should plan to use the school device. This allows us to ensure they have access to programs purchased by the district.

Cash Lunch Payments

Lunch payments should be made in Skyward. If you must use cash, please pay in the main office and not in the cafeteria.

Locker Information

Locker numbers and combinations can be found in Skyward (both mobile and desktop) under Student Information/Profile. Lockers should only be used at the beginning and end of the day, and only when necessary. 

Student Check-Out

Please request via Skyward (Attendance > Attendance Request) if you need to check out your student. Put the name of the person checking out the student in the comment field. When you arrive at the school, show your ID in the attendance office and return to your car. We’ll take it from there!

ONLINE COURSE UPDATES

Thank you so much for your patience as the online course structure is established. The flexibility and options we are offering as a district require more finesse and legwork than a rigid structure, and we are excited to do everything possible to ensure you have the best learning environment possible!

Online Course Platform

All district virtual courses are offered through Canvas. Use the login on our website to access course materials, communicate with the teachers, and much, much more. In-person courses may use Google Classroom, but all virtual courses have been asked to use Canvas as a starting point.

Class Schedules and Teachers

There is still some movement across the district with online courses in order to ensure the most people are able to take the courses they requested virtually. Please be patient if you’re not seeing a lot from your online course for the first few days, and if your assigned teacher is changed. More information should be coming related to online classes from the district.

Times and Locations for Online Courses

The times currently listed in Skyward for online courses don’t line up with our bell schedule, and the school listed is often Copper Mountain Middle School. It’s a technical issue, but don’t worry, you’re still an Elk Ridge student! The times can be ignored completely unless you are participating in an in-person class virtually, which the teacher will communicate to you in the first week or so of class.

Virtual Courses with In-Person Counterparts

The original plan for virtual courses involved a separate online course option for all virtual students. While that was possible for most classes, DLI, ALPS, AP Geography, and a few other classes either preferred or needed to be taught in a blended format. If you are in a blended class, your teacher will communicate the times, access instructions, and other logistics in the coming week. It will also be modified as needed to provide the best possible experience. This change happened very recently, so please be patient as teachers work to find the best ways to include those students.

Chromebooks Not Required for Virtual Students

You will need a device for your online classes, but are not required to use a school device. However, if you want one, we’ll have one for you. Once in-person classes resume for all students, a school device will be assigned.

We are sure you have more questions. Please let us know and we’ll work as fast as we can to get answers. We have never been more proud of the staff, students, and community that makes Elk Ridge so great. Thank you, and we can’t wait to continue the adventure tomorrow!

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COVID-19 Registration Skylert Wally the Wapiti

Skylert: First Day Reminders

Just a few last-minute reminders and answers to common questions for everyone:

Start Dates and First Day Information

School starts for 7th graders on Monday from 7:50 – 11:50 am. School starts for 8th and 9th graders (and continues for 7th graders) on Tuesday from 7:50 am – 2:50 pm. A schedule for which lunch you have can be found here, and will be reviewed on your first day before lunch.

Maps of the school will be given to students who need one as they arrive. For security reasons, we are not allowed to post them online or send them out via Skylert. We’ll also have adults on hand to help students find their classes.

If your student arrives at school prior to 7:30 am, they will need to wait outside. After 7:30 am, they can go to the cafeteria, or to their 1st period class. Students should not linger in the hallway and will be encouraged to head straight to the cafeteria or a classroom.

Schedules

Schedules should be reviewed today or tomorrow before coming to school. They may have changed since you last looked at them. If your schedule has an issue, please use email to contact a counselor. This greatly speeds up the process. Please do not come in to meet with the counselor unless they request it. Your student should attend the scheduled classes while the issue is sorted out. You can download the Skyward app to review your schedule and much more on the go.

Online/Virtual Courses

If you are taking online courses, please be patient as we get things off the ground. You may be taking a class from a teacher at another school in the district. If you are taking a virtual ALPS, DLI, or AP course, you will be participating in the in-person course through virtual means. We have plans to maximize your involvement, but it will take a bit to hone the process.

Chromebooks

Chromebooks for online students can be picked up Monday from 12:00 – 2:50 pm. Students taking any in-person classes will get their Chromebooks on Tuesday during 1st period. You cannot get a Chromebook if you have not completed Skyward registration.

Masks

Per the Utah Department of Health and the governor’s office, masks are required in all Utah schools. All exemptions require a completed and verified mask exemption form, which can be found at movingforward.jordandistrict.org. This FAQ was just released last week, and provides more specifics on many of the most common questions.

While masks are not required when outside, please remember that is only the case when you can stay 6 feet from others. If you’re outside and within 6 feet, you still need a mask. This applies to eating and drinking as well. The mask should only come off for eating and drinking when you can be at least 6 feet from others.

Checking Out Your Student, Confirming Absences via Skyward

Students can now be checked in and out via Skyward. Visit the main page of our school website for instructions. You are now also able to guardian excuse absences without calling in. If you are checking out your student, enter the attendance via Skyward (via app or website), bring in your ID when you arrive, and then wait in your car for your student. It should speed up the process greatly, as well as require less time in the building for you as a parent.

Safety

We have worked closely with the state, district, and other schools to develop a safety plan. That plan can be found here, as well as on our website. Our priorities as we start school again will be to keep students spread out, masks on, and be kind to each other. We couldn’t be more excited to be back, and we want to stay in school. Right now, this is the best way to do it.

Quarantine FAQ’s

Each positive COVID-19 case will be reviewed in cooperation with the health department. Currently, if you are within 6 feet of someone who tests positive for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more within 48 hours of them testing positive or showing symptoms, you will be required to stay home for 14 days (10 school days). A negative test result does not shorten that timeframe, and face masks, plexiglass, and other factors do not change those numbers. If you go home sick with COVID-like symptoms, you will likewise be required to stay home for 10 days from symptom onset and go 24 hours without a fever before returning to school regardless of whether or not you decide to be tested. More on this Salt Lake County requirement can be found here. If a student is working from home during quarantine, we will do everything possible to ensure they are able to participate as fully as possible while they are at home.

Back-to-School Videos

Now that schedules are mostly finalized, you may want to revisit our back-to-school videos. They can be found here.

One Last Thing

Being a Wapiti means being safe, being kind, and being responsible. This mindset is what we try to instill in our students, and we hope that as we launch this adventure together, we can continue to enjoy working with a community that is likewise safe, kind, and responsible. Thank you for all that you do. We truly couldn’t do it without you. Please be patient if things take a little longer, and as we hit bumps along the way.

It’s a great day to be a Wapiti!

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COVID-19 Skylert Wally the Wapiti

Skylert: Schedules, Chromebook Checkout

Schedules have been released on Skyward. HOWEVER, they are still changing and we encourage you to look at them on the first day of school for your student. If your student has a smartphone, they can download the Skyward app and see the most up-to-date schedule that day. Again, schedules are NOT final and looking at them now can give you a general idea, but expect some changes.

Please wait to call the office with questions about schedules, as information has not been finalized. We will have staff on hand each day with schedules, maps, etc. to make sure kids get where they need to go.

Chromebooks for in-person and hybrid students will be handed out during 1st period on Tuesday.

Chromebooks for online only students will be available for checkout tomorrow (Friday) from 9 am until 12 pm and Monday from 12 pm until 2:30 pm. If you are unavailable during those times, you can come in next week during school hours starting Tuesday.

If you would like to bring your student to visit the school, we ask that you watch our back-to-school videos and let them be oriented with the rest of the 7th graders on Monday. Hours for 7th grade orientation will be from 7:50 am until 11:50 am. Buses will run normal routes.

Lockers will be made available to students, but students will be asked to only use them when necessary for things like a coat.

Students arriving at school prior to 7:30 will be asked to stay outside and distance. Doors at the front and back of the school will be open at 7:30 am. We ask that any student entering the building prior to 7:40 am either go directly to the cafeteria or to their 1st period classroom. Students should not be entering the building before 7:30 am.

Thank you all for your patience, and we can’t wait to see your students next week! Stay safe out there.

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COVID-19 Skylert Wally the Wapiti

Skylert: Back-to-School Night, COVID Precautions

One week left! School starts for 7th graders on August 24th, and for everyone else on August 25th. We are excited to share the following updates, and ask that you check our website for updates as the week progresses.

Memory Books

This will come as no surprise, but memory books still elude us. There is virtually no way we don’t give them out at school at this point, so if there’s an upside, that’s one less separate trip to the school you’ll need to take!

Back-to-School Night/Site

Our back-to-school night will be held virtually. We’ve collected videos from all of our teachers, and are adding more for the attendance office, etc. over the next few days. Go here to check them out and get to know your teachers!

COVID-19 Precautions & Assurances

In addition to the state and district reopening plans, we have a wide variety of school-specific precautions and information to share. You can find the current version of the assurances on the homepage of our website as well as download a copy below.

Schedules

As you know from district communication, schedules will be released later this week once all students and teachers in online, mixed, or in-person classes have been finalized. If you see a counselor or our registrar, don’t hug them, but feel free to tell them you would if you could.

Visiting the School?

If you’re considering a visit, just remember to ask yourself if it could be conducted over the phone. We love to see you, but with current guidelines, we appreciate it when we can handle business over the phone. Once school starts, we’ll even make it so you can just check your student out via Skyward online and only have to show ID when you get to the school.

Registration

If you haven’t already completed registration online via Skyward, please do so ASAP. This applies to all Elk Ridge students, whether online, mixed, or in-person.

Calculators

Please see this page for a message from our math department.

Categories
Registration

Calculators & Math Supplies

Dear Parents and Guardians

Back-to-school sales are in full swing. It might be a good idea to get a jumpstart on other shoppers and get your student a calculator and math supplies while they are still in stock.  

We suggest students have the following for all math classes at Elk Ridge Middle School:

– Three ring binder 

– Lots of pencils (We learn from our mistakes!)

– Loose leaf paper

– Earbuds (to use when watching lesson videos)

– Calculator (see below)

We strongly recommend that each student have their own calculator to assist with practice assignments and to reduce the number of items that are shared in class. Here are links showing the calculators that are used in each class:

Math 8, Sec. 1, & Sec, 2 Calculator    (These classes start using calculators the first week of school.)

Math 7 Calculator   (Math 7 does not use calculators until 2nd quarter, but they are cheaper now.)

Elk Ridge will have a calculator rental program, but availability is limited. (Rental information will be forthcoming.) With the emphasis on not sharing supplies and Friday distance learning, it would be a good idea to get a calculator sooner rather than later.

Please contact your student’s math teacher if you have questions or concerns.

Sincerely, 

Elk Ridge Math Department

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COVID-19 Registration Skylert Wally the Wapiti

Skylert: Back-to-School Night, Registration Reminder

Only two weeks to go!

Teachers are back in the building, and we are excited to work on bringing all of you back to school in the safest way possible. Here are this week’s highlights:

  • Memory books still haven’t shipped. Still no update from Lifetouch, and it’s realistically looking like we’ll be getting those out to students while they are at school.
  • ERMS Registration in Skyward is now open. Read this post and visit our registration page for more information. You’ll also find information there about joining our school community council and PTSA student ambassadors. Student government elections will be held after school gets underway.
  • Back-to-School Night will be virtual, and open longer than just one night. We’ll send out the link as a Skylert, but you’ll be able to see brief videos from teachers, staff, and processes at the school all in one place. We won’t launch it until after schedules are finalized so that you know which teachers to virtually visit.
  • Here’s a recap of the major points from last week:
    • The start of school has been delayed a week for students
      • August 24th for 7th graders (half day)
      • August 25th for 8th & 9th graders (7th graders come this day as well)
      • If you would like to request busing and are not currently in an area where busing is provided, you must contact the school to request a space available permit by August 14th
    • The district plan can be found here. The most important points are:
      • Students can learn completely online, partly online, or in-person
        • Requests for online and partial schedules were due July 31st
        • If you are coming in-person only, you did not need to request anything or fill out the form
      • Fridays will be for intervention, enrichment, planning, etc. Students will be able to come in-person between 9:50 am – 12:30 pm (likely by appointment) to work with teachers in small groups. Virtual appointments can also be made in the afternoon between 1:00 pm -2:50 pm.
      • School will be in-person M-Th
  • We will be releasing a summary of school-specific COVID-related assurances soon. All school plans will fit within state and district guidelines, but will offer more specifics. With teachers back in the building, more of the answers are starting to crystalize.
  • We have a new website (same address) with much more of this information in much greater detail.

Thank you for all of your questions so far. If you want to send us a question, just reply to this email or send it to curtis.jenson@jordandistrict.org and we’ll get you an answer. We have also started a FAQ page on the website for common questions and answers. Don’t see a question you need, just submit it and we’ll find out. 

For now, start setting your alarm clocks a bit earlier each day to condition out the summer sleep-ins. See you soon!