Ridgeline Revealed

“An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live. ”

-Maria Montessori

Education and Peace, p. 30

Maria Montessori saw peace as more than just the absence of conflict—it was an active, dynamic harmony achieved through education. By nurturing empathy, cooperation, and social justice in children, educators could help build a peaceful world.

Ridgeline Montessori prioritizes the safety and security of its students and staff through a comprehensive, community-focused approach. By aligning with Maria Montessori's vision of peace through education, the school fosters an environment that emphasizes physical, emotional, and digital safety, essential for student well-being.

Ultimately, the best way to assure the safety of our students is by building a strong community through meaningful partnerships with families. A solid connection between school staff and families fosters trust, cooperation, and open communication, all of which are critical for maintaining a safe learning environment.

Through ongoing dialogue, families can offer early insights into potential safety concerns, as they are often the first to notice changes in a student's behavior or emotional state, allowing the school to respond promptly through open communication channels. Collaboration also allows families to contribute to the cultural and emotional well-being of the school community. When families are active participants in creating the school's culture, it helps to address not only physical safety but emotional safety as well.

Ridgeline operates as a closed campus to ensure the safety of our students and staff. All exterior doors remain locked during school hours, with entry controlled at two main points, monitored by video and audio systems. Visitors are carefully screened before being allowed on campus.

• Badge system restricts school access to vetted individuals.
• On rare occasions when students are supervised by a volunteer without staff, such as during overnight field trips, a dark green badge is required. This badge signifies that the individual has completed a fingerprint background check through the Oregon Department of Education.

Ridgeline conducts regular safety drills to ensure staff and students are prepared for emergencies. The school also has a comprehensive crisis management and reunification plan, with clear procedures for emergency communication with families and a reunification process during evacuations or other critical events.

• Drills prepare students and staff for various emergencies. Ridgeline meets all Oregon state safety drill requirements (fire, lockdown, earthquake, hazardous threat).
• Ridgeline uses the "I Love U Guys" Standard Response Protocol for clear, consistent emergency instructions. Family Handout-English. Family Handout-Spanish.
• This protocol aligns with first responders and law enforcement to reduce confusion.
• Ridgeline has a comprehensive reunification plan that ensures smooth reunions between students and families during evacuations or emergencies.
• Ridgeline has implemented SafeOregon a safety tip line where students and families can report concerns anonymously.

In our post-pandemic world, we’ve implemented hygiene protocols to keep our community healthy.

• Handwashing, regular sanitization, air purification and proper ventilation are key components of our health practices.
• Families are provided with information about when to keep ill students at home to minimize the spread of contagious illnesses.
• Ridgeline has quarterly facilities safety inspections, annual fire marshal inspections. Numerous other safety reports can be found our website on the family resource page.

Technology use is age-appropriate, promoting digital citizenship and critical engagement with content.

• Kindergarten focuses on hands-on learning without using technology.
• In lower elementary, limited Chromebook use helps students develop typing and word processing skills, primarily for research reports.
• Upper elementary students use limited Chromebooks for cultural studies projects and learn digital citizenship with internet user agreements in place.
• In addition, Middle school students are assigned individual Chromebooks to enhance digital proficiency, begin learning to decode media bias, engage in some online curriculum, and track their work via JupiterED.
• Online safety is prioritized with internet filters to block inappropriate content.

Montessori’s Grace and Courtesy lessons foster essential social-emotional skills, promoting positive behavior, and supporting a positive school climate. These lessons teach students respect, empathy, and peaceful interactions, which are foundational for the behavior plan's first tier of universal support. At Ridgeline we believe:

• The Grace and Courtesy curriculum is valued equally to academic learning.
• Emphasis is placed on how children learn, not just what they learn.
• Cognitive development is enhanced through social interaction.
• Ridgeline’s expects all students to be: A Kind, Safe, Responsible and Respectful, Learner.
• Understanding each child individually, culturally, and developmentally is as important as knowing the subject matter.
• Collaboration among adults is key, as lasting change begins with the adult community working together.

Ridgeline prioritizes the mental health of students and staff by employing a full-time mental health specialist, underscoring our strong commitment to well-being. The mental health specialist:

• Supports students with significant behavior needs that cannot be managed in the classroom alone. This can be specific skill building lessons with individuals or small groups.
• Manages the Check-In, Check-Out (CICO) process, a PBIS strategy that helps students track their behavior goals with regular staff check-ins.
• Assists in developing 504 Plans to provide accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Collaborates with the Grace and Courtesy Committee to review data on students with behavior needs and initiates the Child Study process when additional support is required.
• Classroom staff provide students with social emotional learning using Wayfinder SEL curriculum as one of their many tools.

Maria Montessori's approach to peace is profoundly relevant in the current political climate, where divisions, inequality, and conflict are prevalent. By emphasizing education that cultivates empathy, cooperation, and a sense of justice from an early age, Montessori education fosters citizens who value understanding over division and dialogue over conflict.

In today’s society, where many political discussions are polarized, Montessori's vision offers a reminder that peace starts with education. Her belief that children are the key to a more harmonious future is particularly resonant in the face of global challenges such as climate change, social justice movements, and political conflicts. Montessori schools often encourage students to think critically about their role in creating a more just and peaceful world.

Maria’s peace education provides a model that focuses on developing the whole child as a compassionate, responsible global citizen—a message that is as urgent today as it was during her time.

Links and Articles

1. Montessori’s Peace Education Across the Developmental Planes
2. Statement on AI and Technology: An Open Letter to the Global Montessori Community from the AMS Innovation Fellowship Think Tank
3. Why Grace and Courtesy by Deborah Sheehan
4. "I Love You Guys" Standard Response Protocol
5. Ridgeline Health and Safety Reports
6. Board Policy JFCF Hazing, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, Menacing, Cyberbullying,Teen Dating Violence, or Domestic Violence – Student**
7. Personal Electronic Devices and Social Media- Students

Planes of Development and SensitivePeriods: Foundations of the Montessori Multi-Age Classroom