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Ridgeline eNews
May 23, 2024
RIDGELINE CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Full calendar: http://www.ridgeline.org/calendar
May
Thursday 5/23 Handel’s Ice Cream Fundraiser 11am - 10pm
Thursday 5/23 Board Meeting 6-8pm
Friday 5/24 Budget Committee Meeting 8:30-11am
Monday 5/27 No School - Memorial Day
Thursday 5/30 End of the Year Picnic at Ridgeline - 5:30pm
Friday 5/31 Budget Committee Meeting 8:30-11am
June
Tuesday 6/4 Fundraising Committee Meeting 9am
Tuesday 6/4 Flower Planting Epic Work Party, 3:30-5pm at Ridgeline
Wednesday 6/5 Equity Committee Meeting 7pm
Thursday 6/6 8th Grade Graduation & Ice Cream Social 6pm
Friday 6/7 No School - Grading Day
Monday 6/10 Middle School Adventure Trip - departure
Tuesday 6/11 Upper El Science Fair, 3:15pm
Tuesday 6/11 Board Meeting 6-8pm
Wednesday 6/12 Middle School Adventure Trip - return
Thursday 6/13 Field Day 9am - 12pm
Thursday 6/13 Last Day of School ***Early Dismissal at 1:05pm
Be sure to check the full calendar at https://www.ridgeline.org as some dates may change. Please note that Ridgeline’s calendar differs slightly from 4J elementary and middle school calendars.
NEW NEWS
Handel's Ice Cream Fundraiser - TODAY - Thursday, May 23!
Please complete the 2023-2024 School Climate Survey about school culture
Why
- Ridgeline is committed to developing a school where everyone actively works toward the goals of equity and inclusion. This commitment is outlined in Ridgeline’s Equity and Inclusion Statement. Administering a school climate survey is a part of this commitment. The results will be used to inform our decision-making as we establish goals focused on reducing disparities in education.
What You Need to Know
The climate survey is a tool to gather feelings, opinions, and perceptions about our school climate.
It helps us gather, monitor, and report on our school culture and progress toward our equity goals.
The survey's focus this year is primarily on peer relationships.
If you took the survey last year, you'll notice the number of questions has been greatly reduced.
When is it Due
- Please take a few minutes to complete the linked climate survey by May 31, 2024.
- Our goal is for ALL families to participate, but we would really appreciate it if over 100 families submitted responses.
What About the Results
- Last year’s survey results will be published in next week’s eNews. These results along with the 2021-2022 survey results will also be posted on the school’s website on the family resource page.
- Next year, Ridgeline will be administering the SEED survey. You can learn more about it here.
Thank you for your participation and engagement!
Peacemaker Craft Supplies - Last Call!
The lower elementary classrooms have been collecting bottles for their Peacemaker bottle dolls. As of this morning, we now have enough for all three classrooms!
Room 5 could use some additional supplies, including newspaper, hair colored yard, ribbons, leather cords/belts, pipe cleaners, fabric squares of varying patterns and textures, etc.. Thank you for helping provide the supplies for this special work!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer Thank Yous
Track it Forward - Information for New Volunteers
If you are new to Ridgeline and have not yet created a Track it Forward account for logging your volunteer hours, please take a moment to do so. Volunteer hour reporting is important for us to show support for Ridgeline when applying for grants and for reporting to our sponsoring district, Eugene 4J.
If you are a first-time Track It Forward user and have not set up an account you will need to create an account first. If you already have an account, skip to step two.
1. Go to https://www.trackitforward.com/user
-Select sign in
-Create your account
2. Go to the app store on your device and search for Track It Forward
-Download the app
-Log In
You are all set!
Volunteer Opportunities
Field Day (Last Day of School) - Thursday, June 13 - Come celebrate the last day of school with a gaggle of fun field day activities! We need several volunteers to help that morning. Sign up here if you’d like to volunteer.
We are also asking for the following donations: popsicles, bubble solution, bubble wands, temporary tattoos: flowers, temporary tattoos: cats & dogs, temporary tattoos: glow in the dark, temporary tattoos: summer fruit, temporary tattoos: assorted sports. Please drop your donation off at the front office by Thursday, June 6. Thank you for helping make this a fantastic end of the year celebration for all Ridgeline students.
Volunteering
Volunteers are an integral part of the Ridgeline Community. Families pledge to complete 40 hours of volunteer time per school year. There are a myriad of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Volunteers serve on committees, make materials at home, do grounds work, act as crossing guards, help in classrooms, chaperone field trips and much more. To help us get to know you better and your areas of interest, please fill out the Volunteer Interest form here.
To fully participate in most volunteer opportunities, volunteers are background checked. In addition to the background check, volunteers need to complete the volunteer code of conduct. After that, they will be issued a green badge with their name on it and notified that they are ready to go! Visit our website for more information on volunteering.
CONTINUING NEWS
Lane County Public Health Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Update & Guidance
Lane County Public Health officials declared on Wednesday a community-wide outbreak of pertussis, an illness that’s more commonly known as ‘whooping cough,’ following a surge in cases within the last week, according to county officials.
Public health officials said on May 15 that, in the last seven days, the number of presumptive and confirmed cases have doubled, with the total number of cases at 40 and more still awaiting lab results. Some cases are linked, but sporadic cases scattered throughout the community suggest the illness has spread throughout the county.
According to the CDC website, “Whooping cough vaccines work but are not perfect. For people who've been vaccinated but still get whooping cough, their illness is generally milder.” Whooping cough appears similar to a common cold early on. Healthcare providers often don't suspect or diagnose it until more severe symptoms appear.
Early symptoms can last for 1 to 2 weeks and usually include:
Runny or stuffed-up nose
Low-grade fever (less than 100.4°F)
Mild, occasional cough
If you have cold-like symptoms, please get tested. In the unfortunate event of a pertussis diagnosis, it is paramount to follow medical advice, including taking prescribed antibiotics until completion, isolating until no longer infectious, and notifying the school if your student is diagnosed with pertussis.
An early diagnosis can help prevent the length of time a person is contagious. Individuals can transmit the bacteria from the onset of symptoms for up to three weeks after coughing begins.
Should you require further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Lane County Public Health at http://www.lanecountyor.gov/publichealth.
Lane County Public Health urgently requests your cooperation in the following areas:
Ensuring that your Tdap vaccination is up to date.
Promptly referring students and/or family members displaying cough symptoms to see a doctor for assessment.
Stay informed about the evolving situation.
Additionally, Lane County Public Health advocates for good respiratory hygiene to curb the spread of pertussis and other respiratory illnesses. They recommend adhering to the following preventive measures:
Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Disposing of used tissues in a waste basket immediately.
Coughing or sneezing into your upper sleeve or elbow if a tissue is unavailable and refraining from coughing into your hands to prevent transmission.
Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
Staying home when you are unwell.
For more information about whooping cough, visit the CDC website here.
RIDGELINE COMMITTEES & ORGANIZATIONS
Board Meeting - Thursday, May 23 at 6pm
The Ridgeline Board will have an executive session from 5:30 to 6:00 pm or 8:00 to 8:30 pm and a regular meeting on May 23rd from 6:00 to 8:00 pm over Zoom and in person in the library. Information and Discussion items on the agenda include 2022-23 Climate Survey Results, OSBA April 2024 Policy Updates First Read, Ridgeline School Calendar 2024-25, and Sick Leave Policy and Sick Leave Bank. All are welcome to join the regular board meeting and there is time at the beginning of our agenda to make a public comment.
The agenda will be finalized and posted here by Tuesday May 21st the Zoom link to join is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88176985729?pwd=UDFvdGk0blZhZzVVbHR0RzlHWmFlUT09 Meeting ID: 881 7698 5729 Passcode: 766547. Board meetings are open to the public, except when an executive session is indicated on the agenda. All are welcome to attend. There is time at the beginning of our agenda to make a public comment.
You can always reach the board by email (board@ridgeline.org). Members of the public may also provide comments to the board in written form by emailing board@ridgeline.org prior to the meeting. The board will read (not aloud), review, and take into consideration all comments. In order to be fully considered at this meeting, comments must be received by noon on the day of the meeting. Please clearly label the email subject line as: "Public Comment."
Ridgeline Board of Directors - Seeking Board Members
Hello!
Do you want to give back to your community? Are you energized to work on a variety of diverse projects? Do you enjoy working collaboratively within a group? If so, consider joining the Ridgeline Montessori Board of Directors! We are a diverse group of thoughtful, inquisitive community members who enjoy serving the Ridgeline community. Prior experience is not important. If you'd like to learn more, please read this letter from the Board.
We will have several openings on the Board going into next school year. I would like to personally invite interested community members to join our meetings (virtually or in person), or to meet one-on-one. I can share information about Board responsibilities and insight about how we support the public Montessori education that allows our children to thrive. If you are curious about Board work, please get in touch via email at april-kay.williams@ridgeline.org
Warmly,
April-Kay Williams, Board President, parent, Ridgeline Equity Committee member
COMMUNITY NEWS
Rising South 9th Grade Runners!
Interested in running cross country next fall? Connect with the team and coach here. Practices are scheduled to start Monday, July 8.
Volunteer Opportunities for Youth 12 Years and Up this Summer at Positive Community Kitchen
Positive Community Kitchen creates organic nutrient-dense food for people undergoing a health crisis. In the kitchen, we have volunteers learning about nutrition and kitchen skills. Previous kitchen skills are not needed to join us, just a good attitude and willingness to learn. The summer cohort runs from June 17th to September 18th.
SAVE-THE-DATE: Thursday, June 6th 4-6pm for PCK's Summer Volunteer Orientation in the Stellaria Community Room, 150 Shelton McMurphy Blvd on the second floor above the PCK kitchen. We will be talking more about PCK and our services, learning more about volunteer opportunities, and eating some PCK food! RSVP Here: https://signup.com/go/ugXwDWg
Here is the link to sign up to volunteer: PCK Application & Waivers
Maude Kerns Art Center - Hosting Juried Art Exhibit Opportunity for Teens
The Maude Kerns Art Center will be holding the 25th annual juried Mayor's Teen Art Show in September, which offers teens an opportunity to exhibit their art and learn many valuable skills. The application deadline is May 31, 2024. There is no fee to participate and a variety of cash prizes and awards will be given including the Mayor’s Award.
This show is open to all teen artists ages 13 – 19 years old living in Eugene, Springfield, and surrounding areas. We accept all work in 2-D and 3-D art forms including but not limited to: painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, collage, printmaking, digital art, video art, costumes or wearables, fiber art, jewelry, assemblage, etc.
Please visit our “Call to Artists” page to download the application and invite students to apply via email or paper: https://www.mkartcenter.org/calls.html. Please direct all questions to exhibits@mkartcenter.org and to submit an application.
Openings Available in Before/After Care at Your School! - Eugene Family YMCA
The Eugene Family YMCA is excited to announce they have openings in the before/afterschool programs at Ridgeline for the upcoming school year. If you have not yet registered, please take a moment to do so. They have increased the number of possible youth in these programs next year, which means there is a lot of room for new families. Please help spread the word and share the flyer below.
YMCA Before-School Program at Ridgeline is Starting this Fall - Register Now
The Eugene YMCA is happy to introduce a before-school care program at Ridgeline starting this September! The before-school program will run in the Ridgeline Montessori gym from 7am to 8:15am, and is available for registration NOW! If you are interested in signing your youth up, please get started by clicking here. If you have any questions, please the YMCA Youth Development Team at youth@eugeneymca.org.