Glacier Ridge Gazette
August 18, 2023
November 3, 2023
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
Truth
I’ve been thinking a lot about truth lately. Don’t worry, I won’t get too philosophical with this blog!
First, having grown up much of my schooling life without the internet as a resource, getting information became about getting and retaining knowledge. We used encyclopedias, books, and were taught concepts by teachers. Our job was to understand that knowledge and retain it. Side note: the internet did become prevalent around my senior year of high school, so you may think that I’m old, but I’m not that old! Nowadays, information is only a few clicks away. Furthermore, artificial intelligence is generating new information based on previous information. However, with speed comes errors and inaccuracy.
With so much information circulating, it is inevitable that some of it is incorrect. Now more than ever, the need to question and seek truth is so important. The speed of communication along with the abundance of information (or misinformation) can create a lightspeed example of the old telephone game we would play as children.
With the upcoming election, I see a lot of misinformation circulating on social media. It is great to question, get more information, and seek truth. However, what social media has done is to quench people's need for information with misinformation that has been passed around. What is the ultimate truth?... Now that’s too deep of a conversation for a school newsletter blog.
As a leader, I have to make decisions all the time. Sometimes the speed of which I have to decide or the sheer number of decisions is paralyzing. However, I need to stand behind my decisions, fully knowing that I can’t please everyone. With that said, educators need to make decisions about children, which has quite the weight associated with it. Making decisions about what is ‘best for kids’ is not as simple as it appears. ‘What is best’ can sometimes be subjective or preference or opinion. Therefore, I’ve learned that getting multiple perspectives, thinking about as many angles as possible, and considering potential outcomes is essential when making a decision, especially about children. Basing my decision on only my opinion or misinformation only invalidates my rationale. Ultimately, decisions that are right or wrong, good or not as good, I need to be able to stand behind the WHY I made that decision and the facts that I used. Even more important is to learn and get better after that decision. We value learning and getting better at GRE, which makes sure we shift our mindset to growth rather than blame or excuses. I often reflect on the principal I was 10 years ago and laugh about the decisions I made.
As we approach next week (and beyond), I encourage you to seek the truth about the upcoming election. We teach students to form their own opinions based on factual information. We teach them that everyone has opinions, but it’s important to generate your own original thoughts based on facts rather than base your opinion solely on someone else's opinion, which isn’t necessarily based on facts. That becomes a social version of the telephone game.
Lastly, you’ve heard me say this before, we love what we do at GRE. It’s a hard job and we don’t always get it right. The long hours and stress are worth the reward of working with your children. But it takes a strategic balance to meet all the needs of students, while also balancing our own wellbeing. Thank you for trusting us to collaboratively support your children with you.
Sincerely,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
GLACIER RIDGE INFORMATION
Harvest Party Fun!
Veterans Day
The students and staff of Glacier Ridge Elementary will celebrate veterans at our annual Veterans Day Celebration on Friday, November 10th. We will honor our veterans with an assembly, followed by a brief reception on the playground. Watch for pictures of the event in next week’s newsletter!
Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will be contributing to the event in some capacity, including the third graders singing a song. Fortunately, we have many veterans attending along with their families.
Due to limited space, there is not enough room for families to come watch your child perform. Please understand this is a special event to honor veterans and we appreciate your understanding. There will be opportunities for you to see your child perform in the future.
Operation Kids for Troops
Glacier Ridge Elementary School will be starting their annual collection of items for Veterans Day! We will be collecting: powdered drink mix, granola bars, baby wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, magazines, deck of cards, small toys (yo, yo, fidgets, etc.) and hard candy. Please bring items to the red and blue boxes in front of the Library from October 25th-November 9th. Also, we are looking for active military servicemen and servicewomen who are currently deployed overseas. If you have a family member or friend who is deployed, please email Mrs. Gould their APO address to gould_angela@dublinschools.net. Thank you for supporting our troops!
Adopt-A-Family/One Dublin rep still needed for Harper/Sullivan’s class
We are still seeking one 5th grade (Harper/Sullivan) parent to join this rewarding initiative. GRE will once again support One Dublin’s Adopt-A-Family Holiday Help program. You will be fully guided/supported by the Committee Chairs to assure collective success. More details shared in the Sign Up Genius HERE!
Candy Take Back benefiting Feed the Kids Columbus - Nov 1-8
Do you have unwanted or leftover candy? Do you need it out of your house? Donate your leftover Halloween candy to support Feed The Kids Columbus. FTKC is a non-profit working to serve and advocate for children in Central Ohio with food insecurities, including students in DCS. Your treat will be added to food bags given to hungry kiddos.
Bins will be located in the main lobby for easy drop off. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Wolf
DSA Toy and Food Drive
The annual DSA Toy and Food Drive will be held at all DCS elementary buildings November 13th – November 17th as we continue to support the Dublin Food Pantry. Since 2019 there has been a 92% increase in Dublin neighbors served by the pantry, so the need is greater than ever. Students can bring in a non-perishable food item or a new toy to donate.
Collection containers will be set up at the school entrance. Items will be delivered to the Dublin Food Pantry before Thanksgiving to restock their shelves during the busy Holiday season.
Cough Drop Policy
As the cough and cold season continues to invade our community, we want to remind families of the district cough drop policy.
Students are not required to have a medical provider's order for students to have cough drops at school; however, they do require a parent signature. The parents are responsible for providing the cough drops and they must be kept in the clinic with a note that gives permission to administer with the parents signature. When the student needs a cough drop, they should be sent to the clinic.
Please feel free to contact the clinic with any questions or concerns.
GRE Lost & Found
If your child is missing a coat, jacket, lunchbox, etc. please remind them to check the lost and found table in the hallway. All unclaimed items will be donated to One Dublin on 11/27.
Erica Kelley Memorial Update
A pink blooming dogwood tree has been planted on the grounds of Glacier Ridge. Thank you to Ahlum and Arbor Tree Preservation for donating and planting the tree.
We are still raising funds to purchase the butterfly bench sculpture: A butterfly sculpture bench is tentatively planned (pending donations) to be purchased and installed in the Butterfly Garden that meant so much to Miss Kelley.
A Memorial Service will take place on May 6th at Glacier Ridge to dedicate the tree and the butterfly sculpture bench. More details to come.
If you would like to donate towards the sculpture the information is below. We are ⅓ of the way to our goal to purchase the bench.
Venmo: @GlacierRidgePTO (Attn: Erica Kelley Memorial)
Checks can be made out to: Glacier Ridge Elementary PTO (memo: Erica Kelley Memorial)
SIGN UP & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Tiger Student Announcements
Would you like to start your day saying “Hello!” to everyone at Glacier Ridge in the morning? Are you in 2nd thru 5th grade? Then sign up to read the morning announcements! If you would like to find out more about this opportunity and sign up to be a Tiger Student Announcer then go to this link via SignUp Genius: GRES Tiger Student Announcements
Glacier Ridge Student Greeter Team
Parent/Guardian Volunteer Background Check
SECURE VOLUNTEER BADGE - Dublin City Schools takes the safety of our students and staff seriously and requires a background check for all volunteers interacting with students. In order to attend field trips or volunteer in the classroom, you much go through the background check process. The process is free and easy and takes only a few minutes to complete. This is required for any parents or caregivers wishing to volunteer with students.
GRE EVENTS
Upcoming GRE Events
Nov. 5th Daylight Savings
Nov. 7th No School, Professional Development Day
Nov. 15th PTO Meeting - Virtual
Nov. 16th 5th Grade BizTown Field Trip
Nov. 22-26th Thanksgiving Break
DISTRICT UPDATES
FALL MAP STUDENT DATA
The MAP assessments give us the ability to measure student achievement and academic growth across time. Students participate in the MAP Reading and MAP Math assessments three times a year (grades 1-8). Fall MAP results are now visible to parents in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Please follow the steps below to find your child's fall MAP results:
Choose a Student
Tap on More
Tap on Assessments
For additional information about MAP, please visit https://www.dublinschools.net/Page/2976.
From the City of Dublin
No School Tuesday, November 7
There will be no school on Tuesday, November 7 due to staff professional development.
Fall Back
Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour this weekend. Daylight Savings Time officially ends Sunday, November 5 at 2 a.m. Enjoy that extra hour!
Garba Event Rescheduled
The Garba event at Jerome scheduled for this Saturday, November 4th has been RESCHEDULED to Saturday, March 2, 2024. If you have already purchased a ticket, be on the lookout for an email from Hometown ticketing. More details about the new date coming after winter break.
Check out the Info Hub
The Info Hub page on our website includes information about a wide variety of activities from our community partners. Learn more about Little Celts Wrestling, drama classes, enrichment programs and many more. Check it out here.
Riverside Drive Speed Limit Change
Enforcement of the new 25 mph speed limit on Riverside Drive, between Martin and Tuller roads, began Oct. 30. The new speed limit took effect Oct. 12, with a grace period to support awareness and education. Thank you for driving safely in our community!
Live Tree Donation
The City could use your help picking our 2023 holiday tree! Now, through Nov. 9, you can submit a tree for donation. The fir you’re proposing should be approximately 35’-45’ in height. Pine or trees with large gaps between the branches will not be accepted. Find out if your spruce fits our use https://bit.ly/494aDcX
Pumpkin Composting
Toss your jack-o-lanterns and decorative gourds when they start to get more goopy than spooky! The pumpkin compost bin is at the Service Center (6555 Shier Rings Road). Pumpkins will be accepted through Dec. 8. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3GvaEIJ.
GRE CONTACT INFORMATION
Attendance
If your child will be absent from school, please email our attendance line at gres_attendance@dublinschools.net.
Glacier Ridge Elementary
Email: glacierridge_info@dublinschools.net
Website: https://www.dublinschools.net/Domain/18
Location: 7175 Glacier Ridge Boulevard, Dublin, OH, USA
Phone: 614.733.0012
Twitter: @greDCSD