Glacier Ridge Gazette

August 18, 2023

October 4, 2024

DR. KURTY'S CORNER

Anti-Bullying

October is National Anti-Bullying Month. The technical definition of bullying is The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online.

Although the definition involves “Repetitive intentional hurting,” isolated unkind events can have a significant detrimental impact as well. Therefore, we place a significant effort into establishing a kind, welcoming and inclusive environment at GRE. We have multiple initiatives that focus on a positive classroom culture and inclusive school community. This is a focus from the first day of school and every day throughout the year.

One of our school goals focuses on student culture: Our goal is to increase the level of sense of belonging of students, as measured by the Student Panorama survey administered to students in grades 3, 4, and 5. Sense of belonging encompasses the feeling that students feel included, have positive connections, and feel psychologically safe.

Despite bullying and unkindness being so well known, there are many misconceptions about bullying and what a positive culture entails.

I thought GRE was a choose kind environment: Incidents happen, even in a really strong school culture. Sometimes students or families are surprised when there is a negative event or a student is mean to their child. ‘I thought Glacier Ridge chooses kind,’ is a very common reaction. That is absolutely true and we focus on it heavily. However, negative events still can occur. We focus significantly on prevention and structures to promote positive interactions and inclusivity; however, students are still learning and no environment is perfect. However, we do address every issue and do not tolerate unkindness.

The school/teacher didn’t do anything: “I reported it to an adult and it didn’t stop”. When someone is unkind, we teach students to use their words to communicate and try to solve the problem productively on their own. Our guidance counselor and classroom teachers teach students these skills preemptively. However, if that doesn’t work, we teach them to get help from an adult. When incidents get reported to the teacher, the teacher does take care of it. However, what and when it is done is not always shared with the student who reports it. The student tells an adult, a teacher will often say, “Thank you for telling me, I’ll take care of it. Let me know if it continues.”

It is still happening: We encourage the students to continue to tell an adult if things continue. There is often a conception that telling an adult will completely solve the problem. Often that is the case. However, sometimes additional events occur. There are varying levels of prevention and support that can be implemented. School staff need to know if the problem is not solved so we can continue to put strategies in place. Think of this similarly to going to the doctor for a pain in your leg. The doctor doesn’t automatically put a cast on because of an assumed broken leg.

Kids will be kids/They were just joking: Jokes can have the intent of being funny, but the recipient may not always think or feel the same way. Even the best of intended jokes that are unkind can have a negative impact. Sometimes things start as a joke, but then someone ends up getting hurt - physically or emotionally. We promote kind actions all the time so that jokes don’t end up being unkind. We also understand that kids are still learning about being kind and how their interactions impact others. Tolerating unkindness, without taking the opportunity to teach and redirect only leads to further unkindness later on. It is great for students to have resilience and not be upset at every unkind thing that happens. However, we don’t want to tolerate it and we want students to have strategies with what to do in those situations.

Behavior change through punishment: We implement strategies for both prevention and response. Both of those involve teaching about the undesired behavior, why it is not appropriate, and how the behavior impacts others. Research has shown that consequences are not the primary method for a change in behavior. Although we sometimes include consequences, they are often tied directly to student reflection, teaching, or natural actions that involve the students fixing the problem.

So, what can YOU do?

If a child comes home and informs you about a negative event, the first question you can ask them is, “Did you use your words to tell them to stop?” Next, “Ask them if they told an adult.” Now with the information above, you can comfort them knowing that we are handling it, but encourage them to tell an adult if it continues.

HERE is a great resource through Nationwide Children’s Hospital for bullying and how to support your child.

In addition, you can ask your child:

What can you do if someone calls you a name?
What does E + R = O have to do with a bully?
What kindness do you see at GRE?
What can you do to be a PAX leader at school?

Have a kind weekend!

Pete Kurty, Ed. D

Principal

Three part series about how we inadvertently treat children differently Part 3: Parents are teachers too Expect growth, not perfection. My generation constantly heard the phrase, “There’s no such thing as perfection.” That concept is absolutely true. I’m not sure exactly why or where that phrase originated from. As adults, we certainly know that to be true. High achievers also know that perfection is an impossible outcome. I’m not a perfect principal, father, husband, or leader. However, we sometimes expect children to be perfect - especially during a time when they are just learning how to navigate life and new skills. Children make mistakes….a lot of them. Not only that, but they should make mistakes. That is how they best learn how to navigate life, problem solve, and build resilience for adversity. Teach, don’t tell: When my children were younger, it was much easier to tell them what to do and how to do it. They would often listen because they understood the authoritative structure of child and parent. However, now that I have two young teenagers, just telling them what to do because I’m the parent doesn’t work any more. Furthermore, telling someone something is not a good teaching strategy either. As parents, we are teachers. Telling and giving information is NOT teaching. When someone can understand the concert, apply the skill, think abstractly about it, and then apply it in a variety of new situations, that is the teaching and learning process. It’s easier said than done (especially with teens AND adults). However, that is the most effective process. Enforce growth & reflection, not outcome: Because we have navigated life for decades, we often forget that children are just learning how to do things for the first time. As a child, you are often doing many things in life for the first time. When doing something for the first time, being good at it initially is a rarity, let alone perfect (which is impossible). Instead of expecting perfection, look for growth and reflection. I have found that my children will often just want to do it the way they want to. Schoolwork is a common example. You would think that having my doctorate would make me an expert in teaching children. Regardless, my children don’t see it that way. Instead of portraying that I know what I’m talking about, I ask them reflective questions to get them to plan and explain what they think they need to do. I force them to reflect and plan ahead of time. What is your goal? What do you want from doing this or this way)? Why do you think this is the best way/plan? What are there things that could go wrong? I’m here to support you and I believe in you. What can I do to help you? Afterwards, regardless of whether the outcome was positive or detrimental, we try to reflect. This is often harder because the children are anticipating a parent lecture. So navigate this with caution and don’t force it. They often know their shortcomings and just don’t want to talk about it. I’m proud of you for carrying out your plan. Is there something I could have done differently to help you? (This shows that you are a team and support them in failure and success). What did you plan that went well? What would you plan differently next time? Feedback: Feedback is an important part of learning as well. Again, in the younger years, it is easier. However, that is what also allows adults to just give feedback in a way that we wouldn’t want as adults. If I try something new for the first time at work, I certainly wouldn’t want my boss to just give me constructive feedback. Instead provide balanced feedback and couple it with the reflective questions above. Teaching and learning is about growth and ownership. If someone just tells me what to do, I don’t have any ownership in it. Growth and change occurs more out of strengths than deficits. In other words, I’m more likely to build on my strengths and success than the things that are harder for me to change. Therefore, begin with the reflective questions above and then feedback about what was positive and successful. Follow that with the reflection questions about what to change and feedback. End with a supportive question to show your support and care. Don’t forget to incorporate conversation, questions, and feedback about their effort. Sometimes they have a great plan, but the outcome wasn’t as expected. Therefore, reinforce the amount and quality of the effort that they put in, and don’t focus solely on the outcome. We are growing and learning as parents, too. We make mistakes and it’s okay for our kids to know that. That allows them to see that making mistakes themselves is okay. However, we all must learn and grow from those mistakes. Ironically, it is better for them to know that a perfect parent doesn’t exist either. Sincerely, Pete Kurty, Ed. D Principal

GLACIER RIDGE INFORMATION

Save the Date! Redistricting Public Input Session on October 21

Dublin City Schools invites you to a public input session on Monday, October 21, from 7-8:30 PM at Jerome High School. Our school may be impacted by upcoming boundary changes, and your input is important. Cropper GIS will present in the Center for Performing Arts (CPA), followed by a review of proposed boundaries in the Commons. We hope to see you there as we work to balance student populations and plan for future growth!

Phones & smart watches - Off and Away

Smartwatches have become very popular for students. Although some families provide them for their child for communication and safety purposes, they are not necessary for those purposes at the elementary school level. Students are asked to remove them to place in their backpacks and/or leave them at home. If students or families need to communicate with one another, it should go through the office, teacher, clinic or a DCS staff member. The Board assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, or damage to, or misuse or unauthorized use of, PCDs brought onto its District grounds.

You can see Student Handbook for more details about the electronic device policy.

Technology Responsibility & Digital Footprint

Technology is part of our daily instruction and a part of the social and academic lives of students. We provide guidance to students on how to use technology safely and responsibly. They are responsible for the decisions they make using technology and the digital footprint is traceable. There is also a lot of dangerous and inappropriate material over the web and social media, which is largely blocked while in DCS. To promote digital safety please reinforce these items with your child at home (which we have also done at school):

A digital footprint means that where you go and what you do online is traceable and often can’t be taken back.
School email, Google Drive, and school technology should only be used for educational purposes.
The email feature (which can only be used to another DCS email address) should only be used for educational purposes.
Students are responsible for their own password and keeping it secure.

Student Flu Vaccine Clinic - Last call Forms Due Oct 8

Dublin City Schools will be providing students who are at least 7 years old with the opportunity to receive flu shots at their school. Glacier Ridge's Flu Clinic for students will be on 10/10/24, from 12:00 PM-2:00 PM.

If you would like your child to receive a flu vaccine on 10/10/24 at Glacier Ridge Elementary School, please complete the consent form found here. You must complete Section 1, Section 2, and Section 3 (questions 2-11) on page 1 of the consent form, as well as the insurance information (if insured) on page 2 of the form. We ask that you return this completed consent form to your school clinic by October 8, 2024.

Fall Festival Update - Rescheduled: Wednesday, 10/9 @ 6pm

Tiger Families- we are extremely happy to announce that Leed’s Farm has given us a rain date! We have rescheduled our event to Wednesday, October 9th.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, October 9th, 6:00-8:00 PM

Tickets: $20 per person (ages 3 and up). Every attendee, adult or child, will need a barn pass.

Register Here to get your tickets online or you may purchase tickets at the door, the day of the event via cash/check. As a reminder, wi-fi at the farm is unreliable so if you plan to purchase online tickets last minute please make sure to do so prior to leaving for the farm!

Chick-Fil-A and Columbus Coffee Truck will be on site during the event with food and beverages for purchase (click on their names to purrrr-use the menus). Check out all of the fun activities the farm has to offer here! Spiritwear will also be available for purchase during the event.

If you are unable to make our new event date, please contact us at glacierridgepto@gmail.com if you’re seeking reimbursement. We will begin processing refunds as requested over the coming weeks. Thank you for your patience and understanding as this process will take a bit of time. We hope to see you all there!

Book Fair - Save the Date

The Scholastic Fall Book Fair will take place from October 14th to October 25th. Students will be previewing the Book Fair October 14th-18th by making a “wish list” to bring home with prices and titles of books. (Please note, some book titles do sell out)

Students will be able to purchase books during their Library class beginning October 21st. The Book Fair will be open on Wednesday, October 16th from 4pm-7pm during conferences.

Acceptable payments will be cash, credit cards, check (made payable to Dublin Library Association) and ewallets (visit our book fair homepage to create: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/glacierridgeelementary)

If you have any questions, please contact Angela Gould at gould_angela@dublinschools.net

Thank you for supporting the GRE Book Fair!!

Family Conference Information - Virtual or In-Person

Our family conferences are coming up on October 16 & 24th. We will offer both in-person or virtual options. Your child’s teacher will reach out soon (if not already) to begin scheduling your conference.

During conferences, your child’s teacher will address three main criteria:

What I know about your child as a learner and a person
Evidence of ways I’ve gotten to know your child using formal and informal data
Next instructional steps for instruction

If you have specific questions about your child that you want the teacher to prepare for and address within the allotted time, please reach out to let them know.

3rd grade OST ELA Testing

3rd graders will participate in the OST for English Language Arts on Tuesday, October 23rd and Thursday, October 24th. We appreciate your attempts to ensure that your child is present at school on those days. If you know you will be absent please let your classroom teacher know. Makeup Testing will occur on October 24th, 25th and 28th.

SIGN UP & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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.

Morning 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: Morning Tiger Student Announcements

Students can sign up only 1 time per week.

Glacier Ridge Student Greeter Team

Glacier Ridge Elementary believes in creating a caring and comfortable environment for it's community of learners. This begins as students enter the front doors of the school in the morning. Sign up your child to be a greeter. Students gain confidence, become leaders, and learn how to present themselves in a positive way.

Click on this link to find out more specific information.

GRE EVENTS

Upcoming GRE Events

October 9th- Leed's Farm (make-up date) 6-8pm

October 10th- Student flu shot clinic

October 14th- Yearbook art contest ends

October 14-25- Book fair

October 16th- Family conferences night 1

October 18th- No School (staff professional day)

October 23rd- Picture day make-ups & 5th grade class picture

October 23rd- 3rd grade ELA OST Part 1

October 24th- 3rd grade ELA OST Part 2

October 24th- Family conferences night 2

October 28th- Operation Kids for Troops collection begins

October 31st- Harvest party

November 1st- Feed the Kids candy collection begins

November 2nd- PTO cookie dough & pastry sale begins

November 3rd- Daylight savings day

Subscribe to the GRE Google Community Calendar

DISTRICT UPDATES

Dublin Taiko 20th Anniversary Concert

Join us for a special evening of Taiko performances as we celebrate 20 years of Dublin Taiko.

Featuring, Master Taiko Performer, Eitetsu Hayashi & Eitetsu Fu-un no Kai

Saturday, Oct. 12, 7:00 p.m. at the Dublin Jerome High School Performing Arts Center

To purchase tickets, go to https://www.dublintaiko.com/.

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 during designated benchmark windows throughout the year (Reading: Grades 2-8, Math: Grades 1-8). The MAP 2-5 and MAP 6+ assessments allow us to identify students as gifted in the areas of math and/or reading. MAP scores in the 95th-99th percentile meet the Ohio Department of Education requirements for gifted identification. Students scoring in the range for a gifted identification on the MAP assessment will be supported in their regular classroom setting through high-quality, differentiated instruction. 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. Additional information about MAP can be found here.

Login into the Parent Portal
Choose a Student
Tap on More
Tap on Assessments

From the City of Dublin

Volunteer This Spooky Season

Dublin’s Halloween Spooktacular needs volunteers to help make this event a real scream. From the Trunk-or-Treat Trail to the straw maze, we are looking for dedicated community members to lend a hand Oct. 17 and 18. Sign up to be part of the fun

Can You Be-leaf It's Time?!

Leaf collections begin Monday, Oct. 7, in Zone 1. Please remember to Rake Them Right and follow these tips:

Rake leaves to the curb and no further
Keep leaf piles away from cars and mailboxes
Have your piles ready by 7 a.m. Monday of your collection week

Dublin City Schools Home

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

To help students discover their interests and enrich their learning, Dublin City Schools partners with local businesses and community organizations to offer After School Activities outside of school hours. These experiences, which vary in content, time, location, and cost, are taught by course instructors employed by a sponsoring business or organization.

Activities List & Registration

Going to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade? What To Know Get ready for Dublin's St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 9! Plan where you'll watch by checking out the parade route and accessible parking. The City is also partnering with Central Ohio Safe Ride for discounted Lyft rides to or from the parade and Downtown Dublin. Get the Lyft code and find your spot. Dublin Is an Exceptional Community Because of YOU You’re invited to the State of the City from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at The Exchange in Bridge Park. Hear from your City Council, public servants and fellow neighbors about Dublin’s successes and what’s to come this year and in the future. All are welcome to attend. RSVP today! We Need Your Input on the DCRC Refresh Join us for the third and final DCRC Refresh Engagement Session from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at the Dublin Community Recreation Center in Talla 1. A presentation from the designer will begin at 6 p.m. Guests will have an hour after the presentation to walk around, see different design renderings up close and ask questions in an open house-style session. Can't make it? Share your feedback here.

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://glacier.dublinschools.net/
Location: 7175 Glacier Ridge Boulevard, Dublin, OH, USA
Phone: 614.733.0012
Twitter: @greDCSD

Glacier Ridge Elementary Home