Ridgeline eNews

Why Participate?

Did you know kids need one hour of physical activity each day to stay healthy? Walking, biking and rolling to school helps! Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs bring together community members, school staff, and public health professionals to promote the health and well-being of children by encouraging walking and biking to school.

When Is This Event?

Ridgeline’s Fall Bike, Walk & Roll Challenge is happening on Wednesday, Oct 2, starting at 8 am. Students who walk, bike or roll to school will have a chance to win prizes and make new connections with their peers.

What You Need to Know

Bike Route:
Thank you to the parent volunteers helping with the bike commute from Tugman Park to Ridgeline. Families and students who want to join the .8-mile bike route should arrive at Tugman Park by 7:50 am. Bicyclists will be traveling across the bridge on 37th, to access the two-way cycle track. A parent volunteer will gather the group and lead the ride at 8:00 am. All parents are welcome to bike with their child.

Walking Route:
For families participating in the .5-mile walk-to-school event, meet at Kincaid Park at 7:50 am. If you’re able to lead the group at 8:00 am, sign up in Track It Forward.

Volunteer Info:
Green Badge volunteers, those with completed background checks and the Code of Conduct, can sign up to help lead the morning commute. Sign up in Track It Forward to participate!

We’re thrilled to announce our first Parent Education Night on Thursday, October 3, from 6-7:30 pm, featuring the one and only Biff Maier as our esteemed Montessori presenter!

With nearly 50 years in Montessori education, Biff Maier is a true legend. He’s been a teacher, school leader, and co-director of top training programs like CMTE|NY and METTC. His global influence has shaped classrooms, conferences, and Montessori training across the U.S. and beyond. Known for his captivating storytelling and deep connections to Montessori pioneers, Biff continues to inspire educators everywhere. He was even honored as the 2021 AMS Living Legacy!

Free childcare (for toilet-trained children) will be provided by the YMCA at Ridgeline—but spots are limited, sign up now!

Ridgeline Revealed is a monthly series of articles that offers behind-the-scenes insights into the school, providing families with information on key aspects they may not typically see. Our goal is to share timely topics and increase transparency about day-to-day operations in a short, easily digestible format. In the coming months, we’ll highlight subjects like Ridgeline's safety measures, how state testing data is used, class placement, and more.

If there's a topic you'd like us to cover, feel free to reach out to ridgelineoffice@ridgeline.org and we'll consider it for a future article. Look for our first edition in your email inbox tomorrow!

As many of you may have noticed, Eugene School District 4J sent out Medicaid billing letters to families with 4J students. Please consider completing the form and turning it into the Ridgeline office if your student:

A. Has an IEP and

B. Is Medicaid eligible

If your student(s) do not qualify for A & B, please disregard the form.

On Wednesday, October 30, we will be partnering with the Community Health Centers of Lane County’s Dental Prevention Program and the Lions Club to offer free vision and dental screenings to all students. Information on how to opt out will be provided in the coming weeks.

In conjunction with the all-school dental screening, families have the opportunity to participate in a more extensive dental exam, teeth cleaning, fluoride varnish treatments, sealants, and temporary sealants at no cost. Forms to opt into this additional service will be sent home Friday, September 27. If you are interested in these additional services, please complete and return the opt-in form to the front office by Thursday, October 10.

We are excited to offer this program to keep our students healthy! If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

This month is dedicated to raising awareness about suicide prevention, offering support to those affected, and sharing resources that can save lives. Together, we can break the stigma, foster open conversations, and show support for mental health and well-being. Remember, help is always available—reach out and check in on those around you.

For more resources, review the Crisis Support Resources on Ridgeline’s website.

Tier 3 Materials Production Volunteer (On-going & Take-home)

We are seeking one volunteer to provide on-going support for our Tier 3 program with production work. This is a great opportunity for take-home volunteering after completing laminations on-site!

Primary Tasks:
-Lamination of materials
-Cutting laminated items
-Assisting with the creation of materials for four binders of math curriculum

Details: A project box will be located in the production room, containing materials ready for lamination and cutting, with clear instructions attached to each project. This is an ongoing role as we continue to produce all the necessary materials.

If you're detail-oriented and enjoy hands-on tasks, this role is perfect for you!

Visit Track It Forward to sign up.

Crossing Guards - Coverage Needed Most on Wednesdays!

Help Ridgeline students safely cross W. Amazon to access the Amazon Trail and the creek bridge by volunteering as a crossing guard. Your support is needed daily from 8-8:30 am and 3-3:20 pm (1-1:20 pm on Wednesdays). There are shifts still available on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday

We provide safety vests, stop signs, and all the good vibes you need! Just make sure to check in with the front office at ridgelineoffice@ridgeline.org to ensure you have a current background check.

Sign up for a morning or afternoon shift (or two!) by visiting Track it Forward, and make a difference in our community!

More Volunteer Jobs!

To learn more about additional volunteer jobs, check out Track It Forward.

1. Volunteers are an integral part of the Ridgeline Community and there are many different ways to get involved. Volunteers serve on committees, prepare materials at home, assist with grounds work, act as crossing guards, help in classrooms, chaperone field trips and much more.

2. Families pledge to complete 40 hours of volunteer time per school year. To fully participate in most volunteer opportunities, volunteers must first complete a background check and volunteer code of conduct.

3. The School Community Coordinator will notify you via email when these 2 steps are complete and you are green badge approved!

4. We would love to get you connected in the ways that best fit your time and talents. Please visit our website for more information on volunteering. You can also reach out to Bethany Dilla, Ridgeline's School Community Coordinator at bethany.dilla@ridgeline.org for more information.

📚 Get ready, Ridgeline 3rd-8th graders! This year's Oregon Battle of the Books is about to begin, and it's going to be epic! We’re offering two divisions: one for 3rd-5th graders and another for 6th-8th graders.

Start reading now!

The 2024-2025 OBOB books are available in the Ridgeline Library, ready for checkout!

What’s OBOB?

It’s an exciting team competition where students dive into great books, form teams, and take part in thrilling quiz show-style battles at local, regional, and state levels! 💥

Want to help out?

OBOB is powered by amazing family volunteers, and we need one coach for every 4-5 students. If you're interested in being a coach or learning more, fill out the Google form below, and our coordinator, Amie Chaudoir, will guide you through the process. Reach out to Amie via phone or text at 541-393-7054, or email at amieOBOB@hotmail.com for more info.

Interested?
Please complete this form by Friday, September 27 for each student who wants to join!

We’re so excited to get started! 🎉

Hey Ridgeline families! We’ve got spots available in our 7th and 8th grades! 🎒 Now’s the perfect chance to invite your students' friends who might be looking for a close-knit, supportive middle school experience.

Know someone interested? Point them to our Ridgeline website under Enrollment and let’s grow our amazing community together! 🌟

The first 6 weeks in the Montessori classroom are called the “Normalization Period.” During this time we give our classroom communities the protected time to get to know each other, and settle into their routine with as little outside interruption as possible.

Once this year’s learning journey is well underway, our students and teachers will be ready to welcome volunteers into their classrooms.

Now is a good time to complete your background check and do the volunteer code of conduct on our website, so you are ready to participate once the Normalization period is over on October 24th. Here’s a great article from the North American Montessori Center if you would like to read more about normalization.

Ridgeline students who ride the LTD Bus can receive a free bus pass through our office. Please send your request to Cynthia via email and give at least 24 hours notice. Passes from last year will automatically be renewed for the 2024-2025 school year.

The Ridgeline Site Council held its first meeting of the year on Monday, September 23rd, where we focused on clarifying our purpose and defining new roles. What exactly is the Site Council? Great question! The official purpose is:

“The Site Council gathers insight from individual stakeholders, giving voice to guide leadership in decision making. Site Council is the conduit, informing and reporting back to the stakeholder groups we represent.”

In simple terms, it’s a table where all stakeholder groups of the school community are represented.

2024-2025 Site Council Members:

• Convener & Family Representative: Marty Wilder

• Board Liaison & Representative: TBD

• Parent Representatives: Danielle Wade and Melissa Kadikau

• Administration Representative: Chrystell Reed

• Classified Staff Representative: Josie Iseli

• Certified Staff Representative: Meridy Wheeler

• School Community Coordinator: Bethany Dilla

• Minute Keeper: Amber Lippert

As Family Representatives, Danielle, Melissa, and I are here to share your perspectives, so feel free to reach out when you see us or email us at sitecouncil@ridgeline.org to connect with a family rep.

Our next Site Council meeting is at 5:00 PM on Monday, October 21. Everyone is welcome to attend and share any comments. I will also continue to send summaries to the eNews. You can find the minutes from all past meetings on the website. I look forward to connecting with you throughout the year!

Best regards,
Marty Wilder, Site Council Family Rep

Is your kiddo looking for an incredibly unique and transformative outdoor program this school year? Whole Earth Nature School has your back with the FOREST Understory program! FOREST Understory is an eight-month educational program that immerses 6th to 10th grade students into the world of ancestral wilderness skills. One Saturday per month they focus an entire day on unique skills that improve on lessons from the month before. FOREST Understory builds confidence, creates strong friendships, and deepens nature connection. Come join us for this amazing experience!

Learn more or sign up at wholeearth.org/forest-understory