Glacier Ridge Gazette
August 18, 2023
November 17, 2023
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
Are You R-Factoring?
R Factor is in full swing at GRE. Our monthly lessons of concepts are woven into our daily conversations with students - with general conversation, classroom meetings, and read aloud books. So far, we have learned:
E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome)
We are often faced with an event that is out of our control. It can be frustrating or something that someone did to us. Often, we can’t control that event, but we can control our Response. By focusing on a controlled and thoughtful response, we can have a bigger impact on the outcome that we want.
Press Pause
How do we try to control our Response when an Event happens? We press pause. By pressing pause, we don’t act out of emotion. Reacting out of emotion often leads to an uncontrolled or irrational response, which usually doesn’t have a positive or productive outcome. It usually makes things worse, or at least not any better than the Event that happened to us.
20 Square Feet
We learned that we can be the Event for someone else. Our 20 square feet is a metaphor for the world around us that we can control. However, sometimes our 20 square feel overlaps other people’s. Our attitude, interaction, and behaviors often impact other people’s 20 square feet by creating an Event or negative situation that influences them. Therefore, just because we want to behave, act, or feel a certain way doesn’t mean that it doesn’t impact other people.
Discipline Over Default
This month we learned Discipline over Default. This is what you do when a negative Event is presented to you and after you press pause. You think about your disciplined response. Your default reaction is your emotional human nature response. Although it is natural, it is rarely productive. Therefore, acting with our default reaction often does not lead to the intended Outcome. Our disciplined response is thoughtful, rational, and purposeful that has a more likely path to a positive outcome.
These concepts are good for anyone, not just students. I think about these all the time as I interact with my own children. I find it ironic that I can have such a calm, disciplined response with all the students at GRE, but then that goes right out the door with my own children. Why does that happen? It’s because I’m most comfortable with my family. I’m passionate about my family and want them to make the right decisions. However, everyone makes mistakes (adults included - or especially) and that is part of the learning and growing process (which doesn’t stop in adulthood).
So, when it’s time to help my children with homework and when my child gives me the E (Event) statement of “Dad, you just don’t get it.” Or, when we don’t allow our child to have a second sleepover in a row and she responds with emotion. Responding back out of emotion, NEVER helps the situation. A dysregulated response never helps to calm a dysregulated child. Have you ever told your spouse to just, “calm down”? That was a default response and I learned early on in my marriage that telling my wife to calm down is not an effective strategy.
I encourage you to talk about these strategies with your child and incorporate the language in your household. Identify them when you are reading with them, watching movies or tv and identify them in the characters. Identify them when you process events and interactions with your household - but make sure you do it when emotions are regulated.
Lastly, I recently came across a quote in a leadership/learning newsletter that had a lot to do with R Factor and our motto of “choose kind”. In a world that feels like we don’t have a lot of control, we do have control over some of the most important and impactful things.
“There are a lot of things you don't control.
You don't get to pick your parents.
You don't get to pick the country you are born in.
You don't get to pick your given talent.
You don't get to pick the test.
You don't control where you start, but you can change where you go.
Integrity is a choice.
Kindness is a choice.
Hard work is a choice.
Preparation is a choice.
Consistency is a choice.
Your attitude is a choice.
Your response is a choice.
The people you hang around are a choice.
Changing your trajectory is a choice.”
Have a great weekend,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
GLACIER RIDGE INFORMATION
Cookie Dough Sale - EXTENDED TO NOV. 19
Did you hear the news? The Glacier Ridge Cookie Dough and Pastry Sale has been EXTENDED! You still have time to place your order and make your life a little easier and sweeter this holiday season! Choose from Butter Braid pastries, cookie dough ready to pop in the oven, cake rolls ready to serve or Amish Pretzels for an easy appetizer. And the icing on the pastry is your purchase earns money for the GRE PTO to go towards the wonderful programs and activities for our Tigers!
You can access your student’s personal order link by clicking on the email you received from My Fundraising Place or by visiting https://tinyurl.com/ywbaby8s. We knead your help in boosting our school’s participation! Sale ends this Sunday, November 19. Sale pick up is Thursday, December 7.
Reminder: Every student who sells ONE or more items will be entered into a raffle with a chance to win:
One of 4 - $25 gift cards (to a local Dublin establishment of the student's choice)
GRE Spirit wear
In addition, the class with the most items sold per student will receive vouchers for Tiger Trunk for a class shopping trip. Thank you for your support!
One Dublin Adopt-a-Family Kicks Off!
GRE is partnering with One Dublin again this Holiday Season for the Adopt-A-Family campaign. Through GRE student support, we will collectively adopt 7 families and help restock the Free Store with essentials. Participation is entirely optional and all students have an opportunity to gift wrap the donations. Click the Wish Lists below to see how you can support this community care opportunity. Large, labeled boxes will be outside classrooms for students to place donations.
Tiger Pals Food Drive
Tiger Pals are hosting their first annual Canned Food Drive to be donated to a local food bank. Please consider donating. A paper bag will be placed outside of each homeroom. Our drive will begin November 27th and will last through December 14th. We will be collecting the donations on December 14th. Thank you for your support as we gain social skills through a community service activity.
Transition from Twitter/X to Instagram
We will be less active on Twitter and encourage you to follow us on Instagram if you haven't already @glacierridge1. Check out our school website for our posts on Instagram as well! Glacier Ridge Elementary District Website
Erica Kelley Memorial- Getting Closer
GOOD NEWS! We are ⅔ of the way to our goal of being able to purchase the butterfly sculpture bench! We hope to have this purchased and installed for our May 6th ceremony. Thank you so much for your kind donations.
If you would like to donate towards the sculpture the information is below.
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. 22-26th Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 20 Celebration of Giving Assembly
Dec. 21-Jan 3rd, 2024 Winter Break
DISTRICT UPDATES
Thanksgiving Break
There will be no school next Wednesday - Friday, November 22-24, due to Thanksgiving Break. Enjoy this time with your family and friends!
Info Hub Page
New opportunities have recently been added to the district’s Info Hub page. Be sure to check it out…some activities have discounts for early registration.
Amazing Travel Opportunity for Students
Amazing world travel opportunities await your student, and now is your chance to learn all about them! The Global Travel Program is hosting a virtual informational meeting on Wednesday, November 29 at 6:30 pm, for you to meet the trip leaders and gather facts about the upcoming trips. Register for the meeting here: REGISTRATION LINK
From the City of Dublin
The City of Dublin will mark the official start of the 2023 holiday season by hosting its annual Tree Lighting Thursday, Nov. 30, in Coffman Park, located at 5200 Emerald Parkway. Train rides, dancing, ice sculptures and more set the stage before Santa and Mrs. Claus visit to light the tree. Full details here https://dublinohiousa.gov/community-events/tree-lighting/.
Be a Buddy! Dublin Teens can create lasting friendships with Dublin's seniors and volunteer with the Dublin Teen Buddy program! Receive training and service hours as a Teen Buddy. Contact volunteer@dublin.oh.us or call 614.410.4446 for information.
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