Falcon Flyer
Belong. Inspire. Grow.
Straight from the Hardt
Hello Ridgeline Families—
I know I said last week that I wasn’t sending a newsletter, but I changed my mind!
I can’t help but be inspired by our girls volleyball team—first athletic STATE CHAMPS in our short school history! In our first few years of existence as a new high school, we experienced many “firsts”. First dance, first assembly, first graduation, first GSL title, etc..
In year 3 and the start of year 4 you have fewer opportunities to do something for the first time. A state championship has always been one of our goals, and every team has aimed for that achievement. But, to actually see it happen was mind-blowing! You know that surreal feeling, or like experiencing something that feels more like a dream? The whole championship weekend was like that. Each match the team just kept finding a way to win. They swept some team 3-0, and took two other teams to the 5th set, first one to 15pts wins. I’ve experienced some 5th set victories by this team during the season, so when we ended up in that final set of the championship game, where the winner takes all, I felt as good about our chances of coming out on top as I had in any previous game. They flip the switch every time! It happened in the final moments again. They completely rose to the occasion! Once they started putting points on the scoreboard, it snowballed. North Thurston fought back, but I think they could sense the same thing—there would be no stopping Ridgeline! When the ball hit the ground on their side of the court to end the match our girls stormed the court and ended up in a pile on each other in celebration! It was a Moment!
It's a very nostalgic feeling for myself and team members that put in so much time and effort in the years leading up to Ridgeline opening. The year we named the school and announced our Falcon mascot, the girls on this team were in 4th-6th grade. They had no idea they would be making school history! When Mr. Emmerson hired coach Abell, we knew she was a good one, but had no expectation that we should be winning state titles by this time! Well, she showed us that it is possible! In a long season, like volleyball, every game counts and every next step through playoffs could always be your last. They chipped away at a GSL title, District 6 title, and ended up a top seed in the tournament. The players had never experienced state before, and talking to coach Abell, she had never played at state in high school either. Still, they were not afraid of the big stage! We’re very proud of our team. It takes a special group of people, and a little bit of luck, to accomplish a championship title. This team had the chemistry and it was clear they cared for each other, and valued each other as people, more so than as players. This shows up when mistakes are made and character is revealed. No one wants to make a mistake, and the team understood this, and were able to move on to the next point and next set. They would lift each other up when someone was down, and that culture made a huge difference! I want to add that the young women on this team are all positive contributors to our school in many other ways through their leadership, hard work, and kindness. They were also recognized by the WIAA for a cumulative team GPA over 3.5. Of course, after the match they asked me if they could get a break on their school work for a while…being caught up in the excitement I think I promised them whatever they wanted! But I saw them at school this short week, cause that’s the kind of kids they are (and their parents probably expected that as well). We’re planning a little something…TBD. GO FALCONS!
We had a great experience this week learning much more about Bethany Olstad, who really impressed our Lilac Court selection committee. She will be joining the Court and fulfilling numerous duties, as well as ‘competing’ for a place as one of seven Lilac Princesses. Read more below.
A few reminders about LOCK DOWN procedures at school… Unfortunately, we had an incident last Friday, with a threat that moved us to lock down the building. A lock down means all students and staff are secured behind a locked door, out of sight, and quiet. In this case, after 15 seconds, 95% of the building was secure. By 25 seconds in there wasn’t a single person visible in the building. Our kids and staff did a great job of getting to safety quickly and taking the alarm seriously. This can be a scary situation for many. We do our best during, and after the fact, to help our students and staff regain their sense of security and safety. This event gives us a realistic opportunity to test our response protocols. Including law enforcement response and involvement. It is a stressful moment for parents as well. We understand this, and strive to get communication out as timely as we can. Our first priority is what is happening immediately on our campus. We also recommend that you do not come to the building once you’re aware, as that creates more traffic and no one is allowed in our out during the lock down. This was not an issue on Friday. If you do get messages from your children, and I’m sure all of you did, the best thing you can do is reassure them and help them to stay calm, follow directions, and remain alert.
Going into the Thanksgiving break, I’m thankful for all of you, our Ridgeline community. Your support and involvement in our school makes all the difference. This support is why Ridgeline thrives and we can live out our mission… Belong. Inspire. Grow.
Make it a great Thanksgiving! --Mr. Hardt
RHS Volleyball STATE CHAMPS!
Congratulations to Brynlee Allred, Araleigh Arnold, Rahni Greene, Madison Hickman, Bailey Hillman, Brooklyn Hillman, Jane Holley, Ryan Libey, Jade Livingston, Kate Mulligan, Elizabeth O’Connell, Olivia Phipps, Kyla Ross, Reagan Rothley, Jaycee Lawhead - Mgr
Ridgeline Lilac Court
We are thrilled to announce that Bethany Olstad has been chosen to represent Ridgeline High School in this year’s Lilac Court! To earn this honor, Bethany delivered a compelling speech and went above and beyond by creating a slideshow to accompany her presentation.
After Christmas break, Bethany will begin an eight-week candidacy program alongside about 30 other young women. During this time, she will attend classes in public speaking, etiquette, self-defense, and other valuable life skills that will serve her throughout high school and beyond. Following this program, she will participate in a final interview, where the field will be narrowed to seven young women who will serve as official Lilac Court princesses.
We are so proud of Bethany and wish her the best of luck in this exciting journey!
Student Services
Fall Semester ASVAB Testing
Do you have a junior or senior who either did not pass his/her SBAC or one who wishes to enlist in the military? If your answer to one or both of these questions is “yes,” RHS will offer interested students the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) on Wednesday, December 4. As an information item, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) offers Washington students multiple ways to meet their Graduation Pathway requirement, with the first being the SBAC (passing Math and English tests taken sophomore year). For those who do not pass the SBAC, OSPI offers SEVEN ALTERNATE graduation pathways, and taking the ASVAB is ONE of them. Re-taking the SBAC is also one them. NOTE: While the ASVAB is used by the US military to help place enlistees in jobs, the scores from the tests of RHS test-takers will NOT be released to the military automatically. Students interested in military service will need to release their scores to the military.
If your student wants/needs to register for the ASVAB, please encourage the student to access the Google Classroom and complete the form Mr. Spraggins posted earlier this week. Students must complete the form NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, and the test availability will be limited to the first 28 students who register. If you and/or your student have questions, please contact the grade level counselor or Mr. Spraggins (bspraggins@cvsd.org).
FAFSA NOW OPEN!
If you are the parent/guardian of a current senior who plans to enroll in college next year, this notice is for you! The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is NOW OPEN. The FAFSA is an online federal form that, once completed, will offer your student the opportunity to be considered for grants, work-study, scholarships, and student loans at the colleges and universities to which they've applied. For your information, here is an important link with information your student and you may wish to review ahead of filing the form.
Additionally, RHS hosts a local scholarship page we share with East Valley, West Valley, and Freeman school districts. We will update the scholarship page as scholarships become available throughout the winter/spring. I encourage your student to routinely check the page for scholarship opportunities that may benefit your student!
STCU FAFSA Assistance December Dates
We appreciate STCU’s and LaunchNW’s ongoing commitment to support students with this assistance! To reinforce our commitment to this we’re offering free FAFSA and WASFA completion assistance again this winter to students seeking post-high school training and education. As we did last winter, we will provide our resources to any students and families to help them complete the online FAFSA or WASFA.With FAFSA now open, we have our first two events scheduled simultaneously on December 12th, 2024, at 5:30 PM at STCU’s Northtown Square Branch and Spokane Valley Branch.
World Language Competency Test
This is a wonderful opportunity for our students, Grades 8-12, to earn up to 4 high school credits.
Credits awarded through this test are now recognized by colleges and universities within the state of WA to fulfill entrance requirements.
What: Annual World Language Competency Assessment.
Where: Central Valley High School’s Library.
When: Saturday, January 25th, 2025. Doors open at 8am & testing begins at 9am.
NewTech Career Fair
Diversity Club
This week, Diversity Club celebrated Thanksgiving learning about how different cultures celebrate gratefulness around the world. Students brought in foods that represented their culture and heritage. Our leadership team put together a great presentation highlighting Germany, Korea, China, India, Japan, and Ghana. Members shared what they were grateful for and what traditions or dishes their families highlight at Thanksgiving. Diversity Club is grateful for ask the new members that joined us today.
See Ms. Larsen in C109 to see how you can get involved!
RHS Dance Team fundraising event!
The Ridgeline Dance Team is hosting a Falcon Boosters fundraising event promoting a 2-ticket movie bundle for $30 with Regal Cinemas. Enjoy the holidays at a movie with family and friends or make holiday shopping easy by gifting movie tickets. Your purchase aids in the success of our program by helping cover the expenses associated with local, regional and state competitions.
https://www.groupraise.com/oc/49944?utm_campaign=ocmp_copy_url&utm_medium=social&utm_source=offers_promo
Toys for Tots toy drive at Whistlestop
Come out and see our very own teacher, Mr. Egeland during Thanksgiving weekend working the toy drive with his grandkids at Whistlestop. This is Mr. Egeland's 10th year collecting toys for Toys for Tots.
RHS Mini Dance Camp (K-8)
Please consider having your K-8th graders join us for our Holiday Mini Dance Camp!!!
Here are the details:
- December 11th (Wednesday):
- Time: 6:00–8:00 PM
- Location: RHS Gymnasium
- Check-In: Begins at 5:55 PM. Please use the main entrance.
- December 12th (Thursday):
- Time: 5:30–6:30 PM
- Location: RHS Commons
- Performance: Participants will rehearse the material and then perform during the first basketball game halftime that evening.
We encourage you to stay and enjoy the Ridgeline dancers' halftime performance during the second game! Camper and one adult will receive free admission to the game that evening! This is a holiday themed camp, so we encourage dancers to dress in holiday festive gear for camp! Dancers will be provided with a shirt. Please choose a size from the list at checkout. $50 per participant. Dancers who come Sign up here! https://gofan.co/event/2286838?schoolId=WA87837
Light Up Liberty Lake fundraiser
Donations will be utilized in our local public schools by providing backpack meals and necessary hygiene products to students and families needing extra support throughout the school year.
Gifts of Hope Glove & Mitten Drive: Now until Dec 4th
Hey Falcons! The donations to the Mitten and Glove Drive will help Gifts of Hope here in our community! The mittens and gloves drive is going now until December 4th! Bring any new gloves to the leadership room, G102, before school and during lunch. The advisory class with the most donations from each grade level will win a donut party and the winning grade level also gets 30 verde loco points.
Now collecting bread/product tabs
The Special Olympics of Washington is collecting tabs to earn wheelchairs for kids in need. We will send them in to be recycled and earn money from the weight of the tabs. Start collecting now! You can find them on bread, bagels, and even potato bags! Drop them off in the bag outside of Mrs. Unland’s room, D103.
CVSD is reviewing grades 9-11 high school math (Algebra I, II & Geometry) core instructional materials for the 2026-2027 school year. Find out how you can be involved at www.CVSD.org/HSMathReview
Thanksgiving Break: No School from Nov 27-29th
Blanket Night 2024 Needs Your Help! 📢
Now accepting donations for Blanket Making Night- December 4th from 5:30-7:30pm
We're gearing up for Blanket Night 2024, but we need your help to make it happen! We’re seeking donations of 2-yard pieces of fleece fabric to create cozy blankets for those in need.
🧶 How You Can Help:
- Donate: Please bring 2-yard fleece fabric pieces.
- Drop-Off Location: Donations can be dropped off at RHS.
- Show up: Join us on Dec. 4th @ 5:30 pm to make blankets!
Your contribution can help us make a difference! Thank you for supporting Blanket Night 2024!
Mark your calendars!
RHS Regiment Craft Fair- 12/7 & 12/8
Dance Team Winter Showcase- December 13th
RHS dance team will be hosting their first Winter Spirit Showcase at Ridgeline on December 13th from 7-9pm in the RHS main gym! We have invited our dance friends from all over the area to come and put on a big showcase celebrating the hard work the dancers put in leading up to our competition season! The schools that will be in the showcase are Ridgeline, Central Valley, Ferris, Mead, Post Falls, and Sandpoint high school dance teams! It is guaranteed to be a great show! Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door OR ahead of time. Any mini dance camp participant is able to attend for free if they wear their dance camp shirt to the showcase! See you there!
Winter showcase ticket link! https://gofan.co/event/2315126?schoolId=WA87837
Class of 2025- Grad Night
Class of 2025 - Grad Night Ticket
Purchase your ticket today for Grad Night 2025! A safe, fun-filled opportunity to wrap up graduation and spend an evening with your classmates. Grad Night 2025 will be held at RHS and will feature casino games, a variety of fun activities and the opportunity to win great prizes. Don't miss out on this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity!! Once your registration has been received, a representative from the Grad Night Committee will follow-up via email to collect necessary waivers.
RHS Senior Grad Night- 2025
Important Information!!
Support the Ridgeline Class of 2025 Grad Night!
Let's send them out in style. Please click the link or scan the QR code on the flyer that will allow you to go to our Amazon wish list of prizes for their Senior Grad Night. Our goal is that every Senior leaves the Grad Night with a prize! Thanks so much in advance for your support!
AP Testing Dates 2025
Hey Falcons! Do you need a job? Check out our Jobs Board! It's updated regularly and there are some amazing opportunities!
There are flyers in the office to scan the QR code, too!
If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Demarest in E202 or email: kdemarest@cvsd.org
Business Office Hours
Business Office Open Hours:
7:15- 2:30pm
(Closed 12:30-1:30pm daily)