Ridgeline eNews

JANUARY

Friday 1/9 Lottery Applications open at 9 a.m.

Thursday 1/15 Board Meeting 6-8 p.m.

Monday 1/19 No School - MLK Jr. Day

Tuesday 1/20 Middle School Info Session 6-7 p.m.

Thursday 1/22 Pastathon at Pastini

Thursday 1/29 Ridgeline Student Talent Show 5:30 -7:30 p.m.

Friday 1/30 No School - Grading Day

FEBRUARY

Monday 2/2 No School

For Quick Access:

• Ridgeline 25-26 Events Calendar
• One Page School Calendar

Attendance:

• Report an absence: attendance@ridgeline.org

• Planned Absence Form (at least 3 days in advance)

Click here to view the full calendar as some dates may change. Please note that Ridgeline’s calendar differs slightly from 4J elementary and middle school calendars.

🗓 Tuesday, January 20 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.

The 2026 Ridgeline Middle School Information Session invites families into conversation with our team, as well as with the students and alumni who know the program best. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our middle school experience and what makes the Ridgeline program unique.

Ridgeline 5th & 6th grade students and families:
This is an exciting opportunity to help grow our middle school program! We encourage you to attend and to extend the invitation to friends and neighbors who may be interested in public Montessori education. Word of mouth is often the most powerful way to connect with families who share our values.

👉 Click here to sign up! (or copy and paste the link to easily share with someone you know!)

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing what sets our middle school apart.

The Ridgeline Student Talent Show is happening in both live performance and video formats! Join us on Thursday, January 29, at 5:30 PM in the Ridgeline Gym for an evening of incredible student performances. Admission is free!

Sign Up Information

• Click here for the link to sign-up your student or a group of students.
• Live act sign-ups are due by 5:00 PM on Monday, January 19.
• Video submissions are due by 5:00 PM on Thursday, January 22.

A few key details

• Performance Time Limit: Acts must be 3 minutes or less.

• Act Limit: Students can participate in up to two acts (e.g., one solo and one group piece).

• Special Acts: No live performances involving aerial rigging, pets, or students from other schools—these must be submitted as videos. Stay tuned for more details on video submissions.

• Intermission Snacks: The Middle School Cookie Crew is planning to sell cookies at intermission to raise funds for their end-of-year trip. Plan to bring cash if you'd like to purchase snacks.

We’ll need volunteers to make this event a success! Look for opportunities on Track It Forward below.

For questions, contact Sarah & Chauncey Mauney at sarahrosemauney@gmail.com or alexanderdmauney@gmail.com.

We can’t wait to see the amazing talents of our Ridgeline students!

Join us on Thursday, January 22, for a deliciously fun night out at Pastini, located in the Oakway Center (325 Oakway Road). Bring your friends and family to enjoy mouthwatering Italian dishes while supporting a great cause.

Pastini will donate 40% of sales, helping fund programs that benefit our students, when you mention Ridgeline Montessori while dining in or if you order take out!

Mark your calendars and plan to meet neighbors, classmates, and friends! Whether you're craving classic spaghetti, creamy alfredo, or a fresh Caprese salad, there's something for everyone to love.

Flyers will be sent home on Tuesday, January 20. Dine in, take out, or order online – it all counts! Let's pasta-party for a purpose. See you at Pastini on January 22! 🌟

We’re excited to offer the Ridgeline school yearbook again this year for students, families, and staff! 🎉 It’s a wonderful way to capture and celebrate the memories of this school year.

📕 How to Order:

• Online ordering only: newleifphoto.inter-state.com
  

• Order Code: 0291HV
  

• Price: $25 per yearbook

🗓 Order Deadline: Friday, March 13, 2026

Don’t miss out—order your yearbook today and enjoy revisiting all the special moments from this year at Ridgeline!

🌟Questions: Contact parent volunteer and Yearbook Coordinator, Heather Riedman, at hcates373@yahoo.com.

Save-the-date and get ready for Ridgeline’s largest annual fundraiser, our Student Art Show & Silent Auction. This event will be held on Friday March, 13, 2026 in the Ridgeline gymnasium.

Planning this event takes a lot of time, coordination, and generosity. And we're already starting to prepare several art & wellness-themed silent auction baskets, and would love to feature Ridgeline community businesses and services.

Here’s how you can help:

• Do you own a business, or know someone who does, that is willing to donate to our spring Silent Auction?

• Or do you work for an employer that may like to donate to support your student’s school?

• If yes, we are seeking in-kind donations that provide services or products related to: local art, art supplies, social connection, physical movement, stress reduction, physical or mental wellness

• Think gift certificates or services that promote community connection, health, and self-care—anything from 30-60 minute massages and yoga class passes to health coaching sessions and spa gift cards.

• We also want to add some larger items that include weekend away experiences, family vacations, hotel stays (think about time-shares, Airbnb connections, etc).

• See photos below for basket item examples

How to Donate In-Kind Gifts

• Email us at giving@ridgeline.org to coordinate your contribution OR to simply provide contact information to your community connection.

• Drop off donations at the Ridgeline office by February 6, 2026.

The auction is part of our Direct Donation Drive (March 3–13), our biggest fundraiser of the year. All proceeds directly support Ridgeline's special programs & facilities which include:

• Specialists like Art, PE

• Montessori materials and programs

• Facility maintenance and safety

• Student wellness and enrichment activities

Thank you for making a difference—together, we’re building a stronger, happier community! And stay tuned for more event details next month, as we get ready for a fabulous community event!

Winter weather is unpredictable, but staying informed is easy! If snow or ice might impact school schedules, here’s how to find out:

🌐 Check the district website: www.4j.lane.edu

📻 Tune into: KLCC radio

➡️ Social Media: Facebook and Instagram

🚨 No News = No Change 🚨 If there’s no announcement, the school is running on schedule!

❌ School Closure: No school for students. Afternoon/evening activity decisions will be made by noon.

⏰ Two-Hour Delay: School starts two hours late but ends at the usual time (including early release Wednesdays).

🏫 Ridgeline-Specific Updates: Ridgeline Montessori may be in session even if 4J schools are closed. Check our website: www.ridgeline.org

Safety First!
While we can’t make decisions based on every neighborhood, you know your area best! Families are encouraged to make safe choices, and Ridgeline will honor those decisions.

For full details, visit: www.4j.lane.edu/weather

Stay warm & stay safe! ⛄

• Thank you to Sarah Klein for volunteering as a chaperone with the Middle School going-out to Positive Community Kitchen this week!
• Special thanks to Blaise Cooper and Blake Mitchell for volunteering to assist with this week's kinder walk.

Help Us Promote Ridgeline

Ridgeline families, it is lottery season again and we are asking for your help to spread the word about Ridgeline to the larger Eugene community!

Ways you can help:

• Sign up to hang up lottery posters throughout Eugene starting the first week of January by emailing Cynthia or stop by the office to volunteer to hang posters. (We have a list of places).

• Talk to friends, neighbors, members in your faith community, co-workers, and beyond. Current families sharing their personal stories about Ridgeline and Montessori education are our best promotional advocates.

You can find more information on our website.

Talent Show Sign-Ups Below

Get ready for Ridgeline’s Student Talent Show, where students showcase their amazing skills—from singing and dancing to comedy and more! It’s a fun-filled event celebrating creativity, courage, and school spirit on Thursday, January 29. Here is the link to sign-up as a volunteer.

Below is the list of 2025–2026 volunteer teams and there's always room for more volunteer power! Click on the links below if you want to be part of one of the fun volunteer teams! These groups are a great way to connect with other Ridgeline families and get in your volunteer hours!💌

Event Teams:

• Student Talent Show - volunteer sign-ups available!

• Student Marketplace - Coming in February 2026

• Spring Walk + Roll to School - Coming in April 2026

• Hospitality Team (staff appreciation week ) - Coming in April 2026
• Stone Soup - Complete for this year!

Ongoing Teams:

• Lunch Bunch

• Library Team

• Crossing Guard Crew

• Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)

• Helping Hands Material Prep Team (book covering, sign making, etc)

• Campus Care Crew

There’s a place for everyone to get involved and make this year amazing! If you have questions or want to learn more about any of these teams email Bethany at bethany.dilla@ridgeline.org or visit Track It Forward.

***Classroom volunteer opportunities are now available. Look for these sign-ups through your classroom organizer emails.

Volunteers are an essential part of the Ridgeline community, and there are many ways to get involved!

• From serving on committees, preparing materials at home, and helping with grounds work, to assisting in classrooms, chaperoning field trips, acting as crossing guards, and more—your time and talents make a big difference.

Each family is asked to contribute 40 volunteer hours per school year and we’d love to help you find volunteer opportunities that fit your schedule and interests.

• To participate, all volunteers must first complete a background check and sign the Volunteer Code of Conduct.
• Once these two steps are complete, the School Community Coordinator will notify you by email that you are green badge approved and ready to volunteer!
• Visit our website or contact Ridgeline’s School Community Coordinator, Bethany Dilla, or learn more.

Are you, or somebody you know, interested in joining our amazing substitute pool for the 25-26 school year? At Ridgeline, substitutes support our Montessori classrooms in the role of classroom assistant, working alongside the lead staff member to help maintain a calm, productive learning environment.

Whether it’s a pre-planned absence or a same-day need, we count on our subs to step in with flexibility, reliability, and care. If you enjoy working with children and being part of a supportive school community, we’d love to hear from you! For more information and to apply, click here.

As we approach the end of the year, it’s a great time to consider year-end giving!

Many employers offer matching programs for donations to registered nonprofits like Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School. This is an easy way to double (or even triple!) the impact of your gift.

Here are some common employer match opportunities:

• Dollars for Donors: Some employers will match your charitable donations dollar-for-dollar.

• Dollars for Doers: Others may contribute an hourly rate for time you’ve volunteered with an organization.

If your employer offers a matching program, they may request a verification letter from Ridgeline to confirm your donation. We’re happy to help! Just email us at giving@ridgeline.org, and we’ll send a letter with:

• Donation Details: Amount and date(s) of your donation.

• Donor Information: Your name as the employee who donated.

• Tax-Exempt Status: Confirmation that Ridgeline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

• Use of Funds: Brief description of how your funds support educational programs, scholarships, etc.

• School Info: Ridgeline’s name, address, and tax ID (EIN).

Thank you for supporting our school!

We continue to hear from our neighbors about frustrations related to driving behaviors on the streets surrounding our campus, particularly during arrival and dismissal times. We appreciate your partnership in helping us address these concerns and maintain positive relationships within our shared community.

Please take a moment to help keep everyone safe and supported by:

• Observing & abiding by the posted 20 mph speed limit

• Avoiding honking at pedestrians and neighborhood pets

• Not blocking driveways or mailboxes

• Responding respectfully if a neighbor raises a concern

Your care and consideration make a meaningful difference for our neighbors, our staff, and our students—and help ensure our school remains a welcome and valued part of the neighborhood.

Thank you for your continued attention and support.

The Lost & Found Station is located on the front porch of the school! We will be donating sweatshirts and hoodies at the end of this month (specifically ones that have been here for a couple months). Come claim your stuff and please take it home! 💙

No School? No Problem! We have your upcoming No School days covered here at Kidsports. Kidsports is excited to offer PeaceHealth Play Days for kids when school is not in session. Your kids will get to spend the day having fun, being active, trying new sports & games, being creative and playing with friends.

Grades: 1-5

Cost: $60 per day

Extended Care: additional $15 per day

Days/Times: No-school days 9am–4pm

Extended Care: 8–9am and 4–5:30pm

Location: Kidsports Fieldhouse 2054 Amazon Parkway, Eugene, OR, 97405

Dates: Jan. 19, Jan. 30, Feb. 2, Feb. 16, Mar. 30, Apr. 10, Jun. 5

Register Now

Eugene International High School (Eugene IHS) is a choice school for students in grades 9-12 offering a 4-year interdisciplinary humanities curriculum focused on international studies. Students are dual enrolled in both Eugene IHS and their host school.

ANY student can enroll. They must go through the online 4J School Choice Lottery, regardless of attendance area: 4j.lane.edu/schoolchoic. The in-district deadline to apply is February 15, 2026.

IMPORTANT DATES for the 2026-2027 School Year:

January 15……Online application period for 4J School Choice Lottery opens for in-district students
February 15…..Deadline to submit in-district 4J School Choice Lottery Applications

Spanish and French Immersion students from Monroe and Roosevelt will be enrolled in Eugene IHS without the lottery process because they entered immersion through the lottery in elementary or middle school. However, immersion students do need to submit the Eugene IHS Enrollment Form to the Eugene IHS office at South or Sheldon by the January 31, 2026. This form will be included in a special mailing to immersion families over winter break.

We hope you will consider becoming a part of our Eugene IHS community!

For more information contact one of the Eugene IHS offices below, or visit the Eugene IHS website at ihs.4j.lane.edu

Eugene IHS @ Churchill: 541-790-5225
Eugene IHS @ Sheldon: 541-790-6636
Eugene IHS @ South Eugene: 541-790-8030