Ridgeline eNews

NOVEMBER

Thursday 11/13 Board Meeting 6-8 p.m.

Saturday 11/15 Bottle Drop Holiday Give starts

Sunday 11/16 Book Swap 2-4 p.m., Ridgeline Gym

Thursday 11/20 Veggie Slicing Day (students bring vegetables to school)

Friday 11/21 Stone Soup

Friday 11/21 Last day to order Ridgeline gear

Sunday 11/23 Rake-Pocalypse - outdoor work party , 9:30-12:30 p.m.

Monday 11/24 No School - Family Conferences

Tuesday 11/25 No School - Family Conferences

Wednesday 11/26- 11/28 No School - Fall Break

For Quick Access:

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

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.

There’s a lot happening at Ridgeline over the next two weeks! 🍂 Please take a few moments to read through this entire eNews so you don’t miss any of the important updates and opportunities below:

• 🩵 Blue Bag Holiday Give

• 📚 Book Swap

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Conferences

• 🦃 Free Turkey Dinner sign-up

• 🥕 Veggie Slicing & Stone Soup

• 🍁 Rake-pocalypse 2025

• 👕 Ridgeline Gear

• 💡 Possibility Project Survey

Thank you for staying connected and for being such an engaged part of our community!

What a fantastic evening at the Barnes & Noble Book Fair! Families gathered to celebrate our students’ hard work over the 14-day Read-a-thon, purchase books from classroom wishlists, and enjoy the classroom performances. We are still waiting on a grand total regarding how much Ridgeline will receive back in the form of a Barnes & Noble gift card.

Once again, a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to make this year’s Read-a-thon so special. Be on the lookout for a follow up S'more, detailing our Art of Reading success!

📸 See photos below! P.C. Alden McEwen

The reading fun doesn’t stop here! Join us for a free Community Book Swap this Sunday, November 16, from 2–4 p.m. in the Ridgeline gym.

Keep the reading momentum going and refresh your bookshelf at Ridgeline’s community Book Swap this weekend!

• Bring gently used books you’ve read and loved, and trade them for new-to-you favorites.

• Enjoy free apple cider and books for all ages—bring one to share or find a new favorite to take home.

• Click here to volunteer at the event

• Sign up to bring 1 gallon of apple cider here (we still need lots more!)

See you Sunday!

Ridgeline families—here’s a wonderful opportunity! Through a partnership between A3 and a generous local restaurant owner, Ridgeline has been offered 20 free turkey dinners to share with families who could benefit from them. We encourage those interested to take advantage of this kind offer!

🍽 Pick-up details:
📍 A3 parking lot — 615 Main St., Springfield
🕐 Monday, November 24 | 1–3 p.m.

Sign-ups are first come, first served, so don’t wait to reserve your meal here.

Please note: meals include ingredients such as meat, dairy, wheat, and gluten, and unfortunately, substitutions cannot be accommodated.

🗓 Sign-up deadline: Wednesday, November 19

It’s almost time for student-family conferences—a great opportunity to connect, celebrate progress, and set goals together!

Conference Dates:

• In-person: Monday, November 24, and Tuesday, November 25 (no school these days)

• Virtual option via Zoom: available upon request

Sign Up Below:

1. Find your student’s class and select a day and a time that works best for you!
2. In the comments: include your child’s name AND if you will be attending in-person or via Zoom.

***Additional information will be provided on what to expect from family conferences in upcoming teacher emails.

We need volunteers to:

🍴 Sign up to help slice veggies in all the classrooms on Thursday & help with Stone Soup day

Here’s what you need to know:

• Thursday, November 20: Students bring vegetables to school for veggie slicing day (a text reminder will go out the night before).

• Friday, November 21: Students are invited to bring a bowl and spoon from home, to enjoy their soup in class as an afternoon snack. 🥣 (Don’t worry, we will have disposable bowls and spoons on hand for those who forget!)

• Students still need to bring lunch from home or pick up school lunch on Stone Soup day.

Food Allergies?

• All soups are vegetarian and free of nut and coconut milks.

• Soups with dairy will be labeled. If your child has specific dietary needs, you are welcome to send in "safe soup" from home.

Let’s come together to make this year’s Stone Soup another delicious success!

Want to brush up on the fable? Here is one version of the Stone Soup story

💙 Blue Bag Holiday Give - it’s almost time to drop-off for 20% more!

The holidays are coming, and so is BottleDrop’s 9th Annual Holiday Give — our 3rd year participating! From America Recycles Day to Giving Tuesday, it’s the perfect time to support Ridgeline Montessori simply by recycling.

Why now?
During this special campaign, nonprofits earn 20% MORE from every Blue Bag recycled — and Ridgeline is already registered to receive the bonus! 🙌

How You Can Help

• Look for a Bluebag in your students backpack on Friday, November 14

•Fill up your Blue Bags and drop them off Nov. 15–Dec. 2
• Need more bags? The office has plenty!
• Stop by—or call—and we’ll send extras home in your student’s backpack 🎒

Recycle for a Reason this Holiday Season🌟

Let’s turn bottles and cans into opportunities for our students!

What’s new:

This year, Ridgeline is reimagining how we build our budget. Your input will help us align our spending with the aspects of Montessori that you value most.

Why it matters:

Instead of listing what we think is possible, we’re asking what our community values most about a Ridgeline education—joyful learning, small-group instruction, connection with nature, peace education, and more.

The big picture:

In a year when tough choices may be necessary, your perspective will help clarify what we fund, what we defer, and how we stay true to our shared Montessori vision.

The ask:

Take the short survey to share what matters most to your family.

Last chance to to snag your Ridgeline spirit wear!

👉 Place your order here!

Order deadline: Friday, November 21
Gear will arrive by December 5

👕 2025–2026 Ridgeline Gear Options:
• T-Shirts: $15 — Black or Light Blue
• V-Neck Shirts: $24–$32 — Black
• Crew Neck Sweatshirts: $40–$52 — Black or Light Blue

Let’s show that Ridgeline pride — order today! 💙

As part of the middle school micro-economy curriculum, middle schoolers will host a weekly sale on Wednesday, after early release. Items for purchase include cookies and popcorn that are made at school, as part of the Cookie Crew elective. All proceeds from these sales support the middle school end-of-the-year Adventure Trip.

Cookie Crew is selling goodies every Wednesday!

Stop by (or send your student) to grab:

📍 Signs will guide you to the Cookie Crew stand. Sales start right after school and continue until we sell out or until 1:20 PM.

We can’t wait to see you there!

1. Veggie Slicing - Thursday, November 20, shifts vary based on classroom
2. Stone Soup - Friday, November 21, times vary based on volunteer role
3. Teacher Conference Dinner - Monday, November 24, from 4:30-5pm

We’re joining forces for one giant fall campus clean-up on Sunday, November 23. Sign up to help us get ready for the annual leaf pick-up!

🛠 What to Bring:
Rakes, gloves, water bottles, snacks, and your favorite leaf-crunching crew (aka: your family).

🌧 Rain or shine! Dress for the weather — we’ll be working no matter what.

🍂 Main mission: rake and move all remaining campus leaves to the street for City of Eugene pick-up.

✨ Lighter jobs available too — all ages welcome (and this means more volunteer hours for your crew)!

👉 Sign up in Track It Forward and join the fun! Let us unite —and join forces and fight the elements to end the tyranny of falling leaves in 2025! 💪🌬️🍂

We’ve officially launched our 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:

• Stone Soup
• Teacher Conference Dinner
• Student Talent Show - Coming in December 2025

• Student Marketplace - Coming in February 2026

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

Ongoing Teams:

• Lunch Bunch

• Library Team

• Crossing Guard Crew

• Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)

• Hospitality Team (staff care )

• 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.

Hello Ridgeline community!

The Ridgeline Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, November 13, at 6:00 pm in the Ridgeline library and over Zoom. All Ridgeline community members are warmly invited to join our regular board meetings, and to make a public comment. The designated time for public comment is at the start of meetings.

Our meeting agenda includes a staff report from lower el teacher Rachel Quinn and reports from our administrators and committee representatives. We will learn from our Executive Director about Ridgeline's most recent financial audit, insurance renewal for staff, and her annual goals. We will hear from our Principal about the School Improvement Plan. The Board will discuss our current administrative salary schedules, approve our annual work calendar and goals, and look at one policy for renewal.

You can find the agenda here.

In order to attend virtually, please use this Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84074040106pwd=R6PzazBjJFrxabUMtT92ZabaJ7bptn.1

Meeting ID: 840 7404 0106 Passcode: 824778

Community members can also reach the Board of Directors via email (board@ridgeline.org). Public comment may also be made in writing and emailed to the board prior to the meeting. In order to be fully considered at this meeting, comments must be received by noon on the day of the meeting. Please clearly label the email subject line as: "Public Comment." Prior to the meeting, board members will read, review, and take into consideration all comments.

Are you a Fred Meyer shopper? You can support Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School every time you shop—at no extra cost to you! Simply link your Rewards Card to Ridgeline, and Fred Meyer will donate a portion of your purchases to our school.

How to Join:

1. Sign in to your Fred Meyer digital account.
   
   

2. Under My Account, select Community Rewards.
   
   

3. Search for Ridgeline Montessori and click Enroll.
   
   

Once you’re enrolled, you’ll see Ridgeline Montessori listed in the Community Rewards section of your account.

💙 Out-of-area relatives can help too!
This program works anywhere Fred Meyer operates, so encourage friends and family to sign up and support Ridgeline! ➡️ Learn more and enroll here

Thank you for supporting Ridgeline while you shop!

Questions? Email us at giving@ridgeline.org or visit Fred Meyer’s Community Rewards FAQ.

How to Get Help

Food Pantries & Food Boxes

• Food for Lane County — Search for pantries and free food near you:
  https://www.foodforlanecounty.org/food/free-food-finder/
  
  

Meals for Seniors (60+)

• LCOG Senior Meals Program / Meals on Wheels — Find dining room or home-delivered meal options:
  https://www.lcog-or.gov/sdslane/page/senior-meals-program#cafe-60
  
  

Free Meals at Local Restaurants

• Jade Dumpling
  📍 207 E 5th Ave, Suite 100, Eugene (5th Street location only)
  🕛 Daily, 12 – 2 pm
  Ask for a “SNAP lunch.” Free to-go meals available for those impacted by benefit delays.
  
  

• Laughing Planet Café
  📍 All Eugene locations
  🕒 During all business hours
  Just ask for an “Adult SNAP Meal” or “Kids SNAP Meal.” No proof needed.
  
  

• Souper Bowls
  📍 22 Valley River Center, Eugene
  🕕 Monday – Thursday, 6:30 – 8 pm
  Ask for the Owner’s Special or Elana’s Special.
  
  

• Acorn Community Café
  📍 769 Monroe St, Eugene
  🕙 Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
  Free meals available while supplies last (first-come, first-served).

• Johnny Ocean’s Grille

📍 114 Oakway Center, Eugene, OR 97401

Kids eat free – All November 2025

More Support

• Food for Lane County offers updates and additional emergency food sites here:
  https://www.foodforlanecounty.org/food/free-food-finder/
  
  

How You Can Help

If you’re in a position to give, consider supporting local relief efforts:

• Donate food or funds to Food for Lane County: https://www.foodforlanecounty.org/ways-to-give/donate/
  
  

• Support Catholic Community Services: https://www.ccslc.org/foodsos
  
  

Volunteer for Food for Lane County: https://www.mobilize.us/foodforlanecounty/

Come learn about toilets and sanitation at this free, family-friendly event to celebrate the United Nations's World Toilet Day- Nov. 19th at Whirled Pies. We'll play games, learn about waterless toilets for home, community and emergency situations, and play trivia!

Taught by longtime Eugene art instructor Matt Hawk (15+ years experience, illustrator & designer, and former Ridgeline parent).

✅ Ages 8+ (younger by readiness) • Individual or small group
✅ 1 hr/week • Flexible scheduling • Year-round or school-year only
✅ In-person in SE Eugene (near Ridgeline) or virtual via Microsoft Teams

Cost: $25 per lesson (paid in 4-class blocks).
Sibling rate: $85/month • Low-income rate: $75/month (SNAP).
Group lessons available (each student pays individually).

Lessons are customized to student interests — animation, digital art (Photoshop/Procreate), comics, painting, sculpture, perspective, anatomy & more. Fun, project-based learning with optional long-term mentorship and portfolio building.

Contact: Kesha Hawk – thehawksaerie@gmail.com for full info & scheduling.

See Matt’s work: Instagram @thepopshopillustration | Facebook: The Pop Shop Illustration
Book series: Fontenot and LaFleur (Amazon)

Our Coyote Kids After School program is back! This is a fantastic opportunity for your students to connect with nature in their own neighborhood, disconnect from screens, and build meaningful relationships with their peers- all while playing games and learning new skills. This program will run Wednesdays from 2-5pm at Tugman Park and is open to kids from any school. All of the info is on the flier I've attached, but please let me know if you have any questions!

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: Nov. 24, Nov. 25, Jan. 5, Jan. 19, Jan. 30, Feb. 2, Feb. 16, Mar. 30, Apr. 10, Jun. 5

Register Now