Ridgeline eNews

DECEMBER

Thursday 12/11 Board Meeting 6-8 p.m.

Monday 12/15 Last day to give to Joy of Sharing

Wednesday 12/18 Cookie Crew 1:05 p.m.

Friday 12/19 All-school PJ day

Monday 12/22 Winter break begins

JANUARY

Monday 1/5 No School - Planning day

Tuesday 1/6 School resumes

Friday 1/9 Lottery Applications open

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

Monday 1/19 No School - MLK Jr. Day

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.

We invite those of you who have a little extra and the capacity to give, to take a moment to watch this short video prepared by our Principal's Advisory Committee, and consider contributing to this grocery gift card fund.

You can donate anytime by clicking on this Joy of Sharing link.

If your family would benefit from receiving Joy of Sharing assistance this year please sign up here by Monday, Dec, 15 at noon.

A big thank you to everyone who has already made a donation to the Joy of Sharing fund! We will continue to collect monetary donations for Ridgeline families who need a little extra over the winter break through Monday, December 15. These funds will be used to purchase grocery gift cards.

Thank you for caring for one another. It means so much.

We’re thrilled to announce the return of the Ridgeline Student Talent Show 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—and don’t worry about staying out a little late—there’s no school on January 30.

A few key details:

• Performance Time Limit: To make room for everyone, 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.

Sign Up Information:

• Discuss ideas with your student over winter break.

• Check back next week for the link to sign-up your student.

***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.

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.

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.

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

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 where you come in:

• 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. Stay tuned for more details and get ready for a fabulous community event!

Thank you for making a difference—together, we’re building a stronger, happier community!

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.

The drive circle is NOT open until 3:05pm. This is a fire lane and it needs to remain clear until dismissal. Please circle around the neighborhood if you arrive early. Thank you!

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!

Big thank you to Krista Raasch, Marie Slatton-Valle, and Crystal Huskey for covering the large majority of our school's new Book Fair donations. Students and teachers are thrilled to start reading the new books purchased from the wishlists.

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.

Muddy Day Clothes Needed!

Rainy weather is here, and with it comes the occasional soggy kiddo! Please remember to pack an extra set of weather-appropriate clothes, including socks and underwear, in your student’s backpack—this is especially helpful for our younger students in kindergarten and lower elementary. Kids feel most comfortable in their own clothes when they need a quick change.

We also maintain a bin of clean, borrowable clothes at school, but it’s running low! We’re especially in need of gender neutral pants and leggings in all sizes (5–14, Youth Small–XL, K–8th grade). If you’d like to donate, please drop off clean, gently used, or new items at the front office during school hours.

Thank you for helping keep our students warm and dry! 🌧️

Ongoing facilities tasks - weeding and grounds clean up (on your own time)

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:

• 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.

Why It Matters

New beginnings prompt the opportunity to form new habits! When it comes to volunteering, we need everyone to consistently track ALL volunteer hours throughout the school year in Track It Forward. Volunteer hour reporting is important for us to show support for Ridgeline when applying for grants and for reporting to our sponsoring district, Eugene 4J.

How to Get Started

If you are new to Ridgeline and have not yet created a Track it Forward account for logging your volunteer hours, please take a moment to do so. If you are a first-time Track It Forward user and have not set up an account you will need to create an account first.

• Go to https://www.trackitforward.com/user or go to the App store on your device and search for Track It Forward
• Next download the App
• Create your account/log in
• Sign up for volunteer opportunities and log your volunteer hours!

Hello Ridgeline community! The Ridgeline Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, December 11, at 6:00 pm in the Ridgeline library and over Zoom. All Ridgeline community members are welcome 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 reports from Room 5 assistant teacher Kyndle, the Principal's Advisory Committee, our committee members, and our administrative team. We will learn about the recent 4J site visit, the ongoing work our administrative team is doing on the Possibility Project, highlights from the Oregon Department of Education Statewide Report Card, and an update from our Organizational Continuity Planning Committee. We will discuss the 2026-27 school calendar, administrative salary schedules, the Executive Director Performance Review process, and a proposal from Summit Bank. We will also hold a closed executive session at the end of our meeting.

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.

We invite you to stop by the front porch of the school — if you see something that belongs to your student, please take it home! Let’s get those jackets, water bottles, and hoodies back where they belong! 💙

Check out the NEW 2025 article:

• Discovering Our Cosmic Purpose at Ridgeline: Through Preparing, Sharing, & Acts of Service

Ridgeline Revealed is a monthly article series 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.

Recent Articles:

• The Courage to Try: Building Curiosity and Resilience through Friendliness with Error - October 2025

• Normalization in Montessori: What Is It and Why It Matters - September 2025

If you want to know more about a Ridgeline or Montessori-related topic, please let us know. Simply email your question or suggestion to ridgelineoffice@ridgeline.org with 'Ridgeline Revealed' in the subject line.

Articles from 2024-2025:

1. Transitions & Class Placement: Supporting Our Children Through Change

2. The Three-Year Cycle: Why Students Stay with the Same Teacher

3. The Role of the Adult in a Montessori Classroom: How to Support a Child-Centered Learning Environment

4. Common Reasons for Opting Out of State Testing and Why You Should Reconsider: What You Might Be Missing About State Testing

5. Follow the Child: Trusting Growth, Guiding Potential

6. Beyond the Buzzwords: Cosmic Education at Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School

7. Balancing Freedom and Responsibility: Ridgeline’s Approach to Positive Behavior

8. Ensuring Safety and Security at Ridgeline Montessori: A Holistic Approach

9. Planes of Development and Sensitive Periods: Foundations of the Montessori Multi-Age Classroom

10. The Purpose Behind the Materials: Why We Invest In Montessori Tools

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. 5, 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