Ridgeline eNews

FEBRUARY

Thursday 2/12 Board Meeting 6-8 p.m.

Friday 2/13 Drop-in Coffee Hour with Ridgeline Board, 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. OR 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., Hideaway Bakery

Friday 2/13 Middle School Winter Dance 6:30 p.m., Ridgeline Gym

Saturday 2/14 Eugene Concert Choir 2:30 pm, Hult Center (Lower El classrooms)

Monday 2/16 No School - Presidents Day

Tuesday 2/17 Lottery Tours (K-3) 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday 2/21 OBOB In-School Battles - 1:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Sunday 2/22 Lottery Applications Close

Thursday 2/26 6th Grade Outdoor School Family Info Night 5:30-6:30 via Zoom

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.

Dear Ridgeline Community,

You're invited! The Ridgeline Board of Directors would love to meet you for a drop-in coffee hour on Friday, February 13, from 8:45 - 9:45 OR 2:00 - 3:00 at Hideaway Bakery.

If you are curious about what the Board does, or what we've been working on lately, or how you might participate in Board work, we would love to chat. The Board is a dedicated group of Ridgeline community members who love our school and collaborate to support it with tangible, meaningful work. We're a joyful, constructive group that works with our Executive Director and administrative team to enact Ridgeline's mission and vision. Join us at Hideaway if you'd like to learn more!

Lottery season is here! Please share with any interested friends or family.

Lottery information & tours sign ups are available on our website. We will host one more guided school tour next week:

• K–3 Tour: Tuesday, February 17, 5–6pm

Applications Dates:

• Lottery applications for the 2026–27 school year are open and posted on our website.

• The application deadline is February 22 at 11:59pm.

• All available seats are filled through this process, which is independent of the 4J School of Choice lottery.

Thank you for partnering with us to help families learn about public school options.

We know there has been quite a bit of illness going around, and sometimes that lingering cough can stick around even after students are feeling better. Cough drops can provide helpful relief during the school day, and we’d like to share a reminder about our school policy, per the guidance of our nurse consultant:

• Cough drops must be kept in the front office.
  

• Parents/guardians must complete a Medical Authorization Form.
  

• Please provide the cough drops to the office in a bag clearly labeled with your student’s name.

When a student needs a cough drop, they may come to the office, and we will provide one.

Please note: If teachers or assistants find cough drops in a student’s backpack, they will send them to the office, and we will contact home to review the policy. At that time, we can arrange for a parent/guardian to complete the Medical Authorization Form.

Thank you for your partnership in helping us keep students safe and comfortable during the school day.

Get ready to light up the night! On Friday, February 13, from 6:30–8:30 PM, Ridgeline Middle School students are taking over the gym—and the theme is GLOW PARTY! 🌈

Wear your brightest neon or glow-in-the-dark outfits, and feel free to bring any glow-in-the-dark accessories to shine on the dance floor. We’ll have glow and neon themed decorations, fun music, and snacks to keep the energy high all night long! 🎶✨

Important reminder: This dance is for Ridgeline 7th & 8th graders only. Students from other schools are not able to attend.

Grab your glow gear and get ready for a fun, unforgettable night with friends! 🌟

• For non-urgent concerns, emailing jon.talebreza-may@ridgeline.org is the best first step, so I can understand what you’re seeing and follow up as soon as possible.

• For urgent or same-day safety concerns, please contact the front office to help connect you to the best resource.

My goal is to ensure every child feels safe, connected, and equipped with the skills they need to thrive at school.

Got a sibling ready to join the Ridgeline family? 🎉 Siblings of currently enrolled students (who’ll stay enrolled next year) get priority for enrollment! 🫶 If space runs out, sibling-priority kiddos will be first in line on the waiting list through our fair and friendly lottery process. 🎟️✨

📅 Mark Your Calendar!
To snag that sibling spot, you MUST complete the Online Enrollment Application by February 22, 11:59 pm—no exceptions! 🕛

🎈 Exciting news: Lottery applications are live! 🎉 Don’t wait—get those sibling applications in and keep the Ridgeline magic in the family! 💫

Questions? Let us know! 😊

Art Show- Coming Soon

Our Art Specialist, Merideth Turner, will need lots of helping hands mounting student artwork for our Student Art Show on Friday, March 13. If you are interested in assisting with this take-home work during the week of February 18, email Bethany Dilla .

• We will also need help mounting artwork onto butcher paper for the large classroom art displays in late February, and hanging the art the day before the event on Thursday, March 12. Sign-ups coming soon!

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 Marketplace - Coming in March 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
• Student Talent Show - 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.

Hello Ridgeline families,

We need YOUR help in making this year’s yearbook extra special! 📘💛
Have you chaperoned a field trip, attended a school event, or snapped photos along the way? If so, we would love to include your photos in the yearbook.

We are currently looking for photos from:

• Field trips

• Walk, Bike & Roll to School

• The Talent Show

• Spirit Week

• Read-a-Thon (including the book swap and Barnes & Noble performances)

• General classroom activities

• Class presentations

If you have photos you’re willing to share, please contact Heather Riedman to send them in.

Thank you for helping us capture and celebrate the memories of this school year! 📸🌟

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.

Do your kids love nature exploration and outdoor adventures? Then check out Nearby Nature's Natural Neighbors After School program! K-5th grade participants enjoy hiking, natural science, Earth art, and free time in Nearby Nature's outdoor classroom and Alton Baker Park.

• Programs happen Tuesdays and Fridays from 2:30-5:30 pm and Wednesdays from 2-5:30 pm, rain or shine, with flexible drop off for the first hour of each day and pick up between 5-5:30 pm.

• Online enrollment is ongoing -- details at Natural Neighbors After School.

• Scholarship assistance available. https://www.nearbynature.org/natural-neighbors/.

• No School Day camps are also available on February 16th.

Former Ridgeline Learning Center assistant teacher Ruby Nelson runs programs for children’s forest school activities, focused on herbalism and crafting. Her program The Moon School offers one-time weekend workshop days, beginning February 7, a spring break, and a summer camp.

The Moon School creates a space for children to spend time in nature, connect with their creativity, and make botanical medicines. We are a great program for families who value outdoor education, arts and music in a wholesome, whimsical space that feels like a children’s storybook.

For more information, check out www.the-moon-school.com and follow @themoonschooleugene on instagram. To contact Ruby directly, email themoonschooleugene@gmail.com.

In Girls Who Code’s free summer program, Pathways, you'll learn to code over seven weeks of flexible, self-paced learning, and turn your interests into real-world tech projects while exploring exciting tracks like AI and Game Design — no experience required! Plus, this virtual program connects you with Girls Who Code's supportive, global community, and throughout the summer, you'll meet Partners and like-minded peers in live workshops and our exclusive Discord server.

Students who submit a Pathways Application by the Early Decision Deadline of February 25, 2026 receive priority consideration! The final application deadline is April 10.

Pathways is open to high school girls and non-binary students of all experience levels, including rising 9th graders, graduating seniors, and returning participants. Want to learn more? Check out our live webinar recordings and events here.

Little Mermaid: The 80s Pop Ballet at the Hult Center!

Get Mermaid TIX now and use the special family discount code below.

Watch the sneak preview here!

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: Feb. 16, Mar. 30, Apr. 10, Jun. 5

Register Now