Ridgeline eNews

OCTOBER

Thursday 10/23 Read-a-thon begins

Thursday 10/23 Fall Mini Work Party #2, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Thursday 10/23 Curriculum Sharing at Ridgeline - choose 3:05-4:05 p.m. or 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Monday 10/27 Spirit Week starts (see below for dress up themes)

Monday 10/27 OBOB Family Interest Meeting, Ridgeline Library at 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday 10/29 School Vision Screening, Ridgeline, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Thursday 10/30 Final Fall Mini Work Party 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

NOVEMBER

Thursday 11/6 Read-a-thon ends - bingo cards & pledge packets due!

Thursday 11/6 Equity Committee Meeting via Zoom, 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Thursday 11/6 Book Fair at Barnes & Noble 6:00 -7:30 p.m.

Monday 11/10 No School - Planning Day

Tuesday 11/11 No School - Veteran’s Day

Wednesday 11/12 Dental Screening 9 a.m.

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

Saturday 11/15 Bottle Drop Give starts

Sunday 11/16 Crisp Air Campus Clean-Up 9:30-11:30 a.m.

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.

Ridgeline’s Read-a-thon: The Art of Reading – starts today, Thursday, October 23 and wraps up on Thursday, November 6 with a special Book Fair Night at Barnes & Noble from 6-7:30 p.m.

The Read-a-thon is one of our largest fundraising events of the year. Together, here is what we are trying to accomplish:

• Goal: 100% participation –every student can join the fun!

• Ridgeline’s school-wide fundraising goal: $7,000

• Individual classroom goal: $777 - that’s only $27-35 per student

What’s New

This year’s Read-a-thon is goal oriented around each individual student. It’s designed so that all students can participate, from emerging to advanced readers. Parents and caregivers can help build excitement and increase literacy by discussing goals and helping each student set one that is fun, achievable, supported by you, and also helps them grow.

What to Expect

Check your students backpack for a Read-a-thon packet. They were sent home on Wednesday, Oct 22.

Each packet contains:

• A pledge sheet (front)

• Instructions (back)

• A Bingo card & Goal Sheet (inside) – make sure to write your student's name on the goal sheet and return this to the school on November 7, to be entered into a raffle drawing!

• Sheet of bookmarks for your student to color (inside)

Sponsor Highlight

Once again, we want to thank Peak Credit Union, formerly Northwest Community Credit Union—for sponsoring Ridgeline’s Read-a-thon. Thank you for your continued support of Ridgeline students and helping us foster a love for reading and literacy!

Now, let’s go set and achieve some great reading goals, enjoy the art of reading, play bingo, and raise funds for Ridgeline together!

Ridgeline parents and families—especially those new to our program—you’re in for a treat! 🎉

Curriculum Sharing is a special opportunity for your child to guide you through their classroom and show off their favorite work. We encourage you to take this opportunity to observe your child's joy of learning.

This informal, student-led event lets kids shine while sharing the confidence and independence they’ve been building since the start of the school year. 🌟

📅 Thursday, October 23

Classrooms will be open for two sessions. Choose the time that works best for your family and come celebrate your child’s growth and learning:

1️⃣ 3:05 – 4:05 pm

[4:05-6:00 pm Teacher dinner break]

2️⃣ 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Spirit week is coming right up: October 27–31. It’s time to show off your Ridgeline spirit with a week of fun and themed dress-up days. Finalize those fantastic outfits now!

🖤 Mon 10/27: Black & White Day
🛌 Tue 10/28: Pajama Day
🧣 Wed 10/29: Flannel or Cozy Sweater Day
🌈 Thu 10/30: Rainbow Day
🔁 Fri 10/31: Backward Day

****We acknowledge that Friday, October 31 is Halloween and we encourage students to participate in the Ridgeline themed dress up, Backward Day, and save Halloween costumes for after school. Additionally, please refrain from packing candy and sugary treats in student lunch boxes. Thank you!

Let’s make Spirit Week a week to remember — the more creative, the better!

• Sign up only if your student does NOT already have regular dental care (1–2 times a year).

📝 Return the yellow opt-in form by Thursday, October 30

We’re excited to offer these free programs to help keep our students healthy and smiling! 😁

🙌 Fall Mini Work Party Series - it's not too late to join in!

Would you like a short and contained 1-hr window of time to come and help zoom in on an area of the campus that needs attention? Do you have time on Thursdays before school pickup? This volunteer mini-series could be just what you are looking for. Tasks may include: weeding, pruning, raking, mulching, edging, and general sprucing up!

• Thursday, Oct 16, 2:00-3:00pm - SUCCESS!

• Thursday, Oct 23, 2:00-3:00pm - Today!

• Thursday, Oct 30, 2:00-3:00pm

Click here to sign up

______________________________________________________________________

Save-the-date: Fall Work Party 2 will be on Sunday, November 16, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. More information coming soon. Ridgeline families! Click here to sign up in Track It Forward

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 - Coming soon!

• 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 and teacher appreciation) - Coming soon!

• 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 met last Thursday for our regular monthly meeting. We met some of our new Principal's Advisory Committee members and heard reports from our School Community Coordinator and administrators. We discussed and approved the revised 2025-26 budget and approved some new policies. We also elected a new member. WELCOME AMANDA DONOFRIO!

The Board also held our Annual Work Retreat over the weekend. We reflected upon the work we did last year and made plans for 2025-26. We began with a discussion of our ongoing equity and inclusion efforts and refreshed our Board group agreements. We reflected (positively) on the progress we made toward our 2024-25 goals and dug deeply into some of the challenges we will face in 2025-26 and beyond. We worked toward creating a set of goals for the coming year, in addition to our "steady state" or ongoing work, which focuses on financial and legal oversight. Going forward, we will focus on: improving our recruitment efforts and procedures; pursuing ways to relieve capacity challenges for our administrators; learning about how to pursue effective organizational continuity plans; deciding how best to use and/or improve our facilities; and auditing our financial policies.

If you are interested in joining the team that is diving into these issues, solving problems, and helping steer the Ridgeline ship, get in touch! board@ridgeline.org

Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School is part of the eScrip program, where a portion of your purchases can support our school. Locally, Market of Choice donates up to 4% back to Ridgeline when you shop with a registered card!

Involve Out-of-State Relatives:

This program is also a fantastic way for out-of-state relatives to support Ridgeline! Just send them this registration link—they can enter their zip code and select stores they already shop at. Shazam! Every purchase can help support our school!

Here’s the Scoop:
From January to July we’ve raised $319.10 through eScrip. Let’s see what we can do throughout these 6 months, from July through December! We have over 100 supporters signed up, but less than 20% are actively using it this year. We’d love to see more families join in!

How to Join in 3 Simple Steps:

1. Sign Up: Go to eScrip Sign-Up and enter your zip code, school name, and up to 4 card numbers (no expiration dates or CVVs needed!).

2. Shop at Market of Choice: Use your registered card.

3. Watch Ridgeline Earn!

Already registered? Log in to eScrip and make sure your cards are up to date.

Thank you for supporting Ridgeline! For questions, email us at giving@ridgeline.org or check out How eScrip Works.

A huge shoutout to Lillian Groff, Ridgeline’s Volunteer Lost & Found Coordinator, for taking extra time to sort, organize, and photograph lost items.

🧤 If you spot something in the graphic below that belongs to your student, please contact the Office — we’ll help reunite them with their missing treasure!

Dear Ridgeline Families,

As many of our families are also part of Eugene School District 4J, we’re passing along 4J’s current budget-planning outreach. 4J has announced a projected shortfall for 2026–27 and is seeking community input.

How families can participate (from 4J):

• Community Budget Forums (same content each night)

• North Eugene HS Library: Thu, Oct 16, 6:00 p.m.

• Churchill HS Library: Tue, Oct 21, 6:00 p.m.

• Sheldon HS Library: Thu, Oct 23, 6:00 p.m.

• South Eugene HS Library: Thu, Oct 30, 6:00 p.m.

• Online feedback: 4J has opened a ThoughtExchange survey through Sun, Oct 26.

Where to find details/updates: 4J will post webinar recordings, presentations, and ongoing updates on its Online Budget Hub.

This information is shared as a courtesy to our community; Ridgeline is not organizing these events. For questions or accessibility/language support, please contact 4J Communications or your neighborhood 4J school directly.

Thank you for staying engaged and centering students.

• The queue for the drive-through line only extends to Rosewood Dr. (the “no-name street”). There is space for about 4 vehicles between Rosewood and Ridgeline’s entrance.

• If this queue area is full, DO NOT block Rosewood Dr. or wait in the travel lane on West Amazon. It is unsafe and illegal to impede the roadway.

• If the line is full, please circle around the neighborhood and return when there’s space.

• Many families choose to park up the street or across the bridge and walk over to meet their student. This greatly helps reduce congestion.

• Remember, pick-up lasts 15 minutes—there’s no need for everyone to arrive right at 3:05 p.m.

Thank you for helping us keep drop-off and pick-up safe for all Ridgeline students and families!

To help us keep attendance accurate and the school day running smoothly, please follow these guidelines:

Absences or Appointments

• If your student will miss any part of the school day, notify the office by phone or email at attendance@ridgeline.org, and copy your child’s classroom staff.
  
  

Late Arrivals

• If your student arrives late (after an appointment, etc.) without prior notice, attendance may not be updated before the daily reporting pull, and you may receive an absent notification.
  

• To avoid this, please email attendance@ridgeline.org before the start of school.
  
  

Wednesdays (Early Release Days)

• Early release days are especially busy, particularly between 11:45 a.m.–1:05 p.m. when staff are managing medications and other student needs.
  

• If you need to pick up your student early on a Wednesday:
  

• Please notify the office before 11:00 a.m.
  

• Pick-ups may happen before 12:45 p.m.
  

• We cannot accommodate early pick-ups between 12:45–1:05 p.m. Last-minute requests during this time will need to wait until the 1:05 p.m. dismissal.
  
  

Thank you for helping us make attendance and transitions smooth for all students!

Are you looking for something new for your 8-11 year old to try this fall? Try fencing!

Eugene Fencers Club has space in their Beginner One foil fencing class started on Monday, October 20th - but it's not too late to sign up! All your beginning fencer will need is athletic clothing, a water bottle, and a sense of adventure to explore a sport challenges the mind while also moving the body. All equipment is provided by EFC with the cost of the class. Beginner One provides a great foundation for learning the fundamentals of the sport.

Learn more at https://eugenefencersclub.com/classes/. Click here to sign up.

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!

Elementary School Yoga

Tuesdays 3:45- 4:30pm

Grades: 1st- 5th

Cost: $70

6 sessions: 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2

**Minimum of 8 students required to hold class

Instructor: Jordan Lindstrom-Demant from Everyday People Yoga Studio.

A fun and engaging class designed to help children build strength, balance, and confidence through yoga! Kids will explore movement, breath, and mindfulness in a playful, creative way — using games, stories, music, and imagination. Each class encourages kindness, focus, and self-expression while helping children feel calm and connected in their bodies.

No experience needed — just curiosity and a willingness to move and play!

Middle School Yoga

Tuesdays 4:45- 5:45pm

Grades: 6th- 8th

Cost: $75

6 sessions: 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2

**Minimum of 8 students required to hold class

Instructor: Jordan Lindstrom-Demant from Everyday People Yoga Studio.

This class gives teens and preteens a space to move, breathe, and unwind. Through yoga postures, breathwork, and mindfulness practices, students learn tools for managing stress, improving focus, and building confidence. Classes balance strength and flexibility with relaxation and self-awareness — all in a supportive environment.

No experience needed!

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. 10, Nov. 11, Nov. 24, Nov. 25, Jan. 5, Jan. 19, Jan. 30, Feb. 2, Feb. 16, Mar. 30, Apr. 10, Jun. 5

Register Now

This family-oriented series of classes will get you outside learning skills and connecting with nature. Our location is the beautiful Dorris Ranch Living History Village in Springfield, Oregon.

Map, Compass and Navigation 101
Time: 9:30am – Noon
Date: Thursday, October 16 or Sunday, Oct 19th
Cost: $50/family $35/individual
Min 8, Max 15 students (counting ages 7+)

Bring water bottles, snacks, and dress to be outside. Optional: bring a sack lunch and enjoy a picnic at the Living History Village with the group after the class.

Get outside and hands-on with Singing Creek Educational Center and Wild Alive Outside, a family-centered wilderness skills series for all ages. Each workshop focuses on one or more wilderness skills—knots, navigation, shelters, fire-building, basketry, carving, plant identification, nature journaling and more—practical learning in a safe, supportive environment.

Map, compass, and Navigation 101: This workshop introduces the cardinal directions, basics of reading a map, using a compass to take a bearing, and more.

No prior experience needed. Come dressed to get dirty and for the weather. Many activities will not be ideal for young children, but all ages are welcome with parental supervision and guidance. Individual adults and teens are also welcome to join in the fun!

Register here: https://www.singingcreekcenter.org/event/wild-ways-family-days-map-and-compass-oct-16/

Please join us for a magical and wonderful Batty Bash Halloween event for kids ages 4 - 10 at SCEC! Crafts, games, a shadow puppet play and a bake sale ---All with minimal plastic, vintage style crafts made of natural materials, low noise and nothing too scary. Our shadow puppet play with be in the indigenous-style plankhouse and features an interesting tale with beautiful puppets. Perfect for children with sensory issues or fears, this event will be small and highly curated with friendly volunteers at each activity station. We strive to be zero-waste and Earth-friendly.

Date: Sat, Oct 25th, 2pm - 4pm

Place: Dorris Ranch Living History Village in Springfield

Cost: $15 each child, $12 for sibling, or 4 children for $40

Please bring cash at the door (and extra cash for the bake sale!) We can't take credit cards at this time. Adults must stay with their children. No pets allowed, please. Wear warm clothing and shoes and prepare for the weather.

Learn more and RSVP here:

https://www.singingcreekcenter.org/event/hallows-eve-batty-bash-2025/

See Flyer below