Ridgeline eNews

NOVEMBER

Friday 11/21 Stone Soup (send a bowl and spoon with your student)

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

DECEMBER

Tuesday 12/2 Last day of Bottle Drop Holiday Give

Wednesday 12/3 Equity Committee Meeting 7-8:30 p.m.

Monday 12/8 Fundraising Meeting 9-10:30 a.m.

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

Monday 12/15 Joy of Sharing ends

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.

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Conferences - claim your spot now

• 🦃 Free Turkey Dinner sign-up - sign-up by Friday, 11/21 at 8 a.m.

• 🍁 Rake-pocalypse 2025 - help on Sunday, 11/23

• 💡 Possibility Project Survey - take the survey by Monday, 11/24

• 🩵 Blue Bag Holiday Give - drop off blue bags now through Dec. 2

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

Veggie prep day has been great! There are SO MANY chopped veggies in every refrigerator at Ridgeline.

Many thanks to all the volunteers who came and helped prep vegetables and monitor safe chopping and handling in each classroom.

As we anticipate sharing delicious soup and bread tomorrow, here are a few friendly reminders:

Stone Soup timing

• Students are invited to bring a bowl and spoon from home so they can enjoy a warm bowl of Stone Soup during an afternoon snack between 1:00–2:30 p.m. 🥣

• No worries if they forget—we’ll have disposable bowls and spoons ready to go!

Food allergy info

• Students should still bring their regular lunch from home or order school lunch as usual.

• All soups are vegetarian and made without nut milks.

• Soups that contain dairy or coconut milk will be clearly labeled.

• If your child needs something specific, feel free to send a safe soup from home.

🥖 Fresh bread favorites!

• We’ll be serving a slice of delicious fresh bread with every bowl of soup, thanks to the generous donations from the Wood Family at Great Harvest and Erica O'Grady at the Bread Stop!

• Gluten-free bread will also be available.

One last thanks to Sarah Whitsell for designing the library bulletin board for Stone Soup - it looks fabulous!

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

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.

Student-family conferences will be happening on Monday, November 24 and on Tuesday, November 25 in-person or via Zoom.

If you have not yet signed up for family conferences, please do now!

***Here is the link to sign up

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

As we prepare for family conferences, we want to ensure that every family feels safe, welcomed, and able to participate. Our desire is to provide accessibility for all families in two primary ways:

• Zoom format - See teacher emails for Zoom link or simply email the classroom teacher, if you would like to switch to a Zoom conference.

• Close parking - the main school parking lot will be open for families with mobility needs or who require parking on school property.

We’re joining forces for one giant fall campus clean-up on Sunday, November 23 from 9:30-12:30 p.m. Sign up below and 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! 💪🌬️🍂

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! 💙

💙 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!

• Alison Cassin, Chava Beinin, Colleen Vehafric, Noah Enelow, Dana Holladay, Amanda Bedortha, Jenna Quillen, Ashly Lilly, April Manning, Krista Raasch, Michelle Baughman, Ben Callaway, and Lance Lilly.

Do you have any uncarved (and un-rotten!) pumpkins still hanging around?

Principal Michelle would love to give them a second life on her small farm—her pigs and goats adore pumpkin treats! 🐖🐐💛

• Donations are welcome now through the first week of December.

• Just drop your pumpkins at the front office, and Michelle will take them home after school each day.

Thank you for keeping her farm animals happy (and well-fed)! 🎃💛

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 met last Thursday for our regular monthly meeting. We heard reports from our Principal's Advisory Committee, Executive Director, and Principal, as well as lower elementary teacher Rachel Quinn, who shared her insight about what is happening inside of Ridgeline classrooms. We learned about our most recent annual Financial Audit (It was a "clean audit"!), insurance renewals for Ridgeline staff, and all about our current School Improvement Plan. We discussed our administrative salary schedules and how to make constructive changes to them, and learned about our Executive Director's annual goals. We approved our 2025-26 Board Work Calendar and Annual Goals, and reviewed a policy to be updated.

Meet the 2025-26 Ridgeline Board of Directors! From L to R: Dave Rogacki (Treasurer), April-Kay Williams (Equity Committee representative), Rachael McEachern (Secretary), Amanda Donofrio (Fundraising Committee representative), Meredith Tufts, and Jenny Noyce (President).

We would love for you to join us at a meeting (or just listen in) to learn what board work is all about!

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!

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/

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