Ridgeline eNews

JANUARY

Thursday 1/15 Board Meeting 6-8 p.m. (Board Appreciation Night!)

Monday 1/19 No School - MLK Jr. Day

Tuesday 1/20 Middle School Info Session 6-7 p.m.

Thursday 1/22 Pastathon at Pastini (dine-in or call-in & take-out)

Thursday 1/29 Ridgeline Student Talent Show 5:30 -7:30 p.m.

Friday 1/30 No School - Grading Day

FEBRUARY

Monday 2/2 No School

Wednesday 2/4 Equity Committee 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom

Saturday 2/7 Lottery Tours (K-8) 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Monday 2/9 Fundraising Committee Meeting 9-10:30 a.m., Ridgeline Library

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

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

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

Monday 2/16 No School - President's Day

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

Saturday 2/21 OBOB In-School Battles - time TBD

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.

January is School Board Appreciation Month, and we would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude to the Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School Board of Directors for their dedicated and voluntary service to our school and our wider community:

Jenny Noyce, President

Amanda Donofrio, Treasurer & Fundraising Committee

Rachael McEachern, Secretary

April-Kay Williams, Equity Committee

Meredith Tufts

*Thank you Dave Rogacki for your service - you will be missed!

Our Board members generously give their time and expertise to provide thoughtful leadership for Ridgeline. Through ongoing discussion, research, and important decision-making, they help guide our school forward while advocating for the resources and opportunities our students need to thrive. For your commitment, care, and service, we thank you. Ridgeline is stronger because of you.

🗓 Tuesday, January 20 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.

The 2026 Ridgeline Middle School Information Session invites families into conversation with our team, as well as with the students and alumni who know the program best. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our middle school experience and what makes the Ridgeline program unique.

Ridgeline 5th & 6th grade students and families:
This is an exciting opportunity to help grow our middle school program! We encourage you to attend and to extend the invitation to friends and neighbors who may be interested in public Montessori education. Word of mouth is often the most powerful way to connect with families who share our values.

👉 Click here to sign up! (or copy and paste the link to easily share with someone you know!)

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing what sets our middle school apart.

Current Ridgeline families: we will assume you plan to return to Ridgeline next year, unless we hear otherwise. No action is needed at this time! We look forward to a great rest of the school year!

The Ridgeline Student Talent Show is happening 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!

Sign Up Information

• Click here for the link to sign-up your student or a group of students.
• 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.

For questions, contact Sarah & Chauncey Mauney at sarahrosemauney@gmail.com or alexanderdmauney@gmail.com.

This year, we are raising money for playground updates. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this cause -- to date, we've raised $1500.00!

• If you missed it, here is the link to the Winter eAppeal eNewsletter.
• If you’d still like to contribute, click here!
• The last day to give to this campaign is Monday, January 19!

With gratitude,

The Ridgeline Fundraising Committee

Ridgeline’s Student Art Show & Silent Auction will be on Friday March, 13 from 5:30 - 7pm in the gymnasium. As we gather donations, and start to put together several art & wellness-themed silent auction baskets, and would love to feature Ridgeline-connected businesses and services.

How to Help

• Do you own a business, or know someone who does, that is willing to sponsor or 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).

Donation Info

• Email us at donations@ridgeline.org and let us know what you’d like to give OR;

• Simply provide contact information to your community connection.

• Bring gift basket items to the office by February 13 (including gift certificates or in-kind donations)

The auction is part of our Direct Donation Drive (March 3–13), our biggest fundraiser of the year. 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

Thank you for making a difference—together, we’re continuing to build a stronger community.

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.

For all the planners out there, here’s an early look at Ridgeline’s approved 2026-2027 school calendar! 🗓️✨

✅ Staff Input: Checked & considered

✅Board Approved: December 11

📆 Save the graphic below

🔍Ridgeline aims to stay closely aligned with 4J’s schedule to maximize specialist resources & student services.

🚦✨ Huge thanks to our amazing volunteer crossing guards! ✨🚦

• A big shout-out to Charity Needham, Max Fleenor, Jess & Gordo Wood, Ruhi Rubenstein, Jacob Siegel, Ruth Tabak, Megan Ary, and Daniel Wilson for helping our students arrive and depart safely—rain or shine, smiles or umbrellas! ☔🌈

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.

Art Show

Our Art Specialist, Merideth Turner, will need lots of helping hands mounting student artwork for our big spring event. If you are interested in assisting with this take-home work in February and early March, email bethany.dilla@ridgeline.org. Stayed tuned for more info!

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 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.

Winter weather is unpredictable, but staying informed is easy! If snow or ice might impact school schedules, here’s how to find out:

🌐 Check the district website: www.4j.lane.edu

📻 Tune into: KLCC radio

➡️ Social Media: Facebook and Instagram

🚨 No News = No Change 🚨 If there’s no announcement, the school is running on schedule!

❌ School Closure: No school for students. Afternoon/evening activity decisions will be made by noon.

⏰ Two-Hour Delay: School starts two hours late but ends at the usual time (including early release Wednesdays).

🏫 Ridgeline-Specific Updates: Ridgeline Montessori may be in session even if 4J schools are closed. Check our website: www.ridgeline.org

Safety First!
While we can’t make decisions based on every neighborhood, you know your area best! Families are encouraged to make safe choices, and Ridgeline will honor those decisions.

For full details, visit: www.4j.lane.edu/weather

Stay warm & stay safe! ⛄

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 Lost & Found Station is located on the front porch of the school! We will be donating sweatshirts and hoodies at the end of this month (specifically ones that have been here for a couple months). Come claim your stuff and please take it home! 💙

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

Register Now