Ridgeline eNews

AUGUST

Thursday 8/27 Welcome letter sent via ParentSquare

Friday 8/28 Back-to-School e-Packets & class placement emails sent via ParentSquare

Sunday 8/30 Ridgeline Board Work Retreat 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

SEPTEMBER

Thursday 9/3 Ridgeline 101: New Family Orientation 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m.

Friday 9/4 Back-to-school forms due

Monday 9/7 Labor Day - office closed

Tuesday 9/8 No School - planning day

Wednesday 9/9 First day of school & 1:05 p.m. early release

Wednesday 9/9 Monthly Donor Drive kick-off

Wed 9/9 - Fri 9/11 ½ Kindergarten class in morning; ½ in afternoon

Thursday 9/10 Ridgeline Board Meeting 6:00 p.m.

Friday 9/11 Supply fees due

Tuesday 9/15 Back-to-School Picnic 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Friday 9/18 Jog-a-thon Committee Meeting 8:45 a.m.-9:45 a.m.

Wednesday 9/23 Restaurant Fundraiser at Track Town Pizza

Wednesday 9/30 Picture Day

Wednesday 9/30 Monthly Donor Drive ends

Click here to view the full calendar as some dates may change.

***NOTE: Ridgeline’s calendar differs slightly from 4J elementary and middle school calendars.

FOR QUICK ACCESS:

• One Page School Calendar

• Ridgeline Events Calendar

• Ridgeline's YouTube Channel

ATTENDANCE:

• To report an absence email: attendance@ridgeline.org

• Planned Absence Form (complete at least 3 days in advance)

We’re excited to begin a new year of learning, connection, and growth together at Ridgeline.

If you are new to Ridgeline, this is the weekly e-Newsletter, that is sent via e-mail to parent/guardian emails every Thursday.

The eNews provides important new information, highlights volunteer opportunities, promotes fundraising & community events, and more. It's also posted on our website, making it easy to access and share.

Tip: Set a reminder on your phone right now, to check email every Thursday evening. It takes about 10 minutes to read the eNews, keeping your family up to date!

Whenever possible, please administer medication at home. If your child requires medication at school, please review the following reminders:

Medication Intake

• The office cannot intake medication on the first day of school.
• Please call Cynthia Friedman at 541-681-9662 to schedule your 10-minute medication intake appointment prior to the start of school. Available dates: August 31, Sept 1, 3, 4, or 8.

General Guidelines

• All medication—prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medication—must be brought to the office by a parent/guardian in its original, non-expired container.
• Office staff will intake medication, and parents/guardians will fill out a medication administration form.
• Children may not carry or deliver their own medication to the office.

Medication Changes

• Prescription medication must match the prescription label. Any dosage change requires a new prescription.
• OTC medication may only be given per manufacturer’s directions. Any change requires a doctor’s note/prescription.

Health Forms & Care Plans

• A new Health Assessment Form is required each year. Complete forms sent by Cynthia Friedman and return by September 4 or 8.
• If your child has a health condition (listed below) and you have not been contacted, notify Cynthia immediately.
• An Individualized Health Care Plan is required for conditions such as:
  • Severe allergies requiring an epi-pen (doctor must fax Emergency Care Plan)
  • Seizures
  • Cardiac issues
  • Swallowing issues
  • Diabetes
  • Adrenal insufficiency
  • Asthma requiring an inhaler at school

Questions? Contact Cynthia.friedman@ridgeline.org.

MORNING ARRIVAL TIMES - What to Know:

• 8:00–8:45 a.m.- Free snack cart — Available to all students in front of the school.
• 8:15 a.m. - Classrooms open — We encourage all families to help their children arrive by 8:15 a.m.
• 8:30 a.m. - Classroom activities begin — Students should be in class and ready to begin.
• 8:30 a.m. and after - Tardy time— Students must check in at the front office and collect a tardy slip.

DAY & DISMISSAL TIMES:

Is your student new to Ridgeline? Ridgeline 101 is for you!

Join us for an introduction to Ridgeline, what makes our community unique, and how families and staff partner to support students.

👉 Let us know you’re coming! Click here to RSVP and to sign up for childcare.

💚 Don’t miss this chance to start the year feeling connected, cared for, and equipped!

• Please take a few minutes before the first day of school to label jackets, water bottles, backpacks, indoor shoes, and any other items that might get left behind on the playground or in the gym.

• A quick name on the tag makes it so much easier to return belongings to their rightful owner.

• Ten minutes now will save you time and money (no need to replace that favorite jacket!).

• Let’s keep the lost and found pile small this year! Label away!

The Assistance League of Eugene’s Operation School Bell offers shopping days at Fred Meyer for students whose families need assistance purchasing clothing for school.

Ridgeline has been awarded a limited number of spots for our students to participate. If your family would benefit from this assistance, please contact Cynthia by Friday, September 11.

If you are requesting this program, please make sure you have completed the Benefit Program Eligibility Survey.

Please note: Depending on the demand, we may not be able to accommodate every request—but we definitely want to hear from you!

Are you—or someone you know—interested in joining our amazing substitute pool for the 2026–2027 school year?

At Ridgeline, classroom substitutes support our Montessori classrooms as classroom assistants, working alongside lead staff to help maintain a calm, productive learning environment.

Whether it’s a pre-planned absence or a same-day need, we count on our substitutes to step in with flexibility, reliability, and care.

If you enjoy working with children and want to be part of a supportive school community, we’d love to hear from you!

👉 Learn more and apply here.

🌿 Volunteer Help Needed Before School Starts!

Do you enjoy working outside and have a couple of hours to spare? We’d love your help!

We’re looking for 2–3 volunteers on August 31, September 1, September 3, or September 4 to spend a couple of hours helping tidy up the exterior of the school.

Tasks will include:

• 🌿 Light weeding

• ✂️ Tree pruning

• 🕸️ Clearing cobwebs around the front of the school

• ✨ General campus clean-up

Help us give our campus a little back-to-school spruce-up! 🌱

📧 Email bethany.dilla@ridgeline.org to sign-up for the day and time that works best for you.

Let’s get our campus looking fresh and welcoming for the first day of school! 💚

Sign Up Now & Start in September

Click the links below to learn more & sign up:

1. 🚸 Crossing Guard — Pick a weekly 30-minute shift (or two!)

2. 📚 Library Bulletin Board Designer — Choose a theme and decorate (once a month)

3. 📦 Supply Closet Organizer — (once a month) — email bethany.dilla@ridgeline.org if you are interested.

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.

• Come to Volunteer Power Hour, on Friday, October 2, form 8:45-9:45am in the Ridgeline Library to learn more about these teams and roles.

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!

• NOTE: Classroom opportunities will open up on October 23, which is 6 weeks into the school year, once the Normalization period is complete.

Hello Ridgeline Community,

The Ridgeline Board of Directors will hold its annual Work Retreat on Sunday, August 30, from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm at Ridgeline. This yearly retreat gives the Board time to reconnect, reflect on our work, and set priorities for the coming school year.

In addition to our annual updates and planning, the Board will conduct a first read of Policy KNA and KNA‑AR, review our work calendar, complete our annual self‑assessment, and spend time aligning on goals and committee structures for 2026–27.

To review the agenda, click here: August, 30 2026 Ridgeline Board Retreat Agenda - Google Docs

Ridgeline community members are welcome to observe our annual retreat. If you’d like to learn more about Board service or have questions about the retreat, please reach out at board@ridgeline.org. More information can also be found on the school website.

Check out the May 2026 article:

What was Taking Shape Behind the Scenes: How this year’s work is strengthening Ridgeline’s foundation

Previous articles can be found here

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.

See the flyer below!