Pine Ridge Connection
8.28.26
Talking About Ranger Pride!!
Talking About Expectations!!
Getting Excited About the Pine Ridge New Year!!
Dear Pine Ridge Families,
What a great first week of school! It was wonderful to see so many of you at our Open Houses, and even better to welcome our students back to Pine Ridge on Wednesday. We have loved seeing their smiles, hearing their stories, and getting to know all they have been up to over the summer.
This week, we also kicked off our school wide PBIS expectations. Students rotated through several centers around the building, learning and practicing our expectations in the cafeteria, at arrival and dismissal, on the playground, and throughout the many spaces they use each day. It was a great opportunity for students to learn what it means to show Pine Ridge PRIDE everywhere they go!
Today, we celebrated the start of the school year with a Happy New Year theme! Our entire community came together for an assembly where we talked about Pine Ridge PRIDE and counted down to the start of the 2026–2027 school year. We then celebrated with a short dance party, a fun way to kick off what will be an amazing year!
See the pictures from the assembly above and a few short videos below.
All in all, it was a fantastic first week back. Thank you for sharing your children with us and for being such an important part of the Pine Ridge community. We are excited for all that this school year will bring!
Have a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to another great week with our Rangers!
With Pine Ridge PRIDE,
Nathan Peltz
Principal
Pine Ridge Elementary
Join us for a fun night under the stars! Join us , Thursday, September 3rd, we will be showing the of original version of Toy Story on an inflatable screen at dusk, beginning at 8:45 PM, on the upper elementary playground field. Seating will open at 8:15 PM, so please bring a lawn chair or blanket and settle in for a fun evening together.
At Pine Ridge, we work hard to show Ranger P.R.I.D.E. each and every day! In our classroom, we talk about what it looks like and sounds like to be Persistent, Respectful, Inclusive, and Dependable—Every Day! We encourage our Pine Ridge students to show their Ranger P.R.I.D.E. in the classroom, around the school, and everywhere they go. 💚
P – Persistent
R – Respectful
I – Inclusive
D – Dependable
E – Every Day!
Green & White Tickets at Pine Ridge
At Pine Ridge, we use a positive behavior ticket system to celebrate students’ great choices!
Green Tickets – These are earned by individual students throughout the week and collected in our classroom. Every Friday, all green tickets are sent to the office and added to large grade-level buckets (Junior Kindergarten–2nd grade and 3rd and 4th Grade. On Mondays, Mr. Peltz randomly draws several tickets. The lucky winners get their names announced, choose a prize from the office, and have their photo displayed on the big screen!
White Tickets – These are earned as a whole class for showing teamwork and excellent behavior. Once a class earns 20 white tickets, Mr. Peltz visits the classroom for a special celebration!
School-Wide Celebrations – We also have fun school-wide celebrations to recognize positive behavior across the whole building!
Each year, Pine Ridge students participate in local and state assessments that help us monitor academic progress and guide instruction.
We use the NWEA MAP Growth assessment three times a year, fall, winter, and spring, for students in grades K–8. MAP Growth provides valuable information about each student’s academic growth and helps teachers make informed decisions to enhance and individualize instruction. The results also give students and families an opportunity to reflect on progress and set meaningful learning goals. MAP testing will occur between the dates of September 1st - September 23rd. Watch your student's classroom newsletter for specific dates and times.
This year, we will also administer DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) individually to students three times throughout the school year. DIBELS assesses foundational early literacy and reading skills from kindergarten through eighth grade.
Pine Ridge students will complete their first DIBELS assessment on September 2. Our teachers will use these results during data meetings to develop individualized reading plans and determine the instruction and support each student needs.
These assessments are an important part of how we understand student learning, monitor growth, and provide individualized instruction that helps every student succeed.
Forest Hills Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy is now enforced by Michigan law. Our policy states that students may not carry or use cell phones or any electronic device during the school day. Electronic devices includes any smartwatch. Phones are available in the Pine Ridge office should a student need to contact their parent/guardian.
We’re looking forward to a smooth and safe start and end to every school day! Thank you for your partnership in making our drop-off and pick-up process efficient for everyone.
Morning Drop-Off (8:35 – 8:45 a.m.)
Staff Supervision Begins: 8:25 a.m.
The Green Zone: Please use this designated area for all drop-offs.
Pull Forward: Once in the turnaround, please pull as far forward as possible to make room for other vehicles.
Stay in Your Vehicle: For your safety and to help us keep the line moving, please remain in your vehicle.
Unloading: Once you’ve come to a complete stop in the Green Zone, your student is ready to hop out!
Safety First: For a safe exit away from traffic, please have your student sit in the back-right seat with their backpack ready. We ask that students do not exit on the driver’s side.
Walkers/Bikers: Please say your goodbyes at the walk-up location (marked with a star on the map).
Late Arrival: If you arrive after 8:45 a.m., please walk your student into the office to sign them in.
Afternoon Pick-Up (Begins at 3:45 p.m.)
Driveways: Please be courteous to our neighbors and don’t block their driveways as you wait in line on Redford Ave. and/or Leyton Dr.
Pick-Up Tag: Please ensure your student’s pick-up tag is clearly visible on your review mirror.
Pull Forward: Please enter the pick-up zone (“Green Zone”) and pull forward as far as possible.
Stay in Your Vehicle: Please wait in your vehicle while we assist your student(s).
Student Readiness: To keep the line flowing, please note that if a student isn’t ready, you may be asked to pull forward to a waiting area.
Walkers/Bikers: Please wait for your student at the walk-up location (marked with a star on the map) and remain behind the cones (marked with a yellow line). Please show your pick-up tag to staff.
Parking Lot: Please do not park in the crosswalk (marked with a red X). Students walk their bikes through that area.
We truly appreciate your cooperation in keeping our arrival and dismissal lines moving quickly and safely for all students and families!
Lunch and Recess Paraprofessional Position
Pine Ridge Elementary is currently looking for caring and dependable individuals to join our team as Lunch and Recess Paraprofessionals. This position is a Monday - Friday position from 11:10 AM - 1:10 PM.
This position provides an opportunity to support students during lunch and recess while helping create a safe, positive, and enjoyable environment for all.
If you're interested in this position, please see the job posting below for additional details and application information.
Join Pine Ridge families, students and staff for dinner and dessert at the 28th Street Culver's on Monday, September 21st and Thursday, September 24th from 5:00 - 8:00 PM.
Come out to visit with other families, friends and Pine Ridge staff. Pine Ridge staff will be running food to tables!
Pine Ridge will receive 20% of the proceeds. You won't want to miss these nights
We are so excited to share that planning is underway for the 2026 Ranger Rally! Please consider donating to this one-time fundraising effort!
- The recommended Ranger Rally donation is $30-75 per student, but any amount is very appreciated! Donation envelopes can be sent in with your student to school at any time until the day of the Rally. All checks should be made payable to the Pine Ridge PTO.
- Online donations can be made here: https://tinyurl.com/yj79md7r
- Please note: Square donations are subject to a processing fee. If you would like us to receive the full amount of your donation, cash or check is preferred. Thank you for your support!
Ranger Rally is coming! September 25th, 2026. EACH PR STUDENT/STAFF will receive our PR Ranger Rally shirt. But if your family/siblings would like to order a PR Ranger Shirt the link to order is below. The store closes September 7th at 11:59 pm and they will be sent out 8-10 days after ordering. Order here: https://radco.chipply.com/PINERIDGE26/
- Volunteer Consent Form Link
- This Form must be submitted every year to participate in any volunteer activities.
- If you have more than one child in the district, you can include all students on the one form.
- You will need a copy of the front of your ID to complete this form.
The PTO Committees are responsible for planning various events and activities during the school year. The Committees are essential to ensuring successful events for our staff, students, and families! These are separate from volunteering the day of the event - those opportunities will be made available via Sign-up Genius sent in Mr. Peltz' newsletter. The PTO Board Members are available to guide/assist the Committee leads! There are also documents from years past to steer the work. Committees are very supported by the staff, as well! These are fun and fulfilling opportunities that impact our students. Feel free to check all options that interest you!
Become a Ranger Rally Sponsor
Ranger Rally is coming in September, and we’re looking for local businesses who would like to partner with Pine Ridge Elementary through one of our Ranger Rally Sponsorship Opportunities!
Sponsoring the Ranger Rally is a great way to support our students while getting your business in front of our Pine Ridge school community. Sponsorships are due September 1st!
Check out the flyers for all of the sponsorship levels and benefits. And parents - if you know a local business that might be interested, please share this post with them! Every sponsorship makes a difference in helping us create an amazing experience for our students.
Thank you to the local businesses who continue to invest in our school and our kids! Go Rangers!
Sposonrship link.
Support PIne Ridge and have fun at the same time! Join us at the Ada Garage Bar on August 31st from 5:00 - 10:00pm. A portion of the sales that night go to Pine Ridge Elementary PTO!
Online directory information must be re-confirmed every year to be published and visible to others. Please update your information no later than September 4.
RETURNING DIRECTORY USERS:
Visit https://pineridgeto.membershiptoolkit.com/login-form OR open the Membership Toolkit App to update your contact information, student grade level, and teacher for this school year.
NEW DIRECTORY USERS:
Go to https://pineridgeto.membershiptoolkit.com/login-form to register.
If you already have a username/password for another school, use that information to log in under “Returning User?”
Otherwise, click on the “Create Account” button for new users.
Check your email for a link to complete the account set-up process.
Please allow 24-48 hours for full access to the directory, new members/families are screened for security purposes. Some information may not be visible upon account creation.
Visit your App Store and download the FREE "Membership Toolkit" App onto your smartphone for easiest access to the directory.
Pine Ridge Contact Information
Location: 3250 Redford Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Phone: (616)493-8910