Ridgeline eNews
January 29, 2026
RIDGELINE CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
JANUARY
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 Drop-in Coffee Hour with Ridgeline Board, 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. OR 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., Hideaway Bakery
Friday 2/13 Middle School Winter Dance 6:30 p.m., Ridgeline Gym
Saturday 2/14 Eugene Concert Choir 2:30 pm, Hult Center (Lower El classrooms)
Monday 2/16 No School - Presidents Day
Tuesday 2/17 Lottery Tours (K-3) 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 2/21 OBOB In-School Battles - TBD
For Quick Access:
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.
NEW NEWS
🎤 Ridgeline Student Talent Show — TONIGHT! ✨
Join us tonight, Thursday, January 29, at 5:30 PM in the Ridgeline Gym for an evening of amazing student performances! We have a full show planned, with 23 live student performances—you do not want to miss this heartwarming event. 💛
🎭 Performer reminder
Talent Show participants (and a parent or caregiver) should go to the gym at dismissal for a brief rehearsal from 3:15–4:15 PM. If you are unable to accompany your student, email your student's teacher and/or call the office to give permission for your student to go to the gym after school.
🎟 Free & open to the community!
Doors open at 5:15 PM. Ridgeline students and families are welcome to invite grandparents, neighbors, and friends.
🍪 Snacks for a cause
Bring cash to support the Middle School Cookie Crew—cookies and popcorn will be available. All proceeds support the Middle School end-of-year Adventure Trip!
🪑 Seating reminder
Students will sit with their families. Student-only seating will not be offered this year. This is a wonderful opportunity to practice performance etiquette.
We can’t wait to see a full gym cheering on every performer and celebrating our students’ incredible talent! 🌟
Questions?
Contact Sarah & Chauncey Mauney 📧 sarahrosemauney@gmail.com |
🎥 Ridgeline Video Talent Showcase is LIVE!
Some acts are meant for the gym stage… and some are meant for the screen! Our students have been submitting incredible talent show acts by video, making the showcase more accessible for everyone, including performances that can’t be done live in the gym.
Click on the video below to watch the creativity, courage, and pure Ridgeline joy on display.
✨💃Middle School Dance! ✨
Get ready to light up the night! On Friday, February 13, from 6:30–8:30 PM, Ridgeline Middle School students are taking over the gym—and the theme is GLOW PARTY! 🌈
Wear your brightest neon or glow-in-the-dark outfits, and feel free to bring any glow-in-the-dark accessories to shine on the dance floor. We’ll have glow and neon themed decorations, fun music, and snacks to keep the energy high all night long! 🎶✨
Important reminder: This dance is for Ridgeline 7th & 8th graders only. Students from other schools are not able to attend.
Grab your glow gear and get ready for a fun, unforgettable night with friends! 🌟
Silent Auction Baskets — Donations Needed by Feb 13
🗓 Student Art Show & Silent Auction
Friday, March 13 | 5:30–7:00 pm | Gym
The Ridgeline Fundraising Committee is collecting art- and wellness-themed donations for our silent auction and would love support from Ridgeline community businesses and families.
We’re looking for:
Gift certificates or services related to art, wellness, fitness, or self-care
Larger experiences like weekend getaways, hotel stays, or family experiences
How to donate:
Email donations@ridgeline.org, or
Share a business contact, or
Drop off items at the Ridgeline office by Feb 13, 2026
Why it matters:
This auction supports art & PE specialists, Montessori programs, facility care, and student wellness.
Thank you for supporting Ridgeline! 💛
Our Commitment to Student Safety & Privacy
At Ridgeline, our priority is that every student feels safe, supported, and able to learn each day. Grounded in Montessori values of dignity, respect, and care for the whole child, we want families to know that we have clear procedures in place for how staff respond if immigration enforcement personnel were to come to campus. Staff are required to route all requests through school leadership and legal counsel, and we do not share student or family information without a valid judicial order. These guidelines are designed to protect student privacy, maintain calm, and ensure all requests are handled lawfully—so learning and community remain at the center of our day.
We encourage families to think ahead and discuss plans that feel right for your family once students leave campus. Families may also choose to connect with one another to coordinate support, recognizing that our strength as a community comes from shared care and partnership.
Families who would like additional information or support may find these resources helpful:
Oregon Department of Education: DACAmented/Undocumented Students Toolkit
We remain committed to Ridgeline being a safe, welcoming community for all children.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer Thank Yous
🎉 Talent Show Round of Appreciation 🎉
👏 A huge round of applause goes to Sarah & Chauncey Mauney for their incredible hard work coordinating and planning the Student Talent Show! We can't wait for a fun night ahead!
📣 Big thanks to Emily Baran and Aron Jacobson for creating and supporting the talent show marketing materials and program.
🦸♀️ Super-hero shout-out to Jess Wood for picking up chairs from Destination Events—thank you for saving the day!
🎬 Special thanks to Jeff Ness and Cody Ness for putting together the video compilation and capturing the magic.
We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this event such a success! 💛✨
Volunteer Opportunities - New/Still Needed
🎉 Middle School Parents & Caregivers — we need YOU! 🎉
Help us make the Glow Party Dance shine! ✨ We’re looking for a few volunteers to jump in as snack providers and clean-up helpers. Every helping hand makes a big difference 💛
Volunteer Opportunities - Ongoing/Coming Soon
Ongoing Facilities Volunteer Work
Sign up to volunteer on your own time here: weeding and grounds clean up.
Art Show- Coming Soon
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!
🌟 Volunteer Team Sign-Ups
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:
Helping Hands Material Prep Team (book covering, sign making, etc)
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.
Volunteering - What You Need to Know
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.
Track it Forward - Information for New Volunteers
Why It Matters
New beginnings prompt the opportunity to form new habits! When it comes to volunteering, we need everyone to consistently track ALL volunteer hours throughout the school year in Track It Forward. Volunteer hour reporting is important for us to show support for Ridgeline when applying for grants and for reporting to our sponsoring district, Eugene 4J.
How to Get Started
If you are new to Ridgeline and have not yet created a Track it Forward account for logging your volunteer hours, please take a moment to do so. If you are a first-time Track It Forward user and have not set up an account you will need to create an account first.
- Go to https://www.trackitforward.com/user or go to the App store on your device and search for Track It Forward
- Next download the App
- Create your account/log in
- Sign up for volunteer opportunities and log your volunteer hours!
RIDGELINE COMMITTEES
February Board Meeting
Hello Ridgeline community! The Ridgeline Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, February 12 at 6:00 pm in the Ridgeline library and over Zoom. All Ridgeline community members are welcome to join our regular board meetings, and to make a public comment. The designated time for public comment is at the start of meetings.
Our meeting agenda includes PAC, staff, and committee reports. We will hear from our Operations Manager about the community input gathered throughout the Possibility Project and discuss a new budgeting process we are piloting this year. We will discuss recommendations about changes to our Administrative Salary Schedules, learn about Ridgeline's 4J annual review, hear updates about the Principal Search, and discuss a proposed Disruptive Public Comment Procedure.
You can find the agenda here: 02-12-26 Ridgeline Board Meeting Agenda
In order to attend virtually, please use this Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84074040106pwd=R6PzazBjJFrxabUMtT92ZabaJ7bptn.1
Meeting ID: 840 7404 0106 Passcode: 824778
Drop-In Coffee Hour with Ridgeline Board of Directors
Dear Ridgeline Community,
You're invited! The Ridgeline Board of Directors would love to meet you for a drop-in coffee hour on Friday, February 13, from 8:45 - 9:45 OR 2:00 - 3:00 at Hideaway Bakery.
If you are curious about what the Board does, or what we've been working on lately, or how you might participate in Board work, we would love to chat. The Board is a dedicated group of Ridgeline community members who love our school and collaborate to support it with tangible, meaningful work. We're a joyful, constructive group that works with our Executive Director and administrative team to enact Ridgeline's mission and vision. Join us at Hideaway if you'd like to learn more!
CONTINUING NEWS
We Did A Thing! Lifestyle Matters: Ridgeline Montessori
A huge thank you everyone who bravely stepped in front of the camera to represent Ridgeline so beautifully. The first KVAL Lifestyle Matters video aired on January 15, and the second video will air in early February.
These videos, along with short clips, are posted on:
Ridgeline’s YouTube page
Linked on the homepage of our website
Featured on Ridgeline’s Video page, and;
Will be shared on our social media as part of our ongoing outreach and education efforts during lottery season.
We’re so grateful for your partnership in helping tell Ridgeline’s story!
Ridgeline Lottery Information Sessions and Tours
Lottery season is here and we are pleased to offer several opportunities for families to learn more about Ridgeline.
We will host two guided school tours in February:
Why It Matters:
These events offer visitors a chance to see Montessori in action, explore our classrooms, and learn more about what makes Ridgeline a truly unique public education option. Lottery information & tours sign ups are available on our website.
Applications Dates:
Lottery applications for the 2026–27 school year opened on January 9 at 9:00am.
The application deadline is February 22 at 11:59pm.
All available seats are filled through this process, which is independent of the 4J School of Choice lottery.
Thank you for partnering with us to help families learn about public school options.
📸✨ Order Your Ridgeline Yearbooks! ✨📸
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.
Classroom Substitutes Needed
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.
🧥 Lost & Found
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! 💙
RIDGELINE REVEALED
Ridgeline’s Recommended Reading Articles
Check out the latest 2025 article:
Ridgeline Revealed is a monthly article series that offers behind-the-scenes insights into the school, providing families with information on key aspects they may not typically see. Our goal is to share timely topics and increase transparency about day-to-day operations in a short, easily digestible format.
Recent Articles:
- The Courage to Try: Building Curiosity and Resilience through Friendliness with Error - October 2025
- Normalization in Montessori: What Is It and Why It Matters - September 2025
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.
Articles from 2024-2025:
Transitions & Class Placement: Supporting Our Children Through Change
The Three-Year Cycle: Why Students Stay with the Same Teacher
Beyond the Buzzwords: Cosmic Education at Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School
Balancing Freedom and Responsibility: Ridgeline’s Approach to Positive Behavior
Ensuring Safety and Security at Ridgeline Montessori: A Holistic Approach
Planes of Development and Sensitive Periods: Foundations of the Montessori Multi-Age Classroom
The Purpose Behind the Materials: Why We Invest In Montessori Tools
COMMUNITY NEWS
National Civics Bee!
Ballet Fantastique Presents...
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!
PeaceHealth Play Days @ Kidsports
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. 30, Feb. 2, Feb. 16, Mar. 30, Apr. 10, Jun. 5
