Ridgeline eNews

OCTOBER

Friday 10/3 No School

Friday 10/3 Last day to order Ridgeline gear!

Monday 10/6 Fundraising Committee Meeting 9 a.m.

Wednesday 10/8 Walk, Bike, & Rolls to School Day 7:45 - 8:15 a.m.

Wednesday 10/8 Equity Committee Meeting, 7 p.m. on Zoom

Thursday 10/9 Volunteer Power Hour 8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

Thursday 10/9 Board Meeting 6:00 - 8 p.m.

Friday 10/10 No School

Saturday 10/11 Board Retreat 8:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday 10/15 End of Normalization

Thursday 10/16 Fall Mini Work Party #1, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Saturday 10/18 Ridgeline Tee Party 10 a.m. (volunteer t-shirt prep party)

Saturday 10/18 Autumn Campus Clean-Up at Ridgeline, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday 10/22 Picture Re-take Day

Thursday 10/23 Read-a-thon begins

Thursday 10/23 Fall Mini Work Party #2, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Thursday 10/23 Curriculum Sharing at Ridgeline, choose 3:05-4:05 p.m. or 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Monday 10/25 Spirit Week starts

Wednesday 10/29 School Vision Screening, Ridgeline, 9-10 a.m.

Thursday 10/30 Fall Mini Work Party #3, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

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.

• The queue for the drive-through line only extends to Rosewood Dr. (the “no-name street”). There is space for about 4 vehicles between Rosewood and Ridgeline’s entrance.

• If this queue area is full, DO NOT block Rosewood Dr. or wait in the travel lane on West Amazon. It is unsafe and illegal to impede the roadway.

• If the line is full, please circle around the neighborhood and return when there’s space.

• Many families choose to park up the street or across the bridge and walk over to meet their student. This greatly helps reduce congestion.

• Remember, pick-up lasts 15 minutes—there’s no need for everyone to arrive right at 3:05 p.m.

Thank you for helping us keep drop-off and pick-up safe for all Ridgeline students and families!

To help us keep attendance accurate and the school day running smoothly, please follow these guidelines:

Absences or Appointments

• If your student will miss any part of the school day, notify the office by phone or email at attendance@ridgeline.org, and copy your child’s classroom staff.
  
  

Late Arrivals

• If your student arrives late (after an appointment, etc.) without prior notice, attendance may not be updated before the daily reporting pull, and you may receive an absent notification.
  

• To avoid this, please email attendance@ridgeline.org before the start of school.
  
  

Wednesdays (Early Release Days)

• Early release days are especially busy, particularly between 11:45 a.m.–1:05 p.m. when staff are managing medications and other student needs.
  

• If you need to pick up your student early on a Wednesday:
  

• Please notify the office before 11:00 a.m.
  

• Pick-ups may happen before 12:45 p.m.
  

• We cannot accommodate early pick-ups between 12:45–1:05 p.m. Last-minute requests during this time will need to wait until the 1:05 p.m. dismissal.
  
  

Thank you for helping us make attendance and transitions smooth for all students!

Order deadline: tomorrow Friday, October 3

👉 Place your order here!

👕 This year’s options:

• T-Shirts: $15, black or light blue

• V-neck: $24-32, available in black only
  

• Crew Neck Sweatshirts: $40–$52, black or light blue

💙 Every student should be able to show Ridgeline pride! Families who qualify for financial assistance and have completed the Benefit Program Eligibility Survey can request a FREE t-shirt. E-mail Cynthia.friedman@ridgeline.org for more information.

Show your spirit and order today! 🎉

📅 When?

• Wednesday, Oct 8 – starting at 7:45 a.m.

🚴 Bike Route Info

• Meet at Amazon Park/Pool (2600 Hilyard St. by the restrooms) at 7:40 a.m.
  

• The ride is 1.6 miles along the bike path, crossing at the Hilyard and West Amazon cycle light (intersection) to access the two-way cycle track.
  

• A parent volunteer will lead the ride, starting at 7:50 a.m., joined by several others biking alongside for safety.
  

• Parents are encouraged to ride with their student(s).
  
  

🚶 Walk & Roll Route Info

• Meet at Kincaid Park (3938 Kincaid St) at 7:50 a.m.

• The walking route is .6-miles along the Rexius/Amazon trail.

• A parent volunteer will lead the group walk, starting at 8:00 a.m.

• Parents are encouraged to accompany their student(s).

Want to help lead or volunteer? Sign up in Track It Forward.

You are invited to the upcoming Volunteer Power Hour meeting!

Date: Thursday, October 9
Time: 8:45-9:45 am
Where: Ridgeline Library

We’re starting to build our 2025-2026 volunteer teams!!! During this hour, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with team leads, ask questions, and meet other folks with similar interests.

Event Teams

• Walk + Roll to School

• Stone Soup

• Student Talent Show

• Student Marketplace

Ongoing Teams

• Lunch Bunch

• Library Team

• Crossing Guard Crew

• Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)

• Hospitality Team (staff care and teacher appreciation)

• Helping Hands Material Prep Team (book covering, sign making, etc)

• Campus Care Crew

Parent volunteers and school staff will share ways you can get involved—from the Lunch Bunch and hospitality to helping with special events like Stone Soup and the Student Talent Show.

There's a place at Ridgeline for everyone to get involved and volunteer. Come learn more and find the team for you. We can't wait to see you there!

Ridgeline parents and families—especially those new to our program—you’re in for a treat! 🎉

Curriculum Sharing is a special opportunity for your child to guide you through their classroom and show off their favorite work. This informal, student-led event lets kids shine while sharing the confidence and independence they’ve been building since the start of the school year. 🌟

📅 Thursday, October 23
Classrooms will be open for two sessions:
1️⃣ 3:05 – 4:05 pm

[4:05-6:00 pm Teacher dinner break]
2️⃣ 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Choose the time that works best for your family and come celebrate your child’s growth and learning! 🏫

On Wednesday, October 29, Ridgeline will partner with the Lions Club to provide FREE, one-minute, non-invasive vision screenings for all students.

We encourage every student to participate—even if they already receive regular eye exams. Results are kept in student files and can be a valuable resource for teachers, specialists, and families. They may also help identify when a student should receive a more comprehensive eye exam.

If you have any questions or would prefer that your student not participate, please reach out to Cynthia at cynthia.friedman@ridgeline.org by Thursday, October 9.

About the Screening

The Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation (OLSHF) partners with local Lions Clubs to provide screenings in more than 80% of Oregon school districts. Screenings are done using a Welch Allyn SPOT Vision Screener—a tool that works like a digital camera, using infrared light to quickly measure a child’s eyes and detect potential vision problems. To learn more this vision screening, click here.

📬 Results: Families will receive results within a few weeks, along with community resources for follow-up care if needed.

Your responses will help us learn more about you—your interests, talents, and the ways you might like to support Ridgeline this year with your time, skills, or resources.

CLICK HERE to complete the Volunteer Interest Survey!

Thank you for helping us build a strong and connected school community!

🙌 Fall Mini Work Party Series - 3 Thursdays in October

Would you like a short and contained 1-hr window of time to come and help zoom in on an area of the campus that needs attention? Do you have time on Thursdays before school pickup? This volunteer mini-series could be just what you are looking for. Tasks may include: weeding, pruning, raking, mulching, edging, and general sprucing up!

• Thurs, Oct 16, 2:00-3:00pm

• Thurs, Oct 23, 2:00-3:00pm

• Thurs, Oct 30, 2:00-3:00pm

Click here to sign up

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Autumn Campus Clean-Up - Saturday, October 18

Join us on Saturday morning, October 18 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30a.m. for our first weekend outdoor school clean-up day of the year! This is a great way to start volunteering time and it’s a great opportunity to meet other Ridgeline families while you work.

We recommend bringing your own gloves, preferred wedding implements, and a water bottle. We will be doing a variety of outside projects and tasks, which may include wedding, raking, trimming bushes and trees, etc. Kids and other family members are welcome to join in and help.

Click here to sign up

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👕🎉Ridgeline Tee Party - Saturday, October 18

Join us for a Ridgeline Tee Party! We need 5- 7 volunteers to help press, fold, and package school t-shirt orders alongside the fabulous Dandi Turner, former Ridgeline parent and longtime volunteer.

📅 Date: Saturday, October 18
🕙 Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (we’ve set aside 5 hours but anticipate it will take less time)
📍 Location: Ridgeline Library

It’s a fun, hands-on way to earn volunteer hours, support our school, and connect with fellow

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Save-the-date: Fall Work Party 2 will be on Sunday, November 16, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. More information coming soon. Ridgeline families! Click here to sign up in Track It Forward

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.

The Ridgeline Equity Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday, October 8th, from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. We invite you to consider joining this Committee, aiding in some very important and impactful work for the Ridgeline Community.

he Equity Committee is seeking members who are passionate about developing the Ridgeline community's ability to provide an equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment. We need more members. Come and check it out!

Hello Ridgeline community!

The Ridgeline Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 6:00 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 hearing reports from our Principal's Advisory Committee, administrators, and committee representatives. Our Executive Director will share the details of the Revised 2025-26 budget, we will discuss our process for making budget recommendations to the Budget Committee and Executive Director, and approve some meeting schedule changes. We will also approve several policies and vote on adding a new member to the board.

You can find the agenda here: 10-09-25 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

Community members can also reach the Board of Directors via email (board@ridgeline.org). Public comment may also be made in writing and emailed to the board prior to the meeting. In order to be fully considered at this meeting, comments must be received by noon on the day of the meeting. Please clearly label the email subject line as: "Public Comment." Prior to the meeting, board members will read, review, and take into consideration all comments.

To help students build independence, we encourage families to use the Hug & Release Station in the morning—give your child a hug, say goodbye, and then leave campus, allowing your student to walk into the building on their own.

Tips for success:

• Talk with your child about your morning routine at home or over the weekend (rather than during the rush to school).

• Aim to arrive on time—or even a little early. Students who have time to hang up backpacks, settle in, and join the morning meeting start their day on a calmer, more positive note.

We know this can be challenging, but it’s a goal worth working toward. Supporting students as they gain independence in the mornings makes a big difference in how their day begins.

📚 Each week, students may bring home up to 2 library books.

✅ Tips for families:

• Check your student’s backpack to see which books they’ve checked out.
  

• Decide together which night books go back into the backpack for their library day.
  

• Talk about the importance of keeping track of borrowed books.

• Double check for books that need to be returned to the Eugene Public Library.
  
  

🔍 If a book goes missing:

• The first reminder will come from your child’s teacher, encouraging a deeper search at home, in the car, or anywhere else books may hide.
  

• If the book still isn’t found, a second reminder may come from the office, giving families an additional 2–4 weeks to locate it.
  

• If the book cannot be found, a replacement cost will be charged, plus a $6–$8 processing fee (to cover cataloging and reshelving).
  
  

🎯 Our goal is not to charge families—it’s to help students build responsibility in keeping track of and returning their books, while keeping our library shelves full for everyone.

Thank you for your support in helping our students become responsible library users!

Join us at the gym for the Eugene Environmental Film Festival’s “Youth Fest”. There will be youth made environmental films, speakers, art, bird-centric interactive games, and a nature walk. Joining the film fest will be: BRING, W.R.E.N., and Cascades Raptor Center! Check out the flyer below to find out more.

Lane County Public Health announced they will follow the Oregon Health Authority’s latest vaccine recommendations:

• Children 6–23 months
• Children 2–18 with risk factors or never vaccinated
• Children living with at-risk individuals
• Anyone who chooses protection

Key Updates

1. Prescriptions are no longer needed for COVID-19 vaccines at your provider or pharmacy.
   

2. Lane County Community Health Centers will offer flu, RSV, and COVID-19 vaccines based on this guidance.
   

3. Oregon Health Plan members are covered for all three vaccines; check with your health plan or pharmacy for other coverage.

4. Vaccines may take a few days to become available at pharmacies.

For help finding a COVID-19 vaccine: call 211 or visit 211info.org.

Does your teen or tween love the outdoors and want to learn survival skills? Whole Earth Nature School has a transformative program called FOREST Understory that does just that! This unique opportunity is an eight-month program that immerses 6th to 10th grade students into the world of ancestral wilderness skills. On the first Saturday of every month, we focus an entire day on a unique skill and improve on lessons from the month before. FOREST Understory builds confidence, creates strong friendships, and deepens nature connection. Come join us for this amazing experience!