Ridgeline eNews

SEPTEMBER

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

Friday 9/18 Student Profile updates due

Wednesday 9/23 Restaurant Fundraiser at Track Town Pizza - all day

Wednesday 9/30 Picture Day

OCTOBER

Friday 10/2 Volunteer Power Hour, Ridgeline Library, 8:45-9:45 a.m.

Friday 10/2 Last day of Monthly Donor Drive

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

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

Friday 10/9 No School

Friday 10/16 Fundraising Committee, Ridgeline Library, 8:45 - 10:15 am

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)

Principal Sara Connors created a sweet and fun video featuring staff and students welcoming everyone back for a new school year! Take a few minutes to watch and start the year with a smile. 💛🎉

Even if no changes are needed, ALL Synergy Student Profile sheets are due back to Ridgeline.

Important:

• Address changes: These require two proofs of address and cannot be updated in Synergy without them. If your address has changed, please contact cynthia.friedman@ridgeline.org to make arrangements.

• Return the profile: Place it in the basket on the front steps or have your student return it to their classroom teacher by Friday, September 18.

Want to be part of a fun volunteer team and help make Jog-a-thon amazing? Come join the Jog-a-thon Committee!

Our first planning meeting is Friday, September 18 from 8:45–9:45 AM in the Ridgeline Library. No green badge? No problem! You do not need one to attend this meeting.

🎉 Ways to Help

The committee will be working on fun projects like:

• 📄 Putting together flyers and pledge packets

• 🎨 Creating colorful signs

• 💡 Brainstorming ways to make Jog-a-thon a great event

🏃 Save the Date!

Jog-a-thon is Wednesday, October 28!

Can’t make the committee meeting but still want to volunteer at the event? We’d love your help! Keep an eye out for volunteer sign-ups over the next few weeks.

Event-day volunteer roles will include:

• 🏁 Course setup

• 💧 Water station support

• 🔵 Lap bracelet support

• 🎨 Sign making

• ☕ Hospitality table

• ❤️ First aid

• …and more!

You won’t want to miss this one! 🎉

Let’s make this year’s Jog-a-thon one to remember! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💚

Questions?

Email bethany.dilla@ridgeline.org for more information.

A Track It Forward sign-up link will be coming soon. These volunteer spots will be first come, first served, so be ready to grab your favorite job!

We're kick off the school year with our first fundraising + community event of the year! Gather your favorite Ridgeline friends, classmates, and families, grab some delicious pizza, and help support our school while you eat!

📍 Where: Track Town Pizza — 1809 Franklin Blvd. This fundraiser is only at the Franklin Blvd. location.

📅 When: Wednesday, September 23
⏰ Time: 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. — ALL DAY!

🍕 How It Works

1. Look for your flyer! Flyers will go home in student backpacks on Friday, September 18.

2. Bring your flyer to Track Town Pizza on September 23. Ridgeline will receive 50% of the value of the food purchased! Orders that are called in and picked up will also generate the 50%. 🙌

3. Can’t make it that day? We’ve got you covered! You can also purchase gift certificates for future visits, and Ridgeline will receive 25% of the gift certificate purchase. 🎁

💙 Make It a Ridgeline Meet-Up!

Our community has a great track record with restaurant fundraisers—and they’re about more than just raising money! It’s a fun chance to grab a meal, catch up with school friends, connect with classmates, and meet other Ridgeline families.

🎉Bring the whole crew, come hungry, and let’s make our first fundraiser of the year a delicious success! We can’t wait to see you there!

Smile! 😊 New Leif Photography will be at Ridgeline on Wednesday, September 30 in the gym for Picture Day! 📸

🛍️ How to Order

• 💻 Order online ahead of time: New Leif Photography (flyers went home with students last week!)
• 🔑 Ridgeline Order Code: 0507TRB
• 💵 Paying by cash or check? Paper order forms are available in the front office.

ℹ️ A Few Helpful Details

🗓️ Online orders can be placed up to one week after Picture Day.

📬 Once pictures arrive, families will receive a second-chance order form with a student-specific code.

🔄 Retake Day: Wednesday, November 4, 2026

T-SHIRT TIME! 👉 Place your order here!

👕 This year, Ridgeline is offering t-shirts, pull-over hoodie sweatshirts, and fleece zip-ups.

• Gear comes in: sand, sage, & gray

💙 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! 🎉

https://geargurusdesign.bigcartel.com/

You are invited to the upcoming Volunteer Power Hour meeting! 🎉

📅 Date: Friday, October 2
⏰ Time: 8:45-10:00 am
📍 Where: Ridgeline Library

We’re starting to build our 2026-2027 volunteer teams!!! During this hour, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with team leads, ask questions, and meet other folks with similar interests.

Parent volunteers and school staff will share ways you can get involved—from community engagement and hospitality to helping with special events like the Jog-a-thon, Stone Soup, and the Spring Silent Auction.

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!

Did you know kids need one hour of physical activity each day to stay healthy? Walking, biking, and rolling to school is a fun way to get moving—and connect with friends! Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs bring together community members, school staff, and public health professionals to support student well-being and encourage safe, active commuting.

📅 When?
Wednesday, Oct 7 – 7:45 - 8:15 a.m.

Students who walk, bike, or roll to school will have a chance to win prizes and make new connections.

🚴 Bike Route

• Meet at Amazon Park/Pool (by the restrooms) at 7:45 a.m.
  

• Ride is 1.8 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, with others biking alongside for safety.
  

• Parents are encouraged to ride with their child!
  
  

🚶 Walk Route

• Meet at Kincaid Park at 7:45 a.m. for the .5-mile walk.
  

• The group will leave at 8:00 a.m.
  

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

Is your student a reader, a trivia fan, or someone who loves a little friendly competition and teamwork? Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) might be a great fit!

OBOB is a statewide reading program that gives students the opportunity to read great books, talk about them with friends, work as a team, and compete in fun “quiz show” style battles. There is no cost to participate, as the program sponsored by the Oregon Association of School Libraries in partnership with a Library Services and Technology Act grant.

Who Can Participate?

Ridgeline students in 3rd–8th grade are invited to participate in the 2026–27 OBOB program, with teams supported by parent and family volunteers.

We anticipate offering two divisions:

• 📖 3rd–5th Grade Division

• 📚 6th–8th Grade Division

Students will read the selected OBOB books, connect with teammates, practice answering questions about the books, and have the opportunity to compete at the local, regional, and state levels.

Interested in OBOB for Your Student?

At this point, we're simply trying to gauge family interest so we can determine how many students may want to participate and begin planning for the year.

👉 Please complete the OBOB Interest Survey if your student may be interested. Your response will help us begin organizing teams, finding volunteer coaches, and planning an initial meeting.

To learn more about OBOB at Ridgeline, click here: OBOB Overview for New-to-OBOB families

Questions?

Contact Paula Luginbuhl at paulaluginbuhl@gmail.com, Ridgeline’s 2026–27 Volunteer OBOB Coordinator.

📣 Stay tuned for more information about an upcoming OBOB Family Meeting!

We encourage families to review the weekly meal choices and talk with your student about which meals they’d like to enjoy at school.

Week of 9/21-9/25 Snack Menu

• Monday: Apple Frudel / Cinnamon Toast Crunch

• Tuesday: Blueberry Yogurt Parfait/ Cocoa Puffs

• Wednesday: Blueberry Lemon Scones / Lucky Charms

• Thursday: Pancakes / Honey Cheerios

• Friday: Rotating cereal variety

Week of 9/21-9/25 Lunch Menu

• Monday: Chicken Tenders / Cheese Pizza

• Tuesday: Fish Sticks/Grab and Go Box, Sun Butter

• Wednesday: Cheesy Garlic Toast

• Thursday: Chicken Alfredo with Rotini/Rotini Pasta Alfredo

• Friday: Cheeseburger/Veggie Burger

💙 Want to learn more?

Visit the Ridgeline Family Resources page for additional information about our meal program.

💚 Ridgeline Volunteer Shoutouts!

🎲 Ashley Hensley — Thank you for bringing the giant Jenga and Checkers games to Tuesday evening’s school picnic! What a fun addition to the festivities! 🙌

📚 Annie Jo LaRiviere — Special thanks for helping with a scanning and copying project and supporting our admin team and teachers. We appreciate you! 💚

🧼 Kayla Mathers — Shoutout for washing the Middle School classroom rugs! Fresh, clean, and ready for a new school year! ✨

🧵 Marie Slatton-Valle — A special thank-you for sewing beautiful new valance curtains for Room 3! Such a thoughtful way to help make our classrooms feel warm and welcoming. 💚✨

🗂️ Lillian Groff — Thank you for bringing some much-needed order to the supply closet this week! We appreciate you helping keep things tidy and organized. 💚

🛒 Marty Wilder — Shoutout for being our super shopper and picking up all the cookie crew ingredients! We can't thank you enough for helping make the baking happen! 🍪🙌

🚸 High fives all around to our volunteer Crossing Guard Crew — Daniel Wilson, Marty Wilder, Charity Needham, Jess Wood, Gordo Wood, Kayla Mathers, Ruth Tabak, & Max Fleenor thank you for helping keep our students safe! We appreciate you showing up and looking out for our kids! 👏💚

Thank you, Ridgeline volunteers, for all the ways you pitch in and make our school community such a wonderful place to be! 💚

Volunteers are an essential part of the Ridgeline community, and there are many ways to get involved! Each family is asked to contribute 40 volunteer hours per school year, and we’d love to help you find opportunities that fit your schedule and interests.

✅ Getting Approved

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 email you to let you know you are green badge approved and ready to volunteer!

🙋 Ways to Get Involved

From serving on committees, preparing materials at home, and helping with grounds work to assisting in classrooms, chaperoning field trips, serving as crossing guards, and more—your time and talents make a big difference.

💚 Learn More

Join us for Volunteer Power Hour on Friday, October 2, from 8:45–9:45 a.m. in the Ridgeline Library to learn more about our volunteer teams and opportunities.

In Montessori, the first six weeks of school are known as the Normalization Period. This is when classroom communities settle into routines, build relationships, and establish a peaceful learning environment with as few outside interruptions as possible. After this period (ending October 23), students and teachers will be ready to welcome volunteers into classrooms.

Now is the perfect time to:

• Complete and sign your Background Check form, and provide a copy of your driver’s license (email both pieces to bethany.dilla@ridgeline.org)

• Sign the Volunteer Code of Conduct

That way, you’ll be ready to jump in when the time comes!

🏡Let's Be A Good Neighbor!

• Keep fire hydrants clear
• Do not block driveways, mailboxes, or the bus stop
• Be kind to our neighbors and crossing guards—they’re out there helping keep our community safe, rain or shine!

👋 Helpful Reminders

• Hug & Release Zone: Want to walk your student up to say goodbye? Park and walk your student to the Hug & Release sign by the fence.

• Drop-off line: Drivers, please pull all the way forward in the line. Do not drop students off in front of Building B.

• Traffic flow: When exiting the parking lot, RIGHT turns only.

• Pick-up timing: The drive-thru opens at 3:05 p.m. Please do not enter the fire lane (pull-through circle) before 3:05 p.m. unless you are picking up for an appointment before 2:45 p.m. (12:45 p.m. on Wednesdays).

• Safety first: Please watch carefully for students using the crosswalk near Building B and those crossing W. Amazon Drive.

🌟Thank you for doing your part to keep drop-off and pick-up safe, efficient, and welcoming for everyone!

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.

All 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.

Do you own a local business—or know someone who does? Consider becoming a Ridgeline Jog-a-thon Finish Line Sponsor! 🌟

Our all-school Jog-a-thon is Wednesday, October 28 on the Rexius Trail, right across the street from Ridgeline. Hundreds of students, families, staff, and community members will come together to run, walk, cheer, and celebrate! 💚

📣 Get Seen. Give Back. Get Involved.

Sponsoring the finish line is a fun way to:
✨ Showcase your business to the Ridgeline community
👋 Connect with local families and neighbors
🏃 Reach runners and walkers who use the public trail every day
💚 Support Ridgeline students and an event that brings our community together

It’s a win-win: great community exposure + a great cause! 🙌

Interested in learning more? We’d love to hear from you! 📧 giving@ridgeline.org

Ophelia's Place is excited to offer a variety of programs for girls in the community. All of these programs are offered to give girls a positive, and supportive space to be themselves.

Ophelia's Place offers programs on a sliding scale, and they have scholarships so that cost isn't a barrier, and they can be a youth-centered place for girls to rely on.

Looking for a fun way for your student to get active, make friends, and learn the game of ultimate frisbee? Emerald Valley Ultimate organizes local youth ultimate opportunities right here in the Eugene area!

Middle School League | Grades 5–8

Students in 5th–8th grade are invited to join the middle school league, starting next week!

See the flyer below for all the details. Ridgeline students will play with the local public school that is most convenient for their family, making it easy to connect with other students in the community.

Emerald Valley Ultimate will also offer three free clinics on Saturdays this fall!

These clinics are a great way for students to try ultimate, build skills, and have fun—no experience necessary! Check out the flyer below for dates, times, and registration information. 💚

Come throw, run, learn, and have some fun! 🥏✨