Ridgeline eNews

APRIL

Friday 4/24 Volunteer Appreciation Tea, 2:15-3:00 p.m., Ridgeline Library

Sunday 4/26 Last day of Earth Week Give (turn in bags to Bottle Drop)

MAY 1

Friday 5/1 No School

Monday 5/4 Fundraising Committee Meeting 9-10:30 a.m.

Wednesday 5/6 Spring Bike & Walk to School Day - 7:45 a.m. at Amazon (biking) at Kincaid Park (walking)

Thursday 5/7 Equity Committee Meeting 4-5 p.m. via Zoom

Thursday 5/7 Board Meeting 6-8 p.m.

Friday 5/8 Budget Committee Meeting 8:45-10:15 a.m.

Monday 5/11 Staff Appreciation Week starts

Friday 5/15 Budget Committee Meeting 8:45-10:15 a.m.

Friday 5/15 Last day of Staff Appreciation Week

Saturday 5/16 Student Marketplace 10 - 12p.m., Ridgeline

Wednesday 5/20 Handel’s Ice Cream Fundraiser - all day

Thursday 5/21 Board Meeting 6-8pm

Friday 5/22 Budget Committee Meeting (tentative) 8:45-10:15 a.m.

Monday 5/25 No School - Memorial Day

Tuesday 5/26 6th grade Outdoor School - depart at 8:45 a.m.

Thursday 5/28 6th graders return from ODS at 1:00 p.m.

Thursday 5/28 End-of-Year Picnic 5:30-7 p.m. - South Field, Ridgeline

For Quick Access:

• Ridgeline 25-26 Events Calendar
• One Page School Calendar
• Ridgeline's YouTube Channel

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.

To show our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has volunteered at Ridgeline this year, we’re hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Tea on Friday, April 24, from 2:15–3:00pm in the Ridgeline Library.

No need to RSVP—just drop by, sip some tea, enjoy a sweet treat, and let us celebrate you!

This is our way of saying thank you to the many parents, family members, and community members who have generously given their time, energy, and heart to support Ridgeline students.

Remember to log your volunteer hours in Track it Forward so we can recognize the incredible impact you’ve made.

We can’t wait to celebrate you tomorrow!

Curious about how Ridgeline’s budget works and want to play a more meaningful role in shaping our school’s future? Consider serving on our Budget Committee.

This is a unique opportunity to engage more deeply in the life of the school—learning how decisions are made, contributing to thoughtful planning, and helping steward our resources in alignment with our mission and values. This year’s budget will also reflect the valuable feedback gathered through the Possibility Project—ensuring our financial decisions are grounded in our shared values, community voice, and long-term sustainability.

To get involved, simply email Chrystell Reed.

Don’t miss the first meeting—we’ll walk through the budget line by line, review historical data, and connect it to our current priorities so you have a clear understanding of where we’ve been and where we’re going.

All meetings are open to the public and held on the following Fridays from 8:45–10:15 a.m.:

• May 8 (it’s important that everyone attend this initial meeting!)

• May 15

• May 22 (tentative, if needed)

Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School seeks a skilled, dependable, and student-centered Middle School Classroom Assistant to join our middle school team for the 26-27 school year. This is a full-time position serving students in grades 7-8.

The Middle School Classroom Assistant is a key member of the classroom team. Working under the direction of the classroom teacher, and in collaboration with school staff, this position helps maintain a safe, orderly, engaging learning environment. This role supports students in developing independence, responsibility, self-regulation, and positive participation in the school community.

👉 Interested or know someone who’d be a great fit?

• Check out the full job description on our website and help us spread the word! It’s also posted under the Careers tab on our website.

Tell us what you think--you can even vote on your phone right now! 😀 We are gathering input now through April 25 for next school year's Ridgeline t-shirts.

There are three color options, each with a reverse option. Cast your vote below!

1. Bright option:

• A black shirt with a neon-colored logo AND a neon-colored shirt with a black logo

• A sage green shirt with a cream-colored logo AND a cream-colored shirt with a sage green logo

• A navy shirt with a white-logo AND a white-shirt with a navy logo

💛 Volunteer Appreciation Week 💛

We are so grateful for the many ways our Ridgeline community shows up—with your time, your talents, and your generosity.

Whether you’ve volunteered in a classroom, chaperoned a field trip, supported an event, donated supplies, or helped behind the scenes, every contribution makes a meaningful difference. Thank you for being such an essential part of what makes Ridgeline a caring, connected, and thriving community. 💫

There are nearly 250 Ridgeline volunteers who have made an impact in the Ridgeline community this school year! Thank you to each and every person listed below (and to anyone we may have missed).🙌

Aaron Dilla, Aron Jacobson, Alden McEwen, Alder Bartlett, Alison Cassin, Allison Hill, Alycia Canavan, Amanda Bedortha, Amanda Donofrio, Amanda Volgardsen, Amber Bell, Amber Lippert, Amy Foote, Amy Hess, Andrew Raasch, Angela Englert, Angela Zallen, Ann Carney, Anna Ruiz, April Manning, April-Kay Williams, Arielle Bertolone, Aryn Bartley, Ashly Lilly, Atef Masak, Ayelet Amittay, Ben Callaway, Ben Mooney, Beth Sheppard, Bethany Dilla, Blaise Cooper, Blake Mitchell, Bonnie Doran, Brad Knopp, Brad Quillen, Brad Vehafric, Brent Munoz, Brian Olszewski, Britt Johnson, Brook Edwards, Bryan Cooper, Caitlin Richardson, Carl Bell, Carmen Coleman, Catherine Vasseur, Charity Needham, Charlie Kelley, Chelsea Whitney, Chris Hamilton, Cris Cordero, Crystal Huskey, Clare Evans, Colleen Vehafric, Cord Slatton-Valle, Cora Whitsell, Sarah Whitsell, Corey Swift, Cory Hoover, Dade Johnardt, Dana Holladay, Daniel DeFazio, Daniel Wilson, Dave Rogacki, David Grebner, Davin Poole, Dawn Cypress Broadnax, Devan Fahsholz, Devin Hughes, Devin Monte, Don Whitsell, Eli Meyer, Elizabeth Zetlmaier, Emily Baran, Emily Caldera, Emily Johnson, Emily Beirnes, Erin Wagner, Eva Vega Diaz, Gabe Tabak, Gabrielle Elam, Garret Zallen, Gina Ambrosini, Gina Coddington, Hannah Roloson, Heather Conrad, Heather Evans, Heather Hickcox, Heather Riedman, Helen Baldwin, Himashi Mead, Irene Wolansky, Jacob Siegel, Jacqueline Hurst, James Kim, Janna Hudson, Jasmine Chase, Jason Huskey, Jason Mead, Jay Baughman, Jeff Ness, Jeff Schroeder, Jen Anonia, Jenna Quillen, Jennifer Horner, Jennifer Little, Jennifer Weaver, Jenny Landaverde, Jenny Noyce, Jess Wood, Jess Grebner, Jessica Lynch, Jessica Schuman, Jillian Hoy, Jim Domingue, Joan Brown, Joan Swift, Joe Ramagli, John Sims, Jon Wilson, Jonathan Rubenstein, Jonathan Schuman, Julie Bradley, Julie Stewart, June Anderson, Katharina Highley, Kathy Horak, Kate Cross, Kate Griffith, Kari Stubbert, Keegan McEachern, Kearstin Krehbiel, Kelli Bryden Caniano, Kelly Hoell, Kim Ritley, Krista Raasch, Kristina Johnston, Kristen Konig, Kurt Mueller, Kunu Dittmer-Bearchum, Lance Lilly, Lana Gee-Gott, Lara Ravitch, Laura Allen, Laura Holland, Laura Waters, Laurel Bastian, Lauren Lanahan, Lauren Masak, Laurie Black, Lindsey Rodrigues, Lisa Ware Blaisdell, Liwen Cao, Lowell Evans, Mackenzie Cudaback, Madison McEwen, Makay Stevens, Marci Davis, Maria Schaad, Marcus Largent, Marisa Fairbanks, Mark Donofrio, Marty Wilder, Matt Jorgensen, Maxwell Fleenor, Meghan Rogacki, Megan Ary, Megan Thompson, Melissa Kadikau, Memosa McCurdy, Meredith Calzia, Meredith Tufts, Merideth Turner, Mia Sims, Mica Derrington-Via, Michelle Baughman, Michelle Dressler, Michelle Osgood, Mike Castonguay, Mimsy Sadofsky, Miranda Ingram, Molly Bullock, Molly Mair, Natalie Marino, Nasim Talebreza-May, Nikki Dalo, Nicole Munoz, Nicholas Groff, Noah Enelow, Noelle Hill, Noora Derrington-Via, Nora Fandino, Patricia Wiskow, Paul Schiffgens, Peter Verrey, Phosphor Alethes, Quinn Wilson, Rachel Kinsey, Rachel Narhi, Rachael McEachern, Rae Kelley, Ray Henry, Robyn Suzumura, Ruhi Sophia Rubenstein, Ruth Tabak, Ryan Bartlett, Sam Mitchell, Sandhaya Abeysinghe, Sarah Klain, Sarah Haven, Sarah Klein, Sarah Mauney, Sarah Silverman, Sarah Whitsell, Sarahi Gomez, Sean Stewart, Shuga Knopp, Skai Coddington, Shikha DeFazio, Shoshanna Holman, Sophie Rogers-Gessert, Stephanie Schiffgens, Stevenmikel Hoy, Suyeon Hwang, Susanne Stover, Tamar Hurwitz, Tamara Clark, Tammy Nezol, Tanya Lopez, Tim Bjornstad, Tony Konig, Trina Mills, Troy Cypress Broadnax, Valentin Ruiz, Vanessa Jackson, Vanessa Kerrigan, Vanessa Remhof, Whitney Berkley, Whitney Whiting, Yumi Aikawa, & Zachary Wilson.

Don't see your name? Due to the long list of incredible volunteer names, it's possible someone slipped through the cracks. Email bethany.dilla@ridgline.org and we'll be sure to include anyone that wasn't listed above next week. We want to acknowledge everyone who has volunteered this year!

Spring Bike, Walk+Roll to School Day is coming up on Wednesday, May 6 at 7:45 a.m. This is a nationally celebrated event and has become a fun tradition at Ridgeline. Although you'll need to set your alarm just a little bit earlier this day, this group event fosters relationship building within the Ridgeline community, promotes healthy exercise, as well as commuting safely to school. Want to volunteer? Sign up here.

• Sign up to help with Bike & Walk to School Day, Wednesday, May 6
• Volunteer for Student Marketplace on Saturday, May 16
• Pick up a morning or afternoon weekly Crossing Guard Crew shift
• Lower elementary families - sign up to help with bottle dolls this month (email your classroom organizer to sign up)

Now is the time: get in those volunteer hours!

Stay tuned:

• Watch for an upcoming outdoor clean up day!

Volunteer hour reporting is important because it helps us demonstrate community support for Ridgeline when applying for grants and when reporting to our sponsoring district. It also helps us prepare for Volunteer Appreciation Week in just a couple of weeks!

Now is a great time to look back at your calendar, jog your memory, and log any past hours.

• Don’t worry about being exact—estimates and bulk entries are absolutely fine.
• If you volunteered in a classroom but don’t recall specific dates, you can simply log something like: “classroom volunteer – 15 hours.”

• It’s easy to get started in Track it Forward—just click on the link and follow the instructions.
• The platform is also available as an app if it’s more convenient to use on your phone!

Thank you for taking time to log your volunteers hours - every entry helps!

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 Marketplace

• Spring Walk + Roll to School

• Hospitality Team (staff appreciation week ) - Coming in April 2026
• Stone Soup - Complete for this year
• Student Talent Show - Complete for this year

Ongoing Teams:

• Lunch Bunch

• Library Team

• Crossing Guard Crew

• Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)

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

• Campus Care Crew

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.

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.

Want to make a meaningful impact at Ridgeline? Join our fabulous Fundraising Committee! This team helps decide on and bring important events and initiatives to life, including our biggest fundraiser of the year—the Direct Donation Drive & the Silent Auction—and other events throughout the year including the Read-a-thon (and Jog-a-thon) etc.

Whether you have lots of time or just a little, there are many ways to get involved—from planning and organizing to behind-the-scenes support. Perhaps you’d like to coordinate a restaurant fundraiser or get involved with the Blue Bag recycling program? Joining this committee is a great way to connect with other families while supporting our school community.

The Fundraising Committee meets every other month throughout the school year. Meeting dates are listed in the weekly eNews and posted on the school calendar.

📧 Interested in joining or learning more?

• Watch the video below to hear more from Board President, Jenny Noyce!
• Come to our next meeting on-campus: Monday, May 4, 9-10:30 a.m.—we’d love to have you!
• Reach out to bethany.dilla@ridgeline.org or email giving@ridgeline.org and let us know you are interested!

Hello families,

I hope you’re all doing well and had a lovely spring break! The Ridgeline Board is gathering input from families who joined Ridgeline for (or during) the 2025–26 school year, whether as kindergarteners or in older grades. We’d love to learn more about your experience joining our community as we look ahead to next year.

We invite interested families to share a brief (3–5 minute) update at the beginning of a monthly Board meeting. You’re welcome to speak about your personal experience and offer ideas for how we can better support incoming families (for example: “What worked well?” And “What could be improved?”).

▶️ To sign up, please use this link:
https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/9449435402/false#/invitation

*If you do not wish to attend the board meeting in person, or virtually, you can also submit your feedback in writing via email.

Note: The Board does not hear complaints regarding specific individuals. The school has a formal policy for submitting complaints. For more information about this process, please contact Executive Director Chrystell Reed.

Warmly,
Meredith Tufts

Ridgeline Board Member

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to share some important information about class placements. You can read about the full process here.

Why it matters

Classroom placement at Ridgeline shapes student growth, classroom balance, and community dynamics. It’s a thoughtful, data-informed process that considers academic, social, and developmental needs—not specific teacher requests.

Who should complete the input form

Families of:

• student moving to a new level next year. If your student is transitioning within our 3-year classroom bands.

• students who may benefit from previous relationships with a student who will be moving levels.

• middle school students who would benefit from the placement team know about social dynamics.

Your insight is valued.

What you need to know

• The Class Placement Input Form is open April 2–April 24.

• You’re invited to share your student’s learning style, strengths, and needs—not teacher preferences.

• The placement process is collaborative and multi-layered; final decisions rest with the principal.

• Info shared will be reviewed alongside staff insights to support whole-child placement.

• Middle school update: Each year, student cohorts are reshuffled to ensure balanced, diverse, and supportive learning environments. Returning 8th graders should expect to be placed in a different cohort than last year, alongside incoming 7th graders.

Questions?

• Contact: placement@ridgeline.org
• Submit your input here

Please note: The Ridgeline Board is not responsible for class placement or the appropriate place to submit feedback. Direct emails with questions or comments to placement@ridgeline.org.

State testing has started! For students in grades 3-6, it runs from April 13–May 2, from 8:45–11:00 AM. Middle School testing will take place May 4–15.

To help your student do their best:

💤 Prioritize sleep: Keep consistent bedtime routines and aim for a little extra rest.

🍎 Pack extra snacks: Focused brains need fuel!

⏰ Arrive on time (or early): A calm start makes a big difference.

📅 Schedule thoughtfully: If possible, move morning appointments outside of testing windows.

Thank you for helping us protect this important time. State testing provides valuable insights that support classroom learning and growth. We appreciate your partnership in helping students feel prepared and confident! 💛

Contact enrollment@ridgeline.org if you have any questions. We look forward to a great rest of the school year!

Check out the NEW March 2026 article:

How Did Conflict Influence Montessori’s View of Education and Peace? - Peace begins in childhood, nurtured daily through empathy and responsibility.

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.

• Ridgeline families: don't miss the early child care registration date - Tuesday, April 28 beginning at 7a.m.
• Everyone else can sign up April 30th at 7a.m.

Registration is now open for our Summer Emotional Regulation Camp for kids age 6-10!

Spots are limited to keep things supportive and engaging, and they tend to fill quickly.

Why families love this group:

• Builds real-life social skills through guided peer interaction

• Small group setting (max of 8) for individualized support

• Play-based approach that keeps kids engaged and learning

• Practical tools kids can use at home, school, and in the community

• Includes a parent webinar to support carryover beyond sessions

Mother’s Hollow, founded by Ridgeline parent, mother of four, developmental psychologist, and writer Dr. Jennifer Weaver, is hosting a Mother’s Circle this May and warmly invites all Ridgeline mothers to join.

Mother’s Hollow offers a safe, supportive space for mothers to explore the profound psychological shifts of motherhood—often in ways that aren’t found in everyday parenting spaces. Through intimate circles, small cohort-style classes, and one-on-one mentoring, mothers are invited to reflect, connect, and be supported on their inner journey.

Learn more at: www.mothers-hollow.com

Gathering Ferns Preschool, run by Ridgeline parent and experienced teacher Shannon Harty, is enrolling now for fall of 2026! Our program is for three- to five-year-olds and runs Monday-Thursday, 8:45a-12:45p. (Children may attend two or four days per week.) We provide a small and nurturing environment focused on community, nature, and art only a mile and a half from Ridgeline.

www.gatheringfernspreschool.com

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: Jun. 5

Register Now