Glacier Ridge Gazette
Glacier Ridge Elementary School | February 11, 2022
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Principal Message
Random Acts of Kindness Day - Feb. 17
A few months ago, I had a youth basketball coach approach me telling me about their game with GRE students on the team. He said, “Wow, your motto of Choose Kind is certainly impactful, but I wish they would do it less!” He jokingly laughed as he explained. He continued with his story that the students were too kind on the basketball court and refused to talk negatively about the other team. Again, he was joking and he used that opportunity to tie kindness to sportsmanship. He finished by saying how proud he was of the members of his team for being competitive, but also great sports.
Thursday, February 22 is National Random Acts of Kindness day. However, it is not just a day at GRE. At GRE, it is ingrained into our daily lives - sometimes so much so that it can feel like over saturation. However, that is part of the success.
Common language and consistency are two concepts that help make our message of kindness sink in. The conversation about what kindness looks like, sounds like, and feels like in all types of situations occurs frequently at GRE. We talk about how our actions are a choice and how our actions affect others. These conversations occur in kindergarten all the way through 5th grade. Staff use the common language of kindness all the time. Furthermore, we are consistent with our language and use. Our goal is for students to truly understand what kindness means and how to do it.
Although we focus on kindness, it does not mean that unkind things don’t occur. Kindness is a journey without a complete destination. We can always be more kind or kind in different ways. Therefore, the consistency and common language keep us all moving forward.
So, we may take a moment to acknowledge Random Acts of Kindness Day next Thursday. However, our hope is to make it part of every day. Feel free to use this coloring page to engage in conversation about what kindness looks like, sounds like, and feels like in your family and at home.
Happy Random Acts of Kindness Day,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D.
Principal
GRE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Unsung Hero: Laure Coon, Guidance Counselor
This week was National School Counselor week. GRE is extremely fortunate to have Mrs. Coon supporting the students, families, and staff. As a counselor, Mrs. Coon teaches students how to socially navigate our world and successfully interact with others, as well as how to understand their own emotions. She goes beyond that role to provide so many extra opportunities that are unique to GRE. Morning greeters, student leadership groups, kindness coaches, Ruling Our Experience (ROX), and additional support groups are just a few examples. Unless you have experience at another school, you may not know the extent of Mrs. Coon’s talent and hard work. If she has had a positive impact on your child or family, feel free to send a note to GRE sharing your appreciation (7175 Glacier Ridge Blvd. Dublin, OH. 43017).
Incoming 6th Grade Information
Karrer MS Information:
Parent night (in person) on February 16 from 6:30-7:30 PM in the Karrer Commons. Please plan to meet Karrer Administration and Guidance Counselors as we share a brief orientation and overview of our building. The session will be recorded and available later, if you are not able to attend.
Band Fittings: All sixth grade students are required to take a music class (choir, orchestra or band). Band fittings for musical instruments will take place at DCHS on the following dates: 2/22, 2/23, 2/27 and 2/28. More information to follow at our 2/16 parent night!
Principal Visit: I will be working with all feeder schools to set a date after Spring Break to come and introduce myself to future Golden Shamrocks, answer questions and hand out a special gift to each student!
Sixth Grade Website: Going live on 2/16 following parent meeting. All need-to-know information for scheduling your child, getting to know Karrer, etc.
Eversole MS information:
Parent night (in person) on February 17 from 6:30-7:30 PM in the ERMS Commons. Please plan to meet Eversole Run’s Administration and Guidance Counselors as we share a brief orientation and overview of our building.
Band Fittings: All sixth grade students are required to take a music class (choir, orchestra or band). Band fittings for musical instruments will take place at DCHS on the following dates: 2/22, 2/23, 2/28 from 3-7pm and 2/27 from 12-4pm.
Principal Visit: I will be working with all feeder schools to set a date after Spring Break to come and introduce myself to future Golden Eagles, answer questions.
You can see all the information for both middle schools in the Counselor Corner letter
Valentine Parties - February 14 - Updated Information
Students will be exchanging Valentines Day. Each teacher will communicate the plan and schedule for distribution within the classroom. In addition, the plan for collecting the valentine may slightly vary as well. Room parents will be coordinating a few activities for the class to enjoy during their party. Additional details will be provided by your child’s teacher and/or room parent.
Meltdown Postponed Until Next Year
With ongoing changing guidelines and the significant time needed to plan an event, the school and PTO have collaboratively decided not to have the Meltdown carnival this year. Our Meltdown is an indoor carnival, typically held in early March. Planning begins in October with contracts and deposits. We held off as long as possible, but we made the difficult decision to not have the event. It was not possible to push the event to later in the year. We are disappointed, but are already planning different types of activities for the future.
PTO General Meeting (Virtual) - February 16
Please join us for the PTO General Meeting on Wednesday, February 16 at 10:00am. Deputy Superintendent, Jen Schwanke, will attend the PTO meeting to answer redistricting questions. The meeting will be held virtual via zoom. You can access the meeting at the link below:
https://zoom.us/j/98127387112?pwd=ZjVFTTdKUko1OWpmOU9lQSsxV1Rtdz09
Redistricting Information
Due to unforeseen growth, Depp and Eversole are significantly over capacity. As a result, changes in attendance boundaries are needed, which will impact Glacier Ridge, Pinney, and Karrer.
Assistant Superintendent, Jen Schwanke will attend the PTO meeting on Wednesday, February 16 at 10am to answer redistricting questions. The meeting will be virtual so that it is more accessible. It will be recorded for viewing later. You can access the live meeting at the link below:
https://zoom.us/j/98127387112?pwd=ZjVFTTdKUko1OWpmOU9lQSsxV1Rtdz09
In the meantime, if you would like more information about the redistricting plan, you can view the presentation video HERE. You are also welcome to reach out to the principal, Pete Kurty at kurty_peter@dublinschools.net
If you can’t attend the GRE PTO meeting, you are welcome to attend the Depp PTO meeting and listen to Jen Schwanke speak about redistricting on Wednesday, February 16 @ 7pm in the Depp Elementary School commons.
Redistricting look-up:
We have a new link for the 2022-23 school year for parents to look up addresses to view the schools of attendance. This is updated on the website.
Family Conference Information - Virtual
For the purpose of health and safety as well as family convenience, conferences will be virtual again this year. The official conference evenings will be February 9 & 17th. In addition to those dedicated two evenings, we will have a month and a half long window of time. Teachers will reach out to families to schedule a conference time to be scheduled between February 1 through March 11.
During conferences, your child’s teacher will address three main criteria:
What I know about your child as a learner and a person
Evidence of ways I’ve gotten to know your child using formal and informal data
Next instructional steps
If you have specific questions about your child that you want the teacher to prepare for and address within the allotted time, please reach out to let them know.
Kindergarten registration begins Feb. 15 for 2022- 23
Kindergarten registration for next school year is now open. Click here for more information.
Greeter Sign Up for 2022
Glacier Ridge Elementary believes in creating a caring and comfortable environment for it's community of learners. This begins as students enter the front doors of the school in the morning.
Students in grades 2-5 are invited to greet students and staff in the morning as they come into school.
Students will gain self-confidence, become leaders, and learn how to represent themselves in a positive way.
*Click here for sign-ups and more specific information.
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GRE EVENTS
Upcoming Events
Feb 1 - Mar 11 - Family Conference Window
Feb 15 - Kindergarten registration opens for 22-23
Feb 16 - PTO meeting @ 10am
Feb 16 - Karrer MS incoming 6th grade parent night @ 6:30 (in person)
Feb 17 - Family conference night 2
Feb 17 - Eversole Run MS incoming 6th grade parent night @ 6:30 (in person)
Feb 18 - No school - Professional development day
Feb 21 - No school - Presidents day
Feb 24 - PTO dinner out @ Brenz Pizza
Mar 7-18 - PTO flower sale
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DISTRICT NEWS
District News
Join PERC on Feb. 24 - for “How to Keep Our Kids Safe,” presented by Nationwide Children’s
“Do you know who your kids are talking to or what they are receiving on their phones?”
9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Dublin Rec Center. Click here for more details.
2022 Community Champion Award Nominations
This spring, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and Dublin City Schools are partnering to honor the best in volunteerism, giving back, and selflessness with the 2022 Community Champion Awards. Please take a moment to nominate deserving students and staff at this link.
Job and internship fair for students
If your business is interested in hiring students for the summer, or Dublin graduates for their career, join us for Work In Dublin: Job, Career, and Internship Fair on April 12 at Dublin Scioto 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. You can sign up for this free event at this link.
DYA spring sports registration now open
DYA is now accepting registrations for spring sports. Visit our youth activities page for information and links to DYA and other local youth organizations.
Need more information? Visit our sites below.
Attendance
If your child will be absent from school, please email our attendance line at gres_attendance@dublinschools.net.
Glacier Ridge Elementary
Email: glacierridge_info@dublinschools.net
Website: https://www.dublinschools.net/Domain/18
Location: 7175 Glacier Ridge Boulevard, Dublin, OH, USA
Phone: 614.733.0012
Twitter: @greDCSD