Glacier Ridge Gazette
August 18, 2023
September 1, 2023
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
Rose Colored Glasses
If you hear the phrase, “rose colored glasses,” it typically means that you only see the positive and fail to see the negative, leading to a distorted view of reality. It’s perceived as a negative attribute. You don’t meet many people that have that attribute anymore. Maybe it’s because our brain focuses 20 times more on the negative (Hammond, 2015).
WATCH THIS VIDEO before reading the rest of this article. If you don’t watch the video, that’s okay, you’ll still get the point. However, it lasts less than 2 minutes and I think you’ll get a lot out of it.
Do you tend to focus on the positive or negative? For example, when you have a great experience at a restaurant, do you notice and acknowledge it? How often do you actively identify great service and the positives? When the service or the food is amazing, do you tell the manager or waitstaff? However, when service is poor, how much do you focus on that? It seems that we are more inclined to identify the negative because our brain reacts so strongly to negative stimuli. That is the human fight or flight response in action. It is a biological instinct that we focus on things that may be harmful to our mind and body in order to protect ourselves.
As in the video above (which you may or may not have watched), by focusing on one thing, you can completely miss something else. Did you see the gorilla? Think of the bouncing basketballs as negative stimuli in the environment and the gorilla as positive stimuli. Unless you practice to train or tell your brain to focus on something else, it diverts to what it thinks it should be focused on. When our brain is hyper focused on the negative (counting basketball passes), we can often negate positive aspects of things (gorilla). Arguably, focusing on positivity and happiness is actually more important for our daily lives and ultimate success, than negative. We don’t always need the fight or flight response as much anymore, or at least not in the same way that we used to.
Shawn Achor, the author of The Happiness Advantage (2010), states that focusing on the positive, happiness, and optimism, can lead to a multitude of productive outcomes. Happiness and optimism actually fuel performance and achievement. He goes on to state that positivity can also lead to increased self-efficacy and confidence (2010). I’m not saying that focusing on the positive is a panacea for mental health. However, if we don’t actively focus on the positive, our brains may never let us experience it.
When I am doing something I know I should be enjoying, I stop and take a mental minute to actively enjoy it. Vacation is an example of something that is supposed to be positive, but it can also be very stressful. At the start of a vacation, I pause and enjoy the moment and excitement that I feel, or should feel. I think about what I’m looking forward to, what I want to do, and what I hope to feel. Spending time with my children is also one of those mixed feelings experiences. When my daughters were younger, I would get asked to jump on the trampoline. They always seemed to time their request at the exact moment when I am going to sit down and relax. At that moment, I purposefully think about the fact that they will not ask me to jump with them for the rest of their lives. They don’t ask me to jump on the trampoline anymore and I certainly do miss those moments now. That shift in mindset helps me appreciate the moment when it’s happening, rather than looking back and wishing I could have more of it. That’s not quite the same feeling.
Ultimately, focusing on the positive and the productive thoughts must be purposeful. With or without rose colored glasses, is training your mind to see the positive (the gorilla) and feel all the emotions that can accompany that. In theory, that will lead to many other positives in your own life, and others’ too - especially if you share them. Feel free to reach out and share your positivity or appreciation of others. If you want a great tool to have these conversations with your children, listen to the book, Happy Right Now, by Julie Berry.
Questions to ask your child (or yourself):
What was something that made you smile/laugh today?
What was the funniest thing that happened today?
Who is the funniest person in your class? Why?
Who is someone that you appreciate? Why? Did you tell them?
What part of the day brings you the most joy?
Sincerely,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
Achor, S. (2010). The Happiness Advantage. Crown Publishing Group.
Hammond, Z. (2015). Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain. SAGE Publications Ltd.
Have a great weekend,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
GLACIER RIDGE INFORMATION
R Factor Leadership Town Halls
This week, students in each grade level have participated in leadership training that reinforce and implement the concepts of R Factor, led by Laurie Coon, our school counselor. Last week students learned about E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome). We can’t control the Event that happens to us, but we can control our response, which will have a positive effect on the outcome.
This week included an activity that challenged students to apply the concepts. Fourth and Fifth grade students were dived into groups with different student roles. The viewer looked at a secret item that the group had to build. The view tells a second student, the communicator, attributes of the secret item, who then relays it to the rest of the group, who builds the item. It is an activity to practice communication skills and to get to know other students in the grade level.
Ask your child about the grade level leadership town hall.
Parent/Guardian Information Night
If you missed Parent/Guardian night or the principal presentation, you can view the slide deck HERE. Your child’s teacher should also have sent out their slide deck as well. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or the office staff.
Updated Grade Card
The elementary grade card is changing starting in the 23-24 school year. DCS is transitioning to a standards based grading system and grade card. The biggest change will be in the 4th and 5th grades, with the removal of the traditional letter grades (A, B, C, etc.). Instead, grades K-5, students will receive M (meeting), P (progressing), or N (needs improvement) in the grade level standards in each subject. These grades will be assigned to specific grade level standards rather than an overall subject.
Here is a district video from the District YouTube channel that overviews the changes you will see on your student's report card this year.
As we think about the changes, it will certainly feel a little different and uncomfortable - especially in 4th and 5th grade. We grew up receiving and understanding traditional letter grades. We knew that an A meant that we were performing well. As the grade decreased, it indicated that we were doing as well in a particular subject. The grade was calculated by averaging all the graded assignments, tests, and quizzes. In theory, this should represent the learning and performance of the child on grade level standards. However, that is not always the case. For example, if your child received an A in math, that doesn’t tell you anything specific about strengths or areas of growth in math specifically. As a parent, we don’t often need information if they are receiving an A and performing well. However, change that to a C, and you certainly want and need more information. A letter grade (either good or bad) doesn’t give the family the information that a grade card intends.
Instead, the student’s performance will be categorized into the grade level standards within a subject area. In each subject area (math, reading, science, etc.), there are many different standards that we are required to teach in each grade level. These standards are end-of-year expectations. These standards are what students should be able to perform by the end of their current grade level. Students will receive a M if they are meeting the current standard. However, if they are receiving a P in the middle of the year, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are behind.
More information will be forthcoming for families as DCS transitions to the standards based grading system.
Unexcused Absences & Transportation Changes
Parents of students marked with an unexcused absence will receive automated notification calls. Please note: While completing a Pre-Arranged Absence Form is important and appreciated, a prearranged vacation or trip is still an unexcused absence. However, completing the form lets us account for your child and know that they are safe. It also provides advance notification to their classroom teacher so that both student and teacher can plan accordingly.
Please send all attendance and/or transportation changes to gres_attendance@dublinschools.net and cc: the classroom teacher.
Tiger Trot Fundraiser
Our annual GRE PTO Tiger Trot fundraiser kicked off this week with two weeks left to donate!
GRE focuses on coming together as one school community, so our fundraiser strives to have 100% schoolwide participation. Participation means donating any dollar amount - large or small. The class with the highest participation percentage will win a $100 gift card for their class. Current class participation leaders include:
Sholl AM = 20%
Liszeski = 14%
Cordle PM = 14%
Knostman = 13%
To make a donation, visit: https://pledgestar.com/grepto/
Questions: Ashley Homan (ahoman07@yahoo.com)
Become a Let Me Run athlete or Coach!
3rd Grade Boys - Get a running start at making new friends with “Let Me Run”. The “Let Me Run” program inspires boys through the power of running to be courageous enough to be themselves, to build healthy relationships, and to live an active lifestyle. We are starting a program at GRE for 3rd Grade boys and we are looking for students and coaches to join the team. We need at minimum of 6 boys and 2 coaches, training twice a week after school (Tues/Fri) for 7 weeks, starting on the 19 th Sept and ending with a 5k run on Nov 4 th in Westerville. For more information go to LetMeRun.org or contact Alan Roberts (alan.roberts9876@gmail.com). Registration is now open for Glacier Ridge (https://columbus.letmerun.org/teams)
Let Me Run Boys:
• Run with a team of other elementary school students
• Train for 7 weeks after school, 2 days per week (Tuesday and Friday)
• Grow in personal strength, endurance, and goal setting
• Become more aware of your own personal gifts and those of others
• Celebrate the courage to be yourself
• Learn to be a better friend, identify true friends, and embrace positive relationships
• Compete in the end-of-season 5k run
SIGN UP & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Adult Library Volunteers
Volunteers are an essential part of the Glacier Ridge Library! Our volunteers help to create a fantastic experience for our students, both in the daily classes and special events throughout the year. If you would like to be a library volunteer, please email Carol Naples, Library Aide, at naples_carol@dublinschools.net.
Tiger Student Announcements
Would you like to start your day saying “Hello!” to everyone at Glacier Ridge in the morning? Are you in 2nd thru 5th grade? Then sign up to read the morning announcements! If you would like to find out more about this opportunity and sign up to be a Tiger Student Announcer then go to this link via SignUp Genius: GRES Tiger Student Announcements
Glacier Ridge Student Greeter Team
Parent/Guardian Volunteer Background Check
SECURE VOLUNTEER BADGE - Dublin City Schools takes the safety of our students and staff seriously and requires a background check for all volunteers interacting with students. In order to attend field trips or volunteer in the classroom, you much go through the background check process. The process is free and easy and takes only a few minutes to complete. This is required for any parents or caregivers wishing to volunteer with students.
GRE EVENTS
Upcoming GRE Events
Sept 4th: No School, Labor Day
Sept 15: Tiger Trot
Sept 18: Tiger Trot rain date
Sept 20: PTO general meeting @ 10am
Sept 20: Fall picture day
Sept 20: Community Levy Information Meeting at GRE @ 6:15pm
Sept 29: PTO Fall Festival @ 6:00 - 8:15pm at Leed's Farm
Oct 2: Yearbook cover art contest begins
Oct 16: Yearbook cover art contest ends
Oct 18: Family conferences - night 1
Oct 20: No school
Oct 23: No school
Oct 25: 5th grade class picture day
Oct 26: Family conferences - night 2
DISTRICT UPDATES
DCSU and Community Conversation
Our next DCSU session and Community Conversation is scheduled for Wednesday, September 20 at Emerald Campus from 6-8:30 p.m. Featured topics include Navigating Club vs School Sports, Literacy and Language at Home, Talking with Youth About Substance Abuse, Understanding the New Graduation Requirements and more. Learn more here.
Now Enrolling - Fall After School Community Education
Looking for fun and entertaining after school programs for your child? The following DCS Community Education classes are now enrolling students.
Golf Squad
Bright Yogis
Drama Kids
Chess Scholars
Spanish and French
Young Rembrandts
Kung Fu Panda
Eager Engineers
Eager Artists
Stitch and Sew
Pottery
Babysitting
Visit the Info Hub/Community Ed page on the district website to enroll.
From the City of Dublin
Overdose Awareness: Use the Medication Drop Box 24/7
With International Overdose Awareness Day happening this week, it’s an important time to reflect on what we can do to eliminate medication abuse. Do your part by disposing of unused or expired drugs at the Justice Center’s designated drop box. What to know.
2 Things for Your Preparedness Month Checklist
To stay in the know during emergencies, Dublin City Schools district residents are encouraged to sign up for two important notification systems: ALERT Franklin and Smart911. Get the details.
Labor Day
There is no school Monday, September 4 in recognition of Labor Day.
GRE CONTACT INFORMATION
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