Glacier Ridge Gazette
August 18, 2023
September 8, 2023
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
I love Glacier Ridge and we hope you do too. This is my 11th year at Glacier Ridge and people often ask me how much longer I will be there. I don’t know the answer to that question, but what I do know is that I love my job. I gained that passion and joy for work from my parents, who were also both educators. At family dinner one night years ago, the question of what we would do on our last day on Earth came up. My father was quick to answer, “I’d go to work.” Now, my mother wasn’t too happy with that answer, responding with, “You wouldn’t spend it with your family?” It quickly became an interesting family dinner. Although he certainly would spend his last day with his family, his point was that he loved what he did.
I am certainly biased, but I think GRE is a special place. I was in another district before I came to GRE, both as an elementary teacher and principal. I’m fortunate to have a diverse experience that helps expand my perspective. As a result, it helps me appreciate things that I know are special.
What helps make it special are the values that drive and unite us. We hold true to them and keep them in the forefront. At GRE, we value children and the experience we want to provide for them. I try to be visible as a principal. As I walk around, I see staff putting students first, supporting their social emotional needs, providing academic support, and getting to know them as people, not just a student. This is what we call, “supporting the whole child.” The GRE staff work really hard to support students and often go the extra mile to do so. We Take Responsibility and put students first!
Another value we strive for at GRE is to be a joy-filled experience. Learning should be fun, but students will tell you that they would rather play video games. That is a really hard thing to compete with as educators. As I walk in classrooms, I see teachers delivering creative lessons that are engaging and fun, while also pushing students to think at the same time. In my 11 years at GRE, I constantly see staff trying new things, taking risks, and innovating their jobs, all for the benefit of students. We are Always Growing as professionals!
Kindness and empathy is another value that you won’t be surprised to hear. We certainly try to instill that in our students. But first, we uphold it for ourselves first. Look on social media, driving around town, or just out in the community, the world is filled with unkindness, anger, and the inability to listen. How hypocritical would it be to teach those skills when we can’t do it ourselves? It’s impossible for a school to function at a high quality, without being able to communicate, collaborate, and cooperate. We do that through our ability to listen, empathize, and be kind to one another as adults. That helps us learn from one another, especially when we don’t always have the same perspective. We truly believe that we are Better Together!
These are the values that keep us going, growing, and glowing. To do this successfully, it takes everyone in every role. Education is a hard gig, regardless of the exact role people play within the school. Part of our built-in reward for our profession is the intrinsic value and motivation that our job brings us. We thrive on the notion that we are making a difference. Purpose!
So, I’d like to publicly acknowledge the wonder that exists at GRE. Many people may not know any differently because it is the only school they’ve been at. However, I know that it has been a great start to the school year and I truly appreciate everyone I work with. They work so hard and I appreciate their dedication to their job, specifically, children. No organization is perfect, but we try to hold true to our values. We don’t get it right all of the time, but we try. We don’t always enjoy our failures, but we love to learn from them. That helps us get better. And although, as much as I love my job, the students, staff, and families, I have learned from my father to be careful how I answer the question about my last days on Earth. I plead the fifth on that one.
Sincerely,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
GLACIER RIDGE INFORMATION
Learn the Facts at a Community Conversation!: Levy Information - Sept. 19 @ 6:15
Members of the Dublin City Schools district leadership team are hitting the road and joining the principal of every school for a co-hosted Community Conversation. These Community Conversation events will be levy-focused, providing an opportunity to learn facts and ask questions about the upcoming levy and bond issue. Our school’s Community Conversation event will be September 19th at 6:15pm in the Glacier Ridge Commons. We welcome everyone to come and be a part of this informative session. Together, let's make our community stronger through open dialogue and shared knowledge. See you there!
PTO General Meeting - Virtual on September 20 @ 10 am
The first general meeting of the PTO will be held on September 20 at 10 am. The link to join the meeting is below. All parents/guardians/caregivers are members of the PTO and are encouraged to join the meeting. We’ll be discussing the proposed budget, upcoming events, and voting in of new board members. We look forward to your participation and hope you will tune in!
School Grounds During Non-School Hours
Our school grounds are often used and viewed as a neighborhood park. Therefore, students and families use them as such; however, there are few limitations.
Before School: Students should not arrive at school prior to 8:55am. There are no staff on duty prior to that time. When students arrive, they should go right to the playground entrance doors to wait for the bell.
During School: Although there is a path that leads through our playground, adults should refrain from cutting through the playground, especially during recess.
After School & Weekends: Families are welcome to use the playground with kindness and respect, fully knowing that Dublin City Schools is responsible for any repairs and costs associated with the playground.
DCS University September 20
The next evening of DCS University is scheduled for Wednesday, September 20 at Emerald Campus from 6-8:30 p.m. Please encourage your families to attend this opportunity to engage with us as we offer:
A Community Conversation with Dr. Marschhausen and members of the Board of Education
9 session options led by district and community experts on a variety of topics related to academics and student experience
A resource fair with community partners providing helpful information for parents
Activities for school-age children are available for families who pre-register. Here is the link to more detailed information and the registration form.
Tiger Trot Online Fundraiser-
We are only 1 week away from wrapping up our annual Tiger Trot fundraiser with 16% (93 of 582 students) donating to the GRE PTO.
GRE focuses on coming together as one community, so our fundraiser strives to have 100% schoolwide participation. Participation means donating any dollar amount - large or small. Current class participation leaders include:
Sholl AM = 35%
Fain = 28%
Thiry = 26%
Check it off your weekend to-do list and make a donation today at: 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 15: Tiger Trot
Sept 18: Tiger Trot rain date
Sept 19: Community Levy Information Meeting at GRE @ 6:15pm
Sept 20: PTO general meeting @ 10am
Sept 20: Fall picture day
Sept 29: PTO Fall Festival @ 6:00 - 8:00pm 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
School Zones
Please remember, the school zone speed limit of 20 m.p.h. is in effect when students are arriving or leaving school. The schedule below applies to all Dublin City Schools on days school is in session.
Elementary Schools: 8:40-9:15 am and 3:35-4 pm
Middle Schools: 7:58-8:33 am and 3:03-3:28 pm
Elementary and Middle Schools who share school zones: 7:58-9:15 am and 3:03-4 pm
High Schools: 7:25-8:00 am and 1:45-2:10 pm (Senior Dismissal) and 2:37-3:02 pm
Physical Therapy Day
September 9 is World Physical Therapy Day. Join us in showing appreciation for the physical therapists that work with our students each day.
National Arts in Education Week
September 10-16 is National Arts in Education Week. Watch our social media outlets for examples of outstanding arts in education here in Dublin City Schools.
Golden Shamrock Nominations
Learn more about the Golden Shamrock Awards, take a look at all the past winners, and nominate a staff member no later than September 15 for the October Golden Shamrock Award by visiting our Golden Shamrock Award page on the district website.
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