Glacier Ridge Gazette
August 18, 2023
December 20, 2023
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
A Break From What?
It’s a short week this week, so I’ll pause on the last part of my blog series. However, I want to wish you a wonderful break and Holiday.
I know full well that having a house full of children means that calling this a “break” is anything but. A break from what? The Kurty household will consist of driving kids to and from their social engagements, cheer practice, the store, and anything else that pops into their mind five minutes before they ask to do it. If you don’t have teenagers yet, strap in for the ride. Their executive function of planning, leaves much to be desired. I get frustrated when they ask me to drive them somewhere and expect me to drop everything to cater to their lack of planning. Then they get frustrated when I don’t immediately do so.
One strategy I have with this is to live in the moment and think about the alternative. One alternative is that they will plan ahead and the whole Kurty household will have a clear schedule written and organized and everyone knows their part. That’s not going to happen. However, the other more likely alternative is that they will eventually NOT ask us for a ride anymore. Whether it is because they are driving themselves, with friends, or away at college, sooner or later, they will no longer need us in the capacity they do now. The house will be quiet.
So, I try to live in the moment and appreciate the components that I enjoy. I cherish the times when they invite a huge group of friends over and the house is filled with screaming children - even though we are now feeding all of those children. I enjoy my daughters blasting Taylor Swift music in the car - even though I don’t like any of her songs (I know, I might be the only non-Taylor Swift fan in the world). I enjoy watching them attempt to bake cookies while making a huge mess in the kitchen - even though they try to clean it and the kitchen is still a disaster.
Either way, I hope you are able to have a great “break,” live in the moment, and think of the alternative, which sometimes isn’t all it's cracked up to be.
Happy Holidays,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
GLACIER RIDGE INFORMATION
Celebration of Giving
Students and staff celebrated the season by coming together as a school community at our annual Celebration of Giving. The assembly consisted of a strings performance, a staff bell choir performance, speeches by students, and lots of singing. We presented the gifts that were donated to the Adopt A Family program and through our collaborative efforts we were able to make a donation to One Dublin in the amount of $790.68.
Holiday Tiger Trunk - Thank you PTO & Volunteers
This week, students had the opportunity to shop at the holiday themed tiger trunk store. Students could purchase items for their family and friends, and even have complimentary gift wrapping. Thank you to the PTO, Tiger Trunk coordinators, and volunteers for staffing the event!
End of Grading Period and Grade Cards
The end of the grading period is on Friday, December 20th. Grade cards will be posted on Saturday, January 13th. If you recall, the district switched to standards based grading. HERE is district information about standards based grading and how to read the grade card.
Below is information about the standards based grading in a previous newsletter.
What is the New Grade Card System: Tool Yourself Up!
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. Students in grades K-5 will receive M (meeting), P (progressing), or N (needs improvement) in the grade level end of year standards in each subject on the gradebook and grade card. These grades will be assigned to specific grade level standards (or groups of standards) rather than an overall subject.
So, what does this mean?
The major shift of this practice is away from traditional grading based on tests, quizzes, tasks, and correct answers averaged in a grade. The emphasis now shifts to how the students are demonstrating their performance compared to the end of year grade level standard expectation. Throughout the year, teachers provide instruction and work to students as stairsteps up to the end of year standard. It is a progression of learning working towards the end of grade goal. For example, if you are training for a marathon, you don’t run 26.2 miles right away. You gradually train and work your way up to 26.2, which is the end of year expectation.
With the example of a marathon, the goal is to get all students to the level where they can run a marathon by the end of the year. However, everyone works, trains, and performs at a different pace. That is where the teacher provides differentiated instruction based on the students’ needs and readiness.
What will I see about my child’s performance?
Grade Card: At the end of each semester, parents will be able to access the student grade card in Infinite Campus. The grade card will ONLY report standards that have been taught to your student based on the end of year standard mastery. For example, if your child is able to run a marathon by the end of the 1st semester, they will receive an M on the grade card for that standard, even though it is an end of year expectation. If they have not yet met end of year mastery, it will be BLANK for that standard. Therefore, you will get more information about ongoing progress in the gradebook. Therefore, you may see many blank fields on your child’s grade card because most standards are not taught to mastery until close to the end of the year.
Gradebook: The teacher gradebook is where teachers put ongoing grades (N, P, M) on student work and assessments as related to the end of standard. If the student is performing as expected on the work provided, they will likely get a P on assignments in the gradebook. If they are being instructed and performing at the end of year standard, they will get an M. An M will not be common in the middle of the year until the standard is taught to completion. If the students are performing below where they should be at that part of the year, they will receive an N. In the example of running a marathon, think of your training sessions like student work or assessments. These are the practice sessions leading up to the final marathon race. If a student can already run 26.2 miles before the end of the year, they will receive an M. The student will receive a mark for various practice sessions. If the student is on pace to be able to run a marathon by the end of the year, they will likely receive a P. If the student is behind the pace that will get them to the point of running a marathon by the end of the year, they will get an N.
So, as you can see, this is a significant shift from a focus on the grade card towards more focus on the gradebook to show progress towards the end of year goal. The grade card traditionally shows our learning based on grades or a score on the work or tests. The grade book shows their learning as compared to the end of year standard.
Want more information?
Art It Up Volunteers Needed
GRE Art It Up is back and volunteers are needed to help set up in the days leading to the event. Please click here if you can help out. Student artwork and sculptures will be on display and everyone is encouraged to come check it out!
SIGN UP & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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
DISTRICT UPDATES
Winter Break
The first semester of the 2023-24 school year ends on Wednesday, December 20. Winter Break begins December 21 and school will resume on Thursday, January 4.
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