Glacier Ridge Gazette
August 18, 2023
January 22, 2024
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
Parenting = Teaching
I remember when my children were younger and parents with older children would tell me stories of teaching their children to drive. Much like when I was in my 20s and said, “I’ll never be 40,” I had the same feelings about my children ever being old enough to drive. Well, that time has come - both being in my 40s and having a child old enough to drive.
Driving for the first time can be very scary - for both the child and the parent. I’m not exactly sure who it is scarier for. As an educator, I thought for a long time about how to teach my daughter to drive, knowing that it is a very emotional experience for everyone. Her emotions were mixed. She was extremely excited about the opportunity to drive. On the flip side, she was nervous, scared, and anxious about it. Myself, I was excited for her and for the new freedom we would have by not having to drive her everywhere. On the other hand, I was also scared, and that new freedom would be replaced with worry for her safety. Learning something new is a very emotional experience and this was certainly no exception. Therefore, I had to think about exactly how to teach her.
Teach with empathy: Empathy is a large part of teaching that is often not noticed until it is not there. Learning new things is hard. Yet the person teaching is often a master at it. As you teach, think about the emotions and thoughts that the other person may be feeling. Empathy is NOT, “I learned to do it, so you should be able to do it, too.” Empathy is also not, “treating someone the way you want to be treated.” Instead, empathy is “treating someone the way THEY want to be treated.”
Break it into incremental steps: Learning something new is understanding all the components, putting them together, and then combining them into a more complex task or skill set. Think of it like climbing a ladder. Each rung of the ladder is a new skill or a component and the top of the ladder is the culmination of the skills to the more complex task or skill. Learning to play hockey is an example. There are a lot of different skills that you need to learn in order to play hockey (skating, holding a stick, rules of the game, playing defense). Each skill is different and a rung of the ladder that leads to putting them together to play hockey.
Practice: In order to run a marathon, you may have all the skills already, but you don’t have the reps in order to make it fluid. You may already know how to run and have the skills to do it. However, you also have to work your way up to that level of distance and expertise. Therefore, lots of practice at each level. You can’t expect someone to run a marathon just because they know how to run. They need to set incremental goals and practice at each level in order to work their way up.
Encourage: Balanced feedback is important. When teaching, it is natural to want to give mostly (or all) constructive feedback. It’s easy to identify what is wrong and what they can do better. However, research states that more growth occurs when someone feels success. Remember the empathy part? If you put empathy first, your feedback will shift toward encouragement.
So, if you’re a parent of young children (which most of you are), refer back to this when your children are learning to drive. Although, you may be like me and say, “My child will never be old enough to drive!” In the meantime, you can use these strategies for anyone learning/teaching something new to anyone.
Sincerely,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
GLACIER RIDGE INFORMATION
What's New Wednesday Blog
DCS is increasing transparency in a number of topics that the community expressed interest, concern, or more information about. You can read and subscribe to the updates HERE. Past topics include:
All Day Kindergarten Planning
Levy Success Means “Yes, and Decisions”
A New Year Means Planning for 24-25
Upcoming topics include:
Using Forecasts to "Stretch" the Levy
Educational Technology is a Revolving Door
From Recruitment to Retirement: Going Paperless with Frontline HRMS
Sodexo Chef Challenge
Sodexo is thrilled to introduce this great new concept to your child! This year, we’re accepting entries grade 4 through 5. The idea behind this event is to help educate the kids in HEALTHY EATING HABITS. Too often we hear about kids not making the right choices in terms of their eating habits. Plus, eating healthy should be fun! That’s why we want kids to submit recipes highlighting their FAVORITE RECIPE FROM HOME OR FAMILY RECIPE.
Judging will be based on the following criteria:
Originality
Kid Friendly
Ease of Preparation
Healthy Attributes
Plate Presentation
Taste
Student Chef Presentation to Judges
You can see more information HERE.
Valentine Parties
Classroom Valentine parties will be on Wednesday, February 14th. Students will be allowed to exchange cards for each of their classmates. Teachers will communicate the class list of students (first names only). Teachers are working with room parents about the party details. You will hear more information from your child’s teacher.
Rising 6th Grade Parent Meetings
Eversole Middle School
I wanted to reach out and give you a save the date for our rising 6th grade parent meeting at Eversole Run Middle School. We will be inviting parents to Eversole on Wednesday, January 31st, from 7:00 - 8:00 pm in our gymnasium. At this meeting, you will learn about what your student's day will look like and some general information about the school as a whole. This meeting is not mandatory and if you are not able to attend, I will be sharing the slides after the meeting. As always, we have a larger, more detailed presentation in early August where parents will meet with me and students will meet with their classroom teachers and walk their schedules.
Thank you and I'm looking forward to meeting some of our new parents on January 31st.
Kyle Gibson,
Principal
Karrer Middle School
Please save the date for our rising 6th grade parent meeting at Karrer Middle School. This event will take place on Monday, February 5th from 6:30-7:30 pm in our cafeteria/commons.
This meeting is for parents/guardians only, and will address topics such as your child's daily schedule, an overview of our school practices, and scheduling information. Slides will be shared after the meeting date for those parents/guardians who are unable to attend. In addition, a detailed website with all "need to know" transition information to help your child feel at ease with this big change will be shared soon.
I look forward to meeting with you all on February 5.
Brooke Menduni,
Principal
Yearbook sale - January 12 - 26
The GRE yearbook sale is open until 1/26/24. You can order online at www.book.hrimaging.com or you can return the completed envelope with a check payable to HR Imaging (or cash if you have exact change only). Yearbooks are $18. The sale closes Friday, 1/26/2024.
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
Upcoming GRE Events
Jan 12 - 26 - Yearbook sale
Feb 3 - PTO skate night @ the Chiller (6:15 - 8:15pm)
Feb 7 - Berwick Taste of Italy dinner pick up
Feb 8 - Art it Up event @ GRE (6:30 - 8:00pm)
Feb 14 - Valentines parties (teachers will provide more details)
Feb 16 - No school (Staff professional day)
Feb 19 - No school
Feb 22 - Family conferences night 1
Feb 28 - Family conferences night 2
Feb 29 - Class picture day
Mar 1 - Spring individual pictures (optional)
Mar 1 - 15 - PTO flower sale
Mar 7 - 2nd grade music program (7:00 - 8:00pm)
Mar 10 - Daylight savings
DISTRICT UPDATES
This Saturday! Summer Program Fair for Students with Disabilities
On Saturday, January 13, 2024, our DCS Parent Mentor will host a Summer Program Fair for students with disabilities. The event will be at Emerald Campus and is open to all families. Come learn about the programs and activities available to your student for the summer of 2024. View the flyer here.
Drive-Up Shoe Drive
Time to clean those closets! Jerome’s environmental science club is hosting a drive for old athletic shoes. Shoes can be dropped off at the Jerome boys basketball games on Friday, January 12 or during their drive-up event Saturday, January 13, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Brand Road side). Students will run out to accept the donated sneakers from community members.
Emerald Campus Open House - January 18, 2024
All students and parents are invited to learn about learning opportunities at the Emerald Campus Open House on January 18 from 4-6 p.m. Presentations and walk-through options will showcase Academies, International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, and College Credit Plus. Learn more here.
DCS Preschool Accepting Peer Applications for 2024-25 school year
DCS Preschool is taking applications for new peers for next school year! If you are unfamiliar with our preschool peer program, visit the Peer Program page on our website to learn more. Interested families should complete the Peer Program Application as soon as possible to be considered for the upcoming school year. Please contact Tara Harris at 614-760-4345 with any questions.
Golden Shamrock Nominations Accepted
Is there a DCS staff member that regularly goes above and beyond that you think is deserving of a Golden Shamrock Award? Learn more about the award and nominate a deserving staff member here. The deadline to nominate someone for the February award is January 19.
Ties & Tiaras Dance
Scioto Touchdown club is hosting its annual Ties & Tiaras dance for K-5 student “princesses” February 24, 7-9 p.m. at the Scioto Cafeteria. Purchase tickets here.
From the City of Dublin
THIS WEEKEND: MLK Civic Service Series Kicks Off
Monday, Jan. 15, visit the Dublin Community Recreation Center to celebrate the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. All ages are welcome to volunteer to create caring cards and paper placemats to be delivered to local seniors. Register
Join the Fun! Be Part of the Greenest, Grandest Parade
Your group, organization, company or cause can be in front of thousands of spectators March 9 as part of Dublin’s St. Patrick's Day Parade. Fill out a parade application before Friday, Feb. 23. Learn more about the annual parade.
Podcast: Tackling Winter Weather in Dublin
Listen to the City’s “Link Ahead” podcast episode about how Dublin crews are on the job making sure our roads, bridges and walking paths stay clear and safe. The person leading that charge is Dublin's Public Service Director Jay Anderson.
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