Glacier Ridge Gazette
Glacier Ridge Elementary School | March 17, 2023
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Glacier Ridge Gazette
Principal’s Message
How I Survived My Middle Schooler - Part 2
A few reminders before I get to part 2 of How I Survived my Middle Schooler.
First, happy spring break. Spring break is from March 20 - 24 and school resumes on Monday, March 27. I hope you can enjoy the time or you can get away. But I also know that it can cause challenges for families that are working during that time. EIther way, I hope you are able to have a great week.
Second, don’t forget to complete the Student Profile Form. This has been on the newsletter for multiple weeks and if you’re anything like me, you wait until closer to the deadline because you think you have plenty of time. Then you wake up at two in the morning in a panic months later because you forgot to complete it. I strongly encourage you to complete it now. Lisa Orem and I read each form and we use it as much as possible to make the best student/class placements. Our school teams put a lot of time and effort into generating class lists and making changes after our process is extremely difficult. So, the moral of the story, complete the form asap if you want to have input.
As a caveat and to give you comfort, we have a very extensive process to develop class lists. There are teams of people that look at all the variables that go into creating a positive learning environment. We go through three or four iterations of each class list. We also pair each student up with a peer that they can connect with. It is a complicated process that is not perfect, but it is purposeful and thoughtful about each student’s experience.
And now to Part 2 of How I Survived My Middle Schooler.
Desire to fit in. Peer pressure is real. Unfortunately, it is extremely prevalent in middle school. I often describe middle schoolers as “lost souls.” They are trying to find themselves. They think they know who they are and what’s important. However, in reality, they have no idea. As a result the need and desire to fit in becomes a coping strategy for acceptance, safety, and identity. This leads kids to make poor decisions and to do things that they know are wrong. And for middle schoolers with an undeveloped brain, the decisions can be extremely poor. This may come in the form of bullying others, sarcasm and mistreatment of parents (because we are not cool), unsafe behaviors, or general defiance.
My strategy: Many of my strategies for this come from the book, Unselfie, by Michelle Borba. I have about 5 of them in my office if anyone wants a free copy. This book talks about how to encourage self-efficacy in children. Some of the strategies they suggest are talking about effort rather than achievement. For example, focusing on how hard my daughter tries in school is more important than the grade she gets. Another variation is the language I use that focuses on choice behaviors rather than fixed outcomes. For example, “You are such a hard worker; I love how you persevered; I’m proud of how you thought through how to solve the problem.” This is an alternative to the traditional language that our parents may have used with us like, “You are smart; I’m proud of you for getting good grades; you are a great soccer player.” Those comments indicate that outcomes are fixed rather than a choice. These strategies help foster the identity and self efficacy of a child rather than just taking on the identity of those of others. Children often develop a self-concept of who they are as a result of the behaviors and how people treat them. That’s not wrong. However, establishing a self identity at a period of their life where they are not fully developed and doing things that are out of character is not a time you want them to do that. Instead, help them see who they are at the core and stick to the values that you have taught them in the past.
I’ll continue these characteristics and strategies following spring break. In the meantime, have a great weekend and spring break.
Sincerely,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
Spirit Week at GRE and Richens/Timm Academy of Irish Dance!
Glacier Ridge Information
Spring Flower Sale Ends March 17th, at Midnight!
Thanks so much to all of the families who have participated in the flower sale. At this point
about 20% of students have sold flowers and we only need to sell about 50 more plants to
reach our fundraising goal!!! Please place your final orders by Midnight TONIGHT. Flowers will
be delivered on May 6 h to the GRE parking lot. We will be sending out requests for volunteers
to help with delivery day in the coming weeks.
As a reminder, the prizes that could be won by participating in the sale are listed below.
Winners of the GRE PTO prizes will be announced following spring break.
Foertmeyer prizes:
For every 5 items sold, students will be entered into the mega raffle with a chance to win a PS5
game system, oculus, airpods, or fire kids edition tablet.
For every 15 items sold, you earn an Aloe houseplant.
For every 100 items sold, you earn a $100 Amazon gift card.
Raffle prizes from the GRE PTO:
For every item sold you will have an additional entry into the raffle for prizes such as $20
Amazon giftcards and Principal for a Day on May 12 th !
If you have any questions about the flower sale, please contact Heather Anderson at
Student Panorama Survey Information Grades 3 - 5
Student well-being is an essential component of educating the whole child. During the weeks of March 30 to April 12, Dublin City Schools students in grades 3-12 will participate in a questionnaire asking their perceptions about school and student support.
When completing the questionnaire, students will be encouraged to reflect on their own mindsets, approaches to learning, and feelings about school. The results will help us to better understand how we can alleviate barriers to learning, promote a culture of inclusivity and belonging, and how to best support the needs of students.
Below are important links that parents may access regarding the Survey.
This is the script that teachers will read to students.
Questions that will appear on the 2022-2023 Panorama for Education Survey:
Student SEL Competencies Survey Grades 3-5.pdf
Student Supports and Environments Survey Grades 3-5.pdf
Frequently asked questions about Panorama for Education.
The Opt-Out deadline is March 24, 2023: Panorama Opt Out Spring 2023- For Parents
Attention Incoming Karrer 6th Graders
In just a few months, your child will be entering the wonderful world of middle school. We would like to welcome all our new 6th grade students to the Karrer family with a small gift from the KMS PTO. Please see our fifth grade website to complete the KMS 5th to 6th grade t-shirt Google form no later than April 7, 2023, to ensure your child receives this gift!
Please also mark Wednesday, August 9, 2023 on your calendars for our sixth grade orientation evening, 5-7. More details to follow!
Author Visit - Stacy Mc'Anulty
Stacy McAnulty had a wonderful time visiting GRE! She was amazed by the students' work surrounding her books and felt the excitement from the students! The day was filled with learning about research and how to create a nonfiction book!
There are so many picture books by Stacy McAnulty that we simply could not read them all before her visit. Therefore, in the Media Center we have the March Book Madness (Battle of the Books) featuring Stacy McAnulty's picture book titles! Please feel free to check out March Book Madness to learn more!
Thank you again to the PTO for helping to fund the visit, and to all who bought her books to support our visiting author! It was truly a great day!
Cheerfully,
Angela Gould
GRE Media Specialist
Pictures!
Both individual and class pictures were taken this week. For spring individual pictures, there is no pre-ordering and nothing you need to do at this time. In the near future, a proof will be sent home for your consideration and you can decide at that time if you wish to order.
If you wish to order a class picture and did not pre-order you can still purchase one by visiting the HRImaging website https://www.hrimaging.com/. Once you enter and submit our school name you will be directed to pictures and ordering options.
Student Profile Form
This form is for families to provide information about their child for next year.
Please take the time to read this form carefully in its entirety. This is the time of the year when parents and teachers begin to think about what is ahead for our students in the 2023-2024 school year. Your child’s present grade level, the guidance counselor, support staff, and the principals will collaborate to generate next year’s classes. Please complete the student profile form if you would like to give input into your child’s learning needs. This form is optional.
WHAT TO INCLUDE: Include any pertinent information regarding your child’s learning needs and the characteristics of the kind of classroom environment that will support her/his success. You may also include any student relationships that may positively or negatively affect your child’s learning.
WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE: Please do not request a specific teacher. Due to the complexity of the classroom placement procedure, we will not honor a parent request for a specific teacher. Please do not ask current teachers to comment on the teachers in the next grade level.
Decisions about your child’s classroom placement are made in collaboration with other colleagues and depend upon many social, emotional, and academic considerations. We believe this procedure will create balanced, educationally sound class groups that will ultimately benefit all of our students. The important information you provide will assist the team in determining the best classroom placement for your child. Please DO NOT discuss next year’s placement with your child’s current teacher. Please DO NOT request a specific teacher by name.
This form is due by Friday, March 31, 2023. We will NOT accept any forms after the deadline.
You can complete the form HERE.
Sign Up and Volunteer Opportunities
Tiger Student Announcements
We have a new and exciting opportunity for 2nd thru 5th graders at Glacier Ridge this year! Would you like to start your day saying “Hello!” to everyone at Glacier Ridge in the morning? 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 Greeter Team
Glacier Ridge Elementary believes in creating a caring and comfortable environment for its community of learners. This begins as students enter the front doors of the school in the morning. Our student greeters help facilitate this goal!
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GRE EVENTS
Upcoming Events
March 18-26th: Spring Break
April 5th and 6th: 5th Grade ELA OST Testing
April 7th: No School-Teacher Conference Comp Day
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DISTRICT NEWS
District Updates
Spring Break
There will be no school next week due to Spring Break. Whether you are traveling or staying here in Dublin we hope you have a great break!
Syntero Summer Groups
Syntero will offer group sessions for students who wish to participate. Mark your calendar - registration begins May 8 @ 12 p.m. Visit our Student Wellbeing page for details.
Student Job Fair - April 6 @ Scioto
Don't miss the annual Work In Dublin: Job, Career and Internship Fair, Thursday, April 6, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Scioto H.S. Students will have the opportunity to meet with local businesses and learn about employment and internship opportunities. Shuttles will be provided to transport registered students from Coffman, Jerome and Emerald Campus. Students must register in advance and can do so here.
From the City of Dublin
Survey: Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Thank you to those who walked, rode, volunteered and cheered on our Greenest, Grandest Parade! We are happy to have celebrated the spirit of St. Patrick's Day in full force despite the cold weather. If you attended the parade, please fill out our event survey!
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