Glacier Ridge Gazette
August 18, 2023
March 1, 2024
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
We recently had Kwame Christian speak to our staff about negotiation. If you’re like me, you are thinking, ‘what does negotiation have to do with education,’ or even, ‘what does negotiation have to do with everyday life in general?’ However, Mr. Christian describes that negotiation is more about listening, understanding, and compassionate conversation than about winning or conceding. Rather, a compassionate conversation of negotiation can bring people together. He states that we are really negotiating everything all the time - with ourselves, in every conversation, and every interaction. Because we are negotiating all the time, doing so with an empathetic and listening perspective, we will be more successful with the outcome.
If you have 10 minutes, watch this TedTalk about how compassionate conversations helped him navigate a conflict about his wife eating the last of his favorite cereal.
If you have negotiations with your children every morning about NOT wearing shorts to school because it is winter, the video may provide some great strategies. Compassionate conversations in negotiations take an empathetic approach that allows people to understand each other - especially when all parties involved think they are right.
People often think that empathy and listening are signs of weakness. They strip away power and authority because it can appear soft, indecisive, or even incompetent.
Ironically, I lead GRE with compassion with the staff, families, and students. Even with my 16 years of experience as a principal and three higher education degrees, people still don’t want me to tell them what to do. Furthermore, I’m not always right. I gain insight, I learn, and I make better decisions when I can listen, understand, and appreciate a variety of perspectives. Then, with all of that information, I combine it with my expertise to make a final decision - or a collaborative one.
I live with empathy in my personal life too. I have experience being a child (as we all do), but it was so long ago. Furthermore, I am NOT my children. They are different. Therefore, I don’t always know what they are going through or what they value. Through compassionate conversations, I understand their values and my experience as we navigate every situation. This actually brings me closer to my children.
If you think about it, almost no one that I work with, live with, friends with, or interact with would say they wish I were more authoritative. They would say that they want to heard. Don’t you want everyone you come in contact with (and especially live with) to be more empathetic? I’m sure they would say the same. Empathy, compassionate conversations, and negotiating through listening has brought me closer to all of those people.
Happy negotiating (listening)!
Have a great weekend,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
GLACIER RIDGE INFORMATION
My Story Event at GRE - March 11 - 15
What makes you who you are?
Everyone has things that define them and a story to tell. That is what makes each of us unique and different. My Story event is designed to help everyone identify qualities, interests, hobbies, traditions, and any other components that they believe make them who they are as a unique and special individual. Through the sharing of stories and individuality, we hope to foster an understanding and appreciation for differences, while at the same time finding connections that can bring people together. This is the foundation of our Start with hello > Find a connection > Create a friendship initiative. We believe that connections can develop through differences and similarities, which is what makes GRE a strong school community founded on kindness, empathy, and inclusion.
Each grade level is completing standards-based projects with an emphasis on student identity, culture, traditions, and hobbies/interests. See the schedule below.
Parking: Parking will be available in the parking front and side parking lots, as well as the back playground.
Sign-in: All families will enter and exit the building through the main office.
Student Profile Form - Give input about your child for next year’s classroom placement
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 2024-2025 school year. Please complete this form if you would like to give input into your child’s learning needs. This form is optional.
WHAT TO INCLUDE:
Learning Needs: 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.
Student Relationships: 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.
Keep in mind that soliciting input does not guarantee placement or specific peers. We value and incorporate the perspectives and information from families as some of the many variables and information that we consider when creating class placements. Your child's teacher, the guidance counselor, support staff, and the principals will collaborate to form next year’s classes. 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. Ultimately, we are making decisions with the purpose of establishing a positive learning environment for each child. 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.
THE STUDENT PROFILE FORM is due by Sunday, March 31, 2024. We will NOT accept any forms after the deadline.
Please join Glacier Ridge Elementary School to celebrate Read Across GRE!
*GRE will be hosting a BOOK DRIVE for local schools in need of children’s books. Please donate gently used or new books and drop them off throughout the week to the boxes in front of the library. *
Each day in school, students will have a spontaneous time to “Drop Everything and Read” throughout the week! Please read below to learn the ways we will be celebrating reading with our GRE community! 📚
Monday (3/4) : Poetry Day! Post-it Poetry. Students will be writing a poem on a post-it note and displaying in front of the library to share poetic expression. 📝
Tuesday (3/5): Read Your Shirt! : Please wear a shirt that has school appropriate writing on it so others can read it! 👕
Wednesday (3/6): Book Drive: Please remember to bring a book to donate that is gently used or a new book. In class, students will be discussing the meaning of giving back through literacy.🔖
Thursday (3/7): Buddy Reading: You Read to Me, I’ll Read to YOU! Students will enjoy time buddy reading with a classmate or another class! 📚
Friday (3/8): Dress As Your Favorite Book Character: (Optional) Your child can dress as their favorite book character! Feel free to send the book in with your child too! 📖
Happy Reading,
Liam, Kyra, Kennedy, Livie, Ella, Tanvi, Ella, Vidhatri, and Mrs. Gould
“And the boy loved the tree… very much.”~ The Giving Tree
Class and Individual picture ordering
Class pictures were taken on February 29. If you still wish to order you can do so online at hrimaging.com.
Individual pictures were taken today, 3/1. Your child was given a card that should have come home in their backpack, containing a preview code specific to your child. Once proofs are available, you will be able to preview and order online.
If you have questions about the process you can contact HRImaging directly through their website or by calling 1-815-433-1869.
Lost and Found
If your child is missing a coat, jacket, lunchbox, etc. please remind them to check the lost and found table in the hallway on Monday. All unclaimed items will be donated to One Dublin on Tuesday, 3/5.
Construction on Hyland Croy
Beginning March 4, Southbound Hyland-Croy Road will close between Park Mill Drive and Post Road for 70 days. This closure is part of the Hyland-Croy Road widening construction project.
The detour around the closure is Hyland-Croy Road to Brand Road, then Muirfield Drive to Perimeter Drive and then Post Road or Hyland-Croy Road to Mitchell Dewitt Road, then Industrial Parkway to Post Road.
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
Mar 1 - 15 - PTO flower sale
Mar 7 - 2nd grade music program (7:00 - 8:00pm)
Mar 10 - Daylight savings
Mar 16- 24 SPRING BREAK
April 1- 5th Grade OST ELA Part 1 Test
April 2- 5th Grade OST ELA Part 2 Test
April 3- 3rd Grade OST ELA Part 1 Test
April 4- 3rd Grade OST ELA Part 2 Test
April 8- NO SCHOOL
DISTRICT UPDATES
Summer Camps and Enrichment Opportunities are Available Now
Check out the Info Hub page to learn about summer camps, spring after-school enrichment opportunities - Classes are filling up quickly! You can also fin links to our community partners such as DYA and more.
Cleveland Cavs Discount Tickets Available
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the hottest team in the NBA right now, winning 20 of the last 25 games. Don’t miss this opportunity to purchase tickets at a discounted price. Use this link and the code SCHOOL to reserve your discounted tickets for any remaining game this season.
City of Dublin
Fuel Dublin’s Future
Service on a board, commission or committee is an excellent way for citizens to become involved in the operation of local government and to contribute to Dublin’s quality of life. Learn more about how you can make a difference in our community and apply today.
Last Chance to Skate
The ice rink at Riverside Crossing Park will close for the season after March 3. Take a visit Friday, Saturday or Sunday before it closes! Find admission pricing and skate sizes.
It’s Time for the Greenest, Grandest Parade!
Join us for Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 9! Know the parade route and where to find accessible parking before you go.
Donegal Cliffs Playground Renovation
Starting March 4, the Donegal Cliffs playground will be closed for resurfacing. The project will take approximately four weeks, weather permitting. The rest of the park will remain open during that time.
Dublin’s Backyard with Barbara: The Bird Episode
Barbara Ray is back to share all about birds in our latest episode of Dublin’s Backyard with Barbara! From residences to parks and paths, learn how to keep wildlife safe while sharing their habitat. Watch.
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