Glacier Ridge Gazette
August 18, 2023
March 15, 2024
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
Who Are You? What’s Your Story?
Hopefully, you were able to attend the first annual What’s My Story event this past week at GRE. If you couldn’t attend, you can still talk with your child about their project and have a conversation about why and how that makes them special. As you can see in the article below, this was an opportunity for students to share what makes them who they are.
As you would imagine, identifying who you are as an individual is difficult, let alone for a child. Many adults aren’t quite sure who they are. Reflection and metacognition are not necessarily innate skills. Taking students through this project was an amazing experience.
When it comes to reflection, students may first start to identify surface level items, such as hobbies, favorite things, or interests. They may talk about their favorite foods or sports teams, or things that they enjoy in general. This is certainly a good start to knowing one’s self. However, teachers guided students to think deeper about why they liked those things. That is often a harder question. Describing why a cheeseburger is their favorite food is not as easy as you think. Sometimes, your taste buds just like certain food, but describing what it is about that food that they enjoy is difficult.
Another step is being able to identify feelings about something. As students develop their reflective and self-exploration skills, they start to be able to identify their emotions, especially when they feel them. Children often describe feelings as primary and simple feelings, like happy or sad, yet feelings are more complex. Teachers guided students to describe feelings in detail and what event or thing specifically made them feel that way.
In the older elementary grades, students might reflect on how their interactions and feelings connect and affect others. They begin to see how their identity relates to others. That is exactly why you see them start to compare themselves to others. Being able to identify a strength, beyond just “I’m good at soccer,” is a critical skill. Teachers helped guide students to develop their empathy and connections and an appreciation of their differences and the differences of others.
If you are looking to help reinforce these skills at home, below are a few questions that you can use as dinner conversation. Parents can also answer these questions to model reflection too:
What am I most proud of about myself?
What have I improved in the most?
What do I do that brings other people joy?
What is one thing that makes me unique?
What is something that I think is hard?
Knowing who you are as a person can build self-efficacy, a sense of self, and resilience. Therefore, this project was well beyond having students just make projects about themselves. It was about students developing their reflection skills and appreciation for who they are as a human being. It celebrated differences and diversity, while at the same time, fostering connections among students. So, I ask you, do you know who you are and what makes you special?
Happy reflecting and have a great break!
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
GLACIER RIDGE INFORMATION
My Story Event at GRE - March 11 - 15
What a magical week with our What’s My Story event. This week, students were able to share things about them that make them a unique individual. Through this reflection, students could find their strengths and individuality, while at the same time being able to share connections with others across grade levels.
Each grade level created a different project that allowed students to share their story. Each day classrooms viewed the exhibits of each grade level. We wanted students to have an authentic audience to be able to share their story with families. As others view their project and listen to others share, they make connections and write those down. Our hope is that this continues to unite us as a community and find things that bring us together.
Thank you to all the staff that made this event come to fruition. Because it was the first annual event, it took a lot of initial planning. We started planning the event back in September. Thank you also to the students who thought so deeply about themselves and worked hard to express themselves in a project. The students took months engaging in this thoughtful reflective process. Thank you to the families that were able to attend and also find connections with students.
Thank You GRE PTO
The PTO will often provide treats and support to the GRE staff. We are grateful for a PTO that supports the wellbeing of staff, which trickles down to students.
Student Panorama
Dear Dublin Families, March 2024
Student wellness is an essential component of educating the whole child. During the week of March 29 to April 5, Dublin City Schools students in grades 3-12 will have the opportunity to participate in a questionnaire asking their perceptions about school and student support.
There are two versions of the questionnaire, one for students in grades 3-5 and one for students in grades 6-12. Parents and guardians can:
Review the script that staff will read to students prior to the questionnaire,
Review the questions that will be asked,
Review Panorama for Education Questionnaire FAQ, and/or
Opt their child out by using the links below.
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.
If you have questions about how this questionnaire helps us meet District goals or the process we use, please contact Dublin City Schools’ Director of Student Wellness, Tyler Wolfe at wolfe_tyler@dublinschools.net.
Click this link to read the script that teachers will read to students:
Panorama Staff Script Spring 2024
Click the links below to see the questions that will appear on the Spring 2024 survey.
Student SEL Competencies Survey Grades 3-5.pdf
Student SEL Competencies Survey Grades 6-12.pdf
Student Supports and Environments Survey Grades 3-5.pdf
Student Supports and Environments Survey Grades 6-12.pdf
Click this link for the Panorama FAQ:
Frequently asked questions about Panorama for Education.
Click this link to opt your child out of the Fall Panorama Survey:
The Opt-Out deadline is March 28, 2024.
Thank you,
Dublin City Schools
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.
GRE is now connected on Facebook!
If you are not following Glacier Ridge on Instagram we are now also connected on Facebook! Please take a moment to follow and like us! Share with your neighbors and family members as well.
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 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
Spring Break!
Spring Break is next week! Whether traveling or taking a “staycation” we hope all our families enjoy the the time off and our students and staff return rested and ready to finish the school year strong.
High School Summer Program Registration Open
High School Summer Program Registration is now open. All information can be found on the High School Summer Programs webpage.
Workforce Symposium Next Week
Students and parents are invited to an educational and business workforce symposium Thursday, March 21, 7– 8:30 p.m. at Tolles Career and Technical Center. “The Future of Work” featuring Dr. David Harrison, President, Columbus State Community College, cover specific Columbus State partnerships with corporations in central Ohio. Learn more here.
From the City of Dublin
Everything Dublin Swag Store Is Here!
Show off your Dublin spirit with brand-new merch! Check out EverythingDublin.com for one-of-a-kind T-shirts, hats, water bottles and more. Plus, order the limited-edition “Dublin in the Dark” shirt by March 24 to have it in time for the total solar eclipse happening April 8.
Survey: How Was Your St. Patrick’s Day Parade?
Thank you to those who joined us as a spectator or participant in our St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 9! If you made it out to watch, please complete this quick survey.
Severe Weather Awareness: Tornado Drill
The Dublin Emergency Warning System will sound at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, in conjunction with the statewide tornado drill. This will take the place of the regular noon test of the city’s tornado sirens. Safety preparedness in Dublin.
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