Glacier Ridge Gazette
August 18, 2023
December 1, 2023
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
Levy Update
You have probably heard, but the levy has been officially verified by the Franklin County Board of Elections, by a very narrow margin. I respect everyone’s opinion about the levy and I hold no judgments about anyone that voted for or against the levy. I often think that I am only one of thousands, tens of thousands, or even more and my vote doesn’t really matter. However, this is truly evidence that all votes count and matter.
The failure of the levy would have significantly impacted my job. I think that everyone can evaluate and reflect on how to do their job better and more effectively. This practice is good for individuals and organizations. I can promise that the approval of the levy will not negate our reflection and growth at GRE or Dublin City Schools. That is evidence in our DCS value, “Always Growing,” which has been a value at GRE for the decade. I was fearful that the failure of the levy and the reduction of resources would have sacrificed the quality and personalization of the educational experience at GRE.
With that said, I’m grateful and thankful that the levy passed. The staff at GRE takes pride in the small details and experiences that we provide students and families. We will continue to provide the extra opportunities, detailed communication, and extensive planning into the daily experience at GRE. The great resources and support allow us to do that.
Therefore, we will continue to reflect, learn, and grow, while at the same time examining our efficiency. We will keep the learning and social experience in our forefront. Thank you for having the trust that we work hard, continue to grow, and take pride in what we do.
Thank you again for supporting your child’s school and the magic that we try to provide every day. We hope that you can see the hard work and efficiency that we already have in place and the growth that we continue to make.
Have a great weekend,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
GLACIER RIDGE INFORMATION
Shorts are not Winter Clothes
We know that the morning routine of trying to get your child to wear appropriate clothes for the weather can be frustrating. Students often prefer to wear shorts throughout the winter. However, it can be very cold and windy at GRE, being across from the Metro Park. Having students not prepared for the cold weather puts schools in a difficult position. It is our job to protect students' health and safety. However, we don’t have the supervision for students to remain inside for inappropriate weather clothing.
To help encourage students to wear appropriate clothing:
You can always blame the principal and the school. We often remind students that they must be wearing appropriate clothing (including NOT wearing shorts).
If they really want to wear shorts, they must wear leggings underneath their shorts or warm up pants that can go over shorts during recess.
If you need assistance with clothing, you are welcome to reach out to One Dublin.
DCS Outdoor Recess Policy:
20 degrees or below with wind chill - all recesses will be indoors
21-25 degrees with wind chill - lunch recess will be indoors, short recess will be outdoors
26 degrees with wind chill and warmer - all recesses will be outdoors
For more information on the districts WINTER WEATHER PROCEDURES
Celebration of Giving
The celebration of giving is an annual event at GRE to honor the season of giving back and making the community a better place. We have multiple initiatives that accomplish this, including our Adopt a Family and Holiday Post Office (described below). Our giving initiative culminates with wrapping the gifts on December 15 and a whole school celebration with students on Friday December 21. During the assembly, we will present our donations to the charities, and have performances by the 5th grade strings, and a sing-a-long. Unfortunately, parents are not able to attend this event due to limited space.
KINDNESS POST OFFICE
Starting Monday, December 4 through December 15, students will be able to purchase stamps in the mornings from 9:00-9:10 from the fifth graders. The stamps are used to mail Choose Kind letters to other students and staff at Glacier Ridge that are delivered at the end of the day. The proceeds from the sale of the stamps goes to benefit One Dublin. You can find more information about the Kindness Post Office HERE.
Fifth grade students experience the business of creating postage stamps to sell to students. The idea of supply and demand, opportunity cost, labor and division, banking, sales experience, customer service, and profit / loss are all linked to our fifth grade economics standards.
One Dublin Adopt-a-Family
GRE is partnering with One Dublin again this Holiday Season for the Adopt-A-Family campaign. Through GRE student support, we collectively adopt 7 families and help restock the One Dublin Free Store with essentials. Participation is entirely optional and all students have an opportunity to gift wrap donations.
There are 5 completed Wish Lists, so please consider plugging into another so all recipient family's needs are met. Large, labeled boxes are outside classrooms for placing correlating donations.
National Cookie Day - Monday
In honor of national cookie day, Sodexo is celebrating by including a cookie along with a purchased school lunch. Students that don’t purchase a lunch have the option to purchase a cookie individually for fifty cents.
If you need lunch information or menus, you can click HERE.
Tiger Pals Food Drive
Tiger Pals and the SLC are hosting their first annual Canned Food Drive to be donated to a local food bank. Please consider donating. A paper bag will be placed outside of each homeroom. Our drive will begin November 27th and will last through December 14th. We will be collecting the donations on December 14th. Thank you for your support as we gain social skills through a community service activity.
Transition from Twitter/X to Instagram
We will be less active on Twitter and encourage you to follow us on Instagram if you haven't already @glacierridge1. Check out our school website for our posts on Instagram as well! Glacier Ridge Elementary District Website
Are you subscribed for text alerts? Don't miss winter communications and other important information! Opt in for Texts from DCS
For school closures, emergencies, urgent alerts, and important reminders, our district utilizes SchoolMessenger to deliver text messages straight to staff and/or mobile phones. You can participate in this free service just by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to our school’s short code number, 67587, or scanning the QR code below. You can also opt out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with “Stop”. We recommend saving this short code and Caller ID to the contacts on your phone. This will help prevent any 3rd party call blocking systems from interfering with your receipt of important messages sent by the school or district.
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
Dec. 20 Celebration of Giving Assembly
Dec. 21-Jan 3rd, 2024 Winter Break
DISTRICT UPDATES
Follow Us on Social Media
Every school in the district is on at least one social media channel. Stay up to date on all the latest fun and information by following the district and your child’s school(s) on social media. Here are links to all the schools’ channels.
Nominate a Community Champion!
The Community Champion Awards program honors students and staff in our District who exemplify the best of volunteerism, character, leadership, and a sense of caring and responsibility for others. Nominate a student or staff member here before the February 19 deadline.
Community Champions Scholarship
A Community Champion Award scholarship is awarded to DCS high school seniors who engage society through leadership and service, and honor those who exemplify the best of volunteerism, character, leadership, and a sense of caring and responsibility for others. Applications are being accepted through February 19. Apply here.
Winter Weather Procedures
As we near the winter months, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the District’s Winter Weather procedures.
Info Hub
Does your high school student have an interest in the FBI? Check out the district’s Info Hub page to learn about the Teen FBI Academy and many other academic and athletic opportunities for students.
Chess Tournament this weekend benefitting the James Cancer Hospital
The Jerome Chess club is hosting a chess tournament this Sunday, December 3 starting at 10:00 a.m. at Jerome. Open to all Dublin students but limited to the first 100 to register. Only players with a USCF rating less than 800 can participate. Proceeds benefit the James Cancer Hospital. Learn more and Register here.
Prizes: The top 3 players will earn gift cards (you can mix and match)
First Place: $100 in gift cards
Second Place: $50 in gift cards
Third Place: $25 in gift cards
From the City of Dublin
Where to Care – Looking for ways to spread volunteer cheer this holiday season and throughout 2024? Check out our Where to Care Guide to Volunteering. Perfect for teens and families! https://bit.ly/VolunteerInDublin
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