Glacier Ridge Gazette
Glacier Ridge Elementary School | February 10, 2023
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Glacier Ridge Gazette
Principal’s Message - Press Pause
Discipline over default. Now, when you hear a principal talk about discipline, you immediately think about consequences and punishment. In this case, discipline is about a thoughtful and controlled response to a situation rather than just reacting out of emotion. When I act/react out of emotion, it is almost never good.
This is one of the concepts that we are talking about as a staff, and eventually with students. If you haven’t heard, DCS staff are learning about concepts called R-Factor.
It’s a stressful world right now and there are a lot of pressures at all levels for kids and adults alike. The weather is continually cloudy and cold (other than our 70 degree day this week), outdoor recess is rare due to the playground conditions, and it’s a long time until spring break. Let alone additional pressures at home or extracurricular. This is a stressful time. It is a recipe to act with default rather than discipline.
A disciplined response is thoughtful and purposeful. Words are clear and intention is evident, working towards a desired outcome. As a result, I am a better listener and communicator. When I act out of default, I say things I don’t mean, my message is unclear, and my tone overwhelms my message. Default is not good as a principal, father, or husband.
The strategy that R-Factor teaches is to press pause. Pressing pause allows me to think about the situation and what is happening. This is typically to an event that I didn’t cause - something happened to me that I couldn’t control. It’s easy to get frustrated when things are done to us. Reacting out of default is natural human behavior. However, thinking back, I can’t think of a single time when reacting out of default was better than a disciplined response. I never feel better acting out of default, and I often end up having to clean up the mess or hurt feelings that I created by reacting.
For some reason, I can easily practice a disciplined response at school with other people’s children. But when it comes to my own children, I struggle the most. Maybe it’s because I feel more comfortable with them at home. Maybe it’s because I expect a lot of them. Either way, a default response out of me never goes well at home either. I’ve said things as a dad that I regret and I never want to have those feelings again.
So, what does pressing pause look like? It’s simple. I often don’t respond or I ask for a minute to process before discussing the situation. Sometimes I pause for a few minutes; sometimes it is for a few days. I think about what my emotions are and why I’m feeling that way. I think about why the situation happened or the needs/behaviors of the other person. Finally, I think about the outcome that I want and the best way I can communicate how to get there, together.
Either way, I want to be proud of who I am as a person. I want to model the type of person that I want my children to be. I want to model how to solve problems and how to react when problems are thrown at me. These are all part of life and I will always be working on it. I refuse to let my emotions control me. I’ll let them sit in the car with me, but I refuse to let them drive. However, wish me luck pressing pause as I will soon have TWO teenagers in my house!
Sincerely,
Pete Kurty, Ed. D
Principal
Glacier Ridge Information
Kindness Card Initiative
These past few weeks, students have been planning to spread care and kindness in the community. In collaboration with the PTO and the City of Dublin, students wrote letters to senior centers around Dublin. The City of Dublin helped select locations that would benefit from our kindness card initiative. Senior residents at Avondale National Church Residences, Sunrise of Dublin, Dublin Glen, and Dublin Retirement Village will receive our cards this year.
Initiatives like this, as well as Operation Kids for Troops show students that they have the power to positively impact others in the community and that kindness goes beyond the walls of GRE. Thank you to the PTO for funding this initiative. Thank you also to Katie Kraznewski, the kindness card
Playground Before School
This is a reminder that students should not arrive at school prior to 8:55am. Staff are not on duty and there is no supervision prior to that time. If students come to the playground prior to 8:55am, they must be accompanied by an adult.
PTO General Meeting (Virtual) - February 15 @ 10am
Please join us for the PTO General Meeting on Wednesday, February 15 at 10:00am. The meeting will be held virtual via zoom. You can access the meeting at the link below:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94209939029?pwd=UEhHYmZhR0VNTXEzYldmNC96MHRqUT09
Curriculum Review Parent Input
As part of our Curriculum Review Phase 2 process, we plan time for the community to explore and provide feedback on the resources we are considering at various levels. That event is taking place Wednesday, March 1, from 5-7 p.m. at the EC Union.
Upcoming Flower Sale
The PTO is once again partnering with Foertmeyer for our spring flower sale. The sale dates are March 1 - 17, with delivery scheduled for Saturday, May 6th. Flyers won’t be coming home for a few weeks; however, in preparation for the sale, please note the following opt out option:
If you would like to opt out of this service, please email frazier_jenny@dublinschools.net (or the office email link on the GRE website) by noon on Friday, February 17, stating that you would like to “Opt Out” and we will remove your child(ren) from the online ordering option. Please include your child’s name, grade, and teacher in the email.
Family Conferences
Our family conferences are coming up on February 23 & March 1. We will offer both in-person or virtual options. Your child’s teacher will reach out soon (if not already) to begin scheduling your conference. Cramming all conferences into a two evening window can often feel rushed. Therefore, in addition to those dedicated two evenings, we have a month and a half long window for teachers to conduct conferences with families.
During conferences, your child’s teacher will address three main criteria:
What I know about your child as a learner and a person
Evidence of ways I’ve gotten to know your child using formal and informal data
Next instructional steps for instruction
If you have specific questions about your child that you want the teacher to prepare for and address within the allotted time, please reach out to let them know.
Valentines Day Parties
Classroom Valentine parties will be on Tuesday, 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.
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
Feb 14: Valentine parties
Feb 15: PTO General mtg. @ 10am at GRE
Feb 15: PTO family night @ Perimeter Chipotle (4-8pm)
Feb 17: No School - Staff PD/work day
Feb 20: No school
Feb 23: Family conference night 1
Mar 1: Family conference night 2
Mar 1: Flower sale begins
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DISTRICT NEWS
Community Resource Exploration
As part of our K-12 English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum Review process, the district would like to invite the community to explore and provide feedback on the resources we are considering at various levels. This open house event will take place Wednesday, March 1 from 5-7 p.m. at the Emerald Campus Union.
Community Cocoa and Strategic Plan Preview
Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, preview our Strategic Plan and offer your input. All are welcome to attend this open house event, Wednesday, February 22, 6:30-8 p.m. at the Emerald Campus Union. We will even have a fun scavenger hunt for our younger community members.
Calling All Dublin Parents for ‘Citizen U’
Have you heard about Citizen University? Get immersed in an immersive, nine-week course with your City officials. Adults have the option to learn about all aspects of the City, from police to parks, and to explore why local government matters. Apply through March 17!
23+ Ways to Honor Black History Month
February is Black History Month, which is a time to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans and reflect on their impact on our collective history and culture. Find dozens of ways to celebrate in Dublin!
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