Comments
A huge thank you to all of the parents and students that joined Eric this evening to work on shelving for classrooms. What an amazing community we are all a part of! Chrystell
Thank you for all the hard work put forth to keep our school community whole. The Desser Family
I am so happy you have found a solution to your middle school problem. I felt so sad when I saw the school, I am so happy it will all continue.
Please allow the entire Ridgeline community to bear the sacrifice from the fire not just the middle school students. We need to keep whole through this crisis.
"The concept of an education centered upon the care of the living being alters all previous ideas. Resting no longer on a curriculum, or a timetable, education must conform to the facts of human life." - The Absorbent Mind :: Clio Press Limited, 1994 :: p. 12
The destruction of Ridgeline's building should not also be the destruction of the Ridgeline community. The lessons our children learn from this should not be about quitting or throwing out part of the community. Instead, let us be examples of how a community can work together for an amicable solution. Let the children see the "give and take" that happens in a healthy community. I believe that is what Maria Montessori would do.
Montessori middle school programs are very special and Ridgeline's is a vital part of the school itself. My children are both better students and better people because of the education and care received from Jen Wyld and it would be a very sad day for all children who would have this opportunity taken away from them. Be creative, work together, and keep Ridgeline in tact. Ms. Sarah
My son has come from a home school environment and fit so well in the Montessori classroom. He will be in 7th grade in the fall and to feel like I now have to search yet again for a productive environment for him is very stressful. I attended the board meeting last night, and am hopeful hearing that the staff have pulled together a possible plan of action. I deeply hope that the board will reconsider the decision to close the middle school. Bethany
Our child really struggled socially at this school. She finally turned a corner at 4th grade. The only reason we stuck it out as long as we did was because of the the Middle School program she would be able to take advantage of in the future.
Our family would not have sought out Ridgeline Montessori if it had originally not included a Middle School. In fact, we decided to attend even though it lacks in some of the art, music and technology training we would like to see for our children because of the Middle School. It is an integral part of what makes Ridgeline such a unique and vital asset to our community. Without this program our family will more than likely not have our child stay through 6th grade. Ridgeline is not Ridgeline without Middle School.
"A school without 7th & 8th grades is like a week without Saturday" Zsofika
I wish to openly thank ALL involved for their relentless efforts, for their time and heartfelt dedication poured out to ensure the continuation of Ridgeline in the best possible fashion. Indeed, the phoenix IS rising again, smaller at first, but with intent to keep growing. Claudia Patton - mom of a 7th and 4th grader
The spirit and hope this last Saturday was inspiring. Parents and children, both past and present and community members who just want to help whether they have children or not. That is community spirit at it's finest. My son WILL be attending Ridgeline for his first year and I look forward to the lessons of community that he will learn through these efforts. Ridgeline is teaching him already. I stand for and support Project Phoenix.
This school is worth the work to re-open.
As someone who was in Montessori for four years and who enjoyed the teaching of Janell Heidenreich, I was appalled to learn of your plight and will carefully consider how to inspire your faith and offer you help and encouragement ... A Montessori education is more worthwhile than words can communicate, and each person considering whether or not the effort to make it continue for Ridgeline need waste no time. The rewards to a community and to its individuals are high. The notion of such tenets as learning to do your best, learn at your own pace, and minimize competition for the sake of improving as an individual is not an outdated notion but is instead crucial to healing our country's economy. Stand proudly behind a swift re-build! - A. Sisson, Indiana
Thank you for hosting the community gathering on Saturday. It was very helpful. Our family looks forward to doing whatever it can to help re-open our school in the fall.
We will overcome this.
I am sad my classroom and school are gone. Joey