Just a reminder that the office has a confidential email: GrandRidgeResources@gmail.com that any student or family member is encouraged to use if they need some additional resources at a time when they don’t have additional money. Don’t hesitate to reach out if there is a need – from a winter jacket to supplies for school, a birthday gift to rain boots. Privacy of any requests will be respected. #grizzlystrong

Materials Distribution is Wednesday, November 4 from 2-5pm. More details can be found on the school website. 

If you are interested in serving on the Boundary Review Committee, email Ms. Ravenscraft with no more than one paragraph indicating your interest and why you'd be a good choice for the Grand Ridge position. More information can be found in the October 28 issue of Grand Ridge E-News.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo for the Pumpkin Decorating & Costume Contests!  There were so many creative pumpkins and wonderful costumes. A winner from each grade was drawn for each contest. Pumpkin contest winners received art supplies.  Costume contest winners received a $15 giftcard to Snapdoodle. Even though the contests are over, you can still submit pics of your kids in costume to include in the yearbook.

Your student’s picture could be chosen for a postcard that will be shared with the world. Students are invited to submit a picture that represents our community (school or neighborhood or Seattle area). Submissions are due by Monday, November 30. We will select the best representative picture(s) to be printed on a 5x7 postcard. The postcards will be distributed to all students in January to mail to friends and family out of the state or country and invite people to send back postcards from their area to Grand Ridge for display. This will help show how connected we are around the country and world!

Our next PTSA Meeting & Community Connections will take place on Monday, November 16 at 4pm via Zoom. The agenda and link will be posted to our website the day before the meeting. Hear some brief updates from the PTSA and stay for Q&A with Ms. Ravenscraft. If you'd like to submit a question, please email it to grptsa@gmail.com.. 

We will be holding our annual Scholastic Book Fair virtually this year. It starts on Monday, November 23. Watch for updates in future emails, on social media, and on our website.

Julie Lythcott-Haims highlights the ways in which overparenting harms children, their stressed-out parents, and society at large. While empathizing with the parental hopes, and especially fears, that lead to over helping, Julie offers practical strategies. November 18, 2020 at 7 p.m. Register at, www.parentwiser.org/events or directly on Eventbrite.

The PTSA is catering a Panera lunch for Grand Ridge staff over December conferences. Please consider purchasing an online Panera gift card to help offset the cost. After you sign up, please use the provided Amazon link to purchase and digitally email a $25 Panera gift card to, grptsaoutreachdirector@gmail.com. Donations are due by November 25th. Questions or want to contribute in other ways? Email, grptsaoutreachdirector@gmail.com.

Each November Grand Ridge has typically held a toy drive to support the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank's Holiday Gift Barn. While we can't collect toys in the same way we can still support the cause. This year due to COVID-19, the Food Bank is collecting $25 gift cards to distribute to local families in preparation for the holidays. Your family can participate by mailing gift cards to the Food Bank or making a financial donation. More details here: https://issaquahfoodbank.org/hgb-donors

Tells us a little about your life before coming to Grand Ridge: I went to the University of Washington for undergrad and got my Bachelor of Science in Informatics. I worked in the tech world for a few years before pivoting to teaching. Before I came to Grand Ridge, I was teaching 2^nd grade while getting my Master of Teaching in Elementary Education. I have also taught dance and coding classes for many years!

Favorite food: Frankie & Jo’s mint brownie ice cream

Favorite children’s book: I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Favorite sports team: The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team & the Seattle Sounders

Favorite thing to do on a Saturday afternoon in the fall: A walk around the Washington Park Arboretum

Best thing about being at Grand Ridge so far: The community! I grew up in the ISD and it is so fun reconnecting with former classmates, teachers and administrators. I have also enjoyed getting to know the students and families.

Tells us a little about your life before coming to Grand Ridge: It feels so amazing to teach for the district that I received my education from. I went to school through the ISD from 6^th-12^th grade (Maywood Middle and Liberty High). I am so excited to be a part of the Grand Ridge community and have the opportunity to get to know the staff and families more this year. Before my life at Grand Ridge, I was attending college at Washington State University and received my degree in Elementary Education. Go Cougs!  

Favorite food: Salmon

Favorite children’s book: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. It has been one of my favorite books ever since I was little.

Favorite sports team: The Seattle Seahawks!

Favorite thing to do on a Saturday afternoon in the fall: A walk around Bellevue to look at the leaves changing colors.

Best thing about being at Grand Ridge so far: My favorite thing about being at Grand Ridge so far is my amazing first grade class!