October 2026

Posted Date: 10/06/26 (01:21 PM)

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Ridge View Parent Newsletter

October 2026

A hot air balloon with flowers and the text 'Up, Up, & Away with LEARNING' floats above a stack of books labeled 'RIDGE VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'.

Up, UP, and Away with Learning

Dear Ridge View Families,

🏃 Thank You for an Amazing Fun Run!

Our Fun Run was a tremendous success! Thank you to all of the families, volunteers, and community members who supported Ridge View through donations, basket contributions, the BBQ, and the evening festivities. The event was filled with excitement, connection, and school spirit. We are so grateful for your generosity and partnership. Together, we continue to lift our students higher and help them soar!

🛝 Playground Improvement Project

As we continue our journey of helping students reach new heights, we are excited to share a long-term goal for Ridge View: a playground renovation project.

Last year, the School Board granted us special permission to carry over school funds into a dedicated account specifically for this future project. While we are grateful for this opportunity, a new playground can cost approximately $200,000, making this a significant fundraising and community effort over the next several years.

Our playground serves not only Ridge View students but also many neighborhood families during evenings and weekends. We want to continue providing a safe, engaging space where children can play, explore, and grow.

One way families can help support this project is through our new Ridge View spirit wear fundraiser. Families can order Ridge View shirts and sweatshirts directly through the online store, and items will be shipped to the school for distribution. All proceeds will go directly into our Playground Fund.

Thank you for helping us build a playground that will allow future Ridge View Rockets to play, learn, and dream for years to come!

🚗 Arrival and Dismissal Reminders

Safety is a top priority as our students come in for a day of learning and head home each afternoon. Please help us keep arrival and dismissal running smoothly by following these important expectations:

No dogs are allowed on school grounds between 7:45 and 3:30.
Please walk bikes and scooters while on school sidewalks and campus areas.
Use the front lane for pick-up and drop-off only, remaining in your vehicle whenever possible.
Please do not walk between buses in our school parking lot.
Please remind students to walk on the school side of the yellow line when walking to the buses and to use their seatbelts on the bus.
For EL4, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade students, teachers must see the designated adult before releasing students from their dismissal cones.
Please show kindness, patience, and respect to our crossing guards and staff members supervising arrival and dismissal.

Thank you for helping us provide a safe and welcoming environment for all students and families.

Warmly,

Natalie Colombo

Principal

A screenshot of the Ridge View Elementary merch online store displaying t-shirts and hoodies with a hot air balloon graphic.

🍎 Time to Teach

This year, all Ridge View classrooms are implementing Time to Teach, a schoolwide approach to classroom management that helps maximize instructional time and create consistent expectations for students.

You may hear your child mention a Refocus Form. These forms are used for minor classroom behaviors and provide students an opportunity to pause, reflect, and get back on track for learning. Our goal is simple: more time learning and less time managing disruptions.

For more significant behavior concerns, families will be contacted so we can work together to support student success.

We are committed to creating classrooms where every student feels supported, successful, and ready to soar.

🏈 Senior Night & Kinder Night This Friday! 🐾

Panther families, join us this Friday for a special evening as we honor our Senior Football Players and celebrate the traditions that make Panther Nation so special!

📣 Senior Night Schedule

6:15 PM – Senior introductions begin as we recognize our senior athletes and their families.

📍 Kindergarten Students Meet at 6:30 PM

Location: Belgrade HS Football Field. Meet on the blacktop behind the bleachers. Don’t forget to wear your class shirt. It’s your ticket into the game.

Students will be escorted onto the field following player introductions. What is the Kinder Night Tradition?! Immediately following introductions, our kindergarten class will join the seniors on the 50-yard line for a special Panther tradition. The senior class will pass on the Panther Spirit and Panther Pride to our youngest Panthers, symbolizing the legacy and future of Panther Nation.

🏈🐾6:50 PM – The Panther Walk will take place as our players make their way into the stadium.

Let's pack the stands, celebrate our seniors, and cheer on the next generation of Panthers! We look forward to seeing everyone there for this memorable night.

Go Panthers! 🖤🏈💚🐾

💚 Thrive Updates

Happy October! Take a moment to celebrate being one month into the school year, it’s not always the seamless transition we all hope for! You may have received a call from me recently, over the course of the last month I have been working my way throughcalling all of the new Kindergarten families, as well as those new to the school. It’s important to the culture of Ridge View that every guardian knows the intention we put into our role, as adults, to your student’s success. As your Thrive Liaison I hope you continue to utilize me as your resourcefor navigating the ages and stages of the elementary school years. It takes a village, and I am delighted to be apart of yours.

Thrive is offering events and programs throughout the year to continue to nurture and grow our community here. Beginning this month we have:

CAP Program starting up again! If you are interested in becoming a mentor, or nominating your student for CAP, now is the time. CAP gives students the opportunityto have a safe adult relationship outside of their family unit. Students really enjoy having the unstructured, one-on-one time, at school throughout the year.
Thriving Parents happens every Thursday this month. This series of interactive classes is designed with Love & Logic in mind to give parents the tools to lead with empathy while navigating power-struggles with their student
Winter Clothing Drive is accepting drop-offs on the 16th & 17th and opens for free shopping on the 18th at 714 S. 8th Ave in Bozeman
Parenting in a Tech World is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to learn more about navigating the role technology plays in children’s everyday lives and is hosted at Thrive on the 20th

If you would like to get involved, or have any questions, commentsor concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Warm regards,

Victoria Pfister

(406) 577-8634

vpfister@allthrive.org

🏫 Visitor Procedures

All visitors must enter through the front office and sign in as visitors. Side doors cannot be used for entry. Belgrade School District has adopted the I Love U Guys safety protocol. As part of our safety procedures, the playground is closed to parents during school hours. We kindly ask families to say goodbye to students at their drop‑off door, so they can begin their day smoothly and safely. Our staff will be there to welcome them into our building.

💫 Stardust & Support - PTC Update

Our next PTC Meeting will be November 2nd at 6:30.

Please come join us!

Annual Parent Notice

Our school receives federal funds for programs that are part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended (2015). Throughout the school year, we will continue to provide you with important information about this law and your child's education. Based on current education law, teachers must have earned State certification and licensure. State certification and licensure is the training required to be a teacher.