RVCS Upcoming Open House and Information Sessions for 2023-2024 School Year

Open House & Information Session DatesRidge and Valley Charter School will be hosting the following dates for prospective families interested in learning more about the school:

OPEN HOUSE DATES

  • Wednesday,  September 20, 2023 at 8:45AM
  • Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 8:45AM
  • Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 8:45AM

INFORMATION SESSION DATES

  • Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 7:00PM
  • Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 7:00PM
  • Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 7:00PM

If you or someone you know would like to consider RVCS as an option for your child’s education, please contact Jen Ross at jen.ross@ridgeandvalley.org or call 908-362-1114 to RSVP for the event.

How Children Learn Best

Children are born with an immense potential to learn, explore, connect and grow joyfully in the region and the social context in which they live. A Ridge and Valley education is an experience of emergence, wonder, support and guidance that allows young people to grow into the fullest expression of their interests, passions and joys so they become self-directed, confident, responsible and informed adults. On this journey, children build cross-discipline skills that integrate subject matter through hands-on experiential activities that activate a wide range of sensibilities, skills and awareness.

Our school encourages children to wonder, to think, to discover and to question.

About Ridge and Valley Charter School

Local community members established Ridge and Valley Charter School to pursue innovative and personal excellence oriented teaching methods within the public school system, gaining approval of the school’s charter in 2002 and opening the school for students in the 2004-2005 academic year.

Ridge and Valley Charter School is a public K-8 school of choice that provides students an education for a hopeful sustainable future. Our educational program and curriculum honors children as individuals and emphasizes personal excellence, hands-on experiential education, self-directed and outdoor learning, project-based learning, earth literacy, bioregional studies– all in the context of our 13.7 billion-year-old Universe.

RVCS is a tuition-free public school that follows NJ state education standards and testing requirements within the context of our mission.

Want to Learn More?  Call Jen Ross @ 908-362-1114

Student-Led Conferences at Ridge & Valley Charter School 

Student-Led Conferences at Ridge & Valley Charter School 

Our Annual Student-Led Conferences are One of the Many Things that make Ridge & Valley Charter School Unique

Student-led conferences are meetings with students, parents, and teachers (called “guides” at RVCS) during which a student shares work and discusses his/her progress. The intention is for the student to lead the meeting from start to finish. Student involvement in a conference makes learning active, provides opportunities for students to evaluate their own performance, and encourages students to take responsibility for their learning. Having students take charge of the conference makes them more accountable for what they are learning.

Prior to conferences, the students, with guide support, collect work that reflects what they have learned. Students then evaluate their work and, as they conduct their conference, explain skills they have learned and share goals they have set for themselves. While a guide may serve as the conference facilitator, the student will lead the conference.

Student-led conferences offer the opportunity for students to play an important part in their own educational process. This approach fits beautifully with the holistic, student-centered focus of our mission that recognizes children are capable and responsible.

The Student-Led Conference Format Offers Many Benefits to Students, Including:

  • Having greater accountability for their learning
  • Learning to think about and evaluate their own progress
  • Gaining a greater commitment to school work and learning
  • Building self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Encouraging student/parent communication
  • Building communication and critical thinking skills
  • Placing greater responsibility on the student
  • Allowing students to become more actively involved

Families Benefit from this Format as Well as it:

  • Helps families learn more about their child’s learning and skills
  • Offers an opportunity for families to help their child set positive goals
  • Encourages active family participation in their child’s learning

Conferences are a wonderful opportunity for families to see, hear and experience their child’s learning and progress.  To learn more about our holistic assessment practices visit our website.

Bio Blitz

Bio Blitz

When:
Friday June 3 – Saturday June 4, 2016

Locations:
White Lake Preserve – 97 Stillwater Rd, Hardwick, NJ and Ridge & Valley Charter School – 1234 RT 94, Blairstown, NJ

All are welcome to this family friendly event!

Join the challenge to document as many species as possible in the Ridge & Valley Bioregion in our 1st Annual BioBlitz. Meet naturalists, learn about the species at White Lake Preserve and become a citizen scientist by participating in data collection and observation.

Camping Registration (PDF)
Participation Release (PDF)
T-Shirt Order Form (PDF)

Ridge & Valley aerial

The preserve is recognized regionally by bird and insect enthusiasts for its abundance of observable species. And it is home to some of the rarest plant communities in the U.S.

Many BioBlitz activities will be offered at the White Lake Preserve located on Stillwater Road in Hardwick, NJ. The 394 acres of Warren County’s White Lake Preserve are home to some of the rarest plant communities in the U.S. In the center of the preserve is a 69-acre, spring-fed limestone sinkhole lake surrounded by marl fens, wetlands and meadows. In the upland areas are limestone forests, cedar glades, and rocky outcrops teeming with moss, ferns, and fungi.

BioBlitz participants are also welcome to will explore the various wetlands, meadows and streams on Ridge & Valley Charter School’s 18 acre campus located at 1234 Rt 94, Blairstown, NJ. Abbreviated activities will be spaced throughout Friday and Saturday to accommodate those who need a slower pace and the ability to stay close to a home base. Overnight primitive camping will also be available on the RVCS campus.

Primitive overnight camping will be available to the first 30 families for the event. A 10’x10′ area will be allocated to each family. Locations will include:

  • Lower Octagon area
  • Lower Meadow
  • Four Directions

Please see the attached registration form to list your preferences. Camping sites will be given by preference on a first come first serve basis to those who pay the $20 camping fee and fill out a complete camping registration form. No refunds will be given as this will pay for needed facilities.

Primitive Camping Agreements for RVCS Campus:

  • Rain or Shine
  • BYO dinner and snacks
  • BYO camping equipment and gear
  • No alcohol, drugs, smoking
  • No pets, grilling or open fires
  • No access to electrical outlets
  • Primitive camping with Portable Toilet Facilities only
  • Carry in, carry out
  • Shared fresh water available
  • Parental supervision of children at all times
  • Sites packed up by 11AM. Leave no trace

Join us on Saturday morning for a Fundraising Bake Sale. Coffee, Tea and baked goods will be available for purchase.

Community Service Day

Saturday, April 16
10:00am – 2:00pm

Community Service

Join other families in showing gratitude for a school that honors, nurtures, and guides your children.

A lot of work is completed for the students, guides and school. There are always a variety of projects such as:

  • printing out resources
  • organizing materials
  • removing invasive species
  • pruning and trimming
  • sorting through classroom libraries
  • preparing the garden for Spring
  • photocopying

Please consider participating in this very important event.

Your contributions, large and small, greatly benefit the children of RVCS and the entire school community. Even an hour or two of your time is greatly appreciated!