Ms. Dottie Smith
GLE Principal
dsmith@ridgerunners.net

Mrs. Teresa Matthews
GLE Assistant Principal
tmatthews@ridgerunners.net

Mr. Tracy Marshall
GLE Counselor
tmarshall@ridgerunners.net

Mrs. Ashley Neighbors
GLE Nurse
aneighbors@ridgerunners.net

Ms. Brittany Harding
GLE Secretary
bharding@ridgerunners.net

Mrs. Alexis Duff
GLE Attendance Clerk alduff@ridgerunners.net

Dear Lower Families,

It is my honor and a pleasure to welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year!  I am extremely proud to serve as the Principal of this amazing learning community for the second year and to continue to support our students. As has been our mission of the Grove Public Schools,  we will always champion for children, education, and community.  We will do this by providing a safe and supporting learning environment where all students have the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential. With that said, the Lower staff is excited to kick this year off in true RIDGY style!

I would like to welcome all of our new families, whether you are joining us from the ECC or have relocated from another city, state, or country. We are excited to share with you all the Lower has to offer and believe you will soon feel as we do that  the Lower is a special place for ALL children.  Our educators, support staff, families, and other education partners are ready to welcome you to Ridgerunner Nation!

Our primary goal is to ensure student proficiency in core academic subjects, so we will continue to refine Tier 1 instruction, analyze data, conduct observations, and review classwork to guide instruction and intervention. The Lower is a true believer in the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and  Supports). Through our PBIS rewards (Ridgy Tickets) and Character Education Program, students are taught to do the right thing just because it is the right thing to do.

Communication between home and school is just one of our keys to success. Please make sure to  sign up for  our classroom and school wide communication tool, Bloomz, as soon as possible.

I look forward to our collaboration of providing your children with effective and fun educational experiences.  As always, we will look to our families to be positive partners in their children’s educational journey.  The Lower staff has always made it a priority  of working together as a caring and compassionate learning community with professionalism, teamwork, action, and expertise.  We will always put the best interests of our students at the center of our purpose.

As always, my door is open and our team welcomes you to Grove Lower Elementary! GO RIDGERUNNERS!

Best regards,

Ms. Dottie Smith

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