Welcome to Week 24, February 27th though March 2nd. Four more weeks to Spring Break. It promises to be a busy week, with a number of special events.  Be sure to check calendars for details.

COMMUNITY

Arts Week
Take time to explore the art displays around campus this week. It will be truly inspiring! Thanks Shelley and Margaret for highlighting our talented students’ work!

Hiring
With Admissions season almost behind us, Chris and David’s attention is shifting to hiring the four positions for next year; Math Specialist, Beginning School Atilierista, 1st and 3rd Grade Teachers. Thank you to the many internal candidates who have expressed interest and presented themselves so well.  Thank you in advance to the hiring committees as we begin scheduling interviews and eventually visits.

Recess Duty Asthma Attack
Last week a student had a significant accident induced asthma attack during recess.  At the time there was only a single person on duty.  The duty teacher did the right thing by sending students in to get help.  The event serves as reminder to all of us how important being on duty and on time can be. The student was fine after being calmed down and using an inhaler.  We will now have a school issued inhaler available in the Lower School Office.

Tonya and Claire
Claire and Tonya will continue to partner in class this week, with Tonya having her first full solo day on Friday.

Trudy Ludwig Visits Friday, March 2nd
Trudy will have a full day of presentations to parents and then students. Check the YAAG for presentation times. Trudy will meet with teachers over lunch in the library. We hope to discuss how we can implement strategies which will promote healthy social lives of our children.

PROGRAM

Work on the Reading and Writing Continuum
First and Second Grade teams met on Friday to delve into how to use the reading and writing continuum as a reporting tool.  They did exciting work connecting the reading continuum to CAFE strategies and the writing continuum to Lucy Caulkin’s Writers Workshop lessons.  
We are hoping that 3rd through 5th Grade teams will (not simultaneously please) take time to come to agreement on how to use the reading and writing continuum next year.

LS Faculty Meetings
The faculty meetings on both 2/27 and 3/1 will be dedicated to self-study work.  Plan on using both sessions to meet in your vertical groups; Beginning School, Math, English and Social Studies, to discuss the self-study questions. Record notes from your conversation in your Google doc.

Lower School Curriculum Task Force Meeting, Mar. 1st
First through Fifth Grade LSCTF members meet in Chris Thompson’s room to talk about recent Literacy work and plans for Laura Benson’s visit April 2nd and 3rd. BS teachers do not need to attend. BS teachers may use the time to work on Self Study documents or plans for our meeting with Judy on April 2nd.  Neither Chris nor David will be in attendance.
 
Professional Development
This May's Learning and the Brain Conference is focused on "Web-Connected Minds: How Technology Transforms Brains, Teaching and Attention."  This seems like an interesting opportunity as we explore more ways of integrating technology into the classroom. Please let me know if you're interested in attending.

A few of you have expressed interest in the Reading and Writing Workshop Institutes for this summer. You can download the brochure from the following webpage: http://readingandwritingproject.com/institutes/tc-summer-institutes


Fifth Grade Writing Assessment
On Thursday and Friday the Fifth Grade will assess student’s writing ability using an “in-house” five paragraph essay exercise.  Please be mindful of their need for quiet focused work during the early morning hours.

OPERATIONS

Admissions Decisions
This week we wrap up our admissions season.  Our thanks to all for your time and efforts, especially our Pre-K friends who gave up a Saturday in early February.  They even greeted a small group of candidates at the bewitching hour after school last Friday.  
Our thanks to Marty, Jackie, Kiah, Asha, Ari and Patti for taking time to read admissions files last week.  It was a really great exercise.  They came away with lots of suggestions on how we could improve the admissions process next year.  
We have a fine group of prospective candidates.  Sarah, Susie Gundle, David and Chris will review candidates Monday through Wednesday.  Letters will go out to new families early next week.

David and Chris Off Campus This Week
David will be in Seattle Thursday and Friday March 1st and 2nd  interviewing teaching candidates. On Thursday March 1st Chris will be off campus taking a personal day.  Jenny Cleveland and Ari Sternberg will serve as administrators on duty.  Seek them out if you need assistance.

Lunch
Be sure to notify the Kitchen at least 72 hours ahead of time if your class will not be eating in the dining hall. Bon Appetite will credit the Lower School for the lunch expense.

Google Docs
You should all have access to the shared collection of Self Study documents. For future reference, when a document or collection is shared with you, open the email notifying you about the documents and open the Google document.  Once you open the document it will appear in your Google Docs Titles list.

Enjoy one of the first full five-day week after a jumble of short weeks.  January through February are intensely packed with time-soaking demands. Relax and breathe.