Welcome to Week 26! Thanks to all who came out and volunteered at the annual Auction. Many Beginning and Lower School parents attended- a sign of their support of the great work that you do every day with their children.
Last week’s spring-like weather was so renewing.  Two more weeks to the much needed Spring Break! Hang in there!

COMMUNITY


Critical Lower School Family Update
The Donegan family is going through some very difficult times.  At the present time, Laura Donegan, mother of Jordan in Kindergarten, is not allowed on campus nor to have any contact with Jordan during any school related function.  If she does appear on campus notify the LS Office immediately.

Hiring Update

1st - 5th
We are well on our way with the hiring process after having reviewed dozens of resumes.  We are in the process of interviewing semifinalists fro the positions, inviting finalists to campus as we find them.  Thank Lyn fro coordinating interviews and grade level teams for your flexibility with the scheduling.

Pre-k Substitute
The two finalists for teaching with Colesie during Lauren’s maternity leave are visiting this week.  We will have a decision by the end of the week.

Atilierista
Congratulations to Laura Foster Flynn.  She has enthusiastically accepted the Beginning School Atelierista (Integrated Arts Specialist) position. We are pleased to have someone with such creativity and artistic experience join our faculty.


5th Grade Play
For some fun and fine music come and see Tracy Arensberg’s class perform “Peanuts”, a comic musical.

Community Celebration - Old Market Pub
We are completing one of the most challenging seasons in school that I have experienced. And you have done it with energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism. Thank you. Let's celebrate!  

When: Friday, March 16 at 3:30 - whenever
Where: Old Market Pub
How: I buy the first round of beverages and appetizers.  You come and enjoy free food, drink and good company.


PROGRAM

Next Friday’s Assembly
Our next Pillar is fairness.  Beginning School friends will present, with the help of our resident composer and musician, Dave Hall.  Our thanks to Dave for leading the charge!

Amazing Food Detective, March 20th @ 10 in the Gym, Kindergarten through Third Grade
Be sure to get this Oregon Children’s Theater performance on your calendars.  It promises to be fun and informative.

Laura Benson Returns April 2nd and 3rd
Laura will be returning to work with 1st - 5th grades on  April 2nd and 3rd. LSCTF will finalize plans for her visit when we meet on Thursday.  Take some time to discuss with you grade level team how you would most like to use Laura during her visit.  I have forwarded some suggestions from Laura to spark ideas.

The Wonder of Learning Exhibit at the Portland Children’s Museum
A group of Beginning and Lower School teachers and specialists will tour with Judy Graves on April 2nd.  A group of interested Beginning and Lower School  parents will tour the exhibit on Wed., April 4th. Our thanks to Catherine Wilmott and Kim Bissell for arranging this great opportunity.
There are volunteer slots available for Thursday’s at the Wonder of Learning Exhibit. Our thanks to those of you who have signed up to help out.

Professional Development - ISTE, Lucy Calkins, NAREA Summer Symposium at Opal School
There are several significant professional development opportunities that happen during the summer, including the three mentioned above. If you are interested, I ask that you decide which one PGD event you are most interested in and inform me.  I want to be able to allocate PGD funds intentionally.

LS Faculty Meeting - 3:15 DVR
3:15    Appreciations
3:20    Brain Research 3
3:30    Report card Debrief -
3:45    New LS Building - programmatic WHY
4:00    Self Study Check in
   Announcements - PGD Day, LB Visit, Pub

LSCTF
3/15/2012
Self Study Check in
Laura Benson Visit 4/2, 4/3

OPERATIONS

Exiting for Recess
Please remind your children to walk down the stairs to recess. First and Second Grade children bolt out of the building at a very unsafe pace.  Fourth and Fifth Graders need reminders to slow down as well.

Lower School Leadership Team
We had good discussions around Trudy Ludwig (great for parents and grades 2-5th, not so appropriate for younger students, need time to reflect, build on pro-social behaviors), recess equipment (need greater accountability, RAZ to inventory once a month, 4th and 5th Graders and EC to lock up at the end of recess and the end of the day), and what to hand up to new teachers at the end of each year (reading assessments, end-of-year math assessments and letter to next year’s teacher, new suggestions- perhaps a self-selected student writing sample and self portrait).  Teams will discuss portfolio items this week.  We will return to this subject at the next Leadership Team meeting on March 22nd.

Summer Projects
David and Chris will be reviewing summer projects with Jon von Behren before Spring Break.  If you have special summer projects in mind, please let us know. The official request will go out as usual after Spring Break.

Assistant Teacher’s Supervision and Evaluation
Please be sure to complete your supervision and evaluation work with your assistants by Spring Break, or the first week of April at the latest. We want to get those documents to Lori Shelby in a timely manner.  Please give a copy of the supervisor and assistant teacher’s documents  to Lyn.

The first day of spring is around the corner. Enjoy the cheery daffodils, crocuses and flower trees on campus.  What a delight! Thanks for your hard work and dedication!