Welcome to Week 27!  Spring Break is truly around the corner. Thanks to Tracy and his troupe of thespians for their great Peanut musical. Once again, stars emerged- some expected, some unexpected, in this great production.  Thanks for your hard work and willingness to take risks! 

COMMUNITY

Trustee Visiting Day, 3/19,  Canceled!

Teaching Candidates Visit This Week
Erin Baker, a finalist for the 3rd grade position, will be visiting for the day on Monday.
Sara Tretter, a finalist for the 5th grade position, will be visiting for the day on Tuesday.

The Amazing Food Detective- Oregon Children’s Theater 3/20 at 10am
Pre-K through Third Grade will gather in the gym to see a performance presented by the Oregon Children’s Theater. See description, http://www.octc.org/schoolservices/etp
Please be seated and ready to go by 10am.

Old Market Pub -
Thanks to those who stopped by to share beverages, appetizers and conversation with colleagues. Great to know that you do enjoy getting together. Based on positive feedback we will certainly plan another gathering later in the spring.

PROGRAM

Faculty Meeting on Monday
All LS School faculty and staff will in the Lower School Library at 3:15 for a brief update on Self Study and additions to the Lower School.

Faculty Meeting on Thursday
Classroom teachers will work on Self Study documents. As we discussed during LSCTF,  plan to use the Essential Competencies as a tool for reflection as you prepare to make recommendations for your section. Specialists teachers will meet in the art room to hear updates on students of concern.

Self Study Update
The remaining Self Study faculty meetings are scheduled to ensure time to complete the report and scope and sequence documents.  Based on the update at the LSCTF meeting, all 4 vertical groups; BS, English, Math and Social Studies, are on or ahead of schedule.

TH 3/22	LS Vertical Groups	Draft/ Revise content
MON 4/2	LS Curriculum	WOL and Laura Benson Literacy work
TH 4/5	LS Vertical	Draft content
TH 4/12	LS Vertical	Revise content/ Scope and Sequence
MON 4/16	LS Curriculum	Revise content/ Scope and Sequence
Th 4/19	LS Vertical	Finish Revisions.
FR 5/3	LS Curriculum	All drafts due

Laura Benson’s Visit
Google Doc Lunch Order for Wonder of Learning Tour, April 2nd, Beginning School teachers, and others staying for the full day, please be sure to order a box lunch on the Google doc.  Lyn will need to submit our lunch order on Monday.  BA needs two week notice to process orders.

April 2nd and 3rd Professional Development Days – Proposed schedule

Monday, April 2 - Specialist Teachers
See details from Department Chairs and Angels.

Monday, April 2 – Wonders of Learning Exhibit               
8:30 – 3:30    Beginning School
8:30 – 12:00    1st and 2nd Grades

Monday, April 2 – Laura Benson
Science Discovery Room
8:00 - 9:00      3rd – 5th meet together to go over continuum
9:15 - 12:15    3rd – 5th work on reading continuum with Laura
12:15 - 1:00    Lunch
1:15 - 3:15     1st and 2nd work on reading continuum with Laura
1:15 - 3:15     3rd – 5th continue work on reading continuum in grade level groups
                      Or review and comment on self-study work in grade level groups

Tuesday, April 3rd – Laura Benson – work dependent on Needs Survey
Morris House Conference Room
8:00 – 10:00             1st and 2nd
10:15-lunch-12:45    3rd Grade
1:00 – 3:00               4th and 5th Grade
3:30 – 4:30               Faculty Meeting

Wonder of Learning Tour, April 4rd,  for Parents
Kindergarten teachers will attend the luncheon at Portland’s Racquet Club.  Jenny will line up EC teachers to cover your classes from 11:30-2:30. Please provide sub plans. Chris and David will join them for lunch.

Spring and Summer Conference Links

Cadwell Collaborative- “Myth Busters, Learning for the Future,” April 19-20
http://cadwellcollaborative.com/

Opal School- Reading the World, Literacy, Creativity and Sustainability- May 24-25

http://www.portlandcm.org/shop/Reading-the-World.html

ISTE
http://www.isteconference.org/2012/

NAREA Summer Symposium, June 22- 24 http://www.reggioalliance.org/narea/summer_conference/current.php

Lucy Calkins’ Readers and Writers Workshop and Teachers College Columbia U. at NYC- Find dates on web site
http://tc.readingandwritingproject.com/institutes/tc-summer-institutes

We are looking into possibly bringing the RWP to our campus

http://tc.readingandwritingproject.com/institutes/home-grown-institutes


OPERATIONS

Lower School Leadership Team, 3/22
3/22/2012        
Calendar Check - April - June         COT    3:15:00
2012-13 Calendar Highlights          COT    3:30:00
New Lower School Building            COT    3:45:00
Open items                                        All       4:00:00

Mini Aardvark Concerns
Chris Thompson reports that she frequently sees Fourth and Fifth Graders climbing on the roof of Mini-Aardvark.  She says that she has had conversations with folks on duty about this concern.  
Please remind your students that they are absolutely not allowed to climb on the exterior walls and roof of Mini Aardvark.  Folks on duty, please be vigilant and be sure students are playing safely on this structure.

David out on 3/22
Chris O’Toole will be in charge

Have a great restful and renewing Spring Break and safe travels if you are venturing far from home.

David and Chris