Welcome to Week 32

Last Week was an Amazing Week
Last week was filled with big accomplishments- from a hugely successful launch of Project Second Wind by Alysa’s Fifth Graders, to Second Grade’s Hero Speeches, the Third Grade’s Portland Musical and a moving Friday Chapel.  Our thanks to you all for your hard work and dedication. We are truly blessed.
Here we go into the merry month of May!  See Placement Meetings listed below!

Meetings and Events

DATE	EVENTS	LOCATION
Monday, April 30 - 3:00 PM	Teacher/Staff Appreciation	Dining Hall
Tuesday, May 1st, 7:30am	Camp Hancock Parent Meeting	Tracy’s Room
Wednesday, May 2nd, 8:15am	BS Movement Program	Gym
Wednesday, May 2nd through Friday May 4th	4th Grade Day Trip to Camp Kiwanilong	Warrenton, OR
Thursday, May 3rd, 7:30-8:30	Divisional Faculty Meeting	DVR
Friday, May 4th	3rd Grade Field Trip	Champoeg State Park

COMMUNITY

Placement Meetings Begin Next Week
Please be on time if you are scheduled for an early 7am meeting. We will begin promptly!

Monday, April 30th	7-7:50 4th Grade Placement 11-11:50 2nd Grade Placement
Tuesday, May 1st	11-11:50 First Grade Placement Meeting
Monday, May 7th	11-11:50 K/P Placement Meeting
Tues., May 8th	11-11:50 3rd Grade Placement Meeting
Thurs., May 10th - Art Room	8:45 am Specialists Placement Meeting

More placement meeting updates to follow

Teacher Appreciation
Wasn’t Friday’s Surprise Teacher Appreciation event a special treat? I heard that it was Sharon Toncray, Evan Hasson’s mom’s inspiration.  
Save your appetites for Monday’s festive Teacher Appreciation Treats.  Parents put a lot of time and thought into this gathering.

Parent Appreciation
We’d like to come up with some kind of collective “Thank You Card” for parents. Perhaps a big banner that is signed by all posted on the green wall by the LS office. Forward any suggestions you might have to me. Laura, Margaret or Shelley, your thoughts?

Hiring Update
Kindergarten- We are reviewing resumes and setting up initial interviews.

3rd - We have made an offer. David will make the official announcement once we have received the signed letter of employment.

5th - Three strong candidates visited this past week. The hiring committee meets late Monday afternoon. Look for news in next week’s WM.

CORE
Grade Level teams, please contact Ari to reserve a time:
May 2nd        May 9th        May 16th
May 23rd      May 30th      June 6th

Summer Stipends- Friendly Reminder
Summer stipend requests are due Monday May 7.   Stipend priority will be given for new teams, collaborative projects and significant curriculum revision. Please submit your completed stipend requests to Lyn.





PROGRAM

Aardvark Fun Park Retires:  A Great Writing Provocation/Prompt
Aardvark Fun Park retires next month. The disassembling will begin Friday, June 1. This is no small event.  It might be important to find time to reflect.  The Second Grade team is building an inquiry-based project around its retirement.  Ask them for details. Bravo, 2nd Grade team, for building meaningful emergent curriculum around this community event.

Self Study Deadline, Thursday, May 3rd
All documents to be completed!

LS Faculty Meeting, Thursday, May 3rd
7:30 in classrooms, Art Room

5/3/2012        Reading Continuum
Develop grade level agreements about data to use for continuum placement. Review sample data to be used for at least one stage as discussed in LSCTF.  See LSCTF representatives if you have questions.    Classroom Teachers work in Grade level groups.
5/3/2012        Specialists - discuss students of concern with Patti, Jenny and Ari in Art Rm.
5/3/2012        Beginning School - Return to professional practice discussions   

LS Curriculum Task Force, Thursday, May 3rd
5/3/2012            
Self Study review
All vertical team work loaded to Self Study Site. LSCTF representatives do final proofing. Discuss Strengths and recommendations
Review Reading Continuum Progress
Compare and discuss across grades.

In Case You Didn’t See this Last Week- Sustainable Living for Educators
Here’s another great course offering from Lewis and Clark. Check it out!
Sustainable Living for Educators
Choose a session: Wednesdays, May 9, 16, 30 and June 6, 13, 20 or
Monday-Friday July 30-August 3
May-June session meets 4-7 p.m.; July-Aug. session meets 1-4 p.m.https://graduate.lclark.edu/live/news/15575-sustainable-living-for-educators

OPERATIONS

Duty Help While Fourth Grade is at Kiwanilong and Hancock
Please take a look at the sign up sheet that will be posted on the faculty bulletin board to see if there is a time when you can provide duty coverage for David and the Fourth Grade team.
A sign up duty coverage sheet for folks going on the Hancock trip to follow soon.

LSLT Discussions - 4/26/2012
Aardvark Fun Park - To be torn down beginning on 6/1/12, look for details on the event from Jon von Behren.
TA Evaluations- We will streamline/improve this process for next year. Great suggestions were provided.
Service Learning- We discussed the role of SL parent volunteers.  We realized that a  general discussion about service learning needs to follow at end of year.
Schedule Discussion - representatives will bring feedback to next LSLT meeting - What has worked well, what to revisit.

Self Study Survey
Remember to complete your self study survey.

Overnight Trips
Thank you to David Gomes, Dave Hall and Lisa Pitts of you who have agreed to be chaperons for an overnight trip.  A great time will be had by all!

Friendly Reminder: Summer Maintenance
Please return your completed form to Chris this Friday, May 4th.  Fourth Grade team- you can submit yours by 5/11.

Welcome to Week 31! We are fast approaching the busiest time of the school year. Keep an eye on the calendar and be vigilant on the playground and in the lunchroom.    

Meetings and Events

DATE	EVENTS	LOCATION
Mon., Apr. 23rd, 11:55am Mon., April 23rd, 3:15-4:30	Project Second Wind Kick-Off Self Study Work	OES Chapel BS and LS
Tues., April 24th, 8-9:30	Blake’s Hero Speeches	LS Library
Wed., Apr. 25th, 8-9:30	Griffin’s Hero Speeches	LS Library
Wed., Apr. 25th, 7:30 - Wed., Apr. 25th, 8:15-8:45	Teacher Appreciation Breakfast Beginning School Chapel	Faculty Lounge OES Chapel
Thurs., Apr. 26th, 7:30-8:30	LS Faculty Meeting	DVR
Thurs., Apr. 26th, 9-10:30	Schilling’s Hero Speeches	LS Library

COMMUNITY

Rosalie is Here!
Great news! Lauren and Thomas’ dear daughter Rosalie is here, complete with dimples and a head of curly hair.  From Lauren:
Tomas and I joyfully announce Sweet Miss Rosalie Ananda Erickson
Endicott to the world! Born 10:26 PM, Thursday, April 19, 2012 in Portland, OR. 8 lbs 2 oz. and just shy of 21 inches. We are doing wonderfully! She is our big door prize, love bomb, brilliant beauty queen! I am entirely in love with my girl and my new tiny family. Cheers to Rosalie!

Denise Carsman
After much thought and reflection Denise Carsman has decided she will not be returning to OES next year. While taking some time to determine her next career, Denise is looking forward to the opportunity to take some art and yoga classes.  I am greatly appreciative of all the Denise has contributed to the evolution of the Beginning School program, including her most recent big idea, the creation of the Atilierista (Reggio inspired art specialist) position.

We will begin the search for a new kindergarten teacher on Monday.

Hiring Update

3rd - We have made an offer. I will make the official announcement once we have received the signed letter of employment.

5th - We are well into our second round of finalists for 5th grade and have three teachers scheduled to visit from California, Texas and Ecuador. Lillie Stevens will be on campus Monday

CORE
It is time for our end of the year wrap-up meetings.  Grade Level teams, please contact Ari to reserve time on one of the  following dates:
Apr. 25th        May 2nd        May 9th        May 16th
May 23rd        May 30th        June 6th

Summer Stipends- Friendly Reminder
Summer stipend requests are due May 7.  As mentioned in the faculty meeting, we are anticipating many request due to the number of new teams and new positions we will have next year.  Stipend priority will be given for new teams, collaborative projects and significant curriculum revision.

Beginning School friends, please take time over the weekend or early next week to fill out the Google doc, listing times when you will be available and when you cannot be available for our stipend with Laura. Look for a Google doc entitled “Beginning School Summer Stipend.”

Good Luck
Wish the 2nd graders and their teachers good luck as they prepare to present their hero speeches. And the same to the 3rd graders and their teachers as they prepare to present the Portland Musical.

Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
Wednesday parents will be offering breakfast treats in appreciation of your good work.  Enjoy.

 
PROGRAM

Optional Self Study Meeting Time; 4/23 @3:15
The last scheduled Self Study Meeting is Monday.  This is an opportunity for vertical groups to do a final review of question responses, scope and sequence document.  The final step should be the copying and pasting the response into the appropriate section of the Self Study Site, according to the stated formatting.

LS Faculty Meeting, 4/26 @ 7:30 in DVR
We will use the meeting to review the calendar to the end of the year.

LS Curriculum Task Force
•Self Study Wrap Up: We reviewed Beginning School and Vertical Group’s scope and sequence and blue prints. Everyone is fine tuning their last pieces before the May 3rd deadline. Monday’s meeting is devoted to that last task.
•Summer Professional Development Preferences: David and Chris will review options and will announce our finalized plans next week.

Mo Copeland
Remember to invite Mo to your culminating events.  She is eager to experience LS project work from Beginning School Movement Program to the 5th grade debates.

Sustainable Living for Educators
Here’s another great course offering from Lewis and Clark. Check it out!
Sustainable Living for Educators
Choose a session: Wednesdays, May 9, 16, 30 and June 6, 13, 20 or
Monday-Friday July 30-August 3
May-June session meets 4-7 p.m.; July-Aug. session meets 1-4 p.m.https://graduate.lclark.edu/live/news/15575-sustainable-living-for-educators

OPERATIONS

Placement Meetings
Lyn will be posting the placement sign up list Monday afternoon.  As always scheduling is challenging and tight. Be sure to use the cards Lyn has made for your placement discussions.  They may be picked up from Lyn in the Lower School Office.

LS Leadership Team Agenda, 4/26
4/26/2012
Aardvark Fun Park - 6/1/12
TA Evaluations
Team Leader Review

Self Study Survey
Remember to complete your self study survey.

Overnight Trips
Thank you to those of you who have agreed to be chaperons for an overnight trip.  I believe 3rd - 5th grades are still looking for a few more adults to help. Let the teachers know if you can help.

Summer Maintenance
Now is the time to think ahead to summer maintenance work.  I’ve sent out the form via an email attachment. Please keep in mind that we try to honor as many requests as possible, but summer camp’s use of classrooms often limit what can be accomplished.  Please return your completed form to Chris by Friday, May 4th.  

Aardvark Fun Park
AFP is scheduled to be taken down on June 1st primary for safety reasons.   Though many students will be sad to see it come down, I am thinking that they would rather see it come down than have it disappear over the summer.  We will be discussing this at LSLT.  Let your representative know if you have questions.

Welcome to Week 30
I hope you were able to enjoy the beautiful weekend weather pursuing a favorite spring time pastime. Be sure to use the link at the bottom of this posting to access all the information contained in the blog, most notably the LS Year at a Glance Calendar.  The pace of school life is beginning to gear up with Hero Speeches and Spring trips around the corner.  Stay tuned to calendars and be mindful of timing special events.  

Meetings and Events: Consult the Lower School Year at A Glance Calendar

DATE	EVENTS	LOCATION
Mon., Apr. 16th, 8:15	First Grade Music Informance	LS Common Hall
Mon., Apr. 16th	Self Study, BS and Vertical Group Meetings	On Campus
Tues., April 17th, 7:20 am	March & April Birthday Celebration	LS Faculty/Staff Lounge
Tues., Apr. 17th, 3:15	Opal School’s Story Workshop- Prof. Development DVD	Kirstin McAuley’s Classroom
Wed., Apr. 18th, 7:30	Teacher Appreciation Breakfast	LS Faculty Room/Staff Lounge
Thurs., Apr. 19th, 7:30 am Thurs., Apr. 19th, 8:45 Thurs., Apr. 19th, 3:15	LS Faculty Meeting 4th Grade Music Informance LS Curriculum Task Force	DVR LS Common Hall Chris T’s Room
Fri., Apr. 20th, 2:10	LS Assembly- Citizenship Pillar	Gym

 COMMUNITY

Jane Kenney-Norberg’s Father
I am sorry to inform you that Jane Kenney-Norberg’s father passed away early Saturday morning. Jane will likely take the week off.  She has her sister and husband with her. I am sure she would appreciate cards and letters at this time.  Jenny Cleveland will be in touch with Jane and will share any news of how we can best support Jane at this time.  Mary Petersen will be subbing for Jane this week.

4th Grade OBOB Team
Congratulations to the 4th Grade State Champion OBOB team and a special thanks to their coach, Asha Sathyaraj and for the support of Lara Ingham and Heidi Hackenjos.

Hiring Update
3rd Grade - Checking references on finalists
5th Grade - Interviewing continuing

Friday’s Assembly
Next Friday’s Assembly will focus on the Citizenship Pillar, Earth Day, highlights from 3rd Grade’s Portland: The Musical, and possibly a presentation from US Ben Ulmer, an inventor, who exercised his “power for good” creating human power water pump. Look for more details in an email from Kristen Haferbecker next week.


PROGRAM

All Lower School Faculty Meeting - Thursday 4/19, 7:30 in DVR
       7:30:00    Appreciations

       7:40:00    Library Update
       7:50:00    Summer Stipends
       8:00:00    Students of Concern
       8:20:00    End Of Year Calendar

Story Workshop Mini Workshop
Kirstin has offered to view the rest of the Geography of Story Workshop video with those of you who are interested and to have some conversations about what implications we see for our own students' literacy development.  If you'd like to participate, Kirstin looks forward to seeing you in Room 2 of the Beginning School on Tuesday, April 17th from 3:15-4:15 and on Tuesday, April 24th from 3:15-3:45 or 4:00, depending on how much time we feel we need.  

Summer Stipends
Start thinking and planning.  See Summer Stipend Form.

Summer Conference Preferences
Be sure to list your preferences fro summer workshops on the Summer Conference Preferences document.  We will be making decision at LSCTF.

LSCTF Meeting 4/19/12
4/19/2012        
Curriculum Blueprint Discussion    DAL    3:15:00
Summer Workshop Decision        DAL    3:45:00

Self Study Update
The next two Monday meetings are reserved for final Self Study revisions.  Based on the check in on Thursday, all groups should plan on meeting this Monday, 4/16 at 3:15 in their usual places:
BS - ??? Room
Social Studies - Tasha’s Room
English - Alysa’s Room
Math - Asha’s Room

Digging In:  Place Based Food and Garden Education for Teachers
Beginning and Lower School teachers- there is a great workshop at Lewis and Clark coming up in June...here’s the link
https://graduate.lclark.edu/live/news/11146-digging-in-placebased-food-amp-garden-education

OPERATIONS

LSLT
The Leadership Team met on Thursday and discussed the onset of Spring Fever.  Generally, we acknowledge the need to remind our students of behavioral agreements and expectations and the need for us to be attentive to our professional practices. Specifically, we addressed the following:
1.     Student Behavior - last week was a busy week in the Lower School Office with students who had made poor choices. We need to be extra vigilant during duties and transitions.

A. Review Recess Guidelines sent at beginning of year, keeping in mind the basic approach - is it Safe, is it Fair, is it Fun for All

B. Put Away Recess Equipment - blow the whistle 2 minutes before the bell to have the students put away the equipment

C. Uniform reminders - Be aware of the uniform policy as we switch to warmer weather.  Hats are not part of the school uniform.  They may be worn for protection from the sun and cold outside only.  Hats are not to be worn inside.

D. Uniform fleeces, vests and sweat shirts are the only out layers allowed inside. Non OES sweatshirts and jackets can be worn outside only

2. Evacuation Drills - Fire and Earthquake
In an effort to improve the safe of our drills please attend to the following:

1. Evacuate the building in a quiet and orderly fashion.  Students should head down to the field in an orderly line with no talking.  This will help students practice the correct behaviors for a true emergency.

2. Once on the field the students should remain in an orderly line and wait quietly while we account for everyone.  This will help us ensure everyone is accounted for in a quick and efficient manner.

3. Adults not with classes will quickly check in with Jenny Strode and set the example for quiet attentiveness during the duration of the drill. These two changes will greatly improve our safety preparedness.

Cell Phones
Students are not allowed to have cell phones at school, except with special permission from the Head of Lower School. Lower School students should not use cell phones while on the OES campus. We need to set a good example by not using cell phones in the presence of students.

Walk Way Duty
When you are on walkway duty please remind parents to pull forward and stay with their car.

Students to the Office
When sending sick students to the LS Office please do let us know what is wrong, but do not attempt to diagnose.  Leave that to Jenny, Lyn and Elaine.