Welcome to Week 28, an action-packed short week following Spring Break.  Thanks to all for launching us into Spring Break on such a high note.  We hope you all found some time for rest and relaxation and are returning rejuvenated.

COMMUNITY

Hiring Update
We have been busy reviewing resumes, interviewing and scheduling visits. Overall, we are fortunate to have such an impressive pool of candidates.

Dana Wedel – PreK Long Term Substitute
I am pleased to announce that we have hired Dana Wedel to be the long term substitute for the Pre-Kindergarten class for the remainder of the year.   Dana has her BA in Elementary Education, 6 years of classroom teaching and 7 years of family literacy education experience.  She is also a former colleague of Colesie’s when they worked together at the Portland Children’s Museum. Please join me in welcoming her to OES.

Claire Kucera – 1st Grade Teacher
Claire Kucera has accepted our offer to be the new 1st Grade Teacher.  Marty and Doug are thrilled that Claire will be joining their team on a permanent basis next year. Though many of you know Claire, either as Tonya’s substitute during her maternity leave or as Doug’s substitute during his sabbatical, please join me in welcoming Claire to OES in her new permanent capacity.

3rd and 5th Grade Finalists Identified
We have identified finalists for both the 3rd and 5th grade positions and are working on scheduling the visits to campus.


PROGRAM

Laura Benson’s Visit
Monday, April 2 – Laura Benson

Science Discovery Room (Room 14 – Scott House)
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

Note change of times for 4th and 5th and 1st and 2nd

Science Discovery Room (Room 14 – Scott House)
8:00 – 10:00            4th and 5th
10:15-lunch-12:45   3rd Grade
1:00 – 3:00              1st and 2nd

DVR
3:15 – 4:15              Faculty Meeting

Wonder of Learning Tours
We will gather at the Children’s Museum on Monday morning at 8:30.  Beginning School teachers will be there all day until 4:00.  First and Second Grade teams will head back to campus around 12:45 to meet with Laura Benson from 1:15-3:15.

> 8:30-9:15         Group arrives, settles in, introductions
>                          Introduction to the Wonder of Learning exhibit...the context
>                          Introduce focus topics and reflection questions  (I'll send these over for   
            review soon)
>
> 9:15-10:45      Time in exhibit
>
> 11:00-12:00    Dialogue around focus topics and reflection questions
>
> 12:00-12:45    Lunch
>
> Lower school teachers return to campus after lunch
>
> 1:00-4:00  Beginning School Focus Topic:  Project Work

Wonder of Learning Tour for OES Parents
Lower School parent and board member Catherine Wilmott arranged for 20 parents to tour the Wonder of Learning Exhibit at the Portland Children’s Museum. Following the tour parents will continue conversations about the exhibit over lunch (off campus) with David, Chris and the Kindergarten team.  We’ll share highlights of our discussion at the Curriculum Task Force meeting on Thursday.

No Faculty Meeting, April 5
The Tuesday faculty meeting with Laura Benson will take the place of our Thursday meeting.  Self Study teams may meet to work on self study draft.

Curriculum Task Force Meeting
Thursday, April 5  3:15 - 4:15
4/5/2012        
Debrief Professional Development work       3:15:00
Discuss LS Self Study Questions            3:45:00


OPERATIONS

Things from Home
I have noticed an increased number of things from home appearing on the playground and in the hallways.  Please remind your students that we ask that they not being things from home to play with at school, unless they ask for permission first. We have made two exceptions for lacrosse sticks and baseball gloves.

Lacrosse 
We want to honor the children’s interest in playing lacrosse during recess and want to be sure it happens safely.  The following rules need to be followed concerning lacrosse at school.  Please communicate them to your students.
1.       Lacrosse at lunch recess only and on the turf field in designated space determined by recess duty teacher.
2.       Lacrosse with tennis balls only.  No use of lacrosse balls.
3.       Passing and shooting only. No checking or use of goalies.
4.       Lacrosse sticks need to be returned to the building at the end of recess. No lacrosse sticks in the lunch room.  
Students who do not abide by these rules will lose the privilege of practicing lacrosse at recess for the week.

Baseball
Same goes for baseball with the following rules:
1.       Lunch recess only and on the turf field in designated space determined by recess duty teacher
2.       Soft balls only. See duty teacher if have a question
3.       Foam bats only – request use from PE teacher on duty


Delayed Openings Procedure including Thursdays
It seems that there was a bit of confusion on our last late opening on Thursday, March 22nd. So here’s a bit of clarification:
•When we have a delayed opening school will begin at 10 am
•All staff and faculty should arrive by 9:30
•Faculty normally on early morning recess duty in the Beginning School, the library and out on Aardvark Community Park, should be ready to supervise children beginning at 9:30.
The Lower School Office doors will unlock at 9:30.  The Lower School doors will unlock at 9:55.
•Children enter the building at 10 am.
•Lunch will be served at the regular times

Snowball Fights
We know it seems like a kill-joy policy, but for safety reasons, Beginning and Lower School students should not engage in snowball fights. A snowball to the face infused with bark chips or black turf particles could be dangerous. Encourage children to make snow angels and creative snow sculptures and structures instead.

Assistant Teacher’s Supervision and Evaluation Forms
Please be sure to complete all assistant teachers supervision and evaluation forms and submit them to Lyn by the end of the week. If that isn’t possible, please let Chris know and negotiate a date when the process can be completed.

Admissions - Note from Sarah Ross Bailey
I am sending a link to a Google form about Admissions Assessments. At your leisure over break or when you return- please take the time to share your thoughts. Your responses need to be sent to me by MONDAY APRIL 16th. Click the link to find out more~

https://docs.google.com/a/go.oes.edu/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFM5alRveDVSdnZkR2RKUVFISTZBeHc6MQ#gid=0