Welcome to Week 29 and the steady sprint to the end of the year. We have 10 solid weeks left with our students and only a single long weekend between now and June 13 so pace yourself.  Thank you for your good work with Laura Benson and the Wonders of Learning.

Meetings and Events
We’re coming into the busiest time of the year. Before putting an event on the calendar please be sure to check the OES calendar and the Year at a Glance calendar

COMMUNITY

Hiring Update

3rd Grade
Last two finalists visit this week. I hope to have a decision by the end of the week.

5th Grade
Two have come. Two to go next week.

Team Leaders
Job description is drafted.  We will discuss the job description and hiring process at Leadership Team, and then send it out to all LS Faculty.

Jane Kenney-Norberg
We have three possible substitutes lined up to support Jane so that she can be with her father as needed.

Marty Eastman-Brown
Marty will be having surgery in the near future and may face extensive recovery time.  She will offer additional information as needed. Laura Harley will teach the class during Marty’s absence.  Caley Petersen will be joining Laura in teaching the class.

Lauren Erickson
Lauren is off on maternity leave getting ready.  We look forward to good news in the coming weeks.

PROGRAM

Professional Development
Summer stipend requests will be going out soon.  We are meeting with Department Heads on Monday to determine stipend priorities.  I will get those out to you in the near future. It is also time to make summer professional development decision.  I have heard from several of you about ISTE, NAREA, Readers and Writers workshops.  Let me know if you have other summer workshop interests.


Departments/ LS Faculty Meeting - April 12 @ 7:30 DVR
Topic                        Person
Appreciations                    All
Story Workshop Presentation            Kirstin McA.
Reading Continuum Plan            DL   
Self Study Check in                DL
Writing Celebration Presentation        US Students

LSLT Meeting - April 12 @ 3:15
Topic                        Person
4/12/2012    
Team Leader Job Description    DL
Calendar Check                           All
Operations Expectations            All
Open Items                                   All

Wonder of Learning Tour for OES Parents
Thank you to LS parents, Catherine Willmott and Kim Bissell for organizing a luncheon discussion focused on the Wonders of Learning exhibit.  The Kindergarten Teachers did a wonderful job discussing their program and asking thoughtful questions.

Curriculum Task Force Meeting
Thursday, April 5  3:15 - 4:15
We devoted the entire meeting to discussing progress with the reading continuum and next steps.

OPERATIONS

Divorce and Parent Communication
I want to remind you that in situations where LS Parents are going through or have completed divorce proceeds I want all of us to remain neutral parties, fully focused on making our school a sanctuary of the child from the uncertainties of the divorce.

• Ensure school communications are sent to both parents
• Ensure we do not take actions or make communications that appear to favor one parent over the other.
• If you have questions about a parent communication please see Chris or David.

Recess/Lunch Duty and Transitions
Spring is here- a time when children are feeling their oats, and often experiment with different behaviors.
Please be vigilant on duty. Be sure to roam about giving students positive feedback, be proactive about potential conflict situations, especially on the turf field .  Escort children to and from specialist’s classes