LS Weekly Memo Week 34 : April  29 - May 3

What a full week; PNAIS accreditation visit, Hero Speeches, the Portland Musical and the Lego Show.  A tremendous thank you to the 2nd and 3rd grade teams and Jane and her Lego crew.  And what fun to have the 5th graders teach us all to dance.  Thank you 5th grade team and Kristen Haferbecker for organizing another great community event.  Last week is a hint of what is to come in the rapid journey to the end of the year.  Let’s all calendar carefully and support each other.

This week: Reggio presentation, BS Movement Program, ECHOES Writing Celebration, 3rd Grade field trip, 4th grade overnight and 5th grade Immigration Day.  Lean in and enjoy the wild ride.

COMMUNITY

Great Work Welcoming PNAIS Visiting Team!

Thanks for going the “extra mile” this past week to welcome the visiting team. We know many of you put in considerable time preparing and displaying documentation that told the story of the fabulous work going on in your classrooms.

Exploring Space

Thanks to Alysa and the 3rd - 5th team, for working with Jon and the maintenance crew, to give the Fourth and Fifth Grade common area a whole new look, feel and purpose. What an inviting space!

Our Architect - THA

The Building Committee, which included Kirstin and David, unanimously selected THA Architects to design our new Lower School Building, through a process that included reviewing proposals from 16 different firms in the Northwest.  The THA team,  is eager to get on campus to begin work on the first phase of the design process.  They will be spending May 7th on campus observing Lower School to get a sense of how we use space and will return May 9th for design conversations and exercises.  Details still to be determined.  

Daron Havlik Farewell - May 6 @ 3:15

Daron is leaving OES to start a new chapter in his life.  Daron gave us great support throughout his years at OES. He’s a “Jack of all Trades” who can fix anything from sound systems to traffic snarls on the Loop Road. He will be greatly missed! Please join us for a farewell celebration Monday, May 6th!

Hope for Sun

The 4th graders are heading to the coast Wednesday through Friday.  For the past two years they have endured relentless rain during this trip. Let’s see if we can spur on the sun for them.

PROGRAM

Reggio Presentations

Chris and April will give presentations on their experiences in Reggio Emilia, Italy from 3:30-4:30 on Monday, April 29th in the Lower School library (note the change in venue).  Chris will present on the 0-99 continuity in education project and innovative school design.  

The focus of April’s presentation will be on insights gained around documentation. Please join us! Bring your own drink of choice, we’ll have snacks.

Chris Mader’s Science  Survey

Classroom teachers, please be sure to fill out Chris’ brief survey in the coming week. It will be valuable information for Chris as he considers Pre-K through 12th Grade science, design and engineering curriculum.

Summer Stipends - Sent out on May 1. Due on May 15

MHCSD - see communications from Jenny Cleveland

PGD Thank You

I have received a number of great proposals for summer PGD and am working to be sure we can finance them all.  OES is fortunate to have faculty who are so committed to professional development.

BS Movement - Tuesday

The PE Team is presenting their annual Beginning School Movement program on Tuesday.  It might keep you smiling all day.

ECHOES Writing Celebration

Thanks to Patrick King and his ECHOES volunteers and Lara Ingham, we will be celebrating writing in Lower School on Tuesday from 3:00 - 4:00.

OPERATIONS

Fourth Grade Trip and Duty Help

Fourth Grade heads out bright and early Wednesday, May 1st for Kiwanilong (Chris O’Toole is not going along as originally planned).  Please be sure to check the duty help sign up sheet on the bulletin board outside the faculty room. Sign up to help out with duties if you can.

Timeliness to and from Specialist Classes

In the busy weeks ahead of us with special events and critical work on projects, being on time really matters.

Personal Days

We are getting a large number of personal day requests.  Trips and special events are already requiring many substitutes.  We may need you to be flexible with scheduling.

Before requesting a personal day please review the following from the Employee Handbook:

Personal days are to be used for personal business and not for illness or vacation.  Personal days may not be combined with paid vacation days and may not be taken on the last week of school or work, or immediately before or after a school vacation or paid holiday, except with the permission of your supervisor.  

Receipts

The Business Office is noticing an increase in requests for reimbursement without receipts. Legally, then the reimbursement becomes taxable income to you.  Thank you for your diligence in turning in receipts for expenses incurred.

Calendar Reminders

Take time in your Team Meetings to review the end-of-year calendars.  Be sure to send important dates to Anne Weston if parents are involved in or invited to the event.

Playground Safety

-We had two students chip front teeth in recent weeks, another broke a finger.  Be vigilant when out on recess duty. Try to be proactive to prevent possible injuries.  

- Mini-Aardvark’s stairs are in need of repairs. Darele has been notified and will make the repairs soon. In the meantime, keep an eye on this structure- no fast-paced games of tag, with students running up the stairs.

-WATERWORKS- You may have noticed that Waterworks is again turned off due to children clogging up the area by the drain and filter with rocks and other materials.  The large stone, that was intentionally cemented in place to protect the drain from obstructions, has been removed by students. We will make an announcement in Chapel next week.  Please reiterate our concerns in a class meeting. See if students have insights into what is going on, and if they have possible solutions.  Let us know if you gain insights and helpful strategies from students.

Snack Reminders

We understand that from time-to-time, morning snack is not eaten. Shirley reports that she finds bags of snack left behind in all Common Areas. In the past, she’s seen morning snacks served in the Common Hall at lunch.   

Please take the time to feed students their mid-morning snack. Children need that nutritional boost to perform their best in the classroom, specialist class and recess.

Photo Shoot - All School

Marty Jones has scheduled a photo shoot for school publications, admissions viewbook and the website for May 6-8. Professional photographers will be on campus.  Please be flexible and supportive of this important all school effort.

Photo Shoot - 5th Grade

5/20 at 3:15  in LS Art Room