Sunday, November 24, 2013



LS Weekly Memo

Week 15 & 16: November 25  - December 6

Two more days and then a welcome break.  Enjoy your time away with family and friends. We have about the same number of grandparents coming this year as last.  Lower School will be full on Tuesday from 8:45 - 10:00.  



COMMUNITY

Grandparents and Special Friends - 283 RSVP’s (up 10 from last year)
The number varies widely per class.  Look at the list from Cindy Plummer so you know how many grandparents and special friends to plan for.

Grandparents and Special Friends Day - Tuesday November 26
Note the change in recess time.  Remember to keep children in the classroom during the duration of grandparent's visit.
Schedule of Events
8:00 – 8:40 a.m. Breakfast – Gym
LOWER SCHOOL
8:45 – 10:00 a.m. Visit Classrooms
9:45 – 10:05 Recess (1st & 2nd Grades) - NOTE LATER RECESS TIME
10:15 – 10:45 a.m.Chapel – Students Grades 1st–5th, all guests welcome
Students will sit with their grandparents or special friends. See Jenny Cleveland’s email.
10:45 a.m. Say Goodbye

Grandparent Options:
Coffee in the LS Library @ 8:45
Coffee in Chapel Narthex @ 9:15
OES School Store Open 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Chairs
60 Chairs on a cart in the Beginning School Hall/Wing
60 Chairs on a cart in the Lower School 1- 2 Grade Hall/Wing
30 Chairs on a cart in the Lower School hall near room 24/25
30 Chairs on a cart in the Lower School hall near room 22

Thanksgiving Break - No School, 11/27-12/1
Enjoy.

Kristen’s Baby Shower, Monday, December 2nd
Thanks to the 2nd grade team for organizing.  We may even get to meet Cora.  See Jenny if you wish to contribute to a gift.

Soccer During Afternoon Recess
McKenzie Lay - will be out on afternoon recess M, W-F from 1:30 - 2:00.  She is there so we have enough coverage to open up the field for soccer. She is not available to help on Tuesdays as she has an EC staff meeting.  No soccer during afternoon recess on Tuesdays.

Arabian Nights
Good luck Alysa and class.  Performances are 12/3 - 12/6.

Holiday Season Excitement and Student Behavior
We all know the huge impact the holiday season has on students and our families.  Please keep SST informed of students who are having a hard time managing behavior.  Remember to post Student Incident reports when appropriate, or let Chris, David, Patti or Jenny know about students of concern.

Evening Advent Service and Afterglow, Wednesday, December 4th
Older students may need to leave class for a rehearsal.  Look for information from Sue Jensen.  



PROGRAM

LS Building
Stop in and see David if you want to review the building concept design more closely.

Oregonian Article- Living and Travel Section- Get Your Child To Pay Attention
There was an interesting article in the Sunday Living and Travel section about the work of a team of researchers at the University of Oregon.  There website is Changing Brains   Check it out! Share it with parents. It has helpful tips for home and at school.


No Meetings, Monday, Nov. 25th
Prepare for Grandparent and Special Friends’ Day.  Have fun Tuesday!

Faculty Meetings
  • 12/2 - Kirsten’s Baby Shower @ 3:15 in LS Library

  • 12/5 - FLG/ Admissions Office Hours
Look for a communication from Sarah R-B about student visits for 2nd - 5th grade applicants.  She will have office hours from 7:30 - 8:45 to answer any questions.  She is particularly interested in getting Specialist TEachers feedback
  • Optional Team Meeting - check with your team leader

Faculty Meeting - We will continue to have meetings start at 7:40 through December. With one divisional meeting a month I need everyone to arrive on time.

Geo Bee Preliminary Round, Monday, December 2nd
Ari will let us know times for these events.



OPERATIONS

A Friendly Reminder- Duty Transition from 11:15-11:20
Jane, who is on Fourth and Fifth Grade duty on Tuesdays,  pointed out that First through Third Grade students often come down from lunch between 11:15-11:20 when Fourth and Fifth Grade duty folks are transitioning students off the field and ACP and heading up to lunch.  There are lots of children and few adults to supervise them in that small window of time.
Please have one person from the Fourth and Fifth Grade’s recess shift stay on duty until the next shift arrives.  Those of you who have First through Third Grade lunch recess duty need to be on time, or a few minutes early, when possible.

Upcoming Fire Drill, Thursday, December 5th at 12:00
Please give a general reminder about Fire Drill expectations when we return from Thanksgiving Break.  
•Walk out of the building calmly in a single file line.
•No talking
•Line up in grade level groups
*Wait quietly, including adults, until the signal is given to return to the  buildings

Umbrellas at Recess
Adults are welcome to use umbrellas at recess.  Children are not allowed to use umbrellas at recess for safety reasons.

Gift Policy - Tis the Season
Questions concerning hte OES Gift Policy were brought up at HAC. Below is the text of the OES Gift Policy. I included it in Wednesday Express as well.

While we are very appreciative of the high regard in which students and their families hold their teachers and coaches, we are concerned that student affection and gratitude be expressed in a manner that doesn't divide families according to financial means. We do believe that it is best for all if gifts be a simple expression of thanks and affection. Therefore, we ask that gifts be restricted to very inexpensive and/or handmade items. We also suggest giving a book to the library in honor of or in memory of a teacher or coach, or you can designate that your annual OES Fund contribution be a tribute gift. We do ask that you not give gifts of significant monetary value. Our faculty and staff always welcome your kind words and personal appreciation of their efforts.



Sunday, November 17, 2013

LS Weekly Memo 14




LS Weekly Memo

Week 14: November 18-22

Thanks for your flexibility handling our surprise Spirit Day.  It just might have helped spur the boys on to their state championship.  Friday’s DEAR unassembled assembly was a delight. What a great way to start the day. 
Our next assembly is not until Friday, January 17th.  Between now and then we will gather for Grandparents Day and St.Nicks Chapel.

Thanksgiving Break is oh so close.


COMMUNITY

Book Fair
Lara and her fleet of parent volunteers are gearing up for the All School Book Fair, Tuesday through Thursday. Enjoy.

Grandparents and Special Friends Day - Tuesday November 26
See upcoming email from Cindy Plummer with details. By now you and your team are planning activities to do with your special guests.  We’d love to hear what you have in store.  Can you take a minute to let us know by filling in a brief description in the Google doc below?
  • Remember to keep your students in the classroom during Grandparent visiting hours. Specialists classes may take place in the classroom, but do not have students leave the classroom for specialist classes from 8:45 - 9:45.
  • 9:15 am - Coffee available in the Chapel Narthex and the Lower School Library
  • 9:30 am - 9:45 am - Recess for 1st, 2nd grade. Grandparents can join them or go to Chapel Narthex for coffee                            
  • 10:15 am -10:45 am - Lower School Chapel, all others invited as well

Kristen’s Baby Shower, Monday, December 2nd
Thanks to the 2nd grade team for organizing.  We may even get to meet Cora.

Afternoon Recess Coverage
McKenzie Lay, EC Teacher, is going to help out with recess duty coverage from 1:30 - 2:00 each day starting on Monday.  With three people on duty we will be able to open the field for our enthusiastic soccer players.  One person on duty will be on ACP, one on the field and one floating between the two depending on where the crowd is.  We will keep this in place as long as there is interest in using the field.


PROGRAM

Curriculum Design
2nd and 5th grade teams worked with John Holloran to draft a curriculum design for a subject area.  1st and 4th are working with Jon on Wednesday.  Know that other teams are welcome to use a half day to work on curriculum design plans.

Boys, Coyotes and Other Wild Creatures- Saturday, Nov. 23rd
We need to make final arrangements for this upcoming workshop.  Please confirm that you are able to attend by clicking on the link below

LS Building
We will be discussing it at the Team Leader meeting on Monday.  Get your questions or comments to Chris, Janet, Alysa or Debra or stop in David’ office.


OPERATIONS

Lower School Leadership Team, Rescheduled
We are not meeting on Monday, Dec. 2nd. Instead, we will celebrate the birth of Cora Haferbecker. We’ll gather instead on Monday, January 13th from 3:15-4:30 pm.

Scott House
Scott House doors should stay locked during the day due to limited supervision in the building.

Recess Communication About Students
Please use the new lsdivisiononly@oes.edu distribution list for communications to faculty about students.  
Use the alllsfaculty@oes.edu distribution list for less sensitive information as it goes to other departments in addition to Lower School.

Bracelets
Bracelets are not part of the Uniform Policy, primarily for safety reasons.  The looped rubber band bracelets that are suddenly so popular should not be worn at school.

Sweatshirts
Please remind your students that the uniform policy states that only solid navy blue or green sweatshirts may be worn to school. No OES Spirit Wear, except on designated days. Remember the steps to take?
  • 1st Time- Friendly Reminder
  • 2nd Time- Send student to used uniform closet for a loaner (returned at the end of the day)
  • 3rd Time- Send an email to the parents


Sunday, November 10, 2013



LS Weekly Memo

Week 13: November 11-15

Thank you for your support of Open House on Wednesday.  Based on the reception attendance, we looked to have close to 200 people visiting the Lower School.  
I find it hard to believe we only have two full weeks of school before Thanksgiving Break.



COMMUNITY

When Sick
Stay home.  It is good for you and good for everyone else to do so. You need to be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

DEAR Celebration, Friday, November 15th at 8:10
Next Friday we will gather in our classrooms for our second DEAR celebration.  This DEAR celebration we’ll gear up for our upcoming Book Fair by  sharing favorite books with our buddies.  
Lara will encourage students to check out favorite books to share with buddies.  You might take time to select books from your classroom selection too.

Recess Issues Coming Up
Last week we had several issues arise on the playground.
  • Duty teachers roam about and intervene if physical or emotional behavior is escalating
  • We are working on issues with 1st Grade boys, 2nd Grade girls, 4th Grade girls, 5th Grade boys
  • Look for specific emails from SST on Monday about individual students needing support

Fire Drill
Great improvement in the students’ behavior getting to the field and while waiting for instructions.  Thank you.
  • Maintenance will be sure the alarm on the playground is lowder
  • Specialists, line up with the class you are teaching.  If you are not teaching a class at the time of the emergency, line up with your buddy class.

Lemony Snicket
Thank you Lara for organizing such a great author visit.  Though I could not be there, I heard the rave reviews.



PROGRAM

Faculty Meetings
  • Monday, 11/11 @ 3:15 pm - No Meeting.
    • Use time for curriculum work or canoe training
  • Thursday, 11/14 @ 7:40 am
    • Appreciations
    • Marketing context
    • Building Update
    • Agreements
    • Announcements

Budget 2014-15
Several grades have sent budget ideas for 2014-15 my way. I need to turn in a draft this Friday.

PNAIS Self Study Report is In!
If you haven’t already done so, take time in the coming week to read the Visiting Team’s Self Study Report. https://sites.google.com/a/go.oes.edu/selfstudy/  
You’ll find the link in the upper left hand corner of the home page.  Great food for thought!

Canoe Safety Training Monday, Nov. 11th at 3:25
Tom had a great session on Friday with the first group. Plan on an hourlong training, finishing up with a short paddle around the pond.  Weather looks promising!

PGD -  
Oregon Council of Teachers of English

NCTM - National Math Conference
Let David know if you are interested in joining an All School delegation.



OPERATIONS

Conference Reports Filed in the Office
Please pass along your conference documents to Jenny so she can file them away in students’ files.
Thanks for all of  your hard work!

Mushrooms on ACP
There are mushrooms growing on ACP near the boat and near some of the bushes.  Remind students not to pick or play with them.  Mark will work on removing them.

Field Trip Medical Reminders

1. When traveling with an entire grade, it works best to assign one person to handle medical issues and preparedness for all students in that grade – (who will get the first aid kits, monitor food issues, get emergency field trip books.)

2.  Review health alert lists for students who will need special accommodations in regard to mobility issues, asthma or food allergies.

3.  Make a list of student names of who will need to take emergency medications from the office such as epi pens and inhalers. (Keep this list next to your health alert list for reference all year long - this can be by class or by grade.)

4.  When getting specific student medications from the office, use the list of names to retrieve these medications from the filing cabinets.

5.  When getting a first aid kit, check for the location of the epi pen(s) within the kit before leaving the office. If the epipen is missing, let Lyn or Jenny know and do not take that kit.

6.  If a student carries an epi pen or inhaler in their own backpack, make sure they have it before leaving school.



Sunday, November 3, 2013



LS Weekly Memo

Week 12: November 4 - 8

Thank you for all your hard work with conferences.  The parents signed up for Specialist Conferences in record numbers.  I had the great pleasure of participating as a parent in both classroom and specialist conferences and am appreciative of the insights and perspectives the teachers shared about my daughter.  

Enjoy a faculty meeting free week.  Monday afternoon is your time to get ready for Open House.  Thursday morning is a gift of time for you in thanks for your extra efforts at Open House.


COMMUNITY

Chapel Manners
Please remind your students about appropriate Chapel behavior.  Quiet attentiveness during prayers is expected.  Remind your students about expectations for Chapell before Monday’s gathering.

Recess Agreements
2nd grade is working on these agreements, developing them with 1st and 2nd grade input.  Look for a rollout in the coming weeks.


PROGRAM

Conference Follow-up
Thank you for all your work preparing for and conducting your conferences.  Let SST know if any issues arose with which you would like support.

Incident Reports
Remember to use the form for incidents big and small. Incident Form.  SST will communicate out about incidents when helpful.

Faculty Meetings
Monday, November 4 -  No formal meeting - Time for Open House preparation
Thursday, November 7 - No Meeting. Open House recovery

Curriculum Design Drafts by Dec. 4th
Department Chairs and Team Leaders will look at Pre-K through 12th Grade curriculum design drafts on Wednesday, December 4th. Team Leaders will take the lead on these drafts. This will help us develop a common approach Prek - 12.

Each grade level and faculty member will be required to complete a curriculum design with the designated template by the end of the year.  Team Meeting time and  release time will be dedicated to this effort.
Let your Team Leader know if you have any questions.

Wetland Consortium
We had a great cross-divisional crew at last Monday’s meeting.   Chris shared them in a Google doc on Friday.

DRA Results to Lyn
Please send your DRA results to Lyn by the end of the week, Friday, 11/8.  See email on 10/31 for the form.

What Schools Can Do to Help Boys Succeed
This is a brief article from Time Ideas that includes 3 tips from Christina Hoff Sommers’  The War Against Boys: How Misguided Policies Are Harming Our Young Men


OPERATIONS

Open House - Wednesday, November 6 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Get ready to welcome about 200 visitors to Open House on Wednesday NIght.
  • You need to be in classrooms and at tables by 6:30 pm so you are ready for people coming down to Lower School at 6:40 pm.
  • Your spaces and tables need to be completely set up and ready before 6:30 pm.  
  • See Sarah’s email form 10/28 for details.  All faculty are expected to be in attendance.

Faculty Parking
Faculty, please park in the Loop Road lot.  On several occasions parents have had difficulty finding parking in the upper lot.

Budgets
It is that time of year.  I am beginning to craft next year’s budget.  If you or your team have plans for next year that include significant increases or reductions in expenditures for program or capital, let me know by the end of the week.


Canoe Safety Training
Sixteen enthusiastic replies came in. I hope to confirm a date with Tom Handel next week.

Student Teachers, Practicum Students and Other Outside Volunteers
If you would like to student teachers, practicum students or other outside volunteers serve in your classroom, you need to do three things:
•Get approval from David or Chris
•Once you have approval, have the person complete background check forms found on the school’s website
•Let Lyn and Jenny know who these special volunteers are, and when they will be on campus.

Fire Drill, Wed., Nov. 6th @ 9:45
  • Remind your students to be calm, quiet and orderly as they file onto the field
  • Second and Third Grade will be out at recess.
    • When the alarm sounds have students line up by class near the fence closest to the field.
    • Keep the main exits to the feld open
    • Dismiss students to classroom teachers as they exit to the field.

Safe School Training  - DUE OCTOBER 31
Open the login instructions for accessing the SafeSchools training site. Follow the instructions for your user name. All employees are required to complete these courses by the end of October.
Go to the web page oes.or.safeschools.com .
  • To access your assigned training, enter your username, which follows the following format: last name, first initial of first name (Example: John Smith = smithj
  • Please print out a Certification of Completion once you complete the course and turn in a copy to Jennifer Lushenko.