LS Weekly Memo Week 17: December 9 - 13

Post-Thanksgiving thanks to the 2nd grade team for hosting Cora’s baby shower, to Amy Rheingans for her work preparing and directing the boys bell choir and girls choir at Advent Service and to Alysa and her class for their performance of Arabian Nights. This week culminates with three big events; the 2nd Grade Portland Project Celebration, the Beginning School Winter Holiday Celebration and on Saturday, the Faculty and Staff Holiday Party.

COMMUNITY

The Arabian Nights

Our thanks to Alysa and her acting troupe for an outstanding performance.  The acting was superb.  The best part was seeing how much the children enjoyed themselves and got into their roles.  Well done. Thank you for this gift Fifth Graders.

Giving Chapel

Let’s arrive in stages:  3rd-4th arrive at 8, 1st and 2nd at  8:05 BS at 8:10 with the hope that everyone is seated shortly thereafter so we may begin the procession of 5th Graders at 8:15.

See email from David with Seating Chart.

See emails from Jenny Cleveland with details.

Four Giving Tree Tags Left

As Jenny said in yesterday’s email, we have a few Giving Tree tags left.  If you are feeling like you can pick up another tag and share the joy please pick up a tag soon.  Giving Tree gifts need to be in by next Thursday the 12th of December.

Secret Santa

See email from Jenny Strode with details and whose Secret Santa you are.  The link takes you to the Secret Santa wish list.

All School Holiday Party - 12/14

Be sure to RSVP to Anne Weston. Come share great food and good cheer. I hope LS will be well represented.

LS Party and Potluck

The LS Faculty and Staff Holiday gathering and celebration is Monday, December 16th – 3:15 pm, LS Library.  https://docs.google.com/a/go.oes.edu/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnKxLNoiFee7dDIzeWxQVS1tTUFGY1VjQTdqcURuTXc&usp=drive_web#gid=0

Holiday Potluck* is our annual tradition – the link above is merely a suggestion of what you can do or bring to the party to share and this list is not set in stone! If you wish to bring a different dish/food item other than what is suggested on the list, please let me know and we are more than happy to accommodate your request. A hard copy of the potluck list is also posted on the bulletin board (in the office) for reference.

*Also included on the Potluck list are suggested names of F/S who can assist with décor, music and activities.

Plans for Next Year

If you are considering changing your professional plans for the 2014-15 school, please let David know after Winter Break.  This could include an interest in changing grades at OES or a pursuit of opportunities beyond OES.

Fire Drill This Week

Thank you for working with your students on their fire drill behavior. Well done, especially considering how cold it was outside.  Please continue to reinforce the need to be calm, quiet and orderly as you evacuate the building.  In the case of a true emergency this practice will help us reduce injuries when exiting and allow us to issue special instructions if needed.

PROGRAM

PGD - I will be working on the PGD budget next week.  If you are interested in any of the significant PGD offerings listed, please sign up.  Thanks to those who have contributed additional offerings.

LS Curriculum Task Force, Meets Monday, Dec. 9th

See agenda sent out by David on Friday.  Bring 5 copies of your Curriculum Design to the meeting so we can share and discuss.

Department/ Team Meeting 12/12

See Department Chair or Team Leader for agenda.

Mo’s Administrative Change

Come see me if you have questions or wish to discuss.

Change in Winter Coffee Format

After consulting with Grade Level Rep Team we’ve decided to change the format of Winter Coffees.  Instead of individual grade level coffees, we will have “Team Coffees”  and “Affinity Coffees.”

Date	Coffee	Who is attending?
Wednesday, January 15th	Beginning School Coffee	Colesie 1 Kindergarten Teacher Dori David Chris
Tuesday, January 21st	LS Parent Coffee: Digital Tools	Tech Team
Friday, January 31st	First and Second Grade Coffee	Janet First Grade Teacher David Chris
Wednesday, February 5th	Third through Fifth Grade Coffee	Alysa A Fourth Grade Teacher A Third Grade Teacher David Chris
Monday, February 10th	LS Parent Coffee: Service Learning	Jenny Laurie Price David Chris

Each will contain a presentation for all the first 30 minutes, the last 30 minutes we will break out into grade level discussion groups. More details on the agendas to follow.

Design Engineering at Arbor - http://arborschool.org/pdfs/TinkerTailor.pdf

Interesting article about design engineering at Arbor School.

OPERATIONS

Frequent Tardies or Absences

Be sure to communicate to the parents if you have a student who is frequently absent or tardy. Inform David if you do not see improvement.

LS Leadership Team, Rescheduled, Monday, January 13th, 3:15-4:30 in Kathy’s Room

Inclement Weather Recess Options

If the weather is particularly bad, you always have the option of opening the Gym and/ or Library for recess, as long as it does not conflict with PE or Library activities.