LS Weekly Memo
Week 19: December 15-19, 2014
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What a week it was. We had learning to celebrate, giving hearts to be thankful for and abundant exuberance with Giving Chapel, the 2nd Grade Portland Research celebration and Alysa’s class play, “Far from Perfect”. I am honored to be part of a school that creates such great experiences for our students.
I enjoyed seeing so many of you at the Holiday Party on Saturday. The food was excellent, the atmosphere festive and some of you even left with fabulous door prizes. This Monday we have our own Lower School celebration in the library after school.
COMMUNITY
Giving Chapel - Tremendous thanks to all who helped make it possible, most especially to Jenny Cleveland for keeping our students at the center of the experience. Thanks to the 5th graders who helped educate us all about the agencies.
Upcoming Chapels
Mon, Dec 15 - Hanukkah Chapel
Wed., Dec. 17th - Beginning School Season of Light Chapel
Friday, Dec. 19 - St Nick’s Chapel: 1:30 - 2:30
St Nick’s Chapel
- It will be loud and raucous and ever variable as to when it will end.
- Plan to be seated in the gym by 1:30 so we can start on time.
- Have your students all packed up and ready to go in case St Nick’s runs a little long.
Be Extra Vigilant the Last Week Before Break
Typically energy and excitement run high this last week before Winter Break.
•Be extra alert and proactive at recess and lunch
•Remind students that they can wear Santa Hats and reindeer antlers on Friday only
Secret Santa Potluck, Monday, December 15th at 3:15
•Check the link above to confirm what you need to bring on Monday
•If you want to offer a different potluck contribution, contact Lyn
•Remember, we all help clean up at the end of festivities, and take home our own
leftovers!
Admissions Information Night, Wednesday, January 7th from 7:00-8:30
Our next admissions event comes up our first week back. This year the format has changed and Beginning School classrooms will be open for parents to tour. Our thanks to the teachers who offered to be there to greet touring parents and answer their questions.
Beginning School teachers- knowing that many of you come in during Winter Break to freshen up your classroom environments,, please be sure to leave up the wonderful documentation and student work from your learning celebrations. We wants students’ learning visible for our visitors.
Augusta Gindling
Augusta Gindling’s parents have decided to withdraw her from OES. See me if you have questions. If parents have questions please send them my way.
Safety Reminder
Heidi is the LS Representative for the Safety Committee. Send her a quick note when you have any safety concerns or near-accidents. The Safety Committee wants to know about potential safety hazards so they can work to prevent injuries. If you have any kind of injury at school please fill out an incident form (located in the form organizer by David’s office).
Lunch Planning - 1st - 3rd Grades
1st and 2nd grade would like to follow these common practices at lunch dismissal to increase safety:
- Students dismissed by table by grade level - 1st grade goes down 1st, then 2nd, then 3rd
- Students line up in dining hall
- Dismissing teacher guides students to stairs and stays at top of stairs to monitor
- Students walk down steps in single file holding the railing
- Students wait at bench outside for everyone to get down the stairs
- Dismissing teacher walks group down to recess and has children go down recess stairs single file.
3rd grade - let Chris and David know when you would like 3rd grade to follow a similar procedure and we will let duty teachers know.
5th graders
How can the 5th graders help set the example in community and transition times: between classes, recess and lunch? Younger students are looking to them to help show the way.
Student Who Needs Extra Support
BK in Jackie Blake’s Class- B., a super smart and sweet new member of our community, is highly competitive, and sometimes a very rigid thinker. When he gets upset, he has a hard time talking to adults. If he does get overwhelmed by a situation at recess, class, or a specialist class and needs a break, he will give a “thumb down” signal. If that occurs, get him to one of the safe places. If you can’t get him to the safe place, call the office and Lyn will get help.
Safe places for a break:
•Jackie’s library
•Chris’ office
•Melanie’s office
•Ari’s office
•Lower School office
If you see him get emotional and he hasn’t chosen to take a break, you may tell him, in a calm manner, that he needs to take a break in one of his chosen locations. He has bolted away in the past. If that occurs, notify the office immediately.
Chapel Evacuation Plan
We learned some important lessons from the unplanned Chapel evacuation last week. In the future we will follow these guidelines in hopes of facilitating a quick and safe evacuation of Chapel:
- Evacuate from the back pews to the front
- First adults out should secure chapel doors open
- Take class directly down to the field. Stopping earlier can prevent other groups from quickly exiting the Chapel.
- Any adults who are not directly responsible for students can serve as sweepers and gatherers to help all safely leave the building and get to field.
Send questions or ideas to Chris and David
PROGRAM
Surveys
AS of Thursday, we had the following response rates for our two surveys:
-For the IDI, approximately 85%
-For the NAIS Employee Satisfaction survey, approximately 65%
You can take the survey here: OES Employee Survey 2014-2015
The IDI is closed.
The NAIS Employee Satisfaction survey is open through end of day on Wednesday, 12/17, and all are encouraged to complete it by then.
Faculty Meetings
- LS Faculty Party - Monday, 12/15 @ 3:15 in LS Library
- No Faculty Meeting on Thursday, 12/18
Complete Feedback Form from Louise Cadwell
Please complete by the end of the day Monday
David Loitz
David is going to make himself available as a super substitute on Fridays starting in January. When he is not needed as a substitute he will be available for special projects. Subbing will take priority over projects.
Team Leaders - Topics Discussed 12/8
- Master Calendar Review
Building Update - Design Meetings
We will be having the the following design meetings with THA. See Team Leaders or David if you have questions or ideas.
December 15 - Classrooms
December 16 - SST, Science, Tech, Affinity Commons, Dining Hall
I have launched the PGD opportunities for 2014-15. Express your interest. Indicate your preference. Add additional possibilities.
Summer Program - See Joan Low’s email for details
The dates we are offering classes this summer are from June 22-August 28.
Classes are typically taught in 3-hour blocks on a M-F basis (usually one-week in duration) although sometimes are two weeks. Starting salary is generally around $600 per class and some instructors do teach two per day (9-noon and 1-4:00). IImportant Dates:
January 5: Final Date to accept proposals (sooner is better)
February 2: Registration begins
( Lower School rooms will not be used during the weeks of June 22 and August 24 for transition planning)
OPERATIONS
Recess Incidents
With extra excitement in the air as the holiday approaches, we all need to be extra vigilant at lunch and recess. There have been recent incidents where games have gotten out of hand and children were upset or hurt.
- Walk around
- Scan the playground
- Intervene early
Extra hours for Teaching Assistants
I need to pre-approve extra hours for teaching assistants to ensure we stay within budget.
HO-HO-HO Hats
Please remind your students that Santa hats may be worn on the day of St. Nick’s Chapel ONLY.
I know it sounds Scrooge-ish, but wearing Santa hats draws undue attention and cause distractions.
Your Announcements
Send any announcements you have for faculty to Chris or me by Thursday each week and we will include them in the Weekly memo. This should help reduce the number of emails we are receiving, and to maximize our time to collaborate during meetings.
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