LS Weekly Memo Weekly Memo Week 41 May 24-29, 2015

I wish that each and every one of you could have seen the amazing array of learning celebrations that took place this week. From the Primarian’s in depth research around fairies and magic to Doug and Juidi’s students’ Artful Ant transportation prototypes: hot air balloon, ferry, helicopter (battery powered!), and much more. Pre-K’s play and “Happiness is” video (produced by Kristen Haferbecker) and Claire and David’s Tree Key’s musical were true inquiry and student-centered learning.  Students were so enthusiastic about their work and were truly invested in their learning.

A big thanks to everyone who stepped up to chaperone and  cover duties for Camp Hancock chaperones.  Now, on to the last 12.5 days of school!

COMMUNITY

Happiness is

If you want a good dose of cuteness, take a look! Watch past the group singing and it gets really adorable! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3OepZ_6EVU

Lock Down Drill

Remember to email Lyn and David with status of your children.  We need to know who is safe and secure.

Discovery Day, Thurs., May 28th, 12-2:30, Primary-Second Grade

We will need teachers to help with recess supervision between the first and second sessions.  Popsicles will be served as snack at that time.

Retirement and Celebration, Friday, May 29th

3:15-5 in the Dining Hall for all

5:30 - ??? Old Market Pub - employees and friends

Come celebrate our retiring colleagues (Marty, Kathy and Allan) and wish them well as they head out on their next life adventure.

Aardy’s Big Dig Groundbreaking Ceremony, Friday, May 29th, 8:30-9

Uniform-Optional Day, Wednesday, 5/27 – In thanks for the tremendous success of Project 2nd Wind

Google Transitions

Let Brad know if you are encountering any challenges with the email and calendar transitions.

 

Chapel

Behavior has improved.  Let’s keep it up as we welcome 5th grade back.

Substitutes

Know that we do not have substitutes for counselor, chaplain or academic specialist. We will work on providing as much advanced notice as we can for these absences.

Hiring Updates

●   Kindergarten – Beth Breiten will be the new Kindergarten teacher

●   Spanish- Alfredo Peche will be the new PK – 3 Spanish Teacher

●   Chaplain search – We are continuing the search

●   Technology – Jeffrey Sprague will be the interim technology coordinator

Class Placement – 2nd round with Specialist input continue

 

Saying Goodbye to BS Building

We are exploring ways to say goodbye to the building during the last week of school.  Send ideas to Margaret Synan-Russell, Laura Foster-Flynn, the BS team or David.

Moving Into Coffees

Based on parent feedback, the majority of the MIC’s will be informational.  We will reserve the final 10 minutes for Q and A. Our thanks to all who contributed this last week.

Tuesday, May 26	Moving into 2nd	8:00 - 9:30	LS CH
Tuesday, June 1	Moving into 4th	8:00 – 9:30	LS CH
Wednesday, June 2	Moving into 3rd	8:00 – 9:30	LS CH

Incident Reports - Incident Reports

Discipline

When students need interventions because of their behavior, we have varying levels of intervention:

●   Teacher on the scene - Incident Reports

●   Classroom Teacher

●   Chris O’Toole

●   LS Office

Remember that Melanie’s role as counselor does not include discipline interventions, unless of course she is the teacher on the scene.  She can play a valuable role in problem solving and proactive skill building.

   

Students Who Need Extra Support

●  Simon W. and Gabriel H. need swift intervention if they are revving up.  No second chances. Provide place to cool down and reset.  See Chris or Erin for details.

●  Deborah’s K Boys- The boys in Deborah’s class are working on being less physical with each other. Deborah or Chris will provide details.

•Ben K. in Jackie’s room has an agreement that if he gets overwhelmed with big feelings out at recess he will give duty teachers a silent signal of “thumb down,” and go to the office. Once there, Lyn will find him a safe place (Chris’, Melanie’s or Ari’s)  to go cool down and problem solve.

End-of-year Faculty Meetings and Deadlines

Thurs., June 11th, 8-12 LS Faculty Meeting- Looking Back at 2014-2015

Fri., June 12th, 8-12 LS Faculty Meeting- Looking Ahead to 2015-2016

Tues., June 16th, 11-1:30  All School Meeting followed by All School Luncheon

Friday, June 19:

8:00 - 4th & 5th move

10:00 - 1st & 2nd move

1:00 - BS move

3:00 - LS Office move

PROGRAM

Report Cards

The Teacher Portal is open for you to start reports

All reports should be uploaded to PCR by 8am on Tues., June 16th.

Summer Stipends

Department Chairs and Team Leaders will be prioritizing summer stipend requests

UBD Reminder

Each grade level should have three units of understanding designed by the start of school 2015.

Global Studies

Here is a link to a fascinating program, Global Competency Certificate, offered by Columbia Teachers College : http://globalcompetencecertificate.org/

LSCTF

We had an interesting exchange of structures, strategies, language and rituals around reading instruction. More on this at our closing faculty meeting in June. Our thanks to those who served on the Task Force this year.

LSLT

Conversation about the final month of school, ways to say good-bye to the Beginning School, and creative conversations about natural materials and the playground for next year.

Packing, Moving and Unpacking

The moving company has been hired. The challenge - we all need to be ready to move on Friday, 6/19:

The good news – none of the rooms BS, 1-2nd  or 4-5th  are using will be used this summer so you have great flexibility for when you do room set-up.

More good news- Bill and his crew will clean rooms that are needed for camp first, then clean all other rooms. He knows that you want to unpack over the summer in clean rooms!

Team Leader Agenda

●   No meeting

Safety - Students not alone in the classroom

Positive Discipline Workshop - Mind Map

Safe Schools - Previous WM

Giving to the Building - Previous WM

Math Feedback - Previous WM

UBD Reminder - Previous WM

Lower School Building – Previous WM

PGD – Previous WM

2015-16 Budget – Previous WM

Community Talks - Here is a link

OPERATIONS

Moving Maintenance

If you have maintenance related to your move to your new classroom be sure to send the request to maintrequest@oes.edu.

Moving Supplies

Jon and Rod are taking care of moving supplies.  If you need something, please let Rod and Jon know.  They want all of those supplies to flow through them.  Please do not going out and purchase your own.

Things From Home

Pokeman or magic cards need to stay at home and should not be brought to school – per LS Admin Team.  Toys from home should stay there.  See Student Handbook.

Special requests – see Chris or David.

Lego Show – Next Weekend

Lego Show goes on the road the 5/30 and 5/31 at the Oregon Zoo.  Stop by, or offer to help out.  Our students do amazing work!

LS Library Inventory

• June 1-5 full and thorough inventory and weeding project in preparation for next year
• All materials be returned to the library as soon as possible.
• Student materials are due Friday, May 22nd
• Last full day of regularly scheduled library classes will be Friday, May 29th.
• Let your families know that we will be open June 8-10th for summer check-out.  

Recycling Information from Kelly

http://www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/SWR/upload/English-Business-Recycling-Guide_sml.pdfnce.

CHANGES to Room 10:

●  To maintain the current organization in Room 10, the lock will be changed this week. The new key to gain access in Room 10 will be in the office

●  Approval is needed from the office if you wish to store materials in Room 10

●  Unaccounted items are discarded every Friday

Friendly Reminder- Unsafe Use of Mini Aardvark- Please Be Vigilant

Jane found more Third Grade students sitting on the railings on the second story of Mini Aardvark. Earlier in the week I found Fourth Graders climbing up to the second story of Mini Aardvark.   This is really unsafe. Teachers, could you bring this to your student’s attention again? Folks on duty, please redirect children if they continue to sit on railings.

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.