LS Weekly Memo
Weekly Memo Week 4, September 7-11 , 2015
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What an amazing transformation of the Lower School from piles of stuff and mazes of boxes to beautiful, organized learning spaces. Thanks you to all who have pitched in and helped with this transformation. I am appreciative of your flexibility and creativity in making your temporary learning spaces look so welcoming for your students.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Room 10
Access to Room 10 is extremely difficult. There are no stairs. Between now and the end of November we will have to make special plans to extract things from Rm 10.
Construction Opportunities
Jon von Behren would like inquiries about the construction project to go through him rather than directly to Kristen Fallin, the project supervisor for SKANSKA.
What is the design process?
Where did the LS building go?
What vehicles have been on the site?
How much gravel did you bring in and where did it come from?
Kristen can help you explore the answers
Favorite Observations
- The giant drill currently operating is marked off in 5 foot increments. You can watch it quickly drill through 65 feet of dirt and clay.
- Each morning the people working the site gather in a large circle to do warm up exercises and learn the plan for the day, their own morning meeting.
- The team work as people work around large moving machinery
Observations and Question Board
Does any class want to take on providing us with a place to record observations and questions about the construction site and process?
Playground Design with Natural Materials
We have the opportunity to engage in the design of the natural play spaces on the playscape surrounding the new building. Start thinking how your students and you might want to be involved.
COMMUNITY
Classroom Cleaning
The custodial crew cleaned classrooms Friday afternoon/ evening. They will not clean again until Tuesday afternoon after Open CLassroom. If you come in over the weekend, you will need to clean up after yourself.
-custodial closets on each floor of LS and Scott House have vacuums and trash bags
-recycle and trash are dumpsters behind DIning Hall
Open Classroom Day
Specialist location During Open Classroom
Academic Specialist – Ari’s Office
Art Studio – Laura’s classroom Scott House
Art – Margaret’s classroom - BDH
EC – covered walkway
P.E – GYM
Chaplain – Jennie in Scott House
Counselor – Melanie’s Office
Librarian – Library
Music – Music Rooms (Scott House)
Science – Library
Spanish – Kelola’s classroom (Scott House)
Tech – Tech Office or Library
Specialists During 1st Week
Plan on seeing each class during your designated specialist class time. You have three choices of what to do: support the class in what they are working on, teach a lesson either in class or in your teaching space, take the students on a tour of your learning space. Discuss with the classroom teacher.
Website
Debra has disabled last year’s website links on the parent portal. When you make your new site for this year will you please do a couple of things.
1. Add Jeffrey and Debra as authors (this is so we can help you in a pinch.)
2. Send Debra the URL so that she can activate your link again on the parent portal
If you need help setting up your site email me to set up an appointment. As always if you have any question please let me know.
LS Office as Communication Hub
Remember that from 7:30 - 4:00 each day either Lyn or Miriam are in the office. They are our communication hub for minor emergencies and issues.
Carson Kuni - 5th grade
Carson broke his foot this summer and is in a walking cast. He is not allowed to run, jump, or do anything that will put pressure or stress on his broken foot. He is not allowed to participate in PE unless the segment is easy on his foot. The stationary cycle is ok. The doctor said basically the less he does on the foot the faster it may be able to heal.
BTSN Change to Monday, September 21
BTSN for PK,K,1st and 4th has been changed from Wednesday, September 23 to Monday, September 21 so our Jewish families may complete their recognition of Yom Kippur.
Classroom Design
- Please review our Design for Inquiry Guidelines we developed last year from our common inquiry experiences
- Consider designing space for Specialist Teachers who come in to your class
Assistant Teachers
If, for some reason, you are finding you need more help and want your assistant to work more hours, please let Chris know. Additional hours need approval from Chris or David
PROGRAM
Above is the link to the Fire and Earthquake evacuation routes. Most importantly, in any emergency you are going to have to use your best judgement about the safest route. Let me know if you have questions.
Lots of details. Read carefully.
Here is our working draft. We will use it on Wednesday. Check in on Thursday. Revise as needed.
Supporting teachers in the implementation of Bridges will be Tracy’s highest priority this year. He has put a lot of thought into how to make the year work. See linked above for his articulation his goals for the year.
Chaplain’s Schedule
Jennie Kiffmeyer is planning on having a schedule similar to last year, visitng classes every other year. She will conform schedules with you.
Mindfulness
We had a gathering of 12 LS Teachers interested in integrating mindfulness into their lives and teaching practices.
Asha Sathyaraj
Dori King
Heidi Hackenjos
Ari Sternberg
Chris O’Toole
David Lowell
Cindy McEnroe
Melanie Clark
Deborah Bridgnell
Janet Schilling
Kate Romanov
Amy Rheingans
Jennie Kiffmeyer
Claire Kucera
(Did I miss anyone?)
Faculty Meeting at 11:10 on Open Classroom Day, 9/8
Meet in the LS Art Room. We will do a modified recess rodeo and walking tour of drop-off, pick-up and recess/ lunch transitions.
2015-16 Calendar
We found the calendar. It is now in the Lower School conference room in Scott House. Please take a minute this week to check the September dates you posted last June before Monday, Sept. 14th . Once school gets rolling borrow the calendar and review it at a team meeting. Please do so before September 25th. Chris and Lyn are updating LS Events calendar on a weekly basis starting next week.
Schedules
Any changes to schedules need to be sent to Lyn and me so we have an accurate record in the office.
Summer Stipends - Last Reminder
I hope you enjoyed your time together over the summer, getting acquainted with new team members and developing program.
- AFTER the summer stipend work
- Summer stipend payment is contingent on the completion of these two forms (forms can be found in the LS Important Docs in the Summer Stipend Forms folder):
Honoring our Rivers - Writing and art opportunity
We would like to extend an invitation to OES students to submit writing and art for publication in the 2016 anthology. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2016 with a publication date in April. For more information as well as entry forms and guidelines, please visit our website, www.honoringourrivers.org. You can also contact me with questions, to obtain a copy of the anthology, or to access our free resources for teachers.
Interpretive history classes either in your classroom or at the museum.
Professional Development Day - October 9
At the Division Heads meeting this week we will determine priorities for the day - ICC, FLG, NWAIS and more.
OPERATIONS
Attendance
- Thanks to Brad B for simplification of the attendance process.
- LS Attendance needs to be completed at 8:00
- BS Attendance needs to be completed at 8:10
Timeliness for Dismissal - 2:55
To make pick-up work efficiently during construction, classes will need to be on the curb on time.
Safety - Blinds
Be sure your blinds are functional in case of emergency.
Whistles
There are no buzzers outside. Duty teachers will need to blow whistles to end recesses.
Important Docs to Start the School Year
LOWER SCHOOL LOGISTICS
MAIN OFFICE ENTRY
All LS Students coming to the LS Office must enter through the main front office. Students may not enter the office through the back door by the LS Lounge.
SAFETY
- All parents and visitors must check in to the Lower School Office
- Assistant Teachers will need to accompany the Beginning School Students when going to the office, rather than their buddies, since they have to cross 2 drive ways
- Older students must come with two buddies when coming to the office at all times
- Students who have an off campus appointment or are leaving on a trip in the middle of the day will need to be picked up by their parents from their classroom. Do not send students to the office.
ATTENDANCE
- Attendance must be completed by 8:00 am for 1st to 5th grades
- Attendance must be completed by 8:10 am for Pre-K – Primary (Gentle Start)
- Follow Miriam’s guide or flow chart regarding the accurate attendance and afterschool changes entry – a copy is in your mailbox
- Remember Miriam is the only one who can make changes to the after school plan and attendance during the day! If parents emailed you directly of any changes, ALWAYS advise them to email lsattend@oes.edu
LATE COMERS
All late arriving students must check in with us in the office and be escorted by parents to the classroom.
OFFICE CONTACTS
Students needing immediate assistance from Chris, Jennie, or Melanie – contact LYN first: ext. 178 or 503-768-3178 then Miriam: ext. 143 or 503-768-3143 – we want Miriam’s line open for outside calls.
LOST TOOTH CLUB – since our office is located a bit farther away especially for the young ones and due to lack of space in our office, for this year, minor changes are in effect:
The Lost Tooth Club bulletin board is now located in the hallway from the BS Commons and the LS Library
Each Assistant Teacher is provided with Lost Tooth containers, stickers and first aid bag
Teachers advise students who lost a tooth to check in with their Assistant Teacher during recess times only
The Assistant Teacher provides the tooth container and sticker, write the student’s name on the bulletin board
Unless someone comes forward, Coach Stephanie Rankin is the only one who is brave enough to pull a tooth! Students may consult with Stephanie during recess times only
ADDITIONAL FIRST AID STATION
The location for an additional first aid station is located by the hallway leading to the LS Library (sharing the Chaplain’s open office). Lyn or Miriam will be there from 11:20-12:20.
USED UNIFORM LOCATION
The temporary location for the Used Uniform is in Morris House, the room adjacent to the Gallery Store
LOST & FOUND
A bin with a lid marked with “Lost & Found” is placed in these locations:
- 4th and 5th Grade – outside by entry doors on back side of Scott House
- 1st/2nd/3rd – end of hallway
- Beginning School – the hallway in between BS Commons and Additional First Aid Station
STORAGE
There is very limited storage space in the LS Office and in the LS Lounge. Please be mindful of leaving items for grabs, rather send an email if you have ‘give away’ items.
MAILBOX
- The location of your individual mailbox is in the LS Lounge
- Outgoing mailbox is underneath Miriam’s mailbox
- Packages for mailing – take them directly to Arleene
- Incoming packages will be in the US Mail Room and then distributed to classrooms at the end of each day.
LS LOUNGE/KITCHEN
We have a small kitchen. We request that you clean up after yourselves.
BON APPETIT UTENSILS
Take them back to the Dining Hall and don’t leave them in the LS Lounge
THURSDAY MORNING TREATS – the tradition continues
CHOCOLATES - are provided in jar is on top of the steel file cabinet next to Lyn’s desk
LS Conference Room - we will have a 6 seat conference room in the Lower School Office. Check with Lyn about availability.
The Weekly Memo and Wednesday Express are our main communication vehicles for Lower School. If you can’t access either form of communications, please contact our LS Educational Tech Specialists: Debra or Jeffrey.
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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