LS Weekly Memo
Weekly Memo Week 5, September 14-18 , 2015
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Congratulations on completing the first week. I appreciate the spirit of pulling together and figuring out how to make our new arrangement of classrooms and common spaces work. I thought Opening Day was the loudest construction day of the year thus far, but Carole assured me, though loud, there had been louder. Thanks to all who figured out ways to work around noise, heat and long transitions. This week we see how we do in the rain. The year of Flexibility and Creativity is living up to its name.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES.
Noise
The excavating crew is working overtime, even on weekends, to get the loudest work done soon. We can order sound dampening headphones or earplugs if you classroom is too loud, or your children find the contruction too loud as they are doing observations.
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.
Construction Observations and Question Board
Tracy has offered his bulletin board outside the library as a place where construction observations, questions and project can be shared.
Construction Opportunities
Let David and Chris know if your class is working with a construction exploration.These will be great opportunities for stories and photos to share with donors and the OES community.
Favorite Observations
- Where did all the soil and clay come from that the drill is drilling through? 70’ of soil and clay is a lot.
- How much cement is the building going to use?
- Where does all the extra soil and clay go when the dump trucks take it away?
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. The trunks of the evergreen trees that were around the demolished buildings are stacked behind the second house to the right of the bus barn, if you are interested in going to take a look with your students.
COMMUNITY
Transitions for 2015-16
Team leaders met Friday afternoon to review our transitions. THe main conclusions are as follows:
Key Features:
- Designated adult leads children during transitions
- classroom teachers and specialists will need to coordinate who does what. Please indicate on schedule so substitutes know.
- Designated adult does final sweep of ACP, Field and Porto-potties to ensure no child is left behind
- Each duty team will need to determine who the designated sweeper is an indicate on the Duty Schedule so substitutes know
- Adult monitors all crossing of roads by students, including at Drop-off- and Pick-up
- Each duty team will need to determine who monitors the cross walk
- Adults are attentive to timeliness for all transitions to class, recess, lunch and dismissal
- Students should not be climbing on any fences
- It is quite likely that we will need additional people for some duties. If you are willing to take on an additional duty, please add your name and preferences to the Extra Duty doc. Thank you.
- We need to practice routines with our students. We will make minimal changes until the end of September. We are striving for simple consistency.
Attendance
Brad and Jeffrey are working on the Change of Plan function. Until it is up and running we will stick to the paper process.
- Every class should have the paper copy of the attendance and after school plan every Monday.
- Pick up your copy in your mailbox by Friday afternoon.
Every MORNING
- Pre-K – 3rd grades – deposit your paper attendance in the black form bin right outside the Library by 8:10 am. Lyn will come an pick up the paper attendance for entry
- 4th & 5th grades – send 2 students to the office and submit the paper attendance to Miriam by 8:00 am – enter by the front door and not in the LS Lounge back door
Every AFTERNOON
- At 2:20 PM – Miriam will pass around the after school plan changes to classrooms. Be sure to let Miriam know if you are dismissing students from a Specialist class. She will deliver the changes to the Specialist.
- Keep your class attendance list for the next morning
As always – email to lasattend@oes.edu every time you receive an email from parents about after school plan changes or advance absences.
Whistles and Air Horns
With so much construction noise on ACP and the Field, be sure to give your whistle a single strong, long blast to announce the end of recess. We have purchased two air-horns that will be in the shed in case the whistles are not loud enough.
Rain Coats
With minimal covered area at recess and none for 3rd-5th dismissal remind all to bring raincoats to school.
Recess Inspirations
As we are looking at shrinking play spaces we need to open our thinking to use the play spaces we have. Check out the brief article below for inspiration.
How Schools Ruined Recess
Michael Standley - US Ceramics and bee keeper
Michael has been a beekeeper for years. COntact him if you are interested in using his expertise.
Community Communications protocol
If you are inclined to send out an All School e-mail please check with David first. We want to be sure we are using this function wisely.
BTSP
All faculty and Assistant Teachers are expected to attend the Back-to-School Picnic. See David if you have a conflict.
Possibility of Rain - If so we will be in the gym
Early Dinner RSVP - If you are interested in attending this early dinner RSVP by clicking on the link asap - BTSP Early Dinner RSVP
Fall Parent Partnership Coffees
Coffees begin the week after BTSN. Click on the link below to review dates, possible agendas and who typically is invited to attend. Team Leaders will meet with teams to explore possible fresh ideas on what we might offer in this first round of community-building coffees.
Stay tuned for details in the coming week.
Walk-for-Fun and Fitness
Our date was shifted to Oct. 2nd, the same day as the All School Homecoming Pep Rally. David and the PE team are working on a plan. More info to follow.
Green Shed on Field
Yellow jackets in the green shed by the turf field. THis area is off limits to students until further notice
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.
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
Faculty Meetings
9/14 - Team Leaders 3:30 - 4:30, Platt
9/17 - LS Faculty Meeting, 7:40 - 8:40, LS Library
- Classroom Design questioning exercise
- Required safety and Integrated Pest Management presentations
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.
Author Visit
Please note that the venue for the Ben Hatke visit (3-5) on September 24th has been changed to the Chapel due to the number of classes attending. If you could arrive at12:50-12:55 it would be much appreciated. The Mac Barnett/Christian Robinson (K-2) visit on October 2nd will also be in the Chapel. Please try to arrive around 12:40 for the12:45 start time (unless you have already let me know a different scenario). Judy Schachner will present in the Library.
Dismissal for Bus
Pre-K - Primary--Juidi will pick up and walk them to the gym
1st-3rd Grader-- will walk to the Technology Office and wait for Debra to walk them to the gym.
4th-5th Grade-- walk with Classroom teachers to car pickup, then peel off and go into gym door.
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
2015-16 Faculty Events Calendar
Once school gets rolling post all of your important dates on the faculty event calendar at a team meeting. Please do so before September 25th.
Chris and Lyn are updating LS Events calendar on a weekly basis.
Schedules
Any changes to schedules need to be sent to Lyn and me so we have an accurate record in the office.
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
Classroom Cleaning
As custodians get into a routine, email Bill Peoples if you have compliments, questions or concerns, peoplesb@oes.edu.
Specialists Cover Lunch Recess Duty through 9/18
Thanks to all who signed up. We have one last duty to cover on 9/18 for the 1st-3rd Grade lunch recess. Any takers? I would, but I already have a duty.
Picture Forms
Picture order forms are in your mailbox – they must go home with your students this week because next week (Wednesday & Thursday) is the LS PICTURE DAY!
The Teacher collects the filled out picture forms from the students not the office. The Teacher will then turn in the class picture order forms to the photographer during the actual picture day.
Safety - Blinds
Be sure your blinds are functional in case of emergency.
Bus Safety
It is that time of year again...sign up, first come, first served!
If none of these times/dates work for you and your team, Robbi said that you could take ten minutes on your first field trip to review safety expectations. Let me know if you plan to do this training on your grade’s first field trip.
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.
Emergency Drills
As in the past, you will not be notified about the date and time of our emergency drills. We want this to be authentic, spontaneous and efficient.
Rebecca Williams, our Safety Coordinator, informed me that the state of Oregon requires that all students have a minimum of 30 minutes of classroom instruction around emergency drills per year...above and beyond the actual drill.
Please take time early in the year to run through what a fire drill evacuation, earthquake duck and cover and evacuation and lock-down would look like. This is especially important this year, given we are in different spaces with very different conditions.
If you have a student(s) who are have extreme fears around these drills let Chris know, and she will give you one week advanced warning.
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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