Sunday, March 18, 2018

Weekly Memo WM 30, March 19-23, 2018

PreK teachers and students host their learning celebration on Wednesday. 4th Grade opens their International Fair to the school on Thursday. 

Some students will need extra support, guidance and structure to have a successful week. 

Spring Break begins the end of the day on Friday. Enjoy.

Lower School Agreements
  • Do what is best for the students
  • Assume we are all doing our best at the moment and our intentions are positive
  • Be present, participate, contribute, include many voices
  • Create a safe space that encourages sharing different opinions, ideas, perspectives
  • Seek understanding, be curious about what others think
  • Express gratitude, joy and encouragement
  • Communicate with compassion, clarity and effectiveness
  • Demonstrate respect
We continue our Weekly Memo format with repeat items in blue and new items in black.


COMMUNITY

Gathering and Chapel - Please be seated and ready at 8:10.
Lower School Chapel Schedule for 2017-2018

Chapel 3/20:
Gathering 3/23:

Ari Duty Coverage
This is a sign-up for Ari's duty coverage. Thank you in advance for your help!

First Grade Transitions
We extend appreciation to Katherine for her love and care for our students and colleagues as she wraps up projects and work with her class this week. 
Guest Teacher Sharon Kottler-Decker also joins us this week in a planning and shadowing capacity, so stop to say hello when you see her. 

Vision Screenings for K and Primary
Monday and Tuesday, 1:00 - 2:45 in the Lodge.

LS Gathering for Peace, 3/14
Thank you to all who helped with questions, ideas and support. Our next potential all school gathering will be on 4/20 focusing on civic engagement and civil action. Let David know if you are interested in planning.

PE Family Fun Night, 3/15
Thanks to the PE team for organizing a wonderful family friendly event. There was a great turnout and the rain held off until the very end.

School Safety Response - Faculty Training
Before 4/2 exercise - review emergency flipbook and laminated directions 
Active Shooter Scenario - PGD Day, April 2, 1:00 - 4:00
Crisis Response Drill - August Faculty Meeting days

Admissions Acceptances went out on Friday, 3/9
If you get questions, please direct them to Admissions.

Admissions Welcome Night, Wednesday, 3/14

Thank you to those who came and welcomed new families to our school. 

Ari Sternberg

As many of you know, Ari's sister passed away last week. Ari is on bereavement leave.

4th Grade Opening
We will complete interviews of semi-finalists this week and plan to invite finalists to campus after Spring Break.

Student Updates
The SST Site contains valuable information that is helpful in understanding a student’s history and action plans. You may want to review the entries in the site before writing a child's report. The SST Site is linked in the Weekly Memo and can only be accessed on campus.


PROGRAM

Faculty Meetings
Monday, 3/19 - LS Division 
  • 3:15 - Mindfulness Survey results
  • 3:30 - Curriculum Articulation work session in teams
Wednesday, 3/19: Assistant Teacher Meeting 12:30-1:15: LS Office Conference Room
Thursday, 3/22 - No Meeting. Get ready for Spring Break

Curriculum Articulation Work
Thanks everyone for your work on Thursday morning! We've received Articulation Planning Sheets for the following teams:
Music
PE
Primary
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
We've also received the linear P2P articulation sheets (optional) from 1st and 5th grades. 
Thanks for adding your planning sheet to the Google Drive folder or giving a print copy to Kirstin or Chris if you haven't done so already.
You can find all your documents in the Big Rocks/P2P folder using the "LS Common Forms & Other Relevant Information" link on the right menu bar of the Weekly Memo. 

Work with PreK?
Wednesday, 8:30-9:30 PreK hosts their Author's Tea/Spring Learning Celebration. If you work regularly with our PreK students, stop by to hear their stories!

Want to be better Informed? 4th Grade International Fair, Thursday, 3/22
Come and learn. Sign-up to visit.

He was excellent. Thank you to Asha Appel for inviting him to campus. Follow the link for his presentation.

Faculty Letters of Employment
Letters of employment are due back on Monday, April 2. Those of you with contract holds will have a different timeline. Let me know if you have questions.

Students Support

Each year just before and after conferences get a deluge of requests for student support. Be patient as they work through the growing list of students.

Children’s Research Center for Development and Learning Conference - PD conference (link for conversations)
*Children’s Research Center for Development and Learning conference. CDL specializes in the development and dissemination of leading-edge scientific research, knowledge, and best practices that improve teaching and increase student learning.

US Mentor Pilot Program (link for description and sign up)
Thank you Ari and Kara Tambellini who have created a better structure for this program. Check it out.

Nike Innovation Summit
My take-aways from Innovate 18. Several useful to inspiring programs showcasing how organizations and schools are striving to have students learn differently.


OPERATIONS

Uniform Policy (p. 32 All School Handbook)
Print it out. Post it up in your classroom. Remind your students. They are getting a bit casual with the guidelines. What about sweatshirts, bows, jewelry, hats, footwear? It is all there.

Lice
We have a couple cases throughout the building. When we have 3 cases in a grade level, we will send communication to families. In the meantime, please be extra aware of students sharing sweatshirts, hats, bike helmets, etc.

Sign out on whiteboard in LS Office when go about campus
We need to know where you are for safety reasons. Be sure to sign in and out on the office whiteboard. Thank you to those who are consistent

Take Attendance for PK-Primary @ 8:10, for 1st-5th @ 8:00
Doing attendance promptly simplifies the start of Kathy's day. Thank you.

Lacrosse equipment into the playground shed
We were overwhelmed the first week of lacrosse. We still need all lax equipment to be stored in the recess shed. New organizational structure coming.

Prompt arrival
We all agreed to ensure we ended our class/ activity in time for student to transition to their next class on time. If you are late you will likely make someone else late.

Classroom Budget
  • I begin working with Division Heads on the budget after Spring Break. If you anticipate different budget needs in 2018-19 now is the time to plan.
  • Check your classroom budget shared by Lyn online. Review the budget entry and if you have questions, let Lyn know.
  • Do not wait until late April to order classroom materials. Fill out the order form online in the LS Common Forms & other Relevant Information. Let Kathy know if you need assistance with the order form.
Your Announcements
Send any announcements you have for faculty to Kirstin, Chris or David by Thursday each week August-June and we will include them in the Weekly Memo. This should help reduce the number of emails we are receiving, and maximize our time to collaborate during meetings.






Saturday, March 10, 2018

WM 29




Weekly Memo
WM 29, March 12-16, 2018

Thanks to those of you who attended or volunteered at the OES Auction. We are so fortunate to have such generous parents at our school.

This week is full of special events:
Monday - faculty meeting with Dr. Gary Isenberg speaking about "Understanding Learning Differences -A  Neuropsychological Perspective"
Wednesday - Gathering for Peace and Admissions Welcome Night.
Thursday - PE Family Fun Night
Saturday - OES Chess Tournament

Based on student behavior, you know spring is in the air. Add in the time change this weekend and our students may need extra help with routines.



Lower School Agreements
  • Do what is best for the students
  • Assume we are all doing our best at the moment and our intentions are positive
  • Be present, participate, contribute, include many voices
  • Create a safe space that encourages sharing different opinions, ideas, perspectives
  • Seek understanding, be curious about what others think
  • Express gratitude, joy and encouragement
  • Communicate with compassion, clarity and effectiveness
  • Demonstrate respect
We continue our Weekly Memo format with repeat items in blue and new items in black.


COMMUNITY

Gathering and Chapel - Please be seated and ready at 8:10.
Lower School Chapel Schedule for 2017-2018

Chapel 3/13: Regular Gathering
Gathering for Peace, Wednesday, 3/14, 10:00am*

LS Gathering for Peace, 3/14

A letter went out from Peter with simple descriptions about each divisions response. MS and US have moved away from protest/ walkout to a gathering at the bell tower for a remembrance.  Anyone interested in planning the LS Gathering for Peace is welcome to join the planning session at 7:30 in the Flex Classroom. I have heard a lot of interest in the LS gathering for a song and walking out into a big circle in the field. Bring your ideas.

PE Family Fun Night, 3/15, 5:00 - 7:00
The PE Team has organized our annual Family Fun Night. All are welcome.

School Safety Response - Faculty Training
Thank you for the discussion. While it is hard to contemplate, we will be better prepared through practice.
Before 4/2 exercise - review emergency flipbook and laminated directions 
Active Shooter Scenario - PGD Day, April 2, 1:00 - 4:00
Crisis Response Drill - August Faculty Meeting days

Admissions Acceptances went out on Friday, 3/9
If you get questions, please direct them to Admissions.

Admissions Welcome Night, Wednesday, 3/14, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Sarah has contacted you if you are involved.

OES Auction - One Enchanted Evening

each auction I am impressed with the generosity of our parents and their support of our school. Your attending the Tina Bryson webinar, Learning and the Brain Conference or last week's math conference is possible because of the generosity of our students' parents.

Author Elise Broach

Thank you Lara, for bringing Elise Broach to campus and enriching our literacy experience. 

Juidi Alongi 
Is building stamina and speed and is ready to return and assume her regular duties. Thank you Mathew Kelso for during such good work in Juidi's absence.

Sarah Ross-Bailly
Sarah's father passed away late last week after a long illness. She has flown back east to be with her family. Lyn is sending flowers and a card will be in the office.

4th Grade Opening
The search has begun. Let David know if you have any recommendations.

Student Updates
The SST Site contains valuable information that is helpful in understanding a student’s history and action plans. You may want to review the entries in the site before writing a child's report. The SST Site is linked in the Weekly Memo and can only be accessed on campus.


PROGRAM

Faculty Meetings
Monday, 3/5 - Department/ CFG
Thursday, 3/8 - Safety and Security
Monday, 3/12 - Dr. Gary Isenberg; Understanding Learning Differences -A  Neuropsychological Perspective

Faculty Letters of Employment
Tammy is working through technical difficulties with the new online employment letter system. She hopes to send letters out early this week. We ask that you electronically sign and return your contract by Monday, April 2. Some of you will be receiving a contract hold letter because there are still questions about what you will be doing next year. Either your Department Chair or I should have let you know this was the case. Let me know if you have questions.

Students Support
Each year just before and after conferences get a deluge of requests for student support. Be patient as they work through the growing list of students.

Children’s Research Center for Development and Learning Conference - PD conference (link for conversations)
*Children’s Research Center for Development and Learning conference. CDL specializes in the development and dissemination of leading-edge scientific research, knowledge, and best practices that improve teaching and increase student learning.

US Mentor Pilot Program (link for description and sign up)
Thank you Ari and Kara Tambellini who have created a better structure for this program. Check it out.

Yes Brain
Thank you to Kirstin, Chris and Beth for organizing two informative, interactive evenings for faculty and parents. 

Nike Innovation Summit
I am away Thursday and Friday at the Nike Innovation Summit with Peter Kraft in the ongoing search for inspirations for EC3 Center. Chris and Kirstin are in charge.


OPERATIONS

Spring Ahead
With the time change it will be darker in the morning and light later in the evening.

Sign out on whiteboard in LS Office when go about campus
We need to know where you are for safety reasons. Be sure to sign in and out on the office whiteboard. Thank you to those who are consistent

Take Attendance for PK-Primary @ 8:10, for 1st-5th @ 8:00

Doing attendance promptly simplifies the start of Kathy's day. Thank you.


Lacrosse equipment into the playground shed

Lacrosse season is upon us once again. All Lax equipment should be stored in the recess shed, not the LS Building.

Prompt arrival
We all agreed to ensure we ended our class/ activity in time for student to transition to their next class on time. If you are late you will likely make someone else late.

Duties
You need to end your class in time to allow you to make it to duty on time. For example, you need to end your class before 10:50 in order to make it duty at 10:50. Prompt arrival to your lunch/recess duty is appreciated.

Classroom Budget
Budget season is approaching. I know it seems early but if you anticipate different budget needs in 2018-19 begin planning.
Check your classroom budget shared by Lyn online. Review the budget entry and if you have questions, let Lyn know.
Do not wait until late April to order classroom materials. Fill out the order form online in the LS Common Forms & other Relevant Information. Let Kathy know if you need assistance with the order form.

Your Announcements
Send any announcements you have for faculty to Kirstin, Chris or David by Thursday each week August-June and we will include them in the Weekly Memo. This should help reduce the number of emails we are receiving, and maximize our time to collaborate during meetings.






    Sunday, March 4, 2018

    WM 28




    Weekly Memo
    WM 28, March 5 - 9, 2018

    I hope your conferences went well.   Do reach out to an SST member if you would like some help with post-conference follow-up. I am looking forward to 5 days in a row with students and without a threat of snow.


    Lower School Agreements
    • Do what is best for the students
    • Assume we are all doing our best at the moment and our intentions are positive
    • Be present, participate, contribute, include many voices
    • Create a safe space that encourages sharing different opinions, ideas, perspectives
    • Seek understanding, be curious about what others think
    • Express gratitude, joy and encouragement
    • Communicate with compassion, clarity and effectiveness
    • Demonstrate respect
    We continue our Weekly Memo format with repeat items in blue and new items in black.


    COMMUNITY

    Gathering and Chapel - Please be seated and ready at 8:10.
    Lower School Chapel Schedule for 2017-2018

    Chapel 3/6: 
    Gathering 3/9: Gathering
    Chapel 3/13:
    Gathering for Peace, 3/14, 10:00am*

    School Safety Response - Faculty Training
    We will discuss the training plan at Thursday's faculty meeting. The basics of it are:
    Lockout Drill - Before Spring Break
    Active Shooter Scenario - April 2, PGD Day
    Crisis Response Drill - August Faculty Meeting days

    LS Gathering for Peace, 3/14 in response to National School Walkout
    We will discuss how we might do this at the faculty meeting on Thursday. 


    Shrek, The Musical
    Wow, what an amazing performance. Kudos to OES Lifers Harper Hale, Noe Johnson and Ella Menashe, and the whole cast ( including several Lower Schoolers) for putting together such a wonderful production in such limited space.

    Admissions Acceptances go out Friday, 3/9
    This Friday Admissions sends out acceptances. As is true every year, several connected families will be offered a place in the waitpool. If you get questions, please direct them to  Sarah Ross-Bailly.

    OES Auction - 3/10 Volunteer or Attend

    I hope you enjoyed seeing all the auction projects on display in the LS Lobby, The Auction is this Saturday. I know they are still in need of volunteers. There may even be a spot our two left f you want to attend.

    Author Elise Broach
    We will welcome author Elise Broach to campus this Monday.  If you have signed up to bring your class, please meet in the Chapel and be seated and ready to listen by 9:15. Her presentation should be about 45 minutes. Content-wise, she's planning to create a picture book/story structure presentation focused on her latest book My Pet Wants a Pet. It will include how she got started writing, favorite childhood books, how she comes up with ideas, components of a great story, and then the specific creation/revision process for her new book. Thank you Lara Ingham.

    Recess Duty
    Some questions arose during conferences about recess activities and supervision. Thank you for tending to your duty and actively supervising the play spaces. Are there better ways fro us to help children how to engage in play that is safe, fun, fair and kind?

    Juidi Alongi 
    Welcome back. This week she will be here half days. Next week she hopes to return full time.

    NW Regional Cup Stacking

    Stephanie had over 70 participants in the cup stacking tournament this past weekend. Ask her about results.

    4th Grade Opening
    The search has begun. Let David know if you have any recommendations.

    Student Updates
    The SST Site contains valuable information that is helpful in understanding a student’s history and action plans. You may want to review the entries in the site before writing a child's report. The SST Site is linked in the Weekly Memo and can only be accessed on campus.


    PROGRAM

    Faculty Meetings
    Monday, 3/5 - Department/ CFG
    Thursday, 3/8 - Safety and Security
    Monday, 3/12 - Dr. Gary Isenberg; Understanding Learning Differences -A  Neuropsychological Perspective

    Chinook Artist and Vanport Mosaic Exhibits
    Thank you 3rd grade team, Dori and Margaret for bringing these two exhibits to us. 

    Conferences
    SST meets Monday morning. COntact an SST member if you want some support as follow-up to a conference.

    Yes Brain
    We meet Tuesday, March 6 from 7:30-9:00 in the LS Library. Please join us! 

    Admissions
    Decision meetings continue with offers of enrollment being sent out on March 9th.


    OPERATIONS


    Faculty Contracts
    Tammy is getting ready to send them out. See Peter's letter for details.
    • Lower School Contracts on or around March 9
    • Middle and Upper School Contracts on or around March 16
    • We ask that you electronically sign and return your contract by Monday, April 2.

    Prompt arrival
    Remember, we all agreed to ensure we ended our class/ activity in time for student to transition to their next class on time. If you are late you will likely make someone else late,

    Duties
    You need to end your class in time to allow you to make it to duty on time. For example, you need to end your class before 10:50 in order to make it duty at 10:50. Prompt arrival to your lunch/recess duty is appreciated.

    Weather Challenges
    None. I see a snowless week at long last.

    Classroom Budget
    • Check your classroom budget shared by Lyn online. Review the budget entry and if you have questions, let Lyn know.
    • Do not wait until late April to order classroom materials. Fill out the order form online in the LS Common Forms & other Relevant Information. Let Kathy know if you need assistance with the order form.
    Your Announcements
    Send any announcements you have for faculty to Kirstin, Chris or David by Thursday each week August-June and we will include them in the Weekly Memo. This should help reduce the number of emails we are receiving, and maximize our time to collaborate during meetings.