Sunday, April 22, 2012

Welcome to Week 31! We are fast approaching the busiest time of the school year. Keep an eye on the calendar and be vigilant on the playground and in the lunchroom.    

Meetings and Events

DATEEVENTSLOCATION
Mon., Apr. 23rd, 11:55am

Mon., April 23rd, 3:15-4:30
Project Second Wind
Kick-Off
Self Study Work
OES Chapel

BS and LS
Tues., April 24th, 8-9:30Blake’s Hero SpeechesLS Library
Wed., Apr. 25th, 8-9:30Griffin’s Hero SpeechesLS Library
Wed., Apr. 25th, 7:30 -
Wed., Apr. 25th, 8:15-8:45
Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
Beginning School Chapel
Faculty Lounge

OES Chapel
Thurs., Apr. 26th, 7:30-8:30LS Faculty MeetingDVR
Thurs., Apr. 26th, 9-10:30Schilling’s Hero SpeechesLS Library


COMMUNITY

Rosalie is Here!
Great news! Lauren and Thomas’ dear daughter Rosalie is here, complete with dimples and a head of curly hair.  From Lauren:
Tomas and I joyfully announce Sweet Miss Rosalie Ananda Erickson
Endicott to the world! Born 10:26 PM, Thursday, April 19, 2012 in Portland, OR. 8 lbs 2 oz. and just shy of 21 inches. We are doing wonderfully! She is our big door prize, love bomb, brilliant beauty queen! I am entirely in love with my girl and my new tiny family. Cheers to Rosalie!

Denise Carsman
After much thought and reflection Denise Carsman has decided she will not be returning to OES next year. While taking some time to determine her next career, Denise is looking forward to the opportunity to take some art and yoga classes.  I am greatly appreciative of all the Denise has contributed to the evolution of the Beginning School program, including her most recent big idea, the creation of the Atilierista (Reggio inspired art specialist) position.

We will begin the search for a new kindergarten teacher on Monday.

Hiring Update

3rd - We have made an offer. I will make the official announcement once we have received the signed letter of employment.

5th - We are well into our second round of finalists for 5th grade and have three teachers scheduled to visit from California, Texas and Ecuador. Lillie Stevens will be on campus Monday

CORE
It is time for our end of the year wrap-up meetings.  Grade Level teams, please contact Ari to reserve time on one of the  following dates:
Apr. 25th        May 2nd        May 9th        May 16th
May 23rd        May 30th        June 6th

Summer Stipends- Friendly Reminder
Summer stipend requests are due May 7.  As mentioned in the faculty meeting, we are anticipating many request due to the number of new teams and new positions we will have next year.  Stipend priority will be given for new teams, collaborative projects and significant curriculum revision.

Beginning School friends, please take time over the weekend or early next week to fill out the Google doc, listing times when you will be available and when you cannot be available for our stipend with Laura. Look for a Google doc entitled “Beginning School Summer Stipend.”

Good Luck
Wish the 2nd graders and their teachers good luck as they prepare to present their hero speeches. And the same to the 3rd graders and their teachers as they prepare to present the Portland Musical.

Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
Wednesday parents will be offering breakfast treats in appreciation of your good work.  Enjoy.

 
PROGRAM

Optional Self Study Meeting Time; 4/23 @3:15
The last scheduled Self Study Meeting is Monday.  This is an opportunity for vertical groups to do a final review of question responses, scope and sequence document.  The final step should be the copying and pasting the response into the appropriate section of the Self Study Site, according to the stated formatting.

LS Faculty Meeting, 4/26 @ 7:30 in DVR
We will use the meeting to review the calendar to the end of the year.

LS Curriculum Task Force
•Self Study Wrap Up: We reviewed Beginning School and Vertical Group’s scope and sequence and blue prints. Everyone is fine tuning their last pieces before the May 3rd deadline. Monday’s meeting is devoted to that last task.
•Summer Professional Development Preferences: David and Chris will review options and will announce our finalized plans next week.

Mo Copeland
Remember to invite Mo to your culminating events.  She is eager to experience LS project work from Beginning School Movement Program to the 5th grade debates.

Sustainable Living for Educators
Here’s another great course offering from Lewis and Clark. Check it out!
Sustainable Living for Educators
Choose a session: Wednesdays, May 9, 16, 30 and June 6, 13, 20 or
Monday-Friday July 30-August 3
May-June session meets 4-7 p.m.; July-Aug. session meets 1-4 p.m.https://graduate.lclark.edu/live/news/15575-sustainable-living-for-educators

OPERATIONS

Placement Meetings
Lyn will be posting the placement sign up list Monday afternoon.  As always scheduling is challenging and tight. Be sure to use the cards Lyn has made for your placement discussions.  They may be picked up from Lyn in the Lower School Office.

LS Leadership Team Agenda, 4/26
4/26/2012
Aardvark Fun Park - 6/1/12
TA Evaluations
Team Leader Review

Self Study Survey
Remember to complete your self study survey.

Overnight Trips
Thank you to those of you who have agreed to be chaperons for an overnight trip.  I believe 3rd - 5th grades are still looking for a few more adults to help. Let the teachers know if you can help.

Summer Maintenance
Now is the time to think ahead to summer maintenance work.  I’ve sent out the form via an email attachment. Please keep in mind that we try to honor as many requests as possible, but summer camp’s use of classrooms often limit what can be accomplished.  Please return your completed form to Chris by Friday, May 4th.  

Aardvark Fun Park
AFP is scheduled to be taken down on June 1st primary for safety reasons.   Though many students will be sad to see it come down, I am thinking that they would rather see it come down than have it disappear over the summer.  We will be discussing this at LSLT.  Let your representative know if you have questions.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Welcome to Week 30
I hope you were able to enjoy the beautiful weekend weather pursuing a favorite spring time pastime. Be sure to use the link at the bottom of this posting to access all the information contained in the blog, most notably the LS Year at a Glance Calendar.  The pace of school life is beginning to gear up with Hero Speeches and Spring trips around the corner.  Stay tuned to calendars and be mindful of timing special events.  

Meetings and Events: Consult the Lower School Year at A Glance Calendar

DATEEVENTSLOCATION
Mon., Apr. 16th, 8:15First Grade Music InformanceLS Common Hall
Mon., Apr. 16thSelf Study, BS and Vertical Group MeetingsOn Campus
Tues., April 17th, 7:20 amMarch & April Birthday CelebrationLS Faculty/Staff Lounge
Tues., Apr. 17th, 3:15Opal School’s Story Workshop-
Prof. Development DVD
Kirstin McAuley’s Classroom
Wed., Apr. 18th, 7:30Teacher Appreciation BreakfastLS Faculty Room/Staff Lounge
Thurs., Apr. 19th, 7:30 am

Thurs., Apr. 19th, 8:45


Thurs., Apr. 19th, 3:15
LS Faculty Meeting

4th Grade Music Informance

LS Curriculum Task Force
DVR

LS Common Hall


Chris T’s Room
Fri., Apr. 20th, 2:10LS Assembly-
Citizenship Pillar
Gym



 COMMUNITY

Jane Kenney-Norberg’s Father
I am sorry to inform you that Jane Kenney-Norberg’s father passed away early Saturday morning. Jane will likely take the week off.  She has her sister and husband with her. I am sure she would appreciate cards and letters at this time.  Jenny Cleveland will be in touch with Jane and will share any news of how we can best support Jane at this time.  Mary Petersen will be subbing for Jane this week.

4th Grade OBOB Team
Congratulations to the 4th Grade State Champion OBOB team and a special thanks to their coach, Asha Sathyaraj and for the support of Lara Ingham and Heidi Hackenjos.

Hiring Update
3rd Grade - Checking references on finalists
5th Grade - Interviewing continuing

Friday’s Assembly
Next Friday’s Assembly will focus on the Citizenship Pillar, Earth Day, highlights from 3rd Grade’s Portland: The Musical, and possibly a presentation from US Ben Ulmer, an inventor, who exercised his “power for good” creating human power water pump. Look for more details in an email from Kristen Haferbecker next week.


PROGRAM

All Lower School Faculty Meeting - Thursday 4/19, 7:30 in DVR
       7:30:00    Appreciations
       7:40:00    Library Update
       7:50:00    Summer Stipends
       8:00:00    Students of Concern
       8:20:00    End Of Year Calendar

Story Workshop Mini Workshop
Kirstin has offered to view the rest of the Geography of Story Workshop video with those of you who are interested and to have some conversations about what implications we see for our own students' literacy development.  If you'd like to participate, Kirstin looks forward to seeing you in Room 2 of the Beginning School on Tuesday, April 17th from 3:15-4:15 and on Tuesday, April 24th from 3:15-3:45 or 4:00, depending on how much time we feel we need.  

Summer Stipends
Start thinking and planning.  See Summer Stipend Form.

Summer Conference Preferences
Be sure to list your preferences fro summer workshops on the Summer Conference Preferences document.  We will be making decision at LSCTF.

LSCTF Meeting 4/19/12
4/19/2012        
Curriculum Blueprint Discussion    DAL    3:15:00
Summer Workshop Decision        DAL    3:45:00

Self Study Update
The next two Monday meetings are reserved for final Self Study revisions.  Based on the check in on Thursday, all groups should plan on meeting this Monday, 4/16 at 3:15 in their usual places:
BS - ??? Room
Social Studies - Tasha’s Room
English - Alysa’s Room
Math - Asha’s Room

Digging In:  Place Based Food and Garden Education for Teachers
Beginning and Lower School teachers- there is a great workshop at Lewis and Clark coming up in June...here’s the link
https://graduate.lclark.edu/live/news/11146-digging-in-placebased-food-amp-garden-education

OPERATIONS

LSLT
The Leadership Team met on Thursday and discussed the onset of Spring Fever.  Generally, we acknowledge the need to remind our students of behavioral agreements and expectations and the need for us to be attentive to our professional practices. Specifically, we addressed the following:
1.     Student Behavior - last week was a busy week in the Lower School Office with students who had made poor choices. We need to be extra vigilant during duties and transitions.
A. Review Recess Guidelines sent at beginning of year, keeping in mind the basic approach - is it Safe, is it Fair, is it Fun for All
B. Put Away Recess Equipment - blow the whistle 2 minutes before the bell to have the students put away the equipment
C. Uniform reminders - Be aware of the uniform policy as we switch to warmer weather.  Hats are not part of the school uniform.  They may be worn for protection from the sun and cold outside only.  Hats are not to be worn inside.
D. Uniform fleeces, vests and sweat shirts are the only out layers allowed inside. Non OES sweatshirts and jackets can be worn outside only
2. Evacuation Drills - Fire and Earthquake
In an effort to improve the safe of our drills please attend to the following:
1. Evacuate the building in a quiet and orderly fashion.  Students should head down to the field in an orderly line with no talking.  This will help students practice the correct behaviors for a true emergency.
2. Once on the field the students should remain in an orderly line and wait quietly while we account for everyone.  This will help us ensure everyone is accounted for in a quick and efficient manner.
3. Adults not with classes will quickly check in with Jenny Strode and set the example for quiet attentiveness during the duration of the drill. These two changes will greatly improve our safety preparedness.

Cell Phones
Students are not allowed to have cell phones at school, except with special permission from the Head of Lower School. Lower School students should not use cell phones while on the OES campus. We need to set a good example by not using cell phones in the presence of students.

Walk Way Duty
When you are on walkway duty please remind parents to pull forward and stay with their car.

Students to the Office
When sending sick students to the LS Office please do let us know what is wrong, but do not attempt to diagnose.  Leave that to Jenny, Lyn and Elaine.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Welcome to Week 29 and the steady sprint to the end of the year. We have 10 solid weeks left with our students and only a single long weekend between now and June 13 so pace yourself.  Thank you for your good work with Laura Benson and the Wonders of Learning.

Meetings and Events
We’re coming into the busiest time of the year. Before putting an event on the calendar please be sure to check the OES calendar and the Year at a Glance calendar

COMMUNITY

Hiring Update

3rd Grade
Last two finalists visit this week. I hope to have a decision by the end of the week.

5th Grade
Two have come. Two to go next week.

Team Leaders
Job description is drafted.  We will discuss the job description and hiring process at Leadership Team, and then send it out to all LS Faculty.

Jane Kenney-Norberg
We have three possible substitutes lined up to support Jane so that she can be with her father as needed.

Marty Eastman-Brown
Marty will be having surgery in the near future and may face extensive recovery time.  She will offer additional information as needed. Laura Harley will teach the class during Marty’s absence.  Caley Petersen will be joining Laura in teaching the class.

Lauren Erickson
Lauren is off on maternity leave getting ready.  We look forward to good news in the coming weeks.

PROGRAM

Professional Development
Summer stipend requests will be going out soon.  We are meeting with Department Heads on Monday to determine stipend priorities.  I will get those out to you in the near future. It is also time to make summer professional development decision.  I have heard from several of you about ISTE, NAREA, Readers and Writers workshops.  Let me know if you have other summer workshop interests.


Departments/ LS Faculty Meeting - April 12 @ 7:30 DVR
Topic                        Person
Appreciations                    All
Story Workshop Presentation            Kirstin McA.
Reading Continuum Plan            DL   
Self Study Check in                DL
Writing Celebration Presentation        US Students

LSLT Meeting - April 12 @ 3:15
Topic                        Person
4/12/2012    
Team Leader Job Description    DL
Calendar Check                           All
Operations Expectations            All
Open Items                                   All

Wonder of Learning Tour for OES Parents
Thank you to LS parents, Catherine Willmott and Kim Bissell for organizing a luncheon discussion focused on the Wonders of Learning exhibit.  The Kindergarten Teachers did a wonderful job discussing their program and asking thoughtful questions.

Curriculum Task Force Meeting
Thursday, April 5  3:15 - 4:15
We devoted the entire meeting to discussing progress with the reading continuum and next steps.

OPERATIONS

Divorce and Parent Communication
I want to remind you that in situations where LS Parents are going through or have completed divorce proceeds I want all of us to remain neutral parties, fully focused on making our school a sanctuary of the child from the uncertainties of the divorce.
  • Ensure school communications are sent to both parents
  • Ensure we do not take actions or make communications that appear to favor one parent over the other.
  • If you have questions about a parent communication please see Chris or David.

Recess/Lunch Duty and Transitions
Spring is here- a time when children are feeling their oats, and often experiment with different behaviors.
Please be vigilant on duty. Be sure to roam about giving students positive feedback, be proactive about potential conflict situations, especially on the turf field .  Escort children to and from specialist’s classes