LS Weekly Memo Week 19: January 14-18

Welcome to Week 19. Thanks to Nancy Tesky, the LS Band, the guest actors and Murray the dog for making a sunny Friday even better.  We have a busy week ahead of us with the start of parent coffees and report writing.  I hope you got out and enjoyed some sun this weekend.

COMMUNITY

Weekly Memo - Read It
Thanks to those of you who dutifully read the WM top to bottom.  For those who don’t, please take the time.

Re-enrollment Contract Holds and Conditions
If you are concerned about child being able to continue at OES or continue without required support, contact David this week.

Jane Duty Coverage
Jane is going to need duty relief for 6 weeks to help her fracture and torn ligament heal. Please sign-up for a duty or two at Jane’s Duty Coverage

Grade Level Coffees -
Thanks to those who have agreed to come to the coffees. Add a topic to the Grade level Coffee Topics google doc or let Chris or David know if you have topics you wish addressed with parents.

Grade Level Coffees - Mid Year

Grade	Date	Topics
Kindergarten- Kirstin	Monday, January 14	Building community, Emerging project work Primary/1st Grade placement
PreKindergarten- Colesie	Tuesday, January 15	Building community Conflict resolution Emerging project work
2nd Grade- Jackie	Tuesday, January 22	Reading Continuum??
Primary- Dori	Wednesday, January 23	Transition to First Grade, Intercultural Competencies??
3rd Grade- Kiah?	Tuesday, January 29	???
4th Grade- Asha	Wednesday, January 30	ERB’s
1st Grade- Claire?	Monday, February 4	???
5th grade- Tasha	Tuesday, February 5	ERB’s

David away 1/18 - 1/21 for nephew's Bar Mitzvah. He will be available by cell phone.  Chris O’Toole will be in charge.

PROGRAM

5-year Curriculum Plan
We will be developing a 5-year curriculum initiative plan with the Team Leaders and the LSCTF, informed by our work around the new LS Building and the curriculum initiatives you are discussing.

Building Project Follow-up
Thank you again for your work on the LS Building Project.  Ashley Cadwell is preparing a Vision, Program, and Building Patterns (VPBP) document that will articulate our work.  I will share the document once it is final.

LS Faculty Meeting
No LS Faculty Meeting unless teams need it.  Time dedicated to report card preparation.
Tech support will be in the Tech Office.  David and Chris will be available in their offices to discuss difficult reports.

OPERATIONS

Auction Item
One of the auction items we are doing this year is a bookshelf from Twist.   
Rebecca Roberts would love it if we could get a number of staff members to make a donation of a favorite book (childrens, adult, non fiction, fiction, etc) to go along with this special live item.   Books can be dropped off at the Auction office with the donation form or they can email me and I will pick them up from wherever they would like (See email forwarded from David).

Report Card Check in
Based on the low number of folks who visited Angela with technology challenges related to the reports, I believe we are off to a good start. Do contact Angela ASAP if you are encountering any difficulties with the report format.
Let Chris or David know if you would like them to review a challenging report.

Proof-Reading Plan
Proof-reading time has been set aside on both Thursday morning 1/ 24 and Monday afternoon, 1/28.  

Grade level teams proof each others.
Art teachers proof each others
Music teachers proof each others
PE teachers proof each others
Kelola proofs Carmen’s
Chris proofs Kelola
David and Chris will proof Science

Admissions Update
With applications for Lower School having increased significantly compared to last year, we have a busy Admissions Season before us.  
Thursday, January 31st, Faculty Meeting. Sarah Ross-Bailey provides the details needed for successful admissions visits.
Saturday, Feb. 2nd, Pre-K Candidates- new families, faculty and staff
Our thanks to Colesie, Lauren and others who will give up their Saturday
Friday, February 8th. No school for students or Assistant Teachers. Kindergarten, Primary/First candidates visit classrooms, 3rd-5th Grade candidates test in the morning.
Saturday, February 23rd
Reserved as a possible make-up day. Sarah will try her utmost to schedule candidates on the above admissions days or during the school week.  Thanks to all for hosting candidates’ visits.

IMPORTANT. Remember Google Calendar Faculty Event Updates.
Please be sure your Grade Level LSLT representative updates our Faculty Event calendar.  Lyn and Chris compare the All School calendar and our Faculty Event (FE)  calendar every Thursday.  We’ve noticed that some important dates are not posted on the FE calendar.
Next week Lyn will book a LSLT meeting during an upcoming lunch break. There are just no open dates on Mondays for us to meet.  We hope many of you can attend. This might require swapping a duty with a colleague.  

We appreciate that this is one of the busiest times of the year.  Rest and renew this weekend. Thanks for all you do!

LS Weekly Memo Week 18: January 7 - 11

Happy New Year and welcome to Week 18.  We hope you enjoyed a restful and renewing winter break with family and friends.

COMMUNITY

Jeannie Rawley Remembrance
In the spirit of Jeannie's warm and welcoming hospitality, there will be a festive gathering on January 7, our first day back from Winter Break.  At 3:15, we'll meet at Jeannie's tree, outside the Third Grade classrooms and raised beds, to honor and remember our dear friend and colleague.  Then, around 3:30 p.m., we will move to the Morris House Conference Room.  Refreshments will be served, although there is no guarantee that they will be as healthy as the food Jeannie ate and enjoyed.  The outdoor labyrinth just outside of the Morris House Conference Room will be available for walking.  While the labyrinth has been well tended to this fall,  it might be in need of a New Year's trim by January 7, so gardening tools will also be available.

Jane Kenney-Norberg
Jane will be returning to school on Monday, though she is still recovering from her fall.  She has a hairline fracture of her tibia and torn a ligament in her knee.  Look for an email from Jane requesting duy coverage help while she is on crutches.

Heidi Hackenjos
Be sure to stop by the library and welcome Heidi back from her maternity leave.  
Thanks again to Nicole for the wonderful work she did during Heidi’s leave.

Plans for Next Year
It is time to start planning for the hiring season. If you are contemplating new opportunities for next year or interested in changing grade levels, please scheduel a time to meet with David at your soonest convenience.

Student Support Team
The Student Support Team meets every Monday and Thursday to discuss students and plans for support. If questions arise about how to best support one of your students as you are preparing reports, please contact any of the SST members so we can help.

PROGRAM

Team Meetings- Thursday, Jan. 10th 7:30-8:30
Time to check in about report cards.  Other topics at Team Leader’s discretion.


Cadwell Slide Show
Angela has reformatted the slide show Ashley Cadwell presented.  You can download the file and watch it on your laptop. Advance slides and transitions with a click or spacebar.  Otherwise, you will need to hit pause to stop the movie to spend more time on specific parts.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/o64ok48gzl5x6ep/ButlerPresentation9-23-10.mov


OPERATIONS

Report Cards
Thanks to Angela for all her work getting the report cards up and running online. Look for an email from Angela if there are any updates to the report card completion process. Let us know if you encounter any challenges as you work through the report card timeline.

Report Card Timeline
Report Writing Day - Friday, 1/18
MLK Day - 1/21
All reports written by end of day Tuesday, 1/22
Time designated for teams to proof report cards on Thursday,1/24 and Monday, 1/28
All report cards due proofed 8:00 am on Tuesday, 1/29
Reports will be sent out by Monday, 2/4

ERB Results for 4th and 5th graders will be sent out by 2/8
Conferences are 2/14 and 2/15

Lockdown Drill
Jon von Behren will be scheduling a lockdown drill for shortly after we return.  Look for an email with details in the near future.

Safety Reminders
Supervision during transitions:
Admissions has noticed many LS students traveling the campus unsupervised.  We agreed to ensure we were all accompanying students during transitions between classrooms and specialists.  This is both for safety reasons and to provide the quick exchange of information between teachers at each transition.  Confirm plans with your colleagues if you are not clear about who is supervising which transition.

Supervision of Students:
Students should not be left unattended in any space during the school day. If students are allowed to stay in and work on projects during recess, they need to be supervised.

Public access to ACP, Track and Turf Field:
Aardvark Community Park, the track and the fields are all designated for school use while school is in session, 7:30am - 3:15pm every school day. Extended Care has use of the BS playground and ACP from 3:00-6:00 pm. Kindly inform any community users that they will need to wait until after the programs are finished to use the spaces.

Safety Maintenance
Email maintrequest@oes.edu if you have any safety related maintenance issues.  

Security Reminders
Keep exterior doors closed - do not prop open 

Practice drills as if real- remind students to be quiet, calm and orderly.  Think through your response.

Reread the OES Emergency Procedures flipchart for Lock Out and Lock In.  If you don’t have an OES Emergency Procedures book contact Rebecca Williams this week to secure a new copy. 

Have the LS Office speed dialed in your cell phone.

Count all children at transitions.

New Years Reminder’s
Class Agreements:
As we all know, the return after winter break can feel like you are starting fresh. This is a good time to review agreements, rituals and expectations.

Uniforms:
Help students transition back and start off following the Uniform Policy.  Remember that hats are not part of the OES uniform and that non-uniform outerwear is only to be worn outside, not in class.

Recess and Lunch:
Review expectations to help us all start the new year well.

DEAR, PJ Day - February 22
In response to many children’s requests for a PJ day, we have chosen 2/22 as the day, starting off with an all Lower School DEAR time

LS Weekly Memo Dec. 17th through Dec. 20th

Welcome to Week 17.  Last week was a really full week; the excitement of design conversations, the opportunities to see our students shine in performances and presentations in Beginning School, 2nd and 5th grades, opportunities to share and reflect on faith traditions during the Advent Service and Hannukkah Chapel, the occasion to share fine food, wine and friendship at the OES Holiday Party.  

I am tremendously appreciative of you for creating such wonderful experiences for our students on Friday, even as you felt the weight of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. Let us know if we can help you, a student, a colleague or a parent.

COMMUNITY

Hanukkah Chapel
Thank you Jenny Cleveland, faculty and student participants fro another meaningful celebration of the diversity of our community.

Williams’ King Midas Production a Huge Success
What an amazing production. Everyone did an outstanding job. The best part was to see how much fun they were having with their roles, clearly loving the limelight.  Bravo, Alysa for your fine work.

Second Grade Learning Celebration- Portland Research Projects
Thank you to the second grade team for supporting their students’ inquiry into Portland. The students were so proud of their hard work, confident in their understanding of their topic, and committed to their learning.

Beginning School Winter Celebrations
Pre-K, K and Primary hosted wonderful fall and winter celebrations Friday afternoon after school. The event was capped off with a lovely Winter Celebration Program led by Kristen Haferbecker, a new Beginning School family ritual.  Thanks teachers and assistants for all of the hard work that went into this warm and joyful family holiday event.  

OES Holiday Party
Thank you to those of you who were able to attend.  The food was superb, the dining hall looked great, conversations flowed and the turnout was huge.

Lower School Holiday Celebration
Come share some more holiday cheer with your colleagues at 3:15 in the LS Library. Remember you SHH gift and potluck offering.  See Lyn’s email for details.

Jeannie Rawley Remembrance
On Monday, January 7 at 3:30, those who wish to are invited gather at the dogwood tree outside the 3rd grade classrooms to share a prayer in remembrance of Jeannie.  We will then head to the Morris House Conference Room for a time to be together and share memories with an option to help maintain the outdoor labyrinth in her honor.


PROGRAM

LS Building Design Sessions
Thanks for your thoughtful participation this week and last. The design conversations with Ashley Cadwell were very productive.  Team Leaders will meet with David to consider next steps.

Lower School Curriculum Task Force and Lower School Leadership Team Meettings
With holidays, report  writing and reading and other complications in January and February, scheduling our First and Third Mondays isn’t working out. Instead, we hope to get  lunch meetings on the calendar in February.  Obviously, not everyone will be able to attend.  Lyn will look ahead and get LSCTF and LSLT team meetings on our February calendar.

Howard Hiton, Counselor, Speaks at PAL About Boys and Girls Social Emotional Development
Books Howard Recommends
The Essential Difference: The Truth About the Male and Female Brains, Baron-Cohen, Simon
Real Boys, Pollack, William
Best Friends, Worst Enemies, Thompson, Michael
Queen Bees and Wannabees: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends
Wiseman, Rosalind

OPERATIONS

Second and Third Grade Mid- Afternoon Recess
Third Grade boys who love to play football and soccer are getting competitive and physical altercations are taking place. These boys are taking a break from these sports until next Wednesday, when they may resume play.  Several boys and girls wrote letters to David requesting that a portion of the field be opened up for their afternoon recess. He will discuss possible solutions with the Team Leaders and then the students.

St Nick’s Chapel
The wild and raucous event will start at 1:30 in the Gym. Plan on having your class seated and ready for the wild ride.

Report Card Timeline
Report Writing Day - 1/18
MLK Day - 1/21Written by end of day 1/22
Proofed on 1/24 and 1/28
Due all proofed on 1/29
Sent out by 2/4

LS Weekly Memo Dec. 10th- Dec. 14th

Welcome to Week 16. We hope you enjoyed our design session with Suzy Cessor last week, and that it stirs your imagination for our sessions with Ashley Cadwell, SLAM and the Building Committee next week.  Remember, our program and design work is now on display in the Morris House Conference Room(MHCR).  You can visit any time Monday for a second look at your work, and a closer look at colleague’s work.

If you can, take time in the coming week to visit a part of the BS or LS that you don’t normally visit.  If your world revolves around the ⅘ wing, take time to pop into a ½ classroom or the BS.  If you haven’t seen the BS studio, please take time to do so.  Visit a specialist’s class.  Specialists, visit a classroom.  Get a feeling for the programs in our school. We think that might help you imagine what our new school could look like.
Our thanks in advance for sharing your time and talents.

COMMUNITY

Meeting Monday, Dec. 10th
Inquiry, PGD, intercultural Competencies and LSLT Meet

Busy Weeks Ahead
This week is full with Design Sessions, Eric Kimmel’s visit, Advent, King Midas, SHH.  It all coming to a spectacular crescendo on Friday when we have a day full of special events - Howard Hiton at LS PAL, 2nd Grade Learning Celebration and the Beginning School Winter Program. Pace yourself so you are ready the enjoy the Board Holiday Party on Saturday night.

LS Leadership Team Agenda, Mon., Dec. 10th
• Service Learning- Appreciative Inquiry, Heifer, Giving Chapel, etc.
•Hand-off to Specialists- How is that going?
•Lunch and recess procedures- How is that going?
-Possible new boat on the playground, courtesy of Darele Lowry.
•Looking ahead- Progress Reports, Admissions
PJ Day - 1/25 or 2/1 and DEAR
•Other Topics?

Student Art Work Damaged
Francesca Fox Gitomer’s self portrait was significantly damaged late Thursday while it was hanging on the wall of the 3rd grade hallway.  Someone scratched portrait with a push pin and then stuck the pin through the self portrait.  Teachers in Grades 2nd -5th, please talk with your students about the importance of respecting every child’s work.  Please ask your students to speak to you privately if they know anything about the incident.

Secret Holiday Happening- SHH
Remember, if you are participating, you should have fun this weekend selecting three small fun surprises for your SHH recipient. Have fun next week placing little gifts in his/her mailbox or some unexpected place.
We’ll gather for our SHH celebration on Monday, Dec. 17th in the Library.  See Lyn’s list of assigned contributions.

All School Board Sponsored Party
We hope many of you will plan on attending. It will be festive and fun, and demonstrate your appreciation for the Board’s support of our new Beginning and Lower School building.

LS Interns
Calling all LS Teachers!  Could you use an extra set of hands in your classroom?  Could you use someone with more energy than your students?  I've got just the solution for you: a Lower School Intern through the Winterim program!  From March 14-21, the Upper School hosts a program called Winterim where 8th graders and Upper School students engage in activities to pursue interests beyond the classroom.  One activity that has traditionally been offered is the LS Interns program where interested students come to intern in your classrooms.  This activity is being offered as both a morning and afternoon activity, so you could have an Upper School student or 8th grader helping you out from 8-11:30 and/or 12:30-3 every day during that week in March.

In the past Tonya Griffin, Doug Whitmore, Jackie Blake, and others have hosted interns in their classrooms, so check in with them about the experience. Please let me know if you would be willing to host interns during that week.  It's a great opportunity for our older students to connect with younger students and vice versa, not to mention a great chance for you to get some extra help in the classroom.

Email me at sulzera@oes.edu if you're interested or have any additional questions - Ann Sulzer

New Adventures in 2013-2014?
I am anticipating the busy pace of school life after Winter Break, a period of time that includes the hiring season. If you are contemplating professional changes for next year, please schedule a time to meet with me to discuss your plans.

Service Learning
While it is the season of giving, and a time when many of us are recommitting to our service interests, I do want to remind you that our list serve or OES emails should not be used for solicitation for a particular passion/project — regardless of how worthy that project is.  If you are interested in bringing your service interest to the school, talk with Jenny Cleveland, LS Service Learning Coordinator.

Author Eric Kimmel Visits Tues., Dec. 11th
Primary through Second Grade Storytelling- 9:15-9:45
Third and Fourth Grade Presentation- 10-10:45
Book Signing- 10:45-11
Lunch with Faculty (BYOT Bring your own tray) 11-11:50
Fifth Grade Writer’s Workshop- 12-2:55
Thank you Lara and FOESL fro making these author visits possible.


PROGRAM

LSCTF
We discussed a range of topics:  
•Use of the Reading Continuum at Conferences
•How and when to roll out the use of the Writing Continuum, what professional development do we think we need?
We are leaning toward 1st through 5th Grade FLG groups reading about Lucy Calkin’s writing workshop, explore Reggie Routman’s Writer’s Workshop Kit (Tonya won at a conference last year), possibly read some of Katie Wood Ray’s books for one year, then have Lucy Calkin’s Rep come for a 5 day training site visit, the summer of 2014
•A few teams are considering some changes in their report card. We need to meet asap with Angela to make this happen before Winter Break.

Thursday Morning, 12/13 Faculty Meeting
Prek - 12 Departments will meet.
Teams will meet at Team Leader’s discretion. Look for an email from your Team Leader early next week.

LS Building Design Meetings - 12/11 and 12/12
Teams meet with Ashley Cadwell, Cadwell Collaborative and SLAM Representatives, Rich Connell and Paul Baldinger  in MHCR
7:30-9 Specialists
9:30-11 Third through Fifth Grade
12-1:30 First and Second Grade
2-3:30 Beginning School
3:45 - 5:00 on 12/12 -  All LS Faculty and  Specialists meet with Building Committee to present faculty design themes and ideas. Platt Global Classroom

See David’s email for additional details.
Our thanks to all who are covering duties and classes so teachers can attend the Cadwell consultation meetings.

OPERATIONS

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LS Weekly Memo Dec. 3rd- Dec. 7th

Welcome to Week 15. Best wishes for a relaxing and restoring weekend. We have three busy weeks ahead of us as we head into our much deserved winter break.

COMMUNITY

Giving Chapel
Read communications from Jenny Cleveland. Please be on time.  

Advent Service, Wed., Dec. 12th 6:30-7:30
A lovely service to get us all in the holiday spirit!

No SST Meeting on Monday, Dec. 3rd
Jenny and Chris will be busy sorting bags until 10 or 10:30.  David is away too, see below.

David at Budget Meetings, Monday, Dec. 3rd
David is busy all day on Monday with Department Chair’s budgeting meeting.  If you need immediate assistance, ask Lyn. She will find Chris, Patti, Ari or Jenny.

Board Holiday Party, Saturday, December 15 - RSVP
This year, as the school prepares to ask the board and community members to support our dream of a new LS Building, I would greatly appreciate your attendance at the Holiday Party.  Please be sure to RSVP.  It promises to be lots of fun- and door prizes too.

Secret Holiday Happening (S.H.H., formerly “Secret Santa”), 12/10 - 12/14
If you wish to participate, sign up on the SHH Google doc by Wednesday. Jenny will send out the SHH Google doc on Monday, 12/3.  
Monday through Friday, 12/10 - 12/14, participants will have the opportunity to share three small gifts.  Your call on when you deliver.  We’ll exchange gifts at Monday, 12/17, SHH gathering.

Secret Holiday Happening Party, Monday, Dec. 17th
Lyn will send out a potluck list next week. Be on the lookout!

Shotts Update
Andy Shotts has been cleared to return to campus for special school events and to pick up and drop off the boys on alternate Fridays and Mondays.  See David if you have any questions.

Chris’ Classroom Visits
I visit specialist classes on Monday morning (10-10:50) and BS and LS classrooms on Tuesday morning (8:15-9:25).  Don’t be surprised if I pop in!  I hope to visit 5th and possibly 4th next Tuesday.  Amy and Kirstin, I’ll try to stop by Monday morning.  Know that if an urgent matter arises, I will need to postpone my visits for another time.  

David’s Classroom Visits
I am scheduled to visit classes from 9:45 - 10:45 on Tuesdays and 8:45 - 9:45 on Fridays. Let me know if you have something you would like me to see, and I will get it on my calendar.  Otherwise, I will simply drop in and pay your class a visit.

New Adventures in 2013-2014?
I am anticipating the busy pace of school life after Winter Break, a period of time that includes the hiring season. If you are contemplating professional changes for next year, please schedule a time to meet with me to discuss your plans.

PROGRAM

LSCTF - Monday, December 3 @ 3:15; Tonya’s Room
1. Debrief Reading Continuum use from conferences and determine next steps
2. Discuss DRA data and questions
Are students making the progress we want?
Are we supporting them at the right level?

Thursday Morning’s Faculty Meeting

Team Meeting @ Team Leader’s discretion

LS Building Design Meetings
12/5 @ 3:15 Team Leaders, Jenny Cleveland, Kirstin McAuley, MHCR
12/6 @ 3:15 All LS Faculty and  Specialists, US Room 60
12/11 and 12/12 See Schedule- Teams Meet with Ashley Cadwell, MHCR
12/12 Meet with Building Committee, All LS Faculty and  Specialists @ 3:45-5 in Platt Global Classroom.
See David’s email for additional details.


OPERATIONS

Mark Tardy Students at 8:00 am, not earlier
I know we’ve written about this before, but please try to send your attendance at 8 or shortly after. Jenny has to go through and double check to find students who are marginally late.

Recess Equipment- Slipping a Bit?
We were doing really well, but it appears that the collection of all equipment at the end of recess is getting a bit sloppy, especially for the older students. If you are duty, please remind students to be responsible citizens and collect equipment

Snack -
In an effort to manage our snack costs, plan on providing cheese to your students 3 times a week rather than every day.

Uniform Reminder - The OES Uniform Policy
It is time for the post holiday uniform reminder and a little Grinchiness.
1. Only OES uniform wear is to be worn in the classroom. Other fashionware may be worn outside only.
2. Footwear and socks are meant to be discrete and PE functional.  If they catch your attention they belong at home.
3. Hats are not part of the OES uniform.  Warm hats may be worn outside on cold days and should be taken off upon entering the building.
4.  Santa Hats may be worn on December 20th the last day before Winter Break, but not until then.