LS Weekly Memo Week 23: February  11-15

Thank you to all for your involvement in Admissions Day.  It is incredibly valuable to have each of your perspectives on our student visitors, even when you find yourself working with an age group you do not usually teach.

Good luck with conferences on Thursday and Friday. Let us know if you need support, have questions or concerns.

COMMUNITY
Project V.O.I.C.E.- Feb. 11th and 12th
Spoken Word Poets Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye, will be on campus Monday and Tuesday.  Monday morning - 5th-8th Grade, 10:50-11:50 in the Chapel
Monday evening - parents, 7-8:30 pm in the Chapel
Tuesday morning 9:00 - 10:00 for half the 5th grade in the LSCH
Tuesday afternoon 12:40-1:40 for half the 5th grade in the LSCH

OBOB, Wednesday, February 13th, 8:30-10
This is our in-house Oregon Battle of the Books competition which will determine which teams will go forward to represent our school at the regional competition.

February Assembly, 100th Day of School and February 22nd
Kristen and Tracy are “cooking up” plans for a math assembly. Stay tuned for details next week. Based on the Team Leader discussion relating perspectives from several faculty, 2/22 will be a regular uniform day. We will have a  uniform optional day on Friday, March 1

Friday, March 1 - Uniform Optional Day -
Come dressed as your favorite TV character or dressed in your most comfortable clothes for watching TV - a “Prime TIme” theme to support the Auction coming up on 3/9.

OES Auction: Prime Time, Saturday, March 9th
Come out and support the OES auction! It is lots of fun, and supports important endeavors, including faculty professional development and financial aid. Sign up for a volunteer opportunity on Volunteer Spot.


PROGRAM

NCCE Conference 2013 in Portland 2/28 and 3/1

Let me know if you are interested in attending.  

Aardvark Science Exhibition

Thursday, February 21st, from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM at SPARC.  This is a great opportunity to review the science research work of students in grades 7 - 12.  THough students will not be there to discuss their boards, hundreds of science research presentation boards will be on display.

Team Leader Meeting - Mondays

Thank you Debra for volunteering to join us.

Topics discussed 2/4

2013-14 Calendar

End of year/ Beginning of year schedule

Assembly and Uniform Optional Day

Topics to be discussed 2/11

Draft 5 year curriculum plan

LS Building Plan - school visits

Faculty Meetings - See AS Faculty Meeting Schedule

2/21 - Team Meetings: BS, 1-2, 3-5, Specialists - Operations

2/28 - Team Meetings: BS, 1-2, 3-5 on Curriculum

Spcialists - Department Meetings

Lower School Curriculum Task Force Meeting, Friday, February 22nd 11-11:50

We will meet in the Science Discovery Room to look at a 5 Year Curriculum Plan. Other topics you want to discuss? Let David know.

Chapel

Be on time, please - 11:55 on Monday. 8:10 on Friday.

Monday, Feb. 11:  Chapel at the regular time with the usual participants (Primary through 5th).

Tuesday, Feb. 12: Fat Tuesday, aka Mardi Gras or Carnival, which means we will have breakfast food for lunch (usually pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs).

Wednesday, Feb. 13:  Ash Wednesday Chapel at 11:55 a.m. for Primary through 5th grade.   BRING YOUR ALLELUIAS that your class made. Remind students that coming forward for ashes is their choice.  If they do so they should be respectful. This is a good reminder for our younger students who tend to get a bit silly.

Arts Week
Artist in Residence (Habiba) that will be performing Monday Feb. 25th at 8:15-9 in the Gym for a special Arts Week LS assembly.


OPERATIONS

Help with Chris O’Toole’s Duties
Please take a look at Chris’ duty schedule for the week of February 19th-February 22nd posted on the bulletin board near the faculty room.  Let Chris know if you would like to swap duties the following week.

Google Calendar
Be sure to keep your calendar current.  AS special events come up that will be our go to calendar for coordinating events.

Scheduling -  Please avoid scheduling special events during Chapel time.

LS Building
The Team Leaders, Kirstin McAuley (member of the Building Committee) and I are beginning to collect images of interesting schools to inform the design of our new LS Building.  Let us know if you know of some school we should investigate.

LS Weekly Memo Week 22: February 4 - 8

Welcome to Week 22: We have three consecutive short weeks ahead as we power through February- Admissions Day, Conferences and then a day to restore on President’s Day.  Thanks for all your hard work with reports.  Due to Angela’s good work, the reports were posted to the Parent Portal on Friday.  At the Admission Day on Saturday, several current parents commented on the positive impact both your reports and the upcoming conferences have on their family’s school experience.


COMMUNITY

Best Wishes to Angela
We wish Angela all the best on her leave.  She will return to Lower School in August. Thank you Debra and Chad for agreeing to tend to her responsibilities in her absence.

Damaged student work
5 students in Kiah’s class have had their work damaged after the work was hung in the hallway outside her classroom. Contact Kiah or David if you have any information or questions related to this.  

Grade Level Coffees - Mid Year
Our thanks to Kiah, Asha, Lara, Ari and Angela for their contributions to Third and Fourth Grade Parent Coffees this past week.  Below you will find a list of possible topics for our last two coffees. Please update/or add topics you wish to discuss at your grade’s mid-year coffee by clicking on the link below.  https://docs.google.com/a/go.oes.edu/document/d/1WNqKkGJ4D7X6LHD0OndQB-bLdvobCXDtLICjqJja1Ro/edit

Grade	Date	Topics
1st Grade- Marty	Monday, February 4	Reading Continuum Assessments
5th grade- Tasha	Tuesday, February 5	ERB’s Plays Competitions OBOB Screen Time

Auction Deadlines and How You Can Help
Monday, February 4th is our deadline for Auction Donations.  Drop a book off at the LS Office if you want to contribute to the Bookself item. Sign up to volunteer on Volunteer Spot. It is a great night to show your support for our generous parents.  Remember a portion of the proceeds goes to our Professional Development fund. Attend dressed up as your favorite TV Character.

Arts Week
You will be hearing more about Arts Week next Thursday....
but here is a link for some Arts Week 2013 ideas and resources  - if you so choose to do something Aard(t)y during a class.

PROGRAM

AS Faculty and Staff Meeting - State of School
3:15 Dining Hall
Mo Copeland - Strategic Initiatives Update
Andrea Bride - School Finances
Susie Gundle - Admissions Update

LS Faculty Meeting - 7:30 DVR
2/7/2013 7:30:00 Appreciations
7:40:00 Technology update
8:00:00 Admissions preparation

Admissions Day - 2/8
See emails from Sarah.  We will be getting admissions groups together Thursday morning during our faculty meeting to review roles and assign tasks. Thank you to Sarah for all her hard work organizing the day.

Tour Beginning School Classrooms
Ashley Cadwell said that beautiful spaces enhance students’ learning. Beginning School Teachers have graciously offered to open their classrooms and studio on Tuesday, February 19th from 7:30- 7:50. Please take time to explore their beautiful and inviting learning environments. We wonder, what would it look like if we had beautiful common spaces and possibly studios in the Beginning and Lower School in which students made their learning visible to the school community?

OPERATIONS

US Study Buddies - Remember that US Students need to be supervised when working with LS students, whether that is before, during or after school.

Tidy Common Areas Before Admissions Day, Friday, Feb. 8th
It is that dark time of year...Common Areas are looking a little rough around the edges. Please take time to tidy your Area before our visitors arrive on Admissions Day this coming Friday.

Admissions Visitors
Thank you for your extr efforts to remind buddies to be in the LS Office waiting for their admissions visitor before the bell rings.  Please match the gender of the visitor to host.  We have had a couple of disappointed

On Campus Adventures
Please remember to have 2 adults present when venturing out on a campus adventure.  We know it is nice to be spontaneous and explore on these days when hints of spring emerge. But please follow these safety procedures:
-Carry a First Aid Fanny pack
-Take at least 2 adults
-Let the office know where you are going, when you plan to leave and when you plan to return.
-Take a cellphone, call the office in an emergency

Calendar
David, Chris and Lyn will have their first go at the Beginning and Lower School Calendar for 2013-2014 academic year next week. Anne Weston expects us to submit a draft of the calendar by March 1st. If you expect to make some significant change to your grade level’s calendar, please let your team leader know.

Playground Safety
You may remember that a Second Grade Basketball ball player broke his arm last week while playing under the covered area. It turned out to be an accident, no reckless play. But it is a reminder that hula hoop games and basketball aren’t really safe in that tight space. Whenever, possible, have them play in separate areas. We recognize that is sometimes hard on rainy days.  

Supervision and Evaluation of Assistant Teachers: A Timeline
Please be sure to meet with your assistant to review goals (hopefully they were established in the fall, if not do so asap) and set dates to complete the supervision and evaluation process.  Third through Fifth Grade, please decide who will support Kate in this process this year. I know you rotate from year-to-year.
You should both complete the supervision and evaluation form and meet to review your individual reflections.  Submit completed forms to Lyn by spring break.
Assistant Teachers, plan to pursue other career adventures in 2013-2014 please let us know by spring break.

LS Weekly Memo Week 21: January 28th -Feb. 1st

Week 21: The 4th grade sent us off into the weekend with an inspiring assembly.  Thank you to the 4th grade teachers, with special help from Ted Morissette, for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. tribute.  This week brings the close of report cards and a look forward to admissions days and conferences.

COMMUNITY

Grade Level Coffees - Mid Year
Our thanks to Jackie, Angela and Dori for their contributions to Second Grade and Primary Parent Coffees this past week.  Below you will find a list of possible topics. Please update/or add topics you wish to discuss at your grade’s mid-year coffee by clicking on the link below.  https://docs.google.com/a/go.oes.edu/document/d/1WNqKkGJ4D7X6LHD0OndQB-bLdvobCXDtLICjqJja1Ro/edit

Grade	Date	Topics
3rd Grade- Kiah	Tuesday, January 29	Overnight camp Cafeteria Musical Screen Time
4th Grade- Asha	Wednesday, January 30	ERB’s Competitions OBOB Screen Time
1st Grade- Claire	Monday, February 4	Reading Continuum Assessments
5th grade- Tasha	Tuesday, February 5	ERB’s Plays Competitions OBOB Screen Time

Sensitive Communications - Please be sensitive to the public perception of your comments.  Below is an excerpt of a recommendation written to Admissions by an OES family for a prospective student:
“....we've been told by many parents and OES staff that my child's class (2020) is a bit of a problem class on many levels and that it lacks a certain cohesiveness.  This is of course upsetting and we are hopeful that future admissions can help to rectify the issue, since we've also been told that my (child) and a few of the other new students have helped to assuage this problem already.  I can assure you that both _____ and ______ are excellent citizen students and I would be thrilled to have their positive energy in this class, continuing a trend of improvement .”

Specialist Expectations During Conferences
Lower School conferences are on February 14 and 15.  As in the past, specialists are expected to be in the LS Library for the following hours:
Thursday, February 14 - 7:30am – 3:30pm, the length of a regular school day
Friday, February 15, 8:00am – 2:00pm
Those who are part time may adjust their schedule according to FTE %.
Please reach out to the parents with whom you would like to meet.

Sadri Family
Bella and Sophia Sadri’s parents have decided to withdraw their children from OES for a variety of reasons.  The girls will be attending their local public school, beginning 2/4.  Feb 1st will be their last day.  Bella has already begun sharing this news with her friends, but has not told her teacher.

SST Help Before Conferences?
Let us a member of SST know if you are interested in discussing a student before conferences.


PROGRAM

LS Faculty Meeting
1-31-13, LS Art Room
Appreciations
Announcement - US Helpers
Admissions Preparation for 2/2 and 2/8
Announcements

Report Cards
We will all have time to proof narratives after school on Monday, 1/28.
All report cards need to be loaded into PCR by 8:00 am on Tuesday, 1/29 so Angela can begin uploading them to the parent portal.  Access to report cards will be closed at 11:59 pm on 1/29.
Angela will need 1/30 and 1/31 to post comments and report cards.
Parents have been informed that the reports will available by 2/4.

Proof-Reading Plan
Proof-reading time has been set aside on Monday afternoon, 1/28.  Teachers are to proof-read narratives and comments, checking writing mechanics and clarity.
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

Learning and the Brain Conference
Executive Skills for School Success:
Enhancing Student Self-Control, Working Memory and Reasoning
May 3-5, 2013, Arlington, VA
Middle School is sending a faculty member or two. Let me know if you are interested.

History Department Chair Search
With John Holloran being appointed the Director of Studies, the search is beginning for the new PreK - 12 Department Chair.  Below is the process that will be followed.  We can discuss at our meeting on Thursday if there are questions.
Process:

• Initial meeting with US and MS departments and LS faculty.
• Share Department Chair job description.
• Teachers interested in being Department Chair are invited to submit a written statement of interest to the Division Heads.  We encourage you to speak to your qualifications for serving in the role described in the job description and outline your vision for the Department.  Due by Monday, February 4.
• We will circulate the written statements to everyone included in this email and ask for written feedback directed to the Division Heads.  Feedback closes on Monday, February 18.
• Division Heads review statements and feedback and make decision.  Decision by end of February.

OPERATIONS

LSLT - Meeting, Tuesday, January 29, 10:50 - 11:50, Janet Schillings Room
Report card check in - Timing, Technology
LSLT - Appreciative Inquiry
Other

Prospective Primary Parent Tours Fill Chris’ Schedule

Calendar - 2013-14
Lyn, Chris and I will be meeting on 2/7 to begin constructing the calendar for 2013-14.  The All School Calendar summit is scheduled for March 5th.

Uniforms, Gum and Cell Phones
The 5th grade teachers have spoken with the students about following school policy related to these three topics:
Uniforms - follow the policy
Gum - not allowed at school
Cell Phones - only allowed with special permission and should not be used on the OES campus.  Please intervene and let the teachers know if a 5th grader is not following these.

Admissions Buddies and Visitors 2nd - 5th grades
Admissions is having a busy season.  Many grades will have many visitors.  If a student in your class is going to be a buddy for a visitor:
1. Have the student come straight to the LS Office when they arrive in the morning
2. Buddies should be in the LS Office by 7:45
I will also be reminding parents about this in the WedX.

Auction Volunteering
The Action is on Saturday, August 9.  As always they are looking for volunteers. Here's the link to the OES site that directs you to where on Volunteer Spot you can sign up to volunteer at the auction.

New Phone System
To access your voicemail on your phone you now need to dial x870.  With the new software update the voicemail speed dial button works only infrequently.  You can also access voice mail remotely by dialing 503.416.9870.

LS Weekly Memo Week 20: January 21-25

With the four day weekend, I hope you were able to make good progress on your reports as well as enjoy at least a little of the break.  The next month is busy with report proofing, admissions, coffees and conferences. Pace yourself.

COMMUNITY

Angela and Chad
Angela Hancock will be on leave beginning on February 1st and ending on August 1st.  Chad Gilton, who stepped in for Julie Robison while she was on maternity leave this fall, will be covering her responsibilities.  Chad will be working with Angela this week to develop an understanding of her responsibilities and to prepare for assuming Angela’s duties starting on 2/4. Brad Baugher, Debra, Chad and I will be working closely together to ensure we sustain the high level of tech support that Angela has established.

Grade Level Coffees - Mid Year
Our thanks to Kirstin and Colesie for their contributions to Kindergarten and Pre-K Parent Coffees this past week.  Below you will find a list of possible topics. Please update/or add topics you wish to discuss at your grade’s mid-year coffee by clicking on the link below.  https://docs.google.com/a/go.oes.edu/document/d/1WNqKkGJ4D7X6LHD0OndQB-bLdvobCXDtLICjqJja1Ro/edit

Grade	Date	Topics
2nd Grade- Jackie	Tuesday, January 22	Reading Continuum Heroes Tech team to spend 15 mins. sharing math technology Tracy - share math resources App discussion- Screen TIme -
Primary- Dori	Wednesday, January 23	Transition to First Grade, Intercultural Competencies?
3rd Grade- Kiah	Tuesday, January 29	Overnight camp Cafeteria Musical Screen Time
4th Grade- Asha	Wednesday, January 30	ERB’s Competitions OBOB Screen Time
1st Grade- Claire?	Monday, February 4	Reading Continuum
5th grade- Tasha	Tuesday, February 5	ERB’s Plays Competitions OBOB Screen Time

PROGRAM

Report Cards - TImeline
Thank you for all your work on the report cards.  The report card timeline is as follows:
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.  Access to report cards will be closed at 11:59 pm on 1/29.
Angela will need 1/30 and 1/31 to post comments and report cards.
Parents will be informed that the reports will available by 2/4.

Proof-Reading Plan
Proof-reading time has been set aside on both Thursday morning 1/ 24 and Monday afternoon, 1/28.  Teachers are to proof-read narratives and comments, checking writing mechanics and clarity.
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

MLK Assembly, Friday, January 25th at 8:10 in the Gym
We gather next Friday for our MLK Remembrance Assembly. Kristen and the Fourth Grade team have been hard at work crafting a meaningful assembly.
Please be seated with your buddy class by 8:10

Open Block - 1/23 @ 3:15
Remember this Wednesday is another Open Block series of classes.

Learning and the Brain Conference
Executive Skills for School Success:
Enhancing Student Self-Control, Working Memory and Reasoning
May 3-5, 2013, Arlington, VA
Middle School is sending a faculty member or two. Let me know if you are interested.


OPERATIONS

Calendars - Conflicts
At the PAL Grade Level Representatives meeting we discussed the challenge of having multiple events on the same day. Please be sure you keep the calendar accurate for your grade level or specialist team.  Let Lyn, Chris or me know if you see a potential conflict Lyn and Chris will continue to review the LS Events and Faculty calendar to ensure accuracy.  
We will review calendar conflicts in our weekly office meeting.

Calendar - 2013-14
Lyn, Chris and I will be meeting on 2/7 to begin constructing the calendar for 2013-14.  The All School Calendar summit is scheduled for March 5th.

Primary Candidate Meetings
David, Chris and the Kindergarten team will meet on Thursday and Friday, January 24th and 25th with individual families to discuss their child’s possible Primary placement.  Scott Thomas, a new substitute teacher, will cover in Kindergarten classes while teachers are attending these meetings.  
If you urgently need support on the 24th or 25th, please ask Lyn to contact Jenny or Patti.

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.

US Student Volunteers
There is a willing team of Upper School students available during US Activity period to perform all types of on-campus service.
Every Wednesday, 10:20-10:50, beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, January 16 (note that this is only half an hour & adjust your expectations accordingly!)
Every Thursday, 10:50-11:50, beginning NEXT Thursday, January 24.
PLEASE NOTE that these are the only times when I can promise to send you student help. They’ll do anything—indoors, outdoors, office work, classroom tasks, organizing, copying, you name it. If you can use student help during those hours, please email me a day or two ahead of time, and give the location, the job description, and the number of students needed. I assign tasks on a first-request, first-served basis. You may ask for help as a one-time thing, or for regular help all semester. I can sometimes handle last-minute requests as well.

US Students - Winterim Volunteers
Ann Sulzer is coordinating US and MS volunteers for the week of winterim. Email Ann at sulzera@oes.edu if you're interested or have any additional questions.

Professional Growth and Development
The Oregon Department of Education has new documentation requirements for professional developed required of you to renew your teaching license.  The DOE now requires official documentation of each professional development credit you earn.
To renew your Oregon Teaching License you need to have accumulated
125 PDU over 5 years (25/ year)
1 hour = 1 PDU
1 College credit course = 20 PDU