LS Weekly Memo Week 6: September 23-27

Thanks for all the birthday wishes and songs on Friday.   Despite the threat of rain, the BTSP seemed to go well. Good luck with Back to School Night this week.  We end the week with the joyful Walk for Fun and Fitness. Then into Parent Partnership Coffees we go starting on 9/30 with Primary.

COMMUNITY

Walk for Fun Assembly and Launch of Spirit Week, Friday @ 8:10

We will celebrate our Walk for Fun and Fitness and launch Spirit Week, all in one assembly!

Spirit Week September 30 - October 4 - Uniform Optional Week

Students may dress in the spirit of the day or come in their uniforms.

All School Spirit Week Themes

• Monday- Tropical
• Tuesday- Western- No weapons of course
• Wednesday- Clash Day
• Thursday- Throw-Back Thursday, Wear Attire from Another Era
• Friday- OES Spirit Wear

Celebration of Spirit of Service Week Chapel, Oct. 4th at 8:10

Primary and First Grade are invited to attend next Friday’s Chapel, celebrating our week of service on campus.

Save the Date, Homecoming, Friday, Oct. 4th, 4:00 – 8:00

Come see the parade, eat food and watch the soccer games against Catlin while the Pep Squad cheers players on.

Labyrinth Walk

For many years, Shelley Stoffer made sure that 1st-5th grade classes had the opportunity to learn about and walk the labyrinth.   Jenny Cleveland would like to offer that opportunity again this year for classes to walk the smaller labyrinth in the LS Common Hall.  She will give preference to Primary - 5th grade for these times. Different times can be arranged for PreK and Kindergarten if that is of interest.

Parent Partnership 2013-2014 Google Doc-

https://docs.google.com/a/go.oes.edu/document/d/1EssCQUnX8gtG-Q5RTilxzMpr1EIIZH45INB1RwBAi1Q/edit

We’ve invited a number of specialists to attend coffees. Specialists please check the link to PPC document above to see if you are invited to give a brief intro (2-3 minutes) about your work with children.

Futrell/ Shotts Plan

We are working on a plan to have the Shotts boys ride the bus.  This would mean that most custody questions would be resolved off campus.  Andrew Shotts would only be on campus for special events.

PROGRAM

Upper School Helpers

See Robin Schaufler’s email

• Every Wednesday, 10:20-10:50, beginning NEXT Wednesday, Sept. 25 (note that this is only half an hour & adjust your expectations accordingly!)
• Every Thurday, 10:50-11:50, beginning THIS Thursday, Sept 19

They’ll do anything—indoors, outdoors, office work, classroom work, you name it.

Professional Growth and Development Day

Please complete the Google Form,  PGD - October 11 with your plans for our PGD Day on 10/11.  With many offerings around the Northwest you have a lot of good choices. NWAIS’s deadline for regular registration is coming up Tues., Sept. 24th. There are a number of enticing workshops this year.  With this being the state PGD day for both Oregon and Washington David would prefer everyone participate in one of the many offerings off campus.   See David if you wish to work on campus.

Check it out...NWAIS Conference

If you plan to attend NWAIS conference at Overlake School in Redmond, Washington, please get your registration in before the 24th to take advantage of the regular workshop fees.

Boys, Coyotes and Other Creatures, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26th and 27th

Jim Gillen, of Yoga Calm, has offered us a group discount. Let Chris know if you are interested in attending.  It might be great to have a number of people attend, and have them come back and train all of us.

Library

Lara is going to be working M - Th this year so she has more time to be with her family.  On Fridays Heidi will supervise the library, assisted by Katie Horton.

Author Barney Saltzberg Visits, Tuesday, Sept. 24th

9-9:30 Pre-K, K and Primary presentation

9:45-10:15 First and Second Grade presentation

10:15-10:45 Book Signing

http://www.barneysaltzberg.com

LSCTF Dates

All meetings are scheduled for 3:15-4:45, to take place in a Lower School classroom.

Meetings will take place in Claire Kucera’s room.

Oct. 7th

Dec. 16th

Feb. 24th

May 12th

BTSN

Thank you for all your good work getting ready for BTSN.  I hope last Thursday gave you a good jump start.

• Doors will unlock at 6:20
• One session each night, instead of two, so there may be more sibling conflicts.
• Chris and David will come around at 8:00 to usher parents home
• Have you coordinated with your grade level team about expectations?
• social/ emotional
• homework
• communications
• Let David or Chris know if you have questions

No Faculty Meeting on 9/26

Either rest up from or get well rested for BTSN.

OPERATIONS

Fifth Graders at Lunch Recess and Lunch

There were reports of trouble on the soccer field and in the dining hall.  Please, if you are on duty, especially on the field, keep a close eye on their interaction and body language.  Be proactive and intervene if tempers seem to flare.  

Please remind all students that it is not acceptable to move around from table to table. Once they set their tray down they need to stay.

Write an incident report if you see or hear anything.

Bus Safety Training This Week

Thanks  to all who offered feedback and helpful suggestions. Jon said that he will restructure future bus safety trainings, and be sure to have one grade level at each session, not two.  He liked the idea of taking the younger children on a brief ride to practice safe bus riding techniques.

Emergency Drill Calendar

Angela sent out Rebecca’s emergency drill Google calendar to all of you.  Please check from time to time. Know that we will put reminders in future WMs.

Specialists and Drills

Specialists should stand with their buddy class during drills so we can quickly account for everyone.  Classroom teachers should join their class if the class was at a special during drills.

Scott House and Morris House Fire Drills, Monday, Sept. 23rd @ 9am

There are fire drills for Scott House and Morris House, not just the divisional Fire Drills.  Amy, Kristen, Kelola, be aware this will happen when you may have class.

New Substitutes

Chris is interviewing a new pool of sub candidates in the coming week.  There will be a sub training in early to mid-October.  Welcome two new subs, Erika Pollack, OES parent mother of Emily and John, and Jackie Jaffe.

Clarification – lunches for Parent Volunteers and Trip Chaperones

• Classroom Parent Volunteers –No FREE Lunhc. Parents should sign in on the meal sign-up sheet; lunch will be charged to the family’s school account
• Lunch Parent Volunteer (Dining Hall) – Get a FREE lunch, paid for by the LS Budget (Student Services). Parents sign in on the meal sign-up sheet and indicate “Lunch Parent Volunteer”.
• Lunch Parent Volunteer (LS Common Hall) – Get a FREE lunch, paid for by the LS Budget (Student Services). Parents sign in on the meal sign-up sheet and indicate “Lunch Parent Volunteer”.
• Adult Chaperone for Field Trips – NO free lunch – teachers should specify in the catering request: how many are parent chaperones and how many teachers and staff going on the field trip. Lunch for Parent Chaperones are paid for by the Grade Level field trip budget
• Parents eating with their child – NO free lunch – will need to sign in on the meal sign-up sheet

LS Weekly Memo Week 5: September 16-20

We seem to be off to a good start with the first 8 days of school under our belt.  Thanks for your extra efforts at pacing the start of school right for our students and the building of your new learning community. This week we have the Back to School Picnic;  next week the Back to School Nights.

COMMUNITY

Back to School Picnic, 5 - 7 on 9/20

This Friday is the annual BTSP.  All faculty are expected to be there.  RSVP to the dinner offered from 4:00 - 5:00 pm if you prefer to eat before socializing.

Shotts Incident

Andy Shotts was arrested Thursday afternoon for violating the restraining order.  This will likely result in a change of his access to the campus.

• Jenny Furtrell will provide us with new documentation about Andy’s access once the legal process is complete.
• In the future, the days that Andy picks Elwin up will be listed in the afternoon plans
• For now, Elwin will be escorted by an adult to the LS Office at the end of each day.  He will be picked up from the LS office each day at the end of school.

Search for Missing Child

Thank you to all who helped in the search for Elwin Thursday afternoon.  Elwin was found outside the Middle School in the company of his father.

In the future, if we have a child missing, we will be well served to have a more organized effort.

• The parent of the missing child will come to the LS Office
• Jenny and Lyn will remain in the office to coordinate communications
• Volunteers will be coordinated to conduct the search
• Volunteers will call into the LS Office with updates
• Jenny or Lyn will communicate out updates

Citizenship and Discipline

To help distinguish between Chris and Patti’s role with students, think of Chris tending to disciplinary interventions when issues go beyond what the classroom or specialist teacher would handle on their own.  Patti is responsible for tending to the long term social emotional development of our students and is available to work with groups, classes or grades about these issues.

Recess Agreements

The Second Grade team is broadening their agreements to include recess. They will create recess agreements for their own classes and later share these with students in First and Third Grade. Look for more details in the coming week.

Parent Partnership Coffee Planning and Prep

Classroom teachers representing their grade at this round of coffees  are invited to attend a planning and prep meeting with David and Chris.  Thanks for working this, and the actual coffee into your busy schedule.

Those attending coffees, please arrange for coverage of your class. If you need help, let Chris know.

LS DEAR

Kristen Haferbecker will send out details on next week’s DEAR.  This will not be held in the gym. As we arranged last year, our first DEAR will be held in more intimate spaces like the classroom, common areas, library, or maybe in an outdoor classroom, if weather permits.

David Off Campus 9/18 after 10:00

Chris will be in charge.

PROGRAM

Intentional Curriculum Design

During Team Meetings some questions arose about where this initiative came from.  The initiative is a direct outgrowth of:

• The strategic plan - coordinating curriculum PreK -12
• The self study recommendation about coordinating and articulating Prek - 12 curriculum
• Mo’s goals related to committing to change this year
• The initial steps forward  and the commitment of the work this year were decided at the Department Chair/ LS Team Leader retreat this summer

I will discuss this further at our next All LS Team Meeting this Thursday.

LS Team Faculty Meeting, 9/19, 7:40 - 8:40 am

We will start in the 3rd - 5th grade common area to provide context for the PreK - 12 curriculum work and then meet in teams.  3rd - 5th grade students will need to go to the library until 8:15 for Late Start Thursday.

LSCTF Dates

All meetings are scheduled for 3:15-4:45, to take place in a Lower School classroom. Would someone volunteer to host our meetings?

Oct. 7th

Dec. 16th

Feb. 24th

May 12th

Website Updates

Thanks to all who have included us in your updates or let us know your plan.

Assessment Support for Assessments

Ari Sternberg is making his tri-yearly offer of help with any tricky assessments, and/or questions/discussions post assessments.  Contact Ari to make arrangements.

Yoga Calm Workshop for Teachers- Boys, Coyotes and Other Creatures

Oct. 26th and 27th.  Check it out!

PGD Plan for 2013-14

October 11 -

• IC Training - FLG participants and designated others will participate in IC training.

 

All other faculty are free to attend the conference of their choice.

• The Case for Curiosity - Susan Engel, NY Times reporter is the keynote speaker at a lecture Thursday night and daylong workshop. Both are free to those who register.  Complimentary  lunch is provided. The Beginning School Team plans to attend with their Assistant Teachers.

http://www.arborcenterforteaching.org/school-leadership/the-case-for-curiosity-a-lecture-by-dr-susan-engel

• NWAIS Annual Conference - Gathering with Purpose: Participate, Collaborate, Innovate
• Location: The Overlake School, Redmond, WA
• Oregon Social Studies:  http://www.oregonsocialstudies.org/fall-conference-registration to register for this year’s conference.

Monday, March 31 - All Faculty IC Training

Monday, June 16 - LS Inservice

OPERATIONS

Calendars -

Please be sure to get events parents attend on All School calendar.  See Lyn’s notes in last week’s email. These instructions can also be found in Google Drive in the Important Docs folder.

Tag at Morning and Afternoon Recess

We do not like to restrict childrens’ fast active play, but tag around mini Aardvark is just not safe.  Children ultimately run full bore around the amphitheater concrete steps or up into the structure itself...accidents waiting to happen.

Going forward, please tell your students that they can play tag games on the turf field at lunch only.

Field Trips

Please go directly to Lyn for field trip forms, not to transportation.  Lyn tracks the budget and needs to know what your expenses are, including transportation.

LSLT  Dates

All meetings are scheduled for 3:15-4:45, to take place in a Lower School classroom. Would someone volunteer to host our meetings?

Sept. 23rd

Dec. 2nd

Mar. 10th

Apr. 28th

Student Incident Forms

Thanks to those of you who have filled out forms. This will help us track students having behavioral issues and difficulties making the transition back to school.  Again,  the form is intended to be a quick update, taking no more than 5 minutes to complete.

Friendly Reminders

• Only uniform wear is to be worn in the classroom
• Keep supervising for fun and safe play at recess
• Remind parents to stay with their cars at Pick-up and Drop-off
• School day begins at 7:50 and ends at 2:55
• Doors lock at 8:00 am for the start of school and at 3:15 pm for the end

LS Weekly Memo Week 4: September 9-13

Great start to the year, but who knew 3 days could be so exhausting.  I so enjoyed the transformation of faces, from initial hesitancy and uncertainty at Open Classroom to beaming smiles by the end of the day on Wednesday.  I hope you were able to rest up over the weekend in preparation for the first full week of school.

COMMUNITY

Senior Entrance

The annual entrance of the seniors will be Monday morning at 8:00. Cars are no longer part of the tradition which should make for a safer gathering. The entrance is likely appropriate for 4th and 5th graders.

Post- Recess Check-Ins, Strategies to Use in Class Meetings

Many teachers are having class meetings after recess to debrief, asking “What went well?” “What could we do better?” Jackie Blake does role playing with her students, helping them learn “scripts” on how to solve problems.  Jackie’s students are learning to make positive suggestions, instead of saying what not to do.  

We hope you all take time to talk about these important social and emotional concerns about your class meetings in the First Six Weeks.

Incident report

Thanks to those who have begun using the form. Some guidance for use:

• Err on side of overuse at the start - incidents that require your intervention that are beyond typical reminder, start fo school situations
• Form is intended to supplement conversations.  Be sure to communicate directly with classroom teacher about student concern
• Form is intended to
• help us make connections in the community
• to help us be more proactive
• to help us more effectively problem solve and strategize

New Student Check In

Please let a member of SST know if any of your new students are having a difficult transition.  

New Student Luncheon

Patti will schedule a luncheon toward the end of September or the beginning of October. Watch for dates in an upcoming Weekly Memo.

1st Chapel

Monday, Sept. 9th is our first Primary through Fifth Grade Chapel.  It has been pointed out that there is no passing time from recess to Chapel.  Younger students may need a bathroom break and a drink, then make the transition to Chapel.  Get together with your Grade Level team and come up with a plan on how you can manage this transition.

First Assembly- Friday, September 20th DEAR 8:10-8:40

Look for details from Kristen Haferbecker soon.

Upcoming Assemblies

Sept. 27--Walk For Fun

Oct. 4--Homecoming Assembly

Oct. 25--Day of the Dead Assembly

Nov. 15--DEAR  (switched from Oct. 25)

Dec. 20--St. Nick's

PROGRAM

Faculty Meeting Thursday, 9/12/13

Team Meeting - Look for agenda and meeting locations from Team Leaders

Specialist Meeting - in the LS Art Room

SST Reminder

Student Support Team meets every Monday from 9:00 - 10:00.  Teachers may schedule a visit any Thursday from 10:50 - 11:50. Contact Ari.

Wetlands

The wetlands is open for use now that 10 days have passed since the herbicide spraying.  Curious about connecting your class with the wetlands?  Check the Wetlands Blog started by the Wetlands Stipend Group.

Second Grade Boys

Two incidents cropped up this week- one group playing ball tag games that were unsafe, and First Graders chasing Second Grade boys who were referred to as “the army”  who liked to chase and wrestle. The Second Grade team worked through this at class meetings. Please keep a special eye on these boys.

Tracy worked through the ball tag issues with the participants, and in the end, they decided they would play the safer alternative of  two-finger tag.

OPERATIONS

Uniforms - Thanks for getting us off to a good start.  Let me know if you have questions or ideas from your class that you would like me discuss.

Volunteers

Volunteer Spot launches on 9/16.  If you need volunteers before then, contact your room parents.

Snack Stewardship

Please remember to contact kitchen of you do not need snack.  I will be working with Kelly to reduce our snack expenses.

Friendly Reminder: Any Events Parents Attend Must Be Listed on Anne’s All School Final Site Calendar

Please submit your field trip dates, assemblies, culminating events, plays, Informance, competitions author visits to Anne.  One important safety precaution, don’t list the location of field trips-  simply write “Kindergarten Field Trip, Primary Field Trip, etc.”

Lyn will send out an email on the “how-tos” to refresh your memory.

Recess Reminders

We wanted to give you a quick reminder to review the google doc "Recess Equipment System 2012" under the RECESS file.

Primary Children Can Play at Aardvark Community Park

Dori’s Primary friends may choose to play on ACP or the BS playground.  Please keep an eye on our two friends, Jessie and Solomon. Let Dori know directly if you needed to support either friend.

Bus Safety Training

Robbi Garvin would like to schedule bus safety training sessions for all students some time in the coming weeks. We will look at the calendar with Team Leaders and come up with some mutually agreeable dates.

Soil Testing During Week of 9/16

A soil testing crew will be on campus drilling soil samples related to the construction of the new LS Building.  At times it will be noisy and near the BS building.

LS Weekly Memo Week 3: Spetmeber 2 - 6

Thank you for your good work last week.  It was busy with trainings and workshops as you worked to prepare your classrooms and get ready for your students.  Enjoy meeting your students and parents tomorrow.

COMMUNITY

Open Classroom

8:30 -  New Family Welcome in the Chapel

9:00 - 11:00 - Open Classroom

• Be sure to provide an activity for older students to do when they stop in to visit so they have a purpose to remain in the classroom
• The custodial crew came through on Sunday.  You will need to clean-up any mess you make Monday or Tuesday before Open Classroom
• Important Forms to Be Filled Out at Open Classrooms
• Jenny will leave forms in your boxes if your student’s parents have not filled out critical forms. Forms need to be completed before Opening Day.
• Chris and David will come around at the end to announce the faculty meeting.

11:10 - LS Faculty Meeting in the LS Art Room

Check in - Appreciations and Concerns

Opening Week

Student Incident Form

Uniforms

Rosh Hashanah Begins at Sundown Wednesday Ends at Sundown on Friday

Be mindful that some faculty and staff will need to take time off to observe Rosh Hashanah.

Opening Day

• Belltower ceremony - Look for a seating plan from Phillip Craig
• See First Day of School Schedule in 8/30 email from Lyn for details
• Name Tags for All Students on Opening Day - Remember to pick up name tags in the LS office.  Jenny will have a supply stored in the closet.

Important! Classroom Teachers Meet with Room Parent Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday

Remember to meet with your room parent to talk about this year’s  volunteer opportunities. Room Parent Training is Friday, Sept. 6th. Beginning School Team, you will need to get creative with your scheduling, given that you are holding conferences in the afternoon that week.  

Parent Volunteers

As we have an increasing number of dual career families, parents are making work sacrifices to be able to volunteer.  Consider your volunteer needs carefully.  Contact volunteers ahead of time if you do not need them.

Derele Lowry – Life Transition - Statement shared at faculty meeting

Derele Lowry has made a life transition.  Derele’s gender identity is now female.  In alignment with our mission and culture, OES supports and respects Derele in this process.

Fall Parent Partnership Coffees

When you have a moment, discuss who will attend each Parent Partnership Coffee.  Click on the link below and fill in who will attend the upcoming Fall coffee.  Specialists, David and Chris may revise the lists of specialists attending these coffees. Look for an update in the coming week.

Parent Partnership Coffees 2013-2014

PROGRAM

Important Meeting for BS Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and Specialists Who Teach Primary

Tuesday from 12-12:30 in the Art Room

We will meet to discuss strategies and support systems for several students in Dori’s class.  We know BS teachers need down time before their Welcome Conferences, so we will be brief and to the point. We all need to have this information to start the school year, so thanks in advance for attending.

Classroom Website Updates

Be sure your website is updated for this year before Opening Day.

Consider:

• Posting your welcome letter
• Posting your classroom agreements once developed

Wetlands Warning

The areas around the OES wetlands are posted with a warning about Herbicide use.  Heed the warning until we get further information.

Faculty Expectations

Some questions have arisen about faculty expectations during the school year.  Let me clarify:

• Full time faculty are expected to be on campus 7:45-3:45
• Faculty are expected to be available to meet Monday afternoons, 3:15 - 4:45, when necessary
• Faculty are expected to attend Thursday morning meetings from 7:30 - 8:30 (Team leaders will be reviewing faculty meeting time.)

OPERATIONS

Summer Stipend Forms

Lyn is organizing the great number of stipend forms turned in.  Any other still out there?

Duty Help for BS and LS Teachers

Let Chris, Patti, Ari or Jenny Cleveland know when you need coverage to take a break.

Branding - Always Open

At opening meeting you were introduced to the branding roll out. I hope you enjoyed your conversation about Always Open with your table mates.  Keep in mind:

• Messaging is meant to capture our core identity
• It i smeant to be authentic, compelling and truthful
• OES has a new look as part of our branding
• We have a new style guide for communications
• When communicating with or representing OES to the public, be sure to consult with David and/or Marty Jones for guidance

New Name Badges

Visit Rebecca Williams or Robbi Garvin in Morris House if you have not recevied your new ID Badge yet.

Snack Stewardship

Snack cost LS almost $30,000 last year.  Please help manage the cost by reducing snack waste. Let the kitchen know if you will not be needing snack on a particular day.

Custodial Help

Clean up piles starting 9:00 am Friday

Final classroom clean before Open Classroom will be on Sunday

Safety Reminders

• Stranger on campus - approach or call switchboard
• AED locations - Gym, Great Hall, Church Office …
• Safety Committee - LS Representative-Heidi Hackenjos
• Fire Marshal
• No paper on doors
• No daisy chains
• Accident or emergency
• 911
• Switchboard - 502.246.7771
• Administrator on Duty - 503.784.9595
• David - 971.645.1472
• File Accident Report form