Saturday, January 11, 2014


LS Weekly Memo
Week 22: January 13-17

Thank you for a great first week in 2014.  Chapel was inspiring, hearing about the many things you are looking forward to with your class.


COMMUNITY

SST in January
We look forward to our Pre-Conference check in with classroom teachers, and if possible, specialists.  

First Assembly of the New Year- MLK Assembly 1/17 at 8:10
We will gather for our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance.  Our thanks to the Fourth Grade for making this possible.

Significant tardies or late arrivals
Please let Jenny Strode know if you have students who are regularly tardy. We will be sending a letter out to the parents for those who are habitually late.



PROGRAM

Faculty Meetings
  • Progress Reports check-in :15
  • Tools for problem solving check-in :15
Next Steps
Next Steps
  • Recess Agreements Check-in- Second Grade’s :15
Next Steps
  • SEL Conference :05
  • Academic Integrity work
Faculty Meeting - Thursday, 1/16
Departments/ LS Teams - See Department Chair or Team Leader
No Faculty Meeting - Thursday, 1/23 - Progress Report Work
Report Cards
  • Specialists - See Angela’s template for report writing
  • Friday, January 24 is a report writing day
  • Reports are due at 8:00 am, Monday, January 27.  Coordinate with your team if you want to have ½ due at the end of the day Friday, 1/24 and ½ due at the start of the day on 1/27
  • We will designate our two faculty meetings to proof reports,Monday, 1/27 from 3:15 - 5:00pm and Thursday, 1/30, 7:30 -8:30am
  • Beginning School reports are due on 2/10 so they can be emailed home before conferences.

Report Writing Support - See Angela’s email about Brown Bag Lunch support on Monday and Wednesday.

Report Proofing Plan
  • Faculty Meetings on Monday, 1/27 from 3:15 - 5:00pm and Thursday, 1/30, 7:30 -8:30am are for proofing
  • All changes will need to be made in PCR by 9:00 pm on Thursday, 1/30
  • Grade level teams will proof each others reports
  • Department members will proof each others
  • David will proof Science
  • Chris will help proof Art

Beginning School Coffee - Wednesday, January 15th
Agenda:
     • Child Development and Primary
     • Grade level Break Out Sessions for PreK, K and P

First and Second Grade Coffee - Friday, January 31st
Agenda:
     • Social Emotional Development
     • Grade level breakout sessions for 1st and 2nd

Third through Fifth Grade Coffee - Wednesday, February 5th
Agenda:
     • Standardized Testing at OES
     • Break out sessions for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades

Prioritize Your Professional Development
We are pleased to see so many of you eagerly signing up for professional development opportunities in the New Year.  That said, if you signed up for multiple PGD opportunities,  we ask that you rank or prioritize which opportunities are most important to enhance your work with your students, your Grade and your Team.  Label your choices “1st Pick,”  (first priority), “2nd Pick,”  etc.

ERB’s
4th and 5th graders will be doing ERB testing this week and next.  Please be quiet in the hallways outside the 4th and 5th grade rooms.


OPERATIONS

Uniform Reminder
We’ve noticed that students, largely our older students, are taking liberties with the Uniform Policy.  Please take time to remind students of expectations and enforce the rules.  Remember:
1st incident,  a verbal reminder
2nd incident, send student to room 10 to borrow and wear the appropriate uniform item and send an email to parents
3rd incident, Let David or Chris know

Most of the issues revolve around non-OES uniform use in the classroom such as wearing  OES spirit wear sweatshirts or Adidas or Nike sweatshirts (which can be worn outside as outerwear).  Only Navy or green sweatshirts with or without logo should be worn in the classroom.

The other liberty is with socks-only white or navy (black can pass, too).  I know it sounds picky, but it is not fair for some to adhere, while others don’t.

Incorrect Pictures in PCR
If you come upon student photos that are incorrectly placed, please let Deri Bash know. He is the person to make the change in PCR.

Just a friendly reminder- if your students engage in unsafe or inappropriate behavior please fill out a Student Incident Report. We want to know if students are experiencing challenges in the classroom too!

Fire Drill Debrief
Great job on the field.  Classes were quiet and attentive. During the next drill I would like to see similar behavior from all classes while walking to the field.

Custodial Notebook
Bill Peoples and his crew are now using a new process cleaning method; some daily tasks, some tasks performed on a weekly rotation.  
Here a few tips he gave that may be helpful:
  • Desks can be wiped down daily with a disinfectant if you don’t put up chairs
  • They have new backpack vacuums that allow them to get around the legs of chairs and desks
  • Window sills can be vacuumed if they are clear of books and materials
What you can do to get the most effective cleaning:
  • have students do a floor check at the end of the day, picking up small toys in the BS and pencils and erasers in the older grades
  • If you have a special request, please write it down in the new Maintenance Log which we will keep in each Common Area.  
Lyn will put together a Maintenance Log form and notebook next week.  Look for an email on where you will find your notebook.  

Tough Flu Season - This is part of what Elaine sent home.  Good for you to keep in mind about your students and you.
Please do not send your child to school if they experience any of the following symptoms:
-  a temperature greater than 100.4
-  vomiting
-  diarrhea
-  rash
-  unusually sleepy or lethargic
-  active cough
Please do not send your child with a new, largely productive cough unless cleared by their physician, as coughs can be very distracting as well as possibly very contagious.
Before students return to school, they need to be symptom free for 24 hours.

Our Attendance Policy
In case you have any families who are asking about extra vacation plans, here is the text from the OES Student Handbook:

As we hope you understand, “elective” absences are not condoned by the School. We do, however, recognize that there are situations when the educational benefit of the absence would convince us that the absence should be excused. In these cases, please approach the School well in advance of the absence so that special assignments can be made. If the trip is not considered educationally valuable, we cannot ask teachers to prepare assignments in advance. Of course, the homework will be available to students upon their return, but it will be the student’s responsibility to make up any course requirements at the convenience of his or her teachers. If extra tutoring is required to bring the student to current status with the class, it will be the responsibility of the family to arrange for and provide the service.

As you schedule family trips and other excursions, we greatly appreciate your cooperation in not scheduling absences for your children during the school year. In an effort to help families plan vacations, we release the school year calendar well in advance. Please remember to avoid early departures and late returns from scheduled vacations as well.



Sunday, January 5, 2014


LS Weekly Memo

Week 21: January 6-10
I hope you have all enjoyed your break and are returning to school well rested, healthy and ready for the all that awaits us in 2014; assessments, ERB’s, progress reports, conferences and admissions.  I have seen a few of you coming onto campus already this year.  Good luck with starting up anew in the new year.



COMMUNITY


Plans for Next Year
If you are considering changing your professional plans for the 2014-15 school, please let David know.  This could include an interest in changing grades at OES or a pursuit of opportunities beyond OES.


SST in January
We look forward to our Pre-Conference check in with classroom teachers, and if possible, specialists.  If you haven’t done so, please sign up on Ari’s  Google doc sign-up sheet for SST this week.


First Assembly of the New Year- MLK Assembly 1/17 at 8:10
We will gather for our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance.  Our thanks to the Fourth Grade for making this possible. More details to follow.


Welcome Back Kristen Haferbecker
We welcome Kristen Haferbecker back from her maternity leave this week.  She will shadow Dave Hall this week and take pon her full responsibilities starting the week of January 13th.


Thank you Madeleine Jennings
Our thanks to Madeleine Jennings who stepped in for Dave Hall in Carole’s Kindergarten class.  Madeleine will return for one more full week. We look forward to seeing you as a Beginning School substitute in future days.


Thank you Dave Hall
Our thanks to Dave Hall for working flexibly as Beginning School and First Grade Music teacher and Second Grade Assistant Teacher, two very big roles.  He will return to his Kindergarten Teaching Assistant position in Carole’s class after helping Kristen H. transition back.



PROGRAM


Report Cards
  • Specialists - See Angela’s template for report writing
  • Send Jenny Strode an email if you notice a picture of a student with the wrong name in PCR so she can fix it.
  • Friday, January 24 is a report writing day
  • Reports are due at 8:00 am, Monday, January 27.  Coordinate with your team if you want to have ½ due at the end of the day Friday, 1/24 and ½ due at the start of the day on 1/27
  • We will designate our two faculty meetings to proof reports,Monday, 1/27 from 3:15 - 5:00pm and Thursday, 1/30, 7:30 -8:30am


Change in Winter Coffee Format
Lyn will set up a time for us to meet with you to prepare for these coffees.   Look for an email from Lyn this week.



OPERATIONS


LS Leadership Team, Rescheduled, Monday, January 13th, 3:15-4:30 in Kathy’s Room


Inclement Weather Recess Options
If the weather is particularly bad, you always have the option of opening the Gym and/ or Library for recess, as long as it does not conflict with PE or Library activities.


Kitchen Utensils for Cooking and Entertaining in Your Classroom
Just before Winter Break Shirley lost most of her tongs and serving spoons needed to serve the Beginning School’s lunch.  Please do not use Shirley’s much needed utensils. Instead, we will stock a supply of utensils in the faculty room and establish a “check out” system to borrow spoons and/or tongs.


Fire Drill Second through Fifth Grade, January 10th, 8:30  in Chapel
The first Friday back we will practice a Fire Drill  filing out of the Chapel.  Look for more details in an email next week.


New Stainless Steel Scoops for Aardvark Community Park Excavators
There are now color coded stainless steel scoops in First through Fifth Grade recess equipment bins.  (five for First and Second, and Four for Third through Fifth).  
Please inform your students:
  • Students may dig in  two designated areas:
    • Sand box by Mini Aardvark
    • Sand box by the Zip Line
  • Scoops are color coded with tape
    • All colors match recess equipment, except Fourth, which have white tape on the handles, not purple
  • Scoops are to be returned to bins at the end of recess,  sand and mud-free
We’ll see how this goes. We may need to have separate bins for scoops.







Sunday, December 15, 2013



LS Weekly Memo

Week 18: December 16-20

What a great way to end the week; the band concert in Chapel, the research celebration in 2nd Grade, the Beginning School Winter Celebration and the Faculty and Staff Holiday Party.  Thank you to all who helped make those events possible. On to Winter Break and 2014.

COMMUNITY

Giving Chapel
Our thanks to Jenny Cleveland and the Fifth Grade teachers and students for organizing this generous outreach to those in need.  For the first time this year Natasha and Alysa’s classes went out to Neighborhood House and Woodburn Family Learning Center to deliver our donations.  Tina’s class went caroling at two area nursing homes. It was a great day of service for the Fifth Grade. Our thanks, Jenny, for making this all possible!

LS Party and Potluck, Monday, December 16th 3:15-
Hope to see you all there!  Here’s the potluck Google doc-

St. Nick’s Chapel, Friday, December 20th, 1:30-2:30
Good to have students all packed up and ready to go before Chapel, as well, give students some time to run around ACP before settling in for our raucous annual ritual in the gym.

Ready for Break Brains
The combination of ready for break brains and excitement is challenging for our students to manage. Let’s all be ready to assist those in need, particularly during transitions, at lunch and recess.  

Recent Thefts
In this time of special events, be sure to secure your valuables.  Some items have disappeared from campus recently.

Plans for Next Year
If you are considering changing your professional plans for the 2014-15 school, please let David know after Winter Break.  This could include an interest in changing grades at OES or a pursuit of opportunities beyond OES.

SST in January
When we return in January Ari will send out a Google doc sign-up sheet for SST check-ins before winter conferences.



PROGRAM

Thursday, December 19 - FLG Will Meet
Otherwise no other meetings are planned.

Mo’s Administrative Change
Come see me if you have questions or wish to discuss.

Change in Winter Coffee Format
We need a representative from  Kindergarten, a First, Third and Fourth Grades to attend these coffees.  Please sign up on the Google doc   Winter Parent Coffees 2014  We will set up a time to meet with you to prepare for these coffees.

OPERATIONS

LS Leadership Team, Rescheduled, Monday, January 13th, 3:15-4:30 in Kathy’s Room

Inclement Weather Recess Options
If the weather is particularly bad, you always have the option of opening the Gym and/ or Library for recess, as long as it does not conflict with PE or Library activities.




Sunday, December 8, 2013



LS Weekly Memo

Week 17: December 9 - 13

Post-Thanksgiving thanks to the 2nd grade team for hosting Cora’s baby shower, to Amy Rheingans for her work preparing and directing the boys bell choir and girls choir at Advent Service and to Alysa and her class for their performance of Arabian Nights. This week culminates with three big events; the 2nd Grade Portland Project Celebration, the Beginning School Winter Holiday Celebration and on Saturday, the Faculty and Staff Holiday Party.


COMMUNITY

The Arabian Nights
Our thanks to Alysa and her acting troupe for an outstanding performance.  The acting was superb.  The best part was seeing how much the children enjoyed themselves and got into their roles.  Well done. Thank you for this gift Fifth Graders.

Giving Chapel
Let’s arrive in stages:  3rd-4th arrive at 8, 1st and 2nd at  8:05 BS at 8:10 with the hope that everyone is seated shortly thereafter so we may begin the procession of 5th Graders at 8:15.
See email from David with Seating Chart.
See emails from Jenny Cleveland with details.

Four Giving Tree Tags Left
As Jenny said in yesterday’s email, we have a few Giving Tree tags left.  If you are feeling like you can pick up another tag and share the joy please pick up a tag soon.  Giving Tree gifts need to be in by next Thursday the 12th of December.

See email from Jenny Strode with details and whose Secret Santa you are.  The link takes you to the Secret Santa wish list.

All School Holiday Party - 12/14
Be sure to RSVP to Anne Weston. Come share great food and good cheer. I hope LS will be well represented.

LS Party and Potluck
The LS Faculty and Staff Holiday gathering and celebration is Monday, December 16th – 3:15 pm, LS Library.  https://docs.google.com/a/go.oes.edu/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnKxLNoiFee7dDIzeWxQVS1tTUFGY1VjQTdqcURuTXc&usp=drive_web#gid=0

Holiday Potluck* is our annual tradition – the link above is merely a suggestion of what you can do or bring to the party to share and this list is not set in stone! If you wish to bring a different dish/food item other than what is suggested on the list, please let me know and we are more than happy to accommodate your request. A hard copy of the potluck list is also posted on the bulletin board (in the office) for reference.
*Also included on the Potluck list are suggested names of F/S who can assist with décor, music and activities.

Plans for Next Year
If you are considering changing your professional plans for the 2014-15 school, please let David know after Winter Break.  This could include an interest in changing grades at OES or a pursuit of opportunities beyond OES.

Fire Drill This Week
Thank you for working with your students on their fire drill behavior. Well done, especially considering how cold it was outside.  Please continue to reinforce the need to be calm, quiet and orderly as you evacuate the building.  In the case of a true emergency this practice will help us reduce injuries when exiting and allow us to issue special instructions if needed.



PROGRAM

PGD - I will be working on the PGD budget next week.  If you are interested in any of the significant PGD offerings listed, please sign up.  Thanks to those who have contributed additional offerings.

LS Curriculum Task Force, Meets Monday, Dec. 9th
See agenda sent out by David on Friday.  Bring 5 copies of your Curriculum Design to the meeting so we can share and discuss.

Department/ Team Meeting 12/12
See Department Chair or Team Leader for agenda.

Mo’s Administrative Change
Come see me if you have questions or wish to discuss.

Change in Winter Coffee Format
After consulting with Grade Level Rep Team we’ve decided to change the format of Winter Coffees.  Instead of individual grade level coffees, we will have “Team Coffees”  and “Affinity Coffees.”

Date
Coffee
Who is attending?
Wednesday, January 15th
Beginning School Coffee
Colesie
1 Kindergarten Teacher
Dori
David
Chris
Tuesday, January 21st
LS Parent Coffee: Digital Tools
Tech Team
Friday, January 31st
First and Second Grade Coffee
Janet
First Grade Teacher
David
Chris
Wednesday, February 5th
Third through Fifth Grade Coffee
Alysa
A Fourth Grade Teacher
A Third Grade Teacher
David
Chris
Monday, February 10th
LS Parent Coffee: Service Learning
Jenny
Laurie Price
David
Chris

Each will contain a presentation for all the first 30 minutes, the last 30 minutes we will break out into grade level discussion groups. More details on the agendas to follow.

Design Engineering at Arbor - http://arborschool.org/pdfs/TinkerTailor.pdf
Interesting article about design engineering at Arbor School.



OPERATIONS

Frequent Tardies or Absences
Be sure to communicate to the parents if you have a student who is frequently absent or tardy. Inform David if you do not see improvement.

LS Leadership Team, Rescheduled, Monday, January 13th, 3:15-4:30 in Kathy’s Room

Inclement Weather Recess Options
If the weather is particularly bad, you always have the option of opening the Gym and/ or Library for recess, as long as it does not conflict with PE or Library activities.