LS Weekly Memo Week 31:  March 17-21

Spring Break is oh, so close.  Let’s all help our students keep their focus for one more week before the well deserved break.  Then we have a 10 week sprint to the end of school.

Thanks Janet and Tasha for sharing your students' learning with us; the collaborative hero projects shared in Chapel and the adaptation of Twelfth Night play in the Library.

COMMUNITY

David and Chris Away at Conference on 3/17

Promoting Social Emotional Learning in Lower Elementary Classrooms - March 17.

Jenny Cleveland and Patti Beyer will be in charge.

Holi Celebration in Chapel

As a follow-up to the Holi celebration in Chapel on Monday, students at the 1st and 2nd grade recess will have the option for some simple face painting.  Jenny Cleveland and Arun Sharma are coordinating.

Earthquake Drill, Monday, March 17th  at 8:45

This is a duck-and-cover drill. No evacuation.

Assembly on Friday at 8:10

See communication from Kristen Haferbecker for details.

PROGRAM

LSLT Meeting 3-10-14 - NOTES

• Agreements - Valuable. Use often.
• Expectations review - After Spring Break we want to renew our commitment to the items below. See your LSLT member for details.
• Chapel
• be on time
• step through door, step into Chapel behavior
• sing or quiet
• pray or quiet
• transition quietly
• Recess
• Put equipment away at end of recess
• Lunch - 1st - 5th
• eat the rainbow
• eat at table -
• use utensils -
• Clear off, wipe off, wait to be dismissed
• Uniform Policy
• consequences -
• 1st time - reminder,
• 2nd - Rm 10 to change into uniforms,
• 3rd - note home
• Transitions
• Walking or skipping. No running.
• Teachers supervise

Faculty Meeting 3-20-14:  FLG and Specialists

Team Leader Meeting 3-3-14 NOTES

If you have questions about any of these topics please see your team leader.

During the meeting we discussed the following:

• Faculty Meeting Debrief
• Team Meeting plans
• Team Leader Retreat
• Citizenship and Discipline Document

Spring Trips

Thanks to those who have stepped up.  4th grade still needs one more male and one more female chaperone.

Lower School Overnights 2013-14

Character Education Conference at OES on 4/14

Character Education: What Really Works - CSEE

OES is hosting this conference here on campus so a limited number of OES faculty can attend for free.  Let me know if you are interested. This looks like a good companion conference to the Social Emotional Learning conference in Seattle.

Sign Up for Professional Growth and Development with Louise Cadwell, Wednesday, June 18th

Cadwell Workshop, June 18th, Sign Up

Last Chance to Record Break-Throughs and Challenges Around Inquiry

We will share this doc with Louise before we go out on break.  If you haven’t done so, record your thoughts...it will be most helpful plotting out our work with Louise.

https://docs.google.com/a/go.oes.edu/document/d/1PVM3yatkm-Ar26ffQ0XREB3r9PQmag3CQZkmh0lzayI/edit

OPERATIONS

If You Have First through Third Grade Lunch Recess  Duty Please Read This!

I understand that there have been occasions where  no one is posted at the top of the covered walkway supervising children as they walk down from lunch.   

One person from lunch recess duty should be there until the last First through Third Grade students leave the lunch room.  Afterward, the duty person takes his or her post down on Aardvark Community Park.  Please decide who will take the upper walkway  post for each recess.

Once you decide, let me know who will do it each day, and I’ll record it on the duty schedule, just as we do the people on field duty.

Personal Days (From the Employee Handbook)

I am seeing a few request for personal days and want to remind you of OES’ policy about Personal Days:

Personal days are to be used for personal business or unforeseen circumstances such as weather, and not for illness or vacation. The employee is asked to provide as much advance notice as possible to their supervisor if they need to use a personal day. Personal days may be taken in two-hour increments. Personal days may not be combined with paid vacation days and may not be taken on the last week of school or work, or immediately before or after a school vacation or paid holiday, except with the permission of the employee’s supervisor.  

Custodial Notebook

See Lyn’s email for location of the log in each wing.  Record current needs and any future needs that custodians should be aware of.

Coyote

Be aware that there is a rather brazen male coyote in the wetlands.  He fought with the Stanley’s 100 lb. golden retriever on Thursday, midday, and caused significant wounds.  Keep your students under your watchful eye.

Lost and Found

We have mountains of Lost and Found.  It will be out for all to see this week.  Please encourage your students to take a look.

LS Weekly Memo Week 30:  March 10 - 14

The two thought provoking events from the week:

• Jenny Cleveland’s comments calling us to think about what we wish to feast on and fast from.Tonya’s class was so inspired they made their own list of possibilities based on their hero research.
• Dori King’s guided reflection on American Promise and inclusivity at our school

Thank you to those who supported the auction through donations, volunteering and attending.  The auction was the most elegant ever along with being very philanthropically successful.  Many of our PGD experiences are funded by the auction.

Here we go! Let’s all remember that how ramped up our students can get as we roll into Spring break.  The weather promises to be Spring-like in the coming week, so we  can anticipate a bought of  Spring fever

COMMUNITY

Busick Play

Tasha and her students present “Twelfth Night” this week.  Attend and enjoy.

Families Not Returning

Please let David or Chris know if a family revealed at conferences that they are not planning on returning next year.  This helps us forecast the number of new families to accept.

Wellness Fair, Tuesday 3/11 from 6:00 am - 12:30 pm

See Rebecca’s email with details - Biometric screenings, free massages and more.

PE team will graciously move their classes outdoors unless it is pouring rain. Please send off your students dressed accordingly for the weather.

Admissions

Admissions decision were sent out on Sunday.  Due to the high number of applications and high quality of applicants there are a number of people connected to our school; staff, faculty, current families and alumnae,  who will be offered a place in our waitpool, awaiting a spot for their child.  Either Sarah or I are available to meet with families if they approach you.

Thank you to those of you who are helping host the Welcome Night for New Families on Thursday.  

Second Grade Boys

For the time being, JR will continue to have lunch recess as his one opportunity to play competitive sports and games.

Reminder…

JR can play competitive sports at lunch recess ONLY. Scott and Lauren, who are out at 1-3rd recess will "shadow" J and his competitive 2nd Grade classmates, until further notice. Before school recess (he's there sometimes), morning and afternoon recess he may shoot hoops, kick the soccer ball against the wall, climb on climbers, play imaginative games, etc.

These children are into basketball at the moment, so that means someone else other than Scott or Lauren needs to cover the field.  We will need everyone on First through Third Grade lunch recess to be flexible, depending upon whether PE teachers are on the field or by the basketball court.

PROGRAM

LSLT Meeting 3-10-14

Kathy Narramore’s Room, 3:15 - 4:45

• Agreements - check-in
• Expectations review
• Chapel
• Recess
• Lunch
• Uniforms
• Transitions
• SEL Conference - our questions/ needs
• Character Education Conference - 4/14 at OES

Faculty Meeting 3-13-14 - Team/ Department Meeting

See Team Leader/ Department Chair for agenda

LSCTF , 2.24.14

We had a great meeting.  Take a look at the notes. Talk to David, Chris or a representative if you have any questions. LSCTF Meeting Notes 2.24.14

Team Leader Meeting 3-3-14 NOTES

If you have questions about any of these topics please see your team leader.

During the meeting we discussed the following:

• LSCTF debrief
• LS Faculty Meeting Plan
• Curriculum Design Check in
• Skills by April 1
• Assessments by May 1
• Social Studies completed by June 1
• Summer Stipend Work

David Away on 3/12 and 3/17

• NCCE Maker Summit - March 12 - Chris will be in charge

• Promoting Social Emotional Learning in Lower Elementary Classrooms - March 17.

Jenny Cleveland and Patti Beyer will be in charge.

Spring Trips

3rd, 4th and 5th grades will be needing chaperones for their overnight trips. Sign up in the Doc below.  We will be needing approximately 10 faculty for each trip.  Trip Leaders - please indicate exactly how many chaperones you need.

Lower School Overnights 2013-14

Character Education: What Really Works - CSEE on 4/14 at OES

Portland: Character Education: What Really Works for 2014.

April 14, 2014, Oregon Episcopal School, Portland, OR

Registrations for this event are open

Read More

OES is hosting this conference here on campus so a limited number of OES faculty can attend for free.  Let me know if you are interested. This looks like a good companion conference to the Social Emotional Learning conference in Seattle.

Sign Up for Professional Growth and Development with Louise Cadwell, Wednesday, June 18th

Cadwell Workshop, June 18th, Sign Up

Intercultural Competency Training

This training is the priority for PGD on 3/31 for faculty and staff in all three divisions.

Please register for the training by completing this short form.

US Students Available to Help during Winterim - March 17 -20

See email from Robin Weitzer

PGD -

We have limited PGD funds remaining for 2013-14.  Priority wil be given to inquiry focussed workshops and conferences.

Mt. Hood Climb Service Day, Wednesday, May 14th

It is not too early to begin thinking about how a MHCSD Service Learning project  can link up with your current inquiry-based project work.  

As in the past, Jenny will put out a Google doc where you can log in your project details, including supplies and volunteers needed. Look for a Google doc after we return from break, or possibly sooner. See Jenny if you have questions.

OPERATIONS

Calendar Upkeep

We are coming up to Spring Break and then the post-Spring Break dash to the finish.

Please keep your Grade Level events up to date in the Google faculty calendar.  

Taking a Field Trip? Class Not Eating Lunch?

If your class or grade is not eating in the cafeteria for a special occasion be sure to notify the kitchen at least 72 hours in advance.  We are reimbursed for the food cost @ about $40/class.

Custodial Notebook

See Lyn’s email for location of the log in each wing.  Record current needs and any future needs that custodians should be aware of.

LS Weekly Memo Week 29:  March 3-7

I find it hard to believe that it is March already. Chris and I are spending a great deal of time finishing up  admissions decisions.  I am tremendously appreciative of all your work to share observations about the applicants.  We are fortunate to have such a strong applicant pool.  Be sure to thank Susie, Sarah and the rest of the Admissions Department for their yeomans work guiding families and students through the application process.

COMMUNITY

Chapel - A Busy Week

Monday, March 3: We have a special visitor and a special event. Wear you coats as we will be outside for a bit.

Wednesday, March 5:  Ash Wednesday Chapel at 11:50 a.m. for Primary through 5th grade.   BRING YOUR ALLELUIAS.

Friday, March 7: Chapel at 8:10a.m. for 2nd-5th grade

See email from Jenny Cleveland for more details

Service Learning Coffee

Thank you to Jenny Cleveland and Laurie Price for coordinating the Service Learning Coffee for parents.  They explained the value of service in learning and the development of Essential Competencies, some examples of student service projects and ways that parents can help support their child’s service learning at home.

Peter Pan

I hope many of you had the chance to see the play.  It is amazing what the Performing Arts Department can do.  What a joy to see current and former Lower School students step on to the stage or play in the orchestra and be so entertaining.  Thank you Margaret and Tasha for helping make it all possible.

Auction

Thanks to those who are attending, volunteering and who donated to the auction.  The Auction is sold out and promises to be quite a festive event.

OBOB - from Chris Myers

If so, consider volunteering at the Oregon Battle of the Books Region 1 Competition, Saturday, March 15, at Westview High School. Lots of different kinds of jobs available—moderating battles, scorekeeping, timekeeping, running scores, helping with registration and check-in. The competition runs 9 a.m.-1 p.m., with a short training beforehand, but shorter shifts are available.

Families Not Returning

Please let David or Chris know if a family revealed at conferences that they are not planning on returning next year.  This helps us forecast the number of new families to accept.

PROGRAM

LS Faculty Meeting

3-6-14 7:40 -8:40, LS Art Room

Agenda

• Appreciations
• LS Agreements
• A time when you would have used them.
• What could it look like when you use them?
• Inquiry
• Louise’s questions
• ERB
• Overview

LSCTF - 2-24-14

During the LSCTF meeting last week we discussed the following topics

• Inquiry based learning with Cadwell
• ERB Results and reflection on curriculum implications
• Curriculum Design check-in

Team Leader Meeting 2-24-14

During the meeting we discussed the following:

• Check-in
• Cadwell Collaborative plan
• Plan for LSCTF meeting

Louise Cadwell Follow-Up - We will work on collecting input on these two questions during the faculty meeting on 3-6-14.  You may enter your own reflections before then.

Louise Cadwell's Feedback- Break-Throughs and Challenges.

Sign Up for Professional Growth and Development with Louise Cadwell, Wednesday, June 18th

Cadwell Workshop, June 18th, Sign Up

Intercultural Competency Training

This training is the priority for PGD on 3/31 for faculty and staff in all three divisions.

Please register for the training by completing this short form.

US Students Available to Help during Winterim - March 17 -20

See email from Robin Weitzer

DRA Entries and Updates

Please be sure to send Lyn your new or updated DRA  scores so she can enter them into our spreadsheet.  If you have  students who are not meeting benchmarks, contact Art to schedule a

Spring Trips

3rd, 4th and 5th grades will be needing chaperones for their overnight trips. Sign up in the Doc below.  We will be needing approximately 10 faculty for each trip.  Trip Leaders - please indicate exactly how many chaperones you need.

Lower SChool Overnights 2013-14

OPERATIONS

Calendar Up-Keep

We are coming up to Spring Break and then the post-Spring Break dash to the finish.

•Please keep your Grade Level events up to date in the Google faculty calendar.  

•Make sure Anne’s Final Site calendar is up to date with postings that are relevant to parents

•Consult both calendars when posting a new date, bear in mind that most parent meetings happen on Wednesdays

•Culminating Events- Try not to book a culminating event when another grade has already posted a culminating event on a given day or if parents have a school function at the same time.  We would like to avoid possible conflicts for parents with multiple children, and prevent double-booking problem for David and Chris. We like to attend as many culminating events as possible!

Benefits Survey

Thanks to those who completed the survey. The benefits Committee will be analyzing results over the next several weeks.

Wellness Fair, 3/11 from 6:00 am - 12:30 pm

See Rebecca’s email with details - Biometric screenings, free massages and more

Feeding your Pets

Students are coming in and making salads off the dining room salad bar and taking it back to their classrooms for classroom pets.  Please do not do this.   

Kelly is willing to work with teachers and their students to find a  pre-arranged  time for them to pick up pre-consumer veggie scraps from the kitchen for their pets - a more sustainable approach.

Early School Closure

We met Thursday to clarify future early closure procedures. Please read and familiarize yourself with our plan. Lyn will save this in our important docs folder.

Lower School Early School Closure Procedure

Class Not Eating Lunch?

If your class or grade is not eating in the cafeteria for a special occasion be sure to notify the kitchen at least 72 hours in advance.  We are reimbursed for the food cost @ about $40/class.

Custodial Notebook

See Lyn’s email for location of the log in each wing.  Record current needs and any future needs that custodians should be aware of.