LS Weekly Memo
Weekly Memo Week 2, August 24 - 28 , 2015
|
The Lower School Cafe is open all this week. Come in, have a snack, and share a summer story or two. Best of luck with unpacking and settling into your new spaces. Ask Tech, Maintenance or Custodians for help if you need it. Black Stickers are available in the LS Office for furniture and boxes that need to be stored for the year.
COMMUNITY
LS Building Update
The Beginning School, LSCH, Covered Area and LS Office are gone. Though demolition was delayed by almost a month because of permits, the opening of the new building by August 15, 2016 is still the plan. The tech department has hooked up our LS Building webcam. Check it out.
OES Campus Traffic
Traffic on campus will be altered to accommodate the construction. Preview the OES Campus Traffic site to understand the details of this year’s Drop-off and Pick-up plans.
- Come early in the morning, before 7:30am, to avoid the traffic line-up .
- All employees are asked to park behind the gym or at SPARC to keep the upper lot spaces free for parents and visitors
Timeliness for Dismissal - 2:55
To make pick-up work efficiently during construction, classes will need to be on the curb on time.
Playground Natural Materials
We have accumulated a significant stockpile of tree trunks and branches from the trees that had to be removed for construction. We will be exploring use of these materials throughout the year.
Temporary Classrooms
All of you who moved classrooms know that painting and cleaning of the rooms should be completed. You are welcome to come in to set up your room any time. The week of August 24 is officially designated as room set-up week. We will have the Lower School Cafe (the Faculty Lounge in Scott House) open all week with caffeine, breakfast treats and cold water.
Last Minute Classroom Needs
David, Rod, Rudy and Chris went on a walkabout Friday to review last minute repair and furniture needs. If you were not here on Friday and still have some unfinished repair/maintenance or furniture needs, please contact Chris, Rod or David. I have created a Google doc for you to enter your last minute needs Last Minute Needs to Start the School Year 2015-2016
Technology Requests - oeshelp@oes.edu
LS Cafe
The Lower School Cafe, located in Scott House, will be open each morning during unpacking week for caffeine and treats. Stop by.
Opening Days Events - see email from Mo for details
- Monday - 8/31 - All Employee BBQ - 5:00 - 7:00pm
- Tuesday - 9/1 - Opening Meeting
Eucharist (optional) 7:30-8
- Breakfast 8:00 - 9:00
- Opening Chapel - 9:00 - 10:00
- All Employee meeting - 10:00 - 12:00
- Wednesday, 9/2
- Lower School Meeting, 8:00 -12:00
- Teacher Planning, 1:00 - 4:00
- Thursday, 9/3
- Lower School Meeting, 8:00 -12:00
- Teacher Planning, 1:00 - 4:00
- Friday, 9/4 - Teacher Planning, All Day
Classroom Teachers’ Welcome Letters to Students and Families
Plan on sending your letters to families on Wednesday, Sept. 2nd.
Classroom Websites
Between now and when you update your website for 2015-16, please change the share setting to private so we do not confuse parents with last year’s information. Post your welcome letters on your web sites by Open Classroom Day. General updates to web sites should happen before Back-to-School Night.
Farewell
- David Loitz - has decided to commit next year to substituting and seeking a classroom teaching position.
- Lauren Shaw has accepted a position as a classroom teacher in the public schools. While I am sorry to have Lauren leave, I am pleased to know she is pursuing her interest in classroom teaching.
Welcome New Faculty and Staff
- Beth Breiten - Kindergarten Teacher
- Jennie Kiffmeyer - Lower School Chaplain and Service Learning Coordinator
- Kathie Kimmy - Long Term Substitute for Kiah in 3rd Grade
- Alfredo Peche - Spanish, PK - 3
- Meaghan Russell - Teaching Assistant - Kindergarten
- Austin Schock - Teaching Assistant - Kindergarten/ 2nd
- Jeffrey Sprague - Interim Technology Assistant
- Chris Thompson - 4th Grade Teacher
- Jessica Wolfram - Interim PE Teacher
- Kate Romanov - Teaching Assistant - First Grade
We will do more more thorough introductions at opening faculty meetings.
PROGRAM
Summer Reading
Summer Reading books are in, An Ethic of Excellence. Those of you who ordered books can find them in your mailbox, and your mailbox you can find in the temporary LS Office in Scott House.
UBD Reminder
Curriculum designs are due by the start of faculty meetings, September 1.
2015-16 Calendar
The draft of the 2015-16 calendar that we started at the end of the year was in the Lower School Library. If your team borrowed it, please return it to one of the two easels in the library. Chris and Lyn will begin entering the calendar into the Faculty Events Calendar this week.
Schedules
I have drafted the schedules for 2015-16. The majority of changes are with the PreK, K and Primary schedules. Both the creation of two PreK’s and the change of PK, K, P lunch and recess times had a ripple effect on schedules. Lyn will email schedules out in Excel. Any changes to schedules need to be sent to Lyn so we have an accurate record in the office.
Duty Schedule
To accommodate the new drop-off and pick-up plan, and to cover a more dispersed recess areas, we had to add a number of new duties. We are going to need everyones help to make this transitional year work well for our students. As the year goes on we will likely need to revise the duty schedule. Let Chris know if you have any brilliant ideas on how this could work. We are open to your suggestions!
Summer Stipends
I hope you enjoyed your time together over the summer, getting acquainted with new team members and developing program. See below for additional stipend details.
- AFTER the summer stipend work
- Summer stipend payment is contingent on the completion of these two forms
(forms can be found in the LS Important Docs in the Summer Stipend Forms folder):
Old LS Building - repurposed
With the ground broken for the new building, attention turns to repurposing of the current LS Building. We did not get to discussing this at closing meetings, but ideas for the current LS Classroom and Library spaces are still welcome. Send them to Jon von Behren. Possibilities:
- Two LS music classrooms
- Design/ Maker Space workshop
- Yoga/ Dance studio
- BS PE space
- Exercise facility
- Music practice rooms
- Administrative offices
- Drama space
Honoring our Rivers - Writing and art opportunity
We would like to extend an invitation to OES students to submit writing and art for publication in the 2016 anthology. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2016 with a publication date in April. For more information as well as entry forms and guidelines, please visit our website, www.honoringourrivers.org. You can also contact me with questions, to obtain a copy of the anthology, or to access our free resources for teachers.
OPERATIONS
Technology Update
The Tech Department is working on getting all equipment up and running this week. If you encounter any issues - oeshelp@oes.edu
Power Outage on Campus Wednesday, August 26th- Stay Home, Please Do Not Come to Campus!
PGE is lined up to do major work on 8/26th. Jon and the Division Heads want to close the campus while this work takes place.
Ordering Supplies for the New Year
Double check with your team and with Miriam about any last minute ordering needs.
Boxes and Packing Materials
We are looking to save boxes and packing materials for when we have to do it all again and more in June 2016. Break down the boxes and stack neatly in your room. Rod and crew will come around during the week of August 24 to collect them.
Furniture Moving
Rod and Crew have offered to make time to help you move large furniture and heavy items during the week of 8/24. You will need to request time at least a day in advance. Try to coordinate with colleagues for efficiency sake.
Set Up New Common Areas
In this busy time of getting your classroom set up, please find time to meet with you colleagues to design your new common areas. Contact Rod to set up a time if you want him or one of his staff members to help moving furniture.
Access to Room 10
During these early weeks of demolition and construction there will be no access to Room 10. If you absolutely need access, contact Rod, and he will unlock the construction barrier. Be sure to contact him in advance for an appointment. He is a busy man!
Color Printer Copier
We are in the process of installing a new color copier/ printer in the library production room. It will be faster, more reliable and provide additional functionality than our current machine. See Brad Kuhn’s email for additional details.
1st Aid
Training is scheduled for August 25 in the US Language Wing. Contact Rebecca Williams with your questions and to confirm your attendance. She has contacted you if you need to attend the training.
LOWER SCHOOL LOGISTICS
MAIN OFFICE ENTRY
All LS Students coming to the LS Office must enter through the main front office. Students may not enter the office through the back door by the LS Lounge.
SAFETY
- All parents and visitors must check in to the Lower School Office
- Assistant Teachers will need to accompany the Beginning School Students when going to the office, rather than their buddies, since they have to cross 2 drive ways
- Older students must come with two buddies when coming to the office at all times
- Students who have an off campus appointment or are leaving on a trip in the middle of the day will need to be picked up by their parents from their calssroom. Do not send students to the office.
ATTENDANCE
- Attendance must be completed by 8:00 am for 1st to 5th grades
- Attendance must be completed by 8:10 am for Pre-K – Primary (Gentle Start)
- Follow Miriam’s guide or flow chart regarding the accurate attendance and afterschool changes entry – a copy is in your mailbox
- Remember Miriam is the only one who can make changes to the after school plan and attendance during the day! If parents emailed you directly of any changes, ALWAYS advise them to email lsattend@oes.edu
LATE COMERS
All late arriving students must check in with us in the office and be escorted by parents to the classroom.
OFFICE CONTACTS
Students needing immediate assistance from Chris, Jennie, or Melanie – contact LYN first: ext. 178 or 503-768-3178 then Miriam: ext. 143 or 503-768-3143 – we want Miriam’s line open for outside calls.
LOST TOOTH CLUB – since our office is located a bit farther away especially for the young ones and due to lack of space in our office, for this year, minor changes are in effect:
The Lost Tooth Club bulletin board is now located outside Chris O’Toole’s Office
Each Assistant Teacher is provided with Lost Tooth containers, stickers and first aid bag
Teachers advise students who lost a tooth to check in with their Assistant Teacher during recess times only
The Assistant Teacher provides the tooth container and sticker, write the Student’s name on the bulletin board
Unless someone comes forward, Coach Stephanie Rankin is the only one who is brave enough to pull a tooth! Students may consult with Stephanie during recess times only
ADDITIONAL FIRST AID STATION
The location for an additional first aid station is located by the hallway leading to the LS Library (sharing the Chaplain’s open office).
USED UNIFORM LOCATION
The temporary location for the Used Uniform is in Morris House, the room adjacent to the Gallery Store
LOST & FOUND
A bin with a lid marked with “Lost & Found” is placed in these locations:
- 4th and 5th Grade – outside by entry doors on back side of Scott House
- 1st/2nd/3rd – end of hallway
- Beginning School – the hallway in between BS Commons and Additional First Aid Station
STORAGE
There is very limited storage space in the LS Office and in the LS Lounge. Please be mindful of leaving items for grabs, rather send an email if you have ‘give away’ items.
MAILBOX
- The location of your individual mailbox is in the LS Lounge
- Outgoing mailbox is underneath Miriam’s mailbox
- Packages for mailing – take them directly to Arleene
- Incoming packages will be in the US Mail Room and then distributed to classrooms at the end of each day.
LS LOUNGE/KITCHEN
We have a small kitchen. We request that you clean up after yourselves.
BON APPETIT UTENSILS
Take them back to the Dining Hall and don’t leave them in the LS Lounge
THURSDAY MORNING TREATS – the tradition continues
CHOCOLATES - are provided in jar is on top of the steel file cabinet next to Lyn’s desk
LS Conference Room - we will have a 6 seat conference room in the Lower School Office. Check with Lyn about availability.
The Weekly Memo and Wednesday Express are our main communication vehicles for Lower School. If you can’t access either form of communications, please contact our LS Educational Tech Specialists: Debra or Jeffrey.
Your Announcements
Send any announcements you have for faculty to Chris or me by Thursday each week and we will include them in the Weekly Memo. This should help reduce the number of emails we are receiving, and to maximize our time to collaborate during meetings.
