LS Weekly Memo
LS Weekly Memo Week 18, December 14-18 , 2015
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What an action-packed week! The early closure of school due to flooding started us off- then on to Tina’s play, multiple field trips to the art museum and Giving Chapel excitement at the end of the week. Our thanks to Jennie Kiffmeyer and her might league of parent volunteers! This year was especially grand- all 54 children helped sort and repack hundreds of bags, then went off for service projects and caroling in the afternoon (previously we had 12 students perform the sorting role). Our thanks to the Fifth Grade team for designing a day of meaningful service.
Onto the week before break. Best of luck keeping routines going, learning happening and enjoying a celebration or two.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
- The rain slowed progress on the building last week. We will hope for better building conditions this week.
- When construction of the Covered Area begins Skanska will be creating a large safety zone around the site as they erect the steel structure. ACP will be significantly smaller until the structure is erected.
- The building continues to be on budget and under time.
- Let me know if you and your class are doing any interesting construction work. We are exploring a possible article in the OES Magazine.
COMMUNITY
Emergency Procedures
The flooding early release was a good test for our emergency preparedness. The LS Office will be debriefing the event with Rebecca and Jon. A couple of preliminary items:
- All employees need to be sure they have signed up for Honeywell Instant Alert. If you did not receive the Alerts last Monday, be sure to check your Honeywell account.
- We are aware that some people received only part of the Alert message via text. Rebecca is working with Honeywell to resolve this. In the meantime be sure you have signed up to receive email notification as well as text so you will be well informed.
- Generally, it will be our expectation that all employees remain on campus to help with the care and release of our students during emergencies.
Welcome Steph Hartford to Development
Steph Hartford has temporarily joined the Communications Department taking on responsibility for website maintenance, social media, and Aardvark news gathering/photography. Email her with any Aardvark worthy events at marketing@oes.edu.
OES Holiday Party - Saturday, December 12, 6:00 - ???
Thanks for braving the cold and wet to party with good food, drink and company. Once again Bon Appetite treated us to a feast.
US Chapel NOT in Great Hall on Tuesday
Change of plans. No Chapel. Enter Lunchroom as usual.
Season of Light Chapel - Wednesday, 12/16 @ 8:15
Jennie Kiffmeyer and the Beginning School gather to celebrate the Season of Light.
Student Leaving/ Student Entering
- Withdrawal – Edie Lieberman, 2nd grade – family is relocating to NYC; she will be attending City & Country School. Edie’s last day will be December 18. See Janet’s email if you want to write Edie a note.
- Addition – Kellan Hvizdak (boy) will be enrolling in Kindergarten (Bridgnell) on Monday, Jan 4. Kellen’s family is returning to PDX from Colorado.
Admissions Season Begins!
Sarah has a limited number of days to schedule classroom visits, so thank you for your flexibility. Specialists, please take 2-3 minutes out of your day to provide feedback on visitors. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Students Who Have Food Issues
Please take these steps if you have parents come to you concerned about students nutrition during the school day:
- Have parents review the menu with their child the morning before, help them find good food choices.
- Encourage the parent to come for lunch to explore good food choices
- Tell the parent to get in touch with Kelly so she can step in to help (for a limited time)
Time for Giving
Giving to Those in Need
Thanks to all who participated in the All School Giving Tree drive and Giving Chapel!
Giving within our LS Community
It is the time of year when we reach out to our colleagues to offer small gifts of thanks and appreciation. In an effort to bring the whole community together we started a tradition of secret santa giving. Due to our Episcopalian roots, we continue to call this "Secret Santa" and with open arms we invite all faiths, religions, absence of religions to join in the fun and giving.
Quick timeline:
Secret Santa’s Lists here.
Monday, December 14: Gather in the LS Library for a potluck ( link to Pot Luck Plan here ) and to exchange gifts and discover who your santa was. A merry time will be had by all.
2:55 Pick-up
We continue to encounter two issues. Pick-up is taking longer. PreK parents are having a harder time finding parking so they can come pick-up their children. You can help.
- Please be sure all students are ready for pick-up at 2:55. That means they need to be out on the walkway or pick-up zone ready to climb into cars at 2:55. Classes that come out late hold up the whole dismissal process.
- If you park in the main lot, please consider parking behind the gym so there are more spaces for PreK pick-up.
Students of Concern
- HB - K- CB
- Has difficulty keeping up with the flow of things, can be disruptive. Let Carole and Chris know if he is having difficulties. We want to be consistent in our support.
- OB-K-CB
- Mourning the loss of her father, hasn’t wanted to be at school, has strayed away from the class, needs to be shadowed
- Giving her lots of love and support
- She is doing much better. Had a shortened day, but is not trying two full days, Tuesday and Thursday before break.
- Please keep Carole and Chris in the loop if challenging behavior arises again
- LL- 1 KMcA
- Specialists, refer to the notes Kirstin sent out
- Call the office if he gets stuck and disrupts the class or needs support on the playground
• KM-1 KMcA
Having a particularly difficult time, in a negative place often throughout the day,
can refuse to participate, cooperate with adults. Call Chris if this happens or
contact Lyn. We are working on an intervention plan to support Kianna, Kirstin
and Julie.
Also doing better in recent day, but still, keep us informed if things arise.
- SG - 2 JB
Doing much better these days, but still can have his moments, so keep us
informed.
- Working on first time listening, being respectful to adults and students, doing his best, being a flexible thinker, see his plan sent last week.
- Let Jackie or Chris know if he is having difficulty in your class
- If he gets stuck and disrupts the class, let Chris know- call the office
- Chris is sending out his intervention plan to specialists
- Specialists, please keep Jackie informed
- Fourth Grade World Cup Soccer Games
- Fourth Grade boys and girls continue to have challenges at recess. Games are too large, causing frustrations and some injuries. We meet with them Monday at lunch recess (on the field) to problem solve. Fourth Grade teachers remind students that if they play in these soccer games they should participate in this discussion.
- Second Grade Boys Pretend Play on the Field
- Second Grade boys are fascinated with pretend games that involve play fighting. We would like to give them alternatives, like the Yoga Calm “Peaceful Warrior” in which students play fight but do not make physical contact and no violent scenarios. We hope to come up with some agreed upon alternatives. Look for more details in an upcoming Weekly Memo.
Major Rules - If a student violates a major rule, Chris and David need to know and need to be part of the determination of consequences and reparations.
- Verbal abuse, physical abuse, bullying, or inappropriate physical touch.
- Lying, deceit, or other dishonest conduct
- Destruction of property belonging to the School, its personnel or another student
- Stealing
- Inappropriate language
- Possession or use of weapons or any object that is used in a threatening manner
PROGRAM
Diversity Offering, Wed., Dec. 16th 11-11:40 - LS Library
Curious about how to investigate multiple perspectives in our history through primary sources? Or interested in spurring provocations or inquiry through a visual image? On Wednesday, December 16th, from 11:00-11:40 in the LS Library, we will be offering our 2nd Diversity Offering this year and would love to have you join us. I will be modeling some of the techniques I learned this summer at the Library of Congress Teacher Institute. The content for this lesson is probably more applicable for grades 2-5, but the techniques certainly aren't. We will need the full 40 minutes so it will be best if you can commit to the start time. Please RSVP here.
Lunch & Learn Series - World Book - Monday, 12/7
The Library and Technology Teams are announcing Lunch & Learn Series! This year we will be scheduling them every other week on Mondays from 11:00-11:40 in the Library. Monday Dec 14th will be our first L&L session. Derek Collett, our World Book On-line contact will share new updates and additions to this resource. He also can focus on specific curricular ties so please let us know any content/subject areas which you would be interested in hearing about as a grade level team. Please RSVP here or just show up with lunch in hand.
National Art Educators Convention is being hosted in part by the Art Institute of Chicago, held in part at the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago and the Art Institute. Follow the link or see Margaret’s email for more details.
Scheduling Task Force
Thank you to the following folks who have volunteered to serve.
- Tina Akehurst
- Kristen Haferbecker
- Tracy Arensberg
- Ari Sternberg
- Carole Burton
- Tonya Griffin
- Rachel Taylor
- Beth Breiten
- Amy Rheingans
- Debra Thomas
- Chris O’Toole
Our first meeting Monday was very exciting! While we spent time identifying the challenges of our current schedule, the majority of time was devoted to exploring dreams and possibilities. Specialists met on Thursday to engage in a similar exercise. Classroom teachers, your chance comes after the break.
Reading Assessments
Our thanks to Ari for arranging these first two reps. As you know, Ari continues to see out other assessments systems and will line up meetings in the new year.
Monday 12/14 Holiday Party in the Library
- Bring your potluck contribution
- Remember your Secret Santa
Thursday 12/17 @ 7:35 Inquiry Design Team in Room 25. No meeting for others.
OPERATIONS
Santa Hats and Festive Holiday Wear
An exception was made Friday for Fifth Grader Giving Chapel volunteers, but please remind your students that Santa hats (and other festive wear - reindeer antlers, blinking lights) may be worn on Friday, for St. Nick’s Chapel only - The Grinch
Things to Keep in Mind for Next Week’s Holiday Events
Party Supplies
Please do not rely on the faculty room supply closet for cups, napkins and utensils. Room parents have money for these supplies.
Parking
Please park in the Loop Road lot behind the gym. We will have many guests next week.
Friendly Reminder About Sub Requests
A few requests were made late at night this past week. Please do not text Miriam after 7pm. Contact her:
Evening: Sunday through Thursday 5:00-7:00pm
Morning: Monday through Friday 6-6:15am
New Substitute Feedback
A number of you have shared feedback on our new subs. Thanks. We appreciate hearing how they are doing and want to help them get off to a great start. If you could take a minute to stop by Miriam or Chris’ desk or send an email. We look forward to hearing from you!
Loop Rd Dismissal Duty
Please bring your cell phones to this duty. Call Miriam if you have questions concerning a student’s after school plans.
Pick Up Aardvark Community Park After Every Recess
All equipment should be collected at the end of each recess and returned to the shed or the area in front of the shed. When equipment isn’t collected it tends to disappear. Classroom teachers, please remind students.
Mesh Equipment Bags
A duty teacher or student(s) should return the mesh bags to the shed. It is fine to have students drop bags at the intersection of the paths if an adult takes the time to return them to the shed. They have been left out a number of times in the past few weeks.
Evening Events in the Lower School Library
If you hold an evening event in the Lower School library, please be sure to tidy up, return the tables and chairs to their proper places and clear all catering. Heidi and Laura and the Beginning School Assistants provide before school care in this space first thing in the morning.
First and Second Grade Wing Bathrooms
We heard again this week that the boys’ bathroom was not being treated respectfully (urine on the walls, soap strewn on the floor). Please remind your students of the importance of respectfully caring for these shared community spaces.
Parent Volunteers Must Sign In at the LS Office When They Volunteer
Please remind parents in your next communication about the importance of signing in at the office. This is critical for two reasons:
•For security, our community expects visitors to wear visitor badges (BS lunch helpers
will wear an OES sticker)
•In the event of an emergency- fire, earthquake, lockdown, we need to know who was
in the building.
Please don’t let parents in the building without a pass. Remind them politely that they need to check in at the office.
Sugar Council
The 4th and 5th grade delegates are looking to reduce sugar in the lunchroom by eliminating one of the following: chocolate milk, juice, dessert. They will be arriving at their proposal this week.
Calendar Updates- Specifically for December through February
Please be sure to enter your big events- plays, field trips, learning celebrations posted on the faculty event calendar and Anne’s All School calendar. Remember, if an event impacts parents and families, you must get that on the Anne’s calendar.
This is really important! Sarah is scheduling student visits in the coming weeks and doesn’t want to book students on days when special events occur.
We suggest each team designate one “calendar person.” Several teams do this and it is super efficient way of keeping calendars up to date.
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.
