Sunday, April 9, 2017

Weekly Memo
Weekly Memo Week 33, April 10-14, 2017
I hope you are all feeling back in the groove of school after last week. Thank you for the initial conversations about Lower School. If you have other ideas than what were discussed at the faculty meeting please add them to the poster in the faculty lounge.
The week opens with Passover, ends with Easter and has a kick-off of Project Second Wind with a humble meal. Remember, though this Friday is Good Friday, we have school and the Music Assembly, as it is the third day added back to make up for some of our snow days. This week we are continuing our hiring pursuits, hosting Chaplain candidate Melissa Robinson and PreK candidate Courtney Hayes-Lattin.  
As a collaborative professional community Lower Faculty Employees will strive to:
  • Do what is best for the students
  • Assume we are all doing our best at the moment and our intentions are positive
  • Be present, participate, contribute, include many voices
  • Create a safe space that encourages sharing different opinions, ideas, perspectives
  • Seek understanding, be curious about what others think
  • Express gratitude, joy and encouragement
  • Communicate with compassion, clarity and effectiveness
  • Demonstrate respect


COMMUNITY
New Faculty and Staff
Mary Peterson - will be teaching Natalie’s class, beginning May 1 though the end of the year
Jefna Cohen - is teaching Tonya Griffin’s class until the end of the year
Caley Peterson - is teaching Alysa Williams class until the end of the year
Gwynne Cecere - is assisting Prekindergarten Monday through Wednesday afternoons
Melissa Robinson, LS Chaplain Candidate, Visit 4/11
Melissa, LS Chaplain finalist, is visiting on Tuesday. See email from Lyn with visit schedule details.
Courtney Hayes-Lattin, PreK Candidate, visit 4/12
Courtney, PreK finalist, is visiting Wednesday. See email from Lyn with visit schedule details.
Employee Awards - see email from Sage
I.  The OES Staff Excellence Award
The Staff Excellence Award is awarded annually to a non-faculty employee who has exemplified the highest standards of mission-minded performance in her/his position.  
II.  Grant for Graduate Studies for Faculty
A faculty member who wishes to pursue any graduate program leading to an advanced degree, may receive 50 percent of tuition costs, up to a program cap of $10,000 subject to the limitations
III. The Mary Stephenson Award
Annual award to the OES faculty member or members who has or have excelled in challenging and inspiring students to question, to think, to speak out, and to care.

FOESL & GOBS UPDATE
GOBS is scheduled for the week of April 24th at the UPPER SCHOOL LIBRARY!
* * * please note new location * * *
Kids will visit GOBS during the school day on Wednesday, April 26th.  Families who have donated books are also invited to an early browsing session before school on Wednesday from 7:30 to 7:50 AM.
Book donation drop-off begins Monday 4/17.  Please bring books to the Upper School Library any time that week.  We'll also do curbside collection on Mon 4/24 (AM drop-off and PM pickup lines), and Tues 4/25 (AM drop-off line only).  Please separate into adults' and children's titles for ease of sorting.  
Email Rebecca Thompson at rebecca.n.thompson@gmail.com if you'd like some help to transport/unload your books the week of 4/17, or with questions.
Also please get in touch if you can spare a few minutes at dropoff/pickup times on Mon or Tues of the week of 4/24 to collect curbside donations and bring up to Upper School.  
Please sign-up for your class visit time as soon as you can.  If you are new and have any questions about GOBS please don't hesitate to check in with Lara.

New Website
Take a look at the new OES website, www.oes.edu. An email from Karen Crandall detailing changes came out before break.  Let us know what you think at marketing@oes.edu.

Playground Update
We are working on the hiring of a contractor. Playground work may get pushed out to the fall. This week Chris, Kirstin and David review refined design drawings.
Reserving Rooms - Performance Commons
Be sure to check that the Performance Commons is available before planning on using it. Yoga is regularly being taught in the space.
Teacher Searches
LS Chaplain - Finalist candidate visits 4/11
PreK Teacher - Finalist candidate visits 4/12, 4/18
5th Grade Teacher - finalists selected, virtual visits
Major Lower School Rules
The following infractions are considered serious and could result in a range of consequences including dismissal from the school. Unless otherwise stated, these rules apply to conduct at all school-related events both on and off campus.

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
  • Monday, 4/10, 3:30 LS Library - Waking Up White - Opt in Discussion
  • Thursday, 4/13, Department/ Team Meeting
    • PK-5th, 7:35 - 8:35, LS Library
Friday, April 14 All Lower-School Music Assembly, 8:10am
On Friday, April 14 we will all gather to hear our Lower School musicians play and sing for us. This gathering will take place in the gym. Please be sure to arrive in the gym by 8:10am so we can start on time and end on time.

Diversity Books
Chris placed a copy of the first chapter to "Waking Up White" by Debby Irving in everyone’s box on Thursday. Monday 4/10 at 3:15, members of the Diversity Team will lead a lively conversation about white culture and childhood experiences. If this first chapter gets you hooked, just talk to Chris T. or Lara and we will get you your own copy.

School Calendar Task Force
Mo has asked David to head up a task force researching alternative school calendars included extended school year and year round schooling. David is  looking for two representatives from each division to participate. Contact him if you are interested.
LS Budget
It is time to draft the 2017-18 school year budget. If you or your team are hoping for additional funds for next year, be sure to communicate with Kirstin, Chris, your Department Chair or David before the end of the day on Friday, April 14.
LS Envisioning
The idea harvest from our faculty meeting is in the Faculty Lounge--pens have been added, so feel free to extend our collective thinking with your connections and ideas. In a week or so we’ll send out an image of the poster in case it’s helpful in any of your team conversations around priorities and long-term vision; we’ll also use it to guide our work in planning inservice days and conversations with Peter Kraft.
Summer Stipends - launch on April 19
We will open requests for summer stipends on April 19. Starting talking with your teams about possibilities.
The Confluence Update
Chris and Kirstin have updated The Confluence with a new post about project work in the Lower School. You may notice a few of your websites have been mined for photos--at least you know we read them! :)

Sub Requests
Whenever possible please call in the night. More notice increases your chances of having adequate staffing for your classroom. Thank you!
Harvard Project Zero Class
The Project Zero teachers are embarking on a group inquiry project, so ask them about that if you sit at their lunch table or are getting coffee together!
Resources that have been helpful to us that we’d like to share with you:
Yoga Offerings
Please contact Kathleen if you are interested; hickska@oes.edu (Note that hicksk@oes.edu is Keira Hicks, Kathleen’s daughter’s, email)    When a teacher requests a yoga class, request it through Kathleen’s google calendar and go into the Performance Commons calendar and reserve the room.
Conversations around Race, Bullying and Trauma
Harvard’s Usable Knowledge Project has created a resource called ‘One and All’ to help teachers navigate difficult conversations with their communities. Through this link you can find articles, videos and reflections around the question How can we welcome diverse perspectives and hard conversations?
SST meetings are available on Thursdays from 3:15-4:00 for anyone who would like a whole team approach to supporting a student or students. Please contact your Assistant Head to request a Thursday afternoon SST. Also let us know who you’d like to request to attend.


OPERATIONS
Recess Duty
A reminder that during recess duty, make sure you are spread around the playground watching kids, especially around the lincoln logs, 4 square game, and football. These areas have had a surge of rough play and disagreements.
Recess Changes
The 1-2 team is making some changes that affect duty responsibilities and the duty schedule.
Change #1: Thursday am recess (9:20-9:35) is cancelled permanently. If you have this morning recess duty and your rotation falls on a Thursday, you are no longer needed outside at this time. Please do supervise your duty on the other rotation days.

Change #2: First Grade will enter through the west stairwell after lunch recess. This will require two of the lunch recess duty staff to lead the first grade class along the exterior walkway and up the exterior west stairwell to the second floor. The hope is for this to be a calmer and shorter indoor transition for the children, asking them to pause before entering the building to quiet themselves for the short trip to their classrooms. On days it is raining briskly you may still choose to have them enter through the north doors.

Emergency Announcements
Jon and Rod are looking into issues where emergency announcements are hard to hear. Currently, the Flex Classroom and LS Office do not have speakers for such announcements. Complete a maintrequest@oes.edu  if you noticed issues in your classroom or other spaces.
Emergency Drills
  • Calm, orderly, quiet response
  • Account for students and let office know
  • Evacuate building in 3 minutes or less
Cell Phones and Toys
  • Please avoid using you cell phones during duty, unless absolutely necessary
  • Students should not be using cellphones while on campus
  • Toys from home require special permission to come to school
  • From the LS Handbook
    • In general, toys from home are not allowed at school. If there is a toy which a student feels may be appropriate to bring to school, he or she should ask for permission from the Head of Lower School before bringing the toy to school.
    • Children should not bring candy or money to school, except for special events when the classroom teacher has granted permission, e.g.: book fair, a party, or a field trip. Use of a cell phone is not permitted when at school or on a school function; in special situations, exceptions may be granted by the Head of Lower School.
Attendance Procedures
1st Grade through 5th Grade
  • 7:50 am – bell rings
  • 8:00 am – start taking attendance and mark all students “Absent Unexcused” who are not physically in your class even if you know they are coming a little later.
Pre-K – Primary
  • 7:50 – 8:10 – Gentle Start
  • 8:10 – start taking attendance and mark all students “Absent Unexcused” who are not physically in your class even if you know they are coming a little later.
Building Care
Ben Starbuck and his team would appreciate your help with:
  • Closing windows at end of day
  • Cleaning paint off floors
  • Throwing out fallen raisins
Students are starting to get creative with the dress code. Perhaps a review of the Dress Code is in order for your class.
Duty Consistency
We need people to do their duties and do it on time.

Performance Commons - check to be sure it is available
If you are practicing for a performance in the Performance Commons that requires a large setup for an extended period, please do the following:
  • Add this information to the Faculty Calendar under ‘all day events.’ You can see an example on the calendar between now and spring break, where a stage set-up for 4th grade has been noted.
  • Let Chris, Kirstin or David know so they can add the information to the weekly memo.  This will help everyone be aware that Performance Commons usage may be limited by the setup even when the room is not reserved.
Please note that the current stage set-up in the Performance Commons will be in place until spring break.

Food Safety
We should all have obtained a current food handler’s license and dropped their receipt and certificate into Kirstin’s box.
Shirley would like to remind us of a couple food safety ***:
  1. Teachers or students who are handing, cutting, or passing out snack need to wear gloves. She has put a stash of gloves where snack is dropped off everyday.  
  2. Students should be washing their hands more and using hand sanitizer less when possible. Hand sanitizer is less effective than washing hands.
  3. Snack boats, paper towels or tissues are available for students to collect their snacks but students should not be reaching with their bare hands into a large snack bowl to retrieve their own snack.
These reminders from Shirley, maybe having one snack student (wearing gloves--we have some size small gloves in a white box) help pass out snacks, especially grains. These students can pass snack directly to friends or create snack boats for students to pick up.
Dismissal Duty on Loop Road
Do you know what would make the dismissal duty on the Loop Road work smoothly?
  • Classes would arrive BEFORE 2:55 (the first cars in the P-1 line tend to be Primary and Whitmore). Siblings would also arrive by this time.
  • Duty teachers would arrive AT 2:50
  • No one would send a class outside without a teacher (who could check to make sure duty teachers had arrived)
  • Teachers would stay with their class until at least 2 people were on duty for each gate
  • One teacher would stay with the kids by the windows while two help at the curb
We can do it! :)
Field Trips on or off Campus
Inform the LS Office when you take your class on a trip out of the building. We need to know where your class is at all times during the school day.  Take with you what you need; cellphone, 1st aid, emergency forms and more as needed.
Calendar Updates
Update grade level events on the faculty calendar and the Finalsite Calendar.  The spring is a very busy time. We want to be sure all know what is happening when with sufficient time to work through conflicts and plan on attending
OES LS Employee Attendance
For any unplanned absences or tardiness, such as illnesses or emergency situations, whether you need a substitute or not, you must notify lssub@oes.edu. We need to track all Employees who are off campus on a given day. Lyn sends a monthly report to HR about our Division’s attendance.
Early Morning Supervision
Just a reminder to please wait until 7:30 am before allowing students into the building each morning.  Children arriving before 7:30 should wait outside the building with their caregivers until the building opens.

Schedule
A helpful tool is created in the OES website for employees to save time searching different sites when you need to access the basic forms like check request, catering, maintenance requests and other resources.

Your Announcements
Send any announcements you have for faculty to Kirstin, Chris or David 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 maximize our time to collaborate during meetings.


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