Weekly Memo
WM 11, October 23-27, 2017-18
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Last week we had four field trips, two guest teachers and three special events on campus; the Benefits Fair, 3rd GRade Hearing Screening and Crisis Management Institute. This week we have four more field trips and end the week with the 1st grade Literacy Celebration and the Lower School popsicle party courtesy of the spirit Lower Schoolers demonstrated at the Homecoming pep rally. The sun may even be shining by then.
LS Faculty Norms
- 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
We continue our new Weekly Memo format with repeat items in blue and new items in black.
COMMUNITY
Students Updates
A reminder the SST site holds lots of valuable information which is helpful as we learn student’s history and as a way of communicating student action plans as we move forward. The SST site is linked and if you need login help, please contact Ari.
If you have class, or a duty with one of the students below, please review their SST notes asap.
- Brady Remick
- Lucas Shafer
- Diana Bingham
Chapel Survey
With the first six weeks of school behind us, Phillip is grateful for the sense of routine that is emerging in our Chapel and at LS Gathering. As he have said before, Phillip thanks all of you for helping him along as he finds his way.
He would greatly appreciate any feedback or ideas you may have about our Lower School Chapel program. With that in mind, he has created a very simple Google Form, as a forum to invite your thoughts and opinions. Please take a moment or two, at your convenience, to provide a few responses to some open questions about Lower School Chapel.
LS Library Assistant Finalists
This week Lara and David will be hosting the two Library Assistant finalists to campus on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Welcome Clara Baker
Clara Baker steps in for Amy until November 17. Please join me in welcoming Clara to OES and support your students during their transition to their new music teacher.
LS PAL Meeting on Friday
Jon von Behren and Rebecca Williams presented to LS parents about or disaster preparedness plan last Friday. We had a good turnout and good questions.
Popsicle Party, as promised!
Oct. 27th, end of the day! Pick up your popsicles anytime after 1:30 in the 1st or 2nd floor freezers.
Grandparents Day, Tuesday, November 21
- 8:00 - 8:30 - breakfast in gym
- 8:30 - 9:30 - LS Classroom Visits
- 9:30 - Grandparents Choice
- Recess, snack and then over to Gym
- Gathering in LS Library
- Specialist visit
- 10:10 - 10:50 - Concert in Gym
EC3 Design Center Update
- Requests to use the "Open Campsites" with Jeffrey
- Discuss your activity, timeline, occupancy needs, any follow-up
- Currently "Bring Your Own" materials and tools during this Explore phase for the EC3!
- EC3 Presentation from Peter Kraft
Playground Construction has Begun
- Please keep an extra eye on safety around the site
- David has a project timeline if you are interested in details
Gathering and Chapel - Please be seated and ready at 8:10
- Chapel and Gathering are required
- Plan on attending and avoid scheduling field trips and special events at this time
- Diwali in LS Chapel on Tuesday, October 24th
Upper School Helpers Every Wednesday and Thursday
- Send “help requests to Sandi Lillevik (lilleviks@oes.edu), copy Ashley (scatesa@go.oes.edu)
October is Annual Fund Month
- consider making a gift to the OES fund
- the OES Fund Form is entirely online this year
PROGRAM
Faculty Meetings
Monday, 10/23, 3:15 - 4:30: Department, BY, IY
Thursday, 10/26: ICC cohort
Monday, 10/30: No meeting, Parent Conference preparation
Thursday, 11/2: No meeting, Parent Conferences
Sabbaticals - Employee Handbook
A few folks have asked about sabbaticals. The short form is below. See the Employee Handbook for more details.
- Eligibility: Faculty who have worked 15 years at OES.
- Faculty are eligible if:
- they work at least 80 percent time (.8 FTE)
- have spent more than 50 percent of their time with students in the classroom
- Faculty taking sabbaticals are expected to return for at least one year
Calendar Task Force
We have reviewed feedback from faculty, parents, administrators, outside experts. On Wednesday we begin playing with different calendar models. Let us know if you know of any schools or models of alternative school calendars that you would like us to consider.
Tina, Claire and David
LS Yearbook
We are looking to create a more student involved LS Yearbook this year. This week we meet with Elsa Colleran, who has volunteered to make the yearbook for each of the past several years, to have her download her yearbook wisdom. We will share out more details next week.
Conference Prep
The templates for Fall Conference Reports were sent to you via email.
The Lodge Fall Conference Report Template: see email from Kirstin
Grades 1-5 Fall Conference Report Template: see emails from Kirstin and Chris
Conference Reminders
- We strive for no surprises for parents. The conference should not be hte first time they are hearing about a major concern.
- Manage your time well. Start and end on time.
- If parents are away during conference days, offer them a phone or video conference during on open time on 11/2 or 11/3. I would like to keep reschedules to non-conference days to a minimum, both for consistency within LS and because conferences are not scheduled for non-conference days in MS or US
4th Grade Mt Hood Overnight
The Mazama staff recommends that 4th grade teachers do not include ourselves in the 6:1 ratio needed. Therefore we are in need of 12 adults total (not counting Nicole, the nurse). Right now we have 9. The Chaparone Sign-up link.
Related Events:
- October 31 @ 7:40am - 8:20am - Parent Information meeting about the trip. Mazama staff will be coming to show some slides, discuss the program, and talk preparation. Location TBA.
- November 30 @ 3:30 - 4:30pm - Chaperone Training in my classroom. This training is also put on by Mazama staff and is required for all our chaperones.
Conference Expectations
7:30 - 5:00 on Thursday, November 2
7:30 - 2:00 on Friday, November 3
50% or less FTE - Thursday only
More than 50% FTE both Thursday and Friday
Conference Attendance by SST member
LS conferences are 11/2 and 11/3. Now is the time to start thinking about having an SST member attend a conference with you.
- Check availability of the SST member you’d like to join you
- Notify parents who will be accompanying you at the conference and why
- Schedule a time to make a plan with the SST member before the conference
Safe Schools Video link
Two open faculty meeting times remaining, 10/30, 11/6 to complete the videos or choose to watch the videos on your own time.
You received a message from the SafeSchools system with all the information you need to access this year’s required trainings:
- Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter - Oregon Full Course - Approx. 30 minutes
- Sexual Misconduct Staff to Student - Approx. 30 minutes
- Sexual Harassment - Staff to Staff - Approx. 15
New this year: All courses are available in English and Spanish, you will be able to select your preferred language once logged into the system.
OPERATIONS
Benefits Registered through ADP
See the link to the right to access your ADP account and sign-up for benefits.
Guest artists, teachers and field trips
3rd Grade Hearing Screening
Thanks to Ari for arranging and to Laura Moran for coordinating the screening of all 3rd grade students last Friday.
Uniform Feedback
It is renewal season with Dennis Uniform and Lands End. Let David know if you have feedback to be considered. He is not currently planning on any changes to the uniform offerings.
Bus Cost: $50/hr or $2.75/mi
Information Organization
LS Common Forms & other Relevant Information in LS Important Documents
Calendar Manager - LS Calendar information.
Lice Policy - There have been some changes
Field Trips- use the Field Trip Checklist and forms
Ordering materials and supplies - use this Order Form and Order Tracking List
Amazon orders - OES Amazon Business Account
Curriculum, Furniture and Students Services Supplies - Contact your division Assistant Head Trips around and off campus - be sure Ls Office knows where you are
Disease Prevention - health department predicting an early and heavy influenza outbreak
SmartFind Express Reminders - Use SmartFind Express to report all absences
Field Trip Budgets - approximately $1500 per grade.
Food From Home - must have approval from the nurse
TIME SHEET -Fill out your timesheet digitally in ADP and approve it twice a month
Your Announcements
Send any announcements you have for faculty to Kirstin, Chris or David by Thursday each week August-June 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.
