Weekly Memo 34

Weekly Memo WM 34, April 23-29, 2018

The last full week of April, hard to believe. This week we welcome the Learning and the Brain attendees back and celebrate the 2nd graders for their good work on the Hero Presentations. Next week we begin hosting the Moving Into Coffees, where we share highlights of the next grade. See the schedule below.

Lower School Agreements

• 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 Weekly Memo format with repeat items in blue and new items in black.

COMMUNITY

Gathering and Chapel - Please be seated and ready at 8:10.
Lower School Chapel Schedule for 2017-2018
LS Chapel on Tuesday, 4/24
No LS Gathering on Friday, 4/27 - 2nd Grade Hero Presentations in LSDC

• Attend - it is our time to gather together
• Be on time. When you are late you are making other classes sit and wait for you and your class.
• Help with supervision. Be near your class. Intervene as needed.
• No Gathering on May 11th. LEGO Show will be in the LSDC.

Hero Presentations

The second graders will be performing their Hero Presentations this week. Since we will be using the Performance Commons with the doors open, we would appreciate it if everyone would use another path in and out of the building on Wednesday 4/25 and Friday 4/27 from 8:00 - 9:15 and on Thursday 4/26 from 8:50 - 9:50. There will be reminder signs. Many thanks in advance!!

FEBRUARY, MARCH & APRIL BIRTHDAYS

We celebrate our February, March and April birthdays on Thursday, April 26^th with something special from “Nothing Bundt Cakes”.  

Note: if we miss anyone from the list, let Lyn or Kathy know.

HAPPY BRITHDAY!

FEBRUARY

McCrary, Kelola	2/6
Tharp, Colesie	2/20

MARCH

Akehurst, Tina	3/8
McClellan, Kate	3/8
Brauers, Alysa	3/10
Bridgnell, Deborah	3/12
Komitor, Donna	3/13

APRIL

Breiten, Beth	4/2
Foster-Flynn, Laura	4/7
Wild, Paul	4/11
Duden, Mary	4/15
Schock, Austin	4/15
Bennett, Jeanna	4/16
Felton-Hayes, Ahrea	4/17
Haferbecker, Kristen	4/21

New Playground Plantings - Appreciate with Care
Keep up the good work.

Spanish Club/Affinity Group

Alfredo, Chris, Dori and David meet this week to figure this out. 

EC3 Supply Drive

Keep supplies coming. Needs lists are at each of the collection bins.

Hiring
4th Grade - Adelaide Wainwright has accepted our offer. Her family and she will be moving to Portland this summer
1st Grade - Finalist visits have begun
2nd Grade - Reviewing resumes, interviewing

Moving Into Coffees
They start up next week with 5th grade on Monday, PreK on Wednesday and 1st Grade on Friday. See schedule below.

DATES	GRADE	TIME	LOCATION
Wednesday, May 2	Moving into PK	8:00 – 9:30	LS Library
Monday, May 21	Moving into K	8:00 – 9:30	LS Library
Monday, May 7	Moving into Primary	8:00 – 9:00	LS Library
Friday, May 4	Moving into 1st	8:00 – 9:30	LS Library
Wednesday, May 30	Moving into 2nd	8:00 – 9:00	LS Library
Monday, June 4	Moving into 3rd	8:00 – 9:00	LS Library
Wednesday, June 6	Moving into 4th	8:00 – 9:00	LS Library
Monday, April 30	Moving into 5th	8:00 – 9:00	LS Library

Faculty and Staff Awards - Nominations are open. For more details see Peter Kraft's email.

I.  The OES Staff Excellence Award - The Staff Excellence Award is presented annually to a non-faculty employee who has exemplified the highest standards of mission-minded performance in her/his position.   Submit your nomination here.

 Staff Excellence Award History

II. 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.  Submit your nomination here.

 Mary Stephenson Award History

III. 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 limitations - Submit your application here.

IV. Grant for Graduate Studies for Staff - A staff 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 limitations - Submit your application here.

SST

A reminder that the SST agenda and SST site are updated weekly and are a good resource for student concerns: links are in the WM sidebar. 

Student Updates

The SST Site contains valuable information that is helpful in understanding a student’s history and action plans. You may want to review the entries in the site before writing a child's report. The SST Site is linked in the Weekly Memo and can only be accessed on campus.

PROGRAM

Faculty Meetings

Monday, 4/23 - Department/ BY/IY
Thursday, 4/26 - ICC
We will return to the Lower School articulation work on Thursday, May 3

Faculty Meeting Resources

Thanks for your participation in Thursday morning's faculty meeting around the questions Who are we as a Lower School? and What do we believe about how children learn? If you weren't able to join us or would like to reference the LS Big Rocks Patterns poster for your team meetings, here are the links:

LS Big Rocks Patterns

Agenda/Plan for Thursday's meeting (contains discussion questions)

1-2-4-All (in case you'd like to use this format with your students or team)

Article: Please read

As a follow-up to our Thursday morning conversation, we'd like to delve into one common 'big rock' that had a lot of energy around it: What do we mean when we say play, and why do we value it for learning? All faculty should read this article. As you read, mark sections that have the potential to expand or challenge your thinking about play as a vehicle for learning. Write down your questions/wonderings/ahas. Please bring your marked article to our meeting on Thursday, May 3rd.

For teams who want to delve further into this topic, try watching Stuart Brown's TED Talk "Play is More Than Just Fun," try this CNN article by Erika and Nicholas Christakis or read this NAEYC article on brain science and guided play.

Curriculum Articulation Work
Thanks everyone for your work curriculum articulation! We've received Articulation Planning Sheets from many. You will find all your documents in the Big Rocks/P2P folder using the "LS Common Forms & Other Relevant Information" link on the right menu bar of the Weekly Memo.

LS HAC Representatives
It has been the honor for Debra and Tracy to serve on the Head's Advisory Committee (HAC)  for 3 years.  Since both of the lower school reps are ending their tenure on HAC, there is an opportunity for two new lower school faculty members to serve.  Please reach out to Debra or Tracy if you are interested.  It is roughly a one meeting a month commitment, and we would ask that you attend the May 23rd meeting to get oriented for next year.

PAL Content from Friday
Chris presented on the Healthy Mind Platter. Parents Asha Singh (Shay and Anika's mom) and Kate Fox (Kai Olson's mom) presented on the effects of sleep and nutrition on children's brains - share the slides with you

Learning and the Brain Conference
Carole, Claire, Tonya, Tina, Natasha, Melanie and Chris T. returned over the weekend eager to share what they learned.

Mount Hood Climb Service Day--new action steps

Thank you for attending to the below details. This week's most important tasks...lunch orders, materials, and afternoon session selection. 

Specialists--please select a project this week and note it in the overview spreadsheet so we can add you to that lunch order.

General Schedule:

8:15-8:30 Belltower

8:55 (3rd-5th grade only) Classes staying on campus will pack lunch in MS commons

11:00-11:25; 11:30-11:55 (1-5 recess)--you choose either (coverage provided) 

12:00-12:30 PK/Kinder/Pr recess (coverage provided)

12:00-2:15 Afternoon Community and Reflection Sign-Ups

2:25 Affinity Commons Gatherings

2:35 Popsicles

Overview Spreadsheet: Please visit the spreadsheet and fill in your specific times of service. This will be crucial so we can connect staff/parent volunteers with you, or keep track of your whereabouts.

MUST do this week:

1. Lunch: All students will have a sack lunch. Please note, due to volume, the dining hall staff can only pack very simple lunches of three types--bagel and cream cheese, turkey, soy nut butter. See the attached catering form. Keep a list of your students' orders for easy reference on May 9. Dietary restrictions will be honored--specify name of student on order form. Lunches will come in two deliveries--7:30am for those leaving campus; 10:30am for those staying on campus. Lunch request forms should be emailed to Kristen no later than Monday, April 30. The sandwich bar in the dining hall will be open for faculty and staff.

2. Community and Reflection Sign-Ups: A team of specialists and grade levels have offered to lead Community-building and reflection sessions in the afternoon of MHCSD, including PE sessions, walking the labyrinth, service-related DEAR, and visits to the Living History Museum and the Art Fair/Refugee Experience. Each class should sign up for ONE session to begin with, and then we will begin a second round of sign-ups. Access the sign-up here. 

3. Materials: If we have discussed your project and supplies, please order/acquire them. If you need any materials from me, please indicate them on the spreadsheet. I have many sets of gardening gloves, some garden tools, and plastic bags available if they are needed. 

Still to be done:

1. US Student volunteers: We will have a number of US Student volunteers available that day. If you feel your project would be supported by US hands, please email me. I will then distribute US volunteers to classrooms when I know the exact number.

FYI: 

1. Recess Coverage: We will provide lunch recess coverage for mixed age 1st-5th grade groups from 11:00-11:25 and 11:30-11:55, and from PK/K/Pr from 12:00-12:30. No mid-morning or afternoon recess coverage will be provided. You are welcome to take your class out at any time under your supervision. Specialists and staff--visit the recess coverage sign-up and please consider covering a duty if possible. 

2. Before/After School Duty: If you have a before- or after-school duty, please plan to do that duty. If you are unable to do your duty due to service, please let me know.

OPERATIONS

Swing Safety

Just a reminder that we've had some injuries in the past from children twisting on swings or sitting more than one child on a swing at a time. Safe swing protocol is one child per swing, facing the same direction, swinging back and forth. Thanks for your guidance!

Storage Room

Our storage room is getting very messy! Please help us clean it up and make it pleasant for everyone.

• Do not place items in the aisles. It creates hazards and blocks access to someone else's things.
• Every grade and group has an assigned spot on the shelves. Please put items you want to store in your own area. 
• Do Not put items in the PAL area. It is reserved for them.
• Please do not take materials out of its packaging so you can use the cardboard. Much of our tag board is now laying on the shelf unprotected.
• If you borrowed a hand truck or ladder please put it back in the marked location.

Lacrosse Gear

Teachers, please pass this information onto your student athletes:

Girls gear should go in the Team Room and boys gear in their Locker Room.  All should have a buddy with them whenever possible.  No lingering in these spaces.  No more LAX gear in the recess shed.  If any student arrives late to school, they can put them in the shed, but it should not become a habit.

Absence Report

All LS Employees are required to create an absence in Smartfind with or without guest teacher request. For HR and for our division’s daily morning report, it is important to know who is out for the day.

HR/Payroll

 HR/Payroll requires timecard approval twice a month: 17^th & 30^th. It is to the employee’s advantage to learn how to navigate ADP and being aware of the information entered into the payroll system.  

Visiting Artists

Inviting an artist to make a presentation in a class or grade has always been a part of the LS program and it is a valuable experience for the students. However inviting an artist to your class or grade requires contract and payment which needs approval from the LS Head.  Please consult with your Division Assistant Head if you are planning to invite an artist to your class or grade.  

Vision Screening Results

Participating classrooms, please wait to send home vision screen results until you have more info. from Elaine and Laura. 

Schedules
Please review your schedule here and on your google calendar. Be sure Kathy and Lyn have correct schedules. See Chris if you would like to discuss small changes within your schedule.

Sign out on whiteboard in LS Office when go about campus

We need to know where you are for safety reasons. Be sure to sign in and out on the office whiteboard. Thank you to those who are consistent.

Take Attendance for PK-Primary @ 8:10, for 1st-5th @ 8:00

Doing attendance promptly simplifies the start of Kathy's day. Thank you.

Classroom Budge - 
Let David know if you anticipate significant budget changes for 2018-19 by end of the week.

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.

WM 33 - April 16 - 22

Weekly Memo WM 33, April 16-22, 2018

The week begins with all of us caring for the 300 plants that were planted over the weekend on the new playground. Mid-week the school celebrates its volunteers and we send seven teachers off to the Learning and the Brain Conference. The week ends with a day of pampering and appreciation at our annual Teacher Appreciation Day.

Lower School Agreements

• 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 Weekly Memo format with repeat items in blue and new items in black.

COMMUNITY

Gathering and Chapel - Please be seated and ready at 8:10.
Lower School Chapel Schedule for 2017-2018
LS Chapel on Tuesday, 4/17
LS Gathering on Friday, 4/20

Gathering and Chapel

One of our agreements from the start of the year was to all be present at our weekly gatherings, Chapel and Gathering. These are important times to help build community, useful times to have extra adults to support students, and critical times to have us all available in the case of an emergency. Please make every effort to be present. Inform David if you are unable to attend Tuesday Chapel and Friday Gathering.

New Playground Plantings - Appreciate with Care

On Saturday, 15 families helped us plant almost 300 plants. Thank you Lyn (and Joe), Kimie, Austin and Jon von Behren for helping out as well. Michelle from Learning Landscapes and Brian from Cascadian Landscapers built the willow dome.

Please talk with your class about respecting the new planting areas staying out of thw planted areas. All the plants will need some time to establish themselves.

Duty teachers, please be extra vigilant so children stay on the paths and off of the plantings.

Beaverton Teachers NOT Visiting Monday

A small cadre of PreK-Grade 3 teachers from Beaverton Public Schools will visit OES, but not on Monday! Thanks for your willingness to host these teachers in your BY classrooms--we'll let you know when they reschedule. 

Spanish Affinity Group

We have a second grade student, Enryc, who has recently been told that his Spanish skills are cheating in Spanish class; he is therefore wanting to stop speaking Spanish at home. He has also been questioned about his family's immigration status. He is feeling targeted due to his heritage and language skills--two things we would love to celebrate. Please keep an extra eye on him and these interactions.

Alfredo is exploring the possibility of gathering our Spanish speaking student population on Thursdays at lunch time to have a lunch and conversation together. We are working on the logistics and parent permission this week but hope to start next week.

Teacher Appreciation Day, Friday April 20

Be prepared to be pampered and maybe win valuable prizes!

EC3 Supply Drive

See Emily Stone's email for details or the information by the collection bins in Lower School.

April 20th - National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools

There are no plans for special gathering on campus on this day. US students have the option of joining the rally at the State House in Salem or particpating in Cuture Schock. See Peter Kraft's letter for details.

Third Grade Overnight

Thank you to 3rd Grade team and chaperones who helped make the trip such a success. 

Hiring
4th Grade - Offer has been made
1st Grade - Initial interviews continuing
2nd Grade - Initial interviews have begun

LEGO Show Friday, May 11th--no gathering that day

The LEGO show will be in the Performance Commons. We will gather at the Bell Tower for MHCSD on 5/9 that week instead of our regular Friday gathering. We will still have chapel on Tuesday, 5/8. 

Faculty and Staff Awards - Nominations are open. For more details see Peter Kraft's email.

I.  The OES Staff Excellence Award - The Staff Excellence Award is presented annually to a non-faculty employee who has exemplified the highest standards of mission-minded performance in her/his position.   Submit your nomination here.

 Staff Excellence Award History

II. 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.  Submit your nomination here.

 Mary Stephenson Award History

III. 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 limitations - Submit your application here.

IV. Grant for Graduate Studies for Staff - A staff 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 limitations - Submit your application here.

SST

A reminder that the SST agenda and SST site are updated weekly and are a good resource for student concerns: links are in the WM sidebar. 

Student Updates

The SST Site contains valuable information that is helpful in understanding a student’s history and action plans. You may want to review the entries in the site before writing a child's report. The SST Site is linked in the Weekly Memo and can only be accessed on campus.

PROGRAM

Faculty Meetings

Monday, 4/16 - Big Rock curriculum articulation work session. 
Thursday, 4/19 - Division meeting

Curriculum Articulation Work
Thanks everyone for your work curriculum articulation! We've received Articulation Planning Sheets from many. You will find all your documents in the Big Rocks/P2P folder using the "LS Common Forms & Other Relevant Information" link on the right menu bar of the Weekly Memo.

PAL Content from Friday
The LS PAL meeting on Friday concentrated on the idea of balance and the Healthy Mind Platter.  Chris presented on the Healthy Mind Platter. Parents Asha Singh (Shay and Anika's mom) and Kate Fox (Kai Olson's mom) presented on the effects of sleep and nutrition on children's brains.  The content was very interesting and we had good parent turnout, with specific recommendations for how parents could improve both sleep and nutrition for their children--we wanted to share the slides with you. Please contact Chris, Kirstin or David with questions, or Asha and Kate!

Learning and the Brain Conference
A reminder that Carole, Claire, Tonya, Tina, Natasha, Melanie and Chris T. will be at the Learning and the Brain conference April 18-22 in NYC. Melanie and Chris are still looking for duty support here. We appreciate your generosity for helping to cover these duties and support our PGD experience.

Great OES Book Swap (GOBS)

Be sure to thank Rebecca Thompson and Carol Bull for their good work organizing another successful GOBS fest.

Mount Hood Climb Service Day is coming--action steps below!
Mount Hood Climb Service Day is coming on Wednesday, May 9. By now Kristen has heard from all classrooms about your plans for the day, and is impressed with how each plan builds directly from classroom learning. That is true service, true learning, and we thank you for that!
Starting this week you will see weekly notices in the WM with info, action items, and deadlines. Your attention to them is appreciated, and feel free to ask any questions!
General Schedule:
8:15-8:30 Belltower
8:55 (3rd-5th grade only) Classes staying on campus will pack lunch in MS commons
11:00-11:25; 11:30-11:55 (1-5 recess)--you choose either (coverage provided)
12:00-12:30 PK/Kinder/Pr recess (coverage provided)
12:00-2:15 Afternoon Community and Reflection Sign-Ups (sign-ups next week)
2:25 Affinity Commons Gatherings
2:35 Popsicles

To do this week:
1. Overview Spreadsheet: Please visit the spreadsheet by Friday, April 20 and fill in your specific times of service. This will be crucial so we can connect staff/parent volunteers with you, or keep track of your whereabouts.
2. Parent/Specialist volunteers: Please think through the number of parent and specialist volunteers you want/need for your project and place those numbers in the spreadsheet by Wednesday, April 18. Kristen will then communicate with your room parent to get that number into Sign Up.
3. US Student volunteers: We will have a number of US Student volunteers available that day. If you feel your project would be supported by US hands, please email me by Wednesday, April 18. Kristen will then distribute US volunteers to classrooms when she knows the exact number.
4. Materials: If you and Kristen have discussed your project and supplies, please order/acquire them. If you need any materials from me, please indicate them on the spreadsheet. We have many sets of gardening gloves, some garden tools, and plastic bags available if they are needed.

MHCSD FYI:
Lunch: All students will have a sack lunch. Please note, due to volume, the dining hall staff can only pack very simple lunches of three types--bagel and cream cheese, turkey, soy nut butter. See the attached catering form. Keep a list of your students' orders for easy reference on May 9. Dietary restrictions will be honored--specify name of student on order form. Lunches will come in two deliveries--7:30am for those leaving campus; 10:30am for those staying on campus. Lunch request forms should be emailed to Kristen no later than Monday, April 30. The sandwich bar in the dining hall will be open for faculty and staff.
Recess Coverage: We will provide lunch recess coverage for mixed age 1st-5th grade groups from 11:00-11:25 and 11:30-11:55, and from PK/K/Pr from 12:00-12:30. No mid-morning or afternoon recess coverage will be provided. You are welcome to take your class out at any time under your supervision.
Before/After School Duty: If you have a before- or after-school duty, please plan to do that duty. If you are unable to do your duty due to service, please let Kristen know.

New Seasons Earth Day Bag reminder

Please remember to complete your New Seasons grocery bags by Thursday, April 19 and return them to Kristen. Bags should be decorated with nature or Earth Day themes. 

Reminder: Scholastic Book Points for Service

Leading up to Mount Hood Climb Service Day (April 24-May 7) Ms. Akehurst's 5th grade class is having a book drive. We will take these books to Woodburn Family Learning Center to give to the kids during our Literacy Celebration we are planning for them. 

We were wondering that if you had any Scholastic Book Points you could use those points to order some books that we will bring to the kids at Woodburn. We'll be encouraging OES kids and families to donate, too, but we know it takes a while to get Scholastic book orders, so we wanted to tell you first. 

We would love it if you could look for diverse books to include in your order. Diverse books are important so kids can see themselves in the books, and see people like them and different kinds of kids. When we looked at our own class donations of books, a very small number of them were diverse. We also know only 22% of books published in 2016 show people of color. We feel we should change the amount of books the kids can see that show characters of diversity. Attached is a book list from The Children's Book Bank of recommended diverse books if this helps you order. 

Thank you for helping us with our project!

Odessa, Ben K., Flynn, Lizzy, Margot (on behalf of Ms. Akehurst's 5th grade class)

Art Fair--Student art welcome! Ms. Busick's class is doing the second annual art fair this year on May 9 and 10. We are selling art and giving the money to Refugee Care Collective. Please remind your kids to bring in art to be sold at the art fair. If you'd like to make art as a class, feel welcome to do so! The deadline for bringing this art is Monday, May 7. Thank you! Sincerely, Ms. Busick's class.

PGD Links

NAREA Conference - ???

Learning and the Brain- ???

OPERATIONS

Vision Screening Results

Elaine and Laura are working on a cover sheet to explain the new vision screening results to parents. Participating classrooms, please wait to send home vision screen results until you have more info. from Elaine and Laura. 

Schedules
Please review your schedule here and on your google calendar. If there have been any changes or you see any errors, please alert Chris Thompson. Lyn and Kathy use your class schedule google calendars for scheduling and with parents. It is almost time to start thinking about next year's rotating schedule, having your up to date calendar is a necessary step. If you would like to discuss possible small changes within your calendar, please let Chris know.

Sign out on whiteboard in LS Office when go about campus

We need to know where you are for safety reasons. Be sure to sign in and out on the office whiteboard. Thank you to those who are consistent.

Take Attendance for PK-Primary @ 8:10, for 1st-5th @ 8:00

Doing attendance promptly simplifies the start of Kathy's day. Thank you.

Lacrosse equipment into the playground shed

We were overwhelmed the first week of lacrosse. We still need all lax equipment to be stored in the recess shed. the PE Team is on it.

Classroom Budget

• Division Heads will work on budget's this week. As always we are looking to manage spending in an effort to manage tuition increase rates. Let David know if you anticipate significant budget changes for 2018-19.
• Check your classroom budget shared by Lyn online. Review the budget entry and if you have questions, let Lyn know.
• Do not wait until late April to order classroom materials. Fill out the order form online in the LS Common Forms & other Relevant Information. Let Kathy know if you need assistance with the order form.

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.

Weekly Memo 32

Weekly Memo WM 32, April 9-15, 2018

These last 9 weeks of school always fly by. We include a lot in the coming weeks; trips, culminating projects, hiring, moving up coffees and special events. Pace yourself. Find some mindful moments. Express gratitude. 

Lower School Agreements

• 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 Weekly Memo format with repeat items in blue and new items in black.

COMMUNITY

Gathering and Chapel - Please be seated and ready at 8:10.
Close. We started at 8:15.
Lower School Chapel Schedule for 2017-2018
LS Chapel on Tuesday, 4/10
LS Gathering on Friday, 4/13

Tradition is So Last Season - Mary Duden's Class Play
Thank you Mary, Emily and your class for creating and performing such an entertaining play. 

New Seasons Earth Day Bag reminder

Please remember to complete your New Seasons grocery bags by Thursday, April 19 and return them to Kristen. Bags should be decorated with nature or Earth Day themes. 

Reminder: Scholastic Book Points for Service

Leading up to Mount Hood Climb Service Day (April 24-May 7) Ms. Akehurst's 5th grade class is having a book drive. We will take these books to Woodburn Family Learning Center to give to the kids during our Literacy Celebration we are planning for them. 

We were wondering that if you had any Scholastic Book Points you could use those points to order some books that we will bring to the kids at Woodburn. We'll be encouraging OES kids and families to donate, too, but we know it takes a while to get Scholastic book orders, so we wanted to tell you first. 

We would love it if you could look for diverse books to include in your order. Diverse books are important because kids can see themselves in the books, and see people like them and different kinds of kids. When we looked at our own class donations of books, a very small number of them were diverse. We also know only 22% of books published in 2016 show people of color. We feel we should change the amount of books the kids can see that show characters of diversity. Attached a book list from The Children's Book Bank of recommended diverse books if this helps you order. 

Thank you for helping us with our project!

Odessa, Ben K., Flynn, Lizzy, Margot (on behalf of Ms. Akehurst's 5th grade class)

Third Grade Overnight

Leave Tuesday, April 10th and return Wednesday, April 11th.

Best of luck with your overnighter. Duties are covered. Follow link for who is doing what - Duty Coverage for April 10th-11th

Ari Returns II
Ari returns to his regular teaching schedule this week. 

Beth Breiten Leaving at End of Year
Beth will be moving to Bend at the end of the year as her husband will be taking on a new position next year. Before opening a search, Colesie is considering options.

School Safety Response - Faculty Training

Thank you for your participation and engagement. Jon and Rebecca will be following up with a communication addressing several issues revealed during the scenario.

Hiring
4th Grade - Finalists begin visiting Monday, 4/9
1st Grade - Initial interviews continuing
2nd Grade - Resume review continuing

Playground Planting Day, Saturday, 4/14
We begin at 8:00am and plan to continue until noon or until all 400 plants are planted. Family sign-up's are limited due to the limited size of the planting areas. You are welcome at any time. 

Student Updates

The SST Site contains valuable information that is helpful in understanding a student’s history and action plans. You may want to review the entries in the site before writing a child's report. The SST Site is linked in the Weekly Memo and can only be accessed on campus.

PROGRAM

Faculty Meetings

Monday, 4/9 - Big Rock curriculum articulation work session. 
Thursday, 4/12 - Professional Growth Block

Curriculum Articulation Work
Thanks everyone for your work curriculum articulation! We've received Articulation Planning Sheets from many. You will find all your documents in the Big Rocks/P2P folder using the "LS Common Forms & Other Relevant Information" link on the right menu bar of the Weekly Memo.

Learning and the Brain Conference

Looking ahead to next week, we have a squad of LS teachers heading to NY for the Learning and the Brain Conference focused on Mindfulness.  Duty Coverage Doc for Chris and Melanie who do not have sub coverage.

Great OES Book Swap (GOBS)

GOBS will be held in the Middle School the week of April 9th, coinciding with National Library Week, and will welcome students and families from all divisions. The format planned is the same as last year. Book drop-off and setup will be Monday and Tuesday of that week. Kids will visit the event to get books Wednesday and Thursday. More Details Here.

PGD Links
Children’s Research Center for Development and Learning Conference - PD conference (link for conversations)

*Children’s Research Center for Development and Learning conference. CDL specializes in the development and dissemination of leading-edge scientific research, knowledge, and best practices that improve teaching and increase student learning.

US Mentor Pilot Program (link for description and sign up)
Thank you Ari and Kara Tambellini who have created a better structure for this program. Check it out.

Nike Innovation Summit
My take-aways from Innovate 18. Several useful to inspiring programs showcasing how organizations and schools are striving to have students learn differently.

OPERATIONS

Schedules
Please review your schedule here and on your google calendar. If there have been any changes or you see any errors, please alert Chris Thompson. Lyn and Kathy use your class schedule google calendars for scheduling and with parents. It is almost time to start thinking about next year's rotating schedule, having your up to date calendar is a necessary step. If you would like to discuss possible small changes within your calendar, please let Chris know.

Uniform Policy (p. 32 All School Handbook)

Print it out. Post it up in your classroom. Remind your students. They are getting a bit casual with the guidelines. What about sweatshirts, bows, jewelry, hats, footwear? It is all there.

Dining Commons  Request
The 10 minutes between lunch shifts, 11:15 - 11:25 is a crucial time for set up for the second lunch shift. Please do not ask to be served food nor come into the kitchen at this time. 

When possible, she would like staff eating in the LS commons to come before the start of service at 10:50, or after 11:30.

Sign out on whiteboard in LS Office when go about campus

We need to know where you are for safety reasons. Be sure to sign in and out on the office whiteboard. Thank you to those who are consistent

Take Attendance for PK-Primary @ 8:10, for 1st-5th @ 8:00

Doing attendance promptly simplifies the start of Kathy's day. Thank you.

Lacrosse equipment into the playground shed

We were overwhelmed the first week of lacrosse. We still need all lax equipment to be stored in the recess shed. New organizational structure coming.

Classroom Budget

• Division Heads will work on budget's this week. As always we are looking to manage spending in an effort to manage tuition increase rates. Let David know if you anticipate significant budget changes for 2018-19.
• Check your classroom budget shared by Lyn online. Review the budget entry and if you have questions, let Lyn know.
• Do not wait until late April to order classroom materials. Fill out the order form online in the LS Common Forms & other Relevant Information. Let Kathy know if you need assistance with the order form.

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.