Welcome
to Week 24, February 27th though March 2nd. Four more weeks to Spring
Break. It promises to be a busy week, with a number of special events.
Be sure to check calendars for details.
COMMUNITY
Arts Week
Take
time to explore the art displays around campus this week. It will be
truly inspiring! Thanks Shelley and Margaret for highlighting our
talented students’ work!
Hiring
With
Admissions season almost behind us, Chris and David’s attention is
shifting to hiring the four positions for next year; Math Specialist,
Beginning School Atilierista, 1st and 3rd Grade Teachers. Thank you to
the many internal candidates who have expressed interest and presented
themselves so well. Thank you in advance to the hiring committees as we
begin scheduling interviews and eventually visits.
Recess Duty Asthma Attack
Last
week a student had a significant accident induced asthma attack during
recess. At the time there was only a single person on duty. The duty
teacher did the right thing by sending students in to get help. The
event serves as reminder to all of us how important being on duty and on
time can be. The student was fine after being calmed down and using an
inhaler. We will now have a school issued inhaler available in the
Lower School Office.
Tonya and Claire
Claire and Tonya will continue to partner in class this week, with Tonya having her first full solo day on Friday.
Trudy Ludwig Visits Friday, March 2nd
Trudy
will have a full day of presentations to parents and then students.
Check the YAAG for presentation times. Trudy will meet with teachers
over lunch in the library. We hope to discuss how we can implement
strategies which will promote healthy social lives of our children.
PROGRAM
Work on the Reading and Writing Continuum
First
and Second Grade teams met on Friday to delve into how to use the
reading and writing continuum as a reporting tool. They did exciting
work connecting the reading continuum to CAFE strategies and the writing
continuum to Lucy Caulkin’s Writers Workshop lessons.
We
are hoping that 3rd through 5th Grade teams will (not simultaneously
please) take time to come to agreement on how to use the reading and
writing continuum next year.
LS Faculty Meetings
The
faculty meetings on both 2/27 and 3/1 will be dedicated to self-study
work. Plan on using both sessions to meet in your vertical groups;
Beginning School, Math, English and Social Studies, to discuss the
self-study questions. Record notes from your conversation in your Google
doc.
Lower School Curriculum Task Force Meeting, Mar. 1st
First
through Fifth Grade LSCTF members meet in Chris Thompson’s room to talk
about recent Literacy work and plans for Laura Benson’s visit April 2nd
and 3rd. BS teachers do not need to attend. BS teachers may use the
time to work on Self Study documents or plans for our meeting with Judy
on April 2nd. Neither Chris nor David will be in attendance.
Professional Development
This May's Learning and the Brain Conference is focused on "Web-Connected Minds: How Technology Transforms Brains, Teaching and Attention."
This seems like an interesting opportunity as we explore more ways of
integrating technology into the classroom. Please let me know if you're
interested in attending.
A
few of you have expressed interest in the Reading and Writing Workshop
Institutes for this summer. You can download the brochure from the
following webpage: http://readingandwritingproject.com/institutes/tc-summer-institutes
Fifth Grade Writing Assessment
On
Thursday and Friday the Fifth Grade will assess student’s writing
ability using an “in-house” five paragraph essay exercise. Please be
mindful of their need for quiet focused work during the early morning
hours.
OPERATIONS
Admissions Decisions
This
week we wrap up our admissions season. Our thanks to all for your time
and efforts, especially our Pre-K friends who gave up a Saturday in
early February. They even greeted a small group of candidates at the
bewitching hour after school last Friday.
Our
thanks to Marty, Jackie, Kiah, Asha, Ari and Patti for taking time to
read admissions files last week. It was a really great exercise. They
came away with lots of suggestions on how we could improve the
admissions process next year.
We
have a fine group of prospective candidates. Sarah, Susie Gundle,
David and Chris will review candidates Monday through Wednesday.
Letters will go out to new families early next week.
David and Chris Off Campus This Week
David
will be in Seattle Thursday and Friday March 1st and 2nd interviewing
teaching candidates. On Thursday March 1st Chris will be off campus
taking a personal day. Jenny Cleveland and Ari Sternberg will serve as
administrators on duty. Seek them out if you need assistance.
Lunch
Be
sure to notify the Kitchen at least 72 hours ahead of time if your
class will not be eating in the dining hall. Bon Appetite will credit
the Lower School for the lunch expense.
Google Docs
You
should all have access to the shared collection of Self Study
documents. For future reference, when a document or collection is shared
with you, open the email notifying you about the documents and open the
Google document. Once you open the document it will appear in your
Google Docs Titles list.
Enjoy
one of the first full five-day week after a jumble of short weeks.
January through February are intensely packed with time-soaking
demands. Relax and breathe.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
February 21- 24
Welcome to Week 23. Congratulations, you made it through the demanding weeks between assessments, report writing, admissions and conferences. We truly appreciate all of the hard work that went into this sprint of intense demands. Now on to Spring. Daffodils are beginning to bloom on campus!
Community
Hiring Season
We will begin interviewing semifinalists for the four Lower School positions. Hiring committees, look for communications from Lyn concerning dates and times.
We know that scheduling interviews and observations are challenging, especially for Lyn. Please be flexible, rearrange teaching schedules and get duties covered.
Contracts Due- Students not Returning?
Wondering, if in your conference discussions you learned about students who are not returning next year. If so, please let David or Chris know.
Ash Wednesday, February 22nd
See Jenny Cleveland’s article in the Wednesday Express for details.
Program
LS Faculty Meeting
We will carry on with Self Study work on Thursday morning. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
1st/ 2nd Grade Literacy Work
First and Second Grade teams will take time next week to review the progress made thus far and set new goals and objectives for the remainder of this year.
First through Fifth Grade Literacy Work with Laura Benson
David and I plan to chat with Laura Benson some time in the coming week to develop plans for her possible return on April 2nd and 3rd. We can talk further about plans at next week’s Curriculum Task Force meeting.
Aardvark Science Fair
Great news! For the very first time, Lower School students can visit the Aardvark Science Fair at SPARC. The Science Fair is open to the public this week from 8am-5pm on Thursday the 23rd and 6:30-7:30pm on Friday the 24th. We hope you will consider taking your class or visiting the research of some of your former students.
Trudy Ludwig’s Visit on March 2nd
Here’s Trudy’s schedule:
PAL Meets with Trudy- 8-9:30 in the Common Hall
Kindergarten and First Grade Meet with Trudy 9:55-10:40 in the Library
Faculty who signed up for lunch with Trudy- 11-11:45 in the Library
Second and Third Grade Meet with Trudy- 12-12:45
Fourth and Fifth Grade Meet with Trudy- 1:00-1:50
Another Chance to See the The Finland Phenomenon, Monday, March 5th 6:35-8:45
City Club of Portland is sponsoring a presentation of Finland Phenomenon at the Hollywood Theater. If you are interested in reserving a seat, follow the link below. There will be a panel discussion following the film.
http://pdxcityclub.org/content/schools-making-difference-portraits-excellence-engagement-and-equity
Operations
Calendar Check for the Remainder of 2011-2012 School Year
On Friday Angela, Lyn and Chris reviewed three calendars: the LS Parent event calendar (the one seen on your web sites), the BS and LS Year at a Glance calendar and the AS calendar maintained by Anne Weston. We got as far as the end of April, and will make time to review May and June some time in the coming week. They all should be in sync now. If you happen to come upon some type of glitch, please let us know so we can adjust.
2012-13 Calendar Items
It is that time of year...time to think about the AS calendar. If you can, please forecast when your big events like overnight field trips, plays and parent events, will take place.
PCR Progress Report Survey
Please take time to complete Angela’s progress report survey. The information she yields will help us improve the reporting process in the future.
LS Leadership Team, 2/23, 3:15-4:15
2/23/2012
New snack options
Conference debrief
Calendar check - 2012-13
Admissions on 2/24
We will greet a small group of children at 3pm on Friday. Sarah will fill us in on the details early this week and be in contact with Pre-K and K teachers about the process.
NO ADMISSIONS Saturday, February 25th
Thanks, Sarah, for juggling schedules so that we do not have to come in on a Saturday.
Creative thinking!
NAIS
David will be away at NAIS on 3/1 and 3/2 interviewing teaching candidates.
We hope you enjoyed this glorious long weekend with family and friends.
David and Chris
Welcome to Week 23. Congratulations, you made it through the demanding weeks between assessments, report writing, admissions and conferences. We truly appreciate all of the hard work that went into this sprint of intense demands. Now on to Spring. Daffodils are beginning to bloom on campus!
Community
Hiring Season
We will begin interviewing semifinalists for the four Lower School positions. Hiring committees, look for communications from Lyn concerning dates and times.
We know that scheduling interviews and observations are challenging, especially for Lyn. Please be flexible, rearrange teaching schedules and get duties covered.
Contracts Due- Students not Returning?
Wondering, if in your conference discussions you learned about students who are not returning next year. If so, please let David or Chris know.
Ash Wednesday, February 22nd
See Jenny Cleveland’s article in the Wednesday Express for details.
Program
LS Faculty Meeting
We will carry on with Self Study work on Thursday morning. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
1st/ 2nd Grade Literacy Work
First and Second Grade teams will take time next week to review the progress made thus far and set new goals and objectives for the remainder of this year.
First through Fifth Grade Literacy Work with Laura Benson
David and I plan to chat with Laura Benson some time in the coming week to develop plans for her possible return on April 2nd and 3rd. We can talk further about plans at next week’s Curriculum Task Force meeting.
Aardvark Science Fair
Great news! For the very first time, Lower School students can visit the Aardvark Science Fair at SPARC. The Science Fair is open to the public this week from 8am-5pm on Thursday the 23rd and 6:30-7:30pm on Friday the 24th. We hope you will consider taking your class or visiting the research of some of your former students.
Trudy Ludwig’s Visit on March 2nd
Here’s Trudy’s schedule:
PAL Meets with Trudy- 8-9:30 in the Common Hall
Kindergarten and First Grade Meet with Trudy 9:55-10:40 in the Library
Faculty who signed up for lunch with Trudy- 11-11:45 in the Library
Second and Third Grade Meet with Trudy- 12-12:45
Fourth and Fifth Grade Meet with Trudy- 1:00-1:50
Another Chance to See the The Finland Phenomenon, Monday, March 5th 6:35-8:45
City Club of Portland is sponsoring a presentation of Finland Phenomenon at the Hollywood Theater. If you are interested in reserving a seat, follow the link below. There will be a panel discussion following the film.
http://pdxcityclub.org/content/schools-making-difference-portraits-excellence-engagement-and-equity
Operations
Calendar Check for the Remainder of 2011-2012 School Year
On Friday Angela, Lyn and Chris reviewed three calendars: the LS Parent event calendar (the one seen on your web sites), the BS and LS Year at a Glance calendar and the AS calendar maintained by Anne Weston. We got as far as the end of April, and will make time to review May and June some time in the coming week. They all should be in sync now. If you happen to come upon some type of glitch, please let us know so we can adjust.
2012-13 Calendar Items
It is that time of year...time to think about the AS calendar. If you can, please forecast when your big events like overnight field trips, plays and parent events, will take place.
PCR Progress Report Survey
Please take time to complete Angela’s progress report survey. The information she yields will help us improve the reporting process in the future.
LS Leadership Team, 2/23, 3:15-4:15
2/23/2012
New snack options
Conference debrief
Calendar check - 2012-13
Admissions on 2/24
We will greet a small group of children at 3pm on Friday. Sarah will fill us in on the details early this week and be in contact with Pre-K and K teachers about the process.
NO ADMISSIONS Saturday, February 25th
Thanks, Sarah, for juggling schedules so that we do not have to come in on a Saturday.
Creative thinking!
NAIS
David will be away at NAIS on 3/1 and 3/2 interviewing teaching candidates.
We hope you enjoyed this glorious long weekend with family and friends.
David and Chris
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Welcome to Week 22, February 13th - February 17th
Thanks to all for helping out with Friday’s Admission Day. It seemed to go off without a hitch, thanks to Sarah’s meticulous planning and preparation.
Now on to a short week and winter conferences.
COMMUNITY
Pajama Day on Valentine’s Day
Per students’ request, David declared Tuesday, Feb. 14th, Valentine’s Day, a Beginning and Lower School Pajama Day. Students may wear pajamas, robes or sweats, and slippers, but must bring the appropriate footwear and jackets to wear outdoors and at PE. Teachers, have fun too... wear your best snuggly sleep wear.
Birthday Celebration Tuesday Morning
Lyn and Jenny, our Sunshine Committee, invite you all to the Faculty Lounge at 7:20 on Tuesday, to celebrate colleague’s December, January and February birthdays. Come sing Happy Birthday and enjoy breakfast treats.
Tonya Griffin’s Return
Tonya Griffin will be easing back into work this week. She will attend her students’ conferences with Claire Kucera on 2/16 and 2/17. Then she will work half days 2/22 to 3/1. Her first solo day will be 3/2. Welcome back Tonya and thank you Claire for your wonderful work during Tonya’s leave.
PROGRAM
Self Study
Thanks to all for getting a jump on our self study work. If you have any questions see David or Chris. Our next scheduled meeting is on Thursday, 2/23 at 7:30am where we will get oriented to the questions we need to answer and begin discussions and reflections. I have created a Google Doc containing the questions for each subject. They can be found in the Self Study collection. The questions fro each discipline are the same.
Hiring
Chris and David have begun the hiring process for four Lower School positions. The faculty and staff listed below are being invited to serve on the search committee for each position. Please let me know if you do not want to serve on the designated search committee.
Beginning School Atilierista (Integrated Arts Specialist)
Lauren Erickson, Deborah Bridgnell, Dori King, Art Department Chair, Margaret Synan-Russell
Math Specialist
Math Department Chair, Sandi Lillevik, Kirstin McAuley, Jackie Blake, Asha Sathyaraj, Ari Sternberg
1st Grade Teacher
Marty Eastman-Brown, Doug Whitmore, Ari Sternberg, Patti Beyer, Jenny Cleveland
3rd Grade Teacher
Paula Hunger, Kiah Mounsey, Ari Sternberg, Patti Beyer, Jenny Cleveland
OPERATIONS
No Faculty Meeting Monday
You can use the time to prep for conferences.
Conferences Thursday and Friday
If you would like either David or Chris to attend a conference, please let Lyn know. If possible we will rearrange our schedules to accommodate your requests. Be sure to communicate with parents that one of us will be attending.
Specialist Conferences
Specialists will be in the Lower School Library from 7:30 - 3:30 on both Thursday and Friday. Please remind parents.
Student Supervision
Assistant Teahers will supervise all students in the gym and Rainbow Room on Thursday from 7am-5pm and Friday, 7am-3pm. From 3pm-5pm, students will be in the Lower School library.
Conference Notes
As discussed, you will use the progress report for talking points at this conference. If, however, a student is experiencing challenges and specific plans need to be addressed, please document this discussion. Take notes during the conference and send a follow up email summary to the parents. Please cc Chris and David on the communication.
Auction Volunteers
The OES Auction is Saturday, March 10. They need volunteers. Contact Jenny Shotts or Michele Ackerman.
Thanks to all for helping out with Friday’s Admission Day. It seemed to go off without a hitch, thanks to Sarah’s meticulous planning and preparation.
Now on to a short week and winter conferences.
COMMUNITY
Pajama Day on Valentine’s Day
Per students’ request, David declared Tuesday, Feb. 14th, Valentine’s Day, a Beginning and Lower School Pajama Day. Students may wear pajamas, robes or sweats, and slippers, but must bring the appropriate footwear and jackets to wear outdoors and at PE. Teachers, have fun too... wear your best snuggly sleep wear.
Birthday Celebration Tuesday Morning
Lyn and Jenny, our Sunshine Committee, invite you all to the Faculty Lounge at 7:20 on Tuesday, to celebrate colleague’s December, January and February birthdays. Come sing Happy Birthday and enjoy breakfast treats.
Tonya Griffin’s Return
Tonya Griffin will be easing back into work this week. She will attend her students’ conferences with Claire Kucera on 2/16 and 2/17. Then she will work half days 2/22 to 3/1. Her first solo day will be 3/2. Welcome back Tonya and thank you Claire for your wonderful work during Tonya’s leave.
PROGRAM
Self Study
Thanks to all for getting a jump on our self study work. If you have any questions see David or Chris. Our next scheduled meeting is on Thursday, 2/23 at 7:30am where we will get oriented to the questions we need to answer and begin discussions and reflections. I have created a Google Doc containing the questions for each subject. They can be found in the Self Study collection. The questions fro each discipline are the same.
Hiring
Chris and David have begun the hiring process for four Lower School positions. The faculty and staff listed below are being invited to serve on the search committee for each position. Please let me know if you do not want to serve on the designated search committee.
Beginning School Atilierista (Integrated Arts Specialist)
Lauren Erickson, Deborah Bridgnell, Dori King, Art Department Chair, Margaret Synan-Russell
Math Specialist
Math Department Chair, Sandi Lillevik, Kirstin McAuley, Jackie Blake, Asha Sathyaraj, Ari Sternberg
1st Grade Teacher
Marty Eastman-Brown, Doug Whitmore, Ari Sternberg, Patti Beyer, Jenny Cleveland
3rd Grade Teacher
Paula Hunger, Kiah Mounsey, Ari Sternberg, Patti Beyer, Jenny Cleveland
OPERATIONS
No Faculty Meeting Monday
You can use the time to prep for conferences.
Conferences Thursday and Friday
If you would like either David or Chris to attend a conference, please let Lyn know. If possible we will rearrange our schedules to accommodate your requests. Be sure to communicate with parents that one of us will be attending.
Specialist Conferences
Specialists will be in the Lower School Library from 7:30 - 3:30 on both Thursday and Friday. Please remind parents.
Student Supervision
Assistant Teahers will supervise all students in the gym and Rainbow Room on Thursday from 7am-5pm and Friday, 7am-3pm. From 3pm-5pm, students will be in the Lower School library.
Conference Notes
As discussed, you will use the progress report for talking points at this conference. If, however, a student is experiencing challenges and specific plans need to be addressed, please document this discussion. Take notes during the conference and send a follow up email summary to the parents. Please cc Chris and David on the communication.
Auction Volunteers
The OES Auction is Saturday, March 10. They need volunteers. Contact Jenny Shotts or Michele Ackerman.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Welcome to Week 21!
Welcome to the LS Blog. Just to keep you on your technological toes we are now going to be delivering the Weekly Memo to you via blog. We look forward to your feedback about the new format. Thanks to Debra and Angela for another technological miracle.
Hopefully you’ve all had a chance to get some rest and renewal over the weekend. On into February we go.
Community
OBOB
Our thanks to Lara and Heidi for organizing this event and the Fourth and Fifth Grade team’s support of students. I know that students were encouraged to read voraciously, take risks and work collaboratively on teams...what great life lessons!
Progress Report Thank You!
Our thanks to Angela and Debra for tirelessly working through progress report challenges.
Thank you, classroom teachers and specialists, for your countless hours of report and comment writing. Thanks to colleagues who took on the new challenge of reading team member’s reports. We will have a chance to debrief on this process at an upcoming meeting.
In the meantime, we hope you had a chance to catch your breath this sunny weekend!
Complete Our Round of Winter Coffees This Week
Winter Coffees were well attended this year. Our thanks to faculty who participated, and to those who covered classrooms so faculty could attend. Parents appreciate this opportunity to hear about your good work and ask important questions.
PAL Meeting Thank You
Thanks to specialists Margaret, Kelola, Kristen, Scott and Jane who stepped up to speak to parents at Friday’s PAL meeting. You all did a fabulous job.
Birthday Celebrations – 2/14 at 7:20
A week from Tuesday we will gather in the Lower School Faculty Room to celebrate faculty and staff’s December, January and February birthdays. Thanks, Lyn and Jenny, for organizing this special celebration.
Program
All School Self Study 2/6
Specialist teachers will meet in PreK-12 groups. Classroom teachers will meet in LS Art Room for orientation to Self Study and then split off groups.
Reports Posted to Parent Portal
The Tech Team will be working on posting report cards to the Parent Portal Monday afternoon. If anyone has remaining issues with their reports please see me ASAP.
Operations
PreK Admissions Day- 2/4 A Huge Success
On Saturday, Colesie, Lauren, Patti, Kristen and Chris O’T met with 3 groups of darling Pre-K candidates. Thank you Sarah, Colesie and Lauren for putting together seamless visits for these little ones. While they met with the students, three Lower School parents, Jenny Cleveland, Mo Copeland, Tom Wheelock and David met with the prospective parents. We have a great crop of candidates. Thanks to all who gave up your precious Saturday.
Lower School Admissions Day- 2/10
The big day approaches. We need everyone's help. Sarah will get us all up to speed on the roles we will play at Thursday morning’s faculty meeting.
LS Leadership Team Agenda
2/9/2012
Report Card Debrief
Conferences Check in
Calendar Review
Self Study Check in
Open Items
Conferences February 16th and 17th
Be sure to keep Jenny Strode informed of any changes to your conference schedule so we have an accurate record in the office and adequate coverage in the gym.
Full time specialists should plan on being in the LS Library 7:30 – 3:30 on both days. Part time specialist will need to inform Jenny Strode of your schedule Shelley and Margaret will be in the Art Room so they can share art work.
To enable Teaching Assistants to be available for more conferences we are going to offer supervision of students in the Gym and Rainbow Room on Thursday from 7am - 5pm and on Friday from 7am to 3pm.
Library and Recess
Lara and Heidi are going to offer consistent Lunch Recess access to the library every Monday and Friday from 10:50 - 11:50. Students in the library will need to engage in quiet library related activities. A maximum of 20 students will be allowed into library recess at a time. The Library will continue to be open during Lunch Recess during inclement weather.
Opening of the Gym
On cold wet mornings before school and during inclement weather duing lunch recess I encourage duty teachers to open the gym for student use.
Competitive Fourth and Fifth Grade Boys
If you have lunch recess duty or afternoon recess duty, please be especially vigilant. We’ve had a number of conflicts arise lately that required problem solving with students and their parents. Provide close supervision of football or soccer on the field and of basketball under the covered area
Fifth Grade Boys
We’re keeping a close eye on a number of boys. If you are on lunch duty, please be up and circulating about the dining hall so you can be proactive if issues arise. See Natasha, Tracy or Alysa for details.
Welcome to the LS Blog. Just to keep you on your technological toes we are now going to be delivering the Weekly Memo to you via blog. We look forward to your feedback about the new format. Thanks to Debra and Angela for another technological miracle.
Hopefully you’ve all had a chance to get some rest and renewal over the weekend. On into February we go.
Community
OBOB
Our thanks to Lara and Heidi for organizing this event and the Fourth and Fifth Grade team’s support of students. I know that students were encouraged to read voraciously, take risks and work collaboratively on teams...what great life lessons!
Progress Report Thank You!
Our thanks to Angela and Debra for tirelessly working through progress report challenges.
Thank you, classroom teachers and specialists, for your countless hours of report and comment writing. Thanks to colleagues who took on the new challenge of reading team member’s reports. We will have a chance to debrief on this process at an upcoming meeting.
In the meantime, we hope you had a chance to catch your breath this sunny weekend!
Complete Our Round of Winter Coffees This Week
Winter Coffees were well attended this year. Our thanks to faculty who participated, and to those who covered classrooms so faculty could attend. Parents appreciate this opportunity to hear about your good work and ask important questions.
PAL Meeting Thank You
Thanks to specialists Margaret, Kelola, Kristen, Scott and Jane who stepped up to speak to parents at Friday’s PAL meeting. You all did a fabulous job.
Birthday Celebrations – 2/14 at 7:20
A week from Tuesday we will gather in the Lower School Faculty Room to celebrate faculty and staff’s December, January and February birthdays. Thanks, Lyn and Jenny, for organizing this special celebration.
Program
All School Self Study 2/6
Specialist teachers will meet in PreK-12 groups. Classroom teachers will meet in LS Art Room for orientation to Self Study and then split off groups.
Reports Posted to Parent Portal
The Tech Team will be working on posting report cards to the Parent Portal Monday afternoon. If anyone has remaining issues with their reports please see me ASAP.
Operations
PreK Admissions Day- 2/4 A Huge Success
On Saturday, Colesie, Lauren, Patti, Kristen and Chris O’T met with 3 groups of darling Pre-K candidates. Thank you Sarah, Colesie and Lauren for putting together seamless visits for these little ones. While they met with the students, three Lower School parents, Jenny Cleveland, Mo Copeland, Tom Wheelock and David met with the prospective parents. We have a great crop of candidates. Thanks to all who gave up your precious Saturday.
Lower School Admissions Day- 2/10
The big day approaches. We need everyone's help. Sarah will get us all up to speed on the roles we will play at Thursday morning’s faculty meeting.
LS Leadership Team Agenda
2/9/2012
Report Card Debrief
Conferences Check in
Calendar Review
Self Study Check in
Open Items
Conferences February 16th and 17th
Be sure to keep Jenny Strode informed of any changes to your conference schedule so we have an accurate record in the office and adequate coverage in the gym.
Full time specialists should plan on being in the LS Library 7:30 – 3:30 on both days. Part time specialist will need to inform Jenny Strode of your schedule Shelley and Margaret will be in the Art Room so they can share art work.
To enable Teaching Assistants to be available for more conferences we are going to offer supervision of students in the Gym and Rainbow Room on Thursday from 7am - 5pm and on Friday from 7am to 3pm.
Library and Recess
Lara and Heidi are going to offer consistent Lunch Recess access to the library every Monday and Friday from 10:50 - 11:50. Students in the library will need to engage in quiet library related activities. A maximum of 20 students will be allowed into library recess at a time. The Library will continue to be open during Lunch Recess during inclement weather.
Opening of the Gym
On cold wet mornings before school and during inclement weather duing lunch recess I encourage duty teachers to open the gym for student use.
Competitive Fourth and Fifth Grade Boys
If you have lunch recess duty or afternoon recess duty, please be especially vigilant. We’ve had a number of conflicts arise lately that required problem solving with students and their parents. Provide close supervision of football or soccer on the field and of basketball under the covered area
Fifth Grade Boys
We’re keeping a close eye on a number of boys. If you are on lunch duty, please be up and circulating about the dining hall so you can be proactive if issues arise. See Natasha, Tracy or Alysa for details.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Week 20: Jan 30-Feb 3 2012
Welcome
to Week 20. We trust that by now you are all on a roll, writing
progress reports efficiently in PCR. We appreciate your willingness to
take this next technological step. We think parents will value having
these documents at their finger tips.
Mid Year Expectations
Academic Support
2nd Grade Coffee - 2/7
Topics to include:
General check in
Progress reports and conferences
Academic Support
Hero Project
LS PAL Meeting, Friday, Feb. 3rd 8-9:30 Specialist teachers will speak to parents about their programs. The timing is intentional, right before parents receive the progress reports so they have some good context for subject matter and approach to teaching in your discipline. Thanks Specialists, for putting this together with short notice and during the week of progress reports.
LSCTF - Self Study Work We met on Jan 19th to look at self study curriculum templates and begin thinking about what this process entails. Members all came away with many questions. For Thursday’’s meeting we have invited Lara Ingham and Jenny Cleveland, two Lower School representatives on the Self Study team, along with Tom Wheelock, to come and talk to the Curriculum Task Force at our next meeting on Thursday, Feb. 2th. We’ll have the opportunity to hear their responses to our queries and formulate a timeline for completing self study tasks.
Self Study
LSCTF has already begun to work on the self study. Our next faculty meeting, February 9 will be dedicated to working on the Self Study.
GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES ENGLISH MATH
1ST GRADE chris marty doug
2ND GRADE janet jackie claire/ Tonya
3RD GRADE Kiah paula/ kiah Paula
4TH GRADE Jenny Kathy Asha
5TH GRADE Natasha Alysa Tracy
Wonders of Learning Exhibit Grand Opening 2/2
The internationally renowned exhibit produced by the municipal schools of Reggio Emilia opens at the Portland Children’s Museum on Thursday night. Our thanks to Deborah Bridgnell, for being our representative on the launch committee.
Beginning School teachers, and a number of other specialists, will tour the exhibit, guided by Judy Graves, on our next professional day, Monday, April 2nd.
The exhibit will be at the museum through the end of June. It is truly a marvel!
OPERATIONS
Progress Reports - Proof reading
All reports should be completed by Monday so we can proof read each other’s reports after school. If you have any trouble posting your reports on PCR, Angela is on call throughout the weekend to help solve problems. See her email Friday listing her cell number.
Report Proof-reading Plan
All Faculty are expected to work on proof reading reports from 3:15 - 4:30 on Monday. Please complete the Report Card Checklist Google Doc once you have completed proofing and loading into PCR.
Grade level teams proof read reports within their team
Specialist Teachers will proof read in the following way:
Art Margaret read Shelley’s, Shelley read Margaret’s
Music Kristin and Amy
PE Read each others
Spanish Carmen and Kelola read each others. Chris O’Toole will help due to large number
Change to Pick-up for 2nd - 5th Grades
In an effort to improve the efficiency of pick-up, Jon von Behren has changed MS and US pick-up. For LS there are two accommodations we will need to make.
1. All LS students remaining on the Covered Walkway at 3:05 will head to the LS Office. All MS students will be heading to the covered walkway at that time.
2. LS Students will no longer be walked up to MS for pick-up. They will wait on the Covered Walkway until MS students come down. One LS Walkway duty person will need to remain on the walkway until 3:10 to supervise these students. Sign up below if you are willing to cover this transition.
Monday -
Tuesday - David
Wednesday -
Thursday - Margaret
Friday -
Report cards out 2/6
Our plan is to send reports out to parents on Monday, February 6th. All reports should be completed by Friday, February 3rd so they are ready to post on the 6th.
AS Finance Meeting
Don’t miss this important meeting on Thursday morning. Note the start time is 7:45.
Pre-K Admissions Saturday
The Pre-K teachers, Kristen Haferbecker, Patti, Sarah and Chris O’T will greet three groups of Pre-K candidates on Saturday, February 4th. Mo, Tom W, several LS parents and David will present to the parents.
Admissions Day Update and Training for Specialists, Wed., Feb. 8th, 8am to 9am
We set up this date because specialists have department meetings the morning of the 9th, We know that the PE teachers normally teach at 8:10 and will likely not attend this training.
If you can, please try to attend this important meeting.
Admissions Day Update and Training for Faculty, Thurs. Feb. 9th, 7:30am to 8:30am
Please be on time for this important meeting with Sarah Ross-Bailey. We need to be prepared for our big Admissions Day!
Reenrollment Contracts out 2/6
Contracts go out electronically on that Monday. If you hear that a student is not planning on returning, please let David or Chris know. Contracts are to be returned by Tues., Feb. 21st.
ERB’s out 2/13
Students’ scores will be sent home to parents in time for conferences. Fourth and Fifth Grade teachers, you can schedule time with Ari, if need be, to review students’ scores, develop strategies on how to share data with parents.
COMMUNITY
Jeannie’s Memorial on Saturday
The memorial service for Jeannie was very moving and joyful. I continue to be amazed by the strength and poise of her family. Dan and Sarah’s tributes to Jeannie were inspiring. Thank to those of you who could make it. There was a wonderful showing of past and present faculty and staff.
All School Finance Meeting on Thursday
Note the time above. Do what you need to do to be prepared to greet children at 8:45
Assembly February 3rd- Fourth Pillar Caring
Our thanks to Kristen, for sending out the email on the Random Acts of Kindness project. We know we are a caring community- it will be nice to put caring acts in “the spotlight” throughout the week.
Random Acts fo Kindness
You saw Kristen’s email from last week...be sure to take time to discuss this throughout the week, and encourage students to place notes in the “Random Acts of Kindness” basket.
PROGRAM
5th Grade Coffee - 2/1
Topics to include:
ERB’s
Academic Support
new writing assessment
technology culture of use
General check in
1st Grade Coffee - 2/6
Topics to include:
Jeannie’s Memorial on Saturday
The memorial service for Jeannie was very moving and joyful. I continue to be amazed by the strength and poise of her family. Dan and Sarah’s tributes to Jeannie were inspiring. Thank to those of you who could make it. There was a wonderful showing of past and present faculty and staff.
All School Finance Meeting on Thursday
Note the time above. Do what you need to do to be prepared to greet children at 8:45
Assembly February 3rd- Fourth Pillar Caring
Our thanks to Kristen, for sending out the email on the Random Acts of Kindness project. We know we are a caring community- it will be nice to put caring acts in “the spotlight” throughout the week.
Random Acts fo Kindness
You saw Kristen’s email from last week...be sure to take time to discuss this throughout the week, and encourage students to place notes in the “Random Acts of Kindness” basket.
PROGRAM
5th Grade Coffee - 2/1
Topics to include:
ERB’s
Academic Support
new writing assessment
technology culture of use
General check in
1st Grade Coffee - 2/6
Topics to include:
Transitions to 1st Grade
Progress reports and conferencesMid Year Expectations
Academic Support
2nd Grade Coffee - 2/7
Topics to include:
General check in
Progress reports and conferences
Academic Support
Hero Project
LS PAL Meeting, Friday, Feb. 3rd 8-9:30 Specialist teachers will speak to parents about their programs. The timing is intentional, right before parents receive the progress reports so they have some good context for subject matter and approach to teaching in your discipline. Thanks Specialists, for putting this together with short notice and during the week of progress reports.
LSCTF - Self Study Work We met on Jan 19th to look at self study curriculum templates and begin thinking about what this process entails. Members all came away with many questions. For Thursday’’s meeting we have invited Lara Ingham and Jenny Cleveland, two Lower School representatives on the Self Study team, along with Tom Wheelock, to come and talk to the Curriculum Task Force at our next meeting on Thursday, Feb. 2th. We’ll have the opportunity to hear their responses to our queries and formulate a timeline for completing self study tasks.
Self Study
LSCTF has already begun to work on the self study. Our next faculty meeting, February 9 will be dedicated to working on the Self Study.
GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES ENGLISH MATH
1ST GRADE chris marty doug
2ND GRADE janet jackie claire/ Tonya
3RD GRADE Kiah paula/ kiah Paula
4TH GRADE Jenny Kathy Asha
5TH GRADE Natasha Alysa Tracy
Wonders of Learning Exhibit Grand Opening 2/2
The internationally renowned exhibit produced by the municipal schools of Reggio Emilia opens at the Portland Children’s Museum on Thursday night. Our thanks to Deborah Bridgnell, for being our representative on the launch committee.
Beginning School teachers, and a number of other specialists, will tour the exhibit, guided by Judy Graves, on our next professional day, Monday, April 2nd.
The exhibit will be at the museum through the end of June. It is truly a marvel!
OPERATIONS
Progress Reports - Proof reading
All reports should be completed by Monday so we can proof read each other’s reports after school. If you have any trouble posting your reports on PCR, Angela is on call throughout the weekend to help solve problems. See her email Friday listing her cell number.
Report Proof-reading Plan
All Faculty are expected to work on proof reading reports from 3:15 - 4:30 on Monday. Please complete the Report Card Checklist Google Doc once you have completed proofing and loading into PCR.
Grade level teams proof read reports within their team
Specialist Teachers will proof read in the following way:
Art Margaret read Shelley’s, Shelley read Margaret’s
Music Kristin and Amy
PE Read each others
Spanish Carmen and Kelola read each others. Chris O’Toole will help due to large number
of Carmen’s reports
Science - David will proof Jane’s reports due to large number. Chris and Jane will help.Change to Pick-up for 2nd - 5th Grades
In an effort to improve the efficiency of pick-up, Jon von Behren has changed MS and US pick-up. For LS there are two accommodations we will need to make.
1. All LS students remaining on the Covered Walkway at 3:05 will head to the LS Office. All MS students will be heading to the covered walkway at that time.
2. LS Students will no longer be walked up to MS for pick-up. They will wait on the Covered Walkway until MS students come down. One LS Walkway duty person will need to remain on the walkway until 3:10 to supervise these students. Sign up below if you are willing to cover this transition.
Monday -
Tuesday - David
Wednesday -
Thursday - Margaret
Friday -
Report cards out 2/6
Our plan is to send reports out to parents on Monday, February 6th. All reports should be completed by Friday, February 3rd so they are ready to post on the 6th.
AS Finance Meeting
Don’t miss this important meeting on Thursday morning. Note the start time is 7:45.
Pre-K Admissions Saturday
The Pre-K teachers, Kristen Haferbecker, Patti, Sarah and Chris O’T will greet three groups of Pre-K candidates on Saturday, February 4th. Mo, Tom W, several LS parents and David will present to the parents.
Admissions Day Update and Training for Specialists, Wed., Feb. 8th, 8am to 9am
We set up this date because specialists have department meetings the morning of the 9th, We know that the PE teachers normally teach at 8:10 and will likely not attend this training.
If you can, please try to attend this important meeting.
Admissions Day Update and Training for Faculty, Thurs. Feb. 9th, 7:30am to 8:30am
Please be on time for this important meeting with Sarah Ross-Bailey. We need to be prepared for our big Admissions Day!
Reenrollment Contracts out 2/6
Contracts go out electronically on that Monday. If you hear that a student is not planning on returning, please let David or Chris know. Contracts are to be returned by Tues., Feb. 21st.
ERB’s out 2/13
Students’ scores will be sent home to parents in time for conferences. Fourth and Fifth Grade teachers, you can schedule time with Ari, if need be, to review students’ scores, develop strategies on how to share data with parents.
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