LS Weekly Memo Week 2: September 4-7

Thank you again for all your work this week.  I am looking forward to a great year. Good luck with final preparations and be sure to enjoy some of the weekend.  See you on Tuesday.


COMMUNITY

August Hackenjos
Out best wishes to August, Heidi and Joey as they prepare to welcome him into the world. I am sure Lara will let us know when there is news.

Nicole Cormier
Nicole will be the long term Library Assistant substitute for Heidi, starting on Tuesday.  Please join me in welcoming Nicole to OES.

Restraining Order for Andrew Shotts
There is a restraining order in place against Andrew Shotts, the father of Elwin Shotts in Doug Whitmore’s 1st grade class and Edgar Shotts in 7th grade. This order restricts his time on campus and his access to his children.  Andrew is allowed to pick up and drop off the children on his scheduled dates every other weekend and he is allowed to attend school events or sports events for the children. He is not allowed on campus at other times.  In addition, Andrew is not allowed to contact the children during the school day. Jenny Shotts has full custody of the children.  See David if you have additional questions.

Specialists during opening 10 days - either teach class or visit homeroom
During the opening 10 days of school, 9/5 - 9/14, specialist teachers will either go to the classroom during the time of their regular class and support the classroom teacher or teach the class.  PE is an exception as the teachers will be running Recess Rodeo during the first week of school, 9/5 - 9/7.

Room Parents
Michele Ackerman, LS PAL Chair, and Clare Rathbone, LS PAL Co-Chair, have been hard at working finding room parents for your classrooms.  Be sure you have completed the volunteer spreadsheet before next Friday, September 7 and send it to your room parent.  Your room parent will likely look to meet with you before the Room Parent Training on Friday, September 7.  Volunteer Spot will “go live” (parents gain access to sign up, very exciting) on Monday, Sept. 17th at 5:30 so the room paretns will have a lot of work to do between 9/7 and 9/17.  Let us know if you have questions.

Buddy Class Survey
With new teachers on board, we have an opportunity to rethink how we match up buddy classes.  Ideally we are hoping to match classes that have a three year age difference and match “buddy teachers” that share affinities, like Deborah and Paula, who share an interest in our feathered friends, the chickens!
Look for a buddy class survey in your email box this week.  Fill it out, and send it back to Chris.  Chris and David will match classes that need new buddies.  If you already have a buddy class, great! Just indicate who it is on the survey.

LS Important Documents
Many details for the opening days are there.  Take some time to read through them.

Open Classroom
Please do plan a way to engage your students in the classroom during their visit at Open Classroom. Parents are greatly appreciative of the structure and the opportunity to explore the classroom together.


PROGRAM

Lower School Recess Plan from PE
The PE Team is considering your input and creating a Recess Plan for the 1st  6 weeks of school for the 1st - 5th grades.  They will share their plan at the faculty meeting on Tuesday, after Open Classroom. The Beginning School teachers are collaborating on a plan for the BS Playground.
Nerdly diversion - Rock, Paper Scissors variation
http://youtu.be/Kov2G0GouBw

Chapel Time - 8:10 on Fridays
At the Lower School Leadership Team (LSLT) meeting last week we agreed that Chapel/ Assembly on Fridays will start at 8:10.  The slight adjustment to the time will give sufficient time for students to get to class for attendance and will provide sufficient time for Chapel/ Assembly to end before specialist classes begin.

PGD Day - October 12
As requested by several faculty members, 1st - 5th grade classroom teachers are free to choose from the many professional development opportunities offered on 10/12, including the PNAIS All School Conference in Tacoma, WA (See previous email.  Deadline is today). Beginning School Teachers are planning on working with Judy Graves.  Some departments are planning subject specific experiences for the day. Everyone is expected to be involved in professional development. Let me know your plans.

Lower School Curriculum Task Force (LSCTF) Decisions - LSCTF members remember to report back to your team.
At the LSCTF meeting last week we decided to proceed with the reading continuum in the following ways:
All students will be marked on the continuum for falland spring conferences.
BS - Continue to use Reading Continuum as communication and reporting tool.
1st & 2nd Grades - Work as a team to be ready to use continuum as communication tool during parent teacher conferences and as a reporting tool in January and June.
3rd - 5th Grades - Use continuum as communication tool to be used with parents during fall and spring conferences.


OPERATIONS

LSLT Decisions - LSLT representatives remember to report back to your team.
Chapel/ Assembly will begin at 8:10 on Fridays
P-1st grade will attend Chapel on Monday, 11:55 - 12:20
Specialist teachers will each have a buddy class starting with Opening Day assignments
Leadership Team representatives will manage LS Faculty Calendar
PE Department will introduce Peaceful Playground at Opening Meetings

Summer Stipend Forms Due Friday, September 7
Get forms from Lyn. Once completed, hand your forms into Lyn.

Classroom Clean-up
The Custodial crew will be coming through to clean classrooms this afternoon and evening.  They will vacuum and empty trash.  Messes you make over the weekend will need to be cleaned by you. If you need to empty trash or recycling over the weekend, the dumpsters are located behind the Dining Hall.

Calendar and Idea Update in LSCH
Chris is working on transcribing this into the LS Faculty Calendar.  Posters came down at 3:00 pm.

Calendar - Update by end of Late Start on Thursday, September 6
Chris reviewed the calendar updates you posted at Thursday’s faculty meeting.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of conflicts. It seemed as though people didn’t check the LS Faculty Calendar, or the OES School calendars.  Please review your dates, and check for conflicts with parent meetings and events. I’ve created 3 Google docs that will be an easy reference for you when double checking your calendars.  

Parent Coffees- see “Beginning and Lower School Parent Coffees 2012-2013
Sign up to represent your grade level team at a coffee.

Parent Meetings- PAL, PCL, Diversity Link, see “Parent Meetings ‘12-’13”

Assemblies- See “Assemblies 2012-2013”

Update Your Website - Thank you to those who have already done so. ave your sire updated by Opening Day.

Health Alerts in Sub Folders - Thanks to Elaine for the reminder.

Windows Removed in Seismic Upgrades
If you want bulletin boards or shelves installed where you once had a window, let Jon know.  He will have this done sometime in the fall.

Duty Changes
Thanks for letting Chris know about your duty changes. Look for finalized schedules on or before Tuesday.

Locking of the Doors Opening Week

Tuesday, September 4:
Office – 7:30-4:00 Unlocked
BS Hallway, Common Hall, 1/2 wing, 4/5 wing – 8:45-11:00 Unlocked

Starting Wednesday, September 5:

Office
7:30-4:00 Unlocked everyday

BS Hallway
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri
7:30-8:00 unlocked
12:15-12:45 unlocked
2:45-3:15 –unlocked

Thursdays
7:30-8:15 unlocked
8:45-9:00 unlocked
12:15-12:45 unlocked
2:45-3:15 unlocked

Open Classroom
Be in your room by 8:30 on Tuesday.  Open Classroom runs 9:00am -11:00am.
We will meet as a LS Faculty in the LS Art Room at 11:10.  Remember to lock your doors.

Opening Day
Be in your room by 7:15 am.  Doors open at 7:30 am and students come right into the classroom.

Late Start Thursday
Training for Assistant Teachers - Tuesday, September 4 from 12:00 - 1:00 to review practices and routines for our first late start.  Meet in David’s Office with Lyn, Chris and David

FIrst Late Start
There will be no LS Faculty meeting, but maybe treats in the LS Faculty Room.
Teaching Assistants will meet with Chris and David to debrief 1st Late Start at 8:50 in David’s Office.
Lara Ingham will be helping Nicole in LS Library.

Friday, September 7
No Chapel or Assembly

First Chapel, Primary to 5th Grades is on Monday, September 10

LS Weekly Memo Week 1: August 27 - 31

Welcome back.  While I have seen many of you on campus over the last few weeks, I look forward to us all being here and getting ready together this week.  

There is a lot here.  In an effort to reduce the amount of time we discuss logistics during faculty meetings, I am including the information in the Weekly Memo.

COMMUNITY

All School BBQ 5:00 -7:00 PM TONIGHT
I hope you can all make it for the All School Family BBQ this evening, 5:00 - 7:00 pm.  It will be a great time to get together, socialize, enjoy good food and listen to live music.

Specialist Buddy Classes
In LSLT we discussed the idea of continuing the partnership forged on the first day of school with each Specialist Teacher adopting a buddy class based on the Opening Day assignment.  We thought this would help connect Specialist Teachers in a new way, giving them a home during some of the big events in Lower School; Opening Day, Giving Chapel, St Nick’s Chapel, Mount Hood Climb Service Day and LS Promotion.

Buddy Classes
During faculty meetings we will take a fresh look at Buddy Classes by asking faculty to offer class interests and buddy ideas, in hopes of creating more intentional buddy partnerships

Team Leaders
The Team Leaders are now in place.  I am excited about working with them to better support our students’ experiences in Lower School.
Alysa Williams - 4th, 5th
Janet Schilling - 1st - 3rd*
Chris O’Toole - Beginning School

Sharing About Students
Each year we have last year’s teacher share with this year’s teacher a brief description of each child’s affinities, strengths and challenges. We will do this as part of our Wednesday faculty meeting  Specialists will be meeting with Ari Sternberg and Patti Beyer.

Baby Shower
We will be showering Heidi Hackenjos on Thursday  from 12:00 - 1:00 in the DVR. All are welcome.

PROGRAM

Professional Development Shout Outs
At the All School Faculty and Staff meeting on Tuesday there will be an opportunity for faculty to share a professional development highlight from the summer.  Think if you have one.

Open Classroom Activity
The parents really appreciate when you prepare an activity for students to do when they stop in during Open Classroom. This provides some structure for a longer family interaction in the room.  Talk with your colleagues about some of the ideas they use such as classroom scavenger hunt, organization and personalization tasks in the room.

CORE
In an effort to reduce the number of after school meetings, CORE, the student support group,  members will be available to meet with teachers every Thursday from 10:50 - 11:50 am.  Teachers will be scheduled for discussions of individual students or a general class review. If classroom teachers have a lunch or recess duty on Thursday, we will work around your schedule.

OPERATIONS

Information Posting
Chris has updated the documents below to help with your start of school preparations.  They are now available to you in Google Docs in the LS Important Docs collection.

LS Go to List
LS Faculty Go -to
Who’s Who
Opening Day assignments
First Days of School

Parent Volunteer List
At the end of the year Kim Jensen sent out a spreadsheet with the parent volunteer opportunities you created last year.  Please review the list and adjust it for this year.  You Room Parent will be in contact with you to find a time to review the list and understand your parent volunteer needs. I have a Room Parent Training on Friday, September 7 and would like each Room Parent to have your volunteer list by then.  This will give the Room Parents over a week to get the lists into Volunteer Spot before volunteer sign-ups begin on
September 17.

Classroom Website
Your classroom website needs to be updated before the start of school.  Remember, this website is your primary communication vehicle to parents about your classroom.  You may be able to adapt your student welcome letter as a welcome to your families. Angela has been working on updating the LS Events Calendar.  

Classroom Clean Out
Jon von Behren, the Maintenance and Custodial crews will do a final removal of unwanted materials starting at 9:00 am on Friday morning.  Things put out in the hall after 9:00 am on Friday may not be removed before Open Classroom. To help Jon’s crew clearly label what needs to be taken away - Throw Out or Recycle .  Due to limited storage, little will be saved.

Classroom Cleaning
Bill Peoples and the custodial crew will complete classroom cleaning Friday afternoon and evening. They will not be in to clean classrooms again until Tuesday afternoon, after Open Classroom. Plan your mess making accordingly.

Transitions - 1st - 5th Grades
Last year we made the following agreements about transitions:
For 1st - 5th grades there is a 5 minute transition between activities to ensure each class starts on time.
Students need to be supervised between transitions.
Specialist will cover transitions during Grade Level Common Planning.
Grade Level Teachers will cover transitions for specialists with back to back classes.
Specialists and grade level teachers will compromise on the other transitions.

Late Start Thursdays
Please remind your students to come prepared for the choices. See the Google doc Late Start Thursdays ‘12-’13 for details.

Beginning School Students	1st and 2nd Grade Students	3rd – 5th Grade Students
7:30 – Choice Time in BS Hallway	7:30 – Academic Choice Time in 1st/2nd Grade Wing or Quiet Reading in LS Library	7:30 - Study Hall in 4/5 Wing or Quiet Reading in LS Library
8:10 – Outdoor Recess	8:15 – Outdoor Recess	8:15 – Outdoor Recess
8:30 –  Singing in Common Hall
8:45 School Begins	8:45 School Begins	8:45 School Begins

Faculty Meeting Calendar
The LS Faculty Meeting Schedule is available to you as a Google Doc.

Dress Code
Chris gave everyone a copy of the Uniform Policy to hang in classrooms. If you no longer have that document posted, print one out and post it.  We hope everyone will refer to this document at the beginning of the year, and remind students of the importance of following the “code.”  

We agreed on a 3 step process to address frequent dress code infractions:
1st incident - Remind student
2nd incident - Teacher sends communication home
3rd incident - Student sent to LS Office for used uniform and letter sent home from LS Office.

We will continue to have “no uniform days” once per month on the day of our assembly.

Attendance
On the first day of school Jenny will provide an attendance sheet with after school plans.  You can fill that out on the first day of school, and skip PCR.  Please send it to the office as soon as possible, before the Bell Tower ceremony if you can. If not then, right after the ceremony.  
Going forward, log your attendance in PCR at 8am.  If you do it sooner than 8,  students who arrive late may not be recorded as present.  Jenny wants to avoid making unnecessary calls to parents.

Entering 1st - 5th Grade Building, 7:30 - 7:50 AM
Students may enter the building with a parent.
Students are not allowed to enter the 4th/ 5th Wing until 7:50 bell.
Students are allowed to enter 1st/2nd Wing only to go to the library.
All other students should go to Aardvark Community Park.

Recess
Stephanie Rankin and the PE teachers have some great new guidelines to transform our playground into a Peaceful Playground.  We will work with this material during faculty meetings.
Recess Rodeo: Classroom Teachers should attend with their class.  Specialists may join their buddy class or participate in separate training.
Rules for games will be posted on playground.
Bathrooms

Gym only when gym is open

Library – only when library is open

LS Office - ALWAYS

Lunch - 1st - 5th Grade

Grade	Time Up to Lunch	Seating	Dismissal Time
1st	10:45	Dark side	11:15
2nd	10:50	Dark side	11:15
3rd	10:50	Light side	11:15
4th	11:20 - Enter in Back	Dark side	11:50
5th	11:20 - Enter in Back	Light side	11:50

Dining Room Agreements
Assign tables for all students at the start of year for 1st two weeks
1st – 3rd will assign tables all year
4th and 5th TBD

Dismissal from Dining Hall
Return tray respectfully
Return to table, clean the table and wait to be dismissed
Dismiss from table

Done.