LS Weekly Memo 14

LS Weekly Memo Week 14: November 18-22

Thanks for your flexibility handling our surprise Spirit Day.  It just might have helped spur the boys on to their state championship.  Friday’s DEAR unassembled assembly was a delight. What a great way to start the day. 

Our next assembly is not until Friday, January 17th.  Between now and then we will gather for Grandparents Day and St.Nicks Chapel.

Thanksgiving Break is oh so close.

COMMUNITY

Book Fair

Lara and her fleet of parent volunteers are gearing up for the All School Book Fair, Tuesday through Thursday. Enjoy.

Grandparents and Special Friends Day - Tuesday November 26

See upcoming email from Cindy Plummer with details. By now you and your team are planning activities to do with your special guests.  We’d love to hear what you have in store.  Can you take a minute to let us know by filling in a brief description in the Google doc below?

https://docs.google.com/a/go.oes.edu/document/d/1pbSHPbvgPv-JmCEHooS3Yon_rBjggkJMD4RA2qkrGCg/edit

• Remember to keep your students in the classroom during Grandparent visiting hours. Specialists classes may take place in the classroom, but do not have students leave the classroom for specialist classes from 8:45 - 9:45.
• 9:15 am - Coffee available in the Chapel Narthex and the Lower School Library
• 9:30 am - 9:45 am - Recess for 1st, 2nd grade. Grandparents can join them or go to Chapel Narthex for coffee                            
• 10:15 am -10:45 am - Lower School Chapel, all others invited as well

Kristen’s Baby Shower, Monday, December 2nd

Thanks to the 2nd grade team for organizing.  We may even get to meet Cora.

Afternoon Recess Coverage

McKenzie Lay, EC Teacher, is going to help out with recess duty coverage from 1:30 - 2:00 each day starting on Monday.  With three people on duty we will be able to open the field for our enthusiastic soccer players.  One person on duty will be on ACP, one on the field and one floating between the two depending on where the crowd is.  We will keep this in place as long as there is interest in using the field.

PROGRAM

Curriculum Design

2nd and 5th grade teams worked with John Holloran to draft a curriculum design for a subject area.  1st and 4th are working with Jon on Wednesday.  Know that other teams are welcome to use a half day to work on curriculum design plans.

Boys, Coyotes and Other Wild Creatures- Saturday, Nov. 23rd

We need to make final arrangements for this upcoming workshop.  Please confirm that you are able to attend by clicking on the link below

https://docs.google.com/a/go.oes.edu/document/d/1wt4LVf9lVW1AvI9J52tMNsXt6IKDP0jUxFb_mFoKSJY/edit

LS Building

We will be discussing it at the Team Leader meeting on Monday.  Get your questions or comments to Chris, Janet, Alysa or Debra or stop in David’ office.

OPERATIONS

Lower School Leadership Team, Rescheduled

We are not meeting on Monday, Dec. 2nd. Instead, we will celebrate the birth of Cora Haferbecker. We’ll gather instead on Monday, January 13th from 3:15-4:30 pm.

Scott House

Scott House doors should stay locked during the day due to limited supervision in the building.

Recess Communication About Students

Please use the new lsdivisiononly@oes.edu distribution list for communications to faculty about students.  

Use the alllsfaculty@oes.edu distribution list for less sensitive information as it goes to other departments in addition to Lower School.

Bracelets

Bracelets are not part of the Uniform Policy, primarily for safety reasons.  The looped rubber band bracelets that are suddenly so popular should not be worn at school.

Sweatshirts

Please remind your students that the uniform policy states that only solid navy blue or green sweatshirts may be worn to school. No OES Spirit Wear, except on designated days. Remember the steps to take?

• 1st Time- Friendly Reminder
• 2nd Time- Send student to used uniform closet for a loaner (returned at the end of the day)
• 3rd Time- Send an email to the parents

LS Weekly Memo Week 13: November 11-15

Thank you for your support of Open House on Wednesday.  Based on the reception attendance, we looked to have close to 200 people visiting the Lower School.  

I find it hard to believe we only have two full weeks of school before Thanksgiving Break.

COMMUNITY

When Sick

Stay home.  It is good for you and good for everyone else to do so. You need to be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

DEAR Celebration, Friday, November 15th at 8:10

Next Friday we will gather in our classrooms for our second DEAR celebration.  This DEAR celebration we’ll gear up for our upcoming Book Fair by  sharing favorite books with our buddies.  

Lara will encourage students to check out favorite books to share with buddies.  You might take time to select books from your classroom selection too.

Recess Issues Coming Up

Last week we had several issues arise on the playground.

• Duty teachers roam about and intervene if physical or emotional behavior is escalating
• We are working on issues with 1st Grade boys, 2nd Grade girls, 4th Grade girls, 5th Grade boys
• Look for specific emails from SST on Monday about individual students needing support

Fire Drill

Great improvement in the students’ behavior getting to the field and while waiting for instructions.  Thank you.

• Maintenance will be sure the alarm on the playground is lowder
• Specialists, line up with the class you are teaching.  If you are not teaching a class at the time of the emergency, line up with your buddy class.

Lemony Snicket

Thank you Lara for organizing such a great author visit.  Though I could not be there, I heard the rave reviews.

PROGRAM

Faculty Meetings

• Monday, 11/11 @ 3:15 pm - No Meeting.
• Use time for curriculum work or canoe training
• Thursday, 11/14 @ 7:40 am
• Appreciations
• Marketing context
• Building Update
• Agreements
• Announcements

Budget 2014-15

Several grades have sent budget ideas for 2014-15 my way. I need to turn in a draft this Friday.

PNAIS Self Study Report is In!

If you haven’t already done so, take time in the coming week to read the Visiting Team’s Self Study Report. https://sites.google.com/a/go.oes.edu/selfstudy/  

You’ll find the link in the upper left hand corner of the home page.  Great food for thought!

Canoe Safety Training Monday, Nov. 11th at 3:25

Tom had a great session on Friday with the first group. Plan on an hourlong training, finishing up with a short paddle around the pond.  Weather looks promising!

PGD -  

Oregon Council of Teachers of English

http://www.octe.org/2014-nw-regional-ncte-conference.html

NCTM - National Math Conference

http://www.nctm.org/neworleans/

Let David know if you are interested in joining an All School delegation.

OPERATIONS

Conference Reports Filed in the Office

Please pass along your conference documents to Jenny so she can file them away in students’ files.

Thanks for all of  your hard work!

Mushrooms on ACP

There are mushrooms growing on ACP near the boat and near some of the bushes.  Remind students not to pick or play with them.  Mark will work on removing them.

Field Trip Medical Reminders

1. When traveling with an entire grade, it works best to assign one person to handle medical issues and preparedness for all students in that grade – (who will get the first aid kits, monitor food issues, get emergency field trip books.)

2.  Review health alert lists for students who will need special accommodations in regard to mobility issues, asthma or food allergies.

3.  Make a list of student names of who will need to take emergency medications from the office such as epi pens and inhalers. (Keep this list next to your health alert list for reference all year long - this can be by class or by grade.)

4.  When getting specific student medications from the office, use the list of names to retrieve these medications from the filing cabinets.

5.  When getting a first aid kit, check for the location of the epi pen(s) within the kit before leaving the office. If the epipen is missing, let Lyn or Jenny know and do not take that kit.

6.  If a student carries an epi pen or inhaler in their own backpack, make sure they have it before leaving school.

LS Weekly Memo Week 12: November 4 - 8

Thank you for all your hard work with conferences.  The parents signed up for Specialist Conferences in record numbers.  I had the great pleasure of participating as a parent in both classroom and specialist conferences and am appreciative of the insights and perspectives the teachers shared about my daughter.  

Enjoy a faculty meeting free week.  Monday afternoon is your time to get ready for Open House.  Thursday morning is a gift of time for you in thanks for your extra efforts at Open House.

COMMUNITY

Chapel Manners

Please remind your students about appropriate Chapel behavior.  Quiet attentiveness during prayers is expected.  Remind your students about expectations for Chapell before Monday’s gathering.

Recess Agreements

2nd grade is working on these agreements, developing them with 1st and 2nd grade input.  Look for a rollout in the coming weeks.

PROGRAM

Conference Follow-up

Thank you for all your work preparing for and conducting your conferences.  Let SST know if any issues arose with which you would like support.

Incident Reports

Remember to use the form for incidents big and small. Incident Form.  SST will communicate out about incidents when helpful.

Faculty Meetings

Monday, November 4 -  No formal meeting - Time for Open House preparation

Thursday, November 7 - No Meeting. Open House recovery

Curriculum Design Drafts by Dec. 4th

Department Chairs and Team Leaders will look at Pre-K through 12th Grade curriculum design drafts on Wednesday, December 4th. Team Leaders will take the lead on these drafts. This will help us develop a common approach Prek - 12.

Each grade level and faculty member will be required to complete a curriculum design with the designated template by the end of the year.  Team Meeting time and  release time will be dedicated to this effort.

Let your Team Leader know if you have any questions.

Wetland Consortium

We had a great cross-divisional crew at last Monday’s meeting.   Chris shared them in a Google doc on Friday.

DRA Results to Lyn

Please send your DRA results to Lyn by the end of the week, Friday, 11/8.  See email on 10/31 for the form.

What Schools Can Do to Help Boys Succeed

This is a brief article from Time Ideas that includes 3 tips from Christina Hoff Sommers’  The War Against Boys: How Misguided Policies Are Harming Our Young Men

http://ideas.time.com/2013/10/28/what-schools-can-do-to-help-boys-succeed/print/

OPERATIONS

Open House - Wednesday, November 6 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Get ready to welcome about 200 visitors to Open House on Wednesday NIght.

• You need to be in classrooms and at tables by 6:30 pm so you are ready for people coming down to Lower School at 6:40 pm.
• Your spaces and tables need to be completely set up and ready before 6:30 pm.  
• See Sarah’s email form 10/28 for details.  All faculty are expected to be in attendance.

Faculty Parking

Faculty, please park in the Loop Road lot.  On several occasions parents have had difficulty finding parking in the upper lot.

Budgets

It is that time of year.  I am beginning to craft next year’s budget.  If you or your team have plans for next year that include significant increases or reductions in expenditures for program or capital, let me know by the end of the week.

Canoe Safety Training

Sixteen enthusiastic replies came in. I hope to confirm a date with Tom Handel next week.

Student Teachers, Practicum Students and Other Outside Volunteers

If you would like to student teachers, practicum students or other outside volunteers serve in your classroom, you need to do three things:

•Get approval from David or Chris

•Once you have approval, have the person complete background check forms found on the school’s website

•Let Lyn and Jenny know who these special volunteers are, and when they will be on campus.

Fire Drill, Wed., Nov. 6th @ 9:45

• Remind your students to be calm, quiet and orderly as they file onto the field
• Second and Third Grade will be out at recess.
• When the alarm sounds have students line up by class near the fence closest to the field.
• Keep the main exits to the feld open
• Dismiss students to classroom teachers as they exit to the field.

Safe School Training  - DUE OCTOBER 31

Open the login instructions for accessing the SafeSchools training site. Follow the instructions for your user name. All employees are required to complete these courses by the end of October.

Go to the web page oes.or.safeschools.com .

• To access your assigned training, enter your username, which follows the following format: last name, first initial of first name (Example: John Smith = smithj

• Please print out a Certification of Completion once you complete the course and turn in a copy to Jennifer Lushenko.

LS Weekly Memo Week 11: October 28 - November 1

Good luck with your conference preparations.  I have only been asked to attend a couple of conferences.  Chri and I will be available if you want to practice or debrief a conference.  

COMMUNITY

Friday certainly was an exciting day- ramping up to the spectacular Spooktacular Halloween party.

Thanks to all who helped students with their pumpkins at Friday’s dismissal.  Thank you for your flexibility in regards to the cancellation of assembly.

Birthday Celebrations

We will celebrate August, September and October birthdays  on Thursday, October 31st. Come enjoy a piece of delicious birthday cake in the faculty room and wish your colleagues with late summer and early fall birthdays a belated “Happy Birthday!”

Open House - See Sarah’s email for details

• Timing - 11/6 from 6:00 - 8:00
• Make learning visible - your colleagues have some great examples of documentation
• All faculty at epeted to be present the event
• Specialists - can begin table set-up at 3:30
• Admissions is providing a Faculty Dinner in Room 60 from 4:45 - 5:45 pm
• Plan on being In classrooms and at tables by 5:45 pm

Agreements on Your Website

Inspired by the Agreements Chapel, remember to post your classroom agreements on your website.

Looking Ahead to Special Community Events in November

• Beginning School Chapel- Wednesday, Nov. 6th @ 8:20
• Diwali Chapel, Friday, November 8th @ 8:10, Primary and First Grade are invited to this special Chapel. Let Jenny know if you plan to attend.
• Book Fair -
• November Tuesday, November 19, 7:30am - 4:00pm
• Wednesday, November 20, 7:30am - 5:30pm
• Thursday, November 21, 7:30am - 4:00pm
• DEAR Assembly, Friday, November 15th @ 8:10 in the gym
• Grandparents and Special Friends’ Chapel, Tuesday, November 26th @ 10:15

Save the Date! BS and LS Holiday Party, Monday, December 16th, 3:15-4:15

We will gather on the 16th for our annual party. Look for details in a Weekly Memo after Thanksgiving.

PROGRAM

Conferences

• You should all have access to your conference schedule through the link Jenny provided.
• Respect everyone’s time by keeping to your schedule
• Classroom Teachers - remind parents that the Specialists are in the library ready to meet.
• Remember to use the conference form for bulleted  list of strengths, challenges and plans.

2014-15 Budget

If you anticipate significant additional expenditures for next year - think field trips, materials, curriculum supplements - let me know by November 8. I need to submit a proposal by 11/15.

Trustee Day - Tuesday 10/29

On Tuesday the Trustees will meet with Division Heads to discuss program and then tour the US, MS and LS with a focus on the attributes of the new Lower School building.  Let David know if you have something exciting happening on Tuesday from 9:30 – 10:30.

PAL Meeting - Wednesday, 10/30

Wednesday morning LS PAL will meet to discuss technology use at OES and in the home. Parents will begin developing their own technology use plan for home.  

Conference Days

Specialists should plan on being available for parent conferences from 7:30 - 3:30 in Thursday and 7:30 to 2 on Friday in the LS Library.  Part time-people should work the appropriate percentage of each day. We do need to facilitate your accessibility for working parents. Jenny Strode has provided online sign-ups for parents as you requested at the Specialist Meeting.

No meetings Monday or Thursday

You may want to take the time to visit each other’s classrooms, looking at posted docuemntation or questions.

LS Curriculum Task Force Rescheduled

The LS Curriculum Task Force, scheduled to meet Monday, December 16th will meet on Monday, December 9th from 3:15-4:30 instead.

Wetland Consortium, Monday, Oct. 28th, 3:15-4:15 in Erin Baker’s Room

If you explore the wetlands with your students, and can get away from conference prep, join us. This is a great opportunity for cross-divisional collaboration

OPERATIONS

Website Updates

Thank you to all who are faithfully updating their websites.  I think all technical issues with the sites have been resolved.  If not, contact Angela. My expectation is that classroom websites get updated at least every other week.  Specialist teachers should update each class quarterly.

Calendar Updates- Google Faculty Events Calendar and Anne’s All School Final Site Calendar

Thanks to all who  diligently enter upcoming dates in the Faculty Google calendar. Please remember, if events involve parents in any way, you need to post the dates and times on Anne’s All School Final Site calendar well in advance.  

Next Fire Drill, Wednesday, November 6th @ 9:45

Early in the week of November 4th please remind students about fire drill expectations:  

•Walk calmly in a single-file line out of the building and onto the turf field, no talking

•Try to line up in grade level groups from Pre-K through 5th, it makes it easier to take attendance

•Stand quietly and calmly in line until David gives the signal to return to classrooms

Adults, please model this behavior by not talking to students or colleagues

At this point in the year students should not have advanced notice about fire drills.  If you have concerns about students’ reactions to fire drills, please let Chris know.

Safe School Training - See Jennifer Lushenko’s email from 9/30

DUE OCTOBER 31

Open the login instructions for accessing the SafeSchools training site. Follow the instructions for your user name. All employees are required to complete these courses by the end of October.

How to log on to the online training program:

• Using your web browser, go to the web page oes.or.safeschools.com (no “www” is necessary.)
• To access your assigned training, enter your username, which follows the following format: last name, first initial of first name

Example: John Smith = smithj

• Select any course by simply clicking over the name of the course. The courses have audio so turn up your speakers or headphones if you wish to hear the narration.
• Complete all the training scenarios and the assessment to receive completion credit for the course.
• Please print out a Certification of Completion once you complete the course and turn in a copy to Jennifer Lushenko.