LS Weekly Memo
LS Weekly Memo Week 21, January 18-22, 2016
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A tremendous thank you to Chris, Rachel, Asha and their students for creating and presenting such a powerful assembly in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Once again, I am amazed at what our students can achieve with your guidance.
It is a short week with students and a long week with the writing and proofing of reports. Be patient with one another as we work through the various demands of January and February.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
- I had my first tour of the building on Thursday with the Administrative Team. Now you can really tell what the building will be. When do you get to go in? I am working with Jon on that, but thinking we will wait until the 3rd floor is up so we can step into each room. Stay tuned...
- Though the weather continues to caused a bit of a setback, the building continues to be on budget and under time with a projected completion date of mid-July..
- Let me know if you and your class are doing any interesting construction work. We are exploring a possible article in the OES Magazine.
COMMUNITY
Dori, Marty E-B, Chris O'Toole
- Congratulations to Dori on her new position as the Director of Community Partnerships at OES.
- Dori will begin a job share with Marty Eastman-Brown on February 8. Dori will teach all day Monday and mornings Tuesday through Friday. Marty will teach Tuesday through Friday afternoons.
- Chris O’Toole has accepted the Primary Teacher position for the 2016-17 school year. She has been hoping to finish her education career by returning to the classroom and is thrilled to be returning to Primary.
Lower School Leadership Visioning
With Chris’ return to the classroom next year, we have the unique opportunity to rethink the administrative support we need in Lower School. I have begun a series of conversations with faculty about the support we need for students, faculty, parents and from administration. From the support we need, I will develop roles and job descriptions. Please get me any of your thoughts by the end of the day 1/22.
Upper School Helpers - see email from Robin Schaufler
Beginning this Thursday I will have a new team of Upper School students available to perform all types of on-campus service:
Every Wednesday, 10:20-10:50 (note that this is only half an hour & adjust your expectations accordingly!)
Every Thursday, 10:50-11:50
They’ll do anything—indoors, outdoors, office work, classroom work, you name it.
Hazelnut Shells on Path to Wetlands
Hazelnut shells were spread as mulch on the path to the wetlands as part of an Eagle Scout project. The path will be closed until we can cover the shells. The risk the shells pose for an allergic reaction is extremely small, but we will err on the side of caution.
Visitors from Charles Wright Academy
Thank you for spending time with Diane, Nick and Matt. They had a terrific experience on campus and left with many ideas and possibilities to consider.
Chapel Schedule
- New Chapel Theme
In his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King, Jr. observed that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Beginning Monday, we will have a short series of chapel talks that center on the theme of justice. We will begin with a story from Dr. King’s childhood called “The Ice Cream Shop.” It’s my hope that this story and related music will connect nicely with other conversations and activities across the LS that are taking place during the week leading up to our MLK Assembly. During the next four chapels—Monday, Jan. 25, Monday, Feb. 1, Friday, Feb. 5, and Monday, Feb. 8—we will continue to explore the theme of justice and its relationship to compassion by hearing sacred stories from various traditions. If you or your class would like to actively participate in an upcoming chapel on justice during early February (e.g., sharing an activity or story from the classroom), please be in touch. It would be wonderful to include more voices!
Admissions
- Admissions Season
Sarah has a limited number of days to schedule classroom visits, so thank you for your flexibility. Specialists, please take 2-3 minutes out of your day to provide feedback on visitors. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
- Friendly Reminder: Send Admissions Visitors to the Office at 2:00
Send two buddies or an Assistant Teacher at 2:00. We want our guests to avoid the traffic congestion at the end of the day.
- Admission Day, January 29
All faculty are expected to assist with Admissions on this day, except for the PreK teachers who will be working on 2/6. We will use the 1/28 faculty meeting to prepare.
- Save the Date- Pre-K Admissions Visit, Saturday, February 6th
Sarah will be in touch with participants. As you know, we all need to share our time and talents to find the very best candidates for our program. I realize this means some of us will need to work both days. We will try to share the load. Those who work Saturday will be considered for reduced responsibilities on Friday, as staffing allows.
Admissions File Readers Will Be Busy in the Coming Weeks
This year, for the first time, admissions file readers will be able to read online. Please be aware that this is a very important and huge task is underway and that David, Chris, Janet, Alysa, Ari and Melanie will be immersed in this process the next two to three weeks. Our schedules will be full, so please be understanding and support one another.
Students of Concern
- HB - K- CB
- Has difficulty keeping up with the flow of things, can be disruptive. Let Carole and Chris know if he is having difficulties. We want to be consistent in our support.
- OB-K-CB
- Mourning the loss of her father, hasn’t wanted to be at school, has strayed away from the class, needs to be shadowed
- Giving her lots of love and support
- She is doing much better. Had a shortened day, but is not trying two full days, Tuesday and Thursday before break.
- Please keep Carole and Chris in the loop if challenging behavior arises again
- SG - 2 JB
Doing much better these days, but still can have his moments, so keep us
informed.
- Continues to work on first time listening, being respectful to adults and students, doing his best, being a flexible thinker
- Let Jackie or Chris know if he is having difficulty in your class
- If he gets stuck and disrupts the class, let Chris know- call the office
- Jackie and Chris plan to wind down his daily reflections in the near future
- Specialists, please keep Jackie informed
- Fourth Grade World Cup Soccer Games
- I met with Fourth Grade boys. They made a plan:
-Gather at the beginning to organize teams. They will divide into two mixed ability groups with one soccer goal OR play one large game of soccer using two goals
-Teachers out on the field, please continue to monitor this situation. Last week I had to remind them of their agreements.
- Second Grade Boys Pretend Play on the Field
- Second Grade boys are fascinated with pretend games that involve play fighting.
Since we returned from Winter Break, this seems to be less of a concern. Please
let teachers know if issues continue to arise.
Major Rules - If a student violates a major rule, Chris and David need to know and need to be part of the determination of consequences and reparations.
- Verbal abuse, physical abuse, bullying, or inappropriate physical touch.
- Lying, deceit, or other dishonest conduct
- Destruction of property belonging to the School, its personnel or another student
- Stealing
- Inappropriate language
- Possession or use of weapons or any object that is used in a threatening manner
PROGRAM
Parents’ Winter Coffees Begin
We begin our mid-year round of coffees. Our thanks in advance to Melanie and Ari who will present at these coffees (Melanie on Resiliency and Ari on executive function and ERBs). Our thanks to classroom teachers who will attend and contribute.
BS Coffee- Tues. 1/19, 1st and 2nd- Wed 1/27 and 3rd through 5th 2/2, all coffees are from 8-9 in the LS library.
Primary Season
We are in the midst of Primary decision season. Each year we suggest, recommend or require Primary for children. Please let Chris, Melanie, Ari or me know this week of children who you think could benefit from the Primary program.
Progress Reports
Jeffrey gave you the overview and the offer of assistance if you need it. See the timeline below, including the Tina adjustment, and the proofing plan too.
Progress Report Timeline
Friday, 1/22 - Report Writing Day
Monday, 1/25 @ 8:00am - Reports due
Monday, 1/25 - 1/29 Report Proofing
Monday, 2/1 @ 8:00am - All reports posted in PCR
Friday, 2/05 - Reports posted for parents
Monday, 2/8 - ERB’s sent to 4th and 5th grade parents
Progress Report Proofing - everyone needs to have reports proofed by a colleague
- Teachers on a grade level team will proof each other’s reports
- Department members will proof each other’s reports
- David will proof Science
- Chris will help proof Art and Kelola’s Spanish reports
- All changes will need to be made in PCR by 8:00 am, 2/1
The bad news - our typical times set aside for proofing are taken up by the following:
1/25 - State of School Address
1/28 - Admissions Day prep faculty meeting
1/29 - Admissions Day
The convergence of these three events in the same week are the results of the compressed schedule for the year.
The good news - you have more days to complete proofing and entering in PCR
DRA Reporting and Plans
After the demands of assessing and report writing, we will ask classroom teachers to record the most recent assessments in our spreadsheet. If students are working below grade-level expectations we should gather at an SST meeting to make plans to support students’ growth.
Conferences - 2/11 and 2/12
- Parents must request permission from David to schedule conferences on a different day
- I will suggest phone or video conferences on the conference days if parents are away
- I will be more understanding if parent absence is due to professional commitments rather than personal travel.
Scheduling Task Force
We had a great meeting on Thursday, examining scheduling comments from Specialists and Classroom teachers. We found a lot of common ground and are working on articulating the educational values that will drive our schedule. Let me know if you know of a school with a great Lower School schedule so we can reach out to them.
Thursday, 1/21 - FLG, check with cohort to see if you are meeting
Monday, 1/25 - AS State of School
Thursday, 1/28 - LS Division - Admissions Day Prep
Summer Programs - contact Kati with your ideas
After School Classes - Kati needs classrooms for after school classes. Offer what afternoons you can. See her email for details
OPERATIONS
Rainy Mud Season at Aardvark Community Park- A few things to keep in mind
Designated Excavation Area
Clearly, children love to play with mud and puddles. Wondering, how can we make this happen and keep our play spaces safe (tripping over deep ditches,etc) and keep children from becoming a wet muddy mess that needs to be dealt with following recess? Look for an email early this week when we come up with a plan.
Children Must Have Some Type of Footwear on At All Times
I noticed last week that children were walking around barefoot or in socks because their footwear got wet. For safety reasons, children should have some type of footwear on at all times. Have parents supply extra socks and footwear for those who like to muck about in mud and puddles. What fun!
Excavation Tools Cleaned Up at the End of Recess
Shelley put out a bin of 4 buckets and 6 digging tools last week. If you are on duty and put these buckets and digging tools out for children, spend the last few minutes of recess collecting these materials and get them back to the shed. We want to make sure these don’t get lost.
Emergency Closure Communication
We are no longer using the phone tree.
We are relying on Instant Alert.
If you encountered any issues with your Instant Alert notifications, contact Rebecca Williams.
Concerns from the Bon Appetit
Cheese- Concerns About Safe Management
Kelly and Shirley expressed concerns about the management of cheese. Earlier in the year cheese was left out and two boxes ( a $50 expense) spoiled. When Shirley delivers cheese she often has to take several minutes consolidating boxes of cheese so the new delivery can fit in the refrigerator.
Could one class or classes (a possible month-to-month rotation) take on the management of cheese in our small refrigerators? If so, it would be helpful to leave a sticky note for Shirley listing the accurate count of cheese in the refrigerator. It could be a perfect job for students!
Let Chris know how your team/grade plans to handle this.
Dirty Dishes in Common Areas
Please return your dishes to the the dining hall each day. The Dining Hall is open from 10:45 - 1:15 every day. In addition, there is a tub outside the dining hall after hours for the collection of dirty dishes. Though Shirley has been willing to pick-up your dirty dishes, it is not part of her official duties.
•Students Arrive at Covered Walkway and Loop Rd. Pick Up by 2:55
A plea to you, teachers...please get children out to dismissal areas on time. Car pick up is especially difficult when drivers clog up the dismissal line waiting for late arriving students.
Friendly Reminder About Sub Requests
Miriam continues to get requests late at night. Please do not text Miriam after 7pm. Contact her:
Evening: Sunday through Thursday 5:00-7:00pm
Morning: Monday through Friday 6-6:15am
Loop Rd Dismissal Duty
Please bring your cell phones to this duty. Call Miriam if you have questions concerning a student’s after school plans.
Pick Up Aardvark Community Park After Every Recess
All equipment should be collected at the end of each recess and returned to the shed or the area in front of the shed. When equipment isn’t collected it tends to disappear. Classroom teachers, please remind students.
Mesh Equipment Bags
A duty teacher or student(s) should return the mesh bags to the shed. It is fine to have students drop bags at the intersection of the paths if an adult takes the time to return them to the shed. They have been left out a number of times in the past few weeks.
Parking in the Main Lot
Parking continues to be a challenge for many Pre-K families who need to park and sign out children at pick up time. Please park in the lot behind the gym whenever possible.
Parent Volunteers Must Sign In at the LS Office When They Volunteer
Please remind parents in your next communication about the importance of signing in at the office. This is critical for two reasons:
•For security, our community expects visitors to wear visitor badges (BS lunch helpers will wear an OES sticker)
•In the event of an emergency- fire, earthquake, lockdown, we need to know who was in the building.
Please don’t let parents in the building without a pass. Remind them politely that they need to check in at the office.
Calendar Updates-
Please be sure to enter your big events- plays, field trips, learning celebrations posted on the faculty event calendar and Anne’s All School calendar. Remember, if an event impacts parents and families, you must get that on the AS web calendar.
Your Announcements
Send any announcements you have for faculty to Chris or me by Thursday each week and we will include them in the Weekly Memo. This should help reduce the number of emails we are receiving, and to maximize our time to collaborate during meetings.
