LS Weekly Memo
LS Weekly Memo Week 32, April 11-15, 2016
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I hope you all had rewarding experiences on Monday, whether in ICC, FLG, working on the schedule or on your own PGD.
Welcome to the first of seven 5-school-day weeks in a row. This is a great time to make significant progress on year end projects.
Best of luck to 4th grade as they prepare to open their international fair on Thursday.
Congratulations to Colesie, Peter and the boys on welcoming Josephine into their family.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
- Siding is going up. You will need to wait for for the installation of the variable sized battens to get a real sense of the final exterior look.
- The following let me know they would still like to go on a building tour:
Ari, Melanie, Jennie, Jackie, Kelola, Chris O’T, Katie
I will take folks on a tour at 4:00-4:30 on Thursday. Let me know if you are coming. We will meet under the new covered area. Wear sensible shoes as there are many obstacles on the site. I will provide a hard hat for each of you.
- Furniture decisions need to be made by April 15. Add you Furniture Needs to the doc.
- June 30 deadline for packing rooms
- The week of August 22nd - the official move in week with the LS Cafe open each morning. We will let you know as soon as moving in is a possibility.
COMMUNITY
New Substitute Phone Number
Miriam has a new cell phone for substitute needs. Please contact this phone instead of her personal cell phone.Phone number: 503-939-9120
She will be checking this phone during the following times:
M-F: 6:00am-6:15am
Sun-Th: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Please note that any texts sent outside of these times may not be seen until the next sub request time slot. Please only send substitute needs to this phone number. She will not be checking her personal phone for sub any longer..
New Roles in 2016-17
Jennie Kiffmeyer - seeking better work/ life balance, Jenny is going to be working 75% as LS Chaplain and Religion Teacher
Kristen Haferbecker - will be our new Service Learning Coordinator
Lower School Teacher Emeritus Position
- Up to 50% FTE
- Paid at current salary with benefits
- Responsibilities to be mutually agreed upon and approved by Head of Lower School
- 1 year assignment
Teacher Searches
We have a number of strong candidates for both the 1st and 2nd grade positions. Over the next two weeks we will be interviewing for finalists. Because the hiring is for 2016-17, Chris T and Kirstin will be involved in their Assistant Head roles. Team Leaders will be involved as teachers as needed.
The process:
- Openings are announced and posted. Starting the search in April, we will be considering internal and external candidates at the same time.
- David and Assistant Heads review resumes
- David, Assistant Heads and grade level teachers and conduct initial interviews
- They recommend finalists who will come to campus for daylong visit
- Daylong Visit: Interviews with Grade Level Teams, Team Leaders, SST, Head of Lower School, Assistant Head, and a demonstration lesson
- All faculty who engaged in interviews with finalists provide feedback to David and Assistant Heads
Hot Days and Water
We had a number of children come into the LS Office complaining of headaches on those hot days. Be sure to remind your children to drink water. A little water and a little quiet revived all but one, who was truly ill.
Hot Days and Safety
For safety reasons, please do not prop doors open
Safety on Campus
The surveillance footage that Rebecca William showed was quite sobering and reminded us of things we need to do:
- be sure no doors are propped open
- lock your classroom doors
- be sure adults have name badges, building passes or name tags
- Be aware of strangers on campus. Approach them or contact the Front Desk if you are uncomfortable doing so.
Child Inspired Natural Playgrounds, March 21, 2016 from 3 to 5 p.m.
On Play: https://oregonplay.wordpress.com/
Deborah, Carole, Kirstin, Claire, Jackie, Tonya, Chris O’T, Margaret, Jon von Behren and Rod Maynard attended this information-rich workshop on inclusive natural playgrounds for all abilities and how to include children in the design process. Follow these links to learn more about two of the three projects featured in this presentation
A few of us were able to meet afterward to brainstorm next steps.
Stay tuned for further details!
Thank You, Pre-K Lunch Helpers!
Great news! We have the month of April covered, with the exception of Wed., April 20. Sign up, if you haven’t done so! Your support is greatly appreciated.
How to Raise an Adult - Author Julie Lythcott-Haims Speaks on Campus
Monday, April 18th at 7:00 pm in the Chapel
PCL is bringing author to campus.
Students of Concern- Sub Folders
I had someone ask me about removing some of the names from this list. I keep the names on if their behavior listed is still an ongoing concern. It occurred to me that it was worth reminding people to have some respectfully written notes for substitutes in your sub folder or sub plans, alerting them to possible challenges. It would be important to add strategies and accommodations you use that help student be successful in class.
- 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
- Giving her lots of love and support
- Attending full days again and generally doing well.
- Please keep Carole and Chris in the loop if challenging behavior arises again
- Read if you supervise the field at lunch recess for 1st and 2nd Grade
- First Grade boys are having heated arguments about soccer and football. One person on the field at lunch recess should oversee their games
- Try to be alert, and help problem solve before things escalate
Updated entry, please be sure to read if you teach or supervise Second Grade
- JB and JP- 2G
- JB and JP’s relationship has greatly improved
- The boys can now play together if they want to join the same game
- The boys have the option of sitting apart or together in specialists’ classes
- They will continue to transition from class to class and recess apart (JP at the front of line, JB toward the back of the line)
- Please let Tonya or Chris know immediately if there are any issues reported to you
- SG - 2 JB
- 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
- Specialists, we value your input and appreciate your feedback. Please input any rating and observations at the end of each day into the weekly googledoc. In addition to the daily communication with his family this document is also sent daily to Sam's outside support team. They appreciate the specific examples we provide and work through them with him (accomplishments and challenges). Thank you.
- Fourth Grade World Cup Soccer Games
- Track and Field Duty People, please continue to keep a close eye on these games. 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 (no larger than 8 or 9 students)
- Teachers out on the field, please continue to monitor this situation. Last week I had to remind them of their agreements.
- SS and LB- 5 TA
- L and S have had challenges of late. Please keep an eye on them and let Tina know if you experience L saying or doing any unkind things- as well, if S is doing anything to annoy L.
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
- Monday, Apr. 11th Department and Team Meetings
- Thursday, Apr. 14th am meetings- FLG
Scheduling Task Force Needs Your Help
Please take time Monday or Tuesday to review the 5 proposed schedule models posted in the Conference Room. The STF meets on Wednesday, Apr. 13th after school and would love to read your feedback.
Reading Diversity Tool from Teaching Tolerance
Teaching Tolerance is offering a free webinar about the Reading Diversity Tool to help you best select culturally responsive and inclusive materials for your classroom. It's Tuesday April 12 at 4:30 central tIme which makes it 2:30 our time. . .a tricky time, but perhaps a few of us can participate. Seems a great way to build on our Rosetta Lee visit.
Reading the World Workshop at Opal School, Thursday and Friday April 14 and 15
Six teachers (Kirstin, Lauren, Claire, Meredith, Deborah and Erin) and I will be off campus to attend this rich workshop on playful literacy.
Contact the office and Lyn or Miriam will get either Melanie, Ari or Jennie to assist you.
Upcoming Chapel Events/ MHCSD
We are about 4.5 weeks out from Mount Hood Climb Service Day. Thank you to our 1st and 2nd grade teachers, Erin, Tina, Tracy and Ari for already making your plans.
Our deadline for MHCSD plans is Wednesday, April 20. If you're having trouble thinking of ideas, please get in touch with me or talk with fellow teachers. We will find something awesome for your students to do.
Here's an incentive to make your plans now: if you enter your plans in the MHCSD Projects and Needs 2016 spreadsheet by this Friday, April 15--tax day--your name will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to Annie Bloom Books in nearby Multnomah Village and a treat of your choice to share with your class.
Happy Planning!
Jennie
Lamb Endowment
It is time for the second round of applications for the Lamb Endowment. Attached is the purpose statement. A few examples of the types of project that we have funded before can be seen in the link below. The second round deadline is April 18, 2016. Follow this link to fill out the application.
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Friendly Reminder: Scope and Sequence Work
We had hoped that the pertinent information from your three UbDs would be transferred to the scope and sequence document by the end of February. Please be sure to get this task done in the coming week. Department Chairs will meet after Spring Break to look at these Pre-K-12 scope and sequence docs.
Moving Into Spring Coffees
We began scheduling 30-minute planning meetings (during your grade’s Common Planning Time). Click on the link below and propose a date for your planning meeting, if I haven’t already done so. Thanks to those of you who signed up on the Google doc Moving Into Spring Coffees 2016
Send DRA AND Fountas Pinnell Reading Assessment Data to Lyn
If you haven’t done so, please take a few minutes on Monday (goal was to have them in by Friday) to gather and send your mid-year reading assessments to Lyn. We’d like to review the data and make plans to support students when we return from spring break.
Chaperones for Spring Overnight Trips
We have a chaperone plan. Trip leaders will be reaching out to you to confirm availability. We are going to need more help than usual as we have some overlapping trips.
OPERATIONS
Evacuation Drill - Quiet and Calm
- Quietly walk to evacuation site
- Sit or Stand in classroom line awaiting instruction
- The older Lower School students need to set a better example
False Alarm- Fire Drill Friday @ 11:50
A curious Beginning Years student set off the fire alarm today, just as our Beginning and Intermediate Years students were transitioning out of the dining hall, with Middle Schoolers transitioning into the dining hall.
If an alarm goes off anywhere on campus you are to do two things:
•evacuate quietly and calmly and go the field as you normally do
•have someone call the LS office notifying them that an evacuation is taking place
Emergency Drill Substitutes
In the future these people will be the designated helpers if David and Chris are unavailable.
· Scott Corris – in charge of public announcements and dismissal
· Class attendance – Lyn and Tracy
· Faculty & Staff attendance – Ari and Miriam
· Debra Thomas stays with Donna (Schilling’s class)
2016-17 Calendar Summit, March 16
Keep Red Recess Packs Stocked
Keep your red recess packs with you on duty and well stocked with First Aid supplies (bandaids, disinfectant wipes, gauze, a baggie for used gauze and gloves). First Aid supplies can be found in the Lower School Office Nurse’s Station.
Turn Off Overhead Lights, Lamps and Strings of Lights
Be energy and safety conscious by turning off all lights when you leave at the end of the day.
Common Areas: A Friendly Reminder
Please keep Common Areas tidy. Store cardboard boxes and piles of students’ artwork out of sight. If you clean out paint pots in the Common Area sink, please clean up after yourself. Sarah still takes visitors on tours. We want to make a good impression.
Important Safety Issue: Visitors Must Have Visitor Badges or Stickers to Enter the Building
All visitors must sign in and get a visitor badge or sticker (we use them when we run out of key cards).
If you see someone at the door wearing a visitor badge you may let them in. Otherwise, politely say “I’m sorry. You need a visitor’s badge or sticker to enter the building.” David plans to put a friendly reminder in the Wednesday Express.
Recess Equipment Bags Left Out at the Bottom of the Hill
Bags were left out once again this week. Please be sure to have students or a teacher return the bags to the shed. If you are short on time, leave the bags by the shed door, and a kind soul can get them into the shed.
Assistant Teacher Substitutes
I have several new subs in the process of doing their background checks. Please know that we are in a pinch, and we will need everyone to be flexible.
Duty Changes Coming
As expected, as soon as I published the new duty schedules, I got a flurry of emails saying that revisions were needed. Look for the revised documents in your email.
Friendly Reminder About Calendar Updates
Please remember to get your important dates on the Faculty Google Calendar, and where appropriate, Anne’s All School Calendar when parents need to be notified.
Believe it or not, while there are more than 3.5 months left in the school year, the calendar is filling up quickly with special events.
Before you go on Spring Break, be sure to get your culminating events on the calendar(s). I will create a Google doc that lists all of these important end-of-the-year events.
We hope this type of calendar will help us all make good choices as to when we want to host a culminating event (for families, buddies and other classes), and help plan which culminating events you hope to attend with your classes.
Calendar Updates and Conflicts
Lyn and I reviewed the calendar on Friday and we found a number of issues.
•Learning Celebrations- Please do not schedule when there is a parent meeting (Wednesday and Friday mornings)
•List all events and field trips (with destination and times on the faculty calendar, no destination on Anne’s All School public calendar) on the Google Faculty Event Calendar AND Anne’s All School Calendar.
•If you change the date of an event, be sure to remove the old date from the calendar(s)
Change in Lunch Routine
Kelly needs at least 72 hours notice if you need to change lunch plans (not eat in the dining hall, need sack lunches, etc)
Students on Covered Walkway and Loop Road Pick Up by 2:55
Thanks for the extra effort. It makes a difference.
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
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.
