Weekly Memo
Weekly Memo 7, September 28 - October 5, 2018
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What a great week it was. BY and IY had constructive meetings exploring their literacy practices. Claire, Jessica, Melanie, Phillip and I, along with others, participated in the kick-off of the Wellness Inquiry Network. Chris, Kirstin and I debriefed the start of the year with the PAL leadership team with an overall theme of great appreciation. The Thursday morning faculty meeting confirmed the abundance of talent around us as you engaged in conversations about your observations in each other's classrooms. We ended the week on a high note with our annual Walk for Fun.
This week looks to offer many more special events as well as more school-like weather. On Monday we send the 5th graders off to Orcas Island and have the first of four safety related All School Meetings. On Tuesday the 2nd Graders head out for their first field trip of the year. On Wednesday, Chris, Kirstin and I are at an all day training on the power of observation and feedback for professional growth. Admissions joins us Thursday morning to help us prepare for the new Admissions Season with an overview from Sarah and an introduction from Jen about Flexible Tuition. The week ends with Homecoming, a uniform optional day that includes a pep rally and athletic competitions against our rival school Catlin Gabel.
LS Faculty Agreements
*Do what is best for the students
*Assume we are all doing our best at the moment and our intentions are positive
*Be present, participate, contribute, include many voices
*Create a safe space that encourages sharing different opinions, ideas, perspectives
*Seek understanding, be curious about what others think
*Express gratitude, joy and encouragement
*Communicate with compassion, clarity and effectiveness
*Demonstrate respect
This week looks to offer many more special events as well as more school-like weather. On Monday we send the 5th graders off to Orcas Island and have the first of four safety related All School Meetings. On Tuesday the 2nd Graders head out for their first field trip of the year. On Wednesday, Chris, Kirstin and I are at an all day training on the power of observation and feedback for professional growth. Admissions joins us Thursday morning to help us prepare for the new Admissions Season with an overview from Sarah and an introduction from Jen about Flexible Tuition. The week ends with Homecoming, a uniform optional day that includes a pep rally and athletic competitions against our rival school Catlin Gabel.
LS Faculty Agreements
*Do what is best for the students
*Assume we are all doing our best at the moment and our intentions are positive
*Be present, participate, contribute, include many voices
*Create a safe space that encourages sharing different opinions, ideas, perspectives
*Seek understanding, be curious about what others think
*Express gratitude, joy and encouragement
*Communicate with compassion, clarity and effectiveness
*Demonstrate respect
New items in BLACK. Repeated items in BLUE.
COMMUNITY
Caley Peterson, LS Admin Assistant
Caley will be training to work in the office beginning on Monday. She will begin working in the office once Chris Thompson goes on maternity leave and Austin steps into the Student Support Assistant role.
Austin Schock, Student Support Assistant
In an effort to help us cover Chris' many responsibilities while she is away on maternity leave, Austin is going to serve as the Student Support Assistant. He will be available to cover classes and duties to release teachers and SST members when they need to work on student support. He will also be available to cover classes in support of teachers needing to do assessments and observations. When his role begins, we will have a shared calendar similar to Jeffrey's where you can schedule his support. He will also be available by text for responsive support.
Kate McClellan on Leave
Kate let me know on Friday that she will be taking a leave to tend to her health. Once we know the duration of her leave we will work on hiring someone to consistently cover her responsibilities. In the mean time, Lindsay Rickard-Kim will be in this week to fulfill Kate's responsibilities.
It makes a powerful statement for parents to know all of us have contributed the fund. October is Fund Month for parents so it makes a difference to donate soon. Visit the form online to make an easy one-time or recurring donation. Every gift matters to the OES Fund. Thank you, Kristen, for cheering us on.
PROGRAM
Faculty Meetings - Faculty Meeting Schedule
Yuyi Morales Author Visit
Yuyi Morales Author Visit This Monday! Again, thanks to Green Bean books we are thrilled to host Yuyi Morales. Please be seated in the chapel on Monday by no later than 9:55 so we can start promptly. K-4 will be attending as well as 2 1st grade classes from Montclair. If 4th grade could sit where 5th grade usually sits, 3rd where 4th usually sits, 1st where 2nd sits and making sure to leave extra rows for our guests and our K classes, I think we should all be able to squeeze in. I have read several of her books to all of the classes and know that you are still welcome to check out her books to extend the experience into the classroom. Purchased and signed books will be delivered to the classrooms in the afternoon.
BTSN Feedback
We reviewed BTSN with PAL leadership last week. Overall they are very appreciative of the event. While acknowledging that everyone would probably like more time, the 2 hour event seems the maximum for parents. They also liked having the event a week earlier as so many of their questions were answered.
All teachers will be transitioning to Google Sites for their parent communication platform. Making this change will provide consistency for parents across classrooms and divisions. Debra has worked with Karen Crandal to create a basic template that provides a common OES look to the overall page and provides parents with common navigation tabs. Debra and Jeffrey will lead a Google Sites training at us on 10/11.
SST Updates: Here is the shared agenda so you know who we discussed: SST Agenda
OPERATIONS
Recess Safe Play- Safe, Kind, Fun and Fair
We had fewer recess injuries come our way. Let's keep on it.
*If it doesn’t feel safe to you, stop the play
*Play needs to be safe, kind, fun, fair
*When on duty, be on the move about your area
*Tag is allowed, but not grab
Picture Retake Day 10/17
We hope they took a good one of you and everyone else in your class. If not, 10/17 is coming.
Snacks
Just a reminder to make sure your children are in a safe location when eating snacks. Eating snacks while playing on the playground, for example, isn't safe. :)
*LS has fruit as a morning snack, grains for the afternoon
*Cheese is for 2x a week snack boost
*We spend over $30,000 a year in snack. Please help us reduce waste.
Fire Drill
Rebecca sends her appreciations, as do I, for such a well executed drill.
1-2 Lunch: Dining Commons
Shirley would like to remind us that if a child drops a cup or tray on the floor, we should help them get a clean tray or cup. The 1-2 children may also need help remembering not to spin cups on the tables when waiting, which may cause more than your average number to end up on the floor. :)
Emergency Drills
Thanks for your good work preparing your students for our drill. The rest of the emergency drills will be a mystery to us all.
Food From Home
Please work with Elaine Elliott, School Nurse, and Kelly Cowing, Food Services Manager, if you are concerned about a student's diet here at school. Oftentimes there are accommodations we can make in collaboration with Bon Appetit.
Purchased Materials and Books
Please mark materials and books purchased with school funds with your Room Number
Please mark materials and books purchased with your own funds with your Name
We had some trouble sorting out which was which as people left and changed rooms.
LS Express Submission Form
We now have an official LS Express submission form. Submissions are due Monday at 5:00PM. LS Express is published each Friday.
Attendance
Please answer your classroom phone in morning. Only the LS Office has your number. Austin is typically calling about some attendance question. Complete attendance on time; at 8:00 for 1st-5th, 8:10 for PK-P.
Gathering
No Gathering on 10/3. Gathering in the gyn on 10/5 @ 8:10 for Homecoming Pep Rally
Gathering returns on 10/11
LS Chapel, Tuesday, 10/2
No Gathering on 10/3. Gathering in the gyn on 10/5 @ 8:10 for Homecoming Pep Rally
Gathering returns on 10/11
LS Chapel, Tuesday, 10/2
Chapel starts at 8:10 and ends at 8:40. To be on time you need to leave your class by 8:05.
Caley will be training to work in the office beginning on Monday. She will begin working in the office once Chris Thompson goes on maternity leave and Austin steps into the Student Support Assistant role.
Austin Schock, Student Support Assistant
In an effort to help us cover Chris' many responsibilities while she is away on maternity leave, Austin is going to serve as the Student Support Assistant. He will be available to cover classes and duties to release teachers and SST members when they need to work on student support. He will also be available to cover classes in support of teachers needing to do assessments and observations. When his role begins, we will have a shared calendar similar to Jeffrey's where you can schedule his support. He will also be available by text for responsive support.
Kate McClellan on Leave
Kate let me know on Friday that she will be taking a leave to tend to her health. Once we know the duration of her leave we will work on hiring someone to consistently cover her responsibilities. In the mean time, Lindsay Rickard-Kim will be in this week to fulfill Kate's responsibilities.
Walk for Fun
Thanks to the PE Team for a great event; getting everyone excited and help keeping them all hydrated. I look forward to hearing how far Lower School went over the course of the day.
Homecoming, Friday 10/5
Homecoming is this Friday. It is a uniform optional day. We start with a pep rally at 8:10 in the gym. Boys soccer plays at 4:15, the girls at 6:15. In between is the All School parade.
Parent University, Wednesday, 10/10
A week from Wednesday is the first Parent University evening focused on sleep and nutrition for children. Asha Singh, mother of Annika and Shay Doshi, and Kate Fox, mother of Kai Olson, along with Kelly Cowing are the featured speakers.
5th Grade Away at Orkila
5th Grade is away all week at Camp Orkila, exploring the team building possibilities of an early year trip. Thank you to the 5th grade team and the rest of the chaperones for making this trip possible.
Please Donate to the OES Fund!Thanks to the PE Team for a great event; getting everyone excited and help keeping them all hydrated. I look forward to hearing how far Lower School went over the course of the day.
Homecoming, Friday 10/5
Homecoming is this Friday. It is a uniform optional day. We start with a pep rally at 8:10 in the gym. Boys soccer plays at 4:15, the girls at 6:15. In between is the All School parade.
Parent University, Wednesday, 10/10
A week from Wednesday is the first Parent University evening focused on sleep and nutrition for children. Asha Singh, mother of Annika and Shay Doshi, and Kate Fox, mother of Kai Olson, along with Kelly Cowing are the featured speakers.
5th Grade Away at Orkila
5th Grade is away all week at Camp Orkila, exploring the team building possibilities of an early year trip. Thank you to the 5th grade team and the rest of the chaperones for making this trip possible.
It makes a powerful statement for parents to know all of us have contributed the fund. October is Fund Month for parents so it makes a difference to donate soon. Visit the form online to make an easy one-time or recurring donation. Every gift matters to the OES Fund. Thank you, Kristen, for cheering us on.
US Student Helpers
This US student group gives support to offices and classrooms at OES during our activity period - Wednesdays 10:15-10:45 and Thursdays 11:00-11:45. Please let Dana Lewis know if you are interested in having a student helper and I will put you on our list!
PROGRAM
Faculty Meetings - Faculty Meeting Schedule
LS Faculty Meeting Agenda
Monday, 10/1@3:15 in Chapel - All School Safety Meeting - MANDATORY
Thursday, 10/4@7:35 - LS Faculty Meeting, LS Library :Admissions & Flexible Tuition
Monday, 10/8@3:15 - PGB
Thursday, 10/11@7:35 - LS Faculty Meeting, LS Library: Google Sites
Friday, 10/12@ PGD Day for all faculty (Assistant Teachers do not work this day)
Chris, Kirstin and David in Leadership Training on 10/3
We are in a training from 8-4 on Wednesday with Robyn Jackson of Mindsteps, learning about the power of observation and feedback.
Forces Groups
Thank you for your extra efforts to get into each others classrooms last week. Several of you mentioned to me how valuable the time was to observe and converse. We do not meet in Forces Groups again until 11/5 and 11/15. The faculty meetings between now and then are committed to other important work: Admissions, Google Sites, Open House and conference preparation and recovery.
Transcript of our Oregon Garden Retreat harvest around the 8 Forces Groups Gallery Walk here.
Your forces group plans from the retreat are here.
Monday, 10/1@3:15 in Chapel - All School Safety Meeting - MANDATORY
Thursday, 10/4@7:35 - LS Faculty Meeting, LS Library :Admissions & Flexible Tuition
Monday, 10/8@3:15 - PGB
Thursday, 10/11@7:35 - LS Faculty Meeting, LS Library: Google Sites
Friday, 10/12@ PGD Day for all faculty (Assistant Teachers do not work this day)
Chris, Kirstin and David in Leadership Training on 10/3
We are in a training from 8-4 on Wednesday with Robyn Jackson of Mindsteps, learning about the power of observation and feedback.
Forces Groups
Thank you for your extra efforts to get into each others classrooms last week. Several of you mentioned to me how valuable the time was to observe and converse. We do not meet in Forces Groups again until 11/5 and 11/15. The faculty meetings between now and then are committed to other important work: Admissions, Google Sites, Open House and conference preparation and recovery.
Transcript of our Oregon Garden Retreat harvest around the 8 Forces Groups Gallery Walk here.
Your forces group plans from the retreat are here.
Yuyi Morales Author Visit
Yuyi Morales Author Visit This Monday! Again, thanks to Green Bean books we are thrilled to host Yuyi Morales. Please be seated in the chapel on Monday by no later than 9:55 so we can start promptly. K-4 will be attending as well as 2 1st grade classes from Montclair. If 4th grade could sit where 5th grade usually sits, 3rd where 4th usually sits, 1st where 2nd sits and making sure to leave extra rows for our guests and our K classes, I think we should all be able to squeeze in. I have read several of her books to all of the classes and know that you are still welcome to check out her books to extend the experience into the classroom. Purchased and signed books will be delivered to the classrooms in the afternoon.
We reviewed BTSN with PAL leadership last week. Overall they are very appreciative of the event. While acknowledging that everyone would probably like more time, the 2 hour event seems the maximum for parents. They also liked having the event a week earlier as so many of their questions were answered.
Teacher Websites and Blogs
LS Open House
See Sarah Ross-Bailly's email for details. All faculty are expected to attend. Contact Sarah or see David if you have questions.
Jeffrey’s Schedule
*In its simplest form is here: https://goo.gl/7UVxtB
*Appointment Calendar for setting appointments: https://goo.gl/Y9Vg1o
*Appointment Calendar for setting appointments: https://goo.gl/Y9Vg1o
*All School Tech Support? first email OEShelp@oes.edu
Beginning Years faculty, please continue to check the BY Odds and Ends
SST Updates: Here is the shared agenda so you know who we discussed: SST Agenda
OPERATIONS
Recess Safe Play- Safe, Kind, Fun and Fair
We had fewer recess injuries come our way. Let's keep on it.
*If it doesn’t feel safe to you, stop the play
*Play needs to be safe, kind, fun, fair
*When on duty, be on the move about your area
*Tag is allowed, but not grab
We hope they took a good one of you and everyone else in your class. If not, 10/17 is coming.
Snacks
Just a reminder to make sure your children are in a safe location when eating snacks. Eating snacks while playing on the playground, for example, isn't safe. :)
*LS has fruit as a morning snack, grains for the afternoon
*Cheese is for 2x a week snack boost
*We spend over $30,000 a year in snack. Please help us reduce waste.
Fire Drill
Rebecca sends her appreciations, as do I, for such a well executed drill.
1-2 Lunch: Dining Commons
Shirley would like to remind us that if a child drops a cup or tray on the floor, we should help them get a clean tray or cup. The 1-2 children may also need help remembering not to spin cups on the tables when waiting, which may cause more than your average number to end up on the floor. :)
Emergency Drills
Thanks for your good work preparing your students for our drill. The rest of the emergency drills will be a mystery to us all.
Please work with Elaine Elliott, School Nurse, and Kelly Cowing, Food Services Manager, if you are concerned about a student's diet here at school. Oftentimes there are accommodations we can make in collaboration with Bon Appetit.
Purchased Materials and Books
Please mark materials and books purchased with school funds with your Room Number
Please mark materials and books purchased with your own funds with your Name
We had some trouble sorting out which was which as people left and changed rooms.
LS Express Submission Form
We now have an official LS Express submission form. Submissions are due Monday at 5:00PM. LS Express is published each Friday.
Attendance
Please answer your classroom phone in morning. Only the LS Office has your number. Austin is typically calling about some attendance question. Complete attendance on time; at 8:00 for 1st-5th, 8:10 for PK-P.
Your Announcements
Send any announcements you have for faculty to Kirstin, Chris or David by Thursday each week August-June and we will include them in the Weekly Memo. This should help reduce the number of emails we are receiving, and maximize our time to collaborate during meetings.
A helpful tool can be found in the OES website for employees to save time searching different sites when you need to access the basic forms like check request, catering, maintenance requests and other resources.
