Message to Parents
December 1, 2011
Dear Parents of OES Boarding Students,
Your students returned from Thanksgiving Break well rested–a good thing given that life at OES is quite busy this time of year!
Winter Vacation
We’ve got a few weeks of school left before Winter Vacation arrives. We’re sure everyone is looking forward to another well-deserved rest. The dorms close on Saturday, December 17, at 3:00 pm and re-open Saturday, January 1. We are opening the dorms a day earlier than usual for this holiday. Students have the option of returning January 1 or 2. We hope that opening the dorms on January 1 will give our students who travel internationally an extra day to adjust to their new time zone and be ready for classes on Tuesday, January 3. We have attached a copy of the winter vacation travel form. Please send the travel form back to us as soon as possible; we hope to have them all returned by Friday, December 9. As always, please respect the times and dates of dorm and school closures.
Final Exams
Final exams begin on December 13. It is common for students to feel an increase in academic pressure and stress this time of year. We will continue to encourage students to plan ahead and we will ensure there are plenty of opportunities for quiet study time. Sleep, proper nutrition, stress management and fitness are all key components to maximizing learning potential. Please help us encourage your students to make healthy choices as they prepare for finals.
Dorm Retreat
Living in a dorm environment is a unique experience. It is full of learning about new cultures, making new friends and developing and discovering qualities that lead to the formation of a strong character. In order to facilitate these goals, the dorm parents and dorm students are making plans for our annual all-dorm retreat. The dorm retreat is a great opportunity to celebrate the diverse community we call home. This year’s retreat will be on January 15-16. We will be staying at a beautiful retreat center in the Columbia River Gorge. This retreat is required for all dorm students; they will not have to miss school to attend. Thanks in advance for your support.
Holiday Celebration
On Sunday, December 11, the dorms will sponsor our annual holiday dinner and gift exchange. This evening is always a lot of fun. We’ll try to capture the spirit of the night for you on film and post the photos on our boarding website.
We hope you and your family enjoy some special time together over the break. We appreciate your children and are honored to be able to work with them during this time of their lives. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Warm regards,
Bonnie Brennan
Director of Residential Life
Oregon Episcopal School
Julie Sikkink
Dean of Residential Life
Oregon Episcopal School
