Wednesday Express
Updated Februrary 3
Reminders ...
- Upcoming No School Days:
Friday, February 5 - Bonnie Campbell Hill Faculty Conference Friday, February 12 - BS/LS Admissions Day - Tomorrow is a No Uniform Day because the next two Fridays are no school days.
A Note From Chris O'Toole (new)
Dear Parents,
Have you noticed? The harbingers of spring have arrived! The daffodils and flowering plum trees are just beginning to bloom. The lengthening hours of light- oh joy, it isn’t pitch dark when I depart at 5 p.m.! There is evident excitement in the air this week as we all experience our first bouts of Spring Fever. I hope you all got out to enjoy this early taste of spring weather!
A few other newsworthy items…
NO UNIFORM DAY THURSDAY!
Earlier this week a group of Fourth Grade students respectfully inquired about the no-uniform day. “What should we do,” they asked. “It is the first Friday of the month coming up and we have no school?”
I spoke with Ms. Fitz, and I’m happy to report that we will make an exception this month and have February’s no uniform day on Thursday, February 4th.
LOWER SCHOOL PARENT FORUMS, Thursday, February 4th
Kathy Layendecker and Tom Wheelock will hold two Lower School Parent Forums this week. At these gatherings Kathy and Tom will share information on the search for a new Lower School Head. They look forward to hearing parents’ perspective on how to make the Beginning and Lower School programs even stronger.
The first forum will occur during the LS PAL meeting from 8-9:30am in the LS Common Hall. The second forum will take place later in the day from 7-8:30pm in the LS Common Hall. Please note the change of venue; it was originally going to take place in the Middle School Commons.
We hope to see you there!
Warmly,
Chris O’Toole
LS Late Arrivals, Early Dismissals, Volunteers and Guests (new)
Please notify the LS Office in person if your child is arriving late or being dismissed early before you go into your child’s classroom to drop-off or pick up your child.
To maintain focus and to avoid disruptions, we ask your consideration and understanding not to disturb the class in session in the hallways by asking students or teachers at work to open the doors. Please ask for the key card in the main office to enter the building.
February PAL Meeting Tomorrow (new)
Thursday February 4, 8:00-9:15am in the LS Common Hall
Featuring Literacy Specialist Bonnie Hill Campbell and Interim Head of School Kathy Layendecker.
Heartwarming Story About Jane Kenney-Norberg (new)
Last December Jane made a donation to the Marysville School after fire destroyed much of the school. She had a personal connection to the school and was determined to assist the school in restarting its Lego Physics classes in its new quarters at the Rose City Park School. Read the full article from the The Bee
Midwinter Madness
Midwinter Madness, OES’s annual festival of fun and fundraising, is just around the corner. The 2010 beneficiary, for the second year in a row, is Run for Congo Women, an organization that brings humanitarian relief and development assistance to women and children in the war-torn Congo.
Although Midwinter Madness is primarily planned by Upper School students and takes place mostly in the Upper School, there are several ways Lower School parents and children may choose to participate:
• Buy a Midwinter Madness T-shirt for your child. This year there is a special shirt just for Lower School students—the shirt is yellow and features a fun design. Shirts are $14, and are available through
,
503.416.9352, the faculty advisor for Midwinter Madness.
• "Parent Perambulation" on February 4th, from 7:00am to 4:00pm on the OES Track. All parents are invited to run, walk, or cycle a mile in support of our efforts on behalf of Run for Congo Women. A suggested donation of $30 from each participant is about the amount that is required to support one woman for a month as they work to restore their lives in the midst of war. Our goal this year is to have 30 parents from each division participate. We have had a generous offer to match the donations from Lower, Middle and Upper School this year, up to $2,700! Please make checks payable to OES with Run for Congo Women in the memo line. Run, Walk, Cycle for Congo Women donations are 100% tax deductible. We'll have a table at the track where you can drop off your check on the 4th.
If you have questions, please contact Eileen Pilkenton (503.297.8548)or Kara Ilg (503.452.0309)
Join us as we join our children in making a difference.
Please contact
,
503.416.9352, if you have questions about these or other Midwinter Madness events.
Thank you for supporting Midwinter Madness and Run for Congo Women!
We Need Stuffed Animals!
Thank you very much for donating your precious Build-A-Bear toys last week for the fifth grade former Brownies. Now we are accepting any kind of gently used stuffed animals for the children at the White Shield Center. They have infants, toddlers, and girls between 12 and 18 years old. Your support will be greatly appreciated. We have boxes in front of LS office, in the hallway of the 1/2 wing, and the 4/5 wing.
We have extended the collection period until Thursday, February 4th.
Questions?
Lower School Shoe Drive for the People of Haiti (new)
Gently Used or New Shoes of Any Shape or Size
February 8th-26th
* LS is partnering with Soles4Souls, a Nashville-based charity formed in response to the SE Asia tsunami that collects shoes for those in need thruout the world with a massive response underway for the people of Haiti.
* What better way to engage our children in global citizenship than by collecting shoes, something tangible they can understand!
* Kickoff - Monday 2/8 in Chapel.
* Drop-off boxes - BS wing, front of LS office, 1st/2nd wing, 4/5th wing.
* Donations thru end of school Friday 2/26.
* Conclusion - Monday 3/1 in Chapel.
* Engage your children by having them ask friends, family, neighbors to start early Spring cleaning and donate GENTLY USED and NEW shoes to OES!
* Most demand for childrens shoes and athletic shoes, but any and all will do- even flip flops!
* We are asking families to consider a $2.00 donation per pair for initial shipment to Soles4Souls' Nevada warehouse, from there, the cost of shipment to Haiti will be covered by them. Kids may consider this a good use of their allowance! Our goal is as many shoes as possible, with the monetary donation secondary. There will be an envelope in the LS Office as well as in each classroom for monetary donations.
* Need parent volunteers to assist in clearing out drop-off boxes, storing in Room 10, and preparing for shipment.
*
(Sydney (1st) and Ben (3rd)) with questions, or interests in volunteering. 503-249-1558.
Thanks so much in advance for supporting this great cause !!!
Heads Up to Parents of 4th Graders (new)
As part of the 4th grade collaboration with Upper School students traveling to Uganda, the 4th graders will be invited to bring in art supplies for Ugandan schoolchildren that the Upper School students and Mr. DePreter will deliver in March.
The overlapping nature of the shoes for Haiti drive and the art supplies drive is not ideal for 4th grade, but it affords an opportunity to celebrate OES's many global connections. You will be getting more information about this from your child's 4th grade teacher.
Re-Enrollment Contracts to be Sent Via E-mail This Year
We are pleased to let you know that we have simplified our re-enrollment process, and this year your contract(s) will be delivered to you by e-mail. This is part of our ongoing efforts to improve our environmental and financial sustainability.
Look for contracts to arrive in your in-boxes on Monday, February 8th. Contracts will be due back to the Admissions Office by Monday, February 22nd.
Please be sure that your contact information in your Parent Portal is up-to-date so the enrollment contract(s) will get to you promptly.
Varsity Basketball (new)
Congratulations to the Varisty Boys and Girls who played fabulous games against Catlin Gabel last night! Both teams played extremely close games and won in the final seconds. Great job!
There are only 3 games left! If the Varsity Boys win them all they'll be in 1st place in the Lewis and Clark League! Let's let them know how proud we are of their hard work!
The last game of the regular season will be at OES next Thursday, February 11th, against Warrenton. Varisty girls play at 6:00pm and Varisty boys start at 7:30pm. Come, wear your school colors and cheer loudly for your Aardvarks!
Aardy’s Party 4.17.2010 – The Age of Aquarius
To everything there is a season, a time to plan, a time to donate!
Next Meeting: Thursday, February 11, 1:00pm
Charleton Room
Some far out items have already been donated, but we need your help. Think of previous auctions you have attended, what made your inner flower child stand up and bid? Among the OES community, food and wine always gets a groovy response. Dinners are popular; do you know a chef who will cook at your home? Or perhaps you were inspired by Julie & Julia to create an evening of culinary delights and wine? Can you host a tasting in your wine cellar or persuade your wine merchant to host a guided tour of some special selections?
Frequent flyer miles are always cool, what about that mountain cabin or beach house? OESians love to hang out for the weekend. Sporting event tickets are sure to excite, how will the Blazers overcome and inspire again? Smaller items such as restaurant gift cards, services and baskets are awesome too.
The auction team wish list:
• A Kayak or Bike Adventure
• Hawaii Condo
• Flip video camera
• Spa treatments
• Golf lessons
• Hoola Hoop party for girls
• PGE Park baseball night
• Cycle Oregon Package
If you can help with any of these items, please contact auction chair Teri Beatty (teribeatty at windermere.com) at 503-709-0788.
You can turn in your procurement forms even if the physical items are not yet secured, deadline is March 19, 2010. To volunteer or for questions regarding donations or advertising, please contact auction coordinator,
,
or call 503-768-3156. Click on heart logo for link to auction website. Remember, advertising deadline is February 18, 2010.
Aardy is hanging out at a new spot around school. Can you dig it?
Financial Aid
Financial Aid packets were mailed earlier this month, if you haven’t received yours and you would like to apply, please email or call 503-416-9379. Families interested in or pursuing financial aid, please be aware that the first deadline for the OES application is February 12th. Try to complete your taxes as soon as possible – copies of the tax forms will be expected in early March. If you have any questions regarding the financial aid process or you would like to discuss your eligibility, please email or call him at 503-768-3115.
Bake Sale at the Concert for Haiti (new)
A bake sale has been added to the Tuesday, February 16 Concert for Haiti event. From 5-6:30 p.m., delicious, home-baked items will be available for purchase. Lower School families are invited to bring in items anytime after school for the bake sale. Items should be taken to the Great Hall for the Lower School bake sale table! All proceeds will benefit Medical Teams International.
Middle School Information for 5th Grade Parents
There will be an evening presentation of the 6th Grade Curriculum on Thursday, February 18, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Please watch for an invitation in early February.
Music Informances
In the coming weeks, all students in grades 2-5 will present music informances. A music informance is an informative performance that allows parents, teachers, and others to watch children learning music. The joy is in seeing not just “what” the children have learned in music, but “how” they are learning. Children will demonstrate songs, games and learning activities under the guidance of 2nd-5th grade music teacher, Amy Rheingans. Everyone is welcome. All music informances take place in the LS Common Hall, beginning at 8:00am and lasting for approximately 45 minutes.
Dates are as follows: 2nd grade Thursday, 2/18, 8:00am
3rd grade Thursday, 3/4, 8:00am
4th grade Tuesday, 3/16, 8:00am
5th grade Thursday, 2/11, 8:00am
Books and Breakfast (new)
UPDATE: No Books and Breakfast Meeting on Friday, Feb 19, 8:00-9:30am
OES Lunar New Year Celebration: Sunday, February 21, 3-5pm
Save the date and watch for upcoming announcements regarding the exciting programs planned for this year’s event.
Dreams from my Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
By Barack Obama
Books and Breakfast: Friday, April 23, 8-9:30am, OES Dining Hall (NEW DATE!)
Our April book discussion will feature the autobiography of Barack Obama, our country’s first Black President. In this highly-praised memoir written before his political ascendance, Obama shares his emotional journey to understand his own family heritage and racial identity as the son of an absent Black African father and a white American mother. Obama is candid about racism and poverty and the story resonates with universal themes of love, obligation and loss while offering insights into the unusual life and unique multicultural background of our current commander in chief. Copies for sale in the Gallery Store for benefit of OES libraries.
Start Reading Now for Last Book Discussion This Year:
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
Books and Breakfast: Friday, May 14 8:00-9:30am, OES Dining Hall
Contacts: Co-Chairs
503.292.6609 and
503.297.3593
Lunar New Year 2010: Year of the Tiger
Sunday, February 21, 3:00 to 5:00pm, Dining Hall
The Lunar New Year in Asia signifies the return of Spring and the renewal of a new year. It is a celebratory time for families and friends to get together to share a special meal, to play games, to reminisce about times past, and to create new memories for the future.
The OES community would like to invite you to join in the annual Lunar New Year Celebration.
The festivities will begin in the Dining Hall with popular Asian crafts and games. Of course, no celebration is ever complete without tempting savories and sweets to satisfy the palate. Once again, we will be offering a community potluck. Families who wish to share a favorite dish are invited to contribute. Please include recipe’s name and remember the NO NUTS policy at OES.
At 4 o’clock, Lion Dancers will lead all attendants down to the Gym to officially welcome the arrival of the New Year and be entertained by the award-winning, nationally recognized Dragon Art Studio’s Chinese puppet theatre.
We look forward to your attendance. Please contact
or
regarding volunteering, suggestions or questions.
The Lunar New Year Celebration is a collaborative partnership between the OES Administration, Residential Life Program, Mandarin Language Program, and Community Diversity Link
Coming Soon...Pet Blessings in Chapel (new)
Dear Parents,
Several weeks ago, it was announced in Chapel that children may make arrangements to bring new pets to Chapel for a special pet blessing. I want to make sure that you are aware of this invitation!
Here are some pet blessing guidelines:
*Pet Blessing dates:
Monday, February 22, Monday, March 15, and Monday, April 19
If you cannot bring your pet to Chapel on one of these days, let me know and special arrangements can be made.
*Chapel takes place at 12 noon on Mondays: The blessings will take place about halfway through the 30 minute Chapel. I would suggest arriving a few minutes before 12, so that you and the animals can find a comfortable spot to sit in one of the back pews before the Lower School classes begin arriving.
*The health and safety of the children and the pets is important! Make sure that the pet(s) you are bringing will be able to handle the Chapel environment of 350 people.
If you have any questions, please contact 503.416.9279. I am looking forward to welcoming a variety of furry, scaly, friendly, reserved, four-legged, and no-legged animals into Chapel!
Peace,
Jenny Cleveland
LS Chaplain
OES Visioning 2009-2010 - Change in Date (new)
Monday, February 22
The Visioning Steering Committee met this week to reflect upon your listening session comments and to craft an overarching vision statement for OES. Although the committee made great progress, more time is needed to architect the draft vision statement for your consideration and review. It is very important to the steering committee that the work product is of the highest quality and reflects the community’s time and energy put into this process so far.
As a result, we are moving the next Visioning Open Forums from Thursday, January 28th to Monday, February 22nd. Once again, the presentations will be made by Ian Symmonds in the Middle School Commons at the following times:
8:15 to 9:45am
1:30 to 3:00pm
5:30 to 7:00pm
We strongly encourage you to attend one of the listed sessions and apologize for any inconvenience the date change may cause.
This vision statement will serve as the foundation for the development of OES's new strategic plan, and the job description for our next Head of School.
Please put these dates in your calendar. Your participation is important to the future of OES.
After School Classes and Summer Program (new)
After school classes are in full swing for the spring term. We have new classes starting each month that are described on the After School Classes webpage under Language, Math, Art, and Sports. Please contact
503.416.9244 for registration or more information.
Summer programs are being finalized and the catalogue will soon be going to print. Registration begins on March 1. More information will be coming soon about our exciting summer program!
Library News
As you know, our LS librarian, Lara Ingham will be welcoming a new addition to her family soon. We are delighted to announce that Gary Eastman-Brown will be replacing Lara while she is out on maternity leave until the end of March. Gary will be covering all library classes and working in conjunction with Heidi Hackenjos, LS Library Assistant, to help run the library. As a familiar face with our students and with his background in teaching and library work, he will be a great asset to the library program. Please join us in welcoming Mr. E.B.
