April 25, 2008 Vol. 3, No. 26
Also available on OES website at http://www.oes.edu/newsletter
  
  Peter Pan Flies
High in Fifth Grade Play
Fifth-graders in Mrs. Williams' class presented a rousing renditon of Peter Pan this week. As usual, Peter bested Captain Hook, and the Lost Boys found a mother. Tinker Bell had a close call, but the youngsters in the audience saved her by chanting, "I believe in fairies." See more photos.		  
 
 
 
OES Spring Play: Charlotte's Web

Wednesday, April 30 through Saturday, May 3
7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall
Reserve tickets by calling Arleene at 503-246-7771
  
 
 
  Boys' Tennis Team Cleans Up at Jesuit Invitational  
 
From left, Ryan N. '09, Jason S. '09,Reza V. '10, Brandon W. '08, and Trevor A. '09.		 The OES boys' varsity tennis team was invited to be the first 4A school ever to participate in the Annual Jesuit Invitational, and the Aardvarks placed an extremely close second to a very deep Jesuit team. Placing first in singles was Brandon W. '08, followed by Dylan P. '08 in second place, Varun I. '10 in third place, and Marc L. '11 in fourth place. In doubles, the team of Jason S. '09 and Ryan N. '09 won first place, Trevor A. '09 and Alex T. '09 took second, Henry W. '08 and Ankur G. '09 won third, and Reza V. '10 and Danny S. '10 took fourth.  
 
 
   
  Students Celebrate Seder in Great Hall 
For a recent Upper School chapel, Jewish students explained the Passover Seder to fellow students. They set a table for the traditional dinner in the Great Hall, and then each student told about the significance of a different food or ritual. Passover celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as told in the Book of Exodus in the Bible.		  
 
 
  Students Take Role
Of Science Teachers 
Students presented their science research on Friday to students, teachers, and other adult visitors. Following their presentations, the students received feedback from evaluators who mostly were OES parents with a background in science. In the photo at right, Michael L. '09 explains his research.		  
 
 
  Lead Is Not a Problem in OES Synthetic Turf  
  Recent news media stories have reported on the testing of synthetic turf fields by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDSS). Relatively high concentrations of lead were found in nylon fibers in two of the fields tested. The OES field is comprised of a polyethelene/polypropolene fiber blend; similar fields manufactured by the same company were found in the New Jersey investigation to have extremely low or no lead content.  
  In their press release, the NJDHSS said, “Based on the limited information we have at this time, the Department’s assessment is that there is a very low risk for exposure.” All of the information we have received indicates our field is safe; however, we will continue to monitor the issue as more test results become available. For further information, please contact .  
 
 
 

Photo by Michelle Rajotte.
 OESians Celebrate
Free Admission
At Art Museum 
Approximately 100 students from all three divisions went to the Portland Art Museum on Wednesday to celebrate the beginning of free admission for anyone age 17 or under. At left, Head of School Matthew H. Hanly and Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski are shown with seventh-graders, from left, Shoshanah S., Jasmine G., Kimberly H., Olivia E., and Claire A.		  
 
 
  About This Newsletter
The Aardvark is a weekly online newsletter for the OES community. You may email editor to submit information. If you know of a grandparent who would like to receive this newsletter, please send an email address for the grandparent(s).