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| April 17, 2009 |
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Apologies
for a slightly late Voice posting this week. We have had a
jam-packed week of fantastic events in the Upper School. The
clear highlight of this was the speech that Judy Shepard, mother of
Matthew Shepard, gave to grades 8-12 on Thursday, April 16. Judy
shared with sincerity and emotion her experience of confronting
Matthew’s brutal murder and argued compellingly for “erasing hate” in
our society. I hope that this presentation promotes active
discussion amongst our students and at home. Judy’s visit also
provided a wonderful kick off to the Laramie Project production. At last report two of the five shows are already sold out. Get your tickets soon!
The
second major event of the week was the next step in our forecasting
process. Today, Friday, April 17, students received their
confirmation reports from the online registration process. Please
ask your children about their course signups, discuss their choices,
and sign the form so they can return it by the deadline of Friday,
April 24. Do not hesitate to call your child’s advisor or
teachers if you have questions.
Finally,
we welcomed representatives from the Freedom from Chemical Dependency
(FCD) organization to campus this week to discuss issues around drugs
and alcohol. Early reports suggest that the students were very
engaged in the conversations FCD facilitated. Again, I hope that
these conversations spur discussions at home.
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April 18: New Student Math Placement Testing, 9:00 a.m.
April 18: OES Auction
April 20: 10th Grade PAL, 8:00 a.m.
April 21: Sophomore Parent College Decisions Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
April 25: New Student Math Placement Testing, 9:00 a.m.
April 27: 11th Grade PAL, 8:00 a.m.
April 28: 12th Grade PAL, 8:00 a.m.
April 28: Senior Picture retakes in morning
April 29: US Play through May 2
April 29: Boys Choir Evensong, 5:00 p.m.
May 1: Books & Breakfast, 8:00 a.m.
Beginning
April 27, the All-School Service Learning Committee and the US Service
Learning Action Committee (SLAC) will launch our annual all-school canned/nonperishable food drive for Neighborhood House, culminating on May 12. A spin-off of the statewide Project Second Wind,
our food drive supports our nearby service agency, Neighborhood House.
Their Emergency Food Box Program helps to feed over 800 people every
month. We ask the whole OES community to join in bringing in healthful
canned and bagged food items to support this effort. In the Upper
School an Advisory contest and the “Cans” Film Festival inspire
generous giving.
Mount Hood Climb Service Day, Wednesday, May 13.
On this important day, all OES students and faculty, as well as many
staff members and alumni, spend time in service projects throughout the
community. In the Upper School, classes are dismissed for the day, but
this is not a day off from school. We work in small groups for over
thirty different agencies in the greater Portland area, as well as
caring for our own campus. In doing so we extend a helping hand to
children, animals, the elderly, the environment, and to people living
in poverty, in hunger, or without homes. Lower School and Middle School
students also serve locally, on campus, or in our neighborhood. We
spend this day in service to thank others for the support the Portland
community gave to OES in the first week of May, 1986, when seven
students and two faculty members perished in a snowstorm while climbing
Mount Hood. Although our students perform service throughout the school
year, this day stands out as a cornerstone of our service learning
program.
Please note that this is a required day of school, and an essential part of being a student at OES. More information will be forthcoming as we get closer to the event.
If
you have questions about any of these projects, or would like to help
with transportation or a service project on May 13, please contact
Robin Schauffler, Service Learning Coordinator, (503)416-9308; schaufflerr@oes.edu.
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All 9th, 11th, and all new students for the 2009-10 school year will
need a physical and a sports pre-participation form completed by
parents and their physicians before school begins in the fall.
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Senior pictures that were taken April 7 will be able to be viewed and/or ordered at www.shutterfly.com/pro/mccartypics/OESclass09.
These pictures are part of the tradition of the school that began in
1881 and they will on display at the school forever. If for some
reason, you would like to do a re-take, that date is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 in the morning only.
Please email your preference with the number of the photo you wish to be on display to freemanp@oes.edu.
More
BUCKS for your BOOKS: Oregon Episcopal School Textbook Buyback Program,
Upper School, Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 7:30 am – 1 pm in the
Great Hall. A printed buyback quote is REQUIRED.
To create and print a new quote, or to sell your books online, go to
http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/oes.htm.
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The
State Conference was a big success for the Aardvarks. Each delegate
learned about specific issues, his/her country, and the United Nations.
Many helped to pass resolutions (the form for introducing all new
business in the United Nations). MUN is not a competitive event but in
each committee a prize is given for “Consensus Builder.” I am proud to
say a couple of Aardvarks were nominated and Anshu T.'11 received the
award for his committee, Economics. Special thank yous go to Bilawal
S.'09, Macie L.'09, Lito N.'10, Anne S.'10, and Varun I.'10 for doing
the training necessary to successfully run separate committees of up to
60 peers. Rachel E.'09, Vice President of the 2009 MUN, ran a General
Assembly (close to 100 peers!). These people composed the OES
leadership team along with the Swiss Ambassadors, Leah M.'10 and
assistant, Laurel M.''10, and the Panama Ambassador,
Valerie
F.'09. Each of them helped me with training the delegations of Panama
and Switzerland all year. It would not have been a successful
experience without them! Before we left Eugene last Saturday, delegates
voted for State Officers for the 2010 Conference. Each year, eight
officers are chosen by all the participants. I’m proud to tell you that
Anne S. and Varun I., both of the Class of 2010, make up 25% of the
State Secretariat for 2010. This is a big honor for them and OES. We
will continue to meet once a week through mid-May to keep up on
International Current Events. Then, next September, we’ll start again
with new countries, new topics and new challenges! I’m proud of each
and every delegate! Hope Stevens, MUN Advisor
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Parents, please be aware that current 9th-, 10th-, and 11th-graders
will choose a title for the Upper School Summer Reading Program in
early May. The format of the Summer Reading Program is as follows:
Faculty members and rising 12th-graders (next year’s seniors) nominate
titles of books that they think would be fun summer reads. Then each
returning student chooses one of those books, reads it over the summer,
and meets in the fall to discuss their book with the other students who
read that title.
During X-Period on Thursday, April 30, current
9th-, 10th-, and 11th-graders will hear brief previews of each title on
the summer-reading list. Tthey will then have until 3:00 p.m., Friday,
May 8, to turn in their selection form specifying their top five
choices from the list. Please note that at the time they submit their
selection form, students will have the option of ordering their chosen
title from Powell’s Books and charging the purchase price to their OES
student account. The book prices vary from $6 to $20. Students are, of
course, free to check out their chosen book from a library, borrow it
from a friend, or buy it on their own.
A full title list and descriptions of the books will also be posted on
the Upper School Library homepage before the preview X-period.
Important note: Incoming 9th-graders will choose their summer-reading
book from a different list of books. That list will be distributed to
incoming 9th-graders at the 9th-Grade Ice Cream Social on May 5. It
will also be available online.
If you have questions about the summer-reading program, please email or
call Upper School Librarian Chris Myers, (503) 416-9352 /
myersc@oes.edu .
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Rhapsody in Blue and Green
April 18 at the downtown Hilton has all the makings of a smash
hit. The hard working committee chaired by Sohee Anderson has
played all the right chords: A dazzling array of live, silent and
super-silent items, a tempting trove of easel events, palate pleasing
selections from the Wall of Wine, a raffle drawing for a videocam, and
best of all a fun and festive evening with your OES friends. A
big hand to Lacie McKearney and Susie Gundle in the development office
who kept the whole orchestra in tune. And the many donors and
volunteers earn rave reviews for their generous support with time and
treasure. Bravissimo!
Ann C. Carter (503-248-6759)
Auction Countdown:
There is still time to get your tickets for Rhapsody in Blue and Green on Saturday, April 18. Click here to make your reservations online. At
this not-to-be-missed evening for the OES community, tempting auction
packages to appeal to all. Join your friends to support OES’s AASK
program and faculty/staff development.
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There
is still time to choose from a rich array of great classes this summer
at OES. From Poetry to 3-D Modeling and Animation, students can pursue
personal interests. Larry Kreiger, author of 18 books, still has
availability in his SAT/PSAT/Prep and Study Skills class. Lacrosse and
Basketball allow students to strengthen skills over the summer.
Register online: www.oes.edu/summer. Let me know if you have any questions or if you need help with the registration process: Joan 503.768.3145
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OES hosted five choirs in a district level festival on Wedneday, April 8.
Congratulations
to the US Choir and Adam Steele, director who qualified at the District
Festival to sing at the State level for the OSAA (Oregon School
Activities Association)and OMEA (Oregon Music Educators Association)
High School State Choir Championships!
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AASK Day Camp!
Think
about being a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) for AASK this summer! Have
fun, gain new skills in working with younger students, increase your
intercultural awareness and communication skills, and work with some
dynamite staff. Counselors-in-Training can receive service learning
hours, which generally decimate the Upper School service learning
requirement. In order to apply, high school students must have
completed 9th grade, be committed to working with younger students, and
be a positive role model, a strong team member and a reliable,
dependable person.
AASK increases the academic
skills of students who are primarily English Language Learners who need
to make 1.5 years of academic progress for every year of progress made
by their native English-speaking peers. It’s important work that makes
a real difference, and CITs often say with feeling that it has changed
them as much as it has changed the lives of the students they work with.
Dates: June 22 – July 25, 7:45 – 4:00 (with shorter hours during the
first week as it is pre-camp training). There is some flexibility with
CIT I positions for dates, however you must talk about it with Myra.
(clarkm@oes.edu)
Apply online at: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228R4BR2XRV <http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228R4BR2XRV>
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 Books & Beverages: There Is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene
Friday, May 1, 8-9:30 a.m., Charlton Room
Even
those who think they know about the AIDS crisis in Africa will savor
this book; and for those who know little or nothing about it, this is
the way in -- a way paved with decency and hope. It is our contemporary
Schindler’s List, one person’s heroic effort to right a tilting world.
We welcome you to join in the conversation whether you have read this
book or not. Contact: Lynne Johnston , 503-643-3760, or Susan Phillips , 503-292-6609, with questions, suggestions and interests.
Dr.
Wendy Mogel Parent Education Lecture: “Blessing of a Skinned Knee - How
to Stop Overindulging, Over-scheduling and Overprotecting”
Thursday Evening, May 7, 7:00-9:00pm, Mittleman Jewish Community Center
 OES
and the Portland Jewish Academy are co-sponsoring a parent education
lecture by Wendy Mogel, a nationally-acclaimed speaker and best-selling
author of parenting wisdom based on Jewish teachings. Dr. Mogel will
offer parents guidance on how to strike a balance between  hovering and encouraging self-reliance. Her advice will help parents recognize and refrain from overprotecting,
overscheduling and overstressing their children and adolescents.
Because OES is a sponsor, half-price ($10) tickets will be available to
our parents for the first 75 tickets purchased on-line at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/54033 using discount code SPONSOR.
Contact: Lynne Johnston , 503-643-3760, or Susan Phillips , 503-292-6609, with questions, suggestions and interests. |
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Parent volunteerism demonstrates engagement and contributes to
community vitality. Help OES with this measurement of parent
involvement by logging your volunteer hours in our database.
The username is "oesparent" and the password is "0809". Intel matches
some employee volunteerism for all school-related activities including
after school programs such as sports and drama. Please report your
hours in the Intel Involved Database by June 30 so OES can benefit
further from your generosity. If you donated to the OES Annual Fund and
your employer matches charitable contributions, please remember to
apply. Don’t know if your employer offers matching gift benefits? Visit
our online employer research resource. Thank you.
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LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND EXCITING TO DO THIS SUMMER? Check
out the OES 2009 Summer Programs catalog at
http://www.oes.edu/Summer/index.htm!
You’ll be amazed at how many classes throughout the entire summer are
geared to Upper School students—classes to strengthen your skills and
for enrichment! Are you interested in 3D Modeling & Animation,
Digital Photography, or Computer Music Programming? Try Creative
Writing Skill Development, Geometry, or Financial Independence. There
is a Driver's Education course and private music lessons.
For Grades 10-12, we are offering a three-day SAT/PSAT/SAT 2 Prep &
Study Skills course. Renowned educator, Mr. Larry Krieger, is coming to
OES this summer to present his course for the first time on the West
Coast! Mr. Krieger is the author of four books on the SAT including the
leading vocabulary book "Direct Hits Vocabulary" and has just published
a book for AP History students. All materials for this comprehensive
course are provided.
You can register for any class online (see OES home page) or call Joan,
503.768.3145, or Marcy, 503.416.9244, in the Summer Programs office for
information or assistance.
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Juniors:
For the June 6 SATs, register by May 5. This is done on-line. The tests
are not given at OES, but you sign-up for the test center that is most
convenient for you.
Sophomore Parent Meeting
On Tuesday
evening, April 21, the college counselors will introduce the college
counseling program to the parents of the sophomore class. It will be
held in the Middle School Commons at 7:30 p.m. Other parents are
welcome to attend, but space is limited.
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FRESHMAN CLASS
Our next PAL meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 4, from 8-9:30 in the Drinkward Center Volunteer Room.
Please contact
Sarah Grewe
at 503-292-9609 if there are any topics you would like to add to the agenda.
SOPHOMORE CLASS
Join us for our next PAL meeting
on Monday, April 20 from 8:00 - 9:30 to hear about the Literary
Journalism Project our students will be working on next year.
Rick Rees has arranged for some juniors to share their work and give us
a better understanding of what the project will entail. We will
meet in the Drinkward Center Volunteer Room and have updates from Rick
and Jordan as well. Please contact Eileen Pilkenton
(503-297-8548) if you have any questions.
JUNIOR CLASS
11th Grade PAL
will meet on Monday, April 27 from 8-9:30 am in the DC Volunteer room.
Future meeting date is May 19 (Tues.) Questions? Contact Will Ilcisin,
503/642-9751.
SENIOR CLASS
Our next 12th grade PAL
meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 from 8-9:30 a.m. in the DC
Volunteer Room and our very last meeting will take place on Monday, May
18 in the DC Volunteer Room. At our April meeting we are hoping to coax
back some parents of students who graduated last year so they can
relate their perspective on their child's experiences during the first
few months of college. In addition we will be discussing graduation and
the graduation party. Please join us. If there are other topics of
interest to you, please contact Nancy Greene
,
503-297-0444.
Link to message regarding events leading up to Graduation 2009.
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