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| November 15, 2008 |
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We
look forward to welcoming parents of all seniors and new students,
including ninth graders, to campus for conferences on Friday, November
21; Monday, November 24; and Tuesday, November 25. You should
have received an email with your conference time from Deri Bash,
Assistant Head of Upper School Academics, last week. I highly
encourage you to bring your child to their conference so that they may
directly participate in the conversation with teachers. Parents
of tenth and eleventh grade students, we look forward to welcoming you
to conferences in February.
You have
received an electronic letter from Head of School Matthew Hanly
describing a parent survey we are conducting. That letter also
includes a link to this online survey and Matthew will send out a
reminder shortly. Please take a moment to fill out the survey for
each of your children at OES. The feedback you provide is
invaluable in our continual process of renewing the excellence of the
OES experience.
Finally, I would like to
thank the PAL representatives for each class for organizing and leading
great meetings in October and November: Sarah Grewe, ninth grade;
Eileen Pilkenton, tenth grade; Will Ilcisin, eleventh grade; Nancy
Greene, twelfth grade. I deeply appreciate the open, honest, and
respectful conversations we have had and our ongoing efforts at
building partnership. I greatly look forward to our future
meetings. Parents of juniors and seniors, please make note of the
adjusted meeting dates that were emailed to you earlier this
month. Please note they have been posted to the OES calendar.
I
wish all of the parents, students, faculty, and staff associated with
the Upper School a wonderful and well-deserved Thanksgiving Vacation!
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November 17 - 12th Grade PAL Meeting
November 18-20 - FOESL Fall Book Fair
November 18 - 11th Grade PAL Meeting
November 18 - Sports Award Dinner
November 21- AM classes in US, Conferences begin in PM
November 24-25 - US Conferences, No US
November 22 - Winterim Registration begins
November 23 - US Open House
November 25 - Grandparents Day
November 26-30 - No School - Thanksgiving Break
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Do
you have a friend, business associate, neighbor, or perhaps someone in
your family who is interested in learning about the OES Upper School –
Grades 9 – 12? The Admissions Office and the Upper School are hosting a
program for prospective students and their parents on Sunday, November 23.
Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. followed by a short presentation. Then
our visitors are invited to enjoy some sample mini-classes, ask
questions of a student panel, tour the Upper School and talk with
faculty about the Upper School curriculum. Please spread the word!
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Please join us next week in the Upper School Library for the OES Fall Book Fair, presented by the Friends of the OES Libraries (FOESL) and Powell’s Books.
Book Fair Hours:
- 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18
- 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, with special events 5:30-8 p.m. that night.
- 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20
Nicole Mones to sign books at evening event:
The novelist Nicole Mones has been added to the lineup of authors and presenters at the Book Fair “After Hours” event, 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19. Nicole will sign her most recent book, The Last Chinese Chef, as well as her earlier novels Lost in Translation and A Cup of Light.
She joins cookbook author Diane Morgan, OES 7th-grader and poet Kristin Qian, subject specialists recommending books, and a great lineup of student musical performers.
Silent Auction items up for bid:
This year we will have three collector’s items up for silent bid
throughout the Book Fair. Bidding will begin when the Fair opens at
7:30 a.m. Tuesday, and will close precisely at 4 p.m. Thursday, when
the Fair closes. The items are:
- A complete boxed set of the four Twilight novels by Stephenie Meyer, in hardcover, along with a movie tie-in Twilight READ poster from the American Library Association and a Breaking Dawn T-shirt donated by Powell’s.
- A signed, limited first edition of The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon, in a wooden slipcover box decorated with Native American designs.
- A signed, numbered, and slipcovered copy of Christmas Alphabet, a pop-up book by paper-arts legend Robert Sabuda. This set includes a stand-alone Christmas pop-up separate from the book.
Let the bidding frenzy begin!
For more details about the Book Fair, please see the Book Fair webpage:
http://www.oes.edu/Libraries/2008OESFallBookFair.htm
See you at the Fair!
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New Items
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 Tax-deductible
gifts to the Annual Fund are vital because they help cover “gap,” that
is, the difference between what it costs to run the school and the
total tuition dollars we pay. Tuition covers only 83% of the cost of a
student’s education. Each family would pay over $3,000 more per child
toward tuition without the charitable contributions and other income
that are raised. Some parents have commented that an Annual Fund
donation is like a tax-advantaged tuition payment.
Thank
you again to all the families who have joined the Annual Fund Honor
Roll by pledging specific dollar amounts or making donations already.
If you haven't yet pledged or donated, click on the Aardvark to make your pledge or donation securely
online. Each gift brings us closer to 100 percent participation.
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KICK OFF A NEW DECADE!
AASK Friend Raising Breakfast
8:00 to 9:15 a.m.
December 4, 2008
OES Dining Hall
AASK
wouldn’t be here without all the friends and donors who have helped
this program to grow and thrive! Treat yourself to Mexican breakfast
goodies and stories from all three partnership schools about their
experience in AASK The OES Acapella group will also sing to us!
Everyone who would like to come and learn what AASK is all about is
welcome! Please rsvp to Gisela Walitzki,
503-416-3934
AASK
tutors are in 8th – 12th grade and go to Vose Elementary every Tuesday
and Thursday, and Whitford Middle School on Wednesday to help younger
students in reading, writing and math. Most students are native Spanish
speakers, and if you have ever had all of your school day in a language
different than your own, you know how much work it is! Vose has fewer
resources than students at OES do to get extra help with work. Their
high school buddies really make a difference! Get some great service
learning hours, have fun, and make a difference in a child’s success in
school! The friendships with your young students are ones you will
always remember!
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The
dorm community will share a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this
weekend. Following the dinner, the dorms will attend the final show of
The Music Man in support of our eight dormies who are involved in the
production. We are thankful to be sharing a meal with such a terrific
community. We are very grateful to all of you who opened your homes to
our dorm students last weekend during our host family exchange. This
really shows the giving nature of our OES community.
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Earlier
in the month, I had occasion to visit Rice University in Houston and
had lunch with Sam Shainsky '07. (Rice had invited a group of college
counselors to campus in conjunction with the College Board annual
Forum.) Over lunch he mentioned that he would be making an oral
presentation in his afternoon Spanish class that day. When I said how
much I appreciated his taking the time to have lunch with me under the
circumstances, Sam maintained that making the presentation wasn't a
problem for him because OES had prepared him so well. He went on to say
that he is so grateful for what OES had given him that he felt he had
to give back. Sam wanted to share his enthusiasm for Rice so that the
OES college counselors could pass it on to prospective applicants.
Needless to say, testimonials like this have been one of the principal
joys of my 35 year career as an OES college counselor.
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The
Auction Committee Meeting will be Wednesday, November 19, 1:30-3:00
p.m. in the Drinkward Center Volunteer Room. Everyone is welcome to our
auction planning sessions. Join the fun, meet our new Auction Chair
Sohee Anderson, and help make plans for our April 18, 2009 auction,
which will be held off campus for the second year in a row. We hope to
see you there! Can’t make the meeting, but you want to help? Email the auction.
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- Each classroom and office has an Emergency Procedures Guide that explains what to do in a wide array of emergencies.
- We conduct monthly drills to practice how to respond to emergencies such as earthquakes, fires, and lock-outs.
- When we practice how to respond in an emergency, we make better decisions and are less afraid when faced with a real emergency.
That’s
right. Next Wednesday, November 19, is the third Wednesday of the month
and that means “Ex Vehiculum!” Get out of your car! Have you tried the
OES bus? It’s great! Tri-Met? It’s easy!
If you want help organizing a carpool, check out the list of OES families sorted by zip code at http://fmc.oes.edu/volunteer.
Keep your fingers crossed for good weather and you can travel carbon-free on your bike or by foot.
Aardpool – it’s about environment and community.
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- Courses are being planned
- The catalog of courses will be presented to students in the Winterim X period assembly on November 21
- Registration
will occur on line from November 22 – December 2nd Registration will be
available over Thanksgiving Vacation so parents and students may
discuss the options. The registration website will be on the Winterim
website and will be announced to students in an email. The website will
be available anywhere in the world where you can visit www.oes.edu. There will be registration instructions on the zoomerang.
- Students
and parents will receive an email sometime (after 3:00pm, PST) on
December 2 with a form listing the student’s Winterim choices. That
form is to be printed, signed by parents and then by advisors, and placed in registration box in US Office by the end of school, December 8. (Students who hand in late forms will be dropped to the bottom of the priority list in case a course if over-subscribed.)
- The
Winterim Committee will place students in the courses they have
selected between December 9 and the beginning of vacation, December 19.
- Class lists will be published in the Great Hall on the US Office Window on December 19 (before Christmas Vacation).
Please contact Hope Stevens, Winterim Coordinator if you have any questions. (503-416-9309)
Thanksgiving
Break is a great time for students to do some Service Learning Hours,
and there are lots of opportunities and plenty of need out there in our
community. Before the break, Robin Schauffler, Service Learning
Coordinator, will send all Upper School students a list of local opportunities.
Parents will be able to access this list on the OES web site or pick up
a copy during Parent Conferences. Questions? Call Robin at (503)416-9308.
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Join us in this important and joyful service to our local community...It’s
almost time for the Giving Tree! Be part of an OES giving tradition.
Take this opportunity to buy an item of clothing or a toy or other item
for a family in need this holiday season. Watch for information in the
Middle and Upper School, where students coordinate sponsorship of 25
families (over 120 individuals) from Vose Elementary for whom the OES
community collects gifts of clothing and food at the holidays. Vose
carries out this venture as an outreach to their families that
especially need this service, and relies on the participation of a
number of community agencies to help that happen. OES is honored to be
part of this effort.
Gift
tags will be on display in the Great Hall for US families to pick up
during parent conferences, November 21, 24, and 25. Students can also
pick up tags from the Giving Tree during school between November 19 and
December 5. Gift items must be placed under the Giving Tree, not wrapped,
and with gift tag securely attached, no later than Tuesday, December 9.
Each Vose family will receive socks, shirts or sweaters, pants or jeans
and a gift item. Pick the items that you would most like to give!
Questions? Contact Diane Abel, Myra Clark (503-768-3193), Gisela Walitzki (503-416-9394), or Robin Schauffler (503-416-9308).
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Pick-Up Information and Extra Items
Just
a reminder that pick-up for the CW&HGS will be at SPARC (the OES
Sports and Recreation Center at 6699 Oleson Road) on Tuesday, December
2 from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, December 3 from 7:45 a.m. until
6:00 p.m. We will have extra poinsettias and some greens – if
you didn’t get a chance to order or want some extra items, come check
out what we have (checks, school charge and cash accepted).
Questions?
Contact the Christmas Wreath and Holiday Greens Sale Coordinator - Jan
Massaro or OES Gallery Manager - Jennifer Roney
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FRESHMAN CLASS
Many thanks to John and Jill Inskeep for hosting the ninth grade parent social in their lovely home during the homecoming dance.
At
our November PAL meeting, we had a lively discussion about 9th graders,
sleep, and technology. Next meeting is scheduled for January 5 from
8-9:30 am in the Drinkward Center Volunteer Room. Please contact Sarah
Grewe (503/292-9609) if you have any questions or topic ideas.
Future meeting dates are: February 2, April 13, and May 4.
SOPHOMORE CLASS
Please join us for our next PAL meeting
in the Volunteer Room of the Drinkward Center on Monday, January 12
from 8:00 - 9:30 am. Please contact Eileen Pilkenton
(503.297.8548) if you have any questions.
JUNIOR CLASS
11th Grade PAL
meets from 8-9:30 am and our main speaker will be Cynthia Doran,
Director of College Counseling. Please note that the November and May
dates are on Tuesday.
Next meeting date is: November 18 (Guild Room). Future meeting dates are:
January 26, February 23, April 27, and May 19 in the DC Volunteer Room. Questions? Contact Will Ilcisin, 503/642-9751.
SENIOR CLASS
Our
next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 17 at 8-9:30 a.m. in the
Drinkward Center Volunteer Room. Please note the January, February, and
April dates are on Tuesday.
Future
meeting dates are: January 27 (Guild Room), February 24, April 28, and
May 18 in the DC Volunteer Room. If you have any questions please
contact
by email or at 503-297-0444.
12th
grade parents have an opportunity to show appreciation to our fabulous
US faculty this Friday, November 21. Please bring healthful snacks and
drinks when you drop your children off or come for your conferences. Or
you can have your child deliver them to the US office. If you'd like to
participate, please contact Nancy Greene (see contact info above.)
Very Important Message to Seniors regarding all the yearbook deadlines for the year. Please follow link to message from Dana Lewis.
Link to message regarding events leading up to Graduation 2009.
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The
admissions season is in full swing! The Admissions Office is currently
scheduling tours and visits and accepting applications for the 2009-10
school year. If you are considering OES for another child in your
family, please stop by or contact the Admissions Office (503-768-3115)
to receive an application packet. If you have friends, neighbors, or
business associates who are interested in OES, please encourage them to
contact us soon. The application deadline is February 2, 2009.
NEW THIS YEAR! We now have online inquiry and application capability. If you prefer, you may inquire and start the application process online by going to our website: www.oes.edu/Admissions/index.htm.
Pre-K and Kindergarten sibling and faculty/staff applicants will have their assessment day on Saturday, January 31, 2009. If you are planning to apply, please contact
at 503.768.3114 to schedule your child’s visit.
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Tuesday, November 25, 8:00-10:45 a.m.
Invitations
will be sent to OES grandparents and special friends who are invited to
a morning of campus activity. Grandparent Day visitors will enjoy a
continental breakfast with student musical performances. Due to
parent/teacher conferences, grandparents of Upper School students are
invited to join Jordan Elliott for a tour of the school. Students are
invited to join their grandparents on campus. All guests are invited to
attend the first through fifth grade morning chapel.
We
would like to extend this invitation to all OES grandparents and
special friends. If you have not updated their contact information,
please email
in the Development Office.
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Future Books and Breakfast Discussion Meetings and Titles:
December 12: THE LARAMIE PROJECT by Moises Kaufman
February 6: THE LAST CHINESE CHEF by Nicole Mones
March 6: THE MEMORY KEEPER’S DAUGHTER by Kim Edwards
May 1: THERE IS NO ME WITHOUT YOU by Melissa Fay Greene (New Addition!)
For your convenience and reading enjoyment, all these Books and Breakfast titles will be on sale at the upcoming OES Book Fair!
Interested in the work of the CDL? Please contact
(503-643-3760) or
(503-292-6609 ) with your questions, suggestions and interests.
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