Updated October 1, 2009

Spirit Week leading up to Homecoming.

News From Jordan Elliott

Greetings parents and friends!  I hope you will join us for the many exciting events on campus during the first weeks of October.  This Friday, October 2, we celebrate Homecoming and Alumnae/i weekend.  I hope to see a great turnout of students, parents, alumnae/i and friends at the girls’ and boys’ soccer games and community fun this Friday.  I also look forward to donning my alumnus hat to celebrate Lou Ann Pickering’s induction into the ranks of honorary alumnae/i.

As I write, we are preparing for our annual Back-to-School Night.  In my mind, this evening wraps up our opening of school events by bringing parents into the excitement of their children’s courses for the year.  We routinely receive positive and enthusiastic feedback from parents after this night of introduction to the courses in the Upper School.  Please feel free to contact me with your feedback.

On October 14 and 15 we will be presenting our second annual Health and Wellness Days, “Octoberim” for short.  Octoberim centralizes activities that affect each of the four grade levels in the Upper School into three days to make for a more efficient use of time, to create a better experience for the students, and to add curriculum that supports healthy living. 

Ninth grade students will take the Educational Research Board (ERB) standardized tests on the mornings of Wednesday, October 14 and Thursday, October 15 and participate in a Wellness Fair in the afternoons.  Ninth graders will have regular classes on Friday, October 16.

Tenth grade students will take the PSAT standardized test on the morning of Wednesday, October 14 and participate in the Wellness Fair in the afternoon.  All day Thursday, October 15, sophomores will participate in a workshop on issues pertaining to sexuality.  Tenth graders will have regular classes on Friday, October 16.

Eleventh grade students will take the PSAT standardized test on the morning of October 14.  Wednesday afternoon juniors will participate in the Wellness Fair.  Juniors leave Thursday morning for the Menucha retreat center to begin the retreat and will return at the end of the school day Friday, October 16.

Twelfth grade students will have structured time to work on their college applications on the morning of Wednesday, October 14.  The College Counseling staff will be present as well as teachers able to help with applications and essays.  Seniors will participate in the Wellness Fair on Wednesday afternoon.  Seniors have more structured time for applications on Thursday, October 15.  Twelfth graders will have regular classes on Friday, October 16.  Note: we continue to encourage families to travel for college visits for all of Octoberim and the following weekend.  If you plan to visit colleges during this time, please contact Carlene Traverso .

Speaking of PSATs and based on their performance on the PSAT (a.k.a. the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), 10 of our students have been recognized as National Merit Semifinalists and 12 students were commended.  We look forward to seeing if our 10 semifinalists will move onto the finalist stage later this fall.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Oct 1: Holiday Greens Sale begins

Oct 2: Homecoming Dance, 8:00 pm, Great Hall

Oct 5: 9th Grade PAL meeting, 8:00 am, Guild Room

Oct 5: Senior Parent College Night, 7:00 pm, Great Hall

Oct 9: No school

Oct 12: 10th Grade PAL meeting, 8:00 am,

Oct 14-15: Octoberim

Oct 15-16: Jr. class relationship retreat

Homecoming 2009-2010
October 2nd - OES Girls Soccer vs. Faith Bible &

OES Boys Soccer vs. Catlin Gabel
Girls Varity: 4:15 kickoff
Boys JV : 4:15 kickoff
Boys Varsity: 6:30 kickoff

Print this coupon for a delicious barbecue or pick one up at any divisional office. Upper School Homecoming Dance: US Great Hall following soccer games.

US School Homecoming Dance: October 2, 2009 8-11:00 pm
Tickets $6 (can be charged or paid with cash). $1 discount at the door if you bring an EMPTY nalgene or water bottle to drink from during the dance. One guest is permitted per student.
To register a guest send the name and home phone number of your guest in an email Katrina Perry by Wednesday Sept. 30 at 3:00 pm.

OES Wreath and Holiday Greens Sale (New)

It’s hard to think of Christmas before Halloween, but the OES Wreath Sale will be kicking off October 1 – 23, just around the corner.  This year the Wreath Sale will benefit OES’s experiential programs that all grades enjoy and will help bring speakers in to all three schools.  We are offering new items this year, as well as some of our favorites from the past, so don’t hesitate.  Order online by going to the OES web site beginning October 1.  If you do not have online capability, please contact Jennifer in the OES Gallery for your order.  Don’t forget that there are five items that can be mailed to friends, family or co-workers.  Questions? Contact Jeanine Rood, (503) 816-8082.

Summer Opportunities (New)

If you’re ready to think about great summer opportunities for your child, put this event on your calendar: 28th Annual Study Travel Forum, Wednesday, October 14, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Lincoln High School Auditorium. Many different opportunities: academic, immersion, travel, and Service-Learning, all in one place with leaders there to answer questions. For more details, contact: Terri Moore , 503.223.8633. Questions? Contact Robin Schauffler, US Service Learning Coordinator, Oregon Episcopal School

(503)416-9308.

Student Hosting Opportunity (New)

Again this year we are privileged to have two girls from Goulburn Valley Grammar School in Victoria, Australia, visiting from November 14 -

December 5. These young ladies would be a great addition to any home; we are looking for two fabulous families to host these girls. What a wonderful international experience to share! Please contact me for more information by email or by office phone 503-416-9338 or cell phone 503-267-5119. Thank you for considering opening your home to our Aussie guest OESians!

Winterim – March 11-18, 2010 (some International Trips return later) (New)

Sign-up for International Trips

(more information at:http://www.oes.edu/winterim/index.htm) are due by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7 accompanied by a check for 25% of the trip cost. Please make the check out to OES and in the memo line write the trip name and your child’s name. Your student may give the check to one of the course leaders or to me. This will be the next to last International Trip announcement this school year.

We turn to domestic courses – hooray! There are some old chestnuts (Sonoma Cycling for example) and some new options (Cooking with Heat – Not Thermal, for example). It is going to be an exciting Winterim. Remember, both the Assembly to introduce our on-line catalogue and the posting of these courses on the Winterim webpage will occur on Thursday, October 29. How to register will be in the next edition of the Voice. Look for more information in the next US Voice! Questions? Contact Hope Stevens , Winterim Coordinator.

Seniors and Parents: Discovery is a Graduation requirement. Winterim is a GREAT and logical time for busy seniors to complete Discovery. Being registered for Discovery is an acceptable Winterim option. Contact Robin Schauffler, Discovery Coordinator, (schaufflerr@oes.edu) for more information.

The OES Fund (New)

The OES Fund provides annual support to the operating budget, and is the school’s most important annual fundraiser. The Parent Participation appeal begins October 1st and your appeal letter is in the mail. Please plan to participate early, and please give or pledge to give as generously as possible. If you have questions about annual giving, contact our lead parent volunteers:

OES Fund Co-Chairs: Shanda Bhasker and Elizabeth Highet ‘86

Parent Fund Co-Chairs: Jana Reddoch and Gary Rischitelli

US Division Co-Chairs: Kevin Ilcisin and Becky Obletz

Gr 9 Rep: Margaret Stevens Blake ‘77

Gr 10 Rep: Bill Drinkward '85

Gr 11 Co-Reps: Mike Shainsky & Annalisa Ferguson

Gr 12 Rep: Phil VanderWeele

Questions? Contact Margarett Kahl, 503.416.9369

College Counseling (New)

College Night for Parents of Seniors

Monday, October 5, 2009 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Great Hall

Please join us for important information about various aspects of the college application process and how to best support your son or daughter in this process.

Portland National College Fair, Oregon Convention Center

Sunday, October 25, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.  / Monday, October 26, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

The National College Fair is an excellent opportunity for juniors (and some sophomores and seniors) to investigate college options. For details, see

the link here, go to the College Admissions page within the OES website, or go to www.nationalcollegefairs.org.

SAVE THE DATES! (New)

The OES All-School Fall Book Fair, November 17, 18, and 19.

The Friends of OES Library (FOESL) is excited to feature POWELL’S BOOKS—the world’s largest independent bookstore—as our partner for the 2009 OES Fall Book Fair.  Here is your chance to shop for holiday gifts, book club selections, and great books for you and your family—all conveniently located in the US Library, where parents and students can shop together.

FOESL is comprised of parent volunteers from all three divisions, librarians, and other staff members.  The committee’s mission is to promote a lifelong love of reading, writing, and illustrating by providing enrichment opportunities for students within OES and our extended community. All proceeds from the Book Fair directly support the OES libraries and activities such as reading celebrations, onsite visits from authors/illustrators/cartoonists, as well as reading enrichment programs at Vose Elementary School through the AASK Program.

For additional information regarding the Book Fair, please contact Lien Vu-Brenner at 503-848-6935 or Kim Bissell at 503-288-3150.  For volunteering opportunities or interest in joining FOESL, please contact Kim Bissell.

FOESL MEETING – October 21, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. (New)

Friends of OES Library (FOESL) thanks everyone who came to our September 23rd meeting! Our next meeting is October 21, 2009 in the Drinkward Room. Please come join FOESL to discuss volunteering and Book Fair opportunities! Everyone is welcome and we are always excited to add Friends to our special and fun-loving group! FOESL meets once a month, Wednesday mornings from about 8:05 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. If you have any questions, please contact the FOESL Co-Chairs: Diane Polscer or Kim Bissell .

Community Diversity Link

CDL Kick Off Meeting:  Thursday, Oct. 15, 8-9:30am, DC Volunteer Rm

All interested parents are invited to participate in the meetings and activities of the Community Diversity Link (formerly known as the Parent Diversity Committee).  CDL is a collaborative, action-oriented school committee dedicated to raising awareness within the parent body regarding diversity in our global, local, and school communities.  CDL sponsors book discussions, speakers, and special projects.  New perspectives, ideas, and volunteer help are most welcome.  Please join us for our kick off planning meeting whether you are interested in helping out or just learning more about the work of CDL.  Please contact Co-Chairs Susan Phillips (503 292-6609) and Anne Nedrow (503 297-3593) with your questions, suggestions and interests.

Books and Breakfast:  Thursday, Oct 22, 8:00-9:30am, OES Dining Hall

STUBBORN TWIG by Lauren Kessler

Life for the Yasui family in Oregon is painfully disrupted at the start of World War II when anti-Japanese sentiments lead to imprisonment, internment and displacement. Please join us to hear author Lauren Kessler share her experiences and perspectives on writing this remarkable and carefully researched book.  Selected by the Oregon Library Association for the “Oregon Reads 2009” community reading program celebrating our state’s sesquicentennial, Stubborn Twig tells the true story of how racism affects the emotions and choices of family members over three generations. Lauren Kessler is a well-published author, national speaker and director of the graduate program in literary journalism at the University of Oregon.

Upcoming Books and Breakfast Titles:

COUNTING COUP by Larry Colton

THE SOLOIST: A LOST DREAM, AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP, AND THE REDEMPTIVE POWER OF MUSIC by Steve Lopez

DREAMS FROM MY FATHER: A STORY OF RACE AND INHERITANCE by Barack Obama

Class Notes

Freshman Class
9th Grade PAL meets from 8-9:30 am in the Drinkward Center Volunteer Room with the exception of the October 5 meeting which will be held in the Guild Room (church basement). PAL meetings provide an opportunity for faculty to communicate with parents about upcoming events and for parents to ask questions or voice concerns.

Meeting dates are: October 5, November 2, January 4, February 1, April 5, and May 3. Questions? Contact Betsy Leonard, 503/954-1133.

Sophomore Class
10th Grade PAL meets from 8-9:30 am in the Drinkward Center Volunteer Room. Please come with ideas about what you would like to discuss at future PAL meetings. We are looking for a nice venue for a 10th grade parent social. Let me know if you would like to host a potluck in your home or if you have any other great ideas. Meeting dates are: October 12, November 9, January 11 (Guild Rm), February 8, April 12, and May 10. Questions? Contact Sarah Grewe, 503/292-9609.

Junior Class

Welcome back!  Our first 11th Grade PAL meeting of the year is Monday, October 19 from 8-9:30 am in the Volunteer Room of the Drinkward Center.  

We'll hear from our new Class Advisor, Coleen Davis, and the Junior Grade Dean, Deb Walsh.  If you have any questions or topics you'd like to have covered this year, please contact Eileen Pilkenton at 503.297.8548.

Each year the junior parents plan the all-night grad party for the seniors. Annalisa Ferguson has graciously volunteered to coordinate the planning this year ... thank you Annalisa! It's a big project and there are lots of ways to help, both with the planning and with the party itself. If you are interested, please send a note to Eileen and we will add your name to the volunteer list.

Next month, Lauren Kessler will be speaking at the Community Diversity Link 'Books and Beverages' gathering about her book, Stubborn Twig . She is the Director of the Literary Nonfiction Program at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. She will also speak to the Junior class that same morning during X-period. It is a great opportunity for them as they begin working on their Literary Journalism Project this fall. Please see the Community Diversity Link note in this Voice for more information about this book selection and consider joining the 'Books and Beverages' group in the Dining Hall at 8:00 am on October 22 for discussion and to hear from the author.

Senior Class

12th Grade PAL meets from 8-9:30 am in the Drinkward Center Volunteer Room. Meeting dates are on Mondays: October 26, November 30, January 25, February 23 (Tuesday), April 26, and May 24. Please reserve the evening of November 14 for a Senior Parent Potluck. Questions? Contact Will Ilcisin, 503/642-9751.

SENIOR MUG SHOTS: Sometimes seniors submit a studio photo to be used in place of their school photo for the yearbook. This is not required. Sending a digital photo to me is the easiest way, otherwise we will scan the photo and return it to the student.

SENIOR PHOTO GUIDELINES

Head and shoulders only

Background color – any

Print size – 2.5” X 1.75 “

Quality - 300 DPI

Head size – 1.5”

Deadline – December 1, 2009

Sports

Sports schedules are available on line. Questions? Call Kris Van Hatcher at (503) 768-3128.

Go Aardvarks!!!

To submit information for the Voice, please email Carlene Traverso in the Upper School office when you have items to include.