Voice Newsletter
Updated March 2, 2010
One Act Plays' Cast Members
News From Jordan Elliott
Over the last few weeks there has been a noticeable upswing in energy around the Upper School. I would attribute this to the positive spirit created by Midwinter Madness and the glorious sunny days we have experienced recently. This week we have left the excitement of Arts Week and entered into our Science Fair extravaganza. These two events provide distinctive highlights and a wonderful contrast of the ways our students excel under the guidance of this community of teachers. Even though students are feeling the pressure of presenting their science research this week, this is a time of great accomplishment for the vast majority of our students. It is on all of our minds that there will be a significant change of pace next week when Winterim begins. I know I can speak for everyone in the US when I say we are looking forward to Winterim and the vacation that follows.
This year, I will be on campus during Winterim (a rarity during my nine years here) but I’m excited to follow our international trips to Uganda and England and the incredible variety of courses on-campus, in Portland and around the United States. As your child goes into the Winterim week, you might remind yourself of all the different courses we offer and the things our students will be engaged in: (link to Winterim Page).
Speaking of Winterim and Spring Break, this will be our only installment of the Voice this month. Look for the next issue at the beginning of April.
Calendar of Upcoming Event
- Mar. 3-5 - State Ski Race Championships @ Mt Hood Meadows
- Mar. 3 - Dorm Family Night in the Dining Hall, 6:00 pm
- Mar. 4-6 - Boys BB State Finals @ Willamette University
- Mar. 5 - Aardvark Science Expo, 8:00 am -5:00 pm
- Mar. 5 - Aardvark Science Expo Open House, 6:30-7:30 pm
- Mar. 5 - Expo Award ceremony, 7:30 pm
- Mar. 8 - Winter Sports Awards Banquet, 6:30 pm
- Mar. 10 - Dorm Family Night in the Dining Hall, 6:00 pm
- Mar. 11 - Winterim starts at 1:00 pm
- Mar. 12-18 - Winterim
- Mar. 19 - Dorms close
- Mar. 19-28 - Spring Break
- Mar. 28 - Dorms open
- Mar. 29 - Classes resume
- Mar. 30 - Community Coffee w/Kathy Layendecker, 8:00 am
- Mar. 31 - Dorm Family Night in the Dining Hall, 6:00 pm
- Apr. 1 - Electroshock, 7:30-10:30 pm
- Apr. 2 - NW Science Expo
- Apr. 2 - No school: Good Friday
Science Fair (New)
Parents, family, and friends of the OES community are invited to visit the OES Science Fair.
On Thursday, March 4, from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, the exhibit hall in SPARC is open to the public. The exhibits will be set up but students will not be present.
On Friday, after judging, there is an open house from 6:30 – 7:30 PM, followed by the awards ceremony from 7:30 – 8:30 PM. Many of our students have done extraordinary work, and all of them have worked hard. Please come see what they have done. Complete schedule link
Music Department (New)
Students Excel in District Music Festival Tree P. ’11 placed first in trumpet, and Angela C. ’10 was first runner up in the soprano category at the Oregon Music Educator's Association District 15 Solo/Ensemble Festival in Hillsboro last weekend.
Congratulations to the following students who participated: Anshu T. ’11, saxophone; Duncan L. ’11, trombone; Katherine T. ’11, piano; Therese C. ’11, oboe; Misja I. ’12, French horn; and the OES Chamber Ensemble consisting of Brian Y. ’11, cello; Young-Eun C. ’11, cello; Callum H. ’12, cello; Anne S. ’10, piano; Zachary S. ’12, violin; and Agnes B. ’12, violin.
Tree and Angela will attend the OMEA State Solo Contest at Linfield College in McMinnville on May 1. First alternates to the OMEA (Oregon Music Educators Association) State Solo Contest in May are Misja I. '12, French horn, and Anshu T. '11, saxophone.
Winterim News (New)
Winterim will be under way on March 11 after lunch. Many trips will be leaving that day and all other non-morning classes will meet. Morning classes will begin at 8:00AM on Friday, March 12. As you know Winterim will conclude at 3:00PM on Thursday, March 18. I am sure there will be a splendid series of actions, stories, and art work created available that day. It is customary to put together a Winterim Art Show shortly after Spring Vacation. We will find a way for photographers to share their wealth as well. I am available during Winterim for questions or concerns. May your children have exciting, thoughtful, and impressive learning experiences! Thank you again for all your support and enthusiasm. .
Model United Nations (New)
This year OES will have delegates representing Croatia, Germany, and Korea. The final step to attendance is presenting individual credentials at a series of events at Portland area high schools before Winterim. In addition, seven Aardvarks will help as committee chairs at the conference and two seniors, Anne S. and Varun I., were elected last spring to serve on the student leadership Secretariat. The conference will occur in Eugene, Oregon at the University early on Thursday, April 8 until mid-day on Saturday, April 10. OES will depart by bus after dinner on Wednesday, April 7. Parents of involved students, look for an information letter before Spring Vacation and an information meeting after Spring Vacation. I welcome your questions by email or office phone. Questions? Contact or call 503/416-9309.
Aardy’s Party 4.17.2010, The Age of Aquarius (New)
All you need is love, love, love is all you need. And you’ll love what the auction team has got planned for you!
Next Meeting: Thursday, March 4th, 1-3:00PM Morris House Meeting Room, all are welcome.
Thank you for all the super donations. Don’t sweat it though; there is still time to donate.
Auction Team Wish List: Contact 503-709-0788 if you can help.
- Hotels in Seattle and San Francisco
- Air Miles
You can turn in your procurement forms even if the physical items are not yet secured, deadline is March 19, 2010. Forms are available at divisional offices.
A new feature this year are the Job Shadow Packages. This is your student’s chance to experience exciting careers up close and personal. How groovy to spend time behind the scenes at places such as Nike, KOIN TV, Forest Heights Veterinarian Clinic, the Office of PSU president, Wim Wiewel, with a Horse trainer at Pumpkin Ridge Equestrian Center, or Noble Rot Restaurant with chef Leather Storrs. See auction website for details. Can you dig it? For sure!
Need to freshen up your tie dye wardrobe? All are welcome to attend Aardy’s Tie Dye Party, Thursday April 1, 2:30-4PM. At the covered US lot behind the dining commons. We’ll provide the dye and rubber bands; you bring your t-shirt or an item you want to tie dye. LS students need to be accompanied by a parent. Be there or be square.
Call to the Wall of Wine. This year it is easier than ever to donate to one of our favorite parts of the auction. Call Erin at The Wine Cellar, 503-643-5655, Erin will help you and give you a 10% discount on any order. Your order will be delivered directly to the auction by our WOW volunteers. For other wine donations, there will also be curb side pick up at OES before and after school a few weeks prior to the auction. Stay tuned for details.
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.
Check out Aardy on campus..peace baby!
College Counseling (New)
College Counseling Reminders for Juniors
Upcoming test registration deadlines.
April 10 ACT (register by Friday, March 5)
May 1 SAT (register by Thursday, March 25)
The Portland Spring College Fair is Sunday, March 7 at the University of Portland (the Chiles Center) from 12:00 noon—3:00 p.m. Over 100 colleges will be represented. For more information: www.pnacac.org.
SAT Prep Class Offered at OESThis seven-week course will teach students the critical reading, math and writing skills that are needed to perform well on the SAT. Students will gain hands-on experience through taking a practice SAT and will learn effective score-enhancing strategies that are specific to the SAT. In addition, we will cover the psychology of test-taking as well as proven methods for overcoming test anxiety. Each student will receive their own book, The Official SAT Study Guide 2.
This course is taught by Douglas Bloch, a teacher, author and counselor. He obtained his BA in math and psychology from New York University and his MA in counseling from the University of Oregon. He is the author of 12 books on personal development, including The Power of Positive Talk: Words to Help Every Child Succeed.
10th-11th Grade
March 3-April 28 (no class Mar. 17 or Mar. 24) Wednesday, 7:00-8:30 p.m. (7 classes), Location: DC 206, Cost: $200, includes book. Questions? Contact .
Midnight Madness Update (New)
Midwinter Madness raises $13,800 for Run for Congo Women
Thanks to all the students, parents, faculty and staff, and friends who supported Midwinter Madness, the annual fundraisers that took place in late January and early February. We ended up raising nearly $13,800 for Run for Congo Women, which will use the money to provide much needed humanitarian aid and development assistance to women and children in the war-ravaged Democratic Republic of Congo.
In addition to the awesome fundraising, members of the OES community walked over 2,400 laps during Midwinter Madness—that’s over 600 miles! Great job, everyone!
Special thanks to the hard-working members of the Midwinter Madness student committee: Seniors Yvonne L., Kerry S., Ben T., Jenni V., and Roong W.; juniors Samar F., Alexxa F., Raman G., Mayowa L., Laurie R., Hope S., and Michael W.; sophomores Rachel B., Daniel D., Ella E., Alex H., Jackson M., Claire S.,Scott S., and Ryan S.; and 9th-grader Kyle S..
Thanks also to an anonymous donor who gave $2,700 to Run for Congo Women as part of the Parent Perambulation event organized by Upper School moms Kara Ilg and Eileen Pilkenton.
A few news items from the Midwinter Madness central office:
- The Class of 2010, led by MVP quarterback Kerry S., once again secured the coveted and historic CRUSH Cup by winning the PowderPuff Football competition. The seniors defeated the 9th-graders in a well-fought championship game.
- A team from the Class of 2011 won the second annual PowderTuff™ Boys’ Volleyball tournament.
- The seniors, thanks to some tremendous pregame fundraising coordinated by Jenni V., triumphed in the annual Senior-Faculty Basketball Game. The seniors raised a new record $1470 before the game even started. Special thanks to the Portland Basketball Officials Association for donating the services of two referees for the game.
- Junior Avery J. was the “winner” in the Save It or Shave It competition. She’ll have her head shaved this week in Gathering. Thanks, Avery, for sacrificing your hair for Midwinter Madness!
Community Diversity Link Announcements (New)
Books and Breakfast
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.
Want to be an US Grade Representative? (New)
Just a reminder that now is the time to volunteer to be a Grade Rep for next year. We are currently taking names for all US Grade Rep positions (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grades); you can submit your name by using the online volunteer sign-up sheet (access the form through the Parent Portal or through the Volunteer Login on the OES website), by letting your current (or another) Grade Rep know, or by contacting Jan Massaro, Chair of Volunteers’ Common Link (VCL). The deadline for submitting your name is Friday, April 2. We would like to have all Grade Reps for next year in place before summer break. Grade Reps foster clear and open communication between parents and the administration, organize and lead monthly grade level meetings (where administrative reports and parent education topics are presented), plan community building activities for parents in their respective grade levels and for parents in the US, attend monthly meetings with Head of US and US Grade Reps, and attend the monthly VCL meeting. If you have any questions, please contact your Grade Rep or the VCL Chair.
Class Notes
Freshman Class
9th Grade PAL. Next meeting dates are: April 5, and May 3. Questions? Contact Betsy Leonard, 503/954-1133.
Sophomore class 10th Grade PAL. Next meeting dates are: April 12, and May 10. Contact Sarah Grewe, 503/292-9609.
All 10th grade parents and teachers are invited to a potluck at the home of Claudine and Geoff Wilson on March 12th from 6 to 9PM. Everyone should have received an E-vite. If you have an questions either E-mail or call .
Junior Class
11th Grade PAL We will not have a PAL meeting in March because of Spring Break. Our next meeting will be Monday, April 19 from 8:00 - 9:30 in the Volunteer Room of the Drinkward Center. If you have any questions, or suggestions for upcoming meetings, please contact Eileen Pilkenton (503.297.8548).
Senior Class
12th Grade PAL. Next meeting dates are April 26, and May 24. Questions? Contact Will Ilcisin, 503/642-9751.
Link to message regarding events leading up to Graduation 2010.
Yearbook Information
BABY PICTURES: There will be a baby picture page in the Yearbook for all of the seniors, so we are asking the parents to send us a baby picture of your son/daughter. This picture can be anything from newborn to preschool age. We would prefer color. We will be scanning these photos into the computer and you will receive them back right away. Or better yet, send them to me by email! The deadline is March 12th, 2010.
PARENT ADS: Many parents remember their individual graduates by sponsoring a Yearbook Parent Ad. This is an opportunity to advertise your business, give personal congratulations to the class as a whole, or write a special dedication to either an individual or a group (sports teams, clubs, best friends, etc.) The rates for the ads are as follows:
$260 – full page; $140 – half page;
$75 – quarter page; $40 – eighth page.
You may submit the ad ready to print in a PhotoShop layout (please adjust the size of the slide to match the size of the ad and include high resolution photos – 300DPI), as a JPEG, or just send the pictures and the text and the yearbook staff will arrange the layout for you. Please make the check out to “OES Yearbook.” The deadline for submission is March 12th, 2010. Because space is limited, I would appreciate your letting me know if you are interested in reserving a space as soon as possible! Questions? Contact , (416-9333)
To submit information for the Voice, please email in the Upper School office when you have items to include.