RSVP now for our next parent/guardian DEI Cafe on April 9, 7–8:30 p.m. with renowned independent school leader Rosetta Lee.
Middle School Hours for the 2023-24 School Year
- 8 a.m.–3:15 p.m. All Days (Except Wednesday)
- 8:45 a.m.–3:15 p.m. Wednesdays Only
This week before spring break, please bring in donations of new and unopened packages of cozy drinks, such as coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, to Neighborhood House. This spring round of Doorstep Donations runs March 15–22. Thank you!
Join Lower School Art Teacher Margaret Synan-Russell on Tuesdays this spring for a ceramics class open to parents/guardians!
MS Math Team aces MathCounts state competition! Go Varks!
Here are some good reminders for when your child is sick. When do you keep them home? When do you send them back to school? Check here for useful guidelines.
Join OES families and others from across Portland for this fun and impactful event! |
A Message from the Division Head
by Ann Sulzer
Last week was a big week in the Middle School! We had a wildly successful bake sale sponsored by our Leadership Team to support the Save the Children charity organization, which was absolutely a highlight of the week. While the students were able to make a significant financial contribution to Save the Children, they also did some amazing work to think through the impact of the situation in Gaza and Israel and how they could best use their agency and power for good. They presented their thinking and process during Chapel last Wednesday to ensure that students could see the purpose for the bake sale beyond the delicious baked goods and not lose sight of how they could make an impact. I wish you all could have been in the Middle School when the bell for recess rang that day and all of our students working at the bake sale sent up a huge cheer of excitement.
The following day, one of our eighth graders, Alexander K. shared his work behind his eighth grade Inquiry project. He set up tables and sandwich-making supplies to encourage his peers to contribute to Blanchet House’s lunch program, and Middle Schoolers flocked to help.
Middle School is a time of great intensity: of emotions, of growth, and of learning, and that was absolutely on display in our hallways last week. To see so many of our students engage in helping others, empowering their peers, and reaching out was so powerful and speaks volumes about what Middle Schoolers are capable of with all of that amazing energy they have. I am so proud of our students and appreciate all of their teachers for offering them the support and guidance to make these endeavors possible.
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Upcoming Events & Reminders for Your Calendar
March 25–31
Spring Break
March 31
Easter Sunday
April 1
PGD Day: No Classes
April 9–10
Eid al-Fitr begins in evening
April 11
7th Grade Spring Trip Parent Meeting
10:00–11:00 a.m. via Zoom (Note: recording will be shared too)
Learn about the 7th Grade Spring Trip to the Olympics, WA, May 20–24
April 15
6th Grade Spring Trip Parent Meeting (Optional)
8:30–9:30 a.m. via Zoom (Note: recording will be shared too)
Learn about the 6th Grade Spring Trip to Central Oregon, May 29–31
April 16
8th Grade Parent Trip Meeting
8:30–9:30 a.m. via Zoom (Note: recording will be shared too)
Learn about the 8th Grade Spring Rafting Trip, May 29–31
April 17–19
Middle School Conferences: No Middle School classes
Parents and students attend conferences together.
April 22–30
Passover