Welcome new and returning families to the 2022-23 school year at Oregon Episcopal School! Chris Thompson, Kirstin McAuley, Michael Gundle, Lyn Zenisek and I are busily preparing for the new school year. Teachers are excited to prepare their rooms for students when our summer program concludes; teams are meeting to orient new team members, update curriculum, and get ready for the opening of school.
Please read the following information carefully to help with your preparations for the start of the school year. In addition, visit the Lower School Express Newsletter on Friday, August 19 for updated information on the following topics:
- Biographies of New Teachers
- Lower School Go-To-List
- LS Classroom Map
- School Uniforms
- Communication from the Lower School Parent Partnership
Class Lists - Class lists will be made available to parents after 3 p.m. on Friday, August 19. The link for PreK, Kindergarten, and Primary “Get to Know You” conferences will also be communicated at that time.
School Supplies - OES provides school supplies and curricular materials to Lower School students. Any additional items needed (usually items like a change of clothes, raincoat, rainboots, etc.) will be outlined in the welcome letter from your classroom teacher.
Open Classrooms: Tuesday, August 30
We are pleased this year to welcome all families to Open Classroom to visit their student’s classroom and meet the teacher.
New students are invited to arrive during a quieter window of 8:30-9:00 on Tuesday, August 30. All students are invited to attend open house-style between 9-10 a.m. Families will have an opportunity to enter their classroom, meet their teacher, and put extra supplies such as extra clothes, rain boots, etc in their cubby (you will receive a letter from your classroom teacher with details).
Covid-19 Protocols for Fall 2022
The COVID-19 Response Team recently updated the Fall 2022 protocols on the Covid-19 Resources page. The Head of School letter sent on August 15 provides a detailed summary.
Annual Health Forms and Immunizations Due Immediately
If you have not already, please submit all health forms for your children as soon as possible. Students will not be allowed to attend the first day of school, any school activities, or participate in fall sports without completed forms. You will receive weekly email reminders if you have any forms outstanding.
Opening Day: Wednesday, August 31, 8 a.m.
The first day of school is a Wednesday and runs 8:00-12:30 for students in Pre-K, Kindergarten and Primary (due to our first week Gentle Start) and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. for students in First through Fifth Grade. We will begin early release Wednesdays on September 7. Extension is available for students in 1st-5th grades.
Please feel welcome to join us for our annual Belltower Ceremony at 8:15 a.m. in the Belltower circle. A parent/guardian reception will be held in front of the Upper School after the ceremony.
Lower School Daily Schedule
- The Lower School Office opens at 7:30 a.m.
- Students may begin arriving on campus at 7:45 a.m. but need to make contact with a supervising adult outdoors before being dropped off.
- School is in session 8 a.m.-3 p.m. M, T, Th and Fri. Half-day Pre-K students are dismissed at 12:30 p.m.
- On Wednesdays, school is from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (with the exception of 8/31).
- For Aug. 31-Sept. 2 ONLY, all Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Primary students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. as part of our Gentle Start.
- Extension is available to registered families 3-5:30 p.m. daily beginning Aug. 31 for grades 1-5, and starting Sept. 6 for Pre-K, K, and Primary. Please see the email from Director of After School & Extension Programs Chelsea Lamb for details on registration.
- The Lower School Office closes at 4 p.m.
Early Release Wednesdays
- Starting on Wednesday, September 7, Lower School will end at 2 p.m. to provide faculty with time for professional development and collaborative planning. Parents will have four choices for their students after school plans on Wednesdays.
- 2 p.m. pick-up by car
- 3 p.m. pick-up by car - students supervised 2-3 p.m. by Assistant Teachers (designed for students awaiting Middle and Upper School dismissal)
- 3 p.m. home by bus - students supervised 2:00 - 3:00 by Assistant Teachers
- 2:-5:30 p.m. enrolled in Extension
Suggestions for Parents
In the next few weeks, we suggest that parents can begin to adjust routines to help smooth the transition from the relaxed pace of summer to the more structured schedule of the coming school year.
As August 31 approaches, gradually move bedtime to earlier in the evening and wake up time to earlier in the morning. This article can help with adjusting your child’s sleep schedule. Work on labeling all items of clothing and personal items like water bottles, backpacks, and masks.
We appreciate your support when talking with your student about preparing for school. Speak positively about the excitement of the beginning of a new school year, while acknowledging that it is normal to feel anxious or somewhat nervous at the same time.
We hope you enjoy the remaining days of summer and look forward to seeing you in the new school year.