Upcoming Events
Administrator's Message
Hello Village School Families
As we said last week, “No road is long with good company.” We’d like to reiterate this because we are still on a long journey together. The road may be bumpy but the scenery is beautiful and the companionship is the finest.
First and foremost, thank you, our parents and guardians, for your flexibility over the past several months as we continue to navigate unpredictable times together. We also want to express our gratitude for the tremendous work our staff, students and families have done throughout this pandemic. We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to return to more normal routines while still remaining vigilant against the COVID-19 virus.
A special thanks to parents that have sent questions and concerns to our Health and Safety Committee about the school’s mitigation protocols. With the lifting on March 31, 2022 of OHA mask mandates, the committee is busy collaborating with Lane County Public Health and The Oregon Dept of Education (ODE), reading incoming messages from parents, and studying what is best for our school population. ODE is expecting schools to make local decisions in consultation with their local public health authority. Our decisions must protect all members of the school community and allow students to receive in-person instruction with as little disruption as possible. See our Next Steps below to learn more.
Last week we had a small and caring group of staff, parents and board members for our first discussion about The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, created by Nikole Hannah-Jones, and The New York Times Magazine. Please remember all school community members are invited to attend one meeting or all the meetings. It is easy to drop in. The chapters we discuss are essays. This means each meeting discussion stands alone and there is no need to have read the book cover to cover. The next meeting is February 24, 2022, 6:30 to 7:30 PM, and will be about Chapters 1-3. Hope to see you there to discuss important topics with people that want to embrace courageous conversations for our time.
In closing, a quote by the late, great poet Maya Angelou, “My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness." Let’s continue our conscious effort to choose to astonish all folks with acts of kindness and make the world a better place. Our staff and guardians do this each day as we welcome children into our school and hold space for them to feel good, and develop their unique nature within the diversity of the greater community.
Warmly,
Shannon, Sue, Bob and Andy
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Book Study
The Parent Council is sponsoring a book study of the text The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story created by Nikole Hannah-Jones and the New York Times.
The project which led to the book, sought to reframe the United States history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of the U.S. historical narrative.
The next meeting will be on Thursday, February 24th, 6:30 to 7:30 PM. It has been proposed there will be six group sessions that will be held every two weeks via zoom. The group will read three chapters in preparation for each meeting. Each chapter is an essay so a person may attend all six sessions consecutively or the sessions their schedule will allow. The goal is to make a welcoming environment for all that want to attend all or in part.
When conditions permit the group will consider when to shift to in-person meetings. A limited supply of the book is available for check out at the school office.
“A Word of Warning” From NY Times Magazine
People interested in participating in the book discussion please consider the following cautionary statement.
There is gruesome material in these stories, material that readers will find disturbing. That is, unfortunately, as it must be. American history cannot be told truthfully without a clear vision of how inhuman and immoral the treatment of black Americans has been. By acknowledging this shameful history, by trying hard to understand its powerful influence on the present, perhaps we can prepare ourselves for a more just future. That is the hope of this project.
Health and safety
NEXT STEPS
The indoor mask requirement and other COVID protocols are still in place and will continue until further notice.
Over the next few weeks our Health and Safety Committee will work with our local health authority to determine the best course of action.
Please continue to reinforce all health and safety protocols. The omicron variant has recently peaked in Lane County. We must keep our guard up so the most vulnerable members of our community remain safe. We want to keep as many students as possible in school.
TIPS FOR FAMILIES
Any changes in mask requirements could lead to increased time away from school due to quarantine and isolation protocols.
Anyone who is not fully vaccinated, speak with your personal physician, if it is right for you, consider using the time between now and March 31 to get vaccinated or boosted.
Maintain health and safety protocols, including wearing masks indoors for now
Keep your students home and tell the school when they are not feeling well, have been exposed to the virus or are positive for COVID.
Test your student if they’ve been exposed or have any symptoms, even mild ones.
Please contact your child’s physician for any specific questions about their health.
March Parent Council Meeting and Heart of the Village
Heart of the Village Postponed
In past years Heart of the Village has been one of our most successful fundraisers, but most importantly, it is one of the key ways that the school is able to come and work together to create an event that showcases the skills and talents of our children and the generosity and contributions of our community.
This year is different, of course, but we would love to discuss ways that we could celebrate while staying safe. If you would like to be a part of this discussion, please send an email to the Parent Council! In the meantime, Heart of the Village has been removed from the calendar. Be sure to change your calendar and keep an open heart and clear eyes while we find a way to put something back on our schedule.
Please join us and send questions and ideas to parentcouncil@eugenevillageschool.org.
The notes from past meetings can be found here.
Every Village School parent and guardian is a part of Parent Council - The Virtual Parent Council Meetings are open to all parents and guardians on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
You can also engage with Village School families on the Parent Council Facebook page, The Village Vine!
Don't forget to sign in to HelpCounter and report your hours so we can see the amazing contributions from our Village School Families
Monthly LGBTQ+ and Allies Gathering!
Sarah Maxwell and her family are "hosting" a monthly gathering at Tugman park, the first Sunday morning of each month at 10:00 am, at the picnic tables on the Hilyard side of the park. The meetings are open to all LGBTQ families & allies, with the simple mission of just building community.
There is no need to RSVP or commit to bringing anything. Since Village School is continuing to mask outdoors for playtime, our group will be doing the same. Students of all ages and their families are welcome and encouraged to join in! The dates of the gatherings are Sunday, 10:00 am on Mar 6, April 3, May 1, and June 5.
Village School Kitchen
On the left, Flora (1st grade) enjoys special Friday lunch, and on the right, Ella (6th grade) help staff assemble fruit kabobs for students and staff at lunch today.
Sending love and warmth to our whole community,
Toña
Library News
February is Black History Month
Check out this list of books recommended by VS librarian Ms. Molly to read for Black History Month. All these titles are in our Village School library and can also be checked out at the Eugene Public Library.
Grades K-3
Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change by Michelle Cook
Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest Woman by Kathleen Krull
Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper by Ann Malaspina
Grades 3-5
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vasthi Harrison
What Color is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors by Kareem
Abul-Jabbar
Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan
Becoming Muhammad Ali: A Novel by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander
Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
5-8
42 is Not Just a Number: The Odyssey of Jackie Robinson, American Hero by Doreen Rappaport
Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
The Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Hidden Figures (Young Readers’ Edition) by Margot Lee Shetterly
7-8
March graphic novel series by John Lewis
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Molly Bautista, VS Librarian
LTD Passes Available!
The Village School has worked with 4j and LTD to make touchpasses available to Village School students!
Fill out the form below to sign up and provide permission for your Village School student to have a card. Then come into the office to have a card assigned to your child!
If you have a child that does not attend Village School, please contact their school to see if they have touchpasses available for students. We are only able to provide passes to Village School Students.
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