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Writer's pictureAndrew Peara

Village Voice - Volume 21, Issue 34


Upcoming Events

  • Wednesday, May 11th, 5:30PM: Parent Council (Zoom)

  • Thursday, May 12, 6:30: 1619 Project Discussion Group (Zoom)

  • Wednesday, May 18th, 5:30PM: Board Meeting (Zoom)

 

Administrator's Message

Dear Village School Families,


We give our deepest appreciations to the parents, families, students and fellow staff members that helped to make Staff Appreciation Week such a success. A special thanks to our Parent Council for honoring and recognizing all 55 full and part-time staff members that help to make The Village School a successful, wonderful and caring community.


Last week was also extra special because we held our first May Day celebration in two years. It was absolutely beautiful, and we were blessed with good weather. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers that made it possible. The children truly enjoyed themselves and it was great to see so many parents join in the festivities. It felt so good for all of us to celebrate in song, dance and art for this important ritual that keeps us connected to seasonal cycles and the beauty of the natural world.


BTW: Several parents have asked us about the calendar for next year. Our calendar committee meets in May and the board reviews and approves it in June. Also, here's a reminder that Parent Council meets this Wednesday at 5:30PM and the 1619 Project group meets on Thursday at 6:30PM - hope to see you there.


Warmly,

Shannon, Sue, Bob and Andy



 

May Day Photos!

Thanks to everyone's help with May Day!

 

Staff Appreciation Week!

Staff Appreciation 2022: Scroll through and see all of the decorated doors! Thanks to parents for their awesome work!


 

Volunteering is Back!


As we work toward reuniting our Village School community, more opportunities to volunteer are coming up! Be sure to watch your email, the Village Voice and the Village Vine for messages from Parent Council, your class coordinator, your child's teacher and the Village School Kitchen, to see the volunteer needs that are coming up for you to enjoy.


One of the ways to contribute to our school community is by attending Parent Council Meetings! We are still holding these meetings by Zoom so they are easy to attend (even while making dinner or folding laundry) and every parent and guardian's voice is valued in decisions about what Parent Council funds are used for, events that are held and collaborations with departments and teachers at the Village School!


Don't forget to sign in to HelpCounter and report your hours so we can see the amazing contributions from our Village School Families


 

Wanted Gardeners

It's that time of year again. While the gardening seasons is getting off to a slower start than usual, the amount of work that needs to happen is ramping up quickly.


The garden needs help with planting, weeding, and path maintenance.

Any and all help is appreciated.


Contact Brett brettj@eugenevillageschool.org to get started.


Handwork Assistant (for 2022-23)


Duties: Assist classroom teacher by working with students individually or in small groups with hand crafts. Qualifications: Experience working with children and adults in a positive manner Knowledge of Waldorf Handwork curriculum including skills in knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch and various other needle work as well as classroom management skills a plus Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs. Willingness to get CPR training Background check required Complete Covid vaccination records Starting Salary Range: $ 14.62 – $16.35 per hour

Strong verbal and written communication skills



1st Grade Teacher (one year position for 2022-23 only)


Qualifications:

Either Valid Oregon Teaching License or Waldorf Teacher Certificate

Minimum Bachelor’s Degree

Demonstrated ability to interact with children and adults in a positive manner

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Commitment to arts-integrated education and familiarity with Waldorf education

Willingness to get CPR training

Willingness to attend Waldorf education trainings

Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs


Salary Range: $41,653 - $64,011, depending on experience and education. Additional variable compensation included. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, PERS and defined contribution pension, and lunch from our healthy kitchen.


Main Lesson Teacher Job Functions


1st Grade Classroom and Title I Assistant beginning 2022-23

Duties:

Serve as 1st Grade Classroom Assistant

Tutor individual or small groups of 1st grade to support reading and math skill building. Collaborate with lead teacher and Title I staff.

Support for OAKS testing and progress monitoring Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

TSPC license preferred

Strong Reading and Math Instruction Skills

Strong Classroom Management Skills

Knowledge of Waldorf Curriculum Preferred

Previous experience or training is necessary

Ability to interact with children and adults in a positive manner

Willingness to get CPR training

Fingerprinting/Background check required

Ability to lift and carry 35 pounds


Starting Salary Range: $ 17.38 – $19.46 DOE. Benefits include our healthy lunch service, disability and pension coverage.


 

Library Notes - May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Month


May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Here are some recommended books by Asian American authors that can be found in the Village School library. You can also visit the Library of Congress' page on Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to learn more about Asian American history and to see a schedule of online events.



Grades K-2


Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed

A Boy Named Isamu: A Story of Isamu Noguchi by James Yang

A Different Pond by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui

Jasmine Toguchi: Drummer Girl by Debbi Michiko Florence

Meet Yasmin! by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Hatem Aly

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin


Grades 3-5


The Bracelet by Yoshiko Uchida

Copper by Kazu Kibuishi

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, illustrated by Ann Xu

Stargazing by Jen Wang

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng

The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin


Grades 5-8

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

Amina's Voice by Hena Khan

The Best at It by Maulik Pancholy

Dear America: The Story of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim


Grades 7-8 (YA)


Almost American Girl by Robin Ha

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

Displacement by Kiku Hughes

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei

We Are Not Free by Traci Chee


As always, please contact me with questions or concerns.


Molly Bautista, VS Librarian

 

Keep Sick Children at Home

It has come to our attention that several parents are dropping off sick children at school. Though Covid-19 conditions have receded, it is our longstanding policy that sick children stay home. If a sick child arrives at school or a child becomes ill at school, the school will call parents or emergency contacts to pick up the child as soon as possible.

 

Village School Kitchen


Volunteers Still Needed

We are still looking for a Monday morning prep volunteer and a Thursday morning laundry folder. If either of these could work for your schedule, please consider signing up to volunteer for the last few weeks of school. Our style of food service program requires a lot of intentional input from many loving hands!


Toña Aguilar

541-510-8604


BTW: A special thanks to the Village School Kitchen for making a fabulous Lunch for staff members on our Friday Professional Development day!!


 

Is State Testing Happening this year?


Yes, For the 2021–22 school year, state testing will return to normal. The Village School is required to administer annual statewide assessments of language arts and math for students in grades 3–8 and science in grades 5 and 8. Testing at The Village School will begin after April 11. You will be notified which days the test will be administered once the actual days are determined. One bit of good news is that the assessments are much shorter than they were several years ago. They were shorted in 2019 and have since then been shortened some more.


All public schools in the U.S. are required to systematically assess student learning and report participation and results in school accountability systems. Students in Oregon are assessed periodically to measure proficiency in state and district standards, including completing statewide assessments in certain grades. State test results provide important information for students, parents, teachers, schools and districts.


Can students opt-out of state testing?

Yes. Under Oregon law, a parent or adult student may opt out of Oregon’s summative statewide assessments of math and language arts for any reason, by annually submitting a form. 2021–22 state testing notice and opt-out form (English / Español). For students who opt out of a particular assessment, their test score will default to a “Non-Proficient” rating. This could affect our proficiency ratings in subject areas across the grades as it is used as a performance indicator in our annual state Report Card. Further, our participation rate is evaluated by the 4J School District and is part of our compliance requirements. If we do not meet 4J’s participation expectations, our evaluation could be negatively impacted. Parents may submit an opt-out form at any time. Preferably the forms are submitted 30 days prior to the administration of the tests. If you have any questions please send an email to principal@eugenevillgeschool.org


For the science assessment, there is no opt-out form. Requests for exemption must

  • Be submitted in writing to principal@eugenevillageschool.org

  • Include the reasons for request (disability or religion)

  • Propose an alternative learning activity for the student

Exemption requests are subject to review and determination whether to approve.

 

Please join us at the May Parent Council Meeting!


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 will be "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, and masks are welcome but optional. Students of all ages and their families are welcome and encouraged to join in! The dates of the gatherings will be Sunday May 1, and June 5.


 

Wanted Participants for

The 1619 Project Book Club!


Thursday, May 12th! 6:30-7:30pm

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Book Study

Let’s celebrate our commitment to studying history. We had a good showing of folks at our last meeting. Thursday May 12, 6:30 to 7:30 PM, via Zoom. Please come, even if you haven't read chapters 1 and 2. Please join in this community event. Our dialogue is part of the courageous conversations our school community is having about diversity, equity and inclusion. There is a loaner copy of the book at the school office. Call if you want to reserve it. You may want to listen to a free Apple Podcast about the book, HERE. It is also possible to purchase an audio version of the book (or take advantage of a free trial) via Audible Books. Here is the LINK




 

LTD Passes Available!


If you have signed up for your child, their touchpasses are waiting! Come on into the office and pick it up this week!


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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