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Writer's pictureChrissy Barry

Village Voice - Volume 23, Issue 1

Updated: Aug 31, 2023


Upcoming Events

  • Friday, September 1st, 8:00am - 11:00am, Parent Campus Cleanup Day

  • Thursday, August 31st, 5:30pm Board Meeting

  • September 6th, 8:25am - 11:45am, First Day of School! (half day - 11:45am release)

  • Wednesday, September 6th, 8:45am-10am, New Parent Orientation

  • Friday, September 8th, Rose Ceremony

  • Tuesday, September 12th, 6:00pm Parent Council Meeting (Village School Library)

  • Wednesday, September 20th, Back to School Night


 


 


Administrator's Message


Greetings Village School Community!!


What a glorious, expansive, bountiful, steaming hot summer we’ve had!! All the fairies we sang to at May Day (along with the extra wet winter) blessed these PNW gardens with an abundance of vegetables and fruit and worms galore. We can hardly wait until the mushrooms really start popping in the final leg heading toward the winter solstice. It’s sure to be a great year for chanterelles!


Here at the Village School we’ve been nearly as busy as the fairies, organizing supplies, cleaning out cupboards, and making plans for the year. A few things of note:


New staff! We hired Sarah Redig for the position of first grade assistant, Katheryn Williams as an educational assistant, Anchen Texter as handwork assistant, and Ellis Moore as a long term sub while Justin Boe is out on sabbatical.


New (almost finished) Courtyard! We absolutely cannot wait to sit out in the courtyard once it gets finished. It’s beautiful! Thanks to Andy Peara and Justin Ross for overseeing this project and thanks to each of the workers who put time and care into making it so nice. Progress is happening very quickly, and we expect to send updates for navigating around the last details of the construction work.


New bathroom murals! Check out the FANTASTIC art by Aislinn Longano in the middle school bathrooms. You’ll feel like you’ve turned into an ant foraging on the floor of an old growth forest. These murals are truly inspired and make the space a thousand times more interesting.


Please take a moment to look for three important items that need your attention:


  • The free and reduced meal form -- We need all families to return this form. The number of families that qualify under the federal income threshold is keyed directly to the amount of funding we receive to retain Title I staff. They are indispensable in providing reading and math support and are part of our cadre of caring educators on campus. Please fill out this form (it's operational now), even if you think you don’t qualify. Please let us know if you need your child's student id number.


  • Volunteer & Parent Support Survey -- We look forward to your volunteering help this year. There are numerous ways to help. We want to know your interests.



We’ve got lots in store for the year with our DEB committee, Parent Council, fundraisers, and all school events. Stay tuned for more information on these and other topics.


Also, don’t forget to check out the full blue super moon on Wednesday and Thursday night! Saturn, shining extra bright, is sure to be hanging out nearby as well if you look during moon rise.


We are so grateful for our community! Three cheers for a fantastic year to come.




 

Parent Campus Cleanup Day


Please join us on Friday, September 1st from 8am - 11am for a campus clean up day!

We will have a light breakfast and coffee (please BYO mug) available. It's a great chance to catch up with friends and to see what's new at the Village School!

* Please do not bring children who require close supervision.





 


Health and Safety Announcement


August 2023

Revised quarantine and isolation guidelines for Village School



  1. If a STUDENT, STAFF or VOLUNTEER tests positive for COVID: Isolation for 5 days is required. The infected person may return to school on day 6 if all symptoms are resolved, and has been fever-free for 24 hours without medication. One negative test is required in order to return to school, either on day 6 or later. Wearing a mask is strongly recommended until day 11.

    1. Or, isolate for 10 days and return to school or work on day 11 without the requirement of testing, if symptoms are resolved and fever-free for 24 hours without medication.


  1. If a STUDENT, STAFF or VOLUNTEER is exposed to Covid outside of the home regardless of vaccination status: Advise family to watch for symptoms. Strongly recommend that the student, staff, or volunteer tests for COVID 5-7 days after exposure, or at the onset of symptoms.


  1. If a STUDENT, STAFF or VOLUNTEER is exposed to Covid within the household, regardless of vaccination status: If the exposed student, staff, or volunteer is symptom free they may continue coming to school. Advise family to watch for developing symptoms. Strongly recommend that the student, staff, or volunteer tests for COVID 5-7 days after exposure, or at the onset of symptoms. Strongly recommend that the student, staff, or volunteer wear a mask during the duration of the family member's illness.


 

Volunteering!


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 take part in.


One of the ways to contribute to our school community is by attending Parent Council Meetings! We will be holding our first meeting of the school year in the Village School Library. 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!


Here is a link to our Volunteer Packet.


Please talk to the Volunteer Coordinator, Chrissy Barry for more information!

chrissy@eugenevillageschool.org

541-345-7285


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

 

How to keep children safe during

Drop off and pick up at

The Village School


*We require students in grades K-3 to be walked to their classroom door by a parent or guardian. Parking is available on 35th ave, Glen Oak Dr, Knob Hill Ln, and Donald St.


If you’d like to drop off your 4th-8th grade student please follow these guidelines:


1. Approach the school from Donald Street. This reduces two way traffic on 35th Ave.

2. Use Drop-Off zone for Drop off only. (At the curb near the stairs leading to the school)

3. Always park in the correct direction and on the correct side of the street.

4. Do not park on the wrong side of the street. Do not stop cars in the middle of the street.

5. Have children exit on Curb side of car, not the street side.

6. Please say your “goodbyes” before you stop, and avoid lingering.



 

The Village Kitchen


We are excited to be back in the kitchen, serving nutritious and delicious meals to staff and students again! As you look over the monthly menus with your child, please keep the following in mind:

  • Each lunch includes a generous offering of fresh fruits and vegetables from our salad bar as well as organic milk.

  • We make our meals from scratch using mostly organic ingredients and prioritizing purchasing from local farms, producers and distributors.

  • We follow nutrition guidelines set forth by the USDA and ODE school food programs.

  • In order to maintain an affordable and sustainable program all meals are vegetarian. Vegan options are available upon request.

  • If your child has a food allergy and needs accommodation, please have your child’s medical provider fill out the dietary restriction form and speak with us before they go through the lunch line. You may download and print the form from our school website or ask for a paper copy in the school office.

  • We offer a sit-down, hot breakfast in the cafeteria before school. Service starts at 8:00 and ends at 8:20 so children can arrive at their classrooms on time.

  • Menu items are subject to change if unforeseen circumstances occur.

Menus are available on the school website every month. Paper copies are available in the office. We share highlights and photos every week in the family newsletter.

With expanded eligibility guidelines, the majority of Village Schools students will receive free breakfasts and lunches this school year! Please complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application as soon as possible. You must fill out a new form every school year. Families that do not qualify can pay online at https://mealapp.lunchtimesoftware.net/Default.aspx Breakfast price is $2.25. Lunch price is $4.25. If a student brings a home lunch and would like to purchase a glass of organic milk the price is $1.00.


Our nationally recognized, award winning food service program relies upon parent volunteers. To maintain our offerings of amazing food, lovingly prepared for staff and students we need your help! Please consider contributing to our school community by helping for a few hours, one day a week this fall. To find out more about this fun opportunity, contact Toña at taguilar@eugenevillageschool.org or 541-510-8604. Thank you for your ongoing support.




 


September Menus

September Breakfast and Lunch Menus are now available to view below! You are also welcome to pick up a paper copy in the office.





 


Free and Reduced Lunch

Please Check and See If You Qualify!


The new free and reduced lunch income requirements have been significantly expanded so please apply, even if you think you may not qualify!


If you have not yet done so, take a moment to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application. (the site is up and running)


Our school’s Title I funding is based on the number of qualified households we have, so it is crucial that everyone see if they qualify.


If you received a direct certification letter from the school district that lists your student(s) eligibility, please turn that into the office instead of the free and reduced lunch application.


Contact Tristin in the office for details at office@eugenvillageschool.org


 

How to Pay for Meals



Please log in to the LunchTime School Payment Portal to pay for school meals and to check your balance at https://www.schoolpaymentportal.com/Login.aspx


Below is a QR code to use to access the handy phone app.


 

Village School Fundraising


Shop locally or online and raise funds for Village School with your

back-to-school shopping, and throughout the year!


We encourage everyone to use the following fundraising programs that help local vendors and bring fundraising dollars to our school. Even if you have registered before, please take a moment to make sure your accounts are updated with current credit/debit card information.


eScrip – Market of Choice

eScrip is a program that earns a percentage of your purchases for local retailers such as Market of Choice. eScrip has an online mall and dining program as well. To register:

Log onto www.eScrip.com

Create an account

Register debit & credit cards. Site is secured.

Enter Our Group I.D. 9130886 (If you do a search by name, enter "The Village School") Shop at eScrip merchants [Market of Choice], online mall, and local dining.

Use the cards that you registered in eScrip for all your purchases.

Be sure to update your cards in your eScrip account when they change numbers.


Sequential BioFuels

Sequential BioFuels, located at 18th and Chambers and at 86714 McVay Hwy (just off 30th ave and Interstate-5), will donate 5 cents per gallon of fuel if you mention The Village School at the time of purchase.


Fred Meyer Community Rewards

Earn the Village School rewards when you shop at Fred Meyer. Go to: https://www.fredmeyer.com/i/community/community-rewards, establish an account or login to your existing account. Go to "MyAccount". Under the Community Rewards tab, click "edit", and when prompted, enter either 80855 or Village School. Click the entry tab next to Village School and "save". Once this is set, your purchases made with your Fred Meyer rewards or card will create donations to The Village School.


Amazon.com

Go to https://eugenevillageschool.org/support-us. By clicking this link and accessing Amazon.com, you can earn The Village School up to 15% of your purchase through Amazon.com. Bookmark the initial link, attach it to your browser and let this be your link to Amazon.com.


Office Depot/Office Max

Give 5% back to the Village School when purchasing school supplies! Simply make a purchase of qualifying school supplies, provide your school ID at checkout and your designated school will receive 5% back in credits for FREE supplies! The Village School ID number: 70115184



 

A Message from the Counselor

Counseling Corner


School Counselor - Mrs. Rebecca


Welcome back to school. I hope you had a rejuvenating summer. I am excited to start my third year at The Village School and working with all of your students. I provide classroom lessons, individual counseling, small group counseling, 504 coordination and consultation with staff, parents and administrators. If you would like support for your child’s social-emotional needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am here to help! You can email me at rmacemon@eugenevillageschool.org or call me at 541-345-7285.


I will often share resources, ideas and information in the Village Voice. Transitions can be challenging for all of us, this article from parents.com gives some great ideas for the back-to-school transition: The Age-By-Age Guide for Making this the Smoothest Back-to-School Transition Yet.



 

Back to School Preparations


The Village School has been busy prepping for the new school year, and there are exciting plans underway! All throughout the summer, our courtyard has been undergoing a massive refresh. We are looking forward to unveiling the new, amphitheater and outdoor eating space for you all very soon. In the meantime, here is a first look at the construction slide show.



We were fortunate to be the hosts to the sweetest family of swallows that made their nest directly next to the construction site. We saw them to the point of fledging, and they brought such joy to both the staff and the construction crews.



 

Help Wanted


Substitute Teacher & Substitute Educational Assistant


Duties: Serve as substitute teacher or substitute classroom assistant.

Qualifications: Experience working with groups of children. Knowledge of Waldorf curriculum a plus.

Teachers require Valid Oregon Teaching License:

[Main lesson (K-8), Movement/PE, Spanish, Music, Handwork]

Instructional Assistant (BA and fingerprint background check required) Willingness to get CPR training Background check required Complete Covid vaccination records Salary Range: $26 per hour for Teachers, $18 - $20 per hour for Assistants

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Benefits include our healthy lunch service, PERS coverage.


 

Parent Council


The first Parent Council Meeting of the year will be on September 12th at 5:30pm! We will be meeting at the Village School Library.


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!


 


Community Bulletin Board


Eugene - Springfield Youth Orchestra String Academy


 




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