Upcoming Events
Wednesday, September 9-11 - Parent Conferences
Monday, September 21 (changed due to wildfires and smoke) - Comprehensive Distance Learning Begins!
Tuesday, September 22 - 6:30 pm Principal Tea for new families! All families are welcome to join in welcoming people to our Village. There will be more Principal Tea events throughout the school year.
Thursday, September 24 - 6:30 pm All School Meeting!
Tuesday, September 29 - 6:30 pm Principal Tea
2020/2021 Calendar
Please check the full calendar for the dates for future events.
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope you, your family, and your loved ones are safe. Smoke from the fires and COVID-19 interventions are taxing. Now more than ever we need to support one another, take care of our health and maintain the fabric of our community.
The Village School teachers and staff have prepared a valuable Comprehensive Distance Learning program. On September 9, 10, and 11 the teachers have scheduled a talk with each of you. This important meeting will start the wheels of your child’s new school year in motion. Soon the children will be connecting with friends, teachers, and the caring staff at The Village School. Although this school year begins like no other; it is still The Village School community.
Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL)
CDL will provide a daily and weekly rhythm to your child’s learning, and it will foster connections with the school. We may not be able to witness a lovely rose ceremony, sing a song at the All School Meeting, or ride our bikes to school --- not just now, but we can feel those things in our hearts. Together we need to fully engage with the schedule and tools of CDL. Please ask for assistance or help at any time from the teachers. Plus Andy, Becky, Tristin, and I are also at your service.
The first day of CDL instruction is Monday, September 14. I’ve read the teachers’ welcome back letters. I see the level of commitment and care the teachers are bringing to offer the best learning experience possible under these current conditions.
Attendance is Important One of the important features of CDL this fall is that attendance is required. Attendance matters. Attendance will be taken twice a day, at a synchronous learning time and at an asynchronous time. A student will be marked absent if there is no evidence of student interaction with a teacher or assistant in a 24-hour period. Overall, this is the general education plan we are required and have chosen to deliver. On a case-by-case basis, accommodations can be made. That requires a preplanned process and agreement. Please check in with us as needed.
School Community
My goal is to support the students, their families, and our entire staff in creating and providing a valued curriculum, healthy food, and conditions for a positive social and emotional experience. Communication is paramount. Please let your teachers and me know if there is anything we can do to assist you during this unique time.
Sincerely,
Bob Kaminski
Principal
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, and turn it into the office. Extra copies are available in the office.
Part of 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
Free Comcast Internet Essentials
The Village School is partnering with Comcast to provide 6 months of free Internet Essentials services to Village School families that
qualify for free and reduced lunches under federal guidelines,
live in an area served by Comcast, and
have not subscribed to Comcast in the last 3 months.
Please contact support@eugenevillageschool.org for more information.
Another resource that might be helpful to families is free cell phone service (for those who qualify). It is called Lifeline phone service through Assurance Wireless. Those who qualify they will receive a free Android smartphone that can text, access internet, etc. There is no charge for the phone or service. https://www.assurancewireless.com/lifeline-services/states/oregon-lifeline-free-government-phone-service
From the Village School Kitchen
Greetings Village School Community!
The Village School Kitchen celebrates its 10th year anniversary with the 2020/2021 school year. When we first began, we had a vision to provide scratch-made meals to students and staff using organic whole foods. With the help of many supporters over the years, we turned this vision into a beautiful, award-winning reality.
During our time of Comprehensive Distance Learning, we are committed to providing nutritious and delicious foods to Village School children. Thanks to a waiver from the USDA, we are able to continue delivering free food bags to all students whose families request them, as well as to any other child 18 or younger living in the same household. These funds are expected to last through December of this year.
All kitchen staff and volunteer delivery drivers are dedicated to using best health and safety practices for food handling and delivery. If you have any concerns, requests, and/or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at: taguilar@eugenevillageschool.org.
For occasional updates from the kitchen, you can follow our Village School Kitchen Facebook page, or watch your inbox for weekly messages which highlight foods from local farms and recipes using ingredients in your weekly food bags.
We look forward to cooking delicious meals for your children once school resumes on campus!
Supply Contribution Forms
Be sure to get your supply contributions to Tristin soon! This contribution covers art supplies and other class needs that every student enjoys. If you are able to contribute more than the suggested $80 amount it will go a long way toward providing supplies for all Village School children.
Parent Council
Parent Council does not have a scheduled meeting at this time. However, if you have thoughts or ideas to contribute please email parentcouncil@eugenevillageschool.org.
Every Village School parent and guardian is a part of Parent Council - you do not have to be a class representative to attend meetings or to contribute ideas. Every parent is invited to Parent Council meetings when they occur. We hope you will soon be able to come meet with other caring and committed parents who want to share ideas, build our school community, and contribute to the vitality, growth, and evolution of OUR VILLAGE SCHOOL!
Engage with us on Facebook!
The Village Vine is a collective community forum for the Parent Council which includes all families of the Village School. This is a place for sharing information regarding our school and respectful discussion in support of our children and in support of each other as parents. This is a space to connect and build OUR VILLAGE community. There are some new and adjusted guidelines that will be posted in the group so be sure to make sure to check those out! Please feel welcome to post and share in that spirit. Click the link to be added to our group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevillagevine
15 Tips for Parents and Children Returning to School
with Comprehensive Distance Learning
We’re all preparing for school this year a bit differently than in past years. We gained some experience last spring with distance learning and made choices that worked for us and choices which could use some reworking. Here are 15 tips that might help when considering choices for this fall:
1. Get plenty of exercise, sleep, and healthy meals.
2. Establish weekly schedules and daily routines.
3. Use calendars and alarms for family time management.
4. Set realistic goals.
5. Set up a dedicated, comfortable, and quiet workplace.
6. Have breaks with snacks and recesses.
7. Listen to your child about frustrations.
8. Celebrate successes.
9. Do regular check-ins with your child’s teacher.
10. Stay in touch with other parents.
11. Find creative ways to “see” family and friends.
12. Do family activities, such as cooking, as a unit.
13. Connect with the arts, nature, and the animal kingdom.
14. Use mindfulness activities such as breathing and journaling.
15. Do calming activities for the senses.
Big Life Journal has put together a wonderful package of materials to support starting up a successful new school year. Check it out!
