Upcoming Events
Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 25-27 2020 - Thanksgiving
Tuesday, Dec. 1st - 6:30-7:00 - Principal Tea
Wednesday, Dec. 9th - Parent Council Meeting
Tuesday, Dec. 15th - 6:30-8:00 PM - Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee
Monday, Dec. 21, 2020: Winter Break Begins
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021: School Resumes
2020/2021 Calendar (Please see the end of this post for more details)
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I appreciate the obvious and all the behind-the-scenes work going on to keep your family safe and by extension our entire school community during this spike in COVID-19 cases in Lane County and throughout the state.
Please remember to use email or telephone calls to conduct as much of your school related business as possible. Visits to the school office are by appointment only. Until further notice whether the statewide freeze is in place or not, all visitors to the office are required to sign their name on a clipboard (using a pen from the sanitized jar) and the time of your visit.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s remember all citizens are asked to participate in the festivities of the holiday season in a different manner. A joint statement from Oregon Medical Association, Oregon Nurses Association and Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health System was made today. The concise statement brings home the dangers of conducting celebrations as usual during this pandemic. Please take a moment to click through and read the statement for yourself. Joint Statement
On behalf of the entire Village School staff, I wish you and your family a peaceful and safe Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Sincerely,
Bob Kaminski
Principal
Village School Needs a Licensed Contractor
As reported last Spring, we completed several painting improvements to hallways, the Commons and the Gym. Contractors are nearly done upgrading the heating system in the lower wing and the roofing to the breezeways. The new roofing will include skylights to brighten the dark outdoor walkways.
We also are working on getting permits approved for the Howard Ingber Outdoor Classroom that was part of our Annual Giving Campaign a few years back. At this stage, we are looking to find a licensed contractor to oversee the construction. It would be ideal, though not mandatory if this contractor can work with volunteers because several handy folks have expressed interest in helping out. If you are interested in bidding on the project, or know someone who is, please contact Andy Peara: apeara@eugenevillageschool.org. He can share the plans and answer any questions.
Village School Kitchen News
Greeting Village School Families!
During this time of year we are given the opportunity to recognize and appreciate what we are grateful for. Our blessings at The Village School are many. Thank you for being a part of such an incredible community!
Extra gratitude goes out this week to the 31 people who pick up and deliver food bags to families all around the Eugene/Springfield area. Though you aren't able to thank them in person due to Covid-19 restrictions, please consider putting a sign up on your door or window for them to see when they stop by.
We are also giving thanks for our local farmers and distributors. With the help of VS parent Jim Tedrick, we put together a photo collage card we sent out to all our business partners for their ongoing support.
Thank you to Meg Orion for teaching our sauerkraut making workshop this past weekend. It is fun to think of the fermenting cabbage bubbling away on various kitchen counters around town! If you were not able to make it on Saturday but would like to watch the class, please let me know and we will send you the video file.
Enjoy the special Thanksgiving themed food bag arriving on your doorstep tomorrow. We wish you all a safe and joyful week.
With love,
The Village School Kitchen
Toña Aguilar The Village School Eugene, Oregon w - 541-345-7285 c - 541-510-8604 taguilar@eugenevillageschool.org
Library News
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, here are two wonderful poems read by author and Nulhegan Abenaki citizen Joseph Bruchac. The first is called "What We Eat." The second is called "Walking." For more information, additional poems, and list of children's books written by Joseph Bruchac, see his website https://www.josephbruchac.com
Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) will be happening this year! There will not be a regional or state tournament this year, but the Village School is registered to participate and will have full sets of the books chosen for the 3-5 grade and 6-8 grade divisions. Meetings will start next week via zoom. The 3-5 division will start Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 2:00-2:30. The 6-8 division will also be on Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 3:00-3:30. The zoom link will be given through digital classrooms, or you can email me. Students do not need to sign up for OBOB at this time and we will not be forming "teams" yet. We will talk about the books and later practice answering questions about the books. In late winter, we will make teams of students who want to participate in a school battle (probably virtual, depending on how school is set up then). There will be more information coming soon about how to check out OBOB books from the school library, or you can get them through the Eugene Public Library. Contact me if you have more questions.
Molly Bautista
Parent Council
Parent Council will be having our fourth meeting of the school year at 5:30 on Wednesday, December 9. Please send questions and ideas about the current school year and how we can support our school community to parentcouncil@eugenevillageschool.org.
Zoom link:
The notes from our last meeting can be found here.
Our focus for the December 9th meeting will be 3 points:
1. How to build community and engagement through CDL time.
2. The mental health of our middle schoolers.
3. Examining the needs of the elementary grades.
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 to 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. We are currently looking for Moderators and an Admin who can help support the rules and guidelines of the Village Vine. Click the link to be added to our group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevillagevine
Ophelia's Place Fall 2020 Online Activities & Workshops
Ophelia’s Place is excited to share that our activities and workshops for girls and girl-identified youth ages 10-18 are accessible online! All OP activities are run on Zoom, and facilitated by OP staff and volunteers. When you register, you will receive the meeting link and information you need to join. All events are free of charge, but donations are welcome.
Orientations are required for all girls participating in Ophelia’s Place activities. Orientations are with both a girl and her guardian, and must be completed prior to service. To register for an activity or book an orientation, call at 541-284-4333 or email info@opheliasplace.net.
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 - RULE CHANGE
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
Previously, you could not be an existing Comcast/Xfinity customer, but this condition has been lifted.
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 will receive a free Android smartphone that can text, access the internet, etc. There is no charge for the phone or service. https://www.assurancewireless.com/lifeline-services/states/oregon-lifeline-free-government-phone-service
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.
Supply Contribution Form. You also can make your contribution online here
Calendar
Please check the full calendar for the dates for future events. We have updated the calendar through the end of the 2020-21 school year. Due to the delayed start, Winter break starts later than usual, and that the Monday after Spring break is a school day.
Wednesday-Friday, November 25-27 2020: Thanksgiving
Monday, December 21, 2020: Winter Break Begins
Tuesday, January 5, 2021: School Resumes
Monday, January 18, 2021: MLK Day (No school)
Monday, February 15, 2021: Presidents Day (No school)
Tuesday, February 16, 2021: Grading Day (No school)
Friday, March 5, 2021: Grades K-5 Conferences (Regular schedule for grades 6-8)
Monday, March 22, 2021: Spring Break
Monday, April 5, 2021: School Resumes
Friday, May 7, 2021: No School - Prof Development Day (No School)
Monday, May 31, 2021: No School - Memorial Day (No School)
Thursday, June 17, 2021: 1/2 Day Last Day
