Upcoming Events
Tuesday, Dec. 1st - 6:30-7:00 - Principal Tea click here
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 hope you had a safe Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Although my socializing and visiting was limited to telephone calls and screen time it sure was nice to speak with many friends and family around the state and the country.
Later tonight or tomorrow morning the Oregon Health Authority will release an update to the county risk levels throughout the state. Each county has been assigned a risk level. As of this writing, Lane County is in the “Extreme” category. That rating has an effect on businesses and social gatherings. Our school will continue with our current model of Comprehensive Distance Learning. Today, November 30, the Oregon Health Authority will reexamine county data to determine which counties qualify for each risk level to be put into place on December 3, following the end of the 2-Week Freeze. The status of Lane County may change. If you want to learn more about the county ratings please use the Oregon Health Authority link here
Please continue to contact the school office by telephone or email. Also if you have an important need to visit the school, appointments are required. This is how we’ve been operating for some time but now it is even more critical to reduce face-to-face meetings during the statewide freeze.
Singing praises about our school community is something I enjoy doing. To each and every staff member, and to our students and their supportive families allow me to express my gratitude for the unity we share in keeping one another safe. Together we are stronger.
Sincerely,
Bob Kaminski
Principal
Village School Needs a Licensed Contractor Bids due December 15th.
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 includes 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. The due date for bids is December 15th.
Village School Kitchen News
We have another treat for you this week from Food For Lane County's Youth Farm. Ted will be delivering sweet beets from the farm. Beets are packed with many essential nutrients. They are a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. Beets and their juice have been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow and lower blood pressure. Beets are delicious raw, pickled and cooked! We sometimes grate them for one of our salad bar offerings. We have also roasted them in the oven after tossing with a little oil, salt and pepper and served them as a hot side option.
Here is a great looking roasted beet and pear salad recipe. Let us know if you try it!
We also brought back the salsa and bean dip from our local friends at De Casa Fine Foods We have worked with the owner, Stan, and his daughters who have run the business for 10 years now. They are great people making great products. We appreciate that they prioritize local and organic just like we do!
It was sweet hearing from a few of you this past week sharing what you have been making with the foods we send your way. The Bradsher Family sent along a great looking recipe and photo of what they made with the cranberries, grapefruit and bananas from their bags last week. Check it out!
1 pint cranberries, rinsed
1/2 cup orange marmalade or sugar
3 grapefruit
2 bananas, sliced
Section the grapefruit. Take any juice that comes off and put it in a measuring cup. Be sure to squeeze the grapefruit pulp to get all the juice.
Add enough water to the grapefruit juice to make one cup. Add to a saucepan along with the cranberries and marmalade or sugar. Bring to a boil and cook until the cranberries pop, about 5 minutes. Cool and pour over the grapefruit and bananas.
Keep sharing your recipes and photos! They are always inspiring and fun to see. Toña Aguilar The Village School Eugene, Oregon w - 541-345-7285
Library News
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 be via zoom on Tuesday afternoons starting tomorrow.
The 3-5 grade meeting will start Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 2:00-2:30. The 6-8 grade meeting 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
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.
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
