Upcoming Events
Administrator's Message
Hello Village School Families
Friendship day is a week away. That’s another way to frame Valentine’s Day. Please watch your teacher’s classroom newsletter about activities they may or may not have on or around February 14th. Here at The Village School the staff talks and designs activities that can be as inclusive as possible, especially around old traditions that are part of popular culture.
If you have looked at the online school menu recently, you may have noticed another way we are expanding our inclusive circle. We have added a carbohydrate and fiber count to the regularly planned menu items to make it easier and safer for our students with type I diabetes to feel included in our school lunch program.
On the subject of diversity, equity, and inclusion, please remember The Village School Parent Council is sponsoring a book study group beginning on February 10th, at 6:30 PM Meet via Zoom. The book is, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, created by Nikole Hannah-Jones, and The New York Times Magazine. On February 10th, the group will discuss the 12 page Preface and also answer the question “Why?” this book now. In preparation for reading the book, Ms. Hannah-Jones suggested “For anyone who comes to it with an open mind, it is going to be deeply surprising. They’re going to learn so much about both the history of their country, but also the history that shapes so much of modern American life.”
Our Health and Safety Committee met last week and revised our quarantine and isolation policy. The changes are listed below, and just below that, our rules about masks.
Circling back to friendship. Another way to think about it is the company we keep. Sometimes on a long trip you’ll find your seatmate or commuting partner a delight. A Turkish proverb goes, “No road is long with good company.” In a sense, we, The Village School community, are on a journey together. We are companions because we choose this school for our children or to work here. Being good company is also a choice. To all our families and staff: thanks for being good company. Thanks for making The Village School a place where each child feels safe and has a sense of belonging.
Warmly,
Shannon, Sue, Bob and Andy
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Book Study
The Parent Council is sponsoring a book study of the text The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story created by Nikole Hannah-Jones and the New York Times.
The project which led to the book, sought to reframe the United States history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of the U.S. historical narrative.
The first meeting will be on Thursday, February 10, 6:30 to 7:30 PM. It has been proposed there will be six group sessions that will be held every two weeks via zoom. The group will read three chapters in preparation for each meeting. A person may attend all six sessions consecutively or the sessions their schedule will allow. The goal is to make a welcoming environment for all that want to attend all or in part.
When conditions permit the group will consider when to shift to in-person meetings. A limited supply of the book is available for check out at the school office.
“A Word of Warning” From NY Times Magazine
People interested in participating in the book discussion please consider the following cautionary statement.
There is gruesome material in these stories, material that readers will find disturbing. That is, unfortunately, as it must be. American history cannot be told truthfully without a clear vision of how inhuman and immoral the treatment of black Americans has been. By acknowledging this shameful history, by trying hard to understand its powerful influence on the present, perhaps we can prepare ourselves for a more just future. That is the hope of this project.
Revised quarantine guidelines for The Village School
If a student or staff member tests positive for Covid, regardless of vaccination status: Isolate for 5 days. Return to school/work on day 6 if symptoms are resolved, and fever-free for 24 hours without medication, AND have had a negative rapid antigen test, 2 days in a row (First test occuring no sooner than day 5).
EXAMPLE: If a person tests negative on day 5 and in the morning of day 6, they may return to school on day 6. If a student tests positive on day 5, but negative on days 6 and 7, they may return to school on day 7.
If a student or staff member is exposed to Covid outside of the home and is not up-to-date on vaccination*: Quarantine for 5 days. Required rapid test on day 6 at school, or proof of PCR collected on day 6. Negative test and symptom-free allows the student to return to school.
If a student or staff member is exposed to Covid outside of the home and is up-to-date on vaccination* no quarantine is required, as long as they remain symptom-free. Strongly recommend testing 5 days after exposure.
If a student or staff member is exposed to Covid within the household, and is not up-to-date on vaccination*: The infected household member isolates for a 5 day period. The exposed student or staff member quarantines during that 5-day isolation period plus an additional 5 days. Required rapid test on day 11 at school, or proof of PCR collected on day 11. Negative test and symptom-free allows return to school.
If a student or staff member is exposed to Covid within the household, and is up-to-date on vaccination*: No quarantine required. Required rapid testing every school day for 10 consecutive days.
* Up-to-date Vaccination definition
Up to Date For individuals ≥18 years of age:
Boosted, OR Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna within the last 5 months, OR Completed the primary series of J&J within the last 2 months
For individuals 5–17 years of age:
Completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines
Masks
Pursuant to OAR 333-019-1015 and 333-019-1030 we will continue to wear masks indoors at school except when eating (protocols are in place during eating and snack time). Furthermore, in alignment with Ready Schools Safe Learners Resiliency Framework we are exercising our local authority to continue wearing masks outdoors. We take direction from Lane County Public Health, Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education. In conjunction with those agencies we revise our mitigation standards dependent on county conditions as well as what promotes a safe environment within our unique school site. We must follow all mandates and we may choose to be more restrictive, such as wearing masks outdoors. If you have questions or ideas to share with the committee please send them to healthandsafety@eugenevillageschool.org.
February 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 are "hosting" a monthly gathering at Tugman park, the first Sunday morning of each month at 10:00 am, at the picnic tables on the Hillyard 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. Since Village School is continuing to mask outdoors for playtime, our group will be doing the same. Students of all ages and their families are welcome and encouraged to join in! The dates of the gatherings are Sunday, 10:00 am on Mar 6, April 3, May 1, and June 5.
Village School Kitchen
This past Friday we had fun making Sushi Rice, Orange Tamari Tofu, Toasted Nori and various vegetables for the children to create their own little sushi rolls!
7th grade student, Beck, prepares his sushi rolls
7th grade student, Laura, uses two pieces of nori to wrap her rolls
4th grade student, Zoe, enjoys her sushi rolls
Guest Chef on Friday
This Friday we have a very special guest chef preparing a traditional West African meal for students and staff. Tanara Greywolf is the mother of a kindergarten student this year. She is also the older sister of past Village School students, Talib and Samira who some of you will remember!
Here is some background information from Tanara about her experience with eating and preparing West African food:
Buraxre is from Guinea, West Africa. I study West African Dance, and have been to Guinea twice. Both times were to dance, so that is how I spent most of my time. But I did enjoy sitting with the cooks (mostly women) when I wasn't dancing and watching them prepare our meals. The meals usually started by one person going to the market and getting the ingredients for the day. There was only electricity about 4 days a week from 8 pm to 5 am. So the food was not cooked on an electric stove, or stored in a refrigerator. The food was cooked on a small charcoal stove, made for one pot. The cooks would sit on a short bench in front of the fire and usually with help chopped all veggies in their hand. No cutting boards were used. The cleanup would be done with water that was pulled from a well. The well was sometimes blocks away, and the water would be brought to where the dishes were to be cleaned. When the food was served, there would be a large platter filled with rice, the sauce would top the rice. When I was there all of the other dancers and teachers would all eat off of the same platter. Or if there were too many people, there would be a second platter. There were often guests that would show up around meal time to join in. The food was sometimes eaten with a spoon, but most often eaten with your right hand. The left hand was considered the dirty hand, and since they don't use toilet paper the left hand was used to wash. The left hand was also used to spit the bones and uneatable portions. I learned to cook the food from a Guinean friend who lived with us in the States for a while. I also learned to cook this meal from an American friend who lived in Guinea. She was able to give me the most appropriate substitutions for the items that are hard to find here.
We hope your children are curious to try this new food prepared with love and care on Friday. Thank you Tanara!
Library News
February is Black History Month
Check out this list of books recommended by VS librarian Ms. Molly to read for Black History Month. All these titles are in our Village School library and can also be checked out at the Eugene Public Library.
Grades K-3
Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change by Michelle Cook
Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest Woman by Kathleen Krull
Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper by Ann Malaspina
Grades 3-5
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vasthi Harrison
What Color is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors by Kareem
Abul-Jabbar
Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan
Becoming Muhammad Ali: A Novel by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander
Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
5-8
42 is Not Just a Number: The Odyssey of Jackie Robinson, American Hero by Doreen Rappaport
Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
The Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Hidden Figures (Young Readers’ Edition) by Margot Lee Shetterly
7-8
March graphic novel series by John Lewis
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Molly Bautista, VS Librarian
LTD Passes Available!
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.
