Upcoming Events
Wednesday, March 9th, 5:30: Parent Council (Zoom)
Thursday, March 10th, 6:30: 1619 Project Book Club Postponed
Tuesday, March 15th: Picture Day!
Wednesday, March 16th, 6:30: Village School Board Meeting (Zoom)
Friday, March 18th: Village School Lottery
Monday, March 21-Friday, April 1: No School, Spring Break
Monday, April 4: No School, Teacher Work Day
Administrator's Message
Dear Village School Families,
Today we made masks optional during recess and structured outdoor activities for students and staff. Our students did very well adapting to this option. The staff gave students mini-lessons to remind them that wearing a mask is an option that must be respected while playing outdoors. The change to mask optional outdoors gave us an important opportunity to practice inclusivity and show respect for each others choices and health needs.
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) recently updated guidance on the COVID-19 protocols and reiterated that charter schools may decide for themselves whether and when to require mask use in schools after March 11th. As a charter school we take seriously our responsibility to keep our students safe and provide the type of in-person instruction unique to The Village School. The Village School health and safety committee is convening this week to plan next steps for our students and staff.
Many school districts have determined they will make indoor mask use optional in about seven days. While local districts are offering a return to online learning to accommodate families concerned about making masks optional indoors, we know that in-person instruction is better academically and emotionally for students. We found that providing on-line and in-person instruction last Spring was suboptimal for students and challenging for staff. Meeting the needs of all, especially the most vulnerable in a community, is at the heart of our mission. We will carefully consider the guidance from state officials, public health data, input from our staff and families and the resources we have available to meet the needs of the greatest number of students.
We extend a heartfelt thanks to all members of our school community that have participated with and worked alongside us over this long period of time as we chart the safest route through a global pandemic. Together with grace and understanding we will take steps forward as we maintain the fabric of our school community.
Warm Regards
Shannon, Sue, Andy, and Bob
Inspired by Theo Maxwell, 2nd Graders made signs encouraging students to respect each others choices with regards to mask wearing.
Announcement from the Health and Safety Committee
As a school, we want to ensure the safety and wellness of our students and staff. We prioritize equity in making decisions. We place a high value on creating the conditions where students may attend in-person learning with as few disruptions to the rhythm of their day as possible. We are dedicated to allowing our students to play, learn, and enjoy being with their peers. We are taking measured steps to resume the activities that make The Village School unique, such as festivals, field trips and parent meetings. Together we will gradually reconnect those interpersonal relationships and reestablish those in-person meetings and school wide celebrations.
Updated Village School Protocols, Effective Today:
Please keep in mind that while the State is lifting the mask mandate as of March 12, 2022, schools are still allowed to make their own local decisions on health and safety matters. At times our decisions may be more conservative than what is mandated by state or county authorities, but our mitigation policies can never be less restrictive.
Beginning Monday, March 7th, masks will be optional during outdoor recess and outdoor structured learning activities for all students and staff. *Please note: Anyone (regardless of vaccination status) who has been infected or exposed must wear a well-fitting mask around others, including outdoors, during the 10 days after initial exposure, positive test, or symptom onset.
Children will be allowed to play, learn, and socialize without distancing restrictions, both indoors and outdoors, except in cases of very close contact. (For example, a knot of children climbing together, creating a huddle and other close contacts of multiple children)
There will be no change to mask requirements for parents/guardians at drop off and pick up times. Please continue to wear a mask on campus at all times.
There will be no changes to our indoor masking policy at this time, for students, staff, volunteers, and families.
There will be no changes to snack and lunch protocol. Students will eat snack outdoors and should remain stationary and 6’ apart while eating. Lunch seating arrangements will stay the same. Kindergarten will continue eating outdoors with 4-6’ of distance between students.
The Health and Safety Committee meets this week to review the latest guidance, scientific data, and input from families.
Job Openings
Open right now: Recess supervisor
(11:40 to 2:00 daily)
Duties: Work in teams of 2-3 staff supervising students on the playground during mid-day recess. Qualifications: Ability to communicate effectively with student volunteers, co-workers and school staff. Proven ability to manage and oversee large groups of children Ability to be on feet 100% of time and move quickly over various terrain. Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs. Willingness to get CPR training Background check required Complete Covid vaccination records Starting Wage: $12.75 - $14.21 Hourly, depending on experience.
Open April 5th: Handwork Assistant
(Mondays: 1:15-2pm) & (Weds: 1:15-2:45pm)
Duties: Assist classroom teacher by working with students individually or in small groups with hand crafts. Qualifications: Experience working with children and adults in a positive manner Knowledge of Waldorf Handwork curriculum including skills in knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch and various other needle work as well as classroom management skills a plus Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs. Willingness to get CPR training Background check required Complete Covid vaccination records Starting Salary Range: $ 13.02 – $14.56 per hour
Grades 4/5 Teacher (for 2022-23)
Qualifications: Either Valid Oregon Teaching License or Waldorf Teacher Certificate
Minimum Bachelor’s Degree
Demonstrated ability to interact with children and adults in a positive manner
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Commitment to arts-integrated education and familiarity with Waldorf education
Willingness to get CPR training
Willingness to attend Waldorf education trainings
Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs
Salary Range: $41,653 - $64,011, depending on experience and education. Additional variable compensation included. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, PERS and defined contribution pension, and lunch from our healthy kitchen.
The Village School Kitchen
This morning Kyra from the 8th grade and Ella from the 6th grade helped out in the kitchen by chopping up blemished pears to turn into pear sauce. Pear sauce is the base of our blueberry muffins every Wednesday.
Most of our student helpers look forward to creating the menu board for the next day's lunch. Here you see 5th grade students, Piper and James, with their colorful sign.
This morning we welcomed a new parent volunteer, Jared Abott, father of Lily in the second grade. Jared chopped tomatoes and sliced avocados for today's salad bar. Volunteer contributions are the key to our success as a scratch based school kitchen. We are still in need of a few more friendly folks to round out our volunteer schedule. Can you come up to the Commons on Friday mornings for 1/2 hour to fold laundry? Can you pop in the kitchen to slice cucumbers and make a salad dressing on Tuesday mornings after drop off? Perhaps you can't commit to a regular shift but can fill in as a sub when we are short volunteers. Please consider how you can support our amazing food program that provides free meals to any student that wants one every school day.
I'd love to hear from you!
Warmly,
Toña
541-510-8604
Fifth Grade Sunflowers to honor Ukraine
Following a rich discussion about the war in Eastern Europe, the 5th graders painted sunflowers to honor Ukraine and all people who are suffering as a result of this war.
Art by Luka, Lilja and Piper
A Word from Maestra Sarah
Playing and learning verb conjugation in Spanish class
1619 Project postponed
Keep an eye out for the date of the next meeting!
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.
It has been proposed there will be six group sessions that will be held every two weeks via zoom. The group will read between one and three chapters in preparation for each meeting. Each chapter is an essay so a person may attend all the sessions consecutively or any of the sessions that 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.
March 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 Hilyard 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 April 3, May 1, and June 5.
Library News
We have just received the wonderful news that the Village School has been given a $2,000 grant from the State Library of Oregon to purchase new books! I will be expanding the nonfiction and middle school YA book sections, among other goals. During the last couple years, however, the Village School library has been running out of shelf space. The number of new books coming to the library makes procuring more shelving even more of a necessity. Adding on to the custom shelves made for the library in 2016 is the ideal solution for both practicality and to match the aesthetics of the space. If you or someone you know is interested in making custom bookshelves for the library, please contact me.
Molly Bautista, VS Librarian
Counseling Corner
Cultivating Healthy Habits - Growth Mindset
Growth Mindset is the idea that our abilities and skills are not set in stone. We are constantly changing and growing.
Winter Stories at the LCC Longhouse
Check out event details on Facebook at Lane Community College Longhouse
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.
