Upcoming Events
Administrator's Message
Greetings Village School Community!
We hope your summer has been full of joyful moments and that, as the summer turns from green to gold, you have a pocket to tuck your memories in to keep them close. Now is the time of year when the day and the night are balanced and the adventures are coming to a close. Now is the time of year when we all start on the path back home to rejoin our larger community and begin again, on our quest to save the world, one microcosmic moment at a time.
There are lots of changes at the Village School! We [Shannon Powell and Roz (formerly Sue)] Romatz have matriculated from Assistant Principals to Principals with Bob Kaminiski’s retirement. Shannon will be primarily the lower grades Principal, and Roz will primarily be the middle school Principal, though we will share many crossover duties. We will also be sharing the role of sixth grade teacher. We are SUPER excited to put this long and carefully planned dream into effect.
We have hired many new staff members–Chrissy Barry is our new Office Assistant, Sarah Borcher and Kristin Zay are the new Handwork assistants, Sarah Hartman is our new interim 1st grade teacher, Katherine Haring is our new 1st grade assistant, Hailey Duhn is our new Kindergarten assistant, and Merrily Ellestad is our new fourth grade teacher.
A few faculty committees are already in full swing-the health and safety committee met to discuss new protocols (see below) and the behavior committee met to continue our work on polishing up our VS culture of kindness. We are reconvening the school wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and we’re excited to announce a very promising opportunity with a guest speaker on the evening of October 6th, so save the date for that (more info to come)!
From your Back-to-School mailed packets, please take a moment to look for three important items for return:
The Free and Reduced meal application. Actually this can be done online;
This application requires your student's 4J district ID#, and we will be emailing this to everyone shortly. We need all families to return this form. The number of families that qualify under the federal income threshold is keyed directly to the amount of funding we receive to retain Title I staff. They are indispensable in providing reading and math support and are part of our cadre of caring educators on campus. Please fill out this application, even if you think you don’t qualify.
Volunteer & Parent Support Survey -- Lending a hand this year will be different due to the safety protocols and yet there are numerous ways to help. We want to be ready to involve more volunteers when conditions change. We want to know your interests.
Supply Fee -- The supply fee is important to help provide the unique materials our students use in their school work.
Free Opt-in Testing through U of O and OHA
The Village School has joined other schools in a program that makes weekly testing available to our students! U of O has partnered with Oregon Health Authority to provide free, voluntary COVID-19 testing kits to children attending participating K-12 schools.
Use the link below to opt-in:
Health and Safety Announcement
August 17, 2022
Revised quarantine and isolation guidelines for Village School
If a STUDENT or VOLUNTEER tests positive for Covid, regardless of vaccination status: Isolate for 10 days. Return to school on day 11 if symptoms are resolved, and fever-free for 24 hours without medication. No testing required.
If a STAFF MEMBER tests positive for COVID, regardless of vaccination status: Isolate for 5 days and return to work on day 6 with 2 consecutive negative tests, and wear a mask at all times until day 11. Or, isolate for 10 days and return to work on day 11 without testing.
If a STUDENT, STAFF or VOLUNTEER is exposed to Covid outside of the home regardless of vaccination status: Advise family to watch for symptoms. Strongly recommend that student or staff member masks for 10 days after exposure and test for COVID 5-7 days after exposure.
If a STUDENT, STAFF or VOLUNTEER is exposed to Covid within the household, regardless of vaccination status: The exposed student or staff member quarantines during the first 5 days of the infected family member. Return to school/work on day 6 if symptom free. Required rapid testing at school on days 6 through 10. Strongly recommend that the student or staff member wear a mask on days 6 through 10.
Village School Guests & Volunteer Vaccination Protocol
Fall 2022
This year, everyone is welcome and encouraged to volunteer on campus, regardless of vaccination status.
Our health and safety policy for volunteers is as follows:
Volunteers who are vaccinated against Covid-19 must have a copy of their vaccination card on file in the office.
Volunteers who are not vaccinated against Covid-19 must fill out an exemption form in the office or here: MEDICAl exemption form or RELIGIOUS exemption form.
Volunteer protocol must be followed for all school organized activities, including any off-campus field trips that are planned and sponsored by the school.
Volunteering is Back!
As we work toward reuniting our Village School community, more opportunities to volunteer are coming up! Be sure to watch your email, the Village Voice and the Village Vine for messages from Parent Council, your class coordinator, your child's teacher and the Village School Kitchen, to see the volunteer needs that are coming up for you to enjoy.
One of the ways to contribute to our school community is by attending Parent Council Meetings! We are still holding these meetings by Zoom so they are easy to attend (even while making dinner or folding laundry) and every parent and guardian's voice is valued in decisions about what Parent Council funds are used for, events that are held and collaborations with departments and teachers at the Village School!
Don't forget to sign in to HelpCounter and report your hours so we can see the amazing contributions from our Village School Families
How to keep children safe during
Drop off and pick up at
The Village School
*We require students in grades K-3 to be walked to their classroom door by a parent or guardian. Parking is available on 35th ave, Glen Oak Dr, Knob Hill Ln, and Donald St.
If you’d like to drop off your 4th-8th grade student please follow these guidelines:
1. Approach the school from Donald Street. This reduces two way traffic on 35th Ave.
2. Use Drop-Off zone for Drop off only. (At the curb near the stairs leading to the school)
3. Always park in the correct direction and on the correct side of the street.
4. Do not park on the wrong side of the street. Do not stop cars in the middle of the street.
5. Have children exit on Curb side of car, not the street side
6. Please say your “goodbyes” before you stop and avoid lingering
The Village Kitchen
We are excited to soon be back in the kitchen, serving nutritious and delicious meals to staff and students again! As you look over the monthly menus with your child, please keep the following in mind:
Each lunch includes a generous offering of fresh fruits and vegetables from our salad bar as well as organic milk.
We make our meals from scratch using mostly organic ingredients and prioritizing purchases from local farms, producers and distributors.
We follow nutrition guidelines set forth by the USDA and ODE school food programs.
In order to maintain an affordable and sustainable program all meals are vegetarian. Vegan options are available upon request.
If your child has a food allergy and needs accommodation, please have your child’s medical provider fill out the dietary restriction form in the office and speak with us before sending them through the lunch line. You may download and print the form from our school website or ask for a paper copy in the school office.
We offer a sit-down, hot breakfast in the cafeteria before school. Service starts at 8:00 and ends at 8:20 so children can arrive at their classrooms on time.
Menu items are subject to change if unforeseen circumstances occur.
Menus are available on the school website every month. You will also find paper copies in the office. A version of the monthly breakfast and lunch menus with total carbohydrate and dietary fiber counts will be available on the website and in the office as well.
With expanded eligibility guidelines, the majority of Village Schools students will receive free breakfasts and lunches this school year! Please complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application as soon as possible. Families that do not qualify can pay in the office with cash or a check. We will be sharing on-line ways to pay for lunch shortly. Breakfast price is $2.00. Lunch price is $4.00. If a student brings a home lunch and would like to purchase a glass of organic milk the price is $1.00.
Our nationally recognized, award winning food service program relies upon parent volunteers. To maintain our offerings of amazing food, lovingly prepared for staff and students we need your help! Please consider contributing to our school community by helping for a few hours, one day a week this fall. To find out more about this fun opportunity, contact Toña at taguilar@eugenevillageschool.org or 541-510-8604.
It is vitally important that families fill out free and reduced meal forms, because the percent of families that qualify for federal subsidized meals directly affects our funding for Title I small reading and math groups. The form can be filled out here: Free and Reduced Lunch Application.
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.
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
A Message from the Counselor
Counseling Corner
School Counselor - Mrs. Rebecca
Welcome back to school. I hope you had a rejuvenating summer. I am excited to start my second year at The Village School and working with all of your students. I provide classroom lessons, individual counseling, small group counseling, 504 coordination and consultation with staff, parents and administrators. If you would like support for your child’s social-emotional needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am here to help! You can email me at rmacemon@eugenevillageschool.org or call me at 541-345-7285.
Back to School Preparations
There has been bustling activity at the Village School, as staff have returned to prep for the new year. The front office has been re-arranged, windows and walls have been power washed (Thank you Charles!), and the Kitchen is filled with delicious scents once again. Teachers have been welcoming students and families back into the classroom to organize and prep. It's been wonderful to see so many happy faces back on campus!
Maddie and Ila helped to organize Ms. Merrily's 4th grade classroom.
Cora and Love ready the 5th grade classroom.
Help Wanted
Substitute Teacher & Substitute Educational Assistant
Duties: Serve as substitute teacher or substitute classroom assistant.
Qualifications: Experience working with groups of children. Knowledge of Waldorf curriculum a plus.
Teachers require Valid Oregon Teaching License:
[Main lesson (K-8), Movement/PE, Spanish, Music, Handwork]
Instructional Assistant (BA and fingerprint background check required) Willingness to get CPR training Background check required Complete Covid vaccination records Salary Range: $24 per hour for Teachers, $15 - $18 per hour for Assistants
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Benefits include our healthy lunch service, PERS coverage.
Kitchen Assistants
Duties: Serve as a part time FTE Kitchen Assistant, working 3 - 5 days per week.
Qualifications: Knowledge of basic sanitary guidelines.
Knowledge of basic dish washing machine operations.
Ability to communicate effectively with student volunteers, co-workers, and school staff.
Requires standing or walking, 100% of the time.
Occasional environmental exposures to cold, heat, water.
Must be able to transport 35 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds on occasion.
Requires a current Oregon Food Handler's card and a current finger print based, Background Check.
Wage: $15 per hour
Schedule: 10 - 15 hours per week from Monday - Friday, 164 days per year from Sept - June.
Parent Council
The first Parent Council Meeting of the year will be on September 14th at 5:30pm!
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!
LTD Passes Available!
If you have signed up for your child, their touchpasses are waiting! Come on into the office and pick it up this week!
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.
