Upcoming Events
Wednesday, January 4th, Back to School
Thursday, January 5th, 3:15pm Dion C. Jordan Talk (DEB Event)
Tuesday, January 10th, 5:30pm Parent Council Meeting Zoom
Monday, January 16th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No School
Tuesday, January 17th, 5:30pm Board Meeting - Library
Saturday, January 21st and Thursday, January 26th Prospective Parent Information Meeting
Administrator's Message
Greetings Village School Community!
We hope you’ve had a wonderful, rejuvenating, and magical winter break. We are back with bells on, ready to dive into the upcoming new year, which is promising to be our best yet!
This week we will hold a Recess Rodeo, to remind students about the rules and expectations on school grounds. We are placing more time on ensuring that all students understand our school rules, to reduce confusion and unsafe behaviors on campus. We have signs posted in various areas inside and outside the school campus, letting everyone know what our expectations are, in the hope that everyone will stay safe and happy.
Also, this week is the second installment of Dion C Jordan’s four part classes on Diversity, Equity, and Belonging. This Thursday at 3:15 pm in the cafeteria, Dion C. Jordan will be talking about what it means to be an ally and how to override biased thinking from our lives. If you’ve already RSVP’d to the event, you may just show up! We have a few who can’t make it to the second meeting and a few who would like to hop on. Please fill out the google form listed below if you’d like to join us, but didn’t attend the first meeting.
May the first week of the new year be filled with happiness, health, and fresh starts!
Sincerely,
Roz, Shannon, and Andy
Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Presentation by
Dion C. Jordan from Sawubona
We are offering four 90 minute presentations, which will promote diversity, inclusion, equity, and racial justice. This is an interactive learning experience that helps to bring participants on a learning journey that leads to racial justice, access, equity, and a sense of belonging for all. The second presentation in this series is taking place on Thursday, January 5th. RSVP only here. Childcare will be available.
January 5th: 3:15-4:45 “Moving from The Awakening to the Woke stage”
● Learn where you may have implicit Bias (and we ALL have it), and how to override that
default thinking.
● What it means to be an Ally: Examining privilege and how to be a champion for equity
Rules for a Safe Morning Drop Off
Please do not park in the lower North lot when dropping students off in the morning. This lot is for faculty only.
Parking is available on 35th Ave, Glen Oak Dr, Knob Hill Ln, and Donald St.
*We require students in grades K-3 to be walked to their classroom door by a parent or guardian.
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
Annual Giving Campaign
Improve Theater Facilities at The Village School Our Commons has been the focal point of many school gatherings. This year’s campaign aims to enhance our theater experience with improved lighting, sound gathering and mixing, video projection, seating and window blinds. From hereon, everyone attending school plays will be able to hear the students’ voices and see the actors with improved lights. The new blinds will allow presentations with video projection any time of day. The larger screen will be visible to everyone in the Commons, and will also create capacity for family movie nights.
We are hoping to raise $20,000 in this campaign. In view of our commitment to music and the performing arts, the proposed changes will greatly improve the experience in our theater. We hope you will join us in our efforts to Improve Theater Facilities at The Village School.
Donations may be made in the office or at ANNUALGIVING.US
Health and Safety
The following recommendation comes from the Oregon Health Authority: "The combination of surging flu, RSV and COVID-19 cases is pushing hospitals past their ICU adult and pediatric bed capacity. That’s why we—and our several doctors—today urged everyone to wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces".
After School Enrichment
Dear Village School Families,
We are pleased to announce that the Village School will be offering the second 10 week session of complimentary after-school enrichment classes beginning the week of January 9 through March 17 for grades 1 - 8. Class size is limited so please fill out the registration form as soon as possible to ensure a position. We have extended the registration deadline to Friday, January 6, 2023. You will be advised of your child’s participation by email no later than Monday, January 9. Please check your email and send confirmation that you have received the email.
Please click the following link and fill out one form for each Village School child in your family that is interested in attending the After School Enrichment Program. If you have recently signed up, but have not received a confirmation email, PLEASE re-register with the new link asap. Classes will begin Tuesday, January 9.
Please note that the link sent out January 2nd was incorrect. Please use the following link:
Please contact Rachel Burk-Bayer bayer@eugenevillageschool.org if you are unable to access the form on-line.
Enrichment classes offered: (Note that some class times have changed.)
Mindful Journaling Club / Mercedes Cervantes - Grades 4-6, Thursdays, 3:05 - 4:05 (Library) Join Ms. Mercedes (recess duty at the Village School) to find your inner power through an expressive language! Students will learn how to describe emotions through words of generations and cultures. Literature and poetry have been with the English language for hundreds of years, influenced by the world outside and inside of ourselves. Students can have as much privacy or retrospect as they desire. Through collage, origami, beading, their journals can be just as wild and beautiful as they are. Some activities will be: Word of the day, and/or Poem/mantra of the day. Creating characters and developing short stories that help discover our true inner beings. Art projects that contribute to a vision board. Daily journal keeping. Many other fun projects. Learn how to speak your truth in the Mindful Journal Club!
Ceramics / Donica Beath-Bigongiari - Grades 3- 8, Tuesdays 3 & 4, Thursdays 5 & 6, Wednesdays 7 & 8, select one day only. 3:05 - 4:30 (Spanish Room)
In the Ceramics class students will explore hand building techniques such as pinch, coil, and slab; as well as using wooden, plaster, or paper molds, and Sgraffito. Students will have the opportunity to make pots, cups, tiles, shakers, monsters, and sculpture.
Bookbinding - Printmaking / Frederique Chateau* - Grades 5 - 8, Wednesdays, 3:15- 4:45 (6th grade class) Get ready to make fabulous one-of-a-kind prints and showcase them into your own handmade books! This creative class will introduce students to several forms of printmaking, including carving and reduction techniques for block printing, stamping using found objects and recyclables, and cyanotype printing. Using traditional bookbinding techniques, the students will then design and stitch their own journal and make an accordion fold book to showcase their prints. Each class will offer a journey for the artists to experiment with new techniques and materials, explore the various elements of art and composition, and cultivate their artistic expression.
ART Seeing, Feeling and Reimagining/ Frederique Chateau* - Grades 1 & 2, Thursdays 3:15- 4:45 (6th grade class) This 10-week workshop offers a journey for students to cultivate their unique artistic expression through new ways of seeing and expressing the world around them. The young artists will explore the building blocks of art (shapes, lines, colors, values and textures) and a variety of techniques using different art mediums such as paint, pastels, pencils and paper collage. The beginning of class will include a quick art history introduction of a famous artist or art movement and their work. We will also have a chance to explore seasonal themes as a source of inspiration. Art can get messy and students are encouraged to dress appropriately.
* Frédérique Château is a fine artist and art instructor specializing in painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking. She has been teaching art classes for children and teens in Eugene and Cottage Grove, and is currently an art teacher for the middle school grades at the Village School
Marimba: Taught by Chris Halaska. Enrollment is by invitation only. If you are invited to participate and would like to join please fill out the registration form.
Bricks, Machines, and Computers/ Dan Cordova - Grades 3 - 5, Thursdays, 3:05 - 4:20 (Basement/Computer Lab) Motivated participants in Bricks, Machines and Computers will ground their ideas, push back on limits and invent machines using the power of Lego Mindstorms and the creativity that is grown in a collaborative environment. Participants will practice listening to peers and sharing resources and ideas constructively.
Important Information:
Please fill out an enrollment form for all Village School students in your family that want to participate in the After School Enrichment Program. Registration deadline is Friday, January 6.
Class size is limited and may be subject to lottery. Applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
We will notify you prior to the first class meeting whether your child has been accepted into the desired class(es), or placed on the waitlist, through email, or text message provided on the registration form. Please respond when you receive the notification to confirm your child’s enrollment.
We require commitment to active participation. Attendance is required. More than two absences may result in removal from the class.
Programs are funded by grants from the Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Community Foundation’s Chintimini Fund.
Follow this link to register: https://forms.gle/vwvAVYhd8XAGHbmC9
Follow this link for a schedule: ASEP Winter Schedule 2023
Questions:
The registration form has a box for questions; however, feel free to direct questions to Rachel Burk-Bayer at bayer@eugenevillageschool.org, or call or text (805) 975-7778.
School Directory
The Village School Directory is ready and available! Please stop by the office if you would like a copy.
Winter Weather
As the colder, winter weather continues, here is some information on how Village School will let families know about closures or delays.
When hazardous weather is a concern, decisions regarding schedule changes are made in the early morning, before school, when current weather conditions can be assessed. Village School follows the district (4J) when making decisions, although there may be instances where we will declare a closure, even if 4J does not.
How To Find Out: If there is a change in the school schedule, it will be announced through our school phone message system, normally before 6:30 a.m.
Delayed Starts and Early Dismissal: The district generally will avoid delayed starts and early dismissal due to weather. However, it is possible that unpredictable or sudden weather conditions will require such a decision to be made. Delayed start times will not alter school dismissal times.
Parent Choice: On any day when inclement weather is a concern and school is in session, families are encouraged to consider road conditions in their areas and make their own decisions based on safety. Please call your school if your child will be absent. Parents’ individual decisions about school attendance for this reason will be honored.
If you are concerned about the weather and have not received a phone call by 6:30 a.m., check the 4J website, radio or TV for information about closures, delays or snow routes.
8th Grade Play
Bravo to the 8th graders who gave two fantastic performances of "A Midsummer Night's Dream"!
8th Grade Fundraiser: January 20th
Library News
Check out the Book lists for the Battle of the Books!
Book List Grades 3-5
Book List Grades 6-8
Ceramics Enrichment Classes
Here are some examples of the beautiful pottery that students made in Ceramics class with their teacher Donica Beath!
The Village Kitchen
Welcome Back!
We look forward to cooking up some nutritious and delicious food for students and staff again. We will be in first thing tomorrow morning baking blueberry muffins. Students can swing by between 8:00-8:20 for a muffin, some organic awakened almonds, fruit and milk.
Meet some of our family farming friends!
This fall our school welcomed the Hirst, McAlpine Family into our community. Mabel joined the kindergarten class and Kate began volunteering in the kitchen every Wednesday. They also became one of our food waste reduction partners via their adorable pigs.
Although we encourage students to take what they will eat and eat what they take, there are always food scraps leftover after breakfast and lunch each day. In an effort to reduce waste from our food program we have partnered with a few different local farmers over the years. Mabel's family picks up food scraps from our school three days a week to feed their pigs. Thank you Jesse, Kate and Mabel!
With the new year we have a few volunteer schedule shifts. We currently have a few crucial openings we need to fill asap. Please email, text or call me if you are able to help out with any of the following shifts:
Laundry folder - Wednesday mornings 8:30-9:15
Lunch prep support - Tuesday mornings 8:30-10:30
Lunch server - Thursdays 11:30-1:00
Join our fun Village School Kitchen Community!
Toña Aguilar
541-510-8604
Volunteering!
Village School families are asked to contribute and record at least 40 hours of volunteer work at the school each year, and single parent households are asked to contribute 20 hours. It is this support that allows us to offer such strong programs with limited financial resources. We also welcome grandparents and other relatives to volunteer in your place!
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.
If you haven't filled out your volunteer paperwork yet, please stop by the office to pick up a packet.
Another way to contribute to our school community is by attending Parent Council Meetings! Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 10th at 5:30 PM. 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!
We adore our volunteers! Village School would not be what it is without you. Thank you so much for making Village School the incredible community it is!
Don't forget to sign in to HelpCounter and report your hours so we can see the amazing contributions from our Village School Families.
Parent Council
The next Parent Council Meeting will be on Tuesday, January 10th 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!
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.
Free Covid Testing
You can still sign up for 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:
LTD Passes Available!
The Village School has worked with 4j and LTD to make touch passes 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.
