Upcoming Events
Tuesday, September 12th, 5:30pm, Parent Council Meeting (Village School Library)
Tuesday, September 19th, 5:30pm, Board Meeting
Wednesday, September 20th, Back to School Night
Administrator's Message
Greetings Village School Community!
Fall is in the air! The breezes are blowing cooler and cooler at night and we are inching toward the autumn equinox on September 22nd, when day and night are balanced, a time to begin to gather the final fruits of summer and turn toward the hearth and home. Far away in time, druids and pagans and revelers would be planning their damp and mossy Mabon gathering at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise above the stones before the descent into wintery dark nights. In China and Vietnam lanterns are being prepared and mooncakes filled with lotus seed paste for the upcoming Mid Autumn Moon Festival. In Japan, relatives are gathering for Ohigan, a Japanese Buddhist equinox custom during which the graves of ancestors are visited and cleaned and decorated, while the sun sets directly west in the land of the afterlife.
Here at the Village School, we’ve had our own celebration marking the passage of time – the Rose Ceremony. It was lovely as usual, and we welcomed another sweet group of children into our Village School grades. We love watching these beautiful human beings growing and developing through the years and we are already enjoying watching the first graders eating lunch in the Commons, practicing their lines in the breezeways, and meeting with their eighth grade buddies.
It has been so nice to reconnect with all the returning students and to start to get to know the new students as well. Things seem to be moving along nicely! This year we have decided to do something new to help the students understand the rules in our common areas at school. On Tuesday and Wednesday the middle school students will be performing short skits to show the lower grades students what the expectations are in the breezeways, the Commons, and on the playground. We’re surely looking at some Oscar worthy performances, so check in with your student tomorrow and Wednesday to see what gems they walked away with!
Thank you so much to everyone in our lovely community for participating in our big start-of-year lift off! We appreciate you more than we can say in these few, short pages!
Operation School Bell
The Assistance League of Eugene supports a program of student assistance called Operation School Bell. This program supports families who are experiencing financial hardship shop at Fred Meyer for up to $120 on school clothes or shoes for their children.
This year the Village School has 12 spots available. If you would like your child to be included in Operation School Bell this fall please complete The Village School Operation School Parent/Guardian Request Form.
The form needs to be filled out and submitted by September 18th. Since spots are limited, if we have more than 12 people apply we will run a lottery and notify you if you receive a shopping spot or not.
Title 1 Reading and Math Services 2023-24
Every fall, winter and spring, our Title 1 staff and classroom teachers administer
reading and math assessments to each of our students. If a student scores below
the 30th percentile, he/she may be recommended by our team to receive
instructional interventions in reading and/or math with their progress monitored.
At The Village School, all students receive up to 90 minutes of language arts and
60 minutes of math instruction each day. If your child will be receiving additional
reading or math instruction, his or her classroom teacher or the Title 1
Coordinator will notify you.
Volunteering!
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 take part in. Please note that we ask families to contribute 40 hours of volunteer hours per year, and single parent households to contribute 20 hours.
One of the ways to contribute to our school community is by attending Parent Council Meetings! We will be holding our first meeting of the school year in the Village School Library. 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!
Volunteer packets are available in the office.
Please talk to the Volunteer Coordinator, Chrissy Barry for more information!
chrissy@eugenevillageschool.org
541-345-7285
A the moment, we are looking Kitchen helpers!! Please let me know if you can help with laundry folding or morning prep on Mondays/Tuesdays/ Thursdays/ Friday Thank you!
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.
Rose Ceremony
The sweetest Rose Ceremony was held this past week. The 8th graders welcomed the new first graders with a rose and a walk under the rainbow silk. Congratulations first graders!
The Village Kitchen
Greetings from the Village School Kitchen!
It has been super sweet seeing students and staff in our school space again this past week. We have welcomed a few new friendly faces as well.
September in the Willamette Valley means produce is plentiful and we have been enjoying the fruits of local farmers' labor. Big thanks to Sarah Lewenberg and Kate Hearst for donating tomatoes for our salad bar today and tomorrow's spaghetti sauce.
We are in need of morning volunteers! If you can spend a bit of time right after drop off helping us fold our clean napkins, aprons and rags, or washing and cutting fruit and vegetables for our salad bar, please email Toña: taguilar@eugenevillageschool.org.
Fourth grade student, Irene, enjoys the first lunch of the school year!
September Menus
September Breakfast and Lunch Menus are now available to view below! You are also welcome to pick up a paper copy in the office.
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! Families of four earning up to $90,000 qualify for free meals.
If you have not yet done so, take a moment to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application. (the site is up and running)
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@eugenevillageschool.org
How to Pay for Meals
Please log in to the LunchTime School Payment Portal to pay for school meals and to check your balance at https://www.schoolpaymentportal.com/Login.aspx
Below is a QR code to use to access the handy phone app.
Library News
I'm very excited to welcome classes back to the library this week! Here are some important library guidelines for students and families:
Library responsibility agreement: Students must agree to be responsible for the books they check out. They should be kept in a safe place and returned when due. If book(s) are lost or damaged, they should cover the cost of replacement. I highly encourage families to know their student(s)' class library day and check in with them about the books they check out. It is especially helpful for younger children to be reminded before their class library day to return their book(s). Also, please check your library books carefully before returning them to the Eugene Public Library- many of our books get returned there by mistake!
Student book choice: The Village School library adheres to the Oregon Association of School Libraries' guidance on intellectual freedom, also known as "freedom to read." The library has a wide range of books that appeal to different ages and interests, including early readers, picture books, graphic novels, chapter books, nonfiction, and teen fiction (YA). Student choice in book selection is honored with the understanding that parents reserve the final decision on what their child is reading. (An exception is YA, see below). Students are always welcome to return books that aren't the right fit and pick out something else.
The Village School library's YA policy: As a school that serves middle school students, the library includes books that are geared towards ages 12-18 and labeled as "young adult" (YA). YA books often have more mature themes, such as romance, violence, or mature language. These books are in a separate section and are restricted to students in 5th through 8th grade. Younger students can check out these books with a parent or guardian's written permission.
Book donations: Sometimes families have books they would like to donate to the library. Please contact me before dropping off books so I can determine if they are an appropriate fit for the library's collection.
Please contact me if you have any questions about the library! Molly Bautista, VS Librarian molly@eugenevillageschool.org
Reading Buddies
8th graders joined their 1st grade buddies today for some reading time.
The Village School Math Night
Math games for all ages including parents! Prizes! Pizza! Wednesday, November 8, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sponsored by Title 1 and Mathnasium of Eugene
Please let us know if you would like to volunteer for this fun event!
Village School Fundraising
Shop locally or online and raise funds for Village School with your
back-to-school shopping, and throughout the year!
We encourage everyone to use the following fundraising programs that help local vendors and bring fundraising dollars to our school. Even if you have registered before, please take a moment to make sure your accounts are updated with current credit/debit card information.
eScrip – Market of Choice
eScrip is a program that earns a percentage of your purchases for local retailers such as Market of Choice. eScrip has an online mall and dining program as well. To register:
Log onto www.eScrip.com
Create an account
Register debit & credit cards. Site is secured.
Enter Our Group I.D. 9130886 (If you do a search by name, enter "The Village School") Shop at eScrip merchants [Market of Choice], online mall, and local dining.
Use the cards that you registered in eScrip for all your purchases.
Be sure to update your cards in your eScrip account when they change numbers.
Sequential BioFuels
Sequential BioFuels, located at 18th and Chambers and at 86714 McVay Hwy (just off 30th ave and Interstate-5), will donate 5 cents per gallon of fuel if you mention The Village School at the time of purchase.
Fred Meyer Community Rewards
Earn the Village School rewards when you shop at Fred Meyer. Go to: https://www.fredmeyer.com/i/community/community-rewards, establish an account or login to your existing account. Go to "MyAccount". Under the Community Rewards tab, click "edit", and when prompted, enter either 80855 or Village School. Click the entry tab next to Village School and "save". Once this is set, your purchases made with your Fred Meyer rewards or card will create donations to The Village School.
Amazon.com
Go to https://eugenevillageschool.org/support-us. By clicking this link and accessing Amazon.com, you can earn The Village School up to 15% of your purchase through Amazon.com. Bookmark the initial link, attach it to your browser and let this be your link to Amazon.com.
Office Depot/Office Max
Give 5% back to the Village School when purchasing school supplies! Simply make a purchase of qualifying school supplies, provide your school ID at checkout and your designated school will receive 5% back in credits for FREE supplies! The Village School ID number: 70115184
Village School Marimba Bands in Action
Two Village School Marimba bands charmed the crowds at the South East Neighbors gathering on Saturday at Tugman park. The group on top are recent Village School alumni and the group below are current 8th graders. Congrats to them and their teacher Chris Halaska on the great performances!
Village School Lunch Diaries
Taylor mixes up the first Greek pasta of the year! Mixed with fresh basil and tomatoes, with sides of fresh corn, chickpeas, greens, and juicy watermelon, it was a delicious way to kick off the school year!
Quesadillas with beans, fiesta rice, avocado, and a swirl of (optional) hot sauce. The condiment bar is full of amazing choices--freshly made dressings, sauces, nutritional yeast, and tamari. Students and staff are so happy to be fed by the Village School Kitchen again!
Health and Safety Announcement
August 2023
Revised quarantine and isolation guidelines for Village School
If a STUDENT, STAFF or VOLUNTEER tests positive for COVID: Isolation for 5 days is required. The infected person may return to school on day 6 if all symptoms are resolved, and has been fever-free for 24 hours without medication. One negative test is required in order to return to school, either on day 6 or later. Wearing a mask is strongly recommended until day 11.
Or, isolate for 10 days and return to school or work on day 11 without the requirement of testing, if symptoms are resolved and fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
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 the student, staff, or volunteer tests for COVID 5-7 days after exposure, or at the onset of symptoms.
If a STUDENT, STAFF or VOLUNTEER is exposed to Covid within the household, regardless of vaccination status: If the exposed student, staff, or volunteer is symptom free they may continue coming to school. Advise family to watch for developing symptoms. Strongly recommend that the student, staff, or volunteer tests for COVID 5-7 days after exposure, or at the onset of symptoms. Strongly recommend that the student, staff, or volunteer wear a mask during the duration of the family member's illness.
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: $26 per hour for Teachers, $18 - $20 per hour for Assistants
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Benefits include our healthy lunch service, PERS coverage.
Parent Council
The first Parent Council Meeting of the year will be on September 12th at 5:30pm! We will be meeting at the Village School Library.
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!
Community Bulletin Board
Eugene - Springfield Youth Orchestra String Academy
Village School Ultimate Frisbee
Village School Ultimate starts Tuesday, Sept. 12. If you have a middle schooler who would like to join check out the information and registration page for Emerald Valley Ultimate. Practice is Tue/Thur 3:45-5:15 at Tugman Park. Games are Saturdays and will likely be at Ascot Park (Monroe Middle School).
