Village Voice - Volume 25, Issue 27
- Chrissy Barry
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
Upcoming Events
Monday, April 20th, 6:00pm, Village Community Council Meeting, Zoom
Tuesday, April 21st, 5:30pm, Board Meeting
Thursday, April 23rd, 4th Grade Field Trip to Cascades Raptor Center
Friday, April 24th, Talent Show
Monday, April 27th, 4th Grade Field Trip to Science Center
Friday, May 1st, May Day Festival
Quick Links
In the interest of reducing the sheer length of the Village Voice, we have replaced several repeating items with links to shortcuts:
Administrator's Message
Greetings Village School Community!
We start our return from Spring Break with some sad-for-us-but-great-for-them news: Our beloved Spanish teacher Santi Lopez is moving on next year to new adventures. Here’s a message from Profe Santi:
Dear Village School Community,
For approximately the last year and a half, I have had the honor to teach Spanish to Grades 1 - 8 here at the Village School. It has been a wonderful journey with quite a steep learning curve. It has also been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life thus far. For a while before teaching at the Village School I had wondered what was missing from my day to day. Shortly after starting, I realized that being a part of a living breathing community was exactly what my soul yearned for. I am so incredibly grateful for the experience of being a steward in this village.
Yet now with changes in my life and my support network being farther away I’ve concluded that the best next stop in my journey is somewhere where I can expand my skills and career with the support of my friends and family around me. This is a decision that took lots of consideration and a bit of tears, but ultimately this step will allow me to serve more kids and families and grow in my career.
There is nothing but gratitude in my heart for this school and I know I’ll continue to check in on the Village School to see what my colleagues, friends, and alumnos are up to. Gracias Village School for feeding my spirit and forging my skills. Hasta luego!
Con cariño,
Profe Santiago
We wish you only the best, Profe!! You have been a great gift to our school.
On another note, the middle school VS Environmental Club has begun their first ever plastic film recycling drive! The details are in the article below
Thanks for being a part of our community!
Sincerely,
Roz, Shannon, and Andy
Environmental Club Announcement: Loose Plastic Recycling Competition.
Each classroom will collect soft plastics in designated boxes.
How to Win
The class that brings in the most qualifying plastic by the end of April wins!
The winning class gets a popcorn and popsicle party.
What Happens to the Plastic?
• Collected weekly
• Weighed
• Posted on a leaderboard
What Counts?
• Bread bags
• Tortilla or bagel bags
• Ziploc bags
• Plastic grocery bags
Reminder
Make sure plastics are clean and dry.
Start bringing in plastic from home and help your class win and help the planet.
Plastic Film & Our Planet: Why Bread Bags and Grocery Bags Matter
Plastic film includes thin, flexible plastics like bread bags, grocery bags, plastic wrap, and
packaging. Because it is lightweight and used once, much of it becomes waste. Understanding its impact can help us make smarter choices and protect the environment.
Key Facts
1 Americans use about 100 billion plastic bags each year — about 300 bags per person.
2 Plastic film can take 10–20 years (or longer) to break down, and it never fully disappears — it turns into microplastics.
3 Only about 5–10% of plastic film is recycled because it can clog recycling machines.
4 Plastic waste in oceans harms more than 800 species of marine animals worldwide.
Real-World Impacts on Plants and Animals
1 Sea turtles often mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish, which can block their digestive
system.
2 Birds and fish can become tangled in plastic film, making it difficult to move or eat.
3 Plastic in soil can block water and air from reaching plant roots.
4 When plastic breaks into tiny pieces (microplastics), it enters food chains and can affect entire ecosystems.
How You Can Reduce Plastic Film Use
1 Bring reusable shopping bags to stores.
2 Choose products with less plastic packaging.
3 Reuse bread bags or plastic wrap when possible.
4 Use reusable containers or beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap.
How to Recycle Plastic Film
1 Do not place plastic bags or film in curbside recycling bins (unless your city allows it).
2 Many grocery & retail stores have collection bins for clean, dry plastic bags and film.
3 Remove food or crumbs before recycling.
4 Look for labels that say "Store Drop-Off" on plastic packaging.
Small choices — like using reusable bags or recycling correctly — can help protect wildlife, plants, and our planet’s future.
State Testing
Spring brings with it OSAS testing… Parents may submit an opt-out form at any time. Preferably the forms are submitted to Angelique in the Village School Office, on paper or via email (angelique.brennan@eugenevillageschool.org) 30 days prior to the administration of the tests. If you have any questions please send an email to principal@eugenevillgeschool.org.
Here are the opt out forms:
We’re hoping you have some fun plans: travel, rest, play, eat, read, breathe in some fresh air, whatever. I’ll leave you with another poem by a favorite of mine:
ASEP Registration
After School Enrichment Program Spring Session 2026 (April 13 - June 5)
Dear Village School Families,
We are pleased to announce that the Village School ASEP program is offering complimentary after-school enrichment classes beginning the week of April 13 - June 5 for grades 1 - 8. Class size is limited so please fill out the registration form below as soon as possible to ensure a position. Registration forms are due no later than April 8. 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. Please contact Rachel Burk-Bayer bayer@eugenevillageschool.org with any questions you may have, or if you are unable to access the form on-line.
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.
Class size is limited and may be subject to lottery. Applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
You will be notified prior to the first class meeting whether your child has been accepted into the desired class(es) through email provided on the registration form. Please respond to the email notification to confirm your child’s enrollment . Print, or mark this letter for information regarding days, times, and grades.
We require commitment to active participation.
ASEP will Not be held on the following days, due to Village School holidays and staff work days: May 8, May 25, June 5.
Programs are funded by grants from the Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Community Foundation’s Chintimini Fund.
Questions: The registration form has a box for questions; however, feel free to direct email questions to bayer@eugenevillageschool.org You also can call or text Rachel Burk-Bayer at (805) 975-7778.
Enrichment classes offered:
Sewing Machine Fun! / Sarah LewenbergGrades 5 - 8, Wednesdays, 3:00 - 4:30, (Ex-Computer Lab) Limit 10 students.
Students will learn how to use sewing machines to create projects. Students will start with a simple bag and then pick fabric for a second and third (if time allows). They will use all the notions and tools needed for fun sewing projects.
Handwork / Anna Szmit
Handwork grades 1-3, Monday 3:00- 4:30, 8 students limit
Handwork grades 4-6, Tuesday 3:00- 4:30, 8 students limit
This class gives students the opportunity to expand upon their handwork skills, while getting to create new projects not normally made in traditional handwork class. Students will be able to choose their own projects, from knitting, crocheting, and hand sewing. If you are looking to learn something new, or improve your other handwork skills, join after school handwork!
Jewelry Making / Anna Szmit
Jewelry Making grades 4-6, Wednesday 3- 4:30, 10 students limit.
In this class students will learn different techniques of jewelry making. Starting with easy bead bracelets and necklaces. And then moving on to more advanced skills such as wire bending to create pendants and earrings.
Rhythm & Harmony / Kelsey Khatter- Grades 6-8, Wednesdays 3 - 4:30, Marimba Room, 12 Students
Sing and explore rhythm, community-singing style. We’ll learn uplifting songs from several traditions, experiment with layering harmonies, and play with percussion. No experience needed, all voices welcome.
Wet Felting / Ms.Bee Grades 1-8, Mondays 3-4:30 Ex-Computer Lab 8 Students
(Wet felting is an ancient technique that uses hot water, soap, and friction to bind loose wool fibers into a solid fabric. Carding prepares the wool for this process by cleaning and mixing fibers—often using handheld tools to create fluffy batts or blend colors—which are then layered, wetted, and agitated to create dense felt.)
We will focus on using different carding techniques and then use our fluffy wool for making a few different projects.
Ceramics / Donica Beath-Bigongiari
Grade 3, Tuesdays 3-4:00, Spanish room
Grades 4 - 5, Wednesdays 3-4:00, Spanish room
Grades 6 - 8, Thursdays 3-4:00, Spanish room
Please note the grade levels and days above. The days for all Ceramic classes will be as follows: April 14,15,16. Two week break. May 5,6,7,12,13,14. One week break for clay to dry. May 26,27,28 glazing. May 2,3,4 receive finished creations. 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. Students will have the opportunity to make pots, cups, tiles, shakers, monsters, and sculpture.
ART Seeing, Feeling and Reimagining/ Frederique Chateau* - Grades 1 & 2, Wednesdays 3:00- 4:30 / Art Room This 8-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.
Traffic Safety at Drop Off and Pickup
Please review the drop off and pick up policy below and be mindful of children crossing the street on 35th avenue. There have been reports of close calls at both pick up and drop off. Thank you!
Annual Giving Campaign - Commemorative Tiles
Our first round of commemorative tiles are on display just outside the office. Our long term plan is to create a more permanent display once we get more tiles. You can order a tile at https://polarengraving.com/eugenevillageschool or use the following QR Code:
With a tile purchase, you will help us towards our goal of raising funds to install a new merry go round. We've raised $6,000, enough to purchase the equipment; the remaining $4,000 will pay for the installation. We hope you'll join our efforts!
Village Kitchen News
We are joyful to be back in our beloved school kitchen preparing and serving meals for students and staff.
This week we are highlighting produce from Riverland Family Farm, a 20 acre organic farm just outside of Corvallis. Owners Tal, Inder, Tyler - 3 brother in-laws, are committed to farming organically to provide the best for their families and for their local community. Tal and Inder have a long history of family farming going back more than four generations in the Northwest Indian state of Punjab. Like many farmers across the globe, farming in this region is not only a means of supporting your family but an identity taken with pride in being able to provide for one's community.
We will offer and encourage everyone to try Riverland's spring salad mix, their crunchy red globe radishes and their sweet nantes carrots. We are grateful for the grant funds recently awarded to us by the Oregon Farm to School Program which enabled us to purchase these special items.
Looking to fulfill your volunteer hours for the school year?
We have a couple of bi-weekly spots we'd love to fill with helpers for the remaining few months of the school year. Contact Toña at taguilar@eugenevillageschool or pop by the kitchen to say hi and get more information.
April Menus
3rd Grade Field Trip
The 3rd Grade visited the Japanese Garden in Portland just before the break. Looks like they have a great time!
Handwork Happenings
LTD Passes
Health Reminders
Community Bulletin Board
If you are looking for ways to support families at risk and in fear due to the increasing presence of ICE in our community, please consider donating to Escudo Latino. They are working long hours and playing an important role in supporting those who need it most right now. Thank you!
Summer Camps
Summer camp with our very own Ms. Blaise!
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