Author: Andy Slavin

Greetings All!
I hope you had an amazing weekend! I spent the weekend getting my dad moved into assisted living, a good move but a difficult one! Glad I was there to support him as he settles in.

On this same subject, I have to acknowledge that I’ve been quite distracted over the last few months as I have tried to help my folks navigate a very challenging moment in their lives. I apologize if I’ve missed things, not been fully available to you when you may have needed me, and just generally for not being 100% here. And, I appreciate the understanding and support you have shown me. This is a new phase in my life and one that is weighing heavy on me. I am hopeful now that my dad will be in a safe and supportive place, with my mom joining him in a few months, that I can go about my days with a little less of a heavy heart.

1) Thanks to the 10 out of 12 of you have taken the YouthTruth Survey!  The survey closes on Friday and we’re shutting for 100% participation! Here is the link if you haven’t done it yet:ytsurvey.org/acestaff25. 

2) Teacher Collaboration on Tuesday, 2:30-3:15pm. I’ve asked Brian and Sara to lead these meetings.

3) SIW this week is a Teacher Work Day–enjoy the time!

4) Cafe Amity on Wednesday, Grade 5 hosts

5) No kiddos this Friday–we have parent Conversations. I hope you have heard back from each of the families you invited! Need help getting ahold of a particular family? Please let me know and I can help!

6) Student Success Meetings on February 12–schedule coming soon.

7) New school wide performance date: February 13 at Community Time

January–Feb and March dates below

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
		1 Break	2 Break	3 Break
6	7	8 SIW in house, Lori presenting	9	10 Andy out, Brad here Bread and Jam
13 TAG ICCL Mtg	14 ICCL Mtg, in house	15 Cafe Amity, Kinder hosts SIW-Ed Network	16	17 Earthquake/ Fire Drill 9am
20 No School	21 Staff Meeting	22 SIW-Ed network follow up	23	24 Bread and Jam Andy out
27	28 Teacher Collaboration 2:30-3:15pm	29 Cafe Amity, Grade 5 hosts SIW-TWD	30 31 Teacher work day, Parent Mtgs

Upcoming (for Feb and March)
February 5: DIBELS
February 6: Winter Camp Amity!
February 7: Bread and jam
February 12: Cafe Amity, Grade 4 hosts
February 13: Grade 4 and 5 to Bend Science Station
February 14: Kinder to Bend Science Station
February 17: No School, President’s Day
February 18: Grade 3 to Bend Science Station
February 20: Grade 1 and 2 to Bend Science Station
February 26: Variety Show
March 5: Lottery Info Night
March 15: Auction
March 24-28: Spring Break

Hey Team,
I hope the long weekend was fantastic! I got over to the valley to see my daughter and her amazing little family and had the best time! There is incredible joy in being both a father and a grandfather, and being a grandfather is truly a “grand” thing! We had a beautiful morning on Sunday…

I shared this last year when Integrity was the school wide theme–just thought I’d share it again because I like it so much!

1) 8 out of 12 of you have taken the YouthTruth Survey (closes in at the end of the month)–thanks to these folks! As I mentioned in a recent email, our goal is 100% participation! Here is the link if you haven’t done it yet:ytsurvey.org/acestaff25. PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY, it is very helpful to get the feedback! If you are not able to get to this before next Tuesday’s Staff Meeting I will leave some time at the end of that meeting to give you an opportunity to do it.

2) Staff Meeting Tuesday at 2:30pm. Main topic is the Variety Show. Brian’s room. Add to the agenda here.

3) SIW this week is Educator Network–it’s a follow up planning day.

4) Our visiting artist Bree Beal was out sick with COVID last week so things are getting pushed back by a week. I’m still sorting out catch up sessions and the final performance date–I’ll update you soon!

5) How is the scheduling going for midyear Conversations on January 31st and February 5th? If you are having a difficult time connecting with particular families please let me know and I’m happy to make the connections.

6) I’ve had to adjust the hallway decoration rotation–here’s the new schedule:
January: Brian
February: Frans
March: Amanda
April: Lauren
May: Lindsey
June: Gina/Ray

7) Looking ahead, our theme next month is Kindness. Just putting it out there as you start to look towards February and possibly Valentine’s Day–as many of you have done in the past this could be good time to start framing that day as one of Kindness and Friendship.

8) I’ll be gone on Friday, Brad will be here to cover.

Here’s to a great week ahead!
Andy

January

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
		1 Break	2 Break	3 Break
6	7	8 SIW in house, Lori presenting	9	10 Andy out, Brad here Bread and Jam
13 TAG ICCL Mtg	14 ICCL Mtg, in house	15 Cafe Amity, Kinder hosts SIW-Ed Network	16	17 Earthquake/ Fire Drill 9am
20 No School	21 Staff Meeting	22 SIW-Ed network follow up	23	24 Bread and Jam Andy out
27	28 Teacher Collaboration 2:30-3:15pm	29 Cafe Amity, Grade 5 hosts SIW-TWD	30 31 Teacher work day, Parent Mtgs

Upcoming (for Feb and March)
February 5: DIBELS
February 6: Winter Camp Amity!
February 7: Bread and jam
February 12: Cafe Amity, Grade 4 hosts
February 13: Grade 4 and 5 to Bend Science Station
February 14: Kinder to Bend Science Station
February 17: No School, President’s Day
February 18: Grade 3 to Bend Science Station
February 20: Grade 1 and 2 to Bend Science Station
February 26: Variety Show
March 5: Lottery Info Night
March 15: Auction
March 24-28: Spring Break

School-wide theme: Integrity and Responsibility

Hey All,
I hope you had a fantastic weekend! As you know my adventure to Vegas didn’t work out at the end of last week, but I had a good weekend nonetheless–it’s hard to have a bad weekend in Central Oregon!

A few notes to get you rolling:
1) Cafe Amity on Wednesday, hosted by Kinder

2) SIW this week is Educator Network. After the training we can chat about the Variety Show. 1pm in Brian’s room.

3) Fire/Earthquake drill on Friday at 9am. Drop and cover first, then fire drill.

4) Bree Beal from Beat Theater is here for the next few weeks during Enrichment. She’ll be working towards a final show that incorporates all the classes! We will do this at Community Time on Wednesday, Jan 29. With Cafe that day, and the entire school performing, plan on CT running late. Big thanks to Amanda for freeing up CT that day! This will be a really fun community-wide event!

5) I sent a note out a note to parents last week about midyear Conversations on January 31st and February 5th. Please be sure you are reaching out to parents this week to notify them that you’d like to meet. Please remember we are aiming to meet with 8-10 families.

6) Reminder–New Buddies start this week (now till February 14):
K/3rd
1st/2nd
4th/5th

Here’s to a great week!
Andy

January (see below for Feb/March dates)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
		1 Break	2 Break	3 Break
6	7	8 SIW in house, Lori presenting	9	10 Andy out, Brad here Bread and Jam
13 TAG ICCL Mtg	14 ICCL Mtg, in house	15 Cafe Amity, Kinder hosts SIW-Ed Network	16	17 Earthquake/ Fire Drill 9am
20 No School	21 Staff Meeting	22 SIW-Ed network follow up	23	24 Bread and Jam
27	28 Teacher Collaboration 2:30-3:15pm	29 Cafe Amity, Grade 5 hosts All grades perform @ CT SIW-TWD	30 31 Teacher work day, Parent Mtgs

Upcoming (for Feb and March)
February 5: DIBELS
February 6: Winter Camp Amity!
February 7: Bread and jam
February 12: Cafe Amity, Grade 4 hosts
February 13: Grade 4 and 5 to Bend Science Station
February 14: Kinder to Bend Science Station
February 17: No School, President’s Day
February 18: Grade 3 to Bend Science Station
February 20: Grade 1 and 2 to Bend Science Station
February 26: Variety Show
March 5: Lottery Info Night
March 15: Auction
March 24-28: Spring Break

Howdy Everyone!
Happy 2025, I hope you had the best possible break! I’m looking forward to spending 2025 with you!

A HUGE thank you to Diane for hosting our holiday get together before the break, it was so much fun!

A few notes to get you off to a fresh start in 2025:
1) New School Wide theme for January: Integrity and Responsibility

2) New Buddies start this week (now till February 14):
K/3rd
1st/2nd
4th/5th

3) I have an admin meeting on Tuesday and will leave school around 2:40pm.

4) SIW is in house. Lori will be here to share some insights into your new EL science-based modules.

5) DIBLES has been moved to February 5.

6) Bree Beal from Beat Theater will be our visiting artist this month during Enrichment. She’ll do 3 sessions with each class in the coming weeks and then would like to be able to showcase the work at Community Time. I’ll work on the details this week.

7) Slow roll out…Variety Show date is February 26 at Caldera. We’ll chat soon about how we want the launch and rehearsals to look. Please have little chats amongst yourselves in the meantime.

8) I’ll be sending out a note to parents on Tuesday about midyear Conversations on January 31st and February 5th. Please be prepared to reach out to parents later this week or first thing next week to notify them that you’d like to meet. Please remember we are aiming to meet with 8-10 families.

9) I’ll be out this Friday–Brad will be here to cover.

Here’s to a great first week of the new year!
Andy

January (see below for upcoming Feb/March dates)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
		1 Break	2 Break	3 Break
6	7	8 SIW in house, Lori presenting	9	10 Andy out, Brad here Bread and Jam
13 TAG ICCL Mtg	14 ICCL Mtg, in house	15 Cafe Amity, Kinder hosts SIW-Ed Network	16	17 Earthquake/ Fire Drill 9am
20 No School	21 Staff Meeting	22 SIW-Ed network follow up	23	24 Bread and Jam
27	28 Teacher Collaboration 2:30-3:15pm	29 Cafe Amity, Grade 5 hosts SIW-TWD	30 31 Teacher work day, Parent Mtgs

Upcoming (for Feb and March)
February 5: DIBELS
February 6: Winter Camp Amity!
February 7: Bread and jam
February 12: Cafe Amity, Grade 4 hosts
February 13: Grade 4 and 5 to Bend Science Station
February 14: Kinder to Bend Science Station
February 17: No School, President’s Day
February 18: Grade 3 to Bend Science Station
February 20: Grade 1 and 2 to Bend Science Station
February 26: Variety Show
March 5: Lottery Info Night
March 15: Auction
March 24-28: Spring Break

Hello Team.
It’s the last Monday AM Notes of 2024-we made it to the week before break! Let’s enjoy the week!

A few notes to get you rolling:
1) SIW this week is in house–please be on the lookout for an email related to this and please read it as soon as you get it so you can have some think time about the subject.

2) Fire Drill on Wednesday at 10:30am.

3) Holiday gathering is scheduled for Friday starting at 3:30pm at Diane’s house (thank you Diane!!!). Bring a beverage, tacos from El Sancho provided. You should have received an email last Friday with details.

4) I will be leaving school around 1pm on Tuesday.

That’s it, short and sweet! Here’s to a great week ahead.
Andy

December

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
2	3 Playground Mtg-2:30pm	4 SIW in house	5	6 Bread and Jam
9	10	11 Cafe Amity- Gr 1 SIW-TWD	12	13
16	17	18 Fire Drill, 10:30 SIW in house	19	20 Holiday Gathering@Diane’s 3:30pm
23 Break!	24 Break!	25 Break!	26 Break!	27 Break!
30 Break!	31 Break!	1 Break!	2 Break!

January

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
	3 Playground Mtg-2:30pm	1 Break	2 Break	3 Break
6	7	8 SIW in house, Lori presenting	9	10 Andy out, Brad here
13 ICCL Mtg, in house	14	15 Cafe Amity, Kinder hosts Fire Drill, 10:30 SIW-Ed Network	16	17 Fire/ Earthquake drill, 9am
20 No School	21 Staff Meeting	22 SIW-EN follow up	23	24
27	28 Teacher Collaboration 2:30-3:15pm	29 DIBELS SIW-TWD	30 31 Teacher work day, Parent meetings?

Hey Team.
Wow, I can’t believe we’re this far into the school year with just 2 weeks until Winter Break! Let’s enjoy these next few weeks and head into the break feeling good!

A few notes to get you rolling:
1) Just FYI, my bosses, Tammy and Karen (newly hired), will be here on Tuesday morning.

2) Brian, Sara, and I have a district ICCL meeting on Tuesday so we’ll be headed out around 2:30pm.

3) Cafe Amity on Wednesday hosted by Grade 1.

4) Originally we had a Fire Drill scheduled for this Wednesday but I’ve moved it to next Wednesday at 10:30am.

5) SIW this week is a Teacher Work Day–enjoy the time! I’ll be headed out to an admin meeting around 2:45pm.

6) Holiday gathering is scheduled for Friday, December 20 starting at 3:30pm at Diane’s house (thank you Diane!!!). Bring a beverage, tacos from El Sancho provided.

Here’s to a great week ahead!
Andy

December

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
2	3 Playground Mtg-2:30pm	4 SIW in house	5	6 Bread and Jam
9	10	11 Cafe Amity- Gr 1 SIW-TWD	12	13
16	17	18 Fire Drill, 10:30 SIW in house	19	20 Holiday Gathering@Diane’s 3:30pm
23 Break!	24 Break!	25 Break!	26 Break!	27 Break!
30 Break!	31 Break!	1 Break!	2 Break!

School wide theme: Belonging (continuation)

Hello Team!
I hope you had a fantastic break and that you are recharged and ready for the gap in between breaks! I look forward to seeing you all and hearing about your break.

A few notes to get you rolling:
1) As mentioned a few weeks back, Lindsey and I will be working with some parents on creating some enhancements for the playground. Our first meeting is Tuesday (3rd) at 2:30pm. Please join us if you have interest in this!

2) Morning Choice Time additions. Several of you have volunteered to keep your room open once per week during Morning Choice Time–below is the schedule, which we will also post around school. Please share this with your classes before Choice Time on Monday. Thanks y’all!

Monday	3rd	5th
Tuesday	3rd	Wolf Den (Gina)
Wednesday	3rd	4th
Thursday	3rd	Wolf Den (Sara)
Friday	3rd	Running Club!

3) SIW this week is in house–agenda coming soon.

4) Bread and Jam on Friday

5) We are still in need of 2 more staff members to be re-certified in 1st aid. It’s part on line, part in person. I plan to be one of the two, anyone else? Please!

6) Holiday gathering is scheduled for Friday, December 20 starting at 3:30pm at Diane’s house (thank you Diane!!!). Bring a beverage, tacos from El Sancho provided.

Here’s to a great week ahead!
Andy

December

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
2	3 Playground Mtg-2:30pm	4 SIW in house	5	6 Bread and Jam
9	10	11 Cafe Amity- Gr 1 SIW-TWD	12	13
16	17	18 Fire Drill, 10:30 SIW in house	19	20 Holiday Gathering@Diane’s 3:30pm
23 Break!	24 Break!	25 Break!	26 Break!	27 Break!
30 Break!	31 Break!	1 Break!	2 Break!

Howdy Team!
It’s hard to believe, but we’ve already arrived at the week before Thanksgiving Break! The last few weeks have been filled with fun, but have also been somewhat challenging, so I know we’re all really looking forward to a little break! Hang in there, it’s five days away!

With rain in the forecast this week, please take time to talk with your kiddos about rainy day things they can do in your room during lunch recess should we need to stay in. If the kiddos have this information it makes supervising multiple classes a lot easier. Thanks!

A few notes to get you rolling:
1) I’ve hope by now you’ve seen the email I sent to you (teachers) regarding signing up for a time slot on Monday for Libby and me to visit your classroom to chat about bathroom etiquette and safety. Last week we received a Bias Incident report related to safety in the bathroom and I’m sure we all want to find an age appropriate way to address this with students. We have a student who is feeling unsafe in the bathroom and it’s vital that we do all we can to make it feel safer. Please sign up ASAP. Thanks for your support with this!

2) I have something I’d like everyone to consider related to Choice Time. With the dropping temperatures, more and more students are wanting an option other than outside. As you know, at this time (on most days) we only have one room available for students to hang out in. This is a timely issue for 2 reasons: 1) It feels like we are moving further and further away from kids having a choice during the AM and PM breaks; 2) we have more kids on the playground, and perhaps coincidently we seem to be trying to manage more and more challenging situations and negative behaviors. I strongly feel that kiddos need more choices during these times. Lindsey and I will soon be meeting with a group of parents to begin work on a play area in and around the garden which should help with creating more choices. In the meantime, can we consider doing some sort of rotation to have at least one more room available each day, particularly in the AM? Let’s check in on this on Wednesday at SIW.

3) Picture retakes are this Tuesday. Patti is on top of who will be participating in this.

4) Jammie Jam pledge sheets with money collected are due back by the end of this week. If they didn’t go home Friday please send them home Monday. I’ll be sending a note to parents as well.

5) SIW is in house with the second half being a Team Collaboration Time. I’ll send an agenda out soon.

6) Cafe Amity this Wednesday hosted by Grade 2.

7) Amity Eats is this Thursday at MOD Pizza. Please include this any communications you have with parents this week. These little fundraisers add up! Thanks.

8) Fire drill–10:35am on Thursday.

9) Please remember to upload your SLGGs into UKG as soon as possible. I sent you all a link to the SLGG folder the week before last.

Here’s to a great week before the break!
Andy

November

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
4 Andy out, Brad cover	5 Election…	6 Cafe Amity, Gr 3SIW: School based	7	8
11 Veteran’s Day NO SCHOOL	12	13 BINGO Night 5:30-7pmSIW: Teacher Work Day	14 Dental Screen AMJammie Jam (afternoon)	15 Bread/Jam
18 	19 Picture retakes	20 Cafe Amity, Gr 2 SIW: School based	21 Fire drill, 10:35am Gr 1 Stone Soup	22 Gr 1 Stone Soup
25 Break!	26 Break!	27 Break!	28 Break!	29 Break! 
			

Hey All!
I hope you are having a wonderful 3 day weekend, I always love the extra day! We’ve got a busy and exciting week ahead with BINGO Night and Jammie Jam!

A few notes to get you rolling:
1) BINGO Night this Wednesday starting at 5:30. We’ll have some set up to do so it’d be great if everyone was at school no later than 5:15pm. Dinner (bring your own or get pizza at the event) is from 5:30-6pm, BINGO from 6-7pm.

2) Jammie Jam on Thursday (kids are encouraged to wear PJs, and you can, too)-this is a big fundraising event! Volunteers will do almost all the work, but may need you to help out a little bit during the event. Angela Spaid is coordinating everything and I’ll check in with her prior to the event to get the last minute details. Here’s the plan:
12:00-1:00 course design & set up by volunteers (outdoors if weather permits)
*We’ll skip afternoon Choice Time this day, as well as Gr 3 PE (Grade 4 and 5 may have to skip as well if we need to set up indoors. Game time decisions!)
1:00-1:25 (K-2nd grade run the course)
1:30-2:00 (3rd-5th grade run the course)
*You are welcome to bring your classes out to cheer others on if you like

Jammie Jam pledge sheets are due back by Wednesday this week, but we will of course take them any time! Volunteers will do all the monetary tallying and get pledge sheets and envelopes back to you to send home with students.

3) Staff Meeting Tuesday, 2:30pm in Brian’s room. I’ll send an agenda soon. One thing we’ll definitely talk about are “Theme Months” (Black History, Women’s History, Indigenous People’s Monty) and it would be great if you could do a little thinking about your position on such months.

4) SIW this week is a Teacher Work Day–enjoy! I will leave for a meeting around 2:30 that day.

5) Dental Screenings on Thursday AM. Parents have been asked to provide consent on a digital form–something new we are trying this year, we’ll see how it goes.

6) Reminder that Bias Lessons need to be completed by November 15. Please email when you are done. Thanks to those of you who have sent me an email!

7) Bread and Jam this Friday!

8) Please remember to upload your SLGGs into UKG as soon as possible. I sent you all a link to the SLGG folder last week.

9) Christine Bachtel is our visiting artist this month–she’s doing some ceramics with the classes. She started with a few classes last week. It’s good to have her around!

Lastly, I’ll be arriving a little late to school on Friday, likely around 8:30am. I’ll be available by text or phone if needed.

Here’s to a great, 4 day week ahead!
Andy

November

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
4 Andy out, Brad cover	5 Election…	6 Cafe Amity, Gr 3 SIW: School based	7	8
11 Veteran’s Day NO SCHOOL	12	13 BINGO Night 5:30-7pm SIW: Teacher Work Day	14 Dental Screen AM Jammie Jam (afternoon)	15 Bread/Jam
18 	19 Picture retakes	20 Cafe Amity, Gr 2 SIW: School based	21 Fire drill, 10:35am Gr 1 Stone Soup	22 Gr 1 Stone Soup
25 Break!	26 Break!	27 Break!	28 Break!	29 Break! 

Happy November Y’all (wow, already?!),
I hope you enjoyed the long weekend and that Conversations were fantastic! Please take a moment to reach out to any family (families) that either did not sign up for a Conversation or didn’t make it to the one they did sign up for.

A few notes to get the week rolling:
1) Reminder that I am out Monday, Brad will be here to support.

2) New school wide theme: Belonging!

3) New Buddies (until winter break): K/4, 1/3, 2/5

4) Student Success Meetings on Wednesday, Brad will cover your classes:
8:15-8:45 Ray
8:45-9:15 Lindsey
9:45-10:15 Amanda
10:15-10:45 Lauren
11:40-12:10 Brian
12:10-12:40 Frans

I shared the SSM folder with you last week–here’s the link in case you need it. Prep forms should be ready to go for the meetings on Wednesday.

5) Cafe Amity on Wednesday hosted by Grade 3

6) Reminder that Bias Lessons need to be completed by November 15. Please email when you are done. To date, I have received only 1 email.

7) Pledge sheets for Jammie Jam are going home Monday with a return date of November 13 (day before Jammie Jam). Please include something in
communications with parents. Thanks!

Lastly, I will be sending the following letter to parents on Monday. I am concerned about what things may look like post election and I am appealing to parents in hopes they can be supportive. Following the 2016 election (we were not at school in 2020) there were some uncomfortable moments at school (during celebrations–ugh!), and I’d like to try and keep the school free from the nasty political rhetoric that has been so ubiquitous. I would like us to consider more targeted celebrations on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at Community Time to avoid unnecessary controversy.

Amity Families,
Tomorrow, as it is every 4 years, is a significant day for our country.  The outcome of every election plays a crucial role in shaping the policies and decisions that directly impact all of us, and tomorrow’s election is no different.

The recent election season has unquestionably been a polarizing one, and it has certainly created some uncertainty and unease within our community at large. However, I firmly believe that by working together, we can navigate the post-election period with a high degree of integrity and respect. 

With the election coming tomorrow, I am kindly requesting your assistance in fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all of our students and families. Your support in promoting understanding and respect, regardless of political affiliation, will be instrumental in helping our school community remain free from the strong political emotions and rhetoric that have been present in our community and around the country.  As we know, children tend to repeat what they hear at home, so your words in the coming days and weeks will make a big difference.  Whether we agree or disagree about our political choices, the one thing I think we all agree on is that we want the best for our children.  Let’s all strive to be our best selves regardless of the outcome of the election, and continue to show our children what a respectful and healthy community looks like.  

In partnership,
Andy

November

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
4 Andy out, Brad cover	5 Election…	6 Cafe Amity, Gr 3	7	8
11 Veteran’s Day NO SCHOOL	12	13 BINGO Night 5:30-7pm	14 Jammie Jam (afternoon)	15 Dental Screening Bread/Jam
18 	19 Picture retakes	20 Cafe Amity, Gr 2	21 Fire drill, 10:35am Gr 1 Stone Soup	22 Gr 1 Stone Soup
25 Break!	26 Break!	27 Break!	28 Break!	29 Break!