Author: Andy Slavin

Greetings!
I hope the weekend was good! We’re just days away from Spring Break, always a great time of the year!

A very BIG Happy 5oth Birthday to our very own Brian on Wednesday!

A few notes to get you rolling…
1) Conversations this week! Please take a look at your sign up sheet and see who hasn’t signed up-let’s reach out to families. This is such an important part of our relationships with parents and sometimes a little nudge can help.

2) Make sure it’s on your calendar: Lockdown Drill on Tuesday (31st) after the break-9:00am. Please take time on that Monday to chat with your class and practice.

3) At our April 1 SIW we’ll dive back into our book study–be on the lookout for more info soon. We’ll also have a Staff Meeting on that Wednesday as part of SIW–it’s been a while since we had a nuts and bolts meeting.

4) Author and musician Dennis McGregor will be here on April 2 to entertain K-2. 9:45-10:40am.

5) Reminder that Child Abuse Prevention lessons need to be completed by the end of April. Please remember to notify parents about when you plan to teach the lessons. I’ll resend the link to the lessons in a separate email.

6) Bree from BEAT will be working with Grades 3-5 during Enrichment starting April 3.

Upcoming
March 18-19: Conversations
March 20-No School
March 23-27: Spring Break
March 31: Lockdown Drill, 9am
April 2: Dennis McGregor visits K-2, 9:45am
April 23: Grade 5 to Benham East
April 29: Kinder Outdoor Ed
May 2: Auction
May 7: Grade 2 to Fall River Tubes
May 8: Grade 1 to Bentham East
May 12: Grade 3 to Caldera Arts

Here’s to a great week ahead!
Andy

Howdy all!
Hoping you had a fantastic weekend-incredible weather! Michelle and I actually dusted off our boats and paddled a bit on Saturday–glorious!

Sara returns to full time this week–yahoo!! Brian returns half time starting on Wednesday, it will be great to have him back in the building! Massive shout out to Sid and Brad for helping us keep it all together!

A few notes to get you rolling…
1) Links for Conversations went out last week to all families with multiple kiddos at Amity. You are now free to send yours out to all your families.

2) We have our annual Lottery Info night this Wednesday from 5-6pm. As noted last week, we’ll meet on Wednesday at 1:30pm to go over the plan.

3) SIW this week is a TWD.

4) Cafe Amity this week, Grade 4 Hosts

5) Child Abuse Prevention lessons (for Erin’s Law) need to be completed by the end of April. I will be sending a general note about the lessons to parents first thing Monday and want to give folks a few days to explore the curriculum link and/or contact us with questions/concerns. If you want to start later in the week you are welcome to do so, but we don’t want to do any lessons next week prior to Conversations just in case we have a situation where a kiddo reports something as we want time to follow up if needed. Otherwise, let’s go full steam ahead right after Spring Break. Please be sure to use your weekly note to share lesson dates with your families.

6) We need to have both a Fire/Earthquake drill and Lockdown drill in March:
*This Friday, March 13-Fire/Earthquake Drill at 10:30am
*Tuesday, March 31-Lockdown Drill at 9am

7) The district admin has shared the following for teachers related to upcoming Conversations.

If a family requests a Teams meeting or phone format for their conference, please honor this request.  Here are some details for you and the why behind it:

• A family might request a modified format due to illness, lack of transportation, lack of safety being in public spaces right now, or other personal reasons, like vacation.  Families are not required to disclose personal details of their circumstances in order to access a phone or virtual option. 
  
• Our expectation is that all families are assigned a conference time during the scheduled conference window.  Most will have in-person meetings.  If, according to the above reasons, a family requests a modified format (phone call or a Teams meeting), then that should be honored during the scheduled time. 

• Teachers are not expected to reschedule conferences for families on vacation who don’t make the scheduled time by phone or in a Teams meeting. They can send home conference information to the family on their return, and if the family has any questions, may reach out to ask clarifying questions of the teacher. 

If you feel a family is making an unreasonable request or the request unfairly burdens your time, contact your admin team for support.

8) Reminder, here at the dates for Outdoor Ed Trips. Patti is working on buses and trip slips:
Kinder –  half day walking field trip – April 29th
Grade 1 to Benham East Day Use Area – May 8th
Grade 2 to Fall River Tubes in La Pine State Park – May 7th
Grade 3 to Caldera near the Link Creek Campground – May 12th
Grade 4 to Riley Ranch – May 19th
Grade 5 to Benham East Day Use Area – April 23rd

Upcoming
March 11: Cafe Amity, Grade 4 hosts
March 11: Lottery Info Meeting, 5-6pm
March 13: Fire/Earthquake Drill, 10:30am
March 18-19: Conversations
March 20-No School
March 23-27: Spring Break
March 31: Lockdown Drill, 9am
April 23: Grade 5 to Benham East
April 29: Kinder Outdoor Ed
May 2-Auction
May 7: Grade 2 to Fall River Tubes
May 8: Grade 1 to Bentham East
May 12: Grade 3 to Caldera Arts

Here’s to a great week ahead!
Andy

Yikes, it’s already March! It’s getting light earlier and the days are getting longer, and I’m not complaining! I got out to the Metolius over the weekend and it was spectacular as always!

The Variety Show was once again a massive success. I have heard so many positive comments from so many parents, all as impressed with the team’s ability to make the magic happen as they were with the kids performances! You all were so amazing in supporting the kiddos, and doing whatever it took to make things happen–a huge thank you to all of you!

Now that Variety Show season is behind us, I think this is a good time to slow down a bit, take some time to reconnect with your classes, and get back into our normal rhythms. This is also a good time to remind kiddos about our expectations in terms of taking care of themselves, taking care of each other, and taking care of this place. I think with all the excitement of the Variety Show things can go a little sideways and we see behaviors that we don’t usually see. As we know, being out of our normal routines can cause a lot of dysregulation for the kids (and us!), and from all that we have been learning this year, we know our neurodivergent kiddos are especially impacted. So, let’s take some deep breathes, slow down a bit, and reconnect.

A few notes to get you rolling…
1) New Theme for March: Collaboration
Hallway bulletin board: Lauren

2) Staff Appreciation Breakfast on Tuesday starting at 7am. Hoping everyone will take a few minutes to enjoy some breakfast!

3) With Conversations on the horizon it’s time to get your sign up link ready to go. I need each of you to send me your link by Wednesday of this week so that we can get all the links out to families who have more than one kiddo at Amity. Thanks! Next Monday you can send out your link to your families.

4) Student Success Meetings this Wednesday. I sent you all an email with a link to the Google doc prep forms, and the schedule. Here is the schedule again just in case:
8:45-9:15-Lauren/Sara
9:45-10:15-Lindsey
10:15-10:45-Frans
11:45-12:15-Brian
12:15-12:45-Amanda

5) SIW this week is Educator Network, be sure to sign up.

6) Just a few friendly reminders:
*It’s really important to get to your afternoon recess duty on time. There have been times in the last few weeks where there was only 1 adult by themselves for a few minutes with 140+ kiddos. Please make this a priority and give yourself a few extra minutes of getting ready on your duty days.

*Please remember to lock your doors during lunch recess time, and any time you are on duty.

7) Lottery info night is next Wednesday, March 11 at 5pm. SIW that day is a teacher work day–normally I wouldn’t ask you for anything on a TWD, but I’d to meet for 15-20 minutes to talk about the info night. Let’s meet at 1:30pm in Brian’s room. Thanks!

8) FYI, here at the dates for Outdoor Ed Trips. Patti is working on buses and trip slips:
Kinder –  half day walking field trip – April 29th
Grade 1 to Benham East Day Use Area – May 8th
Grade 2 to Fall River Tubes in La Pine State Park – May 7th
Grade 3 to Caldera near the Link Creek Campground – May 12th
Grade 4 to Riley Ranch – May 19th
Grade 5 to Benham East Day Use Area – April 23rd

9) I have an Admin meeting on Tuesday, so I’ll be taking off around 2:45pm.

Upcoming
March 4: Student Success Meetings, Brad will cover
March 18-19: Conversations
March 20-No School
March 23-27: Spring Break
April 23: Grade 5 to Benham East
April 29: Kinder Outdoor Ed
May 2-Auction
May 7: Grade 2 to Fall River Tubes
May 8: Grade 1 to Bentham East
May 12: Grade 3 to Caldera Arts

Here’s to a great week ahead!
Andy

Happy Monday!
I hope the weekend was rejuvinating! The last few weeks of rehearsals have been nutty as usual–highs and lows for sure, so I hope you were able to relax and enjoy the weekend! It’s full steam ahead to the show on Wednesday-what you do to make this happen is truly special!

A few notes to get you rolling…
1) Dress rehearsal on Monday after Community Time. Let’s shoot for 8:10am–have students bring their chairs and props with them.

2) Cafe Amity on Wednesday, Grade 3 hosts.

3) We’ll head over to Caldera around 2:45 on Wednesday to drop off props (risers are being delivered this year!) and get the lay of the land. After that you’ll have a little time to grab a bite to eat, take a walk, or take a nap in your car 🙃. Doors open at 5:30pm, show starts on time at 6pm-I’m excited!

4) Football…after all the thoughtful pleas, how can I say no?! I plan to bring football back but only once per week, and only at lunch recess on Fridays. We’ll start this week and see how things go. Olders only for now.

5) Student Success Meetings are on March 4. I’ll send out a schedule and the prep form later in the week.

6) Upcoming: Erin’s Law, child abuse prevention. Nothing to worry about quite yet, just a heads up that we will start the lessons in March. If you are wanting to get a look at the lessons here’s the link: Barbara Sinatra Foundation. I’ll circle back on this soon. If you think you may want support from Kelsey with delivering the lessons please reach out to her soon so she can start blocking time in her schedule.

7) Upcoming: Conversations are coming up March 18 and 19. I want to be very intentional about sending out sign up links to families with multiple children at Amity first, so please don’t send out anything until I’ve done that. I’ll check in with everyone soon to get your sign up link. Thanks, just don’t want to miss this again!

Upcoming
February 23: Dress rehearsal
February 25-Variety Show, 5:30 doors open with show at 6pm
March 4: Student Success Meetings, Brad will cover
March 18-19: Conversations
March 20-No School
March 23-27: Spring Break
May 2-Auction

Here’s to a great week ahead!
Andy

Hey All,
I hope you had an amazing 3 day weekend! I got over to Corvallis to meet my new granddaughter Zara Magnolia (adorable!) and spend time with my other grandkiddos and kids. It was a really great weekend!

A few notes to get you rolling…
1) Variety Show rehearsals continue this week-1:35-2:05 on Tues/Thursday, 11:45-12:30 on Wednesday. On Thursday we’d like to get groups up on stage to practice, especially the skit groups. On Friday, Brad will be here to cover classes so teachers can work with groups as needed.

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

3) On Tuesday, Grade 4 is heading to High Desert Museum as part of their EL unit on Animal Defenses.

4) Thursday is the 100th day of school! (At least according the master calendar in the office).

5) Bread and Jam on Friday.

6) Future, just getting the seed planted-we have a small group of parents who are working to create some crossing flags for the intersection of Wall and St Helens. They’d like to get kiddos involved and would like to host an Invitation for this on March 2, March 5, and March 9.

Upcoming
February 23: Dress rehearsal
February 25-Variety Show, 5:30 doors open with show at 6pm
March 4: Student Success Meetings, Brad will cover
March 18-19: Conversations
March 23-27: Spring Break (Aloha Lindsey!)
May 2-Auction

Here’s to a great week ahead!
Andy

Hola amigos y amigas!
I hope the weekend treated you right, and that you’re feeling ready for an exciting week!

A few notes to get you going:
1) Variety Show rehearsals begin Monday and continue through Thursday. I’d like to slightly adjust the time for Monday/Tuesday/Thursday to 1:35-2:05pm. Wednesday is at 11:45-12:30. I’ve been working on populating the spreadsheet using the planning forms I have collected so we can have a decent idea of where everyone should be. Let’s be sure to collect any remaining forms first thing Monday! A few date reminders:
February 12: Script must be locked in–only small changes after this time, students may not re-write the script.
February 20: Sub coverage so that teachers can pull students who may need extra support with their act.
February 23: Dress rehearsal.  All costumes and props are to be brought for this rehearsal

2) Cafe Amity on Wednesday, hosted by Grade 2. Proceeds from this week’s cafe will be donated to UNICEF! This is tied to Grades 2’s EL unit.

3) SIW this week is in house again. We’ll get together for an hour or so and then you’ll have the rest of the time to get other work done.

4) Reminder:Looking for folks to a committee to follow up on the work we did a few weeks ago regarding progress reporting-this Thursday, February 12 from 2:30-3:15. Hoping at least of few of you can make it! Please let me know if you plan to join so I am not sitting alone in the dark waiting…

Upcoming
February 12: Reporting committee meeting, 2:45-3:15pm
February 25-Variety Show, 5:30 doors open with show at 6pm
March 18-19: Conversations
March 23-27: Spring Break (Aloha Lindsey!)
May 2-Auction

Here’s to a great week ahead!
Andy

Hey All,
I can’t believe it’s February and we’re already half way through the year! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I know we’re all sending big love to Sara today and hoping for a speedy recovery!

Big thanks for the productive discussion about reporting on Friday, I’m feeling positive about the direction things are headed.

A few notes to get you rolling…
1) Variety Show launches today at 1:30 in the gym. Some important dates:
February 2-6: Planning week of all acts-what is the act, who’s in the act, what music and props will you need?
February 6: Must submit form for approval no later than this date, preferably sooner.  We will keep a central document of all acts–link will be sent to you.
February 12: Script must be locked in–only small changes after this time, students may not re-write the script.
February 20: Sub coverage so that teachers can pull students who may need extra support with their act.
February 23: Dress rehearsal.  All costumes and props are to be brought for this rehearsal

2) SIW this week–we dive back into our Neurodiversity learning. If you haven’t already read Sara’s email from last week, please do so!

3) Camp Amity on Thursday! Forecasted weather says it supposed to be a high of 60! Warmest Winter Camp Amity ever!

4) After the scorching hot day at Shevlin on Thursday, there is a staff gathering after school at Dogwood at The Pine Shed. Hoping many of you can join! Starting at 3:30pm.

5) Bread and Jam on Friday

6) Looking for folks to join my committee to follow up on the work we did on Friday. I’m proposing Thursday, February 12 from 2:30-3:15. Hoping at least of few of you can make it! Please let me know if you plan to join so I am not sitting alone in the dark waiting…

7) I’ll be out Friday, as will Frans and Ray. Brian is covering my duties.

Upcoming
February 2-6: Variety Show launch and planning week
February 5: Camp Amity!
February 5: Staff gathering, 3:30pm
February 12: Reporting committee meeting, 2:45-3:15pm
February 25-Variety Show, 5:30 doors open with show at 6pm
May 2-Auction

Here’s to a great week ahead!
Andy

Hey All,
I hope you had a fantastic weekend! We have 4 days with kiddos this week and then a work day on Friday.

A few notes to get you rolling…

1) Grades 3/4/5 have a special make-up Enrichment with Matthew on Monday:
8:15-9:15 3rd
9:45-10:45 5th
11:45-12:45 4th

2) Teacher Collaboration Time on Tuesday, 2:30-3:15. We’ll begin a discussion of standards-based reporting.

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

4) Cafe Amity on Wednesday, Grade 5 hosts.

5) ROAR and mClass assessments must be completed by February 4. Please email me when you are done with both. Thanks!

6) No School on Friday for students. As previously noted:
AM-(between 8am and noon) You will have the morning to connect with 3-5 families of students who have been receiving some extra support–whether from you or Sara and/or Haley. This is a time to check in and give families an update on progress. You can do this in person, by video, or by phone. Please reach out to families ASAP to schedule these meetings as many of them are likely making plans for the 3 day weekend.
PM-(1-3pm) We will be discussing standards-based reporting, and this will be a continuation of something we start at our Teacher Collaboration Time on Tuesday of this week.

Other SIWs/Meetings for January:
27th-Teacher Collaboration Time (2:30-3:15)
28th-Teacher Work Day
30th-No School, teacher work day

Upcoming
January 27: Teacher Collaboration Time
January 28: Cafe Amity, Grade 5 hosts
January 30: No students, work day
February 2-6: Variety Show launch and planning week
February 5: Camp Amity!
February 25-Variety Show, 5:30 doors open with show at 6pm
May 2-Auction

Here’s to a great week ahead!
Andy

School-wide theme: Integrity and Responsibility

Hey All,
I hope you had an amazing 3 day weekend! I had a great weekend in Portland with two really good friends, and had a beautiful drive home by Mt Hood and over Government Pass.

A few notes to get you going…
1) DIBELS Tuesday! This will be all of K-2 and only selected kiddos in Grades 3-5.

2) As a reminder, mid-year ROAR and mClass assessments need to be completed by February 4. Let me know if you need help.

3) SIW this week is Educator Network–be sure you have signed up.

4) Fire Drill this Thursday at 10:35am.

5) Youth Truth: Thanks to all of you for taking the survey-we are at 100%. Much appreciated!

6) January 30th plan:
AM-(between 8am and noon) You will have the morning to connect with 3-5 families of students who have been receiving some extra support–whether from you or Sara and/or Haley. This is a time to check in and give families an update on progress. You can do this in person, by video, or by phone. Please reach out to families ASAP to schedule these meetings as many of them are likely making plans for the 3 day weekend.
PM-(1-3pm) We will be discussing standards-based reporting, and this will be a continuation of something we start at our Teacher Collaboration Time on Tuesday of that week.

7) I’ll be leaving early on Tuesday and Thursday to get to admin meetings. As always I’ll be available by text if needed.

Other SIWs/Meetings for January:
21st-Educator Network
27th-Teacher Collaboration Time (2:30-3:15)
28th-Teacher Work Day
30th-No School, teacher work day

Upcoming
January 20: DIBELS
January 22: Fire Drill at 10:35
January 27: Teacher Collaboration Time
January 30: No students, work day
February 2-6: Variety Show launch and planning week
February 5: Camp Amity!
February 25-Variety Show, 5:30 doors open with show at 6pm
May 2-Auction

Here’s to a great, short week ahead!
Andy

Hey All!
I hope the weekend treated you well and that you were able to get out and play a bit. I skied into Todd Lake from Dutchman for the first time-oh my! Can’t wait to go back!

A few notes to get you going…
1) It’s time for the Winter ROAR Assessment–you can start any time. As you will recall, this is available on student’s iPads. Note: K/1 should be waiting for some info from the district as there were issues with those assessments.

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

3) Cafe Amity this week, Kinder hosts.

4) Visiting artists start this week during Enrichment: Bree Beal will be working with Kinder, Grade 1, and Grade 2; Matthew Gwinup will be working with Grades 3-5

5) I know some of you are curious what we’ll be doing on the January 30th Teacher Work Day, so I wanted to give you a little info. We’ll be focussed on 2 things: 1) connecting with 3 to 5 families as a mid-point check in between our October and March Conversations–more details coming in an email soon; 2) exploring a shift to standards-based reporting and what that could look like for Amity in the future–also more details coming soon. We’ll also check in about the launch of the Variety Show.

6) I’ll be away from school on Friday–Brian and Brad will be covering for me.

Other SIWs/Meetings for January:
21st-Educator Network
27th-Teacher Collaboration Time (2:30-3:15)
28th-Teacher Work Day
30th-No School, teacher work day

Upcoming
January 14: Cafe Amity, Kinder hosts
January 19: No School in honor MLK–what do you plan to share about MLK with your class?
January 20: DIBELS
January 27: Teacher Collaboration Time
January 30: No students, work day
February 2-6: Variety Show launch and planning week
February 5: Camp Amity!
February 25-Variety Show
May 2-Auction

Here’s to a great week ahead!
Andy