MS Messenger
September 2
"Welcome, Sixth Graders!"
From Scott Hardister, Head of Middle School
I want to welcome each of you to the 2010-11 school year! The opening of school is full of potential, promise and aspiration for students, teachers, and parents. What better way to start the year than gathering together as a community around the Belltower; and I predict that many of you, like me, continue to have visions of a campus sized Aardvark tromping through the city.
Our closing chapel ended with Chaplain Craig asking students to think about their mission statement for the year. Each student then shared this mission statement with his/her neighbor. So, tonight, ask your child what their mission statement for this year is. It is likely that it will be one full of potential, promise, and aspiration. This is a great way to begin to support your middle schooler.
Yesterday was a wonderful start of school, and I look forward to the year ahead of us!
Parent Happenings
| Thursday, 09/02 | 8th grade trip meeting 7:00 PM, MS Commons |
| Monday, 09/06 | Labor Day: NO SCHOOL |
| Tuesday, 09/07 | 6th Grade Parent Partnership 8:00 - 11:30 AM, MS Commons |
| Wednesday, 09/08 | 7th Grade Parent Partnership 8:00 - 11:00 AM, MS Commons 8th Grade Parent Partnership 12:30 - 3:00 PM, MS Commons |
| Tuesday - Friday 09/14 - 09/17 |
7th Grade Fall Trips |
| Wednesday, 09/15 | FOESL Meeting 8:15 AM, Guild Room |
| Wednesday - Friday 09/15 - 09/17 |
6th & 8th Grade Fall Trips |
| Tuesday, 09/21 | Auction Committee Meeting 1:00 PM, Charlton Room |
| Wednesday, 09/22 | MS Picture Day |
| Thursday, 09/23 | MS Back to School Night 6:30 - 9:00 PM, MS Commons |
Please note that new or updated information to the Messenger each week will be marked *NEW* or "Updated" Here's what's new this week. Scroll below for details.
**New All School Handbook online Now
**All School Directory Update
** VCL changes Its name to PCL
** Fall Fencing information
** Friends of OES Library
**Auction Committee Meeting
** Vocal class for MSers who love to sing
** Come play in the MS Jazz band & Combo
New All School Handbook Online Now *New*
A downloadable PDF of the 2010-11 version of the OES All School Handbook is available on each division homepage, or click on the link below for instant access:
http://www.oes.edu/OES%20Handbook.pdf
All School Directory Update *New*
Your hardcopy of the new Directory will be available mid-September. Please use your parent portal to access any contact information you need before the printed directories arrive.
PRIVACY NOTICE
The OES All School Directory is for official School use, and for individual communication of a personal nature between members of the OES community. Use of the directory for any other purpose, including, but not limited to, reproducing and storing in a retrieval system by any means, electronic or mechanical, photocopying or using the addresses or other information contained in the directory (or PCR Parent Portal) for any private, commercial, or political mailing, is strictly prohibited.
How to Log in to the Parent Portal
Click on “Log in to OES” on the upper right corner of any page of the OES website. Click the green “Parents” button and then enter your username and password. If you have forgotten your password, you can request it there. If you have forgotten your username or don’t have a username and password, or if you have any questions about the Parent Portal, please contact registrar@oes.edu.
Class Supply Lists for 2010-11 School Year
VCL Changes Its Name to PCL *New*
Over the summer, the Volunteer Common Link (VCL) changed its name to Parent Community Link (PCL) to clarify the role of the organization and its association with the divisional PALs (Parent Association Links). The purpose of the PCL is to build community, coordinate volunteers, and enhance communication between parents and the school. Find out more about the Parent Community Link on the website. If you have any questions, please contact the PCL Chair, Jan Massaro.
Fall Fencing Information *New*
Join the OES Middle and Upper School Fencing team.We compete against other schools in the Interscholastic Fencing Tournament three times yearly. All equipment is provided. Check out fencing as an all year sport, Fall, Winter or Spring sport only. Fencing begins Monday, September 13th from 3:15 to 4:15 pm and will continue thereafter on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the SPARC Fencing Gym. If you have any questions, contact Coach Charles Randall 503-515-9245.
Friends of OES Library (FOESL) *New*
FOESL Meeting– September 15 at 8:05 a.m.
Friends of OES Library (FOESL) hopes everyone had a fabulous summer! We are looking forward to having our first meeting on Wednesday, September 15 at 8:05 a.m. Please come join FOESL in the Guild Room to discuss volunteering and Book Fair opportunities! Everyone is welcome and we are always excited to add friends to our special and fun-loving group! FOESL meets once a month, Wednesday mornings from about 8-9:30 a.m. If you have any questions, please contact the FOESL Co-Chairs: Diane Polscer (dpolscer@gordon-polscer.com <mailto:dpolscer@gordon-polscer.com> ) or Kim Bissell (kim_bissell@msn.com <mailto:kim_bissell@msn.com> ).
Auction Committee Meeting *New*
Tuesday, September 21, 1:00 pm in the Charlton Room
Everyone is welcome to our auction planning sessions. Join the fun and help make plans for our April 2, 2011 auction. We hope to see you there!
Can’t make the meeting, but you want to help? Email auction@oes.edu or call 503.416.9374
A Vocal Class for MS Students who love to Sing *New*
Wendy Steele (vocal coach and director) will be offering The Art of Singing: Group Voice Class for MS students on Wednesdays from 3:00-3:45pm.
Check the Musical Groups webpage for more info: http://www.oes.edu/afterschool/groups.htm
Come Play in the MS Jazz Band & Combo *New*
All interested MS Band students who have had at least one semester of Band are invited to meet after school on Wednesday, Sept. 22 & Friday, Sept 24th in the Scott House Rm 11.
The MS JAZZ BAND (Dan Presley, director (presleyd@oes.edu) will be meeting Monday mornings (7am – 7:50), Wednesdays (3:00-3:45pm) and Fridays (3:00-3:45pm this year in Scott House Rm 11. Concurrent participation in Concert Band during the school day is required.
MS JAZZ COMBO will meet on Thursdays after school from 3:00-3:45.
For more information, please contact Dan Presley, director (presleyd@oes.edu).
Books and Breakfast (details to follow)
As part of Books and Breakfast series hosted by the Community Diversity Committee, we will be reading and discussing the following two books during this school year. More books will be announced during the year.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
It is about African American maids working in white households in Jackson, Mississippi during the early 1960s. The stories of three maids intertwine to explain how life in Jackson, Mississippi revolves around "the help"; yet they are always kept at a certain distance because of racial lines.
My Abandonment by Peter Rocks
My Abandonment is inspired by the true story of a veteran and his daughter who lived undiscovered for four years in a tarp-covered, wood-framed structure in Portland's Forest Park.
Contact info for the Community Diversity Link Committee
Co-Chairs:
503.961.2731
and
503.936.2383
To submit information for the MS Messenger, please email in the Middle School office by Monday, for inclusion in that week's Messenger.