About OES
  April 9, 2010      Vol. 5, No. 28  
 
  How Does Our
Garden Grow?

With Butterflies and Beans, Pizza Slice Plots, Muddy Boots and Big, Fat Worms

Beginning School students were up to their ankles in mud this week as they dug up a grassy area to create a garden. The garden was designed especially for Beginning School children, which means it will be a FUN garden: A round "Pizza Garden" in which each slice will be a different kind of plant, a butterfly garden, a sunflower house, and a beanpole teepee are among the features. Work on the garden is moving slowly because digging must stop every time a big fat earthworm is sighted, but thanks to a little help from their parents, the kids will surely get it finished.
                 
Above, several girls confer on removal of a worm from the pizza plot. The worms at right were being relocated to make room for the ambitious design at far right.
    

Sophomore Award Honors Memory of Beloved Alumna

Allie H. '12 was awarded the Patty Jean Semura Award on Wednesday for exemplifying the spirit of Patty Jean, who graduated in 1999. The faculty bestow the award, which was established by Jack and Pat Semura, to recognize a student who possesses the vision, creativity, and potential to make a difference in the world, and who is an active builder of community. Allie is shown at right with Patty Jean's parents, Jack and Pat Semura.

  

Ben C. '18 hands parent Keith Packard some used books.
   Give a Book Now to Get
Gobs of Good Books Later

Trade used books you've read for ones you haven't at the Great OES Book Swap (GOBS). You can drop off books curbside at the Lower School walkway at dropoff on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., or anytime in any OES library, until the sale on May 25 and 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You receive points for the books you drop off, and on the first day of the sale, books can only be purchased with points. On the second day, remaining books will be sold for very reasonable prices. So do some spring cleaning of your bookshelf and you'll have fresh books for yourself and your kids to read all summer.

 

Junior to Study Science at MIT This Summer

Laurie R. ’11 will work on the creative edge of science this summer at the 27th annual Research Science Institute (RSI) held at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The 75 invited students (45 from the United States and 30 from other nations) will enjoy an intensive six-week, expense-free program designed to kick-start their careers of leadership in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology.

 

  

 

Swimmers Excels in State and Region

Tristan F. '16 placed first in the state in the 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke, and 100 backstroke for his age group. He broke the MAC Club records in the 50 freestyle and the 100 backstroke that had been set in 1979. He also broke the club record in the 50 backstroke set by former OES student Max Bley-Male in 2008 . He earned third in 100 individual medley and 100 freestyle, and fourth in 50 butterfly. The next level of competition was sectionals, which includes eight Pacific states. There, Tristan placed first in the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke. He also placed first in the 50 freestyle and earned third place in the 100 individual medley.

Consultant to Make Recommendations on Schedule

This week a scheduling consultant met with groups of students, parents, faculty, and administrators to analyze divisional schedules and the school calendar. Roxanne Higgins from Independent School Management reported her findings Friday afternoon to the faculty, and a scheduling committee will examine models for schedules that may be used to improve use of instructional time beginning in the 2011-2012 school year. Over the summer, the Administrative Team will look at the school calendar for the next several years so that families can plan ahead. The team will present its work in the fall and solicit feedback from faculty, parents, and students.

  

Roxanne Higgins
  Snowboarders Place at State

Seniors Emily C. and Erika W. both qualified and competed in the state snowboarding competition at Mt. Hood. Emily placed 10th in SBX, and Erika was 10th in banked slalom. They are shown at left riding the chairlift up the mountain.

Need Help With Calendar?
Video Tutorial Has Tips

The new calendar system was posted this week on the OES website. It allows users to integrate their personal digital calendars with the school calendar and to have alerts emailed or texted to them. If you haven't seen the calendar yet, take a look. Be sure to note that you can click on the "Athletics Schedules" heading to see and select those calendars. If you need some help getting started, view a tutorial on using the basic features. If you need more assistance, email web editor .

 

Get Your Cycling Jersey at Gallery Store

The Gallery Store is taking orders for the fashionable OES cycling jersey. Sample sizes are available in the store if you’re unsure which size is best suited for you. The jerseys are custom made for OES by Pactimo, an elite custom cycling apparel company. The colors represent OES school colors (green, white, Carolina blue), with Aardvark accents on the back pocket, sleeves, and left chest. The last date to place an order for this year is next Friday, April 16. The delivery date is estimated to be eight weeks from order date. The price for the jerseys is $60. Please direct your questions to the Gallery Store, (503) 768-3170, or email . Orders can be placed either through the Gallery Store, which is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or the Gallery Store Online.

 
Auction Catalogs Available Online or in Print Through Offices

  Auction catalogs are available online as a PDF, and printed copies are available in all division offices and in the auction office in Morris House. Those who cannot attend the auction can get a bid number to make a sealed bid or have a friend bid for them by contacting auction coordinator . Don't forget to check out the class projects and the job shadows that will be offered at the April 17 event at the Mac Club. The quilt at right, which will be in the live auction, was quilted and embroidered by Barbara Corey, grandmother of Georgia C. '22.  

Items for the newsletter may be emailed to editor .