Messages from Andrea

In order to comply with new state requirements, we have spent some time this summer adopting an entirely new accounting system.  Since the new system is significantly more complicated,  we have hired a part-time bookkeeper, Kathy May.  Kathy is a long-time schools employee with a great deal of knowledge and experience in the area of school finance.  She will help us establish the new accounting system, and then take over the responsibilities of accounts payable and receivable, as well as possibly payroll duties in the future, as well. [Read more...]

Dear Springwater Families,

Again thank you for participating in input process over the past months.  The staff and board have begun the process of prioritizing the input.  One of the high priority items to all of us is to have a strong program at the 7/8 grade levels to ensure students are well-prepared for entering high school.  In response to this priority, we are “re-visioning” how Springwater creates and implements a high quality 7/8 program.  We are committed to doing some things different and even more wonderful at 7/8 grades.

In May we announced staff assignments and job openings using the information available at that time.  Since that date we have had additional changes, including the announcement of Marcelle’s leaving and Wendy’s hiring.  Putting together all the information and input we have today, we are excited to announce that Faith and Troy, as a team, will be filling the 5/6 positions.  We know their passion for science, their high-level academic knowledge, and their experience gained from previously teaching these grade levels at Springwater will be wonderful for our 5th and 6th graders.  Faith will to continue the hallmark Oregon Coast Outdoor School program she’s developed for 6th graders and Troy will develop an Outdoor School experience for our 5th graders.  Faith and Troy will continue to provide mentoring and input for the 7/8 grade program. Wendy will join Loren, as a team, teaching our 2/3 blends.  Wendy brings with her several years of experience as a 2nd grade teacher from the David Douglas School District.  She is a valued member of our teaching staff.

We are now in the process of hiring a 7/8 teaching team.    As we move forward, we will keep the community informed, as well as, provide additional opportunities for parent/student input and involvement.  This is an exciting time for Springwater, and we hope you share in believing this is a promising and reassuring time as a community to be focused on the educational experience for all Springwater students.

The teacher / class assignments to date are:

• Kinder – Ms. Rae
• 1st grade – Mr. Jon
• 2/3rd blend – Wendy
• 2/3rd blend – Loren
• 4th – Jen / Laura job share
• 5/6th blend – Troy
• 5/6th blend – Faith
• 7/8 blend – New Teacher #1
• 7/8 blend – New Teacher #2

Thank you for entrusting your children’s education to us. 

School Board and Staff

Dear Springwater Families: 

We want to thank you for all of your time, energy and support that you have given to Springwater this year. We could not realize the vision of excellence for the school without your continued support.  In the past 12 months, we have made changes, transitioned to a full-fledged, established school with a five-year charter renewal.  We continue to work toward crafting the best possible educational program for our students.   We are proud of the fact that at the charter renewal hearing, the Oregon City Board acknowledged Springwater as a model for how a successful charter school can operate.
 
We believe our school will always be a work in progress, and we are committed to the work that is required to achieve ongoing improvements.  We will continue on with the outstanding participation of our families, staff and students.  In that spirit, we are already looking to the next school year, 2012-2013, and have some exciting information to announce: [Read more...]

This year, Springwater staff have taken the lead in identifying key areas of focus for our School Development Plan.  After examining statewide test scores, data gathered last school year, and our progress working toward our mission statement as a school, staff have divided their PLC (professional learning community) into three subgroups, each tasked with a specific area:
 
Reading/Writing – Align how spelling is taught in grades K-5 by selecting common materials and methods and developing a school-wide plan for sequential instruction.  In addition, continue to improve and coordinate our reading intervention program, how interventions are provided, and how data is collected.  The goal of this sub-group is a concerted, consistent effort in grades K-5 to develop students into effective readers, and to become aware early and often if they are not progressing as expected.

Math – Develop math interventions programs for students who require more practice and/or re-teaching to master math facts and skills.  [Read more...]

Welcome back to the start of our sixth year at Springwater!  For the second time since we opened, our charter is up for renewal, so much of our energy and attention this fall will be devoted to preparing for the hearing before the Oregon City School Board.  We can’t continue to exist unless our charter is renewed, so we’ll be asking our families to take an active role in supporting Springwater throughout the renewal process. 

In deciding whether to renew our charter, the OCSD Board must consider five factors:

• Whether Springwater is in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws;
• Whether Springwater is in compliance with its charter agreement;
• Whether Springwater is meeting or working toward meeting the student performance goals and agreements specified in the charter;
• Whether Springwater is fiscally stable and has used sound financial management systems;
• Whether Springwater in compliance with any renewal criteria specified in the charter agreement. [Read more...]