Skip to main content

EOP's Coffee Chat Takeaways

Coffee Chat Takeaways

A white cup of coffee with latte art rests on a wooden table, featuring the text 'COFFEE CHATS'.

Welcome to our EOP Coffee Chat Takeaways!

These informal monthly gatherings bring together parents, caregivers, and our elementary team to connect, ask questions, and dive into key topics shaping our students' school experience. We know busy schedules don't always allow everyone to join us live, so we've put together these highlights to keep our entire school community informed and engaged.

Explore the key discussion points, helpful resources, and actionable tips from our recent sessions below.

What You'll Find in Our Summaries

  • Key Topics & Themes: Highlights from our discussions on curriculum, social-emotional learning, and school routines.

  • Q&A Recaps: Direct answers to top questions asked by parents during the chat.

  • School & Home Connections: Practical strategies and ideas to support your child's learning at home.

  • Helpful Links & Resources: Slides, recommended reading, and upcoming events mentioned in the meeting.

  • September 28th Zoom Coffee Chat Takeaways

    1. Our Community Norms

    To make sure our Coffee Chats are welcoming and supportive, we reviewed our core community agreements:

    • Come as You Are: Participate at your own pace—feel free to stand, stretch, move, or just listen comfortably.

    • Respect & Support: Honor each family's unique schooling-from-home journey with encouragement.

    • Share the Airtime: Give everyone room to introduce themselves and contribute, especially in small groups.

    • What’s Shared Here Stays Here: Speak candidly knowing our space values privacy and trust.

    • Use the Shared Space Anytime: Join in via voice, drop links or notes in the chat, or follow along silently.

    2. Local Spots & Hidden Gems Across Oregon

    Parents shared a treasure trove of local destinations, outdoor parks, cultural resources, and family activities across Oregon:

    • Parks, Nature & Gardens:

      • Wildwood Park & Bull Run Watershed

      • Rose City Park

      • Leach Botanical Garden

      • Hidden Falls Nature Park (Happy Valley)

      • Oregon Garden

      • Murase Park & Frog Pond

      • Estacada Lake

    • Museums, Learning & Historic Sites:

      • Oregon Rail Heritage Center

      • WAAAM (Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum) in Hood River

      • North American Aerospace Museum / Evergreen Aviation

      • Gilbert House Children’s Museum

      • Bonneville Dam & Fish Hatchery (Milo McIver, Alligator Creek Ponds, Benson Lake)

    • Farms, Alpacas & Fun Outings:

      • Bauman’s Farm

      • Hopkins Demonstration Forest

      • Mountain Peak Therapy Llamas & Alpacas

      • The Healing Farm

      • Ant Farm (Sandy)

      • Mike Bennett Studios & 7th Fremont Free Art

      • Funtastic Playtorium (Clackamas)

      • Wildlings (Whippersnappers)

    • Libraries & Educational Resources:

      • Cultural Passes through local public libraries

      • Libby & Audio Books Apps

      • Free engineering classes & youth resources at local libraries

      • Books on the go (audiobooks/reading while waiting in lines or during errands)

      • Book Recommendation- Yardsticks: Children in the Classroom, Ages 4-14 by Chip Wood is a practical, user-friendly guide designed to help teachers and parents connect child development research with everyday classroom and parenting decisions. Here is a link to the book on Amazon.

    3. Schooling from Home: What’s Going Well & What We’re Still Figuring Out

    Families reflected on their daily wins and the routines they are continuously refining:

    What’s Going Well (Wins & Successes):

    • Curriculum & Learning: Finding engaging math and reading curricula (e.g., All About Reading, Math with Confidence, Kumon, Language Arts).

    • Flexibility: Tailoring learning to each child’s pace and interests, incorporating hands-on activities, and getting outside more.

    • Student Growth & Enthusiasm: Children showing increased enthusiasm for learning, building reading confidence, and writing more full sentences.

    • Structure: Successfully setting early bedtimes (e.g., 7:30 PM upstairs) as a major game-changer for daily routines.

    What We’re Still Figuring Out (Challenges & Goals):

    • Time Management: Balancing schedules, managing pacing, and finding consistent daily time management strategies.

    • Multi-Student Balancing: Managing learning across multiple grade levels at once (e.g., K & 2nd grade).

    • Transitions & Pacing: Figuring out daily routines, transitioning smoothly between activities, and balancing due dates/requirements with learning at a comfortable pace.

    • On-Campus Waiting Spots: Finding places to hang out or work while students attend on-campus classes.

    4. Community Connections & Goals for the Year

    Parents shared what they hope to gain from our school community this school year:

    • Friendships & Social Connections: Building new friendships for both students and parents/families.

    • Shared Experiences & Support: Connecting with families who understand the schooling-from-home journey, sharing tips, and supporting one another.

    • Group Activities & Outings: Participating in group field trips (e.g., Hood River Fruit Loop) and local meetups.

    • Routine with Flexibility: Creating a supportive, flexible routine that accommodates learning in different ways.