Anticipation To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle, Every cubic inch of space is a miracle. -Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass As we return from the Thanksgiving break, it is hard to believe that the school year is already a third over. The bounty of our collective harvest feels very full. The school year has been marked with good, hard work, lots of learning, and plenty of laughter sprinkled throughout the days. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. The next three weeks will be filled with an abundance of riches. There will be a midnight visit by Saint Nicholas; the children will leave out their shoes in the hope that he will fill them with citrus and other treats. Sometimes he also leaves a note for the class, letting them know what they have accomplished and what they need to work on. The Winter Spiral of Light for our students will occur during the school day on December 13, and our holiday assembly, the Winter Revels, will take place at the Camden Opera House at 4:00 p.m. on December 15. The Revels is a time to enjoy a variety of presentations by the grades; the Winter Spiral is a unique, non-denominational festival. For the Winter Spiral, each class will enter a darkened room that has been prepared with a spiral of evergreen boughs, golden stars, and shimmering crystals. As quiet music plays, each child has a turn walking the spiral, lighting his or her candle from a large candle that has been lit in the center, and then placing it on a stump along the pathway back out from the center. Each child's candle brightens the path for the next, until the entire room glows gently. It is a delight to observe each child finding their way, walking the spiral alone at his or her own pace: some rushing, some proceeding more slowly, some walking tentatively at first, and all with emerging confidence. It is just this sense of confidence in humanity's capacity to create light out of darkness that is palpably experienced during this festival. Adults and all alumni (ninth grade and up) are invited to the Winter Spiral of Light that will be held in the early-childhood building on December 15 at 6:00 p.m. We ask that participants enter the building quietly, and that, to preserve the experience for all participants, once the walk begins no latecomers enter the building. In these weeks preceding Chanukah and Christmas, I wish each of you peace and joy.
-Jody Spanglet
School Director
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Countdown to Waldorf Education's 100th Anniversary!
The first Waldorf school was founded in Germany in 1919. Today there are over 1,100 Waldorf schools and almost 2,000 Waldorf kindergartens in more than 70 countries around the globe.
As we count down to September 19, 2019, schools around the world are planning individual and collaborative projects to celebrate this milestone.
We've just begun working on the "Postcard Project." Every Waldorf school in the world received a box of 1200 pre-addressed blank postcards this fall. Students illustrate and mail the cards, connecting with other schools worldwide. We've begun receiving cards from a variety of countries, and our students have been creating beautiful cards to send. We will find an artistic way to display the cards we receive.
We will be creating a committee to explore how Ashwood would like to participate in the celebration; let me know if you'd like to be involved. And, you can see the latest Waldorf100 newsletter here.
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Judith Soleil
Enrollment and Outreach
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You're Invited!
Ashwood Holiday Cocktail Party
Sunday, December 17, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
at Tina Lipmanowicz's house
18 Salamander Road, Lincolnville
This is a time for parents to come together and be festive! Bring something to share, an hors d'oeuvre and/or beverage. There will also be a table for stocking stuffer/small gift exchange. Bring a few things, and take a few things! Swapping treasures... no need to buy anything. Doesn't have to be handmade... soap, jewelry, gift cards, books, candles, scarves, kitchen utensils, etc.
Hope you can join us!
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Kari Luehman
for the APC
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School Photos Pickup
Photographer Doug Mott will distribute class and individual photos on Friday, December 8, between 2:50 and 3:30 in the community room downstairs in the grade-school building. Pickup for EC families who don't also have children in the grade school will be at 1:00 on Wednesday, December 13, in the early-childhood building. Questions? Please email
Doug.
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Shepherds' Play
On Friday, December 15, at 10:00 a.m. in the community room, Ashwood's faculty will perform the Oberufer
Shepherds' Play for our students. We have a very limited number of seats for adults who would like to attend: they are "first come, first served" and tickets are available in the office (you may also reserve by phone or
email).
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Winter Revels!
Ashwood Waldorf School is hosting a free, family-friendly performance at the Camden Opera House on Friday, December 15, at 4:00 p.m.
Ashwood's Winter Revels is modeled on the famed holiday extravaganza that originated in the Boston area. Ashwood students grades 1-8 will present songs, poetry, skits, dance, hijinks, and surprises in a delighful seasonal offering.
This is a wonderful opportunity to share a taste of Ashwood with friends and family! Free of charge; all are invited.
You will receive information from class teachers about transportation timing and arrangements.
-Judith Soleil
Enrollment and Outreach
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AmazonSmile
Of course, we all love to support our local businesses, but when it just can't be found in the Midcoast,
AmazonSmile is a great backup. What's more, when you shop with
AmazonSmile, they automatically make a donation (.5% of your purchase price) to the charity of your choice. While this may not seem like a lot, it adds up!
1. Go to
www.smile.amazon.com.
2. Add Ashwood Waldorf School as your charity.
3. Bookmark
www.smile.amazon.com.
4. Use AmazonSmile every time you shop at Amazon, and they will donate .5% of your purchase to Ashwood.
-Annie Mahle
Development Director
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Association of Waldorf Schools'
Monthly Newsletter
Click the logo to read the November issue.
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Thursday, November 30
Grade 5-6 Parent Evening
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 1
Choral Assembly
8:40 a.m.
Tuesday, December 5
Ashwood Parent Community Meeting
8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Conference Room. All are welcome!
9:00-11:00 a.m.
Grade 1-2 Parent Evening
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 8
All School Games (NO ASSEMBLY)
8:40 a.m.
Photos Pickup (grade school)
2:50-3:30
Community Room (downstairs in the grade school building)
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Substitute Teachers Wanted
Ashwood Waldorf School is seeking substitute teachers. Some of our subs are comfortable teaching all grades, while others have particular preferences for grades and subjects.
If you are interested in this opportunity please e-mail
Jody Spanglet
for an application.
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Ashwood Faculty Still Seeking Baby Gear
Mr. Clough and Ms. Swan are still looking for a few things before their baby's arrival in January. They were recently handed down an ergo carrier and a changing table. They are still in need of an infant car seat, a crib, a pack n' play, glass baby bottles, diaper covers (for cloth prefold diapers), and warm layers for a newborn/infant.
Please contact
Mr. Clough
or
Ms. Swan
if you have any of these things that you are looking to sell or pass on. Many thanks!
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Online Trading Post
Did you know you can join a Facebook
group and swap used skis, clothing, toys, and other useful things with Ashwood families? Join the Ashwood Waldorf Yard Sale Trade and Free Page!
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Adopt-a-Family
Knox County Homeless Coalition & Hospitality House invite you to Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays. Sign up today to be matched with a family. Call 207-593-8151 or
click here to sign up, or to request more information. Lists will be distributed beginning the week of Nov. 13, 2017. If you choose to participate, wrapped gifts should be delivered back to KCHC by December 8, 2017.
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We publish community-service announcements from and for Ashwood community members at no charge (50-words max.). Send to: Judith Soleil.
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Be a Sponsor
Display or text ads appear here, in the right column of the
Leaflet, and link to your website. The cost is $5/edition for a square ad (170 x 170 pixels) and $10/edition for a long ad (170 x 340 pixels). Discounts are available for long-term ads. The
Leaflet appears every other week except in July. For more information, email
Judith Soleil.
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Do you have a story to tell about Ashwood? A review of a book or an event? A reflection on Waldorf education? Photos you've taken? A question about the Leaflet? Send us an email! We would love to hear from you. The next Leaflet will be published on Wednesday, November 29. Deadline for submissions is Monday, November 27, at 9:00 a.m.
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Support Waldorf education in midcoast Maine. Make a tax-deductible donation today by clicking the button below.
Thank you!
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