The Leaflet a newsletter for parents and friends of Ashwood Waldorf School

From the Director
Happy News!
With less than two months remaining to 2017 we look forward, with joyous anticipation, to welcoming Rose Swan and Jeremy Clough's little one in January. While we will miss Rose during the winter months, we have been busy making plans for her absence.  
 
We have hired Melanie Rose Scofield to assist Marianne in the early-childhood classroom, beginning on January 2. Since Rose is unsure of when she will begin and end her maternity leave, we may be blessed with both Rose and Melanie for a few days or weeks, both before the baby comes in the winter and again in the spring. Please see Melanie's introduction below:
 
"Melanie comes to us as a mother, and as an educator of both adults and children. Melanie is the founder and director of the Earthwalk School of Herbal Traditions, which offers certifications for adults in the herbal arts. For the past seven years she has run hands-on herbal programs for children ages four through ten in the summer months. Melanie is excited to be a part of Waldorf education and to join Ashwood's faculty."
 
We have begun interviewing for a substitute for Rose's movement classes, and I will keep you posted.

 -Jody Spanglet
School Director 
From the Board of Trustees
Ashwood's Strategic Plan
There are copies of Ashwood's 3-year strategic plan (2015-2018) available in the office for any parent who would like one. Ask Sarah Ewing in the main office.
- Betsy Morrell
President, Board of Trustees
Early-Childhood News
Mud, Glorious Mud!
All through October, early-childhood children spent lots of time outside, only coming in for circle, snack, and story time. Free play has therefore involved many gross motor skills: climbing trees, balancing on boards, swinging, and sliding, and some finer skills as well: building haunted houses in the sandbox and making mud stew. The big water barrel had run empty and some children's desire for water for their mud/grass/ leaf stew was thwarted. After the big rainfall, the barrel spilled over, allowing much mud play again. One could see children running from the sandbox with empty buckets to the barrel, then walking back, careful not to spill.  All through the morning, social opportunities arose to make new friends, to learn to compromise, and more.

At our most recent parent evening, after taking care of some business and announcements, everyone set to work finishing the lanterns the children had started for our upcoming walk on November 9. There was a buzz of conversation as hands pasted colorful tissue paper onto balloons. We tried to sing the lantern songs the children are learning at circle time, but there was too much to talk about, exchanging information and getting to know each other. Never mind, I am sure that the lanterns will shine even brighter because of all the parental involvement in creating them.

Ms. Swan and Audrey McGlashan led the class one Friday while Ms. Spanglet and I went to the regional AWSNA conference.  Thank you to both of them; I know the children were in good hands.

- Marianne Böckli
Early-childhood teacher
Grade School News
Apple Picking
A wonderful time was had by all on the recent grade 1-2 field trip to Sewall Organic Orchard. The children learned about the orchard, its farmers, and the organic practices they employ. The engaging presentation ended with Farmer Bob and Farmer Isaac revving up the cider press so that the children could follow the apples' journey from the orchard out front to the cup of cider in their hands. Afterward the class hiked 900 feet above sea level on a short but steep trek up
Sewall's blueberry hill. Snacks were enjoyed while taking in views of Camden Hills, Norton Pond, Megunticook Lake, and Acadia.

And then...shrieks of excitement rang out across the hill! A porcupine was found to be sleeping high up in one of the trees under which the children were snacking.

Back at school, the children peeled and cut apples for
cake and applesauce to be enjoyed during snack in the days that followed. Beautiful cards of gratitude were made for the farmers while the cake baked. The day ended with warm slices of apple cake shared
with our friends in Early Childhood. It was a superb day of learning, both out in our community and on campus.
- Julie Letowski
Grade 1-2 Parent
Upper Grades Outings & Activity
Caving
We recently went on two trips, caving and canoeing, and also built benches for the school. I enjoyed all of these activities, but caving was especially fun. When we were waiting for our turn to go into the cave we climbed around other small caverns made by big chunks of rock on Megunticook Mountain. We got to do a rappel into the cave. A rappel is where you are in a harness that is attached to a rope so you can't fall. It was fun! I would certainly go there again.
- Scarlet, Grade 6

Canoeing
Our group went canoeing on October 23. I thought it would be cold that day but it actually was warm. We went to a lake in Warren. I rode in a canoe with Elsie and Mazy. When we were paddling we saw lots of leaves with different colors. It was like the leaves were wearing colorful coats. I wanted to take a picture. After paddling for a long while we had lunch and recess in a large field. It was very fun. After recess, we headed back. The trip was fun but that night my body was very sore....
- Dana, Grade 5

The students and teachers would like to thank Terry Moore, Avery Larned, and Taz Squire for leading these wonderful trips!

- Ms. Doshi, Ms. Purdom, and Mr. Clough
Events
Lantern Walk
This Thursday, November 9, early-childhood, parent-child, and grade 1-2 families will celebrate the season with a lantern walk at 4:30 p.m. Teachers will be in touch with details.

School Tours
Our next monthly grade-school tour will take place next week on Wednesday, November 15, 8:15-10:30. We will be visiting grades 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8.

A visit to the early-childhood classroom will be on the same day, Wednesday, November 15, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

This is a wonderful opportunity for friends and family who may be curious about Waldorf education; a chance for early-childhood parents to see how Waldorf education progresses; and a great opportunity for you to experience firsthand what's going on in your child's classroom.

We'll meet in school director Jody Spanglet's office for the tour, and convene there again at 10:00 a.m. for questions and conversation.

Please let me know by Monday, November 13, if you will attend. You are most welcome to bring friends! We look forward to seeing you!

- Judith Soleil
Enrollment and Outreach
Fundraising
Last Chance for Florida Citrus!!
The online sale ends TOMORROW (Thursday the 9th). 
 
Log on t o view the choices and place your order.
Delivery of the fruit will be in mid-December, before winter break.

DO NOT DELAY, tomorrow is almost here!
Thank you for supporting the Student Activities Fund!
  
CLICK IMAGE TO ORDER!
Announcements
School Photos
Doug Mott, school parent and our wonderful school photographer, has posted school photos online for you to view.

Deadline for orders is November 21; Doug will deliver prints the week of December 9.

Questions? Please email Doug.
Clothing Swap
There will be a fall Clothing Swap Tuesday, November 14 through Thursday, November 16 in the Buttercup Room (to the right of the entry doors) in the Early Childhood building. Families are welcome to bring and swap clothes, outerwear, boots, and winter gear starting at 3:00 p.m. each day before students are picked up, and to stay until 3:45. Any clothes remaining at the end will be donated to the SOS Room at Camden Congregational Church, which serves local people in need. Clean out your kids' closets, knowing it's all going to help others! Contact Sarah Troutman for more information at 514-4868.
- Sarah Troutman
Grade 5-6 parent
Thank You!
To the amazing accordionist, the glorious gonger, the storytellers, the fire tenders, the cookie bakers and cider pourers, the trail groomers and tenders, the tree face makers, pumpkin providers and carvers, snack suppliers, gatekeepers, characters, car parkers, costumers, candle lighters, gate creators, setup and cleanup-ers, not to mention the many faithful moral supporters: Hooray! Together, we brought midcoast families another magical All Hallows' Eve this year. Many hands made short work, and it was so much fun! Let's do it again next year!

- Judith Soleil
for the faculty

In This Issue
Important Dates
Thursday, November 9  
Lantern Walk 
4:30 p.m.  
Early-childhood, parent-child, and grade 1-2 families   
   
Friday, November 10
NO SCHOOL    
Veterans' Day Observed 
    
Wednesday, November 15
Grade School Tour  
8:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m. 
Grades 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8
Registration by November 13 required. 
   
Early-Childhood Tour 
 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Registration by November 13 required.
 
Community Classifieds
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.
Ashwood Faculty Seek Baby Gear
Mr. Clough and Ms. Swan are expecting their first baby in January!  They are looking for some things that they would love to buy secondhand or on consignment.  They are in need of an infant car seat, an Ergo 360 baby carrier, a changing table, a crib, 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! 
Compassionate Listening: Healing Our World from the Inside Out
Sat., Nov. 11, 10 :00 a.m.-6:30 p.m., First Universalist Church, 345 Broadway, Rockland. Facilitated by Compassionate Listening Facilitator, Rose Swan, this workshop will introduce practices that help access our deepest wisdom to transform separation and conflict into an opportunity for connection, healing, and peace. Click here for more info on Compassionate Listening. FMI on workshop go to: Compassionate Listening: Healing Our World from the Inside Out.
- Rose Swan
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!
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  the image above to sign up, or for 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.
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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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.
Submissions
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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Thank you!
 
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