As the calendar year comes to a close, we anticipate with great excitement that our beloved Ms. Swan will be on maternity leave in January. The kindergarten is being well held with the hiring of Melanie Rose Scofield. Melanie has already started in the classroom and the transition for our early childhood students promises to be gentle and smooth.

 

Last week we were able to firm up exciting plans  for the grade school movement classes in Ms. Swan's absence. Maho Hisakawa will teach our movement classes in January and February. Many of you know Maho as the mother of Ina and Ami Wolovitz. Maho is a long-term, dedicated Ashwood parent, a musician, and an athlete. Maho began observing movement classes last week and will continue to do so this week before taking over in January.

 

Ashwood has the tremendous fortune to welcome Jackie Leigh Davis for a six-week circus arts/movement block beginning on February 28 and going through April 6. Jackie began teaching circus arts in 1995 at the Pine Hill Waldorf School in Wilton, New Hampshire. She has a bachelor's degree in theater and has performed professionally as a mime. Jackie is a fully trained Spacial Dynamics instructor and taught movement at Pine Hill for seventeen years. Jackie joined the faculty at the Spacial Dynamics Institute and has developed its circus arts teacher education program. Jackie is also a founding member of the American Youth Circus Organization (AYCO), which advocates participation in circus arts through its biennial, national youth circus festivals and educator conferences.

 

Jackie is the author of Do-It-Yourself Circus Lab for Kids: A Family-Friendly Guide for Juggling, Balancing, Clowning, and Show-Making. The book, which includes how to make your own circus props, will be released in February 2018!

We look forward to these special opportunities for Ashwood's grade-school students and, most of all, to welcoming Ms. Swan back to Ashwood in the spring.

-Jody Spanglet

Walking through young spruce trees, off the beaten path, the children were full of wonder and excitement. Some of the comments we heard: "amazing"; "we must hold hands so we'll not get lost"; "we are explorers"; "we are bears looking for food"; "oh, look, a fairy house"; "squirrels have been eating at this restaurant." And when we saw several random big piles of pine cones, a treasure hunt began: who could find the next one? How many were there? Who MADE those piles?

All that in a half hour walk in the woods on the school grounds.  Some days we stop in a clearing and build tiny twig/moss houses, others, we saw branches off dead trees, but mostly we walk, stop, and wonder!

Our autumn has been busy and mostly spent outdoors: children playing, while teachers were raking and cleaning the flower beds. The piles of dried flowers and leaves became building materials, or ingredients for "sand soup," often carted away in the little wheelbarrows. The big water barrel was emptied and stored for the winter, luckily big puddles and some buckets provide the necessary liquid for mud pies.
It was lovely to have Ms. Melanie spend a week with us. She is getting to know the children and was "shadowing" Ms. Swan. We look forward to having her join us in January.  
We are very happy and excited for Ms Swan (and Mr. Clough!)'s baby to be born soon, but we shall greatly miss her steady, gentle presence in the kindergarten.  We do look forward to them visiting us!
Happy Holidays to all!
- Marianne Böckli

Early Childhood Teacher

This past week we had another lively and productive meeting of the APC. We discussed the success of recently implemented initiatives, scheduled upcoming meetings, and looked to the future for ways we can cultivate a nourishing and thriving community on campus.

Please see the meeting notes to learn a bit about our plans for the 100th birthday celebration of Waldorf education, some venue changes for spring events, important upcoming dates and more!

The APC is open to all parents in the Ashwood community and we would be thrilled to welcome more voices into the discussion. If there is an event or initiative that you would like to work on or suggest, please let us know.  Also please consider attending our next meeting on January 22 from 8:30 to 10:00.

- Rebekah Smith and Julie Letowski

for the Ashwood Parent Community

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 tasty 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 (unwrapped) 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. Adults only, please.
Hope you can join us!

- Kari Luehman

for the APC

Adults, if you would like to participate in the Winter Spiral this evening, Wednesday, December 13, at 6:00 p.m., please arrive no later than 5:45. Remove your outdoor gear in the room on the left and silently enter the Buttercup Room (to the right of the entrance to the early childhood building. Please let us know if you'll be coming so we'll have enough candles for all!

- Judith Soleil

Enrollment and Outreach

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: free tickets are available in the office, and you may also reserve by phone  or email.

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

Come to the office to pick up your free decal, and flaunt your Ashwood spirit! 

Beginning January 4, the Camden Snow Bowl is again offering discounted lift tickets, discounted equipment rental, and discounted ski and snowboard lessons for Ashwood families and friends every Thursday afternoon after school (except during vacation weeks) while the Snow Bowl is open.

This is a very easy, low-commitment opportunity.  Each week there will be a sign-up for that Thursday's group. Julia Dodge will be managing the sign-up.  You must, MUST sign-up by Wednesday morning to take part that week. This is considered a "group discount" offer so we must have at least 10 people interested in purchasing tickets to receive the discount for tickets, and we must have at least 2 people interested in a lesson group (i.e., a beginner group, or a snowboard group, etc.) for that lesson to take place. There is a form to fill out if you want to rent equipment, and another form if you want to have a lesson. These forms are held at the Snow Bowl for the whole season so you only need to fill it out once. There is NO form for tickets - you just sign up.

The costs this season are as follows:
        $15 for a ski / snowboard lift ticket
        $15 for rental of ski or snowboard equipment
        $15 for a group ski or snowboard lesson
(Please note that children under 7 years of age are not eligible for group lessons. They are required to have a private lesson at a cost of $25.)

Please contact Julia Dodge 712-5231 with your questions.

Think Snow!!

Okay, Ashwood!  Time to talk annual appeal. This is a really important part of our fundraising efforts.  Last year we had 100% participation from families, board, and faculty.  It's a big deal!  We did it last year and we can do it again. 

When we achieve 100%, lead donors and granting organizations take note.  It's not common what we've been able to accomplish.

Here are some fun things to keep in mind:

- The first class to reach 100% receives a Chocolate Extravaganza Torte at their next parent evening!

- You can now make monthly automatic payments through FACTS or Paypal. There's also a donation button in the righthand column in the Leaflet!

- Lastly, don't allow the dollar amount to define the significance of your gift.  Yes, give as generously as you can, but no one but you can define what that is.

If you ever have any questions about how our fundraising process works or if you'd like to be a part of this effort in any way, reach out to me, Annie Mahle, Development Director. 207.542.6956

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