One of the many things that I love about Waldorf education is the intentional cultivation of the capacity to wonder. Whether it is the beauty of an icicle, the smell of warm bread baking in the kindergarten, watching yellow and blue mix to create green; the miracle of the chladni plate in physics, the patterns in numbers, the genius of language in a Shakespeare sonnet, or any one of a plethora of moments throughout the year, we take time to notice the gifts that we are surrounded with environmentally, culturally, artistically, and intellectually.
Last week, at the grade five-six assembly, we were given the opportunity to hear a collective poem the students wrote about what speaks to each of them. I invite you to read their poem and maybe add your own stanza about what speaks to you. Drop me a line if you write one. It would be wonderful to add adult contributions to the children's beautiful work!
My Heart Soars
by Grade 5-6
(after Chief Dan George's poem of the same name)
The clang of the baseball hitting my bat,
The sound of the ball hitting the racket
The shrill wind whistling through the sails
Speaks to me
A gleaming black Steinway
A brand-new piece
A Schumann Arabesque
Speaks to me
The heat of the sun
The warmth of the sky
The cold of the moon
Speaks to me
The sparkling raindrops in the sky falling
like beautiful gems glimmer and glistening
The thrill of the storm
The days with no school
Speaks to me
The mystery of night
The heat of the fire
The howling of the wolves
Speaks to me
The salty water
The love of my mother
The time for skydiving
Speaks to me
The smell of diesel
The fuzziness of a snowball
The fluffiness of the pillow
Speaks to me
Walking the misty glory of the woods
The shades of sunset
The fire, the air, the water
Speaks to me
The power of the mountains
The smoothness of the turns
The airiness of the jumps
Speaks to me
The crispness of the snow
The sloping edge of the jump
The smooth metal of the rail
Speaks to me
The faintness of the clouds
The tracks of the deer
The whiteness of the snow
Speaks to me
The wind in the sails
The bright blue sea
The softness of the sand
Speaks to me
The feeling of warm horsehide
The way my cats sleep with me
The shortness of their legs
Speaks to me
The smell of fireplaces
My sore body
My dog waiting at the door
Speaks to me
The strength of the earth
The beauty of the sky.
The freshness of the stream.
Speaks to me
And the way it never seems to end.
They speak to me. And my heart soars.
With warm regards,
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Jody Spanglet
School Director
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From the Board of Trustees
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Welcome
 I am very pleased to announce that Kristina Mainella was unanimously voted onto Ashwood's board of trustees at our February meeting. Kristina is the mother of Vincent in grade 5 and Louis, currently a 7th grader at Camden Middle School. She is a veterinarian, most recently at Camden Animal Hospital, and soon to be with IDEXX Laboratories. Kristina is an anthroposophist, which, along with her parenting and professional skills, will being great perspective to the board. Welcome, Kristina.
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Betsy Morrell
Board President
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Contracts
Reenrollment contracts for the coming 2018-2019 school year are
due this Friday, March 2. Be sure to reserve a place for your child[ren]! Questions? Contact
Judith Soleil.
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Judith Soleil
Enrollment and Outreach
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French Soirée
Grade 7-8 enjoyed a crepe and movie night recently at the Dodge-Hildreth home, and the reviews are in: "
Délicieux!" "Magnifique!"
Students prepared two batches of crepe batter
and assembled a colorful fruit salad. After feasting, the students watched Marcel Pagnol's film,
Jean de Florette, to complement their reading of the book in class.
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Sarah Trapani
French Teacher
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Poetry Out Loud
Ashwood grad Kate Kemper (2016), now a student at Camden Hills, recently
placed in the top five at the Poetry Out Loud regional competition and will be representing CHRHS at the State Finals on March 14 at the Waterville Opera House!
Her proud mom, Margaret MacLeod says:
"
Kate's 8 years' training in public speaking at Ashwood -- the countless assemblies, school plays, and the culture of the school that puts the students in front of audiences from early-on, gave her a huge advantage."
We'll all be pulling for Kate as she approaches the finals!
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| Kate at Ashwood in Grade 8 |
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Still Dancing!
We are still celebrating our fourth year of 100% of us coming together around the annual appeal. It's amazing, incredible and something for which we may be proud. Thanks to all of you, including the following (our final partial
list).
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Annie Mahle
DevelopmentDirector
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Benefit Dance Party Tickets
Now on Sale!
The Right Track will bring their high-energy dance tunes to the Rockport Opera House on March 17. This dance party benefits Ashwood! Tickets are available in the office, at Belfast Dance Studio, the Hope General Store, and
online.
$25 in advance/$30 at the door
Adults only. Cash bar by 40 Paper
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Ashwood Parent Community
The APC will meet on Monday, March 5, 8:30-10:00 a.m. in the conference room. Here's the agenda:
- Welcome and introductions
- Recap of APC events
- Upcoming APC and school events
- Invitation for questions about school policies
- Next meeting
We look forward to meeting together!
-Rebekah Smith
Facilitator
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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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News from AWSNA
Read the February 2018 news from the Association of Waldorf Schools in North America.
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Wednesday, March 7
Grade 1-2 Play
9:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 8
Grade 1-2 Play
9:00 a.m.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
1:30-5:50 p.m.
Friday, March 9
Parent-Teacher Conferences
8:30 a.m. - 3:55 p.m.
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Monday, March 12
Teacher Work Day
NO SCHOOL
Community Singing Circle
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Purdom Open House in Belfast
Ms. and Mr. Purdom announce an Open House this coming weekend, at the downtown Belfast home they've been renovating, with its four apartments: quiet, sweet, and very comfortable. All are welcome! Sat. & Sun., March 3 & 4, 2-5 PM, at 5 Court Street (between Franklin & Spring Streets). No need to RSVP, but please feel free to call 329-3637 with any questions. Hope to see you!
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Andrew Schindel (Mr. Purdom)
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Housing Sought
My dog got adopted (to a wonderful home!) so now it's just me and my daughter Inga seeking housing.
Please pass along my contact info to anyone who might have space.
Best,
Hope
Voicemail/text (708) 955-5451
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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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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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Circus Comes to Ashwood!
Waldorf movement
teacher and circus maven extraordinaire, Jackie Leigh Davis, will be working with our students for 6 weeks!
Welcome, Jackie!
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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, March 14. Deadline for submissions is Monday, March 12, 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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