The school year has started and once again the joyous sound of busy, happy children echoes through the buildings and fills the air.
Enthusiasm reigns throughout the school, from the bright-eyed first graders learning how the straight line and curve form the foundation to all shapes, to our industrious eighth graders who just returned from a three-day camping trip to climb Mount Katahdin. Both middle school classes are in science blocks, grade 6-7 studying physics and grade 8 getting started with anatomy. The students are not only working, but also playing with gusto, enjoying the beautiful Maine September weather and, for many, the new basketball court that has taken the place of the old brown building that was removed during the summer.
As you may know from looking at the school calendar, our entire faculty meets together for four days before the beginning of school, and again for three days after school has ended. These meetings involve settling many practical details about the school year; studying works by Rudolf Steiner and other prominent educators; singing; orienting new faculty; and spending social time together. This precious time brings our entire staff together to prepare a warm, well-planned, and welcoming year for our students and parents alike. The faculty continues to meet weekly throughout the school year, on Tuesday afternoons and on Thursdays from 1:30 until 5:00.
 This year we welcome Elizabeth Doshi, Michelle Buczacz, and Mary Smyth to our grade-school faculty. Elizabeth is an experienced Waldorf teacher who has taken over as class teacher for grade 6-7. Michelle Buczacz is a Waldorf-trained teacher starting her career with our sweet first grade. Dr. Smyth, Ashwood's new eighth-grade math teacher, is a medical doctor as well as an extremely experienced math instructor. Please welcome these new teachers to our community and introduce yourselves to them when you see them at drop-off and pick-up.
Finally, I want to express my own enthusiasm as the school director. Seeing all the parents, my colleagues on the faculty and the board, and, most of all, the children we are here to serve, reminds me each day of my good fortune to be part of Ashwood's 30th year, serving the children of mid-coast Maine. As always, my door is open to you; if it is closed it is because I am already with someone! Please come back, call, or email me. Together our children will have a great year and our school community will thrive.
Welcome Back to School!
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Jody Spanglet
School Director
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Please Spread the Word!
Please come celebrate Ashwood's 30th birthday on Friday, September 16, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Sean Oshima and Friends will be performing, and we'll have a bonfire, a potluck, and lots of happy reunions! If you are in touch with alumni and/or other old friends, do let them know we'd love to see them!
The potluck is organized by classes; please plan your contribution based on the plan below:
EC and Grade 1: Appetizers
Grade 2-3: Dessert
Grade 4-5: Entree
Grade 6-7: Dessert
Grade 8: Entree
If you have children in more than one class, you may choose a category and make plenty! Not a current school family? Bring what you'd like!
Please also bring a picnic blanket and your own plates and utensils. Note: Alcohol consumption is not allowed on school grounds.
This will be one party you will not want to miss!
-Tina Lipmanowicz
(207)230-4544
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New Families Welcome Breakfast
New families and their mentors are invited to a welcome breakfast on Wednesday, September 21, at 8:45 a.m. in the Buttercup Room in the Rosewood Early-Childhood building on Ashwood's campus.
We're inviting new families to a celebratory breakfast.
School director Jody Spanglet, who is a splendid cook, will be catering, so you won't want to miss this special opportunity to meet new parents, their mentors, and some of our board members and staff.
Please
let us know if you plan to attend so we can prepare the right amount of food. We very much look forward to seeing you!
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A New Year
Our first week has come and gone, and the children and teachers are settling into the school rhythms. Everyone is adapting well and making new friends. We are enjoying getting to know our new students, and welcoming back familiar ones as well!
Please mark your calendars with the following important dates:
EARLY CHILDHOOD PARENT EVENING for all
EC and Parent/Child class parents:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Our topic will be "Media and Young Children." We will also be sharing about our daily rhythms and, hopefully, will answer any questions you may have about the program.
EARLY CHILDHOOD HARVEST FESTIVAL: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
(we will discuss this at our parent evening).
IF you have access to fallen apples, PLEASE BRING SOME FOR THIS EVENT; we would like to make applesauce, and we will press them for cider.
Our teaching schedule in the kindergarten is:
Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays: Ms. Beth and Marianne
Thursdays: Ms. Beth with an assistant. (Marianne teaches Parent/Child classes).
Fridays: Marianne. Beth does community outreach.
Looking forward to a beautiful year ahead!
-Marianne and Ms. Beth
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Beautiful Baxter
 After welcoming their Grade One buddies to the grade school at the Rose Ceremony last Tuesday, Grade Eight students, with their teacher, Lesley Finlayson, and a group of parents, spent Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday last week camping and hiking in Baxter State Park.
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Read the September 2016 issue of
Inform, the newsletter of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, by clicking the icon above.
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Friday, September 16
Ashwood's 30th Birthday Celebration
Help us celebrate!
On the beautiful Ashwood Waldorf School campus.
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 20
Early-Childhood Parent Evening
Rosewood Early-Childhood Building
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 21
New Parent Welcome Breakfast
Buttercup Room, Rosewood Early-Childhood Building
8:45 a.m. RSVP.
Friday, September 23
Common Ground Fair
Details Forthcoming!
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
September 27, 28, 29
Class Photos. Details to follow.
Friday, September 30
Michaelmas Festival and Hike
Details in the next Leaflet.
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Teacher's Husband Seeking Work
To The Ashwood Community:
I am looking for a position that will challenge and inspire me, and allow me to continually learn and grow.
I enjoy working individually or with a team. I have experience managing employees in service industries and high-pressure hospitality settings.
I take pride in maximizing efficiency, customer satisfaction, and employee morale.
I am skilled in customer service and have many technical and practical skills including mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and computer experience. I have worked with heavy equipment such as excavators, backhoe loaders, tractors, mowers, and more.
I'm looking forward to finding employment in an exciting, growing, challenging field where I can continue to learn and improve myself and those around me.
Yours,
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Color
Experiencing the World of Color through the Meeting of Light and Darkness
A course with Seth Lester, each class beginning with a charcoal exercise, then translating into wet-on-wet watercolor. No previous experience necessary!
At Ashwood! 8 Sundays from 2:30-5:00pm ~ September 18, 25, October 2, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13
$220 for 8 sessions.
Work scholarships available.
For more information, and to register:
www.anthroposophystudies.tumblr.com
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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, September 28. Deadline for submissions is MONDAY, September 26, at 9:00 a.m.
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Waldorf Education: Changing Perspectives in Education
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Watch this long-awaited, full-length documentary about Waldorf education. Just released in August!
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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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