School Governance and the Role of the Board of Trustees
Ashwood, like all Waldorf schools, works with the pedagogical and curriculum indications that were developed by Rudolf Steiner, an early 20th-century philosopher. The organizational form of the school is based on Steiner's idea that Waldorf schools are self-governed. Self-governed schools, while free of government mandate, require much effort to form a positive and worthwhile educational experience for children and their families.
 Waldorf teachers study Rudolf Steiner's philosophy, known as anthroposophy, or "the wisdom of the human being," and apply its insights in their approach to teaching and their collegial work. While Ashwood's board of trustees is sensitive and open to the philosophical roots of the school and faculty, board work is essentially organized around standard principles of non-profit organizations and independent school practices.
Teachers, administrators, and members of the board of trustees share the responsibility for Ashwood's governance. The teachers hold primary responsibility for the pedagogy - those things that happen in and around the curriculum and classroom experience. Administrators manage the school's daily operations beyond the classroom, as well as uphold the corporate duties of this non-profit institution. The board's responsibility is to ensure that Ashwood operates on a stable and sustainable financial basis and that the school's practices promote transparency, safety, and respect for individual rights.
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Afternoon Pickup Safety
Dear Parents,
We have a request for all parents or responsible adults who are picking up children. In your children's best interests, we ask that you
park and come to meet your child or park and stand at a spot on the path where your child's dismissing teacher can see you when you are ready to receive your child. We want to ensure that each child is being picked up by the correct adult.
For safety's sake,
students must not enter the parking lots without a supervising adult. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.
We love to see children and parents lingering on campus after school. However, please make sure that your child has first checked in with you before they go off to play, and that school rules are followed at all times when your child is on campus. Thank you!
Sincerely,
-The Faculty
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Autumn Gold
Yellow the bracken Golden the sheaves,
Rosy the apples, crimson the leaves....
What a most beautiful autumn we are having! Rarely have the colors seemed so vibrant and lasting. Our walks into the woods keep me marveling at the beauty of it all.
Children wearing orange hats, running on golden, leaf-covered paths, sunrays slanting through mists: all give our walks a fairy tale mood. How pleasant it is, then, to sit on a fallen log, listen to or tell a story, sing some autumnal songs, do some finger plays, then run off again, sliding on the leaves, finding acorn caps to use as whistles or fairy saucers, following paths to unknown destinations.
On forest day, we have been climbing "cliffs," using the roots of fallen trees as a shelter/house, digging in the dirt, looking for deer tracks in the mud of the riverbed, following squirrels on stone walls (and offering our gnawed corn cobs to them). Last week, the first graders joined us one morning. It was touching to hear them recollecting the "days long ago when we were in kindergarten." They were eager to initiate the younger kids into some of their favorite activities by the lean-to and noted the newly shingled roof (thank you, Mr. Kaczor)!
-Marianne for EC
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Grade One Apple Dolls
Grade One went apple-picking recently, and made dolls with some of their harvest.
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New Profiles
These just in from alumni coordinator, Caroline Ginsberg!
 Brenda Reddy graduated from Ashwood in 2008. Brenda is currently developing her skills as a yoga teacher at a training on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. After the course, she plans to travel up the coast toward Nicaragua before returning to Philadelphia to complete her BSc in nutrition. "I thank my alternative education for encouraging my open mind, fearless authenticity, and reverence for Earth. These qualities were nurtured in the safety of Ashwood's classrooms and communities, and they have brought me a deep sense of peace as I navigate life."
 Emily Seymour graduated from Ashwood in 2006. She attended CHRHS and then traveled for a few years. She spent a year serving with FoodCorps, where she connected public school students with fresh food through gardening and cooking education. She also worked as an assistant teacher at Spindlewood. She recently opened Curator, a men's consignment store on Main St. in Rockland, with her partner.
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All Hallows' Eve
The excitement is mounting! We've had a wonderful response from the Ashwood community: many of you are involved behind the scenes to make our enchanted walk magical. There's still time to pitch in if you'd like: just contact parent Brenda Cotton or Outreach Director Judith Soleil.
 Join us this Friday, October 28, 5:00-7:00 p.m., and be sure to spread the word about this family-friendly event. Your can view the schedule here. Note the times of the two walk-throughs: 5:20 and 6:00 p.m.
Please send in a pumpkin or two with your child(ren) before Friday! Carving is scheduled for Friday, 9:15-11:00 a.m.
RAIN is currently forecast for Friday. If the weather is too wet and windy, we will postpone all the festivities (assembly, pumpkin carving, and enchanted walk) until MONDAY, OCTOBER 31. Please watch
Facebook
or your inbox on Friday for any change of plans!
-Judith Soleil
Enrollment and Outreach
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Citrus Sale
Ashwood's Grade 8 is selling citrus fruits to benefit their class trip. The offerings this year include:
10 lb., 20 lb. & 40 lb. carton sizes of
Oranges
Ruby Red Grapefruits
Mandarin Oranges
Or, a mix!
Plus, a variety of carton sizes ensures you won't have uneaten fruit rolling around in the crisper until spring!
Deadline to order: November 11
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Click above to order now!
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Questions? Contact
Jacob Eichenlaub.
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Ashwood T-Shirts
Ashwood T-Shirts are now available for sale!
These cotton shirts feature Ashwood's logo on the front, and signature leaf on the back. Available in short sleeve (kiwi green and Carolina blue); long sleeve (sport grey); and women's cut short sleeve (lapis and sport grey), these shirts are attractive, dress-code approved, and perfect for spreading Ashwood awareness in the community.
To make sure you're ordering the right size, check sizing charts for the
youth
,
women's,
and
unisex
shirts.
Place your order
online
. Deadline for ordering is November 15. Available for pick up at school in early December.
Come to the office to see color swatches; colors shown online are not quite accurate.
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Lost and Found
The Lost and Found basket has a new home: downstairs in the grade school building. Entering through the downstairs door, you will see the basket in the left corner of the hallway.
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AWSNA Newsletter
Click the icon above to read the October issue of news from the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America.
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Thursday, October 27
Board of Trustees Meeting
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 28
All-School Assembly. If All Hallows' festivities take place on Monday due to bad weather on Friday, the assembly will be on MONDAY.
8:40-9:00 a.m.
All Hallows' Eve songs.
All Hallows' Eve Walk: Weather Permitting!
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Monday, October 31
All Hallows' Eve Walk: RAIN DATE
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 2
Grade 6-7 Class Evening
Doshi residence
6:00 p.m.
Friday, November 4
All-School Assembly
8:40-9:00 a.m.
Grade 8 presents.
Friday, November 10
Lantern Walk for Early- Childhood
and Grades 1-3
4:30 p.m.
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Christian Community
The fall gathering of the Christian Community in Maine is scheduled for November 5 and 6. The Reverend Lisa Hildreth will be arriving in Rockport on Saturday, November 5, and will celebrate the Trinity season, which is the time between Michaelmas and Advent. You can read full details
here.
Please call the Planning Committee members, Pat Chanterelle (207-846-0587), Cherry Short Lee (207- 273-3045), Richard Ailes (207-236-0505), Cordelia Lane (207-415-0543) with any questions.
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Violin for Sale
K500 Johannes Kohr 1/2 violin outfit with case and bow. Very good condition. I had the neck updated for $125 and purchased a new bow for $60. Asking $300.
Call Maureen at 207-975-5200
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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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Strand Concert
Saturday, November 12 at 7:30pm: The JAY UNGAR and MOLLY MASON Family Band at the Strand Theatre in Rockland.
One of America's most celebrated acoustic music duos, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, perform hard driving Appalachian, Cajun, and Celtic fiddle tunes, country songs and ballads, waltzes, and their own original tunes. Jay and Molly earned international acclaim for writing and performing "Ashokan Farewell," the hallmark of Ken Burns's
The Civil War on PBS. The Family Band features Jay's daughter, Ruth Ungar, and her husband, Mike Merenda (Mike & Ruthy), folk-rock multi-instrumentalists known for their old-time style.
Tickets: $20/Advance, $25/Door, available at 594-0070 or
www.RocklandStrand.com
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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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Why Waldorf?
San Francisco Waldorf High School seniors perform "Fugue Prime"-
an engaging and fun way of learning key elements in the "Calculus and Chaos Theory" course, a Grade 12 main-lesson block.
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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 9. Deadline for submissions is Monday, November 7, 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.
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