Goodbye to Beth Lunt
Early-childhood teacher Beth Lunt has decided that this will be her last year teaching at Ashwood. This is Beth's seventh year at our school, and with her warmth and loving guidance she has touched the lives of many children, including many of our current grade-school students. Beth's personal letter follows:
Dear Early Childhood Families,
 Each January, the faculty is asked to state their intentions about whether they plan to return for the following school year (2017-2018). After much reflection, I have decided that this will be my last year teaching at Ashwood. Several of my children live in southern Maine, and my recently widowed mother, who is 85, lives in Connecticut. My sisters and brothers also live in Connecticut. I wish to live closer to my family, and so I will be relocating in mid-June to East Baldwin, Maine. My daughter, Molly Beth, and son-in-law, Joshua, have a beautiful farm there. I'm happy to think of working in a family garden again! I did a lot of that as a young homesteading mother, and I miss it. I will also seek work in the Waldorf early- childhood realm, though as of this writing I do not yet have a clear picture of this.
I have met so many wonderful children and families here during the past seven years. I am grateful to each and every one of you. I ask that you please not share my decision with your children yet, as half of the school year still remains. There is no reason for the children to be made aware of what for them is a distant ending to our time together. Children live primarily in the present, and I believe it is wise to wait and announce this news to them closer to the end of the school year.
Warmly,
Ms. Beth
We are thrilled that longtime veteran teacher, Marianne Bockli, will be returning to be the lead teacher in the early-childhood program again next year. In the months to come we will determine our full staffing needs, and we will communicate with you as we make these decisions. Please join me in wishing Beth the best of luck in her upcoming journey.
-Jody Spanglet
School Director
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Hello, February!
 January is slipping away and February will soon be upon us. We have been enjoying all of our kindergarten activities: bread baking, painting, and playing. Outside, the sandbox has recently turned from an ice skating rink into a huge puddle. On Friday, the children found pine branches on the ground and were dipping them into that big puddle. Then they "painted" the little red playhouse! And some of us got very wet indeed.
Our circle has centered around snow, and we are hoping for more snow very soon. In the forest, we have been building fairy houses and collecting acorn caps for pretend money to use in the kindergarten (there were so many acorns this year!).
Reminder: Our parent evening is this Thursday, February 2, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. We hope to see you there. School director, Jody Spanglet, will present an introduction to grade one, followed by candle dipping! Do you have friends and relatives who are curious about the Waldorf approach, particularly in the early grades? Bring them along!
Warmly,
- Beth Lunt
Early-Childhood Teacher
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Parent-Child Classes
Enroll NOW for our next session! Starts March 22.
Click the image to register.
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Grade 4-5 at Work and at Play
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The Snow Queen on Her Elegant Throne
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Active Lives
 Patrick Thompson, Ashwood class of 2003, has been living in Oakland, CA for 2 1/2
years. He works at Pfeiffer Lab (.com), a 10-minute bike commute from his apartment, designing household and office furniture. The Bay Area is treating him well; most of his free time is spent mountain biking, boxing, and sampling the local food.
 Daphne Braden, Ashwood class of 2001, is currently living in Burrillville, RI, where she works as a family nurse practitioner at a clinic in the center of town. It is a federally qualified community health center that provides primary care, dental, and behavioral health services to the surrounding communities. When not at work, Daphne enjoys long hikes with her dog, time with family, and, occasionally, still playing the cello and fiddle! She is also engaged to be married, and looking forward to all the exciting changes this new year has to bring!
Thanks to our correspondent, Caroline Ginsberg (Ashwood, 2000), for gathering these profiles.
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Annual Appeal
The annual appeal isn't just about numbers. Even more, it's about people. My favorite annual appeal story this year is about a recent alumnus of 2 years. After receiving his reappeal letter, he drove to campus after his classes let out and dropped off his annual appeal donation in person. His grace was palpable. When a young alumnus has the awareness and the impulse to give in this way, it is a wonderful reminder of exactly why we all do the good work we do--parents and faculty alike.
Thank you to the 20 alumni who have already given to the annual appeal. We are so grateful to be remembered by you!
Aiden Acosta
Anonymous
Emma Berryman-Moore
Fiona Boyd
Jonas Eichenlaub
Chloe Finger
Ella Finger
Zoe Geer
Caroline Ginsberg
Emma Moesswilde
Soren Moesswilde |
Lydia Morin
Simon Morin
Tessa Mott
Emir Odom
Khidhr Odom
Shafi Odom
Kayla Olds
Isadora Osgood
Alden Robinson
Rachel Sizeler-Fletcher
Emma Trapani |
By the numbers, here is where we stand. To date, we've raised $35,324 toward our $40,000 goal. We are getting close! Classes, there's still time to win that chocolate torte! Below are the percentages of participation by class compared to where we were last year at the same time. We are doing great!
Board*: 100% (up from 88%)
Faculty: 80% (up from 50%)
EC: 20% (up from 5%)
Grade 1: 60% (up from 15%)
Grade 2-3: 42% (up from 14%)
Grade 4-5: 58% (up from 38%)
Grade 6-7: 66% (up from 16%)
Grade 8: 30% (down from 33%)
*THESE HEROES GOT A CHOCOLATE TORTE!
Thank you!
-
Annie Mahle
Development Director
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Introduction to Spacial Dynamics®
Space is not a silent void. Space speaks. Its language is movement.
--Jaimen McMillan, master mover and founder of
Spacial Dynamics
Come explore the space around you through Spacial Dynamics! With slow movement techniques we will create spaces that promote posture that is beautiful and easeful. No movement experience necessary.
This class is for adults of all ages and movement abilities!
Tuesdays, 5:45- 7:00 p.m.
February 7,14, 28, and March 7
Ashwood Waldorf School Community Room
Cost: $10 per class (no one will be turned away due to insufficient funds). Drop-ins are welcome.
Email
Jeremy Clough, level 1 Spacial Dynamics graduate, with questions.
"Spacial Dynamics® is the study and enhancement of the relationship between the human being and space. Through movement techniques and activities, Spacial Dynamics® gives you the experience of the healthy, harmonious balance between your body and the surrounding space." Spacial Dynamics® was developed by master mover, Jaimen McMillan.
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INFORM
Click the image to read the February issue of the newsletter of the Association of Waldorf Schools in North America.
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Thursday, February 2
Early-Childhood Parent Evening. Introduction to Grade One and Candle Dipping! Public invited. Rosewood Early-Childhood Building
6:00 p.m.
Friday, February 3
Friday Assembly
Grade One presents
8:40 - 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, February 7
Grades 1 and 2-3 Parent Evening
5:30 p.m.
Friday, February 9
Grade to be determined
8:40 - 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, February 15
School Tours
Grade school: 8:15 -10:30 a.m.
Early Childhood: 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
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The Spiraling Waldorf Curriculum
This is a detailed look at the Waldorf curriculum from a former Waldorf student, now a Waldorf teacher.
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Mystery of the Human Encounter
Offered by Studies in Anthroposophy
Seven Sundays, 2:30 - 4:30, at Ashwood Waldorf School, Rockport, Maine. January 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, March 5, 12. For more information, see
here and
here.
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Compassionate Listening
How do you transform the energy of conflict into an opportunity to connect? You are invited to join the Midcoast Maine Compassionate Listening Practice Group, which will be actively working with this question through experiential activities that help to build trust, connection, understanding, and respectful dialogue. It is a useful practice for those interested in peace building and conflict transformation on a personal and community scale. Contact
Rose Swan for more information.
We meet next on Thursday, February 2, from 5:30-8:00pm.
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Housing Sought
Dear Ashwood Community,
We are looking for a place to stay for the months of April and May. Our family is about to grow by one and our house will not quite be able to fit us anymore. Thus, this spring we will be reconstructing our home to better fit a family of four. During the initial phases of this rebuilding we will need another place to live. If you know of a house-sitting or inexpensive rental opportunity for the months of April and May, please contact
Robert Kaczor 315-525-4897, or find me on campus. Thanks for your consideration!
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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, February 15. Deadline for submissions is MONDAY, February 13, 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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