A parent recently asked school director Jody  Spanglet if we had started a search for her position, to which she responded, "No. Why?"  The parent remembered that two years ago, when Jody committed to continuing in her position, we reported she had committed to two more years. That was, in fact, the commitment -- no fewer than two years -- but we are pleased to say that she remains committed for the next academic year, 2017-18.  We do not ask any of our faculty members to commit for longer than one year at a time, but, of course, we always hope --and, in this case, we couldn't be more thrilled.

So to quell fears and rumors, we can say with confidence that our school will continue to be led by our fabulous Ms. Spanglet.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out.

- Betsy Morrell
Board President
betsyducktrap@gmail.com

There's Still Time!
It's time for Down East Magazine's Best of Maine 2017! We'd love to see Ashwood place (or win!) in the Best Private School, Elementary category. Please click the icon and cast your vote today for Ashwood, the little school that could!

"The sap is running up, the sap is running up, the sap is running up to fill our cup....Thus starts a circle rhyme my "old" colleague, Audrey, taught me many years ago; a current EC parent recently reminded me of it.

Almost every day, the children go to Grandmother/Father Maple Tree to see if the bucket we attached to her trunk a couple of weeks ago has any sweet sap in it.  On several days we found frozen sap and were able to taste some sap crystals. Recently, the parent-child class went to the tree and we each drank a small cup of  the sweet sap. Altogether, we've boiled down enough sap to pour over our porridge next Tuesday.  The process was sweet and the eagerness high.
A special thanks to a few people for "Saynday," the puppet play presented at our Open House last Saturday. The production was a community effort. Along with Ms. Beth and me, there were: Bridget Qualey, who contributed music. Bridget's two daughters are alumni of Ashwood's very early (if not first)  classes; Cherry Short-Lee, one of Ashwood's founders and the wearer of many hats. Cherry has been a mentor and strong supporter of the school, in words and deeds, throughout the years; Marcia Kimpton, who worked in Ashwood's early-childhood program as an assistant and aftercare provider, as well as teacher in her home program, "Chickadee Tree," in Waldoboro; Audrey McGlashan, who helped get the show started and made puppets, but had to withdraw for family reasons. All are longtime friends of the school. And then, the two third graders, Adella and Gabriella, who lent eager and joyful helping hands! We could not have done it without all of them!

- Marianne Bockli
Early-childhood teacher

Screen-Free Week is an annual, international celebration when families, schools, and communities swap digital entertainment for the joys of life beyond the screen. Instead of watching TV, surfing the web, or playing with apps and video games, they read, play, think, create, get active, and spend more time with family and friends. This year, SFW is May 1-7.

To inspire us, we've invited Sarah Baldwin, former Ashwood teacher, currently owner of Bella Luna Toys, to share her family's experiences in a talk titled, "Pulling the Plug: It's Easier Than You Think!" Join us in the Buttercup Room in Ashwood's early-childhood center on Monday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m.

When the week is over, we invite you to join us for a wonderful film showing at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland on Saturday, May 6, at 2:00 p.m. "Let's Get the Rhythm" features "girls' handclapping games from inner city playgrounds and across the world... from every continent... and islands in between. Girls from diverse cultures - from Brooklyn to Tanzania - charm us as they learn and share while expanding their experience." Cool games for next years' screen-free week!

- Judith Soleil
Enrollment and Outreach

A representative from SASSMM, Sexual Assault Supports Services of Midcoast Maine, will offer a presentation for parents about internet safety on Monday, May 8, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. This organization has met with parents, teachers, and students at our school in other  years, and their presentations have been helpful and enlightening.

SASSMM's internet safety curriculum focuses on recognizing, protecting people from, and intervening in online harassment, sexting, and exploitation. They will review some of the online platforms commonly used by adolescents, discuss some common scenarios, and brainstorm ways parents and caregivers can best protect children in this technological world. There will be ample time for questions.

This event will take place in the community room and is open to public. Please join us if you can.

-Jeremy Clough
Grade 5-6 teacher

Clay project led by parent, Avery Larned.

Ashwood will be offering four summer camp sessions this year. Enrollment forms will soon be on our website, or pick one up now in the office!
Ashwood will be offering camps this summer. Here's the lineup:

Nature Explorers
for children 4-7 yrs. old, June 26-June 30.
Leader: Rose Swan

Ultimate Frisbee & Archery Camp
for children entering grades 4-8, July 17-21.
Leader: Jeremy Clough

Jump for Joy!
for children entering grades 1-4, July 17-July 21.
Leader: Rose Swan

French Cooking
for children entering grades 2-4 , July 24-July 28.
Leader: Sarah Trapani