Glorious September
The purple Michaelmas daisies are swaying in the breeze, the baby loons in Megunticook are on their own now, and the sound of children's laughter wafts through campus, mingled with recorder playing and children's voices singing out beautiful melodies.
It must be glorious September!
We now have an outdoor cafeteria of sorts, with a wonderful grouping of picnic tables and benches for outdoor snacks and lunches, and to provide for safe and friendly dismissal practices. Last Friday we hosted our new family welcome picnic breakfast. It was a wonderful gathering of new and veteran parents, staff, and board members alike. The children all received left over treats from the party and our staff enjoyed the hot coffee at recess.
I want to express my own enthusiasm as the director of the school. Seeing all of 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 32nd year, serving the families of midcoast Maine. As always, my door is open to you; if it is closed it is because I am already with someone, so please come back, or call, or e-mail. Together, our children will have a great year and our school community will thrive.
Welcome Back to School!
Faculty Doings
While school has just begun for students and their parents, the faculty returned to school on August 27 for four days of planning meetings. These meetings, along with three days of meetings at the end of the school year, are typically taken up with settling many practical details, studying lectures from Rudolf Steiner and other prominent educators, singing, orienting new faculty members, and spending time together as friends. This precious time brings our entire staff together to prepare a warm, well-planned, and welcoming year for our students and parents. During the school year, the faculty carries this work forward in weekly meetings each Tuesday from 3:30 until 5:00 p.m. and Thursday from 1:30 until 5:00 p.m.
Jody Spanglet, School Director
|
Welcome to Our New Woodworking Teacher
If our new woodworking teacher, Darin Sumpter, looks familiar, it's because he's been at Ashwood since December as our hardworking custodian. It's Darin whom you can thank, among other things, for the sparkling sheen that appeared (magically?) on the ash floors in the grade school building over the summer.
Darin has worked with his hands all his life. Having grown up in Delaware farmland and participated as a youth in a variety of farming activities, he eventually attended a technical college to study agri-business technology. Darin later turned his skills to auto restoration, working in the industry for 23 years. Darin's woodworking skills were learned from his father. "My dad built our house, and as kids we had a hand in that." After wrapping up his career in automotive restoration, Darin began restoring houses. He's currently remodeling his own home in Owls Head, where he lives with his partner Nancy.
How did Darin's first round of classes go? "I thought it was fun," said Darin. "When the kids left on the first day, I had to laugh: This is really a blast! I love their curiosity." He feels that it is "quite a privilege to be here, and then being able to work with the kids... I didn't anticipate that, but I'm tickled to death to be able to do it."
Laura Purdom, Director of Market and Outreach |
In Early Childhood Classes,
"Older Timers" Help "New Timers"
The leaves are green the nuts are brown,
they're up so high they won't come down.
Leave them alone until frosty weather,
and they will all come down together.
What a wonderful start to year we are having in the Early Childhood! We welcomed back many "old timers" from last year and in turn they have helped bring in the "new timers" with great warmth. There are so many ways to play and be busy in these late summer days; however, when Miss Jen and I survey the playground we often find the children picking up the baby green apples behind the big rock and taking some brave sour bites.
We are learning many early fall songs and stories during circle and story time--whether we are dancing to "Dingle, Dangle Scarecrow" or listening to the triumphs of "The Little Brown Bun."
We look forward to much more fun and singing in the kindergarten this year. The children have been such a delight!
Morgan Wade, Early Childhood Teacher
|
Camden Hills Fall Musical to Feature
Ashwood Alumni
We're pleased to announce that several Ashwood alumni will be featured in the 2018 CHRHS fall musical, Anything Goes with music by Cole Porter. Performances are November 1-4 and 9-10. Alumni in the cast include: Isaiah Doble ('17) as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, Caleb Edwards ('17) as Billy Crocker, and Leanna Cotton ('18), Zhenya Mikha (formerly Scott, '18), and
Kate Kemper ('16) as chorus members.
Do you know of other alumni involved in the production? On the crew? In the orchestra pit? Let us know. We want to support you!
Laura Purdom, Director of Marketing & Outreach
|
 |
Homecoming Party
Join us at
Ashwood Waldorf School
on
Friday, September 14 from 5-7 p.m.
for a HOMECOMING PARTY
featuring live music with
members of
the
Gawler Family!
This event is for everyone in the Ashwood community
--past, present, and future--
with a special invitation to alumni of all ages.
Potluck Assignments (bring a serving utensil):
If your last name begins with A-H, bring an appetizer
If your last name begins with I-S, bring an entree
If your last name begins with T-Z, bring a dessert
Water and seltzer, plates, cups, utensils will be provided.
You may want to bring a ground cover or lawn chair.
Questions? Interested in helping out?
Contact
Tina Lipmanowicz
.
Parents are reminded that, although this is an after-school event, all school rules apply. In concern for the safety of our students, the faculty asks that children be supervised by parents at all times.
|
Common Ground Country Fair
Classes 4-5 and 6-7 will be attending the Common Ground Fair in Unity on Friday, September 21.
Please bring students in Classes 4-5 and 6-7 to school at 7:50 that morning. Dismissal will take place at the fair. Class teachers will contact parents directly about transportation, dismissal, and pickup plans.
|
Michaelmas Pageant and Hike
Our annual Michaelmas pageant and hike will take place on
Friday, September 28.
Parents are encouraged to join us at 9:00 a.m. for the festivities: music, verse, and pageant, followed by challenge games for the students and a picnic lunch.
After lunch, we will hike to the summit of Mount Battie.
A bus will depart from Ashwood after the picnic and deliver grade-school students to the Route 52 Carriage Road trailhead. (Refer to the 9/26
Leaflet for a full schedule.) Because of very limited parking, we encourage parents who wish to join the hike to arrange carpooling to the trailhead. The most convenient option is to carpool from the Route 1, Camden Hills State Park Headquarters entrance.
NOTE: If you join the hike and park at the Route 52 trailhead, please make arrangements for transportation from the park back to your car.
After a snack atop Mt. Battie, we will continue down to the Camden Hills State Park Headquarters, where we will play games until dismissal time, 3:15 p.m.
All grade school children must be picked up at Camden Hills State Park Headquarters by 3:15 p.m. on Friday, September 28.
NOTE: If the morning is very rainy, the pageant will be performed in the community room (downstairs in the grade school building). If hiking isn't advisable, we'll sing together and then resume a regular schedule for the rest of the day. Rain cancellation of the hike will be announced by 8:30 a.m. on Friday via email.
Gear for the Hike
For the Michaelmas hike, we encourage parents to send their children to school wearing sturdy footwear and, if possible, a backpack (versus a satchel or sack) containing extra layers of clothing: it is often windy and several degrees cooler at the summit. Be sure to include a
hearty snack and
plenty of water.
Ashwood Faculty
|
|
|
Fall Service Day: October 3
Get ready to lend a hand October 3rd during Ashwood's Fall Service Day!
Grade school students, teachers, and parent volunteers will be tackling projects in and for the community after main lesson. We will also be holding a blood drive that day (see below).
Our Spring Serve-A-Thon projects have been a wonderful way to bring awareness and develop relationships with nonprofits in our community; we've added the fall service day to deepen these ties. Here's what we have planned:
Grade 1: Picking up trash along the shore
Grade 2-3: Singing and visiting at Knox Center
for
Long-Term Care
Grade 4-5: Constructing cat platforms for Pope Memorial Animal Shelter (in the Ashwood woodshop)
Grade 6-7: Garden work at Youthlinks and helping Habitat for Humanity (two groups).
Class parents will be in touch to coordinate carpools and help sign up to volunteer for projects.
Save a Life: Donate blood
Ashwood will be hosting the Red Cross bloodmobile for a blood drive on October 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
To sign up, go to Redcross and search by our zipcode: 04856. Or contact Sarah Ewing to reserve a slot. Please,
help spread the word!
Sarah Ewing, Administrative Assistant/Development Assistant
|
|
Ashwood Parent Community (APC) News
|
It's the Michaelmas Stay-and-Play!
The Ashwood Parent Community invites you to a stay-and-play in the pavilion at Camden Hills State Park after the Michaelmas hike on Friday, September 28. Come join other Ashwood families for popcorn and drink, and time to catch up with friends. There's plenty of space to run and play, or just sit and visit! The pavilion is in the picnic area across from the Mt. Battie entrance to the park. Gates to this area close at 5:00 p.m., but the pavilion is available until 7:00 p.m. if you park your vehicle across the street. Come join the fun, rain or shine! We hope
to see you there.
The Ashwood Parent Community
|
APC Rhymes with Coffee and Tea!
The Ashwood Parent Community (APC) will be sponsoring a coffee and tea table at Friday Assemblies (
download the assembly schedule here). On assembly days, please join us for warm conversation and a hot "cuppa" right after morning drop-off (8:15-8:30 a.m.) in the garden level hallway.
The Ashwood Parent Community
|
|
Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate has begun, but you may still sign up to join this energetic crew.
Any students in the midcoast community in Grades 4-8 may join. Bring your friends! The club is coed (boys and girls), and no experience is needed. Students will learn all the skills and rules they need to play. While participants skills are sure to improve, the main goal is to have fun!
Coach:Jeremy Clough, Ashwood Waldorf School Class Teacher
When: Wednesdays, September 12,19, 26; October 3,10 and 24. There is no practice on October 17. Instead, practice will be on Friday, October 19.
All practices are from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Where: We will meet at Ashwood Waldorf School, 180 Park Street, Rockport, at 3:25 p.m. and walk to the Marge Jones Recreation Fields on Route 90 (West Street). We will be playing on the
softball field
. Pick up is at Marge Jones at 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $50 per student
Call or email Sarah Ewing (207-236-8021) if your child would like to join the club.
Students will need to bring running shoes, a snack, water bottle, and appropriate clothing for the weather.
Jeremy Clough, Class 6-7 Teacher
|
|
|
|
Friday, September 14
All-School Games
8:40-9:00 p.m
Homecoming Party
With live music by members
of the Gawler Family
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 18
Early Childhood Parent Evening
Friday, September 21
Common Ground Fair
Classes 4-5 and 6-7
Apple Picking
Classes 1 and 2-3
Tuesday, September 25
School Photos
8:30-9:45 a.m.: Class 6-7 and
Grade 6 individual
9:45 a.m.: Class 2-3
10:35-11:30 a.m.: Grade 7 individual
11:30 a.m.: Class 4-5
Wednesday, September 26
School Photos
9:30 a.m.: Early Childhood
11:00-11:30 a.m.: Class 1
Friday, September 28
Michaelmas Festival and Hike
Wednesday, October 3
Grade School Service Day
11:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Friday, October 5
8:15-8:40 a.m.
APC coffee & tea
Friday Assembly with Class 2-3
8:40-9:00 a.m.
|
Ride Share Needed
 Hello, Ashwood Families! I am a new parent at Ashwood. My son, Harrison, is in seventh grade. I am looking for a carpool to and from Rockland or Thomaston. I am able to drive to school on Mondays and pick up on Fridays, and I am looking for help for the other times. I can drop-off at your house if that is easier. Please call Mandy at 542-9658.
A Course in Theosophy
Led by Bill Laurita
An opportunity to explore the foundations of Waldorf Education. For parents, educators, and anyone desiring to learn to pronounce the five-syllable A-word!
 How do we learn to focus on what is lasting and not get lost in the transitory? What is the difference between soul and spirit? How can Theosophy help us better understand current affairs? How can I apply this book to my life?
Six Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 PM, September 27-November 1 in the Michaelmas Library at the entrance of the Ashwood Waldorf School campus.
The class will be about reading Steiner's words, with presentations toward explication of the text and discussion. The goal is to explore, clarify, and to relate the content of Theosophy to life's journey.
Bill Laurita has been a student of Anthroposophy for the past 30 years. He was a Waldorf teacher and administrator prior to his current position as president of the Swans Island Company. He holds a BA from UVM and a Masters from UNH. Tuition is $120. Please register through Studies in Anthroposophy or send an email.
Lovely Apartment, Downtown Belfast
Beautiful one-bedroom, first-floor Belfast apartment. Quiet, central location. A
vailable Oct./Nov. 2018 (exact date TBD).
Brand new--well-designed kitchen, bathroom, heating, walk-in closets, shared laundry--with
many "old" touches:
fir floors, high ceilings, p
retty mantel, many windows: lots of
light, all day.
$925/ month includes laundry, snow removal, lawn care. Heat, electric not included.
Please call Andrew (a.k.a., Mr. Purdom) at (207) 329-3637, before
8 p.m
.
We publish community-service announcements from and for Ashwood community members at no charge (50-words max.). Send to: Laura Purdom.
|
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
Laura Purdom.
|
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 26. Deadline for submissions is MONDAY, September 24, at 9:00 a.m.
|
|
Support Waldorf education in midcoast Maine. Make a tax-deductible donation today by clicking the button below.
Thank you!
|
|
|
|
