With a School Tour event around the corner on Wednesday, November 14, parent Amy Thompson shares a few words about her visit to Class 

2-3, 4-5, and 6-7 during last month's tour. Read on, and come see what your child gets up to all day on the next school tour. Don't forget to bring a friend! It's the perfect opportunity to answer that frequently asked question: So, why do you send your child to Ashwood? Registration by Tuesday, November 13 is required. Call 

207.236.8021 or email.

--Editor

We recently had a friend from Los Angeles staying with our family, and her trip coincided with an Ashwood school tour. I tried to explain what she would be seeing beforehand, but it clearly did little to prepare her. When she saw Rob Kaczor lead his fourth- and fifth-grade students through their morning routine like the Pied Piper, her jaw dropped. Like my friend, although I have witnessed it many times, seeing our teachers in action still delights and inspires me.

Waldorf is really something that has to be experienced in person. Reading the literature or hearing the philosophy behind the method is one thing, but seeing in the children's faces how much a certain story or activity resonates is the real magic. Michelle Buczacz's students reviewed a saint story by performing it three times in a row! Their rapt attention, even for the third re-enactment, was testament to how well-suited the story was to their stage of development. Equally inspiring was the depth and breadth of the sixth and seventh-graders' understanding of Roman history. No mere recitation of facts, these students had clearly worked with these stories and historical figures to the point that the information had become a part of them. The words and ideas, woven from books, stories and images, brought to them by Mr. Clough, were interpreted and assimilated now as their own. As each student stood and shared what they had learned, their layered impressions, colored by their own, unique perspectives, combined to create a full and vibrant tapestry of ancient history. 
  
It is striking how engaged and connected to their teachers the children are. The classroom culture and rhythm that seems so effortless, has doubtless been carefully crafted. After morning greetings, roll call, and a bit of math, the 4/5 students moved like a flock of birds to swiftly bring their desks to the edge of the classroom and began a lively circle game. The game ended, seated in a circle, for a full class discussion about how the students thought the great cliffs overlooking Megunticook were formed. The fearlessness with which the students offered ideas was inspiring. The safety to share and to sometimes be wrong is a hallmark of our classrooms at Ashwood. Without fear of ridicule the children offered up and discussed a wide range of theories. And I came away with a new bit of knowledge about how Lake Megunticook got its name; if you'd like to know, you will have to ask a fourth or fifth grader.

Amy Thompson, Ashwood Parent

The hot cider bubbled, the fire crackled, accordion music drifted over the cool night air, and pumpkins winked merrily along the woodland path. It was an All Hallows' Eve to remember! This year, we had a few new storybook characters pattering among the dry leaves. In addition to a cast of old friends, such as Red Riding Hood, fluting fairies, and wizened witches and wizards, there were bumbling court jesters, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, and scenes from Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, and the Medusa myth. Traditionally, Ashwood's oldest class creates most of the woodland scenes, and it is a delight every year to see the students' joy in bringing this gift to the small children of the community. It's also a great pleasure to have former faculty, alumni, and alumni parents participating as characters, trail tenders, musicians, and more.  Imagine where we'd have been without out our cookie bakers, cider servers, path decorators, fire tenders, parking lot gurus, trail guides, pumpkin carvers, candle lighters, gong ringers, spider puppeteers, hay bale haulers, and so much more!

So, thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who helped make this year's All Hallow's Eve a great success! 

 Laura Purdom, Director of Marketing and Outreach

Have you ever wondered what your children get up to all day here at Ashwood? Do you have friends or family members who are curious about Waldorf education? Join our school tour  on Wednesday, November 14, 8:15 to 10:30 a.m., for answers to your Waldorf questions. This month,  we will visit Class 2-3, 4-5 and 6-7.

Come with a friend or a family member (adults only, please) and see Waldorf in action.  After the tour there will be time for questions and conversation. The tour is free of charge, and all are welcome.

Registration by Tuesday, November 13 is required. Call 

207.236.8021  or email.

"Winter is dark, y et each tiny spark b rightens the way." On Wednesday, December 5 at 4:30 p.m., Ashwood invites parents, alumni, and friends to participate in the Winter Spiral of Light celebration in the early-childhood center. 

The winter spiral is a tradition celebrated in Waldorf schools around the world. The theme is nonsectarian and embraces all beliefs; we honor simply the light that each of us brings to the world, particularly when we share that light with others. We especially need this as the days grow shorter and the light wanes earlier and earlier each day.

Participants quietly enter a darkened room. As soft music plays, each receives an apple "candleholder" bearing a taper. A large spiral of evergreens is laid out on the floor , adorned with golden stars. In the center of the spiral a tree stump supports a lighted candle. Each person walks, one by one, from the beginning of the spiral into the center and lights their candle from the central flame, then turns and walks back, setting their candle down on a golden star along the way. One by one, each small flame lights up the whole room. When everyone has walked, they leave the room silently to bask in the inner image of the glowing spiral as they wait in the foyer of the early-childhood center for the delivery of their candleholders, which all are invited to take home. 

If you plan to attend, please try to arrive no later that 4:20 p.m., so there is time to take your place before the event begins. Questions? Please RSVP, so that we can have the appropriate number of candles available.

-- Laura Purdom, Director of Marketing & Outreach

Winter Revels approaches, and our theme this year is Joy! Each winter and spring Ashwood classes stage a rollicking review of their best artistic numbers of the season. There's something for everyone, with singing, dancing, poetry, and always a few surprises. It's a great way to celebrate the holidays together and to say a warm farewell to friends before before we part for winter break. Invite your friends!

In marking your calendar, please note that, this year, Winter Revels will be on a Wednesday . See you there!

-- Laura Purdom, Director of Marketing & Outreach

The Ashwood Parent Community

You may have noticed that the kiosk bulletin board has migrated to a more central location,  thanks to the hard work of Ashwood parents. Now, we'd like to do the work of keeping it useful to the community. The APC is looking for a parent volunteer to check the bulletin board on a regular basis to make sure the material posted follows the kiosk guidelines. If you are interested in learning more about helping out in this way, please get in touch with Rebekah Smith.  

At the outset of their second Roman History block, Class 6-7 heard the story of Hannibal Barca, the great military commander from Carthage who led his men through Gaul and over the Alps to attack the Romans during the Second Punic War (circa 200 BCE). Below, sixth grader, Sanbate, writes a series of journal entries from the point of view of a mercenary fighting for Hannibal. (Editor)

A Mercenary's Journal
Entry 1: Our first day of travel was so easy that I fear the men will become lazy. I, of course, could never be lazy. I have been trained in Arabia and paid a great sum of money to take on this quest. I will not disappoint. Most people assume mercenary work is rubbish. Those people don't know me!

Entry 2: These soldieries are having a ball! Gaul not only surrendered; they joined us! I fear not the battle, but the Alps. They get closer each day.

Entry 3: Nearly to the Alps.

Entry 4: We have arrived at the Alps. We are spending the night at the base.

Entry 5: The journey begins.

Entry 6: I always feared these mountains, but I had no idea what horror lay within! Soldiers and fellow mercenaries die hourly, animals slip and take men with them. Already my good friend has committed suicide. Perhaps that is not such a bad idea.

Entry 7: I seriously debate suicide.

Entry 8: Captain Hannibal truly is a great man. He found out my thoughts of suicide and talked me out of it.

Entry 9: Wild mountain tribes are attacking! I fear for my life. They are superb fighters.

Entry 10: Forgive me for not writing. I contracted frostbite and my fingers were far too sore.

Entry 11: We have arrived in Italy. Success did not come free. We lost 70,000 men, and 20 elephants. No telling how may horses. Wait! What do I see? A Roman army! Sound the alarm!

Entry 12: The previous battle was won and yet another army approaches. I may not live to fight in it. An awful wound in my side may prevent it. Captain Hannibal is comforting me. I hope someday my journal shall be discovered and turned into a famous story. A story about a mercenary who gave her life for the fairest general in the world. Name the story (whoever is reading this): "A Mercenary's Journal". I die with honor.

by Sanbate, Grade 6