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Celebrating 100 years of
Waldorf education
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Greetings!
This week in the
Leaflet we have reports on our 100th anniversary party, a novel Friday assembly, and a diversity workshop. And—check it out—we've been named the best alternative school in Knox County! Finally, it being fall, special events are legion, so, don't miss the announcements, reminders, and notices of upcoming events.
Photo: The Waldorf100 party band: Alden Robinson ('98),
Christian Stevens, and Miles Isacke.
The next edition of the
Leaflet
will be published on Wednesday, October 9. We welcome your comments, questions, and submissions.
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Happy Birthday, Waldorf!
The weather was pristine, the food was delicious, and the vibe was warm, happy and laid back. Last week's Homecoming & 100th Anniversary Party brought together Ashwood alumni, former faculty and parents, and current families and faculty to celebrate 100 years of Waldorf education and another beautiful year at Ashwood.
Fiddle tunes floated over the treetops. New party flags festooned the walkway. Old friends caught up with each other. Even Rudolf Steiner, founder of Waldorf education, put in an appearance, passing out almonds and "auf wiedersehens" and looking very much like our dear former class teacher Ursula Leonore. Board member Lisa Newcomb helped us cap the event perfectly with a circle song in the meadow as the evening stars began to wink.
Our gratitude goes out to party organizers, Tina Lipmanowicz and Lisa Newcomb. Thanks also to Tabatha Tucker for creating the party flags and reviving the tree loom, Bridget Qualey for the silverware (go green!), Stephanie Mazur and Kari Luehman for the gorgeous flowers; Megan Murphy for the scrumptious birthday cake and cupcakes; Alden, Christian and Miles for the fabulous music, APC members who so ably helped with set up and clean up, and everyone who came out to celebrate Ashwood and Waldorf's 100th year.
Stay tuned for more Waldorf100 activities throughout the year.
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Whose Book Is It Anyway?
To the perennial question, "What did you do on your summer vacation?" Ashwood's book-loving 5th through 8th graders might all have the same answer: I read a great book and designed a tee-shirt inspired by it!
As school began last week, tee-shirts began trickling in, and it was clear that all that creativity and hard work ought to be shared with a wider audience. So, we invited the whole school to an assembly last Friday where the students put on a lively game show we called "Whose Book Is It Anyway?" Students took turns reading quotes from various authors and 11 brave contestants from the audience—from tiny tots to proud parents—took turns guessing the correct book.
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Speak Out/Speak Up
This summer I attended a daylong workshop titled Teaching Social Justice 101 at the Holocaust and Human Rights Center (HHRC) of Maine on the campus of the UMA. Led by faculty from Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama, the workshop attracted teachers and school principals from across Maine. (Encouraging side note: The HHRC had to add a second day of training to accommodate all of the teachers who were interested in attending this workshop.)
For me, every aspect of the workshop was invaluable, from tapping into the vast curricular resources available on the Teaching Tolerance
website
to networking with educators from all over the state on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Perhaps most thought-provoking, however, was the segment of the workshop devoted to how to "speak up/speak out". Taking time to discuss and and role-play four different suggested techniques for speaking out against bias proved a hopeful reminder that this is a skill that can—and should—be developed by all those who care about social equity and inclusion.
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Upper School Students to Backpack to Poplar Hut
There is a longstanding tradition at Ashwood that our oldest classes take a trip together in the fall. The purpose of the trip is to give the students a chance to make new friends in other grades and to provide opportunities for outdoor experiences and challenge activities.
We are excited to announce that this year’s upper grades trip will be a two-day, one-night backpacking excursion to
Poplar Hut near Kingsfield, Maine, part of the Maine Huts & Trails system.
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Foofoo Flies Free
"Foofoo hatched!" piped fourth-grader Frances. "Now we can finish our stories about him!" Over the past weekend, the monarch chrysalis we reported about in the
last edition
emerged from his chrysalis in Ms. Buczacz's classroom. Here is Ms. Buczacz's account of this happy event:
Foofoo has been slumbering through all of the joyful activity in the 3-4 classroom these past couple of weeks. When going home for the weekend on Friday I considered whether or not Foofoo would emerge while everyone was away and closed the door to the classroom to prevent his escape should he make his debut sans audience.
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The Importance of Warmth
We had a lovely Early Childhood parent evening last week discussing the importance of inner and outer warmth for children. Often, the biggest gift we can give our children is to preserve their warmth by how we dress and care for them. In the Early Childhood we make sure to wear weather-appropriate gear everyday including boots, hats, and rain pants. During rest we slow down the pace. The children lie on our sheep's wool rugs, and I rub salve on the their hands to give them the sensation of warmth from a loving touch.
As autumnal weather approaches, it's a good time to think about ways to bring warmth to our children, whether it be warming foods and clothing, caring conversations, or simply slowing down and being together in human warmth. If you'd like to learn more about warmth in childhood, here's a
link
to the article we studied last week, "The Importance of Warmth" by Adam Blanning, MD.
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The Michaelmas Library
The Michaelmas Library was established in the fall of 2017 to house a growing collection of books related to Anthroposophy. Several hundred volumes include basic books and lecture series by Rudolf Steiner as well as about Waldorf education, remedial education, parenting, biodynamic farming and gardening, the arts including literature and drama, spirituality and Christology, biography, science. This is a lending library, open to families and friends, open by appointment or on Wednesday afternoons from 2:00–3:15 p.m. The Library is also available for study groups and meetings on a prearranged basis. For further information, contact
Bridget Qualey or
Sarah McBrian.
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Our campus and our Early Childhood play area are getting a well deserved face lift thanks to generous parent volunteers and members of the board's Buildings and Grounds Committee. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Kim and David Soucy who spent their Labor Day grading our driveway, parking lot and walkways throughout the entire campus. This Saturday, Tom and Merideth Tansi, Barney Hildreth and Jessica Wheeler spread fresh wood chips on the EC playground. Tom Tansi installed new swings and a monkey bar, trimmed limbs and further beautified the playground with various other projects on Friday and Saturday! I would also like to thank Wayne Breda for carving and installing new bathroom signs this summer.
Thank you all for giving hours of your precious time to make our campus a safer and happier place for our children!
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Thank you for helping us win
FIRST PLACE
in the People's Choice Awards: Knox County's Best of the Best!
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Michaelmas Celebration
We hope that all parents, families, and friends will be able to come and enjoy the spirit of the Michaelmas with us on Friday, September 27. There will be coffee and light snacks for parents at the gazebo starting at 8:15 a.m. The pageant begins at 9:00 a.m. All classes will perform in the pageant.
Following the pageant, there will be activities and games of courage and skill for the children. After lunch, the children will board the bus, arriving at the Route 52 trailhead at around 12:15 p.m.
Parents and families are invited to join us for the hike! As parking is extremely limited, we encourage fellow hikers to arrange car-pooling to the trailhead. We will hike to the top of Mt. Battie, have a snack, and then continue down to the Camden Hills Park Headquarters where we will gather and, if there is time and energy, play games before dismissal.
All children will need to be picked up
at the Camden Hills State Park on Route 1 at 3:15 p.m.
Hikers will need to be prepared with a backpack containing: a hardy snack, plenty of water, extra layers and, most important, comfortable, sturdy footwear.
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Michaelmas Stay-and-Play
The Ashwood Parent Community (APC) invites you to a stay-and-play picnic in the pavilion at Camden Hills State Park after the Michaelmas hike on Friday, September 27. Come join other Ashwood families for popcorn, cider, and time to catch up with friends. There is plenty of space to run and play or just sit and visit! Pack a picnic for those hungry hikers if you plan to stay for dinner! 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.
If you plan to attend the stay-and-play, please
sign-up
for a task to help this event run smoothly.
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Early Childhood Harvest Festival
This Friday, September 27th Early Childhood is having its Harvest Festival in the EC play yard right after the Michaelmas Pageant from 9:30-11:30. We will do circle songs, have kindergarten vegetable soup, process apples for applesauce, and do crafts! We encourage all families to attend this fun, seasonal event. Children and families not enrolled on Fridays are also warmly invited to attend.
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Michaelmas Morning Coffee Hour
Ashwood's administrative staff cordially invites all Ashwood families to join us for coffee, tea and light treats at the gazebo on Michaelmas morning, Friday, September 27, starting at 8:15 a.m. The grade school Michaelmas Pageant and early childhood Harvest Festival begin at 9:00 a.m.
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Vision & Hearing Screening
Student vision screenings will take place on Friday, October 4. Hearing screenings are scheduled for Monday, November 25. All grade school students will be tested. Unfortunately, due to the nature of our agreements with visiting health professionals, we are unable to schedule make up sessions if a child is absent on the day of the screenings.
Results of the screenings will be made available to parents. Look for additional information on screening results in a future edition of the
Leaflet.
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Class Photos Next Week
Class photos will take place on Monday and Tuesday, October 7 and 8. Grades 1-8 will be photographed on Monday and the Early Childhood on Tuesday. Doug Mott will take both class photos and individual student photos during the school day. This year, Ashwood will coordinate the sale of class photos only. Purchase of student photos will take place outside of Ashwood and will be arranged directly between Doug and each family.
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Congratulations, Granny Jody!
On June 30, 2019 at 8:25 a.m. my grandson, Leo Solomon Laurita-Johnson was born. I was most fortunate to be present at his birth in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This was almost miraculous in and of itself, given that Leo came two weeks early, my bus was delayed, my plane was delayed, then cancelled, a new flight flew to another city, and, finally, after a two-hour cab ride I arrived and was able to support my daughter Jessie and her husband, Reed, and participate in this precious moment in their lives. I spent the next two weeks taking care of mama, baby, papa, and home. My good fortune did not end there, however, because on the first of August they all moved to Brunswick, Maine! Bill and I continue to see Leo and his parents about once or twice a week. He now smiles and kicks his feet when I can get his attention, and his blue eyes are wide open, taking in the world around him.
So, if I seem a bit giddy when you see me on campus, or if I am inclined to show you baby pictures at the drop of a hat, you now know why.
That’s what I did this summer, and boy was it a good one!
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Fall Service Day: October 2
Next Wednesday, October 2, is Ashwood's Fall Service Day! Grade school students, teachers, and parent volunteers will spend part of the day volunteering for local nonprofits:
Class 1–2
will rake trails and clean flower beds at Merryspring Nature Center.
Class 3-4
will build animal toys at Ashwood, deliver them to PAWS, and do some helpful work at the shelter.
Class 5-6
will go to
Erickson Field Preserve to harvest vegetables; if it rains, they'll go to Aldermere Farm to process garlic.
Class 7-8 will be divided into two groups. One group will be at Hospitality House for garden and yard clean up. The other will be at a Habitat for Humanity worksite doing light construction and landscaping tasks.
Please speak with your class parent if you can help drive or volunteer.
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Ashwood Is Seeking a Custodian
Ashwood is seeking a custodian 20 hours per week. This position holds responsibility for cleaning the school, some groundskeeping, and for performing journey-level maintenance. Reliability, some tools, good organizational and communication skills are a must. For an application or for more information please e-mail
Jody Spanglet
.
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Wednesday
September
25
Ultimate Frisbee
3:30–4:30 p.m.
Thursday
September
26
Class 5-6 & 7–8
Parent Evening
5:30–8:00 p.m.
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Friday
September
27
Michaelmas Pageant Early Childhood Harvest Festival
Grade School Hike
Wednesday
October
2
Grade School
Service Day
11 a.m.–3:15 p.m.
Ultimate Frisbee
3:30–4:30 p.m.
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Monday
October
7
APC Meeting
All parents are welcome!
8:30–10:00 a.m.
Wednesday
October
9
Ultimate Frisbee
3:30–4:30 p.m.
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2018-2019 Development Summary
Ashwood had a great year in development last year! I am so pleased with the number of people who donated funds, time, labor, and support for Ashwood’s fundraising efforts. All those donations together truly built a solid fundraising campaign for 2018-19.
Thank you!
Money raised to cover our budgetary gap (school expenses not covered by tuition):
The Annual Appeal brought in $87,393 ! Our goal was $90,000
The Serve-A-Thon brought in $22,647 ! Our goal was $25,000
This equals $110,040 used for bridging the gap of our expenses. Our goal was $115,000
Money raised for class field trips:
Class 6-7 pizza sales raised $1,569
Class 6-7 citrus sales raised $1,853
Class 2-3 seed sales raised $476.
This equals $3,898 that has been applied to Ashwood’s field-trip budget.
Note: We did not do the coffee fundraiser last year. We will definitely be doing it this year.
Congratulations Ashwood for creating an atmosphere of giving back and raising all these much-needed funds for our school.
Now let’s begin looking forward to 2019-20: Here we go!
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The first APC meeting of the year took place on September 9.
Click here for the minutes
.
The next meeting will be
Monday, October 7, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
in the Buttercup Room of the Early-Childhood building.
Click here for the agenda
.
Snacks will be provided by Melissa Hall. One of the items to be considered in October will be meeting times. If you would like to attend, and have a preference regarding day/time, please email
Kari Luehman.
Please send suggested agenda items to interim APC facilitator
Margo Burnham
by Friday, September 27. We will send out the agenda several days before the meeting so everyone will know what to expect.
We encourage all parents to attend!
Questions
?
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Copying Is How We Learn
Being at Your Best When Your Kids Are at Their Worst
This free,
online workshop from Simply Parenting aims to help you "
discover how to become a more calm and confident parent, and have a more connected relationship with your child."
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Michaelmas hikers atop Mt. Battie, September 2008.
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What Is Pi? A Free-write
Pi. It's a continuous stream of numbers determined to find its end. I like to picture a river from above—just a normal river twisting and turning, winding down and down through the trees; but, as I get closer I realize that the river is not made of water. It's made of millions of numbers zooming down and down, colliding and intertwining. At the end of this river there is a waterfall. The waterfall represents discovery. So, as the numbers flow over the edge, they become known and join the ever-growing pool of pi at the bottom. This is pi.
—Sofia, Grade 8
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Ashwood Waldorf School
180 Park Street Rockport, ME 04856
207-236-8021
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