Important Information

and News from



Madrone Trail Public Charter School


May 12, 2023

Upcoming Events

May 16

Rising 1st grade Tea, 3:30 pm


May 19

No School- Grades Day


May 25-26

No School- Parent/Teacher Conferences


May 29

No School- Memorial Day


June 5

Parent Council, 6 pm


Main Lesson Book Drawing, Rowan Botillier, 5th grade

From the Director


Dear Families,


One of the hardest challenges in life is raising children. Children do not come into this world with a user guide and tech support. We call on our own experience of being raised by parents, which, let’s be honest, who wants to be like their parents? Truth is, most of us. Especially when our parents become tech support at 2:00 in the morning when the new little arrival will not stop crying. We all do the best we can. I remember being in a restaurant a few months ago. There was a young couple with an infant that wouldn’t stop screaming. You could look around the room and instantly tell which patrons never had children of their own. They were the judgmental looking ones. The experienced parents had that all-too-familiar look of, “Thank goodness it’s not me this time!” You quickly realize just how precious even those moments are. It seems like a couple of months go by, and that screaming infant is asking for the car keys and gas money, and telling you… “Dad, you’re embarrassing me!”

 

The decision about education can also be daunting. You start by finding consistent, nurturing childcare, to a decision about preschool. Then is it private school, public school, or some other alternative? I was thinking about this the other day when bragging about Madrone Trail to my daughter. If you recall, she made me a grandpa five weeks ago (Yep, had to get that one in… Proud Pop Pop here!) I wanted to know how parents came to the decision to enroll in a Waldorf School.

 

Here’s what I found out according to our northern neighbors at Waldorf Canada: Research shows that 94% of North American Waldorf graduates attend university and an incredible 50% attain a Masters or PhD. University professors speak very highly of the assertive and engaged Waldorf graduates in their classes. Yet, leaders and employers are not looking for people who can simply pass tests and follow orders. Waldorf graduates are successful because they are confident, creative thinking individuals with the courage to change the world. Our alumni go on to rewarding careers and continue to value learning, work, relationships and an ethical approach to their chosen path.

 

As every parent knows, each child learns and acts in their own unique way. Waldorf teachers work with your child according to their own gifts and challenges, nurturing and encouraging them just the right amount so that your child will want to be interested in and skilled at the many things they care about. Waldorf teachers know that education is not a competition and young students don’t need more pressure. Instead, we use the philosophy “the right thing at the right time,” meaning that we take the necessary time to discern how your child learns, what they need and when and we know how to draw out their desire to reach for and attain it themselves. Our teachers are ready when your child is, and when we let you know how your child is doing, it is relative primarily to their own development and expectations, not just to the other students.

 

By engaging their minds, emotions and bodies, students take in more, and they take it in much deeper. When Waldorf students excel at math, science and languages it is because they learn them experientially. Rather than simply teaching to the test, we make sure our students are happy, healthy, interested and motivated to create things as they learn, making sure they are not only prepared for university, but for life as well.

 

I read a quote somewhere that said, “Knowledge without application is simply knowledge. Applying the knowledge to one's life is wisdom — and that is the ultimate virtue." I will venture that parents choose Waldorf education for this very reason. I hope I am lucky enough to see my granddaughter attend Madrone Trail. I believe wholeheartedly in what we are doing here at this wonderful school! I know we are creating strong, independent individuals. In my career spanning nearly 30 years in education, I have worked for some very large districts, serving at the district office level. I have been in every school in the Medford School District many times. Salem/Keizer Public Schools has a total of 70 schools. For almost a decade, I was in and out of all of them. I spent 5 years at Willamette ESD which serves 21 school districts, including Salem/Keizer. It’s safe to say, I am well versed on what happens in a public school, as I have literally been in hundreds of them. I look at so many of our students that would be lost in those schools, yet they are thriving at Madrone Trail. This is due to our size, our amazing teachers and staff, and our Waldorf pedagogy. Who could ask for more than that?


Have a wonderful weekend,


~Kendall Roberts

Director

kendall.roberts@madronetrail.org

May Faire Thank Yous


The joy and laughter of the May Faire still lives in many of us. It was such a wonderful event! We want to send out appreciation and gratitude to so many people for helping make this event such a success. First we would like to give thanks to the May Faire Committee for all their great work in organizing this event - Alycia Tingley, Amanda Gerig, Leslie Town, Michelle Sanders, Evan Wilson and Nancy Escherich. A big thank you to all the parent volunteers who worked booths and helped set up and take down the Faire. It is one of those times when one really feels the “it takes a village” sentiment. In addition, many thanks to: Sabrah Maple for designing the posters; Mustard Press for donating the printing of the posters; Bryan Tingley for donating funds to the Faire as well as donating materials and building the new May Faire Entrance; Alycia Tingley for painting and laminating all the signs; Leslie Town for asking for flower donations (Thanks to Judy’s Central Point Florist, Market of Choice, Trader Joe's, Corrine’s Flowers & Gifts and Albertsons in Central Point). Thanks to Evan and Evan’s crew for a wonderful food court; Fry Family Farms for giving us a discount on the flower baskets. Thanks to the wonderful music provided by the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association District 4, and to Phoenix SIgalove for a wonderful set. Thanks to Al Zeller and Peter Town for setting up the sound system. Thanks to Michelle Sanders for creating our great volunteer sign up sheet, to Amanda Gerig for being our craft booth coordinator and to Taurie MIchelle for creating our budget spreadsheet. Thanks to all our wonderful vendors who brought beautiful crafts to sell. Thanks to all our returning students and families who enjoyed visiting us and joining in the festivities each year. We are a truly blessed community!


Also! May Faire flower baskets are for sale. They are from Fry Family Farms - $20 a basket. Please contact Sherrie in the office if you want one.

Re-enrollment Forms


Please fill out our Re-Enrollment form if your child will be returning to Madrone Trail for the 2023-2024 school year. If you are planning on enrolling your child elsewhere, please indicate that on the form. All families need to fill out the Re-enrollment Form before May 30. Fill one out for each child. Thanks!

Re-Enrollment Form

Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences


We are having our Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences starting after school on Wednesday, May 24-Friday, May 26. There will be no school Thursday and Friday. Please sign-up to schedule a time to meet with your child's teacher.

Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-Up

Board Update


Hello Madrone Trail Community!


The year is quickly drawing to a close and it has been a great year! The board has been hard at work behind the scenes doing all we can to make this school the best it can be for our students and families. There is a sub-committee who is working solely on fundraising and grant writing, Eric Cerecedes has been hard at work researching and looking for grants so we can put in a new playground, several of us have been continuing to look at the new guidance for gender expansive students put out by Oregon Department of Education to ensure our school is always a safe and welcoming place for all students, there is constantly work being done on the budget, and the list goes on.


This time of year is when the board must re-elect board members and board officers and there is a significant shift that has taken place. Erik Johnsen has stepped down from the position of board president but is choosing to remain on the board and help in various other ways including with the transition for the new leadership that has been voted in. We want to thank Erik for his faithful service to the board and the school! It is hard to describe just how integral he has been in the last few years as our president but without him our school would not nearly be in such a good place. He has been a strong leader thorough many difficult times and has maintained humility and integrity through all of it and has even taken the school to better places after the dust of those hard situations settled. If you see him around campus be sure to thank him for all he has done! 


Since Erik has chosen to step down, that means there was a vacancy for the board president and there has been some changes for all the officers of the board. Kelly Stofflet is our new president and Jo Ferneau is our new vice-president. They will be splitting duties to lead our board together. Kelly Ruse has stepped up to be our new secretary and Justin Botillier will continue serving as our board treasurer. We are excited about the future of our school and are confident in these people who are now filling new roles. Kelly and Jo will do a wonderful job leading this board and school and their track record of service is the proof of that. We look forward to seeing how the school continues to thrive under their leadership.


As always, if you have any questions or want to talk with the board you can catch us on campus or send us an email at board@madronetrail.org


For the Good of the School,

Madrone Trail Board of Directors

Auction Items Still For Sale


We have a few leftover items available from our Auction Event! Please take a look below and see if your family would like to utilize any of these gifts. You can purchase these items at the front office during regular office hours, thank you!


PRICE-- ITEM DESCRIPTION--- VALUE

$75-- YMCA Gift Certificate-- $100

$55-- Northwest Pizza Gift Certificate-- $75

$115-- NACI Astrology Reading-- $190

$35-- F45 Fitness Training 2 x 1 week passes-- $80

$115-- Time to Thrive Life Coaching – 1 hour session-- $200

$95-- Champion Karate – 1 month pass & $100 registration coupon-- $149

$95-- Champion Karate – 1 month pass & $100 registration coupon-- $149

$115-- Saraleno Dance Company – 1 private lesson & 1 month membership-- $180

Staffing Announcements for Next Year


We would like to announce some changes to our staffing for next year. Mr. Nicholas, our current 5th grade teacher, will still be here but will be taking up the upcoming 1st grade class. In his words, "It has been bittersweet to prepare to say farewell to the Blackberry class at the end of this school year. I've followed this cohort of children for two years and even had the privilege to teach my own son during that time! But with middle school on the horizon, it is time for a change. It was an honor to join Madrone Trail last year to help welcome the Blackberry class back to school after their fraught pandemic year of part-time school, and I trust they will be in good hands from here. I'm excited to be returning to Madrone Trail next year in a new capacity as first grade teacher. The journey continues!" We are still currently looking to fill the 6th grade position and will let the community know as soon as we do!


Ms. Coull, the 3rd grade teacher of the Marigold class, is going to be leaving our school in the capacity of class teacher. She will still be a familiar face around campus, as she will be returning to being one of our substitute teachers. She says, "Thank you for the kindness and assistance I have received this year and the opportunity to get to know the children of the Marigold class and serve as their teacher. Even though I am not going to be the their teacher, I will be in their lives and at the school and they are important to me. They are wonderful and are such a lovely group." We have hired Heidi Martin, former Kindergarten teacher of this very group of children, to take the class in 4th grade. She most recently taught 3rd-5th grade at Siskiyou School. Look for her bio in future Friday Updates.


Lastly, Mrs. Horvath has had to make the difficult decision to leave Madrone Trail and move back to the Bay Area with her family. She wants everyone to know that, "My heart is very heavy with this news as I have held long term visions with this wonderful group. As it is, my husband has had to return to California for his work. We have spent months trying to figure out every possibility to continue with our lives here, as we now feel this is our home. However, we had to come to the realization that being separated as a family will just not work. It has been an honor to work with your children and I have not only enjoyed getting to know each of you, but have truly appreciated your support and dedication. I will remain connected to the Madrone Trail community as we will be returning to our home here often. I look forward to future visits to see the children as they grow." We have hired another former Madrone Trail teacher, Hillary Lowenberg, to take this class in 3rd grade. She has taught 1st-5th grade at Madrone Trail, and has most recently taught at Folk Soul Farm. Look for her bio as well in future Friday Updates.

State Testing


The window for taking our state-wide assessment, the SBAC, is now open. Students in 3rd-8th grade are tested annually in Language Arts and Math, and 5th and 8th graders are tested in Science as well. As per Oregon law, parents and guardians have the right to opt their children out of this assessment. In order to do this, you will need to meet in person with our School Test Coordinator, Ms. Cori, to sign the opt-out form. Please email her to set-up a time to meet if you wish to opt your child out of state testing, cori.royer@madronetrail.org. New this year, 3rd, 5th, and 8th graders do not have to take the Spring I-ready assessment so they can focus all of their attention on the SBAC.

Parent Education Offering


Summer is upon us…are you ready to hold firm yet loving boundaries with your children?  

Join Satya Beneventi, former Madrone Trail parent, for a complimentary talk on Building Loving Boundaries. 


Where: The Jacksonville Public Library, 340 West C Street 

When: May 23rd @ 10:30 - 11:30am 


Space is limited. Learn more & sign-up by clicking the banner below

Quote of the Day

Handlettered by Ms. Cori

MADRONE TRAIL PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL


www.madronetrail.org

Madrone Trail Public Charter School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age in its programs and activities.