Guardians of the Seeds

from Artist Thomas Dambo

On Monday, October 3rd (tomorrow!) middle and upper school children will be taking a field trip to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay to see the Guardians of the Seeds art installation by Thomas Dambo, the world’s leading recycled-materials artist. 

We will be leaving campus at 9am and returning by 3:30pm. Children should pack a lunch and snack as usual. 

An excerpt from CMBG's website..

The giant trolls guard their ten secret seeds, vital to preserving the forest’s biodiversity for future generations. But the trolls are more than guardians; they are also teachers. Forests are made up of interconnected individuals that rely on each other for survival. This diversity of species is not only good for the trees, but for all the thousands of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, fungi, and amphibians that use the trees for food and shelter. The more species there are, the more protected from challenges like warming and disease forests will be.

We have already lost two species of trees from our Maine woods—the American chestnut and the American elm. Both trees were once a vital part of everyday life, planted on farms and homesteads for their beauty. American chestnuts, stretching over 100 feet tall, were called “the redwoods of the East” and made up as much as a quarter of all trees in Eastern forests before the chestnut blight fungus decimated their numbers. Forested cities, graced by elms, were forever changed when Dutch elm disease spread across the country. When we lose trees, we lose stories and connections to a landscape. Unfortunately, we can’t always keep up with such threats—and now more trees, like our hemlocks and ashes, are at risk. What will the Maine woods of our future look like? 

Fortunately, our actions today can decide that. 

These trolls, with the benefit of their long lives—and the long view—have seen the consequences of such threats. They can help, but they can’t do this work alone. They need the help of “the little people” all over the world. Can you help?

Flatbread Reunion

Becky and star volunteer and former parent

KC Heiniger

A Letter from Becky

October already!

We have spent the month building relationships and routines and getting to know one another, the campus, and ourselves as learners. The physical energy level has been high as children experience being together again without the imposition of masks and distancing. We have taken time to re-learn campus values around both self and community care - and we have taken the time to re-articulate our values and raise our awareness for respecting individual needs that will foster healthy connections and a positive learning environment for each child. We have begin to make some adjustments to individual children's schedules to accommodate their interests and needs with a program that supports each child to do and be their best. We will send home updated schedules when any changes are made.  

This weeks Riley Notes will give you a deeper peek into all the activity and exploration in our classrooms and we look forward to having Grandparents or Special Friends on campus this Thursday. Any adult or or family member in your child's life is welcome. Please let us know who will be attending. As parents, you will be welcome to come visit any class, any day but we ask you to set this day aside for these special guests. 

I will be sorry to miss this day to meet with Grandparents. I alway love the day and the energy and fresh questions and perspectives brought by our visitors. This year however I am honored to be a member of the Visiting Team for NEASC - NewEngland Association of Schools and Colleges and will be doing a four day study of the Maple Street School in Manchester VT. I am then also attending the PEN conference - the Progressive Educators Network - for a deep dive into transformative education and innovation. Anna, Lindsay and Tam will keep things running smoothly and be in touch with me on a regular basis until I return. I can be reached by email - but will be managing an intensive schedule! 

This is an energizing start to our 50th Year and I hope to see many of you at our first planning meeting on Friday the 14th at 12:30. in the Gallery

As always, 

Becky 

Come One, Come All

to Riley Nights!

Join us on Sunday October 16 at 3 pm for an open to all (the Riley community and beyond) talent show!

If you are interested in sharing a special talent on stage, please contact Spring Hill (Autumn, Milo and Jasper’s mom :)

springhillfilm@gmail.com

310-913-4984

Orange You Glad You Were Safe During Hunting Season?

As the leaves turn, so do our clothes! Please ensure your children have a layer of blaze orange packed in their backpacks this fall. For those needing to restock their orange this year, might we suggest Riley merch in orange? 

Above are a few links to get you started, but please explore The Riley School's Bonfire page to check out all the great Riley gear. Supporting The Riley School while staying safe during hunting season- what could be better?