From the Director

Dear Families,

Growing up, school was both very easy for me and very difficult at the same time. The academics were easy, the sitting still part was impossible! I would stare out the window at the blue sky, longing to be anywhere but sitting at a desk. I would get quite restless until one of two things happened. Either the blessed bell would ring for recess, or I would get whacked with the teacher's ruler. At recess I would play at full speed, knowing that dreaded desk was waiting for me. I wish there had been a Waldorf school nearby to attend. I would have been able to get outside and play, and my education would have fit my style so much better!

Here at Madrone Trail, we pride ourselves in how well our students perform in high school after they leave our nest. The graduating class of 2022 had four Madrone Trail alumni achieve valedictorian status at their respective schools. Earlier this week, we had a presentation from the principal of the newly formed Innovation Academy, a high school in the Medford School District built around project based learning. There is a lot of buzz surrounding the “new” model. Imagine that? A school where you receive credit for hands-on learning, where you work cooperatively with others, in an academic block. Sound familiar? Personally, I am excited about this new option as our students will thrive in this model!

Rudolf Steiner felt strongly that Waldorf schools should provide a truly liberal arts education for all students. He structured the Waldorf curriculum to weave the lively arts into all subjects because he saw that they bring joy and help make the learning memorable. There are unique factors in Waldorf education.

No Textbooks – Textbooks are not used in the elementary grades, and only very selectively in high school. Instead, the teacher creates a presentation out of his or her research and finds beautiful stories to deliver the content. Students make their own books for each subject, recording and illustrating the substance of their lessons. These main lesson books, often artistic and beautiful, are another important way in which art is integrated into every subject.

The “Main Lesson” – The morning main lesson is a one and half to two-hour period in which the main academic work of the day is presented. The selected subject is taught in a comprehensive three or four week block, allowing for freshness, enthusiasm and a concentrated, in-depth experience that gives children time to digest what has been learned. In fact, Waldorf education was the first to recognize the value of “block” learning. Immersion in a single subject promotes horizontal integration of cognitive and artistic disciplines, as well as vertical integration through an ascending spiral of learning that revisits subjects throughout the year – and from year to year. This results in a profound, age-appropriate education.

The Teacher – In Waldorf education for the classroom, a teacher accompanies the same class of students for multiple years, teaching all the main academic subjects. This allows a teacher time to bond with the children, develop their potential and ensure the kind of continuity and follow-through that will optimize each child’s educational experience. Sounds a lot like homeschooling! This approach happens naturally in a homeschool setting. Teaching is regarded as an art, and the curriculum is intended to be instructional as well as inspiring.

The bottom line is that whether our students attend Innovation Academy or a more traditional high school, we are preparing them for success. And our model is over 100 years old.

Have a wonderful weekend and see you at May Faire,

~Kendall Roberts

Director

kendall.roberts@madronetrail.org

May Faire- TOMORROW!

May Faire is tomorrow! We need many parent volunteers to make this event happen! Please sign up to volunteer so we can have a wonderful event. Each class booth needs a main contact who ensures slots are covered and each class must provide their own booth supplies, canopy, and table if needed. Volunteers are also needed for ticket sales, bake sale, food tent, and flower crown booths. All slots are 1 hour except for the food tent we are asking for 2 hour slots.

Students need to be at school at 10:45 am, dressed in white or off white, or very light pastel colored clothing. 

We prefer that families bring cash to spend, but will have card readers for credit cards if needed. Class booth tickets will be $1/one or $20 for 25 tickets. There will be craft booths that will take cash and cards, depending on the booth.  

We ask all families to bring fresh flowers and ivy or willow branches for the crown making booth, AND baked goods for the bake sale booth.

Please have bake sale items individually wrapped ready to sell for $2. We have categorized what treats we would like each grade to bring.

• K-1st: cookies and brownies
• 2nd-4th: cupcakes and muffins, tarts and pastries
• 5th-8th: savory items: quiche, croissants, biscuits, tea sandwiches, and biscuits.

We could use a few hands still to help out with sales, set-up/break down, dishes, etc. Please contact Chef Evan (evan.wilson@madronetrail.org). 

We are putting together our own food court for May Faire this year! We encourage you to pay for food with cash to help the line move faster! 

May Faire Menu:

Smoky Vegan Chili- $7

3-bean & veggie chili slow-cooked with a hint of chipotle 

Grilled Italian Sausage Dog- $7

With a wild spread of self-serve toppings

Mama Maria’s Mini Quesadillas (3 per order)- $7

Corn tortillas stuffed with Mexican cheeses, fresh cabbage and Maria’s special salsa verde

Mac n’ Cheese ($12 Topped w/ Pulled Pork)- $8

A hefty serving of Chef Steph’s ooey gooey mac n' cheese

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich- $9

Drizzled w/ BBQ sauce & topped with sweet n’ tangy apple slaw

Gourmet Wagyu Cheeseburger- $12

Flame grilled 1/4 lb local wagyu beef, cheese, and all the fixin's on a brioche bun

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!

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.

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.

Stewardship Day Thank Yous

A big thanks to all those who came out last weekend for our spring Stewardship Day! We were able to prepare the field for our May Faire festival, tidy up our garden and Kinderyard, organize costume supplies and the yurt! We are so grateful to all those who came out, especially to the folks who repeatedly show up whenever there is a call to action. They help hold the third pillar of our school and demonstrate what is possible when a community comes together!

If you would like to help out with various site projects around the school email joe.stogsdill@madronetrail.org to be added to our Site Volunteers email list. Projects range from gardening, building, and painting to cleaning, organizing, and beautifying our campus.

From the Athletic Director

Track and Field

Our 6th graders competed on Monday, May 1st in the Southern Oregon 6th Grade Championship. There were 6th graders from 26 schools! This was a huge meet, with many events having over 40 participants. Our Madrone Trail kids represented our school very well and our coaches are so proud of them.

May 1st @ Ashland Middle School: (6th grade championships)

Top 10 finishers

Luke Walker               Javelin 74’4” (4th place)

Roman Roberson        Shot put 22’7” (6th place)

Note: Unfortunately Josephine Gervasi got hurt in hurdle warm ups and was unable to run. It is worth noting that if she repeated her personal bests her 5:57 1500M time would have been 4th in the district, her 3000M time of 16:02.21 would have been 7th, her 100M hurdles time of 20.84 would have been 3^rd, and her top javelin throw of 41’6” would have been 17th.

Needless to say, we were all very sad that Josephine got hurt. She had an amazing track season!

Top 20 finishers

Natasha Wright           Javelin 38’3” (20th)

Titus Stewart                200M 35.47 (18th), 1500M 6:23.98 (11th)

Theo Gerig                    1500M 6:30.92 (14th), Javelin 64’3” (16th)

Silas Moon                    Javelin 65’9” (13th), Long Jump 11’9” (12th)

Roman Roberson         Javelin 60’10” (18th)

Relays        Men’s 4x100M  Roman, Theo, Silas, Titus 4 x 100 104.58 (9th)

Upcoming Meets- Come support your Dragons!

May 10th (7th-8th district championships) South Medford High (4pm)

Go Dragons!

~Jeff Roberson

jeff.roberson@madronetrail.org

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.

Summer Program Offering

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.