From the Director

Dear Families,

I just walked in from covering recess duty. I don’t mind stepping away from my desk to provide coverage because I get to interact with the students, and watch them interact with each other. I find it quite impressive when I see students in the upper grades playing like, well, children! Because that is what they are, children. Waldorf education believes in play, in recess. At least two times a day, all of our students go outside and play. Albert Einstein once said that “Play is the highest form of research." 

In 1919, Emil Molt, owner of the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory in Stuttgart, Germany, was looking to develop a school for the children of his employees. Molt was seeking a curriculum that would not only meet the children’s intellectual needs but speak also to their spiritual essence and humanity, thus helping them to flourish in the turbulent aftermath of the Great War. To develop this pedagogy, Molt turned to Rudolf Steiner. Outdoor play is a big part of what Rudolf Steiner created in his approach to education.

Unstructured play outdoors brings challenges and experiences so beneficial that they cannot be replaced by any other activity. It allows the children to understand and appreciate the natural cycles of the year, learn to respect and revere the outdoors, work as part of a team, develop their tolerance of each other, and of course to have some fun.



I witness such healthy interactions every day as our children grow into confident and well rounded individuals. They don’t require screens to occupy their time. They need activities that stimulate their minds. They need friends to share in their play. I find that our students require very little redirection at recess. They play cooperatively together. That is truly unique! 

COFFEE WITH ADMINISTRATION - I want to hear from you!

I will be making myself available each week after our assembly for a “Coffee with the Administration” discussion. This will be an informal get together where you are free to ask questions, raise concerns, share ideas and provide me the opportunity to seek feedback from you. So I invite you to stay for a few minutes after each assembly and sample Chef Evan’s special blend while we chat!

Have a wonderful weekend,

~Kendall Roberts

Director

kendall.roberts@madronetrail.org

Board Update

Greetings Madrone Trail Community,

We have some good news, and some very important news, with a call to action!

First, we are excited to announce that parent Kelly Ruse was voted on to our board at our regular meeting this week. We feel she will be a great addition, and will have a more proper introduction for her next week.

Next, the Medford School District voted their intent to renew our charter agreement back in January, and we have been working through the tedious process of updating language in the agreement. Most everything was agreeable, but as you probably know, of the per-student funding that is distributed from the state of Oregon, our school only receives 80% of those funds from the school district. As part of our contract renewal, we requested an increase in this allocation. Thus far, our request has been denied by the subcommittee assigned to review our requests (based on a 2-1 vote), though we have been granted another opportunity to make our case before the subcommittee.

To provide some perspective, if we were to receive an additional 10% allocation, that would be approximately $220,000, which would be a HUGE boost to what we can do for our students. It could help ensure we have a sustainable food program, make sustainable student support positions we currently have in place, and potentially allow us to hire a pedagogical director. Not to mention properly maintaining our facilities.

The Medford School District’s next meeting is Thursday, March 16, and we would encourage you to come out and learn about the issues facing Madrone Trail, and lend your perspective if you choose. The meeting will be at 5:30pm, and the agenda and details can be found here when they get posted. March 16 is the meeting where they will be voting on our new contract language. You are welcome to submit a request to provide public comment during the meeting (or provide written comments in advance). Public comments are limited to 3 minutes each, so be impactful and concise. If you would like to make public comment, we would like to offer some suggestions:

Please avoid the following types of comments, as they generally do not win people over:

• Making disparaging comments about the MSD board
• Vilifying members of the board or the district as a whole
• Questioning or assuming the motives of the board and district
• Questioning the integrity of the board and district

Speaking to these topics will generally be the most appealing, and speak to the interests of the district:

• Highlight specific needs that you see at our school.
• Tell stories of things that are struggles due to lack of funding. Personal stories are powerful.
• Speak to how important equity in education is and how it will impact Madrone Trail students to receive all of the support they need.
• Tell a story of something that Madrone Trail does exceptionally well for your student that you want to ensure continues and is not impacted by lack of funding.
• Speak to what brought you to Madrone Trail, which you have not been able to get elsewhere. Particularly if you are out-of-district, or even within district if going to another Medford school was not a viable option for you.
• If your opinion of the Medford School District has improved because of its association with Madrone Trail, that could be extremely powerful.

The opportunity to negotiate these terms only comes around once every 5 years, so please don’t spend the next 5 years wondering why you missed your opportunity to make a difference. Also, some board members will be up for reelection this May, so it’s a great time to remind them of the needs of their constituents. If you would like to learn more about the issues the school faces, or run your ideas by some board members to ensure they are helping the effort, please feel free to contact us, and we would be happy to do so. You can often find us talking to Mr. Roberts in the parking lot before school. You can also use board@madronetrail.org, and we’ll have someone get in touch with you.

Thank you for rising to the occasion when your school needs you!

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”

Yearbook

It's that time of year to pre-order your yearbook! The yearbook committee, led by Mr. Barbee, is working hard on getting it put together. Yearbooks will be $20 and will be available to order online until April 14. The link will go live tomorrow, March 11.

If you have any pictures that you have taken on field trips or at any other school event please send full size images to yearbook@madronetrail.org.

Cover art by Isaac Richardson, 7th grade.

Sibling Enrollment Form

Please fill out the linked form below if you have an incoming Kindergartner or another child whom you would like to enroll for the 2023-2024 school year if there is space available. Please fill this form out even if your other children are already on the waitlist, as siblings of current students get waitlist priority. Kindergartners will be placed in next year's classes on a first come, first served basis before we lottery non Madrone Trail families. Please note that incoming Kindergartners need to be 5 years old by June 1st, 2023 to be eligible to enroll for the 2023-2024 school year. The form is due March 24.

May Faire- Save the Date, May 6

Now that we are done with our Auction, we are looking towards our next big event- May Faire! We are looking for craft vendors and/or other fun booth ideas. Forms to have a booth are in the office and are due by April 21st. Our next May Faire Meeting is March 14, 3:30 pm, in the 4th grade classroom.

Food Program Update

We made it through week 2! Things have really smoothed out and our kitchen team is rockin'! Since last Monday, we have served 940 lunches and 410 breakfasts! Thank you to all the parents who have been patient as we work out the kinks.

In other news, literally, the lunch program was featured in the Rogue Valley Times! Read all about it here! The NBC 5 TV station was here today and we should be featured on the evening news sometime early next week!

If you haven't signed up for hot food for next week, ordering is still open! Chef Evan will cut off pre-orders Saturday morning. The deadline of Friday 9 am will be strictly enforced starting next week and we won't be able to accept email/phone orders because it is a lot to manage!

If you have not created an EZ app account or would still like to apply for free lunch, visit our website here for information. Email Chef Evan if you need assistance: evan.wilson@madronetrail.org.

Next week's featured salad bar veggie: pickled golden beets with lemon

Next week's featured jam: house made organic strawberry

From the Athletic Director

Track and Field 

The first week of track practice is in the books. The kids did a great job learning new stretches and techniques. We are really excited about this year’s team.

Next week the running will ramp up. Please make sure your athletes are well hydrated, have ample snacks, and are getting enough sleep. You may notice they start eating more during track season.

We will continue with the same practice schedule during Spring Break.

Both weeks we will practice Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 3:15-5:00 pm at Madrone Trail.

We understand that not everyone will be able to make every practice. Come to what you can.

This year with Spiegelberg Stadium being renovated, we have been doing track practice on our own and not with our partner school, Sacred Heart. This created a situation where we needed more funds and 5 amazing companies have stepped up to the plate so far!

Track Sponsors

Body Right Studios:  Kyle Rawlins is a certified Rolfer here in Southern Oregon. Rolfing® Structural Integration is a form of bodywork, joint manipulation and deep tissue massage that reorganizes the connective tissues, called fascia, that permeate the entire body. Call or text 541-973-4449 to schedule an appointment.  http://bodyrightstudio.com/

S & D Performance: Call 541-879-0719 or visit 7645 4th St. White City 97503 for your auto repair needs.

New Foundations Property Management: New Foundations provides extraordinary property management services for Jackson and Josephine Counties in Southern Oregon. Looking for a reliable and experienced team to manage your property? Contact New Foundations property management. Also offering tenant and owner services. Call 541-499-6211 or 541-690-1550. https://newfoundationspm.com/

CALYX CPA: At Calyx, we believe accurate accounting helps lay the foundation for a successful business. Our passion is to assist entrepreneurs in building thriving businesses and realizing their dreams, so our team of licensed professionals is committed to providing expert tax and accounting services in a timely fashion. Call 541-816-4483 to discuss your business needs. https://calyxcpa.com/

Community Sports Opportunities

There are several spring sport opportunities through Medford Parks and Rec and the Medford YMCA.

https://www.sportsmedford.com/home and click youth recreational sports. You will need to create and account to login and register athletes.

Little Hoopsters Spring Basketball

Register by March 13th

Ages 5-8

https://www.sportsmedford.com/content/138/Youth-Basketball

Indoor Soccer

Register by April 3rd

Ages4-8

https://www.sportsmedford.com/content/2524/Youth-Indoor-Soccer

Rogue Valley YMCA

Spring Soccer

Register by April 10th

1st-6th Grade

https://rvymca.org/programs/120021/soccer-upper-rogue-area-eagle-point-white-city/#division_2300066

Spring Track and Field

Register by April 10th

3rd-6th grade (Great way for our younger kids to participate in track)

https://rvymca.org/programs/120037/track-field/?locations=13

Go Dragons!

~Jeff Roberson

jeff.roberson@madronetrail.org

Media Free March

Join our school community for our first annual Media Free March!

Let's support our children and come together as a community to limit or take a break from screentime this March! 

We are raising awareness this month on the adverse effects screentime and social media can have on young minds and bodies. 

Reducing, or limiting screen time and social media can help improve mental health, raise grades, end meltdowns and boost social skills. Furthermore, going on a complete fast can allow the nervous system to return to its natural state, allowing children to become calmer, stronger, and happier. 

Are you up for the challenge?

If you didn't get a chance to read the article we included in last month's Friday Update, entitled "Screentime Is Making Kids Moody, Crazy and Lazy: Six Ways electronic screen time makes kids angry, depressed and unmotivated," By Victoria L. Dunckley, M.D. Please click here.

Here is a little story as food for thought, as we strive to bring mindfulness to the way media impacts our children:

“Come,” said the pencil to the boy, “and draw with me.”

So the boy reached for the pencil, about to touch it to his sketch pad.

“But I can show you a three-hour drawing condensed into three minutes,” said the Smartphone.

So the boy watched the drawing of a world map, complete with oceans, seas, and capitals, finished in three minutes.

“Come,” said the paintbrush to the boy, “and paint a river with me.”

So the boy picked up the paintbrush, about to dip it into the sky-blue watercolor paint.

“But I can show you a river in India, one in Alaska, and the largest waterfall in the world,” said the Smartphone.

So the boy watched videos of the Rivers Ganges and Alsek, and clips of Victoria Falls tumbling 5,600 feet into volcanic dikes.

“Come,” said the books, “and read about a lion that battles a witch and a ship’s journey into heaven.”

So the boy opened one, curled up on the couch and began reading.

“But I can give you the movie,” replied the Smartphone, “and a soundtrack that stirs your soul.”

So the boy closed the book, got up from the couch, sat at the counter, and watched the video.

“Come,” called the trees and birds outside. “Climb us, and listen to us sing.”

As the boy stepped outdoors, the Smartphone called, “But with me you can play a game where you scale mountains while dodging man-eating vultures.” So the boy stepped back inside to play the game.

With his face glued to the Smartphone, the iPad next to him dinged: a text. The boy glanced at the message. Returning to his game, he heard a ping: an e-mail in his inbox. He read it and returned to his Smartphone, where a flashing Snapchat announcement obscured a bloodthirsty vulture.

Next to his iPad the pencil lay motionless, and next to the computer, the paintbrush untinted.

And beside his Smartphone, “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” lay with uncreased pages, the lion’s roar stifled, the witch’s cackle silenced, and the gate into Imagination closed.

-Jill Thomas

Spirit Week

Butterfly Bodega

Attention Middle School Parents!

The 6th Grade Butterfly Class, as part of our Economics Block, is opening a little Butterfly Bodega in the gym during snack recess everyday until Spring Break. We will be offering an assortment of snacks, from juice to fruit leather, chips to beef jerky, and other other scrumptious snacks. These are separate from what the school is offering and so purchases will need to be made with cash. This is not really a fundraiser so much as an experiential learning project, so the prices will all be very reasonable, i.e. almost everything will be under a dollar. Please help the 6th graders gain some valuable experience in operating a business by supporting the Butterfly Bodega!

This will only be available to middle school students at snack time.

Sprouts Program 2023-2024

As we look towards next year, we are offering Open House sessions for families interested in the Sprout Preschool Program for 2023-2024. This is a chance to see the classrooms and meet both of our teachers. You can read the teachers' bios on our website here.  

Our Sprouts Preschool Program is a mixed-age Kindergarten classroom joining 6 sprouts and 14 kindergartners for each class.

For families interested in the Sprout Preschool Program at Madrone Trail, please review the following criteria:

1. Child must be 4 years of age by June 1st, 2023 to be considered for the 23-24 school year.
2. Child must be potty trained.
3. Child must be able to be away from parents for at least a four hour period.
4. Note: Enrollment into Sprouts program does not guarantee a spot in Kindergarten

Applications will be emailed out to everyone who have submitted the Sprouts Program Interest Form, linked below. This form is required in order to receive an application, as it confirms that your child has met the initial criteria to be considered for the program.

Last Open House:

April 14th, 11:00am - 12:00pm

For further details, contact the Office Manager at taurie.michele@madronetrail.org

State Testing

The window for taking our state-wide assessment, the SBAC, opens when we get back from Spring Break. 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.

Interested in Being a Substitute at Madrone Trail?

Review our current Indeed Job listings for each position and apply today!

Substitute Teacher Assistant

Substitute Teacher

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.