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Important Information
and News from
Madrone Trail Public Charter School
March 3, 2023
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March 6
Parent Council, 6 pm, Zoom
March 8
Board Meeting, 4:30 pm
DEI committee, 1:15 pm
Parent Enrichment, 6:30 pm, Siskiyou School
March 10
Sprouts Open House, 11 am
Friday Assembly, 7th
Coffee with Admin
March 12
Daylight Savings Time Starts
March 14
May Faire Meeting, 3:30 pm
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Chalkboard Drawing by Mr. Tryllium, 6th grade | |
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From the Director
Dear Families,
As we are about to move into our new modular, I find myself thinking about the role of Handwork at Madrone Trail. Ms. Nancy will finally get her own space once again! Handwork is something that I have spent many hours pondering, wondering how it fits in with the development of the child.
Handwork is a long, rhythmic process of development that continues from early childhood into adulthood and on throughout life - a human being is in fact never complete, finished, as it were, with their development. A human being is continuously in the process of becoming. It is an integral part of the Waldorf Head, Heart, and Hands pedagogy.
In the animal realm there are of course numerous examples of fine and, to us, unobtainable achievements. Take for example a spider’s web or a bee’s honeycomb. These animals, however, all work within certain fixed parameters and the bee can only do what a bee can do. A human being, on the other hand, is not created to be fixed, patterned to a certain existence, stereo-typed in their movements. The body and hands are meant to be the instrument for the human spirit that seeks expression within the body and beyond it into the material world as revelation of itself.
Handwork and crafts have a specific task in the curriculum, namely to awaken creative powers which would find fruitful and useful application in as many ways as possible in later life and work. The reason for this is based on one of the fundamental precepts of true teaching, namely that when we engage the child in physical, practical activity, such as handwork, we are working on the soul spirit nature of that child.
As a child, I was (and still am!) obsessed with dirt bikes. If I wanted to ride, I would have to maintain my machine. I had to overcome the fear of failure, and doubt in my abilities, in order to crack open the engine and do the work myself. I didn’t have the money to take it to the shop, and when I got stuck, I would call the shop and ask for help. The mechanics were always willing to give advice to a 12 year-old because of my passion for motorcycles. They respected the fact that I was doing my own work.
So in reality, handwork not only teaches a practical skill, but it gives children the confidence to overcome fear and self-doubt. It teaches them to ask for help when needed. They create a tangible, useful product that kids in their neighborhood can’t produce. It develops hand strength, and creativity of mind. I am amazed at what these children can create. And that my friends, is worth its weight in gold!
SNOW DAY MAKE UP
Unfortunately, a fun day in the snow is not without its drawbacks. Due to the instructional hours requirement by the State of Oregon, we may need to make up that day. I will update you when we have a firm answer about if/when that will be.
COFFEE WITH ADMINISTRATION
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
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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.
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Auction Recap
Our Auction was a great success! We made around $14,000! Thank you all of the donors, sponsors, volunteers, faculty, auction committee, and attendees. Without you we could not have done it. We already have some ideas for next year and are looking forward to growing this event each year.
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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.
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Lunch Program Update
Our school lunch program began this week! Not without some hitches (App Malfunctions! Snow Day! Losing power in the kitchen!) but overall it went pretty well. No child was turned away who needed food. It will smooth out as we all find our rhythm. Thanks for your patience.
As a reminder, we will no longer receive free sack lunches or snacks from the district. If your child needs a snack, send them to school with one or make sure you have funds on your EZ School App account so they can purchase snacks (available to purchase during breakfast, 8-9 am only). We will have items like string cheese, milk, homemade hummus and carrots, fresh fruit. Note: Kindergarten will still provide a hot snack as part of their program.
If your child is eating breakfast, please arrive to school with enough time for them to eat before school starts so there is minimal disruption to their school day. If children arrive between 8:30-9:00 am they can still get breakfast, but will need to go straight to class to eat it.
If you haven't already please make sure you are setup with your EZ school account so that you can add funds (if applicable) and pre-order meals for your student. Be sure to hit Save/Pay before switching to another student's account. It is too late to order food for next week, but you can still order for the week of March 13 and beyond. The deadline for pre-orders is Fridays at 9 am for the following week.
We will not be able to serve your student if they do not have an EZ school lunch account! Set-up instructions and complete information about the program can be found here on our website.
Any questions, comments, or feedback can be directed to Chef Evan at evan.wilson@madronetrail.org.
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From the Athletic Director
Track and Field
Track starts Monday, March 6th! Nobody can practice without a filled out participation form and sport physical on file. (Many of our athletes already have this from other sport participation this year)
Who: 6th-8th graders (This is firm, we are competing in SOMSAC and the grades are in the bylaws. Daycare for younger siblings is not provided during track practice.)
When: Practices will be at Madrone 3:15-5:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays beginning March 6th. (Students will be released from class at 3:05)
Meets begin in April and the season ends May 2nd. Meet schedule should be released next week.
Turn in your participation forms by Monday to Miss Sherrie in the office with your $75 payment. Checks payable to MTPCS
Pear Blossom
Our school is participating in the Mayor’s Cup Fun Run this year on April 8th. We can win prizes and funds for our school based on participation. We get credit for each family member registering. The Mayor’s Cup Fun Run distances are one mile starting at 7:50 am and the two miles starting at 8:30 am on April 8th. All participants are invited to the free pancake feed from 8am-10am at the YMCA.
https://rvymca.org/pearblossomrun-mayorscup/
Click the purple register now link
Then click red view link beside all schools and community registrations
Select 4/8 and follow the login directions.
Cost is $8 for the run $20 if you want a shirt as well.
Important: Select Madrone Trail in the drop down menu on the left bottom section.
This must be done by March 8th to be a part of the school competition.
Community Sports Opportunities
There are several spring sports opportunities through Medford Parks and Rec.
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
Ages 4-8
https://www.sportsmedford.com/content/2524/Youth-Indoor-Soccer
Flag Football
Register by March 6th!
Ages 6-12
https://www.sportsmedford.com/content/18456/Youth-NFL-Flag-Football
Instructional Lacrosse League
Register by March 6th!
Ages 7-14
https://www.sportsmedford.com/content/20997/Youth-Sports-Other
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
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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.
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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.
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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:
- Child must be 4 years of age by June 1st, 2023 to be considered for the 23-24 school year.
- Child must be potty trained.
- Child must be able to be away from parents for at least a four hour period.
- 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.
Open House Offerings:
March 10th, 11:00am - 12:00pm
April 14th, 11:00am - 12:00pm
For further details, contact the Office Manager at taurie.michele@madronetrail.org
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Parent Enrichment at Siskiyou School
Hello Madrone friends!
On Wednesday, March 8th at 6:30 pm we will present “Crossing the Bridge” a Parent Enrichment talk by Nina Gallwey. We’d like to welcome your teachers and families to join us!
Between the age of 7 years and 10 years, a child goes through a marked change in consciousness. There are huge neurological developments that create the enhanced ability to manage more abstract thinking, and the child becomes more capable, both physically and academically. At the same time, the emotional seat of the brain is wiring in, and the child learns to navigate their “feeling” life as they “cross the bridge” into the second phase of childhood and the dawn of adolescence. How parents and teachers hold the child during this critical stage of childhood can deeply support the child’s maturing emotional life and sets seeds for the development of the teen years.
Nina Gallwey is one of our founding teachers and has 33 years of experience working with children. This talk is for parents of all ages as Nina will speak to how the bridge years can be prepared for and how they affect the adolescent.
~The Siskiyou School
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MADRONE TRAIL PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
www.madronetrail.org
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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. | | | | |
