From the Director

Dear Families,

Well, it looks like winter is here! Please make sure your little ones come to school with the proper attire, including a warm coat, and wet weather protection. We don’t want any shivering students! Just a reminder, if they need to warm up, the 8th grade is selling nutritious, hot soup each day!

MODULAR ARRIVING MONDAY

Our modular classroom will be delivered on Monday, November 7. We will not be allowed to park in the parking lot from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Staff will park in the field to allow for the trucks to navigate the building pieces into place. They have assured us that drop off in the morning and pick up in the afternoon will not be compromised. You are free to follow the normal drop off and pick up procedures, but if you plan on stopping by the school during the day, we ask that you park in the field next to staff. The front of our building is a no parking zone except for the school bus.

SEVERE WEATHER PROCEDURES 

Madrone Trail follows the decisions made by the Medford School District regarding severe weather procedures. Please refer to social media or media announcements for guidance from MSD.

In the event school needs to be delayed, canceled, or released early (due to an unexpected weather event occurring during school hours), the following decisions are possible:

Normal school hours – snow routes: some bus routes in higher elevations change due to snow or slick road conditions. Snow routes are posted ahead of time at: www.medford.k12.or.us/snow

Cancellation:  School and district are closed.  

Two-hour delayed start – regular routes OR snow routes: School begins two hours after regularly scheduled start time. Regular bus routes or snow routes may run, depending on road conditions. 

Releasing school early – normal routes OR snow routes: School is released early due to hazardous road conditions. Buses may run regular routes or snow routes, depending on road conditions.

SUBSTITUTES NEEDED

We are well into the flu season and our excellent staff are feeling the full impact! We are in constant need of both teacher and classroom assistant coverage. The requirements for a classroom assistant substitute is a simple background check. To be a teacher substitute, you will need an Oregon Teaching License, Charter School Registry, or a Restricted Substitute License. The Restricted Substitute Teaching License is issued to qualified individuals who hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, but have not completed a teacher preparation program. It requires district sponsorship, which would involve me writing a simple letter to the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC). The Restricted Substitute Teaching License permits a qualified individual to substitute teach in a prekindergarten through grade 12 Oregon public school district, education service districts, and charter school assignments. If you are interested, please reach out to our new office manager, Ms. Taurie.  taurie.michele@madronetrail.org

Have a wonderful weekend,

~Kendall Roberts

Director

kendall.roberts@madronetrail.org

Lantern Walk

Waldorf schools around the world celebrate festivals that guide us through the seasons. We welcomed fall with our Festival of Courage just six weeks ago and next week, we will celebrate a festival of light with our Lantern Walk. This festival honors the legend of Saint Martin and the compassion he showed to a beggar man one cold, winter night. He is known as the patron of the poor and is celebrated on November 11th. The lantern represents the inner light each one of us draws upon as we transition from the harvest season to the beginning of winter. This festival harkens back to a time when children carved out turnips and other small squashes, turning them into lanterns to carry throughout their villages after dark. Following along in a row of lanterns traveling quietly through the night can truly fill one’s heart with warmth.

Kindergarten through third grade students are making their own lanterns now while singing the songs that will guide them through the dark on the night of our Lantern Walk. The children of these younger classes and their families are invited to participate in the festival next week on Thursday, November 10th. Families will gather to hear singing, a story, and then walk quietly through the forest. More details will be sent out by the class teachers. Creating space and time in our busy lives to honor the changing seasons is such a gift and we are honored to share these festivals with our school community.

This year’s festival will be held at the Britt Trails in Jacksonville at the top of West Fir Street. Parking is located in three locations: at the Jacksonville Library on West C Street, in the lot on South 1st Street at West Pine St., and at the top of West Fir St. Time to walk from the parking lots should be accounted for as the event starts promptly and classes will be leaving for their forest wanderings on time.

Daisy Blossom and Little Hummingbirds meet at 4:30pm

Grades 1-3 meet at 5:00pm

We ask that families do not use phones, flashlights, camping lanterns, flashing shoes, or any other artificial lighting. Lanterns with tea lights are very welcome and will add to the beauty of the evening!

As the rains and snow are upon us already, please make certain to dress children warmly and bring your own warm cider or tea. We will notify families by noon the day of if the event needs to be canceled. 

Wreath Fundraiser

Pre-order a festive holiday wreath and garlands for your home to support our school. Wreaths are $25 and 15 ft garlands are $35. Proceeds from sales go towards the 8th grade trip. Deadline to submit your order is November 14th. Wreaths and garlands will be delivered to the school on November 29th. 8th graders will take your pre-orders before and after school all next week. Remember, wreaths make great gifts too! 

Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences

We are holding Parent/Teacher conferences the week of Thanksgiving on Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22. This is a great opportunity to check in with your student's class teachers. Please click on the below link to sign-up for your conference time.

Jog-a-thon Update

We have had over $14,000 in pledges turned in so far! We have collected around $5,400 of those pledges as of today. If you haven't turned your pledge sheet in it's not too late! Get it to Ms. Cori or your child's class teacher next week. We have extra blank copies in the office and on our website if you need a new one. If you turned your pledge sheet in this week, they will be returned next week. Thanks for your support!

8th grade Soup Fundraiser

As a reminder, soup is available to order every day. The 8th grade class will be taking orders for soup in the breezeway by 5th grade every morning with the support of Chef Evan and parents. Cost is $5 and you are more than welcome to pay in advance for multiple days. Every 16 oz. soup comes with a slice of multigrain bread and a cube of butter. Cash only please!

Soup choices for next week:

• Red Lentil & Veggie
• Clam Chowder

Picture Retake Day

Picture packets have arrived. If your student was absent or you would like a retake, Picture Retake Day is Tuesday, November 15. If you received a picture package already and want a retake, please send the old package with your student on the day. You can pre-order picture packages online at mylifetouch.com. Use code: EVTDJF7J8 to find our school. If you had any issues with the picture package you already ordered please contact Lifetouch directly at 1-800-736-4753.

Registration Packets

Registration packets were sent home last month. We still have several families that have not returned their packets yet. Sherrie will be contacting families that have yet to turn theirs in soon. Please return the completed forms as soon as possible, as well as payment for the supply fee and field trip fee. If you have any questions, please contact the office at 541-842-3657 or sherrie.gasper@madronetrail.org. The supply fee for all grades is $150. The field trip fee this year is $50 for 1st and 2nd grade, $75 for 3rd grade, and $100 for 4th-8th grade.

The Importance of Warmth

Now that the weather is starting to turn, we ask that during these cold months to come that children are sent to school with adequate layers to protect them from all the types of weather we see in the Rogue Valley. We are outside for recess and games class rain or shine. We often hear children say "but I'm not cold" when asked to wear long sleeves and jackets at recess. Also, shorts are not appropriate in below freezing weather. Please help us out and insist your child wear warm layers, even if they disagree. Thanks!

The article below was written by Jessica Porto, from the Waldorf School of Bend's website:

During early childhood, children grow faster than at any other time in their lives. Parents often feel as though they need to buy the next size of clothes and shoes every few months! During this time, a child's body not only grows bigger and stronger, but their organs are fine tuning their development and functioning. The same kinds of forces which make this growth and development possible are also the ones children need to keep their body's temperature at homeostasis. Young children also lose heat faster than adults, especially through the tops of their heads, and can become chilled quickly if they are not wearing enough clothing and a hat during the colder months. When children are not dressed adequately, the forces for growing and learning are compromised and instead are used to keep them warm. Young children often cannot tell whether they are too cold or too hot, and need loving adults to ensure their body temperature is at a healthy level. Wearing layers of breathable natural fiber clothing inside and waterproof, warm gear for outside play is the best way for a child to maintain their warmth.

From the Athletic Director

Boys’ Basketball practices have officially started!

Eight Madrone Trail 6th-8th graders are playing basketball this season. We have partnered with Sacred Heart to form 2 teams; a Varsity and a Junior Varsity. Here is the schedule. Home games will be played at Sacred Heart and are listed in bold. Come catch a game! Special thanks to our Madrone Trail coach, Tim Stewart, for helping make this season a reality.

Wednesday 11/9 Home vs. Valley Varsity 4:00/JV 5:00

Monday 11/14 @ Butte Falls JV 4:30/Varsity 5:30

Wednesday 11/16 Home vs. Kids Unlimited Varsity 4:00/JV 5:00

Monday 11/28 @ New Hope JV 4:00/Varsity 5:00

Wednesday 11/30 @ Applegate Varsity 4:30/JV 5:30

Monday 12/5 Home vs. Lorna Byrne JV 4:00/Varsity 5:00

Wednesday 12/7 Home vs. St. Mary’s JV ONLY 4:00

Monday 12/12 @ Shady Cove JV 4:30/Varsity 5:30

Thursday 12/15 Home vs. Prospect Varsity 4:00/JV 5:00

Guitar Club is up and running

Guitar club started yesterday with 10 individuals signed up. It's not too late to join though! Guitar Club meets Thursdays after school from 3:30-4:15 pm beginning now through mid-February and is for 6th graders-adults. If you are interested please get a registration form in the office. Special thanks to Mr. Zeller for offering such an enriching opportunity.

Note: Last day to sign up will be November 10th.

Math

As the math interventionist, I want to say a special thanks to Mr. Barbee for taking on the role of being our middle school math teacher this year. Having a dedicated middle school math teacher is an important step for our school as we seek to implement our curriculum in a uniform way for all our middle school students. He has also been instrumental in helping me gather data that I need for our intervention students. I am sure I speak for our middle school teachers as well when I say a hearty thank you to Mr. Barbee for the work he is doing at Madrone Trail.

Thanks everyone,

Jeff Roberson

jeff.roberson@madronetrail.org

Save the Date- 2023 Auction

After two years online, our annual benefit auction will return to its traditional live format with a bang!  Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 25, 2023 at the Historic Ashland Armory!

This year's event is an exciting Brazilian-style "Carnival" theme, complete with music and entertainment as well as gourmet Brazilian & Caribbean-inspired fare. Two different ticket options will be available: with or without dinner.

Own a business or know someone who does? We are now seeking cash and in-kind donations.

Pick up a donation form in the office or contact the Auction Committee at auction@madronetrail.org

Meet Taurie Michele, Office Manager

Taurie grew up in Southern Oregon and graduated from North Medford High School class of 1997. Her professional background is in Office Management having served many different organizations, corporate offices, healthcare facilities, and small local businesses. She attended Southern Oregon University, and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2017. Her studies focused on Communications and Psychology, and also obtained a minor in Philosophy, and a Certificate in Conflict Resolution.

Miss Taurie spends her personal time handcrafting herbal medicines, creating nourishing meals, facilitating Sound Bath Tea Ceremonies, and being in service to her community. She is passionate about holistic health, nutrition, self-care, native spirituality, herbalism, plants, art, and music. She collects tiny things, chopsticks and stickers. Her house is covered with over 100 houseplants! Taurie Michele is also local folk musician and singer songwriter that has performed in venues around Southern Oregon.

She moved to Ashland in 2007 to raise her daughter, and attend SOU. She currently lives with her 18 year old daughter, Sage, who is also her best friend! They also have three cats Jupiter, Venus, and Malibu.

The Seven Core Principles of Waldorf Education

Founded in the early 20th century, Waldorf education is based on the insights and teachings of Rudolf Steiner. Guided by these insights, the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education has adopted Seven Core Principles for Waldorf Schools. These principles articulate the most important values that inform the policies and practices of Waldorf schools in North America and are held as a central tenet of our school.

As part of our school’s membership process to the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education, the faculty is currently participating in an extensive "self study" process, looking deeply at the Seven Core Principles of Waldorf Education and how each of those principles is living in our school. We spent our last in-service going over two of these principles, and are continuing this study at our faculty meetings. We shared these last year as well, but thought since we are starting up our self-study again to include them again this year. We will share one Core Principle each week in the Friday Update for you to ponder. 

Principle 4: Human Relationships

Public Waldorf Schools foster a culture of healthy relationships.

Enduring relationships — and the time needed to develop them — are central to Public Waldorf education. The teacher works with each student and class as a whole to support relationship-based learning.

Healthy working relationships with parents, colleagues, and all stakeholders are essential to the well being of the student, class, and school community. Everyone benefits from a community life that includes festivals, events, adult education, study, and volunteer activities.

Public Waldorf education encourages collaboration in schools, within the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education, among all schools working out of a developmental approach, in conjunction with the broader field of education.

Link to all seven principles: https://www.publicwaldorf.org/core-principles

Handlettered by Ms. Cori