No Bus Service- Wednesday, May 3

There will be no bus service on Wednesday, May 3. Please arrange for alternate transportation. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

From the Director

Dear Families,

My grandparents owned a cattle farm in the Napa Valley in Northern California. Growing up, I spent my summers on the farm, playing in the creek, changing irrigation pipes, and following my grandpa around as he did his daily chores. My grandpa was born in 1897, and my grandma was born in 1901. Hard to believe, but true. Their way of life was very simple and straightforward. They grew most of their own food, and basically lived off the land. 

One day I was playing in the garden and caught a grasshopper. I told my grandma about it and she offered me 5 cents for every one I caught. I then went out and caught $10 worth! She about had a heart attack! I was all in when it came to the garden. I loved to plant the seeds, nurture and water the plants, and then pick the produce for our meals. It was one of the foundational experiences of my life.

Gardening is one of the subjects which can be regarded as having played a central and exemplary role in Waldorf education right from the beginning. It is not a training program, but rather a way to allow the students to develop a deeper appreciation for and awareness of the human being’s relationship to the natural world. By caring for the garden, experiencing the growth of plants, and harvesting what they give us, the students develop a deeper consciousness and appreciation for the earth. The curriculum was conceived by the teachers of the first school, initially in consultation with Steiner, and has continued to be developed right up to the present.

The fundamental idea behind this subject is to engender in young people a deep understanding of the workings of nature through predominantly practical activity in the garden. Over a period of years of working in the school garden and observing the processes of nature, young people will ideally build up a store of experience, together with a sense of the immense cultural task they are involved in as human beings. This is nothing less than the care of the soil, the production of food and the responsibility for the earth. All these themes can be reflected in the more theoretical or observational parts of the lessons. Thus this subject can play its part in helping young people develop a sound sense of judgment.

On the one hand, they should acquire a well-founded feeling for the right way to treat the earth, plants and animals. On the other, they should develop a sharp eye for the things that are calling out to be done in the garden. It is a question, in other words, of having educated senses in conjunction with a habit of directly engaging the will. Of course, there are many points of contact between this and other subject areas, such as biology, history etc.

I see students waiting at the bus stop, heading to neighborhood public schools. I guarantee that none of those students will go home with dirt under their fingernails. Such a shame! I know our students will work the garden as a part of their schooling and that makes me proud! Thanks to a grant, and the wonderful folks at Ewing Irrigation, we are just about finished with our field irrigation project. That brings us one step closer to further expanding our garden program at Madrone Trail!

Have a wonderful weekend,

~Kendall Roberts

Director

kendall.roberts@madronetrail.org

Stewardship Day- TOMORROW!

It's time for some Spring cleaning! We need YOUR help to refresh, organize and beautify our campus:

When: Saturday, April 29th, 10-1pm.

What: Please see the project list below and click on the link to sign up for a project that calls to you. 

Mr. Joe and Mr. Sergio will be available at check-in between 10-10:30 am to guide you into your project. Please check-in at the Kinder yard. 

Bring: Tools/gloves for your specified task, and a water bottle 

Child care: TBD. If you are interested in helping provide childcare for this event, please email josclyn.shipman@madronetrail.org

Lunch: Pizza will be provided at noon! 

Projects:

• Kinderyard clean up, gardening
• Yurt clean up and organizing
• Costume closet organizing
• Field tent setup and preparation for May Faire Festival
• Moving sheds in the field

What project calls to you? Let us know by clicking the link below

Thank you for your willingness to help steward and invest in your child's school. It takes a village! 

Road Closure Alert

Families coming from Medford, there is an upcoming road closure that may affect you. Starting Monday, May 1, 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘆.

A detour will be in place and will direct traffic to North Ross Lane, West Main Street, and Hanley Road. This section of Rossanley Drive will be closed to traffic while Knife River constructs the new roundabout and widens the road.

This closure will be in place from 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭 – 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟯.

May Faire Update

May Faire is coming May 6th. We need many parent volunteers to make this event happen! Please start signing 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

Our next May Faire Committee Meeting is April 25, 3:30 pm, in the Handwork room (former 8th grade room.)

Food Program News

Cinco de Mayo Quesadilla Lunch Special!

We are offering our first holiday special next week for Cinco de Mayo. Pre-order is required. If you have already ordered ahead for next week, there is still time to log into your EZ account and change your order. Here's what's cookin'...

Folded in a grilled flour tortilla, served w/ sour cream and green salsa, choose:

• Chicken - slow cooked with mild salsa and green chiles, cheddar cheese
• Vegetarian - Mexican-style rice, black beans, cheddar cheese
• Vegan - Mexican-style rice, black beans, zucchini, vegan sour cream

Field Trips

Field trip season is in full swing! Our kitchen crew is packing coolers with lunches for field trip days, either our turkey & cheddar or sun butter & jam sandwiches with fruit, fresh veggies, and milk. If your student is on our list for a hot lunch, we will automatically default to packing them a sack lunch for their field trip. 

From the Athletic Director

Track and Field

Our track team competed on Friday at Hidden Valley with New Hope Christian and Rogue River. We also competed April 25th at Saint Mary’s with Butte Falls, Logos, Prospect, Rogue River, Shady Cove, and Saint Mary’s. We did very well and the coaching staff is so proud of our athletes.

Notable Performances by Grade

April 21st @ Hidden Valley High

6th Grade

6th            

Natasha Wright: 100M 18.6 (2nd), Javelin 41’6” (1st tie)

Nora Costa; 100M 19.0 (3rd)

Josephine Gervasi: 1500M 7:42.1 (1st) 100M Hurdles 24.9 (2nd) 41’6” (1^st tie)

Silas Moon: 100M 15.0 (3rd), Javelin 67’4” (6th), Long jump 10’8” (2nd)

Theo Gerig: 1500M 6:45.3 (2nd), Javelin 70’9” (3rd)

Luke Walker: Shot put 15’10” (5th), Javelin 70’7” (4th), Long jump 9’7” (4th)

7th

Emily Emry: 100M 16.2 (3rd Tie), Shot put 20’6” (3rd), Javelin 43’8” (2nd)

Satya Pinney: 100M 16.2 (3rd Tie)

Anastasia Lamont: 100M 16.9 (5th) 18’10” (4th), Shot put 18’10” (4th)

Maddy Bevers: 800M 3:09.8 (1st), 3000M 14:10.1 (1st), Shot put 25’0” (1st)

Sidra Price: 3000M 15:58.7 (2nd), 100M Hurdles 28.1 (3rd), Shot put 18’3” (5th)

Ariel Wentz: 400M 1:36.2 (2nd)

Theo Kingzett: 100M 13.9 (1st) 200M (28.5 (1st), Long jump 10’10” (5th)

Isaac Richardson: 200M 30.5 (3rd)

Nova Star: 100M 14.9 (2nd), Long jump 11’10” (2nd)

8th

Andrea Stanislawski: 100M 14.6 (2nd), 200M 32.0 (3rd), Shot put 25’8” (3rd)

Zephaniah Moon: 100M 12.4 (1st), Javelin 75’7” (5th), Long jump 13’10” (2nd)

Cruz Cervantes: 100M 13.0 (2nd), 200M 26.2 (1st), Discus 58’7” (1st)

Braden Johnsen: 100M 14.7 (5th), 200M 31.7 (5th)

Relays

Women’s 4 x100M Andrea, Emily, Anastasia, Maddy 4 x 100 1:10.3 (3rd)

Men’s 4x100M  Zephaniah, Theo K, Isaac, Cruz (2nd) 4 x 100 57.0 (2nd)

April 25th @ Saint Mary’s

6th

Natasha Wright: 100M 17.92 (7th)

Josephine Gervasi: 1500M 5:57.66 (1st) 100M Hurdles 27.11 (2nd)

Silas Moon: 100M 15.59 (2nd), Javelin 69’6” (6th), Long Jump 12’1” (2nd)

Roman Roberson: 100M 15.92 (4th), Shot Put 23’3” (1st), Javelin 72’9” (4th)

Titus Stewart: 200M 35.51 (2nd), 1500M 6.29.10 (1st), Long Jump 10’2” (5th)

Theo Gerig: 1500M 6.33.05 (2nd), Javelin 79’2” (2nd), Long Jump 10’1” (6th)

Luke Walker: Shot Put 16’8” (4th), Javelin 69’8” (5th)

7th

Maddy Bevers: 3000M 13:54.91 (1st), Shot Put 24’6” (1st)

Sidra Price: 3000M 15.22.19 (2nd)

Emily Emry: Shot Put 20’9” (7th)

Ariel Wentz: Long Jump 8’10.5” (6th)

Theo Kingzett: 100M 14.07 (2nd), 200M 28.89 (3rd)

Isaac Richardson: 200M 35.39 (5th), 400M 1:11.96 (2nd), Javelin 97’2” (1st)

Nova Star: Javelin 85’9” (4th), Long jump 10’11” (9th)

8th

Lyra Ayres: 100M Hurdles 21.98 (1st)

Andrea Stanislawski: 200M 32.22 (10th), Shot put 24’1” (6th)

Zephaniah Moon: 100M 13.06 (2nd), Javelin 85’1” (5th), Long Jump 13’4” (5th)

Cruz Cervantes: 100M 13.28 (4th), 200M 26.52 (1st)

Braden Johnsen: 200M 34.31 (7th)

Relays

Women’s 4 x100 Andrea, Satya, Lyra, Maddy 4 x 100 1:10.3 (5th)

Men’s 4x100M  Cruz, Braden, Theo K, Zephaniah 4 x 100 54.23 (2nd)

Upcoming Meets- Come support your Dragons

May 1st (6th Grade District championships) Ashland Middle School (3pm)

May 10th (7th-8th) District Championships) South Medford High (4pm)

Go Dragons!

~Jeff Roberson

jeff.roberson@madronetrail.org

photos by Ryan Moon

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

Watercolor Painting by Atom Goldey, 2nd grade. 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.