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Weekly Bulletin

December 3, 2014

 

The Hartsbrook School

193 Bay Road
Hadley, MA

 

Main Office:
413-586-1908

Admissions:
413-584-3198

 

Quick Links

 Upcoming
 Events

 

Winter Garden

Sunday 12/7

 

Kindergartens

2pm and 3:30pm

 

Grades 1-3

5pm

*Speak with your teacher to confirm your families' session 

 

7th & 8th Grade Perform at the Holiday Choral Festival

Wed., 12/10, 6pm

 

Solstice Celebration

Thurs., 12/18, 7pm

 

Winter Break

 

Half Day / Assembly

Friday, 12/19

 

No School

12/22 to 1/2

Ongoing

  

Parent Council

Tue., 12/9 7-9pm

 

Parent Meditation

Thursdays, 8:30-9am

Parent Evenings

  

1st Grade

Wed., 12/3  7pm

 

8th Grade

Wed., 12/3 7pm

 

High School

Wed., 12/3 6:30pm

 

6th Grade

Wed., 12/10 3:30pm

 

 Athletics

Calendar

  

Ski Season~   See enrollment links below!

 

December Reflections

As the outer world moves into the season of dark and cold and as we near the shortest day of the year at the winter solstice, inwardly we celebrate the light and warmth that we can kindle to illuminate this darkness. At The Hartsbrook School we recognize this progression with a number of seasonal festivals. 

 

Winter Garden ~ This weekend,  Sunday, December 7th, The Winter Garden will present a beautiful pictorial and experiential reflection of this season for our youngest students.
 

Saint Nicholas Day ~ Early in December, classes celebrate Saint Nicholas, a story which comes to us from Holland. St. Nicholas gives us a chance to reflect on what has gone well and what can be done better in the way that is right for each class.
 

Choral Festival ~ On Wednesday, December 10th at 6pm, the 7th & 8th Grade Chorus will perform with other young choral groups at the Holiday Choral Festival at the Helen Hills Hills chapel at Smith College in Northampton.
 

St. Lucia Day ~ The second grade will bring us St. Lucia Day on Monday, December 15th. This comes from the Swedish tradition and we observe it with a procession of second graders offering St. Lucia buns to everyone in the school.  This is part of an overall theme in second grade which is to look at the higher and lower parts of human nature through the study of holy people and of the fables.
 

Hanukkah ~ Begins this year on December 16th and observes the miracle of how the menorah burned for eight days in the re-dedication of the Second Temple when there was only enough lantern oil for one day. Many classrooms will have a menorah for eight days, in commemoration of how long the oil burned.
 

Solstice Celebration ~ On Thursday, December 18th at 7pm we have the Hartsbrook Solstice Celebration at the Helen Hills Hills Chapel in Northampton. This extraordinary evening showcases the talents of current students in Grades 7-12 and alumni. Bring your singing voices and join in the celebration!
 

Holiday Assembly ~ And finally, our seasonal celebrations conclude on December 19th when Grades 1-8 gather for our Holiday Assembly in the Piening Hall Assembly Room.

 

Keep your eye on our website for more news of all these events.
 

Blessings of the season to all of you,

Louise Spear, Faculty Chair

The Winter Garden

Sunday, December 7th, Piening Hall Lobby

Sessions I and II (2:00 and 3:30 pm)

for children ages 5 and 6 and their older siblings (through third grade only)

 

Session III (5:00 pm)

for children in first, second and third grade

Every year at this time, the Hartsbrook School celebrates a unique festival now known as The Winter Garden.  This festive Garden was first celebrated in 1926 at Sonnenhof, an anthroposophical curative home for children in Switzerland.  Over the years, many Waldorf schools and anthroposophically based curative communities have adopted and adapted this tradition.

The Winter Garden is a spiral path build up of evergreen branches and moss, generously arranged with the earth's mineral gifts: crystals, beautiful stones, and seashells.  Symbolically, the spiral can be seen as the pathway of each child's life.  Each child enters alone upon this path.  As lyre music is played, the child carries a small bowl filled with moss along the spiral path to the very center and receives a rose.  As they journey out of the spiral, each child chooses a place to set the rose down, thus helping to fill the garden for other children who are to follow.  When all the children have completed their journey, a new picture is formed in the room: a festive, fragrant garden, filled with roses, a symbol of the heart and of love.  A story is then told.

Just as important to this picture being created by the children is the role played by the adults who are beholding and caring for them with each step they take.  We, who have taken a few more steps on our earthly journeys, can celebrate in wonder the children in our care.  As Earth moves toward its darkest time of year, may we open our hearts to the light and love within and all around.  And above all, may childhood itself be welcomed and celebrated at this time.

Valerie Poplawski, for the faculty

Announcements

Ski Season ~ REGISTER BY FRIDAY!

Winter weather is upon us, and it is time to sign up for Ski and Snowboard Club!  Discounted lift tickets, rentals and lessons are available to all members of Hartsbrook families.  Follow one of the three links below to register according to your arrival time.  (Parents or siblings may sign up for any of the three groups but must arrive at the time noted.)  A separate registration form is needed for each participant.  Complete registrations and payment must be received by Friday, December 5th.  Make checks payable to The Hartsbrook School with "ski club" in the memo.  
 
High School (3:00 arrival)     High School Registration
 
 High school students will depart Hartsbrook at 2:00, will arrive at Berkshire East at 3:00 and will depart from Berkshire East at 9:30.  They will be transported by chaperones to and from Berkshire East.  Their program consists of five Friday visits between January 9th and February 13th, excluding January 30th, which is the Model UN weekend.
 
Grades 5-8 (4:15 arrival)       Grades 5-8 Registration
Students in grades 5-8 may depart from school following the 3:15 dismissal and will pick up their passes at Berkshire East at 4:15. This program consists of six consecutive Fridays from January 9th through February 13th.  Please Note:  Parents are responsible for arranging their own transportation and supervision while at Berkshire East. 

Grades 4 and Below (1:45 arrival)  Grades 4 and Below
Students in grades 4 and below may depart from school following the 12:45 dismissal and will pick up their passes at Berkshire East at 1:45.  This program consists of six consecutive Fridays from January 9th through February 13th.  Please Note:  Parents are responsible for arranging their own transportation and supervision while at Berkshire East.
 
Megan Owens, Athletics Director

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Holiday Shoppers 
 
It's Time to Buy Scrip Cards for Your Holidays

When you make everyday purchases using scrip cards, Hartsbrook receives rebates from  3-18% of each sale.

 

For example:

~River Valley Market returns 5%~Whole Foods 3%
~ Esselon 10%

~and  LLBean, a whopping 16%! 

 

  Whatever your purchases, we have a scrip card for that..

A new doll?
American Doll
Jeans for your growing children?
LL Bean
The latest story for your readers?
Barnes and Noble
Teenagers on your list? 
iTunes or Amazon.com
Your holiday groceries or a gift basket for your neighbor?
 Big Y, Whole Foods, River Valley , S & S
Need refreshments as you shop or want to give a gift card?

Esselon

Bruegger's or Bertucci's
 

 

 Order Scrip Cards Ahead 

 

 Holiday Shopping Order Form

 or speak with Vesna in the Main Office.
 

Shopping online this season?

Did you know that shopping online can also benefit Hartsbrook?

 

When you create a PrestoPay account on ShopWithScrip.com, you can purchase "instant gift cards" to be used toward your online purchases. This secure process is worth the effort! For example, a recent $150 purchase made on overstock.com will benefit Hartsbrook 8% or $12! 

 

~Enroll online at www.shopwithscrip.com (Enrollment Code:  6L1F813F8734)


For questions, contact Vesna in the Main Office (413) 586-1908 or Heidi Moskovitz (413) 219-1289.

Hartsbrook Calendars for sale ~ $15

We have 15 left and are ordering more for delivery by 12/12. Display copies available in Hartsbrook Hall, Piening Hall and the Homestead.  

Make payments in the main office to Vesna. Please make checks out to The Hartsbrook School, with Land Stewardship in the memo.

Advent Calendars ~  A few left!

Advent Calendar Sales

 

The last few Advent Calendars will be in the Hartsbrook Hall lobby until Friday 12/3. Make checks payable to Beth Volkmann and leave with Vesna.  All proceeds return back to The Hartsbrook School.

 

Questions? Contact Beth Volkmann 

Parent Education

 

In The Early Childhood Building, Call Enrollment to Register 584-3198




Solstice Celebration

A Day of Teaching French

As I reflected on the French classes I taught on Tuesday, I realized that they provide good examples of how students progress through the acquisition of a second language.
  

Current 8th Grade, when they were in 4th Grade!

I had just completed the first term of teaching French to the eighth graders, who are increasingly eager and capable to talk about themselves in simple sentences in a foreign language. Their thinking capabilities make them ready to grasp, and even to enjoy, wrestling with details of grammar.

The seventh graders, who had German with Herr Saltet until Thanksgiving, will now begin their term of French. On the first day of class, we reviewed the days of the week, months, numbers and the seasons. Before long, the students were again totally immersed in the language, understanding most of what was said. The conjugation of the verb "�tre" (to be) came back just as naturally, as in "Nous sommes les �l�ves de septi�me classe � l'�cole Hartsbrook" ("We are the seventh-grade students at the Hartsbrook School"). They enjoyed the fact that the word for "middle school" in French is called "un coll�ge," and were surprised to learn that "seventh grade" in America is called "cinqui�me classe" (literally, "fifth grade") in France!

After seventh grade, I shifted my attention to first grade. There, our sweet and alert six- and seven-year olds were happy and ready to join in reciting, singing, counting, playing "Simon Says..." in French  ("Madame a dit..."), or guessing where a miniature Tour Eiffel was hidden. First graders are still at a wonderful age where learning the sounds and intonations of a foreign language happens in a natural way, through their imitative capabilities, without inhibitions or needing to know the meaning of each word.

4th Grade Bakes Bread

In fourth grade, we started the class with a tongue twister: "Didon d�na, dit-ton, du dodu dos d'un dodu dindon" ("Dido ate for dinner, they say, the plump back of a plump turkey"). Students sang a harvest  song and played a game in which one student "ate" (or "illustrated") a fruit or another food which the class had to guess: "Qu'est-ce que je mange? Qu'est-ce que je mange? 1,2,3... Dites-le moi!" (What am I  eating? 1,2,3, tell me!) They then worked in their book, illustrating and writing words of the story, "La Petite Poule Rouge" ("The Red Little Hen"). The story had been introduced orally last year, and now the class has the words and can read them with ease and good pronunciation. Earlier this fall, they had fun making bread.

Now 7th Graders in Montreal in6th Grade

In sixth grade, my last class of the day, we practiced the names of languages, represented by the flags of countries. We conjugated two "regular" -ER verbs: "parler" ("to speak") and "�tudier" ("to study").  We are also practicing a dialogue between two young people, one of them from Montreal, where we will go in May for the class trip. As the year goes on, there will be much excitement about learning  expressions that will be used in an authentic environment, such as a French restaurant, or a scavenger hunt in Old Montreal, or a visit to a museum or market.
 

 

 

Achieving fluency in a foreign language takes many years. Introducing a new language at a young age allows children to immerse their souls in the culture and sounds of the language, thus giving them cultural and linguistic flexibility. In later years, Hartsbrook high school students are given the opportunity to spend three months in a Waldorf school in a country and language of their choice. They return to us  with a high level of fluency, plus a rich and extended experience of the country and its people. As a foreign language teacher, I am pleased to be able to help our students start to develop their skills  in French in the elementary grades.

Marie-Dominique Corbi�re, French Grades 1-8

New Chess Club 

 

Around Campus ~ Fall Photo Newsletter

 

If you missed the Fall Photo Newsletter in your email box over the Thanksgiving break, ENJOY NOW..


 

 

For more photos, be sure to check out Hartsbrook Photo Site.
For the password, check the back of your directory or call the main office.
 

Celebrating Our Community

Greenfield Holiday Concert ~ Singin' in the Land


 

 

Featuring our very own Meg Fisher, Magdalena Toran and Galen!


 

When: Saturday, December 13th 7:30pm

Where: Wesley Methodist Church, 98 North Maple Street, Hadley MA
 

Tickets: $14/$11 (seniors/students)

To benefit Village Harmony in Macedonia and the SIT CONTACT Program.


 

For more info: www.marycaybrass.com
 

Community Bulletin Board 
HELP AROUND THE HOUSE? Dear Parents and Faculty, Do you need help with odd jobs around the house, lawn maintenance (leaf raking, lawn mowing) or babysitting? Whether it's heavy lifting, or helping your child with homework  THE ELEVENTH GRADERS ARE AVAILABLE!!!!!! If you are interested in hiring an eleventh grader please call or text Nora Weber at 413-687-3287, or email Izzy Lederman at [email protected].

VIOLIN LESSONS: Are you interested in enhancing your child's progress in violin with private lessons? I have been teaching in the Pioneer Valley for over four decades. Many of my students, past and present, have hailed from Hartsbrook. I currently have a few openings in my program. Please phone me if you would like further information. Rose Lander 413-586-1137
 
CHRISTMAS TREES: Come to Hillside Christmas Tree Farm in scenic rural Chesterfield for cut-your-own and pre-cut live trees and wreaths. We grow Balsam and Fraser fir trees and naturally regenerated White pine trees.  We are located on Rte. 143 in Chesterfield and are 5 miles from Rte. 9 in Williamsburg. Open and staffed on week-ends with self-service available during the work week.  My son also sells trees at Atkins Farms in Amherst which we have grown in Chesterfield and Worthington. Louise Spear 413-296-4068

CULTIVATE YOUR WILD NATURE WITH GIRLS LIKE YOU! Full Moon Girls - Wild Natured Girls | Sat November 22nd, 9:30 - 2:30 Girls ages 7-15, in 2 clans. Launch Day suggested $30-50. Sign up online to our popular Jan-June 2015 monthly program, sliding scale $45-75/day, at Brook's Bend Farm in Montague. More Info Call us: 413-367-6191

PARENT / DAUGHTER WORKSHOP: Rachel Simmons. Come to a free, interactive parent-daughter workshop for girls 8-14 on Friday, December 5 in Shutesbury. Pizza dinner at 5, workshop 5:30 - 7pm.   The focus is on how to identify a healthy vs toxic friendship, strategies to communicate effectively, and ways to deal with mean jokes.  READ MORE

ACUPUNCTURE HEALING ARTS: Amherst area. Families, adults and children. Use non-needle or needle method. happinesswaveacupuncture.info 413-207-2862 or [email protected] 

 

The Community Bulletin Board is for small classified-type advertisements. Each submission costs $5.00, is limited to 3 paid repeats and should be no more than 4 lines of text, about 45 words. Payment for Community Bulletin Board submissions should be made by Friday of the publication week. Please drop off or mail payment, to The Hartsbrook School, 193 Bay Road, Hadley, MA 01035.  No charge for advertisements for free events or nonprofit organizations. Submit ads to: [email protected].

 

General Policy for the Bulletin  No political or religious advertisements.  No competitive program advertisements.  No fundraisers.  The editors will decide placement of advertisements and may edit for content and length.  The Hartsbrook School retains the right to choose not to print any advertisement.

Hartsbrook: Clarity of Thought ~ Warmth of Heart - Strength of Purpose