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 The Leaflet a newsletter for parents and friends of Ashwood Waldorf School

September 25, 2013Join Our Mailing List
Alumni News
Ari Snider '10: Framing a Life

We asked Belfast High School senior Ari Snider '10 to tell us about his recently completed year abroad. He writes: "It was fun and interesting to tie my Ashwood years into my exchange experience. I believe that there is a very 

real connection between the two." - Editor

 

During my years at Ashwood Waldorf School I would often complain about drawing borders on my main lesson book pages. I was never the most steady-handed or discerning artist in my class, and I found form drawing tedious and irksome. I looked forward to high school, where painstakingly detailed borders would no longer be required.

 

Freshman year at Belfast Area High School replaced main lesson book pages with printer paper; yet, I did not feel liberated. I missed outdoor recesses, hands-on specialty classes, daily singing, general cultivation of the creative spirit, and other keystones of Waldorf education. I especially missed the creative task of each carefully drawn main lesson book page. I craved a more wholesome experience akin to that of my Ashwood education.

 

The possibility of a year abroad had already begun to tempt me when, early into sophomore year, I learned about Rotary Youth Exchange. A year later, I bid my family farewell and set out for Belgium.  More 

 

Ari Snider '10

Festival News
Michaelmas Is This Friday! 
The annual Michaelmas Pageant and Hike will take place on Friday, September 27. Parents are encouraged to join us at 9:00 a.m. for the pageant and Michaelmas Chorus presentation. After the pageant there will be challenges of strength and courage followed by a picnic lunch. Then, we will make our annual Michaelmas hike to the summit of Mount Battie. The bus from school will depart at 12:15 p.m and will drop off students at the Route 52 Carriage Road Trailhead. 
 
Because of very limited parking we encourage parents who wish to hike to arrange carpooling to the trailhead. The most convenient option is probably to park at the Route 1, Camden Hills State Park Headquarters entrance. After a snack atop Mt. Battie we will continue down to the Camden Hills State Park Headquarters where we will play games before dismissal. We encourage parents to arrive early and join in the games! 

 

All Grade School children must be picked up at the Camden Hills State Park Headquarters off of Route 1 at 3:15 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27.

 

Gear for the Hike

We encourage parents to send their children to school on Friday wearing sturdy footwear and, if possible, a backpack (versus a satchel or sack) containing clothing that would accommodate comfort in any weather. Layers, layers, layers! It is often windy and several degrees cooler at the summit. Also include a hearty snack and plenty of water.

 

Decorations Needed 

Help make our festival festive! We need corn stalks, hay bales, pumpkins and gourds for the Michaelmas Pageant. If you are able to donate any of these items please bring them to school tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 26. Donated items may be left by the news kiosk near the office. Thanks!


The Celebrations Committee
Board News
Planapalooza graphic
All-School Meeting Set for Thursday, October 3

Planapalooza II, our all-school meeting, is next week. This is your opportunity to hear what we all have accomplished since last gathering one year ago at our first ever Planapalooza. 

 

Good news abounds, as do challenges. We want to share it all with you and let you know how you can get involved. Our goal is to have at least one parent from each family attend - two would be even better. Other friends of Ashwood are also encouraged to attend.

 

Here are the details:

 

When: Thursday, October 3rd, 6-8pm

Where: Grade School Building - Lower Level

Childcare available? In the Early Childhood building. Free; but please register in the office by October 1.

Food?  Yes, light refreshments will be provided. Please arrive by 5:45 p.m. to socialize, so we can start the meeting by 6:00 p.m.

 

Betsy Morrell, Board Chair

Program News
Home Schoolers Join Ashwood Classes 

Ashwood is happy to welcome three children to our program for home schoolers this year. One intrepid parent worked with our teachers and administrators to pilot the program last year, and our enrollment in this program has now tripled from one to three! We have learned much and have more to learn as we dip into this new way of participating in the education of children within the midcoast community.

 

Ashwood's home schoolers' program has an application process that is similar to, but less complicated than, our regular admissions process. The family fills out an application, and there are meetings between the teacher, student, parent, and the administration. In each case we look at which classes might make sense for the individual child as well as keeping an eye on the health of Ashwood's classes. Once the parent and faculty are satisfied with the arrangement, a contract is signed and a start date agreed on. 

 

Do you have any questions about this program? Do you know anyone in our community who might be interested in this innovative offering? I am happy to answer questions and offer additional details about all of the wonderful possibilities this new program offers.

 

Jody Spanglet, School Director

The Nursery at Ashwood

The Nursery at Ashwood has been a delightful and busy program for the past two years. Our latest group of two- and three-year olds graduated from the nursery in June, and nearly all of these children are now enrolled in the Kindergarten at Ashwood.

 

Last summer, as the new school year approached, we met with members of Ashwood's Leadership Council to discuss the future of the Nursery. At this fork in the road, we could either put our energies into recruiting a new class of two year olds, or step back and say good-bye for now. We chose the latter.

 

Our goal in creating the nursery two years ago was to support Ashwood. We offered a program for children not quite ready for Kindergarten, in hopes that those children would transition to the Kindergarten at Ashwood when ready.

 

Over the past two years, Ashwood's Kindergarten has become increasingly flexible and able to meet a wider range of needs for young children and their families. The role that the Nursery once filled is now largely met by the Kindergarten. The time seemed right for us to step back and put all of our support behind the Kindergarten.

 

We are very grateful to have had the Nursery at Ashwood, and to have received such warm support from the Ashwood community. You will see us both on the Ashwood campus as we continue to celebrate and support our wonderful school! 

   

--Cherry Short-Lee and Joanie Dean

 

Announcements
Friday Pick Up at Camden Hills State Park 

All Grade School children must be picked up at Camden Hills State Park Headquarters off of Route 1 at 3:15 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27.

 

All-School Meeting Child Care

If you would like child care during the Planapalooza on Thursday, October 3, please pre-register by Tuesday, October 1 by contacting the school office at 207-236-8021.

In This Issue
Important Dates

Thursday, September 26 

Grade 3/4 Parent Evening
5:30-7:00 p.m.

 

Friday, September 27

Michaelmas Festival & Hike

8:50 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

3:30-5:30 p.m.

 

September 30-October 2
Middle School Trip to Gulf Hagas

Thursday, October 3
Planapalooza: All School Meeting
6:00-8:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 5
Family Frolic at the Snow Bowl
Noon-6:00 p.m.

 

Interactive Web Calendar

Printable Calendar

Community Classifieds
Christian Community Michaelmas Gathering

The Christian Community will meet at Ashwood for its annual Michaelmas gathering, scheduled for October 19 and 20. Please follow this link for additional details.

 

Apartment for Rent

Cozy, energy efficient, two-bedroom house for rent in Warren, Maine (seven miles from Ashwood). The house is furnished and has a cat. FMI: Marianne at 207-691-8101.

We publish community-service announcements from and for Ashwood community members at no charge (50-words maximum). Send to: Laura Purdom. 

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Why Waldorf?
"Reading the Waldorf Way"

Torin Finser, PhD and John Bloom discuss the Waldorf approach to literacy. 

Submissions
Do you have a story to tell about Ashwood? A review of a book or event? A reflection on Waldorf education? Photos you've taken?
A question about the Leaflet?
Send us an email! We would love to hear from you. The next Leaflet will be published on Wednesday, October 2. Deadline for submissions is Monday, September 30 at 9 a.m.

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