At the stream last week we had so much fun trying out the ice to determine where it was solid and where it was questionable. Nature-based intelligence at it's finest! Fortunately, we only had a few wet boots, and we spent a nice long time exploring. Then suddenly one of the children found an ice hole and we all cried, " it's a Shingebiss fishing hole !" (Shingebiss being the unflappable duck in our story the week before. He cheerfully fished in the ice holes no matter what King Winter brought in the form of ice, snow, or wind. 

Well, then there was nothing we could do but to go back to Rosewood and make fishing poles, complete with handsewn felt fish made by several children. It's so wonderful that fish love the water and they are welcome to get wet ! It was delightful to witness, once again, how these stories nurture the imagination of the kindergarten child. To create a living experience was completely inspiring to me. 

This past week we welcomed a new student to our class, David Norton. He went right to work shoveling and transitioned seamlessly into our rhythm. Welcome David and his parents, Scott and Andreina!

This week we have been  hearing at story time about a boy whose flour was blown away by the North Wind. In his frustration, he visits the icy castle of the North Wind to demand an answer. What ensues is delightful. The children loved it, and I can't wait until we can "act it out. "If we ever have school again...
Happy snow !

-Ms. Beth

A Letter from Mr. Kaczor to the Parents of the Fourth-Fifth Grade Students

Dear Friends,

After much reflection and deliberation, it has become clear to me that the time has come for me to shift my attention from the classroom to new endeavors. These past ten years in the classroom have taught me so much and inspired me in ways that my own education hadn't. However, new roles that I have been blessed with these past several years: becoming a homeowner, husband, and father, have prompted me to readdress my list of aspirations and life goals.

Over the years I have had many thoughts about what I wanted to do when I grew up. I imagined myself a doctor or a pilot but I finally "landed" on the realization that the classroom is where I wanted to stay. This past September marked the beginning of my 28th consecutive school year, 16th cumulative year in an elementary school, and my 10th year as a class teacher here at Ashwood Waldorf School. I have not known a summer that wasn't summer vacation or a mid-week snowstorm that wasn't a snow day. Without interruption I went from student to teacher.

My experience here at Ashwood has been rewarding and fulfilling. I spent some of my most formative years among a group of colleagues worthy of being modeled. The degree of professionalism, grace, compassion, resolve, and colleagueship has been unrivaled in my observations of other schools, let alone other working environments.  

The Ashwood community has been warm and welcoming, and made me feel like I was home when I first arrived to the mid-coast, far away from any friends or family. The commitment, dedication, and volunteerism of the numerous community members have been inspirational and encouraging. Now that I have my own small family here, it is great to know that we already have a community to which we belong.

I step away from teaching knowing that I have been especially fortunate to work with the students and families that I had. The children bring wonder and excitement to our experience in the classroom every day. They support and encourage one another and celebrate each other's accomplishments. We have a lot of fun together and the students work hard and strive to create beautiful work.

I am grateful for the opportunity I have had as a class teacher at Ashwood Waldorf School. I know in my heart that the classroom is a place where I am in my element whether I'm behind a teacher's desk or sitting at a student's desk. Although my role as a class teacher is coming to a close, my hope is for Isaac to grow up and thrive in a school community like Ashwood. I look forward to the many wonderful possibilities the future holds for all of us.  

Yours truly,

Robert Kaczor

A Letter from Ms. Wenckus to the Parents of the First Grade Students

Dear Parents, 

I would like to thank you for the support and trust that you have given me since I decided to be the class teacher for your children last spring. I have enjoyed your children and the work that we have done up to this point immensely. We have all learned so much since we began school in September!

After many hours of self-reflection, I have decided that I will not continue as class teacher next fall. However, I will assist the new incoming class teacher for four mornings a week during main lesson. I will also continue my work as handwork teacher to all the grades. As much as I have enjoyed teaching your dear children, I have realized that handwork is where my heart and strengths really lie.

Your children will certainly have a special place in my heart, and I look forward to continuing to work with them, albeit in a different way, in the years ahead.

All the best,

Donna Wenckus

I am enjoying our block this January. Our class is currently learning about Astronomy. We are learning all of the phases of the Moon, and have been keeping Moon journals. Every night we go outside and observe the Moon, and then back in school we all share our results. Also, we observed the stars in the North, South, East and West, and observed their movements. We also observe constellations. We learned that there are eight phases of the Moon. We learned about the different types of stars, like Polaris. We are also learning about the Zodiac.  

In our French class, we are doing a play in French, The Three Little Pigs. In Handwork, we are continuing to work on our elephants. In Chorus, we are working on our play, The Pirates of Penzance, learning the songs. I am very excited for the play! In Movement, we have been cross-country skiing, and it is a lot of fun, even for some of us who are still learning. Today in Main Lesson we learned about the Sun. Did you know that the Sun is the closest star to us?

RSVP now for one of our upcoming house parties! The members of Ashwood's Early-Childhood planning group (Marianne Bockli, Beth Lunt, Betsy Morrell, Judith Soleil, Jody Spanglet, and Amy Watson) are working to create a vision for the future of our EC programs and to develop parent ambassadors for our school. We'd love to hear your ideas and impressions, questions and suggestions.

Betty Wyman: February 25, 12:30 p.m.

Jessica Wheeler: March 3, 9:00 a.m.

Julia Dodge & Malcolm Hildreth: March 14

Please RSVP no later than five (5) days before each event to Judith Soleil. 

-Judith Soleil

Enrollment and Outreach