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

From the Director

There's No Place Like Home...

It is hard for me to adequately articulate my enthusiasm for the opportunity to return as Ashwood's director next year. While I was looking forward to shifting my responsibilities to a more singular focus on pedagagogical leadership, when asked to consider remaining in my current role I found myself joyful, and, after serious contemplation, ready to say "yes."

 

The search process for a new school director over the past seven or eight months and the intensive work to restructure Ashwood's administration prior to the search was impressive. The search committee, comprised of parents, teachers, and board members, worked with sensitivity, intelligence and professionalism. Some worthy candidates were carefully considered, but none with the needed constellation of skills.

 

When the board asked me to consider staying on,  

I realized that I still feel called to fulfill all the responsibilities entrusted to Ashwood's director. Put simply, I love this school and I love the work.

 

As we wind down a tremendously successful year and begin to plan for the next, we are fortunate that there will be stability in the school's administration; at the same time, there will also be some changes. Most notably, Annie Mahle, who has been so successful in leading her team of volunteers to create an amazing annual fundraising event and who has successfully increased Ashwood's giving levels to new heights, will be leaving her post at the end of the school year. We will sorely miss Annie in this role, but we are most grateful that she will remain on Ashwood's board in an advisory capacity. Our search for a new development director began this week. And, the board has approved funding to increase the business manager's position from three-quarter to full-time, allowing Tamara Cody to assume oversight of our the physical plant operations and to participate fully in faculty meetings.

 

I am honored and humbled to continue to serve all of the Ashwood community. I remain committed to the mission of Waldorf education and to striving to do my best as a collaborative leader. With invigorated inspiration I promise you that my head, heart, and hands are fully engaged and ready for our next steps together.


-Jody Spanglet

School Director

Festival News
You're Invited!

Save the date for Ashwood Waldorf School's eighth-grade graduation! The Class of 2015, along with their dedicated teacher, Amy Watson, looks forward to seeing you at the Strom Auditorium at Camden Hills Regional High School on Saturday, June 6, at 1:00 p.m.

 

Graduation is the culminating event of each student's time at Ashwood. It is the students' last chance to share their talents with our school community, and for our community to honor their growth and achievements.

 

At Ashwood, graduation is seen as a significant moment for the whole community: for the younger children who are inspired by the eighth graders and who look forward to their own graduation; for the teachers who have all had a hand in their education; for the parents of children in other grades who have watched and helped the eighth graders grow through the years.

 

All Ashwood students, grades 1-7, will take part in the graduation and are expected to attend. Class teachers will provide details.

 

Our hope is that all parents and friends of Ashwood will also join us. It truly is a wonderful event!

 


Early-Childhood News

Spring is here!
Here is spring!
Let us all rejoice and sing!
Butterflies are in the air
Birds are singing everywhere!

Our early-childhood class has been spending more and more time outdoors after such a long winter. It is so much fun to observe and embrace the daily changes as they unfold in the forest. 


Our circle has shifted this week to the celebration of spring and warmer weather. Our story this week is about a bear in his den. Everyone in the forest knows that once bear flips to his other side, spring can come. But he is a lazy bear, snug and content in his cozy den, and just won't listen. The other animals fear that their patience will snap! Winter has been too long and oh, so cold. There is hardly anything to eat, too!


Finally little mouse tickles the bear's feet and glory be! He flips over to his other side with a huff of warm air from out of his den! Now spring can come at long last. 


We welcome a new student, Fern Tavernakis, to class this week. Her big brother Forest is already here, so he can help her learn the kindergarten ways. I'm very sure that the other children will be happy to welcome a new sister to our "family."


This Wednesday, May 13 (6:00-7:30 p.m.) we will be sharing new and exciting changes planned for next year in the early-childhood program, as well as making plans for our Bridge Crossing ceremony on the last day of school. Joining Beth Lunt, Marianne B�ckli, and Jen Corning at the meeting will be Jody Spanglet and Judith Soleil. We look forward to seeing you! 


Fondly,
Ms. Beth and Jen   

Early-Childhood Meeting
Wednesday, May 13, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the early-childhood center, we invite you to hear about our plans for next year's early-childhood program. Lively innovations are underway and we look forward to sharing them with you! The great success of this year's forest kindergarten has inspired us to expand further into nature in various ways.

Come enjoy light refreshments and tea, hear our news, and join the conversation. We hope to see all current parents, new parents, and prospective parents, so please spread the word!

Warm greetings,
The Early-Childhood Planning Group
Marianne B�ckli, Beth Lunt, Judith Soleil, Jody Spanglet, Amy Watson
Grade-School News
From Grade 6

Our class is learning about physics right now. We are two weeks into the physics block and so far it's been great fun.

 

The first week we learned about sound and how it moves and flows. We first learned about sound without sight. When we learned about sound, we did multiple experiments including: blowing the tops of root beer bottles to make sound (some of them had a little water in them to make different pitches.) We also put water on our index fingers and rubbed the edge of a wine glass, and it made a huge sound.

 

In the second week we learned about light and how it travels through the air. Then we learned about colors and how they mix to create other colors. So far, physics has been super fun!

 

-Sylvan Eichenlaub

Pentathlon Judges Needed!
I am looking for judges for the fifth grade pentathlon. This is an annual event in which our fifth graders compete in the ancient Greek events: the sprint, javelin, discus, wrestling, long jump, and a relay race. They are joined by fifth graders from all the Waldorf schools in Maine as well as several Canadian schools.


It's a great way to give back if your child has already participated, and a great way to learn more if your child will be participating in the coming years.  

We would love to have a few parent volunteers to help judge this year's pentathlon in Freeport on May 22. No experience is necessary and I will train you before the event so you feel confident.

Please let me know if you are willing to help.

Thank you,
-Jeremy Clough
[email protected] 

  

 

Announcements
Worldwide Waldorf Forum

The Community Treehouse is a new online space linking up the Steiner Waldorf community worldwide.Use the chat forums to share information and discuss issues, read the latest Waldorf news streamed from Waldorf organisations across the world, arrange house exchanges, couch surfing trips, working holidays and youth exchanges within the worldwide Waldorf community using our travel service.  

 

You are already part of a huge community, with nearly 4,000 Steiner Waldorf initiatives spread over 61 countries, now join us online to form global connections and embrace the wider Waldorf world! We can learn so much from each other and help each other with so many things, as well as visiting each other's homes and supporting our young people to explore this wide world safely. Simply go to  www.communitytreehouse.com to explore.

 

-Abigail O'Callaghan-Platt

(Ireland)


Read the May issue of the Association of Waldorf Schools in North America newsletter here.
"Freedom Summer"
A new play presented by Youth Arts. Wednesday, May 13, 6:30 at the Strom Auditorium, Camden Hills Regional High School. "Freedom Summer" is based around the experiences of three young people who volunteered for the Mississippi Summer Project coordinated primarily by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and Congress of Racial Equality. The Mississippi project aimed at dramatically increasing voter registration.

Advance tickets can be purchased at HAVII in Camden or online for $10, $5 for children or $25 for a family. Tickets at the door will be $12, $6, and $30. PRINT AND PRESENT THE FLYER (below) AT THE DOOR FOR ONE FREE STUDENT ADMISSION.
In This Issue
Important Dates

Wednesday, May 13 

Early-Childhood Parent Evening 
6:00-7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 19
School Tour
8:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Early-Childhood Tour
8:45-10:30 a.m.
Please register, and bring friends!

Thursday and Friday, May 21 & 22
Pentathlon
Merriconeag Waldorf School

Monday, May 25
Memorial Day
No school

Tuesday, May 26- Friday, May 29
Grade 7 Trip to Acadia National Park

Community Classifieds

Development Director Position

Ashwood Waldorf School is seeking a part-time salaried Development Director (DD) who will work an average of 20 hours per week year-'round. The DD is a key member of the administrative team. The chosen candidate will cultivate and maintain excellent donor, volunteer, and staff relationships. The DD will execute all aspects of Ashwood's comprehensive development program, including annual fundraising appeals and events. The chosen candidate must possess a professional demeanor; excellent interpersonal and communication skills; facility with computer software, including databases; be a highly organized multitasker, and be able to work as a member of a creative and skilled team. To receive the full job description and to apply, please submit cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 professional references to Jody Spanglet.

Christian Community
The Maine Christian Community is celebrating Ascension season this weekend on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17.

Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. there will be an Ascension discussion led by Rev. Carol Kelly, and a short Close of Day service will conclude the evening at 8:30 pm.

Sunday May 17, at 9:15 a.m. Rev. Kelly will lead the Children's Hour, followed by a short artistic activity. The Children's Service at 10:00 a.m. is for children ages seven to fourteen. Parents, younger siblings, and any adults wishing to support the children are welcome to attend the Children's Hour and Service.

The adult service, The Act of Consecration of Man, is at 10:30 a.m. All who are nine years or older are welcome to attend. Please contact Cherry Short-Lee at 273-3045 if you would like childcare during the adult service.

A potluck brunch follows The Act of Consecration of Man. Dishes may be left on the tables in the hall.

At 12:30 Rev. Kelly will lead a talk about the potential in our times for a new human being to emerge, individuals who actively seek cooperation with others. What are our hopes and ideals around creating Christ-centered community?

The Maine Christian Community meets three times each year. Our next gathering will be during the Michaelmas season in October. Please call 236-0505 for more information.
Childcare Offered
Experienced babysitter available on weekends and evenings. Katie Moeller, an apprentice at Hatchet Cove Farm in Warren, is available for periodic babysitting throughout the summer and fall. Katie is a LCSW, has her own transportation, and comes highly recommended by Ashwood students Elias and CJ Pluecker! Katie can be reached by email or phone: (718) 552-5200.
Benefit Contradance
Come to the Liberian Education Fund Contradance! It is on May 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rockport Opera House. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students, and can be purchased ahead of time at HAVII or Zoot or reserved by calling 207-975-0876. Organized by the Liberian Education Fund, including Ashwood alumna Emma Cloyd.

We publish community-service announcements from and for Ashwood community members at no charge (50-words max.). Send to: Judith Soleil. 
Support Our Sponsors


Be a Sponsor
Display or text ads appear here, in the right column of the Leaflet, and link to your website. The cost is $5/edition for a square ad (170 x 170 pixels) and $10/edition for a long ad (170 x 340 pixels). Discounts are available for long-term ads. The Leaflet appears every other week except in July. For more information, email Judith Soleil.
Hatchet Cove CSA
Hatchet Cove Farm will be delivering CSA shares of certified organic vegetables, as well as shares of local grains, raw milk, cheese, mushrooms, and more, to Ashwood school on Tuesday mornings this spring and coming fall. Visit their website  for more information or to sign up, or contact Reba.


Why Waldorf?
Submissions
Do you have a story to tell about Ashwood? A review of a book or an 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, May 27. Deadline for submissions is Friday, May 22 at 9 a.m. (Note early deadline due to Memorial Day holiday).
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Thank you!
 
Nepal Waldorf Relief

In the wake of devastating earthquakes in Nepal, the organization "Friends of Waldorf Education" is soliciting funds for Waldorf schools in that country. Read about their efforts here.

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