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

From the Director
From Shaping Beeswax to Shaping the World: Ashwood Graduates Speak
Please join us for our annual ALL SCHOOL MEETING, where you will have the opportunity to hear and speak with Ashwood alumni. We have finalized the three-year strategic plan and are launching the next one. Come be part of this vibrant moment in time.

November 17, 5:45 - 8:00 p.m.
Snacks will be provided.
How Ashwood Waldorf School Is Governed, Part 2
In a recent Leaflet, I shared the role that the faculty plays in the governance of Ashwood Waldorf School. This week I would like to share the role and responsibilities of the board of trustees. What follows is mostly taken from the packet of materials given to prospective board members, and from AWSNA's Guide to Effective Practices.

At Ashwood, as in all Waldorf schools teachers, administrators, and trustees share responsibility for governance of the school and the Parent Community Council shares responsibility for the community life within the school. The faculty has primary responsibility for the pedagogy-those things that happen in and around the curriculum and classroom experience. Administrators manage the daily operations of the school beyond the classroom as well as uphold the corporate duties of this non-profit institution. The trustees have primary responsibility for the financial and legal integrity of the school and play a major role in long-range planning. In practice, the trustees work to support the efforts of the teachers and administrators while balancing the need for financial responsibility of the organization. While the trustees directly supervise the school director, the governance system of any Waldorf school aims to be collaborative rather than hierarchical. The trustees rely on board-led committees to research issues and make recommendations to the board for action.
Read more.
-Jody Spanglet, School Director
Early Childhood News
Extended-Day Program
We are having wonderful, golden days in the extended-day program. We almost always begin our time with a warm lavender foot bath, followed by  face washing with warmed washcloths, also lavender scented.Then it is time for a good rest after a busy morning in the kindergarten. Some children still need to sleep, and others simply rest quietly for a time.

Following our rest time, I read some special stories and then the children enjoy a little snack. On very special days (known as Fridays) we might get apples with a tiny cup of honey to dip in!

We are spending the last portion of our time outside, enjoying the beautiful fall weather. After Halloween, when cooler days call us to cozy activities, we will begin stitching "dream pillows" (with calming herbal pouches inside) to use during our rest time.I am loving this time with the children! They seem to be loving it, too!
-Beth Lunt, early-childhood teacher
Lantern Walk
Early-Childhood and Parent-Child families are cordially invited to join in our Martinmas Celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 4:30 p.m.
November 11 is Martinmas, a festival celebrated in honor of St. Martin, a Roman soldier in the 4th century who cut his cloak in two to share with a poor, cold beggar. That night, in his dream, the Christ figure appeared to Martin, wearing the cloak Martin had given the beggar. From then on Martin dedicated his life to serving humankind. He brought warmth and light into human darkness by his various deeds of kindness. In fact, the term Good Samaritan comes from this legend. November 11 is also the first day of winter in the old pagan calendar.

This festival is celebrated at a time when the darkness of the year is growing stronger. In Waldorf schools in the Northern Hemisphere we have a "lantern walk"; using our handmade vessels, we gather the last rays of summer's sun to light our way toward the darkness of winter, thus giving us strength and courage. In the early childhood classroom, we tell a story about the spark of sun lighting our winter darkness, and sing joyful songs about our lanterns. Though the festival is inspired by Martin's story, the festival and associated stories are nondenominational. This festival forms a pathway through the cycle of the year when light will return again, as will be expressed in our garden of light celebration in December. Read more....
-Marianne B�ckli
Grade School News
Grade Seven's "Imagined Cities"
This week's story by Caleb Edwards

Entry 23, Day 21
The desert seems calmer today; we've reached a point in our journey where the departure is worse than leaving home. The day the city came into view over the horizon, there was no sun. The sky around the nameless city was as dark as the bottom of a well. When we reached the gates, I could feel hundreds of eyes watching us, although no one but the sentry was in sight. The walls were of dark stone, with no cracks or imperfections. It seemed almost impossible for human hand to have built them. The sentry wore a dark cloak that made him seem unusually large. He stood at least 7 feet tall and had a long, pointed staff in his hands. I spoke to him with words of peace and friendship, and asked if we could enter the city for the night. Finally, we were allowed entrance, and he directed us to the house of a lord who usually would take payment for lodging at his estate.
As we walked through the gates, I felt something inside of me change, as if the city had changed the general feelings of my stomach. As we made our way through the narrow, dark streets, I turned and spoke to my companion, saying, "That fellow at the gate seemed awfully uptight. I'm surprised he let us in." My companion replied, "It is customary in these parts to let travelers in for lodging. Let us hope that it is also their custom to feed us; I'm starving!" As we walked I started to pay more attention to my surroundings. The streets were empty. I assumed that the people were sleeping in their houses, for it was the middle of the night. There were very few windows in the buildings and where they did appear they were small and perfectly round. We reached the steps to the manor house, a large, rectangular building with odd architecture unlike any I had ever seen before. It was located in the middle of a square, surrounded by great, dark bushes that looked like huge creatures waiting to pounce on us. I walked up the steps and reached for the bell pull....
Read more.
Festival News
All Hallows' Eve
Friday, October 30, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., the woods surrounding Ashwood will come alive with scenes both fantastic and (slightly) spooky.

In this, the 11th hour, we are still looking for entertainers. Do you know a juggler, a magician, musicians, or any other performers who'd like to join in the fun?

Please send in one or two PUMPKINS this week for carving.

We can't wait to SEEEEEEEEEEE YOU!
Development News
Please Take Our Survey!
Dear Ashwood parents,

We want your input!

Each year the Ashwood community comes together to support the school through various fundraisers.** For the past three years the fundraising committee has hosted an online auction and an evening of music and celebration at the Rockport Opera House.

This year we have a new idea (don't worry - the evening of music and celebration aren't going anywhere!) and we want your feedback to help us determine if our idea will fly.

We envision a "Thon" with a twist. Instead of walking or biking to raise money for Ashwood, students, family, and alumni would commit to a day of service for the community. We love the idea of being involved in our larger community, sharing the skills that are so abundant in our families, and working together, all while raising much-needed funds for our school.

PLEASE answer the five questions on this survey to help us determine if our new idea is a viable approach for reaching our $25,000 goal.

**Did you know:
  • Ashwood has three campaigns to raise money for the general fund: the Annual Appeal, Whole Child, and a Community Fundraiser.
  •  The General Fund covers tuition assistance, teacher salaries, and allows Ashwood to meet its financial obligations.
  •  Close to half of our grade-school students receive tuition assistance.
  •  On average 60% of families participate in fundraising efforts. Just think what we could do with 100% participation!
 
Thank you for all you do to help Ashwood!
-Sarah Ewing, Fundraising Coordinator
Announcements
Everyday FAQS
Do you forget what time Thursday pick-up is?  Looking for the lost and found? Wonder what your used printer cartridges have to do with Ashwood?

We've created an Ashwood FAQ sheet to post for handy reference. Click here for a printable PDF.
-Sarah Ewing
Publicity Help
When you're out and about, have you noticed flyers posted for Ashwood events? Flyers are an inexpensive and effective way of getting the word out about Ashwood, and we very much need more helpers to distribute them, particularly in Camden, Rockport, and Rockland. Please contact Judith Soleil if you'd like to give a hand.
"Beyond Measure" Film
SAVE THE DATE: Monday, NOVEMBER 16. Pre-film reception from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Film at 6:00 p.m.
The Independent Schools Association of Midcoast Maine (ISAMM), of which Ashwood is a member, is sponsoring a premier showing of "Beyond Measure," a film about the effects of high-stakes testing on students and schools. Purchase tickets here.
Click image to view trailer.

In This Issue
Important Dates
Friday, October 30
Crafting at the Farnsworth Museum
10:30-11:30

All Hallows' Eve Walk at Ashwood!  
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 3
Parent-Child Class
9:00-11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, November 3
Early-Childhood Parent Evening
6:00-7:30 p.m.

Friday, November 6
Assembly: Grade 3-4 presents
8:40 a.m.

Crafting at the Farnsworth Museum
10:30-11:30

Tuesday, November 10
Parent-Child Class
9:00-11:00 a.m.

Lantern Walk for EC and Grade 1-2
4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 11
Veterans' Day: No School

SAVE THE DATES:
Monday, November 16
Film Showing @ Camden Opera House: "Beyond Measure"

Tuesday, November 17
All-School Meeting 
6:00-8:00 p.m.

Community Classifieds
Help Launch the New Book by Parent, Ronni Arno!

We publish community-service announcements from and for Ashwood community members at no charge (50-words max.). Send to: Judith Soleil. 
Support Our Sponsors
Hatchet Cove Farm
Hatchet Cove Farm (Elias, grade 4 and CJ, grade 1) is excited to begin a monthly raw milk CSA, with delivery to Ashwood. The farm's tiny herd of Dexter cross cows produce creamy milk that is delivered in glass half-gallon jars. Click here for more information, talk to Reba or Bill at pick-up, or email or phone: 712-7382.

Bella Luna Toys
bella-luna-ad
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.
Why Waldorf?
Mostly Brothers Band Features Ashwood Alumni
Mostly Brothers Band Features Ashwood Alumni
Why Waldorf? Here's an answer that's a bit different from our usual video shares. "Mostly Brothers" is a band featuring four Ashwood grads. They were featured this week in a BDN blog post.
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, November 12. Deadline for submissions is Monday, November 9 at 9:00 a.m.
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