Just the Facts

 

Monday, January 28^th, Both Kindergartens Class Parent Evening, 6-7:30 PM

Tuesday, January 29^th, 1^{st and}  2^nd  grade Parent Evening, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday, January 31^st, Coffee and Conversation with Barbara Warren 8:30-10 AM

Tuesday, February 5^th, 6^th grade Parent Evening, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday, February 7^th, Parent Council Meeting, 6:30 PM

Tuesday, February 12^th, 3^rd Grade Parent Meeting, 6-7:30 PM

School Tours for Prospective Families ~ Tues, January 29^th, 8:30-10 AM

This is a great opportunity to experience Woodland Star in action during Main Lesson.  The tour will spend time in each grade, from Kindergarten through Seventh, with time for tea and questions with Mr. Romer.  Please tell your friends, especially those with prospective kindergartners.  All interested parties are welcome and should call 996-3849 to make a reservation.  Adults only please.

 

Plan Ahead, First year Kindergarten Lottery Coming Fast ~

On Thursday, January 31^st, we will hold our lottery for 2008-09 First Year Kindergarten.  ALL interested parents, including those with siblings in the school, must fill out and turn in, an enrollment lottery form prior to January 30^th.  Don’t lose the opportunity for a place in the class!  These forms are available in the school office or can be printed in English or Spanish, under the Documents section of our website:  www.woodlandstarschool.org

 

Coffee & Conversation with Barbara Warren, Thursday, January 31st,  8:30-10 AM ~

Join Curriculum Director Barbara Warren for a morning of conversation and sharing.  Bring your questions and ideas to this interactive session where Barbara shares her considerable wit, wisdom and Waldorf experience.  Last time we had a very full crowd, so please join us, the more the merrier!

 

 

 

Get Nit Picky ~ We had a sizeable outbreak of lice school-wide this year and in the spirit of prevention and control, please continue to check your children regularly.  The only true way to eradicate lice is to do daily head checks and nit removal (pulling or clipping the hair with the nit on it) until you don’t find any more nits.  This may take several weeks, but diligence will eventually result in eradication.  Overlooking just a few nits can result in re-infestation.  Applying a lice treatment is helpful, but definitely not enough to rid a child of lice.  Treatment in conjunction with consistent and thorough head checks are the way to be rid of lice once and for all.   Do instruct your children to refrain from sharing brushes/combs, hats and clothing to prevent spreading lice.

 

It takes an effort on everyone’s part to ensure that our school gets rid of this problem and stays lice-free.  Check the web for current information and thank you all for your efforts!

 

Being Our Best ~ Your children deserve your very best, and it starts with you ennobling yourself.   In one of Penni Spark’s Ennobled groups, you will have the support and structure you need to bring forth the very best in yourself and your children.

 

We will work in 6-session blocks this year to cover each chapter of the curriculum.  The Ennobling, Not Enabling, a workbook/CD program is full of specific exercises designed to help us lead from Love, our authentic power.

 

Penni would like to start a support group at WSS.  The group is open to all: parents, grandparents, aunties, friends as it is not exclusively about parenting, but about becoming more confident and authentic in our relationships and life.  Groups can meet weekly or twice a month for 90 minute session which are facilitated by Penni.  Cost is $120 for a block of 6 sessions, or $180 per couple , maximum of 10 participants per group.

 

Day and time of session is open based on the needs of persons interested in the group.  If you are interested in participating, please let Sheila know via phone (996-3849) or email: asstadmin@woodlandstarschool.org.  We are also looking for a person to be the organizer and contact for the group, please contact Sheila if you would like to be that person.

 

2 Day Mathematic Mover Seminars, Sat & Sun, February 9^th and 10^th~

Waldorf math for teachers, parents, tutors….Join WSS Math Specialist, Lori MacKinder for a workshop on 4^th through 8^th grade math made inspiring, fun and easy with games, stories, pictures, color-coding, movement, organization and more!  Location:  Woodland Star, 10-5 pm each day.  Cost: $225 per person, supplies included. 

 

To register call: (916)768-2111, visit: www.yourfullpotential.net, or see Miss Lori.

 

Need that perfect gift for your Valentine?  Look no further than the WSS school store~ calendars, day timers and journals are in now and more merchandise is arriving daily for all of your holiday needs.  Shop Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 pm and Friday mornings 8:30-9:30.  By supporting the school store you are not only getting beautiful Waldorf inspired merchandise at phenomenal prices, but supporting our school store so that we can continue to offer this service, check it out!

 

WSS yearbook ~

We need your help!! This year Valerie Flatt is helping us create our yearbook.  We are welcoming photos of the classes as we go through the year.  Please bring in hard copy photographs and put the photos in the folder marked for the “yearbook” in the office.  You can also email the photos to: flattfam@sbcglobal.net.

 

If you submit hard copies, please put your grade and name on the back of the photos, they will not be returned so copies only please.

 

Our deadline for having these photos in is coming fast, please get your photos in now.  If you need to contact Valerie her cell is 758-6323, home: 996-2646.

 

 

Ready to WOW? ~

Hello Woodland Star parents,
It's that time of year again....when the Women of Waldorf ("WOW") begin practicing their entertainment for the annual Fundraiser.  We'll be doing a dance number to 'Hooray for Woodland Star' to the "Hooray for Hollywood" theme song.  We expect practices to be at 8:30 a.m. on Fridays and noon on Sundays. We may add a Tuesday practice at 4:00 p.m. if needed.  We also have a few 45 second routines as well.  Please let me know if you can make these practice times.  If not, maybe you can be in one of the smaller numbers that won't require as much practice. I will send an email informing you of our first practice.  Please email Mara Lee Ebert at mlebert@sbcglobal.net  if interested.  Call with any questions.  933-8333 or 363-2432.   Please let me know if you know of anyone else wishing to join in the fun.  Hope you will join us!

Thanks!  Mara Lee Ebert

A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to everyone who has participated thus far in our Films for a year drive.  We have received 28 DVD’s so far, and have 72 left to purchase.  Remember you don’t have to spend more than $10…just follow the directions below to get a great price and build our raffle prize! 

Given that our Stars In The Night theme this is year is “Hollywood”, we’re doing something a little different for our raffle.  Instead of “Wine For A Year”, we’re gathering up the top 100 films ever made for our lucky winner. 

 

Based on the American Film Institute’s newest list of the Best 100 Films Ever Made, we’ve created our own Woodland Star School Wish List on Amazon.com

 

We’re asking that every family purchase or donate one DVD off the list.  As you will see, the DVD’s are priced from as low as $3.00!

 

Please help  – This raffle should be very popular!

 

Using Amazon.com

On the home page, click on the “Gifts & Wish Lists” button.

 

Search – type in Woodland Star and hit GO

 

Make sure you are looking at all UNPURCHASED dvd’s.

 

Right under the “ADD TO CART” button is a “new and used from $_____.” This is where you can find GREAT deals on new and/or slightly used items. Just make sure they have a high “90’s” rating. 

 

As long as you enter through the Wish List for Woodland Star, when you purchase a DVD it should come off the “unpurchased” side of the list.

 

VERY IMPORTANT - PLEASE EMAIL AND LET ME KNOW WHICH DVD WAS PURCHASED.  anindigomom@yahoo.com

 

Purchasing from video store or elsewhere – totally fine, just email and let me know.  I can take the donations, or you can drop them off at the Donation Stations held on Thursdays.  Obviously, if this is a previewed DVD, it MUST be in original case and be in perfect playing condition!

Are your Stars in the Night purchases matched by your employer?!
Remember to ask your employer if they have a “charitable matching” program!
One of our new families is purchasing a table for Stars in the Night, and their company will match the $950. they are investing PLUS their auction purchases on the night of the event!  This way, every penny is doubled and benefits Woodland Star directly!!

Prepare your e-mail groups for online shopping to benefit our children and their school!

Very soon, we will launch our NEW Online Auction and we need YOU to share this with your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors both near and far (anywhere in the WORLD) to help our school.

Our online auction “shopping” opens at midnight on Saturday, Feb. 2 and ends on Sunday, March 2 at midnight. Additionally, ANYONE, ANYWHERE in the world can go online NOW to Sponsor, Underwrite, Purchase Tickets and even contribute to our School Libraries by donating to Fund-A-Need!  Check it out and PLEASE pass the word through your e-mail address book!!    visit:  http://woodlandstarschool.maestroweb.com and check it out often, starting today!

After Care Needs ~ If you have what we need, please contact Miss Gaylan.

*Stong, heavy floor lamps                                  *Couch                  *Playing cards

*Slip cover for love seat and/or sofa as well as for Queen sized futon

*Craft materials: collage, colored, paper, etc..

*Park Bench for outside of After Care Room                        *old, working typewriters

After care provides for all a counter full of bread, vegetables, eggs, pasta and odd idshes for the nourishment of all: children, faculty, staff, parents and visitors.  To be able to afford this necessary offering, we appreciate donations whether it be fruit from you backyard abundance extras from your kitchen and shopping as well as old fashioned left-overs, all donations are welcome and appreciated!

Aftercare Library ~

Have you seen the aftercare library?  There is a growing collection of wonderful books lovingly organized by Nancy Hyde.  You’ll find fiction and non-fiction along with beautiful art, reference and history books all available for children and their families to check out.  Stop by to browse and enjoy!

Study Hall in After Care~ We need parent volunteers to help us provide this for our upper grades students.  Do you have an hour you can spare? Please see Miss Gaylan.

Wanted ~ Gaylan looking for wooden dining room/kitchen set.

Pancake Day ~ Start Super Bowl Sunday off right with a hearty, all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast sponsored by the Sonoma Kiwanis Club.  Sunday, Feb. 3rd, 7:30-noon at Veterans’ Memorial Hall.  Donation: Adults $8, children 12 and under, $5.  Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 7th grade WSS parent Fang at 996-3116.  This is a benefit to support local boy scout troops.

Baseball registration ~

Valley of the Moon Little League registration is open to all boys & girls ages 6 to 12 interested in playing baseball.  Final deadline for sign-ups is Feb. 2, 2008. 

For registration information and important dates, go online to: http://eteamz.active.com/vomll/ <http://eteamz.active.com/vomll/>  or call: 938-1554

 

 

Woodland Star Charter School

 

Parent Council Meeting

 

January 10, 2008

 

Attendees:  Ben Dewees (President), Cindy Riley (Secretary, Festival Committee Chair), Fang-Chun Mayhames, Shawnda Hansen, Todd Kneeland (Volunteer Coordinator), Kim E Ridge, Bonne Posert, AJ Rodriguez, Ellen Schwartz, Angela Wood (Faculty Rep)

 

Not in Attendance:  Kim Buchanan, Alex Leader (Charter Council Rep) Evelyn Melendez (FTF), Mary Mullen, Sheelagh Murphy, Marika Schamoni, Jim Shafer, Deb LaDean

 

New Business:

1. Decide on a Hiring Committee Appointee

The list:  Jennifer Zur, Gigi Medan, Shannon Dewees, Nicole Abate Ducurroz, Nancy Hyde, Carlos ________.

Ben will start going down the list contacting the above and asking if they would volunteer to be on the Hiring Committee.

 

1. Evaluate the need for oversight of Stars in the Night “entertainment”. 

Council decided there was no need for this.

 

1. Parent Mentoring Program. 

Council is expecting materials to be presented to us next month.

 

1. Charter Council Report.

No report because Alex was not in attendance.  Alex has not been in attendance for the last 3 meetings, and it was decided that Ben would have a conversation with him to check in and see if he needs to replace himself.

 

1. Faculty Report.

Angela Wood brought one issue before the council. The Faculty approved the proposal to create painted areas for structured play/games, and supports Angela’s efforts to facilitate these games at recess and lunch breaks.  The proposal includes:

Hiring Angela to teach/lead these activities.

Striping Lines (this has started but is not finished.

Acquisition of more equipment.

The consensus is that this is a work in progress.  At this time, there is no money left in the budget to fund this project.  Angela was supported to bring this to the PC.  We discussed the need to raise $1000 for more equipment and to pay for Angela’s time.  All members agreed that this is a worthy pursuit, and brainstormed ways to raise the money.  Some ideas are: restaurant fundraisers, Bunny Bucks, Goodsearch.com, T-shirts.  Cindy will approach the Red Grape, and AJ will speak with Meritage.  There was also discussion about having this be in the “Fund A Need” category of the Stars in the Night fundraiser, but no one knew how that decision gets made.  Cindy will speak to the Steering Committee about this item, and it’s on next month’s agenda.  Discussion about asking the parents to contribute to this via a letter and a contribution box on campus.  Ben D will talk to Chip and Steve B about this idea.  AJ will create the box if approved.