Just the Facts
Woodland Star Weekly Update
Monday, December 15, 2008
Learning to think, to care, to create
UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS
TONIGHT Monday, December 15th, Christmas Posada Celebration, Main Hall, 6:30-7:30
Monday-Wednesday, December 15th - 17th, 8th Grade Craft Workshop
Wednesday, December 17th, Kindergarten Winter Spiral Walk, Main Hall, 9 AM
Wednesday, December 17th, 2nd Grade Winter Spiral Walk, Main Hall, 6 PM
Thursday, December 18th, Winter Assembly, Altimira 9:05 AM
Thursday, December 18th, 1st Grade Winter Spiral Walk, Main Hall, approx . 11 AM
Friday, December 19th - Sunday, January 4th, WINTER BREAK - NO SCHOOL!
Monday, January 5th, 4th Grade Parent Evening, 6-7:30 PM
Tuesday, January 6th, 7th Grade Parent Evening, 6-7:30 PM
FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR
The dawning of a new year can many times bring about change and growth. We have had some change recently on our campus that I wanted to announce. Our Curriculum Director, Penni Sparks, will not be returning to Woodland Star in January. We certainly value the wonderful work that she brought to our community and will miss her. Due to many logistics, i.e. balancing the needs of two schools and a long commute, the reality of the job proved to be more challenging than either party had anticipated, and we've decided to part ways amicably. We hold only the best for Penni and look forward to seeing her again.
Although Penni's absence will be noted, I want to assure all of you that the tasks of the Curriculum Director will be covered. We will be bringing in outside evaluators and mentors to review and support our class and specialty teaching staff starting in January. The Parent Education series that Penni hosted with evening lectures and morning teas will continue featuring both outside speakers and our own, amazing WSS staff. The morning parent teas will be hosted by rotating "guest hosts" including our own in-house "experts". The faculty has taken up the important pedagogical work that is vital to the life of a Waldorf-inspired school. We will start the new year full of ideas and momentum and will keep you abreast of our progress.
I'm sure, that like all of us on staff at WSS, you are eagerly anticipating the break and the opportunity to spend more time with family and friends. Have a peaceful and restful holiday and we look forward to seeing you all in January.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
It
is with great pleasure that the Woodland Star Educational Foundation announces
Monica Conway as its inaugural director of development for the 2008-09 school
year. Many of you know Monica as a
parent at our school and as a dedicated volunteer to its growth - every effort
she brings is met with a high level of passion and commitment to our community
while displaying strong leadership and team skills. We are thrilled to have her in this role and
ask that you join us in congratulating her and in providing her with continued
support!
-Paul, Steve, Fred, Mara Lee, Val
Woodland Star Educational Foundation
TONIGHT, Christmas Posada Celebration! ~ Come sing Spanish Christmas Carols! Monday, December 15, 6:30-7:30 PM in the Main Hall. Please bring cookies, sweet bread, fruit or drinks to share. Call Annie with any questions: 996-6904
Celebracion Navidena! ~ Vengan a cantar los villancicos con nosotros! Lunes, 15 de Diciembre, de 6:30-7:30 PM en el salon al lado de la oficina. Por favor, traigan galletas, pan dulce, fruta, chocolate o ponche. Llamen a Annie con preguntas: 996-6904
Elves'
Workshop THIS WEEK! ~ Nancy Hyde and the 8th
Grade are offering a holiday Elves' Workshop on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
afternoons. For $5, students (and
parents!) can create a variety of holiday gifts to take home. This crafts workshop is always a big hit,
featuring candlemaking, custom gift wrap preparation and other wonderful handmade
gift items. The Elves' Workshop will be
held in the Main Hall from 12:00 to 4:30 on Monday and Wednesday, and from 3 to
4:30 on Tuesday. We hope to see you and
your children there!
Parent Mentoring Program ~ Attention PARENTS & TEACHERS, there is a newly implemented Parent Mentoring Program. Mentors will be meeting with each and every family to discuss governance, committees, important financial information affecting our school and getting to know you. Meetings are about ½ hour or less and can be scheduled at a convenient time for you. We will make sure your escrip is up to date so have your cards handy. We will discuss some changes at the school and make sure there is a way your needs and contributions are being met and acknowledged. Your mentor will contact you very soon if you have not had your meeting yet. Thank you so much!
Calling all Compostphiles!! Please assist the 3rd grade garden class by bringing decomposable materials to school for us to compost. We would appreciate the following materials:
* Manures
* Grass clippings
* Kitchen scraps
* Leaves (as long as there aren't poison oak leaves in there)
* Soft perennial prunings (please no stems larger than ½ inch, or with thorns)
FYI: I am a proponent of composting oils, meats, etc...but it isn't appropriate on campus as it can attract flies and smell horrible.
Please bring the materials on Monday mornings and place behind the Resource Room in plastic bags, or dump from a can next to our bed of compost (surrounded by straw).
Many thanks for your rotten stuff,
Mollyanne Meyn, Ms. Molly, the Gardening Teacher
FISH (Friends in Sonoma Helping) ~ FISH is preparing for their annual holiday basket giveaway. They are looking for the following donations: canned vegetables; fruit; beans; soup; any boxed or packaged non-perishable items such as rice, pasta, potatoes and desserts (no ramen products please). Donations can be delivered to the auditorium at Hannah Boys Center on December 15th and the 17th through 19th. If necessary, pick ups can be arranged. Contacts: Linda Stevens, 939-9018, Dick Severson, 938-5252
Bunnies available ~ A
friend of Larry Bearg's who is ill and unable to care for her bunnies, is looking
for a good home for them. They are male
and female, both fixed. They get along very well. Can be held and cuddled. They
are both 1.5 years old. Healthy and beautiful.
They come with free hutch and cages.
Please email me if you are interested.
**Larry Bearg, CEO**Planet Organics,
Inc.**19449 Riverside Dr. Suite
100**Sonoma****,
Ca. 95476**Cell: 415-286-6140**
Lost & Found ~ PLEASE come search through the lost and found for lost items! There are MANY coats there, waiting to go home. It is located in the wooden wardrobe between 2nd and 3rd grades.
GRATITUDES
Deborah LeDean & Genvieve Rousseau for their amazing artistry in creating a warm and beautiful assembly venue for us all to enjoy.
Nancy Hyde for all of her work in organizing the 8th grade Elves workshop fundraiser.
FUNDRAISING
Whole Foods Shopping ~ Shop at Whole Foods for the holiday and BRING YOUR REUSABLE CLOTH BAGS so that you can donate your 5 cents to Woodland Star!
*Items needed for ebay auction! ~ *We want to get our ebay auction up and running with the holidays fast approaching. We will start as soon as we have enough items so, please donate as soon as you can. Smaller items (e.g. jewelry, gift certificates) are the best, but we thank you for any donations. Please bring them to school and complete the donation/gifting form (available in the office). Thank you.
*eScrip
Recycling Program* ~ This program is FREE. Please bring to school and drop off in the
main office, laser/toner cartridges, inkjet cartridges, used cell phones, iPods
and laptops. How the program works:
There is a collection bin in the main office near the copy machine. You can
drop off your recyclable cell phones, cartridges, iPods and laptops whenever it's
convenient for you. Periodically, we will mail the items collected at our
school to the *eScrip Recycling* offices. *eScrip Recycling* will then deposit
funds electronically in Woodland Star's account!!! We get
anywhere from $.05 print for cartridges to $35.00 for iPods. It all adds up to funds for the school. I send in 3 or 4 boxes a month of stuff
collected from Paul's work! We would
love to send more. Any questions,
contact Monica Conway 707.225.5557 or
pmgconway@sbcglobal.net
The Seventh Grade class will be preparing, with strict parental supervision, wonderfully tasty burritos each Monday. The burritos will be delivered right to your child's classroom just before lunch.
The Burritos will consist of the following all natural ingredients with no preservatives: organic whole beans, organic whole grain rice, rBST free cheese and mild salsa lovingly wrapped in a flour tortilla. The food items will be prepared by 7th grade parents using fresh ingredients (organic whenever possible).
Attached is an order form. Please return order forms to the office by Thursday December 4th. You can also pick up an order form in the office.
Feel free to email Kelly Dillman kellyncarly@earthlink.net or Chris Condon sonofive@sonic.net
Thank you! We look forward to serving you!
FESTIVAL LIFE
Month of Light, by Carol Nimick
Some people dread the onslaught of winter, the long, dark nights and cold winds, the bare branches and barren fields. Other people look forward to the inward mood of a winter season and celebrate darkness. Here are some comments heard about winter:
Darkness allows me to see the stars.
I'm more aware of my inner life in the darkness.
Winter brings short days and long nights.
I like to bundle up and sit by a cozy fire in winter.
One is alone in the dark.
Darkness brings us home. We're inside more than out.
I like to watch the moon on a dark night.
Darkness is a time of rest.
I feel freer in the dark.
December brings the shortest days and the darkest nights; a time in which we look forward to warm, snug homes with family and friends around a fire, lighting candles to illuminate the darkness. It is a time to evoke the feeling of light and warmth as autumn creeps over the land and the earth pulls her life energies into herself, goes to sleep, and darkness grows. Now is a time for our own lights; the lights of Advent; of Chanukah; Santa Lucia; Devali and the Solstice. The light of our candles against the darkness is like the human heart. When we are faced with the dark times or struggle, our inner light glows to lead us, patiently, to illumination. This is reflected in our patient waiting for the coming of the light at winter solstice, and is a time of tradition and quiet remembrance.
There are many traditions to celebrate this coming-of-light. Through different cultural or pedagogical experiences, we are hoping that you and your children may experience the warmth and love of this light-filled time of year at school and at home. May your holidays shine bright!
At Woodland Star, the month ahead recognizes this light shining through the darkness. Each grade will be celebrating in an age/curriculum-appropriate way. The Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grades will experience a Spiral of Light. The 2nd grade will be sharing the Scandinavian festival of Santa Lucia with us. 3rd Grade will be celebrating Chanukah as they retell the Hebrew legends. 4th Grade will be hearing the legend of the Christmas tree and how lights came to it. 5th Grade will celebrate Devali after studying ancient India. 6th Grade will be playing songs of the season on their recorders, and 7th Grade with their astronomy study, will be sharing the stars in the sky with classes. Finally, 8th Grade will be enacting the story of Las Posadas with Maestra Zavaleta.
May you enjoy the coming of the light through the darkness as the solstice approaches!
CLASSIFIEDS
Homework
Clubs ~Attention 6th,7th & 8th grade parents and students. I am offering various
Homework Clubs for the upper grade students. The main emphasis is on math,
but if your student needs help and a quite place to work on any homework
assignment space is available. We will meet in the Mail Hall or in a
classroom at 3:10 PM or 2:10 on Thursdays. The cost is $10 per
student. The intention is for certain grades to meet on certain days and there
is some flexibility here if needed. Here is my tentative schedule:
Mondays for 8th graders.
Fridays for 7th graders
Tuesdays and Thursdays for 6th graders
Calligraphy Class
~ On Thursdays at 1:10 PM, I would like to offer a Calligraphy Class for
6th-8th graders. In my experience with teaching the upper grades, this is a
class they really love and it gives many benefits for their development.
It can obviously improve their handwriting and it can also work on their fine
motor development, tactile and spatial awareness and increase their sense
of appreciation for beauty in this world.
Please contact me if you are interested, Carlos Gonzalez, 694-7500 or abczcarlos@netscape.net.
Guitar Class for WSS students ~ This guitar class is an exclusive offer to Woodland Star Students on Thursdays beginning at 1:30p.m. The class will be a beginners' guitar class with a limit of 8 students per one hour session. The cost is $15 per session paid monthly. Classes will be held at Sonoma Music Arts School on Broadway. What a great gift idea! For scheduling and more info call Ralph Cetola @938-1357.
Winter Holiday Day Camp ~ Gaylan and Carlos are offering a Holiday Baking and Adventure camp for the winter break! December 19, 22, 23, 24, and 26; December 29 through January 2. December 19th and 23rd: pre holiday baking! Please contact Carlos 694-7500 and/or Gaylan 299-7561
New Year's Eve CHILDCARE AVAILABLE ~ Pajama party at Miss Galan's!! Miss Gaylan is offering her home and her care so that parents can go out for the evening! She will have popcorn, hot cocoa, stories, games and more...bring only sleeping bag and pajamas. Pick up your children New Year's morning after breakfast. What an opportunity...live it up, folks!
Empanadas ~ Delicious homemade empanadas are available, fresh for your holiday celebrations! Choose custard or pineapple! To order, please call Juana Corona 939-6923.
Wanted:
For use at school, bookshelves of
any and all shape and size.
Please contact Sheila at: sheila@woodlandstarschool.org
Help our school while you do your holiday shopping! In the spirit of holiday giving, Kathy Lee will give 25% of sales to Woodland Star when you shop with her or on her website! She offers a beautiful selection of CERTIFIED ORGANIC products, including body care, hair care, skin care, baby care, cosmetics, and nutritional products such as antioxidants and robotics. You can shop online at: www.aromatherapist.mionegroup.com Please let Kathy know that you've placed an order online so she can donate 25% to the school: 996-1297. Thank you!
Holiday Gift Ideas ~ For sale in the school store: "Fairy Tale Moons" 2009 Calendar. An interactive calendar designed to bring the cycle of the seasons and the wisdom of fairy tales imaginatively alive for both adults and children alike. Beautifully illustrated! $16 And:
"The North American Biodynamic Sowing and Planting Calendar" 2009. Shows optimum days for sowing, pruning and harvesting various plants-crops, as well as bookkeeping. $16
Happy Holidays from Selah Body Care ~ Woodland Star discount: 1 or more items 15% off; 3 or more items 20% off; 5 or more items 25% off. Custom gift bags and baskets available. Pick up in Glen Ellen or have it delivered locally! Pure and delightful quality skin food: water free & packed with nutrients; made with organic ingredients; no phthalates, parabens or synthetic color; kind to those with chemical sensitivities; sustainable sourcing of ingredients; environmentally friendly; never tested on animals. To receive pricing, email or call Haushinka: info@selahbodycare.com (707) 933-9945. Visit www.selahbodycare.com
*Get your holiday photos taken now! *Sue Block is having a "holiday special" for the next two weeks - family or individual in studio on digital. You will receive your photos on a disk - fast turnaround. All for $100. Location can be discussed - call or email for appointment: 938 3909; sueblock@sbcglobal.net <mailto:sueblock@sbcglobal.net>.
Afterschool violin, viola and piano lessons offered at WSS ~ Long-time music teacher Gail Claus is coming to WSS to offer our students the opportunity to continue music lessons at a reasonable rate and maximum convenience. Gail will offer 45 minute lessons on a first-come-first-served basis starting with Thursday afternoons. Private ($160/mo) and semi-private: 2-3 students, ($100/mo) lessons available. For an added incentive, parents are able to rent the WSS violins for a refundable $100 security deposit to enable your child to have access to this incredible opportunity. For information please call Gail at: 953-4470 or gailclaus@comcast.net
Girls Rising ~ Specifically for 6th-8th grade girls. Discover adolescence, self-confidence, agency, creativity, compassion, mindfulness and learn to be yourself! We will: share stories, write a play and poems; perform; sing; paint; make collages; cook; hike; garden; play; serve in the community. We meet at Woodland Star on Thursdays, 1:13-2:45 PM. Girls' parents will meet twice during the sessions, dates to be determined. The cost is $100-150, sliding scale, per child for 6 session + 2 adult sessions. To reserve a spot or for more information, contact Kathy Hargitt, M.A., at (707)235-8488 and/or kathyhargitt@vom.com
WALDORF INSPIRED CHILDCARE PROGRAM
We have a special place for your child! A Child's Garden Childcare offers loving, supportive care in a small group environment, perfect for 1 - 3 year olds. We have a very large yard, and spend lots of time outside in creative exploration and nature "studies" - playing with sand, water, mud, herbs & flowers, bubbles, etc. Our program is rich with both music and language to stimulate brain pathways. Of course, there is no TV, instead we spend lots of time telling stories, singing, playing and exploring. We make homemade playdough, paint and do crafts, as well as baking and gardening. The children pick herbs and make their own "rosewater", fairy balm, and herb vinegars. We serve all organic, home cooked meals and snacks. Many happy Woodland Star families have had their children in our program, which opened in 2001. CPR/First Aid certified with over 28 early childhood education units, including some Waldorf training. Please call Kathy Lee, WSS parent, to set up an interview.
(707) 996-1297
Handyman available ~ Jesus Gonzalez, friend of WSS community member, is in need of more work. He is a handyman, able to do carpentry, gardening, and electrical work. His telephone number is 343-6314.
Share Rental for One Person ~ 2 connecting rooms for the price of one! Garden available. Arnold & Grove, $600 per month plus ½ utilities. Please call Anthony Abate, 494-4649 or anth.abate@gmail.com
