Just the Facts

Woodland Star Weekly Update

Monday, February 2^nd, 2009

Learning to think, to care, to create

 

UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR

Hello all ~

As many of you may have been reading in the papers or hearing on the news, all schools in California are poised to experience significant cuts from the revenue that we receive from the state.  As of today, there is much speculation as to what those numbers might look like, but still no definitive budget.  Despite the unknowns, myself and the Admin/Finance committee will get to work discussing proposals and options for weathering such cuts.  We'd like to keep you all informed of what our process is and the nature of the cuts we may be facing.  In addition, we'd like to update you on the status of the current year's budget, as well as share ways in which you can be a part of the process and help our school through these fiscally challenging times.  We'll also provide time for Q & A.  To find out the full story, please join us on Wednesday, February 11^th from 6-7:30 PM, for a Town Hall Meeting.  We will meet in the Main Hall and childcare will be free for those with an advanced reservation.   The adage, "it takes a village" comes to my mind as I envision the strength and commitment of our WSS village working in unison to get us through these financial hurdles.  I look forward to seeing many of you on the 11^th.

 

Next week brings many wonderful celebrations starting with Chinese New Year on Thursday, February 12^th. We have enjoyed having our Chinese friends from Chengdu Waldorf  School in China, come for their annual visit.  Feel free to introduce yourself to our visiting dignitaries who have graced us with culture, love of the Waldorf curriculum and many gifts.   Our guests are Hong Yu, a 1^st grade teacher at the Chengdu school who is spending time in various WSS classrooms as well as visiting other bay area Waldorf schools. Yuxin, an effervescent 5^th grader enjoying the affection of all that meet her and Mai, a 7^th grader returning for her third visit to WSS.  Yuxin's mother, Wang Jin is also accompanying the group . 

 

Deep thanks go to the LeDean family who are housing Mai and Hong Yu and who have arranged for housing for Yuxin and Wang Jin.  Deborah has also been the activities director for the group and has represented Woodland Star in an extraordinary and selfless manner.

 

Our Chinese visitors will be part of our celebration as we bring in the Year of the Ox in style. The parade will start at 12:30 PM and promises to be colorful, loud and exciting! 

 

Following the parade is the time honored WSS tradition that we all love -  the Parent Appreciation Tea.  The parents are the backbone of our school and do so much to support the faculty, staff and children.  Come, be honored and enjoy tea, cold beverages and a variety of delectable delicacies prepared by the WSS faculty and staff.  As this is an adult only event, we will happily, and for no charge, watch all of the children outdoors on the playground for a big, extended recess!

 

Over the past few weeks, we have had the good fortune to work with Laurie Tuchel who is the curriculum director at Sebastopol Independent Charter School.  Laurie is a highly experienced teacher, mentor and evaluator who will be coming to speak to our parent body on Thursday, February 26^th on How the Waldorf Curriculum Prepares Students for High School. Laurie will be joined by a panel of past Waldorf graduates and their parents to discuss both the theory and the practical aspects of articulating from a Waldorf charter into the world of high school.  Don't miss this special event which runs from 7-8:30 PM and as usual, childcare is free for those with an advanced reservation.

*Waldorf Parenting Conference: "Educating Our Children-Changing the Future"*
"Educating Our Children-Changing the Future" will be the theme of the regional parenting conference April 25-26 at Sacramento Waldorf School. In response to the tremendous changes and challenges facing us today, there will be more than three dozen workshops on social change, sustainability, parenting and Waldorf education, which was founded out of an impulse for social change and cultural renewal.
 
The conference will bring together keynote speakers from various social impulses: *Shea** Darian* is a well-known Waldorf writer on family life and rites of passage. She will be addressing "The Blessings of Change" and sharing inspiration from her new book /Living Passages for the Whole Family/. *Lisa Bennett* of The Center for Ecoliteracy will be discussing their program "Smart by Nature: Schooling for Sustainability." *John Bloom* from Rudolf Steiner Foundation Social Finance will be discussing new ways of looking at money and social development. And *DeAnna L'am* will focus on "How our world would be different if adolescent children were witnessed, cherished and celebrated as they transitioned into adulthood."
 
Join more than 250 like-minded parents for a weekend of inspiration and renewal. A complete brochure and secure online registration are available at:  www.waldorfinthehome.com or by calling (303) 546-0070. The conference is organized by Rahima Baldwin Dancy at Informed Family Life.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Valentine Card Workshop ~ All are invited to make Valentine's Day Cards Thursday and Friday, February 5^th and 6^th.  The 8^th Grade class will be hosting the first ever Valentine Card Workshop!  There will be 5 different projects to make.  Each person will make 5 of each project, going home with 25 cards.  The cost is $5.  Thursday 1:00-3:30, Friday 2:00-4:00.

 

School Tours ~ All School Tours the second Wednesday of each month.  Next tour:  February 11.  Step inside each classroom for a view into the amazing world of the WSS curriculum.  We will start with a brief discussion and then spend a few minutes in each classroom (K-8) during Main Lesson.  It is a great way to learn about the curriculum and what it has to offer your children as they move through the grades. This is a wonderful opportunity for new, prospective and even established families to learn more about our school. Tours are approximately 90 minutes and begin at 8:30 am.  Adults only please and reservations are required.  Please contact Susan to book a spot on our next tour.

 

OPEN CAMPUS VISITS AT RUDOLF STEINER COLLEGE ~ February 5, 6, & 7; March 5,6,7; April 2,3,4; April 30; May 1,2.  9200 Fair Oaks Blvd  Fair Oaks, CA  95628
Meet faculty and students and take part in classes and special events for any part or all of the three days.  Campus housing is available.  Call us for a schedule and registration!  Main Office 916-961-8727 ext.100. Visitor's activities are FREE.

Visitors' Reception, Art Gallery, Presentation & Foundation Year Play * Fair
Oaks Campus ~ Friday, April 3, 6pm (Gallery), 6:45pm (Presentation).  Come early to Friday evening's Foundation Year Student Play and enjoy complimentary refreshments, student art, and a presentation on Waldorf Education by Ted Mahle and Patrick Wakeford-Evans. Play tickets $10.  Students/Seniors $7.
              
San Francisco Waldorf Teacher Education program INFORMATION EVENINGS ~ Meet with master teachers and program directors to learn about our San Francisco Waldorf Teacher Education program.  For information call Jessica Eicher at 415-359-5189 or e-mail jessicaeicher@gmail.com.  San Francisco Waldorf School: 2938 Washington St., San Francisco, CA  94115 * March 25  * May 6  * June 10  * August 28;  East Bay Waldorf School: 3800 Clark Road, El Sobrante, CA  94803 * March 24 * June 6;  Waldorf School of the Peninsula: 11311 Mora Drive, Los Altos, CA  94024 * May 5

GRATITUDES

Thank you to the PC, led by the amazing efforts of Laela French, for the wonderful Parent/Teacher Social last Saturday night.   A great time was had by all thanks to your hostess efforts Laela!

A big thank you to our 4^th Grade Parents...many of you have been spending lots of time on campus, preparing and dedicating yourselves to the 4^th Grade Fort Ross field trip! 

 

Thanks go to Larinda Merkins for being the woman behind the scenes providing wonderful refreshments, flowers and setting up for several events in the past few weeks.  Your loving touch was apparent and deeply appreciated!

Many thanks to all of you who helped make our Open House "A Walk Through the Grades" a tremendous success last week!  Monica, thank you for collecting the students work and the room looked terrific!  Carol, Helen, Kelly, Larinda, Nicole and Steve,  thanks for your help the night of the event.  Sheila, thanks for your support and Chip, thank you for the inspirational overview of WSCS.  Thanks to all teachers who contributed students' work to display and a very special heartfelt thanks to the teachers who presented (and lead groups/translated) so beautifully that evening: Miss Aguillar, Mr. Graham, Mr. Harrington, Miss Kanwit, Miss Reuther and Maestra Zavaleta!  I believe the parents in attendance were inspired and impressed with you all and with our fabulous school. ---Annie Cassidy

Enormous and undying thanks to Shannon Dewees, who continues to be everything that could possibly be needed and always at the last minute!  Don't know how we'd do it without you!!
 
Great job to the 7th grade girls who selflessly babysat on Saturday night and donated their earnings to the 7th grade class fund.  What a wonderful co-operative spirit and great example!

 

FUNDRAISING

Dine at Mary's Pizza Shack!  Monday, February 9th.  Dine at either Mary's Pizza Shack's in Sonoma and a percentage of the proceeds go to Woodland Star! You can also order take out and the same offer applies! Both lunch and dinner will count towards the funds raised and both locations will participate, the Mary's on the Plaza and Mary's in Boyes Hot Springs. Please remember that we are not reserving the entire restaurant so other patrons will be sharing the space with us and to be mindful and on best behavior as we are all representing our school.  Feel free to thank the kind staff at Mary's for this most generous offer.  What a great way to feed your family and nourish our school. 

None Raiser Results ~ This was our first time with an annual end of the year giving campaign.  We had 21 people respond to our mailing for a total of $2,230 raised.  For those of you who like statistics.  Three parents participated, 10 people from the town of Sonoma, 4 from within the state of California and 4 people from out of state.
Thank you to those of you who participated.

cMarket online Auction is coming!  It begins January 21, 2009 at 12:01 a.m.  You can bid on items like a Trip for 5 days to Cancun Mexico, toys from GRIMM Toys, Gift Certificate for local business.   The on line auction lasts through February 25, 2009 at 10:00 p.m.

Estate Fundraiser - Save the Date for Saturday, March 28^th and get your 1920s outfit ready.  This year's theme for the auction fund raiser will be the Great Gatsby.  Yes we are still doing an annual auction.  The difference is the size of the event.  It is much smaller this year and shorter.  Only 125 guests will be attending and the event will start at 5:00 and end around 8:30.  The event will be held at the outside patio at Estate Restaurant, which was generously donated by second grade parent John Toulze, the Executive Chef at Estate Restaurant.  We will be selling handmade items at the Silent Auction and Class Projects and some specialty items at the Live Auction.   If you have an item that you can donate for the silent that is personally made by you or by a friend, we would love to have it at our event.   The donation form is in the office or attached to this email.  Questions please contact Monica at 225-5557. 

The Donation Station is Back! ~ If you have items you would like to donate to the auctions, please bring them on Thursday at pick up time between 12:15 and 1:15.  We will be out in front collecting them!   We will be using the items for either the new cMarket auction or the Estate Fundraiser.  All handmade items to be sold at the Estate Fundraiser. 

 

‘Mortgage for a Year' Raffle Ticket Sales ~ Raffle Tickets are still available to sell.  You can pick up Raffle Tickets in the main office to sell OR you can purchase a ticket in the Main Office.

 

Update on eScrip Recycling ~ Over 100 print cartridges, toner cartridges and cell phones were sent to eScrip for recycling.  We get anywhere from $.05 print for cartridges to $35.00 for iPods.   Thank you so much for bringing them in and keep them coming.  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. It all adds up to funds for the school.  Any questions, contact Monica Conway 707.225.5557 or
pmgconway@sbcglobal.net

Seventh Grade Burrito Fundraiser ~ Please fill out your form and include payment ($4) by FRIDAY for yummy, organic burritos on Monday!

 

CLASSIFIEDS

Dr. Sara Thyr, naturopathic doctor in Petaluma, specializes in natural and effective treatments for women's health issues and pediatrics. Upcoming talk on Autism, ADD and ADHD Feb 5th, 6:30 pm in Petaluma. See www.DrThyr.com for more information. Phone: 707-780-6033. Email: sara@DrThyr.com.  Dr. Thyr is offering to donate 10% of every WSS parent or child visit back to the school!

 

The first grade class is looking for a vacuum for the classroom!  We prefer it to be upright and industrial strength (a REAL vacuum that can clean up after 20 1st graders!).  Please put the word out to grandparents?!  This needs to be a donation!! Thank you!

 

I'm still looking for my basket!!  I let someone's daughter borrow it at the beginning of the school day because of a lunch bag mishap.  I have no idea who the person/mom was that I gave it too!  I let the mom know that I have a son in the first grade and I have yet to spot the mom or my basket again!!  My last name MELENDEZ is written in Sharpee pen on the bottom of it...I miss my basket...Please bring it to the first grade classroom, leaving on the ramp is fine.  Evelyn J. Melendez  707 996-5507

 

For Rent ~ Beautifully maintained 1 br 1 ba second storey house for rent, furnished, no pets, W/D, month-to-month, $1200 negotiable. Lomita Ave. Bill or Doris 996-2755.

 

Calligraphy Class ~ On Thursdays at 1:10 PM, I would like to offer a Calligraphy Class for 6th-8th graders.  Please call Carlos Gonzalez, 694-7500 or abczcarlos@netscape.net. 

 

Afterschool violin, viola and piano lessons offered at WSS ~ For information please call Gail at: 953-4470 or gailclaus@comcast.net

Homework Clubs ~Attention 6th, 7th & 8th grade parents and students. I am offering various Homework Clubs for the upper grade students.  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. Please call Carlos Gonzalez, 707-694-7500 or abczcarlos@netscape.net. 

Beginning Group Guitar classes ~ offered at Woodland Star School each Thursday beginning at 1:30. Students attending grades 3^rd through 8^th at Woodland Star School are invited to join.  Cost is $20 per one hour session paid monthly. Call Ralph Cetola, 938-1357.

 

Girls Rising ~ Specifically for 6th-8th grade girls.  To reserve a spot or for more information, contact Kathy Hargitt, M.A., at (707)235-8488 and/or kathyhargitt@vom.com

 

Monologue and Scene Study for Teens and Preteens with 7^th grade parent Jaime Love for children ages 12-14 ~ Classes run Mondays for five weeks starting in February. Cost: $125.00. 195 Cooper Street 4:00-5:30.  Email me at skeezbot@sonic.net or call 996-9207.

 

Waldorf Inspired Child Care Program ~ Please call Kathy Lee, WSS parent, to set up an interview.  (707) 996-1297

 

Handyman available ~ Carpentry, gardening, and electrical work.  Jesus Gonzalez, 343-6314.

 

Share Rental for One Person ~ $600 per month plus ½ utilities.  Please call Anthony Abate, 494-4649 or anth.abate@gmail.com.

 

Need a House Cleaner? ~ Lily Rossman (4^th and 2^nd grade parent) is looking for work cleaning houses or offices.  She may also be available for childcare or yardwork.  Please call 939-8570.

 

Experienced Babysitter, House-sitter and Pet-sitter ~ Sliding scale and references available upon request.  Please contact Marie Hargitt (Miss Marie from aftercare!): 707-338-7571.

 

Household items for sale.  Make offer.  Proceeds will be donated to Woodland Star:

Leather-look reclining glider chair with matching ottoman (burgundy); 30" under cabinet mounting microwave oven (black); Bosch dishwasher (white) Energy Star rated; 30" GE self cleaning free standing range (white w/ black oven door); 25.2 cu. ft. Kenmore side by side refrigerator (white) Energy Star rated; White cast iron/ceramic double sink with pull out faucet; Polished nickel triple pendant light (for over island); Upper kitchen cabinets (white);
Antique wood dresser with marble top; Wood (painted white) bunk bed with twin mattresses and bedding; Antique bevel glass french doors with hardware; 64" x 51" framed mirror; 35" x 48" bathroom mirror; Oak medicine cabinet; Antiques excluded, these items are 7 years old and in perfect working condition.  They are being replaced in our remodel.  Contact Mara Lee or Fred Ebert at 933-8333 or 363-2432.

 

Did anyone get a new laptop computer and want to donate or sell at a very low cost their old one???  Carlos Gonzalez (Teacher Aid in 1^st grade) and Nancy Hyde are desperately seeking a laptop/Notebook computer - Windows XP SP3 preferred or Vista, Microsoft Word 2005 or newer, DVD/CD playback and DSL home network wireless compatible.  This is for teacher (Carlos) so artist (Nancy) can reclaim well-lit space in house for art class expansion.  Thank you for your help and wishing you the best of New Years!  707-227-2946 Nancy, 707-694-7500 Carlos.