Just the Facts

Woodland Star Weekly Update

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Learning to think, to care, to create

 

UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR

Open Forum Budget Meeting ~ Tuesday, April 28^th 6 PM in the Main Hall.  Come join the Admin/Finance committee as we unveil our budget proposal for the 2009-10 school year. This is your opportunity to discuss, add your input and hear our ideas.  From here the budget proposal will go to the Charter council on Thursday, May 7^th for a vote and hopeful approval.  I will have available, later in the week, a synopsis of the proposal for your review prior to the meeting. All are welcome and encouraged to participate in this discussion.  If you ‘d like to contact an Admin/Finance committee member with your input, feel free to contact them via email, below is the contact information for committee members. 

 

Sheila Reilly:  Sheila@woodlandstarschool.org 

Poppy Mann: ifigureitout@yahoo.com

Janis Lynne: jlynne1@comcast.net                          

Ben Dewees: bdewees@bmrn.com

Glenn Motola: glennmotola@yahoo.com             

John Graham: wsfacultygraham@yahoo.com

Wendy Aguilar: bbrstudio@prodigy.net                 

Phil Stone: pgstone@gmail.com

John Arntz: jwarntz@pacbell.net

All of us working together will create the best possible scenario for our school, so please, be involved and part of the solution!

~Sheila

ANNOUNCEMENTS

May Day Celebration and Grandparent Appreciation Day! - Friday, May 1^st.  Garland Making from 10:30-11:30, followed by traditional May Day dances by the classes at 11:30.  The Class Parents will then host the first "Market", where lunch will be sold for a nominal fee, beginning at 12:30.  We will have Caesar Salad, Lasagna, green salad, potato salad, hot dogs, pizza, chicken legs, lemonade and water.  Each item will be between $1.00 and $2.00; please bring your own plates and utensils.  If you plan on attending the May Day celebration, please stay and have lunch.  Also remember to send your child with money and they can purchase something to eat at the market.   At 1:00 pm Strawberry short cake will be provided for all the children for free!  Please sign up at the school to help provide the making for strawberry short cake and flowers for the flower garlands.

Grandparent Appreciation begins at 8:30 AM with tea and coffee, followed by a campus tour and snack.  Grandparents can then join their grandchildren at 10:30 to make flower garlands and participate in the May Day festivities!

 

First Market
The Class Parents will host the first Market on May Day, May 1^st just after the May Day dances.  Lunch will be sold at the Market for a nominal fee.  We have Caesar Salad, Lasagna, green salad, potato salad, hot dogs, pizza, chicken legs, lemonade and water.  Each item will be between $1.00 and $2.00 each.  The May Day dances will begin at 11:30 and end approximately at 12:15.  The Lunch Market will start at 12:30.  If you plan on attending the May Day celebration, please stay and have lunch.  Also remember to send your child with money and they can purchase something to eat at the market. 

 

Classroom Updates:

1^st Grade Nature Studies Block - Sugar Loaf State Park field trip 4/23 and Crane Creek on 4/30

2^nd Grade - beginning form drawing, and preparing for STAR testing

3^rd Grade - working on shelters projects

4^th Grade - working on Play "The Theft of Thor's Hammer"

5^th Grade - working on Ancient Greece block

6^th Grade - studying Europe

7^th Grade - preparing for their play & has just completed a sandbox for the 2^nd grade!

8^th Grade - preparing for their play

 

Take the challenge!  Keep your TVs turned off this coming week. After you go through that initial media-withdrawal, you just might see a glimpse of the possible rewards of a TV-free lifestyle, most notably having more time to really connect as a family, with nature, and the community.

 

Robin White, a Mystery Lesson Teacher, is offering private assessments.  This is an opportunity for your child to be evaluated individually on sensory integration issues and how they affect learning.  She is available 5/16 and 5/17 for two-hour assessments.  The cost is $200, and she will provide specialized feedback for your child, as well as activities that you can do at home.  Sign up on the list outside 2^nd Grade.

 

Please don't make Aftercare an afterthought ~  
In Aftercare, we provide a home, backyard, and neighborhood community away from home.  We provide rest, recreation, safety and delight for all of your children.  In order to continue offering this very high level of service and standards, we need all of you who have outstanding balances to take care of your bill as soon as possible.  If your past-due bill is too big to pay off in one check, please speak with Business Manager Janis Lynne to make alternate arrangements for payment.  Janis can be reached directly at: business@woodlandstarschool.org.  Invoices went in the mail today so be on the lookout for them and please pay promptly.  We appreciate your help and support in this important matter.  

 

HEAD LICE IS SPREADING ACROSS OUR CAMPUS! ~ Please check your children daily for head lice.  If you need to stop by the office to see what you are looking for, Susan can show you.  Notify the office immediately if you find it, and Susan can direct you to appropriate care measures.  Thank you for your diligence with this...we are trying to get it under control and we need everyone's help!

 

*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.  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.

 

School Tours ~ All School Tours the second Wednesday of each month.  Next tour:  Wednesday, May 13.  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 ~ 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 * May 6  * June 10  * August 28;  East Bay Waldorf School: 3800 Clark Road, El Sobrante, CA  94803 * June 6;  Waldorf School of the Peninsula: 11311 Mora Drive, Los Altos, CA  94024 * May 5

 

GRATITUDES

Beautiful Art ~Thank you to  MGK mom Laela French , 7th grade dad Michael Palace and

Chip for hanging the beautiful frames and curriculum inspired artwork in the front office.  The amazing frames were made by talented WSS dads and artisans:

Michael Palace, Andy French, John Arntz, Jorge Hernandez and Brett Lee.

 

Thank you also to all of our class teachers for the amazing artwork and the time it took to create such beauty.

 

A HUGE thank you to Larissa Sano for putting in numerous grants for:
Shading the campus
Cooking from the Garden
Library supplies
Character Education
Garden support
Thank you, Larissa! 

 

FUNDRAISING

The Great Gatsby was a success!  We met our financial goal for this event, generating $20,000!  Thank you to everyone for making this such a fun and successful event!  In addition, we made $10,713.39 from the "Pay Your Mortgage for a Year" raffle!

 

We still have several FUN events upcoming:

Mara Lee's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, May 2^nd

Miniature Golf Tournament, Saturday, May 16^th at Maxwell Farms, 5-10 PM.  Complete your registration form NOW (available in the office)...this is a LIMITED event and we will sell out!!

more cMarket auctions

We continue to need everyone's help to make these events successful, and to continue to raise lots of money to meet our deficit.  Please contact Monica Conway to find out how you can help!  Monica 225-5557, pmgconway@sbcglobal.net.

 

Hola Amigos,
You should have received your invitation to Mara Lee's Cinco de Mayo fiesta (a benefit for Woodland Star).  The party is Saturday, May 2nd from 7 p.m. to midnight at Burlingame Hall.  For just $49 you will be treated to TWO live bands (Gator Beat and The Dadz), authentic Mexican tapas, costume contest, sangria, beer, wine, and many surprises (with NO auction)!  A cheap date night in Sonoma!  Mara Lee's parties are always a hit so be sure to mail your RSVP card by THIS Saturday.  In order to keep costs down (and donate more to the school) Mara Lee would greatly appreciate any donations of wine or beer to the event.  Please contact her at mlebert@sbcglobal.net or 363-2432. Ole`!

Muchas Gracias, Mara Lee Ebert

 

P. S., If each family could donate a bottle or two to the event, it would greatly keep costs
down and profit the school!  mlebert@sbcglobal.net or 363-2432.  THANK YOU!

eScrip Recycling ~ Keep them coming:  toner cartridges, cell phones, iPods, laptops.  There is a collection bin in the main office near the copy machine.  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

A little R&R?  Interested in a great offer on vacation possibilities for this year?  Starting 4-1 to 12-31 2009 I can make reservations for ANYONE interested in staying at a Fairmont Hotel and Resort for just $50.00 above my employee discounted rate.  Check on line at www.fairmont.com and you will find Fairmont Hotels all over the world.  Don't let the high prices scare you.  Just call Milena Pritel at (707)  953-3865.  Let's find a little fun in our lives.  

 

Free! ~ Agfa Arcus 1200 scanner, SCSI drive. Please call Stephanie Steck-Benthin 938-8769.

Great website: www.thepuppenstube.com for beautifully handmade dolls, gnomes and more!  The website also features Buntspechte wooden figures from Germany.

Planet Organics Store is open! ~ 19449 Riverside Drive.  Woodland Star parents and staff can enjoy $10.00 off their first purchase of $50 or more!  Open 7 days a week, 10am - 8pm.  planetorganics.com  1-3% of your purchase goes to WSS when you use eScrip.

Sonoma Garden Park is offering Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) ~

• A CSA membership is for the entire 25 week harvest season at Sonoma Garden Park, which begins May 20, 2009, and ends on November 4, 2009. Each membership provides enough produce for 2-4 people, and costs approximately $20 per week. Payments can either be made in full, resulting in a membership discount, or made in three payments throughout the 25 week harvest season. We will also have a blog which will be updated weekly with recipes and a list of the week's produce from the garden. All CSA applicants must be members of the Sonoma Ecology Center. If you are not currently a member, a $50 registration and membership fee is required. Sonoma Garden Park is located at 19990 Seventh Street East, Sonoma CA 95476. Sonoma Ecology Center Mailing Address: PO Box 1486, Eldridge, CA 95431 Phone: (707) 996-0712 ext. 108 Fax: (707) 996-2452

• Email: jessica@sonomaecologycenter.org Website: www.sonomaecologycenter.org

 

Escape to Oregon ~ Fly fishing, hiking, sight-seeing...sound good?  Offered is a one week rustic camp retreat, suitable for up to 4 people.  "Alkali Flat Wild Life Refuge", 50 miles east of Bend, Oregon, approximately 10 hour drive from Sonoma.  This is your very own 340 acre camp site, which includes a 12' X 16' cabin with sleeping loft wood stove, and generator; no electricity.  All this for only $335!  Based on availability, please arrange 30 days in advance.  Please call Sue Pitman at 812-3720

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.