Just the Facts

Woodland Star Weekly Update

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Learning to think, to care, to create

UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS

FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR

~ As the school year draws to a close we are busy planning for graduation.  The 8^th grade teacher, parents and students are joined by several other classes in preparing for the big event.  All of you are welcome to attend as we celebrate these accomplished and talented students and wish them well in the next phase of their life journey.  The venue will be the Sonoma Veterans Hall so as to accommodate a large and enthusiastic crowd! Please join us on Friday, June 12^th from 6-8 pm.

~ We are very pleased to announce our new 3rd grade teacher for next year, Nancy Cherniss.  Nancy is an experienced, Waldorf-trained, credentialed teacher coming to us from Seattle.   She brings a wealth of talents and enthusiasm for meeting her new class and school community.

The new 1st grade teacher for next year is Kathleen Pearl.  Kathleen, also a Waldorf-trained, credentialed and experienced teacher, is relocating from Portland and hopes to join us for some end-of-the-year festivities.  She is a fascinating person with many incredible life experiences, be sure and ask her about living in the wilds of Alaska.

~ The Admin/Finance committee's budget proposal will be discussed this week at the Charter Council budget meeting (Wednesday, 6:30 PM).  The vote on this proposal will be finalized/ratified at the Charter Council meeting on 6/17.  In other words, if discussions need to continue beyond this week's meeting, they will continue at the next meeting and the vote will be finalized at the 6/17 meeting. You are all most welcome to attend both meetings. The meetings will be held in the Main Hall.

This latest proposal reflects the additional cuts that were handed down to WSS from the state two weeks ago and in the amount of approximately $50,000.  We are in very challenging fiscal times, and have been working hard to develop solutions that have the least amount of impact to our students and programs.

~ Change is underfoot in our community and we (the charter council, myself and the faculty) want to address this change in the most positive and productive way possible.  To that end, we have hired outside facilitators to lead our school through a re-visioning process.  I invite you all to come forward and participate as fully as possible, in the process of strengthening our school.   We look forward to the opportunity to work together in this time of transition.

               Monday, June 15^th, Faculty Meeting

               Saturday, June 20^th, All-school Forum, Main Hall, 9-1  

Warmly,

Sheila Reilly

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Charter Council Election ~ Cast your vote!  Thursday at drop-off and pick-up.

Candidate Statements:

Kate Williams:

Kate Williams is a career educator with seventeen years of experience in California's public schools. As a veteran teacher of elementary, middle, and high school students, she brings a broad spectrum of practical experience to discussions of educational theory, and is by nature and temperament grounded in the concrete. She worked with at-risk youth in Bayview/Hunter's Point, gifted students in the SVUSD, and chaired an English department at a comprehensive urban high school. She currently makes her living as a writer. If elected to the Charter Council, she will support the implementation of rigorous academic standards, selection and retention of high quality staff, transparent decision-making models, and practical program assessments. She and her husband have two children attending Woodland Star.

Ben Dewees:

I am running for a seat on the Charter Council so that I may continue to help shepherd our school through the current challenges and provide leadership for the bright future that is ahead.  I passionately support Waldorf-inspired teaching in a public school, and I am grateful that the children of our community have the opportunities offered by Woodland Star.

I started volunteering at the school as a Parent Council Representative 4 years ago when my daughter, Megan, entered her first year of Kindergarten.  I have continued to participate in the Parent Council ever since, serving as Secretary, Chairperson, and Parent Council Representative to the Charter Council.  In addition, I have been an active member of the Admin/Finance committee for the last 2 years.

I was elected Charter Council President this year.  During this time, I have focused on supporting the Faculty and Administration during the ongoing budget challenges and the transition of administrative leadership from Chip Romer to Sheila Reilly.  I have met one-on-one with many faculty members and parents to assess what is working well and what aspects of our school can improve.  In the coming year, I plan to look for ways to encourage a higher level of engagement from a larger number of families.

I am a strong believer in direct, respectful communication and have been praised for my good listening skills.  I feel most comfortable in a quiet leadership role and will strongly defend people's rights to be heard and given fair consideration.  I also feel that once a decision is made, we must come together as a group and support our decisions with a common vision for the future of our school.                          Thank you.

Moving Day! ~ The official move to the next class will be on Thursday, June 11 at 10:20.   Each class, grades only, will be packing up their classrooms in preparation of moving to the next class, (i.e., first to second, second to third, etc).  Parents should check in with their class teachers for guidance in helping.

Woodland Star Education Foundation News ~ The Ed. Foundation is looking for new board members and is seeking interested applicants.  Parents and supporters of Woodland Star may apply for 2-3 year terms.  See the flyer attached to the Just the Facts for more information on how to apply and where to send it.

The Ed. Foundation's annual report is now available on the web at: woodlandstarschool.org.  Click on the documents tab on the right hand menu, followed by the Woodland Star Education Foundation heading.  Hard copies are also available in the front office. 

End-of-the-year Assembly ~ Friday, June 12th, 9:05am in the outdoor quad.  Join us for a rose ceremony and musical performances from the lower grades and the 8th grade!  Children will be dismissed at 1:00.

Aftercare registration ~  
In light of the $12,500 that remains unpaid by families utilizing the Aftercare program, registration for the program will be different next year.  Any outstanding debt must be paid, or a payment schedule accepted, before children can be registered in the program.  In addition, payments will be due at the beginning of the month, in advance of services rendered.  If payments are not received by the 15^th of the month, those children may not be able to continue in aftercare.  Please look for a letter, which outlines these new registration and payment policies.

FUNDRAISING

Pizza and Tie Dye Day! ~ On Thursday, June 11^th, the 6^th grade class will sponsor a Pizza and Tie Dye Day!  For $5.00 you get a slice of cheese pizza, caesar salad, cookie and drink.  Lunch will be provided at 12:20 pm during lunch recess.  Then after school between 1:00 - 3:00 pm, the 6^th grade parents and students will help Woodland Star students tie dye t-shirts.  Cost of the t-shirts are:  $10 for youth short sleeved shirt, $12 for a youth camisole, $15 for a women's camisole, and $12 for a men's short sleeved shirt.  With Father's Day right around the corner, a tie dye shirt will make a great gift.  Why not tie dye a t-shirt for your dad, too!  To ensure that we have sufficient quantities of pizza and t-shirts, please pre-order.  The order form is available in the school office.  Thank you for supporting Mr. Stone's 6^th grade class!

Our First Annual Mini Golf Tournament brought in $3,336.  Cinco de Mayo Sangria Madness party hosted by Mara Lee & Fred Ebert brought in $3,003.  The school budget projection was to make $10,000 at each these events.

CLASSIFIEDS

Job Available! ~ Aftercare Assistant.  Marie is going to Paris in the fall.  Aftercare needs staff to play, direct, love and teach children.  12:15-4:15 four days a week.  Salary by the hour, depends on experience.  Please see Gaylan.

Housing needed ~ Our incoming 1^st Grade teacher, Kathleen Pearl, is relocating to Sonoma and is looking for housing.  She is looking for 1 bedroom, within walking distance to school; prefer it to include nature, higher elevation, plenty of storage space, light & airy, privacy.   $600-$1000, open to share or occupy an inlaw unit.

Tutoring ~ Great Summer Deals ~ Summer is a great time to make big strides in reading, math, and any other subject in which you wish your child to improve.  Because of their reduced academic work, they can fully focus on a subject to bring it up to grade level or move up into a level of greater skill.  This can also be done in a way that the subject matter is enjoyable and bring a about a sense of competence and mastery, that "I can do this feeling".  Besides being a trained Waldorf teacher, I have training in remedial work and worked for many years as a vision therapist.  I can supply references on request if you need them.  My normal rate is offered on a sliding scale of $25-40 per hour.  If you are low income household we can discuss a further reduced rate, as I want all children who need help to receive it.  For the summer I am offering the following package deals.  They can also continue into the fall if we don't complete the package in the summer:

10 sessions at $25/session, for a total of $250

15 sessions at $20/session, for a total of $300

20 sessions at $17.50/session, for a total of $350

Please contact me at (707) 694-7500 or abczcarlos@netscape.net

Venture Forth Summer Camp ~ Heat, water, sun, shade, play, beach, swim, rest.  To venture forth into that good day as children laugh and play all day.  Hours: 8:30-4 M-F.  $45 per day, sibling discount, negotiated "rescue" price if space is available.  Ages 5-12.  See Gaylan in aftercare or call 225-2209.

WALDORF CHILDCARE ~ SUMMER SPECIALS!

Need a place for baby?  A Child's Garden Childcare is now enrolling for summer!  We have openings for infants and toddlers.  Summer Specials, Sibling Discounts, organic meals and snacks provided!  Drop-in care is available as well!

Enroll your child for a fun summer of creative exploration.  Our days are delightfully filled with storytelling, singing, playing and exploring nature.  We paint, create "beautiful" crafts, bake and garden.  All activities are geared for infants and toddlers.  CPR/First Aid certified.  BSW, over 28 early childhood education units, including some Waldorf training.  Excellent references.  Please call Kathy Lee, WSS parent, to set up an interview (707) 996-1297 or (707) 537-5780.

*Farm Camp at Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm ~ 1 week sessions June 22-July 31st. Ages 4-5 years & 6-9 years. $225 per week. Animal care, farm work, herb & nature walks, cooking, crafts and more.  New this year, Permaculture Camp for 10-12 year olds.  July 13-July 24.  $275 per week.  Check Summer Programs on our website for more information:  www.summerfieldwaldorf.org or call (707) 575-7194 x370

Babysitter ~ I'm 12 and a half and looking to raise money to go to a camp this summer.  I'm a certified babysitter through the Red Cross.  Please call Kaylyn Conway, (707) 935-9431

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.

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.

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.