Tuesday Notice

Class 6 has entered their Rome block. Beautiful chalkboard drawing by class teacher Ms. Franczak.

Dear Siskiyou School Parents,

What beautiful weather! It’s such a gift to feel the warm sun on our faces and filling our hearts with light and hope for the coming of spring and healthy times.

Last Saturday, the faculty, staff and Board met over ZOOM for our annual retreat. We had such a good time. It was a delight to hear from everyone. We shared inspirational stories from this school year. Many told stories about the children, the inspiration around the Waldorf curriculum, and the gift of teaching in person. At the center of the stories was the delight and strength of the children. A few Board members shared with so much appreciation and gratitude what a miracle it is that we are still all together, how one year ago we had no idea what was about to happen to us as a community and school, and how inspiring it is that we are continually all working hard together to keep the school open and alive in service of the children. Collaboration and teamwork is at the fore – and that of course so includes you, all the parents. We engaged in group discussions, received an update from the Board treasurer about the finances of the school, and then broke into four groups to discuss various topics: 1) Expanding DEI, 2) Supporting the Parent Pillar, 3) Exploring revenue sources aside from tuition, 4) Visioning into 2022. Some of these discussions will continue and we intend to include the Parent Pillar as well. We left the retreat fulfilled, grateful and appreciative of each other and the presence of the school in the lives of all our families.

History & Vision Night: Please join us on Thursday, 1/28 @ 6:30 pm over ZOOM for our annual evening with the Board. Among other things, we will share Board updates and information about the finances of the school. We also will tell you more about our retreat and the topics that are on our minds about the school.

Teachers are looking forward to meeting with you at the parent evenings tonight and tomorrow. Please be sure to take note of our upcoming “Parent Enrichment” talks. We hope to give you gifts of inspiration around your children in this time.

From my heart to yours, Aurilia

This Week:

Tues, Jan 19: Classes 2, 6 & 7: Parent Evenings will begin at 6:30 pm via ZOOM.
Wed, Jan 20: Classes 3, 4, 5 & 8: Parent Evenings will begin at 6:30 pm via ZOOM.

Looking Ahead:

Thurs, Jan 28: History & Vision Night at 6:30 pm via ZOOM.

Wed, Feb 3: Crossing The Bridge: For parents in grades 1-4, at 6:30 pm via ZOOM.

Thurs & Fri, Feb 11 & 12: Classes 1-8 Parent-Teacher Conferences.

When the Administration is contacted regarding a positive COVID-19 test in the school community, various emails are sent out.

1) Parents whose class is affected, will receive a class email from the Administrator.

2) The entire school community will receive an email from the Administrator with the news about a positive case, but not with specifics as to the class and cohort that was affected.

We are doing our best to be transparent as much as possible, while at the same time protecting the family’s privacy. Thank you!

There is snow in the forecast and we wanted to make sure to share the snow policy once more. Please see below for details:

A snow day (a day spent at home due to weather-related hazardous traveling conditions) will be announced by 6:00 am on that day by email and on the school's website. If we can forecast the weather, we will do our best to announce the snow day the evening before. If hazardous weather continues, we will keep parents informed one day at a time, but we don’t foresee missing more than two subsequent snow days at a time based on past years’ experience. To that effect, we will be sending daily email updates, which will include the announcement about safe return to school.

In the case the school has been asked to close and is in the remote learning program, the following will apply: If the weather is severe enough, and the need arises, the school reserves the right to cancel our remote offerings and call a no-school snow day; otherwise remote learning will continue as is.

A current Siskiyou School family is in isolation and unable to run necessary errands. They are in need of some items from Costco and wondering if there might be someone making a trip there soon. Please email Lora at Lora.Wilde@siskiyouschool.org if you are able to help this family. We will provide you with the list and you will be reimbursed after. The items can be dropped off at the school. Thank you for considering.

Date: February 3 @ 6:30 pm. Zoom link will be posted on Canvas.

Between the age of 7 years and 10 years, the child goes through a marked change in consciousness. There are huge changes in the brain, neurological development that creates enhanced ability to manage more abstract thinking, and the child becomes more capable, both physically and academically. At the same time, the emotional seat of the brain is wiring in, and the child learns to navigate their “feeling” life as they “cross the bridge” into the second phase of childhood.

Join Nina Gallwey for an exploration of the rich, developmental journey the child moves through between the ages of 7-10 years old.

Nina Gallwey is our educational support teacher and a long-time Waldorf teacher.

Date: February 16 @ 6:30 pm. Zoom link will be posted on Canvas.

As children turn 11 years old, they are leaving the shores of their early childhood and embarking on the rocky seas of the early teen years. As hormonal, neurological, and emotional changes are at the forefront so is the fertile soil for creativity, passionate thinking, and social networking. Guiding the budding teen through the middle school years is a journey for the parent as well!

Join Karen O’Dougherty for an an exploration into a look at these years and learn ways you can support your child (and yourself) during this time of tender voyaging into the the final phase of childhood. Karen O’Dougherty is a founding parent of Siskiyou School with three alumni children. She is the founder of Body Basics and Beyond, which has provided support for thousands of families through puberty and adolescence through her workshops, programs and coaching.

Date: February 24 @ 6:30 pm. Zoom link to be provided.

Welcome in-coming Siskiyou School families! Join Nina Gallwey for a rich preview of the journey to come. This evening's talk will shed light on the philosophy, history, and unique curriculum of Waldorf education. Step into a deeper understanding of how we educate to inspire life-long learning while nurturing the growth of the whole child. Nina Gallwey is our educational support teacher and one of the founding teachers of the Siskiyou School.

One of the joys of being a Waldorf teacher is witnessing the children "grow up" over the years. Now that we are in the 2nd half of 2nd Grade, I am delighted to see how much the children have grown. They look more like "big kids" rather than "little kids". They are reading, writing, and working with large numbers in math class. Their artistic skills have improved so much in just one year. I showed the students some of their drawings from last year. They opened up their current main lesson books and compared their work from this year to last years. They smiled and laughed at how far they have come in just one year. We have even started using lined notebook paper and graph paper for our academic work. They were so proud to be using the same kind of materials as the older kids at school. Congratulations, Raven Class. You are growing up and doing great! ~ Mr. Alvarez

Did you know that the heart beats, on average, 115,000 times a day? Did you know that your heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood every day? Did you know that the left lung tends to be smaller than the right lung, to accommodate the heart? Well, in 7th grade, we have been learning all these facts and much more while studying physiology! ~ Ms. Razi

My Adventure as a Red Blood Cell — By Evi

Hi! One month ago I was born in the bone marrow. I’m a red blood cell. My best friend is a nurse, she is a white blood cell. She says I will die in about three months. It has been 30 days and nights since I joined my buddies in the blood stream, and I have travelled about 360,000 miles. I just entered the heart through the superior vena cava. Now, I am in the right atrium. I race through the pulmonary artery on my way to the lungs. I’m now in a capillary which is wrapped around the alveoli. My body just inhaled so my timing is perfect! I shoot back through the heart and then into the body, ready to deliver my oxygen! I have done this millions of times before, and I’m off to do it a million more!

We are very excited to keep in touch and hear from our alum students. We will be posting the features in the Tuesday Notice and on our social media platforms: Instagram and Facebook pages. Please make sure to follow us to keep up to date on all the fun things we are doing at the school!

This week we find out What's new with Nadia Pettengell? Nadia was in the River Class with Mr. Alvarez and graduated in 2019.

From Nadia:

I joined the rowing club at the beginning of Freshman year and started to love it right away. After I rowed my first two races I couldn’t wait for the spring season. When I learned it was canceled due to covid I was really bummed that after all the work our team had done we wouldn’t get to row at the races in the spring. I am so grateful that our coaches were luckily willing to make a few changes and create a covid safe rowing experience. That is one of the things that has really helped me through this pandemic. Get up at 5:30 am and going to the lake to row in below-freezing temperatures sounded miserable at first, but there is absolutely no better feeling than watching the moon set and the sunrise while rowing across the lake. I am so grateful for the opportunity to still be apart of the rowing club in my second year of high school. I can’t wait to jump right back into the race season as soon as it is safe to do so.

I am also delighted to be able to ski this year. I have been going to the mountain multiple times a week since they opened. I have gone both alpine skiing and backcountry skiing as well. I’ve been getting tips from ski friends on how to become a better skier and I am really enjoying learning how to make beautiful turns down the mountain. Skiing honestly makes everything so much better. Even if it’s not the best conditions it’s nice to just get outside and take a break from zoom. I can’t wait to take my new car and get on the mountain.

Getting to drive is another new and exciting passion of mine. I am really enjoying the freedom and opportunities it has brought me. I get to see my amazing friends more often because I am able to transport myself rather than getting a ride. I am so grateful for all my amazing friends. I don’t know what I would do without them during this pandemic. It is crazy to me that I met them in first grade at the Siskiyou school ten years ago. The Siskiyou school has provided me with lifelong friendships and the motivation to get me through this pandemic. Looking back now, I honestly don’t think I would be where I am today if it weren’t for the Siskiyou School. I definitely owe them credit for my 4.00 GPA. I have only been able to keep up my grades because of the amazing work ethic that I learned in the classrooms of that school. I love and miss the teachers who held my hand throughout my whole Siskiyou journey. I am so grateful to each and every one of them for everything they taught me. Thank you, Siskiyou School! ~ Nadia

Have something to share on our Community News and Classifieds section?

Here are the guidelines for the Classifieds:

Please keep your classified ads brief and succinct. We will run ads for two consecutive weeks. Flyers and pictures are appreciated! Send classifieds to Lora Wilde at lora.wilde@siskiyouschool.org by noon on Tuesday.

The Siskiyou School is not responsible for the content.

Tutoring and Educational Support Services for Middle and High School Students

Middle School: English (writing, grammar, literature), History, Math, Science and French

High School: English, History and French

Any age: French (lessons, conversation, tutoring)

Hello! I provide virtual tutoring and educational support services to middle and high school students across the country. Along with academic subject teaching, my expertise includes helping students with study skills, time management, and homework support. With 10 years of classroom teaching experience, I aspire to instill a curiosity and love of learning in all of my students. In these times of remote learning, it is vital to tailor sessions to students’ needs and specific learning styles in order to help them connect to and become excited about the material.

Born and raised in Washington D.C., I have a BA in Political Science and Geography from the University of Vermont, and a Masters of Education from Antioch University. I have worked in Baltimore public schools, as a tutor and substitute teacher in multiple D.C. private schools, and as a Waldorf class teacher from 2012-2019 in Southern Oregon. I have recently returned to live on the Oregon coast after traveling the world, including a multi-month stint at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

I welcome the opportunity to support your child in their educational journey; give me a call or send me an email!

-Catherine Dixon

Email: catherinedixon1@gmail.com

Phone: (202) 669-2867

Current Offerings from the

Ashland School of Uncovering the Voice

Ruth Hoffecker, a Waldorf graduate and certified Singing Teacher is now offering private lessons and small group classes to singers of all ages and abilities. Learn to sing for the first time, cultivate the skills to set your voice free, or experience personal renewal through engaging in this Anthroposophical art form.

Singing Group Tuesdays 3:30-5 pm in Ashland

Teen and Adult Choir Fridays 4:30-6 pm in Talent

Private lessons in Ashland

Contact Ruth Hoffecker

rmhoffecker@gmail.com

541-531-9442

Bringing stories and connection to your kids. We’re making it happen - dramatically.

Online classes for ages 6-17 start Jan. 19th. www.ashlandchildrenstheatre.com

Ashland Children's Theatre

Ashland Children’s Theatre offers a variety of theatrical experiences for children and teens throughout the year, including classes, workshops, and performances.

Musical Theatre Dance, Acting, & Improv.

Body Basics offers puberty education to youth and for the adults that support them. Many classes are happening in person following safety guidelines, as well as virtually. Winter session registration is open for girls grades 4-8 (Jan.-Mar.). New this winter to Body Basics are parent evenings via Zoom called Parenting During a Pandemic. Parent coaching is also available! To learn more and to register for classes go to bodybasicsandbeyond.com. To register or to get more information about parent evenings and coaching, email Karen O'Dougherty at karen@bodybasicsandbeyond.com

Karen O’Dougherty

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Body Confidence & Puberty Education

www.bodybasicsandbeyond.com

karen@bodybasicsandbeyond.com

www.facebook.com

541-601-2849

I’m an alumni of the Siskiyou School and received a bachelors degree in music composition from The Los Angeles College of Music in 2018. I’ve been playing the guitar for over a decade and look forward to sharing my knowledge with you! Over the last 5 years I have toured and recorded with multiple artists and bands throughout the US and Canada and taught private lessons in Los Angeles. If you’re looking to work on music theory, songwriting, playing with people, or just want to get more comfortable playing songs that you love, set up a lesson today! I'm happy to work on acoustic or electric guitar and all ages and levels of experience are welcome!

Contact: Tejas Leier Heyden - 541-282-3136 - tleierheyden@gmail.com

Please join me at an online Saturday course for teen girls this January. This mentorship course is for teen girls regarding mental and physical health. I am a trained and experienced Waldorf teacher and I'm offering this to any interested teen youth. I especially love working with Waldorf students. We will meet for four Saturday mornings 10-12 (PST), January 9-30th.

Visit Jenna's website here:

https://liliana.mykajabi.com/Jenna-dalton-youth-mentorship

Thank you,

Jenna D.

Email: office@siskiyouschool.org
Website: www.siskiyouschool.org
Location: 631 Clay Street, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: 541-482-8223
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siskiyouschool/