Tuesday Notice

Dear Siskiyou School Parents,

I hope this brief Tuesday note finds each family well, safe, and strong. We hope the connection with this week’s remote learning schedule has helped the children and that they are enjoying seeing their teachers and friends each morning. The teachers have enjoyed seeing them.

I’m sure everyone has heard as of now that the Dilansa family (family of one of our specialty teachers and parents to Kiva in 7th and Reese in 2nd grade) lost their home in the Almeda fire. It has been such an honor to watch how Jodie and Robert are coping with this loss. Jodie said to me today: “I didn’t lose my home, only my house.” They are positive and strong, and they have faith that good things will come out of this tragic event. They have received so much help and support. We are sharing the links to support the Dilansa family further; you can find this in the Almeda Fire Support section below. A huge thank you to everyone in the community! There has been such a generous outpouring, not only to the Dilansa family, but to so many people who lost everything in the fires. Many of you have offered your homes and supplied families from the larger community with food, clothes and household items. It is testimony to the loving and supportive spirit of our community! We can get through anything together, whether it be COVID, fires, or whatever else might come our way. Blessings on our community and our valley which will be restored to health again in time with so much care from us all.

Next week we will continue to use our smoke policy as needed; please note details:

If we are back on campus, we will be using our on-campus schedule (see below). On Smoke Days, we will be implementing a more comprehensive schedule than we did this week. While we hope for clearer skies, we have to be prepared. Please look for more details about the remote smoke schedule in the Friday Updates at the end of this week.

Lastly, we cordially invite you to join us for the Parent Welcome Night next week on Tuesday, September 22nd from 6:30-8:00 pm. We will meet as a whole community on ZOOM, followed by individual class meetings with your class teacher and a specialty teacher. We look forward to seeing you then to catch up, share details around the curriculum for the year and offer you some enrichment.

My very best to you all, Aurilia

The office is closed this week as Lora and Kristin are working from home. Please note that all messages are being checked and you can drop-off your tuition in the outside tuition box.

Kristin is unavailable this week due to working on Canvas. If you need immediate office assistance, please contact Aurilia, Cynthia or Lora. If you need something from the class rooms, please contact Aurilia or Cynthia via email as well. Aurilia: Aurilia.McNamara@siskiyouschool.org, Cynthia: Cynthia.Bower@siskiyouschool.org, or Lora: Lora.Wilde@siskiyouschool.org.

This Week

Mon-Fri, Sept 14-18: School Smoke Schedule

Fri, Sept 18: Parent Coffee Social Hosted by Lora & Nina (ZOOM) at 9:30 am. Lora will send the ZOOM link on Thursday.

Next Week

Tues, Sept 22 : Parent Welcome Night (ZOOM) 6:30 - 8:00 pm.

Fri, Sept 25: Michaelmas Celebration, on-campus with each cohort (smoke levels permitting).

During smoke season, we work with the local websites to determine recess and outdoor safety. As we are working under different conditions this year—with no recess currently--- the following smoke policy will be in effect:

• If the air is at hazardous level of Purple (200+), school will be fully remote for the day. This will be determined at 6:00 a.m. on any given day and notification will go out to parents via e-mail and with banner on the homepage of our website.

• If the air is at level Red (199 and below), school will be open.

Under COVID, door and windows stay open; when combined with high smoke levels, windows and doors will remain closed. Rooms have air filters and AC.

The children will wear their COVID masks in the classroom. We recommend that they wear N95 while traveling to and from school and replace it with the cloth mask in the classroom. Children can choose to wear N95 masks in the classroom if they are COVID approved.

• Outdoor classes will be moved indoors when smoke levels are in the Red (199+).

• Mask break opportunities will be incorporated as needed in a safe indoor spot.

Please find the links to our events and academic school calendars below. Due to COVID-19, we don’t know yet what each event will look like this year. We will do our very best to include students and parents in observing our festivals in one way or another—we are all becoming quite creative and flexible. Stay tuned for our ongoing updates.

CLASS 1

The first grade is bustling on ZOOM! All 23 children showed up for our Monday time, and it was lovely to see their bright faces. We spoke our morning verse and remembered our story from last week's first day, wherein Mossback the gnome enlisted the help of his forest friends to help the children gather their spilled blackberries. Smokey the kitty joined the children today, using scissors to cut straight and curved lines--tricky business for a puppet! The first graders were masterful. Ms. Archer joined to sing with the children, and Ms. Dana showed up too! Thank you, parents, for bringing the children into the morning sessions with such care; we can't wait to see them again in person! ~ Ms. McKissick

CLASS 2

It was so great to see the 2nd Grade last week on the first day of school! We had a sweet day of reconnecting and adjusting to the new classroom. They did a great job! The remote learning this week has allowed us to stay together as we maneuver through this next challenge. I am particularly grateful that I can tell the children a story each day. It’s good medicine! My heart is with everyone in our Siskiyou School and Southern Oregon community that lost so much this past week. ~ Mr. Alvarez

CLASS 3

The aftermath of the horrible Almeda fire has been quite a ride and one which is far from over. While we all agree that ZOOM is not ideal, I have savored the time I've had with my dear class in the last two days online. We now have a sense of connectedness and a little bit of morning rhythm taking shape. We even discussed and drew pictures of the first three days of Creation from the book of Genesis! Miracles are possible and love abounds. Even with all that has transpired lately, the world is indeed a wonderful place. I feel so lucky to be the teacher of the Blue Heron Class! ~ Mrs. Martin

CLASS 4

With lesson plans set and a classroom ready for our return to campus, the Forest Class was ready to dive into studies of Local Geography. Oh, how the river would take such an unexpected turn!

What a humbling experience to be amid the fire and smoke of the valley - a profound (and scary) example of the power of climate in this corner of the continent. Yesterday, the children were invited to pool questions: "Why are fires on the West Coast and not on the East Coast?", "What makes our valley so dry?", "Why does water put fire out?.” From first-hand experience, the class has dived into an exploration of the lay of the land and the stories of people who have lived among these mountains and rivers for thousands of years, well before the present culture of the Rogue Valley. Today, we began the Klamath story of Crater Lake, whose blue, tranquil waters rest within a crater formed from the fiery eruptions of lava and ash from the belly of Mount Mazama. May we all find tranquility and healing through the smoke and storms of these times. ~ Miss Benson

CLASS 5

We began Monday's lesson by acknowledging what a tremendous week this has been for everyone in our community. The 5th graders had little to say about their experience at this time, but they were quick to think of many people and groups that they could send letters of thanks to for all the help. Among the people they wish to thank are the Ashland Fire Department, the people that make N-95 masks, their parents, the leaders of the bike brigade that brought water to Talent, an aunt that is helping to distribute goods to those in need, and many others. We are also talking about the parts of the plant this week. Today one child said, "The trees are like big, natural air filters!" They are indeed, and we may add them to our list of things to be thankful for. We will continue to have a check in every morning to see how everyone is doing. The Dragonflies are eager to learn, discuss, and work-- it is a privilege to teach them each day. ~ Ms. Mahlstadt

CLASS 6

After being with the students for just two days over ZOOM, I have to say how utterly grateful I am that we have a system in place to connect with one another in such trying times. Today, I read a short story to the 6th Grade titled The Three Questions, written by Leo Tolstoy (author of War and Peace). The story depicts the quandary a king is in over finding the answers to three questions: What is the most important time to be doing something?, Who are the most important people to be with? What is the most important thing(s) to be doing? After an important experience with a hermit, the king learns that whomever you are with is the most important, whatever you are doing is the most important act, and the correct timing is always just right now. I witnessed a huge relief in the class after the story. There is so much happening all around us. Sometimes the simplest gesture, a smile, or a hello, can be the most important. Take good care everyone. We will get through this together.

All my best, ~ Ms. Franczak

CLASS 7

What times we are in... though I am so looking so forward to settling into a rhythm with the children at school, I am also grateful to be able to connect with the children through ZOOM. I consider it an honor to be in the children’s lives during this most challenging and remarkable time. I send you all, in our community and beyond, my deepest prayers for healing and peace. ~ Ms. Razi

CLASS 8

I can see the hills this morning. Just barely, but there they are, reminding me of the ground that doesn’t move inside... the still point of the storm. Most every 8th grader was able to join into ZOOM on Monday. It felt good and right to land together. We shared stories, feelings, and some were quiet. This is a moment where we all feel it in our way, some out helping with donation centers, some being internal and reflecting, some out helping friends… housing them, listening, being there. Turning to the gift of expression--writing, art, music, dance--- helps move the big feels. This week, we’ll focus on this moment and being with, contemplating, and expressing the parts asking to be noticed. Honoring the intensity and the beauty of it all. My heart goes to each one of you, those who have lost homes, have evacuated, all of us who have had this fire touch our lives in profound and forever changing ways. We are stronger together. ~ Ms.Tisdel

Welcome back, everyone! This year has proven to have so many twists and turns, and last week was yet another one of those moments. Over the summer, Aurilia and I discussed how I would have a new title because my position at the school has evolved from just Fundraising and Events. We landed on my new title being: Community Relations and Outreach Manager. Last week I put that title to great use! I am very thankful for everyone that volunteered during the Siskiyou School's Wildfire Relief effort. It was a fast and furious operation that helped many in our community. The Siskiyou School will also be hosting a Toy Drive in the winter for these families (and many others) that are in need. We will keep you posted.

Events

As with every school year, we are excited to move forward with our Events and Fundraising. Even during COVID times, we have found great ways to come together as a community, to celebrate the festivals we all love, and how to best support the school financially with full hearts. This year is no different. This summer, I connected with many Waldorf schools around the country to discuss ways to bring events to our community. We are working on our plans to host Michaelmas, WinterFaire, the Auction, Parent Socials, and much more. I am excited to take this opportunity to bring these events to life in a new way.

Fundraising

As many of you know, our former Director of Development, Trine Ostergaard moved to Denmark for this year with her family. With that change, I have taken on certain aspects of the Development position: Annual Giving, Fundraising (alongside the Board), the Newsletter for 2020-2021, and more as we move throughout the year.

Social Media Networks

I am also continuing with our social media platforms and weekly newsletters. Along with the Tuesday Notice and Friday Updates, we utilize our Website, Instagram, and Facebook as a means for our social networking and ways to send information.

Parent Pillar Program

Last year was our first year to start the Parent Pillar program. If you are interested in learning more or becoming a Parent Rep for your class, please email Lora at Lora.Wilde@siskiyouschool.org by Thursday of this week.

I am very excited about this year ahead of us. I am always open to new ideas and hearing from you. Please never hesitate to contact me.

Have a great week, ~ Lora

Below are a collection of GoFundMe’s that have been set up to directly help families who are directly associated with our school. We appreciate any donations in support of all these families.

Please see our website for additional information regarding the Almeda Wildfire.

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.

The Havurah Synagogue's Wisdom Garden school of Jewish education is now accepting registrations for the new year, which begins in our virtual classroom on Sunday, October 4. We are excited to announce two vibrant, young additions to our staff; Benji Elison who lives in Jerusalem Israel and is a Jewish educator, storyteller and musician, and Simone Barenfeld, a Jewish educator who lives in New York City. We will meet every other Sunday, from 10:30 – 11:30 AM starting with songs and prayers with our beloved, Rabbi David Zaslow. We'll have two classes: 4-6th graders and 7-9th graders. Our program culminates in a coming of age ritual - the Bar or Bat Mtizvah. Follow this link to learn about our teachers and our program. https://havurahshirhadash.org/wisdom-garden-school-opens-october-4/. Please contact Ayala Zonnenschein, Executive Director of the Havurah Synagogue with questions, for more info or to register.

"Tales of the Direwood" at Grizzly Peak Winery this Saturday & Sunday -Sept. 12 & 13. One hour time slots are from 1-4 pm. It is a fairy tale with similar themes to Shrek, Alice in Wonderland, and The Brothers Grimm. It will be a one hour walk through the winery grounds. Actors will be performing different fairy tales in various locations at the winery. The "Royal Family" price is $75. which includes parents or grandparents and children. $12 tickets for Students under 18 . Spencer Funk is the producer and he is an actor that grew up in the Rogue Valley. ~ Sent by Davis Wilkins

Stellar long-term HOUSE-SITTER or RENTER available! Local professional and personal references at your request. May we be a mutual blessing to each other at this time. Call Nicole at 541-778-9061.

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/