Tuesday Notice

Dear Siskiyou School Parents,

How beautiful our Rogue Valley hills look all dressed in white snow - so wonderfully perfect for the Winter Solstice.

We started the week watching the 2nd grade in their Santa Lucia procession around campus. Like the snow, they were beautifully dressed in white, singing the traditional song led by Mrs. Archer and delivering sweet buns to all the children. What a gift!

Exciting little surprises are popping up on campus. The faculty, staff and all the children are engaging in “Secret Giving” for another person. Little gifts are being seen here and there as we appreciate each other in this time.

The stage is Pine Hall has become a theater set, as the 6th grade runs rehearsals and prepares to perform their play, “A Christmas Carol”, later this week.

On Friday classes 1-8 will gather on the wood chips to sing together, hear a story and wish each other a peaceful and light-filled winter break in our last assembly of the fall.

Dear Parents, please take a moment this week to sign the cards for your child’s teachers in gratitude for all they do for the children's wellbeing all year long. The cards are on the table out front each morning. I hope you will also feel drawn to making a contribution to the Gift Fund so teachers and staff can receive a little monetary gift as well as they go into the holidays. Please see more details below in the Office Section.

Have a wonderful week, Aurilia

This Week:

Thurs, Dec 16: 6th Grade play.

Fri, Dec 17: 6th Grade play.

Fri, Dec 17: Last day before Winter Break.

Looking Ahead:

Mon, Jan 3: School resumes.

Thank you to everyone that has had a moment to stop by the front of the school to sign the teacher and staff cards and to leave a token of appreciation. The tables are out front of the school where you can sit and sign your child’s teacher holiday cards. The tables will be out until Friday, December 17, at 12:00pm. If you would rather send your words of appreciation by email, please be in touch with Kristin; she will find a way to include them with the card. On the outside table, you will also find a brown Teacher and Staff Gift Fund envelope into which you can place a donation if you chose to do so, in the form of cash or a check. You may also click on the link below to make a donation online if you feel inclined. All donations into the Gift Fund remain anonymous.

On the last day before winter break, usually at the holiday faculty gathering, teachers and staff will receive the envelope with their cards and a proportional share of what was contributed by you all into the gift fund. Teachers usually wait to open their envelopes at home, once they can sit quietly and be able to fully receive your words.

This school tradition dates from 2006, our first as a school on this campus. Some parents came to then administrator Catherine Razi to ask what would be the best way to show their gratitude during the holiday time, not only to their child’s class teacher but to all who support their children’s experience at the school. So it was that the Holiday Gift Card and Fund idea was born, and so it has continued year after year. Unfailingly, receiving grateful words from parents is a highlight moment for the staff each year, and of course a gift of cash is super appreciated as well during the holiday season.

With gratitude and light-filled wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season, Aurilia

2021-2022 Parent Handbooks have been delivered to the classrooms and will be coming home with students this week. Your oldest child at the school will be given them to give to you. You can also view the Parent Handbook by using the link below.

We follow the Ashland School District’s lead on calling snow days. If the ASD calls a snow day or a late start, we also have a snow day and/or a late start. Check for their snow-day announcements on the Ashland School District website www.ashland.k12.or.us., usually by 6:00 am. Exception: As Fridays are always half days for us, when the District calls a two-hour late start on a Friday, we do not have school at all. If it’s a one-hour late start, we do have school. On late-start days we adjust the day’s schedule to ensure that the children get main lesson. The school sends out an email with the day’s schedule early in the morning to all parents.

Middle School parents, if your child loves trivia is interested in being part of the Siskiyou School Brain Bowl team, please email coach Kristin Beers at kristin.beers@siskiyouschool.org.

Practices will be one hour after school, once weekly, day to be determined. Matches take place during the school day (probably at lunch), once a week from Jan through Feb. Brain Bowl students are required to keep up with their school work, making up any material missed due to matches. Team members are also asked to do some studying on their own time. All that said, it’s so much fun! Our students travel to different schools, learn a LOT, and have a great time being part of the team!

Brain Bowl is an international competition hosted through SOU Youth Programs. The Siskiyou School Team compete with middle schools in the valley and are current Division B Champions! For more information see their page HERE or watch the 2019 competition HERE.

Happy Holidays to all of you. With gratitude to so many, we have made it to winter break, what an accomplishment! It is through our collective effort that we have kept the children healthy, happy, and in the classroom. The first grade children have been busy working in their main lessons books, drawing, and painting. They have learned all their consonant letters and are currently learning the vowels. The vowels are brought in a very special and intentional way. Through the stories of the “Wise Sophia” they have been given the keys to reading and writing, the vowels. Each one is a special gift. This week we will wrap up the vowel block by making the shapes of the upper case vowels with gingerbread. As we dive into the world of language I’m grateful to have Aurelia come several days this week to share eurythmy movements with the children. To move to the sounds of the vowels with their whole body and connect to each vowel through experiencing a mood and gesture will be a gift.

I have enjoyed seeing the progression of the children’s work. In music, they are joyfully singing all the songs of the season. They are all learning to knit in handwork and playing fun games together in Chinese. In ACORN they are engaged with healthy seasonal outdoor experiences. The children enjoyed walking the “Spiral of Light”, as they quietly took one step at a time to the center to receive their candlelight. It was a magical time indeed accompanied by the live harp playing by Ms. McKissick. The children fully integrated this experience through form drawing, painting and molding one from beeswax. With wishes for a magical season. ~ Ms. Tourzan

The second grade has been sharing seasonal stories and taking note of the shorter days and wonder that comes when we share our inner light with the world. St. Nicholas and Santa Lucia both shared so kindly and the children have been able to experience both. Just after their walk through the advent spiral, the second graders returned to their classroom to find an offering of oranges and walnuts which are traditional St. Nicholas Day treats. On Monday, they not only shared saffron Santa Lucia buns with the whole school, but they did so, dressed in shining white, while carrying tapered candles and singing a beautiful song. These stories and offerings made their way into our Main Lesson book work to finish this language arts block.~ Mr. Criswell

Thank you, parents and students for a wonderful first half of the school year! It has been so great being with the whole class again. The third-grade curriculum has been so fun. We learned about measurement, weight, time, money, creation stories from the Old Testament and Native American cultures, Jewish holidays, times tables, and we performed a wonderful play! Happy winter break, wonderful Raven Class. See you next year! ~ Mr. Alvarez

Fourth grade is presently in our first zoology block. What a magical bridge to the life sciences it has been! We began by studying the essence of all of the kingdoms of life on earth-- mineral, plant, animal and human. Our studies aligned beautifully with the celebration of Advent in our classroom. Next, we examined the three-fold nature of the human being through stories and movement exercises, comparing and contrasting with the other kingdoms of life. Finally, we are exploring the animal world, beginning with some invertebrates such as cuttlefish and octopuses. The children are learning to observe deeply and ponder these creatures in the context of their environment and their physiological specialization. Overall, a sense of profound wonder and curiosity for life on earth is taking hold in them. Blessings on all your winter holidays, everyone! ~ Mrs. Martin

Having traveled through ancient India, Mesopotamia, and now Egypt, the Forest Class is coming to a close on our first Ancient Civilizations block. We wrap up our 2020 with lessons and class celebrations as we look forward to a well-deserved Winter Break. On behalf of the Foresters, may you all enjoy the warm company of family in joy and merriment! ~ Miss Benson

Pine Hall is filling with costumes, garlands, lights, props... among them a large gravestone of Ebenezer Scrooge. A Christmas Carol will come to life, 6th grade style, Thursday evening for families of the class at 6:30pm and on Friday at a couple different times for the school. I'm always amazed at the momentum it takes, the growth that happens, and the magic that arrives to bring it all to life. It truly takes a village, a brilliant director such as Eve Smyth, and small miracles along the way: a Scrooge and Marley sign with gorgeous script and design, an amazing gravestone, or a family heirloom of a writing table perfect for Scrooge's desk loaned for this moment. Thank you to all who have stepped up to help and for the costume pieces being brought in along the way. These performances will be a great way to send us off into our Winter Break! Many blessings to a rejuvenating couple weeks and Happy New Year! ~ Ms. Tisdel

In the seventh grade we have been studying the diverse continent of Africa and the people and cultures within. As this block come to an end, we appreciate the different cultures and scenes throughout Africa. In a couple days we will begin presenting our Africa projects, which we have worked on throughout the entire block.

Happy holidays from our classroom to yours! ~ Ms. Franczak

It’s ELECTRIC in 8th Grade! From lemons lighting lightbulbs to batteries powering mini-motors, the 8th Graders are deep in their study of electricity. Science is fun!!!!

I hope the coming winter break is wonderful for each and every one of you. Let us breath deeply and follow even the smallest sparks of joy, wherever we find them! I wish you all many blessings on the coming new year. ~ Ms. Razi

This year is similar to other years in that we start working through the Games curriculum as the weather allows. Even though the children are in masks and are socially distant during mask breaks, they are genuinely happy to play together. Eighth grade has been playing the games they’ve learned previously, such as ultimate Frisbee, football, kickball, dodgeball, handball, and tag games. Seventh grade completed a block of ultimate Frisbee and is now doing a soccer and football block. Ms. Harmony Oltman is my super helpful assistant for many of my classes. She helps me by co-teaching some of the blocks in seventh grade. Sixth Grade learned archery and are now learning the game of kickball. Additionally, the middle school had the opportunity to learn lacrosse from SOU's former coach, Mark Brown. With Mr. Alvarez's help, the fifth grade learned how to run a relay, pass a baton, and throw a javelin. Thank you, Ms. Harmony and Mr. Alvarez! The fourth-grade curriculum contrasts between cooperative activities and their first lightly competitive pre-sport games. Third grade is working on mastering the stilts. Second grade especially loves all the holiday games that we play. I am grateful to my assistant, Ali Kau, for helping me with the second grade. The younger grades all continue to play the games of childhood that ensure healthy bodies and positive social interactions. It’s a busy and fun fall so far! ~ Ms. Glatte

The Ohana Program (our educational support classroom) is currently serving 24 children in grades 2-5. We are so happy to be able to have our four days a week in person this year. The children are thriving and strengthening their skills through integrative movement, extra support with Village Reading, and writing their own creative stories, which they will be reading to the younger students when completed.

The Ohana 5 children are getting ready to graduate from the program and are all now reading at grade level. We are finishing our time reading the book My Side of the Mountain in our literature block and journaling reading responses from this well-loved story. It is a joy and an honor to work with these creative, bright children. ~ Ms. Gallwey

While I usually touch on every grade in my Tuesday Notice entry, today I am just going to talk about all the fun we are having in Grade One. As of this week, all of the children have finished their horse reins. The horse reins are made from the practice knitting that the children make when they learn to knit. It is such a fun moment for everyone when the reins are presented in the front of the room. The recipient becomes the horse, I become the rider, and the other children cheer us on. Some days I am out on a solo ride with one mighty fine steed, other days I have an energetic pair of horses. And there are even days when I have a full-on exuberant team of four to six horses! We trot towards the back of the room, around the last row of desks, and out the door at a full tilt gallop with the bystanders (children at their desks) urging us on! It is an exhilarating moment in my day and the children absolutely love to see me being pulled out the door! Now we are on to flute cases, tooth fairy pillows, and teddy bears. Knitting with the first graders is such a pleasure, and they have all become wonderful knitters. A special thanks to my helpers: Kelle Lovett (mom of Cate in 6th & Ella, a Siskiyou School alumnus in high school), Courtney Stiemert (mom of Siskiyou School alumnus Bryce), and Tracy Charlesworth-John (class assistant and mom of two Siskiyou School alumni). ~ Ms. Bower

The enthusiasm and joy with which grades 1, 2, and 3 embrace singing, even with masks and distancing often brings tears to my eyes. Throughout the fall and into this holiday time we have had much fun and active work as 2nd and 3rd graders grow and polish their skills on the flute in the Glendale tent.

Recorder practice with half of the class, while Mr Cord sings songs with the others has also been successful for 4th and 5th graders. They are enjoying making requests from our holiday songbooks.

The 6th grade took a deep dive into rhythm notation, improvising on xylophones, and now are feeling inspired by 2 and 3 part harmony singing. It has been a gift to have Mr. cord in the classroom with us to help with those harmonies!

While the 8th grade finished their first music block in October with the study of Early American Music and Drumming with Adam Richardson, the 7th grade music block about African Music is concluding this week. They have all gotten a good dose of drumming and African music culture.

There is so much willingness and satisfaction in all of our music classes! ~ Mrs. Archer

Future Siskiyou family seeks care for our fun 4 year old son over the winter holiday weeks. 8:00-1:00 Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-31. Mom will be working from home so it could be a great fit for a young person. We are low-tech and love imaginative play and exploring outdoors. Any ideas are greatly appreciated! You can reach Amanda at 831-420-7156 or plotsky13@gmail.com.

Is your family coming for the holidays or are you perhaps looking for a temporary change of scenery? We are looking for someone to stay at our sweet home just south of Ashland for winter break. We have some chickens that are still laying eggs, a cat and a hamster that require minimal care and some love. Thanks so much for passing on the word, we are happy to answer any questions at helaine.alon@gmail.com.

In celebration of the holidays, The Collaborative Theatre Project presents The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Performances run from November 26th to January 2nd. (Performances feature Siskiyou School students Lilly and Maddie Dominguez). For tickets and information, please contact The Collaborative Theatre Project, Online: ctpmedford.org, Box Office: (541) 779-1055.

Could your adolescent use more connection, support, and guidance? As a trained mindfulness educator, I provide a safe space to explore emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, while learning new tools and ways of looking at situations through the lens of mindfulness.

Examples of activities: Appreciation for nature, Art activities, Mindful movement, Tools to help with emotions, The importance of the “pause”, Journaling practice, Developing a gratitude practice, Practice using all five senses, Mindful meals, Think outside the box

Where: Held at my private residence located in central Ashland

When: December 7, 2021 – January 27, 2022 / Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Cost: $160 - $240 (based on group size)

*Register by November 23 for a 10% discount

Contact for questions: Sabina Starr (Zobel) 541-951-4373. n8tzmom@yahoo.com

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/