Tuesday Notice

Today, the Butterfly Class brought in their shelter projects to share with their classmates and the school. After studying many shelters from around the world and how the people used the resources from their environment to build them, the children studied and created a replica of one such shelter. The Siskiyou School is built around such projects and rites-of-passage, providing children with a sense of personal growth and connection to their broader community. Children feel confident as they remember the projects and presentations brought in by classes before them and pride in their own accomplishment as they too successfully mark off another chapter of their Siskiyou School journey.

The Blue Heron Class, 5th grade, explored the vernal pools in an oak savanna preserve in Central Point with Southern Oregon Land Conservancy today! They discovered that walking very slowly through deep puddles with an observant gaze yields many surprises including tree frog eggs and fairy shrimp. A big thank you to guides Tara Laidlaw and Lyndia Hammer.

This Week:

8th Grade Projects Continue, see schedule below for details.

Wed, Mar 15: School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm.

Thurs, Mar 16: Ashland High School counselors visit 8th Grade, 11:00 - 12:00 pm.

Thurs, Mar 16: 8th Grade Project Open House, Pine Hall, 6:00 pm.

Mon, Mar 20: Spring Break begins!

Looking Ahead:

Mon, April 3: Return to school after Spring Break.

Wed, April 12: Main Lesson Tour, 8:30 am. All are welcome!

Wed, April 12: Parent Enrichment: Supporting the "Tween" with Karen O'Doherty

Dear Siskiyou School Parents,

As the white snowflakes dance silently through the air and settle to lovingly nourish the earth, I listen to all the wonderful sounds on campus and give thanks for our wonderful school!

What a full and rich week: 8th grade projects, 3rd grade shelter projects, 5th grade field trip – just to name a few. As always, much gratitude to all the teachers for bringing all the aspects of the curriculum to life and for supporting each and every student in their own way.

RE-ENROLLMENT FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 2023-24: This Friday re-enrollment packets will go home with the children. Kristin will send an email with more details on Friday – you will be able to fill out the forms online and even pay the fee on our website. Look for that on Friday.

SPRING BREAK: I hope everyone will have a restful, rejuvenating and relaxing break with lots of time out in nature, books to read and connection time with friends and family. I’m very excited for the break as my son will be coming to visit us from Pittsburgh.

SAVE THE DATE for the AUCTION 2023: We are so, so excited for the auction on Saturday, April 29th, and we hope to see you all there. It will be such a fun party – and we sure could all use a great evening event that will uplift all our spirits, create connection and raise money for the school at the same time.

St. Patrick's Day is on Friday. With this beautiful Irish Blessing I send best wishes from my heart to yours. ~ Aurilia

At the beginning of second semester, I was tasked with the Health Coordinator position here at the school. Sarah Collins had done an amazing job during a difficult season of testing, tracking, and keeping us all healthy, but with the ever-changing county requirements, our school has needed to adapt as well.

I’ve been calling some of you when your students are absent to see if they are ill or not. Ideally, whenever your student misses school, a parent would call the school any time, day or night, press ext.14, and leave a message about ANY reason for your child’s absence. If it’s illness related, please give specific symptoms. (i.e. “This is Jenny James, Noah is going to miss school on March 7th due to a headache and sore throat” or “This is Phyllis Cooley, Lux is going to be absent March 7th because Grandma is in town”) This would save a lot of time on my end, only following up with illness-related information.

If your student is out for multiple days with the same illness, there is no need to keep calling in, unless the symptoms change or you see a medical professional and have test results or diagnoses. We keep track of the illness-related information and it is my job to notify the county if we see more than 20% of any one class out at any one time, which could indicate an outbreak (not necessarily Covid). We also want to be a help to any family who needs it; we can help organize homework for students in the upper grades or give advice about when your student can return. Please review the school health policy and if you have additional questions, please feel free to call me at the school, ext.47. https://www.siskiyouschool.org/healthandwellnesspolicy

Since January, I have called the Jackson County Health Department three separate times to notify them of classes that had 20% or more of the students gone for illness. We have also had 3 different students test positive for Covid; two in February in the 4th grade and one in March in the 3rd grade. Again, if you have any health concerns about your child or their attendance, or any questions regarding the health of persons in our school, please call me at the extension above. I will always keep personal information out of the statistics and trends.

Thanks so much,

Ms. James

This past Saturday the Oregon Battle of the Books regional competition was held at Helman School. There were 18 teams present, representing 18 surrounding schools. The Siskiyou Schools own “My Favorite Team” composed of Wyatt, Orin, Ita, Issa and Lila, all from the Raven class, battled on behalf of the Siskiyou School. These five kiddos rocked it. They placed 5th out of 18 teams in the pool battle for the mornings battle, this placing based on points scored. And, even though they tried their hardest when battling in the sweet sixteen bracket in the afternoon, they sadly lost that battle which meant they didn’t get to move on. We are so proud of each of them. Their knowledge and commitment was astounding. Their team spirit was infectious. And it was so wonderful to come together with kids from other schools and represent our School community.

Our 6th grade team “The Moishka's” will be battling this Saturday in Rogue River for the 6th-8th grade division. Max, Dunya, Alana, Alex and Azie, all from 6th grade make up this team. Be sure and wish them luck if you see them this week!

Look for signups next school year to get your child on a team for this amazing state wide reading program!

Siskiyou School founding parent and Body Basics and Beyond founder, director, and teacher, Karen O’Dougherty, will talk about the rocky seas of the early teen years. As children turn 11 years old, they are leaving childhood and embarking on the rocky seas of the teen years. As many changes are at play so are creativity, passionate thinking, and social networking.

The Main Lesson Tour is an amazing opportunity to peek into the heart of our school day during the Main Lesson time with Class Teachers and their students. You’ll have a short introduction to the school, followed by the tour through the classrooms, and finishing with a time for questions.

If you missed Nina's talk last Wednesday, we're happy to offer you a recorded version of her presentation online at the link below.

At this year's auction each guest will have a seat at a table. However, some tables are smaller and are located far from the stage. There are six premium tables available for purchase! These tables seat eight and are located in the first or second row next to the stage.

When you purchase your tickets, you can add the premium table, then invite your friends to sit with you! Tickets must be purchased separately and are not included in the price of the table.

Tickets include: food (light dinner fare), desserts, one adult beverage and a live performance by Malinka World Music Collective.

The Butterfly Class has been learning about shelters. We began by considering that a breezeway, tree, and even an umbrella can be a shelter from during a rainstorm. We then realized, that just like our own homes, those shelters would only be truly helpful in certain conditions. People throughout the world, in different climates, and with varying resources have found ways to make shelters that suit their lifestyle, setting, and weather conditions perfectly. In this course of study, the children of the third grade not only awaken to the fact that our livelihood is shaped by how we interact with the conditions of our place on the earth, but also that each culture has in common the ability to adapt to their specific setting.

In this time the children have their chance to make their own 3rd grade shelter project. This is the first formal project of many that the children will create during their time at the Siskiyou School. With this project, students, with help from their families, have the chance to learn together, create a model shelter, draft a written report, and offer an oral presentation to their classmates.

It has been an exciting for our class to watch 8th grade projects the last two weeks, as they prepare to present their shelter project.

Mr. Criswell

This week in main lesson, the 8th grade has been learning about the history of the LGBTQ movement and the progress that has been made to ensure the freedoms and liberties of all people identifying in that community. This segment follows our study of women, African Americans, Native Americans, and AAPI fighting for their rights in the context of our All People Created Equal block, a crucial component to the 8th grade curriculum. Hearing stories from the groups that have found their power and their voice is inspiring for young people, resonating with their need for finding their own voices.

Of course, most exciting of all in this time is the 8th grade projects. Each and every student has risen beautifully. Please join us for the remaining presentations.

Warmly, Ms. Franczak

Ann Bass has openings for beginning and intermediate level piano students. She is a former Siskiyou School parent, and has been teaching, performing, musical directing, and conducting in the Rogue Valley for over 30 years (Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Oregon Cabaret Theater, Southern Oregon Repertory Singers, Rogue Music Theater). Ann has a B.A. in Voice Performance and a diverse music and theater background, which are reflected in her energetic, individualized approach to teaching.

Call Ann Bass at 541–482–0617, or email at ratherbewalkingnow@yahoo.com for information and a free consultation.

I have 20 yrs experience working with children in various environments, mostly as a nanny. Currently my schedule is wide open for the right fit, which includes having my 2 yr old daughter in tow. Local references available upon request. I'd love to make your life easier. Let me know how I can help. -Deborah Mink (310) 980-9917. deborahmink@gmail.com

Looking for a fun Friday activity?

** Miss/Coach Tracy with FlipSide is offering a couple “pop up” Tumbling and Gymnastics classes at Levity on Fridays! Beginner 1 & 2 basics at 2:30 (ages 7-9) and Intermediates / older beginners at 3:30 (ages 9-12). 4 week session begins April 7- April 28. **

Summer Adventure Camps are also enrolling:

•Girl Power Self defense & adventure (rising 5th-9th);

• Girls Coastal adventure (rising 7th-9th);

• Teen Coastal Adventure (rising 9th-12th), and coming soon,

• Creative Service and Adventure (rising 4th-8th).

** Looking for support and connection and fun for your middle schooler? Our Siskiyou Girls Circle starts our Spring Session in April and we have 1 spots in our Maple Circle (current 6/7th grade) and 2 in our Cedar Circle (current 8th only). To get more info or sign up check us out online, (space is limited): www.FlipSideAshland.com

Mindful Earth Farm is grateful to share "Bio-Resonance and the Evolution of Biodynamic Farming",

a half day lecture and hand-on workshop on March 18th, 10 am - 3pm @ 513 Carter Lane, Ashland.

For farmers or gardeners who have yet to witness the alchemy of terrestrial and cosmic forces working together to crystallize cow dung into a magical garden superfood that softens clay soil, encourages plant vigor and reduces pest impact, this half-day workshop will be a delightful experience that may allow you to reconsider purchasing expensive amendments, fertilizers and pest management supplies for your garden.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1235282967341424/?ref=newsfeed

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bio-resonance-and-the-evolution-of-biodynamic-farming-tickets-565853913287

or call Tenasi at 530-264-6554 for information

You are invited to a Listening Session with state rep Pam Marsh Saturday, March 18th, 2 pm (coming down from Salem) hosted by the local chapter of the AAUW for a bill into legislature for an Early Childhood Family Voucher to encourage and promote ethnic and socio-economic diversity and increase access to Waldorf EC programs, specifically, to give families a choice of the kind of EC programs they would like their child to attend. We need to show up in numbers, regardless if we benefit from this directly. This is our chance to self advocate for our families and for other families for the future of our children. Please see flyer for details.

Thank you,

Ruth Cohen, MA.ed

Olive Tree Preschool, Dir.

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/