Tuesday Notice

Dear Siskiyou School Parents,

Seeing the campus bustling with happy, vibrant, playing 6-14-year-old children has always been a heartwarming sight, but Covid times have made us extra appreciative of...normalcy. We feel gratitude every day for these warmer, sunny days and the simple joys of being together as a school community on our beautiful campus.

During main lesson, a walk along the walkway reminds us of the breadth of the 1-8 curriculum. Snippets of lessons waft into the courtyard, with talk of acids and bases from the 8th grade chemistry, the mechanical advantages of simple machines from 7th grade physics, the epicness of the Roman Empire at its height from 6th, the brilliance of the decimal system from 5th, the wealth Native American cultures from 4th, the resourcefulness shelter building brings out in humans and animals across the globe and through the ages from 3rd, how math is everywhere we turn and how many ways there are to make sense of it from 2nd grade, and from 1st grade, how the four math gnomes, between them, can solve just about any problem. Wonderful, fun, important learning across the grades!

This week marks the last of our Chinese lessons from Jennifer Carroll for grades 1-5 for the year. In our second semester the lower grades will switch to Spanish with Victoria Lawton-Diez, starting next week. Ms. Carroll will offer occasional enrichment lessons through the spring to grades 1-5, as possible with scheduling. The children will resume twice-weekly Chinese next fall. We are so, so fortunate to be able to offer our students both languages, and we express deep thanks to Ms. Carroll for what she has brought our students this year and for the past 17 years!

Yesterday I was perusing Waldorf Today, a publication about Waldorf world happenings across the globe, including updates about schools, announcements about Waldorf trainings, art workshops, etc. In this issue they featured a tiny new Waldorf school in India, called the Darbari Waldorf school. They have about 40 students in their school out in the desert. It is amazing how much that little school is managing to do with so little, just out of the sheer determination of its founders to bring this education to their children. It reminded me of the pioneer spirit in which this school was founded and how lucky our current students are that we are where we are in our journey as a school. To read more about that new initiative, go to https://mailchi.mp/waldorfteachers/waldorf-today-draft-only-issue-2456699?e=6866304eee.

Re Covid...as you are probably aware, COVID guidelines are currently changing all the time If you have questions or concerns related to school protocols, we encourage you to reach out to our new Health Coordinator, Sarah Collins. You can reach her by phone at 541-214-7015 or at sarah.collins@siskiyouschool.org Sarah is in touch with ODE and Jackson County Health almost every day gathering the latest information. She then shares it with the COVID committee, who, after discussion, brings the changes and information back to the faculty to implement on campus. She will be happy to answer your questions. We will no longer be providing regular updates through the Tuesday Notice.

May everyone find moments in the sunshine filled with peace and rest. My best, Aurilia

This Week:

Wed, Jan 26: Board Meeting

Next Week:

Mon, Jan 31: Second semester begins.

Mon, Jan 31: Parent Evening for class 5. Zoom, 6:30pm.

Looking Ahead:

Thurs, Feb 17: No School - Parent-Teacher Conferences

Fri, Feb 18: No School - Parent-Teacher Conferences

Looking for a Reading Helper for 4th grade: We are looking for a reading helper for 4th grade on Tuesday/Thursday from 1:20-2:05 for the spring semester. If you are interested, please email Aurilia at Aurilia.mcnamara@siskiyouschool.org . Thank you for considering!

We’re looking for a parent to make the planters that flank our front doors look cheery and welcoming. If you’re interested in planting and watering the two tall yellow planters, please let the office know, Kristin.beers@siskiyouschool.org or 541-482-8223. Thank you!

There are six ski rental businesses in a certain mountain town. What is the term for the rivalry between these businesses in striving to serve the same customer?

Our 2021-2022 Brain Bowl team is off to an amazing start. Our score topped that of our opposing team of the week and we were only 3 points away from having the overall best score of the week. Go team! The Siskiyou School Brain Bowl team this year is (Class 8) Ben Bass, Cicily Lehmann, Juliette Gunn, James Beers, Wynter Marks-Ladd, (Class 7) Ben Levin, Django Garber, Henry DesCamp, Luke Oliva, Lilly Dominguez, Kaiya Speier, (Class 6) Django Mebane, Luke Beers, Maceo Keefe, Nova Ray Watson, Rye Cooley.

Help support the 8th Grade with their fundraising for their end of the year trip, while at the same time warming the heart of a friend or a loved one. Forms are now available and orders will be available until Wednesday, February 9th. The cost is $20 which includes a friend or loved one being serenaded to on Valentine’s Day and receiving a card and a bar of chocolate. This is an annual tradition for the 8th grade class and our community, and you can really make someone’s day!

Second Semester begins January 31st. Hot Lunch forms are here and in the front hallway for Falafel Tuesday and Pizza Wednesday. If you’re not sure your child is signed up for the full year of lunches, just email Kristin.Beers@siskiyouschool.org. Thank you for supporting the 8th grade trip!

There has been a long tradition of parents providing faculty lunches at the Siskiyou School. Jennifer Holtzman-Maslow, a parent of 3 alumni, gifted this to the faculty for many years and we are happy to keep the tradition alive!

Our goal is to provide this every Wednesday throughout the rest of the school year. Please consider signing up through the link below. Feel free to partner with another parent if that works best for you. There is information about what to provide for lunch in the link. Thank you so much for considering!

We are very excited to announce that our second annual Read-A-Thon launches this month! Next week you will receive the necessary paperwork to make certain that you and your child/ren are ready for this fun and exciting FUN-draiser. The Read-A-Thon made nearly $30,000 last year!

***Please note that students will come home with a hard copy packet with all the information regarding the Read-A-Thon this week. Due to an unforeseen illness, the packets have been delayed. In the meantime, please see the digital version of the paperwork. ***

The Read-A-Thon is a fundraiser and a great way to engage and encourage children in reading (with and without their parents). The fundraising can happen either online, in-person, or both. You will receive sample letters that you can send to family and friends, the online campaign can be shared via social media, there's an easy link to share, and so much more!

Read-A-Thon Important Dates:

• January 21-February 25: Read-A-Thon Fundraising
  
• February 18-25: Read-A-Thon Reading

You can learn more about the Read-A-Thon works, along with all the fundraising details below. For easy access, you can access your class fundraising links below. These links can be sent to Friends & Family, via social media, text, email, etc. As a reminder, the ask is for your student to be "sponsored" to read for the Read-A-Thon. You do not need to collect money after they read.

Each class has its own class fundraising link with class-specific sample letters:

• Class 1- Ms. Tourzan Fundraising Page & Sample Letter
  

• Class 2 - Mr. Criswell Fundraising Page & Sample Letter
  

• Class 3 - Raven - Fundraising Page & Sample Letter
  

• Class 4 - Blue Heron - Fundraising Page & Sample Letter
  

• Class 5 - Forest- Fundraising Page & Sample Letter
  

• Class 6 - Dragonfly - Fundraising Page & Sample Letter
  

• Class 7- Hummingbird - Fundraising Page & Sample Letter
  

• Class 8 - Dolphin - Fundraising Page & Sample Letter
  

If you would like to donate to the general fundraising page, you can do so HERE.

Need Help with Online Fundraising? Please see the Online Fundraising Tutorial Here.

If you have any questions, please contact Lora in the office via email: lora.wilde@siskiyouschool.org or phone: 541-613-1146.

The 3rd grade is learning about traditional shelters from around the world. The shelters are a reflection of the climate, topography, and culture of our diverse world. Students heard stories, drew pictures, and wrote sentences about different shelters. So far they have learned about igloos, teepees, adobe homes, and yurts. The students will also make a model shelter and give a presentation to the class about their project. This is certainly one of the highlights of the Siskiyou School years!

~ Mr. Alvarez

In 8th Grade we have been studying Chemistry. From the Periodic Table to combustion and acids and bases, we have been busy in Main Lesson! The 8th Graders are also preparing many songs for the upcoming “Singing Valentine” event. Singing Valentines is a tradition here at the Siskiyou School. It was started by Mrs. Archer about 20 years ago! The 8th Graders learn some wonderful songs, people buy a “Singing Valentine” for a friend or loved one, and the 8th Graders set out into the world, on Valentine's Day, to deliver a handmade card and a live performance. It is very exciting. Please consider buying a valentine for your child’s class teacher!!! In this way, sometime on Valentine's Day, 8th Graders will surprise the class with a song! Such fun! We will also have a digital option! All proceeds go to our 8th Grade trip. Thanks in advance for your support. Have a wonderful week, everyone. ~ Ms. Razi

If your child is feeling unwell or has any of the symptoms listed below, please keep them home and notify the office as soon as possible. Our Health Coordinator will assess each case and determine the next steps necessary for return to school.

If your child has any cold symptoms (including cough, shortness of breath, chills, fatigue, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, headache or fever) please also keep the child's sibling(s) home and contact the office promptly. It is possible the child's sibling (s) may still attend school, however, in an effort to limit disruption to in-person learning for the class, our Health Coordinator will assess and advise on the next appropriate steps.

SYMPTOMS OF CONCERN:

• Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
  

• Loss of taste or smell

• Cough or difficulty breathing

• Shortness of breath or fatigue

• Headache

• Chills

• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Shaking or exaggerated shivering
  
• Significant muscle pain or aches
  
• Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
  

Please contact our Health Coordinator, Sarah Collins, at 541-214-7015 or by email Sarah.Collins@siskiyouschool.org.

Aurilia’s mother is coming to visit from Germany. She is looking for a vacation rental for her from 2/11-2/24. Please email Aurilia at Aurilia.mcnamara@siskiyouschool.org if you have any leads. Thank you so much!

A first grade parent is announcing a 3 bedroom townhome for sale. The Townhome is located at 1221 Calypso Court. It's a 3 Bedroom Townhouse for sale, offered at $395,000.

HOME FEATURES:1472 sq. ft. open floorplan, utility room, in a co-housing community. The house is located in a co-housing neighborhood where people share resources and make decisions collectively. It is within easy walking distance to Garfield Park, North Mountain Park, several schools, and the Rogue Valley Growers Market. There are various common areas for community members including a grass lawn, kids play structure, outdoor gas fireplace, and a large patio, great for group gatherings.

Fieldguides Outdoor Education is offering a three-night Spring Break backpacking trip in Point Reyes National Park (bay area) for 11-17 year olds. Transportation to/from Ashland is provided.

https://www.fieldguides.org/spring-break-trips.html

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/