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Budget Outlook for 2015-16
Good news on the budget front. The Governor’s May revise proposes allocating increased funding to public schools. This should help us address some needs that we’ve been hoping to address for some time. No details are yet available on what the increase means in specific dollars for our school. We will keep you informed as soon as more information is available.
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Vaccinations in the News
SB 277, the bill that would require parents to vaccinate their children in order to attend school, passed the Senate last week. It still needs to pass the Assembly and be signed by the governor to become law. The bill, as it currently reads, would only allow unvaccinated children to attend homeschool or independent study. Students’ vaccination records would only be checked before entry to kindergarten and 7 th grade, so those are the grades that could feel immediate impact. We don’t know yet when the bill would go into effect if it passes the Assembly and is signed by the governor. For a recent news story, see:
http://www.scpr.org/news/2015/05/14/51688/calif-senate-passes-vaccination-bill-sb-277/
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Pledges for May and June Please!
Please remember your May and June pledges. Several classes are very close to meeting their fair share goal and winning the $250 incentive award from the Foundation for their class field trip fund (Dragonfly Kindergarten has already won that award). Another $250 can be won by reaching 100% class pledge participation. Thus far only 8th grade has reached that outstanding achievement. A little push by everyone at this time of the year really makes a big difference. Let’s make it happen!
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News from the third grade
As many of you know, the eighth grade has devoted many hours beautifying the garden space between the classrooms. Right in the center is an apple tree dedicated to grandparents. The third grade class contributed to this space by hand making cob bricks dedicated to their grandparents. They have now lovingly placed their bricks around the tree while sending good wishes and thoughts to their grandparents. Below is a description of the cob making process by third grade student, Satya.
The cob that my class and I made was made out of water, sand, clay, horse manure and hay. We made some paper hearts the week before and wrote our grandparents' name on them then we put them in our cob bricks. We labeled our cob bricks. And that is how we made bricks of cob.
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Mr. T Reports on Upper Grades Action in Recent Weeks:
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Class 7 survives and thrives in the Explorers' Challenge
Wandering blindly through a maze of twine, coming to the end, but not the end you're seeking and retracing your steps. Rescuing medicine from beyond a crevasse with only a rope, tree and a harness. Finding yourself on a sinking ship, only able to grab a few items important to your survival. Swiftly following an orienteering route with map and compass in hand in a race to recreate the journeys of Discovery Age explorer. These were among the challenges Friday, April 17th in which our school joined with Live Oak and San Francisco Waldorf. Students felt the isolation of a new land, new cultures, summoned forth strengths to band together into 8 nations, and compete for resources in a 4-way tug o war, footrace and knot-tying challenges. In particular, our students showed an admirable social maturity that put other students at ease, and we demonstrated command of serious skills! Leadership is a big asset of this group. Thank you for driving and/or assisting parents, and to Ms. Rivera for preparing them academically.
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Class 5 runs, throws, wrestles and leaps to great heights!
Friday, May 8th at Summerfield, Zeus, Athena and Apollo witnessed Ms. Prosser's class excel at the Summerfield Olympiad, bringing strength, grace, agility and beauty to their efforts. The gods smiled upon their singing of the Olympic hymn, taking of the Olympic Oath, and participation in field events. Drake and Lakemoon ran beautifully, carrying the Olympic torch to the temple. Students rose up to challenge the long jump, Greek wrestling, the javelin distance throw and discus, and the running events of the short and long run and the baton relay. Aside from being the farthest thrower or the fastest runner, there were so many SunRidge students who stood out as exceptionally graceful or who moved with beautiful fluidity. It is clear that these students applied a serious approach to their training time, and the results were evident to all those gathered. It was a remarkable day of movement, joy and reverence. Mr. T is very proud of this class’s accomplishments – the students were truly stellar to behold. A big thank you to parents for their help in judging the discus and supporting the event.
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Class 6 runs, jumps, jousts, tugs, fires, hurls, dances, and shines through all the mud at the 2015 Mayacamas Medieval Tournament!
Last Friday, May 15th at Sonoma Mountain Village, our Class 6 competed in many athletic contests to please the King and Queen. The Queen charged them to prove themselves to their shiremates by working together in playful challenges. Later the king charged them with athletic events, where they earned colored ribbons for their skillful efforts in archery, the hunter’s throw (w/javelin), rope jousting and sponge dueling, the steeplechase run, the catapults, slings and trebuchet, and the legendary shire vs. shire tug o’ war. So many of them were recognized as exceptional in their accomplishments at the shirebuilding and athletic events. During their lunchtime, squires from 7 schools entertained the gathered folk with Morris dancing (our school!), 2 sword dances, a pair of beautiful songs, and a recitation from the Canterbury Tales, among others. At the end of the day, the king and queen praised the students, conferring knighthood and accolades upon the gathered squires. It is a day that will long live in our memories. Hooray and Huzzah, Class 6! Lastly and most importantly, I want to truly appreciate Setter-Uppers Nick and Tara; Mud Pit Artist Gona, Hourglass Keeper Nell, Guides Shyama, Jane, and Guardian Lord Jensen, Cari (portraits), Jud, Laura and other parent volunteers; Ms. McKenzie for her brilliant tunic work; the incredible efforts of our King Arnold!; Curt who manned the siege engine station, and Ms. Dolly, who rode in on her white horse to fill an absence and lead Glamorgan to victory! Hip Hip Hooray!
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Next Project for Parent Handwork Group
Our Parent Handwork Group is moving on to another project: needle-felted Mother Earth and Autumn Fairies! While we enjoy the awakening of the root children, we are creating for the Falling Leaves Festival... Join, learn a craft, have some tea and meet other parents every week.
- When: Every Thursday, 9-10:30am
- Where: SunRidge Handwork Room
- Any skill level welcome; the more the merrier.
- Adults only please (babies in arms always welcome)
Crafting is not required, but highly encouraged and learning in a group setting could be a great way to get started.
We welcome donations of wool yarn and wool roving!
We would love to offer a Family Handwork Group one afternoon a month, where children, parents, and grandparents are welcome. Would you love to come? Please let us know! Catch Ms. McKenzie or Dorothée Buth (1st grade parent) in the hall or call Dorothée at 396-8329.
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Pledges received for
July-May 15:
$191,295
Current Pledge Participation Rate: 83%
Pledges pay for Teaching Assistants, kindergarten food supplies, and classes in Handwork, Eurythmy, Woodwork, Choir, Instrumental Music & More!
100% participation is our goal.
Please pledge at whatever level you can.
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Community Events
Free for first 2 Families: Permaculture Homestead Workshop this Saturday, May 23rd !
I have 2 gift certificates that I won at the SunRidge auction for a permaculture Homestead Workshop for families, this Sat. the 23rd from 9am to 12 noon at the Permaculture Skills Center. Unfortunately I mis-scheduled and now realize we, unfortunately, will not be able to go. I would love to donate these gift certificates to 2 families who would love to learn some permaculture skills! It sounds amazing, and the sting of not being able to go will be lessened by knowing I am passing it on to happy families.
Give me a call/ text or email if you would like to go, and we can coordinate getting the certificates to you before Saturday.
Jen & Scot Rothman: ScotRothman@gmail.com
hm phone 829-5609.
Why Steiner, Why Waldorf?
A lecture and conversation with Robert McDermott. Marin Waldorf school invites you to hear Robert McDermott, President Emeritus of the California Institute of Integral Studies, to speak on Steiner and his impulse for 'Waldorf education on Wednesday evening, June 3, 7:00-8:30. Great way to top off the year!
McDermott is know to be a lively and engaging presenter. His books include The Essential Aurobindo, The Bhagavad Gita and the West, American Philosophy and Rudolf Steiner, and The New Essential Steiner. He is a former president of the New York Center for Anthroposophy, the Rudolf Steiner Institute, and served on the council of the Anthroposophical Society of America. He has also recently taken a new position as co-director of the RSC San Francisco Teacher Education Program
This is a free event. Please RSVP to 415-479-8190. Marin Waldorf School: 755 Idylberry Rd. in San Rafael.
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CLASSIFIED
(We can list rentals, parents selling used items, free items, lost and found, or trades. With the exception of private, after-school care available for SunRidge students, we do not list for-profit business ads)
Rental Needed:
Hello. We are a new family to the SunRidge community. Leora is in first grade. We would love to find a rental in Sebastopol. We are envisioning 3 to 5 bedrooms, with a yard for a vegetable garden, near town, but out of town is okay as well. Please contact Karla at 485-2066 or Rob at 671-4335.
Thank you.
Summer Sublet Available
Spacious Sebastopol sublet available for up to 6 weeks in the heart of town is walking distance to parks, pool, Joe Rodota trail, library, groceries, and local shops. Fully furnished quiet location with bikes and vehicles available.
Are you seeking a home for extended family visiting this summer or taking a vacation? Maybe you're in transition and searching for your next home. Ideally for a family of up to 5 and available from June 14th until July 31.
Contact Sharon @ 408-455-7174.
Rental Needed
Dear friends- Looks like the Semolik/Risucci family is on the move. Please keep your ear to the ground for a lovely little house for rent, preferably in Sebastopol town with 3 bedrooms (or 2+ an extra space) and a yard! We would love the help of our community to find our next home. We would like to move ASAP! Thanks for keeping an eye out. Amber amberrisucci@gmail 310-309-0613.
Rental Needed
Long time SunRidge Family looking for a 2 bedroom home with a yard for growing veggies. We have 2 boys (6th and 2nd). We are hardworking long time residents of West County with long-term employment. We need housing by end of August, beginning of September 2015. Please contact Paula at (707) 217-5350 or by email pwoggy@yahoo.com
Rental Needed
Local Waldorf-raised husband and wife seeking rental. We are moving home to Sonoma County after graduate school to run the family business. A yard with room to grow vegetables is crucial for us, most other things flexible. We have two small and well-behaved dachshunds, and reliable income. We'll even make you homemade sourdough. Please contact Irene at ammar.irene@gmail.com or (707) 480-1567 if you have an opportunity for us.
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