Weekly Bulletin

October 5, 2016
School will be closed Friday, October 7th and Monday, October 10th!
IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE:
  • Events Calendar
  • Student Pick Up Reminder
  • After School Playground Use –Take Two!
  • No Orchestra on Thursday 10/13
  • Parent Education Committee (PEC) Meeting October 12th!
  • Library Needs
  • SunRidge Diversity Group Meeting
  • Parent/Teacher Conferences Coming Up!
  • Attendance and Tardies
  • Festival of Courage
  • One Month Until Falling Leaves Festival!
  • Boys' Basketball Needs Coach
  • Handwork Thank Yous
  • Election Talk
  • New Phone Directory
  • Your Child's Brain on Video Games
  • News from Credo High School
  • Learning Math
  • Cyberwise Tips!
  • Classified and Community Events 
  • Community Events
  • Classified
CALENDAR

Friday, October 7th: School Closed
 

Monday, October 10th: Indigenous People’s Day –School Closed
 

Wednesday, October 12th: Make-up Picture Day
 

Wednesday, October 12th: Parent Education Committee Meeting

8:45-9:45am (Faculty Lounge)
 

Wednesday, October 12th: 3rd, 4th & 5th Grades Combined

Meeting 6:15pm

Thursday, October 13th: No Orchestra
 

Friday, October 14th: Parent Handwork Group 8:30-10:30am in

Handwork Room
 

Wednesday, October 17th: SunRidge Diversity Group Meeting 8:45-

10:45am (music room)
 

Wednesday, October 19th: Kindergarten Parent Evening 6:30-

8:30pm
 

Thursday, October 20th: 8th Grade Parent Evening
 

Monday, October 24th- Friday, October 28th: 7th Grade Field Trip

to Ashland
 

Friday, October 28th: SunRidge Foundation Meeting 9am in Library
 

Monday, October 31st: K-8 Parent Conferences –School Closed
 
Events Calendar
Our events calendar has been finalized. Pick up a copy outside the office (in the pocket that says school calendar) or click here to download a copy from our website, and mark your calendars with all the wonderful events we have coming up!
Student Pick Up Reminder
Students in grades 1-8 are to be picked up in back where supervision is offered. Please do not have your child(ren) wait for pick up on playground unsupervised. Thank you for your cooperation with this!
After School Playground Use –Take Two!
We received many responses to our article in last week’s newsletter regarding after school playground use. Having observed several times last week between 2:15 and 3:00pm, and counting 20-30 younger siblings waiting with parents for the dismissal of older sibling, it’s clear we need to find a way to meet the needs of parents and children waiting for older siblings, while also being mindful of the teachers and classes who are still in session and may want to use the playground at the end of the day.
 
In order to do this, we ask for your cooperation with the following:
  • Young children have someone who is actively supervising them.
  • All children who have been dismissed are supervised and in the line of sight of their parent or designated adult.
  • Making sure children don’t wander off into the hallways, office, or library alone.
  • Children are to play in the woodchip area surrounded by the white piping especially when classes that are still in session come out to use the playground.
  • The playground rules of the school are followed to ensure all children are safe when playing (see school playground rules attached to this bulletin or posted in play area).

We recognize that having a space for parents and children to play and converse while waiting for older students is a necessary condition that builds community. We’ll continue to monitor the situation, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the office. Thank you!
No Orchestra on Thursday 10/13
Attention 6th/7th/8th Grade parents: there will NO orchestra class scheduled for Thursday, October 13th. Please make other arrangements for your child at 1:00 pm on this day.  I am scheduled to perform with a professional orchestra on this day, and although my priority is to be present for all classes at SunRidge, this engagement was scheduled before I was hired at SunRidge. I sincerely apologize for this inconvenience.  Such conflicts will very rarely occur. However, I will always strive to bring my professional experience into the classroom in order to communicate orchestral techniques of the highest caliber. During the Monday class prior to this absence, all Orchestra students will receive a practice assignment to review during the course of the week/weekend before our next class. Thank you for your support and involvement in your child's musical education.
Best Regards,
Mr. Volonts
Parent Education Committee (PEC) Meeting October 12th!
The Parent Education Committee (PEC) is forming for the current school year and seeking new members, and parents who want to share ideas. PEC provides educational opportunities for SunRidge School parents and community members relating to Waldorf education, parenting and family life. 

PEC will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, October 12th in the Faculty Lounge from 8:45-9:45am. Please join us if you can to share ideas or express interest in working with the committee. Alternatively, contact PEC member Adrienne Bramhall at adrienne_bramhall@yahoo.com or 805-587-1275 with any questions. Thank you!
Library Needs
We are excited to be approaching the time when we can open the SunRidge Library to classes on a regular basis.  In preparation for that time, we have a few requests.  Please see below and if you can help with any of them, please email Dianne Namkung at diannenamkung@gmail.com. Thanks!
 
1) We would appreciate a parent who can go through the books that are in our small parent education section of the library and weed out the ones that don't meet the purpose of parent education or are outdated.  We'd also appreciate a parent or two to take over the running of the parent education library.
 
2) We need more bookends.  We'd appreciate the kind that are plain metal bookends.  
 
3) We need a few artistic parents who like to do drawings to make signs for our non-fiction section to help our younger students be able to recognize topics without needing to know the dewy decimal system.  An example would be a cardboard marker that sticks out of the section on vehicles - might have a drawing of cars, trucks, motorcycles.  This way a child who wants to read about vehicles will have a better chance of knowing where to locate these kind of books.
SunRidge Diversity Group Meeting
Come support inclusiveness in our community on Monday, October 17th from 8:45-10:45am in the SunRidge music room. Please email Honora Russell if you want to be on the Diversity Group e-mail list at hrussell@redwoodpediatric.com
Parent/Teacher Conferences Coming Up!
Our parent/teacher conferences for Kindergarten through Grade 8 will be held all day on Monday, October 31st, and Tuesday, November 1st. These meetings have been moved to the beginning of the year in order for the teacher and the parent(s) to work as partners to ensure each child’s progress. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss the vision that both the teacher and the parent(s) hold for the student(s) throughout this school year. If you have any questions please contact your child(ren)’s class teacher.
Attendance and Tardies
Punctuality and good attendance are vital to your child(ren), and to the school, for many reasons. Because there is a rhythm to the school day, beginning with a welcome and an opening activity, it is extremely important that all children arrive on time to reinforce their sense of belonging and connection to their class, and so that they do not disturb the focus of the teacher and the other children on activities that have already begun. Good attendance is also important because much of the daily lesson is presented orally and as a group interaction. A student who is absent or late frequently may find it difficult to make up work or to fully understand the material. Tardies are reviewed regularly and letters are sent home if they become a problem. Students who arrive late need to check in at the office before joining their class. Students who must leave school prior to the official dismissal time also need to check out at the school office before leaving the school grounds.
Festival of Courage
Last Thursday, September 29, midway between the northern hemisphere's summer and winter solstices, the ancient festival of Michaelmas (Festival of Courage) was celebrated here at SunRidge with grades K-6. The Festival of Courage recognizes the changing of the seasons, which brings new rhythms, harvest, and darker days all the while reminding us of the lasting light of courage continues to shine within each of us even in the days of coming darkness.    
Stories of good versus evil or light versus dark are often told to illuminate the balance of light and dark that we all must strive towards mastering. One favorite Michaelmas story, performed by our second grade, is that of St. George taming the dragon with the sword of justice and courage given to him by the Archangel St. Michael. This wonderful play was then followed by the gift of song given by grades 1, 3, 4, and 5.     
 
This celebration of strength and courage, of facing dragons both internal and external, Michaelmas is a great time to ponder our own inner dragons and to cultivate the courage and strength necessary for self-development.

Thank you to our parents for making dragon bread and for joining us in the celebration of the transition from summer to fall.  
One Month Until Falling Leaves Festival!
The Falling Leaves Festival is a fun harvest season event that raises funds for class field trips.  Join the celebration on Saturday, November 5 from 11am-3pm.  This is a joyous day of community and includes delicious food, games, puppet shows, crafts to make and handmade gifts to purchase. This event takes a village to coordinate and create!  And it’s for a worthy cause as field trips bring our students into the world to learn and interact with nature, science, history and community leaders.  Check with your class coordinator to see what you can do to help.  Look out for the Signup genius in your email to sign up for your booth!
 
The class assignments are:
  • Morning Star:  Pocket Person
  • Dragonfly: Marketplace
  • One: Drinks and Desserts
  • Two: Crafts to make
  • Three: Cookie Decorating
  • Four: Marketplace
  • Five: Crafts to make
  • Six: Savory Food
  • Seven: Savory Food
  • Eight: Games
  • Homeschool: Marketplace
The Marketplace at the Falling Leaves Festival is an excellent place to do your holiday shopping!  All families can contribute to the Marketplace.  If you are a crafter/maker and have handmade items that you would like to donate, we would be so grateful!
Pledges Received for August-September (2016-17): $26,070
Pledge Participation Rate: 86%
The amount needed to be on track through the end of September is $33,750. 
Boys' Basketball Needs Coach
We have a group of boys (8-9 across Grades 6-8) who would like to play in our school league, the MSSL (Middle School Sports League), but we need a coach to step forward as soon as possible. I will continue open gym Wednesdays if we cannot secure a coach.
 
Practices should begin soon, and would run after school until 4:30 or 5pm. I have practice equipment, and the gym may be used for practices. Games begin Monday, October 24th, and run just up to the Winter Break. We would work out a practice schedule, however we do know the games are scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays through mid-December.
 
There are some requirements to meet; fingerprinting and driving insurance, for example.  Theresa in our office can better explain those items, while I can prepare and inform a potential coach for our earnest boys. These boys have talent and would be fun to work with, yet I unfortunately have overlapping volleyball and girls' basketball commitments and a training in November. Therefore I am unable to give these boys what they need - an opportunity to play. Thank you for considering, and may a coach rise from our ranks! -Mr. T
Handwork Thank Yous
A BIG thank you from Ms. McKenzie to Poppy in the 8th grade and Jeff and Carol-Jean Boevers for the lovely lavender, and to Kristen for all the yarn and knitting supplies!!
Election Talk
Election year is quickly approaching and as it draws near the more we hear differing opinions about each of the candidates. Have you ever thought about how these conversations affect our children’s development? Dr. Debra Gambrell, a Pediatric Osteopath in Sebastopol, wrote a blog post in which she talks about the developmental influence of discussing anxiety provoking or fear-based topics around our children. Dr. Gambrell incorporates Rudolf Steiner’s 8 Senses (both higher and lower) into her article, along with other child development research. Click here to read the full blog post, which can also be found on her website here.
New Phone Directory
We started the year off with a new phone system. This includes a new voicemail system, which will be operational as of Tuesday, October 11th. Below is an intercom directory that will show you each person’s extension that will allow you to leave a message for the person directly. Please allow teachers 24 hours to return your message, since they will usually check their voicemail at least once a day Monday-Friday. If the message is time sensitive, please leave the message with the office.
 
Intercom Directory Ext #
Theresa 101
Erin 102
Kalen 103
Makena 104
Class 1 201
Class 2 202
Class 3 203
Class 4 204
Class 5 205
Class 6 206
Class 7 207
Class 8 208
MS Kinder 219
DF Kinder 217
Home School-direct dial number 824-2276
Ed. Support 220
Handwork 213
Games-Dale 222
Math-Curt 223
Your Child's Brain on Video Games
Playing video games mimics the kinds of sensory assaults humans are programmed to associate with danger. When the brain senses danger, primitive survival mechanisms swiftly kick in to provide protection from harm. In Waldorf Today, they highlighted an article from Psychology Today that gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how gaming impacts a child's nervous system. Click here to read the full article.   
News From Credo High School
  • Open House Event on October 15th, from 1–4pm:
    • Because of Credo's upcoming move to SOMO Village in December, we will have just one fall open house this year. Join us on Saturday, Oct. 15th at 1:00pm. We'll begin with student presentations on their study of physics. Then we'll have Credo faculty teaching mini-lessons in Math, English, History, Spanish, Architectural Drawing, Astronomy and Biomimicry. The afternoon will conclude with snacks and conversation at 4:00. Join us at 1290 Southwest Blvd. in Rohnert Park. Hope to see you there!
  • For those interested in hearing more about our move, please sign up for our newsletter here: http://www.credohigh.org/content/credo-moves-news
Learning Math
#6: Perhaps most important of all – encourage a “growth mindset” let students know that they have unlimited math potential and that being good at math is all about working hard. When children have a growth mind- set, they do well with challenges and do better in school overall. When children have a fixed mindset and they encounter difficult work, they often conclude that they are not “a math person”. One way in which parents encourage a fixed mindset is by telling their children they are “smart” when they do something well. That seems like a nice thing to do, but it sets children up for difficulties later, as when kids fail at something they will inevitably conclude that they aren’t smart after all. Instead use growth praise such as “it is great that you have learned that”, “I really like your thinking about that”. When they tell you something is hard for them, or they have made a mistake, tell them: “That’s wonderful, your brain is growing!”
 
Excerpted from Advice for Parents, Prof Jo Boaler, https://www.youcubed.org/handout-for-parents/
Cyberwise Tips!
Cyberwise is a great resource in helping to equip our kids with the skills to use social media safely and wisely. If you are interested in what Cyberwise is, or what tips they have regarding keeping our child safe if they choose to use social media visit their website by clicking here.
Classified & Community Events
At the end of every week’s bulletin, a section titles Community Events will appear containing happenings in the community that may be of interest to SunRidge families. The Classified section will follow containing not-for-profit ads regarding housing, items for sale, and other community needs. Please email your requests for these sections to Makena in the SunRidge office mcollin@twinhillsusd.org for review and possible placement in future bulletins. Requests should be submitted no later than the end of the day on Monday every week. 
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Sebastopol Contra Family Dance
Dance caller Mike Fynan calls simple, fun, barn dances (contras, lines and circles) with live music by Soul Weaving. All ages welcome. The cost is $5 for an individual or $10 for a family. Stay after (included in admission) for the contra! Dance lesson starts at 7:30pm and the dance itself goes from 8-11pm.  
Spirit and Revolution: Rudolf Steiner on Social Transformation
Rudolf Steiner brought many gifts to the world. Waldorf Education and Bio-dynamic Agriculture are only two of the many fields in which he offered helpful insights. Less well known but equally important are his suggestions on the foundations of social change and how we might get from our present situation to the future we want to inhabit. On Saturday, October 8th from 10am to 4pm, life-long social activist for non-violent social transformation Abraham Entin is offering an all-day in depth teach-in on Rudolf Steiner's social ideas, at the Arlene Francis Center for Spirit, Art, and Politics, at 99 W. 6th St. in Santa Rosa. (free-will donations accepted).
 
The material will be presented in plain English and no prior knowledge of Rudolf Steiner or his work is necessary—just an open mind and a box Lunch. For more information or to RSVP (encouraged but not required) please email abrahamentin@gmail.com
 
Understanding the Child: A Workshop for Parents & Teachers
(Hosted by Summerfield School & led by Don Basmajian)
  • 10/17 & 10/24, 3:40PM-5:00PM The Four Temperaments
Click here to view or print the flyer which includes prices, and more information regarding this workshop.
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. After 2-3 publications, ads will automatically be dropped)

Carpool Wanted
Sebastopol to East Bay on Friday afternoons, and return trip on Sunday nights. Geneva is in 3rd grade and her Dad lives in the Richmond Hills and her Mom is in Graton. He usually drives one or both ways, and has room for riders in a comfortable Toyota minivan. Please contact Mark Metz at 510-860-9707 / metzmark@gmail.com or Aspen Madrone at 510-305-6531 / flowingrace@gmail.com. Thanks!
 
Morning Driver Needed
Seeking a responsible driver to take quiet and calm grade 2 girl to school M-TH, mornings only, from Santa Rosa (near fairgrounds). Offering $20/hour. Please help! Contact Kate katejelliott@yahoo.com or text (253) 691-9915
 
Family Looking for a Home
We are a family of 3 looking for a home. We were living in our previous home for 5 years, but moved in August once the property sold. We have been staying with friends, but would love to land in our home and create a sweet nest for our toddler. We are looking for a 2 bedroom around Sebastopol, Graton, Forestville or Occidental area, with a garden so we can tend the earth and keep our daughter connected to getting her hands dirty and enjoying her outdoor world. If you know of anything available please contact Jayantii Lawless at jayantii01@yahoo.com Thank you!
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7285 Hayden Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95472

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SunRidge School · 7285 Hayden Ave · Sebastpol, CA 95472 · USA

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