2011 December

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Grandparents and Special Friends Day heralds the Shield EventPWHS is pleased to host Grandparents and Special Friends Day with a new twist -The Shield Event. This is our third year of hosting the Shield Event, and it is enjoying its first time ever of being on the same day.

Friends and family come from miles away - the farthest reported to be from New Hampshire. They visit classrooms, enjoy coffee and treats and come together for an inspiring assembly. This culminates in the gym where all the shields are on display (and available to be bid on). All proceeds go towards Tuition Assistance.

Why shields? Interwoven throughout the Waldorf curriculum are stories and festivals around legends, historical figures...and their shields. Our most recent example of a festival with shields was Michaelmas, held at the end of September. In Celtic tradition, St. Michael represents the unconquered hero, fighting with his sword and protecting with his shield against the evil powers of darkness. The experience of nature during autumn, that of a “passing away” illuminated by brilliant color, is part of what we try to capture with our annual Shield Event Fundraiser.

Our artists are students, faculty, staff and artist friends of the school, who donate their time and energy to create the beautiful shields you see today. Their donation allows us to support our tuition assistance program through the Shield Event. We are delighted to be combining these two wonderful events.

insideDevelopment 2Auction gets a new name 3Reflections 4 Winter Season 5HS Project Week 6Around Campus 7Library & Store 8December Calendar 9

The shield above, Hydrangeas in Red, was created by Lisi McCarthy and is one of 32 shields for sale

PORTLAND WALDORF

DEVELOPMENT Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"

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3RD ANNUAL SHIELD BENEFIT

Portland Waldorf School2300 SE Harrison St, Milwaukie

503-654-2200

Artists Reception & Closing of Auction and Raffle

Friday, November 18, 6-8 pm

Auction and Raffle October 31-November 18, 2011

2011/12 Annual AppealReach for the Future / Build on the PastBy Stephen Guntli

Something very exciting is happening at Portland Waldorf School. Next year we will be celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the school and 10th Anniversary of the purchase of our current school grounds and our move to our permanent school campus. The Board has recently approved a 5 Year Strategic Plan, and has recruited an Implementation Task Force made up of parents and faculty. PWS is at a point in our history where we are reaching toward the future while we build on the past.

As we honor the past and lay the groundwork for the future, we also need to take care of the present. That is the purpose of our Annual Appeal. As in most private schools, tuition does not cover the cost of the education that we give to our students every day. We also have a commitment to economic diversity. We provide tuition assistance to those qualified families in need to support this diversity.  Over the past few years we have increased tuition assistance in order to make this education available to families already making difficult choices to remain in the school.

Gifts from parents and alumni parents, faculty, staff, grandparents, alumni and friends help us to make up the difference between tuition and the actual cost of educating our students and providing tuition assistance. Imagine the school as a collection of building blocks, with each class as an important block in the pyramid leading to the graduation of a Waldorf student. The foundation of this pyramid of building blocks is tuition, private gifts, and other school income. The Annual Appeal is an important part of this foundation.

Giving creates a feeling of joy – and brain science proves it. The act of contributing to causes you believe in activates the pleasure centers of people’s brains. So support the Annual Appeal and feel the joy of giving.

You’ll be hearing more about the Annual Appeal as the school year progresses. But for tax reasons you may want to make your gift before the end of the year.

Wreath Pick Up on December 1st

Remember to pick up the wreaths you ordered in November. They can be picked up at the school on Thursday, December 1st in the Monroe Street parking lot between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm.

Auction Updateby Diane Rowley

We have all been called upon this year to work in creative ways to meet and support all the various needs of the school.   Shifts have especially been happening in the administrative realm…….as there continues to be changes in responsibility and work focus. The most recent change is in regards to the Auction on March 3rd.  Stephen’s work in development is being contracted to allow his focus to continue to go toward those things he has been actively pursuing……completion of the Shield Event, the Miller grant proposal, Strategic Plan completion and the establishment of the implementation task force groups, major donor cultivation and the launching and follow up of Annual Giving.  

The organization, oversight, planning and creation of the auction will be taken up by Kelly Chappie. Kelly will continue her oversight of enrollment in general but focus her work on high school enrollment and admissions.  The work of admissions and enrollment in early childhood and grades will be taken up by Mary Beaton who has been working in the office supporting the work of admissions.  This will begin after the Thanksgiving break.  We are excited about the new ideas and energy she will be bringing into this work in her collaboration with Kelly.

This change comes after many thoughtful conversations with members of Leadership Council, Board and College.  We appreciate everyone’s willingness to step into this new imagination.   I welcome any questions you may have regarding this transition.

Scrip Holiday TrainSpecial for the holiday’s: Lamb’s Market, Home Depot, Burgerville, Kaady Carwash, McMenamins, Regal, Cinemark, Powell’s, Starbucks, Spring Creek Coffehouse, Spielwerk...

How Can You Participate?Be a part of the planning committee, join us 11/28 at 8:30 in the Orchard Room.We still need: Silent Auction Coordinator, Live Auction Procurement Coordinator, Class Gift Coordinator. Rally your class to purchase a table (details of prices soon).Organize your class donation.Invite a friend.Save the date.

And when you’re sitting across from family this holiday season enjoying mashed potatoes and gravy, remember that they might just be the perfect person to ask to make a donation to The Flour Mill ‘12

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The Flour Mill – March 3, 2012

Did you know that PWS stands on ground that was a Flour Mill 150 years ago?

In our desire to create a destination event this year and pay homage to who we are, where we’ve been and

where we’re going, we kept coming back to our history and sense of place, when searching for a new name.

Through words and more words, we kept coming back to the word Mill. Then Ms. Peirce confirmed that indeed

we stand on what was once a Flour Mill. So there we have it, that simple. The Flour Mill.

It rolls off the tongue beautifully, “see you at The Flour Mill.” “Would you like to make a donation to The Flour

Mill.” “Please join me at The Flour Mill.,” and it even made us wonder - Flower or Flour - the grain or beauty

and yes, both.

This year we come back to PWS to celebrate; the education, the children, the future and with your blessing

even a nod to the past in our new name. So take this step with us.

There will be music, fun, and great food all in support of PWS

We promise you’ll see the school in a new way

The planning group is growing, please feel free to get in on the planning.

Email kelly.chappie@portlandwaldorfschool.org if you are interested.

The AUCTION gets a new name

Heart of Advent by Dionne KaneSo many faces new and old joined us this year for our annual craft making, community building, Heart of Advent celebration.  Attendees had the opportunity to learn seven delightful crafts, enjoy delicious homemade snacks and warm beverages, savor a tasty lunch, listen to live music, meet fellow parents and friends and even luxuriate in a free chair massage!  Thank you to all who joined us for that cozy afternoon not only to partake of the hand made goodness but to exchange stories and share ideas and inspiration for the holiday season as well.  Our appreciation goes out to Kelly Chappie, Yvonne Cseko, Patricia Campabello, Chrisi Eile, Dionne Kane, Kate Lejeck, Silvia Santana and Kelly Tidrik who took up this festival after Barbara Andersen held it for so many years.  Thanks also to Brian Trotter and Nancy Thompson; to David Castillo, Kayla Balkam, Jennifer Barrientos, Rachel Kofron, Stephanie Paris and Diane Rowley for hosting additional crafts; to Julia McCarl for her beautiful music; to Kate McGill and Maya Roddy, Sarah Reams and Tamara Layden from the high school for helping with lunch service; to Anya Conlon, Greta Conlon, Vivian Hansen, Carson Nies, Phoebe Wagner and Natalie Condon for providing childcare; and finally to Coleen McCurdy for her surprising special gift of a whole day’s worth of free massage work.  It was a relaxing and inspiring day of sharing and fellowship to carry us into the busy coming months.  We hope to see even more of you next year!.

Photos by Nicole Spring, parent

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REFLECTIONS

Dia de los Muertosby Virgina BergEach year, as leaves turn red and gold, Nature invites us to turn inward and reflect on all we have learned and been given through the bustle of summer and harvest time. By the end of October, nights are long and cold, and many different traditions tell us that the boundaries between the world of the living and the world of those who have died are more permeable. Perhaps there are ghostly visitations, as in Halloween, or perhaps the living invite the dead back to enjoy some of their earthly pleasures, as in El Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead.

In the routine of the school year, things are settled enough by the end of October that classes each have something substantial to show of their work. We recognize this in our Halloween and Day of the Dead assembly. This year, grades 2 through 8 showed something seasonal that they'd been working on. The youngest students sang a loving tribute to pumpkin pie, and the oldest treated us to a chemistry-inspired rendition of the "Monster Mash." Luckily our students are quite focused, since a couple of unexpected but welcome guests from "the great beyond" showed up to enjoy the altar and see students' work. Uncle Hector and Aunt Gertrude managed themselves pretty well, but the author is a little afraid that they had a really great time and may well come back for the party next year..

From the School Chair - Winter Festivalsby Diane Rowley

The autumn festivals reflect the awareness of the shorter days and longer nights.  In various traditions, fires were kindled at Halloween to bring light into a darkening world. Today we put candles in pumpkins.  During Martinmas, a light is lit in a homemade lantern.  This is the first light of a different sort, representing mankind offering a spark of his inner light to brighten a darkening world.  At Thanksgiving we nurture the light of gratitude, which along with reverence and wonder may be the most important attitude we can help our children to cultivate.  As we move into December, it becomes a time of preparation, both inner and outer.  Some take up the preparation of Advent or Hanukkah or Kwanza or perhaps a particular family festival or ritual.  This time of year can be used to fan the inner spark into flame.  The verse from Rudolf Steiner’s Calendar of the Soul for the week of Nov. 24 – 30 reflects this sentiment:

In secret inwardly to feelHow all that I preserved of old Is quickened by new-risen sense of self:This shall, awakening, pour forth cosmic forces Into the outer actions of my lifeAnd growing, mold me into true existence.

When we return to school after Thanksgiving, we will be in the sweep of the winter festivals...the advent candles will be lit to honor the kingdoms of nature each morning.  The children will be walking the Spiral of Lights on Nov. 29 & 30, and parents are welcome to walk the Spiral on Wednesday, after early childhood is finished.  Several classrooms will receive a visit from St. Nicholas on Dec. 6 (remember to have the children put their shoes out on Dec. 5), and 8th grade will grace the classes with the Santa Lucia festival on Dec. 13. 

This time of inward journey can be cultivated and honored with thoughtful, simple family activities.  As we near the shortest and darkest day of the year, we have an opportunity to rekindle that inner light that is warmed by joy...joy that comes from spending time with those we love, from giving from the heart those things that cannot be purchased with money…true interest, respect, understanding, tolerance, compassion.  May your journey be nurturing and satisfying to the soul. May your holiday season be warmly filled with joy!

THE WINTER SEASON Tuition Assistance for the 2012-2013 School Yearby Sarah Rice

We understand and appreciate the financial commitment families undertake in deciding to send their children to Portland Waldorf School. Although paying for education is the responsibility of each family, we devote significant funds every year to a financial aid budget that lowers tuition for qualifying families. In turn, our school community benefits from a greater diversity of students and parents.

For the 2012-2013 school year we will use TADS as a trusted third party to help us objectively assess what a family is able to contribute to its education expenses.

Application Deadline: January 25, 2012 To apply go to www.tads.comor www.portlandwaldorfschool.org

or contactsarah.rice@portlandwaldorfschool.org

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PWS accepted into

Crafty Wonderland

(again)!

Come on down to the PDX Convention Center the weekend of December 10th and 11th. We’ll be selling handmade star candle holders (see photo on page 5).

Crafty Wonderland is a one-of-a-kind event, showcasing beautiful handmade items. We are honored to be accepted into this wonderful showcase.

High School Project Week: Learning Beyond the ClassroomIn the week before Thanksgiving break, High School students delve into a variety of mixed-grade, interdisciplinary studies.  Each student is assigned to one of the following projects, led by members of the PWHS faculty and culminating in an assembly sharing their work and findings with other students in the High School:

• Nutrition and Fitness: An exploration of the principles of exercise science, nutrition, and motivation, with field trips to the gym, the rock climbing studio, and a sports nutritionist at Emanuel Medical Center.

• Tuneful Words: The Art and Craft of Songwriting: Study of contemporary songwriters and work in groups to compose and prepare two songs for workshop performance.

• Photography: Learning to tell a story in a photo with subject, composition, contrast, and exposure, and developing photos in the darkroom.

• Naturescaping, Permaculture, Sustainable Living: Students learn basic Permaculture design and techniques, get a better sense of the ecology and landscape of our school, investigate principles of design and installation of a landscape feature, and discuss principles of sustainable living for the future.

• Gimme Shelter II: Design and building of a permanent shelter for the PWS bike racks, working with tools and taking into consideration the structural, environmental, social, esthetic and economic factors that contribute to successful bicycle protection.

• Writer’s Flow: A week of creative writing exercises, discussion, sharing and mutinous fun with the written and spoken word, plus impromptu field trips afoot, afar and afield.

• Exploring Book Arts: The week begins with field trips to a gallery of local contemporary book arts and a letterpress studio and continues with student projects using monoprints and/or linoleum cut prints, painting, drawing, collage or computer-generated imagery to create individual books.

• Tai Chi and the Culture of China: Two four-hour sessions of Tai Chi, a visit to the Chinese Garden, a Chinese meal, and a discussion of Chinese medicine.

Welding for the bike rack!

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The Earth Flagby Diane Rowley

You may have noticed a new flag flying on the school flag pole.  The Earth Flag is a symbol of internationality and common interest, a standard that calls all people to mutual allegiance to a universally shared resource….the earth itself.

The Earth Flag was designed in 1970 by Earth Day founder and pioneer John McConnell, an early leader in the international peace movement. Inspired by the striking first photographs of the whole Earth taken during America's historic Apollo 10 space mission in 1969, this symbolic creation attained immediate world-wide recognition, including a lifetime association with renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead. Dr. Mead carried what she called "the flag for all people" with her wherever she appeared from 1969 until her death in 1977.  She said:

"The Earth Flag is my symbol of the task before us all. Only in the last quarter of my life have we come to know what it means to be custodians of the future of the Earth - to know that unless we care, unless we check the rapacious exploitations of our Earth and protect it, we are endangering the future of our children and our children's children. We did not know this before, except in little pieces. People knew that they had to take care of their own ... but it was not until we saw the picture of the Earth, from the Moon, that we realized how small and how helpless this planet is - something that we must hold in our arms and care for."   Margaret Mead, March 21, 1977

The Earth Flag's striking global motif is at once simple and compelling. Its quiet message beckons beholders towards a deeper insight into the universal themes of unity and peace.

This is the offical Earth Day Flag.

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20 Year Reunion by Rayona Horkulic (Weber), class of 1991

The year is 1984, and I am 8 years old. Over the summer my family moved across country, from Pennsylvania to Oregon. Today is my first day at a new school. Far from all things familiar, I face a sea of bright, expectant faces, “Class, we have a new student with us today.” They greet me exuberantly, experimenting out loud with the pronunciation of my unfamiliar name. Our teacher, Mr. Odama, smiles. I step forward into the warm embrace of Portland Waldorf School’s very first class.

Over 27 years have passed since that day. It marked the beginning of my three-year journey with Mr. Odama’s class. I can say now, without a moment’s hesitation, that those three years were the most influential and valuable of all my formal education. We formed a strong group, in many ways much more a family than mere friends and classmates. Our bond was nurtured and strengthened by our unanimous adoration and respect for our teacher. Mr. Odama possessed a keen insight into the heart of a child. He was our teacher and guide, and he was one of us.

Our class recently held our 20th year reunion. It was the first time many of us had seen each other in as many years, in some cases, even longer. We gathered in the Orchard room with Mr. and Mrs. Odama and four of their children, some of our former teachers, staff and parents. It was a wonder-filled evening. We enjoyed a delicious feast prepared by Waldorf staff. One look (and taste!) made it clear that those who prepared the meal truly appreciated the significance and celebration of our gathering. We reminisced about our time together in Mr. Odama’s class, how grateful we are to him, how much we learned, and the countless memorable and hilarious adventures we shared. We spent most of the evening in laughter, basking in the warmth of our shared memories. We brushed up on our eurythmy skills (someone discovered a stack of rods in the corner), and enjoyed a viewing of ourselves as Greek gods in our 5th grade class play. We brought up the idea of another reunion in five years and laughed about putting on a play and holding class Olympics.

I do hope that we all meet again sooner rather than later and next time with those we missed. Our rejoining, however fleeting, was a wrinkle in time, a step back to a day not so long ago when we knew as much about each other as we knew about ourselves. As I reflect on the magic of that time, its simplicity and complexity, its trials and triumphs and the lessons they bore, I find I’m still learning from them today – irrefutable proof I say, of a teacher and class perfectly matched.

Around Campus

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

Community Square Dance12/3/11 5:30-7:30 pm$5.00-$10.00 per family, sliding scale

Bring your rubber soled shoes and come dance the night away. For families of all ages.

(all dancing must take place in rubber shoes or your socks)

FROM THE SPRING CREEK STOREby Yvonne Cseko

Holiday Store HoursWe will be open Saturday, December 10th and 17th from 10am – 2pm and during the Winter break on Tuesday, December 20th from 9am – 1pm for a nice and quiet shopping experience.Come by and see us at the Cedarwood Winter Faire on December 3rd.

Seasonal Gift ideas;Beautiful beeswax candles – bringing the light into your home.Yule candle chimes are back!Kite paper for window star crafting – (Complimentary copy of 2 designs with purchase).Special on wooden swords – 15% off locally handcrafted brooms are back in stock as well.

Seasonal Story Book Titles:Little Snow Bear… “When winter comes , the Sun disappears for long periods of time. Little Snow Bear wonders what will happen if the Sun never returns”?... This is a darling book with beautiful illustrations to share with your little ones. The Christmas Story, Little Fairy’s Christmas, The Holy Night, and Christmas in the Family are now on their way for your holiday reading.

Friends on FacebookThe Spring Creek store has a Facebook page and we would love to have you as a friend. With weekly updates and news – it’s a great way to stay connected.

Regular Store Hoursm, t, w, f: 8:15 am – 3:30 pmthurs: 8:15 am – 2:00 pm

From the Libraryby Ellen Malizia I invite you to come in and check out the Portland Waldorf School Library. The library is open every school day with the goal of serving the particular needs of the PWS community. Our collection includes fiction for our elementary and middle school students, early readers, picture books, fairy tales and seasonal books. We have parent resource books on Waldorf education, anthroposophy, health and parenting. Our non-fiction collection contains books to complement the curriculum, from animal books for 4th grade reports to books on knitting, needle felting, window stars and much more.

Current students, parents, faculty and staff are welcome to check out materials. The self-checkout system is easy – write the due date (found on the calendar attached to the table) in two places; on the check out card and in the back of the book. Then complete the check out card by writing your name and grade, or “p” for parent and place the card in the basket. Books are checked out for three weeks and renewed by filling out one of the renewal slips in the checkout basket.

I manage the library operations and volunteers on a part time basis. I am usually in the library on Tuesday afternoons and part of the morning on Mondays and Thursdays. I oversee the collection, write overdue reminders and work with students, parents, and faculty to help them find a book that fits their needs. There is more work than I have time to do and so many more books that we would love to add to our collection. How can you help support the library?

*Volunteer to help with the daily operations including shelving, checking in books and processing new books. Other projects include entering books into our collection list and helping with the handling of books for our used book sale. The Library Committee is also recruiting new members to help guide the library into the future.

*Go through our website when you buy from amazon.com and the library receives a percentage of your purchases. Just visit the PWS website, click “SUPPORT PWS”, then “Amazon”, then click on the Amazon box to make your purchases as usual.

*Select a book from the library Wish List to donate in honor of your student’s birthday.

*Donate gently used books for our annual used book sale in the spring and support the sale and the library’s used book sale shelves located near the entrance to the school store.

Thank you to all the students, parents and teachers who have helped make our library a lively center of our school community. I look forward to seeing you in the library! 8

Monday Tuesday Wed Thurs Fri & Sat

1Circus Skills Class 1:30-3:00Adult Woodworking 6pm

2 Community Choir 8:45am

Girls & Boys HS Basketballvs Aussie Travelers 6:00-9:00 pm

3 7th Grade Parent Mt 9:30-11:00am

Winter Wonderland Tea10:00-12:30

Community Square Dance (gym)5:30-7:30

5Parent Council 7pmThe Story of Siegfried w/Beth Wieting 7pm

6St.Nicholas DayAdult Blacksmithing 6pm

7Walk Through the Grades 9amAdult Eurythmy 8:45Bluebell, Grade 1 & Grade 6 Parent Mt 6:00pmGrade 4 Parent Mt 6:30pmHS Parent Mt 7pm

8Circus Skills Class 1:30-3:00Adult Woodworking 6pm

9Community Choir 8:45am

Girls & Boys HS Basketball vs Willamette Valley Christian 6:00-9:00 pm

10 Crafty Wonderland

11 Crafty Wonderland

12The Story of Siegfried w/Beth Wieting 7pm

13Santa Lucia Day

Adult Blacksmithing 6pmEducation for Adolescence Study Group w/Christopher Zinn 7-9pm

14Adult Eurythmy 8:45

15Circus Skills Class 1:30-3:00Adult Woodworking 6pm

16No Pre K or K classesShepherd’s Play 11am

Grades & HS Early Dismissal 12:30

Girls & Boys HS Basketball vs Columbia Christian4:30-7:30 pm

12/17-1/2 school out

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WWW.PORTLANDWALDORF.ORG 503.654.2200 9

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PORTLAND WALDORF2200 SE HARRISON STREETMILWAUKIE, OR 97222

WWW.PORTLANDWALDORF.ORG 503.654.2200 DECEMBER 2011 HEARTBEAT

Diane RowleyInterim School Chair, Editor

Kelly ChappiePublication

To submit photos or story ideasnewsletter@portlandwaldorf.org

Leadership Council Francine AdamsPatricia LynchCarrie MassRobin O’Brien

Board PresidentBruce Evans

Parent Council Co-ChairpersonsStephanie Baartz-Bowman & Dave Renzema

The piece to the left is by 10th Grader Raya Lieberman and comes from her

recent Ancient History Main Lesson Book.