From the Director

Dear Madrone Trail Community,

We are so excited to welcome you back to school this Monday, August 25th! Over the summer, we made several improvements to our facilities and grounds, and we hope you feel both safe and warmly welcomed as we begin the new school year together.

A very special thank you to Mr. Niq for all of his hard work keeping our school running smoothly and looking beautiful throughout the summer months.

I can’t wait to meet our new students and welcome back our returning ones. Here’s to a joyful and inspiring year ahead!

Warmly,

Kelly Ruse

Interim Director

kelly.ruse@madronetrail.org

From the Board

Hello Madrone Trail!

It is amazing that summer has come and gone and school is starting again. We are excited for a new year and anticipate great things for our students and entire community. Over the summer the board had a few areas of focus.

First, we have been hard at work alongside a safety committee to help improve campus safety in as many ways as possible. From school wide communication systems to working hand in hand with the district to ensure best practices and a safe environment for all on campus at Madrone. This last week at our board meeting Ron Havinear, Medford School District Executive Director of Security, came and presented for 30 minutes helping us to come up with a plan of action to continue making our campus secure and prepared for everything we can be possibly prepared for. We are on a great trajectory and you can rest assured that your students are safe at school.

Second, we have been hard at work searching for our next Executive Director. As you may know, Kelly Ruse has agreed to stay on for this entire school year to give us ample time to find and onboard the right candidate to lead our school for the foreseeable future. Ms. Ruse and the rest of the faculty are firing on all cylinders and we are confident our school will thrive even in the midst of this transition. 

Finally, we spent time reviewing the responses to our climate survey and discussing where we are doing well and what needs to be addressed. Two areas of focus that surfaced from that feedback was communication and consistency in student behavior and discipline. We are taking steps to address both of those things with school wide communication systems and a revamped discipline policy with a special focus from administration in applying that policy as consistently as possible to help create an even better environment for learning and growth. 

We are honored to serve this community and look forward to another great year. As always if you have any questions or concerns you can email us at board@madronetrail.org.

For the Good of the School,

Madrone Trail Board of Directors

Special Event

On Monday, August 25, at 5:30 pm, Madrone Trail will host Liz Beaven for a community talk on the importance of Waldorf education in our region.

Liz has been deeply involved in Waldorf education since 1985, with experience as a class teacher, school administrator and leader, Board and College of Teachers member, adult educator, lecturer, writer, and researcher. She is also a parent of two Waldorf alums and now a grandparent, offering a unique perspective on the past, present, and future of Waldorf education.

Liz has played a key role in expanding Waldorf education into U.S. public schools and served as President of the Alliance Board of Directors before becoming its first Executive Director. She also works in advocacy for equitable access to quality early childhood education through the Trust for Learning’s Ideal Learning Round Table. Liz holds a certificate in Waldorf school administration and a doctorate in Educational Leadership, with her dissertation exploring how students make sense of Waldorf education.

We have invited the families from Siskiyou School and Woodland Charter School to join us as well. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from a leading voice in our movement. We hope you’ll join us!

From the Volunteer Coordinator

Hello wonderful Madrone Trail families! 

I hope that you had a rejuvenating and joyful summer break. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as the volunteer coordinator for our school! I have been part of the Madrone Trail community for the last four years, and have been very involved with volunteering during that time. I am truly looking forward to this opportunity of coordinating the volunteer needs of our school so that it can run successfully.

As you may already know, Madrone Trail requires all families to participate in 25 volunteering hours, per family, during the school year.

Before you can volunteer, you must complete an application/background check. Background checks are valid for two years. If you have received an email that yours has expired or you have yet to complete one, click the link below to complete the Medford School District Volunteer Application!

Here are a few of the current volunteer needs! If you would like to get involved please reach out to me!

• Library volunteers
• Dragon Cafe volunteers
• Groundskeeping volunteers

My goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to get your volunteer hours in and will be communicating many different opportunities to you throughout the year. Our school relies on volunteers to run smoothly, so allow me to help find the perfect opportunity for you! Feel free to reach out to me via email with any questions whatsoever and please join me at Parent Night on September 4th for more information on volunteer opportunities, committees, and how to log your volunteer hours. 

Thank you so much and welcome back to school!

Stephanie Booker

Volunteer Coordinator

stephanie.booker@madronetrail.org

Lunch Program Update

We can’t wait for you to see the exciting upgrades in our kitchen on Monday! Over the summer, some major transformations took place that will make a big difference for our students. First, we replaced our very old (and very tired) kitchen floors, thanks to the board’s efforts—especially board member Eric Cerecedes, who is leading fundraising efforts to help cover the cost. While we were at it, Luke Ruse took down the notorious pony wall that once split the kitchen in half—good riddance! Next, our amazing electrician, Richard Duron, installed overhead power outlets and new connections for our convection ovens, boosting our oven capacity by 300%! And perhaps the most joyful addition: a stunning, handcrafted “Dragon Café” sign created by the talented Britt Lawson. We’re keeping photos under wraps for now because this is one surprise you’ll want to see in person!

Speaking of boosted oven capacity… We will have PIZZA on the fall menu. So without further ado….

We Won an Award!

We’re beyond excited to share that Madrone Trail’s lunch program is now award-winning! 🎉 Through the USDA grant program that has helped us make so many kitchen improvements in recent years, our team was nominated for a Recognition Award honoring our scratch-cooking and healthy meals concept. How cool is that?!

Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing more details about this honor in upcoming updates! For now, here’s the proof!

👩‍🍳 Kitchen Volunteer Shifts

To support our hardworking kitchen staff, we’re inviting parents to join us by committing to a weekly volunteer shift—one day per week from 1:15–3:15 PM. More details are coming soon, but if you’re interested, please reach out and I’ll send you additional information as soon as possible.

We will see you Monday at The Dragon Café!

Chef Evan

evan.wilson@madronetrail.org

From the Athletic Director

Welcome to another year of sports and clubs here at Madrone Trail! A special welcome to our incoming 6th graders who are now eligible to play on our competitive sports teams including Cross Country and Girls’ Volleyball in the Fall, Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball in the Winter, and Track & Field in the Spring. It’s going to be a great school year!

Sports Physicals

For all sport participation we require a sport physical be done even to begin practicing. This can be done with your PCP and many chiropractors do them.

They are good for 2 years! If you have one on file with the school that was just completed last year, you do not need another one at this time. If you are an 8th grader who gets one done this year; it will be valid for your freshman year of high school and in Synergy.

If you are having trouble getting scheduled in a timely manner, please email me. I can help facilitate a quicker appointment with one of our sponsors, Complete Care.

Fall Sports (6th-8th grade)

This Fall we will participate in Cross Country and Volleyball. If your student would like to participate in either one of these please email me by next week. If you are able to fill out the attached participation form and send it to me or turn in to Ms. Sherrie that would be fantastic. Before signing up please consider that our sports teams require a big commitment during the week. No competitions or practices on weekends.

Girls' Volleyball

Who: 6th-8th graders

Cost: $100. Scholarship and payment request forms are in the office.

(Please don’t ever let money be the reason your child does not participate)

When: First practices 8/26 (At Sacred Heart) Parent meeting at Sacred Heart after practice on Thursday August 28th (20 minutes)

Practices Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 3:30-5:30 pm, Wednesdays 2:45-4:45 pm until games start on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Game Schedule: Home games are in the Sacred Heart gym

(Games will start at 4:30 or 5:30 depending on team placement)

9/8 @ Rogue Christian Academy

9/10 Home vs Applegate

9/15 @ Rogue Valley Adventist

9/17 Home vs Lorna Byrne

9/22 @ New Hope Christian

9/24 @ The Valley School

9/29 Home vs Rogue River

10/1 Home vs Rogue Christian Academy

10/6 @ Ruch

10/8 Home vs Rogue Valley Adventist

10/13 @ Lorna Byrne

10/15 Home vs New Hope Christian

Cross Country

Practice on Tuesday 8/26 will be a 30 minute informational and stretching session in the gym. (Physical not required for this first practice)

Cross Country will typically practice Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 3:30-5:00 pm unless there is a meet. If the temperature is over 100 degree, practice will be canceled and text notifications sent.

Parent volunteers: Coach Alexis is requesting drivers to help bring the team to Jacksonville on some of the practice days and stay to help supervise. (Note: This counts towards your parent volunteer hours)

Meet schedule: (Girls run at 4:30 pm, boys run at 5:00 pm)

9/9 Expo Center Central Point

9/18 Host Ashland Middle School, Location TBA

9/25 Host Oakdale Middle School, Location TBA

10/2 Host Hanby Middle School, Location TBA

10/9 Host Madrone Trail, Location Logos field

10/16 Conference Championships, Expo Center Central Point

Parent Drivers

One of the things that comes with being a small charter school is that we often need parent help with transportation. Typically, I only help arrange rides to events. Students will need transportation arrangements home after events. This is especially true for volleyball because we partner with Sacred Heart and practices will be there starting 8/26. If you are willing and able to help even one time, we will need the attached vehicle transportation form returned to office and a copy of your license and insurance forms. Thanks in advance for your help!

Fall Clubs!

We will be having 2 clubs this Fall! Clubs do require a participation form and waiver be filled out, but do not require a sport physical to participate. You can get that form with the link below or in the office.

Watercolor Club

Carole Whitridge will be teaching a watercolor painting class! There will be a younger grades class Wednesdays and an older grades class on Mondays.

When: Starting September 8th ending October 22nd

Mondays 3:30-4:30 (6th-8th grade) (Capped at 14 participants)

Wednesdays 1:30-2:30 (3rd-5th grade) (Capped at 14 participants)

Where: In the 6th grade classroom

Cost: $75

Basketball Club

Mark Stegall is returning to offer Basketball Club this year. Basketball club is not the same as our school basketball team, which will be signed up for separately and will need a current sports physical.

When: Starting September 9th ending October 16th

Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-4:45 pm

Who: 6th-8th grade (Coed) (Capped at 14 participants)

Where: Madrone Trail Gym

Cost: $75

You can start emailing me participation forms immediately for sports or clubs. If you do so, please call Ms. Sherrie in the office for payment. You can come in handle both the form and/or payment in person as well.

A note about end times: Please pick up your student on time after any club or sport activity. One complaint I have received from coaches and club directors in the past is students not being picked up on time. Please make it a point to be there at the designated end time of their activity. Coaches and Club organizers are required to stay until all students leave, so it delays them from leaving as well.

Community Partner

Southern Oregon runners will be providing timing services when we host our cross country meet for an extremely low price. Here is some more info about them. Be sure to check out their event info link for upcoming races. Ages 18 and under run free in all races. More about them below.

Welcome Back and Go Dragons!

Jeff Roberson

jeff.roberson@madronetrail.org

Oregon’s oldest and most active running club. We are a non-profit organization promoting health and fitness through the sport of running. Whether you are a beginning runner or an experienced cross-country athlete, we’ve got the race for you!

Sorunners.org

From the Library

Students may begin checking out books from our school library the second week of school. We also have a parent section, which includes crafting, gardening, nutrition, and Waldorf-specific resources. Parents may check out library books on their child's account.

Please make sure that you have added your child to the library system if you haven't already. Click on the Library Parent Policy Agreement to get the process started. You only need to do this once, if your child was able to check out books last year, you are good to go.

School Clothes and Supplies

When purchasing clothes, shoes, backpacks, and lunchboxes this summer in preparation for next school year, please keep in mind our dress code. The dress code is most easily enforced if the clothes that parents purchase align with our guidelines. Our teachers and school administration will be consistently upholding the dress code policy this year. We kindly ask that you review the policy in advance and ensure your child arrives each day in proper attire.

Students engage in a variety of activities and vigorous play every day and thus their clothing and footwear should allow them comfort and freedom of movement. Students are also outside every day and should be dressed in appropriate outerwear that fits with our changing weather. Games class requires sneakers or the equivalent athletic support shoe and are strongly recommended for everyday use. Class teachers of the younger grades will indicate to parents whether children should bring a second pair of shoes to be worn in the classroom.

Here are the specifics:

• Shorts and skirts must be longer than knuckle length (arms held at sides with a fist) or a 3 inch inseam.
• No bare midriffs (shirts must be long enough keep midriffs covered during regular movement activities.)
• No mesh, see-through, plunging neckline, strapless, or halter top type shirts.
• Clothing, accessories, backpacks, and lunchboxes may not have any sign or promote: graffiti, alcohol/drugs, racism, gang affiliation, tobacco, profanity, sexual connotations, violence, or media images (characters or references from tv shows, movies, or video games.)
• No make-up or hair dye in the primary grades (K-5).
• No bare feet, flip flops, open toed shoes, high heels, or wedge style heels.

If the item of clothing is questionable, please err on the side of saying no to it. We really appreciate your support in this. In keeping with our Waldorf philosophy, we discourage clothing that draws more attention to the child's clothing than to the child. 

Parking Lot Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures

Drop Off: Parents/Guardians have two options this year for drop off.

• They can pull up to the drop off zone and drop off their students as we did last year. Please use only this entrance and not the gate by the crosswalk. After dropping off students, turn left and exit through the parking lot. DO NOT drive on the track in the morning.
• Parents/guardians can also park and walk their students to class. Please use the crosswalk and walkways to navigate the parking lot. 
• Students can be dropped off starting at 7:45 am. Students dropped off between 7:45 am and 8:30 am will go to the playground where they will be supervised by a staff member or to the gym starting at 8:00 am to get breakfast.
• Students getting food need to get their breakfast immediately upon arriving at school, and not play on the playground first. Breakfast will be served until 9:00 am for late arrivals.

Pick Up: As with drop off, parents/guardians will have two options this year. 

• They can use our pick up lane (the track) and have their students (3rd-8th) delivered to their car as we did last year.
• They can park and walk in. THIS IS REQUIRED FOR K-2.
• NOTE: If your K-2nd grader has a responsible older sibling in 4th grade or above, you can make an arrangement with those students' teachers to have the older child pick up the younger one to be picked up in the pick up line. 
• To make the pick up line go quicker, we will have 3rd-5th grade out in the courtyard and 6th-8th grade in the field. If you are walking in, please wait for those classes in the courtyard and pick them up from there. Do not go to the classroom. Pick up time will be between 3:15-3:30 pm (1:15-1:30 pm on Weds.) Please arrive in the pick up line or the courtyard no earlier than 3:00 pm (1:00 pm on Weds.)

Please be patient with us and new parents the first few weeks as we all get into the rhythm of drop and pick up routines.

Also, please note: drop off and pick up time is not the time to engage in conversation with your child's class teacher, as they will be busy getting ready for the start of the day, and ensuring all students get to where they need to go in the afternoon. If you would like to discuss something with a teacher, please email them to arrange a time to meet or talk on the phone.

Bus Schedule

Please communicate with your class teacher if you child will be riding the bus this year.

Community Offering

More information here: https://elementsnatureschool.com/wilderness-wednesdays and https://elementsnatureschool.com/forest-fridays

Quote of the Day

Handlettered by Ms. Cori

MADRONE TRAIL PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL

www.madronetrail.org

Madrone Trail Public Charter School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or age in its programs and activities.