December 7
Parent Council Meeting, 6 pm
December 17 &18
Materials Pick Up and Drop Off Day
December 21-January 1
Winter Break
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Drawing by Rowan Botillier, 3rd grade |
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Yurt and Floor Progress
The yurts have come a long way in the past few weeks. One of them is almost completely done, and the others all have their framework up.
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The floors are now finished in the 1st-4th grade classrooms as well as the Handwork room. Only 5th grade is left. The picture is of the 2nd grade classroom. |
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Ski Club
Calling all mountain enthusiasts!
Despite this crazy year, Ski Club is happening for 2020 for 4th-8th graders! However, as you can imagine, it will be operating in a very different manner than usual. First of all, there are only four dates this year and they will be during the day on Fridays from 9-3 pm on January 22 and 29 and February 5 and 12. Luckily, two of those days are not school days (January 22 and February 12) since we have a grades day and an in-service day. The other two days school is in session so students will be expected to make up the work that they missed.
Transportation will not be provided nor will food be available at the Lodge. The Lodge will be somewhat available but we will not be able to stash our gear and have a spot like we have been used to. They are asking us to use our vehicles as the Lodge.
As usual, the mountain will provide a lift ticket, rental gear, and lessons for the ridiculously low price of $50 per visit. But the package must be purchased for $200. It is less if the students have their own gear and even less if they have their own gear and pass. Scholarships are available.
Lessons are available for beginners at 10 am and 1 pm and for intermediate and advanced at 11 am and 2 pm.
Final details are still being worked out but I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
~Mr. Tryllium, Madrone Trail Ski Club Coordinator
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Spiral of Light
Many Waldorf schools celebrate the Spiral of Light or Winter Spiral. This is an ancient tradition that is symbolic of the seasonal changes happening on earth. In the Northern Hemisphere, we are entering the darkest days of the year. The sun is down before dinner time and the shadows are long. The earth is growing quiet and the animals are storing away food and getting ready to hibernate. The Winter Solstice is on December 21st, which marks the shortest day of the year and the beginning of Winter. It is a way to give the children an experience of quiet beauty in a season of busyness.
This past week is when we would normally have had each class sit in silence in the darkened gym, listening to beautiful music while a single candle is lit in the center of a spiral of evergreen boughs, a symbol of life amidst the dead of winter. As the quiet music played, each child in turn would haven taken a candle into the center of that spiral and light it, then place the candle along the path. The lights brighten the path for those who come after. Each child would walk alone, at his or her own pace, in his or her own way. This is a celebration of quiet confidence, of carrying light in darkness, of sharing that light with others.
There are many ways families can recreate this experience at home. Here is the basics:
- Create a Spiral using pine tree boughs, lanterns, leaves, or any other natural material.
- Have each participant carry a light or candle.
- Walk towards the center of the spiral where there is a Larger Candle to use to light the smaller candle.
- Then place the now lit candle along the spiral. Or, just walk into the center and then back out with the lit candle.
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Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences
It was so great to connect with parents during conferences over Zoom or the phone. If you were unable to make it to your conference or if you didn't have a chance to sign up, please reach out to your child's class teacher to arrange a time. During this time of distance learning, it's so important to keep in touch!
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Picture Day
Picture Day went very well today. The weather was nice and there was never a long wait. We had 99 students come through and get their picture taken! There will be a make-up day in January or February in case you missed it. We would love to have everybody get their picture taken, even if you do not want to order any. We use these pictures in the yearbook and the class picture.
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Meet Bryant Jackson, New MTPCS Board Member
Bryant Jackson has called Oregon home for more than 40 years, from college at Eastern Oregon University, to raising kids in Tualatin, to landing in Jackson County to be close to family.
When viewing Bryant’s life in the duopoly of Work-Life; the work portion has been focused on business development, with an emphasis on manufacturing and entrepreneurship. Bryant recently sold his business and is currently looking at future opportunities from the seat of semi-retirement. Bryant hopes that Madrone Trail will benefit from the skills he’s learned in business, including collaboration, efficiency, and diversity.
The life side of Bryant is filled with family. Married for over 37 years, with two children and three grandchildren, gives Bryant much to revel upon. It is this desire to focus on his family, and to fit into both small local communities and the broad world community that lead Bryant to seek a board position at Madrone Trail. Bryant recently mentioned, “Play based education seems to be very beneficial to many kids, I’m so happy Madrone Trail is here to meet that need.”
Bryant enjoys most outdoor activities and travel, from the local beauty of the Pacific Northwest to the cultural history of Europe.
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Latest Metrics from the State
We are starting to trend down with Test Positivity rates, but the case count still remains high in Jackson County. We will see how traveling and the holiday affects these numbers in a few weeks. The new metrics are now categorized in overlapping two-week blocks. Here is the latest.
11/01-11/14 Case Count: 932 Cases Per 100,000: 421.2 Test Positivity Rate: 10.4%
11/08-11/21 Case Count: 1,019 Cases Per 100,000: 460.5 Test Positivity Rate: 9.2%
11/15-11/28 Case Count: 985 Cases Per 100,000: 445.1 Test Positivity Rate: 8.8%
To see how other counties are doing click below.
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Pictures for the Yearbook Needed
Weekly reminder! Please take pictures of your child doing the various online school activities at home, like this one of Faith and Bella Waterman working on their Woodwork projects.
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In Need of a Backpack?
We received a donation of 20 kid backpacks. If you would like one they are in the school office.
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Spiral of Light verse handlettered by Ms. Cori |
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MADRONE TRAIL PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
www.madronetrail.org
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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. |
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