Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Join the Root Children
We have two spaces available in our Root Children class. We meet on Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 am. This is a parent/toddler program for children 18 months to about 3 years. If you'd like more information please contact Nancylee at nancylee.b@gmail.com.
Winter Season Volunteer Schedule
Family Volunteer Schedule
Here is a list of what days people have signed up for. For those of you not at class last week your name has been assigned to left over spots. Please email MaryAnn gebhard@fidalgo.net with any questions or concerns.
Sapling sign up
Jan 20 Carrie
Jan 27 Jamie
Feb 3 MaryAnn
Feb 10 Jenn
Feb 17 Carrie
Feb 24 Lisa
March 2 Lisa
March 9 Nancylee
March 16 Heidi
March 23 Jenn
March 30 Amy
Seedling 2 sign up
Jan 20 Dana
Jan 27 Britt
Feb 3 Tami
Feb 10 Tami
Feb 17 Jenn
Feb 24 Britt
March 2 Jenn
March 9 Pauli
March 16 Sarah
March 23 Lisa
March 30 Lisa
Set up before class: Before 8:30 am on Thursday or Wed eve after 7:00
Jan 19 Dana
Jan 26 Laurel,
Feb 2 MaryAnn
Feb 9 Jamie
Feb 16 Amy
Feb 23 Shanna
March 1 Tami
March 8 Britt
March 15 Shelley
March 22 Pauli
March 29 Lisa Z
Take down of school after 4:00 on Fridays
Jan 20 Maria
Jan 27 Sophie
Feb 3 Jenn
Feb 10 Sarah
Feb 17 Carrie
Feb 24 Lisa L
March 2 Kelly
March 9 MaryAnn
March 16 Heidi
March23 Kristian
March 30 Nancylee
Please also check the job you signed up for if you have forgotten. The
bulletin board will remain up for the season.
Thank you again for your support
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
You Can't Catch Me ~ Gingerbread Men Tell Their Stories
I brace myself for a certain amount of chaos during the winter holiday season. As I walked up the stairs with my children, ages two and six, I expected to open the door onto a certain amount of flurry -- the flurry that looks like several dozen children and parents gathered in one place. I open the door onto calm and ease, and then I remember: Ah, yes, this is The Greenwood Tree.
Older children are busy in various rooms of our host's house, gathered in small groups, heads bowed over something of interest; or maybe they are leading their siblings (or friends' siblings) around by hand. Parents are busy readying the vast mounds of molasses-colored dough prepared the night before: ovens, baking sheets, cookie cutters, plus potluck food arriving as more families arrive.
Song calls us into community and we gather in one room, on chairs or the warm wood floor. Circle time, and the acknowledgemnt of everyone's presence with the naming of names in song. We are here.
Laurel uncovers wool-felted figurines and unravels a story on sky-blue silk. The story of the Gingerbread Man. Not read from a book but told from the heart, hands making the action. The children draw in closer to the sea of silk as the story unfolds. Quiet, captivated. Chins on knees, eyes on the moving figurines.
The story crescendos. Delighted children now rustling about, smiling. The silk and the figurines now unanimated and back in the basket. The energy in the room moves and the parents who keep Greenwood Tree running smoothly make smooth work once again -- a herd of children and parents in calm transition to the next room, to the unfathonably wide wooden table. Mounds of dark molasses dough for all. Cookie cutters, rolling sticks, and decoration in the form of red cranberries, light brown sunflower seeds, white slivered almonds. Let the baking begin!
Gingerbread Men and Women
Dough Recipe
(shared by gwt parent Shelley Olson -- her family recipe: "I believe it was my grandmother's and my mother has always used it, although she uses shortening and we used butter.")
1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 c. molasses
2 Tbs. vinegar
Add:
5 c. flour (we used a little over 5c. spelt)
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tsp. (1 Tbs.) ginger
1. Cream together the shortening and sugar.
2. Stir in egg, molasses and vinegar.
3. Add dry ingredients (sift together if you like).
4. Chill 1-3 hours.
5. Roll out to 1/4" and cut (obviously our children didn't follow this one) :)
6. Bake @ 375 for 5-6 minutes.
Enjoy!
Older children are busy in various rooms of our host's house, gathered in small groups, heads bowed over something of interest; or maybe they are leading their siblings (or friends' siblings) around by hand. Parents are busy readying the vast mounds of molasses-colored dough prepared the night before: ovens, baking sheets, cookie cutters, plus potluck food arriving as more families arrive.
Song calls us into community and we gather in one room, on chairs or the warm wood floor. Circle time, and the acknowledgemnt of everyone's presence with the naming of names in song. We are here.
Laurel uncovers wool-felted figurines and unravels a story on sky-blue silk. The story of the Gingerbread Man. Not read from a book but told from the heart, hands making the action. The children draw in closer to the sea of silk as the story unfolds. Quiet, captivated. Chins on knees, eyes on the moving figurines.
The story crescendos. Delighted children now rustling about, smiling. The silk and the figurines now unanimated and back in the basket. The energy in the room moves and the parents who keep Greenwood Tree running smoothly make smooth work once again -- a herd of children and parents in calm transition to the next room, to the unfathonably wide wooden table. Mounds of dark molasses dough for all. Cookie cutters, rolling sticks, and decoration in the form of red cranberries, light brown sunflower seeds, white slivered almonds. Let the baking begin!
Gingerbread Men and Women
Dough Recipe
(shared by gwt parent Shelley Olson -- her family recipe: "I believe it was my grandmother's and my mother has always used it, although she uses shortening and we used butter.")
1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 c. molasses
2 Tbs. vinegar
Add:
5 c. flour (we used a little over 5c. spelt)
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tsp. (1 Tbs.) ginger
1. Cream together the shortening and sugar.
2. Stir in egg, molasses and vinegar.
3. Add dry ingredients (sift together if you like).
4. Chill 1-3 hours.
5. Roll out to 1/4" and cut (obviously our children didn't follow this one) :)
6. Bake @ 375 for 5-6 minutes.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Martinmas Celebration
This week on November 11 we will celebrate Martinmas. This Festival honors the generosity of St. Martin of Tours (a patron Saint of France
Learn more here if you like: The Parenting Passageway
Greenwood Tree will celebrate the generosity of St Martin by conducting a food drive now until November 11. Please bring non-perishable food items to Greenwood Tree and the Saplings class will deliver them to our local Food Bank on Friday.
Also on Friday, November 11, we will gather as a community to share in a Lantern Walk, shining our own sparks of light into the dark world. All members of the community are welcome to join in this event – the more lights, the merrier!
Details for the Lantern Walk:
Location:
Please park and meet near the gazebo on the left near the main entrance of the park.
Rhythm:
4:30 pm: Everyone gathers
4:45 pm: Circle time/Importance of Martinmas
5:00 pm:-Lantern Walk with songs
*Popcorn and Tea to follow
4:45 pm: Circle time/Importance of Martinmas
5:00 pm:-Lantern Walk with songs
*Popcorn and Tea to follow
Please Bring:
Lanterns: Enrolled children will make a lantern in class. Parents should bring these to the walk. Greenwood Tree will supply tea lights. If you are attending but your child is not enrolled, please bring your own lanterns.
Warm Clothes: It is said St Martin shared his cloak with a cold beggar, but just in case, please dress for the season.
Song Sheet: Enrolled children have been learning songs in class. The key songs to learn are “The Lantern Song” and “Jack-o-Lantern.” Songs have been emailed to enrolled families - please bring your song sheet on Friday.
The following site has some of these recorded so you could hear them before Friday. Songs
As with any festival one of the key aspects is the mood we create. Please help create this mood for this festival, a quieter one, by focusing on holding space for our children. This will help them (and us!) fully embrace the experience of the Lantern Walk – walking through the darkness, carefully holding our flames, and singing rhythmically together.
Please RSVP:
We will have popcorn and hot tea to share. Please RSVP to let us know if you will attend so we can properly prepare the snacks.
Also, if you have extra thermoses you could share for this event, please bring to Greenwood
We look forward to celebrating with you and your families!
With Light and Love,
Your Greenwood
Laurel, MaryAnn, Britt, Shelley, Nancylee, Shanna, Lara, Jamie & Cassandra
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Autumn's First Parent Educational Forum
Greetings to everyone on a beautiful Autumn day!
We are happy to announce our first Parent Educational Forum at Greenwood Tree this next Wednesday, October 5th from 6-8pm. We will be congregating at the Unitarian Church in Mount Vernon where GWT classes are held.
Our first forum is a parent panel that will focus on homeschooling and finding the balance in the home. Amy Cocheba, Lisa Cooper, Carrie Wolcott and Sophie Dobra will be answering questions from the audience regarding their approach to homeschooling, curriculum, multi-age homes, nurturing their family and themselves and other questions related to their homeschooling experience. Each has been homeschooling for a number of years and has a lot of experience and wisdom to share with our community.
This is a family-friendly event as there will be childcare available. We encourage all parents to attend and to invite other families who are homeschooling or who might be interested in homeschooling. GWT members are free and we are asking for a $5 donation for non-members.
Attached is the flier to advertise this event. There will be many posted around the community, but please feel free to print some off and spread the word. If you attend GWT and will be there Thursday or Friday there is a stack of the fliers for you to take and hang around the community.
Hope to see you all there,
Greenwood Tree Board
Laurel, MaryAnn, Britt, Shelley, Nancylee, Kathryn, Shanna
& Resource Council
Lara & Jamie
We are happy to announce our first Parent Educational Forum at Greenwood Tree this next Wednesday, October 5th from 6-8pm. We will be congregating at the Unitarian Church in Mount Vernon where GWT classes are held.
Our first forum is a parent panel that will focus on homeschooling and finding the balance in the home. Amy Cocheba, Lisa Cooper, Carrie Wolcott and Sophie Dobra will be answering questions from the audience regarding their approach to homeschooling, curriculum, multi-age homes, nurturing their family and themselves and other questions related to their homeschooling experience. Each has been homeschooling for a number of years and has a lot of experience and wisdom to share with our community.
This is a family-friendly event as there will be childcare available. We encourage all parents to attend and to invite other families who are homeschooling or who might be interested in homeschooling. GWT members are free and we are asking for a $5 donation for non-members.
Attached is the flier to advertise this event. There will be many posted around the community, but please feel free to print some off and spread the word. If you attend GWT and will be there Thursday or Friday there is a stack of the fliers for you to take and hang around the community.
Hope to see you all there,
Greenwood Tree Board
Laurel, MaryAnn, Britt, Shelley, Nancylee, Kathryn, Shanna
& Resource Council
Lara & Jamie
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Autumnal Equinox Celebration
Greetings to everyone,
As we welcome a new season and the many changes from summer to autumn, we would like to celebrate and welcome all of you to the new season at Greenwood Tree.
Come and join Greenwood Tree at the home of Carl and Waverly Jaegel (parents of Jamie Jaegel) on Friday, September 23, 2011. Everyone is welcome and please feel free to invite family and friends. There will be crafts, apple cider pressing and a potluck to follow. For those families who are currently not enrolled at Greenwood Tree we are asking for a suggested donation of $5.
Location: 15873 McLean Road, Mount Vernon 98273 (Carl and Waverly Jaegel)
Contact: Jamie Jaegel-360.336.9937
Date: Friday, September 23rd
Time: 4:30-7pm
The rhythm of the evening will look like this:
4:30pm Arrival
4:30-5:30pm Crafts/Apple Cider pressing
5:30-5:45pm Opening Circle/Muscial Procession
5:45-6:15pm Potluck
6:15-6:45 Storytelling
6:45-7pm Closing circle
7-7:30pm Clean-up
Please make sure that you bring:
A yummy potluck dish to celebrate in the harvest season
Picnic gear for your family (plates, utensils, glasses, etc.)
Weather appropriate clothing
Musical instruments for adults and children
We hope to celebrate the coming of autumn with you and your family. Please RSVP (and also let us know if you have any questions) by responding to this email or by calling Jamie (360.336.9937) or Shelley (360.445.3178).
Kind regards,
The Greenwood Tree Board and Resource Council
Laurel, MaryAnn, Britt, Nancylee, Shelley, Kathryn & Shanna, Lara & Jamie
As we welcome a new season and the many changes from summer to autumn, we would like to celebrate and welcome all of you to the new season at Greenwood Tree.
Come and join Greenwood Tree at the home of Carl and Waverly Jaegel (parents of Jamie Jaegel) on Friday, September 23, 2011. Everyone is welcome and please feel free to invite family and friends. There will be crafts, apple cider pressing and a potluck to follow. For those families who are currently not enrolled at Greenwood Tree we are asking for a suggested donation of $5.
Location: 15873 McLean Road, Mount Vernon 98273 (Carl and Waverly Jaegel)
Contact: Jamie Jaegel-360.336.9937
Date: Friday, September 23rd
Time: 4:30-7pm
The rhythm of the evening will look like this:
4:30pm Arrival
4:30-5:30pm Crafts/Apple Cider pressing
5:30-5:45pm Opening Circle/Muscial Procession
5:45-6:15pm Potluck
6:15-6:45 Storytelling
6:45-7pm Closing circle
7-7:30pm Clean-up
Please make sure that you bring:
A yummy potluck dish to celebrate in the harvest season
Picnic gear for your family (plates, utensils, glasses, etc.)
Weather appropriate clothing
Musical instruments for adults and children
We hope to celebrate the coming of autumn with you and your family. Please RSVP (and also let us know if you have any questions) by responding to this email or by calling Jamie (360.336.9937) or Shelley (360.445.3178).
Kind regards,
The Greenwood Tree Board and Resource Council
Laurel, MaryAnn, Britt, Nancylee, Shelley, Kathryn & Shanna, Lara & Jamie
Monday, August 29, 2011
The Latest Information about Autumn Offerings
Dear Greenwood Tree Community,
It's just three weeks until our Autumn Season begins! This Season brings new additions to our Cooperative, including our new teacher Cassanda Schuler, as well as a Spanish Enrichment Program.
We look forward to seeing our enrolled families at our Open House & Orientation, which will take place on September 7 from 5 pm – 7:30 pm at the Skagit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, behind the Post Office in down town Mount Vernon.
We look forward to seeing our enrolled families at our Open House & Orientation, which will take place on September 7 from 5 pm – 7:30 pm at the Skagit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, behind the Post Office in down town Mount Vernon.
We currently have a few spaces left in our programs. Please email greenwoodschool.info@gmail.com for more details on class availability.
Rhythm for the Season Wednesday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (Spanish included)
Saplings Spanish Enrichment:
12:30 - 1:30 pm
Root Children
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Root Children
9:30 - 11:30 am
Saplings
12:30 - 4:00 pm
Sibling Discount! This year we are pleased to offer a 20% discount on tuition for additional children from a family enrolled at Greenwood Tree.
Seedlings 1 Enrichment:
12:00 -1:00 pm (Spanish 12:00-12:30/Movement 12:30-1)
12:00 -1:00 pm (Spanish 12:00-12:30/Movement 12:30-1)
Saplings Spanish Enrichment:
12:30 - 1:30 pm
Root Children
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Seedlings 2:
9:00 - 11:30 am
9:00 - 11:30 am
Root Children
9:30 - 11:30 am
Saplings
12:30 - 4:00 pm
Program Fees & Tuition
Invoicing: Enrolled families will receive an invoice prior to September 1st with their program costs. Tuition is due for Autumn season on September 7th.
In addition to the program offerings, tuition covers the costs of Parent Education Nights, which will be held monthly beginning in October, and seasonal Festivals.
Please contact Britt Shellenberger, Treasurer, at 360.510.9222 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 360.510.9222 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or britto222@yahoo.com, if you have questions or would like to set up a monthly payment plan.
Annual Fees For Each Family
Yearly Greenwood Tree Registration Fee: $50
Yearly Co-op Membership Fee: $9.50 per child
Yearly Insurance Fee: $7 per child
Yearly supporting adult insurance (1 per family): $7
Tuition for each 12-Week Season in the 2011-2012 Year
Seedlings 1
$225 per season
*$285 with Spanish Enrichment
Seedlings 2
$330 per season
Saplings (Friday only)
$260 per season
*$320 with Spanish Enrichment on Wednesday
Saplings 2 days
$380 per season
$380 per season
Note: Please remember that families will be billed $10 per hour for each of the three volunteer hours not completed per Season. There will be ample opportunity to achieve volunteer hours – sign up will take place at our Open House & Orientation on September 7th.
Spanish Enrichment Program
We know that a language enrichment program is something that many members of the community were seeking and we are so pleased Shelley will be able to offer it this year.
The program features in-depth study for the main lesson on Wednesday with experiential work on Friday. This allows for students who attend the one-day program to easily join the activities that began on Wednesday. Activities will follow the rhythms of the Seasons and include festivals traditionally recognized in Waldorf. Each Season focuses on a theme(s) that includes language arts and science. The topics are introduced and taught in a way that allows students of varying ages and abilities to learn and have fun, and include the creation of a main lesson book.
Wednesday - The students meet with Cassandra for circle, story and sharing. Then they transition into a one-hour Spanish block with Shelley. This is an academic block, with the creation of a main lesson book, offering fun and learning for children of varying Spanish levels. Wednesday will also include a half hour movement session and the main lesson block.
Friday - Cassandra will be our main teacher for Friday. The day begins with circle, story, and sharing. The students will move into an experiential aspect of Wednesday's main lesson. Watercolor, form drawing, outdoor cooperative games and an ongoing lesson book will be the focus of the Friday class. Field trips and volunteer projects will also happen on Friday.
In support of our families, the Greenwood Tree Board coordinated with Earthschooling to purchase cooperative group memberships that provide Lifetime access to all materials (current and any added) on the Earthschooling-Waldorf site.
Spanish Enrichment Program
We are pleased to announce that Shelley Schoenberger, a certified Spanish teacher, will offer a Spanish enrichment program for the Seedlings and Saplings classes. The program will be offered for all students on Wednesdays. Please see the detailed schedules for times and information.
We know that a language enrichment program is something that many members of the community were seeking and we are so pleased Shelley will be able to offer it this year.
More Details Regarding the Saplings Offerings
We are excited to offer a one or two day option for our Sapling students. The two-day program meets Wednesday and Friday from 12:15 – 4:00 pm. The one day program meets on Friday from 12:30 – 4:00 pm.
The program features in-depth study for the main lesson on Wednesday with experiential work on Friday. This allows for students who attend the one-day program to easily join the activities that began on Wednesday. Activities will follow the rhythms of the Seasons and include festivals traditionally recognized in Waldorf. Each Season focuses on a theme(s) that includes language arts and science. The topics are introduced and taught in a way that allows students of varying ages and abilities to learn and have fun, and include the creation of a main lesson book.
Wednesday - The students meet with Cassandra for circle, story and sharing. Then they transition into a one-hour Spanish block with Shelley. This is an academic block, with the creation of a main lesson book, offering fun and learning for children of varying Spanish levels. Wednesday will also include a half hour movement session and the main lesson block.
Friday - Cassandra will be our main teacher for Friday. The day begins with circle, story, and sharing. The students will move into an experiential aspect of Wednesday's main lesson. Watercolor, form drawing, outdoor cooperative games and an ongoing lesson book will be the focus of the Friday class. Field trips and volunteer projects will also happen on Friday.
Homeschooling Support Offered via Earthschooling Curriculum
In planning our curriculum offerings, Cassandra will use some of the resources provided by the Earthschooling-Waldorf website (http://thebearthinstitute.
In support of our families, the Greenwood Tree Board coordinated with Earthschooling to purchase cooperative group memberships that provide Lifetime access to all materials (current and any added) on the Earthschooling-Waldorf site.
We still have a few memberships available for purchase at a cost of $60. If you were to purchase the membership as an individual the current cost would be $525. If you are interested in purchasing a membership to support your home efforts, please contact the Greenwood Tree Board at greenwoodschool.info@gmail.com
In Closing
The Greenwood Tree Board and Teachers are so looking forward to sharing the upcoming school year with you and your families. We are excited about our offerings and are working hard to meet the needs of our community – thank you for your excitement and commitment to this Cooperative!
As always, please contact us with questions or for more information.
Blessings,
The Greenwood Tree Board, Resource Council & Teacher
Laurel, MaryAnn, Nancylee, Shelley, Britt, Kathryn, Shanna, Lara & Cassandra
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