The crocuses are blooming early at Willow Wind this year and soon we will see baby calves in the field next door. The barn project is moving along even more quickly than anticipated. The students are excitedly watching the new structure emerge. Last week we all gathered outside to watch the crane lift the 52-foot ridge beam on to the top of the structure. It was amazing! Stop by and see the model that the Building Challenges Class is constructing. They are building the model step by step as the construction crews make progress on the real structure. It is an exciting time here at Willow Wind!

Although it feels like we have just begun the new semester, we will have to be thinking about fall classes in the near future! The first planning meetings will be happening before we leave for vacation. The more advance notice we have, the more carefully we can explore the possibilities. I always enjoy working with families to develop classes and explore learning opportunities, so come by, meet with other families and let's dream up some exciting new programming.

Debbie

February 26

2ND ANNUAL HOME GROWN TALENT SHOWCASE

March 1 – 12

PARENT PARTNER

CONFERENCES

March 5

PIZZA FRIDAY

March 9

PARENT COUNCIL MEETING

March 18

2ND ANNUAL SCIENCE FAIRE

March 22-29

SPRING BREAK 1 Willow Wind Community Learning Center

WILLOW WIND

Community Learning Center

NEWSLETTER MARCH 2010

EVENTS Notes From The Office

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ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS 2nd ANNUAL HOME GROWN TALENT SHOWCASE Friday, February 26 Ashland Middle School Commons Doors Open: 6:30 Show starts: 6:45 Featuring students of all ages singing, dancing, circus tricks, poetry, comedy and rock-n-roll! Suggested Donation at the door: $5.00 individual OR $10 for families. Refreshments available for sale: Pizza, Salad, Baked Goodies and Drinks. All proceeds benefit fund for purchasing a sound system for the Willow Wind Barn.

2nd ANNUAL SCIENCE FAIR March 18 4:30 – 5:30 PM

The second annual Willow Wind Science Fair is Thursday, March 18. This year’s science fair will take place in the Family Room at Willow Wind. Students can begin setting up their projects at 4:00 PM on the 18th. Projects will be on display from 4:30 – 5:30 PM. Student scientists will be available to explain and answer any questions about their projects. Please come and see the amazing projects and scientific studies that our Willow Wind students have done.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL SURVEY AT SCIENCE FAIR

Please stop by the Survey Table at the Science Fair to give your input for this project! RVTD and the City of Ashland Public Works Department are collecting walk + bike data from students, parents and teachers at Willow Wind CLC in order to create a Safe Routes to School map. A school route map informs each student of the safest and most convenient walking and bicycling route to school and can identify areas along the student’s route that require improvements to make the route safer. Once completed, these maps will be made available to the school for distribution to students and parents and will also be included in the City of Ashland Transportation System Plan update. The map will then be used to identify where engineering treatments may be needed and where adult school crossing guards and traffic control devices, such as signs, crosswalks and traffic signals, should be provided. STORYTELLING FESTIVAL April 15

Storytellers ages 5-18 are invited to share their favorite fable, fairytale, myth or personal story at the first ever Willow Wind Storytelling Festival. Don’t miss this fun opportunity to entertain families and friends with your creative storytelling talents. Individual and team storytellers are welcome. Storytelling information packets detailing rules and guidelines are available in the office lobby. Please return your sign-up information to the office by March 19. Contact Sheryl Cochran with any questions, 541-488-2684 or Sheryl.cochran@ashlnad.k12.or.us.

March 17

HAPPY

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

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FLOWERS By Lilly Morrish

Flowers are pretty They have lots of

bright colors They come in all shapes.

SPRING SHOW DATE CHANGE The Spring Show date has changed.

Wednesday, May 26 7:00 PM

We have begun planning the costumes for this year's spring show, a dance extravaganza based on The Wiz. Nine classes will be participating in this colorful pageant, and there are many volunteer needs. First, we need someone to be the Official Communicator for all the classes. This person will make email lists for the parents of every dancer and will send periodic emails about costumes, rehearsals and such. We also need crafty folk for costuming - we have plenty of jobs that do not require sewing. Finally, we will need volunteer hair stylists on the night of the big show to transform our youngers into fabulous Munchkins. This is a great opportunity to volunteer and work towards completing your family service requirement. Please email Shelley Elkovich if you can help, shelley.elkovich@gmail.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS

ASHLAND INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL LAUNCHES 9TH SEASON WITH WILLOW WIND STUDENT FILMS The Ashland Independent Film Festival will launch its ninth season with the screening of two Willow Wind student films, Haunting in the Shed, and Insights for the Young. Kathy Barbini’s Light’s, Camera, Action class filmed Haunting in the Shed and students from her Hot Doc’s class filmed Insights for the Young. Films were submitted to the Regional Student Film Competition. Haunting in the Shed was selected to represent grades K-5 and Insights for the Young was selected to represent grades 6-8. Two representatives from each project will be elected to go on stage for Questions & Answers. All students who worked on both films will be recognized and asked to stand up.

Ashland Independent Film Festival – Thursday, April 8 – Monday, April 12

Haunting in the Shed & Insights for the Young Screening

Sunday, April 11 9:30 AM Historic Ashland Armory

Films play in the Locals Only 1 program. Tickets to Locals Only are free but they are required. Please tell family and friend that they still need to get a ticket. This is a very popular program at the festival and fills every year.

March 20

FIRST DAY OF SPRING

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ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS SPRING FAMILY SERVICE UPDATE Here are some great opportunities to help complete your family service requirements. Please note: Volunteering in your child’s class does not count toward service hours. Many contacts for the jobs listed below can be reached at 541-488-2684.

• Spring Show – contact Shelley Elkovich • Bulletin Boards – contact Patrice Dean • Literacy coach – contact Sheryl Cochran • Inventory – contact Patrice Dean • Playground pick-up – contact Patrice Dean • Project Box – contact Patrice Dean • Yearbook Committee – contact Debbie Schaeffer-Pew • May Day – contact Debbie Schaeffer-Pew • Lunch Bunch Games – contact Debbie Schaeffer-Pew

PICTURE DAYS

Make sure your student’s photo is in the Yearbook. Bryan DeVore will be on campus on the days listed below to take student pictures. Drop-in times are available for students who are not in a core class or are absent on a particular day. No appointment is necessary and it only takes a few minutes. Prints will be available for purchase on-line after Spring Break. For more information, please contact the office, 541-488-2684. Please plan on having your student attend one of these photo sessions:

Wednesday, April 7 Morning Morning Glories, Word Birds, Harmony

Thursday, April 8 12:00 – 1:00 PM Drop-In

Thursday, April 8 1:00 – 3:00 PM Journeys, Flyers, High School Age Students

Friday, April 9 9:30 – 10:30 AM Debut

Friday, April 9 10:30 AM–1:00 PM Drop-In YEARBOOK PHOTOS

The yearbook committee is seeking photos. Place any photos on a disc and drop it off in the office. PARENT COUNCIL Tuesday, March 9

CHERRIES By Aurora Olson

Cherries are tasty

I love them when they’re blooming

They are beautiful.

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BUTTERFLY By Charas Foyil

Flying butterfly

Beautiful flying insect Very colorful.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS

WILLOW WIND AND ASF: A lucrative Partnership The Ashland Schools Foundation (ASF) is a nonprofit that raises funds for all of the Ashland public schools including Willow Wind! This year Willow Wind received $10,000 in financial support to help hire many of the great teachers that your children have had. The Ashland Schools Foundation also partnered with Willow Wind for the Barn Restoration Capital Campaign, helping us gain many of the grants that are funding the project. Each April ASF holds their annual fund drive to raise money for the upcoming school year through direct mailings and phone drive. Thursday, April 8 Willow Wind has been scheduled to team up with volunteers from Ashland Middle School to help call parents and previous donors to remind them to donate. Delicious dinners, donated by local restaurants, are served at 6:00 PM, calling begins at 7:00 PM and ends at 8:45 PM. Don’t worry if you have never done this, training is provided. Come spend an evening volunteering for Willow Wind and other schools. Sign-up online at www.ashlandschoolsfoundation.org or contact Judith Anne McBride at 541-488-2684.

SCHOASTIC BOOK ORDERS This month’s flyer from Scholastic Book Clubs features some terrific new books-along with some time-tested classics-that your child is sure to enjoy reading. Please take some time to explore the flyer with your child. Make your selections and return the order form to the office with your payment. Or, give online ordering a try! It’s fast, easy, and you get instant access to hundreds of additional titles plus online-only specials and discounts. Best of all, Willow Wind earns a FREE book for classroom libraries every time a parent places their order online! To order online, go to the web address below and enter our schools personalized user name and password in the sign-in fields on the right side of the page. You do not need to create your own user name and password. www.scholastic.com/bookclubs User Name: willowwindparent Password: Homestyle If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call the office.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS FALL PLANNING BEGINS NOW

Planning for fall classes is starting now. The Course Selection Committee wants to hear from you! The process of class planning is an open one, with ideas coming from kids, parents and teachers. However, we really need to know what classes the community most wants to see offered on the fall schedule. The ideas for course offerings that are most important are the ones that come from the community or respond to community needs. It’s hard to overstate how important this feedback is for us. Without it, we’re just guessing what your needs are. These meetings are a great place to express your needs and interests. Teachers, older kids and adults are encouraged to attend. It’s also an opportunity to hear what other people are thinking and to stimulate new ideas. Preparing a little prior to the meetings can be especially productive: Talk with your kids about their interests. Are there areas in which a teacher or class support might open up learning opportunities? Like-minded parents or kids can get together in small groups ahead of time to develop ideas or identify needs that can then be brought to the meetings.

Planning Meetings 5-10 year olds - Thursday, March 11 4:30 – 6:00 PM 11+ year olds - Thursday, March 11 6:00 – 7:00 PM

ALL FALL PROPOSALS WILL BE DUE THURSDAY, APRIL 22

INCOMING KINDERGARDENERS The list of families interested in attending Willow Wind for the 2010-2011 fall semester is growing. If your family has an incoming five-year-old please notify the office so your name can be added to the list. INTERESTED FAMILIES If you know of families who are interested in attending Willow Wind for the 2010-2011 school year, please encourage them the contact us or fill out an inquiry form. Inquiry forms are in the office or on the Willow Wind website at: http://ashland.k12.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=1499.

UPCOMING ASSESSMENT DATES • Science Tests: April 12 – 16 • Reading Tests: April 19- 23 • Math Tests: April 26 – 30

This spring many Willow Wind students are required to participate in the Oregon State Assessments. If your child has registered for classes in the core content areas, he/she will be required to take these tests. All Parent Partner students also participate in all state assessments. Some of the tests will be given in the classes and some will be at special sessions. It is very important that your child attends the assigned session. Please call Debbie if you have further questions.

SUNSET By Kailani Thompson

Above the ocean

They are very beautiful In the starry sky.

March 14

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS

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WILLOW WIND BARN GROUNDBREAKING Even though the foundation was in place and the reconstruction had begun, Willow Wind gathered to celebrate the ground breaking of our barn. We have much to be proud of and excited about. Adroit has begun doing a fabulous job safely interfacing with classes in session and keeping the project on schedule. If all goes as expected, we will have a ribbon cutting ceremony with the opening of the 2010-2011 school year.

Book Review by Helenka Dobiecka Title: The Hundred Dresses Author: Eleanor Estes As Peggy and Maddie are going to school, they find out about a poor country girl named Wanda Petonski. They learn that even if a person is lying you may not tease them. Like Wanda, each day they tease her. To find out she must leave the school. The Hundred Dresses really inspires people who have a talented personality. It tells not about the rich but the poor. I suggest readers who have a deep mind and feelings would enjoy it.

BOOK REVIEW

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The garden committee had its first meeting of the new-year and new season in the garden. While it seems very early to think about planting, it is time to begin the planning process. And it’s not too early to plant. Did you know that now is the time to seed onions and leeks in the green house and broccoli should get started by mid-February? There is so much you can learn by being involved in the garden. The committee is working on an early spring planting schedule. Once we get an idea of what to plant and when, we can go through the process of designating beds, gathering materials, and planning for the Willow Wind Farm Stand. Because there is no Farm Stand class this spring semester, the core classes will be taking turns setting up, selling and taking down Farm Stand materials. This will be an opportunity for many students to learn about weighting items, collecting money and giving change and the very important skill of customer-relations. Sharing garden space with families who would like to grow and maintain their own produce is one of the goals for the Willow Wind garden. If you would like to adopt an area in the garden, please contact the office and leave your contact information. Perhaps you are not interested in planting now but would like to adopt an area for the summer. Please let the office know so you can be included in the next phase of planning – the summer garden. The garden committee would like to extend a special thank you to the Baughman family for their hard work and dedication to our food forest area. We are so grateful to them for taking on the job of trimming and pruning the fruit trees, attempting to manage some of the comfrey that grows rapidly and lots of weeding. We appreciate their passion for our food forest. Listed below are the currently scheduled garden work days. Garden work days are a great way to help fulfill your family service requirement.

SUNDAY, APRIL 25 12:00 – 4:00 PM

SATURDAY, MAY 15 12:00 – 4:00 PM Help us plan projects that maximize your time by letting us know when you can help in the garden. Sign-up sheets are in the office lobby.

GARDEN UPDATE

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PERFORMANCE FOR YOUNGERS Teacher: Eve Smyth “If you could be any kind of character in a play, what would you be?” This was the question I asked my fifteen students in this class on our first day. The answers were diverse, from normal to wild, human to non-human, general to very specific. Someone wanted to be silly, someone wanted to be serious, someone wanted to be a Mad Scientist, while another student wanted to be a Pegasus unicorn named Sara, with golden hooves, wings and horn. We have embarked on the journey of creating a play for these characters. Fifteen different characters, coming to life and finding a place in the same world, in a story to be performed at the end of the semester. Can we do it? YES, we can! We are creating a story inspired by the varied characters that inspire the students. Needless to say, Room 2B is exploding with ideas. Some more doable than others (I don’t think we can rig Room 2B for aerial stunts), but, I’m confident that we will find a theatrical way to get the story told. While all this creating is going on, we’re also learning about acting techniques: line delivery-how the emphasis on a word in a sentence can change the intent, staging and focus, and of course the teamwork involved in putting on a play. The students are really excited. Here’s what some of the students have to say. “I think the play will be fun and I’m glad I get to run into a pole.” ~ Tiaga “I’m excited to pop out at people and confuse them.” ~ Ahlianah “I like that everybody has their own character, that no one has a main part.” ~ Sibella “Eve makes plays really fun.” ~ Greta “I like this play because I get to learn how to act.” ~ Kailani “I love this class and the play is awesome because I’m Awesome Man and I get to fly.” ~ Anais Stay tuned to performance dates and times as we near the end of the semester. In the meantime look out for fairies, foxes, dragons, mysterious villains, and low-flying heroes on the Willow Wind campus. YOGA WITH MUSIC Teacher: Dana Yearsley Yoga evolves as music plays in the background. Students are working hard on sharpening their balance and expanding their breathing. Strength and flexibility are developing as well as willpower, focus and determination. But it’s not all work. The class is having fun exploring our new game, Yoga Bingo.

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING CLASS NEWS

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COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 12 AT 2:00

BINGO NIGHT THANK YOU! Thank you to everyone who participate in and helped make Bingo Night such a success. Everybody had a lot of fun. We hope to do it again next year. PIZZA FRIDAY - MARCH 5 Pizza costs $2.00 per slice and preorders will take place Thursday’s at 8:45-9:15 AM and 2:30-3:15 AM. To ensure that Pizza Friday is a continued success, we need several volunteers to help. Volunteers are needed Friday’s from 11:30-12:30. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Jennifer Sallee at sallee_jen@yahoo.com. Mark you calendars – pizza Friday will also be on April 2 and May 7. SCRIP! Scrip will be on sale at Willow Wind every Thursday from 2:30 – 3:15 PM and every Friday from 8:45 – 9:15 AM at the Hug-and-Go. On rainy, snowy or very cold days Scrip will be sold in the office lobby. Please sign up on-line for eScrip at www.escrip.com. It only takes a few minutes and it is safe. Families have already signed up on line and generated shopping contributions from retailers for Willow Wind. Our goal is to have 150 people signed up by the end of the school year.

SCRIP ON SALE: MARCH 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19

SHOP-N-KART: Place you SCRIP order by 12:00 PM every Wednesday by emailing Carolyn Moeglein at cmoeglein@yahoo.com. Orders placed will be available for pick up every Thursday from 2:30 – 3:15 PM and every Friday from 8:45 – 9:15 AM.

MARKET OF CHOICE & SAFEWAY: Sign up for e-scrip by registering your credit, debit and club cards at www.escrip.com. The Willow Wind e-scrip group number is: 500021727. Please contact Jennifer Sallee at sallee_jen@yahoo.com, with any questions.

ALBERTSONS: Albertsons has its own scrip program. Sign up by visiting www.albertsons.com/cp. The Willow Wind community partner ID # is: 49-0011020400. Your Albertsons Preferred Shopper card number will need to be used instead of your phone number.

CONTACT: If you have any questions regarding the Community Association or any of the events listed above please contact Deneice Zeve at deneicezeve@gmail.com.

WILLOW WIND

1497 E. Main St

Ashland, Oregon 97520

Ashland.k12.or.us/willowwind

541-488-2684 541-488-2687 fax