WILLOW

WIND
Community
Learning Center

DECEMBER 2009 NEWSLETTER

Notes From The Office

First Snow
Marie Louise Allen

EVENTS Snow makes whiteness where it falls.

The bushes look like popcorn balls.
December 1-11 The places where I always play
PARENT PARTNER Look like somewhere else today.
CONFERENCES

Today was the first wet, wintry day. The children were filled with energy
December 11 as they came running in with wet jackets. They crowded into the kitchen
SPRING REGISTRATION to prepare warm tea and soup for lunch…winter is on its way.
DEADLINE
This is a time of year for giving thanks and giving to others. Thank you all
for being a part of our community and helping in so many ways. I hope
December 15 you will all join us for the Winter Faire. It is a wonderful celebration – a
gift to the children of Willow Wind.
WINTER FAIRE
Best wishes from all of us for a wonderful holiday season and a Happy
December 21-January 3 New Year! I hope you all have time to relax and enjoy the quiet of winter,
perhaps take a walk to explore the silence. We will look forward to seeing
WINTER BREAK
you again in January.

January 4-15 Debbie

WINTER WORKSHOPS 1
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Willow Wind CLC December 2009

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS PARENT COUNCIL

Tuesday, December 8
WINTER FAIRE AND CELEBRATION
Tuesday, December 15
2:00 PM
6:00-8:00 PM Willow Wind

This is a chance to come together and celebrate the season. Winter Faire is SRPING SEMESTER
one of Willow Wind’s favorite events. Come and enjoy COMMUNITY, BEGINS
CRAFTS, ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD and FUN! Please bring cookies or
January 19
other finger foods to share, and join us for a wonderful time.

Volunteers are always needed and this is a great way to complete family
service hours. If you can help with setup, teardown, decorations, craft SCHOLASTIC BOOK
prep, manning a craft table or collecting evergreen boughs for the ORDERS
labyrinth please email Debbie at debraschaeffer.pew@ashland.k12.or.us.
for December need to
be ordered on-line.
WINTER WORKSHOP REGISTRATION
November 30-December 3
8:30 AM Office/Resource Room

We have many wonderful Winter Workshops! A copy of these offerings was emailed or mailed last
week. We hope that some of these workshops will inspire your family. Each child, grades 1-11, may
register for up to 25 hours of workshops. Kindergarten children must limit their time to 14 hours. To
register for workshops come to the Office/Resource Room and sign up. Please make sure the workshops
chosen do not overlap. EACH CLASS HAS LIMITED SPACES, REGISTER EARLY.

END OF TERM CELEBRATION

Thursday, December 10
6:00 PM Performances begin at 6:30 PM
Ashland Community Center 59 Windburn Way

Come join us for an exciting evening of Afro-Cuban and West African drumming, original songs
performed by the Singing Station and beautifully displayed art.

Performances and artwork by students from Willow Wind, Ashland Middle School, John Muir and
Ashland High School, under the direction of Sue Lundquist, Tish McFadden and Polly Beach.

$5.00-$10.00 suggested donation. Bring a dessert to share.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION FOR TEENS

Is your older student interested in making connections with the teen community at Willow Wind?

Well-attended social events, organized by families took place last year providing an opportunity for the
teen community to connect in a safe and positive environment. There is interest in continuing hosting
similar events this year. Families who would like to be involved planning, organizing and hosting such
events should email Jeanne Chouard at chouard.jeanne@gmail.com. Include your name, contact
information and your child’s name and age.

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Willow Wind CLC December 2009

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS CONT.

SPRING SEMESTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES
Please remember to return your spring course requests on time. We have
tried to work around holiday schedules and provide enough time for all
students to register. The timeline is short so that everyone can have a
winter break.
• December 4 – Mail Spring Registration Packet
• December 11 – Registration Requests Due
• January 6 – Confirmations of spring classes mailed

FAMILY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Here are some great opportunities to help fulfill your family service
requirements.
• Winter Faire – Contact Debbie for more information, 488-2684.
• Pizza Friday – First Friday of each month 11:30-12:30. Contact
Jennifer Sallee at jen_sallee@yahoo.com for more information.
• Project Box – The Project Box, located in the office, has jobs
teacher’s need help with.
• Playground Patrol – Collect forgotten items and put in the Lost
& Found. Remove litter.

PARENT PARTNER CONFERENCES

December 1-11

Conferences for Group A students will take place the week of December 1. Conferences for Group B
students will take place during the week of December 7. This is a great opportunity to discuss spring
semester classes and requirements with your consultant. Families will have the opportunity to review
evaluations from students fall semester teachers. This is a good time to bring up any questions you
may have about curriculum or your student’s learning. As teachers, we look forward to this time with
parents. Please contact your consultant and set an appointment.

DANCE SHOWCASE
Tuesday, December 8
7:00-9:00 PM
The Grove 1195 E. MAIN

Dance, dance, dance! Imagine learning two hundred years of dancing in 10 weeks. The beginning and
intermediate ballroom classes are busy exploring everything from the traditional Waltz to the in-vogue
nightclub two-step. Add a little Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Swing and Tango, and we’ve touched on half of the
most popular partner dances from 19th to 21st century America.

Students would like to show off what they have learned so far. Join them for a Dance Showcase. The
performance will run from 7:00-8:15 PM followed by open dancing for everyone until 9:00 PM. Dance
lessons from the students included. All age’s welcome and partners provided. Admission is
$3.00/family.

This is a non-sponsored, privately hosted event not associated with Willow Wind. Hope to see you on
the dance floor.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS CONT.

LOST & FOUND

The Lost & Found has reached MAXIMUM CAPACITY! We are
scheduled to donate the entire contents to a charity organization. PLEASE
check the Lost & Found and retrieve any items belonging to your student.
The Lost & Found is located on the back porch.

BE ON TIME
Because of the structure of Willow Wind classes, it is especially important PUMPKIN
for students to arrive on time. Teachers try to accomplish a great deal
within the time limitations of each individual class.
FESTIVAL
PHOTOS NOW
Habitual tardiness disrupts your child’s daily program and it can
interrupt the learning of others. The beginning of class is an important ON-LINE
part of your child’s day and teachers are committed to starting classes on
time. Please make sure your child is in class on time.

ON THE LOOKOUT

Robin will be teaching a winter workshop called The Science of Simple Machines. One of the student’s
favorite parts of simple machine study is take-aparts. Robin is on the lookout for a variety of broken
machines or appliances that may be safely disassembled. The best take-apart machines have moving
parts, gears, lever, etc. No vacuum cleaner’s, please. If you have a broken machine or appliance that
you would like to donate, please contact Robin at robin.hawley@ashland.k12.or.us.

SUPERVISION
Willow Wind requires that all students be supervised by a parent, or designated adult, when not in
class. It is the family’s responsibility to be clear about these supervision requirements with their
children.

Students must be picked-up promptly from all activities as there is no extra supervision on the
property. Students should arrive no earlier than the start of their first class. If an older student has a
short break between classes, special arrangements can be made directly with an individual teacher or
the administrator to provide a study hall.

All preschool age children must be under the direct supervision of their parent. If a parent sees that a
younger child is disrupting a class, they may go the Family Room, Resource Room or Playground.

WILLOW WIND WEBSITE LINKS

Willow Wind 2009/2010 Calendar - http://ashland.k12.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=1320

Parent Resources - http://ashland.k12.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=1499

Current Course Information - http://ashland.k12.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=1563

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Willow Wind CLC December 2009

“WHAT’S UP WITH THE BARN?”

Judith Anne McBride

I bet you’ve been wondering, “What’s up with the barn?” Well, construction is about to begin. Recently,
Adroit Constructions was hired, a timeline was set and plans to break ground in January are
underway. If all goes as expected we will be celebrating the completion in July! Willow Wind will have
a new space by the beginning of the new school year. We will be so proud.

While the money is place for the construction, there will continue to be a need for additional
fundraising to help purchase furniture, sound equipment and stage lighting. Proceeds from the Willow
Wind Talent Showcase and the “Singing Station” CD, featuring class recordings, will be donated to this
cause.

Once again we are offering families, friends, relatives and local community members an opportunity to
leave a legacy on the Willow Wind campus by purchasing a personalized brick, which will be used to
beautify the surrounding areas of the barn.

For more information, please contact Judith Anne McBride, 488-2684.

GARDEN UPDATE FARM STAND

Thank you to the many gardeners for all the hard
work at the October workday. WOW! So much
work was accomplished. The biggest step forward
was the building of many new, wooden, raised
beds in the vegetable garden area. We had a very
effective team of organizers and builders who got
the job done with ease. In addition to the new
beds, lots of general weeding and cleanup took
place. I was so amazed to see the exponential
growth of the compost piles. The food forest area
got some attention too. The open areas were
weeded and a new layer of compost was added to
many of the plants. It looks like an area ready for
winters’ rest. Thanks to all of you for keeping our
gardens and landscape lovely.
Don’t forget to stop by Farm Stand, Monday
afternoons from 2:30-3:30 PM.
This week’s special is lavender. Lavender can be
used as a substitute for
Rosemary, to make tea,
lavender butter, potpourri,
lavender bags, crafts, holiday
gifts and even moth repellants.
Don’t forget to pick some up.
Be sure to visit Farm Stand
weekly. Don’t miss out on the Bok Choy, Spinach
and Escarole that are nearing harvest.

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Willow Wind CLC December 2009

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY
ALL AGES OPEN MIC NIGHT
Friday, January 8
6:30-8:30 PM Performances begin at 7:00 PM
Location: The Congregational Church: United Church of Christ 717 Siskiyou Blvd.

Join us for the All Ages Open Mic Night. A fun filled evening of student performances and socializing.
All Willow Wind families and friends are invited to attend. Admission is $5/person or $10/family.

CALL FOR PERFORMERS:

Students of all ages are invited to participate in Open Mic Night. No rehearsals, no auditions, just sign-
up to perform then show up on Friday, January 8. Performances begin at 7:00 PM. Performance
priority will be given to students under the age of 11 and to those tweens and teens who did not
perform at the first Open Mic Night. The sign-up sheet is located in the office lobby. Performances can
include, but are not limited to, musical numbers, joke/story telling, poetry reading, or magic tricks.
Performances should not be longer than five minutes. All acts must be appropriate for a family
audience. Performers will be called up from the audience when it is their turn to perform. All
performers must donate one item for the snack bar.

For more information about Open Mic Night for all ages contact, Jeanne Chouard, 488-3406 or
chouard.jeanne@gmail.com. Or Jane Anderson, 899-8182 or jane@washdish.com. To get involved and
help plan and prepare the All Ages Open Mic Night or the 2nd Annual Willow Wind Talent Showcase
contact, Jane Anderson at jane@washdish.com.

TWEENS & TEENS CREATE THEIR OWN

ENTERTAINMENT AT OPEN MIC NIGHT
Pioneer Hall was filled with fun and laughter on Friday,
November 13 at the Willow Wind Tweens & Teens Open Mic
Night.

Students created a great evening of entertainment that included

hilarious skits, costume karaoke, impressive magic, great music
and dance performance.

Many thanks to 8th grade master of ceremonies, Noah Yaconelli,

and Willow Wind parents, Michael Hodgin for providing and
running the sound system, and Naomi Marie for tending the
snack bar.

Special thanks to all the families and friends who attended. Your
generous contributions are appreciated.

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Willow Wind CLC December 2009

CLASS NEWS
A FIELD TRIP TO THE ROASTING COMPANY
On Wednesday, October 21 the Foundations of Algebra class took a ten minute walk to the Roasting
Company to interview Dustin Way, the 26 year old co-owner, to find out what it is like to own a small
business in Ashland. We gathered together on the deck with our beverages and notebooks in hand.
Q: How long have you owned Roasters?
A: I bought it February 8, last year. About a year and eight months.

Q: How long have you lived in Ashland?

A: Almost my whole life. In fact, I used to go to Willow Wind when it was the Chautauqua School.

Q: What is the highest level of math you have completed?

A: I studied trigonometry and differential and integral calculus
in college. I learned how to measure the volume of an irregularly
shaped objet, such as the human body.

Q: How much caffeine do you consume a day?

A: About 6-8 shots a day.

Q: What are your passions?

A: My passions are making handmade, tasty beverages for people
to enjoy.

Q: What is your favorite part of running a business?

A: The people! It feels like I know half of Ashland.

Q: What is the hardest part about running a business?

A: Owning a business is tough, because it leaves almost not time for vacations, and I work lots of
hours, up to twelve hours a day, to keep things running smoothly.

Q: What does your future hold for you?

A: I plan to open a brewery and coffee shop in Portland some day. I love making tasty beverages for
people!

Q: Do you have any words of advise for us?

A: Listen to your parents and grandparents. They are the smartest people you will ever know.

Next time you go into Roasters, say hi to Dustin, who spends his day making the best beverages in
town.
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CLASS NEWS CONT.

NAILING DOWN BRASS TACKS AND FINE TUNING TRAITS
Ruth Lizotte

“The page, the page, the eternal whiteness. That page will teach you how to write.”
Annie Dillard

“Brass Tacks” and “Fine Tuning” students are indeed learning to write by covering
the whiteness of pages and pages of notebook paper. Students do one ten-minute
quick-write everyday, and I find, for most students, this task has miraculously
turned from drudgery to fun! At first, the focus was on punctuation, next
capitalization, then verb usage, and now students are starting to understand the
challenge and fun involved with sentence construction. I am amazed by their
ability to grab new learning and apply it skillfully to the “eternal whiteness”.

Brass Tacks students are now focusing on paragraph writing; the goal is to write on
tight, interesting paragraph that shows strength in all six writing traits: Ideas and
Content, Organization, Sentence Fluency, Word Choice, Voice and Conventions.
Fine Tuning students are learning to analyze writing prompts and write response
essays. They are also writing some poetry and working together in revision groups
to improve their writing in all areas.

This has been a fast-paced, fun term and another kind of whiteness is now entering
our minds...the kind that Sonora connects to Uggs and hot chocolate! Please enjoy
the girt of her ten-minute quick-write on shoes.

SHOES
Sonora Mindling-Werling

Click, clack, click, clack, echoes the empty hallways of my imagination; the black
high heels walk over the hard, cold marble floors. They reach a door and step
outside.

Suddenly blue flip-flops are running in the wet grass on a sunny, summer day.
They jump and skip in the sprinkler, dancing a path of lighthearted joy
accompanied by an orchestra of laughter.

The scene changes. Soft bending, gentle black dance shoes point and flex, point and
flex. Then the stage floor is under them! They leap, spin, and twirl, flashing black
leather in the spotlight. They perform one last spin, slow and graceful, before
settling into a bow as the audience applauds.

In the blink of an eye, sheepskin boots, Uggs, take the place of the dancing shoes.
Crunching through the deep snow, they are warm and snug against the gray day
and falling snowflakes. They are bound for a warm house, a crackling fire, and a
cup of hot cocoa; their footprints will soon be covered in snow. Silenced. Forgotten.

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COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 12 AT 2:00

ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE EXTENDED!

The Community Association has elected to extend the Annual Food Drive until December 18.
Delivery of all the food collected to the Ashland Emergency Food Bank will take place on
Friday December18 at 3:15 PM. Thank you for all the generous donations thus far. With
more time, we will be able to help provide for needy families in Ashland this holiday season.
We are accepting donations of non-perishable food items and Scrip. Collection receptacles will
be located at the Hug & Go and in the office lobby. Willow Wind donated 400 pounds of food
last year! Please help us exceed that amount by giving generously.

CALL TO ALL PARENTS! Please sign up on-line for eScrip at www.escrip.com. It only takes
a few minutes and it is safe. Eighteen families have already signed up on line and generated
$120 worth of shopping contributions from retailers for Willow Wind. Our goal is to have 150
people signed up by the end of the school year.

PIZZA FRIDAY will take place DECEMBER 4. 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.

GIFT AREA FOR WINTER FAIRE: The last day to donate unused, previously loved or
recycled toys, games, costume jewelry, scarves, cookie cutters, napkin rings, trinkets, etc. for
the Winter Faire gift area is TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1. Please ensure that the items
donated are not broken, missing pieces or unusable. Donated items will be available at the
Winter Faire for students to purchase and wrap. Collection receptacles will be located at the
Hug & Go.

SCRIP ON SALE: DECEMBER 3, 4, 10, 11

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.

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THANK YOU
Becky Sherman, Jennifer Lawson, Laura Roll,
Julie Chura for organizing, supervising and
leading the October garden workday.

Mathias Dean and Eric Gotfrid for the new

Willow Wind sign at the driveway entrance.

Paul and Roxanne Stone for hanging the new

sign over the driveway entrance.

Ann Marie and Isabel Lowry for baking all of

the delicious cookies for the cookie walk at the
Pumpkin Festival.

WILLOW
WIND
1497 E. Main St
Ashland, Oregon 97520

Ashland.k12.or.us/willowwind

541-488-2684
541-488-2687 fax