ALL HALLOWS’ EVE WALK
Sunday, October 31st
4:30 – 6 p.m.
Merryspring Nature Center
Conway Road, Camden
Dear Parents,
Hello again after a long absence! (Sometimes Google changes our address and I am delayed!)
Just a reminder that Ashwood's Enchanted Walk will take place this Sunday. It is open to the public at 4:30. If you would like to be the first in line, you may join me and the Early Childhood classes from Ashwood at 4:15!
Yes, I will be the storyteller for the young children again this year. When I gave this reply to one of the children in the kindergarten to the inevitable question of what I was going to be for Hallowe'en, he rejoined, "But, Miss Susan, you ARE the storyteller.." Oh, well...
Hope to see you there!
THE SPIRITS OF HALLOWEEN
Eons ago, as they looked upon the mists that wove around their fjords and heaths, ancient Europeans had a particular experience as the days grew shorter. Toward the end of the month that we call October, they perceived the souls of all of those who had died in the past year gathering and preparing to ascend to their heavenly home, making a space for the souls due to be born in the year to come. But before they could
assume their place in the ethereal realm, the departed souls had to sweep away all the detritus of the life just past and cast it to the earth. Thus the popular image of witches riding on their broomsticks is a misperception: in reality, the brooms are sweeping away the witches!
At the time when the child is in fourth-grade, a sense of human mortality begins to dawn within her. Children of this age are rightfully and healthily drawn to all of the frightful and gruesome aspects of Halloween, and they look forward with trembling anticipation to visiting a haunted house, watching an horrific form arise out of a swamp, or, if only through a well-told story, being scared out of their senses!
For the younger child, however , the situation is different. The spirits and creatures with whom the younger child communes are not those created by human error, but rather those in whom the innocent and wise powers of Nature reside: gnomes and undines, fairies and elves, the spirits of stones and streams, sun and wind. For young children to be exposed only to the dark and demonic qualities of Halloween is to deny the
unspoken conviction that they care in their souls that the world is good.
– Eugene Schwartz, Waldorf Educator
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Apple Tree Pruning
Tomorrow we are planning on a visit from Jamie, Linnaeus' papa, who will be pruning our apple trees.
It has been a long time since we pressed cider, but there is still some to share as we look forward to another year of growth!
The children may help by throwing the pruned branches over the fence into the sheep pasture. The sheep like to nibble the sweet bark. Later we will carry the branches to the brush pile for burning.
Welcome Spring!
It has been a long time since we pressed cider, but there is still some to share as we look forward to another year of growth!
The children may help by throwing the pruned branches over the fence into the sheep pasture. The sheep like to nibble the sweet bark. Later we will carry the branches to the brush pile for burning.
Welcome Spring!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Open House This Saturday, March 13, 9-11am
Spindlewood
Waldorf Kindergarten
Invites you and your family
to an
Open House
March 13, Saturday
9 - 11:00 a.m.
Mr. John, Nursery Teacher and Assistant Kindergarten Teacher
will lead a Circle Time at 9:30 and tell a Story at 10:30
Refreshments will be served.
We are now enrolling
the 3 day Kindergarten
and 2 morning Nursery/Kindergarten
Directions
From the North: Take Route One south to Lincolnville Beach. Just beyond the Lobster Pound and beach on your left, turn right onto Route 173. Follow Rt. 173 for approx. 5 miles until it joins Route 52. Bear right on 173/52 and go into Lincolnville Center. See Center General Store on the right. Take an immediate left onto Heal Road. Go 1/2 mile and bear right onto Proctor Road. Go 1/2 mile and notice the sign "Spindlewood". Parking is to the right. The kindergarten is the red building. Follow the path past the architectural studio to the kindergarten.
From the South: Take Route One to Camden. Turn onto Route 52 near Camden Public Library. Go eight miles, bearing left into Lincolnville Center. See Center General Store on the right. Take an immediate left onto Heal Road. Go 1/2 mile and bear right onto Proctor Road. Go 1/2 mile and notice the sign "Spindlewood". Parking is to the right. The kindergarten is the red building. Follow the path past the architectural studio to the kindergarten.
From Inland: Take Route 235 until it ends in Lincolnville Village. Turn left onto Route 52. Take immediate left onto Heal Road. Go 1/2 mile and bear right onto Proctor Road. Go 1/2 mile and notice the sign "Spindlewood". Parking is to the right. The kindergarten is the red building. Follow the path past the architectural studio to the kindergarten.
Telephone is 207-763-4652.
Waldorf Kindergarten
Invites you and your family
to an
Open House
March 13, Saturday
9 - 11:00 a.m.
Mr. John, Nursery Teacher and Assistant Kindergarten Teacher
will lead a Circle Time at 9:30 and tell a Story at 10:30
Refreshments will be served.
We are now enrolling
the 3 day Kindergarten
and 2 morning Nursery/Kindergarten
Directions
From the North: Take Route One south to Lincolnville Beach. Just beyond the Lobster Pound and beach on your left, turn right onto Route 173. Follow Rt. 173 for approx. 5 miles until it joins Route 52. Bear right on 173/52 and go into Lincolnville Center. See Center General Store on the right. Take an immediate left onto Heal Road. Go 1/2 mile and bear right onto Proctor Road. Go 1/2 mile and notice the sign "Spindlewood". Parking is to the right. The kindergarten is the red building. Follow the path past the architectural studio to the kindergarten.
From the South: Take Route One to Camden. Turn onto Route 52 near Camden Public Library. Go eight miles, bearing left into Lincolnville Center. See Center General Store on the right. Take an immediate left onto Heal Road. Go 1/2 mile and bear right onto Proctor Road. Go 1/2 mile and notice the sign "Spindlewood". Parking is to the right. The kindergarten is the red building. Follow the path past the architectural studio to the kindergarten.
From Inland: Take Route 235 until it ends in Lincolnville Village. Turn left onto Route 52. Take immediate left onto Heal Road. Go 1/2 mile and bear right onto Proctor Road. Go 1/2 mile and notice the sign "Spindlewood". Parking is to the right. The kindergarten is the red building. Follow the path past the architectural studio to the kindergarten.
Telephone is 207-763-4652.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
New Nursery/Kindergarten on Thursday/Friday beginning in September
Spindlewood is pleased to announce that we will be offering two programs next school year in order to accommodate all of the families seeking Spindlewood for their children. The Three-Day Kindergarten will be offered on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday and a new Two-Morning Nursery/Kindergarten will be offered on Thursday/Friday as of September 2010.
Both programs will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end with a 12:30 dismissal. The Mon/Tues/Wed program will offer an optional afternoon until 3:00 p.m. The Thurs/Fri program will end at 12:30 p.m. for all of the children.
The Thursday/Friday Nursery/Kindergarten will be for 3to5-year olds with a smaller group children enrolled, so that the three-year olds may have the nurturing care and assistance that they require. We feel that four and five year-olds will also thrive in this program. The Mon/Tues/Wed Kindergarten will enroll seventeen 3-6 year olds, with a limited number of 3yr olds.
We are fortunate that “Mr.” John Palumbo will be our teacher for the Thursday/Friday Nursery/Kindergarten. John is completing his fourth year in the Waldorf Kindergarten as assistant teacher (two years at Merriconeag Waldorf School and two years here at Spindlewood.) He has also offered Heartwood programs for young children in his home in Thorndike for a year. He will continue to assist Susan Silverio in the Mon/Tues/ Wednesday Kindergarten next school year, thus providing continuity of care as the children transition into the three-day kindergarten as they grow older and space is available. There will be one parent volunteer each Thursday and Friday to assist.
John has completed his Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy at Merriconeag, and is now participating in the LifeWays Early Childhood and Human Development Training as student, teacher and chef-in-residence. LifeWays will be moving to Ashwood Waldorf School as of this summer.
We are happy to report that there will be no increase in tuition this year. Tuition will remain $2,695 for 2 Mornings, $3,595 for 3 Mornings, and $4,995 for 3 Full Days.
We are planning a Maple Sugaring Open House on Saturday, March 13 from 9-11:00 a.m. at Spindlewood as an opportunity to meet Mr. John and experience a circle time and puppet story with him.
We look forward to welcoming your child to the Thursday/Friday Nursery/Kindergarten.
Warmly,
Susan Silverio
Both programs will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end with a 12:30 dismissal. The Mon/Tues/Wed program will offer an optional afternoon until 3:00 p.m. The Thurs/Fri program will end at 12:30 p.m. for all of the children.
The Thursday/Friday Nursery/Kindergarten will be for 3to5-year olds with a smaller group children enrolled, so that the three-year olds may have the nurturing care and assistance that they require. We feel that four and five year-olds will also thrive in this program. The Mon/Tues/Wed Kindergarten will enroll seventeen 3-6 year olds, with a limited number of 3yr olds.
We are fortunate that “Mr.” John Palumbo will be our teacher for the Thursday/Friday Nursery/Kindergarten. John is completing his fourth year in the Waldorf Kindergarten as assistant teacher (two years at Merriconeag Waldorf School and two years here at Spindlewood.) He has also offered Heartwood programs for young children in his home in Thorndike for a year. He will continue to assist Susan Silverio in the Mon/Tues/ Wednesday Kindergarten next school year, thus providing continuity of care as the children transition into the three-day kindergarten as they grow older and space is available. There will be one parent volunteer each Thursday and Friday to assist.
John has completed his Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy at Merriconeag, and is now participating in the LifeWays Early Childhood and Human Development Training as student, teacher and chef-in-residence. LifeWays will be moving to Ashwood Waldorf School as of this summer.
We are happy to report that there will be no increase in tuition this year. Tuition will remain $2,695 for 2 Mornings, $3,595 for 3 Mornings, and $4,995 for 3 Full Days.
We are planning a Maple Sugaring Open House on Saturday, March 13 from 9-11:00 a.m. at Spindlewood as an opportunity to meet Mr. John and experience a circle time and puppet story with him.
We look forward to welcoming your child to the Thursday/Friday Nursery/Kindergarten.
Warmly,
Susan Silverio
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Candlemas/Ground Hog Day
Candlemas Day, Candle-less day,
Half our wood and half our hay.
Dear Spindlewood Parents,
Sorry to be delayed in sending this out. I was away this weekend to visit my parents.
This day mid-way between the solstice and the equinox was once known as Candlemas Day in Medieval Europe. The supply of candles would have been almost exhausted, and this was a good time before spring plowing to replenish the supply. In Japan, there is a celebration of this return of the light on February 3.
So this week in the kindergarten we dipped beeswax candles and later Mr. John drilled holes in slices of ash or birch as candle holders.
Here are some of our verses:
Bears hug in their caves so snug.
Squirrels are restless in their hollow trees.
Fox family yawns and stretches in their lair.
Ground hog pokes his nose from the ground.
Will or won’t his shadow be found? Betty Jones
Song
Ground Hog in your hole so deep
Lift your head and take a peep
If your shadow makes you leap,
Curl back up and go to sleep. Cynthia Aldinger
The children, who respond so readily to changes in the weather, seemed to arrive today ready to jump! So we used the final verse for jumping over a candlestick!
Jack be nimble, Jack be quick,
Jack jump over the candle stick.
On our seasonal table, King Winter now rules! The children who have been here last year are already anticipating the day that King Winter falls asleep on his throne, and the sweet sap begins to flow from the maple trees!
Warmly,
Susan
Half our wood and half our hay.
Dear Spindlewood Parents,
Sorry to be delayed in sending this out. I was away this weekend to visit my parents.
This day mid-way between the solstice and the equinox was once known as Candlemas Day in Medieval Europe. The supply of candles would have been almost exhausted, and this was a good time before spring plowing to replenish the supply. In Japan, there is a celebration of this return of the light on February 3.
So this week in the kindergarten we dipped beeswax candles and later Mr. John drilled holes in slices of ash or birch as candle holders.
Here are some of our verses:
Bears hug in their caves so snug.
Squirrels are restless in their hollow trees.
Fox family yawns and stretches in their lair.
Ground hog pokes his nose from the ground.
Will or won’t his shadow be found? Betty Jones
Song
Ground Hog in your hole so deep
Lift your head and take a peep
If your shadow makes you leap,
Curl back up and go to sleep. Cynthia Aldinger
The children, who respond so readily to changes in the weather, seemed to arrive today ready to jump! So we used the final verse for jumping over a candlestick!
Jack be nimble, Jack be quick,
Jack jump over the candle stick.
On our seasonal table, King Winter now rules! The children who have been here last year are already anticipating the day that King Winter falls asleep on his throne, and the sweet sap begins to flow from the maple trees!
Warmly,
Susan
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
What are the children doing?
Our kindergarten parent evening scheduled for next Tuesday, January 26 will be rescheduled for Wednesday, February 24, 6:30 - 8 p.m. Our apologies if this change is an inconvenience for anyone.
John and I will be presenting a "Day in the Life of Spindlewood Kindergarten" offering you a description of what these 16 (wonderful) children do when they get together. We will reflect on the various stages of human development that the 3 to 6 year old traverses, and how we work with the will forces of the young child. Our motto is "We Can Work It Out" rather than "We Can Word It Out".
There will be an opportunity to practice this for those who would like to play.
Please mark February 24 on your calendars.
Warmly,
Susan
John and I will be presenting a "Day in the Life of Spindlewood Kindergarten" offering you a description of what these 16 (wonderful) children do when they get together. We will reflect on the various stages of human development that the 3 to 6 year old traverses, and how we work with the will forces of the young child. Our motto is "We Can Work It Out" rather than "We Can Word It Out".
There will be an opportunity to practice this for those who would like to play.
Please mark February 24 on your calendars.
Warmly,
Susan
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Letter to Parent-Child Families from the teacher
December 6, 2009
Dear Parents,
Saturday evening, while most of my garden was at rest, I was gratefully harvesting some hardy kale and parsley, dusting off the snow, as the world around me turned white! We had a fire going outside and Soren was busy making paths in the snow with his shovel, moving in many directions across the yard, so filled with excitement. A moment of true harmony in family life I so relish when it happens! This morning he woke up ready to go outside and said he wanted the snow to stay forever. The making of all white definitely offered a moment of respite in this busy time of year!
Sorens’ response reminded me of the oneness our children feel with their environment. Through their senses children are learning about their world, and are also being shaped by the senses they take in, this is especially so for ages birth to seven. As Soren was making all these paths in the newly fallen snow, crossing one over another, it spoke to me of all the many paths we take in our lives and the weaving that happens with one another as our paths cross.
This gift of snow and sun today was refreshing in the midst of the increasing darkness of shorter and grayer days. With this darkness and the liveliness of the plant world at rest, we also begin our celebrations of light! Advent, Christmas, Hanukah, and Solstice all are holidays celebrating the darkness with light. We decorate our houses, make gifts and special foods, see our relatives and friends and celebrate. Perhaps we can each ask ourselves in our own way what this light means to us?
This being the second week of Advent, we celebrate the plants, as last week we celebrated the stones. In the weeks to come we will celebrate the animals and then human being. This is truly a time of expectancy and waiting! The solstice brings the beautiful birth of the sun. As we do our ‘outward’ preparations for the holidays, one can look to the more inward nature of Mary in her blue cloak, which surrounds and protects, while her red garment shines warmth from within. In cultivating a mood of inner quiet and contemplation we can become more conscious in our own individual ‘inner becoming’ and of the human soul’s willingness ‘to become’ and continue to renew our own light within, each on our own individual paths and as we crisscross and weave together! The gesture of Mary’s reverence and devotion of the child is also an inspiring mood to carry in our hearts for our children!
Lastly, a quote from Rudolf Steiner, “The festivals are the nodal points of the year which unite us with the spirit of the universe.”
Thank you for letting me share some thoughts with you as a hopeful support to our lives as loving parents. Many blessings and light filled moments to you all and your families this holiday season. I think I can speak for us all in wishing Jody, Matt, Isabella, and Paul a special place in our hearts and thoughts at this time. May the loving light of the sun, moon, and stars surround and guide you.
Michele Beckstrom
Dear Parents,
Saturday evening, while most of my garden was at rest, I was gratefully harvesting some hardy kale and parsley, dusting off the snow, as the world around me turned white! We had a fire going outside and Soren was busy making paths in the snow with his shovel, moving in many directions across the yard, so filled with excitement. A moment of true harmony in family life I so relish when it happens! This morning he woke up ready to go outside and said he wanted the snow to stay forever. The making of all white definitely offered a moment of respite in this busy time of year!
Sorens’ response reminded me of the oneness our children feel with their environment. Through their senses children are learning about their world, and are also being shaped by the senses they take in, this is especially so for ages birth to seven. As Soren was making all these paths in the newly fallen snow, crossing one over another, it spoke to me of all the many paths we take in our lives and the weaving that happens with one another as our paths cross.
This gift of snow and sun today was refreshing in the midst of the increasing darkness of shorter and grayer days. With this darkness and the liveliness of the plant world at rest, we also begin our celebrations of light! Advent, Christmas, Hanukah, and Solstice all are holidays celebrating the darkness with light. We decorate our houses, make gifts and special foods, see our relatives and friends and celebrate. Perhaps we can each ask ourselves in our own way what this light means to us?
This being the second week of Advent, we celebrate the plants, as last week we celebrated the stones. In the weeks to come we will celebrate the animals and then human being. This is truly a time of expectancy and waiting! The solstice brings the beautiful birth of the sun. As we do our ‘outward’ preparations for the holidays, one can look to the more inward nature of Mary in her blue cloak, which surrounds and protects, while her red garment shines warmth from within. In cultivating a mood of inner quiet and contemplation we can become more conscious in our own individual ‘inner becoming’ and of the human soul’s willingness ‘to become’ and continue to renew our own light within, each on our own individual paths and as we crisscross and weave together! The gesture of Mary’s reverence and devotion of the child is also an inspiring mood to carry in our hearts for our children!
Lastly, a quote from Rudolf Steiner, “The festivals are the nodal points of the year which unite us with the spirit of the universe.”
Thank you for letting me share some thoughts with you as a hopeful support to our lives as loving parents. Many blessings and light filled moments to you all and your families this holiday season. I think I can speak for us all in wishing Jody, Matt, Isabella, and Paul a special place in our hearts and thoughts at this time. May the loving light of the sun, moon, and stars surround and guide you.
Michele Beckstrom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
