Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Early Childhood Harvest Festival
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Great First Days, Food Thanks, Weather
Thanks you for providing an abundance and variety of food. Many children have feasted on the variety of juice, smoothies, crunchy foods, sweet fruits, and hearty nut and seeds and dips. All children have found something they like. It is wonderful if we can keep this pace.
Last week (with just the oldest children) I cancelled a walk in the woods for the first time in 6 years because of lightning; I had a long, Norwegian folk tale I wanted to tell, so the time was good. This week we have not needed rain gear. Thank you for having gear ready. While shorts will likely be more than enough for tomorrow, early morning cool or damp weather can be with us at any time. After September 29, we will wear rain boots and gear every day.
With appreciation,
William
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
URGENT NOTICE
South African Anglo Gold Corporation.
Mr.smith Savimbi
Tel:
Fax:
Email:
Dear Friend
Good Day
I am Mr. smith Savimbi , Director Project Implementation with South African Anglo-Gold Corporation in Johannesburg South Africa]and a member of the Contract Tenders Board (CTB) of the above corporation. Your esteemed address was reliably introduced to me from the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry in my search for a reliable, individual/company who can handle a strictly confidential transaction, which involves the transfer of a reasonable sum of money to a foreign account.
The amount of money involved is US$35,000,000.00. This money has already been extracted from various contracts awarded by this corporation, as a result of over-invoicing masterminded by the concerned officials involved, this has been drafted to represent the final payment for a contract that has been executed to this corporation some years back, the money is now in the South Africa Reserve Bank Plc awaiting to claim.
Now is the optimum period to consummate this fund, following the presidential directive to all parasitical to settle all outstanding debts owed to both local and foreign contractors? In my last meeting with the Officials involved, it was unanimously agreed that 30% of the total sum will be given to you, 60% will be for us while 10% will be use to reimburse the expenses that will be incurred in the processing of this transfer.
I assure you that this transaction is 100% risk free as we have concluded every arrangement to protect the interest of everyone involved, Likewise all modalities for the successful transfer of this fund have been worked out with Ministry of finance and the Reserve Bank of South Africa to facilitate the remittance of this fund to your designated account within 72 hours after your claim has been approved.
However, I would want to believe that you are honest enough and will not raise any misgiving attitude in any aspect of the transaction, more importantly, that you will keep this transaction very confidential so as not to tarnish the confidence reposed on these officials by the Government of South Africa. If this proposal is of interest to you, then kindly contact me with this information's [Tel: +27832401962] immediately.
Please treat this information as confidential.
Thanks
Best Regards,
Mr.smith Savimbi
Director Project Implementation.
South African Anglo Gold Corporation
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
end of year GIFTING/STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
OOPS did not change the "SUBJECT" on previous email. IMPORTANT!
Hi everyone,WELCOME to the last week of school before Summer vacation (for a lot of us!)!
I will have baskets available for gifting offerings, services or presents to William, Molly, Cordula and Kristin. FOUR (4) baskets :) Dyanne's class has their own gifting process happening, and baskets are a part of their gifting also. So, that is alot of baskets. Fortunately...we all have a lot of everything.I know some have given to the Molly spa fund in Vanessa's folder. If not, feel free to. I'd like to Vanessa!!!! As for the baskets, Please feel free to include handmade cards from the children, extra candles laying around, jams and jellys, chocolates etc. I have not shared my intention about my gifting for William. I am giving him a $50 Dr.Rik Heinz appt.for an applied kinesiology chiropractic plus treats from Living Green. In addition, small goodies for all and Atom handmade cards. The closing ceremony is tomorrow for a strawberry shortcake "surprise" that is well known about , but a mysterious and special event for the children and us! Hiroko and I are arriving at 10;30 AM for set up. Please remember what you signed up for and bring your offering, beverages and/or skills tomorrow Wednesday, June 5. @11:30 Eric G. will lead a closing and gift presentation. Please bring your contributions ready to go. All prep work to be done ahead of time ideally. Also, please remember your own plates and utensils. We are including baskets for Kristin and Cordula for their valuable presence in early childhood program/aftercare. Even if your child does not have aftercare.consider small or grand tokens of endearment. Give for the spirit of giving. I will get to school early on Wednesday to put the baskets out. Also, you can put anything in the "Atom" cubby area. Thanks all and blessed be! Strawberry yumminess to all!THANK YOU for a year well done and we will see you tomorrow. XXXCHERUB
On Mon, May 27, 2013 at 9:52 PM, William Dolde <wdolde@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Parents,
We will take hikes on Tuesday and Wednesday, having sushi and almonds and rice cakes on Tuesday and Hummus and more on Wednesday (as some have observed, we've been offering many veggies and sprouts and nuts and coconut in the nicer picnic weather). On Thursday, we will combine greatest portable hits of Wednesday and Thursday, a picnic feast like we had for May Day. It will include almonds, coconuts, carrots, jicama, celery, salad, apples and any fruits you might like to contribute. Although we are not having a soup day this week, if you have an abundance of greens and bring them by Wednesday, I will make a green smoothie to share with the children Thursday Morning.
THURSDAY WE WILL BEGIN INSIDE AND END OUTSIDE WITH A HIKE. We will play inside, and once all children arrive, Molly will share her musical gifts with the children. After more play, we will take our picnic for a shorter hike and feast to celebrate our year and time with Molly.
Thanks for your flexibility. We are having a great time as a class.
With appreciation,
William
Re: Swinging Snacks/Upside Down Thursday
Dear Parents,
We will take hikes on Tuesday and Wednesday, having sushi and almonds and rice cakes on Tuesday and Hummus and more on Wednesday (as some have observed, we've been offering many veggies and sprouts and nuts and coconut in the nicer picnic weather). On Thursday, we will combine greatest portable hits of Wednesday and Thursday, a picnic feast like we had for May Day. It will include almonds, coconuts, carrots, jicama, celery, salad, apples and any fruits you might like to contribute. Although we are not having a soup day this week, if you have an abundance of greens and bring them by Wednesday, I will make a green smoothie to share with the children Thursday Morning.
THURSDAY WE WILL BEGIN INSIDE AND END OUTSIDE WITH A HIKE. We will play inside, and once all children arrive, Molly will share her musical gifts with the children. After more play, we will take our picnic for a shorter hike and feast to celebrate our year and time with Molly.
Thanks for your flexibility. We are having a great time as a class.
With appreciation,
William
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Dear Friend
Dear Friend My name is Salif Kabore, iam the manager of auditing section of bank of Africa (B.O.A) here inOuagadougou Burkina Faso, West Africa. I have a business proposal in the tuneof (USD $19.3 Million) niftier million three hundred thousand UnitedStates Dollars only.
This is an abandoned fundthat belongs to a deceased customer of my bank which i discovered all therelated documents regarding to the deposit while I was properly arranging oldfiles for closing remark for the year 2011. After the successful transfer; Weshall share in ratio of 40% for you and 60% for me. Should you be interested sowe can commence all arrangements? And i will give you more information aboutthis business proposal on how we would handle it for the successful achievementof the funds into your bank account.
(1) Fullnames..................................... Best Regards,
Mr.Salif Kabore |
Monday, May 27, 2013
Swinging Snacks/Upside Down Thursday
Dear Parents,
We will take hikes on Tuesday and Wednesday, having sushi and almonds and rice cakes on Tuesday and Hummus and more on Wednesday (as some have observed, we've been offering many veggies and sprouts and nuts and coconut in the nicer picnic weather). On Thursday, we will combine greatest portable hits of Wednesday and Thursday, a picnic feast like we had for May Day. It will include almonds, coconuts, carrots, jicama, celery, salad, apples and any fruits you might like to contribute. Although we are not having a soup day this week, if you have an abundance of greens and bring them by Wednesday, I will make a green smoothie to share with the children Thursday Morning.
THURSDAY WE WILL BEGIN INSIDE AND END OUTSIDE WITH A HIKE. We will play inside, and once all children arrive, Molly will share her musical gifts with the children. After more play, we will take our picnic for a shorter hike and feast to celebrate our year and time with Molly.
Thanks for your flexibility. We are having a great time as a class.
With appreciation,
William
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Lovely Rain Walk, Appreciation of Molly
Molly and several children remarked that yesterday, Tuesday, was one of their favorite walks of the year. The rains, gentle and otherwise, brought out the beautiful greens in the forest. The weather pulled us together as a class, and allowed children time for a lot of reflection. Without making a big deal about it, Molly and I left our backpacks in the classroom. We took a reasonably long hike with brief pauses at Grandmother Rock and Fairy House Grove--two favorite sheltered places that we have not visited as much as we have enjoyed sunnier meadows. We then returned to the classroom for a hearty hummus and lettuce and sprout and coconut and seed and jicama picnic feast on the carpet. It worked beautifully (so much so I may make this more regular on hike days in the winter next year; it is the sitting and eating in the cold rain that really is the hardest).
Farewells from Whole Child/Whole Parent
Polly Berrien Berends
As the truly parently parent is the childlike parent,
As the truly nourishing parent is the nursing parent,
As the truly teaching parent is the learning parent,
As the truly freeing parent is the obedient parent,
As the truly unifying parent is the unified parent,
As the truly beautifying parent is the truthful parent,
As the truly creative parent is the beholding parent,
As the truly communicating parent is the listening parent,
So is the truly loving parent after all no parent at all, but only the loved child of God.
Song of the Seeing Being
The more we see that seeing is the issue in life, the more we look at everything for what it has to teach us.
The more we look at everything for what it has to teach us, the more we see that we are being taught.
The more we see that we are being taught, the more we know that we are loved.
The more we know are loved, the more lovingly we are seeing.
The more lovingly we are seeing, the more loving we are being.
The more loving we are being, the more we see that seeing is the issue in life.
[start over]
With her available housing on Whidbey ending May 31 and lots of opportunities for herself and husband and family calling her back to Oregon, it has become clear to Molly that the next logical step is for her and her family to move back to Oregon after next week. She will miss our last 3 days of school. Kristin--well known and well loved by many of our students--will be able to substitute on those last 3 days.
It has been immensely pleasurable to work with Molly this year. I have learned a tremendous amount from working with her, and I know I will be a better person and teacher in the years ahead from knowing her. Rather than missing Molly, I will joyfully seek the positive aspects she brings in others around me and thank her in helping to attract such positivity toward my experience.
With great appreciation,
William
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Re: Parent Meeting, Strawberry Shortcake, Finding Ruby
Sent from my iPhone
Final Kindergarten Parent Meeting, May 21, 6:30-8pm
Please join us for our final joint kindergarten parent meeting of the year on Tuesday, May 21, from 6:30 to 8pm. We will gather outside the kindergartens and take a walk along our lovely trails, pausing in the forest to share a reflection on our child's growth through the year (wonderful if you can come up with an image in advance). We will conclude with a guided compassionate response mediation, with optional sharing of images that arise (perhaps the image we bring with us will metamorphose through the meditation, or an entirely new image will come). Here is the agenda in list form:
6:30 Gathering (outside kindergartens) and games.
6:45 Walk through the woods.
Sharing of an image from the year.
Compassionate Response Meditation
8:00 Return to schoolFinal Day of School, Wednesday, June 5: Strawberry Shortcake Day
Wednesday, June 5 is our last day of school. For many years now we have enjoyed a round of strawberries and shortcake to bring festivity to our final hour together before the summer break begins. Please join the Butterfly, Sunflower, and Golden Forest classes for this festive time at 11:30 on the early childhood playground. If you are not able to attend at that time, please arrange for your child to be connected with another parent who will be there, and let your child's teacher know of your arrangement. (Also, we would like to hear from all families enrolled in extended care whether or not you will be using the extended care on Wednesday June 5. There will be a checklist on Cordula's clipboard.
The Narrative of Our Woods: Finding Ruby
As you may know, our chickens disappeared over the surprise 3 day weekend when the pump was out. Many of children have chickens at home who have become prey, and intrepid explorers and I looked for clues. Although there were signs of a struggle, there was no absolute evidence that the chickens had perished. Indeed, my Irish whistle had likewise vanished, and I liked to think that like the town musicians of Bremen, the chickens were roaming the woods, playing their music. We have had incredible hikes in stunning hues of green, expanding the range of our perambulations to include the Whidbey Institute. There, a week after the disappearance, children were surprised to find one of our chickens, Ruby, living with immense satisfaction amid the chickens of the Institute Garden chicken run. She is named Ruby and is extremely happy there. We are and will visit her often. This story of loss and discovery tops any story I might tell the children (even The Donkey, a Grimm's tale I cherish, which I have studied deeply, and feel I do more than a fair job of conveying; this story is the one I am telling).
With Appreciation,
William
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Parent Meeting, Strawberry Shortcake, Finding Ruby
Final Kindergarten Parent Meeting, May 21, 6:30-8pm
Please join us for our final joint kindergarten parent meeting of the year on Tuesday, May 21, from 6:30 to 8pm. We will gather outside the kindergartens and take a walk along our lovely trails, pausing in the forest to share a reflection on our child's growth through the year (wonderful if you can come up with an image in advance). We will conclude with a guided compassionate response mediation, with optional sharing of images that arise (perhaps the image we bring with us will metamorphose through the meditation, or an entirely new image will come). Here is the agenda in list form:
6:30 Gathering (outside kindergartens) and games.
6:45 Walk through the woods.
Sharing of an image from the year.
Compassionate Response Meditation
8:00 Return to school
Final Day of School, Wednesday, June 5: Strawberry Shortcake Day
Wednesday, June 5 is our last day of school. For many years now we have enjoyed a round of strawberries and shortcake to bring festivity to our final hour together before the summer break begins. Please join the Butterfly, Sunflower, and Golden Forest classes for this festive time at 11:30 on the early childhood playground. If you are not able to attend at that time, please arrange for your child to be connected with another parent who will be there, and let your child's teacher know of your arrangement. (Also, we would like to hear from all families enrolled in extended care whether or not you will be using the extended care on Wednesday June 5. There will be a checklist on Cordula's clipboard.
The Narrative of Our Woods: Finding Ruby
As you may know, our chickens disappeared over the surprise 3 day weekend when the pump was out. Many of children have chickens at home who have become prey, and intrepid explorers and I looked for clues. Although there were signs of a struggle, there was no absolute evidence that the chickens had perished. Indeed, my Irish whistle had likewise vanished, and I liked to think that like the town musicians of Bremen, the chickens were roaming the woods, playing their music. We have had incredible hikes in stunning hues of green, expanding the range of our perambulations to include the Whidbey Institute. There, a week after the disappearance, children were surprised to find one of our chickens, Ruby, living with immense satisfaction amid the chickens of the Institute Garden chicken run. She is named Ruby and is extremely happy there. We are and will visit her often. This story of loss and discovery tops any story I might tell the children (even The Donkey, a Grimm's tale I cherish, which I have studied deeply, and feel I do more than a fair job of conveying; this story is the one I am telling).
With Appreciation,
William
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
YES School, Flowers, Observation/NO Soup, Rain Pants
Dear Families,
Welcome back. I so anticipate a rewarding experience with the children today. As I hinted at in the newsletter, our hikes last Monday and Tuesday were extraordinary. Nature and the community around us provided us so much to observe and engage with.
Yes, we have school today.
As you see by the note at the end of this letter, Yes, please send flowers if possible to brighten our May 1 (Wednesday) sharing with our nursery friends.
Yes, many children ask again and again if and when we can watch Maypole and Sound of Music rehearsals (we loved watching the 1st and 2nd grade plays last week; it was a delight to watch flower petals of Ah Ha! opening as our kindergarten children realized I've told them the story the first grade presented). I remember last year Kim and my classes ended up having special schedules to allow as much of this enlivening and living observation as possible.
For just this Thursday, we will dismiss outside. We will be watching the Mayfaire rehearsal (subsequent Thursdays will be as usual).
NO SOUP FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. We will be sharing a snack with Butterfly children this week. Next week we will be picnicking and watching the in school Sound of Music performance. I have procured lots of baby carrots, snap peas, and celery to have with our favorite finger foods of almonds, coconut flakes, and roastie toasties. If you want to send in a fruit or vegetable that would make for easy sharing with nursery children, please do so (we will need apples for Thursday, of course).
As you read in the note at the end of this letter, no rain pants required beginning May 1. Please keep gear at school for rainy days or if your child wishes to play in the pump and well. Last Tuesday it was warm and I intended to lead us on a longer hike that included the Sky Loop (quite a climb and descent). I allowed sneakers for that hike, and it helps the children move with speed and grace in a dry forest.
Sunday, May 5 is the community May Faire at the school. In the décor of flowered head wreaths, a lively time will be had by all with music and food, and grade school students showing off their May Pole dances. On Wednesday, May 1, the Butterfly, Sunflower and Golden Forest classes will have a small May Day celebration during the school morning. We have a small (portable) May Pole that we will carry out to the Sunny Meadow for a festive procession and time to dance and sing. Then we will process back to the playground in time for 12:25 pick up or lunch. We would love to have a nice collection of fresh flowers on Wednesday morning for adorning our head bands and our May Pole. If you have flowers to share, please bring them on Mon, Tue, and Wed. We will keep them in water until the time we use them.
With appreciation,
William
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Butterfly Wednesdays, Supporting Daniel's Family, Dyanne's Wisdom
Dear Golden Forest Families,
It continues to be ever more delightful to be with your children at our beautiful schools surrounded by incredibly rich and expansive forests. Our first two days back have been nothing short of radiant.
BUTTERFLY WEDNESDAYS
It was fun to mix with the Butterfly nursery children on the playground on Wednesdays in the Fall. We will start to do so again starting tomorrow (April 17). We will eat snack outside and join the nursery for a short walk or time on our playground (I have hopes of bringing out the Maypole which your children danced with me in parent & child and nursery, and around which some of the current nursery children danced with me). WE WILL START DISMISSING AT LUNCH TIME FROM OUTSIDE ON WEDNESDAYS FOR THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. (Thursdays will continue as an indoor dismissal).
SUPPORTING DANIEL'S FAMILY
Daniel's mother broke both her ankles over the April break. I am impressed by her resourcefulness and the support she and Daniel are receiving from friends and members of their church community. I know families in our class would like to help as well. I spoke to Nancy Barker (who is dropping off Daniel and with whom Daniel is spending many nights), and she thinks what would help Marilyn most in the short term is parents and children inviting Daniel over for play dates (beginning at 12:30) next week. It has been harder for Nancy and Marilyn to find care for Daniel during that time until Nancy is off from work. I know several children have been asking to have Daniel over; this would be a great time to set something up. Nancy thinks calling Marilyn directly would be the best way to schedule this. Her phone is 360-331-3597.
DYANNE'S WISDOM ON BIRTH INTO THE SPIRITUAL WORLD
Please read Dyanne's words that she composed (below). While our class as a whole seems abundantly joyful when together on our playground or in the woods, I know individual children in our class were very connected to the Hobbs family. I will tell something like story Dyanne describes to our children over the next two days.
With appreciation,
William
Dear dear parents,
Many, if not all of you have heard the very sad news of Rhianna Hobbs' death. Rhianna and her twin brother Ryder are 10 years old and have been part of our school community, on and off, over the past 7 years. Of the scanty information I have received thus far, Rhianna suffered chest pains yesterday while horseback riding with Ryder, and soon after, passed. Although the story that has quickly circulated reports that she was kicked by her horse, it is actually stil unclear what the cause of death was.
This morning while setting up the classroom I was informed of this shocking news. Many of you let me know at drop off that your children had some level of awareness of the situation. I could see within the first ten minutes of the day that about half of the class were conscious of sadness and of a tragic story. The class as a whole was connected to the turning of events and the emotions in the air.
At story time, I chose to bring a different story than the fairy tale that they are receiving right now. It was not the fullest of stories, but I felt good about it's message and I observed a positive response from the children throughout the morning. I feel it was a beginning step toward helping the children feel the goodness in the world and the rightness of things. I cannot give to you word for the word what came through me this morning. But I would like to share with you some of the salient points so that you have something to build upon as your families attempt to weather this news and the deep feelings of loss.
Not so long ago, and not so far away, there was a little angel who lived with her big angel. (this is the beginning of the birth story the children have grown to know and love).
This little angel was about to make her way across the rainbow bridge when she found her dear dear friend who had promised to go with her. Together the two crossed the rainbow bridge, and when they awoke, they were in the arms of their mommy and daddy. The two grew together, did many things together, and loved each other very much. (Here is where many real stories can be inserted about swimming, gardening, running through the fields, performing on the stage in plays, etc.) While here on the earth, the girl discovered a very special animal who would come to be her other best friend. This was her horse. (More can be inserted here). One day, the girl heard a calling from a distant place. When she listened carefully, she could hear the voice of the Sun King. She knew his voice from the land where she lived before earth. He was calling her to return to the land of the Sun, for she was soon to have completed her tasks on earth and the Sun Beings were preparing to welcome her back to the land of the Sun. The girl was not sure the way back to the rainbow bridge. So, she gathered together her two best friends...her brother and her horse, and asked them to help her find the way to the rainbow bridge that she may cross it to Sun Land. They agreed to do so and took her out on the beautiful trails until at last they came to the gateway to the rainbow bridge. The girl kissed her brother and her horse good bye and made her way. As she crossed, beautiful rose petals fell behind and marked her way to the land of the great Sun.
There are a few important elements to consider in this story:
* Death can be seen as birth into the spiritual world. The children know this path well, they traveled it not so long ago. While I told the story, I heard many of the children remark at different times "I know this story".
* The horse was a helper to a kind of destiny that we may not be able to understand, comprehend, or even believe in. Yet, the horse was there to help her on her way. The horse is not an animal to fear or demonize
* Death is as real as birth. Both events are life changing for those of us on earth. As adults, we are striving to know how best to process such information in our hearts and in our souls. Young children need mostly to know that we know that feelings are happening all around, that adults and older children are feeling loss and confusion, and that it is a normal and healthy process that is all part of the larger picture of a good, good world. They don't need a lot of talking, but they are seeking some affirmation of all the feelings they are sensing. As highly imitative beings, the feelings of others quickly become their own feelings and they don't always know what is happening or how to discern what is their own and what belongs to someone else.
* Stories speak a thousand words and speak directly to the heart and soul. This event is not understood intellectually by the children, but they can grasp it and work with it through story and images filled with archetypes.
I hope this helps. Please stay in contact as you see necessary. And blessings on your children and your families.
Love,
Dyanne
Sunday, March 31, 2013
YOUR ASSISTANCE
-- I am Mrs. Hu Huimin, account officer of the local branch of Hang Seng Bank Ltd,Kow loon Branches, Hong Kong, pardon me for sudden email.I am contacting you because i know i can trust you with this information i need your services to clear funds and invest it in a profitable venture but we can only exchange mails and no phone calls.Please if interested do send me mail as i will provide you with details, use this code[HU:GD-001 when contacting me: huiminhu986@yahoo.com.hk My Kind Regards Mrs.Hu Huimin
Saturday, March 30, 2013
YOUR ASSISTANCE
-- I am Mrs. Hu Huimin, account officer of the local branch of Hang Seng Bank Ltd,Kow loon Branches, Hong Kong, pardon me for sudden email.I am contacting you because i know i can trust you with this information i need your services to clear funds and invest it in a profitable venture but we can only exchange mails and no phone calls.Please if interested do send me mail as i will provide you with details, use this code[HU:GD-001 when contacting me: huiminhu986@yahoo.com.hk My Kind Regards Mrs.Hu Huimin
Friday, March 29, 2013
YOUR ASSISTANCE
-- I am Mrs. Hu Huimin, account officer of the local branch of Hang Seng Bank Ltd,Kow loon Branches, Hong Kong, pardon me for sudden email.I am contacting you because i know i can trust you with this information i need your services to clear funds and invest it in a profitable venture but we can only exchange mails and no phone calls.Please if interested do send me mail as i will provide you with details, use this code[HU:GD-001 when contacting me: huiminhu986@yahoo.com.hk My Kind Regards Mrs.Hu Huimin
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Wilder's birthday!
No grandparents day.
On Mar 22, 2013 7:38 AM, "William Dolde" <wdolde@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Families,Most of you are already planning a day off for your kindergarten children.
For those intending to bring your child for the Grandparents' Day visit (whether you let us know or not), please not the following:
School starts at 10am for grades students. Grandparents' hoping to visit 2 children should go to the grades class at 10am.
From 10:30 to 11am we will have an early childhood experience for grandparent (or special friend) and child. Please plan to drop off and pick up your child.
If the snow is pleasant, our experience may include a walk on our lovely trails through the snow. Please dress appropriately.
Sincerely,
Dyanne and William
PS: Please stay posted on www.schoolclosure.org in case of full cancellation of school (and therefore grandparent's day)
You walker, there are no roads,
only wind trails on the sea.
- Antonio Machado
Friday, March 22, 2013
Update. School closed.
No grandparents day.
Dear Families,Most of you are already planning a day off for your kindergarten children.
For those intending to bring your child for the Grandparents' Day visit (whether you let us know or not), please not the following:
School starts at 10am for grades students. Grandparents' hoping to visit 2 children should go to the grades class at 10am.
From 10:30 to 11am we will have an early childhood experience for grandparent (or special friend) and child. Please plan to drop off and pick up your child.
If the snow is pleasant, our experience may include a walk on our lovely trails through the snow. Please dress appropriately.
Sincerely,
Dyanne and William
PS: Please stay posted on www.schoolclosure.org in case of full cancellation of school (and therefore grandparent's day)
Snow Delay -- EC plans
Dear Families,
Most of you are already planning a day off for your kindergarten children.
For those intending to bring your child for the Grandparents' Day visit (whether you let us know or not), please not the following:
School starts at 10am for grades students. Grandparents' hoping to visit 2 children should go to the grades class at 10am.
From 10:30 to 11am we will have an early childhood experience for grandparent (or special friend) and child. Please plan to drop off and pick up your child.
If the snow is pleasant, our experience may include a walk on our lovely trails through the snow. Please dress appropriately.
Sincerely,
Dyanne and William
PS: Please stay posted on www.schoolclosure.org in case of full cancellation of school (and therefore grandparent's day)
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Grandparents' Day!!!!!!!
As you know, tomorrow is Grandparent's Day at WIWS and there will be no regularly scheduled EC classes.
If your kindergarten child is planning to come with a grandparent(s), please bring your child at 9:00 am and pick him or her up at 10:00. The grandparents will be escorted off at that time to do other special and honorable things.
As of this afternoon, Sheila confirmed the following children coming with grandparenst or special friends:
Michael Martinez
Sonja Toombs (?)
Nicholas Shomper
If this information is incorrect or incomplete please email me back by tomorrow morning 7:30.
Thank you,
Dyanne and William
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Sweet Day, Freeze Tag, Donkey, Spring Colors
Molly and I hold with ever more reverence and joy the breathtaking cooperation and imagination taking place amongst the children. Here were some highlights:
There were many scenarios with boys and girls playing together in new combinations. When you can play with a child of the opposite gender, you free yourself to play with every child in the class; you free yourself to play in a variety of play scenarios and moods. These gender-inclusive games bring scrumptious twists to preexisting scenarios. What a delight it was to watch the pirates busy baking birthday cakes in the sand today! And the miners digging kept on switching for what they sought depending on what the newest player sought, whether jewels or worms for fishing or a rock lost yesterday in a field far away.
Shortly before we came inside, almost every child was involved in a game of Freeze Tag. While this would not be remarkable in first grade, it was impressive how well our kindergarten children could freeze and move and could touch one another in an appropriate way--not too hard and not so soft no one could feel. Children seemed happy to be frozen. They seemed happy to be the chasers. They seemed happy to be the liberators. Every role seemed to provide an avenue toward bliss.
Inside I have been telling the story, "The Donkey," in which a prince grows up in the enchanted form of a Donkey, yet remains noble and true inside, and ultimately keeps his true, noble form all the time. It is weird and magical. A number children seem to hang on every word.
We've introduced yellow and blue for our spring paintings. As with a nice spring stream, there was a smooth flow from indoor imaginative play to the painting table and back to the imaginative play.
With Appreciation,
William
Monday, March 11, 2013
Molly's Birthday Saturday, Calendar clarity
Hi Parents,
Molly perked up when I mentioned Wander on Whidbey is having a big sale. I plan to get her a $50 gift certificate and give it to her Thursday. If any of you want to contribute and get her a bigger one, feel free too. I will leave an envelope marked (GIft for M) in my Dolde parent folder. Feel free to leave a check (to me) or cash in that envelope. Also, there are two flower fairy post cards in that envelope if you wish to write birthday wishes (feel free to do so even without contributing money). I will write a generic blessing and appreciation from all of us as well.
I don't always do this for assistants (one should always do this for music teachers in our school who have had daughters in my class, of course!). I feel inspired about doing so this year; it seems a nice way to continue to welcome Molly, her husband, and their three children to our island and community.
I WILL BE BUYING THE GIFT CERTIFICATE ON WEDNESDAY AT 1PM, so please get your words or wealth or wisdom into the envelope by lunch time on Wednesday.
I plan to surprise Molly and the children with some sort of scrumptious and healthy treat (maybe a raw coconut and roasty toastie and honey cookie) as dessert on Thursday. If any of you are inspired to create something at home for us to share after snack time Thursday, let me know. Please come up with a covert manner in which to transport it to me (e.g., leave it upstairs with directions where I can fetch it, practice your magical powers of teleportation, or other ways).
CALENDAR CLARITY
Our kindergarten morning proceeds as usual every day this week. On this Thursday and Friday, grades dismiss at 1pm. Our own aftercare on Thursday and Friday (for children who stay past 12:30) is altered; it is on an as-needed basis with Cordula, with a fee paid to Cordula (it was not billed as and is not counted as the official extended care session--because the grades students are out of school).
Next week Monday to Thursday EC proceeds as normal. Next Friday (the 22nd) is Grandparents and Special Friend Day. Children who do not attend Friday ARE invited to attend from 9am to 10am with a grandparent or other special friend to join me and Dyanne for a briefer version of our walk and a story or circle with Dyanne. Children who normally attend on Fridays ARE invited with a grandparent or special friend. From past experience with the manner in which our young children take in deeply the excitement of all the visitors (known and unknown) and all the schedule shifts that take place on such a day as Grandparents, we continue to set the schedule with NO REGULAR DROP-OFF EARLY CHILDHOOD on Friday the 22nd.
Please write me or call me or talk to me with any questions.
With appreciation,
William
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Twelve Senses (from Dyanne)
Dear parents,
As mentioned in my recent newsletter, William and I will be looking into the sense of balance and sense of self movement at our upcoming parent meeting. Although Kim John Payne has created a tidy outline which we plan to pass out that night, it can also be said that tidy outlines can be misleading without enough contextual information to fill out the bullet points. To that end, we decided it would be wise to offer up a little more background information for those interested.
Rudolf Steiner presents a picture of the human being having "windows" through which the earthly can meet the soul. Through our senses, we receive information about our earthly and incarnated experience. Common to us all is the idea of five senses; touch, sight, smell, taste and hearing. However, another model suggests 12 senses, which include these five and add seven more. In this model of 12 senses, there are four that are considered foundational to the others and are developed in the first seven years of life. This is not to say that the other eight are stagnant during this time period. Rather, that their full development will ride on the backs of the development of the first four. These four foundational senses are the Sense of Touch, Sense of Balance, Sense of Self Movement, and Sense of Life or Well Being.
William and I have chosen a chapter in the book "Beyond the Rainbow Bridge" by Barbara Patterson that covers sensory development in the young child according to this model. It is a fairly easy read and a nice overview, especially for those not so familiar with the model of 12 senses. Some of you will likely already own this book. We have a few copies of this book in the library for check out (in the lobby). We also have made 6 photo copies that are stashed in the little wooden pocket shelf to the right of the Sunflower door.
May I also recommend (for those who would like further reading, and a good read it is) "Our Twelve Senses, Wellsprings of the Soul" by Albert Soesman. And yet another title (whose title is left wanting), "Working With Anxious, Nervous and Depressed Children" by Henning Kohler which presents a very thorough and accessible picture of the four foundational senses as they relate to parenting. These books are also available in the library upstairs.
Any time you can take in advance to orient yourselves will be helpful. Also, we would like to suggest using this week to observe your child during free movement activity in light of what you have read on this topic. We are hoping for a lively and fruitful conversation at our parent meeting.
With anticipation,
Dyanne
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Upcoming events, Appreciations
It was wonderful to be with your children yesterday. The glorious weather allowed us to journey to the sunny meadow. It provides a great opportunity for me to observe the flexible and shifting play of your children--sometimes playing in groups of two, three, five, eight, then back into smaller groups with new comrades. I am particularly impressed with some of the friendliness evident amongst some of youngest children and older children in the class--they seem aware and open to one another.
UPCOMING EVENTS (in tune with the Sunflower class)
The month of March is upon us and will slip by as quickly as the breezes that blow. Please be sure to note our upcoming parent meeting on Tuesday March 19th 6:00-7:30. We will share this meeting time with the Sunflower parents, focusing on Kim John Payne's information on the senses of Balance and Self Movement (vestibular and proprioception). Then, on Friday March 22nd, our school will host interested grandparents for the morning. There are no early childhood classes that day. Grandparents who would like to "come to school" with their Grandchild will come for a brief "experience" that is yet to be created by Dyanne and me. If you are aware of grandparents who are hoping to attend in this way, please ask them to RSVP to Maureen or Sheila. An accurate RSVP list will help us in our planning.
APPRECIATION OF MOLLY AND LYNNE
Molly has been a wonderful match for our children and for me. And she has been so consistent as I have attended to the panoply of illnesses visiting our children and ourselves.
Illness in her family finally caused her to stay home, and the children and Lynne Lesson had the treat of being together in class for the first time since Lynne was their assistant teacher in the Butterfly Nursery with me (11 of our 14 children were in the nursery with me and Lynne over the past 3 years). The children enjoyed Lynne. Lynne really enjoyed seeing the children and witnessing how well our children play and move together as a cohesive group. Thanks again to everyone for making this possible.
AN APPRECIATION OF COOL RANCH DORITOS
"Do we love our times?" -- Kim John Payne
I've heard Kim say this often, and it sounds helpful, and a little anguished. Often he says this as he talks to adults about the put-down diet: we can't, he suggests, guide our children in an inclusive behavior if at home we are railing against the president or big business or this or that body of society that outrages us. Again, I have always found this really helpful--it just also feels like a lot of work.
Recently I heard a little talk about nutrition that suggested that in order to receive maximum benefit from whatever healthy or life-giving food we are eating, we do best to appreciate all other sorts of food. If I eat my raw veggies while condemning Cool Ranch Doritos, I deny myself all the goodness that could come from the vegetables.
This is not to say I or this expert was recommending eating Doritos over vegetables (and they didn't mention Doritos). I really appreciate the relatively diet I provide myself. There was this watershed moment (you can say a weird moment) in which I laughingly really appreciated all those days in college when I woke up in the morning and popped open a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos (I realize how much I am dating myself; I think they are called Cooler Ranch or Cooler than Cooler Ranch Doritos by now); that was the perfect, next logical step for me then, and puts in me in great shape to take a perfect, next logical step now, full of bliss and happiness and well-being and health.
Odd, I know, but really useful. This can translate--as we think of Kim Payne--into other realms. Even, for example, as I redirect exclusive behavior, can I find the logic and appreciation in it before I guide it to something more inclusive?
Thanks for contemplating with me.
With warmth and light,
William
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Your email was listed among the Qatar Foundation 2013 beneficiaries, contact (qatarawarddonations@asia.com) for more details.
Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply E-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
ขายเคส iPhone ราคาถูก ปลีก-ส่ง สินค้าส่งห้างสรรพสินค้า.
สวัสดีค่ะ ทุกท่าน
ขอแนะนำตัว ร้านเคส iPhone , iPad , Samsung , Nokia และอุปกรณ์มือถือต่างๆในราคา ปลีก - ส่ง
มีอุปกรณ์มือถือมากมาย ราคาถูก ลดกว่า 30-40% สินค้าของเราเป็นสินค้าห้าง แต่ราคาถูกเว่อร์ เชิญแวะชมได้เลยค่ะ
หากท่านเป็นพ่อค้าและแม่ค้า ติดต่อเราเพื่อขอราคาพิเศษได้เลยค่ะ
เชิญชมสินค้าทางร้านมากมายได้ที่ website http://www.caseintrend.com
ตัวอย่างสินค้า
เคส iPhone 5 >> http://bit.ly/Waw5Tc
สายชาร์จ iPhone ราคาถูก >> http://bit.ly/WkOvm3
เคส Sumsung ราคาถูก >> http://bit.ly/TsAHpd , http://bit.ly/Wf8n8r , http://bit.ly/WGrr0D
เคส Nokia >> http://bit.ly/WINUaj
ช่องทางการติดต่อทางร้าน
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/messages/PlugPhone
LiNE : Noisee
Email : Plugphone@gmail.com
website : http://www.caseintrend.com
PLEASE I NEED YOUR URGENT REPLY
FROM MR REYMOND ABDULKABIR BILL AND EXCHAGE MANAGER. FOREIGN REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT BANK OF AFRICA ( BOA) BURKINA FASO WEST AFRICA Ouagadougou, Attention: Please Dear friend I am MR REYMOND ABDULKABIR am the bill and exchange manager foreign remittance department BANK OF AFRICA (B.O.A).in Burkina faso. I will like you to indicate your interest to receive the transfer of($6.4 Million.U.S dollars)I will like you to stand as the next of kin to my late client who is account is presently dormant,for claims.Get back to me if you are intrested to handling this transaction and assist me.furnish me the below information.for more details.Once again try to be checking your mails day by day to avoid any delay from you. (1)Full names: (2)Private phone number: (3)Current residential address: (4)Your Country: (5)Occupation: (6)Age and Sex: I am waiting for your urgent respond to enable us proceed further for the transfer Yours faithful, BILL & EXCHANGE MANAGER FROM.MR REYMOND ABDULKABIR NOTE You should contact me immediately as soon as you receive this letter Trusting to hear from you immediately. |
Friday, February 22, 2013
URGENT RESPONDS NEEDED FROM YOU PLEASE
Dear Friend. I am writing this mail to you With due respect trust and humanity, I appeal to you to exercise a little patience and read through my letter I feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business, I have a business of $12.5 Million dollars to be transfer to your account for investment in your country if you are ready to assist me get back to me i will give you full details on how the money will be transfer to you. You must assure me that everything will be handled confidentially because we are not going to suffer again in life. It has been 10 years now that most of the greedy African Politicians used our Bank to launder money overseas through the help of their Political advisers. Most of the funds which they transferred out of the shores of Africa were gold and oil money that was supposed to have been used to develop the continent. Their Political advisers always inflated the amounts before transfer to foreign accounts so I also used the opportunity to divert part of the funds hence I am aware that there is no official trace of how much was transferred as all the accounts used for such transfers were being closed after transfer. I acted as the Account Officer to most of the politicians and when I discovered that they were using me to succeed in their greedy act, I also deleted some of their Banking records from the Bank files and no one cared to ask me because the money was too much for them to control. They laundered over $580 million Dollars during the process .As I am sending this message to you; I was able to divert ($12.5 M) to an escrow account belonging to no one in the Bank. The bank is anxious now to know who the beneficiary to the funds is because they have made a lot of profits with the funds. It is more than Eight years now and most of the politicians are no longer using our Bank to transfer funds overseas. The $12.5 Million Dollars has been laying waste but I don't want to retire from the Bank without transferring the funds to a foreign account to enable me share the proceeds with the receiver. This fund will be shared between us in the ratio of 50% for me and 40% for you. While 10% for any incurable expenses that will come during the transfer, there is no one coming to ask you about the funds because I secured everything if you're willing to handle this deal with me kindly get back to me with the following. Your Age and occupation, your Private telephone and fax numbers for easy communication/your personal picture to enable me know whom I' am dealing with. Your location and full contact address. I will send to you the Test of application form which you will apply directly to the Bank. Note I want you to keep this business strictly confidential for security reasons as you may know that the Bank doesn't know that I am the one who contacted you to stand for this claim. Best Regard. Abu Yaser. |
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
soothing images to hold?
ATM 013
Your email address has won the sum of $15million united state dollars in the ongoing Scam victim compensation promo, contact payment office for claims via email:atmpaymentdept32@gmail.com
congratulations from Koffi.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
A poem and 2 Joyce quotes
Dear Parents,
The joys of recent interactions with your children has tuned me up to excellent encounters with favorite poetry and prose from my past, which have recently come to meet me again. I'll share a poem by Cavafy and two quotes from James Joyce here before adding brief comments.
Ithaka
BY C. P. CAVAFY
TRANSLATED BY EDMUND KEELEY AND PHILIP SHERRARD
As you set out for Ithaka
hope your road is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
angry Poseidon—don't be afraid of them:
you'll never find things like that on your way
as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,
as long as a rare excitement
stirs your spirit and your body.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
wild Poseidon—you won't encounter them
unless you bring them along inside your soul,
unless your soul sets them up in front of you.
Hope your road is a long one.
May there be many summer mornings when,
with what pleasure, what joy,
you enter harbors you're seeing for the first time;
may you stop at Phoenician trading stations
to buy fine things,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
sensual perfume of every kind—
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
and may you visit many Egyptian cities
to learn and go on learning from their scholars.
Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you're destined for.
But don't hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you're old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you've gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.
Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you wouldn't have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.
And if you find her poor, Ithaka won't have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you'll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.
"Longest way round is the shortest way home." --James Joyce, Ulysses
"The heaventree of stars hung with humid nightblue fruit."--James Joyce, Ulysses
Hearing the first poem again after many years reminded me of the gifts of Waldorf education and summoned the Joyce quotes. Both first two quotes remind me of the pleasures of early childhood play in which the contrast and learning and process are key, and bear such rich fruits. Some of the most textured, richest play scenarios seem to proceed nowhere as far as action, but as far as planning on the journey and benefit to all involved, they are as mountains of wealth.
When Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom convene and bond toward the end of Ulysses, they look up at the stars. Rather than seeing the dark night and bright stars, they see the complement: the darkness becomes possibility, the humid nightblue fruit in between the stars. Our children in their play seem right in tune with this contemplative transformation.
All three quotes remind me of my work with Kim Payne over the years. He makes it clear that we need conflict and contrast in life and in school, that this provides the chance for growth--I'd even say for joy and alignment and expansion.
With warmth and light,
William
Friday, February 8, 2013
Re: Wow! An Appreciation of Your Chiildren
Sent from my iPhone
Dear Golden Forest Families,
It was a delicious day at school. I stood with Kristin observing the children and revelling in and marveling at the flexibility and flow of their social creative play. Children found delight in playing with familiar friends, and new constellations formed with all sorts of new possibilities--and it was all happening at the same time, organically, as if it could not be orchestrated any better.
I am very appreciative of all that children, parents, teachers (thanks to Molly and Cordula and Kristin for helping children tune to such a happy place in my days of absence), and forces beyond my comprehension have done to create this moment to cherish and return to.
Boys played with girls. Girls played with boys. Areas went through beautiful metamorphosis. The sand pit went from gross motor pit digging, to a bakery, to a road construction zone. Different groups of children flowed into and out of the area completely in tune with what was going on there at that moment. Pirates engaged in creative ship building projects that lasted a long time, then transformed into a lengthy treasure hunt and excavation. Drivers discovered how deftly they could pull a wagon around the playground and visited all the groups on the playground, delivering. We opened up a new straw bale, and we watched groups of children creating nests and sitting on their eggs.
Our real chickens seemed particularly free and in tune today; a pleasure to watch. Two children and I freed two birds from the school's compost bin.
Many children helped Kristin (substituting for Molly) with classroom tasks such as cooking and cleaning, with a good will and great merriment. I lost count of the number of intrinsically motivated compliments ("That's a beautiful candle this child made. . ." "I really like your painting . . ." "These eggs are yummy . . .") and kind words I heard throughout the morning.
Indoors there was a beautiful flow from high activity to quietude, rising from within the inspiration of the children, rather than being imposed from without by me. After a much enjoyed snack, our children were eager to practice "walking the plank" (a transformation that has occurred over weeks; pirates speaking about and building planks metamorphosed into bold children volunteering to walk the plank--sensing an excellent opportunity to climb and jump--to almost every child wanting to have a turn to jump off a plank), which transformed into a gymnastics spring board and a pool diving board, which then transformed into a house, and then moved to another part of the room to become a very large house that could include many children. We flowed in and out of our painting time (4 children paint at a time) with grace and ease. Different groups of children (princesses, moms, drivers, babysitters, pirates) moved into and out of the play kitchen and found just what they needed their to enrich and enhance their play.
Even though many toys were out and the clock indicated a proportionally narrow amount of time for cleaning up, children and I felt full of energy and delight, and we tidied up the room with even more celerity than I envisioned.
I plan to summon forth images from this day at school frequently. It lifts my spirits so much and helps me anticipated and hopefully evoke more such wonderful moments with our class in the future.
With warmth and light and appreciation,
William
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Re: Wow! An Appreciation of Your Chiildren
To: WILLIAM DOLDE <wdolde@gmail.com>; 'Vanessa Kohlhaas' <butterflygarden@gmail.com>; Janice Hanson-Nikulin <jmarhanson@gmail.com>; "nicole.m.wundrow@boeing.com" <nicole.m.wundrow@boeing.com>; florian graner <fgraner@sealife-productions.com>; LUCY YANZ <lucyfyanz@gmail.com>; Ashley Umlauf <whidbeyashley@gmail.com>; Peter Lumsdaine <tierralinda@live.com>; Cheryl Zimmermann <cherub1111@gmail.com>; Giuseppe Grillea <giuseppe.grillea@gmail.com>; Rhiannon Fisher <withinwires@yahoo.com>; laura and tim batiste <batisteclan@whidbey.net>; Frances Kenney <franceskenney@gmail.com>; "vs_nik@yahoo.com" <vs_nik@yahoo.com>; molly <mollymom3@yahoo.com>; Adam Wundrow <awundrow@gmail.com>; Mark Kohlhaas <mkohlhaas@gmail.com>; Dyanne Harshmann <dyannedea@hotmail.com>; gina graner <gtruesdell@sealife-productions.com>; Kathleen Peggar <klpeggar@nps.edu>; nick <ntoombs@gmail.com>; nursery blog <wdolde.nursery@blogger.com>; ashley umlauf <hansoloalaska@hotmail.com>; Corey FisherRhiannon & <lilystarproductions@yahoo.com>; "megL2008@live.com" <megl2008@live.com>; Peter Yanz <pyanz@hotmail.com>; kristin codda <kristin.codda@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 7, 2013 8:55 PM
Subject: RE: Wow! An Appreciation of Your Chiildren
Cordula Hetland
I
Subject: Wow! An Appreciation of Your Chiildren
From: wdolde@gmail.com
To: butterflygarden@gmail.com; jmarhanson@gmail.com; nicole.m.wundrow@boeing.com; fgraner@sealife-productions.com; lucyfyanz@gmail.com; whidbeyashley@gmail.com; tierralinda@live.com; cherub1111@gmail.com; giuseppe.grillea@gmail.com; withinwires@yahoo.com; batisteclan@whidbey.net; franceskenney@gmail.com; vs_nik@yahoo.com; mollymom3@yahoo.com; awundrow@gmail.com; mkohlhaas@gmail.com; dyannedea@hotmail.com; gtruesdell@sealife-productions.com; klpeggar@nps.edu; ntoombs@gmail.com; wdolde.nursery@blogger.com; hansoloalaska@hotmail.com; lilystarproductions@yahoo.com; megL2008@live.com; pyanz@hotmail.com; hetland_cordula@hotmail.com; kristin.codda@gmail.com
RE: Wow! An Appreciation of Your Chiildren
Cordula Hetland
I
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 19:13:23 -0800
Subject: Wow! An Appreciation of Your Chiildren
From: wdolde@gmail.com
To: butterflygarden@gmail.com; jmarhanson@gmail.com; nicole.m.wundrow@boeing.com; fgraner@sealife-productions.com; lucyfyanz@gmail.com; whidbeyashley@gmail.com; tierralinda@live.com; cherub1111@gmail.com; giuseppe.grillea@gmail.com; withinwires@yahoo.com; batisteclan@whidbey.net; franceskenney@gmail.com; vs_nik@yahoo.com; mollymom3@yahoo.com; awundrow@gmail.com; mkohlhaas@gmail.com; dyannedea@hotmail.com; gtruesdell@sealife-productions.com; klpeggar@nps.edu; ntoombs@gmail.com; wdolde.nursery@blogger.com; hansoloalaska@hotmail.com; lilystarproductions@yahoo.com; megL2008@live.com; pyanz@hotmail.com; hetland_cordula@hotmail.com; kristin.codda@gmail.com
Dear Golden Forest Families,
It was a delicious day at school. I stood with Kristin observing the children and revelling in and marveling at the flexibility and flow of their social creative play. Children found delight in playing with familiar friends, and new constellations formed with all sorts of new possibilities--and it was all happening at the same time, organically, as if it could not be orchestrated any better.
I am very appreciative of all that children, parents, teachers (thanks to Molly and Cordula and Kristin for helping children tune to such a happy place in my days of absence), and forces beyond my comprehension have done to create this moment to cherish and return to.
Boys played with girls. Girls played with boys. Areas went through beautiful metamorphosis. The sand pit went from gross motor pit digging, to a bakery, to a road construction zone. Different groups of children flowed into and out of the area completely in tune with what was going on there at that moment. Pirates engaged in creative ship building projects that lasted a long time, then transformed into a lengthy treasure hunt and excavation. Drivers discovered how deftly they could pull a wagon around the playground and visited all the groups on the playground, delivering. We opened up a new straw bale, and we watched groups of children creating nests and sitting on their eggs.
Our real chickens seemed particularly free and in tune today; a pleasure to watch. Two children and I freed two birds from the school's compost bin.
Many children helped Kristin (substituting for Molly) with classroom tasks such as cooking and cleaning, with a good will and great merriment. I lost count of the number of intrinsically motivated compliments ("That's a beautiful candle this child made. . ." "I really like your painting . . ." "These eggs are yummy . . .") and kind words I heard throughout the morning.
Indoors there was a beautiful flow from high activity to quietude, rising from within the inspiration of the children, rather than being imposed from without by me. After a much enjoyed snack, our children were eager to practice "walking the plank" (a transformation that has occurred over weeks; pirates speaking about and building planks metamorphosed into bold children volunteering to walk the plank--sensing an excellent opportunity to climb and jump--to almost every child wanting to have a turn to jump off a plank), which transformed into a gymnastics spring board and a pool diving board, which then transformed into a house, and then moved to another part of the room to become a very large house that could include many children. We flowed in and out of our painting time (4 children paint at a time) with grace and ease. Different groups of children (princesses, moms, drivers, babysitters, pirates) moved into and out of the play kitchen and found just what they needed their to enrich and enhance their play.
Even though many toys were out and the clock indicated a proportionally narrow amount of time for cleaning up, children and I felt full of energy and delight, and we tidied up the room with even more celerity than I envisioned.
I plan to summon forth images from this day at school frequently. It lifts my spirits so much and helps me anticipated and hopefully evoke more such wonderful moments with our class in the future.
With warmth and light and appreciation,
William
Wow! An Appreciation of Your Chiildren
Dear Golden Forest Families,
It was a delicious day at school. I stood with Kristin observing the children and revelling in and marveling at the flexibility and flow of their social creative play. Children found delight in playing with familiar friends, and new constellations formed with all sorts of new possibilities--and it was all happening at the same time, organically, as if it could not be orchestrated any better.
I am very appreciative of all that children, parents, teachers (thanks to Molly and Cordula and Kristin for helping children tune to such a happy place in my days of absence), and forces beyond my comprehension have done to create this moment to cherish and return to.
Boys played with girls. Girls played with boys. Areas went through beautiful metamorphosis. The sand pit went from gross motor pit digging, to a bakery, to a road construction zone. Different groups of children flowed into and out of the area completely in tune with what was going on there at that moment. Pirates engaged in creative ship building projects that lasted a long time, then transformed into a lengthy treasure hunt and excavation. Drivers discovered how deftly they could pull a wagon around the playground and visited all the groups on the playground, delivering. We opened up a new straw bale, and we watched groups of children creating nests and sitting on their eggs.
Our real chickens seemed particularly free and in tune today; a pleasure to watch. Two children and I freed two birds from the school's compost bin.
Many children helped Kristin (substituting for Molly) with classroom tasks such as cooking and cleaning, with a good will and great merriment. I lost count of the number of intrinsically motivated compliments ("That's a beautiful candle this child made. . ." "I really like your painting . . ." "These eggs are yummy . . .") and kind words I heard throughout the morning.
Indoors there was a beautiful flow from high activity to quietude, rising from within the inspiration of the children, rather than being imposed from without by me. After a much enjoyed snack, our children were eager to practice "walking the plank" (a transformation that has occurred over weeks; pirates speaking about and building planks metamorphosed into bold children volunteering to walk the plank--sensing an excellent opportunity to climb and jump--to almost every child wanting to have a turn to jump off a plank), which transformed into a gymnastics spring board and a pool diving board, which then transformed into a house, and then moved to another part of the room to become a very large house that could include many children. We flowed in and out of our painting time (4 children paint at a time) with grace and ease. Different groups of children (princesses, moms, drivers, babysitters, pirates) moved into and out of the play kitchen and found just what they needed their to enrich and enhance their play.
Even though many toys were out and the clock indicated a proportionally narrow amount of time for cleaning up, children and I felt full of energy and delight, and we tidied up the room with even more celerity than I envisioned.
I plan to summon forth images from this day at school frequently. It lifts my spirits so much and helps me anticipated and hopefully evoke more such wonderful moments with our class in the future.
With warmth and light and appreciation,
William
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Valentine's Day Inpirations
I love how in the Mays and Junes of yore, children in my classes have found delight in playing out the story of Santa Claus bringing presents. I particularly remember some sweltering days in Baltimore: in their collective minds, children were in a delightful world of Christmas. Any time is a great time for robust conversations about Halloween costumes. Our children can reveal to us the pleasure in slowly digesting and savoring a holiday or festival; we can relax; we have all year to celebrate Michaelmas (indeed, Steiner wanted to bring back the Michaelmas festival to help us maintain the gifts of the Easter festival throughout the year; to keep things present, in the Now, rather than shelved in the realm of miracles or things you only celebrate for a brief while).
Our Golden Forest children vary in age and inclination. Some of your children, perhaps inspired by older siblings, are chomping at the bit to create Valentines for their 14 classmates (see below) and teachers. Others may be happily remembering Michaelmas at present--yet may become inspired to make something for classmates of a Valentine's theme in May. I want to welcome this diversity.
Your child is welcome to make something for every child in the class and teachers (don't forget Kristin and Cordula if they are part of your child's experience) (and indeed, I get pleasure from thinking of their pleasure in making, so they need not make something for me unless it pleases them) if this is inspiring and motivating for your child. It need not be paper. I could imagine some children finger knitting 16 to 18 bracelets to distribute. If your child does bring in something, please have it be home-made; no food please (in respect of allergies).
On the 14th, we will bake a treat to have as a dessert for our traditional snack of apple sauce, eggs, and almonds.
At present we have 14 children. We may have a 15th child join us before the February break. It is probably good to make an extra "just in case gift."
It seems to me most allowing and effective to have any children distributing gifts to their classmates to place them right into our cubby bags in the hallway (Molly or I can help younger children make sure they find every bag); it would be good for the cubby bags to go home over the 2 week break. This frees children from worrying about how many or few Valentines they might get in this or that lovely painted mailbox we might otherwise create. The cubby bags are always there.
My intention here is to create space for a pleasing activity that inspires your child, something that seems the next logical step. If a child, when gently asked if she wants help making Valentines for classmates, shows resistance, I might reflect back, "William says that is fine. He loves how children can enjoy a holiday all through the year. Let me know if you ever want to make gifts for your classmates in the future."
We are doing great with soup, by the way. A couple more apples would be really nice for our apple-sauce; we have a couple of parents quite generous with their apples, so things always work out.
With appreciation,
William
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Appreciations of Stuttering, Pirates, and Weather
Dear Families,
I have found much to appreciate and delight in both with our children and with adults in our community. Here are a few such appreciations.
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE MOTHER OF A STUTTERING CHILD
I had a really fruitful conversation with the mother of an applicant about how much to correct the speech of a very young child. This put me in mind of one of my favorite articles from teacher training, the "open letter to the mother of a stuttering child" (I have attached it to this email; I have pinned a copy to the Golden Forest bulletin board for those who prefer to read in print). It reminds me so much of the value in seeing the best in children, in knowing that they are developing, that there is a wisdom to there development, that I need not rush them, that I can help by giving my attention to that which will be helpful rather than showing concern about temporary conditions. I love the recommendations about courtesy at the end of the article: they are gems in reminding me of how polite I can be to my sons. I find this article is about much more than speech development and stuttering; it is about all aspects of development. If we have faith in our ability to see others in all their glory and potential, we keep them free to develop to that glory and potential.
PIRATE GAMES CAN GO REALLY WELL; AND HOW FAR I HAVE EVOLVED
I have witnessed great pirate games these recent weeks, games that involve every child in the class in a cooperative and deliciously rowdy way. I choose to welcome any play scenario that is an avenue toward joy and freedom. Much as with the topic above, if I push against this or that imaginative scenario, I attract more of the negative energy I was hoping to free the class from. The following images from the sunny meadow evoke great delight in my memory. After a number of boys chased (very ostensibly willing) girls as scurvy pirates chasing another ship, the play shifted to the point in which the formerly gruff and rough pirates now became squeaky boy mice running away from female cats. So many smiles and laughs filled the meadow.
I have written about reframing our image of pirates before, probably to many of you. As I read over this essay from years past, I note how much I have changed as a teacher. Back then, even as I was welcoming freedom and possibility, I was also judging and pushing against many things; ever the scholar, I needed historical or literary or scientific evidence to back up my freedom. Now I feel and know that with anything, if I can seek that which is liberating and helpful and developmental and in tune in any activity the children come up with, I find myself at the place most able to help the children toward a productive experience. If you wish to read a glimpse of my former philosophy, you can read the essay at the end of this email.
WALKS IN ALL SORTS OF WEATHER
I love the book Your Self-Confident Child by Dorothy Corkille Briggs. I always remember her chapter on jealousy. Jealousy can really help children grow and develop, can help them ask for and find more; help them expand their horizons. She also notes that if a child becomes too jealous, she or he shuts down, and development becomes frozen.
I have felt similarly in the variety of climates in which we have walked in recent weeks and months. Some weeks it seems Monday and Tuesday mornings have the nicest weather of the week; we receive the gift of feeling in tune with the woods around us. We've also walked through cold weather, very wet weather, and days (like today) which felt warm at first and then became colder and colder. I love to show children there a variety of ways to find relief and soothe themselves if the weather and conditions become unpleasant; sometimes more walking is what is needed; sometimes running; sometimes yoga postures; sometimes longer walks; sometimes cutting a walk short and going inside. I love allowing children to discover that we need not give up and go inside as the only solution; that we have options; many options; many ways of finding enjoyment in conditions some might deem unenjoyable. Today, we walked briskly; it began to rain and became cold; I knew the right thing to do: we walked farther into the woods and beyond the institute than we have ever done (than I have ever done with a class before). We ate snack at the institute. We warmed ourselves while I told the fairy tale of the Golden Goose in the Sanctuary at the Whidbey Institute (a beautiful open and sacred space any family could visit). Children walked back toward Granny's house with such energy and alacrity that we had ample time to play at Fairy House Grove before returning to watch the middle school circus rehearsal and say our own farewell.
I look forward to the possibilities the coming weeks will allow us.
With warmth and light,
William Dolde
(read the following only if interested)
Falling Cradles, Pirates, and Sewing up the Wolf's Belly
Beginning but Not Necessarily Polite Thoughts on Different Ways of Taking Metaphor
Rock-a-bye baby in the treetop.
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock.
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,
And down will come baby, cradle and all.
Over the years, some parents have expressed concern/distaste with the above lullaby. Who wants to sing about babies falling from trees? While as a teacher, I can recommend reading Rahima Baldwin or others to receive a more spiritual interpretation of the song (it describes our descent from the spiritual world to the earthly world. It comforts us with the notion that some of our spiritual trappings--cradle and all--come down to earth with us to accompany us in life. The enduring popularity of this otherwise tragic lullaby testifies to the beyond-realistic power of it), if the song still bothers you as a parent, don't sing it to your child. At the same time, I ask that parents hold open the possibility that the lullaby can be nurturing in a classroom setting if the teacher's image or metaphor behind is one of healing and nurturing.
For years, it bothered me when children pretended to be pirates. Sometimes it was because their play was so media-driven (this still bothers me, as it should bother you), but also because it felt to me that children were learning to pretend to be pirates before pretending to be sailors, a bit like children learning "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg" before learning the more traditional lyrics to the song (this still bothers me and I plan to lecture/write about this more next year in a talk entitled "A Black Fly in Your Chardonnay: The Importance of Being Earnest With Young Children"). "Why can't children find satisfaction in being sailors?" I thought. Recently I attended an exhibit on "Real Pirates" at the Field museum in Chicago which changed my thinking a lot. There I learned (and I am not an expert) of how atrocious the owners of ships and their captains were to the common sailor--who were poorly treated and often unpaid at the end. The "good" official ships of European countries were heavily involved in the slave trade. These ships also had unclear rules dictated from above with harsh punishments. Racism prevailed. On pirate ships, in contrast, democracies and a clear code of conduct emerged. Pirates voted in their ruling members of the ship. They drew up codes of conduct together. The captain of a pirate ship received only twice as much pay as the lowest paid member of the ship (just about everybody got paid the same). Pirates freed slaves and welcomed freed slaves into their ranks. Their crews came from many countries and spoke many languages. While it seems like my goal here is to apologize for piracy (not my intent; I know real pirates still exist and threaten lives at sea; one could, of course, begin the difficult conversation of asking if current governments have changed from sufficiently from the Imperialist slave traders of the past, but again, this is another conversation), my realization is far less profound and more personal. This experience has subtly but powerfully altered the way I might respond to pirate play by children, ways I might extend the play with simple phrases, ways I might foster social inclusion, ("Did you know pirates welcomed anyone on their ship who wanted to help?" "Did you know pirate captains were sure to share the treasure with everyone on the ship?"), and ways I might live comfortably and effectively with this sort of play in the classroom.
I often write and speak about the metaphor of teaching or parenting as being a confident captain. Winds, seas, and storms may delay us from our course, and we must accept this. Crews (our children) may mutiny. At the same time, we still seek our course with strength and flexibility. We want our crew to have faith in us--so we are both confident (our children know we are in charge) and observant (our children see that we see them and are trying to meet their needs even as we are in charge). In the exhibit on pirates, I learned that when pirates took over a ship (which they often did without needing to shed any blood or fire any cannons), they gathered the crew of the captured ship and asked them if their captain was a good leader or not. If the crew said their captain was a despot or bad leader, the captain was killed. If they said the captain was a confident and good leader, the pirates rewarded that captain with treasure and a ship of his own (pirates often traveled with a number of ships, so they had one to give away). Now as I teach or parent, I feel very comfortable asking the hypothetical question, if pirates took over and asked my class or my own children whether I was a good captain or not, would I be killed or rewarded with a ship of my own? I could imagine other teachers or parents would find it very unsavory to chart the course of their classroom or family life with the image that their life or death depends on it, and I would never recommend this to someone else. But it does work for me, and I take it with equanimity, not fear.
"The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids" is one of my favorite stories for older nursery or young kindergarten classes. I knew the deceitful wolf could be very disturbing to parents and some children, but I was surprised at a parent meeting to learn that the old goat's use of scissors to cut open the wolf's belly and needle and thread to sew it up again (once her kids had filled it with heavy stones) came across as very violent, even sadistic. Now I see that of course it does (or can). To me it had always seemed a symbolic and healthy balance to some children's (more often boys though not exclusively) tendency to get stuck in gun and sword play--an interest in engaging in the world offensively and only from a distance. Only guns and weapons seem to have power for children stuck in this developmental phase. Here, I thought, is a story that symbolically suggests the power in the tools we might associate with a grandmother or kindergarten teacher or brave little tailor--scissors, needle, thread. My point is not to beat swords into plowshares and then bash our enemies on the head with our plowshares, but rather to open the possibility that power--rather than something to be afraid of--can come from many aspects and archetypes and from within many aspects ourselves. My reading of this particular fairy tale is highly symbolic and very free from the tangible, and many children receive it that way. I am not demanding that parents interpret the story in the way that I do, just opening the possibility that we can see the same rhyme, song, or tale very differently and make different choices about it.