Applegater Winter 2017
Woodland Charter School
celebrates the seasons
Entering
our sixth year
at Woodland
C h a r t e r
School, we
have begun
to really
settle into
our beautiful
c a m p u s
adjacent to
Hidden Valley
High School in
Murphy, Oregon. Now we find ourselves
eager to move beyond our rental buildings
into sustainably crafted, permanent
buildings that echo the beauty of the
landscape. We envision our joyful students
surrounded by bountiful orchards, sunlit
classrooms nestled amid permaculture
gardens, and a wonderful multipurpose
building housing a gym, kitchen, and
special subjects classrooms.
Woodland Charter School is a Waldorf-
methods public charter school for grades
one through eight, serving children
from Ruch to Rogue River, Wilderville
to Williams. Our curriculum integrates
the arts with the academics as we strive
to educate the heart, head, and hands,
nourishing the whole child to develop
self-confident students ready to find their
places in the world. This year we have
expanded our program and now have
openings in some of our classes.
Ne w t o Wo o d l a n d t h i s y e a r,
Administrator Phil Centers brings a wealth
of experience to our school (see article on
page 22). Working with our outstanding
team of teachers, Phil has already launched
a student support system to further boost
Woodland academics. In his introductory
letter to the Woodland families, Phil wrote,
“With deep roots in holistic education, I
am committed to the well-being, healthy
development, and success of children.
I approach education as I do life—as a
researcher, and the journey of discovery
as a fascinating adventure! This innate
quality has been strengthened as a result
of my training and experience over the
years, which have been cross-disciplinary,
diverse, and transformative. I love working
with students, parents, colleagues, council
members, and the wider community to
make education come alive for each and
every student so that each may realize her
or his full potential.”
Harvest Faire
An arrow pierces a handmade target
in our upper field as a student practices
archery at our Harvest Faire. Games help
students with
skills, like
focusing
on a target
and refining
hand-eye
coordination.
At our annual
Harvest Faire,
children also
experienced
seed saving,
l e a t h e r
crafting, and an Abundance Mandala of
organic garden delights donated by the
community. Festival life is an integral part
of Waldorf education as we recognize and
celebrate the rhythm of the seasons.
Winter Faire
Woodland’s winter faire is a cultural
event as well as a school fundraiser. This
year’s event, Winter in the Woodlands,
will feature handcrafts, such as handmade
candles and tin ornaments, plus the gift of
song from students, a secret gift room, and
holiday shopping with local vendors and
artisans. Winter in the Woodlands will be
held on December 16, from 10 am - 2 pm,
at Pacifica in Williams.
May Faire
As the weather warms, May Faire
brings the children outdoors adorned with
floral crowns for a lovely spring dance
around the Maypole. Parent volunteers
create craft and activity booths for the
children. From the making of flags to the
crafting of clay pots and lavender wands,
children refine their abilities as they grow.
Many donors, from individuals to local
organic farms and businesses, have been
very generous in their offerings of materials
and funds. Thank you!
Spring Soirée
Woodland’s Spring Soirée shines as an
amazing success each year. We invite you to
join us on April 28, 2018, at the Josephine
County Fairgrounds Floral Building for
an evening of music, dinner, drinks, and
spectacular silent and live auctions.
Tickets for events are available through
the school office by calling 541-846-4246.
For more information, please visit our
website at woodlandcharterschool.org.
Michelle LaFave Charter
Council Member
michelle.lafave@
woodlandcharterschool.org
•
Christine Leonard
Faculty Member
christine.leonard@
woodlandcharterschool.org
Local rancher shares sheep-shearing wisdom with third graders
before shearing the sheep. (Photo: Christine Leonard.)
Happy Presidents’ Day!
23
Applegate School JV volleyball team members. Back row from left: Sierra Fimbres,
Kali Linn, Jasmine Noland, Zeyna DiBiasi, Izabella Haning, coach Diana West.
Front row from left: Freyja Moeves, Hailey West, Natalia Sahr,
Rachel Peterson, Autumn Koch. (Photo: Jim Ingraham.)
Applegate School volleyball team
scores again!
This was my first time ever doing a job like coaching. (I am currently the kitchen
manager at Applegate School.) But when I heard the school needed a volleyball coach,
I thought I would try for the position. My daughter was the main motivating factor
in this decision. I want her to play school sports and to have pride in her school.
I took on the coaching position, and this season, we won six games and lost two.
A varsity volleyball tournament in which we played was hosted by Ruch School
and South Medford High School, with five teams competing. The Applegate School
volleyball team won the Southern Oregon Middle School Athletic Conference
(SOMSAC) small schools girls volleyball 2017 sportsmanship award, which was
presented at Central Medford High School.
Overall, I think we did amazing. Six of the girls on our team have never played
volleyball before, but I am glad they put themselves out there and gave it a try. The
experience was very rewarding for everyone, and I look forward to gaining more
experience throughout the next year for our 2018-2019 season.
Diana West
Volleyball Coach, Applegate School
diana.west@threerivers.k12.or.us
Upgrade your home or business
with a discounted ductless heating system
Applegate residents
and businesses have an
opportunity to learn about
and purchase a discounted
ductless heat pump system
as part of a community-
based energy efficiency
campaign called Energize
Rogue. The final chance
to participate is at a free
workshop on December 5
in Grants Pass.
Ductless heat pumps
are highly efficient zonal
heating and cooling
systems that use 25 to 50
percent less energy than
traditional electric heating systems. They
have at least one head unit inside, usually
placed high on the wall, a compressor
placed outside, and a refrigerant line
connecting the two. Because there are
no ducts, these systems are often easily
installed within a day.
Savings are considerable. In addition
to a discounted group-purchase price
and lower utility bills, residences served
by Pacific Power may qualify for $800
to $1,000 in cash rebates through the
Energy Trust of Oregon, if upgrading
from another electric heat source. Oregon
Residential Energy Tax Credits of 50
percent off the equipment cost are also
available, if purchased before December
31, 2017.
Energize Rogue is funded by a USDA
Rural Business Development Grant
to encourage the growth of a clean
Ductless heating pumps use less energy
than traditional electric heating systems.
energy economy in southern Oregon.
The program reduces the regular price of
a ductless heat pump system, simplifies the
entire installation process for customers,
and provides guidance on incentives and
financing. Earlier this year, a first round of
grant funding resulted in 73 installations
in the Rogue Valley.
To participate in Energize Rogue,
the first step is to register for the free
workshop on Tuesday, December 5, from
6 to 7 pm, at AllCare Health Community
Room, 1701 SE 7th Street, Grants Pass.
Installation professionals and program
partners will present details and answer
questions about ductless heat pumps,
savings associated with the technology, and
incentives and rebates.
Register in advance online
at energizerogue.org. Questions? Call
541.236.5027.
