The colors of spring are bright and vibrant on the Willow Wind property!

The bright yellow forsythia and daffodils are blooming, the grass is bright

green and the sky is blue. April is always a busy month. We have to start

getting the gardens ready for spring planting, plan for May Day, and begin

work on the fall catalog of classes.

Over the past few weeks, I have been meeting with lots of new families

interested in exploring educational options for their children. As I talk

with prospective families, I have the

opportunityto share many of the exciting

projects and learning activities offered by

the wonderfulteachers here at Willow

Wind. I also sharethe accomplishments of

our students and aswe tour the campus,

it is evident that thechildren are engaged

in deep learning andhard work.

Currently we have manystudents doing

work the community that is connected to

their units of study. Some students areconnecting with seniors from

Skylark, othersare exploring landmarks in Ashland history or raising

awareness regarding issues faced by our local migrant families. Our kids

are actively working to make the world a better place. This is an

exceptional learning community!

The first fall planning meetings are scheduled for April 4th . I always enjoy

working with families to develop classes and explore learning

opportunities, so come by, meet with other families, and let’s dream up

some exciting new programming.

Happy Spring!

Debbie

Notes from the Office

Willow Wind Community Learning Center—April 2015 Newsletter

Calendar of Events

Monday, April 4

Fall Planning Meetings

April 4-8 Student Photos by Bryon

DeVore

Tuesday, April 12 Parent Council Meeting

1:15-2:30pm

Friday, April 15th Pizza Friday

Thursday, April 21

ASF Call Night 6:00-8:30pm

April 28– May 4 Express Interest in Fall

Classes

Friday, April 29 May Day Celebration

12:30-2:30 pm

Follow Willow Wind on Facebook! “Like” our page at

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Willow-Wind-Community-

Learning-Center/399419993464732

COMMUNITY 101 GRANT AWARDED

Willow Wind is excited to announce that we

received a $5,000 grant to participate in the

Community 101 program during the 2016-17

school year. Community 101 is a program of

the Oregon Community Foundation. The

mission of Community 101 is to provide

students with opportunities for service and

leadership through philanthropy and civic

engagement.

Students identify community needs, decide

where to focus, and then implement a grant

program. At the end of the term, they present

their grant awards. The entire $5,000

allocation goes to the community.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our

students and the Ashland community.

Thank you to the Oregon Community

Foundation and our generous donor.

UPPER SCHOOL INQUIRY

PRESENTATIONS

April 26th-28th

All Upper School students are working on

Inquiry Projects. The 7th and 8th graders will

be presenting their projects to a panel during

the week of April 25, 2016. We want to include

some parents on the panel – this is a fun

opportunity to hear about the wonderful work

our students are doing. If you are interested in

joining our panel (presentations are in the

afternoon), please contact Debbie with your

availability.

FALL PLANNING MEETINGS:

5-8 year olds—Monday, April 4th 5:30-

6:00pm

9-11 year olds — Monday, April 4th 6:00-

6:30pm

11+ year olds—Monday, April 4th 6:30-

7:00pm

Planning for fall classes is starting now. The

Course Selection Committee wants to hear

from you! The process of class planning is an

open one, with ideas coming from students,

parents, and teachers. We really need to know

what classes the community most wants to see

offered on the fall schedule. The ideas for

course offerings that are most important are

the ones that come from the community or

respond to community needs. It’s hard to

overstate how important this feedback is for

us. Without it, we’re just guessing what your

needs are.

These meetings are a great place to express

your needs and interests. Teachers, older

students, and adults are encouraged to attend.

It’s also an opportunity to hear what other

people are thinking and to stimulate new

ideas. Preparing a little prior to the meetings

can be especially productive. Talk with your

students about their interests.

PLEASE PLAN ON ATTENDING THIS

IMPORTANT MEETING!

PLANNING & REGISTRATION

TIMELINES Fall 2016

Fall Course Proposals Due: April 25

Families Express Interest in Proposals:

April 28-May 4

Fall Catalogs Available (we hope): May 27

Fall 2015 Registrations Due: June 6

June Workshop Proposals Due: April 15

June Workshop Arena Registration:

May 2-6

HOW TO EXPRESS INTEREST IN FALL

2016 CLASSES

After the Fall 2016 course proposals are

submitted we need you to tell us which of the

proposed courses you would like to see

offered. This process is designed to determine

what the Willow Wind community wants.

Families can express interest in proposed

classes April 28- May 4. Proposals will be

located in Debbie’s office. Families express

interest by reviewing the submitted proposals,

selecting TEN classes per student they would

like to see offered, and signing the student or

family name on the back of the course

proposal forms. Without your vote, we don’t

have clear priorities.

INTERESTED FAMILIES

If you know of families who are interested in

attending Willow Wind for the 2015- 2016

school year, please encourage them to contact

the office or fill out an inquiry form. Inquiry

forms are in the office or on the Willow Wind

W e b s i t e a t

http://www.ashland.k12.or.us/Page.asp?Na

vID=1702.

ASF PHONE BANK

Family Service Opportunity

April 21st—6:00-8:30pm

Don’t just talk about the school funding issue.

Do something about it! The Ashland Schools

Foundation (ASF) is hoping you will be willing

to help with the annual fund

drive by volunteering for the

2016 Phone Bank. Dinner, and

training are provided. Phone

bank volunteers may count this

towards completion of their

family service requirement. For

more information or to sign up as a volunteer,

p l e a s e v i s i t

www.ashlandschoolsfoundation.org.

MAY DAY CELEBRATION

Friday, April 29—12:30-2:30pm

Help us celebrate May Day! Festivities begin

at 12:30pm with students and families

gathering to picnic and make May crowns. At

1:00pm the May Dance will begin followed by

field day activities, crafts, face painting, and

games. All Friday afternoon classes will be

cancelled so everyone can participate in the

celebration. Plan to join us for the wonderful

community event. If you are unable to join us

for the afternoon, please make sure to pick up

your child at 2:30 on that day.

Volunteers are needed for field day stations,

craftbooths, May crowns, and clean up. We

also need one or two people to gatherflower

donations from localmerchants and people to

gather willow and ivy for crownbases. This

will count toward fulfilling your familyservice requirements. Please remember to

bring flowers from your yard or garden for

May crowns. Please contact the office to

volunteer at 541-488-2684.

UPCOMING ASSESSMENT DATES

This month many Willow Wind students are

required to participate in the Oregon State

Assessments. We will be testing for short

periods of time over the course of the week. It

is very important that your child attends their

assigned sessions – please make sure you are

here on time and your child is well rested.

Thanks!

Science Assessments

Grades 5 & 8 April 4-8

Reading & Language Arts

Grades 6, 7 & 8 April 11-15

Grades 3, 4 & 5 April 18-23

Math Assessments

Grades 5, 7 & 8 May 2-7

Grades 3, 4, 6 May 9-14

YEARBOOK

YEARBOOKS FOR SALE $5.00

2015-16 Willow Wind Yearbooks are now on sale.

Don't wait til it's too late!

Last day is the first of May!

See Dannette in the office.

Tara will also be selling Yearbooks by the Hug N Go on Wednesday and Friday the last

week of April.

DO YOU HAVE PHOTOS ??

If you have pictures to submit to the Yearbook Committee, please send them to Tara

Elder-Hammond as soon as possible and no later than April 15. You can e-mail them

to: taraelderhammond@gmail.com.

News From the Classroom

National Poetry Month! This April marks the 20th anniversary of National Poetry Month, which was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Over the years, National Poetry Month has become the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture.

To kick off a month long study of poetry in many forms, the Dragonflies have done an in depth study of poetry elements in relationship to color. The muse for their creations is taken from the imaginative prose of Mary O’Neil, the author of Hailstones and Halibut Bones.

Color Poems

Red by Samantha Westrick

Color Poems Light Blue By Sofia Shelton

Color Poems Yellow by Sutton Guyer

Color Poems Blue by Harper Strong

News from the Community Association

The next WWCA meeting is Monday, April 25 from 12:45-2:15 in the office.

The 8th Annual Willow Wind Talent Show a Spectacular Success!

Thank you to all the performers that worked so hard on their acts and the many, many volunteers that contributed to making the show happen! It was a fun evening celebrating courage, humor, beauty, and community! In addition, our combined efforts will contribute over $2,500.00 toward the bike shelter.

KC Hoffman aka Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl

Mark Your Calendars! Important Spring Dates

April 4 Fall Planning Meetings

5:30-6:00pm—Ages 5-8

6:00-6:30pm—Ages 9-11

6:30-7:00pm—Ages 11+

April 4-8 Student Photos by Bryon

April 12 Parent Council 1:15-2:30pm

April 15 June Workshop Proposals Due

April 15 Pizza Friday

April 20 2016-17 Enrollment Lottery

April 21 ASF Calling Night

April 25 Fall Course Proposals Due

April 26-28 Upper School Inquiry Presentations

April 28-May 4 Express Interest in Fall Classes

April 29 May Day Celebration

May 2-6 June Workshops Arena Registration

May 18 Musical Theater Performance

May 20 Pizza Friday

May 20 Shakespeare Class Evening Performance

May 20 Track Meet for 4th & 5th Grades

May 23 Spring Dance Show

May 30 No Classes—Memorial Day

June 2 Passport to Learning

June 3 Last day of Spring Term

June 6 Fall Registrations Due

June 6 Bike-A-Thon Day!

June 6-10 June Workshops

June 6-10 Parent Partner Conferences