The Applegater

Applegater Winter 2017 23 Woodland Charter School celebrates the seasons Local rancher shares sheep-shearing wisdom with third graders before shearing the sheep. (Photo: Christine Leonard.) Applegate School volleyball team scores again! is 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. e 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. e 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 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 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. e final chance to participate is at a free workshop on December 5 in Grants Pass. Ductless heat pumps are highly efficient zonal h e a t i n g a n d c o o l i n g systems that use 25 to 50 percent less energy than traditional electric heating systems. ey 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 energy economy in southern Oregon. e 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. R e g i s t e r i n a d v a n c e o n l i n e at energizerogue.org. Questions? Call 541.236.5027. Upgrade your home or business with a discounted ductless heating system Ductless heating pumps use less energy than traditional electric heating systems. E n t e r i n g our sixth year at Woodland C h a r t e r S c h o o l , w e h a v e b e g u n t o r e a l l y s e t t l e i n t o our beautiful c a m p u s a d j a c e n t t o 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. is year we have expanded our program and now have openings in some of our classes. N e 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! is 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 s k i l l s , l i k e f o c u s i n g o n a t a r g e t an d refin in g h a n d - e y e coordination. At our annual Harvest Faire, children also e x p e r i e n c e d s e e d s a v i n g , 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. is 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. ank 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 Happy Presidents' Day!

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