This week is American School Counselor Appreciation Week! Ashland School District has many talented and dedicated behavioral health specialists. Please take a moment to recognize and get to know the two fantastic people working here at Willow Wind Community Learning Center!
Lance Matthewson: Child Development Specialist
Lance moved from New Mexico to Ashland last summer. He has twenty years’ experience working with K-12 students individually, in group settings and teaching whole class SEL (Social Emotional Learning) lessons. He refers to the Willow Wind setting as a “paradise”. This past 6 months he has balanced two distinct roles, working as both the CDS and as the afternoon Outdoor Ed teacher. He has loved getting to know and working with the students and parents of this community. He will be moving into the newly created CDS position at AMS in late February.
Sydney Heim: Student Advocate
Sydney joined Willow Wind this fall. She has worked at summer camps for several years and loves working with the entire age range of kids at Willow Wind. She has enjoyed both her in-class and yard support responsibilities and looks forward to learning more about the position’s breadth of possible roles.
Karsten Peterson
Karsten joined ASD this fall. She has extensive experience in mediation work and a special passion for work that supports the growth of resiliency and embeds restorative practices. She has the unique responsibility of working at all our elementary schools. Miraculously, she manages to travel to all five campuses every week to individually support students. She also devotes countless above and beyond hours to the coordination of trainings for our team and the development of staff professional development presentations.
February is Black History Month and we are celebrating the achievements of African Americans and recognizing their central role in U.S. history. When you are in the parking lot, notice the mural students made a few years ago. It is hanging on the fence. All classes will be learning about Black History this month.
2022-2023 WILLOW WIND INQUIRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE
The Inquiry Forms for enrollment at Willow Wind for Fall 2022 are now available on the website. You can find it here: https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/o/wwclc/page/inquiry-forms
We will start meeting with interested families right after Spring Break.
Please reach out if you have questions -
Thank you to our supportive parents and students - Willow Wind staff received this special surprise this morning. Cookies to begin the week -
Yesterday we had a wet, snowy community sing and Winter Walk of Light. Everyone brought shining stars to the dark and stormy day!
So much fun and so cold!
Today the Hummingbirds (Grade 4) and Treefrogs (Grade 5) loaded up all the food collected from the Food Drive and it was delivered to the Ashland Food Bank - Thanks to all who donated!
The 4th and 5th graders are organizing a food drive to help support Ashland families and the Ashland Food Bank. Today they taught other students about the need and encouraged them all to participate. They are collecting food next week to donate.
The first graders decorated cards and wrote messages to Veterans. The notes will be mailed to A Million Thanks who will forward them to deployed military personnel and retired veterans. Have a great day off tomorrow!
A misty Friday morning at Willow Wind
Designing roller coasters as part of the simple machines study.
What fun!
Willow Wind students in Sarah Lowenberg's class made sugar skulls, butterflies, skeletons and paper mache' masks for el Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). They created a beautiful ofrenda in the foyer for all to see. It is beautiful!
Beautiful Fall Watercolors to decorate the greenhouse - Thanks Nicole!
Get ready for the 13th Annual Monster Dash Run for Education!
This year’s race is back in Lithia Park on Saturday, October 30th, or you can sign up to run the race virtually from anywhere October 22nd – 31st.
1-mile Fun Run/Walk
5k Run/Walk
10k Run
Walk, run or zombie stroll for this annual family-fun event that supports grants in Ashland public schools. This one-of-a-kind race is presented by Lithia 4 Kids, the Ashland Kiwanis Club, and the Ashland Schools Foundation (ASF).
This year the in-person races at Lithia Park will be modified for COVID safety, with mask requirements, staggered race-wave start times and locations, and limited numbers per race to allow for social distancing. All racers receive finisher’s medals, plus fun-filled race packets and giveaways for youth 18 and under!
Register NOW for early-bird pricing for adults (thru Oct 13…kids are always $10) and before the race time you want fills up. Go to www.AshlandMonsterDash.com to sign up the whole family and get more info about this year’s race, online contests, silent auction and prizes!
Eager Beavers creating wooden treasures!
The sunflowers are blooming and the plums are ripe. The Willow Wind garden is a magical place to learn!
Garden Journals, Vegetables and Flowers!
Did you know that OHA and OSU have teamed up to offer free weekly asymptotic covid testing for all K-12 students in the state? It’s a PCR test (so very reliable) and only requires a spit sample. Our first tests went home with students this week. The more we know, the safer we will all be. You can find more information and sign your child up on the district website.
https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/page/coronavirus-covid-19-response
A year ago, we all experienced and witnessed how wide-spread community service can unite, mend, and restore hope. An ASD parent has initiated an inspiring and uplifting effort to make September 8 a day of community connection and care. Please join in this effort and make this day and many more full of gestures of kindness that ripple across our community and beyond.
The Shining Stars had their 8th grade graduation last night on the back lawn - Congratulations! We will miss you!
