Weekender
A Newsletter from the Youth Initiative High School Waldorf Initiative
Viroqua, Wisconsin, USA Friday May 18, 2007 Editor: Conrad Rehbach
Not in my backyard.
Invasive species gets torched. YIHS student Walker Willis at work during
YIHS Service Week
GRADUATION 2007. The YIHS Class of 2007 joyfully invites YIHS students and their families, faculty and staff to the graduation ceremony and celebration on Sunday, June 3rd, 3:00pm- Ceremony, 5:00pm - Reception at The Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Please bring an appetizer or desert to share (see below Graduation update). We hope you can be part of this event.
Graduation Update. In an effort to simplify and focus on quality at this busy time of the year we have decided to do a lighter potluck of appetizers, and desserts for the graduation reception. Senior Families will provide appetizers, beverages, paper products, bread and graduation cake. We ask that families please bring the following in quantities sufficient for 20 people. Junior families bring deserts. Sophomore families bring Fruit and Vegetable trays and dips. Freshman families bring appetizers such as cheese and crackers, meat trays, spreads and finger size sandwiches. The Ceremony will take place outside of the Museum building. Please bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on. There will be one tent set up to give the grandparents seating out of the sun. This area will be reserved for graduate families and faculty. In the unlikely event of rain the ceremony will take place inside where there is limited seating. Appetizers etc. will be set up inside and served after the ceremony. We will need all school help and thank those who have already offered help. We are still in need of someone to supervise Junior students setting up. Please call Carole Hanlein, Karen Pothan, or Kim Chotzen if you can help.
The Spring Play Approaches! This year, it's Tartuffe, by Moliere, along with a short original piece by teacher John Madden and our students. We'll be performing at the Temple Theater again, and we'll be doing a Thursday night performance in addition to Friday & Saturday nights. There will be additional calls for help and supplies coming soon. For starters: We still need an adult helper in the costume department! If you can step in for support and guidance, please let K know. Also, we will need help selling concessions all three nights, both before the show and during intermission. Contact Trish Dougherty: 637-7630 h, trishd@mosaorganic.org, 637-2526 w. If you can contribute to food for the cast, please contact Joann McNall, 634-6278 h, rutwhit@mwt.net. We will also need ticket-takers at the door, and people to sell raffle tickets for the quilt which will be displayed at the theater. Contact Liz at school to sign up for a shift.
Parent Financial Commitment meetings. We are beginning to set these meetings up for mornings in June. Please contact Dawn, 608-452-3485, dawn@rotochopper.com
Quilt Raffle Tickets. Please turn in your raffle tickets and money
soon! Especially, bring in your unsold tickets ASAP so I won't have to
print more unnecessarily. We are nearly almost very close to our goal of
$3000 … wait … only at $1000 says the accountant … o.k. … sell, sell,
sell! --Liz Cox
Graduation/Diplomas/Transcripts. Please be aware that it is the policy of the Youth Initiative High School that diplomas and transcripts for YIHS seniors are only released after all fees, tuition pledges, and sports fees have been paid in full to the YIHS. Seniors whose fees, tuition pledges, or sports fees have not been paid in full by graduation (June 03, 2007) may participate in the graduation ceremony, however, they will only receive fake diplomas at the ceremony, while the real diplomas will be released only after the fees, tuition pledges, and sports fees have been paid in full.
Again, thank you and YIHS faculty and students for arranging the work group today. We got done in record time! Youth Initiative has set the bar very high for future groups! They really were a pleasure to work with; every year we do board prep with student groups, so I’ve seen it all. YIHS students were by far the most mature and task-oriented group I’ve worked with and I’d invite them back in a heartbeat! I’ve updated our website with some pictures of today’s work: www.habitatlacrosse.org/hoh.html. Thanks - Cori Skolaski (Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity-La Crosse Area and Habitat ReStore)
Viroqua Anthroposophy Group Evening. Friday, May 25 at 729 S. Washington, Viroqua 6 p.m. Potluck 7 p.m. Showing of 50-minute DVD: "Bio-Dynamic Gardening: A How-To Guide" 8 p.m. Discussion led by Brian Wickert Free of charge. All are warmly welcome to come to any or all of this event. Please RSVP Sheila Andersen at 637-3546 or sheila@leadingedgereview.com.
YIHS enrollment/re-enrollment for 2007/2008 update. Grade 12 (9): Aue, Vaughan/Kilkeary, Terra/Marshall, Troy/Pitsch, Madeleine/Rasikas, Alek/Rehbach, Ita/Tully, Kyla/Wickert, Zach/Winningham, Talia. Grade 11 (12): Caldwell, Ben/Gilgenbach, Nicholas/Grams, Beau/Hundt, Henry/Lantro, Ashontae/Lewicki, Jamie/Martin, Ian/Pitsch, Eva/Pollard, Eva/Romary, Forest/Whited-Ford, Caleb/Kouba, Patrick. Grade 10 (10): Diaz, Katie/Erickson, Sirsha/Hemingway, Freya/Hodges, Liberty/McNall, Randy/ Park, Thea/ Ribbens, Lucas/ Smith, Rebecca/Tully, Ian/Wickert, Ethan. Grade 09 (5): Caldwell, Sam/Lantro, Joshua/Pollard, William/Wainscott, Merla/Shrum, David. Note: All enrollment/re-enrollment is conditional upon the following: (1) tuition/pledge for 2006/2007 has been paid in full by June 30, 2007. (2) supplies fees have been paid by August 01, 2007. (3) if applicable, the tuition/pledge for 2007/2008 has been approved by a member of the finance committee via a pledge meeting. (4) student has fulfilled the academic requirements and student service hours for 2006/2007
CHRYSALIS SUMMER PUPPET CAMP. June 18-22, 2007 ~ Ages 5 and older are welcome to join us in preparing for a summer solstice/St. John celebration at the end of the week. We will make puppets and learn how to put various types of shows together, culminating in our final celebration. The 1/2 day program, from 8:30 - 12:30, will include games and snacks. Bring your own lunches. $100 for the week plus a supplies fee or donation of supplies. Should be full of learning and FUN! Register with Marjorie Rehbach (by phone ~ 608-637-3913) or 308 S Lincoln Ave, Viroqua WI or Chrysalis ~ Registration deadline: May 25, 2007 (4:34 PM)
CHRYSALIS CHILD CARE IS TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR (starting September 2007) ~ Ages 1-6 are welcome to join us for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days of multi-age kindergarten experience in a Waldorf inspired atmosphere in my home. We meet Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and follow the PRWS school calendar for the year. 8:30 - 3:30 with extended hours for after care possible. Please call Marjorie Rehbach for more information ~ 608-637-3913 Registration deadline: May 25, 2007 (4:37 PM) Marjorie Rehbach, 308 S Lincoln Ave, Viroqua WI 54665 Chrysalis Childcare
Miss Sarah’s Kinderhaus and Garden. Thank you all for your generous outpouring of interest and support in my new endeavor to open a licensed family daycare. Miss Sarah’s Kinderhaus and Garden will open this summer, starting on July 9th for 2 to 7 year olds, 8:30 - 3:30 p.m. Number of days per week to be determined based on interest and need. Openings for the school year filling up fast. Please call Sarah Kamin at 637-6826.
Puppetry Training with Suzanne Down. Juniper Tree School of Story and Puppetry Arts. New 3 Part Summer Series. Certificate Training in Puppet Theater. Starting this summer June 25 – July 5 in Viroqua, Wisconsin – our first Midwest location. The Juniper Tree 3-part summer certificate training in puppet theater will begin a NEW Midwest training June 25-July 5. The part one focus is on Pedagogical Puppetry. The 3 part training consists of 10 days intensive course work for 3 summers. The three focus areas are: pedagogical (early childhood focus plus a look at grades and high school), artistic (fairy tale, archetype, and marionette focus), and therapeutic puppetry (specific therapeutic indications for all puppet types, plus rod puppet work and color and light ‘shadow’ puppetry. Project work and puppet practice during the year deepens the training. Each participant designs their own project to enhance their work/life situation. This training is open to beginners and experienced puppeteers who have a serious interest in the healing aspects of puppet theater and storytelling. For information package contact: Suzanne Down, Director of Juniper Tree. Taking applications now - numbers will be limited. 1 888 688-7333. suzanne@junipertreepuppets.com or www.junipertreepuppets.com Almost full!
Head, Heart and Hands—Summer Intensive. This one week (June 18—22, 2007) summer intensive is for Waldorf grade teachers and parents/individuals interested in deepening their educational skills and for soul renewal. Through the course of the week everyone will have varied opportunities to experience the Waldorf curriculum through the arts and crafts. We will explore the incarnating process of the child as reflected through various arts and crafts in the class teacher years and try to develop a sense for the gesture of each school year through different artistic media. We will be working with: clay and beeswax (modeling), wool (felting, and animal making), wood (carving, toy making), metal (copper), glass (mosaic making). In addition a variety of artistic and study courses will provide soul renewal to the educator. These courses include movement, painting, circle work, and studies concerning the St. John mystery in our time. The workshop will cumulate with a Community St. John’s festival on Friday June 22. Info/registration: 608-637-3913 or www.sophiainstitute.us Registration deadline: May 31, 2007
Online Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy and the Arts. Accepting enrollment now. The Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy and the Arts Online Independent Studies are scheduled on an individual basis typically over the period of 1—3 years. Students will be able to fulfill the requirements at their own pace. Foundation Studies include a variety of artistic courses, independent studies and study courses. Students learn about the different arts, and about the influence of Anthroposophy that has enriched, and transformed traditional art forms, and created new ones, like Eurythmy. Students will need to practice the arts, learn new skills, or deepen their understanding of the arts. Besides Eurythmy, courses in music, speech, painting, drawing, handwork, modeling, and spatial dynamics or others qualify for the independent studies/art courses. The study courses include in-depth study of the basic works of Anthroposophy, and offer the student the opportunity to explore the philosophical and psychological basis of the world-view of Anthroposophy and of Waldorf Education. Students will be challenged to critically examine the concepts and issues addressed in this world-view, which offers a modern path of knowledge and self-transformation. Check out details at OnlineFSC
Soccer.
Driftless soccer pick-up
games have started up again. Tuesdays at 7 PM at the Viroqua High School
football field. Everybody welcome. Gooooooooaaaaaaaaal!
Hello folks, I'm usually not into the whole mass-email thing, but the situation merits it. Being that I did not have the chance to jaunt back home for lovin' and sweet salutations before my journey overseas I have not had the chance to give you all the hearty hugs you deserve. Consider this a virtual hug-X. I'm headed to Bosnia-Herzegovina this Thursday (and a little exploring in Dublin and Munich along the way) and as such have picked my blogging habits back up. I've updated the site and want you to have the address so you can make sure that I am still alive and living up to my studious obligations in Eastern Europe. Here 'tis - http://teganlee.wordpress.com/ Thanks! I love you all immensely … Tegan Wendland
Dong Li — Exchange Student Teacher at YIHS is looking for a ride to Madison or Chicago in the near future. Dong is a classmate of Silas' at Deep Springs College and has been volunteering at Youth Initiative. He is staying with the Hundt's. Please contact Dawn Hundt at 452-3485 or via e-mail at dawn@rotochopper.com Thank you very much —Dawn
Agriculture Block – May 21st thru June 1. All days students are responsible for own lunch except Friday May 25th .There is a $20 fee for going on field trip to Tillers needed by Tuesday May 22. Students should also bring money to eat one meal at a restaurant during this field trip.
May 21st – Monday Meet for morning circle, class is at school a.m. then out to Jacob’s in p.m. Be prepared to work in the dirt – Bring a hoe, we are planting corn.
May 22nd – Tuesday thru May 24th – Thursday Field trip to Wykoff, Minnesota to Dreamacres Farm to learn 3rd world skills of blacksmithing, ox team driving, timber framing, self sufficient living, help in their CSA gardens. We need 2 more adult drivers with a van and a car. We can arrange that you either help take kids or help bring them home if you can’t stay all the days. On Monday students will have a list of their needs for the trip. They will provide their own lunches and breakfasts. Group cooperation on dinners. Call Jane Siemon 483-2520 or Vicki Ramsey 608-606-3760 if you can drive.
May 25th – Friday Morning at school. 11 a.m. go to Jane Siemon’s farm to learn tractor driving, beef cattle raising and pasture rotation. Three sisters lunch provided by Jane and Vicki. Come prepared to work outside. We need 2 drivers for this day as well. Be back at school by 3 p.m.
Monday – Memorial Day no school
May 29th – Tuesday Class at school – possible work at Jacobs in afternoon. Assignment of internships. Possible area short field trip.
May 30th – Wednesday – Day of internships on area farms – each student responsible for own transportation to farms unless a problem – then call Vicki
May 31st – Thursday Class projects due and presentations begin in class. Afternoon at Jacob’s working on three sisters garden. Bring a hoe.
June 1st – Friday Class presentations. Afternoon at Jacob’s. Bring a hoe.
YIHS Calendar
Every Tuesday 12:20 PM Administration Group Meeting
Monday May 21 7:00 PM Senior Projects Presentations
Monday May 28 Memorial Day — NO SCHOOL
YIHS Spring Play Performances/Thursday May 31/Friday June 01/Saturday June 02
Sunday June 03 3:00 PM YIHS Graduation Ceremony at Kickapoo Reserve (La Farge, Wisconsin)
Friday June 15 Last day of school at www.tisol.cz
YIHS Needs List
Seats for 15 passenger shuttle bus
Flat panel LCD computer monitors
Laptop computers
Video projectors
Overhead projector
Curtains or shades for all rooms
Beautification of an area of your choice at school
Cleaning services
Couches and Easy Chairs in good and sturdy condition
Letter size heavy duty 4 drawer filing cabinet
Computers in working condition
Installation of a faucet in a bathroom
Someone to type up/proof read handwritten essays for the next newsletter