Willow Wind News - First Days
August 17, 2026
Notes From the Office
I hope you all had a wonderful summer! Dannette and I are busy getting ready for the teachers to return on Monday and the excitement is building. Our FAMILY WORK DAY and CLASS MEETINGS are 2 weeks away and we want to be ready to welcome all of you back to campus.
The first day is our Family Workday & Class Meetings and it is on AUGUST 31, 2026. (see details below) The first day of regular classes is SEPTEMBER 1, 2026.
I know there is always a lot of information coming your way for the start of the year, but I will try and send regular reminders - I hope this helps! Please reach out with questions. We are here to help!
In this newsletter you will find information about:
- Details on Family Workday..........August 31.....9:00 - 11:30
- Class Meetings.........See schedule below
- First Day of Classes
- Daily Schedule
- Family Calendar
- Barn Coffee Information
- Welcome Back Bar B Que and Picnic
- School Supplies and Suggested Fees
- How to Volunteer at Willow Wind
- Family Service
- WWCA
- Bus Service to YMCA & Creative Connections
I am excited to see you all soon!
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
September 1.......... First day of Fall Classes
September 7 .......... No Classes - Labor Day
September 9 ..........Barn Coffee- Come & Visit & Ask Questions - 8:30 AM
September 29 ........ Welcome Back Family Bar B Que - 5:30 PM
Family Work Day
Families are invited to come in the morning to help teachers get set-up, help in the office with supplies, work in the gardens, harvest fruit and generally help out to ensure the first day of classes is special for all of the students. It is also a great time to connect with friends after our summer break.
This might not work for all families and we understand, but come if you can.
Homeschooling families are welcome to join us for this day too.
We will have supervision on the playground for children to play!
Class meetings will be held during the workday - see the schedule below.
All families are welcome to join us on campus from 9:00 - 11:30 on Monday, August 31, 2026.
Class Meetings on 8/31/26 - Learn About the New Year
The teachers are hopeful that most families will be able to attend these meetings to meet the teachers, other families and get details about the year ahead.
If you are not able to come, the teachers will send a summary of the meeting (including all class expectations) via email.
Here is the schedule for the Class Meetings:
Debut (Kindergarten) .............. Open House - Please come anytime 9:00-11:30 to meet Kouba!
Otters (1st Grade) ................... 9:00 - 9:30 (Room 1)
Stellar Jays (2nd Grade) ..........9:00 - 9:30. (Room 2B)
Acorns (3rd Grade)................. .10:00 - 10:30 (Family Room)
Rainbows (4th Grade) ........... ..9:30 - 10:00 (Room 7 & 8 )
Green Herons (5th Grade)....... .9:30 -10:00 (Room 7 & 8)
Salamanders (6th Grade) .........10:00 - 10:30 (Room 5)
Chickadees (7th Grade) ............10:30 - 11:00 (Barn)
Meadowlarks (8th Grade) .........10:30 - 11:00 (Barn)
First Day of Fall Classes
It is a full day for kindergarteners.
All regular classes will be offered on that day -
Willow Wind Daily Schedule
The instructional day at Willow Wind starts at 8:15. Teachers will begin the school day at 8:15.
Students are welcome on campus at 8:00. We will have supervision on the playground before school beginning at 8:00.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 8:15 - 2:30
Wednesday 8:15 - 1:30
Family Calendar
Barn Coffee - September 9, 2026 @ 8:30 AM
This event is sponsored by the Willow Wind Community Association (WWCA) This group meets monthly to support Willow Wind by raising funds and promoting community events. Please consider joining the WWCA - they are looking for some new members.
2026 - 2027 Supply Lists and Suggested Fees
Families with students in grades 6-8 are asked to bring individual supplies this year. Please make sure your child has the items on the list at the link below. They will be bringing their own supplies to class each day
We are also requesting a project/art supply fee for each student. For full time students, this fee is $30.00, for part time students, it is $15.00. The fee can be paid online or in person with Dannette. These fees are used to support the cost of the materials used in projects and art classes.
If your family wants to purchase a Yearbook, we request a $5.00 fee towards the cost of this publication. The WWCA has generously covered the additional cost of the books.
All students are welcome to register for classes and receive a yearbook regardless of their ability to pay fees.
Interested in Volunteering with students at Willow Wind?
There is a new process this year to register as a volunteer with the Ashland School District.
For more information about becoming a volunteer, including the application, please click here.
It often takes several weeks for the clearances to come through so PLEASE complete the VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION FORM EARLY. All volunteers must be cleared each year.
The New Covered Outdoor Student Space is Here!
The new student space is almost done. Thanks to all of the donations during our Bike-A-Thon, we were able to construct a new covered student space next to the Barn.
THANK YOU TO RUSSELL HATCH for leading the effort to get it built and additional THANKS to Lee Sanderson, Jack Olsen, Clint Caffee, and Jason Eaton for working on this project.
The outdoor furniture is arriving soon and we can use some volunteers to help with assembly. Please let Debbie know if you can help - debra.schaefferpew@ashland.k12.or.us
Family Service Information
To ensure the success of Willow Wind the energy of all families is needed to provide a thriving program in a well-cared-for environment. Parent involvement and participation help enrich the student’s experience by building community and providing a bridge between home and Willow Wind.
Willow Wind asks all families of enrolled students, home school, part-time and full-time, to fulfill a total of sixteen hours of family service (volunteerism) per year.
When your family registered for classes, you also completed a Family Service Form with your preferences for jobs. You will receive an email with information about the family service jobs you expressed interest in.
- If you offered to help with an event or festival, you will receive information right before the event with volunteer options.
- Zoe will be contacting everyone who volunteered to help with gardening and Homegrown Lunch.
- Teachers will be contacting people who volunteered to help in the classroom.
Please make sure you submit your Volunteer Forms (see above article) SOON. The process for approval can take time and applying early will ensure you are cleared when opportunities arise.
You are welcome to start helping out at anytime. Just record your hours in the binder that is in the foyer of the main office. Please reach out with questions. Your volunteer hours help support Willow Wind and all of the learning that takes place here.
Willow Wind Community Association (WWCA)
The WWCA is like a PTO for Willow Wind. They are a non profit entity made up of volunteer parents who work to support Willow Wind with community building and fund raising. They meet monthly. Please consider joining the WWCA - they are looking for some new members. If you are interested in finding out more, or volunteering, please contact Russell Hatch (President, WWCA) Russellhatch@gmail.com or Debbie Pew debra.schaefferpew@ashland.k12.or.us
Bus Available to After School Care
Willow Wind will provide supervision for the students until 3:00 pm when the bus will arrive.
STUDENTS MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED AT THE YMCA OR CREATIVE CONNECTIONS.
The Transportation Supervisor receives lists from these organizations and can only transport students who are on the list.
Please let me know if you have questions!
Willow Wind
Email: debra.schaefferpew@ashland.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.ashland.k12.or.us/o/wwclc
Location: 1497 East Main Street, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: (541) 488-2684
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Willow-Wind-Community-Learning-Center-100146758840089