The Tuesday Notice

While my summer has been lovely overall, I also learned of the passing of Joanna Macy, the environmentalist, author, and visionary for whom my daughter is named. Her words feel especially resonant as we gather again for a year of learning and growing together.

“If the world is to be healed through human efforts, I am convinced it will be by ordinary people, people whose love for life is even greater than their fear.”

In our work as educators, parents, and community members, I see that love for life reflected every day at the Siskiyou School in the small acts of care, the willingness to listen, and the shared belief in the potential of our children.

To help us get ready for the year ahead, please join us for our annual Family Work Party on Friday, August 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Meet us on the woodchips for a day of campus spruce-up projects with our groundskeeper and woodworking teacher, Aaron Smith. Bring your children, a snack, water bottle, work gloves, and a smile—it’s a wonderful way to reconnect before the year begins.

We’re also looking forward to gathering for our Opening Day Sunflower Ceremony on Tuesday, September 2, at 8:30 a.m. on the woodchips. This tradition which includes pairing our newest set of “buddies” marks the official start of our school year, and all parents are invited to join us as we welcome our new and returning students. Stay afterward for tea and time to visit with one another in front of the school.

Our Family Welcome Night will be Thursday, September 11, at 5:45 p.m., beginning with a community dinner, a welcome from faculty, administration, and board members, and then class meetings with your child’s teacher to hear about curriculum, schedules, and upcoming events. This evening is designed for adult caregivers, so we ask that children remain at home. We encourage at least one parent per child to attend; if you have multiple children, please divide your time between meetings.

For other important dates and event details, please visit our school calendar HERE.

Our teachers are already back on campus, preparing classrooms and crafting lessons. Class teachers will send their back-to-school letters before the end of this week, and middle school families will also receive details about September’s Fall Orientation trips. There is so much to look forward to!

I hope your summer has been filled with rest, adventure, and connection. Soon, our campus will once again be alive with the voices of children, a sound that never fails to bring me joy. I look forward to greeting you on the first day, sharing in the excitement of new beginnings, and continuing our shared work of raising healthy, capable, and thriving children.

Warmly,

Katherine Holden

Administrator

The faculty are looking forward to providing targeted support based on the needs of the children. Please sign up for these slots using this link: School Welcoming Days Sign-up. Look for the tab at the bottom for your child’s class. If you're using this form on your phone and have trouble editing the document, you might have better luck on a computer. If you encounter any issues, please email the teacher to confirm your sign-up time.

Teacher Conferences (1st Grade Class): “Required” parent-teacher conference because the teacher is new to this class. This is a time for parents to meet the teacher and discuss their hopes for their child.

Cubby Days (Kindergarten & 1st Grade Classes): This is a time for children to greet their teacher, see the classroom, and get a quick walk-through of what the first day will be like. This calm and quiet time is an important step in preparing for a smooth first day.

Optional Check-ins (2nd through 8th Grade Classes): Time for those families who would like to meet for about 15 minutes. This is generally for a “summer update” on family and student developments.

There's a lot to keep in mind as we start up again. Being on the same page with schedules, policies, and arrival/dismissal logistics helps everything run smoothly. Thank you for reading through these reminders and marking key dates on your calendars. The updated 2025-26 Parent/Family Handbook will be published in a couple weeks and any updates to the calendar will come through the Tuesday Notice.

• Teachers give a lot of thought to the children’s first hour at school because its effect reverberates through the day. As soon as the bell rings, class teachers begin leading their children through a rhythmic sequence of activities designed to bring the class together and the student into a place of readiness for Main Lesson. Getting your children to school 10-15 minutes before the 8:25 a.m. bell to give them a moment to settle in, put belongings away, and connect with their friends is a gift you can give them every day. Thank you for your help with this routine.

  
  

• Teachers encourage children to drink frequently throughout the day to stay well hydrated. All children in grades K-8 are expected to have a labeled water bottle at school every day. Children can refill their bottle with filtered water from their classroom sink.

  
  

• In addition to water bottles we encourage parents to label all sweatshirts, jackets, and lunch bags, as well as potluck dishes or other items brought on campus. Labeling is a big help in being able to get your things back to you.

  
  

• Students are not allowed to use cell phones/smart watches, electronic devices, or other personal devices during school. If a child needs to communicate with their parent during the school day they may go to the office to use the phone (see Cell Phone/Smart Watch Policy in handbook).

  
  

• For your child’s safety, please make sure their Emergency Form and all important contact information, including phone numbers for parents and emergency contacts are correct and up-to-date.

Mid-August: Back-to-school letters sent to 2025-26 families

Fri, Aug 22: Family Work Party, 10:00 to 2:00 pm

Fri, Aug 22: Class 1 Parent-Teacher introduction meetings, sign-up HERE

Wed, Aug 27: Class 1 Parent Meeting, 6:30 to 8:00 pm (Childcare provided with RSVP to the office)

Thurs, Aug 28 & Fri, Aug 29: Kindergarten and Class 1 Cubby Days, sign-up HERE

Thurs, Aug 28 & Fri, Aug 29: Class 2 through 8 Parent Check-ins, sign-up HERE

Mon, Sept 1: Class 6 Orientation Trip Meeting, 6:30 pm

Tues, Sept 2: First Day of 2025-26 School Year - Half Day

Tues, Sept 2: Classes 7 & 8 Orientation Trip Meeting, 6:30 pm

Summer Office Hours

August: 9:00 - 2:00

August 25 to 29: 8:00 - 3:00

Please do not drop off your child(ren) earlier than 8:10 and

come at the dismissal time of your OLDEST child. Being a little later always helps with the traffic!

FIRST WEEK

Arrival, all grades: 8:10-8:20 am; morning bell rings at 8:25 am.

FIRST WEEK Dismissal

Tuesday, September 2 - First Day of School!

Kindergarten and Grade 1: 12:20 pm

Grades 2-4: 12:30 pm

Grades 5-8: 12:40 pm

Wednesday, September 3 and Thursday, September 4

Kindergarten and Grade 1: 12:20 pm

Grades 2-4: 3:00 pm

Grades 5-8: 3:10 pm

Friday, September 5

Kindergarten and Grade 1: 12:20 pm

Grades 2-4: 12:30 pm

Grades 5-8: 12:40 pm

Starting Monday, September 8 - DAILY SCHEDULE

Arrival, all grades: 8:10-8:20 am; morning bell rings at 8:25 am.

Dismissal MONDAY through THURSDAYS:

Kindergarten (without enrichment): 12:30 pm

Grade 1 (without aftercare, until February): 2:10 pm

Kindergarten (with enrichment) & Grade 1 (with aftercare): 2:50 pm

Grades 2-4: 3:00 pm

Grades 5-8: 3:10 pm

Dismissal FRIDAYS and Half-Days:

Kindergarten and Grade 1: 12:20pm

Grades 2-4: 12:30pm

Grades 5-8: 12:40pm

Ukuleles – As we expand our music program we are looking for 15 ukuleles. We would gladly accept gently used medium to high quality ukuleles or a monetary donation to be used towards their purchase. A sponsorship of $400 would get us the ukes we need!

We also are looking for a sturdy wheelbarrow for the ACORN/Clay Street garden!

Please contact Amy at officemanager@siskiyouschool.org if you're interested in helping.

Although our Annual Giving Campaign won’t officially launch until October, many of our families already choose to make a monthly contribution alongside their tuition payments, and it makes a big difference!

Annual Giving is a vital part of our school’s budget, requiring a goal of at least $1,000 per student each year. A gift of $100 or more per month goes a long way toward supporting our programs, teachers, and students.

This year, as a thank-you, new and ongoing Steady Stream Supporters who sign up before August 26 for a monthly contribution through their tuition payments or the online link from our 2024-25 Annual Giving Campaign will receive a free Siskiyou School T-shirt—in a brand-new fall color!

To sign up, simply complete this form to confirm your monthly donation amount and let us know your T-shirt size.

Your steady support helps ensure that our children continue to thrive in a rich, inspiring learning environment, so thank you!

Our school is participating in the Blue Bag Bottle-Drop Program which allows non-profits to recycle any beverage can that has a 10 cent Oregon redemption code to raise money for our school. It is easy, makes good use of cans you are ready to recycle, and funds will go to support school programs!

Bring any of your empty qualifying beverages bottles in a bag and drop them with Sarah Collins. We will put them into Blue Bags with our school label and drop them at the Bottle Collection Station

Want to have your own Blue Bag to fill? Contact Sarah Collins at sarah.collins@siskiyouschool.org or call 541.482.8223 ext. 20 to pick one up and start filling!

All tuition must be paid up to date before the start of school. Contact Cynthia Bower, business manager, if you have any questions about amounts (cynthia.bower@siskiyouschool.org). At this time we do not have an online payment option for tuition. Please bring cash or check to the office or drop-box just outside the main entry doors. We also accept checks from banks as auto-pay, not EFT.

All Enrollment Forms and Enrollment Fees are now past due. Office Manager Amy Bull will be in contact if we are missing any enrollment pieces.

Please note, if you intend to volunteer with our students, we do require a background check form to be filled out each year. To drive for a field trip we need a filed Drivers form and copy of your insurance policy coverage. If you have questions, please contact Amy Bull at amy.bull@siskiyouschool.org. Thank you!

We feel so grateful we’ve had the pleasure of enjoying many days outside this summer! But we do know September is Smoke Season in the Rogue Valley.

In the case of smoke rolling in around the start of school, we will have the air purifiers and AC units running at all times. We will track the air quality on Air Now, and decide on outdoor recesses or classes based on the following AQI scale:

• Good (green): Recess and outdoor classes okay.

• Moderate (yellow): Recess and outdoor classes okay.

• Unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange): Recess and outdoor classes okay; masks recommended for sensitive children.

• Unhealthy (red): Recess and outdoor classes moved inside. When outdoors, masks are highly recommended.

Any index past red will automatically move all recesses and outdoor classes inside. School will operate on the full-day schedule if the AQI is 0-150. In extreme circumstances, when the AQI is forecasted to reach 151 or higher by 12:00 noon, school may operate on a half-day schedule.

PLEASE SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL WITH A MASK on the first day of school in the case of smoke. Thank you!

Illness Policy:

• Children with ANY illness symptoms should be kept home.

• Children must stay home until 24 hours well, especially after having a fever.

• Contact the office any time if your child will be absent for any reason from school. Call the main number 541-482-8223, and press extension 14 to leave a message on the attendance line.

Gastro-Intestinal Illness:

• Any child with diarrhea and/or vomiting must stay at home for 48 hours after symptoms subside.

COVID Illness and other communicable diseases:

• Any child with COVID or any communicable disease, needs to stay home until well.

We are so fortunate as a school to have a team of such dedicated, inspired, experienced, and caring teachers to hold and guide our children through all their learning and school days.

Siskiyou School Faculty

Kindergarten Teacher: Caterina Cegin

Kindergarten Assistant: Eden Bova

1st Grade Teacher: Tara O'Connor

1st Grade Assistant: Jazzmin Glover

2nd Grade Teacher: Aurilia McNamara

2nd Grade Assistant: Brittany Hamer

3rd Grade Teacher: Anyel Aguilar

3rd Grade Assistant: Summer Stuedell

4th Grade Teacher: Christy Bartow

5th Grade Teacher: Phyllis Cooley

6th Grade Teacher: Jeremy Criswell

7th Grade Teacher: Samae Chlebowski

8th Grade Teacher: Gregory Beech

Looking for hardworking parents that love our school! If possible, bring gloves, rakes, a couple extra wheelbarrows, water, snacks, and a joyful presence. There is no childcare provided so please be respectful and watch your children. There is a lot of raking, weeding, and spreading of wood chips. We also need some tough hands for some circular sanding. (We will provide masks and earplugs.) The more help, the better our school looks!

Thank you! Mr. Smith (Groundskeeper and Woodworking Teacher)

Our Kindergarten Enrichment program helps out families that need an extended day for their Kindergarten students by providing care after Kindergarten dismissal. This position assists with the Enrichment program, starting with helping the teachers prepare for lunchtime, assisting with naps, and followed by supervising outdoor play and crafts. Hours are from 12:45 to 3:00, Monday through Thursday for the full school year. Candidates should have experience working with children. See below on applying for the position.

Our First Grade Aftercare program helps out our families with siblings by providing care after the first grade dismissal for our first semester of school. The Aftercare teacher prepares a simple but healthy snack and watches the group of first grade children from 2:10 until 3:00 p.m. on Mondays through Thursday. The children are allowed outdoor free play on our lower grades playground or may do games and crafts indoors during bad weather. The Aftercare teacher should have childcare experience and enjoy working with children. The program runs from the second week of school through the end of our first semester (near the end of January).

Interested candidates for these positions should submit a resume and cover letter to katherine.holden@siskiyouschool.org. Applications will be accepted until filled. The Siskiyou School is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its students, faculty, and staff. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences, even if you do not meet all the listed qualifications.

Our community classifieds are posted as a service to our Siskiyou School families and our broader community. If you would like to include something in the classifieds, email your text (a few lines in length) or an image file (png or jpg only), to kristin.beers@siskiyouschool.org no later than Monday by 3:00 pm. We may edit it for space purposes. Classifieds are included for two weeks, require a break for a week, and then can be renewed upon request.

If you’re like us, you love reading, but it can be hard to carve out the time. So make a date with your book and surround yourself with other readers at our Bloomsbury Reading Hour. Come discover the joy of reading in community.

Bring your current read (or find something new on our shelves), grab a cozy seat, and we’ll all spend a quiet hour reading together. No discussion, no pressure — just a calm little pocket of time to enjoy your book, in good company. Come solo or bring a friend. We will provide some wine and beer for purchase, or cookies and milk if that’s more your speed. We can’t wait to read with you!

Ashland Children's Theatre - Fall classes enrolling soon! Acting and improv classes for ages 4-17. Online registration starts August 14th. Go to www.ashlandchildrenstheatre.com

Does your child need some extra academic support this coming school year? Experienced Waldorf class teacher available for virtual tutoring and curriculum support for grades 1-8 and highschool. Expertise includes math, reading, and writing. Check out my website and feel free to reach out.

catherinehdixon.com

Inner Guide Expeditions would like to thank our summer participants for an incredible trip season. There was solid adventure, deep & connective circles, and a few beautiful surprises along the way to feed the soul. We witnesses bravery, vulnerability, leadership, and look for our fall offerings in coming Tuesdays Notices and our summer 2026 expeditions will open for registration later in the fall.

https://innerguideexpeditions.com/

Email: office@siskiyouschool.org
Website: www.siskiyouschool.org
Location: 631 Clay Street, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: 541-482-8223