“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Green School had a PD (professional development) Day for the teachers this past Monday and an Indonesian holiday on Tuesday, too. While the week was a bit shorter than usual, Actress Daryl Hannah gave an inspiring talk to the High School students on Wednesday and helped kick off a shortened but great Green School week without missing a beat!
From the Board of Green School
For the benefit of the community – and particularly those who were not able to attend the Board’s AGM earlier this month – notes from the meeting have been uploaded to the Green School website for the reference of all. See Community > Governance > Board Meetings > 2013 > Notes from AGM. Or go to:
http://goo.gl/RI5Rgq
Again, thank you to all who were able to attend. There were commitments made at the AGM on the part of the Board – particularly with reference to answers in writing to questions raised at the meeting, and the process of how the Board will be expanded. We will be sure to fulfill those commitments.
In this issue:
Green School News
- Parent Information and Events Calendar
- New After School Activities
- African Dance Offered at Green School
- Sports Update from Pak Colin
- Actress & Activist, Daryl Hannah visits Green School
- Green School Shop Open for Business
- The Bamboo Post
Upcoming Events.
- Green School Movember
- Family Day at Padang Bai
- Soulshine Festival to Rock Green School: December 27th & 28th
Media & Links
Also in the Green School Community
Submit future Newsletter items here
Green School News
Parent Information and Events Calendar
Calendar of Events:
November:
Nov 15: Mindfulness Workshop. Come join Pak Yeshi and Ibu Nicola for an introduction to Mindfulness. Learn about the benefits of Mindfulness and how it can deeply impact the lives of young children. Tues, November 15th, 9-10:30 am in the Meranggi Bale
Nov 15 : Middle School Thematic Showcase
Nov. 16: Padang Bai Green School Family Beach Day. We will meet at 12 noon at the beautiful beach in Pandang Bai called Bias Tugle (or Secret Beach).
Nov 22: High School Showcase
Nov 29: Indonesian Celebration of Art and Culture! Grade 4 Gamelan Performance!
December:
Dec 3: Bamboo Tour. Come learn about the amazing properties and uses of bamboo as well as get a look at an extraordinary bamboo house built right next door to Green School. Tour includes a visit to PT Bamboo Pure and will begin at 9am (approximately 2 hours long). Cost is 160,000rp for one person or 240,000rp per couple (120,000rp per person). Send an email to tour@greenvillagebali.com to reserve a spot and please include the name/s of your child/children and which class/grade they attend at Green School.
Dec 6th: Bamboopalooza. With class stalls, games, vendors (jewelry, home decor, clothing etc), food, drink, live music and a silent auction, this fantastic community building event is an excellent opportunity for families to socialize and have some fun, all for a good cause: our scholarship fund. Volunteers needed! Please contact Rachel at rachel.glitz@greenschool.org.
Dec 10: Insights on Crystal and Indigo Children with Arno Colin, starting at 2pm. Arno is a French healer and spiritual teacher, who at nine he was taken to India to meet spiritual masters. Today, at age 47, he is focused on group healings and Indian fire purification ceremonies. He has taught ‘naked hand’ surgery and healing arts in Brazil, Argentina, Philippines, Ukraine, Belgium, Spain, Canada, and France. His talk will focus on Crystal and Indigo children, who they are, and how best to comprehend and support them as parents, caretakers, and teachers.
Dec 13th: End of Term Musical Performances
Parent Reminders:
Hats and water bottles are crucial daily items for the kids as the weather get hotter!
Be sure to check out the school lunch menu at: http://www.greenschool.org/community/student-catering-menu/
Make sure to check our Lost and Found for missing hats, water bottles, etc…
Please be sure to wear a Parent Badge each time you come on campus, and ask your guests to wear a badge as well. This is really important for the security of our children and staff.
Check our Bulletin Board (behind Freak Coffee) for updates on campus and community activities. It’s also a great place to put your own postings for workshops, housing, and events.
An important link to our school calendars: http://www.greenschool.org/calendar/
New After School Activities
Green School Families,
This cycle of After School activities runs from October 28 through December 6, with the exception of the Piano Lessons (see note below for more info). Please note the days, locations, and age restrictions associated with each activity. Unless otherwise noted these activities are all on a drop-in basis.
Mondays
- Piano lessons for 11 and under with Pak John (HS music teacher). *See note below for details.
- Brazilian Soccer Clinic for Grades 4, 5, 6. This started on October 7th, but you can still join! Contact Eduardo at petta@agenciatie.com.br.
Tuesdays
- Garage Band with Pak Adam in Mepantigan – For Primary only
- Balinese Green Craft with Ibus Yulie, Yulia, Neni, Chandra, and Darmini in HOS – For Primary only
- Mask Making in the art studio (additional class on Thursday) – For students in Grade 2 and up. This class is one time per week for 6 weeks and is limited to 3 students. Cost in 150,000Rp for the 6 sessions. Email Pak Andy to reserve a spot: andys@greenschool.org
- Clean Up The World village project with Ibu Muria by the front gate – All ages welcome, including parents!
- Brazilian Soccer Clinic for Grades 1, 2, 3. This started on October 7th, but you can still join! **See details and contact Eduardo: petta@agenciatie.com.br
- Computers in the Computer Lab –Space to work or engage with educational games
- Open Library – A quiet place to explore new books, read, and relax
Wednesdays
- Graphic Design and Blogging with Pak Noan in the Computer Lab – Grades 5 and up only. Must be willing to commit for the 6 week session in order to maximize learning!
- Suessville with Pak Jerry in Grade 1 Classroom – Grades 1 and 2 only. Come read, write, draw, paint, share and create!
- Come and Create Art with Ibu Melissa in the Art Studio – Primary
- Computers in the Computer Lab – Space to work or engage with educational games
- Open Library – A quiet place to explore new books, read, and relax
Thursday
- Multi-Species Club with Ibu Muria-A group of students to look more closely at biodiversity within the school grounds, auditing and developing it, and creating information to share with others. All ages welcome, meet in HOS
- Mask Making in the art studio (repeat of Tuesdays class) – for students in Grade 2 and up. This class is one time per week for 6 weeks and is limited to 3 students. Cost in 150,000Rp for the 6 sessions. Email Pak Andy to reserve a spot: andys@greenschool.org
- Computers in the Computer Lab – Space to work or engage with educational games
- Open Library – A quiet place to explore new books, read, and relax
Friday
- Piano lessons for ages 12 and up with Pak John (HS music teacher). *See note below for details.
*Note about Piano classes: Green School’s High School music teacher, John Schroeder, will be offering piano class on electronic keyboards for beginning students. Participants will begin to learn to read music, scales, improvise and play rhythm with others. The series of 8 lessons will run October 28th to Dec 13th and cost 800,000rp. Electronic Keyboards are provided. Classes are currently full, but if more people are interested John can add a class on Tuesday at 3:30. Enroll by emailing johnny@greenschool.org.
We look forward to another great series of after school activities! Please contact me if you have any questions.
Pak Andy
As a friendly reminder, those students not involved in an after school activity should be off campus by 3:45 unless supervised by a parent.
African Dance Offered at Green School
Hey everyone! Encourage your natural instinct for rhythm and have some serious fun!
After school African dance and djembe classes start November 15 – for five magical weeks.
We are very fortunate to have West African performer Lassina Ouattara in Ubud this year, teaching dance using traditional methods from his village, including song, percussion and rhythm games.
Open to students, parents, staff and GS friends. Book to secure your place – class sizes limited.
AFTER SCHOOL: Thursday 3.30pm – 4.30pm
(pls note, class Fri Nov 22, not Thur Nov 21)
WHERE: Mepantigan, Green School
COST: 5 CLASSES FOR 250,000rp. (paid upfront). 12 CLASSES FOR 450,000rp (2 in family)
OUR TEACHER: LASSINA (LASSO) OUATTARA
Pak Lasso is a superb dance and djembe teacher from Bolomakote, Burkina Faso – the actual birthplace of the African djembe. Lasso teaches adults and children (dance, song, djembe) in Ubud and south Bali, plus private classes, and has performed in many Indonesian events and festivals.
Lasso has been in Bali since May 2013, on a cultural exchange with BaliSpirit Festival’s non-profit foundation Yayasan Kryasta Guna, to teach African music to their youth gamelan orchestra and other members of the Bali community. He’s decided to stay another six months to perform and teach professionally.
INFORMATION: Phone ibu Jen on 081337 290712 for bookings, private classes, etc.
REGISTER: At Green School Welcome Desk. Fees should be paid in full before classes start on November 15.
Sports Update from Pak Colin
Dear Parents
BSSA Volleyball:
Matches on Wednesday 13 November:
9/10s 2 vs CCS 2 at Canggu School 2.30pm
9/10s 1 vs AIS 1 at GREEN SCHOOL 2.30pm
13/14 Girls vs French at 3pm at French School
11/12 boys vs AIS at GREEN SCHOOL at 3pm
11/12 girls vs CCS 1 and 2 at Canggu School at 2.30pm
Please return all BSSA Permission form to team coaches!
All players must wear GS Green and white sports kit and proper shoes
Senior Tournament: Thursday 5 December!
Community Soccer:
Wednesday After school with Pak Jade
Ages 14+ students, teachers, Kul Kul, and GS community members.
3:30pm until Dusk
Tournament Opportunities.
Brazilian Soccer:
Mondays and Tuesdays 3.30pm for Primary students with Pak Eduardo
Contact: petta@agenciatie.com.br
Ultimate Frisbee:
Thursdays 3.30pm on the field
Green Waveriders G-Land trip:
Our Green Waveriders Academy students just returned from their G-Land trip in East Java’s Plengkung National Park. Surfing and being coached in empty waves amidst the untouched jungle proved to be an unforgettable experience for the kids and even some parents who joined the trip! The level of surfing has improved hugely while the GWA program also incorporates theory courses from ASI Australia to complement the coaching sessions.
Enrollment is now open for Term 2! Please go to www.greenwaveridersacademy.com for details on contact info@greenwaveridersacademy.com
Cheers!
Pak Colin
Actress & Activist, Daryl Hannah visits Green School
Hollywood Actress and internationally renowned Earth Advocate, Daryl Hannah gave an inspiring surprise speech to many High School students & Green School staff members this Wednesday afternoon on her way to the Slow Life Symposium in Thailand. In addition to living off the Grid, organic gardening, running her vehicle recycled waste vegetable oil, she has devoted her life to helping those in need and protecting this precious planet.
She spoke to the High Schoolers about how young people are leading some of the most powerful environmental efforts around the world and she reminded them that evolution of the human species takes the unique efforts of us all & to never give up! Ms. Hannah & Green School’s Head of Communications (Charris Ford) are at the Slow Life Symposium now meeting with sustainability leaders from around the world, working to resolve some of our era’s most pressing global concerns. She said she can’t thank Green School enough for being such an amazing & beautiful examples of real world solutions at this critical time!
Green School Shop Open for Business
Coordinated by Green School mum, Kerri Barrie, the new and improved Green School Shop is providing green, useful, and creative wares for families and visitors. Kerri has been making art from trash for decades. and now she continues her passion for “upcycling” here with us!
This weeks feature is the long awaited, locally made, Green School G.O.T.S certified organic cotton t shirt, printed and sourced by green school parent Ross Mcfarlane of Stone fish. For price and sizes visit the welcome desk or message Kerri Barrie on FB or at info@greenschoolshop.com.
In keeping with cool and comfy, we are also happy to offer bambooku mens boxer shorts in western sizes! These are the best undies you could have around! Sorry girls, mens styles only. Made in Bali.
The Bamboo Post
The Bamboo Post is now re-up and running!!
An informal group of students from Middle School, under the guidance of Ibu Nicola and Pak Noan and with huge help from Lisa Rochon, a Canadian writer/journalist and parent of Dylan in G10, will be continually adding to the student driven on-line newsletter so tune in to hear the myriad voices of Green School! Check it out here: www.ultimatebamboopost.com
Our Middle School reporters will be heading into classrooms soon to look for news stories.
Our goal is to collect the ‘best of the Bamboo Post’ and in the most sustainable way possible, print off a bi-annual edition which we can all take home to treasure.
Any ideas are warmly welcomed!
The Bamboo Post Crew….
Upcoming Events
Green School Movember
High School Student Council is sponsoring our own version of Movember this month. We are supporting a local organization called Bali Medika Clinic in Kuta. Bali Medika provides free HIV testing and treatment for the Men Who Sleep Men and the Transgender community.
High School Student Council has created a fundraiser that is explained on a green board in the school warung area. Each volunteer has agreed to grow one of four mustaches depicted on their image. You can vote for the one you want the volunteer to cut into their growing beard. For instance, if you would like to see Pak Andy grow the Super Mario VOTE NOW.
Each vote is 5,000 Rps and voting ballots are available at break, lunch and after school for the next 3 weeks. Winning beards and shaving will occur on Friday, 22 Nov.
Thank you all for participating and helping a great cause on Bali.
Toby King for the HS Student Council
Family Day at Padang Bai
Save the date!
Saturday Nov. 16th: Padang Bai Green School Family Beach Day. We will meet at 12 noon at the beautiful beach in Pandang Bai called Bias Tugle, or Secret Beach. Please bring all fun beach toys, frisbees, footballs, boogie boards, and come join the community for a fun filled day! When you enter Padang Bai you will turn left away from the port, there is an old rusty sign that will be on the left that says Bias Tugle. Take this road up bearing left the whole way. You will come to a dead end, then you will hike down to the beach on the trail off to the left. Please bring water bottles full of water, so we can limit the plastic water bottle purchases at the beach. There are a few Warung’s at the beach where you can buy food and beer.
See you at the beach!
Garage sale items being collected by Grade 4:
Bamboopalooza is coming Dec. 6th. I wanted to remind everyone that Grade 4 is going to be doing a Garage Sale, so please save all your gently used items that you no longer want, for this event. We will start collecting at school a week before the event.
Seeking hosts and buddies for new Green School families:
New Students will be arriving in January. We need families that are willing to be their buddies. It is nice to have contact with a family to ask questions about living in Bali and Green School. Also it is nice to get together with the family at least once so that each child has a friendly face in the classroom on the first day of school. If you are interested in this please contact me at slavinfrasher@yahoo.com
.
Thanks, Michelle Frasher
Soulshine Festival to Rock Green School: December 27th & 28th
Michael Franti and Green School are hosting a benefit festival for Bumi Sehat Natural Birthing Clinic and Green School’s Indonesian Scholarship Fund on December 27th & 28th. The Soulshine Festival is a family-friendly music and environmental festival, taking place over 2 days on the Green School campus from 11 am to 2 am each day. All of the details are at www.soulshinefestival.com
The main stage of musical acts will feature performances by Michael Franti and Spearhead as well as many more amazing artists including Nahko, Trevor Hall, Ethan Tucker and many, many more. In addition, the Soulshine Festival will also feature an environmentally-themed series of award-winning speakers and films, morning yoga, an EcoKids Zone, hands-on workshops, vendors and food booths, and social and environmental organizations tables and forums. Please see the Soulshine Festival website for the full lineup.
Media & Other Links
Social Media Reminder
Although we’re located in the middle of the jungle, Green School tries very hard to keep up with the rapidly changing social media environment of the 21st Century. Among other channels of communication, we encourage all parents to join the GS Parents FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/greenschoolparents/
We’d also be really grateful if every parent “liked” our Green School public FB page: https://www.facebook.com/greenschool, and help to sharing the GS story. Share posts with your own social networks and share interesting information with us! We also tweet @greenschoolbali.
Nasi Campur playing Sunday in Canggu
You can go see more photos from their India tour at: https://www.facebook.com/nasicampurbali
Also in the Green School Community & Beyond
Green School Family Snapshot
Asher, Lucy, and Kevin Briggs
Kevin and Lucy Briggs began their story when they met in Dubai where Lucy was singing and Kevin was playing with a band. Together their adventure continued through Canada, New Zealand, England, Australia, and now in Bali. Their artistic collaboration now includes son, Asher, born in London in 2009, who at a very young age has come to love and care for the planet, just as much as mum and dad. Asher regularly discusses his concerns over garbage/litter and hurting Mother Earth. On a recent trip to Gili Air, the third of the Gili Islands, Asher saw some people toss rubbish off the side of their boat. A very unimpressed Asher took the liberty to throw the peoples garbage back in their boat! His swimming hole was not going to be polluted by anyone!
Music has always been a huge part of Lucy’s life. Born in Devon, England, Lucy moved to New Zealand when she was a teenager where she combined her passion for music with teaching. Having taught and sung professionally all over the world for many years, Lucy is now Green School’s Kindergarten Teacher and Early Years Coordinator. Lucy has a wide range of experience working as an Early Years Advisory teacher (birth to 5 years) in central London, has created and delivered professional development programs, spoke at conferences and mentoring programs with a focus on outdoor play and music. Besides being a passionate teacher and mother, Lucy is a professional singer/songwriter, writes, records and performs with her husband, Kevin. Kevin, a Canadian born session/touring guitarist is also a songwriter/composer.
Lucy’s roots are embedded in folk music. Her aunt and uncle were signed to the same manager as the Beatles’ Brian Epstein. As a child she was surrounded by the lovely harmonies of English and American influenced folk music. This had a big impact on her sense of melody and singing harmonies. As an adult she has performed in bands ranging from pop to rock to jazz music. She is accomplished at and enjoys all of these styles. When Lucy is not writing music or performing she enjoys crafts, art, travel and has continually throughout her life been on a path of learning about and implementing spirituality into all aspects of her life.
Here is some information about her latest album:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/11/prweb8973078.htm
You can hear a few songs here.
http://m.soundcloud.com/lucy-briggs-music
Kevin has toured internationally with multi-million selling artists such as disco icons Boney M and R&B/Soul veteran Alexander O’Neal, among many others. He also writes music for television ads in the U.K. including for one of the leading international advertising agencies, McCann Erickson, gives guitar lessons via skype at www.skypeguitar.net, and is the author of an eBook called Guitar Basics Handbook that is geared towards beginner to intermediate guitar students: http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Basics-Handbook-Kevin-Briggs-ebook/dp/B007T1IDVG
Kevin’s latest Relaxation Meditation Music album, at www.relaxationmeditationmusic.net was released on October 9th and within 1 week of release I was charting in the top 10 iTunes album downloads in Australia. He also records blues music, and has charted in the top iTunes downloads in 20 different countries. His highest chart ranking for the blues music was number 7 in New Zealand. You can read more about his projects here: www.facebook.com/guitaristkevinbriggs
Rite of Passage for Young Men
Recently, the Green School hosted Bali’s first Rite of Passage for young men with Dr Arne Rubinstein, author of ‘The Making of Men’. The program attended largely from the Green School community was due to an invitation from parent Naren King, who attended with his son Toby. In the mid-term break, 9 adventurous teenage boys (8 from the Green School) headed off to Mt Bedugal for a Rite of Passage with 9 fathers and mentors, plus 4 facilitators. Much of their activities shall remain a secret, however these comments hint at an extraordinary journey:
From one of the older men:
“It was a fast track to finding and appreciating the qualities, dreams and aspirations of my son”
From one of the young men:
“I think this should be done by all young men”
We now have 8 young men in the Green School community who have been supported on their journey to manhood, and we hope this is the start of many more journeys in the future in Bali! (and we hear that there’s a plan being cooked up for the girls…).
These photos were taken by Green School parent Suki, also one of the mentors on the program. He captured the mentors waiting to welcome the young men back from their overnight challenge. As the sun rose over Mt Agung, the young men returned paddling in wooden canoes while the men drummed and sang the young men back to shore. As I looked around I saw tears in fathers eyes and knew this was good. I had the pleasure of assisting on the program and running follow up circles to imbed the experience with young men. We will be meeting for the remainder of this Semester, Mondays 5pm in the Yoga Studio.
Yeshi
Living Food Lab – Deals and Programs
The Living Food Lab is a teaching kitchen which serves raw, organic food with no store bought ingredients, no wheat and no dairy.
Here is a reminder of our food program for kids:
1) Smoothie Club
Every morning, there will be a small smoothie waiting for enrolled students as they walk into school in the morning. Every day is a bit different, but the morning smoothies always have at least one fruit, one vegetable and a superfood. And they are a different colour each day!
(25,000/week, 90,000/month – If you are new to Rupiah, that is around $2.5 a week, $9 a month)
2) Snack Wheel
Every day at snack time (10am) there will be a snack wheel ready for the students that have seven things…some fruit, some veggies, a dip, some raw crackers, a sweet treat, etc) For the kids in kindy and younger, we deliver them to the classes during snack time!
(100,000/week, 375,000/month)
For both the Smoothie Club and the snack wheels, it is 450,000/month). Sign up at the Living Food Lab.
3) Tab System
We run a tab system, where you can prepay an amount (ex. 300,000) and you or your children can order and we deduct the amount from your balance. No more lost lunch/snack money! Talk to us about starting a tab anytime.
4) Take Away
All of our drinks are available by the bottle so you can take them with you, and any of our food can be ordered for take away. Just ask!
In health,
Living Food Lab Team
Submit future Newsletter items here
To submit your own news updates for inclusion, please send it to communications@greenschool.org by 12 noon each Wednesday.We cannot always guarantee inclusion and we may have to delay for a week at times.
Visit the Green School Website: http://www.greenschool.org
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