“And this our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything. I would not change it.” – William Shakespeare, As You Like It
Huuuuge thanks to all who volunteered to help make this year’s Bamboopalooza a wild and wonderful community-building event, pulling our Green School Tribe together for an amazing, fun-filled day! The semester is wrapping up next week and the children from every grade are preparing to entertain and amaze us all at the annual “All School Music Assembly” happening next Wednesday, Dec 11th beginning at 2:15. Looking forwarding to seeing you all there!
Reminder:
Our Last Day of School will be Friday the 13th, with pick-up at 12:30 and no Assembly.
Also please attend the very special Mecaru ceremony this Saturday, December 7th at 12 Noon to 4 pm (note: the time was changed from 10 am) at the temple next to the Heart of School.
In this issue:
Green School News
- Parent Information and Events Calendar
- End of Year Announcements
- A Collective Thought from your Loving GS Community
- “Reduce Your Use” Recycled Paper Project
- Insurance Representative to Visit
Upcoming Events.
Ongoing Events.
Media & Links.
Also in the Green School Community
- Green School Family Snapshot
- Green School Volunteer of the week
- Green Camp’s Plant Family of the Month
- Blow Out Your Candles with Green Camp!
- Kaltimber
- Green School parents in PechaKucha Night Ubud
Green School News
Parent Information and Events Calendar
Dear Green School Neighbours,
We would like to invite you to a very special Mecaru ceremony this Saturday, December 7th at 12 Noon to 4 pm (note: the time was changed from 10 am) at the temple next to the Heart of School. This ceremony was recommended by a local priest to the Begawan Foundation as a means of balancing the spirit world on the Green School campus and bringing about a nurturing environment for the Bali Starlings and our community members to thrive in. Your participation in this ceremony as an ambassador for the Green School community would be most appreciated.
PS. Please wear Balinese ceremony outfits.
Sincerely,
Director, Chris Thompson and Admissions and Enrollment Manager, Ami Purnami Lestari
December:
Dec 7th: High School presents: William Shakespeare’s As You Like It Saturday at 6:45pm in the Mepantigan. Tickets 50.000rp. Tickets will be sold in advance and at the door for 50.000rp. All proceeds help to cover production costs.
Dec 9th: The Practical Mindfulness Workshop - with Soojin Moon 9AM in the Merengi Bale next to the Art Studio.
Dec. 9th: High School presents: William Shakespeare’s As You Like It Monday at 6:45pm in the Mepantigan. Tickets 50.000rp.
Dec. 9th: Insurance Representative from B.H. Financial Services, Ltd., 12 to 3:30, HOS.
Dec 10: Insights on Crystal and Indigo Children with Arno Colin. Tuesday at 2pm in the Mepantigan.
Dec 11th: End of the Year Music Extravaganza Wednesday at 2pm in the Mepantigan.
December 14th: Payment deadline for the second Semester.
Dec 14 – Jan 6th: Holiday Break
Dec 27 & 28: Soulshine Festival at Green School with Michael Franti
Jan 7th: Back to School
February 7th-9th: Green School Educator Course: In this introductory course, participants will spend 3-days learning about the Green School pedagogy while staying overnight in our brand new Green Camp Lodge. More details about the course will be posted on our website by the end of the month.
Parent Reminders:
Mosquito season is here! Please turn over every coconut or container of standing water you see and report any larger ones you don’t feel comfortable dealing with by yourself. Thank you!
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 students.
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/
End of Year Announcements
Dear Parents,
As the end of the year approaches there are several important dates and logistics that we want to make sure you are aware of:
- On Wednesday, December 11th, we will have our annual “All School Music Assembly” featuring Early Years through High School ensembles. The assembly will begin at 2:15 and end with a Marimba Dance Party.
- Our last day of school, Friday the 13th, will end at 12:30. There is no assembly this day.
- Our first day back at Green School is January 7th.
- We had omitted from our calendar one PD day for teachers next term. Please note that there will be no school for students on Monday February 3rd. This day is to be used for CIS Accreditation support and work.
- Report cards will go out during the first week of break. Please note that report cards are not released to any family with outstanding payments. Green School sends all report cards and progress reports electronically.
Thank you for such a fantastic first semester, we look forward to these upcoming events, and a dynamic New Year.
Your Green School Team
A Collective Thought from your Loving GS Community
A message to our Principal: Andy, we cannot imagine our school being where it is today without both you and Michelle. Of course there are many others to add to that list but we want to publicly honor that you have both been pillars of integrity, passion, love and tireless service no matter what obstacles have come your way. Our entire community and most importantly our teachers and students are so lucky to have someone like you helping lead our school. We hear our incredible teachers say they have never experienced the pleasure of working with a Principal like you. In a very short time, with your humility and heart you have helped transform a school culture into something that none of us want to leave. Michelle has been a massive part of this community effect and volunteers unbelievable amounts of her time. She has been the most joyful, positive community leader, reaching out to every newcomer with a smile and her infectious laugh, she is on call for any medical emergency and has dropped everything to be at the bedside of numerous community members in need. You both represent, as people, as parents and as a loving couple, what we can all aspire to be – especially our children and for us to our children and each other. We are all so privileged to be a part of something with you. We have such deep love and gratitude for you both and we thank dear Justin and your beautiful girls for sharing you with all of us.
“Reduce Your Use” Recycled Paper Project
We have now used recycled paper for 1 full month. We spent 35 reams this month, and it means that we spent about 1/3 of what we spent on ordinary paper, last month.
This is also means that we spent less money than before as less trees!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Thanks so much to the students and staff for your support, patient, and understanding.
Please keep up the good will and good work! This has a direct impact on the environment and one of the most sensitive issues in Indonesia, the destruction or rain forest for housing and paper.
This means a lot for the TREES, FOREST and ORANG UTAN and certainly to our GREEN COMMUNITY!
We will continue the program and the report will keep coming for the 2nd month! Hope we can have the same success next month!
Thank you everybody!
Nita
Insurance Representative to Visit
Nick, our friendly health insurance representative from B.H. Financial Services, Ltd., will be on campus for his last visit before the Christmas break next Monday, 9 December. He will be available from 12:00 – 3:30 pm to answer any questions you may have regarding health insurance.
For current members, please bring any receipts and relevant information you may have to assist with claims processing.
Email Sherri at shridee@greenschool.org for further details.
Upcoming Events
High School Theater Production of “As You Like It”
High School is excited to announce our upcoming theater performance, the very first full-length production on our new bamboo stage! Please join us for “As You Like It”. A collaboration between our Visual and Performing Arts departments, our show includes unique shadow puppetry, original music, and script adapted for our bamboo stage by Pak Joel’s advanced literature students. One of our goals is help our Green School community love Shakespeare’s work as much as we do, and we aim to make the play accessible and enjoyable for all ages. It would be wonderful if you could read this quick plot summary together as a family before coming to the show (As You Like It for Kids). Here is a fantastic resource for kids full of fun information about William Shakespeare (Shakespeare for Kids) We will also be visiting classes to talk about this romantic comedy with Green School students.
We hope to see everyone at one of our three shows next month. We premier the same night as Bambooapalooza (6:45pm in the Mepantegan). Tickets will be sold in advance and at the door for 50.000rp. All proceeds help to cover production costs.
Our shows: Friday, Dec. 6th; Saturday, Dec. 7th; and then Monday, Dec. 9th
See you there!
Compassionate Fund for Local Staff Launched
At last month’s staff gathering, Green School Human Resources department launched our new Staff Compassionate Fund (Program Suka Duka), a collective system with the goal of providing financial assistance to our local staff members during times of celebration and difficulty. With the implementation of this program, a little extra compensation can be provided to our local team during times of marriage, birth of a child, sickness, loss of a family member, or a gift to the family should a staff member pass away.
Each month, every employee has elected to contribute a small amount to this fund which is collected then distributed according to set guidelines by our finance department. A special thank you goes out to overseas faculty and management who have chosen to contribute to this program in support of the amazing people from the surrounding community who make each day here at Green School special.
For further information about this program or to make a contribution, please contact Sherri at shridee@greenschool.org
Ongoing Events
Soulshine Raffles Amazing Crystal
A rare and beautiful Labradorite crystal from Madagascar has been donated to help sponsor the Soulshine Festival, which in turn is a fundraiser for both the Green School Indonesian Scholarship Fund, and Bumi Sehat Natural Birthing Centre. The crystal will be on display in the Green School Green Shop, and you can get tickets from the front desk.
This crystal shows an amazing play of vibrant colours, which dance in the light. It is actually a rarer form of labradorite, called Spectrolite. The mystic lore of labradorite says it is the stone particularly for the astrological signs of both Scorpio and Aquarius.
“This wonderful stone teaches us that no matter how dark and challenging times may seem, it is possible to rise above them. There really is an abundant universe of magical opportunity awaiting us. Plus, for sensitive souls, it is a brilliant tool for keeping the aura clear and protected. This crystal helps us connect to our higher self, our spirit guides, and it aids us in self-mastery. ‘I manifest magic in my life’ ” (crystal wisdom courtesy of Madonna).
The stone weighs 4.4 kg, or 10 lbs, and is valued at around $ 1,200.
(Donated by the Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens, Byron Bay, Australia, a Soulshine Festival sponsor).
Guitar Program January 2014
Hi all, just want to say a huge thanks to all students who have been involved in afternoon guitar programs. The level of enthusiasm and talent has again, blown me away!
Starting 2nd week back will be some new additions to guitar lessons with
a new intermediate group and also 2up lessons, pairing 2 students of same ability learning guitar duets, chordal and harmony, as well as the regular beginner class and private lessons;There will also be a new Friday fun class for Indonesian students and staff at just 10,000 Rp, per class where we will learn Indonesian songs.
If you are interested in any of the above please email me with the program your interested in and I will get back to you over the break with details of days, times and cost of lessons.
Please include a contact phone number.
Wishing everyone a great Christmas break.
Selamat Natal semuayna!
Pak Paul
Media and Links
My Life on the Board
“What if your life as a student was something like this? You’re up at 5 in the morning to tend to the vegetables. And on your way to the tomato patches, you catch glimpses of the solar panels powering the school.
You run across a majestic bamboo bridge to get to your next classroom, where you see your classmates leaving their slippers outside the door. From here on, you all go barefoot. After two more classes and some afternoon yoga, you’re finally ready to go surfing— your favorite subject.”
Green Waveriders and Green School Outdoor Ed program has made headlines in the surf industry. Check it out:
http://www.mylifeonboard.net/2013/12/03/surfing-for-p-e-at-the-green-school-in-bali/
Jetstar Asia’s Magazine
Check out Green Camp getting celebrated in this month’s Jetstar Asia Magazine!
http://goo.gl/QqdNrf
Also in the Green School Community
Green School Family Snapshot
This is Anna, Patrick and Lyyli’s third year at the Green School. They first arrived here for Lyyli’s (think Julie, but with an “L”) 8th grade year from Salt Spring Island near Vancouver on the West Coast of Canada. While Salt Spring is a naturally beautiful place to live and has an artsy and alternative vibe, this family often escaped the gray winters for travels in Asia. Spending a year in Asia had been a family vision put on the back burner until they discovered Green School in a magazine.
Although Anna and Patrick now live separately, both are based in the Ubud area which they enjoy for its many healing opportunities, yoga, awesome food culture and community events. Both have backgrounds in Counselling, especially Eating Disorders, Addictions, and working with youth, and not being shy of adventure they also owned a paint and flooring store, and lived on a boat. Anna’s current seasonal job as a waitress provides her the perfect opportunity to work half the year in Canada, and spend the other half in Bali. Patrick is based in Bali year round, and plans to start a business here.
The Green School has broadened Lyyli’s horizons and scope in a way that has it difficult for her to imagine returning to high school on Salt Spring, so she intends to graduate here. She has loved the MUN experience and last year’s trip to Shanghai, and also enjoyed the Java trip last year. At school you will often see her behind the mike at an assembly, performing with the marimba band and in the school plays.
Green School Volunteer of the week
Miki Fukushima is a stellar example of an active GS parent and she’s very quietly making her positive mark on our community. Miki is mother of Eri, a new grade 7 student recently arrived from Japan this semester. Miki was one of the first sign-ups for the Race to 300 and has gravitated toward the warung during their time of need. For the past month or longer Miki can be been in the warung diligently washing dishes, squeezing lime juice and making new friends with scholar parents and warung staff. Since Ibu Novi left her warung duties on maternity leave a few weeks ago, Miki has really picked up the pace on warung shifts becoming a nearly full-time fixture there. Here is a picture of Miki (left) and her Race to 300 Indonesian language partner, Ibu Wiya helping out in the kitchen. We are so very grateful to have parents like Miki and Ibu Wiya stepping up and finding their own unique ways to contribute to our Green School community.
Green Camp’s Plant Family of the Month
What’s growing on?!
Gnetaceae. This week we pay a final tribute to our first-ever Plant Family of the Month, before introducing a new plant family next week. Hopefully, you have now learned how to identify the beautiful Melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L.) trees around our campus. We hope you have been inspired to learn how this tree is rather unique in being a gymnosperm (a “naked-seeded” plant, in the company of pines and gingko) unlike most of the plants on our campus, which are angiosperms. Last but not least, we urge you to discover how to make emping melinjo, a tasty cracker that is produced in home industries throughout Indonesia. The seeds (or “strobili”) are lightly fried, and then the colorful outer shell and harder inner shell are hand-peeled. The inner nuts are then pounded, sun-dried, and fried into crackers. A great way to make your own homemade chips!
Stay tuned next week as we introduce a new Plant Family of the Month, brought to you by Green Camp!
Blow Out Your Candles with Green Camp!
Last Friday, Eamon Druhan, a 2nd grade Green School student, celebrated his 7th birthday with Green Camp. Eamon invited his friends from grade 2 to join in a fun-packed afternoon with yummy treats, music, mystery games, piñatas and mud madness. Celebrations began with hunting for treasure around campus and musical cushions atop tikar. The highlight and most anticipated activity- that Eamon and his friends looked forward to all afternoon- was the Mudpit Madness! Kids played games in the mud and shared stories of their best birthday parties, and many delightfully shared that this was one of the best birthday parties they had been to (and although kids usually say this at every party, we were thrilled to hear it!). Eamon loves nature and we were astonished and impressed to hear that he kindly asked all his friends to donate money to the Bali Starlings, instead of giving him a gift. This was something new for us at Green Camp and we are so grateful to have been a part of Eamon’s special day, to celebrate his life, friendship, adventure, and most of all fun!!
Here’s a note of gratitude from Eamon’s mum Kate..
“What a unique, fun, muddy and delicious party Eamon had for his 7th birthday! Eamon and his friends got to ‘Race-around-the world’ (jungle style), find hidden treasure, laugh, sing, eat and top it all off with some good old mud-pit wrestling. Who could ask for more fun to be crammed into 2 hours! A big thanks to the gorgeous Green Camp team who brought so much energy and creativity to hosting the party. Terima kasih banyak!”
To book a birthday adventure with Green Camp email us on info@greencampbali.com
Thanks
Kaltimber
Green School parents in PechaKucha Night Ubud
The 14th edition of PechaKucha Night Ubud this Monday 9th December is a fundraiser for relief efforts in the neighboring Philippines, in the wake of devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan.
Green School parent and world renowned documentary photography Sebastian ‘Suki’ Belaustegui is among a diverse line-up of six excellent presenters. Ibu Robin Lim, founder of Bumi Sehat, will also speak freshly returned from her work on the ground in the Philippines, also her country of birth.
Ibu Robin told us: “Tina Ferreros explained to me the 14.6% of the entire Filipino population is expecting a baby. The numbers of pregnant women who survived the storm, who have no food, no clean water, no shelter and no access to medical services, is staggering. When everything falls apart, services for pregnant women also fall apart.”
A new organizing committee for PechaKucha Night Ubud includes several Green School parents, working to sustain the community sharing platform created by this monthly event.
Please support, attend and give generously!
Monday 9th December at Betelnut, Main St, Ubud. Doors open 7pm, starts 7.30pm. Live music from Soul Doctors and more.
Full event listing here. Advance tickets at the Eventbrite page here.
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
Visit the Green School Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/greenschool
Sometimes your hands get dirty reaching for the stars!
Green School gardens (& staff mustaches) are growing with vigor as Bali rains begin to fall. The High Schoolers did a great job raising awareness about men’s health with their very funny mustache fundraiser, which they unveiled the “winners” of at Friday’s assembly. Beautiful art class mandalas made of rice & flowers adorn the campus as students continue their diverse adventures in learning.