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Welcome to Springwater Environmental Sciences School!

We are Oregon City's first public charter school, founded by a core group of parents committed to promoting an excellent sciences-based education and supported by the Oregon City School District. Springwater's curriculum, class and school size, rural location, and level of parent involvement all combine to make it a unique educational opportunity for interested students.

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Singing the Blues While Staying Green PDF Print E-mail
Written by Paul Heimowitz   
Tuesday, 09 February 2010
Springwater sixth and seventh graders have the blues this trimester, but in a good way. With the help of artist-in-residence Ellen Whyte, they are learning all about this diverse style of music...from its history to the secrets of writing a blues tune. And they're learning from a master - Ellen is a Grammy-nominated blues artist and active performer in the Portland area.
 
ellenwhytepromocolor.gifEllen wasn't much older than her River Otter students when she first heard the voice of Bessie Smith, "Empress of the Blues". Already an accomplished accordion player and performer, Ellen found this new sound more "hip," with lyrics that were more relevant to her life. She grew interested in the history of blues, and along the way discovered artists like B.B. King and Ray Charles. After raising her own children, Ellen "got hungry to perform again" and combined her love of blues, rock, and other styles into a variety of musical ventures in Portland. Awards soon followed, including honors from the Cascade Blues Association for "best female vocalist" in 2000 and Grammy nominations in 1999 for "best new artist" and in 2009 for "best contemporary blues recording" (for her CD "Four Way Stop").
 
Ellen notes that her involvement in school artist-in-residence programs "came out of left field". She had become a vocal coach, working with students of all ages, where she taught not just the fundamentals but the artistic side of singing...how to "perform" a song. An opportunity arose to lead a blues program at Carus School, and although it took some work to prepare a curriculum, she now loves this new role working with schools.  At Springwater, Ellen is meeting with students once each week. She emphasizes the rich history of the blues, its roots in the struggles of African American slaves and sharecroppers, and its fundamental link to the development of jazz, rock, hip-hop, and other forms of music. "I want the kids to understand that the blues are not just ‘sad songs‘, but that they stem from all kinds of everyday experiences," Ellen notes. She will work with the River Otters to examine how to write a blues song from the standpoint of lyrical phrasing and rhythm. And after exposure to lots of blues examples from Ellen and recordings of other blues masters, the students will have an opportunity to belt out their own blues tunes.
 
Early on, Ellen helped the Springwater students pick their "blues names," using a list of common musician nicknames linked to initials in their real names. Julia Rivers, for example, transformed into "Bony Killer Jefferson". Ellen Whyte is transforming the students' musical perspectives as well. "I didn't know much about the blues before this class," notes Julia, adding that she now sees how it's the base of a lot of the modern music that she likes. 
 
For more information about Ellen Whyte's blues albums and upcoming performances, visit www.ellenwhyte.com.
 
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What's Going On...

Upcoming September Dates:

7th – First day of school (1/2 day for kinders)

8th and 9th – No school for kinders (assessments)

10th – Full-day field studies for all grades (1/2 day for kinders)

13th - Building Clean and Lunch Room Meeting 6:00 pm

16th - Fundraising Committee Meeting 7:00 pm

16th - Movie Night 6:30 / dusk 

17th – No school

24th – Friday field studies (1/2 day grades K-5, full day grades 6-8)

30th – Back to School Night (6-8pm)

See the Year-at-a-Glance Calendar for the full 2010/2011 Schedule.

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Springwater offers the option of paying $75 per student and the school will order all the supplies for your student(s), or you can print the supply list and make your own purchases. Please label only your student’s backpack and lunch box, and bring the rest to the school.  For the supplies list click here. 

Fundraising Committee Meeting

The fundraising plan has been decided - now we need help to make it happen!  New committee chair Alex Van Pelt has great ideas and welcomes new members.   September 16th, 7:00 pm, West Linn Market of Choice.

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The average cost to families per student for outdoor school is $250/Year (6th, 7th & 8th grade). Start saving now by ordering scrip every month to pay for what you are already going to purchase at local stores and restaurants.   Click Here for details and order forms - first due date is Monday, September 20th.

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Springwater greatly appreciates the support of our community. Thank you to all who have donated their time and resources.

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