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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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Making Music Marimba-Style PDF Print E-mail
Written by Paul Heimowitz   
Friday, 26 March 2010
dsc_0092.jpgAlthough its integrated environmental curriculum differentiates Springwater from most public schools, another unique aspect involves a large xylophone-like instrument: the marimba. Marimbas took on a prominent role in Springwater’s music programs early in the school’s history, including a field trip to see the local origins of marimba wood and more recent “Flow Room” marimba-making projects. The Marimba Club is alive and well at Springwater in 2010, and on March 5th its members performed for an enthusiastic audience of schoolmates and parents. 

“The marimbas are a great match to our school since the music and the way you play is all about community,” notes Elizabeth Kent, who co-led the club with fellow teacher Jon Vogel. “Each student learns their part on the different marimbas and then the song comes together as you interplay those parts with each other. It is a pretty great moment when all of a sudden those isolated parts suddenly mesh together to make a song.”
 
Strong interest in the club was clear when over 30 students joined. Elizabeth and Jon worked with the young musicians for several weeks preparing for the concert. “Without help from the parent volunteers we would not have been able to run such a large sized club….but then again students, parents and teachers working together seem to be the community norm at Springwater,” explained Elizabeth. 
dsc_0079.jpg "I've enjoyed learning with the kids,” Jon added. “I'm new to the instrument but love that the music is upbeat and fun. The instrument is approachable for all ages because one doesn't need to be able to read music, but rather listen to and look for patterns."

The students agree. "Playing the marimbas is fun. I play marimba songs on the piano at home," commented first-grader Ryan Bolotow. Jaida Rooney, a fellow Dragonfly, summed up the concert experience by saying "It was sweaty playing marimbas but on the stage I didn't even think about it. I only thought about smiling."

Those who missed the performance need not be discouraged…the sound of marimba music is not likely to disappear from Springwater. “I think marimbas promote a happy energy and I see this happiness and excitement in the kids who are playing, but also in the kids who are listening,” said Jon. “I hope the marimba program continues to grow at Springwater.”
 
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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 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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Springwater greatly appreciates the support of our community. Thank you to all who have donated their time and resources.

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