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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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Springtime Brings Blossoming Art Program PDF Print E-mail
Written by Paul Heimowitz   
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Tina Eckton returns to Springwater for a third year as artist-in-residence, and as she helps the students observe with an artist’s eye, she marvels at the changes she sees herself. “It feels like coming back to family, when you haven’t seen the kids for a while. The sixth and seventh graders are enormous! It’s fun to see the school growing and maturing.”
 
Tina trained in both education and art, and taught for eight years in the West Linn School District. She now splits her time between raising her children, working and teaching in her studio, and residencies. 
 
This year, Tina will work with all Springwater grades, exploring the use of watercolors and pen in sketchbook journaling inside and outside. On their first day, Tina described and demonstrated how to paint with watercolors, and helped the students experiment. “We’re just using one small brush, which is easier for working in the field,” she explains. “My goal is to make art accessible, so they want to keep doing it.” Tina is also guiding the students in design, page layout, color theory, and labeling. Each student has their own sketchbook, filling its pages both with Tina and in separate activities with their teachers.

Tina believes that art is not a luxury, but a key part of a child’s development. “A child’s life is made richer when they have the ability to express themselves and their ideas through the visual arts. Rather than focusing exclusively upon a finished product, I particularly emphasize the process of creating and the process of self-expression.” Tina highlights this message while working with the middle school students. “I tell them that I remember being their age, and loving to draw and paint. I had a friend who was a poet, and she used to write and write. In each case, it helped us express our feelings. My friend still publishes, and I ended up with an art career.”

Springwater may focus on environmental science, but Tina‘s residency illustrates the school‘s equally strong value on the role of art. “Your school takes the arts seriously,” Tina notes, “and your kids reflect that. It’s great to see their skills improve.
 
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Events/Announcements

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.

School Supplies

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.

Springwater Store is Open!

  • Order some earth-friendly snack sacks
  • Class T-Shirt time again!
  • Springwater Logo Sweatshirts and Hats 

Click Here for order forms and deadlines.

 

Annual Giving Program
 
Become a member of our Circle of Sustainable Friends by subscribing today! Click Here for details.
Thank You for Your Support!

 

 

Order Scrip - Save for Outdoor School

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.

Thank You!

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

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