Thirty students in grades 5th-7th from Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School took a field trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA. Made possible by funding from the Windham Foundation, students were given an opportunity to view the works of the American illustrator first hand. Students were able to experience Rockwell’s art, life and legacy in the artist’s culturally rich New England hometown. Dan Yolen, the middle and high school art teacher, along with Sharon Quinn, the K-6 art teacher, organized the trip. Students analyzed and respond to various works of art. They learned about Rockwell’s early life and his passion for drawing. Norman Rockwell painted people and their experiences. “Without thinking too much about it in specific terms, I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed” –Norman Rockwell. This was a great opportunity for the students to view the many contributions of one of America’s leading artists. Through the artist’s brush, students learned that the American Dream is obtainable through hard work and determination. Students returned to their home and classroom, inspired. 

One of the Windham Foundation’s goals is to encourage students to have dreams and goals. By funding programs like these, students can explore another time, another life, and other points of view. It is important to support the success of these young students in the community of Windham. This was the second art tour funded by the Windham Foundation. Last year, students visited Frederick Church’s home at Olana and learned about the Hudson River School of Art. The Windham Foundation is a 501c3, not for profit, www.windhamfoundation.com.

Thanks to the WAJ Parent Teachers Association and the Windham Foundation, students in grades 5-12 participated in a team building workshop at Frost Valley YMCA camp. In addition to having fun, the students worked on core values through exciting activities. The workshop was made possible by a grant from the Windham Foundation.

Students from Windham-Ashland-Jewett  School Science Club visited Cornell Cooperative Agroforestry Resource Center on Friday, March 13 as part of a 6-session program on Wildlife Education.  The program was funded by a grant from the Windham Foundation.

This month’s focus was on ‘The History of Wolves and Coyotes in New York State.’ Fran Martino from River Haggie Outdoors presented on this topic accompanied by her service dog. She is self-employed as an environmental educator, and serves as the education and outreach coordinator for the Greater Stockport Creek Watershed whose mission is to explore, understand, and protect the watershed ecosystem through community involvement and stewardship. Loki is a husky mix who served as a demonstration on interacting with animals and to provide a visual on how to distinguish the differences of various body parts on a canine.

Martino utilized an amazing collection of pelts, skulls, track marks and even a taxidermy coyote. She taught the students how to distinguish between a wolf and a coyote by teaching them different markings on their coats, different howls and barks and also just general behavior. To wrap up the session, the participants had the opportunity to issue commands to Loki as if he were a sled dog.

The previous sessions encompassed wildlife habitat exploration and food requirements. Next month we will be meeting on April 17^th to apply what the club members have learned by establishing a wildlife food plot and habitat at the Siuslaw Model Forest. The participants will learn what it takes to care for and grow native wildlife habitat shrubs donated by the DEC’s School Seedling program such as highbush cranberry and gray dogwood. This opportunity for youth development wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of the Windham Foundation, who are committed to inspiring and enhancing our community.

For the third consecutive year, the Windham Foundation granted $15,000 for free dental services for all WAJ students and their parents.  Educational sessions on the importance of oral health were conducted for the elementary students.  From kindergarten to third grade, 73 children participated in an interactive presentation by dental hygienist Evelyn Russo.  Mrs. Russo visited each class and provided an educational, yet fun, presentation on proper dental hygiene and the importance of a healthy smile.  Every child participated and was excited to share their healthy dental habits.  “I love brushing my teeth!” said a first grader.  “You have to brush for a full two minutes,” said another.  Faculty and staff were thrilled and thankful that the Windham Foundation funded this critical program.

Full dental services will be made available starting April 7 through May 1.  The Dental Mobile Unit will be parked behind WAJ in the school parking lot for 4-weeks.  It is expected that over 100 students and their parents will participate.

The very talented Schoharie Creek Players ran a drama workshop focusing on the theory and techniques of acting as a craft for young people who have a keen interest in the performing arts. The summer program was funded by the Windham Chapter Foundation.  Eight dedicated local students did a mini-performance featuring scenes from the comedy The Odd Couple—the Female Version, that was performed on Friday, July 18^th at Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School. Under the artistic direction of Jim Starr, a former teacher and drama advisor at WAJ, the two-week drama workshop ran from July 7-18, with the performance on the final day of the workshop.

Mr. Starr stated that this performance was “particularly very funny!” The performance included WAJ students, that are (from left to right in picture below) Matthew Sullivan, Sophie Jaeger, Gabby Younes, Ariana Creech, Gabby Ireland, Jenna Laschua and Michael Leishear. Student, Austin Babrer, was a part of the tech crew giving a very helpful hand behind the curtains. Starr states “It was really great; we had kids coming into the workshop, with stage fright, perform in front of a crowd. It was awesome to see them overcome that fear!” The Windham Chapter embraces the spirit and passion of the Catskills and is dedicated to enriching life on the mountain top. Jim Starr and the Schoharie Creek Players extend a thank you to the Windham Chapter, WAJ School District’s administration and staff, and members of the community!