I Have a Dream, Too

Today the nation observes the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. His true birthdate is January 15, 1929. He is one of the most celebrated and influential people in our country's history. He played a major role in the Civil Rights movement in the United States from the late 1950s until his assassination on April 4, 1968. He died for the rights of African Americans, and he died to set us all free from the bondage of hate and inequality. One of his most notable speeches was given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. The day of August 28, 1963 at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Over 250,000 people attended the march.

In observance of Dr. King, each student in our class wrote their own version of the "I Have a Dream" speech. Below is a copy of one speech, written by Trusten Murrah, age 10.

I Have a Dream, Too

"I have a dream that one day this nation will treat other nations like friends.

I have a dream that one day the world will solve a problem without violence.

I have a dream that one day the world will be at peace.

I have a dream that we will look to other countries for help not war.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day we will use words instead of weapons.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day we will worry about the next generation instead of war.

This is my hope and faith. With this faith we will be able to live in this world without war.

This will be the day when love fills the world."

Spring Outdoor Program

The Outdoor Program took place last May in the George Washington National Forest, in Fort Valley, Virginia. Attendees included Hearthstone School teachers and students from grades three through eleven. The highlights of the program included fishing, rock climbing, hiking, orienteering, and camping.

The outdoor program was designed and led by Aron Weisgerber, a teacher at Hearthstone School. This is what he had to say about the experience this past spring: “The location was very diverse, giving us the opportunity to practice and hone multiple skills, including rock climbing, wild food preparation, and primitive camping skills, within a small national forest. The orienteering exercise was very beneficial for the students and overall I think that the location and exercises we completed were successful.”

Weaving Fibers: a Family Tradition and Way of Life in Oaxaca, Mexico

On October 13, fiber artist Wence Martinez, from Oaxaca, Mexico came to Hearthstone School and presented a slide show and lecture on weaving wool. Mr. Martinez taught us about sheering sheep for wool, spinning wool, growing cacti to farm the bug, cochineal, for red dye, other natural dyes, using looms, and weaving wool rugs and ponchos. Wence Martinez wasborn in 1959 in Teotitlan del Villa, Oaxaca, Mexico. He is a full Zapotec Indian. He began weaving under his grandfather and father’s instruction. In 1974 he entered the National Institute of Weaving in Mexico City with a scholarship. In the late 70’s he did weaving and paintings of Edmundo Aquino in his private studio. The year of 1988 he met an artist named Sandra; they would spend their lives together. From 1994 to the present Wence and Sandra have run the Martinez studio in Jacksonport, Wisconsin where they both have their works on display.

Winter Ski Lessons

Each January Hearthstone School attends a ski program, which lasts for six weeks at Massanutten Ski Resort in the Shenandoah Valley. The ski program includes skiing and snowboarding lessons, lift passes, and equipment rentals.

Massanutten has fourteen slopes. The shortest ski slope is called Nutten-To-It, which is 800 feet long and perfect for the beginner. The longest ski slope is called ParaDice, it is 4,100 feet long, and is categorized as a black diamond slope, which means it is one of the most difficult slopes to traverse.

Seed Saving Field Experience

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange is a local seed saver catalog that offers many varieties of heirloom, non-genetically modified, and/or organic seeds that grow well in the mid-Atlantic region as well as other latitudes that are comparable. The middle grades through high school went to their farm and office for a special tour and discussion with Paul Blundell, co-manager of SouthernExposure Seed Exchange.

Paul explained the different varieties of seeds they sell through their catalog. We had lunch, then we toured the property with River, who showed us the gardens that contained different varieties of tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, greens, and cabbage. There are around 23 people who live and work at SESE. It was an educational and fun field trip, we learned a lot about the importance of seed saving. We hope to use some of the skills and ideas learned at SESE at Hearthstone in our gardens in the future.

History Field Trip to Montpelier

Last April the Hearthstone middle and high school students travelled to Montpelier, the home of former President and Founding Father, James Madison and his wife Dolley. After touring the home our group was given the opportunity to observe an archaeological dig located on the property of Montpelier, conducted by the archaeology department of James Madison University. There were hands-on activities located across the property. The students conducted their own archaeological dig, then toured the archaeology laboratory. They were able to do handwork that was common in the early nineteenth century, such as sharpening hand tools, woodworking, and blacksmithing.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

In September the middle and high school students took a field trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the National Museum of Natural History. The purpose of the field trip was to view the ancient mummies from Egypt and the various ancient Greek artifacts on exhibit for a limited time. This field trip enriched the learning experiences of each student by giving them an opportunity to see actual mummies and actual ancient Greek artifacts. Seeing the rare mummies may have been a once in a lifetime experience for the students and teachers.

Fundraising Efforts at Hearthstone

Hearthstone School holds fundraising opportunities and events throughout the year including bulb sale, auction, holiday bazaar, organic chocolate, boxtops, grocery stores, cartridges for kids, annual appeal letter. Last year Hearthstone School began a fundraising challenge in which an anonymous donor offered to match up to $50,000 of raised funds for our school. We met that goal. Each year we have succeeded in our fundraising efforts. This school year we must raise $100,000 to keep our school thriving.