This Saturday, March 17 at 5:00!
Guests who arrive between 5:00-5:30 p.m. will receive a raffle ticket and a chance to win a FREE wine tasting in your own home with up to 7 guests of your choice. Kindergarten parent Juan Caceres will share his love of wine with you, spending from 1--1 1/2 hours with your friends. A wonderful way to build community! Come early to bid on auction items and support our school.
Come Early, Stay Late!
The entire auction is action-packed and much of the excitement of the auction happens at the very beginning. Make sure to give yourself enough time to peruse our WONDERFUL silent auction items (and pick up your raffle ticket, see above). Here's a quick snapshot of the night:
5:00
- Doors open, silent auctions (3 sections) open, games open
5:00-5:30
- Guests who arrive during this time will receive a raffle ticket (see above)
6:25
- First Silent Auction section closes
6:55
- Last Silent Auction section closes, games close
7:00-8:00
-- Dinner, dessert, drawings, costume contest.
8:00-9:15
(approx) - Live Auction
9:15-10:30
- Checkout
9:15-10:45
-- Music and dancing
Dress up!
Parents are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero -- and stretching the definition of that theme is encouraged! You can come as a Marvel or DC figure, but you can also be an unsung hero, an everyday hero, a magical hero, a nature hero, a real-life hero... even a Super Villain or two would be most welcome. There will be a costume contest... with a cash prize!
Sneak Peek at Live Auction Items
This is a preview of the many wonderful items that will be available to you only at the auction. If you can't make the auction, but would like to make a monetary donation to the Fund-A-Need item or the auction itself, you may do so in the office.
Lake Views In Lake Tahoe
Enjoy 4 days and 3 nights in this beautiful Tahoe home with access to 3 private beaches with amenities, and at the base of Diamond Peak Ski Resort with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe! Sleeps 8 and is perfect for a large family, two small families, a mom's weekend ...
Serene Lakes Experience Package
Here's a fabulous opportunity to spend the weekend with some other couples or a guys/girls getaway/retreat in Serene Lakes, Tahoe. The 5th grade class parents will host this getaway the weekend of September 21-23rd, 2018 for 6 adults at the newly finished home of Dick and Carol Bourne (Gavin Short's grandparents). This includes all meals prepared by former gourmet chef Jenn Short (Gavin's mom), daily guided hikes by outdoor adventurist Sarah Hayes (Carson's mom) and daily pilates classes by Davis pilates studio owner Laura Cotler (Sam's mom). This home is 2800 square feet, 3-stories and 1 block from the lake with views of the lake. It is fully equipped with all the necessities and has radiant floor heating and energy efficiency systems throughout.
Kayaks, canoes, fishing rods and stand up paddle boards are available to take out on the lake. A short paddle to the other side of the lake provides a small beach and volleyball area. Truckee is a 10-15 minute drive and Lake Tahoe is another 15 minutes. All bedrooms are equally sized on the 3rd floor with no master (3 queens and 2 singles) and a very large bathroom with double showers. 2nd floor is the main living area with open kitchen, full bath, dining and living room all facing a wall of sliding glass doors with a large outdoor deck running the length of the front of the home. 1st floor houses a garage, kid's sleeping/game room (2 queen pull outs), half bath and laundry. Imagine going away for the weekend and having every detail taken care of for you!!
Up to 4 children may be added to the winning bid for an additional $100/child. Hosts will stay in a tent if additional children are added and additional bed space is needed.
Friday, March 23rd, we are excited to host our 7th annual Grandparents Day for Grandparents and Special friends of students in grades 1-3. If your child's grandparent or special friend is coming, please check with Debbie in the office asap to make sure she has received their R.S.V.P.
Eurythmy Performance
Our annual Eurythmy Performance is quickly approaching on March 21st at 6:30 pm. This year we will have an evening performance so that more people can experience this beautiful art. Please consider that although the performance will not take place during school hours, it is part of our school program and attendance by all students is required. Many of the pieces performed have specific, individual roles. If children are absent, it will affect the performance. Please let me know ASAP if you foresee any schedule conflicts.
Attire for the performance:
Tops - long sleeved, white or pastel colored.
Bottoms - pants or skirts that are khaki, light gray, white or pastel colored.
Please no logos, pictures or patterns on the clothing. Skirts should be of a length that falls below the knees.
A word about photography and videography: This is a no photo/video event. Please give your children the gift of being fully present to enjoy the living moments of their performance. We will ask one school designated photographer to take pictures that can be shared with all. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Children should arrive at the Veterans Memorial Hall at 6:00 p.m. Parent and guest may be seated at 6:15 p.m. The performance will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Please feel fee to email me with any questions you may have. I very much look forward to seeing you there.
Brette Lavery,
eurythmy@daviswaldorf.org
New Lunch Form Available
New Hot Lunch Forms for Pizza on Mondays and Burritos on Tuesdays are available in the front office for the period of
April 9th - May 29th. There is no hot lunch the last week of school. Print the new lunch for
here.
Pasta on Wednesdays will no longer be served as the graduating class wraps up its very busy year. The 8th graders appreciate your support of this fundraising effort and are looking forward to their senior trip. Bon Voyage, Class of 2018!
Spring Soccer Has Begun!
I am happy to announce that Davis Waldorf School is having spring soccer this year! Practices started last week for grades 6-8 and we are participating in a coed league run by the Athletic Director Matt Vargo of the Sacramento Country Day School. The game schedule has not yet been announced, but practices take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:30. Assistant Coaches are welcome to come and volunteer their time. Please let me know in advance if you plan to join us, so I can be prepared to utilize your skills! We would also appreciate any soccer ball donations or even if you want to lend a few with your name on them.
Natalie Oltjenbruns,
natalie.kawecki@yahoo.com
2018 Important TAP Dates:
March 9
Application deadline for returning families (If you haven't returned please do so ASAP)
March 16-April 13 TAP conversations with returning families
April 9
Application deadline for new families
April 16 - 30 TAP conversations with new families
April 17 File 2017 tax forms
May 7 Contracts mailed to families
If you have any questions about TAP, please contact the Tuition Assistance Committee at: tap@daviswaldorf.org.
The committee
is currently recruiting new members, if interested please let us know.
How does the 529 Tuition Plan affect your Family? Date has been changed to 4/18.
While the wild ride to tax reform at the end of 2017 had many twists and turns, it also contained a potential helping hand. The legislation included a provision that allows families who send their children to tuition-based schools, whether they are independent, religious, or public, to use up to $10,000 per student from 529 plan funds. This change can provide families of K-12 students with tax benefits that have tended to be just for higher education expenses. We will provide an opportunity to discuss this potential tax benefit with David Couvegan, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, on Wednesday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the MPR.
(Note: This is a date change.)
Substitutes Needed
We are looking for qualified substitute teachers for grades classes, our Early Childhood program, our nap program and our Sunflower aftercare. If you are interested, please see job descriptions on our website.
To apply, please, submit a resume and three professional references to
office@daviswaldorf.org.
Please join our Parent Council Meeting on Thursday, March 15, 5:45 - 8:00pm
Are you curious about what goes on at Parent Council? Parent Council is open to every parent and guardian at our school. Please feel free to drop in and get involved. Our meetings take place on the third Thursday of every month at Ceri and Ezra Beeman's home, 334 I Street, Davis.
Please contact Gina Murphey, our Parent Council Chair, with questions or more information.
Gina.Murphey@gmail.com
Board Update
The Board has established a hiring committee for the Director of Development & Outreach position and is actively interviewing for this role. We have received a number of strong applicants and expect this position to be filled in the near future.
The Board would like to thank the administrative team for stepping up and doing a wonderful job during this period of transition.
From Mary Nichols, Golden Poppy Preschool
After much reflection, I have decided to retire from my teaching position at the Davis Waldorf School, at the end of this school year.
I have loved every minute of my 10 years teaching at this beautiful school but it has become clear to me that my energy and attention are needed at home.
The Recruitment Committee is seeking to find a replacement lead teacher for the Golden Poppy room, and I know they have some very qualified and loving candidates coming forward. I will keep you informed, as this process moves forward.
I came to this school with my two oldest children in 1995 and for 23 years have felt blessed to be involved in this community. My youngest son will still have one more year before graduating from 8th grade and I hope to watch my grandchildren go through the grades, as well. I intend to always be involved with the Davis Waldorf School and the Early Childhood Department. So, I will still be around to watch your children grow. My heart is here.
Because there is still so much time left in the school year, and for children, next school year is very far away, I think it best that we do not speak of this in their presence. They are in the here and now and do not need thoughts about the future, just yet.
Thank you for all of your support, trust and love. I look forward to my next chapter but I turn the last pages on this one with so much gratitude. It has been the best work.
Warmly,
Mary
Message on School Safety
The recent tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida has heightened school safety concerns across the country. Our thoughts are with the Parkland, Florida community and all those impacted by this tragedy.
The Davis Waldorf School works hard to do everything possible to identify potential threats to school safety. We have made modifications to our campus and have updated our emergency response protocols. We are entering into partnership with New Dawn Security to do more planning, training and monitoring of potential security issues. New Dawn will also consult with us on safety protocols and drills, including fire, evacuations, and lockdowns. We currently practice fire drills and have reviewed lockdown drills with our faculty and staff.
Safety is truly a community-wide effort. Whenever you are on or traveling to campus, please be aware of anything "out of the ordinary" and report it immediately to the school administration. If parents or visitors are on campus during drills, you will be expected to follow protocols from school officials. In addition, please encourage your child to report any safety concerns to a parent, teacher, or school staff member.
If you would like more specific information on the drills and how they are conducted at the school, please contact Jody Roach at business@daviswaldorf.org or(530) 753-1651.
Waldorf Teacher Training
The Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training warmly invites you to join them for inspiring and enlivening courses at the Marin Waldorf School this summer. For more information click
here or contact Tiffany,
tiffany@bacwtt.org.
Games teacher seeking housing
Our family is seeking a 2 or more bedroom space (shared or separate) starting late August. We are looking for something under $1800 if possible. Please contact teacher Natalie Oljtenbruns. Email:
Natalie.kawecki@yahoo.com
Available for Childcare
I love children and love engaging with them. I am presently substitute teaching at Davis Waldorf as well as teaching multi-age ceramic hand-building classes at the Davis Art Center. I am a Waldorf graduate and have lots of experience. References and resume available upon request. Carey Ann 518-653-5126.
