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Anthroposophy, the philosophy underpinning Waldorf education, is a "human-centered" philosophy. In practice, studying Anthroposophy means a constant striving for self-improvement, with the goal of improving the world through improving ourselves. Waldorf education is "human-centered" in its focus not only on child development, but also on fostering relationships and developing moral responsibility. At the start of each full-faculty meeting we recite a verse (pictured in the sidewalk photo above), a list of "virtues" to practice, given to the first Waldorf teachers by Rudolf Steiner:
Imbue thyself with the power of imagination.
Have courage for the truth.
Sharpen thy feeling for responsibility of soul.
As we approach this holiday season, I find myself returning to this verse and feeling thankful for my family, my friends, and the work done by my amazing colleagues who are ever striving to make the world a more beautiful, more loving, more human place.
Warmly,
Christina Dixcy
Communications & Outreach Director
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| Chalkboard Drawing by Ms. Remensperger |
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Important Links
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Rose Witte has built a mighty tree to give us a visual perspective on Annual Fund giving. It currently grows in the Admin. Cottage and you will see it on display at selected drop-offs and pick-ups and the Thanksgiving Assembly. Contributors get a leaf on the tree with their name. |
100% in 100 Days
Annual Fund Drive
With our most recent graduating class of 2016, HVWS has graduated exactly 100 students. Keeping with the theme of 100, we are excited to launch a drive for 100% participation in the HVWS Annual Fund by our community of families, faculty, staff, and trustees, wrapping up the campaign in February 2017.
Even if you only have a few dollars to give, please show your commitment to the work of Waldorf education. Everyone participating makes a difference!
Checks, payable to HVWS, can be mailed to 40 Dodgingtown Rd., Newtown, CT 06470.
Or,
DONATE ONLINE.
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Thanksgiving Assembly, Grades 1-8
Wednesday, November 23
Compass Hall
You are invited to attend our annual Thanksgiving Assembly. We encourage parents, grandparents, and friends to attend.
- 10:30 AM, display of student work in the Atrium (upper level)
- 11 AM, Assembly in the Eurythmy Room (lower level)
Please note, there will be early dismissal and no aftercare or late care on this day.
Early Childhood parents are invited to attend the assembly dress rehearsal on Monday morning from 8:30-9:45. Please contact
Therese Lederer to
RSVP to either event.
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Sweet & Savory Bake Sale
Wednesday, November 23
Immediately following the Thanksgiving Assembly
Atrium, Compass Hall
Following the Assembly, the Class of 2017 will host a Sweet & Savory Bake Sale. In addition to lunch and bake-sale fare, the students will be offering a very limited number of THANKSGIVING PIES (homemade, mostly organic). There will be five apple, five pumpkin and five pecan (made with honey instead of corn syrup). Pies are $20 each. If you would like to pre-purchase a pie please contact Jo Hurley,
johc63@aol.com.
Thank you for supporting Class of 2017 fundraising. Happy Thanksgiving!!
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Evening Lecture: Susan Weber
Tuesday, November 29, 7 PM
Rose Garden Building
40 Dodgingtown Rd.
Transitions in the early childhood years -- birth, ages three and six -- are moments of major opportunities for children to meet the world in fresh ways.
This evening will be an opportunity to take a look at these three developmental points in the early childhood years. Visiting mentor Susan Weber will frame our discussion out of her experience with young children.
Bring your observations and questions for a rich community conversation!
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Charles Dickens'
A Christmas Carol
Tuesday, December 6, 7 PM
Lower Level, Compass Hall
1 Jacklin Rd., Newtown, CT
Walking the Dog Theater presents
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, performed by David Anderson and directed by Ted Pugh, at the Housatonic Valley Waldorf School. Adults and students in Grade 5 and up are invited, with a $10 donation at the door. First come, first served. Seating is limited.
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Holiday Sale
Wednesday, December 7; 8:20 AM to 12 PM
Rainbow Garden School Store
Community House (far entrance)
36 Dodgingtown Rd.
Beeswax Candles & Luminaries * Puzzles * Toys & Games * Arts & Crafts * Dolls * Books * Goatboy Soap * Honey * Tea
10% off your entire purchase
Teacher Gifts * Holiday Presents * Home-baked Refreshments
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LimeLight
Wednesday, December 7; 8:20 AM to 12 PM
Administrative Cottage
After visiting the School Store, stop by the Admin. Cottage on Wednesday morning for a concurrent sale of
LimeLight by Alcone skin care and makeup.
LimeLight Skin Care is Cruelty-free, Paraben-free, Phthalate-free, SLS-free, Dye-free, Worry-free.
Come learn about this amazing, affordable, and effective skincare from our own Annette Bonwetsch, HVWS 5th grade mama & founding Independent Beauty Guide with LimeLight by Alcone.
10% of all proceeds will go directly to HVWS.
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Redding Artisan Fair
Saturday, December 10, 10 AM-3 PM
Redding Elementary School
33 Lonetown Rd.
HVWS will be making and selling jump ropes at the Redding Artisan Fair. Stop by this fun event and say hello.
Are you a seasoned jump rope maker?
Please consider volunteering at the event with us! E-mail Christina Dixcy at
cdixcy@waldorfct.org.
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Variable Tuition
One highlight from our Community Business Meeting was the introduction of our new tuition model. Inspired by our 10th graduating class and our 100th graduate, we are introducing Variable Tuition. Our students grow into accomplished, thriving young people notable not only for their confidence, abilities, and interests, but for the profound human connections they form. We want more and more children to have that opportunity.
Learn More About Variable Tuition at HVWS
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Winter session begins December 6.
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Calling All Knitters
A Stitch in Time in Bethel is collecting 300 knit or crocheted hats for newborns in the Dominican Republic who are at risk due to the Zika virus. The request is for lightweight hats -- cotton or acrylic. A Stitch in Time is partnering with Columbia's Pediatric Dept. in a program following 700 poor teenagers through pregnancy until their babies are two years old.
Have a few minutes to knit a newborn hat? Let's make a sizable showing from HVWS -- students and parents alike!
December 1st will be the first pickup, but they will continue to accept hats after that date. Please drop hats off in the Admin. Cottage and Therese will make sure they get to A Stitch in Time.
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Class of 2023 Coat Drive
Please send in your items to the 2nd Grade classroom by Wednesday, November 23 (extended deadline!).
The Class of 2023 has received wonderful donations of coats, snow pants and jackets. Thank you!
You can still bring your donation to school through next week.
Please consider donating children's jackets and coats that are clean and gently used. Samantha Lew, graduate of Mrs. Beardsley's Class of 2007 and daughter of Mrs. Lew, will be transporting the coats to The Village, an organization in Hartford (see below). We will accept adult coats as well. Thank you!
The Village was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, we continue to achieve our mission, 'To build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children,' by providing a full range of behavioral health treatment for children and youth, foster care and adoption, and community support services for children and their families in the Greater Hartford region.
http://thevillage.org/
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Change for Waldorf Haiti
The 3rd Graders are currently collecting change for a sister Waldorf school, L'Ecole du Village (The Village School), in southern Haiti. The Village School is among the institutions recently affected by Hurricane Matthew. The school lost its roof, windows, doors, and most of its supplies. Their vegetable garden, which up to the storm provided most of the food for children and teachers alike, is also gone. Earthquakes and hurricanes have damaged the school several times before. The rebuilding efforts have already begun but supplies and food are scarce and expensive.
Each class (from 1st to 8th Grade) has received a glass jar in which students can put their spare change (pennies, dimes, nickels or quarters). The 3rd Graders and Ms. Dagobert are visiting each class on Fridays to collect the funds.
Please feel free to contact Ms. Dagobert with any questions or if you would like to know more,
gdagobert@gmail.com.
The Class of 2022 thanks you for your kind support!
Should you wish to support the Village School even more, you may go to
www.gofundme.com and search for "Ecole du Village" to access an online relief campaign.
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The School Store Needs Your Help!
8:20-9 AM, Tuesday-Friday
Rainbow Garden School Store
The shelves are stocked, the door is ready to open, but we are short several hands to run the school store! Please come and help me by volunteering at our lovely store which is full of Waldorf-inspired goodies for all ages. Ideally we are looking for people who can give just 40 minutes of their time one morning on a weekly basis (8:20-9 AM, Tuesday to Friday). It's a lovely way for you to give back to the school, get to know the wonderful array of goods that we have, and meet other parents! If you have any questions or are able to help, please contact me at danielsnatasha@hotmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Warmly,
Natasha Daniels-Pearson
(Mother of Dorothea, Sunflower Kindergarten, and Arthur, Morning Glories.) |
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"Peace Paint" by Lena DeFeo, part of her submission to the National Arts Honor Society. |
Alumni News
Congratulations to Lena DeFeo! Lena, HVWS Class of 2015, was recently inducted into the National Arts Honor Society. Membership is based on art scholarship, character, and service. She also received a President's Volunteer Service Award from the National and Community Service Corp. for volunteering more than 100 hours as a make-up artist for the NewArts Foundation. Lena is currently a sophomore at Bethel High School.
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Dr. Tamara will be here one Wednesday a month...
Dr. Tamara Potselueva is an anthroposophically trained, licensed naturopathic physician and registered nurse who generously contributes her consulting services to our Educational Support Group. Once again this year she will be seeing patients professionally at HVWS.
Her next visit will be November 30. Please make appointments directly with her at 860-664-3651 or
tamara@healyourself.us.
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Condolences
We send our love and deep sympathy to
Rekha Terway and her family on the recent loss of her grandmother.
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Gratitude
A huge thank you to
Amy Rodriguez,
Anne Isakson,
Colleen Olphie-Lippman, and
Dasha Bukovska for their help in the office.
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Thank you to Carol Reznikoff from the Early Childhood teachers for her help creating a beautiful Martinmas celebration. Thank you to Warrup's Farm and the HVWS 4th Grade for hosting the lovely grade-school Martinmas lantern walk.
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Thank you to all of our Heavy Bunny Workshop attendees, and to Isabel Gandara for teaching the workshop.
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Thank you
Riverbank Farm for opening their farm to the 3rd grade, and to
Laura McKinney for visiting class to make sauerkraut with the students.
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Thank you to our
parent body and their culinary skills for the delectable meals they provide every other week for faculty meetings!
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Amazon Smile
If you shop through Amazon you may designate Housatonic Valley Waldorf School to receive .5% from your purchase. Please designate HVWS as your chosen charity and make your Amazon purchases at the Amazon Smile website. Thank you!
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Articles
The following are a selection of articles posted on the HVWS Facebook page. If you haven't already,
 ...so you'll never miss a link!
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Mission
The mission of the Housatonic Valley Waldorf School is to develop each child's unique capacity to engage meaningfully in the world.
Guided by the principles of Waldorf education, the faculty inspires in our students creative thinking, moral sensibility, and a passion for learning.
We offer a classical education that integrates experiential and artistic learning, in an environment emphasizing academic excellence, respect for diversity, and reverence for the natural world.
Our faculty, board of trustees, and parents work together, with dedication and warmth, to support our school community.
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Housatonic Valley Waldorf School
40 Dodgingtown Road
Newtown, CT 06470
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