Michaelmas Festival - Friday, September 29 - noon in the grove
Long ago, in a faraway place, the people in a kingdom lived in dread and fear of a loathsome beast that was eager to devour any human or animal that dared to cross its path. Bright shining meteors flashed through the night sky, offering strong iron to forge a sword to tame the evil dragon and defend the right. What knight would courageously wield this sword to tame such a beast?
Come see our new Michaelmas Play to find out! This play is developmentally-appropriate for children in the grades, not for younger siblings from the Kindergarten and Preschool* who might be frightened by the dragon.
Waldorf schools around the world celebrate the beginning of autumn, the time for self assessment, for courage in days where the light is dwindling with a Michaelmas festival, which is connected to St. Michael who is known for courageously standing up for truth and for facing and transforming evil. As autumn arrives with these glorious days, it is hard to imagine how the life forces of nature are gradually receding and turning toward their long winter sleep.
As human beings, however, we are awakening to our inner life. It is at this time of year when we turn to building and strengthening ourselves to prepare for the dark days ahead. We face a time of renewed courage and the need to carry an inner light of wisdom as the days grow shorter. Rudolf Steiner assigns to the figure of Michael and his battle with the Dragon a central significance in our age. In traditional stories of St. Michael and the Dragon, an important aspect is always that, although many have come before him in trying to defeat the Dragon, it is only he who is able to complete the task. The tradition of Yom Kippur observed also around this time of year requires one to go deep within one's own depths (to face the "dragon") and to be truthful in making atonement, thus requiring the greatest courage of all.
The play begins at noon in the grove. All grades 1-8 have a part in the play. Please arrive in time to park at the church and walk to the campus by 11:50 am. We will have a celebration with Sun Cakes in the grove afterward. Class teachers are making separate arrangements for a picnic lunch with their class on the grass. Parents are warmly invited to join. Students will not be released to parents until final handshake at 1:00 at the classroom doors. There is aftercare available with the normal schedule.
* Please note: The Early Childhood programs hold separate events to celebrate Michaelmas in a setting that is appropriate for the younger ones.
Michaelmas Sun Cakes
In honor of Michaelmas, each class will bake two Sun Cakes for the school. These Sun Cakes represent the light that helps us during the darkening days that begin with the Autumn Equinox.
As our Michaelmas play concludes, the King will announce, "Now that we have conquered the beast, let us rejoice and feast." The parents, already in a circle around the play, will join the students in our song.
Each class will then find their designated area for a picnic. The class teacher will dismiss the students to receive a slice of Sun Cake.
*The 3rd and 6th grade classes will provide gluten-free and vegan cakes for all to share have require special dietary needs.
Some ideas for cakes:
* Round cake with yellow frosting and calendula petals
* Sun shaped cakes
* A white cake with sunflower petals around the base
Please do not make cupcakes. The idea is to share amongst us all, symbolically representing the breaking of bread.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Coleen Borrego at coleen@daviswaldorf.org.
Anthroposophical Study Group
Our weekly study of Rudolf Steiner's "The Study of Man" is held on Mondays,
3:30 to 4:45 in the MPR. It is facilitated by Faculty member, Steve Brannon.
Feel free to come and socialize beforehand at
3:15 - study will begin promptly at
3:30. Please note: the wider community is warmly invited! Feel free to invite others who may have an interest in this book.
Green Wood Needed
The woodworking program at DWS is in need of green (fresh-cut) wood. Wood greater than 6" in diameter (either branch wood or trunk wood), and a foot or more long, is desired. Most kinds of hardwood or fruitwood are fine. If you see something in your neighborhood, or if you are planning on removing a tree, please contact Bill Critchfield at
bcritch@att.net
. Many thanks!
Halloween
Our splendid gathering for Halloween will be held on Saturday, October 28, approximately 5:00-8:30 p.m. The intention for the evening is to provide a safe setting full of magic and mystery. Our lovely tradition of the Protected Path with angel guides is suitable for all ages. The Perilous Path is for students in Grade 5 and up. Tickets will go on sale in mid-October.
We need the help of parents to create this magical evening. Interested parents may participate in a number of ways and all parents are encouraged to support the event. The Protected Path needs writers, actors, set designers and decorators. This year, we are asking parents to envision (and see through to completion) vignettes for the Protected Path. If you have an idea for a vignette on the Protected Path, please use
this link to complete the Protected Path proposal.
A Perilous Path planning meeting will be held on Monday, October 2 at 3:30 in the 8th grade room. Any parent from the school (particularly from Middle School) who is interested in helping with the Perilous Path should join us!
We will also need help with set-up, clean-up, entertainment (music or acting), design or creating the environment for the evening. Please contact Jenny Tom at jennymillestom@gmail.com or 530-574-2483. We will be sending out a master sign-up sheet via Sign-up Genius.
Please plan for all adults and children to wear costumes that are NOT SCARY; we want to PROTECT the senses of our littlest students. The intention is to provide a safe
setting full of magic and mystery. Please, no masks or commercial costumes.
Reminder for Sunflower Aftercare parents
If you need drop-in care, please sign-up on the clipboard in the office, or email/call Debbie. Also, if your child is contracted for care and something comes up and you won't be coming, please email/call Debbie. Otherwise, we will be searching for your child after dismissal and calling you for information. Additionally, if you let us know, we may be able to accommodate another child who needs drop-in care. Thank you for your help!
News from the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America
Bring your friends to join our DWS family
We have openings in some of our grades classes. We are offering a $500 referral credit to this year's tuition to any family who refers a friend that completes the enrollment process, specifically for our first and second grades.
Last Chance! Submit your ad for the Parent Directory by Friday!
Want to spread the word about your business within the Davis Waldorf community? Our school directory will have an advertising section for businesses owned by Davis Waldorf parents, grandparents and alumni families. DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO: SEPTEMBER 29. Please provide your own artwork, if possible.
Here is the link for the rate sheet.
Photo Update
For those children that missed picture day today, September 27, our photographer, Wendy Baker, will now be adding your child's make-up picture to the class composite. She does want parents to know that she will not be redoing the composite for the whole class, only the child having a make-up picture, unless you would like to pay for another composite. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie in the office, or Wendy Baker at
wendy@wendybaker.com
.
As a reminder, here is Wendy's retake policy: I give a full refund on returned packages, no questions asked-- but I will only retake students if they have packages in hand, and I have made a technical error and the quality of the image is unacceptable. I don't retake for expressions, clothing, hair styles, etc.
Michaelmas Garden for Children 
A special celebration is being offered at the Christian Community, 10030 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks on Sunday, October 1st at 3:00 p.m.
F
ield Trip Reminder
In order for you to drive children in your car on a field trip, we need an Auto Use Form and DMV driving record print out.
A new form and record is required every year. Get ahead of the game, submit yours out now!!
Parent Reminder
Please do not enter your child's classroom once class has begun. If your child forgot something, you can bring it to the office and we will deliver it during break. We do not interrupt main lesson for non-emergencies.
Parking Updates
Please do not park on the freeway side of Sycamore Lane at any time. We were visited last week by the Davis Police Department, as they are responding to complaints from our neighborhood to the south. We must be vigilant in following our parking protocols.
Preschool families - remember that you are allowed to park for about 10 minutes in the front parking circle AND the back parking circle during morning drop-off times. We request that you use those options rather than parking on the street or parking in the Kinder lot.
Remember that it is a quick and easy walk from our overflow lot at the Davis Christian Assembly.
Thank you for your support of our school!
Hoes Down -
Come see the DWS Fiddlers at the Hoes Down Festival, Saturday, October 7 at 1:00 p.m. at Full Belly Farm.
Wanted to Rent
DWS class teacher looking for a home to rent in Davis for family of three. Please contact Karen Roos at rooskaren@gmail.com.
Do you need childcare?
As I am preparing for my Teaching Credential Program, I am hoping to find some part-time work in childcare. I am a current DWS substitute teacher and previously worked in the aftercare and summer programs at DWS for five years. Please contact me with any questions: Sarah Comer,
sccomer@ucdavis.edu, 530-402-5920.
Housing needed later in the school year
Eurythmy teacher and husband seeking a small one bedroom dwelling - private artist cottage or in-law suite within driving distance from DWS. We are very quiet and responsible, non-smoking and have no pets. Please contact me at 978-766-3078 or
eurythmy@daviswaldorf.org.
Thank you!
Sophia Benvenuto
Dates to Remember:
09/28 - 2nd Grade Parent Mtg 6pm
09/29 - Kindergarten Michaelmas 8:15am
09/29 - Parent Child Program 9:30am
09/29 - Michaelmas Festival - 12pm
10/01 - Parent Child Program 9:30am
10/03-05 - 6th Grade Field Trip
10/05 - 3rd Grade Parent Mtg 6:30pm
10/06 - Community First Friday 8:30am
10/06 - Parent Child Program 9:30am
10/09 - 8th Grade Field Trip
10/09 - Parent Child Program 9:30am
10/10-11 - 4th Grade field Trip
10/10 - Board Meeting 6:30pm
10/11 - All School Tour 8:30am
10/12 - 6th Grade Parent Mtg 6pm
10/12 - Climbing Rose Parent Mtg 6pm
10/12 - Morning Glory Parent Mtg 6pm
10/12 - Golden Poppy Parent Mtg 6:30pm
10/12 - Lavender Parent Mtg 6:30pm
10/13 - Parent Child Program 9:30am
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