Kindergarten-halloween
News from the Parent Council November 1, 2017
Hello MLWS Families!

Halloween is now behind us (though the Enchanted Walk will take place this Friday, November 3 !), and we are moving into the darker months, a time of turning inward and the beauty of the Lantern Walk , the Advent Spiral and the Winter Faire . We hope you enjoy this issue of our biweekly newsletter, which includes a Parent Council update, highlights activities of various classes and other school-related topics, offers Classified listings, and provides information about upcoming events in the community.

PARENT COUNCIL UPDATE
Parent Council will hold our next meeting on Wednesday, November 8, 5:15-6:15pm . We will continue to focus on several priority projects this year including: Parent Council presence at MLWS public events to support enrollment, Faculty Nourishment, Food Drives at Music Shares to support Family of New Paltz, a Welcome Committee for new families, and this bi-weekly newsletter. Please consider attending the November meeting or offering some of your time to one of these projects. Many hands make light work! 

In this issue:
Calendar of Events
A Peek Into the Classroom
MLWS Coffee Hour
Steiner Study Group Begins Nov. 13
Classifieds
Calendar of Events

Friday, Nov 3: Enchanted Walk
A Halloween-time event for K through 2 nd grade families. Due to the event being rescheduled due to weather, we are still seeking volunteers to help on the day of the event. Please contact megansroses@gmail.com to get involved.

Tuesday, Nov 7, 1:45-2:45pm
Winter Faire Handwork Group
Join Rosana Workman this Tuesday (and every Tuesday until the Winter Faire) in the back Kindergarten classroom, and make beautiful craft items for the Winter Faire. If you are unable to attend but still want to help, there are “take-home” craft kits available as well. Please see Mrs. Workman to make arrangements.

Wednesday, Nov 8, 5:15-6:15pm
Parent Council monthly meeting

Wednesday, Nov 8, 6:30-8:30pm
Creating Clarity & Abundance in Our Relationship with Money
This thought-provoking workshop with Joanne Leffeld will include discussions about paying for private school and college, and about investing in uncertain times.
Sponsored by Parent Council. Pre-register ($20/person, $30/couple) or pay at the door ($25/person, $35/couple) . To pre-register, contact Joanne at 845.706.4145.

Thursday, Nov 9: Lantern Walk
Get your lanterns prepared and stay tuned for more details from the administration about this seasonal event for families with children in Kindergarten through Second Grade.

Friday, Nov 10: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Meetings with “Specials” teachers will also be available.

Sunday, Nov 12: Annual Clothing Sale
Coordinated by the Third Grade (and supported by the entire school through our clothing donations), this event raises funds for the annual Third Grade Farm Trip during the winter. This event is not to be missed, with great deals on gently-used clothing, outerwear and more, and delicious bake sale offerings as well!

Monday, Nov 13, 3:00-4:15pm: Steiner Study Group Begins

Wednesday, Nov 15, 8:30-9:30am: Community Coffee Hour
6 Elting Avenue (see more below)

Saturday, Nov 18: MLWS Open House
Who do you know who might like to attend?

Tuesday, Nov 21: Thanksgiving Work Share
A sampling of the work of the students, Grades 1-8

Sunday, Dec 3: Advent Spiral
4:30pm: K-3 rd Grade / 6:00pm: 4 th-8 th Grade

Tuesday, Dec 12: Oberufer Shepherd’s Play
Come out and see the faculty and staff perform in this traditional holiday season play—it is their gift to us!
A Peek Into the Classroom
FIRST GRADE: From Mr. Lundin

In the First Grade, we are adventuring together through many fairy tales. Along our journey, capital letters and the qualities of numbers, one through ten, have become evident through the picture quality of the stories. In addition, the First Graders are learning about color relationships, both through painting with vivid watercolors and drawing with their block beeswax crayons. Bean bag exercises emphasize the differences between right and left, up and down and provide opportunities to hone fine and gross motor movements and develop greater familiarity with our “back space.” Weekly sculpture with beeswax through nature story has proven to be a favorite with the children. 
FIFTH GRADE: From Ms. Jee
The Fifth Grade is leaving the colorful world of 'Ancient India' and moving into an exploration of 'Decimals'. The class was incredibly lucky to experience yogic breathing and sun salutations with class parent, Renée Skuba, as well as to create wild-harvested plant dyes and silk mandalas with class parent, Helen Stubblefield. As we begin to contemplate the invention of the number zero by the ancient Hindu people and the base ten mathematics system they used, we also enjoy conjuring images of multi-headed monsters, the beautiful Sita, and all of the fantastic elements of an enchanted forest in the Ramayana. The class also recently paid a visit to a local Camphill community, as you can see from this photo.

MLWS COFFEE HOURS
Starting a New Tradition!
Hello MLWS Community! Welcome new students and parents!

Parent Council hosted our first coffee hour Wednesday, October 4 in the play yard at 6 Elting Avenue in the afternoon. Potluck baked goods were provided by attendees, and we shared coffee, tea and conversation on a beautiful afternoon. We would like to continue by making this a monthly event.  We look forward to building a monthly coffee hour aimed at community building, unveiling the mysteries of being new to the community and just getting your morning cup together!
 
Next Coffee Hour:
Please join us Wednesday, November 15th 8:30am-9:30 am in the play yard at 6 Elting Avenue.

Please bring your own cup, and if you can bake something to share, please email Alethea at alethea.mcelroy@gmail.com
Steiner Study Group Begins November 13
Interested in learning more about anthroposophy? Consider joining Mountain Laurel's newly-formed Study Group. The first meeting will take place on Monday, November 13th from 3:00-4:15 pm , in the First Grade classroom. Theo Lundin will be facilitating and the book is How To Know Higher Worlds by Rudolf Steiner. The group is free of charge. Aftercare is available (for a fee). Please bring a cup to enjoy the coffee and tea, which has been donated for this gathering.   

If you are interested in joining, and have not already contacted pattyjacobson@gmail.com , please do so! And spread the word—this group is open to any and all.
Classifieds
Cleaning out your closets?  Please put aside donations for the Third Grade clothing Sale! Collections will begin in October or you can call Brandi at 914.388.9325 to arrange drop off in advance. Adult and child clothing, toys, books and useful household items accepted.
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ISO Apple Press : The First Grade class is looking to borrow an apple press (or two!) to make warm cider. If you have one to share, please pass it along to Theo Lundin.
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Items For Sale
  • Pottery Barn child's bedroom set in white, includes twin bed, double dresser, tall book shelf, and bedside table. 
  • Beautiful queen size sleigh bed in mahogany, barely used in a guest room. 
  • Eight Amish constructed kitchen chairs, tall spindle back in a blond wood. Very pretty and durable. 
If interested please contact Megan, megansroses@gmail.com for pictures and prices.
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Hearth to Hearth Bread Club CSA : slow fermented, brick-oven baked, fresh bread from our hearth to yours. Sign up for weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly pickup/delivery in Saugerties, Kingston, or New Paltz.www.hearthtohearthbreadclub.com. Any questions, email baker@hearthtohearthbreadclub.com
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Valentine and Wilder's Pet-Sitting Service
Experience with cats, fish and guinea pigs, but also open to other pets as well! (917) 309-7790 or seanaskye@me.com
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Circus Arts classes come to Mountain Laurel! 
Satori Circus Arts will provide after school classes, instructed by Richard Ferrono. Classes will teach tumbling, juggling, aerial silks, partner acro, unicycle, tightrope walking (1 foot off ground with mat), barrel walking, stilt walking and more!
When: Fridays from Sept 29 - Nov 17 
Who: Age 9-12 at 3:15-4:15 PM,
Age 12+ at 4:15-5:15 PM 
Where: Mountain Laurel Community Room
Cost: Drop-in welcome at $15
Please call beforehand to see if there is space. 
Register: 845 475 2949 or  gymboss76s@gmail.com
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Tutoring Ashley Sapir Lathrop is offering tutoring for children in reading and literacy skills. She holds dual master’s degrees in elementary education and literacy, with certification in both areas. Whether it is decoding, phonics, comprehension, fluency, or simply finding more comfort with literacy skills, Ashley finds fun and meaningful ways to help children shine. Ashley is available year round for tutoring, at an hourly rate of $60, and can be reached at (845)519-5067 or ashley.sapir@gmail.com
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Looking for a reason to stay in shape this winter, while meeting other MLWS parents? Let's form a team of MLWS Parents to participate in the 2018 Rock the Ridge 'endurance challenge'. This Mohonk Preserve fundraiser caters to all abilities. We'll divide the course into equal parts that each team member (or twosome) can walk/jog at their own speed. To prepare, we'll schedule once per month group training walks. Interested? Contact Mischa Cohn: mischac@hotmail.com
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Wellness: Holistic, Drug-Free Asthma and Allergy Relief. Buteyko Breathing Method is the most effective drug-free approach for the management of asthma, other breathing related problems, anxiety and panic attacks. Technique can be practiced by children and adults. Anna Yashayeva, RN, Dip BBM. yaanna1@gmail.com . 917-750-2652 
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Naam Yoga Classes with Renée at The Living Seed in NP!
Tues: Flow of Naam class (gentle and harmonizing)
Thurs: Shakti Naam class (strengthening and vivifying)
10:00am-11:15am (ongoing, from Oct–Dec)
All levels welcome!
Naam Yoga/Shakti Naam* synergistically merges the precise science of BREATH (pranayama), POSTURE (asana), harmonizing and rhythmic MOVEMENT, MUDRA (hand posture) and SOUND MEDITATION (Naam). Renee , 917-655-2540
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Welcome Wellness MLWS parents Liz Duncan-Gilmour, Callie Hershey and Nancy Hoose invite you to experience Ondamed® PEMF therapy. Liz and Callie founded Welcome Wellness after our children achieved remission from neurological Lyme Disease with the help of Ondamed® therapy. Our team has seen the benefits from Ondamed® therapy with issues including stress management, sleep disorders, sports injuries and surgical rehab, Lyme disease and other chronic and degenerative issues. A one-hour session generally costs $75, but MLWS families will receive a special “friends and family” discount. We are located across the street from MLWS at 29 South Chestnut St., Suite 201. Please call to learn more. Liz: 845-616-2709, Callie: 914-456-5406, Nancy: 518-269-6357.
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Home Inspections : emfs, dirty electricity, radio frequency
Concerned about children’s cell phone or lap top use? Get protection from new electric meters. Get emf readings on prospective new homes. Learn about router signals. Create an emf free sleeping environment. Teach children about safe wireless use. Decrease overall field exposure. Measure offices, cars, dorms. Learn about resources. Public talks. Harrison Barritt, selfkindness@yahoo.com , 256-0446
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Permaculture designs and landscapes created, installed and maintained by Andrew Faust and Adriana Magaña, suited to your vision and the ecology of your site. We use our 20+ years of experience and a great crew to bring you these services: Real Estate Assessment, Land Selection, Natural Building, Native Landscapes, Permaculture forest gardens, Biodynamic Orchard and Tree work, Organic Vegetable Gardens, Ponds and Solving water problems of all sorts. Contact us at 917-584-4588 or visit us at:
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Traditional landscape paintings in oil – Tim Smith
Offering private tuition for adults and 8th grade students in classical oil painting method. To organize a session around your or your child's specific schedule and needs, 
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Guitar and mandolin lessons   with Mr. Steve Bernstein at his home in Gardiner, NY. Children, teens and adults are all welcome. Please call: 845 255 0822 or drop a note in his mailbox (2nd floor) at school.
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Private Drum-Set Lessons Amir Ziv (Head of the Drum Dept at the New School University's Jazz & Contemporary Music Program— view Amir's bio ) is now offering students of all ages private lessons from his home studio in Kerhonkson. Serious students only. For more details and to set up a time to speak on the phone or in person, please email:  az_prod@yahoo.com
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Music Composition with ‘Famous Waldorf Alumna’
Have you ever wanted to write a piece for recorder? Maybe a piano sonata? Or even a symphony? My name is Stephanie Ann Boyd, I’m a symphonic composer in New York City, and I went to the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor. You can find me on the list of Famous Waldorf Alumni, and my music is being played all over the world. I teach music composition lessons via Skype and I have helped over 100 people write their first pieces. I charge $100 an hour, and I have financial scholarships for those who need them. You can read more here: http://stephanieannboyd.com/teaching and you can contact me at: stephanie@stephanieannboyd.com
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Waldorf-Anthroposophical Tours in Europe
Two European tours with Waldorf/Anthroposophical themes are being offered by Sarnia Guiton of Sophia Services for 2018.

• In Search of Knights Templar in Portugal 
The Knights Templar are well known for their activities in Jerusalem and the Holy Land in the Middle Ages following the First Crusade. Their demise in 1307 is also well known. What is not so well known is the belief that their activities in Portugal, working with Bernard of Clairvaux and Portuguese Templar Kings over several generations, formed a Kingdom of Conscience with laws that are echoed in Rudolf Steiner’s Threefold Social Order. 

• In Search of the Future—in Hungary, Romania & Bulgaria
Anthroposophy was planted in these Eastern European countries early in the last century. Communism kept it underground prompting it to grow strong roots. At the end of that era, it grew strong and firm above ground and blossomed with joy that it could now be free. We have known none of that in the West. On this tour we will explore what has been happening anthroposophically in Eastern Europe in the last 25 years, and if we have anything to contribute or to bring back home from our experience.

For more information, please contact:
Sarnia Guiton, 604.740.0676, sarnia@sophiaservices.ca