Weekly Bulletin - October 16, 2019
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Yesterday evening, parents and faculty met for a scrumptious lasagna dinner, presentations on the state of the school, and question and answer time.
The Trustees Council and the College of Teachers presented on their work to evaluate and promote the health of the school and they touched on the five year strategic plan that they are currently working to shape. The focus of the planning is tied to four core components:
- Long-term sustainability
- Financial sustainability
- Community sustainability
- Environmental sustainability
In concert with the release of our Annual Report, the WWS Messenger (Look for it in your mailbox soon!), the finance and development committees gave an overview of the financials for the past year - showing how our tuition and salaries compare to other DC area independent schools, and celebrating the fact that 92% of our families made a gift to the Annual Fund last year.
The evening wrapped up with remarks from the Parent Organization Steering Committee (POSC) members on why they chose to join the POSC.
There was time for many questions and answers throughout the evening, but there was also the opportunity to submit questions on cards to be answered later. A written summary of questions and answers will be provided to the community.
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October
17/ Thursday
- High School Open Day, 8am-12pm
- 7th Grade Africa Night, 6-7pm
19/ Saturday
- **UPDATE** Songbird Parent Meeting, 9-11:30am
22/ Tuesday
- Craft & Conversation in the WWS Foyer, 8:30-10am
- 12:30 Dismissal for Students (aftercare available until 6pm) - Professional Development Day
23/ Wednesday
- Children's Garden Parent Evening, 7-8:30pm
24/ Thursday
- Adult Education: Screening of PBS Documentary on Cell Phone Safety and Wireless Radiofrequency, 7:30pm
25/ Friday
- Diversity, Equity and Social Justice Committee Coffee, 8:30-10am
29/ Tuesday
- All School Morning Tour, 8-10:30am
- Coffee with the Faculty Chair, Jennifer Page, 8:30am
31/ Thursday
- NO CLASSES - School Wide Parent Teacher Conferences (childcare for conferences only)
November
1/ Friday
- NO CLASSES - School Wide Parent Teacher Conferences (childcare for conferences only)
5/ Tuesday
- All School Open House, 4-6pm
- Adult Education: Dr. Melissa Greer, D.O., an anthroposophic doctor, will speak about "Understanding Adolescent Anxiety," 7-8:30pm
7/ Thursday
- All School Morning Tour, 8-10:30am
- G8 Parent Meeting with High School Faculty, 7pm
8/ Friday
- POSC Meeting in the WWS Foyer - Open to all, 8:30-9:30am
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All Aboard: Sign Up for your Bazaar Shift Today!!
Our Fall Bazaar is only
5
weeks
away - we can almost smell the cinnamon sticks and stars anise of the beloved Candle Craft, almost see the scores of smiling children flocking to the Pocket Ladies and Wizards. But, we need your help getting there. This is that special time of year when we ask
each and every parent to sign up for a shift
to staff class activities at the Bazaar, cleaning up after the event, or setting up the day before. Please
sign up for your shift
at the Bazaar. There will be free childcare available from 12:30-6pm on Fri, Nov 22 for volunteers who are helping with set up.
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Shop at the Bazaar to Support Our School!
In the Waldorf spirit of creating things with our hands, there will be many beautiful things to make, admire and purchase at our upcoming Fall Bazaar. Attendees can summon their own creativity by building a mason bee home, designing and creating a copper lantern, sewing felt gnome hats, amongst other creative activities. There will also be many exquisite items available for purchase, including the handwork of talented members of our community and goods offered by carefully selected outside vendors. Please bring reusable shopping bags and shop with a clear conscience, knowing that your purchases provide important financial support for our school. Invite your friends, neighbors, and loved ones—the more the merrier! Check out the following shopping venues:
The Enchantment Shop:
Children adore making their own purchases in this shop that is just for them. Merchandise includes handmade delights like felted animals, window stars, miniature catapults, finger puppets, and nontoxic playdough. Treasures from the natural world, such as honey sticks, wooden trinkets, minerals, and gemstones, will also be offered. Items for sale at the Enchantment Shop are moderately priced and may be purchased with Bazaar tickets.
(Produced by the Second and Third Grades and coordinated by Tara Fathabadi and Shannon Skowronski)
The Waldorf Store:
This is the premier local destination for otherwise hard-to-find Waldorf friendly books, toys, games, art supplies, and home décor. From the enchanting and fantastically illustrated children’s stories of Swedish author Elsa Beskow to one-of-a-kind knit, sewn, and felted treasures handmade by our school’s gifted artisans, the Waldorf Store is a well-curated trove of items that are, for the most part, natural, handcrafted, and beautiful.
(Coordinated by Susan Peckham and staffed by the High School)
Artisans & Vendors:
Knock out some of your holiday shopping at one of the region’s most unique shopping destinations. Much of what our vendors have to offer is one-of-a-kind and handmade. You will find high quality knitwear, exquisite jewelry, handsome woodwork, sweet honey, charming felted animals, and other treasures from around the globe.
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WWS Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice
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Each month the Committee offers a morning coffee entitled, “Thinking Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice at WWS.” This is a regular forum for generating conversation about these issues. All members of our community are invited to join us, and we welcome suggestions for future topics.
On
Fri, Oct 25 at 8:30am
, we will view
Greta Thunberg's speech on climate change
, learn about our own carbon footprints, and talk about how we as a community can work together to make a difference. We also will consider the question: "Is the climate crisis a civil rights issue?" We hope you can join us.
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The POSC is excited to announce our first
open Parent Organization Meeting on Friday, Nov 8 from 8:30-9:30am. All parents are invited to the front foyer where coffee will be waiting for you at 8:15. We welcome you to stop in for the whole hour or a few minutes. Jennifer Page will share a few words and we will introduce new parents, PO Class Reps, past POSC leaders, connect parents looking for carpools, and more. Finally, we will announce new exciting PO happenings for the year and request feedback. If you have any items to add to the agenda please
e-mail your POSC.
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Adventure Moms Fall Festival Guide
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Do you know the Adventure Mom's blog and newsletter? They've created a
Fall Festival Guide (which includes our own fall Bazaar on Nov 23rd) packed with ways to celebrate the season with your family. Check out their guide and follow them for adventure ideas, local happenings, and giveaways.
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We welcome submissions of community news, items for sale, want ads, etc. Please keep notices to 500 characters or less. Listings will likely be edited. Please
submit listings
by COB Tuesdays with the subject "Bulletin Submission." Bulletin Board notices generally run for 3 weeks - if space allows - unless other arrangements have been made. There is no charge for listings.
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Children, Cell Phones & 5G: A Parent Education Session in Takoma Park
Tonight - Oct 16, 7-9pm
Takoma Park Elementary School 7511 Holly Ave, Takoma Park MD
Please join us for a community information session on how to make technology safer in your home.
Did you know over 18 smartphones have been pulled from the market or software updated because of excessive radiation in Europe? In the USA, popular cell phones also emit radiation exceeding US law but no action has been taken. Countries have banned cell phones and Wi-Fi in classrooms. Curious about the potential health effects? Want practical tips and resources you can use? Please join us!
Topics covered:
- 5G in Montgomery County
- The latest research on children
- Doctor recommendations on cell phones
- Tips to minimize health effects at home
- Strategies to support sleep and learning
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Potomac Crescent Annual Fall Festival, Oct 19, 1-4pm
Bring the whole family for a wonderful afternoon, with a marionette performance or puppet play, obstacle courses, marble runs, and crafts such as natural silk dying. Tickets available
online
starting October 2nd or at the door.
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The Chesapeake BioDynamic Network of Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, and Delaware
CBDN will gather for activities
Friday Oct 25 (7:30pm) & Saturday Oct 26 (10am)
at the Christian Community Parish House and Garden Grounds next to the University of Maryland at
4221 Metzerott Road in College Park, Maryland.
CBDN concerns itself with safe sustainable ecological ethical agriculture, gardening, and landscaping.
Anyone who has interest in sustainable agriculture and biodynamics is
warmly welcome....
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Request for donations of newborn clothes and accessories
Soon we will have a new grandmother in our school community! Her friends, Carolina and Serafina, are looking for a crib, stroller, clothes, and cloth/wooden toys to help them prepare. Please call us if you have one or some of these items to donate.
Caroli
na: (202) 957-3803
Serafina: (704) 499-7272
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Published by the Washington Waldorf School
Copyright © 2019 All rights reserved
We welcome your comments and submissions. Contact
Alia Goodyear
if you would like to be added to our mailing list, or if you have submissions, questions, or suggestions. Please email submission by COB TUESDAY with the subject line "Bulletin Submission."
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Washington Waldorf School
4800 Sangamore Road,
Bethesda, MD 20816
301-229-6107
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