January 2019
Greetings!

It was a great pleasure to attend our recent alumni panel and hear from such a lovely group of young people. After the event I heard parents sharing what struck them most. For one parent, it was the notion of treating technology as a tool rather than a lifestyle. (Something for which we could all strive!) For me, the core of the evening was an answer Elizabeth Knudsen (HVWS Class of 2010) gave in response to a question about the transition from a Waldorf middle school to a non-Waldorf high school. She pointed out that for ALL adolescents the transition from middle school to high school is a tough one. We are all filled with self-doubt at that age. But unlike her public school peers, she and her HVWS classmates possessed a strong sense of self and felt more grounded than those high school freshmen who didn't come out of a Waldorf school. It is this sense of self, this grounding that I see again and again in our alumni, and for which I am eternally grateful as I watch my own children grow. (For those of you who were not able to attend, HVWS graduate Henry James filmed the event so we plan to share footage with you all. Thank you, Henry!)

We have another panel coming up next week, this one brought to you by our Diversity Committee. It is the inaugural presentation in our "Deepening the Dialogue" series on diversity and inclusion, entitled "Dimensions of Gender." We hope you will be able to join us!

Warmly,

Christina Dixcy
Communications Director and Office Manager
Important Links
Imbue thyself
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Upcoming Events
Visit our calendar for a full listing of events.
Puppet Show and Tour, The Donkey
TOMORROW, Saturday, January 26
10 AM
Lower Level, Compass Hall
1 Jacklin Rd., Newtown

The puppet show in the Waldorf tradition features hand-sewn puppets, sumptuous plant-dyed silks, and a simple, age-appropriate performance style suited to young children’s attention spans and level of awareness. A peaceful and enchanted mood prevails.

Our puppet shows are appropriate for 3-8-year-olds. All performances begin at 10 AM and are presented in the Lower Level of Compass Hall at 1 Jacklin Rd. in Newtown. Puppet shows are free, however the Puppetry Committee will happily accept a goodwill offering to support Women for Women International, an organization helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives: www.WomenforWomen.org.

Families interested in touring our Early Childhood campus immediately following the performance should register online or call Therese Lederer at 203-364-1113.
Deepening the Dialogue: Dimensions of Gender
Friday, February 1
6:40 PM
Atrium, Compass Hall,
1 Jacklin Rd., Newtown, CT
 
The HVWS Diversity Committee is pleased to present Deepening the Dialogue, a series of lectures and discussions around issues of diversity and inclusion. Join us for our inaugural presentation, an evening of voices, education, and conversation about gender identity. What is gender? How do I talk about and understand gender variance? How can I help create a more inclusive environment for children and adults? We will welcome questions following a presentation by our panelists.
  • 6:40 refreshments
  • 7:00 presentation
  • 8:20 questions and discussion
Talent Show
Friday, February 15
6 PM
Atrium, Compass Hall
1 Jacklin Rd. Newtown, CT

Back by popular demand! This fun-filled evening (and 8th grade fundraiser) will showcase the talent of our students and community.

HVWS students from grades 4-8, parents, alumni, and teachers are welcome to take to the stage. From poetry, to song, to improv theater, you won't want to miss these performances! The 8th grade will be serving refreshments.
7th and 8th Grade Eurythmy Performance, Sulaiman and the Elephant King
Thursday, February 7
5:30 PM
Lower Level, Compass Hall,
1 Jacklin Rd. Newtown, CT

Please join us to enjoy the Eurythmy performance by the 7th & 8th grades in their Afghan tale, Sulaiman and the Elephant King, at 11 AM (for students) and 5:30 PM in the Eurythmy room (entrance through back door). Snow date: 2/13/2019
Notes
Notes
Middle School Book Club
Mr. Vojack-Weeks is starting a Middle School Book Club for 6th-8th grade students. Watch your e-mail for details!

After-school Classes
Updates have been made to our After-School Classes page. Karate and Art classes are currently in session. Circus Arts will begin in the Spring.

Summer Camp
We are adding dates and session descriptions our Summer Camp page. If you have questions about the upcoming Summer Camp season, please e-mail camp@waldorfct.org.

Hot Lunches
If you are a staff member or a parent of a grade school student and would like to place a hot lunch order, you may do so here.

Biodynamic Gardening Club
If you would like to learn more about our Biodynamic Gardening Club, please e-mail Marcella Kapsaroff.
It Takes A Village Community Painting
You may now make a donation online to be included in the BEAUTIFUL art piece being created by Emily Remensperger!
The Waldorf Chronicles
As part of the worldwide Waldorf 100 celebrations we are recording our voices and sharing our stories through The Waldorf Chronicles, an archive project. Waldorf schools and teacher training institutes in North America are adding interviews to the StoryCorps Archive, the largest collection of human voices ever gathered.

Topics for The Waldorf Chronicles include:
Fall 2018: The Roots--Founders' Stories
Winter 2018/19: The Seedlings of Imagination--Early Childhood Stories
Spring 2019: The Budding Heart--Grades' Stories

If you would like to be interviewed for the Waldorf Chronicles please e-mail Christina Dixcy at cdixcy@waldorfct.org. You can read sample questions on The Waldorf Chronicles' page.

Condolences
We send our condolences and love to Carrie Reilly and the Reilly/Frost family on the passing of Miss Carrie's father-in law.
Gratitude
Thank you to Riverbank Farm for all of the gifts of produce to the faculty and staff.

Thank you to all of the parents who cook for faculty meals!

Thank you, Hannah Gale for donating resource books to our upper grades classrooms. Hannah graduated our Class of 2009. We so appreciate your donation!

Thank you to Rebecca Lee and Sunshine Lucas for recent help in the libraries!

Thank you to all those who contributed to the success of our Alumni Panel, most especially our dynamic panelists:

Class of 2005
Tucker Grose attended Newtown High School and Endicott College for Sports Management and is now Hockey Director at Stamford Twin Rinks.

Class of 2007
Devin Frost attended Newtown High School and Unity College and is now Division Manager/Energy Consultant with Dvinci Energy.

Class of 2010
Christina Jenkins attended Canterbury High School, Parsons School of Design, and is now a Graphic Designer at Victoria’s Secret PINK Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn

Elizabeth Knudsen attended Danbury High School and Roanoke University, studied psychology, and is now an organizational team building coach.

Class of 2011
Rachel Crosby attended Newtown High School and now attends Quinnipiac University, studying Physical Therapy and Athletic Training.

Abraham DeFeo attended Bethel High School and now attends Loyola University Maryland, studying Mechanical Engineering.

Class of 2016
Brady Knuff attends high school at the Wooster School.

Thank you for set-up help to Carol Reznikoff; Alex Exley, her dad, Woody, and her children Oliver and August; Nigel Harrison; and Christina Dixcy. Thank you to bakers Dasha Bukovska, Sherri Strol, Jill Douglas, Lori Hudak, and ClareAnn James.

And a special thank you to Henry James, Class of 2017 for filming the event.
Photos
Chalkboard Drawing by HVWS Alumna (Class of 2018) Jordan Wittmer
Alumni Panel
6th Grade Class Play, The Stones Cry Out , a Geological Musical (our first-ever HVWS musical!!)
Support HVWS While You Shop
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. Amazon Smile

Box Tops
Please clip and save your box tops and send them into the office. We are looking for a new Box Tops volunteer! Please e-mail office@waldorfct.org.
The Rainbow Garden School Store is Open!
Star Meadow Cottage, Rear Door
40 Dodgingtown Rd.

The store is open Tuesday-Friday 8:20-9 AM on regular school days.

Please contact Natasha Daniels-Pearson with any questions regarding the store: danielsnatasha@hotmail.com.
Articles & Videos
Mission
To provide a lasting education that cultivates resilient and creative human beings who are capable of free thinking, confident action, and deep connections with others and the world.
Housatonic Valley Waldorf School | 203-364-1113 | office@waldorfct.org| waldorfct.org