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 I had the opportunity to spend some time down around Lower White Feather this afternoon. This, of course, is where our dear Second and Fourth Graders spend their days, guided by two extraordinary teachers, Ms. Wares and Mrs. Roehl. I glimpsed down the hill from just outside the Second Grade room and spotted this sweet tree trunk circle, a delightful addition to our campus since I was here as a teacher a few years ago, and thought about what a great symbol it was for one of the things we do here: creating sacred space for community building.
Nearly every day, somewhere on campus, you're able to find a group gathered together in a circle. In the earliest Waldorf years, the coming together, moving and singing the children do to start their day is literally called "Circle Time." As they grow through the grades, class meetings, music classes and myriad rhythmic activities and class games take place in a circle. Faculty, Board and Parent Guild meetings happen in a circle. And it makes sense: when we come together in this manner, we create an intentional space and into that space we speak, we laugh, we sing, we share, we meet one another's gaze in a way that sitting in rows doesn't always allow. It's such a simple gesture on one level, but it's a powerful one. It facilitates what may be the most important message we communicate to one another: I see you.
To see and be seen as who you truly are is a deep need of every human being, and it is absolutely essential in the life and development of a healthy child. When we pause to soothe a child who has taken a tumble that prompted tears, she feels seen. When we acknowledge the frustration of a student struggling to master something in class, he feels seen. And when we catch and share the enthusiasm of a fellow community member bringing joyful news, a helping hand or new idea, they feel seen. It's not hard to do, but it does require slowing down and noticing, something that sometimes
feels
hard to do in our busy and overscheduled culture.
I gravitated toward Waldorf Education many years ago because this aspect of the education, the foundational philosophy that holds each child as unique and inhabiting a very particular place in their developmental journey toward adulthood spoke to me. It conveyed the message that each child not only matters, but they have innately a unique gift to share with the world that this type of education is dedicated to helping unfold with them. But first that gift (or gifts) must be recognized, and that requires a very special way of looking.
I hope that everyone reading this had a moment today or this week when they felt truly seen and had an opportunity, in turn, to see someone else as well. As we move into our weekend, I wish you joyous looking and many circle moments.
In spirited community,
Nicole Deutsch
Director of Community Development
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Parent Guild: Helping Us to Be at Our Best!
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In an amazing show of Parent Guild teamwork, Community Hospitality members Berry Crawford, Joey Chico, Satya Rancord and Jennifer Simmons provided a beautiful and nourishing hand-crafted feast for our visiting AWSNA Delegates last Friday. It was the first time in our school's history that we were able to host this annual event, and the guests - representatives from more than a dozen Waldorf schools around Northern California - were treated not only to our beautiful and peaceful rural campus, but also to some absolutely phenomenal food! From providing the early morning pastries and other goodies to a warm and nourishing afternoon lunch and also caring for the evening clean up, these team members went all out making sure our special guests felt the welcoming warmth of our community. Next time you see these parents be sure to give them a nice shout out for a job well done!
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(must be registered in My School Anywhere)
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We're Rolling Out the Red Carpet this Year!
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Community Update will be on Hiatus on Nov. 2
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The CSWS Fall Newsletter will be published in place of the Community Update on Friday, Nov. 2. The newsletter, previously a monthly publication, will be published four times a year moving forward, once each season. It is our hope that a more moderate publishing timeline will allow the newsletter to feature more in-depth, school- and community-specific content, and in fact our upcoming issue will be brimming with feature stories, event photos, student work and an alumni spotlight. If you have alumni news, event photos or other items you would like to have considered for the Winter Newsletter, please email [email protected]. The Update will resume its normal publication schedule on Nov. 9.
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Ever Wonder what Eurythmy is Like?
Now's your Chance to Try it!
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An elementary Eurythmy class
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All parents are warmly invited to attend a free introduction to Eurythmy series offered by our visiting Eurythmy teacher, Shannon Wieler. Ms. Wieler has been joining our First and Second Grades this month to introduce them to this unique form of movement, and now parents have an opportunity to experience it as well. Briefly, Eurythmy is a social art of movement to the spoken word and live music. This introductory class will focus on the movements and gestures in our language. Eurythmy is for anyone, from all walks of life. Come and experience first-hand what this new art of movement is! To get a little better glimpse into this art, check out this informational video:
Waldorf School Eurythmy
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Extended Care Rates Increasing as of Nov. 15
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Beginning Nov. 15, CSWS will be increasing the hourly rate of our Extended Care services to address rising wage expenses and program changes. It also brings the cost of our program more in line with those at other Waldorf Schools.
Summary of changes to the current fee schedule:
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Current
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After 11/15/18
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$25
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Waived
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Hourly Rate*
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$5 per hour
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$7 per hour
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Minimum Time
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No Minimum
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One Hour Minimum
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Late Pickup Fee after 5:30pm**
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$5 per 15 minutes
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$7 per 15 minutes
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*
Incremental time over an hour will be billed to the nearest quarter hour.
**Early childhood extended care ends at 4 p.m. unless longer stay arranged 24 hours in advance.
Please note our "All Inclusive Package" remains an option for families needing full availability of the service. This package is available at the previously posted rates but must be elected in advance and paid for according to the agreed tuition plan. Please inquire with our business office, should you desire more information about this option.
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Coming Soon ... Apple Ridge Pies!
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Back by popular demand! Apple Ridge Farm Pies will be for sale, delivered to campus frozen in time for Thanksgiving. Please choose to buy your homemade pies this holiday season and help support the Seventh Grade in their fundraising efforts at the same time. Available Pies inclue Apple, Dutch Apple, Peach, Mixed Berry and Strawberry Rhubarb. Pies are $20 each or 2 for $35. Order forms will be sent out in early November.
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Paid Advertisement
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Our school is much in need of an
early childhood extended care assistant. We are
seeking a warm, responsible individual to help supervise this program. Experience with young children and knowledge of Waldorf pedagogy is preferred, but not required. The extended care position hours are Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. To meet state licensing requirements, applicants must have 12 ECE units, and be willing to comply with current CPR and First Aid training, clear a Livescan background check, a TB test, and a health screening and comply with current California vaccination requirements.
Please send inquiries to: Veronica Gunasekara at [email protected]
The College of Teachers is seeking individuals who can act as
substitute teachers. With our pedagogical chair position now vacant, we no longer have a go-to for when our teachers are ill or need to be away for the day for personal or family needs. With the cold and flu season approaching, the College would like to begin compiling a list of people, especially those with a teaching credential or experience working with children, who can support our faculty in this way. Please contact Amy Roehl at
[email protected] if you would be able to help with this.
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Upcoming School Calendar Dates
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Oct. 24 - 6th Grade Curriculum Night, 6 p.m.
Oct. 26 - All School Assembly, 12:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 - 7th & 8th Grade Halloween Dance at SWS, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 - Pumpkin Path Set Up, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 27 - Pumpkin Path, 4-6:30 p.m.
Oct. 29 - No School (Pumpkin Path Recovery and Faculty In-service)
Nov. 1 - Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (7th Grade Play), 6 p.m.
Nov. 2 - Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, 11:30 a.m.
Nov. 6 - Student Picture Make-up Day
Nov. 7 - All Community Meeting Session I, 6-8p.m.
Nov. 9 - All Community Meeting Session II, 2-4 p.m.
Nov. 12 - Veteran's Day - No School.
Inspiring our students to reach their highest potential as free-thinking, creative human beings who have a life-long love of learning, Cedar Springs offers Waldorf education to families and their children, infants through Eighth grade. - CSWS Mission Statement
This form is made available to guide parent questions & concerns in support of our school's communication model. Please download and complete with Parent Mentors, Faculty, and Staff.
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