Hope and Connection
Welcome to an amazing new year at Davis Waldorf School. Our school opened its doors and heart to excited students and teachers, loving parents, grandparents and special friends. We greeted new families, welcomed our returning families and delighted in the Rose Ceremony where our small but potent 8th grade paired up with 21 First Graders as buddies to share a rose and a budding friendship for the entire school year. Through this ceremony, we joined hundreds of other Waldorf schools around the world. We spoke the Bell Ringing Verse by Dr. Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf Education and thus began our 33rd year as a Waldorf school in the 100th year since the first Waldorf School was founded.
The hope for the future shines brightly in our incoming first grade, our new 8th grade, in the babies that have been born and are on their ways to our school. We need each other to learn what it is to be human, to live in relationship, to model the ideals of Waldorf education of beauty, goodness and truth. Let's connect during this year to build relationships, to share hopes and dreams for our future, not just the brand new school year at hand, but for humanity.
With hope for connection, Lauren Hickman Director of Pedagogy and Programs
Back-to-School Night Picnic
Join us for our Annual Back-to-School Night Picnic this Friday, September 7th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Grove. Preschool, kindergarten, 1st-8th grades and alumni families are all invited to join us for a community event to kick off the school year. Bring the whole family to picnic with your teacher on the lawn for a casual and fun gathering. Enjoy music by our Davis Waldorf School Fiddlers and join in the Contra dancing at the end of the evening. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner to support the 8th grade class trip.
Schedule of Events:
- 5:30 pm - Picnic or Purchase Food from 8th Grade, Bean/Cheese or Bean/Rice Burrito dinner plate with Salad & Chips for $7, Drinks ($2), Snow Cones ($2)
- 6:00 pm - Brief Welcome Program
- 6:30 pm - 6:50 pm - The Davis Waldorf Fiddlers
- 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Community Contra Dance*
*What is a Contra Dance? Contra dances are a place where people of all ages and from many walks of life come together to dance and socialize. A caller, usually working with a group of live musicians, guides new and experienced dancers alike through a variety of lively dances. The caller teaches each dance before the music begins. We hope all will join in!
Hot Lunch Forms need to be turned in to the Office ASAP
Students in grades 1-8 may purchase a hot lunch for $5. The Hot Lunches are offered by the middle school classes and are a fundraiser for their 8th grade trip.
- Monday: Rice Bowls with Chicken/Tofu and Veggies
- Tuesday: Bean Burritos with Chips and Salsa
- Wednesday: Pizza with Salad or Veggie
Questions? Call Debbie Hicks in the office at 530-753-1651 or email office@daviswaldorf.org
Welcome New Teacher
Miyoung Schoen - Eurythmy teacher. Miyoung comes to us with ten years of experience teaching eurythmy from New Hampshire, the Sierra Foothills, Orange County and Sacramento Waldorf School. She has a Masters in Education and is also a trained Waldorf teacher and therapeutic eurythmist. Most recently she has worked with the autistic population. She brings warmth and dedication to her craft as an eurythmist.
Parent Education/Guest Artist
We are thrilled to have Peter Bruckner, a well-known accomplished artist, lecturer, writer and storyteller, in residence at our school from September 16th-September 22nd. He will be working with teachers and their students in class, but will also offer several classes/lectures to our parents and the public. All classes/lectures will be held in the DWS Multi-Purpose Room.
Peter will offer:
- Parent painting workshop on Sunday, September 16th from 2-4:30pm, free of charge
- Public lecture, "Celebrating Festivals of the Year in a Multicultural Community" on Friday, September 21st from 7-8:30pm, $10 suggested donation
- Intensive painting workshop, "Salt-Mercury-Sulfur, The Three Alchymical Processes", Saturday, September 22nd, 8:30am-3:00pm $130, plus $20 materials fee, light lunch & snacks included
Please sign up in the office or email Debbie Hicks, Office Coordinator, at office@daviswaldorf.org
Parent Education
This year, we will be replacing our monthly Community First Fridays with Parent Education events throughout the year, the schedule will be available in the next week. The Handwork Group led by Dahlia Haberman will be meeting every Friday beginning September 21
st
after drop off in the Handwork/Tutoring Room located up the far left steps of the Preschool Building (look for the gold sun!). We will be working on projects to donate to our soon to open School Store "The Acorn Basket", as well as projects for other events and fundraisers. You are also encouraged to bring your own project to work on. All are welcome to come and enjoy the conversation and handwork!
Urgent: Job Opportunities Currently open at DWS
Morning Care Providers (2)
We have immediate need for two morning care providers from 7:45 - 8:30 a.m. daily, Monday - Friday. Duties include supervising children on playground before school, ensuring that playground rules are followed. This job is perfect for a parent who enjoys children and is an early riser. One provider would supervise grades 1-3 in the mornings on the 1-3 grade playground, the second provider would supervise grades 4 and 5 on the playground by the grove. If you are interested, please fill out an online application.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
- Must pass Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Child Abuse Reference Check (CAIC) background clearance.
Please send a letter of interest, a resume and a list of at least three professional references to:
office@daviswaldorf.org
.
Piano Accompanist for Eurythmy classes
The Davis Waldorf School is seeking a piano accompanist for our classes in Eurythmy, a particular form of movement/dance/language expression. We need someone who is skilled at playing, enjoys working with children, and also can sight-read. The music is not particularly difficult, and shouldn't require any practice on the part of the pianist.
Our classes are on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:55 - 2:50 (with a 45-minute lunch break). We are paying $20 per hour for this service.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
- Must pass Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Child Abuse Reference Check (CAIC) background clearance.
Please send a letter of interest, a resume and a list of at least three professional references to:
office@daviswaldorf.org
.
Sunflower Aftercare
Please make sure to fill out an aftercare contract in the office in advance of your child being in aftercare to insure there is enough room. If you do not have a contract on file but would like to use drop-in care, please call the office to check availability at 530-753-1651 or email
office@daviswaldorf.org
Friends of Davis Waldorf School Facebook Page
Some wonderful pictures of our Opening Day Rose Ceremony have been posted on the Friends of Davis Waldorf School Facebook page. To access, click the following link
https://www.facebook.com/groups/daviswaldorf/, click "Join Group". You may need to wait 24 hours until your request to join is approved.
