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Weekly Bulletin - October 2, 2019
Class Trip Spotlight: Hermit Island
In early September our 12th Grade students joined seniors from other Waldorf schools on Hermit Island in Maine and dove into an experiential Zoology block of study. In their words:
"I learned something interesting about every animal group, which made it really fun. ... However, I think that in the end, the four animal groups we studied on Hermit Island are the most memorable to me. It was such an amazing experience to crawl around and collect the species we were learning about, and to have them right in front of us during main lessons. I cannot image a better way to learn, and I'm so grateful that our school made it possible."
- Annabelle

"I enjoyed learning about all the marine plant life. Most of it was completely new to me and all of it was fascinating. From the camouflage of the cuttlefish to the hydroskeletons of different animals to the feet of the sea stars. Much of this I got to witness in person and it was incredible".
- Drew  
Annual Meeting & Dinner
Annual Meeting & Dinner – October 15, 6-8:30pm

All parents and faculty members are invited to gather together in the school auditorium on October 15th at 6pm. Dinner will be served and we will have a chance to hear about the “state of the school”. There will be presentations from the Trustees Council, College of Teachers, Parent Organization, and various committees, as well as time for questions and answers. Please join us for this time to celebrate our community, reflect on our school accomplishments, and imagine and consider our hopes for the future. This is an adults only event.

School Calendar
Please note that some future calendar dates/times have changed . Please review the full calendar to ensure you have the most up-to-date version - published 9.12.19!
October

3/ Thursday
  • MS & HS Parent Evening - The Self Directed Child, 7-9pm (HS students invited)

6/ Sunday
  • Chef at the Dupont Circle Farmers Market, 11am

8/ Tuesday
  • Craft & Conversation in the WWS Foyer, 8:30-10am
  • Children's Garden & Lower School Tea, 8:30am

9/ Wednesday
  • NO CLASSES - Yom Kippur

10/ Thursday

11/ Friday
  • GD 8-12 Contra Dance, 6:30-8:30pm

12/ Saturday
  • Songbirds Parent Meeting, 9-11:30am

15/ Tuesday

  • Craft & Conversation in the WWS Foyer, 8:30-10am
  • Annual Meeting & Dinner, 6-8:30pm

22/ Tuesday

  • Craft & Conversation in the WWS Foyer, 8:30-10am
  • 12:30 Dismissal for Students (aftercare available until 6pm) - Professional Development Day

Oct 31 & Nov 1/ Thursday - Friday

  • NO CLASSES - School Wide Parent Teacher Conferences (childcare for conferences only)
Chef at Market This Sunday
Sunday - Oct 6, 11am
Join Chef Eron Picus at the Dupont Circle farmers market as he demonstrates a recipe using ingredients bought at the market that morning. This is a great time to see Chef in action and a chance for us to raise awareness of our school in the community.
Enrollment Season is Here
Even though enrollment happens year round - the primary enrollment season is Oct-Jan. We host morning tours and open houses to give prospective families a chance to experience some part of the depth and breadth of education built for meeting students specifically for their developmental stage.

Learn More About WWS
If you feel like you've just scratched the surface of some part of Waldorf education and are interested to learn more, come to a Morning Tour for parents. See a bit of each part of the school - Children's Garden, Lower School, High School, presentations on Woodworking and Handworking, and participate in a Q&A time.

Particularly if you have a child in middle school and are curious about the High School, we encourage you to attend a High School Open Day and sit in on a few classes. You are also invited to stay for lunch from Chef.

How You Can Help
  • Word of Mouth - this is the primary way that families learn about schools. Sharing your experience of the school with friends and neighbors and invite them to an open house or tour.
  • Yard Sign - we love seeing our yard signs around the neighborhoods. If you have a good spot for a sign email Alia Goodyear to arrange pick up.
  • Post a Flyer or Listserv Message - if you have a community bulletin board or email listserv where you can share information about our tours and open houses email Alia Goodyear.
  • Be a Parent Ambassador at an Event - Email Lezlie Lawson if you are are excited about the opportunity to speak with perspective parents at one of our upcoming Open Houses.
The Self-Driven Child
with Bill Stixrud and Ned Johnson
Thursday, Oct 3, 6:45-9pm at WWS
WWS Grade 7-12 Parents and Grade 9-12 Students have been invited to a talk with Ned Johnson and Dr. Bill Stixrud about their book, The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives , this Thursday, 6:45-9:00pm at WWS. While the content will be geared toward the high school years, parents of younger WWS students are welcome to join us. Please note that there will not be any childcare, and children cannot be left alone on campus. 

Please aim to be here at 6:45 to get a snack - or feel free to bring your own dinner on the go - and settle in. The program will start at 7:00. We will all begin together, and then high school students will go off to talk separately with Ned while adults will remain with Bill. There will be time for questions and answers, and we will have books available for purchase (by arrangement with the co-authors and local bookstore Politics and Prose).   
Fall Bazaar Preparations
On Saturday, November 23 from 10-3pm, the Washington Waldorf School will hold its 50th annual Fall Bazaar. Our halls will fill with the faces of friends, both familiar and new, who are drawn to the Bazaar’s wholesome activities, artisan goods, delectable food, and stunning seasonal décor evoking the spirit of the Washington Waldorf School. For many of us, the Bazaar is a cherished tradition, a celebration of our community and our craftsmanship, and a beloved part of the rhythm of the school year. For others, this will be a new experience, full of discovery and wonder. Please save the date and plan to attend this very special event at WWS. 

Donations for the Enchantment Shop

We are asking for donations of: cotton crochet yarn, felt, ribbons, and/or wool to make items for the Bazaar Enchantment Shop which will be run by the 2nd & 3rd grade classes. Please leave your donation at the front desk in the Enchantment Shop paper bag. Thank you in advance!

Craft and Conversation
Craft and Conversation is an ongoing handwork group that meets every Tuesday morning from 8:30–10am throughout the year. The group creates handcrafted items that are sold during the Fall Bazaar and works on other projects as well.
No experience is necessary to participate - there are projects for any skill level! 
Parent Organization News
Children's Garden and Lower School Tea - Tues, Oct 8 at 8:30am

Please come to the Children's Garden and Lower School Parent Tea on Tuesday, October 8th. Come meet other parents for coffee, tea, treats and conversation in the front lobby after morning drop off. Your POSC will be there to help new parents feel welcome and to answer any questions you may have!
Explorations Course Starts Oct 11th
Center for Anthroposophy "Explorations" at WWS
Oct 2019 – March 2020

Don't miss this opportunity to dive deep into the foundational principles of Waldorf education!

The "hub" of Explorations is a series of weekend workshops (one a month), with seminars and webinars as satellites to the hub. Led by seasoned Waldorf teachers, the workshops focus on artistic media such as drawing, painting, sculpture, speech, singing, as well as spacial dynamics and eurythmy. The intervening study seminars will devote their attention to some of the basic texts of Steiner and those who have come after him. Teachers for this Explorations series include: Michael D’Aleo, Douglas Gerwin, Allysun Sokolowski, and Debbie Spitulnik.
Cost is $2,200. Needs based  scholarships  are available.
Class Agents Needed
Would you like to be involved as a volunteer for your child's class. Can you volunteer 2-5 hours this year for the WWS Annual Fund? Class Agents are invaluable to the work of the school in meeting its goal of 100% parent participation in this year's Annual Fund campaign. Class agents are needed for all classes, Children's Garden through Grade 12.We would love an Alumni Parent class agent too!
 
In general, the role of the Class Agent is to provide outreach and information on the importance of every WWS family's participation in the WWS Annual Fund. Typical time commitment averages 30 minutes per month. In addition, the Class Agents serve as liaisons to the Development Committee, to share information about upcoming all-school events and all-school fundraisers that benefit the community and financial health of the school. We promise to make your volunteer efforts in this capacity fun! If interested, please contact Development Director Caitlin MacKenzie by  email  or at 301-229-6107 x127 .
Bulletin Board
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.  
FREE: Piano
Chas. M. Stieff "grand upright" piano. Works perfectly, beautiful sound, and in beautiful condition. Includes bench.

Free due to moving, must pick up in Bethesda near the NIH by Oct 13.

Please email Rebecca Doran ( WWS Alumi ) if interested.
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
Blessing of the Animals in Chevy Chase - Saturday, Oct 5, 10am - 12:30pm
(from WWS Parent Rev. Matthew Kozlowski)

Join Rev. Matthew Kozlowski at All Saints Church in Chevy Chase for a blessing of the animals. This free outdoor event is open to animal lovers of all faiths & traditions. 
Root, Shoot & Fruit: Cultivating Imagination in Childhood - Thursday, Oct 10, 7pm
at Potomac Crescent

Join us for a parent education evening with Douglas Gerwin, Ph.D, to learn about children's ways of learning at different stages of childhood, and how we as parents can support our children. Douglas is a leader in Waldorf teacher education in the US, and has also directed the Research Institute for Waldorf Education and the Center for Anthroposophy. We are delighted to welcome him to PCWS for this talk! Adults only, please. RSVP  
Group Reiki Healing with Alison Babil, LMT - Sunday, Oct 13, 5:30-6:30pm
at The Journey Space , in Glen Echo, MD. 

Healing sessions that are fun and magical! Experience powerful healing in a circle with others. Alison ( WWS Parent ) does Reiki healing with the group and each individual, all while sitting in a circle. Participants may also receive a channeled guide message. Reiki is an energy healing modality that balances physically, mentally, and emotionally.  NOTE: This is NOT a Reiki share or circle. Participants sit back and receive deep healing in a group setting.  
Cost: $30

Contact Alison Babil, LMT via email , at 240-426-3636, or visit her  website .
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. 
Casting Call: Supernumeraries for the Washington National Opera
(from WWS Parent Adria Foster)

Seeking MEN and CHILDREN (8 years or older) who are good movers and musically adept for two upcoming operas Otello (auditions Oct 2-3, performances Oct 26 - Nov 16) and The Magic Flute (auditions Oct 7-22, performances Nov 2-23).

Supers are paid a small stipend and receive two dress rehearsal passes for guests for the show in which they appear. Studio rehearsals take place at the WNO Studio in Takoma and are typically on evenings and weekends. Tech rehearsals and performances take place at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House.

Email for more information and to submit an application.
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."
Washington Waldorf School
4800 Sangamore Road,
Bethesda, MD 20816
301-229-6107