MLWS NEWS FROM THE PARENT COUNCIL

Parent Council held monthly meetings via Zoom during the 2020-21 school year. Many thanks to everyone who attended meetings and got involved with our priority projects this year. These efforts included a monthly Brown Bag Lunch Series (via Zoom) featuring MLWS community speakers, Grounds Beautification Projects, Food Drives, a Welcome Committee for New Families, “Art for the Elderly” Community Outreach, and this newsletter.

If you are interested in being involved in one of the working groups for a priority project or if you have an idea for another initiative you would like to work on through Parent Council next year, please send us an email at parentcouncil@mountainlaurel.org. We have a MLWS Parent Council google group that is open to all MLWS community members as well. If you are interested in joining, please send an email to parentcouncil@mountainlaurel.org. Please consider getting involved and offering some of your time to one of our projects. Many hands make light work!

Saturday, June 5: 8:00-9:00 pm: Spring Soiree Virtual Gathering and Live Auction - please help to support the school and join us for a fun evening. With Mr.Evans hosting it is sure to be a joyful hour!

Tuesday, June 8, 1:00-2:00pm: MLWS “Brown Bag Lunch Series” via Zoom with Takken Wish, MLWS Eighth Grade teacher (and rising First Grade teacher), for a discussion “Celebrating the Journey: Reflections on the Year and the Class of 2021”

Our Virtual Gathering takes place this evening, June 5th at 8pm! Hosted by our very own Mr. John Evans, come together for a showcase of Mountain Laurel student artwork, musical performances and highlights of our Online Auction. You will be able to see other community members online and enjoy this event all from the comfort of your garden, porch or seat of choice! Everyone is invited to join, Mountain Laurel families and their extended families, alumni, Board Members, and friends. A ‘ticket’ can be obtained at https://mountainlaurel.org/spring-soiree/ or follow the ZOOM LINK at 8pm to join us. All are welcome - extended family, neighbors, and community members! You do not need a ticket to join, it is encouraged for those that are able.

Meeting ID: 965 5062 9080

Security Passcode: g15fbe

After our Virtual Gathering is complete there’s still time to bid on some great items! Share the link with friends and visit https://www.32auctions.com/MLSpringSoiree to bid until the clock strikes 10pm!

Proceeds from this event support diversity, equity and inclusion training and education, scholarships and a sculpture studio for continued focus on the arts. Thank you for your support!

Please join us on Tuesday, June 8, 1:00-2:00pm for our last Brown Bag Lunch of the school year, “Celebrating the Journey: Reflections on the Year and the Class of 2021” with Takken Wish, MLWS Eighth Grade teacher (and rising First Grade teacher). We will celebrate the hard work and journey of the current Eighth Grade class and look forward to our rising First Grade class in a conversation with Takken Wish. This will be a lovely way to end our year, with reflections on our children, teaching and community.

Through the Brown Bag Lunch Series, we are hoping to create a stronger and more connected parent body at our school by offering opportunities to connect socially while providing information about our school, Waldorf education and the broader community of like-minded organizations and individuals. We offer a special welcome to new families, as this is a great way to get to know our community and the educational model. Each meeting will feature a speaker on a given topic.

If you would like to take part in planning and assisting with next year's Brown Bag Lunch Series, we’d love to have you! Please send us an email at parentcouncil@mountainlaurel.org.

One of the themes of Waldorf education is freedom, the idea that in giving the children an investment in their childhood and their own particular spirit, they will be able to fully inhabit their life’s work in the world. The model of leadership in a Waldorf school also embraces freedom and self-governance.

At our May Brown Bag Lunch, a curious group of parents were introduced to a representative of each of the governing bodies of our school: Susan Ramaty for the Administration, Mark Bernstein for the Board of Trustees, and Preston Neel for the College. According to the MLWS governance document, “the overall responsibility for and authority over Mountain Laurel Waldorf School is shared by the College and the Board of Trustees. The College is responsible for pedagogical issues; the Board is responsible for financial and legal matters. The Board oversees the business management and operations, and it ensures the school’s financial health.”

The College meets weekly and all lead salaried employees are expected to participate in these meetings. The College “carries responsibility for the work of pedagogical business and organization, while nurturing and supporting the spiritual/Anthroposophical impulse of the school.” All decisions are made by consensus. In addition to the regular business and study the College undertakes, there are Mandate Groups which are responsible for policy making and additional support within the school. These groups cover all of the major work and initiatives within the school with the goal of supporting the teachers, families and students. Please take a look on the website- emails for each of these groups are also listed if you have individual questions.

The Board of Trustees is made up of teachers, parents and community members. The Board oversees the financial and legal workings of the school. Similar to the College, the Board works with through Mandate Groups, which are as follows: Strategic Planning, Admissions and Enrollment, and Development and Fundraising.

The Administration sits on both the Board and the College, serving as a bridge between the two bodies. This is the role of the Administration, to ensure communication among the decision-making groups, to maintain relationships with other regional schools and ASWNA, to maintain the campus and to address matters of health and safety.

If you would like a copy of the sideshow illustrating the breakdown of this structure of governance, please email administration@mountainlaurel.org

The arrival of Spring has brought so much energy to our class! We have been spending our days swinging in hammocks, making mud-cakes, collecting worms, bugs, and roly-polys, building large wooden block structures, drawing, climbing, balancing, digging, and running! In our circle time, we have been singing lots of fun songs about gardening, flowers, and spiders, and we even went on a bear hunt!

On Mondays, we have been painting; lemon yellow has met ruby red, sky blue has come down to play with lemon yellow, and ruby red just went up to meet sky blue. In our hallway, you will see our sparkly watercolor fish swimming along! We also made beautiful flower fairies who love to play among the silks on the shelf in our classroom.

We have also been learning how to share, waiting for our turn, putting our things away, sitting quietly, and being kind to our friends...

FIRST GRADE KNITTING

SIXTH GRADE FELTED LANDSCAPES

My name is Valentine Elias-Morales and I am a 7th grader here at Mountain Laurel. As a handwork project in 7th grade, we create dolls by sewing the bodies and making the dolls’ clothing according to our own styles. Because little children will enjoy and play with our projects, I believe the dolls should have a diverse look to them, each unique. I chose to give my doll an open-heart surgery scar, inspired by my two little siblings.

At the age of four months, my brother Win underwent open heart surgery. He had an AV canal defect, meaning he was missing the center septum of his heart. Thankfully he survived the surgery and his repair was a success. About a half a world away, in Armenia, my little sister Ani went through a similar experience, which she bravely faced on her own, without the support of a family at that time.

Congenital heart defects are fairly common, affecting 1 in 100 babies, and many people around the world have scars. All bodies are different, and I believe having our dolls reflect body diversity is a good thing. My hope is to teach, and show little kids that scars and other body differences are completely okay. I hope the dolls start conversations with the families at Mountain Laurel around body diversity and body positivity.

Two of my friends and I have donated our dolls to the Spring Soiree auction to raise money for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund. We hope our work will inspire you to bid on them!

In the Eighth Grade, we've been spending these last weeks covering two revolutions: the Mexican and Russian. With both, we've looked at what brought about such unrest and we've talked about the people who were able to speak to the moment, such as Emiliano Zapata for Mexico and Vladimir Lenin for Russia. Part of our studies has also involved the art produced by the people during these respective countries' chaotic, uncertain times.

There is a tradition at Mountain Laurel that during the Eighth Grade year, the students undertake a project that they pursue over the course of the entire school year, culminating in presentations at the end of the year. Here are some of the projects that this year’s class chose:

For my eighth grade project, I made an upcycled quilt using clothing from me as a little girl, my mom, and my dad. It tells the story of my family and it’s good for the environment.

My eighth grade project, Generation Integration, was to make zoom calls connecting senior citizens and teenagers during the pandemic. The purpose was for them to get to know each other and to learn from each other. I specifically worked with a local retirement home, Woodland Pond. The calls occurred once a week; each week featuring its own topic that would start a conversation everyone would enjoy, similar to an icebreaker question. This program came about because of the pandemic; however, I realize that programs like this are needed for people to feel connected to their neighbors at any time.

For his eighth grade project, Tavi experimented with electromagnetics. He and his mentor, Mr. Aram, were not successful in building a coil gun. Still, they learned a lot and had fun playing with batteries and magnets.

I decided to pick cake-baking as my eighth grade project because I thought it would be a fun and educational project. I baked 6 different cakes and did scientific experiments with baking. I tried the same recipes regularly and then made them gluten free and non-dairy so my parents could eat them. It was a good experience and my stomach thoroughly enjoyed it!

In an effort to support our community in staying abreast of recent health-related announcements, we present to you the Health Corner.

As the summer months arrive, with summer camps, vacations and beach fun, it is important to keep in mind the effects of extended sun exposure and harmful ultraviolet radiation. While small amounts of sun exposure (about 15 minutes a day), can be beneficial to our health by providing Vitamin D, we would like to offer a few guidelines to keep in mind while you are out in the sun this summer!

Clothing: Try to cover up as much skin as possible. Look for protective clothing, wear a hat (with neck/ear flaps), shorts or long pants, shirts and don’t forget the toes!

Sunglasses: Protect your eyes with a good quality pair of sunglasses that block UVA and UVB light, for cataracts prevention. Pick amber or brown lenses, which enhance contrast.

Shade: Find activities to do inside, such as making cooling foods (no-cook foods that can help keep you cool). Set up under a tree or use an umbrella, tent or canopy when at the garden, beach, or in the backyard. Remember that as infants are developing their skin, it is important to protect them from the sun!

Exposure: Avoid long exposures between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun is the strongest and UV radiation peaks. Get outside in the early morning or late afternoon/evening and remember the days are getting longer.

Sunburn: Watch for indications of too much sun such as red, sore, blistered or peeling skin, which increases your risk of skin cancer.

Sunscreen: A good one is important, broad-spectrum protection – from both UVA and UVB rays! Visit the EWG’s sunscreen database for more information. Also, check your child’s school and summer camp sun safety policies and don’t forget to send sunscreen with your child if allowed!

Here are a few guidelines from EWG:

*Also if possible find a sunscreen that is marine and reef friendly!

*Please follow The American Academy of Pediatrics for guidelines on sunscreens for infants and toddlers.

We hope you have a great summer, get outside and safely enjoy the sunshine!

We would love to hear your requests for future Health Corner recipes and topics. Please send them via email to parentcouncil@mountainlaurel.org.

A Day Away Kayak Rentals – Kingston, rent a kayak, canoe, or SUP for some fun on the water!

Fishkill Farm – East Fishkill, U-pick organic veggies and fruit (including strawberries!)

Forsyth Nature Center – Kingston, a handicapped accessible outdoor learning center with more than two-dozen animals and a beautiful garden.

Garage Sales – Look for town-wide sales, you may just find that one thing you always wanted!

Halfway Acres – Campbell Hall, organic u-pick blueberries.

Hudson River Maritime Museum – Kingston, ride the Solaris a solar-powered boat!

Innisfree Garden– Millbrook, private garden of 1930s heiress now open to the public.

Locust Grove Estate – Poughkeepsie, hiking trails with views of the Hudson River and beautiful gardens, dog friendly.

Long Dock’s Park – Beacon, Scenic Hudson hiking 19-acre park, launch your kayak, picnic, or stroll through rehabilitated wetlands and meadows.

Museum Village – Monroe, an open-air historical museum that allows you to explore vignettes of 19th-century American life.

Split Rock Coxing Kill – New Paltz, part of the Mohonk Preserve, while there is no “official” swimming area or lifeguard, swimming is allowed.

Stone Barns Center For Food and Agriculture - Tarrytown, a non-profit farm and education center with a partner restaurant.

Storm King Art Center – New Windsor, 500-acres outdoor museum with large-scale sculptures.

The Hudson Highlands Nature Museum and Grasshopper Grove – Cornwall, great hiking with a nature playground!

Thompson-Finch Farm – Ancram, a family-run fruit farm that specialized in growing certified organic strawberries, blueberries, and apples, a season-long “Pick-your-own”.

Trailside Museums and Zoo - Bear Mountain State Park – Tomkins Cove, enjoy the park, hiking, playground, and zoo.

Trevor Zoo - Millbrook School, over 100 domestic, wild and endangered animals from around the world! Exhibits include geology, ecology, and rescued and rehabilitated wild animals.

Opus 40 - Saugerties, sculpture park, and museum.

Vanderbilt Mansion - Hyde Park, the buildings may be closed but you can hike the loop!

Walkway of the Hudson – Highland, pedestrian and bike path, connecting to the Rail Trail, over a refurbished rail corridor.

Wilderstein Historic Site - Outdoor tours with hiking trails including views of the Hudson River.

ISO handyman/carpenter to finish a three-season porch. Porch is approximately 70% completed. Please email Lisa at sunsnake@optonline.net

Summer sublet One-bedroom New Paltz apartment sublet available for the month of July. Will only sublet to friends and relatives. $1300 includes everything. Please contact Michele Turner at 603-543-7045 or mturner@mountainlaurel.org if interested.

Bearsville Bakes Birthday cakes, cupcakes and sweets for all occasions. Traditional or Gluten free or sugar free. Email Navah for inquiries. nmcelroy@mountainlaurel.org

Office Space Rental: Office space available to friends and family of Mountain Laurel Waldorf School at 7 Innis Avenue, located opposite the school. One space remaining - 338 sq ft. Separate entrance/shared kitchen & bathroom. Wifi and utilities included. Sweeping mountain views! Contact us Here for more information.

Vacation Rental: Serene, lush and newly-renovated 3-bedroom vacation rental with new pool, outdoor shower, near five beaches on Gold Coast of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Kaethe Fine, 4th grade parent is offering MLWS families and administration a 20% discount on her new home! Prices vary seasonally. If interested, call or text 917-916-9065 or email stitchbubble@gmail.com. Request to book and say who you are to receive this special rate! Last two weeks of July currently open, as well as December, most of January and much of next year!

Sojourner Truth Self-Guided Tour In 2018, Frank Waters of Black History Month Kingston and Kimberly Kae, an MLWS 5th grade parent, started the Sojourner Truth Life Walk, which now takes place annually in February during Black History Month. The 4.5-mile walk, from Port Ewen to uptown Kingston, makes seven stops commemorating events in Sojourner Truth’s life in our area. (She lived within what is now the Esopus town limits until she was 29 years old.) Because of the pandemic, the walk did not happen this year and so we created a self-guided driving tour. The tour takes travelers to all of the visible (and some not-so-visible) locations, from which Sojourner was enslaved as a young girl to the road she traveled when she freed herself by leaving her last enslaver. The tour is narrated by Evelyn Clarke, Esopus resident and Town Council member, and the information can be read at the website. Please access the tour via the Black History Month Kingston website at: http://www.blackhistorymonthkingston.org/events/sojourner-truth-tour. Please contact Kimberly Kae at kaekimberly@gmail.com if you have questions about the route or Sojourner Truth's life in Esopus, as she would be happy to try to answer them for you!

Drum lessons with a professional Drummer with 15+ years of experience teaching all ages and levels. Learn rudiments, any style, world rhythms, and reading music. Available for virtual or in-person lessons (socially distanced, masks worn and windows open). Contact Andrew Greeney, MLWS parent: 845-430-4773, andrew.greeney81@gmail.com

Guitar and mandolin lessons with Mr. Steve Bernstein at his home in Gardiner, NY. Children, teens, and adults are all welcome. Please call: 845-255-0822 or drop a note in his mailbox (2nd floor) at school.

Moolah Doula Financial counseling sessions for couples. A Six-session course offers an opportunity to learn how to navigate money conflicts with greater ease. Free half-hour consultation. For more information, email joanna@joannaleffeld.com or click HERE to read a brief article about her work.

Residential Design and Architecture - Blejer Architecture With all of us spending more time at home, working, cooking, and being with family, many are looking to improve, expand or build new homes. I am happy to discuss all types of projects. Contact Justin Blejer at justin@blejerarch.com, or call 917.637.0341.

Valentine and Wilder's Pet-Sitting Service Serving the greater New Paltz area. Experience with cats, dogs, guinea pigs, mice, turtles, fish, chickens, and cows. Email, text or call Seana at 917-309-7790 or seanaskye@me.com.