8th Grade Cloth Art for MLK Day Celebration |
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MLWS NEWS FROM THE PARENT COUNCIL
February 2022
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Dear MLWS Community,
We are so happy to resume our Newsletter. And this month is Black History Month!
First we would like to update you on the current governance of the Parent Council. It is with immense gratitude that we thank Dana Rudikoff and Kate Klein for serving as the Parent Council’s co-chairs for important years and also for Courtney Soifer for stepping in! Such titles are not being currently used, but the Parent Council’s work is growing as more parents lead and participate in different initiatives.
- Ashley Biagini and Carolina Pinheiro have committed to organize and edit this and upcoming Newsletters!
- Dana Rudikoff will continue to facilitate our monthly PC meetings!
- Kate Klein will continue to lead the Brown Bag Lunches!
- Paul Lichtenberg, Shir Yaakov Feit, Kaethe Fine, Peter Bogdanos, Alexandra Sechler and Ashley Biagini are excited to share the new PC Social Engagement Committee!
- Zan Ludlum will continue the Art For Elderly!
- Ashley Lathrop and Kate Klein are continuing to support our community as are all of YOU with the Food Drives!
- Ashley Biagini continues to work with all Class Representatives!
We will all come together once a month during our Parent Council Meetings to be resumed this February 11th at 12:30PM via Zoom. Join the meeting or any of the other initiatives and committees to stay tuned to what we are doing, voice ideas, concerns and questions or just to connect further as we deepen a sense of community in Covid times.
Now to the special content of this newsletter! We take the opportunity that it is Black History Month to:
- Introduce the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Mandate Group.
- Share ways of celebrating the Black History Month (for instance by taking The Sojourner Truth Tour).
- Feature Peeks Into the Classroom regarding the celebrations on Martin Luther King Jr. Day across grades and special subjects!
You will also find in this newsletter:
- A Warm Welcome to new Students
- Calendar of School Events and Meetings
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“Art For The Elderly”: Handmade Valentines Cards for Woodland Pond
- February’s Brown Bag Lunch
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PC Social Engagement Committee Statement and Invitation
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Pizza Day and 8th Grade Fundraising: a short interview with Olivia
- Gratitude Corner
- Classifieds
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Steiner's Corner: a quote or thought each month!
We hope you enjoy it!
Carolina Pinheiro and Ashley Biagini
(Parent Council Newsletter Committee)
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Calendar of School Events and Meetings |
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Thursdays, Pizza Day!: A fundraiser for the 8th Grade Class Trip
February 1st: Registration for Summer Camp Opens
Friday, February 4th and 18th from 1-2 PM: Social Engagement Committee: Zoom link here.
February 11th - 13th: WECAN Conference for early childhood educators.
Friday, February 11th from 12:30-1:30 PM: Parent Council Grand Meeting (Zoom link here)
Friday, February 11th: Bring in your Art for the Elderly Valentine’s Cards
Friday, February 13th: 1/2 day of School for N/KG
Thursday, February 17th from 1-2 PM: Brown Bag Lunch Series: Nurturing the Waldorf Home Throughout the Years with Kahlia Pelligra and Ruth Lawson. (Zoom link here)
Monday, February 21st - Friday, February 25th: NO SCHOOL / Mid-Winter Recess
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To add the MLWS School Calendar to your Google Calendar use the following link here, which includes COVID-19 testing dates.
To add the Parent Council Meetings and Events to your Google Calendar use the following link here, any zoom meeting will have the links in the description for easy accessibility.
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Warm Welcome to New Students |
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Marley (5th Grade)
Elliott (Mountain Rose Kindergarten)
Ariana (3rd Grade)
and families,
We welcome you to our school! The Parent Council is here for any mentoring you may need! We are happy you joined our community!
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MLWS commitment to Diversity,
Equity, Inclusion and Justice
Introducing the MLWS DEIJ Mandate Group
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“Power without Love is reckless and abusive, and that Love without Power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is Love implementing the demands of Justice, and Justice at its best is Power correcting everything that stands against Love.”~ MLK in 1967’s speech: “Where do we go from here?”
We are proud to introduce the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Mandate Group to the larger Mountain Laurel Waldorf School (MLWS). In September 2020 the College sponsored the group with the mandate to study unconscious systemic racial and social injustice in our school, community, nation, and the world. Through these studies, the group may also recommend school policy changes to the College relating to professional development, hiring, materials, enrollment, curriculum, parent education, student and faculty retention, and community outreach.
Since November 2021, the DEIJ Mandate Group has focused on reading the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. Through unpacking the racial caste construct in America and documenting how Black Americans resisted to so much torture, subjugation and murder, Wilkerson reveals how privileged the dominant caste of society has been and illuminates how individuals need not have been racists in their hearts to have unwittingly contributed to sustaining such a system. Black Americans were so subjugated to the lowest caste for so long, that whether we have benefited or been deprived, we are all now unfortunate heirs of discrimination and accountability, has not one specific clear path.
So, how can harmony and justice be achieved? And what is our role and possible action? Dr. King, in the 60’s urged the reconciliation between power with love and emphasized the need for a non-violent movement. This call still echoes amongst so many other empowering voices of Black Americans who equally contribute to freedom, equity and justice movements. All of us, as Ella Baker emphasized, have something in our power that we can use towards a just society.
It is inspired by freedom movements' leaders and entrusted by the MLWS College, that the MLWS DEIJ Mandate Group is paving its contribution within our own context. During this journey, the DEIJ group has researched a great deal of children's books and other materials (whose list you can check here), delved into other school's initiatives, made presentations for the College, pursued changes on enrollment by studying the forms to recommend inclusive changes and developed the school DEIJ statement.
Our hope is for a persistent and insistent everyday social revolution that is transformative and compassionate; powerful and loving.
If you want to know more and learn how you can get involved, please read the complete article here.
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Celebrating Black History Month at home and within our community/society |
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“You can honor Black History Month AND teach Black History all year long. It’s not an either/or but an AND” ~ Britt Hawthorne, author of Raising Antiracist Children: A Practical Parenting Guide
Read books written by Black people about Black people, discuss topics such as inventors, scientists, artists, musicians, African civilizations, filmmakers, chefs, farming, etc. Create a family music playlist, visit Black owned businesses and support local organizations as a family. There are many local ways to celebrate Black History Month here are some ideas and resources:
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Sojourner Truth Life Walk 2022 will be back to in-person this year. The annual walk will take place February 19th 11am-3pm during Black History Month. The 4.5-mile walk, from Port Ewen to uptown Kingston, makes seven stops commemorating events in the life of Sojourner Truth, who lived within what is now the Esopus town limits until she was 29 years old. This is not her walk to freedom but rather a symbolic way to acknowledge her life of incredible accomplishments. For full details about the in-person walk click here, to learn more about other events click here or download the Black History Kingston app. Please contact Kimberly Kae (6th grade parent) at [email protected] if you have any questions.
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Black History Month Kingston Gala 2022. Join the Harambee Coalition on Saturday, February 26th, 6pm -11pm in the celebration of 5 years of tribute to the African-American heritage of the Kingston area. Engage in an evening of musical performances, a wonderful dinner and a night of dancing. You can also participate in our auction including a variety of amazing community gifts. This year we will be honoring two exciting community members. Our theme this year is "Coming To America", in which we ask that you consider arriving in African garb or accessory. More info to come, check here. This event is our annual fundraiser to support the Pine Street African Burial Ground and our Annual African-American Festival.
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Support Harambee Kingston, a mid-Hudson valley coalition that promotes the strength of our community through cultural and educational events that enrich the lives of youth and adults.
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Stay tuned to the opening of An African-American History Research and Cultural Center "Many of our stories of Black Excellence are buried beneath the sands of time, never to truly be uncovered. But history leaves breadcrumbs, and if you follow them, you’re bound to find an amazing story. The Ann Oliver House and the African-American History Research and Cultural Center will add the amazing stories of Blacks in New Paltz to New York State hidden history.”
“I love Black History Month because it (is) a time to celebrate the numerous achievements and contributions of Black People in America. Black History is American History. Black History is occurring 365 days a year. I look forward to the day when Black History is taught and celebrated as mainstream throughout the year.” ~Esi Lewis, Project Manager for the African-American History Research and Cultural Center
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A Peek into the Classroom -
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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Ms. Veronica and the Mountain Dandelion Nursery class |
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The nursery class made prints of African symbols in honor of MLK, Jr., thanks to Ms. Leslie's background in African textiles; and we read a simple story all week called Sulwe, about a young black child becoming comfortable in her own skin, written by Nigerian author Lupita Nyong'o. |
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Ms. Tomoko and the 2nd Grade class |
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For the Second Grade class, we talked about all the different creatures having talents by learning the story of “The Peacock and Juno” from Aesop’s Fables. The children came up with an animal that they wanted to draw and we made small pieces to go on the background of the 8th Grade’s MLK cloth artwork.
God has given each normal person a capacity to achieve some end. True, some are endowed with more talent than others, but God has left none of us talentless.
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Mr. Neel and the 8th Grade class (in addition to the great Cloth Art featured above!) |
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Mr. Mark Bernstein and the 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra |
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The 6th, 7th and 8th grade orchestra has worked on a lively piece of music called 'Kwanzaa Celebration' and we've done some exploration of the origins and meaning of Kwanzaa here in the US. The group sounds truly wonderful with strings and 6 percussionists--I wish everyone could hear us perform this music in honor of the great Dr. King!
Below are links to two of the pieces the 6, 7 and 8th grade are working on this
semester--
A Kwanzaa Celebration click here
Rhythms of Africa click here
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Mr. Steve Bernstein and the 7th and 8th Grade Chorus |
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Thanks to Ashley Biagini, MLWS 2nd grade parent and member of DEIJ group, Mr. Steve Bernstein connected with the Dutchess Antislavery Singers, who produced a collection of songs called “36 Antislavery Songs” arranged for performance with historical notes. The school purchased copies and Mr. Bernstein is ready to begin teaching these songs to the 7th and 8th graders as soon as it is covid safe to do so. Many of the songs were written right here in the Hudson Valley. Through these songs the students will learn about the strong abolitionist movement which began decades before the Civil War. Songs such as “Sojourner Truth’s Hymn” written to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, “Gone, Sold and Gone” a gut wrenching story of a mother seeing her daughters sold at auction, and the song, “America, A Parody” which begins, “ My country ‘tis of thee, stronghold of slavery, of thee I sing.” There are several other songs just waiting to be sung and performed.
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February’s Brown Bag Lunch |
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“Nurturing the Waldorf Home Throughout the Years” with Kahlia Pelligra and Ruth Lawson.
Please join us on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17th from 1-2pm
Through this Zoom series we are hoping to create a stronger and more connected parent body at our school by offering a social opportunity to touch base with each other as well as providing some information about our school, Waldorf education and the greater community of like minded organizations and individuals.
In a Hudson Valley winter and also in COVID times, many of us are finding ourselves at home much more often. In these cold months and in these strange times, there can be a sense of exhaustion and uncertainty. How can we make our home a deeply nurturing place for ourselves and our families? This month, Kahlia Pelligra, MLWS lead Kindergarten teacher and Ruth Lawson, 4th grade teacher, will offer their wisdom in supporting a Waldorf family throughout early childhood and the grades. Both are also MLWS parents (Kahlia has a son in the nursery and Ruth's daughter graduated 2 years ago). They will speak about home rhythms and environment as well as how we can slow down and connect.
We look forward to bringing to the BBL series diverse topics to cover different interests in our parent community!
So stay tuned for other possible topics (Addressing challenges in learning and behavior in a Waldorf School, Foreign language in the Waldorf Curriculum, the Art of the Blackboard) and do not hesitate to reach out with suggestions for any future BBL. We would love to hear from you. Write to [email protected].
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Parent Council Social Engagement Committee |
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What’s happening with this new Social Engagement Committee? 🤔
Spontaneous and planned interactions between school families can be confidence-building, energizing, nourishing, and inspiring!
The Social Engagement Committee (SEC) makes connecting easier — for parents, caregivers and families attending the Mountain Laurel Waldorf School.
Through shared work, playdates, projects, fun, and participation, the SEC plans to create multiple access points for connection, council, clarity, commiseration, and communitas. In times of need, in seeking services, or in celebration, the hope is that turning to each other will be fruitful.
The MLWS office will shortly distribute a school directory to use to create regular get-togethers, make calls to families new and old, and to weave threads of connection. By deepening each other’s understanding of who comprises our community, we will derive more joy and pleasure in our day-to-day lives.
As the Social Engagement Committee, we are committed to the cultivation of a culture of delight and trust.
Feel free to reach out with feedback or to join our ever-widening circle!
We also created a Bulletin Board for MLWS caregivers to connect with one another and post items of interest in the following categories: Let’s Get Together, Help Wanted & Offered, and Q&A. Click here to try it out.
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“Art For The Elderly”: Handmade Valentines Cards for Woodland Pond |
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Student Artists!
Please help us bring some joy to our senior community by making sweet valentines day cards at home.
Due Date: Friday, February 11th
Drop Off: Teachers will collect them
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Waldorf Education Demystified |
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This is a space for questions on Waldorf Education and the Rudolph Steiner Philosophy. For this month we asked:
Mr. Neel, why does the 8th grade study revolutions and what was different this year? Below you will find his great letter and a link to the transcript of a poem the 8th Grade presented during the Workshare this year.
Dear MLWS community,
Hello, Preston Neel here, the present 8th grade teacher at Mountain Laurel. Welcome to a peek in the 8th grade classroom – the class of ‘22. Please know, if and when your child enters the 8th grade, there may be some similarities to what you see here, but there will also be many differences.
One of the many great things I’ve found in being a Waldorf teacher is the freedom to approach subjects as I think best suits the dynamics of my class – as the quality of each individual contributes to the unique character of any given group, you can imagine the familiarity and synchronicity that develops in a group over eight years. This familiarity gives the Waldorf teacher a well informed picture of each child and the class as a whole. Therefore, each class has a character of its own and may approach the same subject from very different angles.
Knowing these children as well as I do, I have chosen an approach to portions of the 8th grade curriculum that, some may say, lean toward Critical Race Theory (although I’m still not sure how to define CRT other than teaching the truth about our history, which, as we see in our critically divided nation, has hyper-subjective and steeply opinionated views that range from one end of the spectrum to the other. In order to find an equanimous balance in this tumultuous environment, I believe it is important to be empathetic to both ends of the spectrum).
One way I’m addressing balance is by having the class debate important topics of the day – taking both proposition and opposition sides. As the eighth grade climbs from the depths of history, starting where we left off in 7th grade with the Renaissance, the Enlightenment and the “explorers”, we enter into the Age of Revolution, in all its manifestations, and we come finally to contemporary historical figures and events – such as Dr. King and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (timely, as the John Louis Voting Rights Act has come to the floor). The students will research both sides of topics that are pertinent to the day, such as the Voting Rights Act, gun safety laws, and whether or not rocks have consciousness. Through this process the goal is as much to develop a sense of empathy as it is to learn the nuts and bolts of the subject.
Other ways I’m seeking to teach historical truth is by assigning Howard Zinn’s A Young People’s History of the United States and Stamped by Reynolds and Kendi. Again, as the teacher in a Waldorf school, I have the freedom and responsibility to decide what best depicts the truth for my class. I chose these books for that reason, but they are not required reading for all 8th graders, and other teachers may not prefer to use them. Our fall workshare presentation, which many of you saw on that chilly day [Workshare Day], was inspired by Howard Zinn’s book. I’ve included the poem the 8th graders recited here.
In Stamped, Reynolds and Kendi write, “A racist idea is any idea that suggests something is wrong or right, superior or inferior, better or worse about a racial group.” The authors point out that there is scientific evidence that races are 99.9% the same -- that “the concept of race has no genetic or scientific basis.”
As my class learned in 7th grade, during an introduction to anthropology, the idea of race was born from racism, from white European men trying to prove scientifically that they were superior to the global majority. As it says in Stamped, “Born in Western Europe in the mid 1400s, racist ideas traveled to colonial America from its beginnings.”
I believe it is important to understand the root origins of this important issue, not only because I find it important, but because the children make clear that they find it important as well. Although 15th century Europe was not the origin of the human being’s capacity for inhumanity, it’s a good starting place to better understand what’s happening in the world today. It’s my hope and belief that this understanding nurtures empathy and steps on the healing path of equanimity.
Well, I fear I’ve rambled on too long, and I haven’t even touched on the other rich and fertile topics brought in the 8th grade curriculum, from Chinese philosophers, to the Cultural Revolution; from the living translucence of the muscles of the body, to the darkest wintry hardness of our bone anatomy; from the French Revolution, to the Glorious Revolution; from hydraulics, to meteorology – there’s so much richness and so little time. Perhaps you’ll have a chance to peruse the students' work as illustrated in their workbooks.
Thank you for your time, and for your support!
Be well,
Mr. Neel
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Pizza Day (Fundraiser for 8th Grade Trip) |
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From left to right: Gypsy, Crusoe, Ada Gwynne, Valentine, Olivia, Navah
(Livi isn't in this picture, she helped a lot and it's too bad she's not in the picture)
We interviewed Olivia about Pizza Day and the 8th grade fundraising strategies:
How did the 8th graders organize the Pizza Day?
We don't make the pies, Rino's Pizzeria in New Paltz delivers them! One 8th grader goes to each class every week and takes orders and the same 8th grader delivers the pizza to the class on Thursdays.
How much have you fundraised so far with Pizza Day? What about other initiatives?
We are making about $100 per week with the pizza fundraiser. Earlier this year we built Adirondack chairs and sold them. Normally, the 8th grade class would have a barbeque at the Winter Fair and use the profits from that toward our trip, but this year, because of COVID, we couldn't do that.
Can you also tell us what the fundraising is for?
Every year the 8th grade goes on a week-long class trip at the end of the year. Camping or whatever we all agree on.
How are the funds raised managed?
We give the money we collect to the office and they put it in the bank for us.
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We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dana, Kate and Courtney (past PC chairs) for all they have done to support our school and community!
We especially thank the Covid-19 Health & Safety Taskforce for their continued diligence during these uncertain times. Your open communication to keep our children safe and in school these last few years is greatly appreciated!
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LEARN
Music lessons with Benji Marx! Music Educator, Music Therapy, Graduate Student
Guitar ~ Piano ~ Ukulele ~ Drums ~ Songwriting ~ Recording Technology
As a graduate student in music therapy I deeply believe that music is a pathway for personal growth, self-expression, and emotional development. Music creation is a process that extends far beyond simple mastery of an instrument or idiom. For the last 10 years I have cultivated my musical passion and honed my skills as a classroom and private instructor. I maintain a holistic approach, considering the unique needs and goals of each student. Now, more than ever, I am hoping to share my musical passion with you. About the teacher: Born in Brooklyn, I began playing guitar at age 11 and immediately experienced a deep connection with the world of sound and music. During my formative years I began seeing music less as a hobby and more as an educational pursuit. I studied jazz guitar at Heschel High School and continued these studies at Bard College, where I also began to learn upright bass. There I earned a BA in Music Composition and Performance. During my studies I was twice awarded the Neshi Ertegun Scholarship for Jazz studies as well as the Larry McLeod award. I am now enrolled at SUNY New Paltz, pursuing a Masters in Music Therapy, with a focus on working with children who have special needs.
LOCAL HAPPENINGS
Kol Hai means “all life” and offers musical, meditative, and embodied Shabbat gatherings every Friday night (online for now). Open to seekers of all stripes! We also do monthly meditation retreats (next one 2/26), Jewish holidays, and affiliation circles (trans/nonbinary, social justice, etc). Check us out anytime: https://www.kolhai.org
See More Suggestions Above
SERVICES
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].
STUFF (For Rent, For Sale, For Free, ISO….)
Bearsville Bakes Birthday cakes, cupcakes and sweets for all occasions. Traditional or Gluten free or sugar free. Email Navah for inquiries. [email protected]
ISO Rental Teacher seeking housing or purchased opportunity within 35 mins of school. Please call Michele Turner 603-543-7045. Thank you for all leads.
Vacation Rental Kaethe Fine, 5th grade parent offering MLWS families, faculty & administration a 15% discount on her new home in Paraíso, Veintisiete de Abril, Costa Rica: Simply and spaciously designed with wood and concrete, newly renovated, 3 bdrm vacay rental w/ new pool, beautiful outdoor shower, lush gardens & near 5 beaches on Gold Coast of Guanacaste Province. Prices vary seasonally. Kids room has 5 beds. Perfect 2-family share. https://www.airbnb.com/h/campocostarica. Call/text interest/inquiry to [email protected] or request to book through Airbnb and say who you are so I can send you this special rate.
OTHER
To find more happenings follow the Mountain Laurel Waldorf School on Facebook, a forum for Parents, Faculty, Alumni & Friends of MLWS & waldorf education to share ideas, websites, babysitter recommendations, news, photos and all other waldorf related items (Not an official MLWS communication venue).
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