Weekly Bulletin
February 2, 2022
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Curricular Conversation Follow Up |
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At the Curricular Conversation Zoom gathering earlier this month, class teachers Clare Andre, Kate Knuth, and Dawn Tanner presented on how the work of the Anti-Racist Curriculum Group is reflected in middle school history and social studies lessons.
What is shared here is part of what was brought by Clare André, grade 5 Class Teacher.
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When I am asked about being a Waldorf class teacher, one of my favorite responses is that my job is all about relationships: amongst the students themselves, with themselves and with the world they will inhabit. Perhaps most importantly, I work with the world I hope they will inhabit.
When I plan lessons, I am responsible for the content and for the learning that occurs by my choices regarding what I include - learning that is both implicit and explicit. Implicit learning includes lessons learned by the stories I choose to tell, and those I choose not to. How much time and attention do I give to this or that subject? Anti-racist education principles help me to consider this implicit impact of my teaching every day. It also emphasizes an important tenet of Waldorf teaching, that I must engage in critical reflection about my teaching and my decisions.
Here are two examples of how this lens has impacted and informed my teaching:
6th grade - studies of Ancient Rome, geology and astronomy
These are classic subjects in Waldorf schools and speak strongly to the developmental profile of a 12 year old. The study of Rome is part of our progression through history following the ‘evolution of consciousness’, as described by Rudolf Steiner, and as is mirrored in the development of each individual. Steiner had us understand this evolution through a Eurocentric approach. When planning for 6th grade, I came to the following question: if the evolution of consciousness is a truth for all people, then surely it is visible in a wider view than western European history?
I decided to look for the characteristics that make Rome such an engaging period of study for this age group. The Incan civilization shares many characteristics of Ancient Rome and developed a strong empire over a vast and challenging environment, used remarkable engineering feats to hold this Empire together, and had a strong culture that relied on laws to master a variety of other cultures. The Incan Empire provided a thrilling opportunity to study the geology of the Andes and to explore the contrasting and connecting astronomical developments that existed independently world wide.
The content of the block was worthy in itself, but the implicit teaching that civilizations of value and great impact exist independently of a Eurocentric view is an important and powerful lesson for young people immersed in the global majority culture. This study also paved the way for the 7th grade block as described by Dawn Tanner in a previous bulletin - the students had a clear understanding that Europeans did not ‘discover’ a primitive land, but invaded a strong and resilient Empire.
8th grade - Modern history and revolution
An eighth grader’s development is ripe for revolution. They are ready to begin exploring critical thinking, but are still strongly connected to their feeling life - a dominant characteristic for the lower school years. To understand revolution, a young person begins to stretch their thinking, but must engage their feeling as well.
I chose to emphasize less well known revolutions and revolutionaries. After all, what is well known is not by definition the most virtuous or important. We delved into an investigation of our own values and so could consider what virtues we look for in a hero. It is important that students see themselves reflected in the curriculum and content, and that they see aspiration in that content. Consequently, I tried to connect directly with each of my students with the choices I made regarding content and to connect them with stories that may not otherwise be heard.
We studied the revolution and resistance to US expansion in the Philippines, and the history of the Hawaiian Islands over the same time period. We made these explorations through studies of political cartoons, first hand accounts, biographies and spoken word poetry. The students were brought into relationship with the content through their own artistic (both visual and language based) endeavors. In this way, they both saw the world that is and experienced stories that invite them to see the breadth of the world they may encounter. The anti-racist lens, a lens that values all people, is a clear expression of Waldorf educational values.
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The Anti-Racist Curriculum Group welcomes your questions, particularly those they might be able to address in future "Curricular Conversation with the Community". Please send your questions to the group at: ARCG@washingtonwaldorf.org.
Join us for the next Curricular Conversation, Tuesday, February 15 at 7pm (on Zoom). See below for details.
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Staying Up to Date With Our School Calendar
* Current Parents can find Zoom information for meetings in ParentSquare
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February
3/ Thursday
- Sunflowers Parent Evening, 8pm
8/ Tuesday
- G12 Parent Evening, 7:30pm
9/ Wednesday
- Craft & Conversation Zoom, 8pm (see below)
15/ Tuesday
- Curricular Conversation with the Community, 7pm (see below)
17/ Thursday
18/ Friday
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NO SCHOOL - Conferences as needed
21/ Monday
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NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day
23/ Wednesday
- Washington Area Waldorf Education Speaker Series, 8pm (see below)
24/ Thursday
- Nursery Parent Evening, 7:45pm
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Wednesday, February 9 from 8-9pm
Join the Parent Leadership Group (PLG) for conversation and to craft something special for your Valentine, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 8-9pm. ALL are welcome!
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Curricular Conversations with the Community |
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Tuesday, February 15 at 7pm
Our monthly "Curricular Conversations with the Community" will continue in February! We warmly welcome and enthusiastically invite you to join faculty of the younger grades on Tuesday, February 15 at 7pm (via Zoom) to delve into the WWS approach to storytelling and literacy in the lower grades, through the lens of anti-racism, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
We will use a different format than our first "Curricular Conversation" in that we will have a "regular" Zoom meeting so that we can see everyone's faces, and hear questions posed in the voices of those in attendance.
Please look for a Zoom link in future announcements for this exciting second of our series, led by the WWS Anti-Racism Curriculum Group.
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Washington Area Waldorf Education Speaker Series: Culturally Relevant Education |
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Culturally Relevant Education
A Training for School Communities
with Celestine Stadnick
Wednesday, February 23 from 8-9:30 pm
Learn ways to better equip educational organizations, teachers, students, communities, stakeholders and leaders in being truly inclusive of all members of society.
Meeting ID: 784 6927 5163
Passcode: y3MHXJ
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Celestine Stadnick was born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 1990, to a Lakota father and a Swiss mother. Having spent 10 years of her educational journey at the Lakota Waldorf School, the Rudolf Steiner School Lucerne and the Atelier School Zurich, she was inspired to become a Waldorf teacher. After several years as a class teacher, she founded a teacher training for indigenous Waldorf pedagogy at the Lakota Waldorf School in 2019, with the support of the Academy for Anthroposophical Pedagogy, Dornach. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Leadership at the University of New Brunswick. Her interest in culturally relevant pedagogy has been her driving force throughout her journey as a pedagogue, and she aims to create many more spaces for learners to unfold and develop themselves according to their own cultural identities.
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From the Parent Leadership Group |
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Undoing Racism Working Group (URWG): Additional spring dates were recently posted for the 3-day Undoing Racism workshop from PISAB, which is a prerequisite to join the URWG. The URWG's goal is to employ anti-racist principles as a lens for critical thinking about how racism is deeply rooted in our institutions, and to create a space where we can recognize and employ our own agency to organize ourselves and others around anti-racist principles.
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High School Social Activism Club
Donation Drive for N Street Village
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The High School Social Activism Club is organizing a donation drive for N Street Village. N Street Village in DC is an organization that empowers homeless and low-income women, and offers them a broad spectrum of services and advocacy in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. There are many volunteers that contribute greatly to the organization, and through their efforts, N Street Village is able to help 2,000 low-income and homeless women each year. We are hoping that we can join these efforts and make a difference for these women.
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Our collection will begin at school on Monday, Feb 7, and go through Thursday, Feb 17. You can find a collection box near the entrance outside, as well as inside in the high school. Please bring many of the wished-for items to school (list below)! A couple of our club members will drive all of our donations to N Street Village on Monday, 2/21. Thank you very much for your participation!
We have spoken to a coordinator at N Street Village, and these are the items that they currently need:
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*All Travel Sized*
- Lotions
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Deodorant
- Body wash
- Soap
- Toothpaste
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*Regular Size*
- Incontinence pads
- Shelf stable milk
- Canned tuna
- Paper towels
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A little bit about The Social Activism Club: we are a group of high school students that want to make a difference in the world and in our communities. We are focusing on a variety of topics, and are doing our best to reach and impact as many people as we can. We meet once a week and discuss issues and solutions to many problems that affect our community. At the moment, we are focusing on more local volunteer opportunities, and educating ourselves and the rest of the student body on these important topics. |
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Last Call for Yarn Contributions |
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Last call for contributions to the "Knitting Our Community Together" yarn bombing project. We can decorate at least one more tree with what we have received so far. We will also continue to add to the finger knitting tree! Bring or send in any last contributions by Feb 11th.
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Center for Anthroposophy
Kairos Institute
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Coming this summer! Announcing Kairos Institute – a new initiative of the Center for Anthroposophy in collaboration with the Transdisciplinary Healing Education Program at Antioch University New England.
You are invited to think about how to unpack, work with and move through the trauma induced challenges we are facing within ourselves, our classrooms and workplace. The Kairos program is designed to do just that. Included in the artistic portion is a trauma-informed Creative Speech program that will shepherd you to free your own authentic voice and learn the gifts of the healing modality of speech.
Learn More & Register:
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Registration is open for the next cycle of Explorations which begins in March.
The foundational course is intended primarily for parents, administrators, and new teachers in public and independent Waldorf schools as well as those teaching children at home.
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How to Submit a Listing
- We welcome submissions of community news, items for sale, want ads, etc. Please keep notices to 500 characters or less. There is no charge for listings.
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Please submit listings by COB Tuesdays with the subject "Bulletin Submission."
- If you are sending images or flyers, a link to an online version is preferred.
- Bulletin Board notices generally run for 3 weeks - if space allows - unless other arrangements have been made. Please let us know if listing information is no longer accurate. Listings may not be accepted and will likely be edited.
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These notices are from the WWS community, the greater Waldorf community, and occasionally from our school neighbors. The information and views in them belong to the individuals who submit the notices and do not necessarily reflect the views of WWS. |
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Classifieds & Events from the Community |
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Valentines Day Treats from Chef Eron
Share some Chocolate-Dipped Bacon with the ones you Love!
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Sounder Sleep®: A course to transform your sleep.
from Alison Babil (WWS Alumni Parent)
The Sounder Sleep System® uses simple, gentle movements to calm your nervous system and bring you from an alert state to a place of deep repose. Sounder Sleep draws upon the Feldenkrais® method as well as ancient Chinese and Indian medicine.
Eight Wednesdays, via Zoom, starting February 9th. 10:00-11:15 AM, EST. Plus two, optional, 20 minute check-ins each week. Price: $195.
Please note: A limited number of scholarships are available for those who need it. Please email Alison. Also note: If you are interested but unable to attend, another class is forming at a different time of day.
Alison Babil, GCFP, LMT, is the owner of True North Healing in North Bethesda. She is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, a certified Sounder Sleep instructor, an Alchemical Alignment practitioner, certified in Soul Lightening Acupressure, a Reiki-Master-Teacher, and has been a licensed massage therapist since 2004. She works with clients in person and via Zoom, focusing on somatic education and trauma resolution. She specializes in working with highly sensitive people.
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Looking for a Summer Camp Pod Leader
A group of WWS Grade Two parents is organizing an all-outdoor, half-day summer camp pod for current WWS second graders and their siblings. We’re looking for an energetic teacher to lead the group as they explore parks, hike in the woods, play games in fields, splash in creeks, and do crafts. The camp will meet at different parks and natural areas in lower Montgomery County and Northwest DC. The schedule is somewhat flexible, and can potentially be tailored to the pod leader’s availability. Candidates should be fully vaccinated and have experience working with children. A good match for our group will enjoy and feel comfortable in natural settings and value exploration and unstructured play. For more information, please contact Emily Bliss at emilybliss@gmail.com or (202) 809-6992.
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Published by the Washington Waldorf School
Copyright © 2022 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."
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Washington Waldorf School
4800 Sangamore Road,
Bethesda, MD 20816
301-229-6107
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Washington Small Schools Association
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