Weekly Bulletin
June 9, 2021
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Graduation of the Class of 2021 |
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On Saturday our Class of 2021 gathered on campus with their family and some faculty for a lovely graduation ceremony. Many others in the community joined the celebration via livestream.
The graduation speaker was Anabella Aspiras, MPA, BSN, RN (WWS class of 2004). In her speech, she offered 17 pearls of wisdom for the graduates - with humor, sincerity, encouragement, and challenges - and closed with a quote from Goethe’s Faust, “And I would say to the passing moment, linger a while you are so fair. The footprints of our earthly passage cannot, even after eons, disappear.”
The graduation ceremony began with the seniors taking turns reciting lines from the following poem:
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A House Called Tomorrow
You are not fifteen, or twelve, or seventeen-
You are a hundred wild centuries
And fifteen, bringing with you
In every breath and in every step
Everyone who has come before you,
All the yous that you have been,
The mothers of your mother,
The fathers of your father.
If someone in your family tree was trouble,
A hundred were not:
The bad do not win—not finally,
No matter how loud they are.
We simply would not be here
If that were so.
You are made, fundamentally, from the good.
With this knowledge, you never march alone.
You are the breaking news of the century.
You are the good who has come forward
Through it all, even if so many days
Feel otherwise. But think:
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When you as a child learned to speak,
It’s not that you didn’t know words—
It’s that, from the centuries, you knew so many,
And it’s hard to choose the words that will be your own.
From those centuries we human beings bring with us
The simple solutions and songs,
The river bridges and star charts and song harmonies
All in service to a simple idea:
That we can make a house called tomorrow.
What we bring, finally, into the new day, every day,
Is ourselves. And that’s all we need
To start. That’s everything we require to keep going.
Look back only for as long as you must,
Then go forward into the history you will make.
Be good, then better. Write books. Cure disease.
Make us proud. Make yourself proud.
And those who came before you? When you hear thunder,
Hear it as their applause.
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Graduation Thanks...
- to our warm and witty graduation speaker, Anabella Aspiras ('04)!
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to David Plevan and PM1 for extremely high quality production of the live event and the livestream, and for the extremely generous gift to the school!
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to Sarah Heirman and Foxhall Catering for the most festive and delicious graduation cookies ever!
- to alumni parent Kathy Chaney for hand lettering the diplomas as she does each year as a meditative and beautiful gift to the school!
- to all of the faculty who worked on and helped at all of the graduation events, and in a variety of roles!
- to everyone who graciously accepted the requirements and in-person limitations for these events, those who stood the heat and those who joined the graduation by livestream!
- ...and to the weather, for only being very hot and not actually thunderstorming!
This is school spirit. Thank you!
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Getting to Know Our Chairpersons... |
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Who are the Chairs and what do they do?
At WWS, each department (CG, LS, HS, Admin) has a Chair who is responsible for guiding the department in its administrative and pedagogical responsibilities. The Chair leads the weekly department meetings and works along with the department administrator or coordinator to ensure the smooth functioning of the department. All Chairs are members of the College of Teachers which has its own Chair. All Chairs join the Head of School for a weekly Chairs Group meeting where all-school matters are discussed and department information is shared.
Today we conclude our series of profiles of each of the Chairs....
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College Chair, Kate Knuth
Kate is from Milwaukee, WI but has worked in Waldorf schools around the world - New York, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Germany, Switzerland and joined us at WWS 2019. She was working at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles and was considering a move into teaching when she learned about the Waldorf movement through a book group. Kate began her teacher training in Chicago in 1999. Among her many Waldorf endeavors is founding a Waldorf High School in Wisconsin. We appreciate the breadth of experience Kate brings to WWS. In a relatively short time her work has impacted the school in big ways. In addition to being the class teacher for the current 7th grade, and taking on the role of College Chair, Kate leads our anti-racist curriculum working group. All three of her sons are WWS students.
What would you say most motivates you to do what you do?
I am most inspired by the freedom Waldorf teachers are afforded to meet the students ‘right in front of them’ within the framework of a developmental approach that really meets the children ‘right where they are.’ The genius of the curriculum never ceases to astonish me.
The questions that students ask are the deepest motivator for me. When a student asks a true question, something that emanates from their soul – or has an “Aha!” moment and is so filled with wonder at a discovery – these are the encounters that bring so much joy in the classroom.
What is your favorite school festival and why?
The Rose Ceremony is such a moving ceremony, at each end of the year—how the wee first graders are so nervous and shy and need the new seniors to help them conjure up a kind of bravery to launch into their educational life… and then how - as the bookend experience - the first graders, after a year of school and building relationship with the 12th graders, so confidently and lovingly present their roses to the seniors, to wish them well on their way into the world – as they themselves are a bit nervous, perhaps, about what comes next. It’s just the most magical thing in the world. Beautiful!
Tell us about a hobby or activity that you particularly enjoy.
My father was a hobbyist photographer, which led me to studying photography in college, so I have a particular soft spot in my heart for photographs. I try to incorporate them into much of what I teach in the “modern history” sections of the curriculum – to build a lesson around a particular photograph, or to teach about a photographer who made their way into a particular situation, and what they captured by simply observing what was unfolding before them.
Share a quote that is particularly meaningful for you.
Mrs. Cox introduced us to a poem by Christy MacKaye Barnes called “All of Us” of which I have grown quite fond. My favorite lines are:
We know each other
as deeply as we can.
If I do not know you,
I am blind or you are bound.
Let my warmth thaw your bonds.
Create my eyes with your light.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I think I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, despite having some not great examples. Mrs. Parish, though, was a good one. She was my 7th grade teacher and with her we read great books, had meaningful discussions, and explored the world. She didn’t mince words, and had a clear picture of how we should comport ourselves. She once had me write 20 times on a piece of paper, “I will not be a sycophant.”
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
People might be surprised to know that I spent almost a decade working in Hollywood, just after college. I worked at many of the major movie studios, as the assistant to writers, producers and directors (often working in their homes in Beverly Hills), and had dinners with lots and lots of famous Hollywood types. This is the life I left to become a Waldorf teacher and haven’t regretted it for a split second!
Do you have a “life philosophy” that can be shared in a sentence or two?
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?'” This is how I would like to model my life, guided by empathy not self-interest.
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Last Friday the 12th grade and 1st grade parents were able to join us on campus as the 1st grade presented their seniors with roses to bid them farewell and send them out from our school with love and celebration. |
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Staying Up to Date With Our School Calendar
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June
9/ Wednesday
- G5 Parent Evening, 6:30pm
10/ Thursday
- G9 Parent Evening, 7pm
- G1 Parent Evening, 8pm
11/ Friday
- Coffee Break with Jennifer Page, 10am
14/ Monday
- 8th Grade Commencement, 4pm
16/ Wednesday
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12:30 DISMISSAL all classes - Last day of school for grades 1-12
17-18/ Thursday - Friday
- CG Snow Day Makeup Days 12:30 DISMISSAL
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Calendar of School Days for the 2021-2022 School Year |
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Welcoming Our School Counselor |
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We are thrilled to announce that Jessica Gottlieb is joining the Washington Waldorf School as our first professional School Counselor! She will be supporting students, staff, and families at the intersection of social/emotional health and academics.
Jessica comes to us with 13 years of school counseling experience in Montgomery County Public Schools where she has worked at the middle school and high school levels. In addition to her experience as a school counselor, Jessica is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) in the state of Maryland, and she has a mental health practice where she sees older adolescents and adults for individual and group therapy. She also has extensive experience in the summer camp setting working with youth ages 5-14.
Jessica is an Atlanta native and graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in history. She earned her master's degree in Counseling from The George Washington University. Jessica loves to incorporate nature and the arts into her counseling work. In her free time, you will likely find Jessica on hike with her 7 year old daughter and husband or writing music on her guitar.
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If you preordered a yearbook, and you have a child in CG-11th grade, yearbooks were distributed to each class teacher/class sponsor this afternoon. If you are a parent of a graduate from the Class of 2021, yearbooks will be available for you to pick up at drop-off and pick-up on Friday, June 11th. You can also contact Caitlin to arrange another pick-up time.
If you did not preorder a yearbook, it's ok! You can still order yearbooks from recent years: '18-'19, '19-'20, and '20-'21 and have them delivered directly to your home. Yearbooks can only be ordered through the TreeRing website. Please Note: TreeRing’s website works best in the Chrome internet browser. If you visit the website directly, the school passcode is: 1015278619434770
AND, with every yearbook purchased, Treering plants a tree. This year, with your help, Treering will plant 134 trees!
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There is still time to make your gift to reach 100% participation for every grade and support our faculty, programs, and mission. Please make your gift today and watch our students and community thrive!
Thank you for your support!
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Alumni - You Are The Reason Why! |
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Thank you for taking action! Thanks to many alumni, we have now earned $1,125 of the $5,000 match currently in effect. If you can consider a gift, at any level, please take a moment and make your gift now and celebrate all current and future WWS alumni!
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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. Listings may not be accepted and will likely be edited.
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Classifieds & Events from the Community |
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Looking for a new home this summer!
from Helga Dimmer (WWS Parent)
Our longtime Waldorf family of 5 (Helga, Felix, Mia (G11), Benni (G4), Ava (WiW)) is looking for a new home this summer. It would be lovely to live in a 5-10 mile radius from WWS (between 495, Potomac and Rock Creek Park). A (very) small dog (8 lbs) is also part of the family. We’re looking for a 4-5 bed/2-3 bath with some front or backyard, but we’re also flexible. Max budget $6,000. Start date anytime between now and mid August with a minimum lease of 12 months.
Successful referrals will enjoy a regular delivery of home-baked bread (your favorite style) and/or a personal yoga/Barre 3 class.
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New WWS Family Seeking Housing
A new WWS family, arriving from Switzerland in early September, is seeking a house rental for at least 3 years, preferably near the school. They will have a son in the CG and a daughter in rising third grade.
If you have a lead for them, please contact:
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Organic Raw Honey for Sale
from Michael Danzansky (WWS Parent)
Terrific micro batch organic raw honey and help a young entrepreneur! Last year, to fill the time, my son Bodhi (G6) endeavored on a project to bottle and sell honey cultivated by bee keeper friends in North Carolina. He has just about a dozen bottles left and would love to sell them (and I would love them out of the house!). Special discount to $10 (heck OBO) for these last 12oz bottles! Thank you!
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Items Available from WWS Family Moving Overseas
from Doerthe Braun (WWS Parent)
Items are free but a small donation to WWS would be appreciated:
Items are in good condition and must be picked up by 6/15 at the latest.
- a white double bed with drawers underneath
- waffle maker for ice cream cones
- 2 nightstands
- 1 lamp
Text: 240-535-3848
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Free Online Screenings of Environmental Health Films!
from Theodora Scarato (WWS Parent)
What: Film Screening of “Death by Design: The Dirty Secret of Our Digital Addiction" and "Overload Americas Toxic Love Story"
Date: Streaming June 10 - 17 and June 23 - 30
Q&A with Director: June 17, 2021 at 7:30
Environmental HealthTrust is hosting the second film in their 2021 virtual Jackson Hole Film Series, “Death by Design" that hopes to inspire us towards safer and more sustainable technology. EHT Executive Director and WWS parent Theodora Scarato will be hosting a Q&A with the Directors June 17 and June 30. Register at EHTrust.org to view the films free online for a full week and to join the zoom Q&A live. Stay tuned as the next filmmaker Q&A will be on Burt Wolf's PBS series on wireless and health.
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Christian Community Rite of Passage/Confirmation Class
from Carol Petrash (Former WWS Faculty and Alumni Parent)
Warm greetings to the Waldorf community from the Greater Washington - Baltimore Christian Community! We are holding regular services, following COVID safety protocols, in the chapel on our beautiful property, which includes a biodynamic garden, in College Park, MD and wanted to let you know about a rite of passage opportunity for your middle school aged children. The Christian Community is a worldwide movement for religious renewal that was founded in the early part of the 20th century by a group of clergy with the help of Rudolf Steiner.
Beginning in the fall, Rev. Emma Heirman (WWS Alum 2003) and her husband Rev. Matthias Giles will offer a yearlong class for 7th and 8th graders, leading to confirmation for the 8th graders in the spring of 2022. This is an opportunity for the young people to meet and talk about life questions in the context of faith and a non dogmatic Christian view of the world. You do not need to be members of the Christian Community for your children to attend these gatherings.
For further information about any of our offerings, please contact our priests:
I would also gladly speak with anyone who has an interest in the confirmation classes (all three of our children were confirmed) or the Christian Community in general.
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FiberArt.Studio Summer Camp
from Anja Caldwell (WWS Parent)
There is still a bit more room in some of my summer camps for the weeks of July 6th to the 23rd. We will make teddy bears from scratch this year, and there are only six campers in each week.
The camps are held in my home studio in Carderock Springs, Bethesda, with backyard, puppy love and pretzel baking.
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The Art of Biography Series - A Tool for Racial and Social Healing
from Lynn Turner (WWS Faculty & Parent)
Registration for the second series is still open!
Each week we will join together for a live 2.5 hour workshop session working with poetry, breathwork, mindfulness practice, artistic and imaginative prompts to open up biographical experiences to deepen our understanding of ourselves and others as we walk the healing path towards individual and collective racial and social healing. We will participate in small group journaling and artistic exercises, and deep listening while observing confidentiality with one another and full group sharing and reflections.
All course participants will gain access to our private "Nurture the Narrative" virtual circle space to discuss and share with one another in community. No previous artistic experience is required.
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Tutoring & Academic Support
shared by Taisto Saloma (WWS Faculty, Parent & Alum)
Waldorf Class Teacher available for remote tutoring and academic support this summer. If you're interested, please visit: catherinehdixon.com
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Virtual Summer Math Camp
shared by CJ Leonard (WWS Faculty & Parent)
$75 per week includes:
- One 45 minute lesson (pick your day)
- A free IXL account for your student
- Carefully selected daily IXL assignments to keep your student sharp!
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WWS Family Looking for Nanny
from Kathleen Baker (WWS Parent & 1st Grade Assistant)
Our family is looking for an experienced, trustworthy, and reliable nanny for our 8.5yo son and 2.5yo daughter, full time M – F, roughly 10am- 6pm starting mid-June with the option of transitioning to part-time afternoons for the 2021-2022 school year. We're looking for an energetic person who gives warmly and can creatively keep the children engaged as “returning to normal” begins to take shape. Meal and snack time prep, diaper changes, and nap time are essential, as is a willingness to attend to some child-related cleaning (dishes, toy/craft clean up). Will consider candidates who are fully vaccinated; mask wearing/social distancing when out and about remains a must. Competitive pay through Zelle or Venmo. Must be comfortable with two friendly cats who think they are dogs and mostly sleep all day. Licensed driver with own car preferred, comfortable driving children (car seats provided) to accommodate playdates and adventures. With kindness and hope...
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CSA Sign Ups for Biodynamic/Organic Food
(pick up at WWS or a location near you!)
shared by Sunny Kaplan (WWS Parent)
Sign up is now OPEN for CSA Year June 2021-May 2022! Different options are available as space allows: school year only (Sept-May), summer only, and winter/spring season (Dec-May). Call or email first to confirm availability or if there's a wait list. Once confirmed, registration info is here (a discount is available if you pay with cash/check).
What's the CSA? Spiritual Foods CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) provides biodynamic and organic veggies, fruit, eggs, bread and other seasonal staples, with most of it grown on land leased from the Kimberton Waldorf School in PA! Biodynamics, like Waldorf education, was founded by Rudolf Steiner and is a spiritual-ethical-ecological approach to agriculture, food production and nutrition. Choices for share options include: main share of veggies, fruit & supplements; main share w/out bread; or veggie/fruit only. Please visit the CSA website for more info, costs, and registration forms, or email or call Lakshmi at 301-654-4899 with questions and to check on availability. You can also reach out to Sunny Kaplan, WWS parent and WWS/CSA coordinator.
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Published by the Washington Waldorf School
Copyright © 2021 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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