IMPORTANT: Mask Policy Update 

Hello Families of DWS, 

Effective March 14, 2022, the Davis Waldorf School will follow state and local public health guidelines that no longer require masks indoors for students and staff members (Yolo County Press Release). Masking is still an important mitigation measure and is strongly recommended by the Davis Waldorf School and public health officials for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. More information on masking requirements for parent chaperones, volunteers, and visitors will be available in the coming days. 

We understand that families have different beliefs and feelings around masking. We ask that each family consider their risk factors and decide whether they wish to continue masking. With the exceptions of poor air quality or severely inclement weather, meals will continue to be enjoyed outdoors. 

We feel fortunate to have had zero cases of COVID on campus for more than the last month. However, should conditions change, we will be sure to swiftly implement measures to maintain a healthy school environment. We understand that this news will be encouraging for some and less desirable for others, we ask our community to honor and respect each individual’s choice.

Kindly,

Jennifer Slater, Director

director@daviswaldorf.org

Summer Camp 2022

What are your summer plans?

Early Childhood Camp: Kinder Camp

We are excited to announce the dates of our summer Kinder Camp!

The program is open to current students ages 3 to 6 years old.

Our summer session will kick off June 20 and will extend through August 12 for eight weeks of fun in the sun. Registrations forms and more info will be shared in the coming weeks.

Grades Sumer Camp: Summergarden

We are currently evaluating the logistics of relaunching our summer camp program for our grades' students. We plan to share an update on the program's availability in the next newsletter.

Vacation Care Contracts:

Spring Break 2022

(Mar 21 - 25, Mar 28 - Apr 1)

Vacation Care is offered on a limited basis during times when the school is closed. During the upcoming Spring Break, care will be offered March 21 through 25 and March 28 through April 1. In order to secure a spot for your child(ren) in the Vacation Care program, you must submit a Vacation Care Contract (linked below). Drop in Care is NOT available.

June Bug Vacation Care Contract

Preschool and Kindergarten

Sunflower Vacation Care Contract

1st through 4th Grade

8th Grade Presentations

March 16, 17 & 18

Dear DWS Community,

You are warmly invited to attend the Eighth Grade Class of 2022 Project Presentations,. Presentations will be held in the MPR at 6:00 pm on the evenings of March 16, 17 and 18. There will be five presentations each night.

Sincerely,

Karen Roos, 8th Grade Class Teacher

What are the 8th Grade Projects?

At the Davis Waldorf School, Eighth Grade students spend six months planning, researching, and working to complete an individual project, which, at year’s end, they present to their classmates and the school community.

Eighth grade projects allow students to reveal their capacities as inquirers, investigators, researchers, explorers, inventors, artists, and communicators. Throughout the course of their projects as well as in the culminating presentations, students reveal themselves. No other pursuit more clearly demonstrates how important it is to be “original”—that is, to be the originator of the interest, the question, and the direction that leads to creating something new.

At the start of the school year, each student submits a well-crafted proposal to their teacher for approval. For many, just choosing a project drove home the reality that discovery always begins with the question, not the information!

Over the course of the project, students work with outside mentors, conduct background research, write annotated bibliographies, and some shape a long research paper as they simultaneously work on their physical project. They maintain a project journal to track their progress and submit this journal weekly. They also report to the class and support each other in shaping their final projects. Everyone is likely to make changes on a regular basis as they encounter unforeseen challenges, providing an honest picture of the very real and uncertain world of original research and exploration!

Tuleyome Spring Thing: Picnic on the Preserve

Sat. March 19 from 10 AM - 5 PM

Join the Tuleyome conservation organization for a day of free fun nature experiences at Woodland Regional Park Preserve. Enjoy hands-on activities, guided walks, theater performances, and more! Schedule of the day's events and the location are on the sign-up page. Discover how Tuleyome dreams, acts, and gets things done with the community. Bring your favorite snack to picnic - all while supporting Tuleyome and your regional preserve.

Movie Screening: #KidsOnTech

• Tuesday, March 15th @ the Journey Downtown Theater, Vacaville
• Doors open at 5pm
• Film begins at 5:30pm
• Tickets $20 each
• All proceeds from this event will benefit Pleasant Valley School.

As COVID-19 has forced our kids to rely on technology more than ever, "#KidsOnTech" looks at the impact on children's developing bodies and brains, and asks: "How might we better prepare our kids for this digital world?" Voices from India to the U.S., France to China, Mexico to Japan explore what children need to truly navigate this new world. The question of how they can learn to use this epochal technological revolution creatively, discerningly and in the interest of people and nature, instead of being enslaved by it, is one of the most important questions of our time.

The 57-minute documentary "#KidsOnTech" grapples with this very question. It addresses parents in particular, but also educators, teachers and policy-makers. The film does not pretend to offer a "silver bullet"; instead, it helps parents to better understand and accept their options - without shame or blame. It shows how big our influence is on our children's experiences with digital media, and how we can address this global generational problem ourselves on a grassroots level.

UPDATE: Hot Lunch Order Forms

Forms for Spring 2022

Below are the Hot Lunch order forms for January through May 2022. If you would like your student to receive hot lunch, please make sure to fill out these forms ASAP. Please use the table below to access the order forms for each day.