Bouquets created by the G1 students on their first day.

We had a lovely start to the school year this week! The campus comes alive when the children return. There are wonderful changes this year. We opened a second Nursery classroom to meet the growing interest in our Early Childhood program. New faculty members are bringing fresh ideas, while returning faculty offer the strength that comes with experience. The kitchen is abuzz with preparations for our lunch program to begin on September 30.

In the High School and Middle School, we have implemented the Yondr program which creates phone-free spaces for students. This is a growing and successful movement in schools to reduce distraction and increase engagement (read more about Yondr). Bonnie McClelland, the High School administrator, noticed wonderful student engagement at lunch today. Students were reading, playing chess, speaking with teachers and just hanging out together– a breath of fresh air in a world where phones have become ubiquitous. I love her summary of the program so far: “So seldom is it so clear that something is so right.”

In this Bulletin, you will find photos from all around campus during these first few days of school. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and I hope you will, like me, appreciate the joy in learning and being together that comes through in these photos. I look forward to many shared moments this year. 

Blessings on our year,

Margery

Margery Bank

Head of School / Faculty Chair

September

5/ Thursday

• G9-G10-G11-G12 Parent/Guardian Meeting, 7pm

7/ Saturday

• New Family Orientation, 4-5pm
• Welcome (Back) Picnic, 4:30-7pm

11/ Wednesday

• WWS Gear Shop In-Person Sale, 8:45am

New Family Orientation

Saturday, Sept 7 from 4-5pm

We look forward to welcoming all new families at this orientation. We'll introduce you to the school leadership and provide a forum for questions. Following the orientation, we will join the Welcome Picnic (see below).

Welcome (Back) Picnic

Saturday, Sept 7 from 4:30-7 pm

Mark your calendars for the first community gathering of the school year. We hope you will join us! This event will take place rain or shine, and we will move indoors if weather requires us to!

View the invitation and RSVP.

As is WWS tradition, this event is a potluck! We ask that all families bring a favorite dish to share. Here’s how you can help:

• We need volunteers! Learn more about volunteer positions and sign up for a 1 hour shift (Friendly reminder, you do not have to register/create an account to sign up!)  



• Those with last names A to M, please bring a side dish. Those with last names N to Z, please bring a dessert. Please bring all food ready to serve and, if applicable, label it as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, or dairy free.

Please bring your own refillable water bottle. We have plenty of water refill stations at school!

WWS Gear Shop - In Person Sale

Wednesday, Sept 11 from 8:45-9:45am

School Entrance Hall

To help defray costs of outdoor gear for families, reduce our environmental impact, and contribute to the One Fund, WWS parents created a Gear Shop where families donate their children's gently used, outgrown OUTERwear and boots/hats/mittens (sizes CG through G8) for resale to the community!

Donate Gently Used Items!

There's a bin in the vestibule where you can drop items off. Clear out your closets! Donate during the first week of school so items can be purchased the following week at the in-person sale.

Questions? Contact wwsgearshop@gmail.com.

A Preseason Missive to Coach Mike*

from Micah Bump

View in a browser tab.

* Mike Hadjipateras was a visiting high school humanities teacher and coach at WWS last year.

In August, WWS alum Joseph Nguyen (‘17), as UVA School of Medicine Student Body President, welcomed the Class of 2028 on their White Coat day. The event was live streamed and shared on YouTube.

Joey's remarks begin at 13:28 and he led the students through the reading of the vows at the end.

The event recap and photos were also shared on the school of medicine website.

Jeff Johns ('03) has published a memoir Jet Lag Junkie: Unfiltered Tales of a Compulsive Wanderer. The ebook is available now and the paperback will be released on September 9.

'"Jet Lag Junkie' is the vulnerable and raw journey behind one man's quest to find meaning, belonging, and love amidst an ever-changing backdrop of the most unique places on Earth."

Sophia Brokenshire ('23) just launched a magazine - print and web. The first issue debuted this week!

"Lighthouse Journal is an independent magazine that celebrates hope through the fusion of art and literature. Exploring the human spirit, one story at a time."

Lighthouse-journal.com

Have an alum update to share?

We want to hear from you! Fill out this Google form or email alums@washingtonwaldorf.org

See above for information on the WWS Gear Shop Sale next Wednesday.

Outdoor School Store Discount Codes - Two Ways to Save!

Sample Sale Discount Code - expires on September 15.

1. Visit: https://outdoorschoolshop.com/links/sample-sale/
2. Save an additional 10% until Sept 15 with the code: WWSALE

Year Round Code for 15% Off All Full Price Items.

Please use code: wawaldorf

This code can be used all year long, anytime you shop at the Outdoor School Shop website. 

Fall Bazaar - Save the Date!

The Parent Family Organization led an amazing Bazaar last year! The new gym provided a fabulous space to wander through the vendor stalls. Thank you for all of the volunteer hours, for the setup, the booths staffed, cakes baked, and (of course) the clean up.

Preparations are already underway for this year. As usual, the Bazaar will take place the Saturday before Thanksgiving - November 23.

Vendor Applications are due September 27.

If you are going to a festival or farmers market, or know of a vendor who you think would like to sell items at our Bazaar, please pick up some vendor application cards from the Development office or front desk! Upcoming events to seek out vendors include:

• Central Farm Markets
• Brookmont Farmers Market
• First Sunday Arts Festival, Annapolis, MD
• Bethesda Row Arts Festival, Bethesda, MD (Sept. 7/8)
• Art in the Park: Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, MD (Oct. 12/13)
• Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA
• Mosaic Farmers Market, Fairfax, VA
• MD Renaissance Festival, Crownsville, MD

As a reminder - each parent/guardian and every high school student is required to commit at least 2 hours of Bazaar specific volunteer time. More information coming soon on preparatory and day-of opportunities.

Voting is open for the Montgomery Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards!

Voting closes September 22

Vote for WWS today!

If you are a current family - first, check ParentSquare for posts from your teachers, departments (Children's Garden, Lower School, High School), and the administration.

If you cannot find the information you are looking for on ParentSquare, please email your department coordinator/administrator or our Operations Manager:

• Children's Garden Coordinator - Cecilia Berg-Benson
• Lower School Coordinator - Margaret Mansker
• High School Administrator - Bonnie McClelland
• Operations Manager - Laur Garner

Former Washington Waldorf Strings Teacher Julie Stoessel is now accepting new online violin/viola students!

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10 years of class room experience, including 4 years as a chamber music coach/director. 15 years of experience teaching private violin/viola lessons, including 5 years of online experience.

I approach each lesson with consideration of the whole child and their learning style. Lessons are both fun and preparatory for playing at a high level.

Please contact me through my website or email:

https://www.violintechniquewithjulie.com/

stoesselje@gmail.com

WWS Family Looking for Arlington VA Carpool Partner

From Iryna Carlson, WWS Family

A WWS family living in Rosslyn is looking for a fellow WWS family to carpool. Our son is in G4. We hope we can partner with another family from Arlington to help each other get to and from school! If interested, please contact Iryna Carlson at 703-946-0878 or irynamatveeva@gmail.com.

Lakota Storytelling Playsilk Benefiting the Lakota Waldorf School

Visit the Sarah's Silks website.

About the Lakota Storytelling Playsilk 

The Lakota Storytelling Playsilk features original illustrations by Lakota artist and teacher Caroline Stadnick, and comes with an activity card that highlights different Lakota stories and prompts young readers to exercise their own voice and imagination through the power of storytelling. The artwork for this Playsilk now hangs centrally at the Lakota Waldorf School, an independent, tuition-free school serving children in southwestern South Dakota.

*For the past two years the WWS Grade 12 students have had the opportunity to spend time with the Lakota Waldorf School on their senior trip.*

Red Wiggler Community Farm 28th Annual Harvest Celebration

Saturday, Sept 14 from 4-7pm

*The WWS high school has done service learning projects with Red Wiggler*

This annual celebration is a chance for our friends, volunteers, staff, and growers to acknowledge the hard work that went into another successful season and raise funds for the next season.

The event is a fun time and takes place in the big historic barn, under a big white tent, and the lawn surrounding it.

Your ticket includes:

• Food Trucks
• Two drink tickets (for attendees 21+ years of age)
• Live music
• Farm tour (weather permitting)
• Farm market
• Presentation ceremony to honor and recognize the work of our Growers, volunteers, and staff

Learn More & Buy Tickets

Private Violin Lessons

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Nathaniel Heyder - a violinist and composer with music degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and The Juilliard School - has moved back to Washington DC and is starting to give private violin lessons for all levels. His father is a Waldorf School Graduate from Germany and his grandfather was a founding teacher of the Princeton Waldorf School.

Nathaniel Heyder

Composer/Producer/Violinist

The Juilliard School - MM

Cleveland Institute of Music - BM

Interlochen Arts Academy - '17

Email: nate.heyder@gmail.com

Phone: 703-477-4703

Website: https://nathanielheydermusic.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nathanielheydermusic2126

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® Series - In Person & Online Options

From Alison Babil, WWS Alum Parent

Feldenkrais gently transforms pain, tension, and movement challenges. Classes take students through a series of movements which create new pathways in the brain and body. The aim is more freedom in one's body and life.

"I had hip pain before class, and now it is gone! I also feel much more balanced." -- W.L., Feldenkrais class participant

"Feldenkrais works from the inside out. I've found it to be extremely beneficial mentally, physically, and emotionally" -- B. G., Feldenkrais class participant

In-Person Classes at the Carderock Springs Clubhouse

This Feldenkrais® series will focus on early developmental movements. $185.  

Thursdays, September 19th - December 19th, 10:00-11:15 am.

*No classes October 3, October 17, November 28th

Online - Feldenkrais Classes for Melting Freeze with Maintain Alignment

Freeze shows up in many ways in the body, mind, and heart. These classes will gently meet and transform patterns of freeze and tension. 

Wednesdays, 12:30 - 1:30 EST. Next series begins September 11th.

For more information and Registration:  

• In-Person Class Registration - Email Alison: alison@truenorthhealing.com 
• Online Class Registration

First class free for newcomers. A limited number of discounted slots available for those who truly need it. Email Alison to inquire. No refunds or transfers after September 20th, 10:00 am EST regardless of illness or pandemic

Disclaimer: Classes are not a substitute for medical care. Alison makes no claims to healing specific health challenges.

Alison Babil, GCFP, LMT, is the owner of True North Healing. She is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner®, a certified Sounder Sleep System® instructor, certified in Insight Acupressure, and has been a licensed massage therapist for over 20 years. She works with clients in person and virtually, helping them transform pain, movement, and sleep challenges. For more information Email Alison

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