MLWS NEWS FROM THE PARENT COUNCIL

Hello MLWS Community,

This past month was all about celebrating togetherness and cultivating community building! The school administration led the Spring Awakening event, in which parents and teachers could dance traditions from different parts of the world, while bidding on a diverse auction to contribute to MLWS programs. May Day was crowned with flowers, colors, may pole and congregation!

 

Thus, it is not a coincidence that Mark Bernstein, interviewed by Ashley Biagini below, highlights that the importance of Music Shares is that “it brings us together”! The Social Engagement Committee’s invitation to fill out a survey, participate at the next Potluck correlates to a common “need to connect and not feel isolated”, expressed by Paul L. in his reflections on engagement. 

 

We are on a dynamic, persistent path to build trust and communication amongst Parents and (other caregivers) Teachers, Administration and Board Members of MLWS. And the goal was set by Rudolph Steiner himself: 

 

“A healthy social life is found only when, in the mirror of each soul, the whole community finds its reflection, and when, in the whole community, the virtue of each one is living”.

 

With high hopes that virtues are shared and celebrated more and more, if you have an idea or comment, please contact us at [email protected] or join our Parent Council Meetings (see calendar below). If you would like to request a topic be added to the agenda or if you want to be added to our Google Group, please send an email to [email protected].

Here is the list of all you will find: 

Ashley Biagini and Carolina Pinheiro 

(Parent Council Newsletter Committee)

*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.

Thursdays, Pizza Day!: A fundraiser for the 8th grade trip

Friday, May 13th from 12:30-1:30pm: Parent Council Meeting via Zoom (Link here). If you would like to request a topic be added to the agenda send it to us by Wednesday, April 6th or if you want to be added to our Google Group, please send an email to [email protected]

Wednesday, May 18th from 1-2pm: Brown Bag Lunch Series via Zoom (Link here) Movement in a Waldorf Education: Eurythmy (CANCELED)

Friday, May 13th, 6pm: Eighth Grade Presentations at the Community Room at Redeemer Church, 90 Route 32 South, New Paltz, NY 12561

To add the MLWS School Calendar to your Google Calendar use the following link here, which includes COVID-19 testing dates.

Thanks to all who came out in the rain for this month's First Friday Potluck! Please mark your calendars and join us on Friday, June 3th for our last potluck of the school year!

6 Elting Avenue (Kindergarten Playground)

Hosted by the Parent Council Social Engagement Committee

Bring a picnic blanket and your favorite dish to share!

To minimize waste, please bring your own plate or bowl and an eating utensil.

We look forward to connecting with you!

For questions feel free to email Alexandra Sechler [email protected]

The Social Engagement Committee (SEC) was created to socially re-engage parents at Mountain Laurel in ways that cast a wide net of options. The covid pandemic hit parents hard. A relatively easy and natural thing for many folks-- social engagement-- was, all of a sudden, taken away, or so it felt.

A small group of parents at Mountain Laurel wanted to turn lemons into lemonade. We felt, not only can we help facilitate a kind of re-entry but also use the opportunity to address some common needs in a school community: such as, reaching out to parents and caregivers who want to engage and contribute to the Mountain Laurel community but might need help finding what we call 'Access Points,' simply, ways that might not otherwise be available or obvious.

For example, for me personally, when we first formed the SEC I shared that I very much want to feel part of the community but work all day and have limited time. I'm also a bit introverted, not a big activities person but love and need connection. In our Social Engagement Committee meeting, we made a list of how we prefer to socially engage. For me, I said the Parent Council, The Social Engagement Committee, through the music program, book studies, small intimate gatherings with other families, soccer, possibly facilitating support groups, etc.

An important way we connect with each other is through our nervous systems, an electrical network that provides connections vital to social interaction. Social interaction also helps us to feel grounded in the world. With kids, those connections are expressed clearly, through play. When we socially engage, our nervous systems are co-regulating, the primary purpose of which is to feel safe.

It makes sense. It also explains what many if not most of us felt when we had to socially distance, wear masks and, at times, self-isolate. There was a powerful decision the world made when Covid hit regarding health. Temporarily pull out the plugs of our electrical social field-- the one that soothes and energizes-- and protect our families. Irrespective of one's views, this is what we as a collective decided. Many lives were saved but not without consequences. Like the loss of familiar social engagement.

We have around a hundred families at Mountain Laurel school and we all have at least two things we share: the need to connect and not feel isolated, and a desire to contribute to the community we are helping to build. We have so many incredible people in our community to contribute in very small and larger ways. When we connect, our children benefit, our teachers benefit, and we benefit.

Have you filled out the Social Engagement Survey yet?

The purpose of this survey is a simple gathering of information to help the Parent Council find ways to meet certain social needs of our school community.

Specifically, we are hoping to create opportunities to connect that feel fun, useful, and comfortable for you and your family.

We are all on our children’s Mountain Laurel Waldorf School journey together. We are a community. We are all committed to our children’s educational enrichment. A significant part of enrichment is social development and social connection for children, parents, and caregivers alike.

Social connection begins with needs. The following questions will address your specific social needs as they relate to our school community.

Please answer only the questions you feel comfortable with.

This month I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark Bernstein, Orchestra and Ensemble teacher and director of the music program at MLWS, about the upcoming 40th Music Share, on May 20th.

Mark came to Mountain Laurel Waldorf School (MLWS) in 2000 for the purpose of enrolling his three children. At the request of the Administrator, Judy Jaeckel, he agreed to start an orchestra program. In the beginning the students did not know how to read music and the school lacked proper chairs and music stands. The very first Music Share was at the New Paltz High School and included 14 children from the 7th and 8th grade. The students performed Christmas and Folk music. Even though the group was small, the audience was very excited to hear their children; the energy after that first Music Share was palpable!

The music program flourished in the following years and was welcomed, loved and supported by all. In order to support the program, private lessons were required for students in third grade and above. Private music teachers were hired and the tradition of holding two Music Shares each year began. One was scheduled for the last day before the Winter holiday and another at the end of the school year. This year marks the 40th Music Share (2 held each school year—minus the two performances cancelled during the pandemic)!

To listen to a performance of Wayfarin’ Stranger from 2016, click here.

These performances are called “Music Shares” to take a bit of the pressure off the students, letting the community know that the music presented are “works in progress”. It’s a more casual community event intended to showcase the work of the students.

The upcoming Music Share will be approximately a two hour performance and will include grades 1-8.

We will open with a lively and welcoming performance from the 4th and 5th grade Chorus, under the direction of Steve Bernstein, who also directs the 6,7 & 8th Grade Chorus. Next will be class presentations from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. The 4th and 5th grade Strings Ensemble, led by Aaron Bernstein, will follow and this will lead into the 6th, 7th and 8th grade Chorus. The final two presentations will be the Chamber Group and the Community Orchestra, directed by Mark Bernstein. This group is a “Full Orchestra”, featuring Strings, Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion; it is comprised of 6, 7 and 8th students, parents, teachers and community members.

We have missed two Music Shares (Spring 2020 and Winter 2020) due to the pandemic; last year’s Spring Share was an outdoors event at the Unison Arts Center. This year it will be at Christ the King Church on Eugene Brown Drive off of Route 32. The church seats 250 people, has beautiful high ceilings, an air exchange system and has been acoustically tuned by engineers from SUNY New Paltz. This venue will be a more intimate setting for the community and the performers to enjoy the music. All are welcome!

Music brings the community together and not having the Music Shares during these last few years has been a great loss to our school. These events are strong community builders for alumni and parents, and as Mark put it so well, “it gives us the chance to be together again!”

This group meets after school on Wednesdays and is a group of students (primarily 6th, 7th and 8th graders) who love and want to play more advanced music. The group has performed many times at the Redeemer Lutheran church in New Paltz, and has toured other Waldorf Schools, from Great Barrington to Philadelphia. Three years ago, the HIgh School Alumni Orchestra performed at the Lincoln Center Plaza in New York City, as part of the Young Music Makers Program. The Chamber Group is open to young musicians from the community as well!

As a parent to a rising 3rd grader, we are looking forward to learning alongside Mark and we feel grateful to have him at MLWS! We are excited to be attending the upcoming Music Share!

We are thrilled to announce that Delilah North, a student in the 6th grade class, won a national youth writing contest for the 5th - 8th Grade, with her poem: "Ode to my past".

We trust that as you read "Ode to my past", you too will be moved by the poetic quality of her writing.

The judge had this to say about Delilah's poem: "From the personal to universal, this poem thoughtfully imbues a sense of wonder and all that drives us toward the presence of now. The care of simile to slow time both visually and sonically really brought me into a space of my own questioning, as I think great poems, like this one, should do. I am eager to read more odes by this poet and see their ability to play with form blossom."

Ode

to my past

Can

I breathe?

I

asked in my head, am I the only one?

Like

the only fish in the sea,

Like

the only bird in the sky,

Like

the only person on earth,

These

moments chase after me each day

Why

Laughed

at,

Judged

and lost,

All

these words and

their

meanings run through my head,

Like

a panda in the zoo,

Like

a word in a book,

Like

a needle in a jar,

No

one will listen

No

one understood

But

what do I need?

Felt

nothing but fear,

Know

nothing but myself,

Saw

nothing but darkness,

But

then the sun rose up

The

bird set flight once again,

Like

a flower in the field,

Like

a friend in a crowd,

Like

a book in the library,

Remember

to find the flashlight in the power outage

To

remember who you love and who loves you,

Like

a nest in a tree,

Like

tea in a mug,

Like

the words that found their way into this ode,

They

came together to give you something to read.

I

can Breathe

~ Delilah North

We are continuing to read and discuss The Souls of Black Folk, a seminal work written by W.E.B. Du Bois.

Here are a few links and podcasts recommended among the committee members:

“Seen on Radio” episode S2 E9: A Racial Cleansing in America

The Quaking of America: An Embodied Guide to Navigating Our Nation’s Upheaval and Racial Reckoning Paperback by Resmaa Menakem

If you have any comments, suggestions and questions email us at [email protected].

The Brown Bag Lunch Series was canceled for this month; our last one for the school year will be Celebrating the 2021/22 School Year and the Spring Season with Patricia Dewitte-Kuyl on June 9th from 1-2pm.

Do not hesitate to reach out with suggestions for any future BBL. We would love to hear from you. Write to [email protected].

An article suggestion from Ms. Lawson, Four Keys to Returning to Full Community Life, by Lisa Mahar from Waldorf Today

Hawthorne Valley has a podcast! Roots of Renewal listen by clicking below or find it where you listen to your podcasts.

We would like to thank all who attended the Spring Awakening and Silent Auction on April 29th. All proceeds from the evening go towards the Annual Campaign for the following initiatives. Growing and investing; which includes Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice training and education for our school community, scholarships and a new sculpture studio!

After-School Art Studio & Art Portfolio Prep Program in The Village of New Paltz with Alex Canelos of The Sevenfold School of Art, [email protected]; http://sevenfold.school, https://www.instagram.com/sevenfold.scribbles, (845) 255-7612

Beekeeping Adopt-A-Hive programs allow you to have a beehive at your home to enjoy their activities, learn about beekeeping and help support these fuzzy little pollinators. Mentoring and beekeeping classes are available at his apery in Wallkill to help you learn about honey bees. If you find a swarm, give us a call. We love to save bees and give them a good home. Contact Bob Mooney at [email protected], 845-895-3188.

Guitar and mandolin lessons with Mr. Steve Bernstein, children, teens, and adults are all welcome. Please call: 845-466-0889 or drop a note in his mailbox (2nd floor) at school.

Music lesson 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. Contact info: 347-661-3000 ~ [email protected]

Horsemanship The Toad Farm is a small, family-owned stable that offers a series of non-competitive summer riding programs and lessons for all levels and ages. We stress a holistic approach, focusing on the importance of all phases of horsemanship -- striving to teach a sense of independence, on and around horses with safety as an overall theme. We encourage compassion, cooperation and a positive approach to all situations.

Week-long Summer Programs:

June 13-17, 2022

June 27-July 1, 2022

July 4-8, 2022

August 22-26, 2022

August 29-September 2, 2022

Contact: Madeline or Jennifer: (845) 220-8693, [email protected]

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, Jewish holidays, and affiliation circles (trans/nonbinary, social justice, etc). Check us out anytime: https://www.kolhai.org

Piano Tuning, special discount price for MLWS families. Basic tuning - $100. Please contact Jerry Adler (father of Ennis, 7th grade) at 917-704-0100 or [email protected].

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.

The Moolah Doula has helped many Mountain Laurel families reduce stress in their relationship with money. Learn how money conversations can be safe, honest and productive to help navigate these challenging times. Free half-hour consultation. For more information, email [email protected] or click HERE to read a brief article about her work.

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].

Bearsville Bakes Birthday cakes, cupcakes and sweets for all occasions. Traditional or Gluten free or sugar free. Email Navah for inquiries. [email protected]

Vintage sweater black with wide red stripe, 100% merino wool, size 10 $22

Child’s 3-season jacket, matte black, size 8 $13

55% Linen/45% Cotton Suit-a rare find! oatmeal color, pants with elastic waist band, size 7 (sleeve length 17”; leg inseam 20”), perfect for warmer weather special event $40

E-mail or text Shawn Kimber at [email protected], 845-616-7877

For Rent Furnished 6BR house on 3 acres in quiet New Paltz neighborhood for 1-year non-renewable rental (July 22-July 23). On a quiet cul-de-sac perfect for kids riding bikes, tree house, great spaces for guests and entertaining. Note: we need the tenant to care for our 2 cats while we're away. $4400/mo includes utilities, lawn care/snow removal. Contact David at [email protected]

Seeking Long-term cat-sitter needed for two friendly indoor-only adult cats, from July 2022-July 2023 (one-year commitment essential). Cats would need to live with you. Wage negotiable, plus cat-related expenses. Contact David at [email protected]

ISO Land Teacher seeking a piece of land for a trailer, will need water and electricity. Happy to pay for the spot. Michele Turner 603-543-7045. Thank you for any leads.

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).

Newsletter Committee: Carolina Pinheiro and Ashley Biagini [email protected]

Formatting: Brian Pearl Consulting