On their class trip last week, our seniors studied the Lazure painting technique with Charles Andrade (former WWS teacher who also painted our beautiful entrance hall). They applied their skills helping to prepare a new building on the Lakota Waldorf School campus.

Our Congratulations and Best Wishes to the Class of 2023! Below are our seniors' self portraits along with their names and plans for next year.

Ayan A. - Hofstra University

Catalina B. - College of William & Mary

Douglas H. - Gap Year

Magdalena S. - Haverford College

Owen B. - Syracuse University

Pritam K. - Tulane University

Sasha W. - Internship in Europe

Seychelle S. - Chapman University

Sophia B. - Duke University

Talea P. - University of Florida

William T. - US Naval Academy

Early in the morning on May 22, Ms. Morley, Ms. Buchman, and the third grade class got on a bus and went to Hawthorne Valley Farm in Ghent, NY for five days. Also on the bus was the 10th grade class accompanied by Julian Payne and Gogi Kalka. After an 8-hour trip including several stops and wrong turns, they arrived. The high school students went off to stay in the woods, while Grade 3 stayed in the farm house.

Grade 3 students cooked dinner, made bread, fed animals, waited tables, and a variety of other activities. The chickens were one highlight of the trip. They were very easy to pick up and hold, often during play time. There were baby lambs to bottle feed, and cows to milk. Another highlight was the fire pit and s'mores where Ms. Morley arranged for a friend to come and play folk music so the children could dance.

Grade 10 students joined in the farm rhythm of practical work, shared meals and leisure time - which was mostly spent playing volleyball, taking cold water dips, and sitting around campfires singing songs and learning the words as they went along. Over the week the students participated in many aspects of farm life: in the dairy, the creamery, the bakery, and the deli; planting crops in the fields and cabin building.

Everyone had the unexpected bonus of seeing two calves being born. Friday morning everyone boarded the bus and headed home to their families with wonderful stories to tell.

Have you been waiting to purchase a brick, but haven't had a chance to get your order in yet? Good news! We have extended the Brick by Brick Campaign until June 30, to give everyone plenty of time to participate in the gym building project, and to commemorate that support. Donors can choose from 4"x8" and 8"x8" walkway bricks inscribed with three or six lines of customized text of your choice.

Here are a few ideas for how others have participated so far:

• Purchase a brick in honor of a current student or alum
• In honor of a faculty member
• Commemorate your family or an entire class (i.e. Class of 2022)

We look forward to seeing how others are commemorated in our community as well!

If you would like to celebrate someone special or honor your own gift, bricks may be purchased online. Paper forms can also be emailed or mailed by request. Please email Stephanie Hanson, Director of Development and Alum Relations, with any questions, or call 301.229.6107 ext. 127.

**All bricks purchased after May 30, 2023 will be installed in late fall, in time for the December 1 Plaque Dedication.

June

2/ Friday

• Rose Ceremony (G1 & G12 Families), 2pm

3/ Saturday

• Senior Graduation, by invitation only

5/ Monday

• Trustees Council Meeting, 7pm

6/ Tuesday

• Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, 8:30am (see below)

8/ Thursday

• Meet the Teacher (rising G8), 7pm
• G3 Parent/Guardian Meeting, 7pm

13/ Tuesday

• G8 Commencement, 1:15pm

16/ Friday

• 12:30 Dismissal - Last Day of School

View the Calendar of School Days for the 2022-2023 School Year

As we did last year, we have partnered with the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and other member Waldorf schools to conduct a survey that will give our school and the larger Waldorf community current data to be used to identify areas in which we can improve and grow.

Please add your voice and share your experiences with us!

The surveys will close on Friday, June 2. 

Select your survey(s):

• Current Families
• Current Students
• Current Teaching Faculty
• Current Admin Faculty/Staff

• Alum Families
• Alums
• Former Teaching Faculty
• Former Admin Faculty/Staff

• If you fit more than one category, you may respond to multiple surveys.
• If you are a family with multiple children, and want to respond multiple times, start with the oldest child in mind and then take the survey again if there are different answers based on each child.
• The survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. The questions have been researched and validated by experts at Harvard University. The survey is administered by a third party and your responses are protected and remain private.

We thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Alia at agoodyear@washingtonwaldorf.org.

Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast

Tuesday, June 6 from 8:30-10am

On behalf of the Washington Waldorf School’s students, teachers, and staff, all school volunteers are invited to a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on Tuesday, June 6 from 8:30-10am in the school Auditorium. Everyone in our community who has volunteered is graciously invited to attend. Please stop by to drink some coffee, get a bite to eat, and mingle with our staff and other volunteers. We are looking forward to celebrating you!

Friday, June 16 from 3 - 4:15pm

Please join us for a Community Celebration for Faculty Retirements and Farewells on Friday, June 16 from 3-4:15pm. The well-wishes and fond farewells will take place in the Auditorium.

Please view the invitation and kindly RSVP by Friday, June 9t, if you will attend.

6 Week Simplicity Parenting Class - Online

June 8 - July 20

Thursday Evenings from 7:30-9pm

Facilitator: Drew Sample (WWS Parent)

Discounted Cost: $100 per WWS family (one or two parents/caregivers can attend per family)

Use discount code "WWSfam" for $100 price subsidized by WWS for current families.

Additional $30 fee for Simplicity Parenting materials

Register

In response to demand for a more accessible version of the Simplicity Parenting Family Life course, WWS parent and certified Simplicity Parenting group facilitator Drew Sample is offering the class online at a discounted price for WWS families.

Developed by renowned family counselor, Kim John Payne, the course offers simple, doable, and effective steps for reducing stressors in the home and enjoying a more peaceful and connected home life. Parents who are looking to go beyond just reading the book, and who want to start applying these practices, will get the structure and supportive environment needed to adapt these techniques to their household and make them stick. 

Contact Drew Sample with questions.

Register for Simplicity Parenting

From the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America:

Join us for an hour of great discussion as we reflect on the works of incredible North American BIPOC authors.

At our first meeting on Thursday, June 29, you will each present a book that you would like the group to read, and we will make our selection. We will then take the summer to read this book, meeting weekly on Thursday evenings to share our thoughts.

Register

Thanks to Christian Gardner and all the faculty who led a fabulous Field Day last Friday. And thanks to Meg Kneisl for arranging the refreshing popsicles for the lovely picnic time that followed. The students rose to the occasion and had a great time stretching themselves in healthy competition.

Learn More & Register

• BigSis Portal - keep your contact information up to date!
• Current Health Policy - updated Aug 29, 2022.
• Lunch program info for current families in ParentSquare.
• Map of the pickup and drop-off flow.
• Magnus Portal for student forms.
• Bulletin newsletters.

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

• Children's Garden - Cecilia Berg-Benson
• Lower School - Christen Leonard 
• High School - Bonnie McClelland

Furniture For Sale

From Maria Monteverde-Jackson (Former Faculty, Current & Alum Family)

A number of furniture pieces and rugs for sale. Items will be added to the document over the next couple of weeks.

If interested in any, please contract Maria Monteverde-Jackson at mariaemonteverde@aol.com.

View the Document

Alum Muralist Available in the Fall

WWS Class of 2006 graduate and artist, Mariano Arrien-Gomez, now living in Bolivia, will be in the DC area this fall and is available to paint original murals in private spaces both indoors or outdoors.

Inquiries can be made to: brochasilvestre@gmail.com

Special online workshop to explore the content of Dr. Adam Blanning’s new book: Raising Sound Sleepers

Join a three-part, in-depth exploration of three key aspects from the new book Raising Sound Sleepers (publication date June 6). This workshop is designed for parents, teachers and anyone else interested in supporting the well-being and self-soothing capacities of children (and adults).

Participate in the live discussion, or watch it on your own schedule—all three sessions will be recorded and made available to everyone who has registered for the workshop.

• Session One: Wednesday, June 7- Why the Developmental Milestones of Self-soothing are so Important in Today’s Busy World
• Session Two: Wednesday, June 14 - Nourishing the Senses of Touch, Balance, Self-movement, and Life (Well-being)
• Session Three: Wednesday, June 21 -The Predictable Developmental Transitions of Childhood—Common Times for Reorientation

Workshop sessions take place at 6:30pm Mountain time (8:30pm ET)

Tuition: $65 for the whole workshop—three 90-minute sessions

Learn More & Register

Parenting with Non-Violent Communication Course - starts June 1 (online)

From Alison Babil, WWS Alum Family

This course is for parents, educators, and caregivers of children of any age. It offers a holistic approach to understanding children's behavior and the tools to build relationships based on compassion, connection, and trust.  

What people are saying: "This course opened my eyes to more effective, compassionate communication. Not only has it helped me connect better with my teenage daughter, but it has improved communication with my partner. Both my relationships are stronger and deeper thanks to Parenting with Non-Violent Communication. Jeannie is a compassionate and wise teacher!" -class participant.

Nine Thursdays, via Zoom, June 1 - July 27 from 7- 8:30pm 

Classes are recorded.

Instructor: Jeannie Anderson

Teaching Assistant: Alison Babil (WWS Alum Parent)

Register

Email Jeannie Anderson for more information: janderson@heart2heartinc.org

Jeannie Anderson is a Nonviolent Communication facilitator, Parent Educator, and Life Coach. She is currently studying Interpersonal Neurobiology with child psychiatrist Dr. Dan Siegel through the Mindsight Institute. She is passionate about the connection between neuroscience, trauma, and the healing power of human connection. She is the parent of 2 elementary school-aged children and resides in Baltimore, MD with her family.

Two Cats Looking for a Home

from Margo Reid, WWS Alum Family

Looking to rehome 8 y/o sweet dynamic-duo brothers Leo and Ace. Tuxedo Ace, who loves to cuddle and sunbathe, is not adjusting to a new human baby (marking on stroller, toys). Vet tests show no physical problems; anti-anxiety meds aren’t working. Tabby Leo's stunted paw from birth doesn't deter his fun. Both use litter boxes fine—unless baby makes them jealous—then Ace pees on stuff. Hoping to give the brothers (or one of them) a fresh start. Previously indoor cats, they may benefit from an in/out arrangement with cat-lover oversight.

Please text (301) 768-3441

Weekend Elder Care Available

from Natalie Adams, Former WWS Faculty & Alum Parent

Photchana (Thum) Keadrit seeks weekend hours in elder care. She recently started a new weekday position and before that worked six plus years for a family taking care of a couple in their 90s. She helped my 96 year old mother-in-law who needed support recovering at home from being in the hospital. She provided the best care my mother-in-law has ever had.

Thum has two related licenses: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Certified Medical Technician (CMT). In addition to being an exceedingly patient, thorough, and loving caregiver, Thum is an excellent cook, responsible driver, and first rate organizer; she can help with whatever one needs around the house. She also has more than two decades experience as a nanny for children from birth through the teen years. She helped care for my two children (WWS class of '05 and class of '08) when they were young.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or call Thum directly on her cell phone 301-792-1523. Natalie Adams 301-221-6224.

Looking to Adopt a Dog?

From Gemma Sage, WWS Family

Hi, I'm Connor! I'm just the perfect combination of joyful puppy energy and love of everything and everyone. I walk nicely on a leash, and I love treats and training. I can't get enough physical contact, so bring it on! I loooove to play with my doggie friends and I have friendly body language so most dogs like to play with me too. I love kids and people of all ages. I live in a foster home with both little kids and big kids, two other dogs and two adult humans... I love them all but I would love even more to find my forever home where I can stay!

Please reach out to Kirsten Strade at vegsister@yahoo.com or Gemma Sage (240) 441-9156 if you’re interested.

Published by the Washington Waldorf School

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