Weekly Bulletin
October 14, 2020
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Grade 9 Michaelmas Gathering & Mural Gift to the Community |
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from Barb Bancroft and Jane Christenson (Grade 9 sponsors) |
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It was our first time meeting one another face to face as the Class of 2024, so – pretty exciting! We all came to the campus on a sunny Wednesday afternoon, sent to the blacktop one by one at socially distanced intervals by Bonnie who registered everyone at the front of the building. The students had all gotten taller since March! Spontaneously we all sat down on the warm asphalt in a big circle and did stretching exercises led by some of the students. When everyone had assembled, we trailed in silence around to a grassy spot under the library windows where Señor André had a fire burning. Each of us brought from home a small piece of paper on which we’d written a thought -- either one to multiply or one to vanquish from our inner life. Standing masked and silent, again in a big circle around the fire, the poem "Variation on a Theme by Rilke" by Denise Levertov was read aloud. One by one each of us walked to the center and threw our folded secrets into the flames. With not a word spoken, we moved the TAO eurythmy form together, something Ms. Binamu had just taught them that morning. Then we unspooled the circle and walked in high spirits to the third grade outdoor classroom under a tent near the playground. |
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Everyone took a seat at a tiny desk (made for third graders) which was prepared for our art activity. We talked about two people who had recently passed away – Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John Lewis – people who embodied the Michaelmas spirit of courage and tenacity. Paints and brushes were distributed, along with the interlocking pieces of what would become our class mural, and we all got busy replicating the abstract bits that we saw on visual “recipe cards” we’d received. Everyone was talking and joking around. In a flash, an hour had passed and it was time to go. We connected the puzzle pieces and at last saw the image we’d created – it looked pretty OK! As a final touch the class decided on the words, courage and hope, to frame the mural. Just shows what can happen when everyone works together.
Next Wednesday we’ll be gathering on campus again… Life is good!
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The mural created by the 9th grade during their Michaelmas gathering is currently on display in front of the school. |
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Michaelmas Celebration Video |
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At last week's Michaelmas Assembly, this video was shared to provide a window into the festivities happening around the school - the 2nd Grade play, feats of strength and courage, dragon bread baking, and more! |
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Thanks to Daniel Sohn for creating the video, to Nevin Bender and the Festivals Committee for coordinating, and to Caitlin MacKenzie and Bonnie McClelland for taking photos. |
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4th & 5th Grade on Campus |
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We were delighted to welcome the 4th and 5th grade classes back to campus last week. Here is a peek at their new outdoor classrooms... |
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Staying Up to Date With Our School Calendar
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October
16/ Friday
- Coffee Break with Jennifer Page, 10am
17/ Saturday
19/ Monday
- Dr. Daniel Einstein talk on resilience and health, 7pm
20/ Tuesday
21/ Wednesday
- G7 Parent Meeting, 7pm
- G6 Parent Meeting, 7:30pm
- G11 Parent Meeting, 7:30pm
22/ Thursday
- G9 Parent Meeting, 7:30pm
23/ Friday
- Coffee Break with Jennifer Page, 10am
27/ Tuesday
30/ Friday
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November
2/ Monday
3/ Tuesday
10/ Tuesday
11/ Wednesday
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Coffee Breaks with Jennifer |
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Fridays from 10-10:30am - Online
Jennifer Page, Faculty Chair and Head of School, is hosting coffee breaks on Friday mornings. This is a time for questions and general discussion. Grab a warm beverage and join Jennifer online. Zoom details are sent weekly through ParentSquare.
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Virtual Talk about Resilience and Health |
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Virtual Talk about Resilience and Health by Dr. Einstein
Monday, October 19 from 7-8:30pm - Online
Dr. Daniel Einstein, MD, an anthroposophic doctor, will virtually join with our community to speak about resilience and health through the lens of anthroposophic medicine. Dr. Einstein brings a comprehensive, integrated approach to medicine which involves observation of and insight into the whole human being. We are excited for Dr. Einstein to share his knowledge and expertise with us which he has developed over the years with Waldorf schools and Waldorf families.
Dr. Einstein brings a broad experience of medical expertise. After volunteering in free clinics and studying at the Blue Otter School of Herbal Medicine, Dr. Einstein earned his MD from Case Western Reserve Medical School in 2008. His residency focused on family and integrative medicine. At Avena Botanicals in Rockport, ME, Dr. Einstein was introduced to biodynamic agriculture and anthroposophy. His medical practice, called Holistic Einstein, established in 2012, is located in Freeport and Rockport, ME, where he also has a connection to the Ashwood Waldorf School. He is board certified in family, integrative, and anthroposophic medicine. More information can be found at his website.
We are excited for Dr. Einstein to bring his knowledge and expertise to us. Please join us on Monday, October 19 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. The login information with the Zoom ID will be sent via ParentSquare.
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Annual High School Greens Fundraiser |
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This annual fundraiser will work a bit differently this year, but with the same family owned supplier and high quality evergreens. We will offer only direct-ship items with delivery right to the door (yours or that of a gift recipient) within the two weeks following Thanksgiving. All payments will be handled online, using PayPal.
This year we will send all net profits to the wonderful Lakota Waldorf School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, since we will not be able to hold our usual bake sales to raise money for them. Our fundraiser started the day after Indigenous Peoples' Day (Columbus Day transformed) and will end in the month of Thanksgiving, so seems especially fitting in that regard. We invite you to join us in decorating your homes for Winter, sending gifts to others, and supporting the work of our friends at the Lakota Waldorf School. Thank you from the High School.
Now through November 4!
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Make sure the WWS alumni in your life know about our upcoming Homecoming Zoom-union on Friday, November 13 at 8pm. All alumni and HS faculty are invited!
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Do you have neighbors or friends who are curious to learn more about our school?
We have a schedule of upcoming webinars for interested parents to see an overview presentation and engage with Lezlie Lawson (Enrollment Director) in a question and answer time.
**NEW** We are also now offering limited in person tours on weekends for prospective families - health and safety protocols in effect.
Spread the word!
https://www.washingtonwaldorf.org/admissions/visit-us/
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Virtual Fall Bazaar Information & Volunteer Opportunities |
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Our Virtual Fall Bazaar
Sadly, our Fall Bazaar (in its 51st year!) will not be able to happen in person this year. We are all sad for our beloved tradition to take a pause. We hope to bring elements of the bazaar to the community to preserve the magic and fun for the students and to raise some of the funds the event typically brings to the school (nearly $30k). Please watch the bulletin for ongoing announcements about plans the week of November 16th!
Volunteers Needed for the Virtual Fall Bazaar
We have a number of volunteer opportunities for the Fall Bazaar. Please contact Maria Monteverde-Jackson if you are interested in helping with any of the following:
- Waldorf Store (an online store with both Waldorf inspired gifts and toys, handwork, and school spirit items)
- Patisserie (an online bake sale with custom items)
- Craft Kits (activity kits for purchase)
- Handwork (creating items for sale in our Waldorf Store)
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
The Parent Organization (PO) is made up of all parents at WWS. The PO is lead by the Parent Organization Steering Committee (POSC), made up of parents from different areas of the school from CG-HS. We currently do not have any POSC members as last year's leadership rolled off, graduated, and moved. If you would like to help lead the Parent Organization in building and maintaining class and school community during this time when we are unable to gather, please reach out to Maria Monteverde-Jackson for more information. |
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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. Listings will likely be edited. Please submit listings by COB Tuesdays with the subject "Bulletin Submission." Bulletin Board notices generally run for 3 weeks - if space allows - unless other arrangements have been made. There is no charge for listings.
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Recommendations to Minimize the Health Risks of Screens
from WWS Parent, Theodora Scarato
Palo Alto Unified School District in California released an excellent flyer of recommendations called "Safe Use of Technology for Children During Distance Learning." The fact sheet for parents provides easy to use tips to safeguard children's health to impacts to children's eyes and health.
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Chicken Coop for Sale from WWS Family
Offering to WWS community first. Selling a great chicken coop for $95.00. We just got a puppy and have had to take a break from those sweet pets. More photos available.
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Write + Produce Your Song
from Alex Purdy (former WWS CG Faculty)
Virtual 6 week course
Weekly 30 min 1-on-1 and 1 hr group coaching. All ages, all experiences welcome + customization available!
Write (3 weeks)
Express yourself in this fun, creative and personal songwriting experience.
- Explore and find inspiration as we break down your favorite songs.
- Receive individualized feedback and coaching.
Produce (3 weeks)
Bring your song to life in a way only you can.
- Develop production techniques from recordings you love.
- Co-produce your song with a professional producer.
$450 for the 6 week course
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Cello for Sale
For Sale: Half size cello, $1100. Please contact Geoff Baker (WWS Faculty) for more details! breadbaker1@gmail.com
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2019 WWS Graduates Launch Sustainable Clothing Company
In case you missed the alumni news in the Sep 23 Bulletin, Daniel, Linus, Sydney, and Gretchen from the Class of 2019 have launched a sustainable clothing company called Good Looks. They started this company with the goal of changing the way people think about the clothing industry as a whole. Many of us care deeply about the long term health of our planet but don't realize that 10% of our global pollution comes from the clothing industry alone or that over 85% of all textiles produced each year are sent to landfills. You can learn more on our website, or just google "fast fashion".
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Alumni Book in Presales
Also in alumni news from Sep 23, Manfred Elfström (Class of 1998) has a publishing agreement with Cambridge University Press to publish his book, Workers and Change in China. Presales are now open for a January release. Manfred is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics, Philosophy, and Political Science at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan. Previously, he served as a Postdoctoral Scholar and Teaching Fellow at the University of Southern California’s School of International Relations and a China Public Policy Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. Manfred received his BA from Oberlin College, MA from Columbia University, and PhD from Cornell University.
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Published by the Washington Waldorf School
Copyright © 2020 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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