Lunchbox Express
November 6, 2020
Updates from Returning to School Task Force
The Task Force would like to thank PRWS families for your continued diligence around our COVID-19 health/illness policies. We acknowledge that keeping a child home from school can be disruptive to family rhythms and work schedules. We appreciate your support and all the ways this community continues to show up for one another.

For next week we will continue as planned with full days in-person for kindergarten and grades 1-8. We're keeping a close eye on metrics as numbers continue to rise. Please be prepared for a possible scenario change on 11/16. We will communicate any changes as soon as decisions have been made.

As always, please don't hesitate to email the RTS Task Force with questions or concerns that you may have regarding our COVID-19 plans.
PRWS Fall All-School Workday
Saturday, November 7, 9am to 12pm

This will be an outdoor only event as we prepare the yard and gardens for winter. Come and rake, turn over a garden bed or winterize a lawnmower. Masks and distancing won't keep us from having a nice morning of work and conversation with our friends! Meet near the white shed by the kitchen door.

What to bring: Yard rakes, push brooms, drinking water

Per the school's policy, please wear a mask and distance when on the grounds.
Grandparents & Special Friends Day Recording Now Available
Thanks to all who joined our first virtual Grandparents and Special Friends Day program via Zoom. It was lovely to see many familiar faces and welcome many for whom this was their first experience of a day in the life of their favorite PRWS student(s). The program was recorded and is ready to share with loved ones! Enjoy a window into our new outdoor classrooms, Waldorf Schools' unique approach to education, and the creative ways teachers are meeting and engaging the children during these highly unusual times.
Program Overview:
Welcome
Virtual School Tour
Class Sharing/Virtual Assembly
Alumni Speaker Reflections
Invitation
Q & A/Community Discussion
PRWS Photo Montage
Farewell

Special thanks to all the teachers and children who shared what they're working on in a class sharing/virtual assembly segment (a rich variety that included book work, a poem, dance, pageant, times tables game, choral, recorder, and strings ensembles, and a chemistry demonstration). Thank you to John Gambrell (PRWS Class of 2002) for sharing alumni reflections, and to Aaron Schmidt and Mary Christenson for a virtual school tour. Kudos to David Levin, Drew Shonka, Julia Ugo, Jordan Brudos, Robin Kottke, and Shawn Lavoie for pulling it all together with skillful film editing, gorgeous photography, tech wizardry, and good humor. 
Note that only those with the above link may access the recording.
Thank you for sharing with your loved ones who were unable to join us in real-time!

Calling all Viroqua Food Co-op Members! It’s time to vote for the VFC’s 2021 Give Where You Live Recipients, and PRWS needs your vote! Each VFC Member may choose up to five local nonprofit organizations listed on the ballot, and the twelve that receive the most votes will be named the 2021 Give Where You Live Recipients. For a whole month, these organizations will receive funds raised at the register when customers choose to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar. This really adds up fast! Choose your favorite local nonprofit organizations from the online ballot at https://www.viroquafood.coop/community-outreach. As of yesterday, only 12% of VFC owners had voted! Friends of PRWS, get thee to the online poll and cast your vote! You can do so right from this link through November 9. Thanks so much for your support!
Save the Date for Holiday Faire
Saturday, December 12, 2020
This year's Virtual Holiday Faire Gala, an event for the entire family near and far, will take place on Saturday, December 12. Note this is a change from the original date.

We look forward to ringing in the holiday season as we always do, together as a community. Participants can expect the usual magic of this joyful tradition. A beautiful family meal, prepared by Viroqua's own Dani Lind of the Rooted Spoon will be available for curbside pick-up. The event will include live music, a traditional tree lighting, offerings from students and teachers, and some fun surprises. Advance registration will be required. More info to come! In the meantime, spread the word to your loved ones. It's been so lovely to connect with school families (and extended family, too!) around virtual events this fall, a real balm for our collective souls.
PRWS TEXT ALERTS

Sign up below to receive text alerts from PRWS about school events, snow days, and other important announcements.
droid_smartphone.jpg
Pleasant Ridge Today Podcast!
New episode this weekend!
We'll discuss the latest update from the RTS committee, election season, and plans for this year's Holiday Faire.
Listen directly from our website or via your favorite podcast player. Questions or ideas? Please contact us-we'd love to hear from you. Thanks for listening!
Support PRWS when shopping from home!

Don't forget that when you designate Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School on AmazonSmile, a donation will be made to our school.