Weekly Bulletin
September 22, 2021
The Rose Ceremony
Last Friday the parents of the 1st and 12th graders were able to gather on campus to participate in the beloved Fall Rose Ceremony. The 12th graders welcomed the 1st graders with a song and a white rose for each student. (In the spring, the 1st graders will see the 12th graders off with red roses.) The 1st graders offered a verse with movement that the two classes then performed together.

The friendships formed between the 1st and 12th graders are truly special. Throughout the year, the classes will connect through various activities allowing the 1st graders to look forward through the grades to who they may become as they grow and allowing the 12th graders to relive some of their early years as they navigate the culmination of their WWS experience.
WWS Knights Start of Season
Last Friday the HS Boys played the first soccer game of the season against Mclean School. WWS won 4-3 with Tyler Jackson scoring two goals!

School Calendar
Staying Up to Date With Our School Calendar

You can view the full calendar online either on the website , in ParentSquare , or in the BigSis portal (these 3 platforms are synced from the same calendar). 
September
* Current Parents can find Zoom information for meetings in ParentSquare

22/ Wednesday
  • G1 Parent Evening (Zoom), 7:30pm

23/ Thursday
  • Craft & Conversation, 9:30am (see below)
  • G6 Parent Evening (Zoom), 7pm

24/ Friday
  • Lunch with Lelia & Vanessa (Zoom), 12pm (see below)

27/ Monday
  • G5 Parent Evening (Zoom), 7pm

28/ Tuesday
  • G12 Parent Evening (Zoom), 7:30pm

29/ Wednesday
  • G9 Parent Evening (Zoom), 7:30pm
Upcoming Events
Craft & Conversation Starts Tomorrow
Thursday, September 23, at 9:30am

Come share your skills, learn a new craft, and help make items for the (remote) Fall Bazaar. We invite you to join this welcoming group of crafters of all skill levels, coming together to create community AND beautiful Waldorf-style handwork.

This fall, we will be crafting items to sell in the online Waldorf store and small treasures for the Pocket Wizards to distribute to the children at Bazaar time.

The first meeting is Thursday, Sept. 23, at 9:30am at Anja Caldwell's home/ FiberArt.studio (7711 Glenmore Spring Way, Bethesda MD 20817). (Adults only; please be mindful of the neighbors, drive slowly in the neighborhood and avoid parking on the grass.)

Future meeting times and locations (including Zoom sessions/evening times) will be announced. Drop in whenever you are able. We hope to see you there!
Lunch with Lelia & Vanessa Beckman, new TC Chair
Friday, September 24 at 12pm on Zoom

Join Lelia True and Vanessa Beckman for a Zoom lunch and a chance to greet our new Trustees Council (TC) Chair! Learn a bit about the work of the TC and get to know Vanessa. Look for an invitation in ParentSquare.

Waldorf in the Woods Spot Available
Tell your friends!

Do you know someone who might be interested in the Waldorf in the Woods program? There is usually a waitlist for the Woods class, so this is an unusual opportunity to join the class early in the year.

Please direct anyone who is interested to contact Lezlie Lawson, Director of Enrollment. llawson@washingtonwaldorf.org or 301-229-6108
Parent Organization Updates
The Gear Shop Has New Items
Thanks to all who purchased and donated. Some items were added last week; there are lots of boots!

Please take a look at the list of available items and send an email to wwsgearshop@gmail.com that includes the line number of the item(s) you're interested in and note whether you'd like to see a photo of any items.

If you have additional donations of children's outdoor gear and boots, please leave them in the vestibule and notify wwsgearshop@gmail.com.
Parent Volunteers Needed
The remote Fall Bazaar is back for another round! We invite you to participate in and contribute to this cherished annual tradition, as we carry it forward through these unusual times.

Please see the Bazaar Information Sheet that describes the typical Bazaar and sketches the plans for this year, and a Parent Participation Survey where you can indicate how you would like to contribute to the preparations for this year's event. Please fill out the survey at your earliest convenience, and we will be in touch about further plans!
Bulletin Board
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. There is no charge for listings.  
  • Please submit listings by COB Tuesdays with the subject "Bulletin Submission."
  • If you are sending images or flyers, a link to an online version is preferred.
  • Bulletin Board notices generally run for 3 weeks - if space allows - unless other arrangements have been made. Listings may not be accepted and will likely be edited.
These notices are from the WWS community, the greater Waldorf community, and occasionally from our school neighbors. The information and views in them belong to the individuals who submit the notices and do not necessarily reflect the views of WWS.
Classifieds & Events from the Community
Preparing to Enter the Secrets of the Womb of the Earth - A Michaelmas Talk and Readings - September 27, 28 & 29
from Nancy Foster (WWS Alumni Parent & WWS Grandparent)

​The Festivals Group of the local Anthroposophical Society invites you to join in a Michaelmas observance over three days. Participants will read on their own two lectures on September 27th and 28th, then will join a zoom call to hear a talk by Mary Stewart Adams on the 29th. 

Part Time Help Needed
from Michael Danzansky (WWS Parent)
  
Are you passionate about supporting children's wellbeing and emotional health? I am looking for some part time help (paid) with a project for adolescents around self compassion. Work involves research, making connections, and marketing.  

MCDOT - Bicycle Donation Drive - Community Service Month
Friday, October 8 from 7am – 2pm
shared by Bonnie McClelland (WWS Alum & Faculty) 

Do you have an extra bicycle you no longer need?
 
On Friday, October 8, Montgomery County's Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will once again sponsor a bike collection drive during this year's Community Service Month.
Donated child and adult bikes will be accepted from 7:00am to 2:00pm on Friday, October 8, 2021. (No bike parts or bike helmets, please)
 
Donations will go to the Rockville Bike Hub, a non-profit organization whose volunteers refurbish the bikes and give them to low-income residents throughout the County, through Rockville's Terrific Kids and MCDOT's Bike Match MoCo programs.
 
Location: Montgomery County Council Office Building Parking Garage at the corner of East Jefferson Street and Monroe Street in Rockville.

Christian Community Rite of Passage/Confirmation Class
from Carol Petrash (Former WWS Faculty and Alumni Parent)
 
Warm greetings to the Waldorf community from the Greater Washington - Baltimore Christian Community! We are holding regular services, following COVID safety protocols, in the chapel on our beautiful property, which includes a biodynamic garden, in College Park, MD and wanted to let you know about a rite of passage opportunity for your middle school aged children. The Christian Community is a worldwide movement for religious renewal that was founded in the early part of the 20th century by a group of clergy with the help of Rudolf Steiner.   
 
This fall, Rev. Emma Heirman (WWS Alum 2003) and her husband Rev. Matthias Giles will offer a yearlong class for 7th and 8th graders, leading to confirmation for the 8th graders in the spring of 2022. This is an opportunity for the young people to meet and talk about life questions in the context of faith and a non dogmatic Christian view of the world. You do not need to be members of the Christian Community for your children to attend these gatherings. 
 
 
For further information about any of our offerings, please contact our priests:
Rev. Emma Heirman: emma.heirman@gmail.com
Rev. Matthias Giles: matthiasgiles@gmail.com
 
I would also gladly speak with anyone who has an interest in the confirmation classes (all three of our children were confirmed) or the Christian Community in general.
Carol Petrash, cpetrash@earthlink.net, 301-946-9465
Free Book Program
shared by Susan Walsh and Tammy Gompper (WWS Library)

This program is in its last couple of week, but if you happen to use any products from Kellogg's, you can turn in a picture of your receipt (for a purchase made before September 30), and receive a free book.

Tutoring Available
from Catherine Dixon, shared by Taisto Saloma (Faculty, WWS Parent & Alumni)

Waldorf Graduate and Waldorf Trained Teacher available for remote tutoring of all kinds. Raised in Washington DC and Maine, I was a middle school teacher in Baltimore city for a few years before getting my masters from Antioch University and becoming a Waldorf class teacher. Take a look at my website: catherinehdixon.com. I look forward to the opportunity to work with your child!
FREE Film Screening “Standing on Sacred Ground: Profit and Loss”
from Theadora Scarato (WWS Parent)

Standing on Sacred Ground: Profit and Loss” (Oct 7-14) features indigenous communities resisting threats to their sacred places—the original protected lands—in a growing movement to defend human rights and restore the environment.
 
This film is presented as part of Environmental Health Trust’s Jackson Hole Virtual Film Festival. There will be a live Q&A with WWS Parent Theodora Scarato and Film Directors.

Virtual Waldorf Pedagogical Speech Course Starting this Fall
taught by WWS Speech Teacher Debbie Spitulnik 

A year long study (fall, winter, spring): three, 3 week blocks of speech, (2 hours each Saturday). Each block will build on the next.
 
We will take a deeper dive into the following aspects of Steiner Speech and together explore how to use these in the classroom.
DATES: Saturdays 11:00 pm - 1:00pm EST
Session I:   October 23, 30, November 6 image and movement
Session II:   January 8, 15, and 22          gestures and streams
Session III   March 19, 26, and April 2      sounds and drama 

Private lesson available between sessions
 
FEES: Sessions I, II, III: $145 per session
Through a generous gift I have an ANGEL FUND that can offer a bit of scholarship for those in need.

CSA Sign Ups for Biodynamic/Organic Food 
(pick up near WWS or a location near you!)
shared by Sunny Kaplan (WWS Alumni Parent)

There are still a few shares available for the CSA! Different options are: school year only (Sept-May), winter/spring season (Dec-May) and summer. Call or email first to confirm availability--once confirmed, registration info is here (a discount is available if you pay with cash/check). 

What's the CSA? Spiritual Foods CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) provides biodynamic and organic veggies, fruit, eggs, bread and other seasonal staples, with most of it grown on land leased from the Kimberton Waldorf School in PA! Biodynamics, like Waldorf education, was founded by Rudolf Steiner and is a spiritual-ethical-ecological approach to agriculture, food production and nutrition. Choices for share options include: main share of veggies, fruit & supplements; main share w/out bread; or veggie/fruit only. Please visit the CSA website for more info, costs, and registration forms, or email or call Lakshmi at 301-654-4899 with questions and to check on availability. You can also reach out to Sunny Kaplan, WWS alumni parent and WWS/CSA coordinator. 
Attachments area
A New Screen Strong Parent Group is Forming! 
from Sarah Vakkur (WWS Parent)

This group will help support parents as we navigate technology with our children. It will also help children socialize without their phones or tech. I joined this national/international group this summer to get additional support raising my teenagers in the pandemic. It is excellent and I am now a local rep for the DC area. If you would like more info see screenstrong.com , and e-mail me at vakkurstudio@me.com with the subject “ScreenStrong”.

Our local group will offer a parent group for sharing information and ideas and also a teen group to offer social opportunities without the use of phones, video games or screens. 
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Washington Waldorf School
4800 Sangamore Road,
Bethesda, MD 20816
301-229-6107