The Buy-In Parties have LAUNCHED and the Class Basket Raffles are OPEN! To view the Class Baskets (pictured above), stop by the school entrance hall for a peek! You may purchase raffle tickets online, in person from Stephanie Hanson, or at the front desk.

Visit Gala Central for:

• Gala details and tickets until April 11
• Three silent auction items online until April 14: the parking space, a weekend home on the Chesapeake, a fancy sewing machine
• Community Buy-In Parties online until April 14
• Amazing Class Baskets online until April 14

“Views of Splendor: Washington Waldorf Spring Gala”

Saturday, April 15

Location: Top of the Town in Arlington, VA (The venue boasts spectacular views of DC’s monuments.)

Gala Highlights will include:

• A strolling supper provided by Chef Eron & Sarah Heirman's catering company Foxhall Catering
• A lively raise the paddle with MC extraordinaire, Taisto Saloma 
• Our featured speaker, Alum Sandy Wacker '08
• Dancing - including songs you request!

From Barb Bancroft, HS Art Dept Chair & Art Teacher

CONGRATULATIONS!

to our HIGH SCHOOL ARTISTS

accepted to the 24th ANNUAL YELLOW BARN EXHIBITION

The art gods smiled merrily on our High School Artists this year, accepting eleven of the fifteen who entered from Washington Waldorf! This prestigious juried competition among all area-wide high schools recognizes only forty students each year, awarding each a gift certificate from Plaza Art Supply along with other prizes. This year, Yellow Barn instructor Leo Ramos served as the juror. Our school, the second-most heavily represented art department, fell right behind Albert Einstein Public High School’s Arts Magnet program which took the majority of spots. We are small but mighty!

Catalina Bump received an Honorable Mention Award for her “Self Portrait” in oils. Below is a listing of our students in the show and their works. The entire show can be viewed online. Please have a look!  

We are grateful to all our High School artists for their creative spirit, initiative, and talent!

Thanks for putting in the effort, everyone!

MsB

• Catalina Bump - “Self Portrait” (oil on canvas) -
• Sasha Woodward - “Self Portrait” (oil on canvas)
• Magdalena Steckler - “Out of the Blue” (oil on canvas)
• Seychelle Singh - “Self Portrait Study” (oil on canvas)
• Douglas Holmberg - “Douglas” (oil on canvas)
• Talea Prenger - “Talea” (oil on canvas)
• Sophia Brokenshire - “Pears Study” (oil on canvas)
• Gillian Foster - “Pomegranates and Shallots” (oil on canvas)
• Bella Sokolowski - “Self Portrait” (linoleum block print)
• Isabella de Michele - “Persimmons” (oil on canvas)
• Sarah Gresham - “Self Portrait Study” (pencil on paper)

The Mechanics main lesson in Grade 10 focuses on forces and equilibrium. Through a series of hands-on experiments and observations, students build an understanding of these and other concepts. They represent forces as vectors, and practice collecting, graphing, and analyzing data.

These foundational studies have widespread applications, particularly in understanding graphically displayed data. Like all of our science courses, the Mechanics block also provides training and builds familiarity with lab work which can inform future science classwork as well as other analytic endeavors.

March

30/ Thursday

• Grade 4 Play, 4pm

31/ Friday

• 12:30 Dismissal - Spring Break

April



3-7/ Monday - Friday

• NO CLASSES - Spring Break

10/ Monday

• Craft & Conversation, 8:45-10am (see below)

11/ Tuesday

• Final day for Gala ticket sales.

12/ Wednesday

• P/FO Open Gathering, 8:30am (see below)
• Tour for Prospective Families, 9am
• Lunch Music, 12:15pm (see below)
• P/FO Zoom Open Gathering, 7:30pm (see below)

13/ Thursday

• Senior Project Presentations, 3:30pm (see below)
• G3 Parent/Guardian Evening, 7:30pm

15/ Saturday

• Community "Shred It" Day, 11am
• Gala (see above)

18/ Tuesday

• Community Screening I'm Not Racist... Am I?, 6:15pm (see below)
• Trustees Council Meeting, 7pm (see below)

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

Craft & Conversation

Monday, April 10 at 8:45am

Come to the school entrance hall after drop-off to socialize and work together on handwork projects. All are welcome, regardless of skill level. Craft & Conversation meets every other Monday.



Subscribe to the list for updates.

Open Parent/Family Organization Gathering

Wednesday, April 12 from 8:45-9:45am in the entrance hall and 7:30-8:30 pm on Zoom

Catch up with fellow families, hear updates about upcoming events and ongoing P/FO projects, and share your ideas.

Please come and go as suits your schedule!

Lunch Music

Wednesday, Apr 12 from 12:05-1:15pm (12:05 for HS, 12:40 for MS)

Parents and guardians are invited to join us in the auditorium for performances by the High School Strings and the Middle School Choir.

Class of 2023 Senior Project Presentations

Thursday, April 13 from 3:30–6pm.

Every year, Seniors may elect to do an independent project delving into a topic that particularly interests or inspires them. The process begins with a proposal toward the end of Grade 11. Following approval, they work independently for about a year. Students also have a class in the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters of Grade 12 to further develop and discuss their projects. Each student has a mentor for their senior project. This process culminates in a public presentation for the community.

This year, 8 Seniors will present their projects on Thursday, April 13 from 3:30–6pm. Presentations will be followed by Q & A.

The following students will present on April 13 (order TBD):

• Catalina and Ayan -- on an independent student film, The Sweet Manifesto
• Douglas -- From Soldier's Joy to "Pillbillies": The Common Causes Underlying the United States' Civil War and Modern Opioid Epidemics
• Magdalena -- on Songwriting and the Music Industry
• Pritam -- on the History of Photography through Taking Pictures
• Seychelle -- on Understanding Dyslexia
• Sophia -- on Violence towards Women during Africa's "World War" (in the DRC)
• William -- The Impact of Air Power on the Current War in Ukraine

Please join us for the presentations!

Due to the topics being presented, we recommend this for audience members in Grade 7 and above. Students, parents, and friends are invited to join us in the auditorium!

WWS Community Screening of the Documentary I'm Not Racist... Am I?

Tuesday, April 18 at 6:15pm

I'm Not Racist... Am I? is a feature documentary following a diverse group of teens through a yearlong exploration to get at the heart of racism. Through some tense and painful moments, we see how these difficult conversations affect their relationships with friends and parents, and ultimately challenge them to look deep within themselves. By the end of their time together, we’ll see these remarkable young people develop deeper bonds, a stronger resolve and a bigger, more significant definition of racism than any of us ever imagined. 

Learn more about the documentary.

Trustees Council Meeting

Tuesday, April 18 at 7pm in the WWS library

(open to the community 7-7:45pm)

WWS Trustees Council (TC) meetings are typically scheduled for the third Tuesday of every month of the school year in the WWS library. The first 45 minutes of the meeting are open to the community, and all are welcome to attend. During this portion of the meeting, we hear a comprehensive report from our Head of School/Faculty Chair that includes updates from the various administrative departments of the school as well as other pertinent information. The Parent Leadership Group (PLG) also shares updates from their work with the school community during this portion of the meeting. 

This week, we highlight two of our Room to Move campaign co-chairs, Vanessa Beckman and Maria Monteverde-Jackson. Vanessa and Maria, along with their husbands, Jon Beckman and John Jackson, stepped up to co-chair the campaign in the spring of 2021. They recently reflected on what inspired them to get more involved with the Room to Move campaign, their favorite WWS athletic moments, and what they are most looking forward to about the Gym’s completion.

Maria shares, “When I started working in the Development Office in 2011, we were just about to kick-off the first campaign for the entrance, the new HVAC system, and windows. There was great disappointment that we couldn’t build the gym in the first phase. When Brad made his gift towards the gym in 2017 and we learned he wanted to honor John Brauer, our family was 100% committed to making the gym a reality. We knew how much it would mean to the school, the students, and to Mr. Brauer. We are honored to be able to be a part of the project and the work that has gone into it.”

Vanessa says “When this project was shared with me, the myriad ways having a gymnasium would positively impact our school became crystal clear. The gym will strengthen our community, give our athletics program a boost, give us space for our movement program, provide an additional space for community events and lift up our school.”

When thinking about their favorite WWS athletic memories, Maria remembers when the Middle School girls won the PVAC championship, and Vanessa thinks about last spring’s championship baseball game for the High School boys. Both events took place in other schools’ spaces, and our community traveled to support them.

When the Gym is complete, Vanessa and Maria both envision home games with our whole school community in attendance. But they also see future Bazaars, Galas, Grandparents Day, and other beloved community events taking place. The John and Mary Brauer Gym will be a gift for our entire community.

Learn more about the Gym and Room to Move campaign.

4 Week Simplicity Parenting Class at WWS

April 26 - May 17

Wednesday Evenings from 6-8pm at WWS

Facilitator: Drew Sample (WWS Parent)

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

Additional $30 fee for materials will be subsidized by WWS

Simplicity Parenting provides the resources and tools needed to create a simpler and more fulfilling home life for children and caregivers so that they can worry less, feel more confident, have better relationships, and raise thriving, happy kids. Developed by renowned family counselor Kim John Payne, the Simplicity Parenting methods recognize how today's "too much, too soon" culture is overwhelming and stressful for children and makes it very difficult for parents to create the balanced home life they dream of for their family. 

As an antidote to this unbalanced frenzy, WWS parent and certified Simplicity Parenting group facilitator Drew Sample will offer a series of group courses for WWS families to learn about the small, doable, and effective steps Simplicity Parenting offers for reducing stressors and enjoying a simpler, more connected home life. The group offers opportunities to deeply explore the Simplicity Parenting material, discuss with peers how to practically apply these powerful tools, and build a community of support to help them stick. 

Register

Have you checked out the WWS Summer Camps that are available for high school students?

BIKE CAMP 

(Ages 12-18) June 26-30 with Geoff Baker

Bike 15-30 miles per day, along with other activities like a trip to the pool. We will try to get ice cream every day!

REFAB FASHION 

(Ages 11-17) July 17-21 with Alana Maubury Hunter

Create new clothes from old ones and prepare and present your designs like a professional designer.

VOCAL ARTS CAMP 

(Ages 12-18) with Melissa Chavez

Daily workshops will include music theory, sight reading, song interpretation, and acting for the singer through classical and Broadway styles.

• 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

Building Bridges is an effort to make Waldorf teacher training more accessible in our area. There are three upcoming information sessions:

• April 30 - Info session at Baltimore Waldorf School from 2-3:30pm  With Torin Finser and David Barham 
• April 30 - Info session at Acorn Hill, 7pm. With Torin and David.
• May 1 - Info session at WWS from 3:30-5:00. With Torin and Debbie Spitulnik.

This is the course for you, if you have completed Explorations (or an equivalent training). If you have not completed Explorations, it is not too late to join the Spring session.

Learn More About the Building Bridges Program

Volunteer for Planet Bethesda June 4th--Earn community service hours and/or just for fun!

From Sunny Kaplan (WWS Alum Family)

The 2nd annual Planet Bethesda plant-based food, music & fun festival will take place June 4th in Elm Street Park in Bethesda and we're looking for volunteers! It's a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours (if needed), plus a chance to be a part of an exciting event that engages the community & educates people about plant-based eating. Volunteers will receive coupons to cash in for food and beverages, a free Planet Bethesda t-shirt, and a tote bag filled w/goodies! 

Ready to sign up? Just fill out the brief volunteer questionnaire. There will be two shifts: 8 am–2 pm and 1:30–8 pm, but if you can only work a shorter shift note that on the form.

Questions? Email Sunny Kaplan at planetbethesda@gmail.com.

Adventure Camps

Adventure Camps has provided Waldorf students with unique camp experiences in the US for over fifty years. The camps are organized, led, and run by Waldorf alums, students, teachers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The Adventure Camps staff are dedicated to creating fun, safe, and meaningful camps for all youth. 

Adventure Camps share many of Waldorf education’s values such as: disconnecting from our devices and busy lives in order to connect with one another, developing strong daily rhythms, cultivating respect for all living things, preparing and sharing nourishing meals, and living into the idea that each individual holds tremendous value as a soul at every given moment. All of these, and many more, are integral aspects of our camp experience. 

Learn More

Doctors on Wireless and Environmental Heath 

From Theodora Scarato (WWS Family)

Updated

Dr. Hugh Taylor MD, Chair of Obstetrics at Yale School of Medicine and president of American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Dr. Baldwin, and WWS parent Theodora Scarato present the latest research on environmental health and wireless as just published in the in the journal Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care.

The video is available online.

Learn more at EHT’s HealthyTech at Home.

Appalachia Service Project (Agers 13+)

From CJ Leonard, WWS Faculty & Family

Updated

Is your teenager looking for a community approach to do good work for others while learning life skills of how to use tools and home repair? What about checking off their required "Community Service Hours" box in one fell-swoop? 

We welcome you and your teen to join us on Zoom THIS THURSDAY EVENING at 7:30pm for a Q&A meeting to talk about the Appalachia Service Project (ASP). We are creating a group for this upcoming summer and would love for your teen to join us!

Questions beforehand? Feel free to email Eron Picus at eronpicus@mac.com for more information about this meeting.

Learn more about the ASP program.

Anthroposophical Society, Greater Washington Branch Easter Talk by Frank Hall

From Nancy Foster, WWS Family

Parzival's Teachers: On the Way to the Grail a talk by Frank Hall

Thursday, April 6 7:30-9:00 pm

At the home of the Fosters: 7717 14th St. NW, Washington, DC

View flyer to learn more.

Household Items & Clothing Donations

Regular Collection Continuing Bi-Weekly

From Robin Leake, WWS Family

Year-to-Date Donation Amounts: 272 lbs and 1 computer for refurbishing.

The next drive will take place on Sunday, Arpil 2 from 1-3pm in the WWS parking lot. I hope to see you there!

The goal of the Hearts and Homes project is to collect a wide variety of unneeded household items and clothing to help under-resourced families and keep useful items out of the landfill. Read a welcome letter from Robin and see donation guidelines.

We are also accepting the following technology donations for use in a separate local project called "Computers for Good Causes, Not Landfills"

• All Laptops (Macbooks, Windows) – even if the battery is dead or the power cord/adapter is missing
• iMacs (Apple desktops)
• laptop bags, USB (wired) keyboards, USB (wired) mice, webcams, and headsets

These items are refurbished by a local good samaritan and then donated to community non-profit organizations like Community Bridges and React DC. 

Please help me spread the word by sharing this information with your neighborhood listservs. 

Have questions? I’d be happy to help!

robinrleake@gmail.com

Special Request: I am currently working with a refugee family expecting twins this Summer. If you, or someone you know, has any maternity clothing, baby or nursery items to donate, I would love to offer them to this couple. If you can't make the collection events, please email me to schedule a pickup at the meeting point of your choice. Currently, Mom has very few clothing items to wear and her tummy is growing by the day! Thank you to everyone who donates.

Published by the Washington Waldorf School

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