Weekly Bulletin
June 2, 2021
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Scenes from last week's senior play - taken from contemporary and original sources - and presented with a mixture of livestream and prerecorded content from around the school. |
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Getting to Know Our Chairpersons... |
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Who are the Chairs and what do they do?
At WWS, each department (CG, LS, HS, Admin) has a Chair who is responsible for guiding the department in its administrative and pedagogical responsibilities. The Chair leads the weekly department meetings and works along with the department administrator or coordinator to ensure the smooth functioning of the department. All Chairs are members of the College of Teachers which has its own Chair. All Chairs join the Head of School for a weekly Chairs Group meeting where all-school matters are discussed and department information is shared.
Today we continue our series of profiles of each of the Chairs....
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High School Chair, Gabriele Schilz
Gabriele is from Köln (aka Cologne), Germany and grew up in Stuttgart where she knew people associated with the Waldorf School. Though not a Waldorf student herself, she was intrigued and even jealous of what she heard from an elementary school friend who switched to the Waldorf School. By the time Gabriele was living in the US and starting a family, she knew that she wanted her children to attend a Waldorf School. They started out at the San Francisco Waldorf School, and then moved to the DC area and WWS 14 years ago. Gabriele has taught at WWS for 12 years. Her son Emanuel graduated in 2018 and attends the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and her daughter Myriam, who will graduate from WWS this week, is going on to Barnard College.
What would you say most motivates you to do what you do?
The love for learning! As a teacher, I get to learn new, more, and different things all the time. Learning together with students is a creative force.
What is your favorite school festival and why?
The Day of the Languages! It’s a wonderful mix: start with intensive work and creativity, add courage and generosity of heart, and spread delight all around.
Please share a moment from teaching that was a particular delight for you or that made you feel proud.
The Day of the Languages tends to be particularly meaningful every time when witnessing the students reach new levels of confidence in their language of study.
Tell us about a hero of yours or someone who has had a great influence on you.
I am grateful to some artists I have studied with who taught me a lot about vulnerability, flexibility, and presence -- in particular Barbara Bash, Mayumi Oda, and Eiichi Okamoto Sensei.
Share a quote that is particularly meaningful for you.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” - Albert Einstein
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A trapeze artist. When I became more “reasonable,” I wanted to be a teacher for the children at the circus, accompanying the circus while on tour.
Share a book recommendation.
Just one?? My most recently read new book I would recommend is a novel by Sigrid Nunez, What Are You Going Through. Most recently re-read novel is Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I still love the circus! While DC doesn’t have a local circus troupe, my favorite circus-inspired physical theater ensemble in this area is Happenstance Theater.
Do you have a “life philosophy” that can be shared in a sentence or two?
“It is not your responsibility to finish the work [of perfecting the world], but you are not free to desist from it either.” - Rabbi Tarfon (lived some time in the period between 70 - 130 CE)
What is the most useful advice you have received?
Hold the brush with a soft grip. I am still learning this life lesson.
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Staying Up to Date With Our School Calendar
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June
4/ Friday
- Rose Ceremony (G1 & G12), 2pm
5/ Saturday
9/ Wednesday
- G5 Parent Evening, 6:30pm
10/ Thursday
- G9 Parent Evening, 7pm
- G1 Parent Evening, 8pm
11/ Friday
- Coffee Break with Jennifer Page, 10am
14/ Monday
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UPDATED 8th Grade Commencement, 4pm
16/ Wednesday
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12:30 DISMISSAL all classes - Last day of school for grades 1-12
17-18/ Thursday - Friday
- CG Snow Day Makeup Days 12:30 DISMISSAL
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Calendar of School Days for the 2021-2022 School Year |
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Saturday, June 5 at 11:00am - Hybrid Event
The seniors and their families will be able to gather at the school for a graduation ceremony and the occasion will be livestreamed for the community.
All are invited to join the livestream at:
Please note that in the event of weather emergency, the graduation will be postponed to Sun, June 6 at 11:00am.
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Waldorf in the Woods morning circle. |
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12th grade Spanish class performance for the 1st grade. |
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Only 5 days left in our 2-week ONE FUND Participation Challenge.
Join the Challenge and make your gift, of any amount, online or by texting “wws1969” to 56651 by June 7. Our students and faculty are COUNTING on you!
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Thanks to alumna Victoria Mansuri (Class of 1988) for gifting her family's framed print of the Sistine Chapel ceiling to our 7th grade classroom where our students delve into the European Renaissance. Shown here are the current 7th graders experiencing what it is like to paint overhead while lying down.
Before the pandemic, Victoria presented the print to John Brauer who was her class teacher (his first class!). The print was donated in honor of Victoria's parents Jean and Aboul Mansuri.
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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. There is no charge for listings.
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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.
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Classifieds & Events from the Community |
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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.
Beginning in the 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:
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.
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FiberArt.Studio Summer Camp
from Anja Caldwell (WWS Parent)
There is still a bit more room in some of my summer camps for the weeks of July 6th to the 23rd. We will make teddy bears from scratch this year, and there are only six campers in each week.
The camps are held in my home studio in Carderock Springs, Bethesda, with backyard, puppy love and pretzel baking.
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Environmental Health Film Series: Free Screening of Death by Design
from Theodora Scarato (WWS Parent)
What: Film “Death by Design: The Dirty Secret of Our Digital Addiction"
Date: Online anytime the week of June 10 - 17.
Q&A: June 17 at 7:30
Environmental HealthTrust is hosting the second film in their 2021 virtual Jackson Hole Film Series, “Death by Design.” Cell phones are designed to die. This film tells the story of health and environmental degradation tied to our love of cell phones and hopes to inspire us towards safer and more sustainable technology. Register at EHTrust.org to view the film “Death by Design” free online for a full week.
EHT Executive Director and WWS parent Theodora Scarato will be hosting a Q&A session on June 17, 2021. Learn more about the film at https://deathbydesignfilm.com.
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The Art of Biography Series - A Tool for Racial and Social Healing
from Lynn Turner (WWS Faculty & Parent)
Each week we will join together for a live 2.5 hour workshop session working with poetry, breathwork, mindfulness practice, artistic and imaginative prompts to open up biographical experiences to deepen our understanding of ourselves and others as we walk the healing path towards individual and collective racial and social healing. We will participate in small group journaling and artistic exercises, and deep listening while observing confidentiality with one another and full group sharing and reflections.
All course participants will gain access to our private "Nurture the Narrative" virtual circle space to discuss and share with one another in community. No previous artistic experience is required.
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Tutoring & Academic Support
shared by Taisto Saloma (WWS Faculty, Parent & Alum)
Waldorf Class Teacher available for remote tutoring and academic support this summer. If you're interested, please visit: catherinehdixon.com
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Free Items
from Doerthe Braun (WWS Parent)
Bunny cage and almost new space heater for free. Email doerthebraun@icloud.com or text 240-535-3848.
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Virtual Summer Math Camp
shared by CJ Leonard (WWS Faculty & Parent)
$75 per week includes:
- One 45 minute lesson (pick your day)
- A free IXL account for your student
- Carefully selected daily IXL assignments to keep your student sharp!
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WWS Family Looking for Nanny
from Kathleen Baker (WWS Parent & 1st Grade Assistant)
Our family is looking for an experienced, trustworthy, and reliable nanny for our 8.5yo son and 2.5yo daughter, full time M – F, roughly 10am- 6pm starting mid-June with the option of transitioning to part-time afternoons for the 2021-2022 school year. We're looking for an energetic person who gives warmly and can creatively keep the children engaged as “returning to normal” begins to take shape. Meal and snack time prep, diaper changes, and nap time are essential, as is a willingness to attend to some child-related cleaning (dishes, toy/craft clean up). Will consider candidates who are fully vaccinated; mask wearing/social distancing when out and about remains a must. Competitive pay through Zelle or Venmo. Must be comfortable with two friendly cats who think they are dogs and mostly sleep all day. Licensed driver with own car preferred, comfortable driving children (car seats provided) to accommodate playdates and adventures. With kindness and hope...
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CSA Sign Ups for Biodynamic/Organic Food
(pick up at WWS or a location near you!)
shared by Sunny Kaplan (WWS Parent)
Sign up is now OPEN for CSA Year June 2021-May 2022! Different options are available as space allows: school year only (Sept-May), summer only, and winter/spring season (Dec-May). Call or email first to confirm availability or if there's a wait list. 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 parent and WWS/CSA coordinator.
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Published by the Washington Waldorf School
Copyright © 2021 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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