Congratulations to Grade 8 on their thrilling production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe!

An advantage of being a Preschool - Grade 12 school is finding opportunities for our younger and older students to collaborate and learn from each other. Here are some examples from the past few weeks where different grades met together for shared classes.

Last week, the senior class met with Mr. Sage’s third graders to celebrate the conclusions of two very different study blocks about built environments. The third graders recently studied indigenous shelters from around the world, and took their first foray into a research project, building models of these shelters. The twelfth graders recently completed a History through Architecture block, which concluded with each student designing a tiny house structure. The seniors shared their designs with the third graders and both classes enjoyed the opportunity to connect and share with each other!

Grade 11's physics block on electricity and magnetism begins with several demonstrations of electricity at work. Students develop keen observation skills and put their analytical abilities to the test by asking questions about what they observe. They then take their questions through the full scientific process. This week, the 11th graders had the chance to create their own electricity demonstrations for the 5th Grade (who will begin their own introduction to studying physics next year in Grade 6). The collaboration was electrifying!

Our Grades 7 & 9 English classes teamed up this week to play Literary Jenga -- a small group analytical discussion activity. During the game, numbered pieces corresponded to questions that prompted the students to reflect on and analyze the novels they are currently reading for English class: The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani (Grade 7) and The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Grade 9).

The discussion questions included, "What moral conflict in the story do you find the most interesting?" "How does the protagonist change over the course of the novel?" and "What is an object in the book that functions as a character?" During the activity, the ninth graders were developing their analytical and critical thinking skills while taking on a leadership role. The seventh graders had the opportunity to consider and discuss their reading in an engaging, hands-on setting.

Many thanks to those who brought about and those who attended the Solstice Gathering last Friday. The hot cider, fire pits, and the laughter of children running around as adults socialized brought warmth against the chill. The poems and songs shared were lovely and gave the opportunity for communal reflection in the gloaming of the day.

Cecilia Berg-Benson, who many of you will know from her greetings at the front desk in the mornings, is leaving her positions at WWS and will not return after the break. We are so grateful for the many years Cecilia has devoted to supporting WWS families and faculty in her many roles: parent, volunteer, enrollment office staff, and her most recent work at the front desk and as Children's Garden (CG) Coordinator. We look forward to seeing her from time to time as an occasional substitute in the CG!

Cecilia first came to WWS as a CG parent in 2005. In reflecting on her time as a parent of two WWS "lifers," she expressed how important it was to her family that the teachers worked in partnership with her and her husband, offering parental support and education. She also noted the friendships her family built that continue, even after her children graduated in 2021 and 2023.

Starting in 2015, Cecilia's work as the Enrollment Associate was invaluable as she connected with families looking to learn more about WWS and shared directly from her own experience to help them navigate the application process. Cecilia stepped away from that role, but returned during the pandemic to support the school and help with front desk coverage. She later took on the CG Coordinator role as well. The warm greetings Cecilia has offered from the front desk, on the phone, and in the weekly CG Notes have buoyed the spirits of many of us over the years.

We offer our warmest appreciation and best wishes to Cecilia as she moves on to this next phase of her journey.

Cecilia shared these words in a recent CG Notes post: 

"Words cannot express my deep gratitude - only possibly to say my two wonderful, brilliant young adult children could not be the fabulous people they are without the Washington Waldorf School and the community in which they grew up. It has definitely been a home away from home."

Next Open PFO Meetings on January 14 & 15

Please save the date for our next Open PFO Meetings on Tuesday, Jan 14 and Wednesday, Jan 15. 

We will host an in-person session on Tuesday, Dec 14 at 8:45am in the entrance hall and a virtual session on Wednesday, Dec 15 at 8:30pm on Zoom. 

These will be duplicate sessions, so attend whichever works best for your schedule. Members of the DEIB committee will join us to provide an overview of their work and answer questions from the community.  We hope to see you there!

Welcome to Good Food for the Spring Term!

Please see last week's Bulletin to learn more about the delicious, nutritious lunches we're serving.

New for spring term -- an expanded three-week menu rotation for additional variety! View the menu, cost and how to enroll.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE of these IMPORTANT DETAILS

• NEW lunchers: Sign up by Dec 31
• CURRENT lunchers:
• To continue service, no need to do anything
• To cancel, email goodfood@washingtonwaldorf.org
• Lunch service starts Wednesday, Jan 8 (NOT Monday, Jan 6!), and runs through the last full day of the term, June 10.

**Inspired by the parent volunteer testimonials in the Bulletin? Sign up to help in the kitchen! Thank you for your support!**

Alum Basketball Game

Friday, Dec 20 at 5:30pm

Get ready for an evening of basketball, fun, and fantastic food at our Washington Waldorf Alum Basketball Game this Friday!

Come cheer on our alums, faculty, and current students as they hit the court. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just love a good game, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

Bonus: We’ve got you covered with food from New Gourmet Delight, a top rated food truck—because cheering is always better with great food.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, Dec 20
• Time: 5:30pm Doors Open, 6pm Tip-Off
• Location: Washington Waldorf School
• Food: Provided by New Gourmet Delight

Bring your school spirit, your appetite, and the whole family. Let’s make it a night to remember!

Learn more & RSVP

Simplicity Parenting Class Starting Jan 18

The Simplicity Parenting Family Life course is a group class offering parents the practical and manageable means for transforming their home lives into an oasis of peace and stability amid the constant overstimulation of life today. Course participants review on their own time video material based on the research and clinical work of renowned family counselor and Waldorf school consultant Kim John Payne. They then gather in group meetings, alternating weeks, to work together on how to apply the principles of simplicity and strongly rooted family values to their real lives.

Facilitated by WWS parent and Simplicity Parenting group leader, Drew Sample, this class provides essential direct support for parents navigating challenges at home. It also forms a deeply connected community of parents who support each other in continually striving towards a better future for their children. This class is particularly focused on parenting children aged 2-9 years, but holds many relevant and applicable lessons for families with kids of any age (as well as for our own adult lives!).

Free Zoom Q&A Session on Jan 13: https://www.thefatherhoodcircle.com/simplicityfreepreview

Meeting dates: Saturdays 9:30-11am on Jan 18, Feb 1, Feb 15, Mar 1

The class costs will be subsidized by the school for current WWS families.

Contact Drew Sample for more info: sampledrew@gmail.com

We are excited to share our Summer Camp offerings for Summer 2025.  

Preschool and Kindergarten-aged children are invited to the Children's Garden Summer Camp, where they will spend their days following the gentle rhythm of our CG classes. They will help prepare their daily snacks, listen to stories, and spend their day in open-ended play. These sessions will be led by our beloved Children’s Garden teachers. Please note that children must be potty trained.

Rising Grades 1-4 have two camp options that run for all six weeks. Waldorf Adventure Camp will take the children off campus to explore local parks and swimming holes in the morning. Waldorf Discovery Camp will take place on campus, with the children sharing stories, doing art and handwork projects, cooking and gardening, and they’ll have plenty of unstructured time to play. Combined afternoon activities for both camps will include more free play, games, and crafts.

Rising Grades 5-8 can spend a week clowning around in Circus Camp, honing their basketball skills with Coach Taisto, sharpening their cooking skills with Chef Eron, creating a comic strip, making their own yarn - dyeing it - and crocheting a little creature, or having other adventures!   

High School students can join Chef Eron for an advanced cooking class. We are also looking to hire high school students (over 16 years old) as CITs for our other camps - please email camps@washingtonwaldorf.org for more information.  

Learn More & Register

December

20/ Friday

• 12:30 Dismissal
• Alum Basketball Game, 6pm

**Winter Break Dec 23-Jan 3 | Classes Resume Jan 6**

January

3/ Friday

• Returning Family Financial Aid Applications Due in Clarity

8/ Wednesday

• CG - G5 Tour for Prospective Families, 9am
• Recent Alum Lunch with HS Students
• Songbirds Parent/Guardian Meeting, 7pm

9/ Thursday

• MS/HS Tour for Prospective Families, 9am
• Sunflowers Parent/Guardian Meeting, 7pm

11/ Saturday

• CG Open House, 10am
• MS/HS Basketball Game & Dance

🏀🏀🏀View the Athletics Calendar on our website.

From Tammy Gompper, WWS Librarian

It’s that time again when end-of-year lists are cropping up everywhere. With 2024 coming to a close, libraries, publishers, and educators are sharing their favorite books from the year. Here are some of my favorite lists:

1. Mr. Colby Sharp Awesome 2024 Books
2. New York Public Library’s Best Books of 2024
3. School Library Journal: Best Books 2024
4. Kirkus Reviews: Best Books of 2024 (click middle pull down menu to change categories)

Please also see below for books about the Winter Solstice as well as some books recently added to the Parent & Teacher collections.

Happy reading!

View/Download a PDF of the Report

If you are a current family - first, check ParentSquare for posts from your teachers, departments (Children's Garden, Lower School, High School), and the administration.

If you cannot find the information you are looking for on ParentSquare, please email your department coordinator/administrator or our Operations Manager:

• Lower School Coordinator - Margaret Mansker
• High School Administrator - Bonnie McClelland
• Operations Manager - Laur Garner

Holiday Music Spanning the Centuries Featuring Vox Pulchra and Celebrated Multi-Instrumentalist Tina Chancey

From Jennifer Robison, WWS Faculty & Parent

Friday, Dec 20 at 7pm

The small women's vocal ensemble that I sing with, Vox Pulchra, is performing a holiday concert at the Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital on Capitol Hill. We will be singing music spanning centuries and continents, but revolving around themes of the solstice, the stars, and Christmas traditions from many cultures.  

We will be joined by instrumentalist Tina Chancey who plays all sorts of incredible instruments that come to us from the distant past. If you've ever wondered how Cellos used to sound before there were Cellos, then come hear Tina play the 7 stringed Viola de Gamba and you'll know!

Tickets are $20 and beverages are available for purchase in the lobby.  

Get Tickets

Book Discussion: Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me

A group of people interested in social justice gathers once a month to support each other in antiracism and other social justice organizing through study, practice, and dialogue. Please join us!

• Our next gathering is Monday, Jan 6 at 7:30pm
• We will be discussing Part I of Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me
• Open to all and no prior experience needed

Interested in this gathering, or future ones? Let us know!

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® Series In Person

From Alison Babil, WWS Alum Parent

In Person Classes at the Carderock Springs Clubhouse

This Feldenkrais® series will focus on early developmental movements.

Feldenkrais gently transforms pain, tension, and movement challenges. Classes take students through a series of movements which create new pathways in the brain and body. The aim is more freedom in one's body and life.

"I had hip pain before class, and now it is gone! I also feel much more balanced." -- W.L., Feldenkrais class participant

Tuesdays, Jan 28 - Mar 18, 1:30-2:30pm

Carderock Springs Clubhouse

For more information and Registration:  

Email Alison with questions and to register: alison@truenorthhealing.com and send

• payment via PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle for $160.  
• First class free for newcomers.
• Discounted rate for Carderock Springs members, email Alison to inquire.)
• A limited number of discounted slots available for those who truly need it. 
• No refunds or transfers after Jan 29, 1:30pm EST regardless of illness or pandemic

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® Series: Online

Feldenkrais Classes for Melting Freeze with Maintain Alignment

Freeze shows up in many ways in the body, mind, and heart. These classes will gently meet and transform patterns of freeze and tension. 

Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 pm EST. Next series begins Jan 22.

"Since the Feldenkrais class with Alison I have more energy, strength, mobility, and presence. This is such powerful work. THANK YOU Alison!" -- Feldenkrais for Melting Freeze Participant

Seasonal Feldenkrais Series in 2025. Topics include:  Tending Anxiety, Tending Breath, Tending Joy and Tending Sleep. Topics will interconnect.  

For more information and registration:  Registration

A limited number of discounted slots available for those who truly need it. Email Alison to inquire:  alison@truenorthhealing.com

Disclaimer: Classes are not a substitute for medical care. Alison makes no claims to healing specific health challenges.

Alison Babil, GCFP, LMT, is the owner of True North Healing. She is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner®, a certified Sounder Sleep System® instructor, certified in Insight Acupressure, and has been a licensed massage therapist for over 20 years. She works with clients in person and virtually, helping them transform pain, movement, and sleep challenges. For more information Email Alison

Published by the Washington Waldorf School

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