Thanks to Grade 5 for their spirited production of The Light of Isis and Osiris this week!

From Jenni Chaves, Class Teacher

The fourth grade class has had an exciting second Local Geography Block these past few weeks. After learning the main physical characteristics of the Chesapeake Bay, we dove into the human aspects of the region. Through the Maryland Center for History and Culture, we rented the Traveling Trunk of the Indigenous People of the Chesapeake. In the trunk were incredible artifacts historically used by the many Native American tribes in what is today Maryland, DC, and Virginia. 

The students had the opportunity to hold and explore ancient tools, clothes, and everyday artifacts. We discussed the value of natural resources, and the lessons we can all learn from our region's Indigenous People whose relationship with nature is so admirable. They understood that natural resources are not only valuable for humans, but that nature's generosity also requires giving back to the resources and not only taking from them.

Dear Families,  

I am delighted to announce that our own incredible Stephanie Dorius, our current eighth grade class teacher, will be the Grade 1 teacher for the class of 2037 starting this fall. As you may know, Ms. Dorius took over the current Grade 8 class three years ago. She has done a wonderful job of shepherding the class through middle school and will be sending them into high school with confidence and intention.

Ms. Dorius has a great love for children and teaching, and a rich background in the field. She has taught in many different capacities before coming to WWS. Upon graduating with her BA in Theatre Arts Administration, Stephanie began her career as an acting coach for children ages 4-18. Her love of working with children led her to pursue her Master’s in Elementary Education. 

After obtaining her master’s degree, Ms. Dorius held the positions of math specialist for Grades K-6, Grade 4 class teacher in Salt Lake City, English as a Second Language Teacher in the DC Public Schools, homeschool educator to her three children, and Grade 2 teacher at Silver Oaks Cooperative School in a fully outdoor program. In addition, Stephanie is a fully trained Waldorf teacher having completed the three-year Waldorf Elementary Teacher Training at Sunbridge Institute.

Stephanie’s experience and enthusiasm makes her an ideal teacher for the WWS Class of 2037.

Sincerely,  

Margery Bank

Head of School/Faculty Chair

Seeking DEIB Committee Nominations from the PFO

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Committee has an opening for one non-faculty parent committee member.  

• If you're interested in serving on the Committee, please review the Committee's mandate, including the Commitment Letter, and fill out this form. Please respond by Friday, Jan 31.
• Do you know someone who would be a good fit for this committee? Please send the form along to them! 
• Parent committee members are selected by the PFO Executive Team. Contact pfoexec@washingtonwaldorf.org with any questions.

January

31/ Friday

• G7&8 Green Meadow Friendship Games (Jan 31 - Feb 1)

February

1/ Saturday

• G7&8 Green Meadow Friendship Games (Jan 31 - Feb 1)

3/ Monday

• New Family Reception With WWS Leadership, 4pm

6/ Thursday

• Afterschool Bake Sale, 3pm

7-9/ Friday-Sunday

• HS Kimberton Basketball Tournament

12/ Wednesday

• Tour for Prospective Families, 9am

13/ Thursday

• Community Singing, 8:30am (see below)

14/ Friday

• CG - G8 NO SCHOOL, Conferences
• HS in Session, 12:30 Dismissal

17/ Monday

• NO SCHOOL, Mid-Winter Break

18/ Tuesday

• NO SCHOOL, Professional Development

🏀🏀🏀View the Athletics Calendar on our website.

Come Sing with Us!

Right after drop-off on Thursday, Feb 13 our High School Choir Director, Dr. Melissa Chávez, will lead parents/caregivers in a singing circle in the lobby. We'll sing some easy songs and Melissa will coach us in harmonizing as we come together in community and joy.

All voices and abilities are welcome - this is just for fun! We'll probably do one or two love-themed songs for Valentines Day (think: "All You Need is Love").

We are thrilled to share that, thanks to your generosity, we assembled 50 gift bags for the Thoughtful Treasures program benefiting the children and families at The Children’s Inn at NIH. These small but meaningful gifts will bring joy to young patients facing medical challenges, and we could not have done it without the kindness and support of our community.

A heartfelt thank you to Emily Bliss, Eron Picus, Dawn Tanner, and Jesse Travis for their generosity in making this project a success!

As we wrap up our service projects, we want to remind families that we are still accepting donations for N Street Village through Friday, January 31. If you would like to contribute, there’s still time to make a difference for women in need.

Additionally, we are looking for volunteers to help deliver donations to both N-Street Village and The Children’s Inn at NIH. If you are available to assist, please email Erika Bryant-Northcutt to coordinate schedules.

Thank you for being part of a community that values compassion and service. Your generosity is truly making an impact!

Save the Date: Saturday, April 26

Join us for an evening filled with dinner, dancing, and purpose-driven giving at our annual Gala! This cherished event supports our school’s financial aid program, ensuring that more families can experience the gift of a Waldorf education.

We’re calling on our incredible community to help make this year’s Gala truly unforgettable! Here’s how you can contribute:

• Auction Items: Have a unique item, experience, or service to donate? Popular items include gift cards, vacation stays, themed baskets, or tickets to special events.
• Raffle Items: High-demand Waldorf-style goodies, exclusive memberships, or locally crafted goods are always a hit!
• Buy-In Parties: Host a fun gathering like a wine tasting, game night, or themed dinner party for attendees to “buy into” while supporting our cause.
• Sponsorships: Share your connections to local businesses or individuals who may be interested in sponsoring our Gala.

Please submit all sponsorship, BIPs, and auction item recommendations by Friday, Jan 31.

Let’s work together to create an unforgettable evening that strengthens our community and makes a meaningful impact. If you have any questions please email Erika. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey!

The Washington Waldorf School is delighted to host a free public screening of the film AIN'T NO BACK TO A MERRY-GO-ROUND, followed by a Q&A session with the Emmy Award-winning director, Ilana Trachtman. 

Saturday, Feb 22 at 7pm

Five Black students rode a segregated carousel in 1960, igniting one of the earliest organized interracial civil rights protests in US history. AIN'T NO BACK TO A MERRY-GO-ROUND is the untold story of the Jews they marched with, Nazis they provoked, Congressmen they inspired, and Civil Rights leaders they became. 

The film's story of the struggle to desegregate Glen Echo Park, which is just down the hill from the WWS campus (and where you can still ride the carousel today!), is a powerful example of a multiracial effort by ordinary people, including young people, to stand up to injustice.

The film is currently winning awards on the festival circuit and public screenings are limited. This is your chance to see it in the neighborhood!

Reserve your seats!

View Trailer

21st Annual MCSR Black History Month Film Festival

Sunday, Feb 2 from 10am-4pm

AFI Silver Theatre And Cultural Center, Silver Spring MD

8633 Colesville Road Silver Spring, MD 20910

WWS families received this invitation from MCSR, with whom the high school is partnering this year.

MCSR (formally Men Can Stop Rape) is thrilled to invite you to our 21st Annual Black History Month Film Festival, an event dedicated to celebrating the rich and powerful stories of Black history and culture through the lens of film. 

This year’s festival will feature a curated selection of thought-provoking films, followed by engaging discussions that explore themes of resilience, empowerment, and social change. It promises to be an enriching experience for all attendees.

We’d love for you to join us as part of this special occasion.

Passes are limited, reserve your spots today!

Should you have any questions or require additional information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at admin@mcsr.org. We look forward to celebrating this important month with you.

The Parents Council of Washington is pleased to present a screening of:

Screenagers Under The Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age. 

Wednesday, Feb 5 from 10am - Noon

The Avalon Theatre

5612 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20015

This is the third feature documentary in the Screenagers trilogy, delving into how the tech revolution has reshaped adolescence and its effects on substance use. The film debunks myths and depicts strategies that parents and schools can use to encourage healthy decision-making, support teen mental health, set limits, and create a healthy home environment. Screenagers Under The Influence fills a pressing need for a film that explores common scenarios grounded in teens’ exposure to social media and other content about vaping, drugs, alcohol, and gaming.

After we view the documentary, the film's co-director, and co-producer, Lisa Tabb, will join us for a moderated discussion about the topics raised in the film. Lisa Tabb is a distinguished producer with a background in digital media and parenting. In addition to Screenagers, she co-produces the Screenagers Podcast and edits the weekly blog “Screenagers’ Tech Talk Tuesday."

All PCW member school parents and caregivers, administrators, faculty, and staff are invited to this in-person event.

Register for the Screening

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:

• Children's Garden - Tarina Szemzo
• Lower School Coordinator - Margaret Mansker
• High School Administrator - Bonnie McClelland
• Operations Manager - Laur Garner

Support for Those Impacted by the CA Wildfires

If you are interested in joining others from WWS who are offering direct support to those impacted by the CA wildfires:

• Laur Garner (WWS Operations Manager), who is from Pasadena, is coordinating grocery gift card donations to support immediate needs.
• Stephanie Dorius (WWS G8 Class Teacher) is in direct contact with a Pasadena Waldorf School teacher about how to best support their faculty and students as they move forward.

Published by the Washington Waldorf School

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