Grade 1 and Grade 12 Special Friends at the Rose Ceremony Last Week

From Cecilia Berg-Benson

Many of you have spoken to Cecilia on the phone, been warmly greeted by her at the front desk in the mornings, or relied on her organization and care as the Children's Garden (CG) Coordinator. This piece is excerpted from the CG Notes this week.

If you will indulge me for a minute or two... My family has been part of the WWS community for the past 17 years and my son graduated on Saturday with the Class of 2023. It was with pride and sadness that I met this momentous day. My daughter ('21) and my son are WWS lifers. 

The graduation speaker, David Barham, mentioned that Waldorf teachers around the world can identify individuals they meet who have a Waldorf education. I totally concur. The play and imagination from the years my children had in the CG is a strong foundation within them. They are able to be playful with, and care for, both the young and the elderly. I see this daily in the halls as older students interact with younger ones, in the special friendships between the seniors and their first graders, and in Grandparents & Special Friends Day which highlights the importance of including and caring for our elders. This is just one of the developmental aspects that Waldorf teachings instill in our students.

Starting in first grade, the students greet their teacher with a handshake in the morning and at the end of the day. This seems like a simple task, but just the other day my husband mentioned how confident and assured our son looks when he greets people. He shakes their hands while looking in their eyes and easily begins a conversation. Another small but meaningful aspect of the Waldorf curriculum that goes beyond the classroom. 

I will say one more thing... the bonds the students form are strong and deep. There is a lot that goes on throughout the years between them, especially since the class sizes are smaller than in the average high school. Their relationships wax and wane. They are asked to participate thoughtfully and contribute to the conversations - sharing their morals, values, and insights. The students maneuver through these relationships in the classrooms and the whole high school forums, through sports, bus rides, field trips, class trips, plays, dances, and during social gatherings. They know each other for the good, the bad, and the ugly. They have learned from one another academically and have grown together as human beings - each a part of the group with all of its complexities. What I witnessed in the students at both Ella and Owen's graduations is a sense of pride, not only for themselves but for each one of their classmates. These students are ready to meet what comes to them and ready for the course they have chosen from this threshold. 

I saw this readiness mirrored on the CG playground just this past Friday in the rising 1st graders. There was one group of five, shoulder to shoulder, walking across the lawn. They were strong, confident, ready to cross the threshold into the grades. 

There is no perfect school. We, of course, have our challenges. That being said, this school met my two very different children with very different academic and social needs. It is the developmental curriculum and the conscientiousness with which it is brought that causes the inner child, the writer, the artist, the thinker, the wanderer, the observer, the individual, the giver, to flourish in each of our children. It is with gratitude that I write this - gratitude for the curriculum, teachers, fellow parents, and the community that held my children (and many times me) through the years, allowing my children to be the wonderful people they are in an ever-changing world.

Our heartfelt thanks to Jesse Travis, Susan Fuller, and Jenia Beer for their important work on the Parent Leadership Group (PLG) this school year. The PLG plays a vital role in the life of our school and is instrumental in building community and ensuring that the Parent/Family Organization comes together to bring us the events and gatherings that we love.

Seeking members for the 2023-24 Parent Leadership Group!

The Parent Leadership Group (PLG) is seeking members for the 2023-24 school year! When you serve on the PLG, you get an inside view of what's happening at WWS, and you'll make friends and have a chance to connect with other families and the faculty. Getting involved is good for you, and it's good for your children to see your dedication to their school!

The PLG's mission includes:

• strengthening the community of WWS families by providing opportunities to gather and form meaningful connections with each other
• representing parent/family interests to the administration and Trustees Council
• coordinating volunteers to help produce the Fall Bazaar and other annual events

The Parent/Family Organization needs a variety of perspectives from the community represented in leadership, and we welcome your interest. Please consider contributing your ideas and voice to the PLG!

If you have any thoughts or questions about this opportunity, please email plg@washingtonwaldorf.org.

Outside of core school hours, students who need to come early or stay late spend time knitting with Ms. Buchman, playing, eating healthy snacks, and often enjoying extra opportunities to mix with students from other grades (in the second photo, you'll see a couple of seniors who took the time to greet their first grade friends). Thanks to Barbara Buchman and Elise Adelmann for the mornings and Joaquin Moreno and to Janaki Srikant for the afternoons.

To round out our introductions of Gym Construction site members, we are pleased to introduce you today to Adam Lotinsky, Project Executive, who has been a part of this project from the very beginning. In fact, Adam managed the project for our school’s initial build out. 

Please share a short bio. 

Almost 20 years in the real estate and construction industry, with finance, project management, and consulting roles. Currently, I am a managing partner of an owners representative firm with active projects along the East Coast and Texas.

What is your role in the Gym construction? 

Project Executive for the school's owners representative firm, focused on creating the process for the gym construction and assembling a team that maximizes the likelihood of a successful outcome for WWS. 

What are your favorite parts of the Gym design?

Quinn Evans did a wonderful job adding subtle, non-traditional elements to the design that result in a unique space when most gyms are indistinguishable from each other. Two specific examples are the asymmetrical roof line and the misaligned windows on the north facade.

When you think about the completed gym, what do you picture?

I picture Lelia True finally getting her chance to prove to the students she can still dunk.  

What has been the biggest challenge of the Gym construction so far?

Evaluating and selecting different structural systems for the high ceiling and long spans of the gym.

What has been the best part of the Gym construction so far?

Seeing how quickly the gym structural steel was assembled, giving form to the long-anticipated gym. 

Have you ever made a 3-point shot?

Yes, after many attempts and lots of luck.

Thank you so much, Adam! We’re grateful to have you on our team.

There are still a few more weeks to add your name to the Gym, and join the Room to Move campaign. Bricks can also still be purchased, and donations will be accepted until June 30. All donor names will be included on a plaque in the Gym. We want this Gym to be reflective of our entire community, and invite you to join the over 325 donors who have made this initiative possible to date.

June

8/ Thursday

• Meet the Teacher (rising G8), 7pm
• G3 Parent/Guardian Meeting, 7pm

13/ Tuesday

• G8 Commencement, 1:15pm

16/ Friday

• 12:30 Dismissal - Last Day of School
• Farewell Reception, 1:30pm *NEW TIME* (see below)

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

As we did last year, we have partnered with the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and other member Waldorf schools to conduct a survey that will give our school and the larger Waldorf community current data to be used to identify areas in which we can improve and grow.

Please add your voice and share your experiences with us!

The survey deadline was extended to this Friday, June 9!

Select your survey(s):

• Current Families
• Current Students
• Current Teaching Faculty
• Current Admin Faculty/Staff

• Alum Families
• Alums
• Former Teaching Faculty
• Former Admin Faculty/Staff

• If you fit more than one category, you may respond to multiple surveys.
• If you are a family with multiple children, and want to respond multiple times, start with the oldest child in mind and then take the survey again if there are different answers based on each child.
• The survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. The questions have been researched and validated by experts at Harvard University. The survey is administered by a third party and your responses are protected and remain private.

We thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Alia at agoodyear@washingtonwaldorf.org.

Farewell Reception - UPDATED TIME & INFORMATION

Friday, June 16 from 1:30 - 3pm

Please join us for a Community Celebration and time to bid a fond farewell to teachers who are moving on to other parts of the world and/or other endeavors: Laurent André, Laura Cox, Lauryn Morely, and Dawn Tanner.

Please view the invitation and kindly RSVP by Friday, June 9, if you will attend.

6 Week Online Simplicity Parenting Class - STARTS TOMORROW

June 8 - July 20

Thursday Evenings from 7:30-9pm

Facilitator: Drew Sample (WWS Parent)

Discounted Cost: $100 per WWS family (one or two parents/caregivers can attend per family). Use discount code "WWSfam" for $100 price subsidized by WWS for current families.

Additional $30 fee for Simplicity Parenting materials

Register

In response to demand for a more accessible version of the Simplicity Parenting Family Life course, WWS parent and certified Simplicity Parenting group facilitator Drew Sample is offering the class online at a discounted price for WWS families.

Developed by renowned family counselor, Kim John Payne, the course offers simple, doable, and effective steps for reducing stressors in the home and enjoying a more peaceful and connected home life. Parents who are looking to go beyond just reading the book, and who want to start applying these practices, will get the structure and supportive environment needed to adapt these techniques to their household and make them stick. 

Contact Drew Sample with questions.

Register for Simplicity Parenting

We are delighted to welcome Tania Hernández as the Lead Teacher for the Sunflowers mixed-age kindergarten class in the fall. Tania was drawn to Waldorf education and began as an assistant in multiple kindergarten classrooms at the Ak Lu’um and Jardin Coporillo Schools in her home country of México where she says "my experiences helped develop my belief that the growth of a child depends on their connection with nature."

Tania's formal Waldorf education began three summers ago through AWSNA in Cuernavaca Morelos, México. She then came to the United States to live as an au pair for two years in Columbia, Maryland. During that time, Tania began volunteering in kindergarten classrooms at the Waldorf School of Baltimore. She also taught online Spanish classes for students aged 6-13. For the past year Tania has worked as a Lead Teacher at Acorn Hill.

Tania shared the following insights of what she brings to the WWS community:

• International kindergarten experience within the Waldorf School network
• Degree in graphic design and the belief that love of art and creativity are essential in Waldorf Schools
• Knowledge and ability to create conditions for children to experience wonder and love in everything they meet day-to-day
• Appreciation that the well-being of a child depends on healthy maturation within each stage of development
• Commitment to the development of a child by surrounding them with beauty, rhythm, and activities that stimulate their senses

From the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America:

Join us for an hour of great discussion as we reflect on the works of incredible North American BIPOC authors.

At our first meeting on Thursday, June 29, you will each present a book that you would like the group to read, and we will make our selection. We will then take the summer to read this book, meeting weekly on Thursday evenings to share our thoughts.

Register

There is still space in the following camps:

• Children’s Garden Camp (Ages 3-6)
• A Waldorf Summer (Ages 4-6)
• Feast! (Ages 4-6)
• Adventure and Crafts Camp (Ages 6-10)
• Culinary Camp (Ages 6-10)
• YOU CHOOSE! - Make a bow / arrow / quiver or a knife / sheath / leather pouch (Ages 9-14)
• Summer Writing Workshop: Short Story (Ages 10-14)

Learn More & Register

• 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

Household Items & Clothing Donations Ongoing

From Robin Leake, WWS Family

The next drive will take place on Sunday, July 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." These items are refurbished by a local good samaritan and then donated to community non-profit organizations like Community Bridges and React DC. 

• 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

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 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. Thank you to everyone who donates.

Furniture For Sale

From Maria Monteverde-Jackson (Former Faculty, Current & Alum Family)

A number of furniture pieces and rugs for sale. Items will be added to the document over the next couple of weeks.

If interested in any, please contract Maria Monteverde-Jackson at mariaemonteverde@aol.com.

View the Document

Alum Muralist Available in the Fall

WWS Class of 2006 graduate and artist, Mariano Arrien-Gomez, now living in Bolivia, will be in the DC area this fall and is available to paint original murals in private spaces both indoors or outdoors.

Inquiries can be made to: brochasilvestre@gmail.com

Special online workshop to explore the content of Dr. Adam Blanning’s new book: Raising Sound Sleepers

Join a three-part, in-depth exploration of three key aspects from the new book Raising Sound Sleepers (publication date June 6). This workshop is designed for parents, teachers and anyone else interested in supporting the well-being and self-soothing capacities of children (and adults).

Participate in the live discussion, or watch it on your own schedule—all three sessions will be recorded and made available to everyone who has registered for the workshop.

• Session One: Wednesday, June 7- Why the Developmental Milestones of Self-soothing are so Important in Today’s Busy World
• Session Two: Wednesday, June 14 - Nourishing the Senses of Touch, Balance, Self-movement, and Life (Well-being)
• Session Three: Wednesday, June 21 -The Predictable Developmental Transitions of Childhood—Common Times for Reorientation

Workshop sessions take place at 6:30pm Mountain time (8:30pm ET)

Tuition: $65 for the whole workshop—three 90-minute sessions

Learn More & Register

Parenting with Non-Violent Communication Course - starts June 1 (online)

From Alison Babil, WWS Alum Family

This course is for parents, educators, and caregivers of children of any age. It offers a holistic approach to understanding children's behavior and the tools to build relationships based on compassion, connection, and trust.  

What people are saying: "This course opened my eyes to more effective, compassionate communication. Not only has it helped me connect better with my teenage daughter, but it has improved communication with my partner. Both my relationships are stronger and deeper thanks to Parenting with Non-Violent Communication. Jeannie is a compassionate and wise teacher!" -class participant.

Nine Thursdays, via Zoom, June 1 - July 27 from 7- 8:30pm 

Classes are recorded.

Instructor: Jeannie Anderson

Teaching Assistant: Alison Babil (WWS Alum Parent)

Register

Email Jeannie Anderson for more information: janderson@heart2heartinc.org

Jeannie Anderson is a Nonviolent Communication facilitator, Parent Educator, and Life Coach. She is currently studying Interpersonal Neurobiology with child psychiatrist Dr. Dan Siegel through the Mindsight Institute. She is passionate about the connection between neuroscience, trauma, and the healing power of human connection. She is the parent of 2 elementary school-aged children and resides in Baltimore, MD with her family.

Two Cats Looking for a Home - UPDATED

from Margo Reid, WWS Alum Family

Soft and sweet 8 y/o cat brothers Leo and Ace can be adopted singly or together. They are curious about dogs...could co-exist fine. Tuxedo Ace loves to cuddle and sunbathe, but is recently marking inside with a new baby in the house. Vet tests show no physical problems. Golden tabby Leo's stunted paw from birth doesn't deter his fun. Both use litter boxes fine—unless baby makes them jealous. Previously indoor cats, they may benefit from an in/out arrangement with cat-lover oversight.

Please text Margo @ 202 905 5831.

Weekend Elder Care Available

from Natalie Adams, Former WWS Faculty & Alum Parent

Photchana (Thum) Keadrit seeks weekend hours in elder care. She recently started a new weekday position and before that worked six plus years for a family taking care of a couple in their 90s. She helped my 96 year old mother-in-law who needed support recovering at home from being in the hospital. She provided the best care my mother-in-law has ever had.

Thum has two related licenses: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Certified Medical Technician (CMT). In addition to being an exceedingly patient, thorough, and loving caregiver, Thum is an excellent cook, responsible driver, and first rate organizer; she can help with whatever one needs around the house. She also has more than two decades experience as a nanny for children from birth through the teen years. She helped care for my two children (WWS class of '05 and class of '08) when they were young.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or call Thum directly on her cell phone 301-792-1523. Natalie Adams 301-221-6224.

Looking to Adopt a Dog?

From Gemma Sage, WWS Family

Hi, I'm Connor! I'm just the perfect combination of joyful puppy energy and love of everything and everyone. I walk nicely on a leash, and I love treats and training. I can't get enough physical contact, so bring it on! I loooove to play with my doggie friends and I have friendly body language so most dogs like to play with me too. I love kids and people of all ages. I live in a foster home with both little kids and big kids, two other dogs and two adult humans... I love them all but I would love even more to find my forever home where I can stay!

Please reach out to Kirsten Strade at vegsister@yahoo.com or Gemma Sage (240) 441-9156 if you’re interested.

Published by the Washington Waldorf School

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