Many thanks to Micah Bump (MSG Head Coach & HSB Assistant Coach) for the rousing accounts of games and the fabulous photos!

Undefeated High School Boys Take PVAC Divisional Crown; Eye Tournament Glory

Last Thursday, with the eyes of a rapt DMV soccer nation upon them, the High School Boys Soccer squad completed their PVAC divisional quest. Having readily dispatched the mighty Mclean Mustangs earlier this season, our boys had to sweat out a tough, but deserved, 1-0 victory in the return campaign. Remarkably, their single goal, a cherry on top of a glorious PVAC divisional run, not only propelled them to victory but also cemented their lone place at the top of the table and earned a sparkly PVAC championship banner to hang in the sparkly John and Mary Brauer Gym! Felicitaciones to Coach Joey Johnson and his squad for their triumph!

Their stellar divisional campaign earned the Red-Tailed Hawks a bye in the first round of the PVAC soccer playoffs. And last night, under the stars and under the lights, an overflow Red-Out crowd was treated to a 4-0 semi-final victory over St. Anselm’s Abbey. The boys brought goal-scoring charisma, rock-solid defending, and sinuous dance moves in a crowd pleasing performance. The team then sashayed through a tunnel of classmates and reveled in their Gatorade showers.

And so, for the first time in recent memory (if not ever), the HS Boys Red-Tailed Hawks, gleeful, yet exhausted, will contend for the PVAC tournament soccer title. Will this fairytale continue? Or will the Don Bosco Wolfpack claim their own sweet revenge after falling to Washington Waldorf in the regular-season run? Only time will tell- so, check the WWS calendar for the Hawk Time and Hawk Place of the PVAC championship on Monday October 30. 

Middle School Girls Shake, Rattle, and Roll Their Way to Victory in Final Contest of the Fall Season

With pluck, precision, and plenty of dirt on their uniforms, the Red-Tailed Hawks Middle School Girls dispatched their final opponent of the season, the Lowell School Leopards, with a score of 4-2. The keeper play was stellar, the back line was stout, and the offense spectacular. The team showed so much improvement from the muggy and buggy days of late August that members of the Red-Tailed Hawks Barra Brava were already lining up to purchase season ticket plans for next year. One even asked if AD Taisto Saloma will run a spring soccer season!

The game had a Sandlot quality to it as teams were reduced to 8 versus 8 to accommodate the singular size of Lowell’s patchy pitch. Indeed, Coach, Bus Driver, and all around Playground Legend, CJ Leonard, was overheard muttering “You’re killing me, Smalls!” whenever she disagreed with the lone PVAC official.

In his postgame chat with the team, Coach Bump remarked on their tremendous progress and thanked all the girls (and their parents) for such an enjoyable campaign. Special kudos go to our 8th grade stalwarts Joana, Chiara, and Molly. Can’t wait to see them on the pitch with the High School Hawks next fall!

Well, It’s One for the Money, Two for the Show, Three to Get Ready, Now Go, Hawks Go! for the Middle School Boys Soccer Team

Apparently, Middle School Boys’ Technical Director Mike Hadjipateras invoked his inner Carl Perkins when pumping up the boys for their final match of the season. A laudable move by the first season coach considering the lads had to directly follow an impressive campaign by the MS Girls squad. “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” said a winking Coach Mike as he sent his captains out onto the field.

The appeal to the Rockabilly classic produced immediate and dramatic results. The 8th grade boys - Andrew, Bray, Elijah, Koh, and Liam- all playing their final MS match for their beloved Red-Tailed Hawks, combined to produce a dominating 3-0 lead at half-time. In clouds of dust so thick you could barely smell the soccer cleats, the lads pressed, defended, and patrolled the sticks in ways heretofore unseen this season. These boys showed they’ll be contenders for years to come.

Then, at half-time, the Lowell coach apparently stole our tune as his squad came out fired up in the closing half, managing to tie the game 3-3 on the last play before the final whistle blew. The entire MS Red-Tailed Hawks squad should be proud of their accomplishments this season. 

High School Girls Soccer Reflections from Mike Hadjipateras (MSB Head Coach)

The fundamental aspects of what makes this such a beautiful game and the questions we ask ourselves as soccer players, have been explored this season by a wide variety of players - from some with natural skills to others who literally had never kicked a ball in their lives. These are the challenges meeting our group of intrepid, fearless girls - a journey we can only describe as bloody hard, but bloody exciting too (no, not literally bloody).

In training we ask: Why is connecting with the ball on the instep of the foot the best way for accuracy? What does "goalside at throw-ins" mean? How can we best get into offensive areas when winning the ball back? Why is controlling the ball "with the gut" more effective than going up with the knee? How can we encourage one another without openly criticising? How can we get double the number of bagels from Taisto at half-time? (Ok, I made that last one up.)

The spirit and determination shown by our team during the games is nothing short of laudable. Kate has been indefatigably competitive, her natural talent galvanising others. On defense it has sometimes felt like the Alamo, but Erika, Maya, Molly, Elio, and Nayila are developing into capable and efficient players - particularly in their interceptions and ways of reading oncoming danger.

In midfield, Hannah, Malin, Isa, Phoebe, and Bonnie have worked admirably on pace, anticipation, and movement. Forwards Gillian, Sophie, and Zoe never lost hope of receiving that killer pass. It will come more often, girls.

Lastly, the fearless Sofia (in goal) was utterly dedicated to instilling confidence in others, issuing instructions, and terrifying bystanders as she shrieked with venom, "I don't want to see any one-on-ones!!" Countless breathtaking saves demonstrated her agility and bravery. We also thank her for being so indispensable in training sessions.

Editor's note: Mike is British which explains the "bloody" use of "s" over "z"

Thanks to all who came out to support our soccer teams this season! We heard that our folks were particularly good at making sure the stands were clean before leaving yesterday - go Hawks community!

From Janet Dunwoody, Lower School Chair

8th grade students from Colegio Waldorf Guatemala (situated just outside of Guatemala City) visited with our 8th grade students last week. This was an annual event until recently and we are delighted that the students are returning to their usual extra-curricular activities and field trips.

The students from Guatemala were given a tour of the school. They were very impressed with our facilities and were especially delighted to see the gym and the soccer field. Using a mixture of Spanish and English the students were able to share a pizza lunch and have a time of social connection.

Later, they shared cultural presentations and played volleyball and soccer together. All the students were engaged and interested in getting to know each other. Our 8th graders made excellent hosts! Some lovely memories were made and we are looking forward to their visit next year!

We are in the final phase of confirming the Community Plaque for the Room to Move Campaign, that made the John and Mary Brauer Gym possible. If you gave to the Room to Move Campaign, we want to triple check to make sure your name is on the list! Please review the list.

If you do not see your name, but think it should be there, please let us know as soon as possible, and by Oct 27 at the latest. We cannot take changes to how your name is listed at this point, but we do want to add you if you should be there.

Thank you!

Lunch Survey

The PLG invites current families to complete a quick survey (~2mins) about your experience with Yay Lunch! We would like everyone to fill out the survey, even if your child does not participate in the school lunch program. Your feedback is incredibly important and will help us continue improving the program for everyone. 

Respond to the Survey

The survey will be open until Monday, Nov 6. Thank you for your time. We appreciate your feedback!

Craft & Conversation

• Monday, Oct 30 from 8:45-10:45am in the WWS Entrance Hall

• Afternoon Sessions in Takoma Park, Tuesdays at 4pm through Nov 14
• Please RSVP to Jenia via email or text (202-322-6390)
• 7511 Jackson Ave, Takoma Park
• Children are welcome and can play or help craft -- please bring snacks for them as necessary.

October

27/ Friday

• Fall Festival, 4pm

30/ Monday

• Craft & Conversation, 8:45am 
• G8 Parent/Guardian Meeting, 7pm

November

1/ Wednesday

• High School Overview Webinar, 12pm

2/ Thursday

• No School
• Parent Teacher Conferences - Sign up in ParentSquare

3/ Friday

• No School
• Parent Teacher Conferences - Sign up in ParentSquare

6/ Monday

• Craft & Conversation, 8:45am 

8/ Wednesday

• High School Open Morning for Prospective Families, 8:45am

View the Calendar of School Days for the 2023-2024 School Year

Parents Council of Washington

Thursday, Oct 26 from 7-8:30 pm via Zoom - TONIGHT

PCW is pleased to welcome award-winning author Jennifer Wallace to discuss her new book, "Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic -- And What We Can Do About It." All PCW member school parents, administrators, faculty, and staff are invited to attend.

Register

This is our first year as a member of the Parents Council of Washington (PCW). PCW brings together representatives from DC area independent schools and provides a speaker series for member school families.

Be a face/hand painter at the Bazaar! 

Face painting is a beloved Bazaar tradition, and it takes many wonderful folks to make this happen for the children. Middle schoolers, high schoolers and adults are invited to learn the tricks and techniques and volunteer as a face painter at the Bazaar. 

Virginia Ibarra, a WWS alum parent, will hold Saturday sessions at her home, 7 Carver Rd, Cabin John, MD on Oct 28, Nov 4 & Nov 11 from 10:30am-12:30pm. 

• RSVP to torie.gorges@gmail.com.
• Online volunteer sign up for adults.
• Students can sign up outside of the Grade 8 classroom.

We are selling beautiful, fresh evergreens from the Pacific Northwest for delivery anywhere in the continental US. We will donate our profits to the Lakota Waldorf School on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

If you send gifts to families and friends over winter holidays, these are lovely! Buy from us instead of from a big retailer. You will get better evergreens, support a family-owned business that uses sustainable harvesting practices, and support the Lakota Waldorf School.

Sales are open through Nov 3.  Items will be shipped individually (no pick up at school) for delivery starting Thanksgiving week, and are guaranteed to arrive within 2 weeks of Thanksgiving. All payments will be made online using PayPal.



Order online and please share the link with family and friends:

https://sherwoodfundraiser.com/wws

Dr. Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, adapted this New York Times essay from his new book, “Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things.”

The takeaway? Schools that work well implement teacher looping, grant faculty autonomy in teaching, give students plenty of recess, and offer individualized academic support.

Read the article

(this link is paywall free)

"With more time to get to know each student personally, teachers gain a deeper grasp of the kids’ strengths and challenges. The teachers have more opportunities to tailor their instructional and emotional support to help all the students in the class reach their potential. They’re able to identify growth not only in peaks reached, but also in obstacles overcome. The nuanced knowledge they acquire about each student isn’t lost in the handoff to the next year’s teacher.... 

Instead of specializing just in their subjects, teachers also get to specialize in their students. Their role evolves from instructor to coach and mentor."

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 Coordinator - Cecilia Berg-Benson
• Lower School Coordinator - Christen Leonard 
• High School Administrator - Bonnie McClelland
• Operations Manager - Laur Garner

The Friendship Heights Village "Pop Up Artisan Shop"

From Dale Conway, WWS Alum Family

The Friendship Heights Village "Pop Up Artisan Shop" will be held November 3 from 5:30-8pm and November 4, from 10am-4pm. The event is designed to give local artisans an opportunity to offer their works for sale, to gather with other local artists, and interact directly with customers in a fun and festive environment.

Learn More

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® Series In Person & Online Options

From Alison Babil, WWS Alum Family

Posture affects ease of movement, breathing, emotions, and much more. Feldenkrais® ATM classes are an incredible tool for gently transforming pain, tension, and movement challenges. Each class takes the student through a series of movements which create new pathways in the brain and body. The aim is greater freedom in one's body and life.

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® Series In Person: Posture & More

In Person Classes at the Carderock Springs Clubhouse

Seven Thursdays, Nov 2 - Dec 21, 10-11:15am - In Person

Cost: $110, First class free (Nov 2)

For more information and Registration, email Alison: alison@truenorthhealing.com 

A limited number of discounted slots available for those who truly need it. Email Alison to inquire. No refunds or transfers after November 9th, 10am EST

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® Series: Online Feldenkrais Classes with Instill Mindfulness

Short Feldenkrais Series, Tuesdays, Nov 7 - 28, 6:30 - 7:30pm

Registration Feldenkrais Series Online

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 Soul Lightening Acupressure, and has been a licensed massage therapist for nearly 20 years. She works with clients in person and via Zoom, helping them transform pain, movement, and sleep challenges. For more information Email Alison

Published by the Washington Waldorf School

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