Grade 3 has been busy in their garden this week - mulching paths, preparing beds, and planting seeds. They are also preparing for the farm trip coming up in May!

Congratulations to our high school artists!

Every year, the Montpelier Arts Center presents Artists on the Rise, an annual, juried teen exhibition held in the galleries of Montpelier, designed to provide teens in the Washington, D.C. metro area the opportunity to showcase their artistic accomplishments in a professional setting.

Eleven WWS high school students across all grades had artwork accepted into competition!

Our celebrants are:

• Dushyanta, Gillian, Malin, and Nilofar (Grade 12)
• Jasper and Sebastian (Grade 11)
• Phoebe and Sarah (Grade 10)
• Bea, Caleb, and Naim (Grade 9)

Artist Reception and Awards Ceremony

Saturday, March 16 from 1-3pm

Montpelier Art Center

9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708

Stop by, enjoy the show and find out if any of these talented folks made the top three!

The exhibition is open to the public now through April 11, 2024.

If you haven't seen this baking video from 2020... Join Lisa Catalone (WWS Parent, "Pie Maven" of  Lisa Makes Pie, and designer of our school logos, etc.) and Sarah Heirman (WWS Middle School Math Teacher, WWS Parent & Alum, and avid baker) as they make a berry ginger pie that celebrates the digits of Pi in honor of Pi Day.

View the Video:   

Mixed Berry Ginger Pi Day Pie

Scenes from Grade 7's adventures during Active and Outdoor Education (and a group photo with Grade 8 at Great Falls in the middle).

March

15/Friday

• Deadline for P/FO nominations for the DEIB Committee (details below)

19/ Tuesday

• Trustees Council Meeting, 7pm (see below)

20/ Wednesday

• Whole School Tour for Prospective Families, 9am
• Student Council Bake Sale, 3pm
• Senior Project Presentations, 4pm (see below)

22/ Friday

• 12:30 Dismissal - Start of Spring Break

March 25-29 NO SCHOOL

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

Class of 2024 Senior Project Presentations Next Week!

Wednesday, Mar 20 from 4-6pm

Every year, Seniors may elect to do an independent project delving into a topic that particularly interests and inspires them. The process begins with a proposal at the end of Grade 11. Following approval, they work independently for about a year, supported by a mentor. Students also have a class in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of Grade 12 to further develop and discuss their projects. This process culminates in a public presentation for the community.

This year, 6 Seniors will present their projects next Wednesday from 4-6 pm. Presentations will be followed by Q & A.

The following students will present (order TBD):

• Brayden -- Sustainable Residential Remodel
• Jojo -- Canon Events: The Role they Play in Life
• Dushyanta -- On TikTok Content Creation
• Peter -- 21st Century Antisemitism: How and Why is it Still Prevalent in the Experiences of Gen Z?
• Julian -- Leverage, Options, and ETFs: An Unconventional Retirement Portfolio Strategy Examined
• Malin -- Poetry Through the Lens of Word Choice

We are looking forward to the afternoon with the appropriate balance of nervousness and anticipation...to become elation and joy! Please join us for the presentations! 

Due to the topics being presented, we recommend this for audience members in Grade 7 and above. Students, parents, and friends are invited to join us in the auditorium.

Trustees Council Meeting

Tuesday, Mar 19 at 7pm in the WWS library

(open to the community 7-7:45pm)

WWS Trustees Council (TC) meetings are held monthly in the WWS library. They are typically scheduled for the third Tuesday of every month.

The first 45 minutes of the meeting is open to the community, and all are welcome to attend. At the beginning of each TC meeting, there is a brief study of Waldorf Education/Anthroposophy. Following the study is a comprehensive report from our Head of School/Faculty Chair that includes updates from the various administrative departments of the school as well as other pertinent information. The Parent Leadership Group (PLG) also shares updates from their work with the school community during this portion of the meeting.

It's time to order yearbooks! The yearbook staff has been hard at work putting together the 2023-24 edition of our Phoenix yearbook.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/wwsyearbook to place your order today! 

Anticipated delivery is early May.

Seeking DEIB Committee Nominations from the P/FO

The recent audit and assessment of WWS' Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging practices recommended establishing a team to implement the audit's recommendations. (This letter has background and more details).

• The team, known as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee, will process the recommendations in the audit report, develop an action plan, and communicate progress to the community.
• Up to two non-faculty parent Committee members may be selected by the Parent Leadership Group.
• 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, March 15.
• Do you know someone who would be a good fit for this committee? Please send the form along to them! Contact plg@washingtonwaldorf.org with questions.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at the WWS 2024 Spring Gala: Light the Way on Saturday, April 20!

Hopefully you have seen our invitation to the event, and visited our Gala website, where you can purchase sponsorships or tickets.

The Gala brings together our school's community for a night of celebration and fundraising. All proceeds from the Gala's "Raise the Paddle" appeal go towards supporting financial aid for our students and families. 

Here's what you can expect at our Spring Gala this year:

1. Gourmet Dining: Indulge in a delicious strolling supper, prepared by our community's very own Chef Eron at Foxhall Catering.
2. Raffle: Enter our exciting raffle for the chance to bring home one of our themed Class Baskets, full of neat gifts and prizes.
3. Buy In Parties: Buy into small, private events that provide fun and memorable experiences, donated by WWS community members. Spots are set at a fixed price per person (no bidding); it's first come, first served. These parties are great for getting acquainted with members of the community and engaging in a variety of interesting activities.
4. Wine Cellar Silent Auction: Bid on baskets filled with a variety of our community members' favorite wines. You just might find a new favorite!
5. Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow parents and our faculty, as you mingle and make new friends within our vibrant school community.
6. Impactful Giving: Your participation in the Spring Gala directly contributes to providing financial assistance to deserving students, ensuring more children have the opportunity to benefit from a Waldorf education.

Even if you can’t attend, there are still ways to contribute to the Gala and support financial aid for our school’s students and families. You can:

• Host a Buy In Party: Buy In Parties are small, private events designed to provide fun and memorable experiences. Individuals and groups of friends can purchase spots at the events for a fixed price per person. If you are interested in hosting, please fill out our Buy In Party Donation Form or contact Meg Kneisl.
• Donate to the Wine Cellar Silent Auction: Give a bottle - or bottles - of your favorite wine to assist us with our silent auction offerings. If you would like to help, please fill out our Wine Cellar Silent Auction Donation Form and drop off your donation at the front desk of WWS.

Thank you for your support of our Spring Gala. We look forward to seeing you there!

SquadLocker Online Stores

• Visit our online school store to purchase gifts and essential spirit wear.
• Visit our Red-Tailed Hawks mascot gear store for team spirit items. Go Hawks!

When you purchase items through SquadLocker, your order will be shipped directly to your delivery address of choice.

Is there a particular type of item you are looking for that isn't available in our stores? Let us know and we'll see what we can do!

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 Chair - Janet Dunwoody
• High School Administrator - Bonnie McClelland
• Operations Manager - Laur Garner

ISO Nanny Recommendations and/or Nanny Share for New WWS Family

Greetings Waldorf families,

Our kiddo will be joining Seedlings in the fall, and we’re seeking nanny recommendations and/or a nanny share, please. 

Ideally we’d find a nanny to transport our kiddo home (or to the other family’s residence) at 12:30pm until early evening.

If you know a nanny to recommended, and/or if you’re interested in having a nanny share, please feel free to email us: sailforaday@gmail.com.

Many thanks,

The Washington Family

Appalachia Service Project (ASP) - Zoom Information Meeting This Weekend

Is your High Schooler looking for a way to make a positive difference in people’s lives? What about learning life skills on how to use tools and build things? Do they want to knock out their required HS community service hours in one fell swoop? 

If any of these questions resonate with them (and you), then please join Christen Stumbo Leonard, Eron Picus and John Parker THIS SATURDAY, March 16 at 10am, via ZOOM to learn more about participating in ASP this summer!!! 

Email Eron Picus at eronpicus@me.com with questions.

Learn more on the ASP website.

Join the Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85061840015

Meeting ID: 850 6184 0015

One tap mobile: +13017158592,,85061840015# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location: +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® Series In Person: Unwinding Stress & Anxiety

From Alison Babil, WWS Alum Parent

In Person Classes at the Carderock Springs Clubhouse

The theme this session is Unwinding Stress & Anxiety. The body holds patterns of stress; the body is also an amazing tool for unwinding stress.  This Feldenkrais® series will focus on settling the nervous system as well as improved grounding, posture, and overall well-being.

Feldenkrais classes are a wonderful 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.

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

Nine Thursdays, April 4 - May 30, 10-11:15 am.

In Person, Carderock Springs Clubhouse

For more information and Registration:  

Email Alison: alison@truenorthhealing.com 

Cost: $145  

First class is free for newcomers. Discounted rate for Carderock Springs members. A limited number of discounted slots available for those who truly need it. Email Alison to inquire. No refunds or transfers after April 5, 10am 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, 12:30-1:30pm Next series begins April 3

Learn More & Register

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 nearly 20 years. She works with clients in person and virtually, helping them transform pain, movement, and sleep challenges. For more information Email Alison

Brookmont Farm Market - Wednesdays Near WWS

From Madelaine Johnston, WWS family

Brookmont Farm Market is a great place and shop, eat, and play after school on Wednesdays! It's a 15 minute walk from WWS, or a 5 minute drive.

Open year round every Wednesday 4 - 7:30pm. We offer live music, and at least one free kids' activity each week (yoga, face painting, petting zoo, goat yoga, fairy hair, rope swing, and playground). We host a variety of food vendors including hot food trucks (easy dinner!), Twin Springs Farm produce, Bryant Meats, Nicole's Bakery (gluten free options!), Great Harvest Breads, Black Horse Kettle Corn, Dimitri Olive Oil from Greece, and many others. Our mission is to create fun and real community, and to promote small women and minority owned businesses. Come on down!

Located on the Brookmont Village Green opposite 4000 Virginia Place, Bethesda 20816

website: https://www.brookmontmarket.com/

email: brookmontmarket@gmail.com

Published by the Washington Waldorf School

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