Senior self-portraits in progress.

From Micah Bump, MS Girls Soccer Coach

Yesterday afternoon, the WWS middle school girls' soccer team made history with their first ever PVAC championship victory, igniting a wave of Red-Tailed Hawks pride and excitement across the entire school. From the opening whistle to the final goal of the season, the girls showcased their increasing grit, resilience, and unity on the field, transforming a season of hard work into a stunning triumph. We couldn’t be prouder.

When the final whistle blew, declaring their title, the entire middle school community burst forth onto the field, a frenzied but joyous Hawk bunch that coalesced around the team in a head-heart-hands show of unity. Students, teachers, and families cheered together at midfield, sharing in the joy of this historic win. And with that ray of light shining through a mid-autumn afternoon, the MS girls closed a very successful WWS soccer season for all teams.

GO HAWKS!



Grit and heart carried you all the way,

Onward you fought, every single play.

Hard work and hustle, in every stride,

A team united, you played with pride.

Winning this title, the first of its kind,

Kicking past limits, leaving doubts behind.

Shining as champions, you've made history clear—

PVAC winners, let's celebrate and cheer!

The following message was sent yesterday to current WWS families through ParentSquare:

A New Day...

Wednesday, Nov 6 at 5:06 PM 

Today was an interesting day. There were conversations in almost every class about the election. The teachers, as always, navigated these conversations with grace and in an age-appropriate way–from staying up late, to civil discourse, to what defines character. Now more than ever, our work and our community are critical. Waldorf education encourages asking the hard questions, engaging in thoughtful dialogue, and taking meaningful actions. 

As we navigate the new landscape, we do so in partnership and in service to the children. We will honor their joy, nurture their innate optimism, and show them that every one of us has the ability to make an impact through our actions and deeds. 

Blessings on ​our community.

With Gratitude,

Margery

In Grade 3 throughout the year the students study ways that humans have learned to feed, clothe, and shelter ourselves. On display in the lower school hallway, you can find models of various shelters built by the Grade 3 students. Class teacher, Russ Sage, shared:

"From sea houses to tree houses; from houses made entirely of water, to houses carved into cliff rock, and beyond. This was ultimately a cultural tale, that showcased need and resourcefulness. The same resourceful nature was drawn on for our entirely child-driven house project. They are all feeling very accomplished, and they should!"

Last week, WWS Educational Support Teacher, Judith Graff, joined a team of volunteers training as Waldorf Emergency Pedagogy specialists from all over the US in a 4 day relief effort to support the Asheville Waldorf School and their local community as they recover from Tropical Storm Helene. The group was guided by international leaders. Judith shared that "it was a humbling and moving experience to work with my colleagues and the community in Asheville."

Emergency Pedagogy is a specialized field developed to support children and adolescents in the aftermath of traumatic events using healing Waldorf pedagogical methods with the goal of preventing the onset of PTSD and promoting long-term healing. The Asheville Waldorf School shared on their Instagram account:

"Our first day with the Emergency Pedagogy Team USA was beautiful and illuminating. We enjoyed connecting with their team and one another. We are so grateful for their time with us... Over the course of the [next] 3 days they will be with us, our grades students will benefit from healing activities such as watercolor painting, rhythmic circles, free-form art, and team building games led by the visiting teachers with support from our AWS teachers."

Read a report about the work in Asheville from Karine Munk Finser, Director of Kairos Institute, CfA.

Thanks to Hannah Faith Freed, one of the Emergency Pedagogy team, for creating this slideshow to share a window into the work being done.

November

8/ Friday

• High School Open Morning for Prospective Families, 9am
• Community Contra Dance & Chili Potluck, 5:30pm (see below)

11/ Monday

• Craft & Conversation, 8:30am

13/ Wednesday

• CG-G5 Tour for Prospective Families, 9am

14/ Thursday

• TC Meeting (Virtual), 5:30pm

15/ Friday

• Coffee with Margery Bank, 8:30am
• Bazaar Facepainting Practice, 3pm
• Cherry Blossom Lantern Walk, 4:30pm

16/ Saturday

• CG Mixed-age Classes Lantern Walk, 4:30pm

Friday, November 8, 5:30-8pm

Supper 5:30-7pm, Dancing 6:15-8pm

Bring the family or come on your own as part of the school family! We will have a potluck dinner followed by a contra dance for everyone - beginners are very welcome, and our caller is great at giving instructions to groups.   

Contra Dance

Please wear sneakers or other soft and comfortable, non-scuffing and non-jabbing shoes to protect our gym floor. Otherwise, please come as you are, however you are that afternoon and we will be glad to see you! Our friend and our MS & HS contra dance teacher for several years, Dance Lady Janine will call (and will give instructions) to the lively live music of Vandalia. 

Potluck

Please sign up for the Potluck to let us know whether you will bring chili, fixings, cornbread, or frozen treats for the potluck. Bring chili warm(ish) and ready to serve. We should be able to plug in a few crockpots / instapots too. We will ask you to provide a list of all ingredients for the safety and enjoyment of all. NO PEANUT OR TREE NUT INGREDIENTS. 

Event contact: Bonnie McClelland (HS Admin)

What is Contra Dance?

Contra is a form of folk dancing made up of long lines of pairs. The dance is led by a caller who teaches and leads the sequence of moves. The essence of the dance is in following the pattern with your set and your line; since there is no required footwork, many people find contra dance easier to learn than other forms of social dancing. Learn more on Wikipedia.

It's time for our annual evergreens fundraiser!  

We are selling beautiful, fresh evergreens from the Pacific Northwest for delivery anywhere in the continental US. We will donate our net profits to the Lakota Waldorf School on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. All items include direct shipping to anywhere in the continental US, with online ordering and PayPal for all payments to keep the process manageable.

Sales are open through November 10.  Items will be shipped for delivery starting Thanksgiving week, and are guaranteed to arrive within 2 weeks after Thanksgiving.

Order online and please share the link:  

https://sherwoodfundraiser.com/wws

Thank you for your support!

Pull out the KitchenAid mixer and fire up your oven! Your contributions make the annual sale of baked goods at the Bazaar a delicious success. Offerings from students, parents, and alums are sold in two venues: the Snack Bar and the Patisserie.

The Snack Bar includes homey items like cookies, bars, and muffins on its menu.

The Patisserie opens at 11:00 a.m., its tables groaning under the weight of all manner of cakes, pies, cookies, scones, breads, bars, cupcakes—you name it! 

You are invited to prepare your signature cakes, classic pastries, delicious cookies, and other baked delicacies to sell on bazaar day. Deliver the finished product to the Patisserie (located in the WWS auditorium) on Friday afternoon, November 22. Label each offering with name of item, your name, if/whether it is gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan. List ingredients that might be allergens, e.g., contains dairy, contains peanuts. The goal is to have 70 different baked items delivered by Friday, November 22.

Sign up online or on the bulletin board in the main hall.

Our Fall Bazaar is quickly approaching, with setup on Friday, Nov 22 and the big event on Saturday, Nov 23! Please review all the opportunities the Bazaar offers for the whole family to enjoy.

We are so grateful for your help to produce this fundamental fundraising and community building event.

• This is that special time of year when we ask each and EVERY parent/guardian, faculty member, and high school student to work at least one shift.
• Even if you won't be available the weekend of the Bazaar, there are shifts at other times!
• Please don't wait until the last minute to sign up; it is much easier and less stressful for the coordinators to have the shifts filled in advance!
• Read the full details and FAQ.
• Congratulations to Valerie Weber who, along with 115 other PFO members, signed up within just a few days and won the drawing for a $50 gift certificate to the Bazaar’s Waldorf Store!

This November, WWS is collecting food donations to serve our neighbors in need. Donations will go to the Arlington Food Assistance Center for distribution.

Drop off your donations in the school foyer until November 23.

The foods needed most are:

• Canned Tuna 

• Canned Soup

• Canned Vegetables

• Peanut Butter

• Cooking Oil

• Low Sugar Cereal

*Low sodium & low sugar preferred

*No glass

Thank you so much for your support! Learn more at afac.org.

Questions?

Email Maria Monteverde-Jackson (Alum Parent, Former Faculty & TC Member)

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

Starlight Rays in Darkened Times

Seminars on Contemporary Topics 2024-2025

This online series offers a rare opportunity for Waldorf high school teachers, administrators, staff members, and parents to come together and explore a fresh round of new “hot topics” with one another as well as share the latest current observations with seasoned colleagues from CfA’s Waldorf High School Teacher Education Program (WHiSTEP).

Join us as we delve into critical issues facing Waldorf education today, such as:

• The developmental tasks facing young people in the modern world
• Diversity, sexuality, and humanity in the classroom
• The role of math education in the age of AI
• The inner work and biography of the teacher
• Fostering pedagogical creativity and innovation
• Teaching towards deep understanding
• Navigating the past and future of Waldorf education

Learn More

Babysitter Looking for Work

Sophia León, WWS alum and daughter of a former WWS Faculty member, is available for babysitting work. Contact Sophia at 440-935-7151.

Available: Very Large German Literary Library

From Felice Stadler, Alum Parent

Very large German literary library looking for a good home with someone who will take the full lot. If you, or anyone you know (or institutions like schools or university departments) is interested, please email me at felice.stadler@gmail.com. 

Published by the Washington Waldorf School

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