From Barb Bancroft, HS Art Department Chair, HS Arts Teacher

Fourteen of our talented High School students created artworks that were accepted into the 13^th Annual Artists on the Rise juried competition at the Montpelier Arts Center! That’s a record number of selections for any school in this DMV area-wide exhibition, chosen from hundreds of submissions!

We are especially thrilled that, once again, one of our seniors has claimed the $500 First Prize in the show! Hats off to ANIYAH HARRIS for her self portrait oil painting entitled “Free Verse” !

The young artists featured here exemplify the care and intention each of our students brings to their work in the high school art program. We are proud and grateful to share in their moment of glory! 

Shine on, Everybody! 

EXHIBITION DATES: on view March 12–April 13

Gallery hours are 10am–5pm, seven days a week. 

Montpelier Arts Center

9652 Muirkirk Road

Laurel, MD 20708

From Barb Bancroft, HS Art Department Chair, HS Arts Teacher

More KUDOS for High School artists!

Works by FIVE talented WWS high school students were also accepted into the prestigious juried competition, “Friends of the Yellow Barn Studio, 26th Juried High School Show 2025” in Glen Echo, MD.

Congratulations to seniors ELIO MEYER and ANIYAH HARRIS, junior SARAH GRESHAM, sophomore BEA HOLMERG, and freshman NELANI ADAMU!  

The show, which is always limited to 40 works, received 160 submissions this year from area-wide high school art programs. Acceptance conveys a gift certificate for Plaza Art Supplies.

To view juror Ken Conley’s selections, visit the online exhibit at www.FriendsoftheYellowBarnStudio.org

Many thanks to ALL of our high school artists! You consistently raise the bar with every passing year and we are so proud of your ongoing efforts. Best of luck to you all!

One of the things I love about working in a Waldorf School is that the model is dynamic and responsive. There is an established pedagogy which provides the framework, but there is an inherent flexibility built in to meet the times. Integrating DEIB into the curriculum is a great example of this. So is building our Educational Support Program-- we are knee deep in the hiring process for an ed support position to work with Grades 7-12.

As part of our evolution, I am delighted to announce that Janet Dunwoody is taking on the role of Faculty Administrator. Adding this position has been a long-held goal of the school and Janet has served in a similar role at the Waldorf School of the Peninsula. Janet will expand her role to provide faculty, student, and parent support as related to the pedagogy.  

Please join Janet and me for coffee after drop-off tomorrow (Friday, April 11) in the Entrance Hall.

Best,

Margery

Margery Bank

Head of School/Faculty Chair

Dear Families,

Many of you may be aware of the Netflix series "Adolescence," a four part story on some deeply disturbing consequences of the mix of the adolescent brain and social media. Well worth the watch! Dr Lisa D'Amore, a family psychologist whom the faculty sees as a solid resource, presents some engaging conversation in her current podcast on the matter. We hope that you find it interesting and enlightening. 

Janet

Janet Dunwoody 

Faculty Administrator

Politics & Prose Book Fair

Saturday, April 12



• NORTHWEST: 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, DC 20008, open 9am-9pm (coffee bar opens 8am)
• UNION MARKET: 1324 4th St NE, DC 20002, open 8am-8pm
• WHARF: 610 Water St SW, DC 20024, open 10am-8pm

Save the date for Saturday, April 12 when Washington Waldorf School will partner with local independent bookstore Politics and Prose. Your shopping will support Washington Waldorf School's ONE FUND, with 20% of your Politics and Prose purchase going back to the school. Shopping must be done in person to count, but you can shop at any one of the store's three locations. 

At Politics and Prose, you may purchase a book for your own family's use and/or donate books to Washington Waldorf School. 

View the school Library & Reading Specialist's wish list. The books on this list should all be in stock at Politics and Prose.

Please present this flyer at checkout. You may either show the flyer on your phone or present a paper copy. If you purchase books for WWS, there will be a book drop box outside or in the school vestibule from April 14 - April 25, with a sign that says "Politics and Prose Book Donations". 

Thank you so much for your support!

Questions? Email Stephanie Hanson, Director of Development

We love to hear how the WWS curriculum and pedagogy benefit our students. This recent Washingtonian article by WWS high school parent, Sylvie McNamara, brings into sharp relief the struggles some students can have when using a laptop during school.

"Within the first few days [at WWS], I noticed a difference: He was learning. He was engaged."

Read the Article: Schools Are Banning Phones. What About Laptops?

Additional Reading

Just today, the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America shared an article about a 2024 brain study from Columbia University that found that children derive deeper meaning from printed text vs. screens.

Read the Columbia University Press Release: Children Derive Deeper Meaning from Printed Texts Than Screens, According to New Brain Study from Teachers College, Columbia University

Studies have also shown that taking notes by hand is beneficial for memory and learning.

Read this Scientific American Article: Why Writing by Hand Is Better for Memory and Learning

WashingtonFAMILY and Montgomery Magazine are both looking for nomminations for "best of" listings in their publications. Take a minute and nominate WWS today!

• Washington Family's 2025 Best for Families Awards

• 2025 Montgomery Magazine Readers’ Choice

Digital Well-Being: How Can We Help Kids Navigate a World Where Everything is Shared and Compared?

Wednesday, April 30 from 7-8:30pm

Zoom Webinar

PCW is pleased to welcome Dr. Devorah Heitner, author of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World.

From Roblox to Instagram to TikTok, the boundaries of privacy for our children are stretched increasingly thin. Dr. Heitner will share insights into how we can help our kids be thoughtful about their boundaries, identity, privacy, and reputation as they grow up “in public” on social media apps.

The event’s discussion format will feature ample opportunity for Q&A. We welcome questions in advance for our speaker which may be submitted to administration@parentscouncil.org.

All PCW member school parents and caregivers, administrators, faculty and staff are invited.

Learn More & Register

April

11/ Friday

• Coffee & Tea with Margery Bank & Janet Dunwoody, 8:30am
• High School Prom

12/ Saturday

• Politics & Prose Book Fair, All Day (see above)
• Children's Garden Open House for Prospective Families, 10am

16/ Wednesday

• Seedlings Parent Evening, 7pm

17/ Thursday

• Trustees Council Meeting (Virtual), 5:30pm

19/ Saturday

• CG Wide Playdate at Norwood Local Park (PFO Event), 10am
• Community "Shred It" Event, 11am

View the Athletics Calendar on our website.

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

How to Submit a Listing

• We welcome submissions of community news, items for sale, want ads, etc. Please keep notices to 500 characters or less. There is no charge for listings.  
• Please submit listings by COB Tuesdays with the subject "Bulletin Submission."
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• Bulletin Board notices generally run for 3 weeks - if space allows - unless other arrangements have been made. Listings may not be accepted and will likely be edited.

Acorn Hill is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a Spring Celebration on May 18 from 10am- 1pm and WWS families, faculty, and alums are invited!

As we reflect on the past 60 years, we are reminded of the many hearts and hands that have shaped our school into the place it is today. We are grateful to each of you - past and present students, parents, teachers, staff, and friends - for the dedication and love you've brought to our school.

The Spring Celebration is open to all and will be a day brimming with activities, music, games, and, most importantly, a shared sense of joy. It is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends, celebrate the beauty of nature, and embrace all that Spring offers.

Learn More

Join the 2025 herbal CSA with Little Red Bird Botanicals

From Jennifer Robinson, WWS Faculty & Parent

A full season classes, community, and locally crafted herbs

Little Red Bird Botanicals offers a local and seasonal herbal medicine experience: each month members receive a variety of herbal remedies and lots of information about using local herbs. Led by DC herbalist Holly Poole-Kavana, the herbal CSA program is a unique educational opportunity and introduction to the world of herbal medicine.

Learn More & Register

Black Georgetown - DC Emancipation Day: Remembrance & Service

Read about the WWS HS service learning project with Black Georgetown in May of 2024.

Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 10:00 AM

Mount Zion & Female Union Band Society Cemeteries

2501 Mill Road NW, Washington, DC 20007

This Emancipation Day, we invite you to join a collective moment of truth-telling, healing, and hands-on service on the sacred grounds of the Mount Zion and Female Union Band Society Cemeteries—home to some of the earliest Black burials in Washington, DC.

In case of rain or inclement weather, updates or postponement notices will be shared via email and posted on our social media channels @blackgeorgetown. Please check before arriving.

• Wear outdoor work clothes (long pants, sturdy shoes)
• Bring gloves if you have them (limited supply available)
• Water will be provided—bring snacks or lunch if you'd like
• Portable restroom and wash station onsite
• No pets, please. Youth welcome if able to participate fully.

Learn more: blackgeorgetown.com

Volunteer questions? Email Patrick Tisdale at patrick.tisdalejr@gmail.com

FiberArt.STUDIO Classes & Camps

The FiberArt.STUDIO in Bethesda is a happy place for some WWS students participating in after school classes and summer camps. The registration for weekly camps from mid-July to end of August is now live at www.FiberArt.studio.

Scholarships are also available, based on financial need and availability. For questions contact Anja Caldwell at anja@fiberart.studio.

Sunday, April 13

Spring Awakening Workshop: Reconnect, Realign and Renew

Step into the energy of spring and awaken your spirit in this immersive, soul-nourishing experience. This 4-hour workshop is designed to help you Reconnect with your inner wisdom, Realign with your true path, and Renew your energy for the season ahead.

Learn More & Register

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