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Race to Nowhere Last November Open House Sibling Application Packets Open House Events Winter Faire Wish List Holiday Gifts Parent Association Grandparents Day Focus on Faculty HIGH SCHOOL NEWSHelping Tent City 3 Move Drama GRADE SCHOOL NEWSMusical Auditions Safety Alert Lost & Found Break Care A Sense Of Balance Reports From Grades EARLY CHILDHOOD NEWSAutumn Memories COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTSProvided as a free service to the SWS community. November 19, 2010Dear , Enjoy this current issue of the Connection. Here you will find all the latest SWS news and information. The Connection will be delivered to your email inbox every two weeks. Don't see any pictures? Click on Display images below in the upper left hand corner of this email to see the pictures that are part of this issue.   | | DOWNLOAD FLYER WITH SHOWTIMES |
 Race to Nowhere - A Documentary
Dear SWS Families,
I would like to personally invite all SWS families to join us in attending the documentary film, Race to Nowhere, on Sunday, November 21.
Tickets are available for two screenings: 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm.
The key goal of the film's director, Vicki Abeles, is to engage parents, teachers, and the community-at-large in a conversation around education and our children. The film is being released across the nation in private screenings only, to promote audience discussion.
To this end, each of Sunday's screenings will be followed by a 30-minute panel discussion, facilitated by Tim Love, who is a trained Waldorf teacher, our facilities manager, and a Rosemary parent.
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our panel members:
- Luci Hackbert, Ph.D., Psychologist, director of "Camp Self-Discover," instructor of "Parenting with Awareness," and Briar Rose and Grade 2 parent
- Nikki Danos, Leadership Development Program manager and college counselor at Rainier Scholars (at 12:30 pm screening)
- Margrit Crane, Teen and Family Coach
- Ingrid Orlow, trained Waldorf high school teacher, mentor, and Grade 1 and 6 parent (at 12:30 pm screening)
- Betsy Weill, founding member of Sound Circle Center and co-director of SCC Teacher Training, mentor, preschool teacher, and Grade 8 and 11 parent (at 3 pm screening)
We are all aware that there are challenges to raising our children within the current culture, regardless of our choice in schools. This is a great opportunity for you to invite family and friends to be a part of this important dialogue.
I would also like to note that the film has generously offered to give a percentage of the total ticket sales back to our school.
We hope to see you at a screening this Sunday, November 21.
JBL Theater at Experience Music Project
Click on a screening time to purchase tickets: 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm.
Sincerely,
Nettie Fabrie
Seattle Waldorf School
Pedagogical Director
"This is an EXCELLENT film that was screened on Bainbridge last spring. I highly recommend it to all Waldorf parents and teachers. It will make you so happy with the educational choices you are making for your children." Missi Goss (Grade 11 parent)
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Last Open House Event In November
Please remember to invite your friends and share the gift of a Waldorf education with them.
High School: Saturday, November 20, 10am -1pm (flyer)
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Reminder - Sibling Application Packets Now Available
Families with siblings who plan to enter SWS next fall are invited to pick up or request an admission application from the school office. To receive priority placement, we ask that sibling applications be submitted by December 16, 2010.
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SWS Wishlist
Small treasures for Pocket Person: Small items made of natural materials such as glass, metal or fabric. Also gems, bells, stones, ceramic, small balls, any special treasures that the children would be happy to have. No plastic please. There will be drop boxes for treasures in the grade school lobby and at Kinderhaus.
Many thanks!
Winter Faire - Come One, Come All...
It is that time of the year again! We are all thinking of holiday gifts and sharing time with family and friends. The Winter Faire is a great opportunity to start the season! Do your holiday shopping, share your time,help the children make and wrap gifts, and, best of all, strengthen our community by helping create a fun, safe Faire for our children and families to celebrate Winter and the holidays. You can help with crafts, parking, ticket booth, baking, cooking, or simply by setting up and /or cleaning up. There are still many available slots for you to fill by volunteering your time. You can sign up online or in person in the grade school office. Maria, 206-542-2079, mgalvaousa@gmail.com, will be available to sign up volunteers every Tuesday and Thursday during the grade school pick-up until December 5. Please sign up to help. Thank you all who have already signed up to volunteer.
To easily invite your friends, click here for the flyer.
Fretting about holiday gifts for your near and dear?
The solution is at hand: SWS calendars - featuring artwork from many of our students as well as several alumni. The calendar costs $12. It is for sale at both offices and will be available at the Winter Faire as well.
Coming soon: a music CD for $10 from last May's In Concert performances of students in grades 4 to 12.
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Parent Association News: Tent City & Success Of Book Fair And Chinook Book Fundraiser
Tent City 3 will be moving to the grade school neighborhood and representatives from Tent City 3 and the Maple Leaf Lutheran Church came to meet our community and answer our questions.
It proved to be an illuminating conversation. For example, we learned that there are often incorrect assumptions made about "Tent City," in part because of a confusion with other unregulated encampments which can be seen under the freeway. Tent City 3 is sponsored and managed by Share/Wheel, a non-profit, tax exempt, public charity. We learned that residents of Tent City 3 feel much safer living in Tent City than at a city shelter, and that they take pride in leaving a neighborhood cleaner than they found it. Please click here for the minutes to learn more. You will also find minutes for past meetings on the Parent Association page of our website.
Carolyn Cox reported that the recent book fair at Santoro's in Greenwood generated close to $300 in credit for class room reading materials.
 
Chinook Book sales have generated about $2,400 so far in funds for the Parent Association. More Chinook Books will be available at the Winter Faire.
Many thanks to Carolyn Cox for spearheading both projects and to all of you who participated!
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Looking Ahead - Grandparents And Special Friends Day, April 15
Many of you will see family over Thanksgiving - a great opportunity to let them know about this special event. We are pleased that this year we are able to extend the invitation to grandparents and special friends of high school students as well.
Look to future editions of the Connection for more details, including invitations.
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Focus On Faculty - Welcome To The Class Of 2023 Teacher!
Betsy Weill, Founder and teacher of the Ragamuffins, a preschool in the Wallingford neighborhood frequented by many of our students, is well-known in our school and the Waldorf community. Betsy was the teacher for the first SWS graduating class in 1992. She is a one of the founding members of Sound Circle Center, and currently co-directs the Teacher Training Program of SCC. Betsy holds a B.A. in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, a Waldorf teaching certificate, and a Washington State teaching certificate. Her latest interests include playing Mah Jongg. Betsy is married to Tim Bennett, teacher of the Rosemary kindergarten class. They are parents of a grade 11 and a grade 8 SWS student.
We look forward to working with Betsy once again!
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Helping Tent City 3 Move
High school students are invited to assist on Saturday, November 27 (two days after Thanksgiving) as members of the Tent City 3 community will move into their new, temporary (for 90 days) location in the parking lot of the Maple Leaf Lutheran Church, just up the hill from the SWS Grade School campus. Up to 100 homeless people make their temporary home in Tent City 3. Every 90 days, they must move to a new location, generally a church parking lot. There is much to do on moving day. Trucks will arrive with pallets and shelters, all needing to be unloaded and set up. If students decide to come help, they will need to wear sturdy work clothes and work gloves, and be prepared for whatever the weather brings.
Students can sign up on the bulletin board in the hall, and see Mrs. Ayrault if they have questions. We'll work from 9:00 am until approximately noon. Students should bring a lunch, be ready to work hard and maybe have a good time meeting some people who will really appreciate their interest in helping them get settled in their new quarters. Click here to read more about Tent City 3 in the Parent Association minutes.
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All That Drama...
On Wednesday, November 10, our seniors saw The Scarlett Letter at the Intiman Theatre. Next week, freshmen and juniors will be attending Hamlet at Seattle Shakespeare Company. Gertrude is played by Mary Ewald, parent of a couple of SWS grade 8 graduates and director of the middle school musical for some years.
And, of course, rehearsals for Fiddler on the Roof are in full swing...
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Middle School Musical Auditions Coming Up
All students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are welcome to participate in this after-school activity. This year's show is Patience by Gilbert and Sullivan. Students who would like to be cast in a larger role should come to the audition on Tuesday, December 14 at 3:15, prepared to sing a song that they know. They will also be asked to read from a scene that will be provided that afternoon.
Students who prefer to be in the ensemble do not need to audition, but are very welcome to meet the team:
- Director, Ali El-Gasseir who directed The Music Man last year,
- Music Director, Molly Knight Forde, who has music directed a few SWS musicals and is a Grade 6 parent,
- Costumer, Jacqueline Houston, who has been the costumer for uncounted shows at SWS and is a Grade 7 parent.
There is a fee of $140 for this extra-curricular activity.
Look for an e-mail to middle school families with further details.
Safety Alert For Traffic On 100th Street
We are aware that from time to time cars stop on 100th Street, letting out a student to avoid coming into the parking lot. In consideration of safety concerns, traffic flow issues and inconvenience to other drivers, we suggest that parents drop off children at the church for a short walk to the school or in the parking lot.
Please remember that it is not safe to drop students off on 100th Street. Thank you!
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Lost & Found
We will display the contents of the grade school lost & found on a table in the school lobby next week before the Thanksgiving break, for your convenience.
All items not picked up by Thursday, November 25, will be donated to a charity on Monday, November 29.
Speaking of Lost & Found - A Favorite Coat Has Gone Missing!
Women's gray, light wool J. Crew coat was left in the music room after the Parent Association meeting on November 9. If you have it or may have seen it, please contact Maribel Cuizon @ 206.523.1145. Thanks!
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Holiday Fun! Break Care!
Do your holiday shopping without your children! Better yet, leave them in Break Care and they can make gifts for you while you go to the spa! Break care will be offered Monday, December 20, Tuesday, December 21 and Wednesday, December 22. We will be making delicious treats and various crafts for holiday decorations and gifts. Please register your child by Monday, December 13. Click here to download the registration form.
Please contact Carolyn Harris, charris@seattlewaldorf.org with any questions.
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A Sense Of Balance
According to Wim Gottenbos, Seattle Waldorf School's 2010-2011 second-grade teacher, if you follow the thread of festivals that weaves its way throughout the seasons of the year, you are sure to maintain your sense of balance. And balance is so much a part of what we strive for, both as children and adults.
The Lantern Walk, typically held on the 11th of November, is one way to bring light into the darker world of the late fall season. Mr. G, as his students and other faculty fondly call him, begins preparing his class for the Lantern Walk by telling the story of St. Martin, a boy who was raised as a pagan but wanted to become a Christian. In his young adult years, while he was a soldier, he happened upon a raggedy poor man who was hungry and cold. Not having any means to feed the man, Martin tore his cloak into two pieces and gave one to the man.
Weeks prior to this festival the children are learning songs and drawing pictures that have to do with light. Eventually the children make their lanterns, some out of paper or balloons and papier mache. On the evening of November 11, known to some as St. Martin's Day, the first and second graders bring their  parents to school, where the children have their lanterns lit so that they can carry their light through the woods or perhaps one lap around the school. It is their way of keeping light, one lantern at a time, burning in the darkness.
When Mr. G taught in Holland, the Lantern Walk was a many-grade activity. The fourth graders would write notes which would be delivered to all the homes within one large block of the school. These notes indicated that on the evening of November 11, the homeowners should expect a knock on their front door. If they would be so kind as to give a piece of fruit, a pear or an apple or a banana or an orange, the Waldorf first, second and third graders would sing a song for them. Those three grades carried their lanterns from house to house, collecting fruit and singing for the people. When the fruit had been returned to school, the fifth grade's job was to arrange it all into baskets. At that point, the sixth graders would take the baskets, along with their recorders, to a nursing home or retirement home where they would distribute the pieces of fruit and either play music or sing songs for the residents, thereby brightening many lives.
Following the thread from late fall into the even-darker days of winter brings us to the Winter Spiral festival. Once again, weeks prior to the event itself, Mr. G teaches the children songs having to do with light and birth. The class focuses on crafts also having to do with light and birth, such as stars to hang in the windows and a winter garden that brings life into the classroom.
One Sunday evening during Advent, the Winter Spiral is held in Huckleberry Hall. Evergreen boughs make up the spiral itself, with one large candle lit in the center of it. One by one the children begin to walk the spiral. Somewhere along the way they will each pick up an apple with an unlit candle in it. They walk to the lit candle, light theirs, and then walk back out of the spiral, placing their now-lit apple-candle combination somewhere along the way. Perhaps there is quiet singing or a lyre playing softly in the background. This is a very beautiful, solemn experience about, once again, bringing forth light into the darkness. An opportunity for our children, and ourselves, to walk in light and freedom.
As Mr. G says, when the children participate in these festivals year after year, they begin to breathe the seasons and are able to connect with that calm, quiet, reverent place within themselves. They live our mission statement: to be free human beings who impart purpose and meaning to their lives, who meet life with courage, and respond with initiative and creativity to the needs of the world and their fellow human beings.
In a word, they are balanced. Sheryl Madden (Grade 5 parent)
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Grade 8
Our eighth-grade students are in awe at the wonders of algebra. They are exploring squaring binomials and solving mind-boggling equations! See the beautiful, continually evolving chalkboard drawing by Ms. Kulasic.
 
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Grade 5 & 6 - Visit To The Stratford At Maple Leaf
The students delivered baskets of fruits and nuts and shared some songs with the residents of the retirement community in our neighborhood.
  
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Grade 4 - Fractions Are Yummy!
Grade 4 has been learning fractions this month. We began by finding out how to make even pieces of an apple, a pear, and finally a pie. Yum, fractions taste good, and the students declared: "I like fractions. Fractions are fun!" We continue to develop our basic understanding of breaking up the whole into its parts by finding equivalent fractions, and drawing the factor "candelabras" and the "fraction tree." Kate Golden
 
The 4th graders have also made their own juggling balls out of rice and small balloons. We received a visit from parent Steve Hobbs who gave us a lesson in juggling. Thank you, Steve!
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Lupines - Happy Autumn Memories
From a recent letter from Martha Swain to parents of Lupine preschoolers
I woke up this morning still with pictures of your happy children in my head.
Imagine the sandbox dappled with warm autumn sunshine, shining dark chestnuts sprinkled in the sand and the first chestnut leaves drifting lazily to the ground. The sandbox is full of busy children - your children.
Cora and Madeleine sitting and talking with Cora's arm draped over Madeleine's shoulders.
Emina is lugging a sloshing pail of water from the pump.
Henri is digging a river around the mountain that I am building with Cadia.
Noah is dancing on the top of the mountain.
Lucia is humming while she bakes a cake next to me.
Teo is deep in discussion about cement manufacturing with the boys from the other class.
All are content. What a sweet moment!
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This section provided as a free service to the SWS community.
Why Waldorf Works: From a Neuroscientific Perspective
By Dr. Regalena "Reggie" Melrose, published in the AWSNA Newsletter INFORM
Why Waldorf works has more to do with how the brain develops and functions optimally than Rudolf Steiner ever could have known. Sure the educator and founder of Waldorf Education theorized convincingly about how children learn best, but until MRIs and other sophisticated measures of the brain were developed, we had no way to prove or disprove any of Steiner's theories, not with the kind of precision and accuracy we can now. An overwhelming body of evidence from the last 20 years of neuroscientific inquiry supports Steiner's theories, including some of the most fundamental foci of Waldorf Education.
Three foci thrill me the most, both as a parent of a Waldorf student and as an international speaker on the topic of learning, behavior, and the brain: holism, play, and nature. An emphasis on all three is consistent with how the brain learns best: when the whole brain is engaged at any given moment, when its foundational neural connections have been given ample time to develop, and when it is in an optimally aroused state.
Knowing how the brain develops is essential to understanding ....
Click here to read the rest of the article.
For the complete November newsletter, click here.
Screen Time
The following is excerpted from an interview with Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting published by Waldorf Teachers.
"Just five years ago, the average child in the US had 4.7 hours per day of screen time. This year it's 7.5 hours, and that doesn't include the time in school in front of a screen of some sort. While the figure of 7.5 hours per day in front of a screen is disturbing to most folk, the other worrying realization from this report is how rapidly the hours have grown since 2005.
If you do the math on this trajectory it is a rallying call for action. Chief amongst the many concerns I carry for the digital overwhelm so many of our children are suffering is the strong tendency for this activity to lead our children into addiction...
Click here to read the rest of the interview.
Click here to subscribe to the Waldorf Teacher newsletter.
Playing to Change the World
Saturday, November 20, 1 - 5 pm, Om Culture (Fremont)
A workshop on Collaborative Games, highly recommended by SWS parents and alumni. You will re-learn how the incredible creative power of play can help connect people across all differences.
For cost and other information and to register, click here.
What Are Our Students Up To?
Claira Smith (Grade 7) has been cast as one of the Claras in Pacific Northwest Ballet's beloved Nutcracker. The show runs from November 26 until December 27, and a discount ticket site has been set up to be used by family and friends for any of the many performances. The discount will apply to any ticket/s that you purchase through the site, and will vary depending on the seats you choose.
If you would like to see her perform, at this point we know that she will dance as Clara next week Saturday, November 27, at 7:30 pm and also on Sunday, December 12, at 1:00 pm.
I only find out about additional performance dates for Claira 10 days before a show, and I will post them on the ticket order page ASAP.
Click here to order your discounted tickets and feel free to send the link to friends and family so they can also see the Nutcracker at a discount. Please let me know if you have any questions: 206-399-7090 Cheryl Smith
Last weekend! Come see Shalee Murphy ('09 Grade 8 graduate) in Shorecrest High School's fall play, A Midsummer Night's Dream. This Dream is a hilarious play set in a contemporary British boarding school with lost lovers, mischievous Punk Rock Fairies and Hobgoblins in the woods, and Mechanicals who run the place, including the production of an uproarious play within a play. It runs Nov. 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 & 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 14 & 21 @ 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $9 in advance and $10 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the ASB office or Third Place Books. Reservations can be made by calling 206-393-6224 or by e-mailing sc.tickets@shorelineschools.org
Introduction to Anthroposophy Lectures, Sound Circle Center
Saturday mornings, from 9 am - 10:30 am
Grade School Campus, 2nd Floor, Huckleberry Hall or grade 6 classroom. $10
Upcoming themes are:
Karma and Reincarnation with Holly Koteen-Soule and Death and Rebirth with Janet Lia
Click here for descriptions of the topics and a full list of lecture dates.
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Real Estate Services
Cally Fulton, ex-Waldorf parent and current SWS substitute teacher, owns Infiniti Real Estate & Development with her daughter Danielle Johnson. They have over 15 years' experience working with homebuyers and sellers here in the greater Seattle area, and are now offering customized commission packages as a way of giving back to their community in these tough economic times. Call 206-786-5061 or email cally@infinitiRED.com for more information. You can also visit our website at infinitiRED.com.
Buy Certified Organic Raw Cow's Milk From Washington State
Join our buying club and have this delicious, nutritious, creamy raw milk delivered every other week right next door to the grade school, ready for you to pick up.
We are hosting the delivery site for Pride & Joy Dairy. The dairy is working to provide butter, cream, and cheese in the future.
Visit the Pride & Joy website for product and ordering information. Our location is titled "U District/Lake City" on the schedule. Order by tonight (Friday) for Monday 11/22 pick up! Tim Love and Lisa Wolfe
In case you missed it in the last issue. . .
Seattle Family Dance
November 21, 2010, 3-5pm at the Phinney Neighborhood Center-Community Hall
Come and join the fun! Simple dances will be taught to kids 10 and under and their families. Professor Banjo (Paul Silveria from Portland, OR) will call and live music will be provided by the Small Time String Band.
SFS/PNA Members: $5 per person, $15 per family; all others $6 per person, $18 per family.
Find the Community Hall at 6532 Phinney Ave N., Seattle and go into the brick building using the the lower parking lot entry.
More info: Rosemary parent Clare Woolgrove clare@seattlerolfer.com or seattledance.org/family
Looking for a Nanny
We are looking for an after-school nanny for a 7-year-old.
He needs to be picked up at the grade school at 3pm and brought home to Kirkland (Kingsgate) where he needs regular care until approx. 8pm. This will be needed for 3 days a week or so.
Please call Tatiana Avaeva at 425-749-9032.
Magic Cabin catalogue doll size Flower Clothing rack for sale, $25
OBO. The most recent catalogue shows it in red, ours is the older
version with pink flower sides and green shelves. Includes 12 doll
hangers. Contact Sam at sam.hranac@gmail.com or 206-661-6423.
DK Bicycle Co used BMX bike for sale, front and back pegs, 360 degree
turn on front handle bars. $80 OBO, contact Sam at
sam.hranac@gmail.com or 206-661-6423.
Used Diamondback Sorrento men's mountain bike for sale, $180 open to
other offers. Bought for $320 just one year ago, in great condition.
Bought the wrong bike for our teenage son, just hoping to get some
money back to help purchase a road bike. Contact Sam at
sam.hranac@gmail.com or 206-661-6423.
Bladerunner Pro XT rollerblades, men's size 9. Used maybe 4
times, $80 new, selling for $40, OBO. Contact Sam at
sam.hranac@gmail.com or 206-661-6423.
TOYS FOR SALE! LOTS HERE! THERE MAY BE SOMETHING FOR YOUR CHILD! All in very good shape. Everything only $15 each. BALANCE TOYS: Fun Wheels (as seen in Hearthsong); Bike/Skate Ramp, never used, includes attachment hardware.
Also $15 each: Little Tykes Toy Box (plastic and great for outdoor toys!). Wooden Playhouse - small and simple in form; ideal for little people or animals. Email or call Sue: sah1063@gmail.com 206.407.6362.
MORE FOR SALE! American Girl Doll - JOSEFINA- $65. We still have some of her accessories. Also some American Girl Today accessories. Girls Figure Skates, Glacier 220, size 5, $10, worn only a short time. Porcelain Dolls on stands - 2 Victorian era, 1 Ice skater, $15 each. IKEA Minnen Dragon Wall Hanging Storage Organizer - 3 sections, great for getting those little things up off the floor! $5.
Please email or call if interested in the following as we have lots: BRATZ Dolls and accessories. Build-A-Bear outfits; some "girl"/several "boy" styles, $2 - $10 each. Email or call Sue: sah1063@gmail.com 206.407.6362.
SNOW GEAR FOR SALE! SnowShoes, Tubbs Sojourn 21, used only one time, $75. "Boys" Ski Coat and "Boys" Snowboard Pants, size 12, $20 each. Impwear Snuggli, Cheetah print, size M, $8. Gordini Ski Gloves child S, $5. Solstice Mircoshed Men's Coat size L, like new but missing detachable hood, $10. Email or call Sue: sah1063@gmail.com 206.407.6362.
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Mission
We
educate our students to be free human beings who impart purpose and
meaning to their lives, who meet life with courage, and respond with
initiative and creativity to the needs of the world and their fellow
human beings. |
Links
For information on Waldorf teacher training and other course offerings, visit www.soundcircle.org
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Connection is published bi-weekly when school is in session. Please email all submissions directly to: newsletter@seattlewaldorf.org. All articles or ads for the next issue are due by noon on: Wed, December 1.
Submissions Guidelines © 2010 Seattle Waldorf School.
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