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January 13, 2012 
Dear Friends,
We wish you a wonderful long weekend!
ROSEMARY DRAWING
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A L L S C H O O L N E W S
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Inspire!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 17 and plan to join parents, faculty, staff and friends at The Mountaineers Club for a festive and fun gathering! The event will include sharing food and drink, dancing, a brief inspiring program highlighting the importance and timeliness of Waldorf education for our students and the world, a limited live auction including Fund-a-Need, and a Dessert Dash. And, not-to-be-missed surprise entertainment throughout the evening! We have consciously chosen this school for what it offers - teachers who make it their life's work to deeply connect to the students for as long as 8 years. Each faculty member at SWS dedicates their time, spirit, and whole being to the pursuit of teaching. We in turn can support their devotion through well-funded professional development, sabbatical years and retirement programs. Knowing their efforts are supported financially allows our teachers to bring themselves fully to their work at our school. Our goal for this event is to build community and raise funds to support our faculty and rich curriculum. We want to come together to enjoy each other's company and celebrate how Waldorf education nurtures the  | |
GRADE 5 CLASS PROJECT, 2009
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whole child and enriches all of our lives. We want to build a tradition of a successful fundraising event that in the future will be able to provide significant support to the school. Parents' participation on all levels is crucial to our success in this. Through the auction of class projects crafted by our students, and "experiences" contributed by our parents, as well as a Fund-a-Need and the Dessert Dash, we hope to raise $50,000. There are many ways to get involved - the easiest and most important is to attend the event and participate in the evening's festivities! More information about volunteer opportunities will come in the weeks ahead; you can keep abreast of the activities by following INSPIRE on our website here. See you on the 17th! | Cathy Simon, Cindy Scobee, Dan Christofferson, Eva Elliot, Hazel Roos, Laura Geiger, Margaret Leonard, Natalie Steiner, Paul Filinson, Robyn Komachi, Shelly McSwyen, Sonia Frank, Tracy Rekart |
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Faculty Inspiration
In order to deepen their connection to the school's festival life and to renew their inspiration, the SWS faculty organized themselves in four groups, that each were to create a seasonal celebration for a faculty meeting. Last week at the faculty meeting, the winter/spring group offered several activities in Huckleberry Hall, by candle light, which resulted in the collaborative creation of this poem and several paintings. One of the paintings is shown here.  Light in the world,
Peace in my heart,
A prayer in my hand--
Let spirits of the north, south, east and west hear;
Call forth the winds to join their force,
But be at ease and stay your course
And urge the gods for favorable winds--
To forgo their unwise sins--
And look with hope to the road ahead.
For wherever I am let my mind be.
And this is when I can hear my heart and
My limbs. This is when I can listen
To the stars who sing their songs in our dreams. |
Is Your Name Here?
The 2011-12 SWS Annual Fund is off to a terrific start, with gifts and pledges from 115 trustees, faculty, staff and families totaling more than $75,000. Thank you to those who have supported this important fundraising effort! Our goal is to see every SWS family participate in helping us secure over $100,000 to strengthen our educational program. The Annual Fund provides needed resources for faculty professional development, financial aid, campus improvements, and other vital areas of the school. We are grateful for gifts at all levels - please click here to make your pledge and add your name to this growing list of families committed to the extraordinary Waldorf experience SWS offers. Thank you!  This list reflects gifts or pledges received from 8/1/11 to 1/12/12. If you don't find your name, we have made a mistake - please contact the development office to let us know. |
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SWHS Drama Club Presents Twelfth Night - Save The Date!
Thursday, February 2 and Friday, February 3, at 7 pm, Theatre 4 in the Seattle Center House
$10 for adults, $5 for students
Our actors have been working hard since October to present this wonderful work! Often they are at school later than I am, drilling their lines, working on scenes together, giving one another feedback to strengthen their parts. It has been thrilling to see and hear it progress. Soon they will take to the stage for your enjoyment! Thank you to Morgan Sobel for directing these high school players. Brenda Baker, high school office manager & grade 9 parent
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Parent Education Event Next Week - Educating Through Feeling
Thursday, January 19, 7 - 9 pm, Huckleberry Hall, Grade School Campus In the child's grade school years, the stories of the psyche's journey become more accessible. What used to be terrors of the night, reveal themselves to be just "Heffalumps." The"wild things" become recognizable and more manageable as they show the archetypal nature of the temperaments. Join us to learn how to help our children navigate the enchanted terrain of "The Hundred Acre Wood" without getting stuck in the grey mood of Eeyore or getting wrapped up in the unstoppable bouncing of Tigger. Adults only. Open to the public. Click here for the flyer and information about other upcoming events.
This SWS parent education event will be presented by Johanna Steegmans, who was born, raised, and trained as a pediatrician in Germany. She came to Seattle in 1989, and completed her training in Naturopathic Medicine at John Bastyr University. Johanna was on the founding faculty of Sound Circle Center, teaching Early Childhood courses and the Foundation Year. Now, besides co-directing the Foundation Year at Sound Circle Center, Johanna travels and teaches here and abroad and works out of a private practice in Seattle.
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No Blank Pages, We Hope! - Yearbook Photos Due Feb 3rd!
The all-school yearbook is a collection of photos submitted by parents and students. We would like to include many images showing our rich school life in the yearbook. Please submit your full-size high-resolution photos on a CD or DVD to the high school or grade school office by Friday, February 3. Please contact Jane Higgins at 206-890-2031 if you have any questions or need help. Thank you!
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Recommitment Days - Save The Date! Be sure to mark your calendars for recommitment days for all SWS families, preschool through grade 12, on Feb 9 and 10 at the grade school campus. High school families have the option of completing the process by mail. Please call Meg Petty at 206-524-5320, ext. 1 if you choose that option. A final recommitment opportunity for high school families will be at the high school on February 16, before a presentation by Betty Staley. (Look for details about her talk in the next Connection.)
Financial Aid Information NightMore than two dozen people attended the first SWS Financial Aid Information Night this week to learn more about the school's financial assistance program and application process. Tracy Bennett, head of administration, and Marlinda Siegfriend, financial aid coordinator, presented an overview of the philosophy guiding our financial aid allocation, the steps and materials needed to complete the application, and key deadlines for 2012. If you were unable to attend and would like more information, please contact Marlinda at msiegfried@seattlewaldorf.org. A wealth of information is also available on the SWS website here, including our application, a list of frequently asked questions, and a link to the Student and School Services (SSS) portal. We encourage all families who may need assistance with tuition to explore this option for your family.
Financial Aid Deadline If you are planning on applying for financial aid for the 2012-13 school year, please remember to submit your application to SSS by February 3. You can access the SSS website from the link on our website or click here. SWS's school code is 7249. All requested supporting documents are due to SWS at the time of recommitment.
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SWS Is Growing
We are pleased to announce that in late December we received approval (at last!) for the Master Use Permit that extends the grade school property to include the residence on the north end of the campus. We have submitted the building permit application, and look forward to beginning work renovating this much needed space soon. Administrative offices will move to the upper level of the house this spring; the classrooms for woodwork, handwork and preschool will be ready for the 2012-13 school year.
As many of you know, Tim Love, facilities manager, and Lisa Wolfe, parent-tot teacher, and their son Sawyer have been residing in the house. Tim's proximity to campus has been a gift to all of us - whether helping a student get a forgotten main lesson book or rescuing a staff member who forgot their keys, Tim has generously made himself available at all times of day and night. The Loves moved to their new home over the holidays, and we'd like to thank both of them for their caretaking of our grade school campus during their years in the Garden house. We couldn't have asked for better neighbors! And how wonderful that at last Tim can really leave work at the end of the day. As Facilities Manager Tim is available for emergencies - thank you for respecting his "off-duty" time. |
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Focus On PCG - What Is The Pedagogical Carrying Group?
"We will take that to the PCG." You may have overheard a teacher say this, and secretly wondered what that meant.
The PCG is the Pedagogical Carrying Group and its task is to carry the spiritual impulse underlying Waldorf Pedagogy, as well as to provide pedagogical direction and initiative to the school. Each of the school's three divisions (Early Childhood, Grade School, High School) selects a representative for the school year, and they are joined by the co-chairs of the college of teachers and three members of the administration to make up the full PCG. (Click here for the full list of this year's PCG members.)
Throughout the school year, the PCG meets every Tuesday afternoon to review activities for each division, discuss topics that need attention, and develop policies that will guide the faculty and administration. Working groups are formed as needed and may invite additional members from outside of the PCG to be participate, chosen depending on the topic and the required expertise. One such subgroup, the hiring committee, recently completed the process of bringing next year's first grade teacher on board. Some issues arise from the observations of faculty members, such as the increasing use of technology during the process of creating the eighth grade projects. This topic prompted a re-evaluation of the goals of the eighth grade projects and the formation of guidelines for how to incorporate technology and still be true to the school's values. One of the larger projects the PCG is currently working on is the issue of reinstating a gardening program. Nettie Fabrie, head of pedagogy
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P A R E N T A S S O C I A T I O N
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Fundraising Success - Chinook Books & Winter Faire We are pleased to report that we raised $2,247 with the Chinook Book fundraiser and $4,300 with Winter Faire! Many thanks to all of you who participated in small and big ways - we couldn't have done it without you! Shelly McSweyn, grade 10 parent & PA treasurerOpportunities To Connect: Save The Dates Tea with Nettie & Tracy HIGH SCHOOL: 3/16, 8:30 am KINDERHAUS: April 27, 9:15 am GRADE SCHOOL: Friday, May 11, 8:15 am
Community First This morning, parents enjoyed each other's company and watching the steam rise off their coffee cups in the below freezing temperatures. They were regaled with a performance by grade 6 students, who played Do-Re-Mi from The Sound of Music by - are you ready for this - blowing into empty soda bottles. Look for an article on grade 6 physics, with a short video clip of the performance in the next Connection. Upcoming Community First gatherings at the grade school will be on the first Friday of the month: Feb. 3, March 2, April 20 Parent Association Meeting, 1/10/12All of the Affinity Groups reported; minutes will be posted on our website in the community section soon. |
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H I G H S C H O O L N E W S
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Cheer-On The Basketball Team! 
This Wednesday evening our team played very well against a strong opponent, supported by a nice crowd of parent and student supporters. "They were really fun to watch," reports our source at the game. There will be three more opportunities for you to cheer them on, two at the Bush School and one in Federal Way. Click here for details. We wish to give a big thank you to grade school parent Jeff Rahlmann for the enthusiasm he brings to coaching our high school team!
Club Activities
High school Humanities teacher Jeff Hipolito has initiated a Philosophy Club and a Chess Club, both of which are enthusiastically received by our students. This weekend, members of the Chess Club are considering participating in the Seattle City Championship at the Seattle Chess Club.
Grade 12 - First Test, Then Soup
Yesterday, Thursday, the grade 12 students were treated to a rich vegetable soup, with bread and cheese by their math teacher Irene Barinoff after their test. No report yet on the results of the test, but there is talk among the grade school admin staff of trying to get on the math test schedule with Irene soon.
Grade 10 - Poetics
Grade 10 began a new block in Poetics on Monday with Dr. VanDerPloeg. He reports that most tenth graders enjoy this block because it is taught in a way that helps them grow beyond their pre-conceived notions of what poetry should look like. This week, Dr. V has focused on the origins and evolution of two very old poetic forms - sestina and sonnet. Throughout this block, the students are learning how to match their own experiences to different forms. All of their poems are just drafts right now, but perhaps a few will be ready for publication soon!
GRADE 10, PHOTO BY MARY CAIRNS
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G R A D E S C H O O L N E W S
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Ultimate, Anyone?
Ultimate Frisbee Parent/Coach Meeting (Adults Only)
Tuesday, January 24, 7 pm - 8 pm, Huckleberry Hall
In preparation for the upcoming Ultimate season, the coaches would like to meet with the parents of all returning and prospective Ultimate players (Grades 5-8) on Tuesday evening, January 24 in Huckleberry Hall. Discussion will include information on our core values, expectations of players, team assignment strategies and practice location/schedule.
Mini-Clinics For New Ultimate Players At Grade School
Fridays, February 3, 10 and 17, 3:20 pm - 4 pm, grade school lower field
Coach René will be running three disc-throwing clinics for players new to Ultimate in grades 5 through 8.
Registration
Ultimate frisbee registration materials, including practice dates and fee information, will be available on Wednesday, January 18 in the office. Completed forms and registration fees will be due in the grade school office by Tuesday, January 31.
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Grade 8 - Thank You From Whidbey Island
Our ten Whidbey Island Waldorf School eighth graders have joined your class for a great learning adventure, studying physics with Mr. Steegmans, and participating in all the other classes. Part of their adventure is happening outside of the classroom. Just this week a Seattle Waldorf School grade 8 family hosted ALL grade 8 students for a spaghetti dinner and games! We are very grateful that host families have adopted our children for the month. This is the first extended time off the Island for many of our students, and they are experiencing so much with your families! Here are some of their reports to date: "It is fun to be with so many kids!" "I really like my host family, and this is a great experience." "It's a lot different having a large class." "It's all cool." Thank you so very much Seattle Waldorf, both the school and your families, for your hospitality and care. Our students will learn so much from all of you, and we appreciate the opportunities you are giving them. WIWS 8th grade parents |
Grade 5 - Gilgamesh or How A Play Unfolds At SWS
The 5th Grade recently performed the play Gilgamesh. The play was adapted by teacher Ann Levi-Neal from the ancient Mesopotamian story. Gilgamesh was the first story to ever be written down.
Typically, plays are considered a form of entertainment and enlightenment for an audience. A Waldorf school play has as a primary focus of deepening the students' educational experience. Of course, we hope that the audience enjoys the play, too! Often a teacher will not cast the play until late in the rehearsal process. Each student gets to play all or most roles during rehearsals, and sometimes two students will share a role and perform at different showi ngs of the play. The ability to take on different aspects of a classic story helps the child to experience the curriculum in a different way than if the story was only experienced passively. When the performance dates arrive, each student can do any of the parts! The full immersion into one of the year's stories requires special care in order to choose the right play for that particular class. For this reason, a teacher often looks to the class to deduce what story may have a particular significance for them. Observations of their interest, enthusiasm or other reactions will confirm that the right story was chosen for that particular class.
Plays are sometimes written by teachers or adapted, and often we borrow plays that are written by our colleagues. Eugene Schwartz, long-time Waldorf teacher, lecturer, author and consultant, has written many plays that have been performed repeatedly at Seattle Waldorf School. Sara Canady, grade 4 class teacher, has written a play or two for her class as well.
Gilgamesh is a classic story with many of the elements of the human drama that have lasting meaning and significance: friendship, doing the right thing, the proper use of power, the quest for immortality.....This 5th grade embraced the play with remarkable enthusiasm and interest. At this age, the class is mature enough to think through many elements of staging and take responsibility for creating sets, moving props and managing their behavior. It was wonderful to see the students take this up and produce something that will leave a lasting memory. Kate Golden, grade 5 class teacher
Click on the image above to see a short video clip from the play. GRADE 5, PHOTO BY MARY CAIRNS
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Grade 4 - Fractions, Interrupted
Before beginning to put work on fractions into our main lesson books, I showed the class one of the early pages in my own Numbers book from first grade. On it I had one piece of paper - a blue circle, with the number 1 written in red beside it. The class remembered our work with the number one over three years ago, and found it amusing that we were about to repeat this page in our fourth grade book. We used a red circle (to shake things up a bit) and wrote in blue one whole. This first week, we cut up two apples into eighths, two chocolate bars into twelfths and two bananas into eighths. It was day three when we cut the bananas, and the class spontaneously counted by eighths aloud as I carefully divided each fourth in half until we had 1 and 7/8, then 2 whole bananas cut into 16 fairly even pieces. We made drawings of our apple cutting and cut paper of different shapes into fractions. In our second week, we tried to cut an apple pie into 16 pieces, but ended with 18. We blame the distraction caused by the fire alarm, but had a chance to see what happens to our pie if we don't divide sections evenly. Fortunately, the pie still tasted delicious! Sara Canady, grade 4 class teacher
Grade 4 chalkboard drawings created in Handwork class
as preparation for quadrant symmetry cross-stitch.
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E A R L Y C H I L D H O O D N E W S
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Rosemary - Treasures We are so busy out on our walks to Woodland Park! The six year-olds are my thing-finders. Yesterday a boy found a pair of deer antlers buried in the dirt. The other boys thought that they might find the rest of the deer if they kept on digging and digging... Meanwhile the younger ones played in amongst the ferns, creating a pizza shop. Back at school we returned to our work of making hats for a homeless shelter. All of the Rosemarys are looking forward to a chilly February with lots of snow to play in. Tim Bennett, Rosemary class teacher
ROSEMARY CLASS, PHOTO BY MARY CAIRNS |
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C O M M U N I T Y A N N O U N C E M E N T S
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This section provided as a free service to the SWS community.
What Are Our Community Members Up To?
Parents Supporting Each Other...
Mothers of daughters out there....are you interested in joining me in reading and discussing the book, The Mother-Daughter Project: How Mothers and Daughters Can Band Together, Beat the Odds, and Thrive Through Adolescence? See this website for more information. I have two daughters (aged 10 and 7) and would love to have the opportunity to work through this book with other moms. If you're interested, please call me at 206-384-9510 or send me an email at dubay.rene@gmail.com. René Dubay, grade 4 & 1 parent
Catholic catechism - I am looking for any Catholic families who are thinking of having their kids go to catechism for first communion, or if anyone has recently gone through this. Do you have some advice? If so, please call me at 206-384-9510 or send me an email at dubay.rene@gmail.com. René Dubay, grade 4 & 1 parent
Enjoying Simplicity Parenting
When she saw the book Simplicity Parenting, Martha Swain, SWS preschool teacher and grade 10 parent, immediately wanted to read it. That was 3 years ago and since then Martha has trained with the author, Kim John Payne, to guide groups of parents who want to create a simpler life at home through his course, and has led a group or two every year. She is offering another session that starts on January 30 and invites you to come to a free introductory evening on Wednesday, January 18 at 7 pm in the music room at the grade school. One of the things that Martha likes the most about the book, is Kim John Payne's encouragement to begin change in small and doable ways with such a nonjudgmental tone. No two families are the same, so no two families will simplify in the same way. Click here for a few quotes from members of our school who were in Martha's first class.Concert
See & hear grade school band teacher Tom Varner in action at a concert on Saturday, February 4 at 8 pm, at Cornish School of the Arts. (Roy St. location in Capitol Hill) The concert will feature original music, including a 4Culture grant premiere, with Tom's 9-piece ensemble, which is comprised of Seattle's top players. All are welcome. Click here for more information.
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Lectures, Workshops, Concerts, Festivals Etc.
Seattle Family Dance - Simple Dances For Kids Under 10 And Their Families
Sunday, January 15, 3-5 pm, Phinney Neighborhood Center-Community Hall
Sherry Nevins calls the dances to live tunes from a new family dance band: Eva Reich on fiddle and Cynthia Marie on piano. Come join the fun! 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 lower parking lot entry. More info: Rosemary parent Clare Woolgrove clare@seattlerolfer.com or seattledance.org/family
Simplicity Parenting With Martha Swain At SWS Grade School
Free Intro Session Wednesday, January 18, grade school music room. Session starts January 30. Also, see the article in What Are Our Community Members Up To above.
Click here for the flyer with details.
Simplicity Parenting - Two Workshops Based On The Work Of Kim John Payne In February, Three Cedars Waldorf School, Bellevue Click here for details. Invest In Yourself And Your Family's Health Cooking classes with Melanie Waxman, February 10-12, Columbia City or Bellevue
Experience a healthy way of living through macrobiotic (vegan) cooking.Watch one of the best vegan cooks in action, eat health-promoting dishes, relax and enjoy conversation with your friends. Melanie, a mother of 7 vibrant, healthy children, will share her secrets of cooking delicious meals that nourish, strengthen and fulfill your entire family during and after the meal. Click here for the flyer with details for each class.
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Beautiful 4 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Home Close To Grade School For Rent
The house is located in a quiet Meadowbrook neighborhood, five minutes away from the school.
It is newly remodeled, has hardwood floors throughout the house and has a beautiful, large kitchen.
It also has a garage and a garden. The house is available beginning of February. For information please call 206-466-1315 or email andrea.preiss@hotmail.de. Part-Time Home Care NeededMy neighbor is looking for someone who could watch her husband, who is 65 and has Alzheimer's, from 5-9 pm, five days a week. This would involve making him some dinner and helping him to go to bed around 7:30 pm. If you are interested or have questions, call Katrin at 206-883-7515. |
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S O U N D C I R C L E C E N T E R
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Summer Intensives - Save The Date
July 2 - 13, Seattle Waldorf School, 2728 NE 100th St.
Two weeks of intensives for practicing teachers including
- Living Thinking and Sensible Science with Michael D'Aleo
- Therapeutic and Artistic Movement in Early Childhood Education with Nancy Blanning and Holly Koteen-Soule
- Lectures by Christof Wiechert, including Karma: Future out of the Past, open to all
....and much more. Additional information will be posted on our website here.
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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.
  
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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 Tuesday, January 24.
Submissions Guidelines © 2010 Seattle Waldorf School.
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