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| News from the Minnesota Waldorf School |
November 23, 2009 |
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The Advent Spiral Celebrations at MWS: Sunday, Nov 29th 5:30 pm
In Waldorf schools throughout the world, the tradition of the Advent Garden has evolved to present a picture of the inner journey that the soul must make at this time of year. As each child spirals inward to light her candle at the central flame, so also each of us must turn within if we are to find illumination.
The Advent Garden is a dreamy picture of a child's journey into being. The garden itself is a giant spiral of evergreen boughs, golden stars and sparkling crystals. At the center stands a solitary candle. The first child comes forward, bearing a beeswax candle set in an apple. The moment she enters the spiral, she crosses a threshold into a realm where time stands still. In the dark hush of the room, everyone disappears. Alone, the child walks slowly around the spiral to the center, where she lights her candle from the central flame. Even the angels hold their breath as the flame catches; it is a moment of great beauty. As she winds her way out of the spiral, the child sets her own lighted candle on a golden star along the path, to share its light with the next sojourner. One light at a time, the room is gradually filled with the warm glow of a whole community that has come together in reverence.
The part we adults play in this experience is very important, for it is we who must remember how wondrous this event is for the children and take care not to disturb the fragile feeling of awe they carry from it. Watch the children attentively as they walk the the path and you will sometimes see glimpses of the way they have chosen to live their life upon the earth. Some tiptoe, others skip, and each fills us with awe and respect.
We look forward to celebrating this beautiful event with you. Two Advent Spirals are planned-- one for Grades 1 - 8 and the other for our Kindergartens. See the article below for details on each. | |
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The Advent Spiral Celebration for Grades 1 - 8
Sunday, Nov. 29th in the Festival Hall
The Advent Spiral is set up in the Festival Hall and takes place in the dark of evening. Please take your children to their classrooms by 5:30 pm. You may then find a seat in the Festival Hall. The children will be brought to the Festival Hall by their class teacher and will remain seated with their class through the evening.
It is appropriate for the children to dress up for this festive ceremony. However, because the children will be lighting candles and walking near them, we ask that long hair be tied back and that shirt sleeves and dress hems be close-fitting without ruffles or flounce.
The atmosphere of this festival is quiet, peaceful and reverent. Creating a quiet atmosphere at home and in the car before and after the ceremony enriches the experience. If younger children become restless during the grades' ceremony, please wait with them in a classroom until they are ready to return.
The Advent Spiral Celebration for the Kindergartens
Tuesday, Dec. 1st in the Early Childhood Bldg.
8:40 am-- Miss Mary Lou's Kindergarten
9:40 am-- Miss Eileen's Kindergarten
11:30 am-- Miss Brenda's Kindergarten
Parents are invited to attend the Kindergarten Advent Spiral. Please be seated in the 4th early childhood room at the scheduled time. The children will arrive with their teacher and wait with her until it is his or her turn to walk the path. We will create a quiet, reverent mood for this festival. If younger siblings become restless, please wait with them in the hallway. As with the Grades' Spiral:
It is appropriate for the children to dress up for this festive ceremony. However, because the children will be lighting candles and walking near them, we ask that long hair be tied back and that shirt sleeves and dress hems be close-fitting without ruffles or flounce. |
School Store Holiday Book Sale: 10% Off Retail
Nov 24th - Dec 18th
Save 10% off retail when you buy your books from the School Store during the annual Holiday Book Sale. In addition, you'll save shipping charges and time since the books will be delivered right to school. We can order the same books you can get from any major book store, including books for children and grown-ups. We have recommended book lists from the class teachers and will post the lists on the bulletin board by the store for you to share your favorite titles, too. All the profits from this sale will go to the school so pick-up an order form and start making your list! |
| Visit the School Store for Fabulous Finds
The school store has 2010 Waldorf calendars and planners available right now. Also, consider giving MWS School Store gift certificates to your favorite folks this holiday season. 1" beeswax votives burn longer than regular votives and smell great too-- use them for your holiday decorating. Brand New: Reusable sandwich and snack bags are a brand new item at the school store-- grab some for eco-friendly lunches in the New Year! |
| Fancy Coffee Drinks at the Coffee Cart on Mondays
On Mondays, the coffee cart will be serving the following drinks:
- Mochas $3
- Lattes $3
- Cappucinos $1.50
- Depth Charges $1.50
Stop by and start your week with a treat! |
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Holiday Fair Thank Yous!
Our amazing community came together once again to create a wonderful atmosphere for our Holiday Fair!! Our teachers went the extra mile to prepare their classrooms and our chairpeople led with enthusiasm. If you would like to thank them personally they are:
Signage- Stephanie McDaniel & Ben Richards
Bake Sale- Vaara Ostrin & Bob Bowman (with all of you wonderful bakers!)
Coffee Cart- Dan Storey & Ben Richards
Tickets Sales/Raffles- Jo Ann Warren
Younger Children's Activities- Mark Hines
Parking/Outdoor & Signage/Greeters- JoLynn Schulte & Ian Houmas
Older Children's Activities- Amy Stephens
Cafe Support/ Bathroom Pick up/Greeters- Sheila Conlin
Entertainment/Music- Mark Bensing, Frank Jakowich, & Ian Houmas (along with all of the great performers!)
Gnome Cave- Joe Lacey-Gotz & Scott Gilbert (with the other Cave Men/Women!)
Vendors- Ellen Fiorito & Sue Campbell
Cafe- Liz Lacey-Gotz & Deirdre Murnane
Set up/ Clean up- Vicki Dunlop (with the 8th grade families!) Decorations- Anne Kramer (with Lizbet Franc, Nancy West, & Heidi Christianson)
School Store- Teresa Reid, Andi Guy, & Amy Grove
Royal Treatment Room- Amanda Jakowich (with wonderful practitioners!)
Pocketeer- Amy Martel (Lauren & Julia Debertin's Grandma Mickey Johnson designed & made our 2 beautiful new Pocketeer capes!)
Parent Crafts/Handwork- Ting Ting Cheng (Eleanor(BH) Richard's Grandma, Sally Richards, donated a box full of beautiful handwork.)
Programs/Sign Up Sheets- Pamela Isham
Enrollment Table- Brenda Haak & Claire Maier (with many alumni and alumni parents!)
Finance Control- Beth Amos, Tim Kane, & Tom Halverson
Administrative Support- Amy Stephens, Melinda Lopes & Noreen Fisher
Puppet Play- Mary Lou Bala, Eileen McMonigal, Cindy Voyen
Faculty Play- Jodi Lloyd (directing), Ben Sibley, Gideon Weick, Amy Stephens, Deb Hillar Kane, & Jennifer Bishop
Inventory/Building Management- Alex Weick
Much was in place when we took on the role of co-chairs thanks to the work of Parent Council led by Ben Richards. Ellen and Michael Fioroto deserve much credit for their contributions to the initial planning of the Holiday Fair. They procured most of the Friday night participants and much "behind the scenes" preparation. Liz Lacey-Gotz was incredible support and was really our 3rd chair. She worked tirelessly!
Many THANKS to ALL our volunteers for the Holiday Fair!!! We hope
everyone enjoyed it as much as we did!!
Warmly,
Becky Debertin & Phyllis Schmit
PS If we haven't thanked you, it is not because we didn't appreciate
you, it's because our tired brains forgot to remember! |
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 Keep Kids Cuddly Soft & Warm and Raise Money for MWS!
Now through Jan. 1st, any purchases made online at Flowering Child www.floweringchild.com will benefit MWS. Flowering Child sells soft, European, wool and silk undergarments for babies and children. Just enter "MN Waldorf" in the comments field when you check out, and they'll send the school a check for 10% of the sale. (They were a vendor at the Fair last year, but cannot attend this year.) Their clothing makes a treasured gift worthy of handing down to younger siblings! Click here for more info. |
| In Our Community
We hold Melinda Lopes, Kevin Rhodes and their children Emily (7), Haley (3), and Caleb (1) in our hearts and thoughts after the passing of Melinda's mother, Petra, last week. Petra died due to complications from Neuromyelitis Optica. Donations in memory of Petra may be made to "The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation" for Neuromyelitis Optica scientific research and delivered to Melinda Lopes at school.
We welcome Addilyn Rose Parkinson into our community and congratulate her big brother Jacob (K-EM) and parents Troy and Chanda. |
Do you have news to share about a Minnesota Waldorf School alum? We always love to hear about our graduates.
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Community News & Events
Services of The Christian Community, also known as the Movement for Religious Renewal, a church inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner, will be held on Sunday Dec 6 at the Minnesota Waldorf School. The Act of Consecration of Man for Adults will be at 10:30, preceded by a Children's Service for grades 1-8 and followed by a presentation on the Advent Season by Rev. Gisela Wielki and a potluck lunch. See attached announcement or contact Louise Ludford 952-238-0603 for details. | |
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Upcoming Events
11/26-29
Thanksgiving Break
NO SCHOOL
11/29 5:30 pm
Advent Spiral Grades 1 -8
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Minnesota Waldorf School
Office: 651-487-6700
Fax: 651-487-6800
Aftercare:
612-309-1663 |
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Pizza Day
Pizza Days for this session are:
If you pay by the week, please have your order in by Monday at 8:30 am. |
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Parent Council Meeting Dates All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Refreshments served.
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Tuesday, Dec 15 Thursday, Jan 14 Thursday, Feb 11 Thursday, Mar 11 Thursday, Apr 15 Tuesday, May 18
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Friday Gatherings: All Are Welcome
Friday afternoons
2:30 pm
Grades 1-8
Gathering
in the
Festival Hall
Students share songs, poems, and snippets of Main Lesson work.
Parents, friends and extended family are welcome to attend. |
Every little bit helps! Take a look at the list below and help us raise money for the school. You may drop-off Box Tops, Milk Caps, Soup Labels & Ink Cartridges in the Parent Lounge anytime.
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School Store Hours
Monday - Friday
8:15 to 8:45 am
and
3:15 to 3:45 pm
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Coffee (& Tea!) Cart Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 to 9:00 am
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Lost & Found
The Lost and Found basket is located in the Parent Lounge (top of the lobby steps and to your right).
Please check it regularly-- unclaimed items are donated to charity monthly. Your child's teacher may maintain a classroom Lost & Found.
Items which are labeled with your child's name will be returned to your child or placed in his/her classroom Lost & Found.
PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING! |
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Parent Council & Class Reps
K- Brenda
Sara Bowman
Amy O'Brien
Kelly Ponto Watrin
K-Eileen
Amy Martel
Vaara Ostin
K-Mary Lou
Kris Van Amber
Sasha Graybill-Pauling
1-Weick
Joann Warren
Kristina Herbst
2-Maier
Ellen Fiorito
Kristin Aitchison
3-Lloyd
Amanda & Frank Jakowich
4-Garcia
Amy Stephens
Molly Fernholtz
5-Kane
Mark Bensing
6-Riehle
Angela Skinner
7-Maier
Becky Debertin
8-Sibley
Vicki Dunlop | |
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