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News from the Minnesota Waldorf School December 8, 2009
The Second Week of Advent
 
At school, we mark the four weeks of Advent on each Monday in December with the lighting of a candle on our Advent wreath. Each week, we honor a kingdom of nature-- mineral, plant, animal and human-- until, at last, we have completed the circle. During the second week of Advent, we celebrate the plant kingdom and we add the second candle, lighting it to honor the plants which cover our earth.
 
You might choose to celebrate at home by lighting a second candle and saying a verse, by placing a small potted plant as a centerpiece on your table or by adding evergreen branches to your winter nature table.  
 
A verse for the second week of Advent:
 
The second light of Advent
Is the light of the plants
That look to the sun,
And in the breezes, dance.
Severe Weather & School Closings
 
MWS closes when weather conditions pose a significant potential hazard to life and safety. Closing announcements are made in several ways:
 
MWS Voice Mail: The voice mail system will be updated with a message announcing snow days or delays.
Radio:                         830 AM WCCO
Television:                   WCCO Channel 4 (CBS)
                                  KSTP Channel 5 (ABC)
                                  KMSP Channel 9 (FOX)
                                  KARE Channel 11 (NBC)
 
You may also sign up to receive email alerts of school closings and delays at:
www.kare11.com 
Click School Alert and follow the prompts.
www.MyFOX9.com
Click on FOX 9 Mornings and follow the prompts.
 
We do not typically have late start days. If it is necessary to close during the school day, parents will be notified and children will be supervised until they are picked up.
8th Grade Gratitude

The 8th grade class would like to thank the community for purchasing their wares, making jumpropes and supporting the hair beading and face painting booths at the Holiday Fair.  The 8th graders had a lot of fun with it and appreciate all you've done to help them fund their class trip.
Parent Council Meets Tuesday: All Are Welcome 
 
All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend the Parent Council meeting Tuesday, December 15th at 7 pm in the Handwork room. Tom Steinmetz will present the Capital Campaign progress, important Board meeting news will be reviewed and much, much more! Please join us for these engaging discussions, hands-on education, important school news & refreshments.
 
New Renewals: Please Take One Home
 
Pick up your copy of Renewal "A Journal for Waldorf Education."  We have purchased one copy per household and they are available in the lobby.  Featured in this issue, is an article by MWS Class of 2008 Teacher Mark John called "Ziggy and the Wheelchair Experiment" It describes an exercise in empathy that his class conducted in their 7th grade year to gain a better understanding of their disabled friend and classmate Ziggy. Some other wonderful articles in this issue: 
 
Building a School with Soul by Thomas Poplawski. 
 
Education, Instruction and Assessment by David Mitchell, Douglas Gerwin and others. 
 
Let the Little Children Draw by Ingun Schneider
Shop Wonderment This Thursday & Support Our School!
 
Wonderment invites children, parents, grandparents, teachers and friends to participate in their Gift Your School: A Day of Shopping to Benefit Your School. The idea is simple--shop at one of the stores on Thursday, December 10th and Wonderment will donate 15% of your total purchase to MWS. You may either tell them that you are a MWS parent or show them the MWS Wonderment brochure in order for us to earn the credit, and a donation check will be sent to the school after the event. What a great way to get your holiday shopping done and help our school!
 
Store Locations:
949 Grand Ave St Paul 651-291-5099 (10 am to 8 pm)
 
4306 Upton Ave South Minneapolis 612-929-2707 (10 am to 8 pm)
 
A Visit from St. Nicholas
 
Last Friday, MWS students cleaned their shoes and left them out in anticipation of a visit from St. Nicholas. It seems the kindly old saint visited over the weekend and, for those who'd been nice, left behind a small gift. St. Nicholas' Day, Dec. 6th, is celebrated in Northern Europe in a similar fashion. Children leave their shoes out on the evening of Dec. 5th and, depending on their behavior, find a piece of  fruit, candy or a nut in them the next morning and perhaps a few sprinkles of silver dust from the hooves of St. Nicholas' donkey.
Grades' Eurythmy Performance: December 10th
 
Students in grades 1 - 8 will give a performance on Thursday, December 10th to conclude their Eurythmy block with our visiting Eurythmist, Claudia Fontana. The performance will take place in the Festival Hall at 2 pm and parents are invited to attend.
 
Students should wear white tops and dark bottoms for this performance. It is preferable that the girls wear skirts. 
St. Lucia's Day
 
On Monday, December 14th, students will celebrate the Swedish festival of St. Lucia. This Scandinavian festival of lights brightens the dark days of midwinter and celebrates the life of St. Lucia-- an Italian saint known for her kindness and love. The 8th grade students dress in traditional white Lucia gowns with the oldest girl dressing as St. Lucia, complete with a crown of candles! The St. Lucia processional visits each class, from the Kindergartens on up, singing Lucia songs and delivering ginger cookies-- a traditional St. Lucia's day treat. For the children, to see the 8th grade students, clothed in white silk and singing (like angels!) in procession behind Lucia in her crown of candles, is a breath-taking and beautiful sight. The second grade especially enjoys the experience, as Lucia story is one they've been told as part of the second grade saints and fables curriculum.
Give 7th Grade Handwork This Holiday
 
Back by popular demand! Silk batik scarves in new colors & designs! The 7th grade will have pre-holiday handwork/wares tables available THIS week on Thurs & Fri at 8:15 am & 3:15 pm by the parent lounge. We have an all new batch of batik scarves that are fabulous! Wool felted ornaments, earrings, animals & more! Stop by & check us out! We love our new stuff & think you will too!
Visit the School Store and the Parent Lounge Store Annex for Fabulous Holiday Gifts
 
To accomodate our expanded holiday inventory, the school store will be open in two locations-- the usual store space and the Parent Lounge. Be sure to check both spots for all your gifts this season!
floweringchild 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 could not attend this year.) Their clothing makes a treasured gift worthy of handing down to younger siblings! Click here for more info.
Holiday Acknowledgements:
Cards for Faculty & Staff


Each year, the Parent Council and class reps fill a basket with holiday cards for all of the faculty and staff who dedicate their hearts and hands to MWS and our children. The basket may be found in Amy Stephens' office. At your leisure, please stop in and sign the cards. If you would like to give a gift of money to your class teacher, you may leave it in his/her individual envelope. If you would like to give a monetary gift to subject teachers, coverage teachers or staff, you may place it in the collection box to be divided. We will safeguard the contents of the envelopes and box nightly.
 
In order to facilitate the Friday distribution of cards and gifts, we will remove the basket on Thursday, Dec.17th at the end of the day. Kindergarten cards will be removed Thursday morning before their winter festival.
Frolic Funsters Now Assembling!
 
Pamela Isham and Ellen Fiorito have stepped forward as Co-Chairs of this year's 5th annual Frolic fundraiser & gala, to be held on Saturday, April 17th! Vicki Dunlop will again be leading the efforts for the online auction. We are blessed to have such dedicated, hard-working and positive leaders already coming together for our school!
 
We would (again) like to thank Holiday Fair Chairs Becky Debertin and Phyllis Schmit, whose graceful and enthusiastic leadership has inspired others!
 
Want to help with this fun fundraiser? Email or see Liz, or contact Pamela and Ellen about your interests and availability. A core team will be assembled in the next month, so now's the time to jump on board! Check the event web site at www.TheFrolic.org, for information on this year's venue and to see pictures from last year's fun event.
 
Computers, IT Help Needed
 
We are looking for someone to help us assess our computer system and make recommendations on improvements, upgrades, software compatibility, etc. We would also like to find a resource for new or refurbished computers for the faculty and staff. If you can help with either of these, please call Melinda Lopes at school.
 
Holiday Fair Report
 
Thanks again to everyone who helped to make our annual Holiday such a wonderful event! We'd like to share with you the final financial report.
 
This event raised $10,156 for our school and created a wonderful experience for prospective families, alumni and our community. Catering the cafe decreased our revenue but also greatly reduced parent volunteer time overall. This year's Holiday Fair team worked hard to decrease parent time needed by 40%!
 
09 HF Numbers 3 

Alumni News
 
Do you have news to share about a Minnesota Waldorf School alum? We always love to hear about our graduates.
 
Community News
 
Spring Hill Waldorf School Winter Dance: Dec. 12th
Where: Spring Hill Waldorf School, 471 3rd Street, Excelsior MN 55331; 952-449-0040
When: Saturday December 12th, 7:00-10:00 PM
Who: 7th and 8th grades students of MWS and City of Lakes
Admission: $10.00 per person (snacks and beverages provided)
The drop-off and pick-up will be at the Spring Hill Waldorf School Social Hall entrance. All proceeds go to support Spring Hill Waldorf School.
 
Novalis News
"Within the darkness of the night
I long to be a light,
That seeds be planted, small but glowing,
Seeds of brightness which start growing . . . "
             -- from In the Light of a Child by Michael Hedley Burton
Season's greetings from Novalis Institute!  It is with many wishes for warmth and peace that we invite you to "plant a seed" in one of our upcoming winter classes.  They begin soon!  We have food for your mind and work for your hands - everyone welcome.  To register for a class or our eNewsletter please visit http://novalisinstitute.org/ or call 651-489-2060.
Handwork
Faculty:  Kristi Fackel
Four Saturdays, 11:15 a.m. - 1:15 a.m. beginnning February 6th
Minnesota Waldorf School
 
Sculptural Arts 
Faculty: Kevin Kane
Four Saturdays, 11:15 a.m. - 1:15 a.m. beginning January 9th
City of Lakes Waldorf School

Knowledge of Higher Worlds
Faculty:  John Fuller
Eight Saturdays, 9-11 a.m., beginning January 9th
First four weeks:  CLWS, following weeks:  MWS

Child & Classroom Observation
Faculty:  Kelly Larson
Four monthly Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., beginning January 9th
Meetings held at City of Lakes Waldorf School, observations to take place at area Waldorf schools.
 
Register Now: Psychophonetics Workshop
January 4 -10, 2010
Yehuda Tagar, Director of the Persephone Institute in Cape Town, South Africa, will be making a rare visit to the United States this January, when he comes to the Twin Cities. He will be giving several evening lectures, and conducting a weekend experiential workshop.  He will also be available for a limited number of individual sessions. 
 
Mr. Tagar is an Israeli, who has spent the past twenty years in England, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, developing a process known as Psychophonetics, a modality of personal and spiritual development, based on indications of Rudolf Steiner. This process combines verbal as well as expressive, non-verbal modes of knowing and communication, namely: Sensing, Physical Gesture, Visualization, and the skillful application of the universal Sounds of human speech in order to enhance an individual's ability for transformation and self-development.
 
David Horstmann, a local psychologist and marriage and family therapist for the past 25 years, and a student of both Anthroposophy and Mr. Tagar, finds Tagar's work unique, intellectually stimulating, and dramatically effective in breaking through unconscious patterns of thought, communication, and behavior.  He feels that its deep connection with the work of Rudolf Steiner imbues it with a spiritual dimension that has long been lacking in Western models of self-development and psychotherapy. Flyers and registration forms are available on the bulletin board and from David Horstmann at davidwhorstmann@gmail.com.
In This Issue
Snow Day Info
8th Grade Thanks
Parent Council
Renewal
Gift Our School at Wonderment
St. Nicholas
Eurythmy Performance
St. Lucia
7th Grade Handwork
Woolies
Holiday Fair Report
Alumni News
Community News
Calendar of Events
Parent Council
Message
Message
Pizza Days
Parent Council
Upcoming Events
 
12/8 Tues 7 pm
Board Meeting
 
12/9 Wed 8:30 am
Parent Knitting Group
 
12/9 Wed
4:15 & 5:15 pm
6th Gr. Basketball 
 
12/10 Thu 2 pm
Eurythmy Performance
 
12/11 Fri
Eurythmy Block Ends
 
12/12 Sat 7pm
7th & 8th Dance at Spring Hill
 
12/15 Tue 7pm
Parent Council Mtg.
 
12/16 Wed 8:30 am
Parent Knitting Group
 
12/16 Wed 4 pm
6th Grade Basketball
 
12/17 Thu
Kindergarten Festival
 
12/18 Fri
KINDERGARTENS
NO SCHOOL
 
12/18 Fri 9 am
Grades Festival and Shepherd's Play
NOON DISMISSAL
NO AFTERCARE
 
12/19 - 1/3
NO SCHOOL
 
1/4 Mon
School Resumes
 
Visit our Google calendar for more dates and event details.
Friday Gatherings

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.
Parent Council Meeting Dates
 
All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Refreshments served.
.....
 
Tuesday, Dec 15
Thursday, Jan 14
Thursday, Feb 11
Thursday, Mar 11
Thursday, Apr 15
Tuesday, May 18
 
Contact: Ben Richards
Minnesota Waldorf School

Office: 651-487-6700
Fax: 651-487-6800
Aftercare:  
612-309-1663
Quick Links
School Store Hours
 
 Monday - Friday
8:30 to 9 am
and
3:15 to 3:45 pm
 
Wednesdays
12 to 12:30 pm
Coffee & Tea Cart Hours

Monday - Friday
8:15 to 8:45 am
 
Baked Goodies Available on Fridays (sometimes other days too)! 
Ongoing
 Fundraisers
 
 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.
 
 
 ** The soup label must include a UPC code **
 
 
Lost & Found

The Lost and Found basket is located in the Parent Lounge (top of the lobby steps and to your right).
 
Your child's teacher also 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!
In the Parent Lounge,
 you will find:
 
A binder of Weekly Updates
 
A Parent Lending Library of Waldorf and parenting books
 
Publications of interest to our families
 
Brochures and Business Cards for childcare, music lessons, real estate, etc.
 
A bulletin board for community announcements and classfieds.
 
Children's books & toys for entertaining younger siblings.
Pizza Days

Pizza Days for this session are:
Dec. 9
Dec. 16 
 
If you pay by the week, please have your order in by Monday at 8:30 am.
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