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| News from the Minnesota Waldorf School |
January 12, 2010 | |
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Experience Waldorf: It's Your Turn to Come to Class!
January 23rd, 9:30 am to noon
Experience first-hand what makes the Waldorf curriculum so unique and engaging. Parents and interested adults can get a glimpse of what happens in the classroom through the grades by selecting two of six mini-classes. Learn to read with Ms. Garcia, discover science with Mr. Maier, get active with movement teacher Mr. Curtin, and more. Between classes, we'll host a panel discussion with faculty and alumni who will answer questions and share their insights. This is a wonderful workshop for parents of MWS students and also a great event to share with family and friends.
Help us spread the word about this amazing event by posting or dropping off postcards at your favorite haunts. Take as many as you can distribute from the wooden table in the front entry; if supplies run out or if you have questions, please contact Brenda Haak. | |
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Please remind your children that the mats and gymnastics equipment in the Festival Hall are off-limits outside of Movement time. Please pay particular attention during the hectic time between 3:20-3:40 pm.
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Pizza Order Deadline Extended!
The 8th grade will accept Pizza Orders until Wednesday morning, Jan. 13th. You have the option of ordering for the entire session, ordering for certain weeks only or ordering by the week. Here's how:
-- Use the form as is to order for the entire session.
-- Customize your order by circling the dates you want pizza.
-- Order by the week-orders are due each Monday.
Pizza lunch is a fundraiser organized each year by the 8th grade. Proceeds from the sale of pizza lunches help to fund the 8th grade class trip. This year's class will travel to Hawk Circle in NY for a Wilderness Education Camp. The students enjoy coordinating the pizza lunch program and thank you for your support! |
| New Pre-K and Kindergarten Students
If you intend to enroll a younger sibling in the Pre-K/Kindergarten classes for the 2010-11 school year, it is time to submit an application. Applications may be printed from the website or picked up at school. If you need more information, contact Brenda Haakor any other member of the administrative staff. |
| MWS Ambassador Guide Orientation
Saturday, January 16 from 9:00 - 10:30 am
During the last parent council meeting, many enthusiastic parents stepped forward to volunteer as ambassadors for our school. School ambassadors will attend local area events to help get the word out about MWS. In order for us to present a unified message about the school, we have scheduled an orientation meeting for Saturday, January 16 from 9:00 - 10:30 am. We will dig up our Waldorf in a word acronym and learn the answers to the most frequently asked questions. Please join us in this effort! Coffee and treats will be served. |
Enrollment Question of the Week:
Is there an event, parade or fair that you think would be beneficial for MWS to attend?
If you have an answer to this question, please take a moment to write down your suggestion and put it in the enrollment suggestion box. The box is located in the front lobby of the main building. You are also welcome to email your answer to Brenda Haak at bhaak@mnwaldorf.org.
$15,000 in Matching Funds Received from the Green Heart Fund of Minneapolis
Thanks again to the generous Green Heart Fund of Minneapolis! As part of our current Capital Campaign, they challenged us with a $15,000 matching grant to fund geothermal heating and cooling for the new Kindergarten and Early Childhood Building. As of December, designated donations totalling more than $15,000 were paid to MWS, allowing us to receive our matching funds this month. Hooray!
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Parent Council Meeting Thursday
All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend the Parent Council meeting Thursday, January 14th at 7 pm in Handwork room. Debbie Kane will present a Social Inclusion update, Parent Handwork planning will be discussed, Board meeting minutes will be reviewed and much, much more! Please join us for these engaging discussions, hands-on education, important school news & refreshments. |
 Donate to the 09-10 Annual Campaign
Our Annual Campaign is under way and we'd like to invite you to participate. Donations to the Annual Campaign support our talented faculty, help finance tuition assistance for families in need, buy classroom supplies, fund field trips, and more! Please give generously.
As of 1/12/10, we've raised more than $33,000. Please help us reach our goal of $60,000!
What a gift means to our school this year:
- $9,500 covers tuition for one child
- $4,800 pays for six weeks of Eurythmy
- $1,500 supplies toys and furniture for our new kindergarten
- $1,200 buys 20 pentatonic flutes
- $400 helps update our chemistry equipment
- $200 sends one class to an orchestra performance Donate online through this secure link (with NO admin fees!), or mail or drop off your donation anytime with anyone in Admin. Thank you for your support! |
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Free Knitting Lessons & Knitting Help in January
The Wednesday morning knitting group invites you to learn to knit with Marty Glanville (grandmother of Anthony Gr. 2), each Wednesday in January from 8:30 am to noon in the MWS Library. Bring your own yarn and knitting needles or borrow some from us. Marty is also able to help you solve your knitting conundrums. We hope to see you there! Questions? Contact Ting Ting Cheng at tinglcheng@gmail.com or 651/492-9107. |
School Store News
We are welcoming the new year with a BIG SALE at the school store. For a limited time, all merchandise is 10% off. Stock up now on art supplies, books and gifts for all year 'round. In addition, the beautiful Waldorf art calendars are now 50% off. We have a great selection of indoor games and Ravensburger puzzles for these cool winter days! If you didn't get your window star kits before the holidays, more have arrived! |
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Come Join the Frolic
Meeting Dates & Times: Thurs, Jan 14, 6:15pm (before Parent Council mtg) and Tues, Jan 19, 8:30am (drop off)
Join Co-Chairs Pamela Isham and Ellen Fiorito to learn what's been planned for the Frolic so far and see how you can add your talents to make our 5th annual fundraiser the best ever! Come to one or both meetings. Last year's event made more than $40,000 for our school. Thanks to all the parents who contribute their time and energy to make this happen! |
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Grains & Flours Available on Mondays
Sunrise Flour Mill, owned by Marty and Darrold Glanville, grandparents of Anthony Fiorito, grade 2, will begin making organic products available for purchase every other Monday. The first date will be Tuesday Jan 19 because there is no school on Monday, January 18. Products are as follows: 2 1/2 lb bags of freshly milled bread and pastry flours $7.00 each, 2 lb bags of five grain pancake mix $6.00, 1 lb bags of fresh flaked oats $5.00, 1 lb. bags brown rice $4.00, and 2 lb bags of popcorn $5.00. The order sheet will include additional products that can be special ordered for the next Monday sale date. Home flour mills and oat flakers also are available. |
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Directory Update
Amy Martel and Christy Lillibridge (pg. 28 in the directory) did NOT change addresses as the sticker in your directory indicates. You may continue to use the old address. |
In Our Community
Thank You, thank you!
We'd like to thank Pam Nelson for donating a camera to the school.
Thanks to Pamela Isham for securing a donation of MPR mugs for the faculty kitchen.
Welcome and Congratulations
We'd like to welcome Gregory John (born Jan 10th) to our community and congratulate his parents Bobbe and Justin and his big brother Matthew (K-EM).
We'd also like to welcome Malec who was born to Chris & Elizabeth Govrik in December and congratulate her siblings Nina (1), Ben (4), and Oliver (5). |
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Eurythmy Experiences
During the time that Claudia Fontana was teaching our Eurythmy block, she also offered an evening course for parents. Each week, we'll publish reflections on that experience as shared by the parents who participated. This week's article was written by Ting Ting Cheng.
Whenever I leave a eurythmy session, I feel as if a part of me has been set free and that I've been made aware of another way of being that is already in me but hidden for too long. It is a difficult state to maintain, as I will make some error that makes me self-conscious about my moves; immediately, walls come back up to prevent the state of Being. This was true, for instance, in doing the knight poem, where I felt strong in the first half but weak in the second.
I've been doing eurythmy for five weeks already and still cannot adequately describe it. Tonight, for instance, we did the alphabet through movement. I felt as if the alphabet was in me instead of something outside of me. Doing eurythmy also forces me to acknowledge how I am always in relation with what's around me, whether it's the space or other people, etc.
Finally, eurythmy is a challenge in letting go. I have to let go of the ever-thinking and judging mind, let go of the fear of failure, let go of self-consciousness, etc. to be in the proper state to do and benefit from eurythmy. It's almost like the letting go is the requirement to finding the self.
Perhaps because I had just witnessed Anna walk the Advent Spiral, The thought that keeps coming to mind for me is that eurythmy teaches us how to "stand upright through our life journey." More concrete examples of what I mean by this would be when we do our opening exercise and imagine a beam of light shooting out of us and when we enact "Today's Knighthood.". The themes in eurythmy do not ignore the darkness that we encounter but are always suffused with the hope, beauty, and light that is here as well.
Though eurythmy is definitely not my talent, I felt that making mistakes often brought invaluable insight through Claudia's explanations and analogies. I didn't like makIng the same mistakes over and over again but would sometimes be glad for those mistakes just for the opportunity to hear Claudia's clarifications! There were so many "aha moments" for me in class.
Claudia's corrections were also made in a way that was, as my husband would say, "firm yet affirming." I took eurythmy very seriously and felt that I would "get it" eventually, especially if I did it in the right spirit. My slower learning process reminded me of my belief that "going slow does not prevent arrival."
I came away from this last session realizing that I strongly feel that each parent in our school needs to experience eurythmy, in a short session if by necessity, but preferably in the "deeper" longer format if possible to understand how important it is in their children's curriculum. Watching one's child perform eurythmy is not enough; one must experience it in the body to more fully understand. While I don't know if this wish is too ambitious to fulfill for us, it is my hope. |
Severe Weather & School Closings
MWS closes when weather conditions pose a significant potential hazard to life and safety. Generally, we follow the lead of the Roseville School District and close school when they do. 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. Please note: There will NOT be a special message if school IS in session. |
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Alumni & MWS Student News
Michelle Bergh (Gr 2) is performing in the Oryon Media Artists Talent Music Showcase this Saturday at Bunker's Bar & Grill , 761 No. Washington Ave., Mpls., MN 55401. The event goes from 4-7:00 p.m.She will be singing "Angel" by Sara McLauglin and also "Popular" from the Broadway musical Wicked. Tickets can be purchased through Michelle/me for $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
Do you have news to share about a Minnesota Waldorf School alum? We always love to hear about our graduates.
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Skiing/Snowboarding Opportunity
MWS parent Dawn Peterson organized two ski/snowboarding days at Afton during the February winter break and would like to share her group rate with other interested 5th-8th graders. The dates are Tuesday, February 16th and Friday, February 19th. For $16.00, students will be provided rental equipment, a lesson, and a lift ticket to ski or snowboard from 9 am until 4 pm.
Dawn plans to drive a group of 5th graders and be their chaperone. If you are interested in joining her, please arrange for your own drivers and chaperones. Chaperones are expected to stay for the day. We will receive one free chaperone lift ticket for every 10 students who ski. If you would like to be a skiing chaperone, let me know.
MWS is not involved in this in any way-- it is simply an opportunity for parents and students to share a group rate. Our whole group will meet at the Meadow Chalet at 9:00 am sharp in order to process everything together. Students should bring $16.00 in cash and either a lunch or money to purchase lunch.
If you are interested, please send me the names of the students who will be attending and the name of the chaperone for each group. Chaperones do not have to ski. They are also welcome to participate in the lessons if they wish.
I need to send a count in to Afton by January 22nd so they can make other reservations based on our numbers. Send names to peterson.dawn@comcast.net. Please make sure to specify the date or dates in which you are interested. |
Community News
Educating the Emotional Brain: How Media Shapes our Culture and our Children-- Lecture by Dr. David Walsh
Wed., Jan. 13th 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the City of Lakes Waldorf School
2344 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404 612-767-1550
Welcome to parenting in the age of Baby Einstein and Facebook! What's a parent to do under pressure from an increasingly wired social landscape for children? American children now spend more than 44 hours a week in front of a screen - texting, socializing, doing homework, gaming, watching movies, on the net -- more than any other activity except sleeping. In his presentation, Dr. Walsh will combine the latest discoveries in brain science with up-to-date research on the power of screens to shape culture and, potentially, what and how children learn.This presentation will:
-- Address the impact of media on children's health and wellness
-- Explain why it is crucial to pay attention to the role of media in children's lives
-- Discuss how media create and nourish a culture of disrespect
-- Share strategies to help parents navigate the world of screens and social media
David Walsh, Ph.D, one of the world's leading authorities on parenting and the impact of media and technologyon children's health and development, founded the National Institute on Media and the Family in 1996. Dr. Walsh is on the faculty of the University of Minnesota, and has published many articles in the professional and general press. He is active in many professional associations and is a licensed psychologist in the State of Minnesota. He is the author of nine books, including the national best sellers Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen and No: Why Kids - of All Ages - Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It.
Anthroposophical Society
The next meeting of the Twin Cities Branch of the Anthroposophical Society will take place Wednesday evening, January 20th from 6:00-9:00pm at the City of Lakes Waldorf School at 2344 Nicollet Ave in Minneapolis. | | We will meet in the Fireplace Room to the right of the main entrance beginning at 6:00 with a social hour and potluck supper; the meeting will follow from 7:00-9:00pm. Please note that the doors are locked, but press the buzzer and someone will let you in.
This month we welcome Shona Terrill, a graduate student in the Antioch Waldorf Teacher training program, who has agreed to present the topic of her Master's thesis: "How Schools Can Address Society's Moral Crisis"
Shona shared this statement about her thesis: "I explore observations of past societal crises and reveal how these relate to education through the prism of five moral pillars: sympathy, benevolence, reason, equity, and self determination. I also use these pillars to examine modern day social and educational theory; studying three local schools of differing educational streams, I explore how contemporary society puts moral education into practice."
Upcoming meetings will take place on February 17, March 17, April 21 and May 19. Call or email Becky Streeter with questions: 952-546-3351 or becky_minnesota@yahoo.com
The Secret Life of Color: Painting Workshop with Donna Webb
Come learn about the world of color that your Waldorf children are painting and experiencing in school. This is a beginning class using the Hauschka Therapeutic Watercolor Painting method to discover the nature of each color and color mixing. This method of painting, a gentle introduction to the creative process, invites us to open to our unconscious, and through the process, allows an image to emerge. The time spent with these pure colors and liquids is rejuvenating to the body and soul. Thursdays, 12:30 - 2:30, 7 weeks from Jan. 21. (No class Feb. 18)
Class will be held at the Center for Wholeness in Edina, MN. Call 952-929-1559 for registration and information. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $105. All materials are provided.
Note: Donna Webb will teach a painting class for adults at MWS in March. Watch for details.
Donna Webb is an artist whose works are in the permanent collection of The Walker Art Center, The Plains Art Museum, and numerous private collections. She taught art at Normandale Community College for ten years and now teaches at Spring Hill Waldorf School, Novalis Institute, and privately at the Center for Wholeness. Donna's studies of the Hauschka Therapeutic Painting Technique became the cornerstone of her Master's Thesis on Wholistic Arts, blending art therapy with studio arts. She is currently studying the artistic and therapeutic work of Liane Collot d'Herbois.
Interfaith Pilgrimage with Waldorf Parents
AWSNA invites all schools to spread the word about the upcoming Spring Interfaith Pilgrimage to the Holy Land for Peace, Healing and Prayer led by Waldorf parents who are clergy. Now is your chance to make a spiritual journey to the Holy Land while visiting Waldorf schools working for peace in the Middle East! Join Waldorf parents Jewish Renewal Rabbis Victor and Nadya Gross, Imam Jihad Turk, and Shepha Schneirsohn Vainstein, co-founder of Salaam Shalom Educational Foundation (www.SSEFoundation.org) on an Interfaith Spiritual Pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine, March 21 to April 2, 2010. This will be a philanthropic and spiritual journey to visit Jewish/Arab Waldorf communities to support a new paradigm for healing and peace. This unique pilgrimage will also visit sites holy to all three Abrahamic religions and Waldorf schools for Jewish and Arab children in Galilee. You must register by Jan. 30 to be part of this exciting trip. Contact shephav@earthlink.net for more info. | |
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Upcoming Events
1/12 7pm
Board Meeting
1/13 Wed 8:30 am
Parent Handwork Group with Marty Glanville
1/13 Wed 4 pm
6th Grade Basketball
1/14 Thu 7 pm
Parent Council Meeting
1/15 Fri 4:15 pm
7th & 8th Basketball
1/18 Mon
MLK Day
NO SCHOOL
1/19 Tue
8th Gr. Field Trip
1/19 Tue 7 pm
8th Gr. Parent Mtg.
1/20 Wed 8:30 am
Parent Handwork Group
with Marty Glanville
1/20 Wed 4:30 pm
6th Grade Basketball
1/20 Wed 6:30 pm
1st Grade Parent Mtg.
1/21 Thu
4th Grade Field Trip
1/22 Fri 4:15 & 5:15 pm
7th & 8th Basketball
1/23 Sat 9:30 am
Experience Waldorf
1/23 Sat 12 pm
5th Grade Potluck
1 pm
5th Grade Parent Mtg.
1/30 10 am
Kindergarten Open House
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Friday Gatherings
On Friday afternoons
at 2:30 pm, grades 1-8
gather in the Festival Hall.
Students share songs, poems, and snippets of Main Lesson work.
Parents, friends and extended family are welcome to attend. |
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Parent Council Meeting Dates
All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Refreshments served.
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Thursday, Jan 14 Thursday, Feb 11 Thursday, Mar 11 Thursday, Apr 15 Tuesday, May 18
Contact: Ben Richards |
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Minnesota Waldorf School
Office: 651-487-6700
Fax: 651-487-6800
Aftercare:
612-309-1663 |
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School Store Hours
8:30 to 9 am
and
Wednesdays
12 to 12:30 pm |
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Coffee & Tea Cart Hours
Monday - Friday
8:15 to 8:45 am |
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 **
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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).
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. |
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Pizza Days
Pizza Days for this session are:
Jan 13
Jan 20
Jan 27
Feb 3
Feb 10
Feb 24
Mar 3
Mar 10
Mar 17
Mar 24
Mar 31 |
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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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