Weekly Update from the MN Waldorf School

Your Weekly Update

News from the Minnesota Waldorf School

May 11, 2010

Games of the 2010 Pentathlon Begin Wednesday
Athlete Send-Off Ceremony: Wednesday at 8:40 am

On Wednesday, the 5th grade will leave for the 2010 Spring Pentathlon. This three-day event, held in Viroqua, WI, is attended by apporoximately 100 Waldorf 5th grade students from the midwest. The Pentathlon is the "heroic" conclusion to a year's study of ancient cultures and provides our young athletes with an experience of athletic endeavor imbued with beauty and truth.

All school community members are invited to our first annual Pentathlon Send-Off. Join us on the upper lawn Wednesday, May 12th at 8:40 in the morning. Please come support the children as they leave on their journey to find truth, beauty and goodness within. The children have been training hard throughout the year with Mr. Curtin in preparation for this event.

At the Pentathlon the students will be divided into teams of city-states to compete in the following events: 40 yard sprint, javelin, long jump, wrestling, discus, and the long-run relay. We look forward to the return of our proud pentathletes at Friday's afternoon Gathering. May the gods (Zeus, Athena, Apollo, etc.) smile upon their efforts.

Thank You from Our Music Teachers

Our sincere thanks to the many people who helped make our spring concert sound and look so beautiful:

To our parents, who arrange for private lessons and continue to support our request for a concert dress code. Together on stage our students looked as beautiful as they sounded.

To the private lesson music teachers who nurture students individually and share their love of music.

To our accompanists, student and professional, who devoted many hours to learning their parts. Special thanks to Shelly Hilgers, our eurythmy accompanist.

To Amy Stephens, who edited and copied our concert program.

To all the class teachers and fellow subject teachers who worked an eleven-hour day to supervise children at the concert and help with set up and clean up.

And to the students themselves, who had the courage to play and sing with all their hearts. It is an honor to be a part of such glorious music-making.

Ms. Pierce, Mr. Riegel, Ms. Dains

Register for Camp by May 17, 2010 for Best Rate!

New This Summer--$50/week Sibling Discount!

MWS Day Camp

June 12 - September 3, 2009

For Children entering Grades K-3
Ages: 5 to 8 years old (and younger children who are currently enrolled in our Pre-K program)
8:30 am to 3:30 pm

$175 per week/1st child pre-registered by May 17, 2010

$125 per week/per each additional child pre-registered by May 17, 2010
Daily Option: $35/day, $25/per each additional child pre-registered by May 17, 2010

Drop-In Option: $40/day

Join us for a summer of play and work, story and song, rest and movement as we experience and celebrate the bounty of the season! Please complete your registration forms ASAP! So that we can accurately gauge our staffing needs, we are offering the $125/$150 rates through May 17, 2010. After that date, our weekly rates will increase by $25/week and our daily rate by $5/day.

Extended Daycare Available: $4-5/hour
Before Care: 8:00-8:30 am
After Care: 3:30-5:30 pm
$5/hour Drop-In
$4/hour if pre-registered

Twelfth Night Performed by 8th Grade Class

The 8th grade would like to invite you to come and see their production of "Twelfth Night." - a comedy by William Shakespeare. They will be performing the play in the Festival Hall.

Performance Dates and Times:

Friday May 14th 7PM

Saturday May 15th 2PM and 7PM

Sunday May 16th 2PM

Free admission to thank you for your support in our fundraising efforts. Treats for sale with proceeds going towards our class gift to the school. Free will gifts will go towards the science and woodworking building project.

See you there!

A Full First Grade and a Wonderful New Teacher

The Minnesota Waldorf School College of Teachers is pleased to announce that we will have a full First Grade of 24 students for the 2010-11 school year!

Our first grade teacher-Mrs. Holt-also known as Miss Jennifer-has spent the past year working as a Kindergarten Assistant and as our Lead After-Care teacher. Jennifer also works as a Teaching Artist for the Children's Theater Company. Prior to this year, Jennifer worked as an office manger for ten years, taught ballet, musical theater and creative movement, and substitute taught at City of Lakes Waldorf School.

Jennifer has pursued her interest in Anthroposophy and Waldorf education at the Novalis Institute where she completed the Foundation year of study, and at Rudolf Steiner College where she expects to complete her Waldorf teaching certificate this summer. This spring, she is observing and teaching a practicum in our second grade under the guidance of Marjorie Maier. In addition to her Waldorf Training, Jennifer has a BA in Fine Arts/Dance from University of Kansas.

For the past year, we have observed Jennifer's enthusiasm, warmth and confident manner with the children, and her positive interactions with the staff and parents. We are pleased to entrust to her this wonderful group of first grade children.

4th Grade Animal and Habitat Projects

Diversity reigns supreme in the animal world! Come down to the 4th/5th grade wing to see this year's display of the annual Fourth Grade Animal Dioramas. The students have created a menagerie of different creatures set in their natural habitats, and they are sure to impress!

Really, We Did Welcome in the May!

Last week, every child in the school gathered, despite clouds, wind and threatening rain, to dance in the May. The sun bravely peeked out for a brief time just as the grades gathered around the maypole, and though the spring seems shy this week, we are confident that our welcome will bring sunshine and warmer weather soon!

Thank you to Ms. Lloyd for steadfastly organizing us all, to Mr. Curtin for teaching most of the classes their dances, to Mr. Sibley and Mr. Riegel and the 8th graders for music to set our feet dancing, subject teachers for decorating the maypole, and to the admin staff for setting up and serving the juice afterwards.

Those who attended may have noticed that our beloved maypole has become a bit shabby. Its ribbons have served the school for many years through rain and shine (more of the rain, it seems) and wind and even a bit of hail. But now they are faded and fraying, and desperately need replacement. If you are interested in working on making our maypole beautiful once again so that perhaps next year's May will be bolder, please contact Johanna Garcia or Kurt Curtin. Thanks, and Happy May!

Parent Council New Meeting Date: May 20th

The April Parent Council meeting was enlightening and inspirational! Many thanks to David Maier for leading an insightful Media Awareness presentation and discussion. And thank you to the numerous attendees for their candid participation. Complete minutes of the meeting may be found in the Weekly Update notebook in the Parent Lounge and on the MWS Website.

All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend the Parent Council meeting Thursday, May 20th at 7 pm in Handwork room. Please join us for engaging discussions, hands-on education, important school news & refreshments!

School Store Sale

Steiner Books at the Store!
If you've attended morning circle on Wednesdays, chances are you've heard verses from Steiner's Calendar of the Soul. Stop by the store to pick up your own copy of this collection of 52 meditative verses (in both English and German) and actively participate in the life of the year as it unfolds week by week. Also available, In the Light of a Child, appeals to children as it examines the course of the year in nature (arranged for both northern and southern hemispheres). Interested in meditation or a guide to the practical aspects of Anthroposophy? Start Now! may be the most unique and comprehensive spiritual guidebook available, offering the most extensive collection available of Steiner's spiritual instructions and practices.
Gardening Season is here! 10% off all Garden related items!
Sale includes: bluebird houses, children's gardening gloves, garden tool set, Purple Prairie gardener's soap or salve! Stock up now!

Yearbook Photos Needed

The 8th grade is looking for photos from class plays and class field trips. They would like to represent every grade, so please turn your photos in asap (cds and/or pictures will be returned to you if you write your name on them). There will be a box in the front entryway for collection. Thank you!

7th Grade Garage Sale: Bring Us Your Treasures

Garage Sale Season is upon us!! If you've been spring cleaning (or want a reason to) the 7th grade is accepting donations for its ever popular Garage Sale Fundraiser! Smaller items can be left at the school. Look for the Drop Off sign. For large items contact Norma Peterson normapeterson@comcast.net or 651-779-9106. Donations will be accepted until May 18th. Sale will take place at Norma Peterson's home in Lake Elmo May 20, 21, and 22.

Tick Season is Still Here!

It is tick season again in Minnesota! Please check your child for ticks each day. As you may know, ticks can transmit various illnesses. If you are concerned about finding a tick on your child, please contact your child's doctor.

Alumni News

Student of the Month

Congratulations to Emma Yarrow (MWS Class of '08, Mr. John) on being selected "Student of the Month" at AFSA High School for April 2010. This honor is awarded each month to a student who demonstrates strong leadership skills and a positive attitude.

Do you have news to share about a Minnesota Waldorf School alum? We always love to hear about our graduates.

Contact: Liz Lacey-Gotz

Community News

Welcome to Summer at Novalis Institute! Before we completely lose ourselves to the intoxication of warmth and sunlight, we invite you to join us for some time of community, reflection and inner development. Our core faculty teacher, Linda Bergh is once again offering a week long June Biography class, from June 21-25. This class continues to be the foundation for inner development and a transforming process for all who participate. Please join us!

Along with the Twin Cities Branch of the Anthroposophical Society, Novalis is co-sponsoring a free community evening in celebration of the Solstice and St. John's Day on Monday, June 21st. There will be music, games, summer treats and an evening fire. Bring your families - all are welcome!

Please also look for details in the flyers on your school's bulletin board!

Questions? Call 651.489.2060 or email info@novalisinstitute.org.You may find all of our classes and registration information on our website at http://novalisinstitute.org/.