Weekly Update from the MN Waldorf School

Your Weekly Update

News from the Minnesota Waldorf School

October 5, 2010

Celebrate Community: All-School Meeting - Friday, October 8th, 7pm to 9
Come celebrate Minnesota Waldorf School's 30 year anniversary!

First, Lael Nelson, MWS Alumna and current MWS Board member, will speak on "The Gift of Childhood." You won't want to miss this inspiring young woman, so try to arrive a few minutes early.

Next, Liz Lacey-Gotz, dedicated MWS volunteer and former Development and Marketing Coordinator, will present a bit of MWS history.

Ben Richards, Parent Council chair, will follow with an always interesting update on Parent Council happenings.

Then, on to business. There will be a financial overview by our new Finance Chair, Bruce Dunlop with time for questions. And an accreditation engagement process with Board Chair, Kevin McGrath.

Coffee, tea and cookie social to follow (provided by the Parent Council).

Because the content of this meeting is so important for all families, we ask that at least one parent from each family attend this event. This meeting will start on time with Lael Nelson, so try to arrive a little early.

This event is for adults only.

Parent Teacher Conferences

The Parent/Teacher Conference break is October 20, 21, and 22 (Wed - Fri). Most teachers schedule conference times on the 20th and 21st. Conference signup sheets will be available outside the main office hallway on the bulletin board beginning Friday, October 8. Kindergarten signups will be posted outside of each Kindergarten classroom. Please remember that there will be no school during the Conference Break.

Parent Circle and Parent Handwork News

Parent Circle is an opportunity to gather on Wednesday mornings at 8:45 in the Handwork room to say a verse together, pause for a short meditation, and sing a song. It is a lovely way to start the day. All parents, friends and family members are welcome to attend.

Following Parent Circle, all are welcome to gather for Parent Handwork, which will be held on Wednesdays in the school Library from October 11 to December 15 (from 8:45am until noon). The Library is the room to the left of the Festival Hall stage.

Thank you to 3rd Grade parent Amy Chester for her donation of a box of handwork books to our Parent Handwork Library (located in the closet area of the Early Childhood Room). Once the books are processed for checking out, our library will have more than doubled! Look for an announcement of check-out guidelines in the near future.

Biography with Linda Bergh is coming to MWS

After an enlightening Intro to Biography class this past spring, we are fortunate to have a deeper exploration of the topic in an expanded offering this fall. Now is the perfect time to look inward and examine the patterns in our life stories for a deeper understanding of ourselves and how we may relate to the journey that our children are taking in Waldorf education.

Rudolf Steiner gave some unique tools for working with human development that help us see the connection to our past, to our families and to our future. Linda Bergh brings these tools to life as she facilitates the unfolding of our life story with art, meditation, and discussion.

In the words of one summer participant...Through deep reflection, story telling, and art, I found myself able to find significant patterns in my life story. Seemingly coincidental events came into focus with a deeper understanding.

Classes will be held on 5 Wednesdays in October and November from 8:45-11:45 am. You need not have taken the Intro class to take this class. Details in Community Events below or contact Amy for more information.

Picture Day is Now October 26th- Note Date Change!

It is almost time to put on your favorite outfits and bring your smiles - picture day has been changed to October 26th.

Housing Found, Transportation Needed for Eurythmist

We are hoping to borrow a car for Ms. Fontana to use while she is here. Please contact Kristi Fackel if you are able to help.

Contact: Kristi Fackel

Solo and Ensemble Concert - Change of Date!

November 12, 7:00 pm in the Festival Hall

This year's fall Solo and Ensemble Concert will be on Friday, November 12 at 7:00 pm in the Festival Hall. Students in the Fourth through Eighth grade are invited to perform a solo or to gather friends to create an ensemble performance. Registration Forms for participation in the concert are going home with children this week. Please return them by October 29th to participate.

Mrs. Dains, Ms. Pierce, Mr. Riegel

2011 Chinook Book (Formerly Blue Sky Guide)

Last day to purchase through the 7th grade is Thursday, October 14.

Contact: Liz Lacey-Gotz

Holiday Fair Central

(Friday evening, November 19th, 6-10pm &

Saturday, November 20st, 10am - 4pm)

Introducing the Holiday Fair Parent Handwork Volunteer
MWS Parent and alumni parent Rosemary Velez has graciously volunteered to chair the parent handwork for the Holiday Fair.

Looking for Pocketeer Items and Volunteer Pocketeer Coordinator

Do you have any tiny little trinkets that would fit in the pocketeer pockets for the Holiday Fair? Or any ideas for small crafts that would be easy to make? Would you be interested in coordinating the pocketeer for this year's fair? If so, please contact Amy Martel.

Start Making Gnomes!

It's not too early to start making gnomes for our Gnome Cave. You may pick up instructions and materials from the Front Desk. Remember, the gnomes are a secret, so the box of gnome materials are hidden under the front desk. Completed gnomes need not be stuffed.

Contact: 651-487-6700

The Coffee Cart (& tea too) is Open!

Is your morning routine too hectic to boil a pot of water? Corporate coffee drive-thru got you down? Organic Equal Exchange coffee and TeaSource varieties are available every morning at the Coffee Cart for only $1.50 a cup. Short on cash? Buy a $15 Punch Card (checks accepted!) and get 11 beverages for the price of 10. Save even more by bringing your own reusable container and receive an instant $.25 rebate! Then, revel in your cost effective hot beverage while socializing with fellow parents...

And many thanks to these saintly early-morning risers, who serve us at the Coffee Cart:

Monday: Liz Lacey-Gotz
Tuesday: Bruce and Norma Peterson
Wednesday: Ben Richards
Thursday: Anne Kramer
Friday: Sherry Asplund

Bravo, Baristas!

Upcoming Great Gathering

There's still room in the Wolf Howl BBQ Great Gathering, Saturday October 16, from 3pm-7pm.

Enjoy an outdoor barbecue dinner surrounded by the wolves and other critters of the Wildlife Science Center. This gathering also includes a naturalist-led tour and activities designed to provide insights into the beauty and mystery of these wonderful animals.

BBQ MENU:

Snacks upon arrival
Brats & Hotdogs (vegetarian option available)
Baked Beans with Chipotle
Pamela's Tomato Salad
Roasted Corn Salad
Warm Apple Cider
Tea
S'mores

$40 per person or $100 per family of four.

Saturday, October 16, starting at 3pm.
Contact: Amy or Vicki

MWS 7th & 8th Grade Halloween Dance

Mark your calendars, the annual MWS Halloween Dance to support this year's 8th grade trip is scheduled for Saturday, October 30 from 7 to 10pm. We'll have music, treats and a lot of fun! Cost: $10/student (7th & 8th graders only). Costumes are encouraged, but please leave cell phones, Ipods and other such devices at home or turned off.

Contact: Norma Peterson

Alumni News

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

Contact: Amy and Vicki

Community News & Events

Correction:

In last week's update we misprinted the name and class of Marianne Dietzel's daughter. Nina Dietzel was in the first graduating class of the Minnesota Waldorf School (1993).

Laughing in a Waterfall
If you missed Marianne Dietzel's book launch party this summer, you can hear her read from her book, Laughing in a Waterfall, on Thursday, October 7, 6:30 pm at Valley Bookseller in Stillwater. Marianne's memoir tells the story of her daughter's life and death at age 18 in a car accident, and her grief journey in the context of the Waldorf/anthroposophical community.

Copies of Laughing in a Waterfall: A Mother's Memoir are available for purchase at the school store.

Spring Hill Waldorf School's Halloween Walk

Saturday, October 30 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm. $5 per person, 2 and under free.

The Halloween Walk is a magical alternative to the traditional Halloween "celebration". The Walk is intended for children aged 3 to 9 but is also a wonderful time for adults, older children, and children under 3. Families with Early childhood are encouraged to arrive between 5:30-6:30 and older children between 6:30-7:45.

This year's Halloween Walk will be held at the beautiful Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement in Maple Plain. For more information, please visit the Spring Hill Waldorf School website and go to the Events page. For location info / directions, please visit the Three Rivers Park District website

Biography with Linda Bergh at MWS

Wednesdays (October 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17) from 8:45am-11:45am. Cost of the class is $225. Contact Amy for more information or find details to register on the Novalis website.

Adult Eurythmy Class with Claudia Fontana

An Adult Eurythmy class will be offered at MWS every Tuesday from 7 pm to 8 pm, October 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 30 (six sessions). This is an excellent hands-on introduction to Eurythmy for adults that will also bring insight into how it benefits our children and society as a whole. The cost is $90 and payment will be due the first class. Please register at the MWS Front Desk or by calling 651/487-6700.

Fall Classes Through Novalis Institute

We invite you all to participate in the richness of our classes this year. We have something to offer everyone, whether you seek personal development, artistic experiences, teacher training, or a glimpse into your child's school life. Please see the Novalis Institute website for fall offerings. On our "Classes" page you can find details for journeys into Waldorf festival life, black & white drawing, music, meditation and more.