Play Again: What are the consequences of a childhood removed from nature?

First Grade

Math block: Introducing the four math processes that will include a lot of movement, counting and mental math. In first grade, the students learn about the quality of numbers, counting up to 100 by playing clapping games and moving games. By creatively naming the four math processes after gnomes, the children have fun and learn in an unforgettable way!

Second Grade

The Second Grade has been busy working hard on multiplication tables and place value during the current arithmetic block. The class is just about to learn how to carry double digit numbers. They have been hearing daily stories about the trickster, Anansi. The class has learned to sing the setting of the beloved children's poem, Wynken, Blynken and Nod and play the interlude on the pentatonic flutes in preparation for the all school assembly.

Third Grade

In preparation for their farm trip, the third graders are experiencing their environment in a practical way. They are learning about food, clothing (fibers such as cotton and wool) and how all things come from the sun. Alongside their study of farming, the children are introduced to linear, liquid and solid measurement. The third graders learn about measurement from a historical as well as practical perspective

Fourth Grade

The fourth grade is continuing to explore a wonderful (and sometimes confusing) new universe of numbers: fractions. Right now, the students are learning how to simplify (or reduce) the clutter of large fractions by finding common factors and dividing them out of both the numerator and denominator. One cannot just do it any old way. One has to be fair! In addition, the class will soon be embarking on the challenging task of finding a common denominator between two (seemingly unrelated) fractions that need to be added or subtracted. Reducing clutter, finding a common denominator...these are not just math lessons, they are life lessons. Ahhhhhh.......

Fifth Grade

Botany Block: The fifth grade is enjoying the plant world in all of it varieties. In studying vegetables, grains, flowers and in learning about the plants in the tropics, and plants in high altitudes, the students are discovering the great diversity in plant growth and development.

Sixth Grade

The sixth graders are well into the production of their rock opera The Stones Cry Out. While they have been singing songs about the igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks which make up the surface of the earth, they are also looking heavenward and exploring the skies. They are currently studying astronomy.

Seventh Grade

Wish, Wonder and Surprise! The seventh grade will soon dive into the world of creative writing/poetry and use all of their senses to describe the world in words. We look forward to sharing our musings in the next Willow.

Eighth Grade

The eighth graders have had a great time burning substances and cooking food during their Chemistry of the Kitchen block. Hopefully, by the time you read this, we will have baked bread in the outdoor oven. The eighth graders have had an informative overview of Shakespeare and the Old Globe Theater with Mr. Saperstein, and will begin reading A Midsummer Night's Dream in the coming weeks. History is our next block - topics to be covered are the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, American Civil War, World Wars I and II, and various world leaders and events of the 20th (and 21st!) centuries. Whew!

Orchard Farm Organics (the farm next door) is offering CSA shares for the 2013 growing season, and pestos, soups and sauces from its certified kitchen. Come by and see the baby goats. Caroline Phinney (609)466-1365

Camp Glen Brook has been weaving the ideals of Waldorf education into a rich New England summer camp experience since 1946. We are in southwest New Hampshire and are part of the Waldorf School of Garden City, NY. To learn more please visit our website or call us at 603-876-3342. We hope to see you this summer!

The impulses to reach out to children with special learning modalities arose in the first Waldorf School and discussions about them were often held in the faculty meetings with Rudolf Steiner. A brief explanation of the situation was given and Steiner made insightful recommendations. Since that time, Waldorf schools continue to bring the needs of individual children into faculty meetings, often through a Care Group in the form of child study.

Like most Waldorf schools, our school has a Care Group comprised of teachers who voluntarily come together to carry the deeper aspects of education, growth, and well being of the students. Coming from diverse and rich backgrounds in education and life, this group brings a wealth of knowledge and heart forces, along with a desire for continued learning and self-development. This year's Care Group members include: Susan Eggers (Chair), Kristen Daley, Kyle Dunlap, Maureen Gold, and Sarah Kessler.

Dear Friends,

It's not just brisk these days, it is cold outside. Downright frigid at times. Often it is even colder when you get to Windy Hill, letting us know, on these mornings especially, why it is called Windy Hill. If we have forgotten, we now remember to tuck mittens into coat sleeves and pull scarves taught over chilled noses.

It is not a cold spell, as some might say. It is called winter.

This is the kind of season many remember, and some still hope for, as it lends a predictable rhythm to our journey through another year. Children at the school fearlessly brave these days, hoping for a grand snowstorm, awaiting the joys of sledding and snowmen. The obstacles of covered roads present no challenge to the fun of making snow angels.

And so we bundle and steel ourselves against the elements: woolies and snow pants and mittens and hats. Yet the strength to weather this weather comes not only from our protective outerwear, but also from the warmth sheltered and shared within our community and within ourselves. While much in nature slumbers, we can cozy up to the warmth and comforts offered by rhythms: there are soups on Thursday, there are boots in a row in the hallway, there are parents knitting in the Golden House, and after Winter will come Spring.

With chilled cheeks the children return after recess, to peel their layers off once more, knowing the warm-heartedness awaiting them within the school. They return to their lessons. Warmth again takes the lead, as the children innately knew it would, as the rhythm of the day proceeds, and as the school nurtures this sense. The cold outside will wait, until there is another time to mingle with the play and work of our children.

After all, it is still winter.

Warmly,

Cynthia Vega

Faculty Chair

9th Annual Dads' Night at the Rebarber home

Friday, February 1, 7:00-10:00 p.m.

All Waldorf Dads are encouraged to attend all or part of this fun, social event. Dinner will be served. Contact Waldorf Dad Doug Jackson at cell 215-704-8401 or email djackson61@msn.com with any questions.

If you are curious about the Waldorf Grade School...

If you wonder how it is different from the Kindergarten...

If you want to know what lies in the months ahead as your child crosses the bridge from the Early Childhood to the Elementary School...

This talk is for you!

Early Childhood teacher, Sarah Kessler and Class Teacher, David Heberlein will share with you a timeline of the transition for all first grade ready children in the Early Childhood program. In addition, David will provide a picture of a typical first Grade Day and how it builds upon with the work of the Early Childhood. Other Early Childhood teachers and seasoned parents with their own classes and children will be on hand to share their wisdom borne from their experience. Of course the most fruitful part of the evening will come from your questions and concerns. So please come for an informative evening aimed at supporting your children as they cross yet another bridge.

Come and cheer our team!! Go Wildcats!!

Chinese New Year: Year of the Snake.

February 8, Friday, 1:30-3:00 p.m. Cost: $25.

Inviting parents to come celebrate and learn about the Chinese culture and customs involved with the biggest holiday of the year.  Enjoy a multi-course tasting of various foods eaten to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. 

RSVP to enrichment@princetonwaldorf.org 

Music From the Heart

An Evening of Music for Adults at the Phinney's Orchard Farm

Saturday, February 9, 7:30 p.m.

Performances by WSP faculty, staff, and trustees.

Proceeds to support the Arts programs at WSP.

Go to Reservations for ticket information and details. 

Calling all dessert makers to offer up their creations and add sweetness and pizzazz to the evening! Contact Brunda Moka Dias at bmokadias@princetonwaldorf.org

Folk Tale Puppets Presents

"Rapunzel"

Sunday, February 10, 2:00 p.m.

Hagens Hall

This performance is most appropriate for children ages 5 and up. Admission is $5 payable at the door. For reservations and information, call 609-466-1365

Parent Council Meeting

Tuesday, February 12, 7:30 pm

Third Grade Classroom

 
Adult Enrichment Offerings for 2013:

Waldorf 101 - Free Classes in Waldorf Education in March and April!

Classes on Storytelling in the Main Lesson, Eurythmy and Child Development, and the purposeful activity of Circle Time.

To reserve your place in any or all of these classes, contact enrichment@princetonwaldorf.org

Scrip Gift Card Program

The holidays are over, but scrip gift cards are still selling! From clothing to entertainment and groceries, our scrip program offers gift cards to hundreds of retailers. WSP earns a rebate on each gift card sold. Select from our in-stock inventory, including Amazon.com, Whole Earth, Lands' End, and more, or place an order for the gift cards of your choice. Find scrip on Mondays in the community kitchen 8:30-9:00, Tuesdays in the school store 8:30-9:30, or anytime at scrip@princetonwaldorf.org.

Since the start of the school year, 30 families have participated in our scrip gift card program, raising over $3000 for WSP. Thank you to all who have participated! This month we would love to increase the number of families that participate to 36. Please make your first purchase now!

A growing number of WSP families are using www.shopwithscrip.com to purchase ScripNow! E-giftcards and to reload spent gift cards. These online options from GLSC are terrific for last minute needs.

Volunteers needed to assist with the growing SCRIP Gift Card Program.

Please contact Marian Seliquini, marian.seliquini@verizon.net , for further information.

WSP Summer Camp 2013

Summer Camp planning is under way! The Waldorf Summer Camp Program will run three two-week sessions from July 1 - August 9 for campers ages 4 - 13. Specialty Camps will be available for older campers. Current WSP Students will receive a discount if registered before May 1.

For close to a decade, hundreds of children joyfully summered on our campus under the watchful eye of Deirdre Sciarretta. We offer heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Sciarretta for her dedicated years of service as our Camp Director!

This year, the camp torch will be passed on to Suzanne Cunningham, our beloved Gardening teacher. Please join us as we welcome Suzanne to our summer camp team. Her cheerful disposition and positive energy will serve her well as our new Camp Director. Additionally supporting our camp team, Jean Alexander will continue as an integral part of the camp organization and development.

Interested in joining our Camp Staff team? Volunteer positions are available to those ages 14 and 15; employment positions are available to those 16 and over.

More information, registration brochures, and staff applications will be available on our school website soon. Please e-mail summercamp@princetonwaldorf.org with inquiries.

Fundraising for the 8th grade trip

Look out for our 7th graders and support them in their chocolate sales this chocolate-giving month of February.