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Parent Council Corner
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by Susie McCoy & Lilian Sampaio, Co-Chairs
Hello, Dear Parents!
We have a lot going on as the leaves change colors and we are getting ready for the cooler days ahead.
In our October meeting, members of the board and high school task force spoke about the progress of the high school initiative, and presented very good news regarding the decision to advance to the next step. You may get more details directly from task force members, or read in the meeting minutes. We are grateful to the board members and all of the attendees who participated!
During our next meeting, November 12 at 7:30 p.m., a dear guest, sixth grade teacher Signe Motter will speak about the four temperaments. It is an intriguing subject related to Waldorf Education, and as Rudolf Steiner defined, "Temperament stands in the middle between what we bring with us as individuals and what originates from the line of heredity." Questions addressed will include: "What are the four temperaments?" "Why are they important?" "How should this recognition affect how we parent/teach our children?" Please join us for this interesting discussion about our children's nature!
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Peek into the Classroom:
7th Grade
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 The Cloisters
When we came to the
Cloisters all full of
excitement,
We immediately knew it
would not be a
disappointment.
We came in and we saw
all the Medieval art,
And we could not wait to
start!
We learned how arches
were made,
And saw real castle walls
made out of stone and
clay.
We learned about monks,
pillars, and tombs,
And went out to the
gardens where a great
tower loomed.
We saw trees that were
trained to grow a
certain way,
But how they did it we
could not say.
Then we sat and sketched
a picture, or statue of
our desire
--Looking at everything
we were very inspired!
But the last thing we did
was the best of all:
We went into a room with
beautiful music
Coming out of forty
speakers against the
wall.
The music came from
every direction,
We were perplexed and
filled with emotion.
And so came to an end
our beautiful tour;
We had learned so much
more than before.
~Jacob K.
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Community Caroling
Tuesday, November 5 - Wednesday, December 18
Adults interested in spreading a bit of musical holiday cheer are encouraged to join us Tuesday afternoons from
3:30-4:30 or Wednesday nights from 7:30-8:30 in Hagens Hall. We'll be taking music from Oxford's book of carols to share at YuleFest and one evening caroling in downtown Princeton but all are welcome, even if you just want to just want to sing together during the weekly practices. No experience required - just a love of carols! Contact Jessica Alfaro for more details.
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| From the Office |
Announcing 2-Day Option for Aftercare
Now available from 12 to 3 p.m. for children in our Early Childhood programs. If interested, contact Solveig Pearson, registrar, for availability.
"Fun"-Raising Results
We raised $149 for WSP through participation in the Howell Farm Corn Maze MazeDays Fundraising Program! Also, our first apple sale with Threshold Farms generated $168 for WSP. Thanks to all who participated!
YuleFest 2013 Volunteer Opportunities
This year's YuleFest is Saturday, December 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. We're looking for volunteers to help the day run smoothly, including individuals to run children's crafts and activities. Please contact Jamie Quirk at x112 if you are interested.
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In Gratitude
Thank you to all who helped make the Halloween Walk such a wonderful event! A special thanks to Randye Rutberg and her girls for helping assemble luminaries ... they surely helped light our way!
~Kristen Daley
Thank you once again for the generosity of our parents who provided much-needed sustenance during Parent-Teacher conferences! The food brings so much warmth and support for all of us as we strive to bring our best wisdom to each of you. We hope you were as satisfied with your conferences as we were with our lunch!
~Your Child's Teachers
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| Community Event |
River Valley Waldorf School
Holiday Bazaar & Café
Saturday, November 16
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
1395 Bridgeton Hill Rd, Upper Black Eddy, PA
Shopping for everyone! A delightful way to shop for all your holiday treasures. Unique gifts including handmade dolls & doll clothes, eco-friendly handbags, plants, hand woven goods, hand printed graphic t-shirts, wooden treasures, cards, holiday pies, bees wax candles, pottery, soaps, up-cycled clothes, organic gourmet popcorn and delicious wholesome food!
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Dear Friends,
Two weekends ago, I had the opportunity to attend one of our school events, "The Waldorf Experience: A Journey Through the Grades," as a parent. I arrived with the intention of gaining a deeper understanding of my children's experience; however, I left, not just with this increased depth of understanding, but with a renewed sense of love and gratitude for what Waldorf Education brings to the children.
During one presentation, current sixth grade teacher Signe Motter spoke about the teachers' intention to meet each child with interest and curiosity, to seek to understand who that child is in each moment. While this intention infuses the teachers' work with their students throughout the day, I thought specifically about mornings in the grade school, when the class teacher greets every student with a handshake at the door, looking each in the eye. It occurred to me how powerfully this gesture communicates to the child the teacher's recognition of the child's inner being (or inner light).
I see the cumulative impact of this approach in the eighth graders, in their groundedness and their ability to look me in the eye, to engage me in conversation and to be comfortable in their own skin. These children will grow into adults who have the ability to be authentic - who are able to shine their own light into the world - a quality that is so needed in our complex, challenging times.
In a few weeks our younger children will receive symbolic examples of this quality of authenticity as they walk bravely through the dark, carrying their own lanterns to light the way during our Martinmas celebrations. (Why do we do this? Read a description here.)
As we move into a season of gratitude and celebration (and noticing just how many different cultures hold celebrations of light at this time), I am deeply grateful for the existence of an education that nurtures human light.
Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving!
Warm Regards,
Janine Cleland
School Administrator
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SCHOOL EVENTS
10th Annual Dads' Night
Friday, November 8, 7-10 p.m.
The Rebarber Home
153 Herrontown Ln, Princeton
See the flyer for full details, or e-mail Doug Jackson.
Early Childhood Sample Class & Open House
Saturday, November 9, 9-10:30 a.m.
Experience the wisdom and wonder of Waldorf Education with your little one, and learn more about our play-based, nature-inspired programs for nursery- and kindergarten-age children as well as our parent-child program for those as young as 18 months. The sample class is for children ages 2-5 with a caregiver. Registration is required to attend this class; please contact admissions@princetonwaldorf.org for more details.
Folk Tale Puppets Presents "Baba Yaga and Philipka":
A Classic Russian Tale
Sunday, November 10, 2 p.m.
Hagens Hall
Tickets are $5 per person at the door. Most appropriate for families with children age 5 and up. A collection will be taken to benefit the rebuilding of the Boulder Waldorf School, which was flooded in September.
Parent Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 12, 7:30 p.m.
Special guest sixth grade teacher Signe Motter will speak about the four temperaments. All parents are strongly encouraged to attend (see sidebar).
The Broommaker Returns to WSP
Thursday, November 14
Dr. Sam Moyer, our artisan broom maker, will help the third graders make their brooms from corn the students planted last spring. The seventh grade will assist, as has been the tradition the last three years. Dr. Moyer will also be selling brooms in the lobby of the Golden House throughout the day.
Martinmas Lantern Walks
Saturday, November 16 (EC)
Sunday, November 17 (Grades 1 & 2)
Why do our younger children participate in Lantern Walks? Read a brief description here.
Farm Market at WSP
Monday-Wednesday, November 18-20
(Rain Dates: November 21 & 22)
Your local certified organic farm, Orchard Farm Organics, is offering a Thanksgiving market on campus from 11:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. A portion of the sales will be donated to WSP's gardening program.
Orchard Farm Organics is offering frozen pestos, soups (squash, carrot, beet, leek), preserved peaches, and tomato sauce. Garlic bunches, too! If you would like to order in advance for pick-up at the school, please e-mail info@orchardfarmorganics.org or call 609-466-1365. Homemade holiday wreaths may be ordered for pick-up at the farm between November 25 and December 14. Price list here.
Sixth Grade Play: "Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady"
Wednesday, November 20
Grade School Photo Re-Take Day
Thursday, November 21
Board Meeting
Monday, November 25, 7 p.m.
WSP 3rd Annual Online Holiday Auction Begins
"Waldorf Wednesday," November 27
Skip Black Friday and shop our auction from the comfort of home! Please share the link with friends and family: www.biddingforgood.com/wspauction. See more below.
For details of school events, please contact events@princetonwaldorf.org.
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SCHOOL NEWS
Pull Up a Chair with Our Faculty Chair
Questions? Feeling dissatisfied with your ability to find answers to your questions about our school or your child's class through conversations in the parking lot? I am here to help you!
Often parents find themselves wondering where to direct their questions. You hear you should direct questions to your class teacher, but you don't want to bother him or her. If this is true for you, I encourage you to contact me.
According to our school's governance document, the faculty chair serves as a facilitator in all aspects of the programs of the school. This includes the general oversight of daily activities to ensure the smooth running of the programs, as well as the execution of plans for the long-term well-being and improvement of the pedagogical life of the school.
A few tasks of the faculty chair listed in the governance document are below. If you would like to review a complete list, our governance document is on our website.
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the School inside the classroom, including creating the weekly schedule of classes, creating the recess coverage schedule, finding emergency substitutions, and managing the shared spaces of the School campus;
- Receive concerns and complaints of parents or colleagues regarding programs or individual teachers, and initiate processes with all appropriate parties for resolution;
- Ensure conformance with all administrative and pedagogical policies;
- Represent the School and its pedagogy with current and potential parents, accrediting bodies, and the outside community.
To make it easier for you to reach me with your questions, I will be available in the kitchen or in front of the Golden House on Wednesdays from 8:15 to 9:00 a.m. beginning November 13. I will also have regular office hours from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. on Thursdays. You are welcome to either make an appointment by e-mail (nlemmo@princetonwaldorf.org) or just stop in (upstairs in the Golden House) and check my availability. Either way, I encourage you to bring your questions so I can help you navigate your way at our school. Please, even if you do not have questions, stop in on a Wednesday and have a cup of tea or coffee so I can get to know you and your family better.
~Nancy Lemmo, Faculty Chair
Cross-Country Wrap-Up
The Wildcats finished off a strong cross-country season with a home meet on October 22! Thanks to all who came out to support us during our two home meets and throughout the season. Our team was composed of many returning runners as well as a few new ones from the 5th through 8th grades. We had some 1st place finishes including 7th grader Astrid Fiverson's 1st place tie at the Stuart Invitational. Congratulations to all the Wildcats who ran! We hope to see you all next year for another great season of running!
~Karrin Pearson, Athletic Director
 Deadline for the Online Auction Is At Hand!
We are excited that our Holiday Auction opens in less than two weeks! As a reminder, all donations should be received by this Friday, November 8, to be ready for "Waldorf Wednesday," the day before Thanksgiving. A big thank-you to those who have already submitted their items! We have received some beautiful things as well as a variety of gift certificates. However, many donations are still needed in order for the auction to raise enough to meet its $30,000 goal. These monies will be used to fund professional development for our wonderful faculty.
Donations are being coordinated through the auction representatives in each grade/class. Please take an hour this week to determine what you can donate, and let the auction reps know your intentions. Also,we are accepting auction sponsors whose logo and link will be visible on every page of our auction on the BiddingforGood site! When soliciting donations from your local businesses, please also offer the sponsorship opportunity. Forms are available through your auction reps or by clicking here.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated! Auction donation forms can be downloaded here.
Questions? E-mail Amy Krause at amykrause@verizon.net.
Basketball Announcement
Attention all 5th through 8th grade parents! The basketball season is quickly approaching and we hope that your child can join us and be part of this strong tradition. We practice Mondays 3:30-5:00 p.m. and Wednesdays 3-4:30 p.m. at Whiteley Gym in Princeton beginning Monday, December 2. If you missed the e-mail from the front desk, you can access the enrollment form here. Please return them to the school's lock box or my mail box by November 15. Please note that participation in basketball requires a sports physical no older than 365 days from the first date of practice. If it's been 60 days since your child's physical, you will need to fill out a parent update form. See the website for all downloadable forms.
If your child is unsure whether to join the team I encourage him or her to take part in our Informal Basketball Practice on Monday, November 11, from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. here at the school. This is an optional practice for those interested in joining the team, new and returning players alike. Questions? E-mail me at kpearson@princetonwaldorf.org.
~Karrin Pearson, Athletic Director
Love Amazon? Love WSP? Have We Got the Link for You!
As we are working on building our Amazon storefront geared especially to our community, we encourage you to explore this link. You're going to want to bookmark this one, because it's just going to grow! Any items added to your cart through this link will earn 4% for our school when purchased. (Simply click on "Powered by Amazon.com" in the upper left-hand corner to access that site's full inventory.) For more info, contact Beth Miller.
New Cycle Beginning January 2014:
Foundation Studies Program
at The Waldorf School of Princeton
The Foundation Studies Programs is beginning a new cycle in January 2014. This will be the 12th year this adult education program has been running. The Foundation Studies is the initial year of study for anyone entering one of the disciplines surrounding Waldorf Education. The anthroposophical doctor, the eurythmist, the biodynamic farmer, and the Waldorf teacher all begin at this point, which is to study the philosophical views as explained by the founder of all these professional directions, Rudolf Steiner. This philosophy is called anthroposophy. Many adults also choose to participate in these studies for their own self-development. For more information, contact Pamela Shafer, or read here for further detail.
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