In This Issue
In the News
Parent Council Corner
This and That
Save the Dates
School Events
From the Office
School News
Community Events
In the News

 

Did you know WSP has a YouTube channel? You can view our latest Alumni Panel video here.

 

Have you seen the documentary

Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood? We'll be co-sponsoring CCFC Director Susan Linn's visit to Princeton next month; this will give you a taste of her talk!

Follow us on Twitter @NJWaldorf!

3rd Grade Farm Trip

March 17-21

Hawthorne Valley Farm

Eighth Graders
Give Back at
Mercer Street Friends Food Bank 

 

by Jennifer Rosenstein,

Class Teacher

 

In the absence of winter gardening classes, WSP eighth graders spent time this year volunteering at the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank in Ewing. Mercer Street Friends is one of six food banks in New Jersey that provides food to families in need.

 

Though there are several tons supplied in government subsidies, the food bank relies on donations from citizens, and more important, needs the work of volunteers to come and sort through the donations in order to get the food to those who need it in a timely manner. We were engaged each week in checking labels to make sure foods had not expired, and then made sure that foods were sorted into proper categories.

 

One student remarked that once she got going, sorting food was addictive. She didn't want to stop! I overheard another student talking to a friend as we were leaving the food bank say that after being there, she felt like she had spent her time doing something meaningful and productive. 

 

Mercer Street Friends Food Bank is always looking for volunteers and would gladly welcome donations at any time. For more information about how you and your family might get involved, you can contact Brian Peterson.

Parent Council Corner

by Susie McCoy & Lilian Sampaio, Co-Chairs

  

 

The talk of the town these days is the weather, no matter where we are in the world. It seems that unlikely climate patterns are all over Mother Earth. Why do we worry so much? We worry about our children's future on this planet, and we want to give them tools to nurture the environment and live well, consciously and happily.

 

That's why we desire a strong sense of community, to work together toward the future. In our school, we have also been discussing after school activities and new enrichment programs that will improve our coexistence and strengthen our connections to one another. A happy and harmonious environment works within us, and will prepare us all for the challenges in our path in life.

 

We invite all of you, parents, to have a voice in the ongoing topics, and we hope to see you at one of our upcoming events--our next meeting on Tuesday, March 11; our talk on climate change March 20; or our ongoing Tuesday morning chat sessions in the multipurpose room!

 

It is also time for spring Parent-Teacher Conferences, and we're trying something new for signing up food volunteersIt has become tradition that parents provide nourishment to our teachers during conference days as we discuss our children. If you would like to bring an item, please complete our new online form by Friday, March 7! If there are any special ingredients or preparation instructions, please include with your dish, and don't forget to mark your servingware; everything will be washed and left for pickup the following Monday. If you would like to bring gluten-free or vegan items, they would be most welcome! THANK YOU! 

Gardening Is Back!

by Suzanne Cunningham, Gardening Teacher

  

Gardening classes resume in full this month, including several special events for our students. For the last three years, the eighth grade class has had the opportunity to cook with a professional chef during one of their gardening classes. This years' chef is Salvatore Riccobono. 

 

We also will be welcoming students from Princeton University's Outdoor Action Program to run a few lessons in early April, leading WSP students in games that bring awareness to the decomposition process of a variety of materials (glass, banana peels, Styrofoam), a "one square foot" observation game of our immediate surroundings, and some introduction to tracking animals. The program aims to provide children with character development experiences as well as enjoyable educational experiences that spread the principles of Leave No Trace and aid in the development of environmental awareness and appreciation.  

WSP Takes Visa
Now Visa truly is every-where you want to be, including Waldorf School of Princeton!

This and That

 

Kathryn Loveday is a Class Teacher at the Trillium Waldorf School in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and is enrolled in Antioch University New England's M.Ed. program. She is currently working on a project focused on "Rites of Passage within a Waldorf Community" and is seeking input from Waldorf parents. If you would like to participate in her research, you may complete a survey here.  

 

Camp Glen Brook shares its new video here

Did You Know?  

 

Many great things start out small! According to Patty Cuyler, WSP's first administrator, the willow in front of the school (and in our newsletter banner) started as a cutting she took from the willow tree she had planted over a wet spot in her Hopewell backyard, shortly after moving there in 1984. She writes: "We had a wet area at the edge of the new parking lot, and [former teacher] Ekkehard [Heyder] let me plant a small rooted slip from my tree there. Like our children, it has thrived wonderfully!"

Wash Your Winter Woolens!

 

The Windy Hill School Store is fully re-stocked with Eucalan products; stop by Tuesdays after dropoff to browse our selection.

Save the Dates

 

April 1 & 26: Waldorf 101

 

April 5: EC Sewing Bee

 

April 5: Barnyard Bash

 

April 14-21: Spring Break 

 

April 27: Communiversity

 

April 30: Susan Linn Talk

 

May 9: Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day

 

May 10: May Fair

Join Our Mailing List
March 2014
8th graders sort donations for Mercer Street Friends Food Bank.

Dear Friends,  

 

After experiencing a colder and snowier winter than we've had in recent memory, I have been anxiously anticipating the beginning of March and the arrival of spring - that almost magical return of color, light and warmth. But for now, we wait.

 

One of the qualities that I feel has been much called upon this winter is resilience. How lucky our children are to have an education that supports the development of resiliency, a skill that is becoming increasingly important in a world full of surprises. Starting in early childhood, the children learn to find the answers to questions for themselves, to solve problems, and to try again after making a mistake, all in the supportive circle formed by their teacher and classmates. 

 

Every day their resiliency is called forth as they are asked to actively participate in a wide variety of activities, not all within their comfort zone. Our children demonstrate their resiliency as they perform their class plays, remaining focused and calm even when lines are forgotten. The third graders will exercise their resiliency as they embark upon their much awaited farm trip, which is, for many, their first trip away from their families. As a result, our children will find a source of strength within themselves, preparing them for the twists and turns that we all encounter on life's path.

    

Given the latest layer of snow on top of the prospect of cold weather for the next week and a half, I suspect that our resiliency will be tested for a while longer. Meanwhile, March brings a surge of activity in the classroom, as we head into the last 3 months of the school year. In the Early Childhood Mrs. Thaw makes her visit, sweeping away the snow to prepare the ground for flowers to bloom. In the Grade School gardening classes resume, and the eighth grade will even welcome a visiting chef for some cooking lessons as part of their gardening curriculum. All of this activity assures us that spring truly is just around the corner, and that soon enough we will be celebrating at the Barnyard Bash, enjoying the activities of Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day and May Fair, and making plans for summer camp.

 

Warm Regards,

 

Janine Cleland

School Administrator

SCHOOL EVENTS

 

 

WSP Dads 5th Annual Beeswax Bowl

Saturday, March 8, 7:30 p.m.

Hamilton Lanes, 1200 Kuser Rd, Trenton, NJ 08619

Experience optional; fun mandatory! Contact Waldorf Dad Doug Jackson at 215-704-8401 or [email protected] for more info.

 

Folk Tale Puppets Presents "The Lost Spear"

Sunday, March 9, 2 p.m.

Hagens Hall

This classic tale from Kenya is part of this year's "Stories from Around the World" series. Tickets are $5 each at the door; most appropriate for children ages 5 and older. 

 

Third Grade Play: "Joseph and His Brethren"

Tuesday, March 11, 6 p.m.

Hagens Hall

 

Parent Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.

All parents welcome!

 

"Climate Change and You":
A Presentation by Tineke Thio
Thursday, March 20, 8:45 a.m.
Multipurpose Room
Sponsored by the Parent Council
All parents are welcome to this talk about global warming and its causes; its impacts on you and me - and our children; what we can do about it, as individuals and as a community; and how a Waldorf education prepares our children for life in a changed world.
 
Tineke Thio, a WSP parent since 1998 (and an environmentalist since before that), is very concerned that our children will live in a world which is physically quite different from the one we have known so far. As part of learning about climate change, she has completed the World Bank's course "Turn Down the Heat" and is currently enrolled in MIT's online course on global warming. Tineke writes a blog on fuel-efficient cars, and is the curator of the Resources section at the Global Warming Fact of the Day website, gwfotd.com

 

Summer Camp Open House

Saturday, March 22, 10 a.m.-Noon

Dreaming about warmer weather yet? Take a tour of the grounds, sample a camp activity, and have your questions answered! We will also be showcasing our grade school and early childhood programs with tours and info sessions. Contact Diane Barlow for more details.

 

Board Meeting

Monday, March 31, 7 p.m.

 

Special Event:

Join Us for a Barnyard Bash!

Saturday, April 5, 7:00-11:00 p.m.

The McGahren Barn, Hillsborough

Dust off your boots and dance the night away! Celebrate 30 years of Waldorf School of Princeton with live music by The Hazbins! Hors d'oeuvres provided; bring your own adult beverages. "Cowboy Chic" attire requested. Ticket prices: $40 single, $75 per couple ($50 each at the door). Invitations to follow! Please contact Beth Miller for questions or more information.

 

 

For details of school events, please contact [email protected].

FROM THE OFFICE  

  

 

*********************************************

Making Up for Snow Days

All programs will be extended by one day; currently, 

Early Childhood programs will now end Thursday, June 12, and Grade School will end Friday, June 13. Please note, if we miss additional days, these days may be added to the end of the school year in June.

*********************************************

 

Tuition Assistance Reminder

Please be sure to check the status of your tuition assistance application on the TADS website. The tuition assistance committee cannot make any decisions regarding a tuition assistance award until the application is rated "good" by TADS. Please note that your application will be processed without a complete 2013 tax return. However, in order for the award to be finalized, the 2013 tax return will need to be submitted by May 1, 2014.

 

Annual WSP Phonathon

Wednesday & Thursday, March 5 & 6

For those who haven't yet donated to the WSP Annual Fund, look forward to a friendly call!

 
Parent-Teacher Conferences

Thursday & Friday, March 13 & 14

There is no school for our students on these days. If you signed up for childcare during your conference, please make sure you supply a snack or lunch for your child. No food will be provided. Drop-in childcare is not available.

 

No School-Faculty In-Service

Monday, March 17

 

Round Robin for Seventh Grade

Tuesday, March 18, 5:00 & 6:30 p.m.

Hagens Hall

Sign up in the Golden House stairwell by Friday!

 

Where's My Re-Enrollment Contract? 

Change is on the horizon ... will YOU be ready? Look for an announcement soon via e-mail.

 

Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day on May 9;

Addresses Needed!

If you would like us to mail an invitation to someone, please make sure we have the contact information. If your child had a grandparent or special friend invited last year, we will send mail to the address on file unless we hear from you. Please contact Beth Miller, x121, to add or change an address on our guest list.

SCHOOL NEWS

  

  

Upcoming Student Art Exhibits
Part of the eighth grade Sacred Geometry exhibit has traveled from Small World to Paint the Roses in Hopewell for the month of March. Also in March, the Ewing Library is showcasing the weavings made by the fourth grade (cutting, lashing, and weaving) as part of their studies of the Lenape people.

 

Japanese Enrichment Classes for Grades 1-3

These classes run on Wednesdays, March 5 until May 14. Please click here for the flyer with all information.

 

Basketball Wrap-Up

The Wildcats boys' and girls' basketball teams finished off winning seasons in February! The boys' team was under the guidance of former gardening assistant Ryan Sarno and third grade parent John Orrok; the girls' team was led by WSP alum Marlowe Alter '05 and movement and games teacher Karrin Pearson '00. With a total of 21 players, both teams had strong representation throughout the 5th-8th grades. Veteran 8th graders Emily, Lakumi, Donovan, and Adam led the charge to their 5-3 and 4-4 seasons, respectively. Both teams grew tremendously throughout the course of our two-month season and had fun working together. We will celebrate all of our accomplishments this Thursday at 3:15 in the 5th grade classroom.    ~Karrin Pearson, Coach

  

Volunteer Opportunities Abound!

Princeton Communiversity is happening Sunday, April 27, 12-6, and once again WSP will have a booth promoting its camp and school programs. We are seeking folks who can help answer question and chat with fairgoers for a 1- or 2-hour shift; please contact [email protected] if interested.


The Barnyard Bash Committee is looking for a few able hands to help put together and take down the site of the party on April 5. On Friday, April 4, they will need 3-4 strong folks to help move some furniture out of the McGahrens' barn in Hillsborough, along with someone who has an eye for decor to do some decoration work. Sunday, April 6, they need 3-4 people to handle spills and general clean-up, along with some strong folks to move the furniture back. If you would like to help out, please contact Liesl Fisher at [email protected] or the head of the Committee, Anne Juleff, at (609) 466-3082 or [email protected]. Thank you!

 

The May Fair Committee is seeking community members to help in a variety of ways, including musical performances. Please send an e-mail to [email protected] with your area of interest.

 

Waldorf Summer Camp 2014!

The Waldorf Summer Camp Program will run three 2-week sessions from June 30 through August 8 for children ages 4-13. Specialty camps are available for older campers. Please click here for our registration brochure!

 

Interested in joining our camp staff? Volunteer positions are available for those ages 14-15; paid positions are open to those 16 and older. For more information, including staff applications and medical forms, visit our website. E-mail [email protected] with inquiries.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

 

 

Princeton Common Ground Presents: "Challenging Success: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Academic and Social Pressure" with Madeline Levine

Tuesday, April 1, 7:30-9:00 p.m.

Stuart Country Day School, 1200 Stuart Rd., Princeton

Psychologist and educator Dr. Madeline Levine will explore how the culture of affluent communities pressures both kids and parents into a narrow view of success, undermining our children's healthy development, sense of self-worth, and identity, and leading to epidemic rates of depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behavior. Backed by cutting edge research, Levine proposes solutions for schools and families that are both practical and credible, urging us to move away from a hypercompetitive, myopic focus on grades, test scores, and performance to a longer-term vision of success that values our children's unique interests, abilities, and well-being.

 

Freedom, Funding, and Accountability in Education

Click here for flyer. For more information, visit www.thecenterforsocialreserch.org or contact Gary Lamb at [email protected] or 518-672-4465, x223.

 

"InPower: Hearing the Still, Small Voice; Speaking with the Authority of Truth; Becoming Courageous": An International Event for Young Adults 18-36

Tuesday-Saturday, June 24-28

Threefold Education Center, Chestnut Ridge, NY

An exciting opportunity to build new capacities to more courageously and consciously face the developing future, this is an event for young people, by young people, to forge leadership capacities by developing clear voices for spiritual evolution. Co-sponsored by the Threefold Educational Center and The Christian Community. It is this joint effort that has inspired us as planners to build bridges between youth initiatives from around the country and the world. Registration is open and ready at www.threefold.org/inpower2014. This is also a great place to learn more about the conference and see our promotional video!

Waldorf School of Princeton   1062 Cherry Hill Road   Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 466-1970   www.princetonwaldorf.org