NO SCHOOL
MONDAY, OCT. 13
COLUMBUS DAY
THURSDAY-FRIDAY,
OCT. 30-31
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
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Peek into the Classroom: October Lesson Blocks |
Grade 1: Letters Through Fairy Tales
Grade 2: Math: Review of the 4 Processes
Grade 3: Math: It's about Time! Borrowing and Division
Grade 4: Math: Fractions
Grade 5: Ancient Civilizations: India, Persia, Mesopotamia, and Egypt
Grade 6: The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire
Grade 7: Geography and Explorers
Grade 8: Physical Forces in the Human Being: From Head to Foot
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Parent Council Corner
Get to know the members of this year's Parent Council Steering Committee!
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Liesl Fisher was born in Upper Michigan and grew up in various small college towns in the Midwest until returning to Michigan to attend a Waldorf-inspired performing arts high school. Her professional background includes work as a chemist and a teacher. She has two sons, Liam (5th grade) and Kieran (2nd grade), who have been at the school since early childhood.
Susie McCoy lives in Brick, NJ ("The Shore"), and for five years has made the "short" one-hour-and-fifteen-minute commute to school each way! A business development director for Canon, she has four children at WSP: Kathleen (7th grade), Patrick (4th grade), Allison (1st grade), and Peter (Parent-Child). In her spare time, Susie enjoys photography, antiques, traveling, and time with family and friends.
Mada Campos Iwamoto moved from Brazil last November along with her husband and two children, Rapha and Dora, both now in the Early Childhood program. Engaging with other families through the parent council steering committee is a way of giving back and helping build the community of this school, which her family found so warmly welcoming.
This is Joanne Farrugia's third year as a WSP parent; her son Felix is in 2nd grade. She is also familiar to many in the community as one of the owners of jaZams, the toy store in downtown Princeton. Joanne is passionate about building community within the parent body.
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Scrip for Gas |
Thanks to all those who supported our Scrip for Groceries effort in September! As of September 29, twenty-two families bought scrip grocery gift cards and were thanked with a Waldorf-logo grocery bag! Of those 22 families, ten were first-time buyers and included enrolled families as well as faculty.
So far, together we have earned $881 for the school via scrip rebate and we are not even 4 weeks into the school year! If we continue at this rate, we are well on our way to tripling our scrip income from last year, so ... THANK YOU!
This month, please consider purchasing a scrip gas card! There are over 30 gas & auto retailers participating in the scrip program, including BP, Exxon, Gulf, Mobil, Shell, Sunoco, and Texaco. See a complete list of gas and all other retailers at www.shopwithscrip.com.
Order by paper form (in the lobby of the Golden House), e-mail, or in person Tuesday mornings, 8:45-10 in the Multipurpose Room. A scrip table will also be set up intermittently outside on the walk in good weather. Please stop by!
~Chi Park
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Got Labels?
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Our Mabel's Labels campaign wraps up in less than a week, and the school has already earned more than $65 from purchases made! If you are still looking for a labeling solution this year, please visit our school's unique page and see what's available; WSP will receive 20% of the total.
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Hopewell Tour Des Arts
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Sat. & Sun., Oct. 4 & 5
An annual tour of artists' open studios in downtown Hopewell, this year's event features WSP's sculptural and fine arts teacher Pamela Shafer. Click here for full details.
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Save the Dates!
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Nov. 3: NO SCHOOL - Faculty In Service
Nov. 4 & 11: Waldorf 101
Nov. 7: Dads' Night
Nov. 13: Grade School Visiting Morning
Nov. 13 & 15: Lantern Walk
Nov. 26: Online Auction Goes Live
Nov. 26-28: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
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Changes may appear effortless, even magical, though much preparation has been made.
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Dear Friends,
My family and I spent the last week moving from one home to another. During long nights engaged in the seemingly endless process of packing boxes, I had a lot of time to think about the amount of will force it takes to make a change--any change, but particularly a voluntary one. It is so much easier to stick with the status quo!
Here at school, progress requires voluntary change on our part; small changes, occasional efforts, continual interest. As the landscape transforms itself over the course of the seasons, so too does our school continue to evolve, almost imperceptibly in the moment, but noticeably over time.
Without every one of us working together toward the common cause of a sustainable community, our school could not be. Every gift is meaningful, and every gesture appreciated, no matter the size. So, whether for you, supporting the school means donating to our upcoming Online Holiday Auction, participating in Parent Council meetings, volunteering at May Fair, helping a new parent feel at ease, or one of the many other ways parents get involved in our school, know that your contribution matters. Yes, this work involves strength of will from each of us, but amid the tasks we undertake together, something valuable is born: relationship, which is at the heart of all communities.
Mahatma Gandhi said, "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." I believe our little school has all of the resources it needs, right here in our community, to execute any needed change. Through our combined will forces, we can build an ever stronger, sustainable school community that supports our children and provides them with wonderful role models of how to work together, resolve conflict together and grow together.
Warmly,
Janine Cleland, School Administrator
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SCHOOL EVENTS
Waldorf 101: Meeting the Adolescent
Tuesdays, October 7 & 21, 7 p.m.
Signe Motter, WSP 7th grade teacher and instructor at Antioch Waldorf Teacher Training Program in New Hampshire, discusses the 12-year-old change. The two evenings will include both a lecture and an experiential component.
These adult enrichment evenings continue to be open to the wider community and are free of charge. Please invite any friends, colleagues, or family members that you think would be interested in our series. For info, contact Pamela Shafer.
Handwork Circle: Sewing Felt Animals
Tuesday, October 7, 8:30-10 a.m.
Multipurpose Room
Regardless of your level of experience, come start this new project with us! Bring your own supplies or share ours.
"What's That Smell? 5 Easy Steps
to Starting Your Own Compost Adventure"
Wednesday, October 8, 8:45-9:30 a.m.
Multipurpose Room
With WSP gardening teacher Suzanne Cunningham.
Parent Council Business Meeting
Thursday, October 9, 7-9 p.m.
Grade School Building
All parents are welcome to attend!
Home Cross-Country Meet: WSP Wildcats
vs Charter Cambridge, Lewis, St. Pauls
Thursday, October 23, 3:45 p.m.
"Waldorf Education: An Uncommon Core"
A Talk with Patrice Maynard
Friday, October 24, 7-9 p.m.
Hagens Hall
In this talk, veteran Waldorf educator, parent, and advocate Patrice Maynard will address common core standards, and what Waldorf Education offers in response: a low-stress, non-testing environment for early elementary students that takes a different approach to academics, based on a different picture of child development. She will also discuss what is core in Waldorf standards: meeting a variety of individual learning styles with respect for each child's gifts, and encouraging a lifelong love of learning without labeling.
"The Waldorf Experience: A Journey from Early Childhood through the Grades"
Saturday, October 25, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Grade School Building
Take a trip through the eyes, ears, and hands of the developing child. Participate in an illuminating, hands-on introduction to Waldorf Education, complete with discussions, presentations, and artistic activities led by WSP faculty. Sessions are designed for current and prospective parents. Spaces are limited; advance registration suggested at [email protected]. Admission is free; childcare will be provided for children enrolled in the school on a donation basis (pre-registration required).
Board Meeting
Monday, October 27, 7 p.m.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday & Friday, October 30 & 31
See important sign-up details for appointments as well as childcare below!
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FROM THE OFFICE
NEW! Online Parent-Teacher Conference Sign-Ups
Starting Sunday, October 5, at 8 p.m., you will be able to sign up for time slots with your children's teachers from the comfort of home. An e-mail with the link and full instructions will be sent to the address that receives The Willow. Click here for additional information regarding childcare, etc. Conference days are Oct. 30-31.
Visiting High Schools
The White Mountain School, a boarding/day school in NH, visited our school last month. They look forward to Waldorf applicants! More information about their school can be found in the Parent Library on the second floor of the Golden House, or contact Diane Barlow at x115.
Lunch Program Proposals Wanted
Written proposals for a lunch program for WSP grade school students are being sought and are due on Oct 26. Please e-mail [email protected] with your proposal.
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SCHOOL NEWS
Volunteers Needed for Crib Barn Renovation
The Facilities Committee is seeking volunteers to help with the Crib Barn Project. Over the next year, our lovely little barn will be converted into a school store and meeting space. If you have experience in construction (including oversight of contractors) or just want to help out in other ways, please contact Jennifer Bryson at [email protected].
Help Our Commercial Composting Efforts!
You may have noticed WSP's recent strides toward zero-waste events: clearly marked composting receptacles, and compostable trash bags and service ware, are now the norm. Unfortunately, event waste is not manageable in our own compost bins. And, since Montgomery Township does not yet have a commercial composting service, we need a team of people willing to take our compostable event trash to their Princeton homes. We are trying to get a list together of families who live in Princeton and who receive the township's commercial compost pick-up service (or are willing to register). Want to be on our Green Team? Contact Diane.
Sing B4 Supper
If singing feeds your soul, then you're in for a real treat. On
Monday, October 20, from 3:30 to 4:15, in Hagens Hall, a bunch of us will get together around the piano and sing together, for the sheer fun of it. Our resident musician Bill Bauer will help us harmonize. All are welcome to show up, but if you want to find out more, e-mail Bill at [email protected]
...sing for your supper, and you'll get breakfast.
Songbirds are not dumb;
They never buy a crumb of bread,
It is said...
Just sing and you'll be fed.
~Lorenz Hart
WSP's Online Holiday Auction: A Call For Donations
It's that time again when our auction committee really starts revving its engines. That means we're actively seeking donations! This year's online auction runs from November 26 through December 7. Grab a form and ask your favorite shops and restaurants to make a donation! Hand-crafted items, tutoring, or even babysitting are great online donations that require little money but have a big impact. The deadline for donations is November 14. Interested in volunteering for this effort? Have a question regarding a donation item? E-mail [email protected].
Auction proceeds directly support faculty education:
"Last summer I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in an online intensive course in preparation for teaching eighth grade ... It was a wonderful experience all around, and complemented my own preparations with things that I wouldn't have had access to otherwise.
"Ultimately this course was a gift for my students, who are the direct beneficiaries of my increased ability and understanding, and I am so grateful that I was able to take the course for them. "
~Niko Hilgerdt, 8th Grade Class Teacher
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
Montgomery Friends of Open Space
Presents a Hike for Kids
Sunday, October 5, 1 p.m.
Rock Mill Preserve, 365 Grandview Road
Kids will enjoy walking the easy, 1-mile loop trail while learning about the plants and animals in the preserve through fun activities. Kids and parents are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and wear appropriate shoes. Snacks will be provided.
with Patricia and Joseph Rubano and Mary O'Connell
Friday-Sunday, October 10-12
Kimberton Waldorf School
Grand Opening: Tulpehaking Nature Center in Hamilton
Saturday, October 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Family Fun Day is going to be a day filled with activities that will engage both children and adults such as microscope explorations, arts and crafts, guided trail walks, and live animal demonstrations. There will be local food vendors as well as prizes and giveaways. We are excited to share this special day with the students of Waldorf.
Kimberton Waldorf School Trail Run & Wellness Expo
Sunday, October 12
Friday, October 17, 7-9 p.m.
Housatonic Valley Waldorf School
Educator, parenting expert and author Jack Petrash will discuss how Waldorf Education prepares our children to meet world challenges with confidence and resilience.
Monday, October 20, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 25, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Montclair State University
Sponsored by Holistic Moms Network
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