The office staff would like to thank all the parents who helped with the timely submission of the new All-in-one forms.  We appreciate your efforts in getting this to us quickly.  If you have yet to turn in your form, please do so promptly.

Traffic Flow and Parking

Please see the attached depiction of our parking lot here, and note the one way direction of traffic flow.  Vehicles entering the main entrance are to travel one way in front of the school and then around to the parking lot.  For the safety of all, please do not pull directly into the main parking lot.  

To assure the smooth flow of vehicles, drop-off and pick up is permitted directly in front of the school when it can be accomplished quickly, otherwise please park your vehicle in the lot.  To drop off or pick up quickly, please pull your vehicle to the right side of the driveway and stop just before the crosswalk to drop-off or pick up.  Vehicles wishing to pull into the parking lot may proceed to the left of vehicles lined up on the right. 

All vehicles traveling to the Kinderhaus are to proceed directly to the left when pulling into the main entrance, and around to the parking spots on the North side of the school.

Please also note the two disabled parking spaces and do not block these.

Thank you for your cooperation.

The Honey Bee Cafe was started a few years back as a Friday morning coffee bar and was an excellent opportunity to get all jazzed up with coffee and chat with WSRF friends.  Parent Council has decided to bring it back on the First Friday of each month, thanks to the efforts of the grades school and the Oldham family: Nelson, Julie, Kate (6th grade) and Ben (2nd grade.)

The Oldhams, proprietors of Dos Gringos burrito and coffee bar, will be bringing their yummy strong coffee, and Nelson will make us all fancy coffee drinks to order from 8 - 9:30 AM.  Thank you for this wonderful gift, Oldham family!  The eighth grade parents are hosting this month's café by bringing complimentary, homemade baked goods.

For those of you new to WSRF, every Friday morning all the grades students gather in the eurythmy room for an informal assembly. Parents are welcome to attend, but please leave your coffee outside! So bring a few bucks for coffee, bring a friend, and see you this Friday!

Please check the WSRF website (www.waldorfschoolrf.com) for more activities sponsored by the Parent Council!

Finally, a reminder that Sunday, September 15th, Dos Gringos is hosting a Waldorf Night ­- an evening night when mom or dad doesn't have to cook but it feels like a dinner party anyway!   No need to RSVP - just head on down to Dos Gringos with your family on Sunday, September 15 at 5:30 for the best burrito around!  By the way, that's Blue Grass Night at Dos Gringos as well, so it's sure to be a lively night!  Thank you again to Nelson and Julie Oldham for your hospitality and generosity!

Sincerely,

Holly Richardson                   Dawne Vrabel

Parent Council Co-Chair         Parent Council Co-Chair

This weeks reading:

The Light from world-wide spaces

Lives on in me with strength;

It turns to light of soul

And shines into the depths of spirit

The fruits to liberate

Which in the course of time will ripen

The Self of Men out of the Self of Worlds.

Please invite friends, neighbors and family to our 'First Thursday' School Tours happening monthly throughout the year. Tours are a perfect way to experience Waldorf Education first hand.  

Visit the classrooms during Main Lesson and Specialty Classes, and wrap up with a question and answer session hosted by our Faculty Administrator, Carla Comey. Tours begin at 8:25 in the "big building" and run to 10 am.  

Please RSVP to our Admissions Director, Catherine Woolcott at Catherine@waldorfcarbondale.org and/or call 970-963-1960 x23.  

Upcoming Tours: October 3, November 7, December 5.

After much study and careful consideration, we are instituting three important changes in our school schedule this year. These changes arise from the Pedagogical Planning process in which the Faulty engaged throughout the 2012 - 2013 school year.

Early Dismissal Day Changed to Wednesday
Early dismissal has been moved from Thursday to Wednesday. Dismissal on Wednesdays will be at 2:00. Other days of the week the dismissal time will still be 3:00. The start of school will still be 8:15 each day. This is a change we have instituted in response to the requests of some parents whose children participate in after school activities on Wednesdays. This will also bring our school into alignment with many of the other schools in the Valley who dismiss early on Wednesdays. In addition, this will support the teachers by providing an opportunity for full-faculty communication earlier in the school week.

Specialty Classes Changed from 40 Minutes to 55 Minutes:
Three Specialty Classes per Day and the Creation of "A" and "B" Weeks
Following in the footsteps of some other Waldorf schools, we are providing the students with time to go further into depth in each of their specialty classes by reducing the number of subjects they experience from four to three each day. By keeping the school hours the same, and with the creation of "A" and "B" weeks, the students will spend the same amount of time with their specialty subjects over the two weeks, but in a different format. In addition to greater depth within each period, this schedule reduces the frequency of transitions between subjects and classes. The students will still have morning and lunch recesses of the same length. The schools that have moved to this format have noticed not only an opportunity for greater depth in working with material, but they have also experienced a calmer atmosphere and fewer difficulties that arise between classes - we hope to experience the same!

Middle School Main Main Lesson Moved Later in the Day
Based upon our own experience, and research into the learning patterns of middle school students, we will begin the school day for grades 6 - 8 with a specialty class, ideally one better suited to their learning needs at that time of day. After an earlier snack and recess, main lesson will take place from 10:00 am. to 12:00 pm. Beginning at 12:00, their schedule will align with grades 1 - 5. By making this change, our striving is to support the middle school students by providing them with learning opportunities better structured to their learning patterns and needs. 

• Cross Country skis / boots / poles for 1st through 3rd grade
• Bike helmets for the 3rd - 8th grade (good condition only, please)

Substitutes Needed!
Ms. Comey will hold a
Substitute Orientation
For Grades and Kinderhaus Substitutes
Friday, September 6, 8:45 - 10:00 a.m.
(We will begin immediately after Friday morning assembly)
Please call 963-1960 to register or to speak with Ms. Comey for more information. 

Good Shepherd assistance for the Sakson Family

A dear friend of the school, longtime WSRF parent and devoted staff member is in need of our help. It is possible that many of you don't know our wonderful school cleaner Stevi Sakson. With great devotion and care she cleans the school in the wee hours of the morning like a magical house elf! 

Stevi is also an alumni parent -- all three of her children, Jake, Sophie and Andra attended WSRF. This summer her children's father, Drew Sakson, suddenly passed away leaving Stevi solely responsible for her daughters' school and life expenses. Andra is hoping to continue at CRMS as a sophmore and Sophie is hoping to continue at Franklin College in Switzerland. 

At this time the Sakson family needs financial support. Tuition deadlines are fast approaching and the continuation of their education is in question. In supporting Stevi and her children it's an opportunity for us to extend a full circle of love and support, giving back to her in the way she has so generously given of herself to our school. 

In lieu of the typical Good Shepherd meals, which often cost $10-$30 and time to prepare, we ask that you will consider a monetary contribution to the Sakson's education fund. Contributions can be made to the Drew Sakson Children's Benefit Fund at Alpine Bank. Donations can also be left at the front office. Any amount is welcome and met with great gratitude.

The Peas and Carrots program will be taught this year again by Heidi Cox (mother of Garrick (Grade 2) and Owen (Moonglower kindergarten)

 Musical Storytime will be taught this year again by Holly Richardson and Kat Camp Dates still TBD - Coming Soon!