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 Weekly BulletinApril 16, 2013
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This bulletin is so full of important, exciting, timely and joyful information that I will say no more than: Read on!
To orient yourself to the events of the next couple weeks see the agenda below or visit the full OWS calendar by clicking here.
 Warmly,
Ellen Mahoney
Community Director
You are welcome to contribute your own item to the bulletin. Items must be submitted by the Friday before desired publication to info@olympiawaldorf.org. Items are subject to approval and editing.
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The Faculty, Staff, Board, and Hiring Committee are excited to announce the hire of Marjorie Rehbach as our Dean of Education for 2013-14. Marjorie comes with a wealth of experience in Waldorf Education and an enthusiasm to join our community. Hiring for the Dean of Education position is unique in that it requires a vote of the Board and consensus decision of the entire faculty and staff. During the hiring process Marjorie was observed teaching kindergarten, Grade 3 and Grade 8. She also observed another teacher and provided them with constructive feedback, completed a writing prompt, and had a Parent Tea. Marjorie's interview was conducted by a large group of Faculty, Staff, Board, and Hiring Committee Parent Reps. As we reviewed the interview and various aspects of her visit it became clear that Marjorie brings the experience and capacities that we believe are needed for our next OWS Dean of Education. Marjorie agreed and enthusiastically accepted our job offer. Our current Dean, Tim Morrissey, will play a key role in orienting Marjorie to the position over the next few months and supporting this transition. Mr. Morrissey and his class are looking forward to the opportunity he will have to hand off the work of the Dean, and we are all grateful for his service to OWS as our first Dean of Education. Please see Marjorie's message below and take a moment to warmly welcome her to OWS if you see her on campus over the next few months as she begins her training.
Dear Olympia Waldorf School Community,
I am very honored to be invited to join your lovely school community as the Dean of Education for the next year. My life has been enriched by many years of involvement with Waldorf schools and the related international Camphill Communities which serve developmentally different children and adults. My husband Conrad and I are very grateful for our two wonderful children who were educated in Waldorf schools and are now finding their way in the world as creative and compassionate young adults. Some of my other interests include puppetry, painting, singing, kayaking and folk dancing. Currently I am also enrolled in a Waldorf Educational Support Training, to deepen my understanding of learning styles and differences. I look forward to getting to know, work and celebrate with you all!
My husband and I will be frequent visitors to Olympia in the coming weeks as I get trained for the job and we look for housing. If anyone knows of any suitable housing for us, please let us know! To rent, or possibly, to buy: 2+ bedroom apartment or house, sunny, with garden, preferably near the school. Any leads would be very much appreciated.
Thank you,
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Next Year: Grades Teacher Continuity At Its Best
Tim Morrissey, Dean of Education
As we worked this Spring with our current teachers' on their intentions for next year, we came to a rather unexpected and wonderful series of decisions. Ms. Kolea will return to Grade One next year, and lead the new grades students on their journey. Ms. Melcher will stay at OWS (yay!) and lead the Class of 2016 (Ms. Kolea's current class) into Middle School.
Every year we work with all of our employees to discern how they can best serve the school in the coming year, and how those duties best fit their own strengths and gifts. In this case, Ms. Kolea and her colleagues agreed that her best fit is with the lower grades students, and that what is often viewed as the hardest job at the school - forming the new first grade class - would be a worthy place for her to put her talent and energy to use. At the same time, Ms. Melcher was re-considering her own next steps, and we concluded together that her established warm connection with this class, her solid track record with the middle school curriculum, and her love of the challenges of middle school students made her the ideal teacher to take the class of 2016 through eighth grade. It may seem surprising that we would sacrifice the ideal of the "eight-year journey" in the case of Ms. Kolea not continuing with her class. Although "looping" is rare at OWS, it is common practice at some Waldorf schools. The eight-year journey remains an ideal, but we also recognize that sometimes our students are best served by a change of teachers going into middle school. Since both of these teachers are experienced employees in good standing with their current work at OWS, the process around these planning decisions was an internal one, quite different from our external hiring practices for open positions. The faculty and staff of OWS came to this collaborative decision with clarity and confidence - with the conviction that it serves our excellent employees, the school, and most of all the students. If you have any questions, please let me know.
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Autumn Eveningsong returns to After School Care!
Tim Morrissey, Dean of Education
We are so pleased to welcome Autumn Eveningsong back to After School Care, where she will take over the lead role that Carolyn Hewitt left in March. Autumn has been our main substitute this year, but she worked for two years prior in the After School Care program. So she is well-known to the students and parents, and brings warmth, insight, and experience to the job. She will join Madeline Moss and Porter Eichenlaub in forming our After School Care team. Madeline and Porter, along with Polly Carson, Paula Brown, and others, have really stepped up to hold the program solidly through this transition time - thanks so much to them for their caring efforts!
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OWS Shirts 2012-13!
The Class of 2013
It's OWS shirt sale time again! The class of 2013 has designed two different designs voted upon by the students of the school and we are ready to kick of our shirt sales. We will have t-shirts, hoodies, and long-sleeve shirts available this year. You can find the order forms along with a display of the designs and a sizing chart hanging in Prairie Hall on the board directly in front of the entrance. Place your order forms along with payment in the black box marked "8th grade" on the parent cubbies. ONE SHIRT PER ORDER FORM. Please refer to the sizing chart for questions about sizes for your child, any further questions about sizes, colors, etc. can be directed to Ms. Melcher at rmelcher@olympiawaldorf.org. When in doubt about size, order big. THE FINAL ORDER DATE IS APRIL 25. We will not be able to do exchanges or any shirts past that date so please be sure to get your orders in. Refunds will be available if need be. Thank you and happy ordering!
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Olympia Waldorf School Alumna Earns Award
Each year the Olympia Choral Society awards a college scholarship to a high school senior who demonstrates musical talent, academic excellence and a commitment to community service. This year that award has been granted to Morgan Black, OWS Class of 2009, and current senior at Capital High School. In addition to winning a $1,500 college scholarship, Morgan was honored and featured as the Choral Society's guest artist at their recent concert.
In her scholarship application Morgan credits the interdisciplinary and artistic approach of the Waldorf curriculum in setting the strong foundation for her musical development. Congratulations Morgan, and a "tip of the hat" to Olympia Waldorf School.
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Opportunities are Blooming 
Jerry Berebitsky
Spring time brings great joy, a need to enjoy time outside and many weeds! We have ample opportunities for you to spend time on campus enjoying and working on the land. Find some friends and "adopt" an area or project, schedule a private work session or simply stop by and pull some weeds. Bring your gloves and favorite tools. Please coordinate with Jerry at facilities@olympiawaldorf.org for the best opportunities.
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Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day - Arts Walk Weekend!
Friday, April 26 from 12pm until 2:15pm
Invitations were mailed to grandparents and friends we have in our database, but feel free to invite anyone you want to visit our school!
-Lunch Provided
-Hosted by our amazing 7th grade Parents
-See all the children of Olympia Waldorf but also visit classroom(s) of choice!
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OWS at Arts Walk Friday, April 26
Enjoy the sights and sounds of OWS student art at two different venues this year!
The Olympia Waldorf School Chamber Orchestra has a new venue for our annual Spring Arts Walk performance! They will be performing at Traditions Café and World Folk Art, at 6:00 p.m. Come enjoy the music and savor the delicious food and drinks.
Enjoy the unique sounds of the Middle School Ensemble group as they perform at Canvas Works in downtown Olympia at 6:30 p.m. A display of student art, bookwork, and handwork will also be on display.
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Registration Is Open For Summer Camp
Only eight weeks of school remain (but who's counting?). Summer will be here before you know it! Click here for a summer camp registration form and get started on your planning for the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. Have questions about the program? Contact Camp Coordinator Kelli Mae Willis at summer@olympiawaldorf.org. 
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Now Hiring: Summer Camp Counselors
Follow these links to the Job Posting and Application or pick them up in the office.
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Deeply Touched
Jerry Berebitsky
We are deeply touched by those supporting this year's Fund-a-Need, "Jerry's List." The level of generosity toward this unique selection has been a truly moving and greatly appreciated.
The Buildings and Grounds Committee and myself have begun utilizing these funds to the full advantage of our school. To date we have spent approximately 10% of the designated funds. With this we have purchased Knox Boxes (an emergency key storage device specified by the fire department), replaced the exit bars at the Middle School, replaced a urinal flush in Prairie Hall and procured a riding lawn mower. We are currently working on: emergency communications, a game storage unit, planting trees and more.
We will update you regularly on our progress, and expect to have utilized or committed approximately 50% of these funds by the end of the school year and at least an additional 25% before school begins in spring. Your generosity toward this year's Fund-a-Need is providing valuable improvements to a broad range of issues on campus. These include: logistical, safety, fundamental and aesthetic.
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Thanks to Our Sponsors
Ellen Mahoney, for the Fundraising Committee
We've been remiss in singling out several generous supporters of our auction--our sponsors. Won't you consider supporting their work in our community by visiting the sponsors on our website or clicking through below, and join me in thanking:
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Parent Corner
Editor's Note: Parents have a unique expertise on the goings-on at Olympia Waldorf. If you're a parent or guardian and you'd like to share a vignette of something you've experienced at our school, please email me at info@olympiawaldorf.org to include it in the bulletin! We'll be trying out the Parent Corner as a new part of our bulletin through the end of the school year.
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On April 10, Mrs. Apple and Ms. McCabe had a joint parent meeting providing an opportunity for the parents of both classes to get to know one another and learn about developmental changes of children turning 9 and 10. Parents asked questions and shared experiences in an open forum. The evening was a great success with 20 plus parents in attendance. We are grateful for the commitment to the children and Olympia Waldorf School from our parents and teachers.
--Pat Nobach, Grade 3
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Waldorf in the Northwest and Around the World
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In the news on Waldorf Today...
The Waldorf Book of Animal Poetry is here, Steiner school building fire, Prairie Moon teacher training. Click here to read more.
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News from Sound Circle Center in Seattle...
Click here to read the latest edition of Ripples.
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Read the latest news from AWSNA here.
The AWSNA website is chock-full of pertinent and interesting articles on Waldorf education--for our children and for the rest of us lifelong learners.
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Read the latest news from WECAN (Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America) here.
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Anthoposophical Study Group Welcomes New Members
Please feel welcome to join students of Anthroposophy, both seasoned and new-comers alike, as we embark on a new path of inquiry and study.
Our group has just completed Steiner's Philosophy of Freedom and we are now planning to take up Steiner's "Fifth Gospel," beginning on April 17 with lecture 1. The "Fifth Gospel" is comprised of 13 lectures. About the text: From his clairvoyant reading of the Akashic Record-the cosmic memory of all events, actions, and thoughts-Rudolf Steiner was able to speak of aspects of the life of Jesus Christ that are not contained in the four biblical Gospels. Such research can be spoken of as a "fifth gospel." After an intense inner struggle to verify the exact nature of these events, and checking the results of his research, Steiner describes many detailed episodes from the Akashic Record.
Here's a link to the book If you're not familiar with the work, check it out. You can download the lectures from this site. The study group meets weekly on Wednesday evenings at the homes of study group participants. On April 17 we will meet at the home of Lori Lively. For more information and for directions please e-mail or call Marianne Guerin at gnomesworld@earthlink.net, 360.357.7576.
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Walk with the World's Tallest Animal  This year's Procession of the Species is Saturday, April 27!!! I am creating a live sized Giraffe and am seeking between 11 (on optimistic days) and 17 Giraffe Handlers to help move this through the Procession. We would also welcome any other grassing animals (recommending zebras), birds or other species to celebrate this day with us. There will also be some creation/craft opportunities to work on the Giraffe. Please contact Jerry to sign up, schedule or for more information.
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Granny Au Pair Service
Granny Aupair, located in Hamburg / Germany, was founded in 2010 and is the first-of-its-kind worldwide. Our philosophy emphasizes on a cultural exchange. Our Grannies experience a foreign country off the beaten tourist track. Granny Aupair is not an employment agency - our Grannies live with a family and are integrated into the daily life of a foreign culture. Language barriers, different customs and mentalities must be mastered. But this challenge also provides the opportunity to develop and learn something new - for both sides!
Our Grannies have a lot of advantages over young au pairs: They have life experience, they are adults and very reliable. Therefore more and more families are opting for a Granny Aupair as the ideal childcare. Our Grannies play, paint, bake or sing with the children. They provide love and comfort and are there for the children when their parents are too busy.
E.g. Patricia, a mother in Vancouver just said: "The opportunity to have a Granny Aupair has taught us so many things, as we open our home and hearts to that person and there's so much to learn from the experience."
We constantly look for new families abroad who would like to host a Granny for a certain time. Currently we have approx. 100 women in our data base - mainly German Grannies, but also from Austria or Switzerland. We would be very happy if our service is interesting for your own family or families you know. Please feel free to forward this Email. I attached a flyer in German and English language. More information you will find so far on our webpage: www.granny-aupair.com
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Olympia Waldorf School 8126 Normandy Street SE Olympia, Washington 98501 www.olympiawaldorf.org Phone 360-493-0906 |
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Earn $500 in tuition credit!
OWS Families: Did you know you can earn $500 credit on your tuition account for every family you refer to Olympia Waldorf School? Prospective families applying to the school must specify YOUR NAME on the "referred by" line of their enrollment application. After 60 (sixty) days of enrollment, you'll enjoy a $500 credit on your tuition account. It pays to spread the word about our wonderful school!
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