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 | | Sunday, March 6, 2011 | Volume MMX-XI, Issue 21 | |
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Come to the PCA Meeting Tomorrow |
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The Parent Community Association invites you to join our next meeting on Monday, March 7, 7-9 p.m. in the Handwork Room (upstairs). Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join this monthly meeting. Contact the PCA by email or at extension 565. |
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Middle School Cake Concert |
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There will be a Middle School Cake Concert coming up soon. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders are encouraged to prepare a piece with their individual music teachers and sign up to play at this event. Check the Orchestra Room door to confirm the date and time as well as for a sign-up sheet. |
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Upcoming Events at Waldorf |
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Monday, March 7
Tuesday, March 8
Board Officer Committee meeting, 5:30 p.m.
Finance Committee meeting, 6:30 p.m.
8th Grade class evening, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 9
Waldorf Park Arlington, 9:30 a.m.
5th Grade class evening, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 11
Waldorf Park, noon
Saturday, March 12
40th Anniversary Gala Benefit
Sunday, March 13
Daylight Savings Begins (clocks forward one hour)
Happy 40th Birthday, Waldorf School!
Monday, March 14
3rd Grade class evening, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 15
Information Session, 8:45-11 a.m.
6th Grade class evening, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 16
Waldorf Park Arlington, 9:30 a.m.
Foundation Studies, 5-9 p.m.
Friday, March 18
Waldorf Park, noon
Monday, March 21
Morning Glories class evening, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 22
Board Meeting, 7 p.m.
Mary Beth's Nursery class evening, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 23
Waldorf Park Arlington, 9:30 a.m.
Foundation Studies make-up class, 5 p.m.
Middle School Performing Arts Evening, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 24
Parent Teacher Conferences
No School
Friday, March 25
Parent Teacher Conferences
No School
Monday, March 28
5th Grade to Hawthorne Valley Farm
Sweet Peas parent evening, 7 p.m.
Long Range Plan/Budget Meeting, 7 p.m.
Buttercups parent evening, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 29
4th Grade class evening, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 30
Foundation Studies, 5 p.m.
Friday, April 1
5th Grade returns from Farm
Waldorf Park, noon
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Events in the Larger Waldorf Community  |
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There are many anthroposophical events in and around the Boston area, and beyond, that support and enliven what we do here at school. Please click "read more" above for frequently updated information and resources from the Anthroposophical Society of Greater Boston, AWSNA, The Pfeiffer Center, and others.
There will be several events taking place here at school that are sponsored by the Anthroposophical Society; click "read more" for details. |
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New Zealand Steiner School |
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You are probably aware that there was recently a devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Waldorf school there reports that all at the school are fine, and the community is working hard to recover from the damage. You thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated; you can read more on their Facebook page, or click "read more" for information about assisting through donations. |
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Community Classifieds |
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Remember to check the Community Classifieds page on the school website every week for information about any items of more general interest, such as music lessons, professional services, real estate, items for sale, workshops or events in locations other than the school. Advertisers are advised that the Community Classifieds are published via the school’s website for the benefit of members and friends of the school community and can be accessed on the worldwide web.
You can easily access the Classifieds on the school's website in the Community section, where you will also find the submission form and guidelines. Please contact Luana Preston with any questions. |
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In this week's edition: |
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 Computers in Education- Basketball Season: Report
- GALA SPOTLIGHT
- New Director Hired
- Messages from the Kitchen
- Biodynamic Veggies in Waldorf Lunches
- Handy Weekly Soups to Go
- Ski Trip--Sign Up Soon
- Family Folk Chorale with Bill Staines
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Computers in Education |
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How, when, and why we use technology in our era has come to the forefront when talking about education. Waldorf schools do not employ computers in the classroom, looking instead toward the natural world for inspiration and education. Within mainstream education, support is growing for the notion that connections between people, or to the tactile experience of the real world, cannot be replaced  with advanced techonology.
Technology can provide enormous assistance in figuring out how to do things, but it turns mute when it comes to determining what we should do. Without any such moral grounding, the dependence on computers encourages a manipulative, “whatever works” attitude toward others. It also reinforces the exploitative relationship to the environment that has plagued Western society since Descartes first expressed his desire to “seize nature by the throat.” Even sophisticated “environmental” simulations, which show how ecosystems respond to changes, reinforce the mistaken idea that the natural world conforms to our abstract representations of it. Such reductionism reinforces the kind of faulty thinking that is destroying the planet: we treat human beings simply as units of productivity to be discarded when inconvenient or useless, and reduce all things, even those living, to mere data. The message of the medium—abstraction, manipulation, control, and power—inevitably influences those who use it.
Our technological age requires a new definition of maturity: coming to terms with the proper limits of one’s own power in relation to nature, society, and one’s own desires. Developing those limits may be the most crucial goal of twenty-first-century education. |
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Basketball Season: Report |
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Our Waldorf boys' and girls' basketball teams finished out their season just before the February vacation. It was an exciting and fun season for both teams. Our eighth grade sports correspondent, Shaheen Bharwani, sums up the boys' season for us:
"We were eager to test our skills against those of our rival schools. We won many of our early games by wide margins which brought smiles to our faces. As the season progressed, the smiles on our faces grew wider. Later in the season our schedule included several strong opponents but we continued to prevail." (click "read more" above for the whole story)
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GALA SPOTLIGHT |
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Our evening of Celebration and Renewal is fast approaching! Although reservations are sold out, we’d be happy to take names on the waiting list in case of cancellations. Email Laura Conti to place your name on the wait list. What’s in store at the Gala?
There will be live music from Gabriel Solomon’s jazz trio. Many old friends will be there, including alumni, former faculty, and past parents, as well as scores of current faces. Overall, the program promises laughter, memories, beauty and joy.
In honor of the 40th, our generous anonymous donor (he/she of the Annual Giving matching challenges) has offered a special appeal fundraising challenge to help us complete the roof repairs on the Adams Building. THE CATALOG is online: check out all the amazing silent & live auction items! "EASEL PARTIES" are OPEN TO EVERYONE. Check out the terrific offerings and sign up in the Café through Friday, March 11. No bidding--these workshops and parties are a fixed price per person. Payment by check required to reserve spaces. WONDERING WHAT TO WEAR? WHAT TO BRING? Click here.
We look forward to seeing many of you on March 12 and celebrating 40 wonderful years, and more to come! The Gala Team |
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New Director Hired |
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The School Director Hiring Committee announced with great pleasure last month the nearly year-long search process has culminated in the hiring of Robert Schiappacasse. Here’s one important detail you  will want to know: Robert’s last name is pronounced “Ship-a-CASS-ee.” Robert and his wife, Heike (pronounced “HI-ka”) will arrive in Lexington from their longtime home of Boulder, Colorado, in May. Interim School Director Joe O’Regan will continue in his interim role through June, and after that, will re-focus his energies in his long-held role as our Finance & Administration Director. Please follow these links for more information: Announcement Letter, Press Release, Hiring Process Description,Job Description. |
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Messages from the Kitchen |
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Biodynamic Veggies in Waldorf Lunches
Did you know that through the winter months, the Waldorf Lunch Program  gets two shares of vegetables from Brookfield Biodynamic Farm in Amherst, MA? Farmer Dan Kaplan is a Waldorf dad, and has built up a fabulous farm which is also an apprentice program and community hub in the Amherst area for sustainability-conscious folks. (check out their wonderful website) We use creative and stealthy ways to get these potatoes, carrots, turnips, cabbages, winter greens, onions, beets, and celery roots into soups and other prepared lunch items.
Handy Weekly Soups to Go
We are starting to sell more of our acclaimed soups in quart containers to go. You can always check on availability by calling the kitchen at ext. 559. The quarts are stored in the Café refrigerator, labeled and ready to go, and cost $6 a quart (usually). To be extra sure (supply is limited), you can call ahead and reserve what you'd like. |
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Ski Trip--Sign Up Soon |
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The Thursday, March 24 ski trip is approaching. Children and parents in grades 5 through 8 are welcome. The cost is $65 for the bus ride and lift ticket. There are also lessons and rentals available for skiing and snowboarding.
The sign up participation for the ski trip has been very low. Many have said they are interested but few have signed up. Please do not wait until the last minute. Sign up by Tuesday, March 8; follow the steps below to sign up online.
Step 1. Click on the following link: Waldorf School Of Lexington Fund Raiser Step 2. Click on the “Register Now” button. NOTE: This will take you to a page where you will need to create a BSSC account. If you already have an account you may use it. Step 3. Click on “Browse More Activities," click on “Day Ski trips," click on “Waldorf School of Lexington Ski Trip” Step 4. You will be prompted to ender the following code: WSLSki11 Step 5. Register for trip. If you have any questions please feel free to email Michael or call 617-789-4070 ext 242. |
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Family Folk Chorale with Bill Staines |
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On Sunday, April 3, the Family Folk Chorale along with about thirty Waldorf students will join Bill Staines in a Sunday afternoon performance at the Regent Theatre in Arlington. Bill is a legendary and originally local singer-songwriter. He went to elementary school here when our building was the Adams School! His tuneful, playful, poignant songs celebrate the common and uncommon moments of our lives. The Folk Chorale will bring you some of his best—All God’s Critters, River, and The Roseville Fair, along with other gems as well.
The Family Folk Chorale’s sixty singers—aged four to eighty-five, plus the band—will bring the songs fully to life with Artistic Director (and Waldorf School chorus teacher) Chris Eastburn's skillful arrangements. Come join and sing along! The concert is at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 3. Tickets are available from FFC members for $11 until Sunday, March 20. They can be purchased online for $12, or by phone at 781-646-4849. |
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