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 | | Sunday, October 2, 2011 | Volume MMXI-XII, Issue 5 | |
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Absence Reminder |
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If your child is absent, please call the absentee line (extension 556) by 8:45 a.m. and leave a message with your child's name, grade, and reason for the absence. Thank you. |
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Updated Community & Faculty Directories |
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Our contact directories have been updated and are now available online. If you requested a print-out of the directories, you may pick up your copy in the Main Office beginning tomorrow, Monday, October 3, where a copy has been set aside with your name on it. |
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Queen of the Sun Viewing at School |
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The award-winning movie about honey bees Queen of the Sun will be shown on Sunday, October 16 at 3 p.m. here in the Waldorf School of Lexington auditorium. The movie will end by 4:30 p.m. and for those wishing to participate, a there is a discussion that ends at 5 p.m. This was shown at the Museum of Fine Arts in June. For more information and to watch the trailer, please visit the Queen of the Sun website. |
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Waldorf Boutique Appreciates Your Donations |
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Volunteers have been storing your donations as fast as you can bring them in, but we'd love more! That bag of clothes by the door you've deemed too small? Bring it in! Those toys that have been outgrown? De-clutter, get more open space in your home, and the school will benefit! There are drop-off boxes across from the Café and outside the Little Meadow Nursery, and if you can't make it in to the school, contact Taryn Pinstein 617-527-5880. |
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Parent Accreditation Survey |
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We would like to encourage parents to complete the parent accreditation survey, which you can take by clicking here. We would like to have at least 150 respondents by October 15 so that we have comprehensive feedback on the school; currently we are already at 66% with 99 respondents. The survey is short and anonymous. We appreciate your help with the accreditation work. |
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Upcoming Events at Waldorf |
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PCA Meeting, 7 p.m.
7th Grade class evening, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 4
4th Grade class evening, 7 p.m.
8th Grade class evening, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 5
Development Committee Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
Sunflower Kindergarten class evening, 7 p.m.
6th Grade class evening, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 6
Blue Sky Kindergarten class evening, 7 p.m.
Friday, October 7
First Night of Yom Kippur
Waldorf Park, 1-2:30 p.m.
Monday, October 10
No School
Columbus Day
Tuesday, October 11
7th and 8th Grades to Hulbert Outdoor Center
Board Officer Committee meeting, 6 p.m.
Finance Committee meeting, 7 p.m.
1st Grade class evening, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 12
Foundation Studies, 5 p.m.
Friday, October 14
7th and 8th Grades return
PCA Dad's Group, 6:30 p.m.
Fireside Chat, 7 p.m.
Monday, October 17
2nd Grade class evening, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 18
Info Session for Current Nursery & Kindergarten Parents, 8:45 a.m.
Fairybell Nursery class evening, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 19
Evergreen Kindergarten class evening, 6:30 p.m.
Transitional Nursery class evening, 7 p.m.
Little Meadow Nursery class evening, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 20
8th Grade class evening, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 21
Fireside Chat, 7-9 p.m. |
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Steiner Study Group |
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The Lexington Friday Morning Steiner Study Group is open to those who'd like to become new members. We meet at 8:30 a.m. in the Chorus Room next to the Cafe most Fridays. We read aloud Steiner's books and lecture cycles, and share our thoughts together. We're going to start with the book The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity. If you happen to have a copy, bring it, but we will also have copies of text to share. For information, call Irene Goncharov at 781 229-6382, or see Geneva in the kitchen. |
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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. |
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Community Classifieds |
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Remember to check the Community Classifieds page on the school's 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.
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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You can also "like" us on Facebook!
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In this week's edition: |
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From the  Seventh Grade: Chemistry - Eurythmy Update
- Waldorf School Open House
- Volunteer for Halloween Walk
- Don't Miss the Fireside Chats!
- Drop-in Craft Sessions
- News from Homespun
- Waldorf High School Open House and Info Sessions
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From the Seventh Grade: Chemistry |
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In our recent study of Inorganic Chemistry, the seventh graders learned about the chemical processes of combustion, crystallization, the polarities of acids and bases, the lime cycle, the importance of water, as well as the properties of salts and the seven archetypal metals. We worked with the school's brand new science cart, new safety equipment, and an expanded selection of chemicals and tools, all thanks to a generous science grant (thank you to the donors) and we had an exciting four weeks of phenomenological science.
Dramatic demonstrations elicited wonder and awe, while the lessons emphasized a safe and serious approach to a laboratory science. Since the foundation of good scientific thought is a correct observation, the students practiced their observational skills and wrote laboratory observations to which we as a group found the conclusions. We observed the different colors of flames, grew crystals, made a number of carbons "roar," burned limestone, slaked it and mixed cement, generated elemental silver and coated copper pennies with brass. The students were able to do one lab themselves in class and were encouraged to make "home lab" observations.
We invite all of you to try the following home experiments:
Experiment 1: Place a raw egg in a small water glass and cover it with white vinegar. Watch the egg for a number of days. What do you find?
Experiment 2: Place a penny in a small glass filled with Coke and observe it for a week. What do you find?
The seventh grade would love to hear from you about your results!
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Eurythmy Update |
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Our Eurythmy teacher, Liaat Zehavi, has been out on medical leave after having surgery in early September. Ms. Zehavi misses the students, and looks forward to returning to school soon. She is doing well and expects to return to teaching on October 11. We wish her well, and look forward to her return. In Ms. Zehavi’s absence, class, subject, and substitute teachers have been using the Eurythmy blocks to do a variety of movement work, including organized games and free play. |
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Waldorf School Open House |
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Your friends and referrals are often our best source of new students at the school and help to build our strong community. Please help us spread the word about our Open House on October 23 by inviting friends, neighbors, or family members who may be looking for a school for their children. Are you a member of a parenting listserv in your town? If so, please let Holly Kania know. We are trying to compile a good list of parenting networks our parents are willing to notify about upcoming events at the school. Click "read more" above for a PDF of the Open House flyer to print or email.
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Volunteer for Halloween Walk |
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The annual Halloween Walk is quickly approaching. On Monday, October 31, the early childhood students will take a special walk through the Great Meadows adjacent to the school. The classes will be led through the woods by their teachers and a musical guide. On their way, they will observe several characters at  work—including Mother Earth, a farm family, and a stone mason. This can be a truly magical experience for our children. To make this possible, we need parent volunteers to become characters, bake treats, provide props, and help set up prior to and on the morning of the walk. OnWednesday, October 5, sign-up sheets will be posted in both the Nursery building lobby and in the Adams building, in the hallway near the kindergarten classrooms. Volunteer opportunities are open to all. In order to preserve the magic of the day, please do not discuss your participation or particulars of this event in the presence of the children (it is a secret). Questions can be directed to this year’s Halloween Walk Coordinators, Allison Moody and Lori Wright. |
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Don't Miss the Fireside Chats! |
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Fireside Chats take place only every four to five years-- don't miss this opportunity to provide feedback to the school and meet parents from various classes. The remaining dates are:
October 14
October 21
November 5
November 11
Please email Joe O'Regan to book your spot. For details about the Fireside Chats and topics that will be covered, please click "read more" above. |
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Drop-in Craft Sessions |
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As fall colors embrace us with their golden red hues, preparations for the forthcoming Holiday Fair are well underway. Our Drop-in Craft Sessions have begun and this is an o  pportunity for parents within our community to connect with each other while learning to make something for the Angel Room or Pocket Peddler at the Holiday Fair and/or a handmade gift for someone special. All materials are provided and it is fun to learn a new craft or refresh your skills; you can even bring home a handmade treasure for your child that day. Next week we will meet on Tuesday after morning drop-off (around 8:30 a.m.) until 10 a.m. and on Wednesday at 8:30-11 am. We are making knitted animals and balls as well as felt crowns. If you do not know how to knit we will be happy to teach you. This will be an easy project even for someone who has never knitted before. Hope to see you soon! Debbie and Yoshiko Holiday Fair "Angel Room" Coordinators |
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News from Homespun |
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 New things are arriving every day, like the beautiful wooden dragons just in time for Michaelmas. Lovely beeswax candles are sure to warm your dinner table. We're stocked to the gills with Dr. Hauschka, Weleda, and Bach. Children's doll backpack carriers have returned as have lovely silk bunting babies that are a perfect first doll gift. We have hundreds of new books on the shelves just waiting to go home with you. Lavender bath salts are a just what is needed to have a good night's sleep.
Parent Lending Library
The beautiful lending library is open to parents and the community for a yearly membership fee. Books may be checked out for a three week period of time. The Lending Library is open during Homespun's hours. Feel free to come by to explore the vast library. Book donations are welcome. |
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Waldorf High School Open House and Info Sessions |
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 Waldorf High School of Massachusetts Bay will be holding an Open House on Sunday, October 16, from 1-3 p.m. Come for a chance to tour the school with a student and parent guide, meet and speak with new and returning faculty members, and attend a question and answer session with students and teachers. Waldorf High School will also be holding Information Sessions on Tuesday, November 1 & Monday, November 21, 10:15 a.m.-Noon. You will be able to visit classes in session, meet students and faculty, attend a Q&A with Mara White, Administrative Director, and Chuck Claus, math, science and music teacher. Registration is not required for the Open House. Kindly call 617-489-6600 to let us know if you are planning to attend an information session.
Denise Aronson, a parent of a 2011 Waldorf High School graduate and a current sophomore, sat down recently and wrote an open letter to prospective parents who are wrestling with the question of choosing a high school just like she did five years ago. We share that letter with you--please click "read more" above. |
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