by Lisa Grupe, Ph.D. AWS Awarenessalabamawaldorf.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server... · ers...
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AWS Awareness Administrator Ad Lib by Lisa Grupe, Ph.D. This time of year in the life of a school is one of many “firsts.” Certainly, we welcome First Graders into the Elementary program; we also welcome new students into many of the other grades. Even returning teachers celebrate a “first.” For many it is their first day in a new grade, and they are bringing a new curriculum different from the one they taught last year. It is the first time many students will have a Russian class, a Spanish class, a Handwork class, a Movement Education class. It is the first time many will hold a wooden flute, a beanbag, a violin. This quality of newness brings a fresh feeling to the beginning of the Alabama Waldorf School year. Personally, it is a favorite time for me. I reflect back on my own Waldorf journey which began a dozen years ago when I started the journey through the grades with my own four-person First Grade class with our “Rose Ceremony” in the Auditorium. This summer I had the opportunity to sit with one of those four students -- now, unbeliev- ably, 17 years old! -- at a college recruiting fair, Colleges That Change Lives. While college may seem a long way off for many of you, some research was shared at this fair that seems relevant to all of you. In a national study, college admissions directors and prospective employers were asked, “What are you looking for in potential students and employees?” Their answers clustered around three things: 1. Critical thinking and problem solving skills 2. Ability to write really well 3. Ability to work together collaboratively Guess what? This is what we do with Waldorf education! The focus on nurtur- ing a child’s capacities for learning, as well as the inherent social nature of the Waldorf curriculum, set our AWS students up for success in these three areas. I visited with several of the college admissions representatives and when they found out I was from the local Waldorf school, their eyes lit up, and each exclaimed how they loved Waldorf students: “They already know how to think... They already know how to write... They work well with others.” It was as if they were all reading from the same script! It was gratifying to know how well our philosophy is received by col- lege admissions folks. As for my former student, I observed her as she visited several tables. She was calm and articulate, easily talking about her current studies, her ambitions, and the fact that she had been a Waldorf student before high school. She was self-assured, and the fact that she knew who she was came across loud and clear. This is my wish for the students as they begin the year: that they unfold into social, confident humans who know that they are here for some special reason and who love learning the things that will enable them to fulfill their dreams.*** September-October 2012 Check out our new blog at AlabamaWaldorf. wordpress.com
Transcript of by Lisa Grupe, Ph.D. AWS Awarenessalabamawaldorf.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server... · ers...
AW
S A
war
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sAdministrator Ad Lib
by Lisa Grupe, Ph.D. Thistimeofyearinthelifeofaschoolisoneofmany“firsts.”Certainly,wewelcomeFirstGradersintotheElementaryprogram;wealsowelcomenewstudentsintomanyoftheothergrades.Evenreturningteacherscelebratea“first.”Formanyitistheirfirstdayinanewgrade,andtheyarebringinganewcurriculumdifferentfromtheonetheytaughtlastyear.ItisthefirsttimemanystudentswillhaveaRussianclass,aSpanishclass,aHandworkclass,aMovementEducationclass.Itisthefirsttimemanywillholdawoodenflute,abeanbag,aviolin.ThisqualityofnewnessbringsafreshfeelingtothebeginningoftheAlabamaWaldorfSchoolyear. Personally,itisafavoritetimeforme.IreflectbackonmyownWaldorfjourneywhichbeganadozenyearsagowhenIstartedthejourneythroughthegradeswithmyownfour-personFirstGradeclasswithour“RoseCeremony”intheAuditorium.ThissummerIhadtheopportunitytositwithoneofthosefourstudents--now,unbeliev-ably,17yearsold!--atacollegerecruitingfair,Colleges That Change Lives.Whilecollegemayseemalongwayoffformanyofyou,someresearchwassharedatthisfairthatseemsrelevanttoallofyou. Inanationalstudy,collegeadmissionsdirectorsandprospectiveemployerswereasked,“What are you looking for in potential students and employees?” Theiranswersclusteredaroundthreethings:
1. Critical thinking and problem solving skills2. Ability to write really well
3. Ability to work together collaboratively Guesswhat?ThisiswhatwedowithWaldorfeducation!Thefocusonnurtur-ingachild’scapacitiesforlearning,aswellastheinherentsocialnatureoftheWaldorfcurriculum,setourAWSstudentsupforsuccessinthesethreeareas. IvisitedwithseveralofthecollegeadmissionsrepresentativesandwhentheyfoundoutIwasfromthelocalWaldorfschool,theireyeslitup,andeachexclaimedhowtheylovedWaldorfstudents:“Theyalreadyknowhowtothink...Theyalreadyknowhowtowrite...Theyworkwellwithothers.”Itwasasiftheywereallreadingfromthesamescript!Itwasgratifyingtoknowhowwellourphilosophyisreceivedbycol-legeadmissionsfolks. Asformyformerstudent,Iobservedherasshevisitedseveraltables.Shewascalmandarticulate,easilytalkingabouther current studies, her ambitions, and the fact that she had been aWaldorfstudentbeforehighschool.Shewasself-assured, and thefactthatsheknewwhoshewascameacrossloudandclear. Thisismywishforthestudentsastheybegintheyear:thattheyunfoldintosocial,confidenthumanswhoknowthattheyarehereforsomespecialreasonandwholovelearningthethingsthatwillenablethemtofulfilltheirdreams.***
September-October 2012
Check out our new blog at
AlabamaWaldorf.wordpress.com
Page2AWS Awareness,Sept/Oct2012
AWS welcomes AWSNA in OctoberIngeborgBoeschwillvisitAWSforitsannualAWSNA
(Association of Waldorf Schools of North America)evaluationOctober22nd-26th.Ms.BoeschisaretiredWaldorf class teacher and foreign language teacherfromEmersonWaldorfSchoolinChapelHill,NC.ThisyearmarksAWS’25thanniversary,andwe’reexcitedtomark the occasion by hostingMs. Boesch as ourrepresentative to AWSNA. We’ve come a long waysinceourone-roompreschoolcirca1987!
Duringherstay,Ms.BoeschwillvisitallclassroomsandmeetwithrepresentativesfromtheBoardofTrust-ees, theCollege ofTeachers, and theAdministrativestaff.ShewillalsomeetwiththeGradesClassTeach-ersandthefullFaculty,and,becausesheisanexpe-rienced foreign language teacher, we made sure toreserve time for her to meet withAWS Russian andSpanishteachers,RitaMeiksonandNatalieMixon.***
Morning GardenAWS’ Award-winning Parent-Toddler Program!
The2012FallMorningGardenisbeingledbyexperiencedNurseryTeacherandMorningGardenveteranSamanthaHall.OnThursdaymornings,sheleadsalargeParent-Toddlergroupincrafts,games,songs,andindoor/outdoorplay.Ifyoucaughtthearomaofcinnamonandapplesonthepreschoolhallway lastweek,yousmelled thehomemadebird feederswhichwerelovinglycraftedbyeachparticipant.Idon’tknowhowmanybirdsgottoeatthoseapplerings,though,becausethetotswereprettyinterestedineatingthemaswell!
The final class for the first session of Morning Garden will be October25th.Ms.SamanthawillbeleadinganAfternoonGardeninNovemberandDecember.ItwillmeetonMondaysfrom1:30-2:30pm.Ifyou’reinterestedinregistering,[email protected].***
*Eurythmy Eurythmist Chloe Davies arrives on October 26th tocompleteher training internship forher courseof studiesat theAmericanEurythmySchool inCalifornia.ShewillworkwithAWSK-7gradestudentsfor threeweeks.Therewill also be classes offered to parents on severalmornings!LookfordetailsinthecomingweeksonourcalendaratAlabam-aWaldorf.org.Hervisitwillculminateinanall-schoolAssemblyintheGymon Friday, November 16th at 2pm, where both she and the students willperform!This is alwaysa very special occasion, somakeplans to attendnow.
*Whatiseurythmy,youask?Answerscanbefoundonournewwordpressblog!CheckitoutatAlabamaWaldorf.wordpress.org.
As luckwould have it, Inge-borgwill be here onGrand-parentsDayandhasagreedto offer a short presentation from 10:45-11am. See p.5for details about the day’sfestivities.
The AWS School Store
Managed by Rachel Baay,
Community Development Liaison
It’s 3 o’clock on Friday and you still have to get a present for your child’s class-mate’s birthday party that starts in 15 min-utes. Don’t panic--stop by our school store! Ms. Ashley, one of our nursery teach-ers, makes beautiful T-shirt skirts as well as bird rattles and note cards. Ms. Gurganus, our Handwork teacher, has a fabulous supply of yarn, crochet hooks, knitting needles, pom pom makers, and more. Tie-dyed AWS t-shirts are just $5 each, and books and art sup-plies will be in the store in a few weeks, so stop by often! If you would like to sell your wares through our store please con-tact Rachel at [email protected]. 10% of your earn-ings come back to AWS = easy on your commission and good for our budget!***
AWS Awareness,Sept/Oct2012Page3
AWS Calendar of Events--October & November 2012Keep up with events and updates online at AlabamaWaldorf.org
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13Marketing Meeting, 11:30-12;30 Auditorium Kindergarten Parent Evening, 5:30-7pm, Childcare provided. Individual Student Photos
Family Association Meeting, 11:30-12:30p Auditorium. Individual Student Photos
Holiday Faire Meeting @ 3:15p. Auditorium Sibling photos/ Individual makeup photos
14 15 16 17 18 19 20Board of Trustees Mtg, 5:30-7p Grades Hallway.
WALDORF WEDNESDAY! Free Classroom Participation Day (p.4)
6th & 7th Grade Parent Evening, 6-7:30p
Holiday Faire Meeting @ 3:15p. Auditorium
Art in Avondale Park! Visit our booth, 10a-3p
21 22 23 24 25 26 27Nursery Parent Evening, "The Developing Sense-Life of the Child," 6-7pm Preschool Hall (p.4) AWSNA Visit from Ingeborg Boesch (p.2)
AWSNA Visit from Ingeborg Boesch (p.2)
Marketing Meeting, 11:30-12:30 Auditorium AWSNA Visit from Ingeborg Boesch (p.2)
Grandparents Day! (p.8) AWSNA Visit from Ingeborg Boesch (p.2)
FALL BREAK! No classes held. Buildings open for conferences.
28 29 30 31Eurythmist arrives! (p.2) Eurythmy classes begin for students. Ends 11/16.
Trunk or Treat! 5:30-8pm, AWS parking lot.
October 2012
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3Grades Assembly, 2:30pm. All invited! (p.4) Holiday Faire Meeting @ 3:15p. Auditorium
Moss Rock Festival, 10am-5pm. Visit our booth!
4 5 6 7 8 9 10Moss Rock Festival, 10am-5pm. Visit our booth!
Divali (Hindu celebration of Lights), Kindergarten classrooms
Election Day -- Bake Sale!
Marketing Meeting, 11:30-12:30 Auditorium
Family Association Meeting, 11:30-12:30p Auditorium (p.4) Secondary Schools Night for 6th-7th grades, 6-8pm Auditorium
Holiday Faire Meeting @ 3:15p. Auditorium
11 12 13 14 15 16 17Veteran's Day Holiday -- NO SCHOOL
Board of Trustees Mtg, 5:30-7pm
Marketing Meeting, 11:30-12:30 Auditorium WALDORF WEDNESDAY! Free Observation Day (p.4)
"Head HeART Hands," Art Price Event at FolkArt Gallery. 7-10pm (p.5)
Student Eurythmy Recital, 2-3pm. Gymnasium. Holiday Faire Meeting @ 3:15p. Auditorium
Playground Work Day. Hosted by Preschool parents. 8am-4pm
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 December 1stSpecial: Family Assoc. Meeting to prepare for Holiday Faire. 5:30, Gym.
HOLIDAY FAIRE!!! 10am to 3pm. Vendors, bake sale, games, crafts, art!!
November 2012
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY -- NO SCHOOL!
Page4AWS Awareness,Sept/Oct2012
Waldorf Wednesdays! Thisschoolyearwewill
behostinganumberof
FreeObservationdays
forprospectivestudents
Kindergartenthrough
Grade7.Called“Wonderful
Wednesdays”byoneen-
thusiastic Grades teacher,
WaldorfWednesdayshave
been instituted as part of
therecruitingeffortsby
theMarketingCommit-
tee.OtherWaldorfschools
usetheseFreeObserva-
tionDaystogetstudents
in the door, because, as
most of you current families
know,afterthey’vehada
tasteofjusthowenjoy-
able the school day can be,
they’rehooked!Parents
can attend an informational
sessionfrom8-9amdur-
ingthechild’sobservation
ontheseWednesdays.
October 17th
November14th
January16th
February20th
April 17th
[email protected],orcall205.592.0541toreserveyourchild’sspaceinthe
classroomtoday!***
Educating and Recruiting. These two actions are what guidemost ofmy decisions in my role as Admis-sionsandMarketingDirectoratAWS:educating current AWS parents sothat they have a concrete grasp ontheprinciplesthatguidetheWaldorfcurriculum; recruiting new familiesthroughmarketingevents,advertise-menst,andwordofmouth.
TworequestsIoftenhearfrompar-ents are more opportunities for Par-ent Education about Waldorf, and, a desiretoknowmoreaboutwhatgoeson in the Kindergarten and Nurseryclassrooms.Aswesettleintothenewschool year the faculty and adminis-tration have responded to these re-quests.Forinstance,you’llnoticeon
the preschool hallwaythat bulletin boards are now dotted with snip-pets of news from thePreschool classrooms. Circle verses, snackblessings, woodwork-ing projects in theKin-dergarten, playground
findings from the Nursery...you canread about the curriculum the stu-dentsenjoyday-inand-outonthesebulletin boards.
And if you attend the FamliyAssocia-tion (F.A.)Meetings this year, you’ll betreated to a special performance by gradesstudents!Thenewmeetingtimeof 11:30-12:30 on the 2nd Thursday ofeachmonth is one we hope better ac-comodatesparents’schedules.Withthemeeting spanning just the lunch hour,and no need for childcare because most childrenare in theirprograms,wehopeyou take advantage of this convenientwaytoparticipateintheschool.Remem-ber,eachmeetingcountsasonehourto-wardyour20hoursyearlycommitment.
Ifyou’velookedatthisschoolyear’scalendar, you’ll notice a numberof Parent Evenings happeningthroughout theyear. Iencourageyouto attend as many as possible -- with ourf a c u l t y s h a r i n gabout 140years of Waldorf Teaching experience(it’s true!!), they have a wealth ofknowledgeandthey’reeagertoshareitwithyou!InOctoberandNovember,the Kindergarten, Nursery, and 6thand 7th grade classeswill each hostaParentEvening.Checkthecalendaronpage3forthesedates!
If you have a specificquestionaboutcurriculumor philosophy, ask yourchild’s teacher, come bythe office, or check outthe “Articles” file in the grades hallway. The roll-
ingcartcontainsinformationonevery-thing from Handwork to Euruthmy to theteachingofvariouscultures.
ToursarestillthebestwaytoseeWaldorf Education “in action,” butif the Tuesday 9-10am timeframeisn’t good for your schedules, tryfor one of our monthly assemblies. The first Friday of themonth fea-tures a 15-minute presentationfrom theGrades classes.The 6thgrade class hosted October’s as-sembly from 2:30-:45. Third grad-ersrecitedapoem,the4thand7thgradespresentedanexcerpt fromtheMichaelmas Play, and the 5thgradesangtheirMichaelmassong.
Don’tmissNovember’sassemblyof-feringon11/2at2:30.Allinvited!***
Admissions & Marketing Corner from Opal South
Above: Viv and Edie give Miss Ashley a smile. On 10/22, Nursery Parents can learn about the Developing Sense-Life of the Child during a special Parent Evening.
AWS Awareness,Sept/Oct2012Page5
Mentoring and PedagogyOneofthebenefitsofhavingmadeit25yearsasaWaldorfSchoolistheexperiencegained.Think
ofhowmuchdevelopmentahumanbeinggoesthroughfrombirthtoage25--somuchchangeandgrowthisexperiencedthatit’shardtobelievethejourneyhappnedtothesameperson!Inmanyways,theAWScommunity(andourformerteenagedselves, theRedmontSchoolcommunity) is likea25yearoldbeing.OneofthewaysthisismosttellingistocountthenumberofWaldorfteachingyearsbetweenthefacultyandstaff,whichisaremarkable140!!
With thiswealthof resources inmind, theCollegeofTeachers, thegoverningbody for theAWSfaculty, has arranged mentoring and pedagogical assistance for teachers this year. Newer teach-ersarebeingmentoredbycertifiedorwell-experiencedteachers,andLisaGrupe,Ph.D.isheadingupthePedagogicalCommitteeunder the largerumbrellaof theCollege.Ms.GrupewillassistteachersinimplementingWaldorfpedagogyintheirclassrooms.AsaWaldorf-certified,experiencedclassteacherforGradesK-8, she iswell-suited to recommend resources, reviewblock rotations,andanswerquestionsteachersmayhave.
FirstGradeteacherCrystalGibbcompletedherfirstsummerofWaldorftraininginAugustandwillbementoredbyexperiencedandcertifiedWal-dorf teacher, Luke Lucas (currently teaching 2ndGrade). FourthGradeteacherLiudmilaSelfalsocompletedherfirstsummerofWaldorftraininginAugustandwillbementoredbyCollegeChairandexperiencedWaldorfparentandNurseryteacherSamanthaHall.
Questionsaboutanyoftheseareas,shouldbedirectedtoCollegeChair,SamanthaHall,[email protected]***
“Head heART and Hands” Celebrates the Arts in Waldorf Education
Forimmediaterelease:On11/15/12attheArtFolkGallery,ArthurPrice’spaintingsexhibitistheinspirationalbackdropforAlabamaWaldorfSchool’sinvitation-onlyfundraiser.
BIRMINGHAM-OnNovember15th,2012attheArtFolkGallery(Young&VannBuilding),AlabamaWaldorfSchoolwillhostaninvitation-onlyfundraiseramongthegallery’scurrentexhibitofartworkbyArthurPrice.Thecocktail-attireeventfeaturesasmall,elegantwalk-aroundauctioninclud-ingapiecebyPrice,excellentwine,finecigars,jewelry,andcraftbeer.Apresentationofstudentartworkandamusicalperformancebymiddleschoolstudentswillinvite
gueststolearnmoreaboutAlabama’sonlyWaldorfschoolandthecurriculumwhicheducatesthe“head,heart,andhands”ofeachstudent.Guestscanenjoylivemusic,ProseccofromPinnacleImports,andsavoryandsweethorsd’oeuvresfromBirmingham’sIndieCandyandElBarriochefNevilleBaay.GuestscanperusetheArthurPriceexhibitionduringthisspecialafter-hourseveningevent,whichrunsfrom7-10pm.Ticketscost$50andareavailableonlythroughinvitationorbycalling205-592-0541oremailingEnrollment@AlabamaWaldorf.org.***
Thanks to Katrina Turnbach (parent of AWS alumni, Zach Hamby) for designing the invitation for this event.
Above: Two of the more juvenileyouthfulmembersofourwell-experi-encedstaff,Mr.Lucasand“Mr.Huck,”in a nature studies lesson duringFaultyWorkshopweekinAugust.h
Page6AWS Awareness,Sept/Oct2012
*“The historical period known as theRenaissance forms the leitmotif for thework of the Waldorf Seventh Grader,
so it is appropriate that study beginswiththebasiclawsof
perspectived r a w i n g ,which werefirst for-mulated in 1413,atthedawnof the
Renaissance. As students slowlymasterthetechnicalitiesofvanish-ingpoints,converginglines,interpolationandextrapolation,theygaintheabilitytocreate the illusion of three-dimensionalspaceonatwo-dimensionalsheetofpa-per. Each student will complete a ‘Per-spective Drawing’ portfolio containing a
progressionofsimpletomorecomplicat-edexercises,allstressingartisticcompo-sitionaswellasmathematicalaccuracy.Among the more technically demandingdrawingswillbethoseofpillars,staircas-es, cityscapes and interiors spaces.Wewill alsoworkwith freehandperspectivedrawingwhichwillbeofgreathelpaswetry to recreatesomeof theworksof theRenaissancemasterswhomwewillstudylaterthisyear.”***
Top left: The title page for Isaac’s Main Lesson Book. Lower left:Joe’s cityscape drawing demonstrat-ing perspective. Left: Ella uses the school as inspiration for her interiors spaces page. Bottom right: Bronwyn’s landscape drawing demonstrat-ing her knowledge and application of perspective.
Perspective Drawing in Grade 7
Classroom Clips. . .
*The text about the Perspective Drawing Block in Grade 7 is taken from the website of Master Waldorf teacher, Eugene Schwartz. For more about the “why” behind what we teach in the Waldorf schools, Schwartz’s web-site is an excellent resource. Visit it at millennialchild.com
AWS Awareness,Sept/Oct2012Page7
“Withthemoney-basedeconomy,welookedspecificallyatthedevelopmentofbusiness-
es,bank-ing,andpaper money. Usinganimaginarycandy fac-tory,welookedattheflowof materi-als and money through
businesses.WehostedAWSparent and ac-countant,Kris-tinCarpenter,whotaughtusthe basics of double-entrybookkeepingusingthegameofMonopoly.Wealsobegantoformulate a business plan for an 8thgradeclasstripfundraiser.Afterbrainstormingandnarrow-ingdowntheoptionswithalittlemarketresearch,thestudentsdecidedtorevampthecoffeeki-oskastheirfundraiser.Theyare
brainstormingwaystomarketthekioskandmeettheneedsoftheir potential customers. The studentshavehadsomewon-derfulmarketingideas,andareintheprocessoffinalizingourbusinessplan.”***
Classroom Clips. . .
“Onthefirstdayofourblock,Itoldthestudentsthe introduction of the story from the Old Testament andthentookthemdownthehalltotheLanguageTeachers’office.Thisroomhasnowindowsandisjustbigenoughforustoallstandstillandquiet
together.ItoldthechildrenthatIwasgoingtoturnoffthelightandthatitwouldbemuchlikethedarknesswehadjustheardinthestory.Thestudentswereallhushedandreverentforamomentinthedark-nessandthenIspokethewords,“Lettherebelight.”Justatthismo-ment,IturnedonthelargeflashlightthatIhadhiddenon the shelf in the room earlier.Iheardacollective“ah!”fromthestudents.IknewIhadtheirattentionandthattheCreationBlock
wasgoingtobeawonder-fulbeginningtoourthird-gradeyear!...Therewasmuchopportunityduringthisblocktoreadaloud,studyvocabularyandpho-neticswithwordssuchascreate, creation, and crea-ture,anddiscussthewon-dersofthenaturalworld.Finally,ontheseventhday,thestudentsfinishedtheirdrawingsandwriting,madetheirMainLessonBookcovers,reviewedeachday,andearnedtherewardofabreakaftersuchhardwork.Afterall,ontheseventh
day,evenGodrested!”***
Economics in 6th Grade, from Ms. Downs’ Block Review
3rd Grade Language Arts, from Ms. Bradley’s Block Review
Above: Emma’s MLB page about the flow of the market economy using a chocolate bar factory as an example. To the right, Lynzey’s page about how money returns to the people when the employees are paid. Top: Ivy’s picture about bartering. Top right; Emma’s illustration of the U.S. dollar bill and the different elements on it.
Left: Donelle’s painting of the third day of Creation. Above: Kylie’s watercolor interpretation of the 6th day of creai-ton. Both are on display in “Gerda’s Gallery,” located on the preschool hall-way. Named for AWS Benefactress and Waldorf graduate Gerda Carmichael, the gallery showcases the best of stu-dent art throughout the school year.
The Judeo-Christian Creation story is brought in Grade 3 as the beginning of a 5,000 year period of history studied by Waldorf students from grade 3 through 8. Norse, Hindi, and Japanese Creation narratives are also brought as part of the history and
culture curriculum in the grades journey.
Page8AWS Awareness,Sept/Oct2012
LastyearwasthefirstyearinmanythatAWShostedaGrand-parentsDay,anditwassuchasuccesswe’reexcitedaboutdoingitagainonThur,Oct.25thfrom9amtoNoon.Theeventwillfea-tureHarvestsongs,foods,games,andcrafts,andgrandparentswillhaveanopportunitytoseetheirgrandchildren’sclassrooms,MainLessonBookworkandartwork.Allclassroomswillhaveaspecialpresentationforgrandparents.AnAppleHarvestthemewillbefeaturedintheNurseryclassroomswherestudentswillenjoyapplecrisp and apple crafts.Kindergar-tenstudentswilldoabeeswaxcrayonrubbingoncloth.FourthGraderswillteamupwithRussianteacherRitaMeiksonforaRussianteapartyandeventeachgrandpar-entstheRussianalphabet!Sixthgraderswillbeattheendofaphysicsblockandwillperformasong,recitesomepo-etry,orshowoffwhatthey’vebeendoingwithacousticsandoptics.WaldorfmasterteacherIngeborgBoeschwillbevisitingthesameweekandhasagreedtospeaktograndparentsat10:45intheAu-ditorium.We’relookingforwardtore-visitingfamiliarfacesoffamilyandmakingnewfriends!
Scheduleofevents:Kindergarten 9-10amNursery 10-11amGrades 11-NoonReceptionareaintheAuditorium,coffee,tea,breakfastfare,from9amtoNoon.***
Giving Thanks for Grandparents!
September 29th is a festi-val day celebrated in Waldorf Schools across the Western Hemisphere. Also called St. Michael’s Day, Michaelmas symbolizes the shift from the bright outward warmth of the summer season to the solemn inward gesture of the long nights of winter inspire.
In past years, classes at Al-abama Waldorf School have celebrated the festival each in their own way to accompany the legend of St. George/St. Michael rescuing a kingdom and its princess from a bullying dragon. This year, the grades students came together for a special assembly. Each class contributed to the celebration, whether by performing in the Michaelmas play, or supply-ing tasty “dragon bread” and apples for the feast. It made for a truly memorable expe-rience, reminding us all that celebrations with community warm even the chilliest of fall days.***
Above: The Kindergarten baked two loaves of “dragon bread” as a special Michaelmas snack. The dragon symbolizes one story of how demons are conquered by beauty, truth and goodenss.
Above: Marley, Izzy, and Lilla (Nursery) en-joying the open space of the Nursery play-ground. Grandpar-ents will try to keep up with them during Harvest Celebration on Oct. 25th!***
Taming the Darkness, Bringing out the LightCelebrating Michaelmas at AWS
Above: Ms. Bradley’s 3rd grade class show-ing off the “dragon bread” they baked for the grades students to enjoy! At right: The final product, before hungry students got a hold of the apples and bread!
Top: Bronwyn (7th grade) explains the intri-cacies of her design for the dragon mask for the Michaelmas play while Ella (Above, 7th grade)presents the dove that was crafted for the production.
AWS Awareness,Sept/Oct2012Page9
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Page10AWS Awareness,Sept/Oct2012
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