The Waldorf Buzz: Be Informed
Weekly Newsletter for Students, Parents, and Friends of Waldorf MoraineCelebrating Michaelmas this Year
Traditionally, our school celebrates Michaelmas (pronounced Mickel-mas) with a festival or theatrical play, in addition to community service projects. The intent is to honor St. Michael, the mythical Dragon-slayer astride a white steed, who bears an iron sword flashing like a meteor. Michael’s legend symbolizes the autumnal resurgence of human strength, willpower, and striving to overcome our inner Dragons — laziness, greed, doubt, fear of the future — who may have crept over us unnoticed during summer’s dreamy warmth and forgetfulness.
With its roots in England, Michaelmas is a holiday celebrated on September 29, marking the end (and beginning) of the farmer’s year. The holiday provides an opportunity to undertake tasks to improve and care for its surroundings; in fact, many Waldorf schools around the globe work this into their annual celebration.
While there won’t be a festival this year, the spirit of Michaelmas continues to live on with individual class crafts and community service projects. Here’s a summary of what our classes are preparing:
- Parent & Child: will be dyeing golden capes to honor the festival.
- Daisy Nursery: wet felting and dyeing shooting stars golden yellow.
- Grade 2/3: Going around the lake and picking up litter.
- Grade 7: Ana and Amanda will work on beginning a penpal relationship with senior citizens who feeling extra disconnected due to the virus.
To learn more about Michaelmas and its connection to the international Waldorf community, you can read this insightful post on our blog — Click Here to view.
Parent & Child Virtual Tour
Friday • October 2 • 10–11 AM
As preparations are being made for Session 2 of our Parent & Child program, a Virtual Tour has been organized by Coleen Ryan. It will provide the opportunity for parents to learn more about the program and address any questions they might have. We invite all interested families to RSVP below and to share the link with your local friends that might enjoy such a program.
Click Here to RSVP for the Virtual Tour (via Eventbrite). Thank you!
Fireside S’mores & Cider Event
Friday • October 2 • 7–9 PM
You’re invited to a special gathering for WSMF Adults featuring a Cozy Fire, a Gourmet S’mores Bar & Mulled Spiced Cider!
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets via Eventbrite.
Limited to 20 adults. Tickets are $25 (+ processing fee) each.
Just for us Adults
The WSMF Development Committee has planned a casual evening for us adults to gather outdoors. Together cook our own s’mores over the fire, warm up with some spiced mulled cider all while enjoying one other’s company.
A DIY Gourmet S’mores Bar will be set up under the Quad tent for folks to individually design their s’more. Wooden chopsticks will be provided so you can easily and safely pick up your ingredients. When you’re done, the chopsticks can be tossed into the fire!
This is an adult-only event for friends to reunite and new friendships ignite. Ticket sales will support the WSMF School Fund (thank you)!
What to Bring
- Bring your appetite! Enjoy your dinner at home, but save room for dessert.
- Comfortable outdoor seating.
- A cozy blanket.
- Your face mask.
- Guitars, ukuleles, and drums welcome!
A Development Committee Event
In an effort to support the financial wellbeing of our school, the WSMF Development Committee is working to create events (online and offline) that are fun and engaging while raising funds for the school. We would love to hear your creative ideas and suggestions. Send a note to the committee chair, Dr. Heidi Henrickson-Zohn at drheidiwellness@gmail.com.
Waldorf Family Fun Run
| Thank you to all who purchased apparel. Here’s a quick summary: — 128 Items Sold — Together we raised $1319.96 for the school! |
Virtual 5K Fundraising Event • October 17, 2020
Everyone is welcome to participate in this virtual 5K run/walk fundraising event (matching apparel makes it more fun, but it’s not required). Anyone anywhere can participate!
Participation Instructions
- RSVP via our Facebook event page and invite your close friends and family to participate (including your furry four-legged friends).
- On Saturday, October 17th, get together with your loved ones to run (or walk) 5K outdoors, wherever you want — locally and globally.
- For those that ordered the custom apparel, remember to wear your special attire on the day of the event.
- All participants are encouraged to use the hashtag #smallstepsbigleaps on Facebook and Instagram to post pictures of yourselves. The hashtag will be a great way to stay connected throughout the day and celebrate each other’s progress. Thanks for tagging @waldorfmoraine, too!
- If possible, please share this with your friends and family to help spread the word. The more the merrier.
Thank you so much, and have a blast!
A Development Committee Event
This event is hosted and organized by the Waldorf School at Moraine Farm (WSMF) Development Committee (new members welcome!, email Heidi below). In an effort to support the financial wellbeing of our school, the WSMF Development Committee is working to create events (online and offline) that are fun and engaging while raising funds for the school. We would love to hear your creative ideas and suggestions. Send a note to the committee chair, Dr. Heidi Henrickson-Zohn at drheidiwellness@gmail.com.
Highlights from Family Night Hike
This past Saturday, families gathered for a wonderful nocturnal outdoor experience that touched on all of our senses. Led by Coleen Ryan and Jessalyn Hall, adults and children, alike, discovered all the many ways nature is thriving around us. Bats, glowing rocks, stories, and “deer ears” were some of the highlights from this successful and beloved event.
Much gratitude for Coleen and Jessalyn for organizing such an amazing experience for all. The word on the street is that folks loved it so much they want to do it again throughout the different seasons. More to come, so stay tuned!
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Thank you Anita Haller-O’Neill for such wonderful photos!
Subscribe to Master Calendar
We’ve become more tech-savvy and efficient with organizing the school calendar! An official Google Master Calendar has been created to house all holidays, school closings, and community events. It automatically syncs to our website calendar, too!
The best part is that you can subscribe and connect your personal calendar with our Master calendar. With your phone, use the link below to connect.
Subscribe to the calendar by Clicking Here.
WCA Update
We’re excited to share that the Waldorf Community Association (WCA) now has its own email newsletter. It will go out on the 1st and 15th of each month with in-depth and up-to-date details. You can view the most recent newsletter HERE.
Below are the current projects and events that the WCA is organizing. All community members are invited to participate. Please click through the below links to learn more.
- CPR / First Aid for Parents
Saturday, October 3rd • 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Learn More
- Movie Night in the Quad
Free Event • Friday, October 23 • 7:00 – 9:30 PM Learn More
- Family Freecycle Week
October 19 – 23 • We have organized a Family Freecycle to share the outgrown clothes that are still in very good condition for use by others. Learn More
- Class Parents
Each of our classes has a special job for a parent to fill. If you would like to be a class parent, please get in touch with your class teacher and discuss that possibility. Learn More
- Buddy Program
Are you a new family? Are you a “seasoned” Waldorf family with us? Then you might be interested in participating in our buddy program. Learn How to Participate
- Buy, Sell, Trade Bin
As parents who are often using and outgrowing similar items, we have always enjoyed having a place to advertise items we have to give, to sell, or to acquire. School administration has been kind enough to purchase a large, weatherproof bin for our exchange. It will live in the lower lot near the parked cars and the pathway. Learn More
- Monthly Book Group
This month we are reading Small, Great Things by Jodi Piccoult. We meet via zoom and all are welcome. Our next zoom call meeting is scheduled for October 10th at 8:00 pm. If you would like to join us please email Deann Reyes-Wangh at dreyeswangh@waldorfmoraine.org.
Recording of Last Week’s All Community Meeting
In case you missed our virtual All Community Meeting (ACM) last week, here’s a recording of it for you to watch at your convenience. Much gratitude to all involved with preparations and presentations. We appreciate your heartfelt commitment to the wellbeing of our school and community. Our next ACM is Wednesday, October 15 (via Zoom) at 7:30 PM. Please mark your calendars, thanks!
Homeschool Program
We’re thrilled to be offering our newly revised Homeschool Program (Grades 2-5) that has evolved into a more formalized semester offering in-depth classes in four subjects:
- Strings
- Handwork
- Games & Movement
- Fine Arts
Wanting to include more families into our Waldorf School community, we extended the program this year to offer four different classes while aligning with our regular school schedule. This would allow the Homeschool Program to flow seamlessly into our community’s rhythm.
Though each grade is functioning safely in their individual pods, the homeschoolers and their families will have the opportunity to participate in the festivities that we have in store for the school year. Our hope is that they will feel as though they are a part of the greater Waldorf community.
The new start date is October 6. Families are welcome to pay in full or can pay in two installments. We invite you to share our program with those that could benefit from its offerings.
Fall Semester
October 6 – December 18
Tuesdays & Thursdays
10:30 AM – 2:45 PM
The semester-long program runs weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays with four, 45-minute classes per day (in-person and outdoors). To learn more, please visit WaldorfMoraine.org/Homeschool.
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Family Night Hike
Saturday • September 26 • 6:15–7:30 PM
Join us for an interactive evening hike for parents and children (grades 1–8). Evoke a sense of mystery and adventure as we explore the grounds on this guided evening walk. Led by our very own Coleen Ryan and Jessalyn Hall, you and your children will enjoy a variety of hands-on activities and learning opportunities.
As the sun begins to set, we’ll head into the woods and tune into the changes happening in and around us. What about our sense of sight, touch, and smell? Is it better in the dark? Together we will discover the answers to such questions. This guided walk begins at dusk and will end in the dark.
Please feel free to bring a flashlight, but we ask that you only use it for emergencies or when the hike is completed.
Each child must be accompanied by at least one guardian.
Tickets are $10 (+ processing fee) per participant.
CLICK HERE to buy tickets via Eventbrite.
We look forward to seeing you!
Waldorf Family Fun Run
Virtual 5K Fundraising Event • October 17, 2020
Join us for this virtual 5K run (or walk) fundraising event designed to bring friends and families together in a way that’s safe and fun. It’s a great way to get outside, enjoy the changing foliage all while supporting our school. Anyone anywhere can participate! We’ve even designed coordinating apparel that you can wear together with your friends and family while you run (or walk).
Shop our selection of custom-design apparel at Bonfire.com/store/waldorf. Scroll through to see different styles and options for both adults and children!
Participation Instructions
Step 1 — RSVP via our Facebook event page and invite your close friends and family to participate.
Step 2 — Order your event apparel at Bonfire.com/store/waldorf/. This apparel will only be available for purchase online and will ship directly to your home. Every transaction raises funds for our school, thank you!
| Note: All apparel must be ordered by Friday, September 25. Thank you! |
Step 3 — On Saturday, October 17th, get together with your loved ones to run (or walk) 5K outdoors, wherever you want — locally and globally.
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Wear your special shirts and use the #smallstepsbigleaps on Facebook and Instagram to post pictures of yourselves. The hashtag will be a great way to stay connected throughout the day and celebrate one another’s progress. Be sure to tag @waldorfmoraine too.
If you can, please share this with your friends and family to help spread the word. The more the merrier. Thank you so much, and have a blast!
Enchanted Caravan Shoppe
A reminder and welcome to our school store, the Enchanted Caravan that stocks masks, wet bags, crayons, pencils, and many other Waldorf inspired gifts. Our special store stocks items with a focus on locally sourced, ethically produced, sustainable, and community-minded. You can feel good while you shop!
Typically our store kicks into high gear during the winter gift-giving seasons but we always have something for birthdays and other special days throughout the year. Additionally, we always have a great supply of Tomtens’ honey and beeswax candles.
We will be re-stocking our store with new birthday and gift items in the coming weeks but right now we have those important masks for all ages of kids and wet bags for all of those dirty, wet clothes coming home from school (or the pool, gym, etc.)
Online orders can be picked up at school or mailed to you with a shipping charge. While we are still re-imaging our remote school store, we will be rolling out some fun and new items in the future. If you have any questions or ideas, please email schoolstore@waldorfmoraine.org. Thank you for sharing our little shoppe with your family and friends!
All Community Meeting this Week
Our next All Community Meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday from 7:30–9:00 PM via Zoom. We look forward to the opportunity to connect with you. Below is the secure link to access our private Zoom page. Thank you, in advance, for keeping your microphones muted as you join the meeting.
Click Here to Access Zoom Meeting (9/16/20 @ 7:30 PM)
password: 101937
We look forward to seeing you this Wednesday!
What is Eurythmy?
Eurythmy is an art of movement essential to Waldorf education. Accompanied by live instrumental music or by the human voice in spoken poetry and tales, eurythmy has been called “visible song” and “visible speech”. It was brought into being by Rudolf Steiner as a performing art in 1912, and within a decade had evolved into an educational art and a healing art as well. In eurythmy lessons, each child at a Waldorf school learns to become attentive to the variety of sounds, rhythms, and images in a poem or piece of music. They are led in differentiated arm movements that express the inner feeling and creative force of the vowels and consonants or the tones and intervals. Moving through the room with others in choreographed geometric or asymmetric forms, the participants also focus on conveying the rhythm, phrasing, and dynamics of the piece. Continue…
Homeschool Program & Virtual Tour
Our new Homeschool Program begins on September 22. A handful of openings are available for students in grades 2 – 5. Thank you for helping to get the word out and share the link to our program with your local friends online. To learn more, please visit WaldorfMoraine.org/Homeschool.
Fall Semester
September 22 – December 18
10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Tuesdays & Thursdays
The semester-long program runs weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays with four, 45-minute classes per day. In-person and outdoor courses will include Strings, Fine Arts, Games & Movement, and Handwork. Each course will be facilitated by one of our experienced faculty members.
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