2022 Running of the Gnomes: June 4th!

May 2nd, 2022 | Announcements

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Gnome-Run-Logo-Color.png” title_text=”Gnome Run Logo- Color” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]

Join us on June 4th for our annual 5K trail race through Moraine Farm! This is an exclusive opportunity to run on this private property. Registration fee includes a WSMF Running of the Gnomes t-shirt– walkers are also welcome and there will be prizes for the winners of both the adult and children’s divisions.

The race will start and end at Waldorf School at Moraine Farm and is open to children ages 7 and older. You must register by May 19th to get your shirt before the race.

For those not yet old enough, or not inclined, to race, join us for a fantastic Gnome Scavenger hunt! Spot these mischievous little characters hiding in the trees, nestled in the bushes, and peeking from behind stumps. Their pointy hats and long beards will give away their clever hiding places.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://waldorfmoraine.square.site/product/running-of-the-gnomes-june-4-2022/1017?cs=true&cst=custom” button_text=”Register for the Race” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#f68b1f” button_border_color=”#f68b1f”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”https://waldorfmoraine.square.site/product/family-scavenger-hunt-june-4-2022/1018″ button_text=”Register for Scavenger Hunt” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#f68b1f” button_border_color=”#f68b1f”][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Outdoor Life Committee Breathes Life into Our Campus

April 25th, 2022 | Announcements

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”6px|||||”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_6936-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_6936″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_0180-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_0180″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7020-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_7020″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]Most institutions have pedestrian landscaping. We don’t! That’s because our Outdoor Life Committee built on an early landscaping plan to create an original set of gardens with plants that give beauty to us and food and homes to wildlife.

Not only do insects buzz and birds flitter in the gardens, but a hedgehog is fairly certain to live here, rabbits take over after dusk, deer wander through, garter snakes, red tailed hawks, wild turkeys, frogs and lots more wildlife can be glimpsed.

Through spring, summer and fall we pay attention to every plant. We water, weed, prune, treat for invasive insects, and sometimes replace (but always admire) every flowering plant and shrub in front of the school. We aerate and irrigate and pour love on the heavily trampled quad lawns, using a lawn service that applies only organic fertilizer. We try to choose native species of plants, and when purchasing bulbs, look for biodynamic varieties.

As it is now spring, we have raked away leaves and sticks left under the snow, removed the burlap that protected shrubs through the winter, planted the flower barrels, repaired the twine fencing, and assessed which plants need pruning or feeding – or those that didn’t make it.

In the sunny garden beds you’ll find Russian sage, nepeta (catmint), dwarf fothergilla, cotoneaster, St. John’s wort, rose of sharon and many other wonderful plants. In front of the large oval school sign at the entrance there is an especially nice selection of shade loving native plants including mayapple, wild ginger, Solomon’s seal, and bloodroot, donated and planted by former OLC member and alumni parent Kevin Andrews. Feel free to ask for the name of any plant!

Each plant you see has been selected for its particular sun and soil characteristics for optimal growth. We want color (insects do too), so seasonal beauty matters – whether flowers, leaves or needles – since we are a busy school in all months. We strive for the garden to appeal to our delight in nature. Just as important, our flowering plants provide pollen that will nourish insects and birds, and some of the shrubs and small trees have fruit such as crab apples that attract birds. Most of us have seen the swarms of bees, dancing butterflies and hummingbirds on the cone flowers near the entrance, or at the bee balm along the walkway. We try to keep our stone bird baths filled with water through the seasons to keep the birds as well as the little hands entertained.

The OLC works on periodic weekdays after dismissal and occasional Sunday mornings. We are looking for one or two more volunteers who would like to get their hands dirty and learn about caring for a special garden. No prior experience is necessary, just the interest and willingness to work outside. Please contact Laura Freysinger at lfreysinger@waldorfmoraine.org to inquire about joining a work party this spring. You will be welcomed.

Special thanks to OLC members Anita Brewer-Siljeholm for the writing of this article and Laura Freysinger for providing images
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Environmental Speaker Tomorrow

April 25th, 2022 | Announcements

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Niaz-Dorry-flier.png” title_text=”Niaz Dorry flier” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”]

Interested in joining tomorrow’s lecture? The presentation can be accessed via this Zoom link.

We look forward to seeing you then!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Science Fair Fun!

April 25th, 2022 | Announcements

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”]

Shortly before the students went off to enjoy Spring Break adventures the entire school community had the opportunity to come together and share science projects that have been in the works! Topics included botany, chemistry, agriculture, and more– listen to a brief word from event organizers Ms. Yaeger and Ms. Smith, and then check out photos from the exciting day below.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/science-fair-screencap.png” title_text=”science fair screencap” url=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Science-Fair-Intro.mp4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/image2-5.jpeg” title_text=”image2 (5)” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_9063-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_9063″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_9084-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_9084″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_9062_1-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_9062_(1)” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_9087-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_9087″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/image1-8.jpeg” title_text=”image1 (8)” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_9072_1-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_9072_(1)” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_9065-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_9065″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_9078-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_9078″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_9082-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_9082″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_9067-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_9067″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_9070_1-scaled.jpg” title_text=”IMG_9070_(1)” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Giving Day is April 14th

April 11th, 2022 | Announcements

Mark your calendars for April 14th when we will host our first ever Giving Day here at Waldorf School at Moraine Farm! This event not only shows support of the school and its programs, but also highlights the overall unity in our community and the significance of a Waldorf Education. 

The Waldorf philosophy has always emphasized the importance of individual growth, and our faculty has continued to employ this holistic approach in educating all former, current, and future students here at Moraine Farm. Gifts made on Giving Day signal confidence in this philosophy and in the talent and dedication of our wonderful teachers. Gifts made on the 14th will help to maintain our campus, provide professional development for our faculty, award financial aid to those who would prosper with a Waldorf childhood, and help cover operating costs such as teacher salaries. 

Showing you care is easy! Make your gift online, by mail, or in-person. Gifts made online between 11 AM and 12 PM EST on Giving Day will even be entered into our Power Hour drawing for a prize! We look forward to everyone being a part of our very first annual Giving Day at Waldorf School at Moraine Farm.

Finding Solutions to Plastic Pollution

April 11th, 2022 | Announcements

This Earth Month we are working to share information about how we, as a community, can work together to be better stewards of our environment. As part of our efforts, we are highlighting the great work being done on this front by some of our community partners. Below is an article from Miriam Silva Preas, the founder of Essex Soap Refill on single-use plastic pollution and ways that we can work together to combat this issue. 

If you think of a typical day, and how much plastic you use and throw away, you may be surprised to hear that just in the US, it adds up to about 36 million tons of plastic waste each year(1). To put that in perspective, we’re talking about 3.6 million garbage trucks of plastic waste. 

Over the years, our plastic consumption has steadily increased. Around 381 million tons of plastic is produced globally each year, half of which is single-use packaging plastics(2).  That’s about 450 Olympic size pools of plastic produced per day!  

Despite our efforts to collect waste, around eight million tons of plastic finds its way into the oceans annually (3). The truth is that the conveniences of our modern throwaway culture have made single-use plastics one of the largest pollutants of our oceans, our wildlife, and our health. 

While there are many uses for plastic that are not only reasonable but important, like medical and construction uses, the problem is that it’s taken over too many aspects of our life. The culprit is packaging and single-use plastics. You buy it, use it once, and throw it away. But what really happens when you throw it away?

While recycling helps, our plastic consumption rate far exceeds what we are able to recycle. In fact, only 9% of all the plastic produced has been successfully recycled (4).

Our current single-stream recycling practices make it difficult for recycling centers to operate profitably. Food-contaminated and non-recyclable plastics are often mixed in with recyclable materials and it takes very little of this contamination to render an entire shipping container of recyclables un-recyclable, which means that it all ends up in a landfill, an incinerator, or in the ocean. 

Companies that are making a difference

While living in Mexico last year, I stumbled upon a small neighborhood store that sold soap products by bulk. The idea is that you bring in your own container, refill on soap products, and pay by volume. When I came back to the North Shore, I was surprised to see that this was not easily available.  That is when I decided to start Essex Soap Refill.

Essex Soap Refill

Essex Soap Refill is a neighborhood refill service that gives local consumers the opportunity to reduce their plastic consumption by refilling containers they already have with dish soap, hand soap, laundry detergent, cleaners, castile soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body oil and more. Products are non-toxic, biodegradable, earth-friendly, scented with 100% essential oils, and made by companies that are committed to sustainability.

My focus is to keep my costs at a minimum so I can offer the lowest price possible of high-quality, earth-friendly products to eco-conscious consumers. We don’t have a storefront. All orders are placed online at www.essexsoaprefill.com and pick up and drop offs are coordinated through bins that are hosted in frequently visited community-oriented local businesses.

Innovation as a solution

Refill shops, like Essex Soap Refill, are just one small piece of the puzzle to solving our plastic pollution problem. There are many responsible consumer behaviors we can practice, like always having a water bottle and a cup on hand. However, if we really want to see progress, we need to think big, like:

• Holding companies that produce plastics waste responsible for proper disposal and reuse. 
• Improving waste management systems and recycling programs.
• Investing in technologies that can transform plastic into new materials like construction and fuel.
• Engineering biodegradable packaging materials with smart design.

When I see the phrase “We are all in it together,” I can’t help but think in ALL the ways we are in this together.  Entrepreneurs, government officials, engineers, chemists, environmentalists, all have a part to play. There is just one world, one earth, and 7.8 billion people buying more and more plastic everyday.  Together we can continue to find solutions for our plastic pollution.  

By Miriam Silva Preas, Founder of Essex Soap Refill

www.essexsoaprefill.com

Follow Essex Soap Refill 

Facebook.com/essexcountysoaprefill

Instagram @essexsoaprefill 

Sources

1. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling (2018). Plastics: Material-Specific Data. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/plastics-material-specific-data 
2. Science Advances. Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. 19 Jul 2017 • Vol 3, Issue. Retrieved from https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.1700782#
3. Science. Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. 13 Feb 2015 • Vol 347, Issue 6223 • pp. 768-771. Retrieved from https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1260352
4. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Plastic pollution is growing relentlessly as waste management and recycling fall short, says OECD. 22 Feb 2022. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/newsroom/plastic-pollution-is-growing-relentlessly-as-waste-management-and-recycling-fall-short.htm
5. https://www.census.gov/popclock/world

Comings and Goings: Expanding Early Childhood Programs

April 11th, 2022 | Announcements

There is significant interest in our school’s early childhood programs. This is no surprise, as we have an inspiring developmentally healthy curriculum that meets the children and allows them to unfold in a natural wholesome manner. We also have striving dedicated teachers who care deeply for the students.

For all these reasons and more, we are excited to announce that next year we are adding a second kindergarten as well as a second 3-day nursery. We are fortunate to have experienced teachers to carry these programs.

We are pleased to announce that Brian Fizer will be our second kindergarten teacher. Brian started working at our school last summer when he worked at our summer camp. This year he works as an assistant in our large kindergarten. Previously Brian worked for over a decade teaching in both Boston and Salem public schools. He has a Masters in Education and has served as the Chair of the Climate Committee, Visual Thinking Strategy Liaison with the Gardner Museum, and more. He brings a wealth of background and broad experience in education to his new  role at our school.

Anna Scalera will be the lead teacher of our additional three day nursery class. We are happy to welcome her back to our school where she taught prior to starting her own family. She served here as a class teacher, taking a class from fourth grade through eighth grade. Since then she has worked at Cairn Hill Nature Preschool as well as teaching at a Waldorf inspired homeschool program. Anna has her Masters in Education from Antioch University as well as her Waldorf Certificate. She also teaches as an adjunct professor at Antioch’s Waldorf teacher-in-training program. She brings a wealth of Waldorf teaching experience from our school as well as from several other schools and programs.

Dinner For Two Anywhere Raffle

April 11th, 2022 | Announcements

Families should have seen raffle ticket packets coming home with their students in the last few days– this is because we have officially kicked off the Dinner for Two Anywhere in the World Raffle! All community members are invited to participate by buying and selling raffle tickets. You can learn more on our site, or by reaching out to the Development Office.

Where would you go if you won? Read below to find out what the last winner, Brian, did when faced with that exact same quandry…

We had an amazing trip! We arrived in Tokyo and did some sightseeing for a few days while we adjusted to the time change. Among other things, we went to a hedgehog cafe – like a cat cafe but with hedgehogs!

Next we went to Kanazawa, where I attended the International Puzzle Party, a convention for collectors and designers of mechanical puzzles. We were there for a few days, and also had some time to see the sights, including a bizarre art piece where a large, dimly-lit room was being slowly filled with undulating foam.

Next we headed to Takayama, stopping in Shirakawago, a beautiful mountain village, on the way. We stayed in Takayama for two nights at a traditional Japanese inn, Iwatakan. During the day we took a bike tour, and in the evening we had a wonderful dinner at our inn.

After that, we went to Okayama to stay briefly before heading on to our next locations, exploring the art of the islands of Naoshima and Teshima. Naoshima has the Chichu Art Museum with some amazing architecture and exhibits featuring Claude Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria.

Teshima mainly has a single piece of artwork: a massive concrete dome which you can walk inside. The floor is hydrophobic and water randomly seeps through tiny holes in the floor, which beads up and runs down to drain holes.

That brought us to the end of our trip, so we headed back to Tokyo to spend one final night before returning home.

Ways to Reduce Food, Plastic, and Energy Waste In Your Home

April 11th, 2022 | Announcements

This Earth Month we are working to share information about how we, as a community, can work together to be better stewards of our environment. As part of our efforts, we are highlighting the great work being done on this front by some of our community partners. Below, Revolusun shares ways that you can reduce waste in your home.

Waste in America has always been a huge problem. With an economy that focuses heavily on consumerism, it’s inevitable that you’re going to purchase things made of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials. There are also ways people waste energy without even realizing it. If you’re interested in making the switch to a more sustainable lifestyle, these ways to reduce waste could help you along the way.

Reduce Food Waste

108 billion pounds of produce is wasted every year in the United States. That’s 130 billion meals and $408 billion dollars of food that is thrown out each year. In 2020, it was estimated that 1 in 8 Americans were food insecure, meaning they didn’t have the money or the access to buy food for themselves or their families. Not only is food waste bad for the environment, but all the food that is wasted could easily be used to provide meals to hungry people and families. If reducing food waste is a goal that you believe in, there are a couple of easy things you can do to help make an impact.

Use All Of The Food You Buy

If it’s the end of the week and you have some leftover produce in your fridge that has gone unused, consider using your imagination to make a new culinary masterpiece. You could use some leftover vegetables and meats to make a delicious soup or stir fry. If that doesn’t appeal to you, try using apples and cooking them down to make applesauce. Regardless of what leftovers you have, there are endless combinations to make interesting, delicious meals.

If you have extra food, don’t be afraid to “share the wealth” and donate the remaining produce to those in your community, whether it’s stopping by a friend’s house or donating goods to a food pantry. Either way, you’re making a difference in your community.

Store Food Properly To Avoid It Going Bad

One helpful tip to make sure your food doesn’t expire quickly is to buy a more efficient refrigerator. Refrigerator efficiency doubles every 15 years, so purchasing a new refrigerator could help you save money. But, if you’re not in the market to buy a new refrigerator, an alternative you could try is separating your produce that emits ethylene, a chemical that quickens the ripening of produce. Apples, melons, avocados, and tomatoes are just a few fruits that release ethylene. Storing these products in a different location, such as a drawer in your refrigerator, should help preserve the freshness of your other fruits and vegetables. Additionally, when you’re gazing into your refrigerator deciding what to eat for dinner, prioritizing eating perishable foods before non-perishable foods can help reduce your food waste.

If you’re storing food in reusable containers and it’s still going bad quickly, it might be time to switch up your containers. Mason jars with lids are extremely efficient in keeping your fruits and vegetables fresh, as well as any air-tight container (just make sure it’s BPA-free). If you’re considering storing cucumbers, try filling the container with a little bit of water. This helps the cucumbers stay fresh for longer and reduce your overall food waste.

Start a Compost Bin

If you’ve mastered the art of recycling, it might be time to add another step to the process: composting. Composting is a process that turns food and other items into organic matter that can be added to your garden or soil to feed your plants. Before you start throwing all of your food scraps in your compost bin, it’s important to know what can and can’t be composted. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends following the Browns, Greens, and Water rule. Browns include dead leaves, twigs, and branches. Greens include grass trimmings, leafy greens, any fruit or vegetable waste, and coffee grounds. Water includes just water, but having clean water that’s not full of contaminants is important to healthy plant growth. If you’re still unsure if something can be composted, the EPA has a list of what can and can’t be composted for your clarity. Composting is a sustainable way to reduce your waste and your carbon footprint.

Avoid Single-Use Paper and Plastic

Around 50% of plastic is used just once and thrown away. These single-use plastics ultimately end up in landfills and oceans, polluting our planet. The production and incineration of single-use plastic are estimated to emit 2.8 gigatons of carbon dioxide per year. Avoiding single-use paper and plastic is a great way to help the environment. Next time you go to the grocery store, consider buying reusable bags to use every time you go shopping. Or, if you’re an avid coffee drinker, doing something as small as switching to a reusable coffee cup every day could make a huge difference in reducing your personal carbon footprint. You could also buy stainless steel straws to accompany an iced coffee drink, which is a great alternative to plastic straws.

Ditch Disposables in the Kitchen

Some common kitchen disposables are trash bags, sandwich bags, plastic utensils, wax paper, tinfoil, plastic wrap, paper towels, and napkins. All of these items have a very short life and ultimately end up in landfills. By replacing them with biodegradable alternatives or reusable versions of those items, you could easily reduce your overall waste. Consider exchanging plastic wrap for reusable food wraps, or plastic sandwich bags for silicone sandwich bags.

Shop at Reduced-Waste Grocery Stores

Have you ever noticed how easily your recycling bin fills up after a trip to the grocery store? All of the boxes and plastic that food products come packaged in can have a massive impact on the environment. Because plastic isn’t biodegradable, every single plastic item that has ever been made is still on this planet. Buying your food at grocery stores like Whole Foods, where you can use your own reusable containers to store food, can easily help reduce this problem. Farmer’s markets tend to be the best for buying organic food with no packaging as well.

Recycle The Right Way

Recycling the right way can help keep materials that can be repurposed out of landfills, but it’s also important to keep items that don’t belong in recycling bins out of them. Contamination in recycling bins is very common and can disrupt the recycling process, so ensuring your recycling bin is clear of contaminants is a great starting point. If you think you may have contaminated your recycling bin, checking out WM’s Recycling 101 is a great way to ensure you’re recycling correctly.

Switch to Biodegradable Bamboo Toothbrushes

Biodegradable toothbrushes are an amazing alternative to regular, non-electric toothbrushes. If you find yourself wanting to switch up your brushing routine to something a bit more sustainable, try incorporating biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes into your routine. Bamboo toothbrushes are plant-based, which is what makes them biodegradable. Some bamboo toothbrushes even come with biodegradable packaging, which means you’re reducing your waste just by purchasing the brush. If you’re looking for other household items that are made with bamboo, try looking at Brush with Bamboo for other ideas.

Keep reading to learn more! See the full article on Revolusun’s blog. 

Earth Month Kicks Off

April 4th, 2022 | Announcements

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”3px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”16px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]

Being located on Moraine Farm, we are so fortunate to be surrounded by amazing natural resources that are preserved for our benefit. Each day, we are reminded how important the natural world is to our health, happiness, and community, and so we are taking this month to celebrate the Earth and work toward maintaining its beauty for future generations.

Throughout the month of April we will be working with community partners like Project New Entry, Revolusun, and Essex Soap Refill to share tips and tricks on how you can reduce your carbon footprint, and to teach you more about threats to the planet. We’ll also be hosting special events for our community engage with around this important work.

Check out our website to see what we have going on throughout the month! Highlights include:

• Guest speakers
• An environmental celebration
• Citizen science projects that support Massachusetts wildlife
• Games and challenges for the community to engage with all month long!

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Webpage-footer-for-earth-month.png” title_text=”Webpage footer for earth month” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Environmental Speaker Series: April 6th and 26th

April 4th, 2022 | Announcements

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”||11px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”]As we celebrate the Earth during the month of April, we are so excited to offer lectures from special guest speakers on work that is being done locally to fight climate change and preserve our home. This year we will host two speakers, Lindsay Allen and Niaz Dorry. Both presentations will be held virtually and all are encouraged to attend. Details can be found below.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/WSMF-ALum-Lindsay-allen-300×300.png” title_text=”WSMF ALum Lindsay allen” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”253px” custom_padding=”||0px|||”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]

Please join us on April 6th at 7PM for a special presentation by WSMF Alumna Lindsay Allen.

Lindsay Allen is the Farming Operations Director at Higher Ground Farm, which works with institutions to design on-site farms and gardens that provide fresh, organic food as well as educational, team building, and community benefit opportunities. For the past 5 years Lindsay has led the farming and education operations of the 7,000 square foot Rooftop Farm at Boston Medical Center. She and her team work to grow food, combat climate change and other environmental issues, while providing a space of education and respite.

Lindsay will be the first of our guest speakers to be featured as part of our environmental programming throughout the month of April. We are proud to recognize Lindsay as a Waldorf alum and be able to share her impactful work with our community. All are welcome to attend this virtual presentation– Zoom details can be found via the school calendar.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Niaz-Dorry.png” title_text=”Niaz Dorry” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”]Niaz Dorry, Coordinating Director of the North Atlantic Marine Alliance (NAMA) will join us virtually on April 26th to discuss the environmental impact of the fishing industry and the work that NAMA does to promote sustainable fishing practices here on the North Shore.

Niaz (she/her) moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts – the oldest settled fishing port in the U.S. – in 1994 when she decided to work on fisheries issues. She has been a community organizer for over 30 years working on environmental, social, and economic justice issues. The life changing moment came in 1994 when as a Greenpeace campaigner she switched from organizing in communities fighting for environmental justice to organizing fishing communities. From the start she recognized the similarities between family farmers’ fight for a more just and ecologically responsible land-based food system and that of community-based fishermen fighting to fix the broken sea-based food system.

All are welcome to attend this virtual presentation– Zoom details can be found on the school calendar.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

The History of Solar Energy: Then & Now

April 4th, 2022 | Announcements

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”2px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/solar-panel.png” title_text=”solar panel” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]

Our friends at Revolusun helped us to get our solar panels here at school installed so we can decrease our environmental impact! Our journey to get here was exciting, but it was just the latest in an exciting history of solar energy. Ever wondered what THAT journey looked like? Revolusun has the answer…

Widespread use of solar panels has soared in recent decades, but the idea of harnessing the sun’s energy isn’t new at all. In fact, there is an extensive history of solar energy. Plants have been using solar energy since the beginning of time to create nutrients, and humans started taking advantage of the sun’s power centuries ago. Though solar is the most basic form of energy, it’s seen tremendous advancements over the years. Understanding the history of solar technology helps us see how it’s bound to stick around. Click here to learn more on Revolusun’s blog!

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/revolusun-logo-2020-scaled.jpg” title_text=”revolusun logo” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Something Sweet for our Sweetest Friends

April 4th, 2022 | Announcements

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”10px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Syrup-edit-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Syrup edit” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]

Last month our students were hard at work collecting sap from our campus maple trees. Thanks to our friends Valley View Farm, all of our hard work has been rewarded with delicious maple syrup! Syrup from our trees is now on sale through the school store, but supplies are limited*! Grab your bottle today!

*Syrup not available for shipping, orders must be filled for store pick-up

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Are You Playing Bingo?

April 4th, 2022 | Announcements

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]This month we are challenging our community to get outside and enjoy nature! We are so lucky to have some amazing parks here in Massachusetts, and we want you to check them out! Not sure where to go? Why not use our Park Visit Bingo card for inspiration? Download your own copy on our Earth Month page. When you visit parks, be sure to take a photo and share it on social media with us (@waldorfschoolmoraine) using the tag #ParkVisitBingo.     [/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Park-Bingo.png” title_text=”Park Bingo” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Prepare for Take Off!

April 4th, 2022 | Announcements

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_divider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/thumbnail_IMG_7620.jpg” title_text=”thumbnail_IMG_7620″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/thumbnail_IMG_7721.jpg” title_text=”thumbnail_IMG_7721″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/thumbnail_IMG_7651.jpg” title_text=”thumbnail_IMG_7651″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”]

Hopefully we can win it again this year and go back!  Thank you again for helping us coordinate, we made some wonderful memories during this trip!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/thumbnail_IMG_7493.jpg” title_text=”thumbnail_IMG_7493″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://waldorfmoraine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/thumbnail_IMG_7802.jpg” title_text=”thumbnail_IMG_7802″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]