"I give to you a cape of light, to give you courage, strength, and might."
With deep Fall upon us, it was time once again to honor the turn of the seasons with our littlest learners at the Children's Garden Autumn Festival.
The bird sanctuary woods across the way warmly welcomed the children, dressed in their golden capes, with a morning of glorious sunlight, blue skies and crisp autumn air.
The mood of reverence was upheld beautifully by all five classes, who took in the scenes of Mother Earth and Michael (Kindergarten) with captivated, wonder filled eyes.
Taking time to appreciate the bounty of the harvest season together and to acknowledge the strength and courage required as the days grow colder and the dark expands, is one of the many ways Waldorf helps orient the children to the cycle of the year and better understand themselves in relation to the world.
What a wonderful way to learn and grow.
Community Collaboration
Anything Wood and Metal, a local fabrication company, has partnered with Waldorf to construct a new chicken coop for the school. The project, in collaboration with students, will allow three chickens to return to campus after a two-year COVID-induced hiatus.
The Third Grade shelter project is a highlight of their year, "as the third grader continues to move through the nine-year change and the experience of separation from the world, an inner need arises in them to build their own sanctuary. Creating a shelter allows this impulse to find an outer expression".
Students explored materials, chicken care basics, environmental concerns and design ideas prior to Wednesday’s meeting with the team from Anything Wood and Metal, who visited the class during Main Lesson. The trio of woodworkers and designers worked with the class on conceptualizing an original design and will return for the construction phase.
The design plans have been brought back to the Woodshop, located in the Woodberry neighborhood of Baltimore where it will be “pre-fabbed” over the next two weeks. The Anything Wood and Metal team returns to Waldorf on Friday, October 21, 2022 to complete the build together with students during their main lesson block.
Time and materials for this project are being fully donated by Anything Wood and Metal. This is not the first time this particular small business has come through in support of schools: in 2020 their “Desk Up” campaign supplied dozens of custom-built desks to school children in Baltimore.
"The class had a blast talking with the team about design while contemplating different variables — weather fluctuations, protection from predators, how easy the eggs will be to access for the preschool children, for example. All this adds up to a massive amount of hands-on learning–about structure building and of generosity thanks to Anything Wood and Metal’s kindness.” Waldorf’s Third Grade Class Teacher Kathleen McCullough said of the project.
Head, Heart, Hands.
Sweet Surprise
This week saw the start of a new main lesson block in Grade Five, Botany I, and concluded with a surprise morning field trip to the apple orchard to collect fruit for a future class project.
The class was gem-eyed with surprise when class teacher Jenn Valencia shared the news, and later filled with wonder by the bounty of the trees and beauty of the day.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Sharing a meal is one of the most universal expressions of love, and gathering around a table to enjoy a warm midmorning snack in community is an essential part of the day in the Waldorf early childhood program.
This week, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, students in the Willow class were treated to an extra special bread day: making corn tortillas from scratch with class parent Sophia Pung! Sophia shared her heritage with the class, and explained that in Guatemala, where she was born, tortillas feature prominently into the nations cuisine- more so than bread.
No shortcuts were taken! Each student had the chance to mix the corn masa and very warm water, work the dough with their fingers, form round balls, and take a turn to form the tortilla in a press. The class visited the kitchen to watch Sophia griddle the tortillas to their golden aromatic state, and took a turn flexing their muscles preparing guacamole with mortar and pestle.
The snack, ahem, feast, of warm tortillas and fresh guacamole was rounded out with queso fresco, cilantro, refried black beans, and watermelon slices.
This was yet anther beautiful example of the partnership that exists in our school community. We are so grateful for the opportunity to share a range of diverse backgrounds and perspectives with students; and for our youngest learners, food is a marvelous vehicle for culture sharing.
Food Drive Donations
Please join us as we model for child(ren) the power and importance of community giving by helping fill our Harvest Food Drive Box to the brim! Non-perishable donations are being accepted in the lobby now through November 1st.
Save the Date
The Lantern Walk is an early evening event for Children's Garden through Grade Three, with optional participation for Grades 4-8, with caregivers accompanying.
More details will come in the following weeks, but please do save the date! This is one of our school's most beloved traditions.
Cold and Flu Season: We all get the sniffles now and again. If you haven't had the chance to read the school's WSB Illness Guidelines 2022-23, this is the time!
Raffle Items are being collected for a February Auction.
Picture Day is Tuesday, October 25: No money is due on Picture Day. Your child(ren) will be bringing home information on how to view and order your pictures on picture day. This is a one-day event and a make-up day will not be available.
Parent Education Opportunity:Understanding Seven Year Cycles: Truth, Goodness, Beauty Wednesday, October 26, 8:30am - 9:30am. Take a stroll around school and a peek into our programing with Academic Director, Cecilia Liss. Each month we will explore and explain a different topic as it relates to a Waldorf School of Baltimore education. This casual morning walk and talk is open to current and prospective parents alike. Meet in the lobby at 8:30am, no need to RSVP, join us if you can.
To look farther out into the year, please visit our School Calendar on the Website. It is updated frequently as new community and classroom events are added.
Praise, Polish, Ponder
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