February News (February 11th, 2022)
2023 Re-Enrollment Open February 18th through March 18th
It is time to look ahead to the 2022-23 school year and secure your child’s spot in their class! WSRF experienced tremendous growth this year, welcoming nearly 60 new students. Thank you for being a part of our growing, robust community.
Priority re-enrollment opens next week on, Friday February 18th for all current families. Re-enroll by March 18th for a discounted re-enrollment fee of $175. Re-enrollment by March 18th guarantees your student’s spot in their class next year and allows our teachers to begin planning their classes while we also review new applications.
Don’t wait! Re-enroll between Feb 18th and March 18th and avoid the increased fee of $350 and the uncertainty of available classroom space. Please be on the lookout for an email from TADS on the 18th with Enrollment Instructions.
If you have any questions regarding the re-enrollment process please contact Catherine Woolcott, catherine@waldorfschoolrf.org
If you have questions regarding tuition agreements or Needs Based Financial Aid, please contact Larry Smith, (970) 963-1960 or larry@waldorfschoolrf.org
COVID Update
Please be aware there have been three cases of covid in the 7th grade this week and two cases in 5th grade. All remaining students in each class have tested negative. Symptoms of those out in isolation now have been sniffles and slight congestion. Please be vigilant for symptoms with your students and keep them home and pursue testing if any symptoms develop. If you need tests, the school has plenty, simply ask.
We wish those home in isolation mild symptoms and a quick return to good health. Here’s to brighter and healthier days ahead, stay well all.
Protocol Review
A core component of our COVID protocols is the commitment to flexibility in the face of change --- both in the evolving virus and in the community's response. Throughout, the guiding principle has remained unchanged: keeping WSRF open and in-person.
Thanks to our families and teachers, we have enjoyed a great deal of success. Two years into the pandemic and we have endured just a single closure of two-days in the fourth grade.
As the local metrics change, along with surrounding school districts’ policies, we are committed to reviewing our policies and the potential of making masks optional for students and teachers --- with the full awareness that another surge or more virulent variant could necessitate masking up once more.
The diligence of our families will be crucial in the coming months. It is important that the voices of the entire community are heard. Please take a moment and share your thoughts with info@waldorfschoolrf.org Please include COVID in the subject line.
While we may not be able to respond to every email, we will consider all your feedback as we plot our course for the balance of the 2021-22 school year.
Thank you for your continued support,
Administrative Council
Portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. by the Class of 2022.
Upcoming Events
Virtual WSRF Alumni Panel
Thursday, February 17th, 6:30-7:30pm
When: Thursday February 17th, 6:30-7:30pm MST live & recorded
Where: Zoom live & recorded
What: Join a collection of WSRF alumni, spanning the range of the school’s 30 year history, this group of individuals will explore their experience with Waldorf Education. The goal is to give a window into how this curriculum, community and environment has impacted their journey thus far.
Join us live via zoom or RSVP to receive a link to the recording: https://waldorfschoolrf.com/calendar/wsrf-alumni-panel
Light the Night with Love
February 11-12, 5:30-7:30pm
This coming Valentine’s Day weekend, the Carbondale Creative District and KDNK Community Public Radio and have joined forces to bring back an interactive event that lights up our hearts. Imagine staying warm on a cold winter night while walking along the Rio Grande trail through downtown Carbondale. The trail is lit up with farolito lanterns created by the community. Light installations, performances and gentle surprises emerge from the darkness with luminescent hearts ringing every light due to special 3D love lenses.
Alumni & Student News
The fruits of Waldorf education mature long after our students leave the classroom, and it is always exciting to see our alumni making their way in the world.
Congratulations to Vittoria Gortan (WSRF Class of 2020), Chloe Smith, and the entire Aspen High School Dance Team for taking first in the Class 3A poms state championship! Read more in the Aspen times, here.
Congratulations to Kate Oldham (WSRF Class of 2016) for earning her place on the junior worlds cross-country skiing team! Ms. Oldham will compete in Norway in late February where strong results could pave the way to a national team invitation. Read more in the Aspen Times, here.
School News
Summer Camp at WSRF Coming Soon
We are excited to announce that we will be offering WSRF Summer Camp programming for early childhood and the grades!
Specific summer programming details and registration will be available mid-March! Keep your eye out for program and registration information!
Waldorf Curriculum Spotlight: What (in the world) is Eurythmy?
The term “speech made visible” is often applied to this incredibly unique movement work done within Waldorf Curriculum. Sounds, letters, shapes, forms and patterns are all created and worked with throughout this movement based artistic endeavor.
In the description given by Waldorf Publications, “This dance form is an essential part of the curriculum in Waldorf schools. It has its echo in another topic unique to Waldorf schools, Form Drawing. This kind of drawing builds a spatial awareness in children, and leads them to know the drawing of line as movement come to stillness. In Eurythmy many of these forms would appear on the floor if the feet were made of chalk!”
Our students across the grades, 1st through 8th, all participate in Eurythmy with concepts and complexity building steadily over the grade levels.
A visual window is the best starting point to begin to understand the concept of shapes in motion or patterns at play. Our 3rd and 4th graders recently finished a Eurythmy block with specialty teacher Ms. Elena Baba. The time was spent on our stage, working on pieces that would normally be shared at an all school assembly for our community.
A short video window can be explored here as last year’s 3rd and 4th graders share their work.
Seeking Spring Seamsters!
Ms. Baba is looking for a few parents to lovingly sew some simple spring eurythmy costumes for the middle school for upcoming spring performances. Any interested parents can contact Elena directly at elena@waldorfschoolrf.org
WSRF Replay: Exploring the Middle School Curriculum & Needs Based Financial Aid
Find recordings of two events from last week here including an introduction to our Needs Based Financial Aid program and Exploring the Middle School at WSRF.