January News (January 10th, 2025)

In Today’s community newsletter, please find details for:

  • California Fires note

  • 8th Grade Projects in action with Orson Morris and 12 hours of Sunlight

  • Call for Snowshoes for our 7th grade hut trip

  • NEW After School Programs have kicked off, sign up still available and drop ins

  • Summer Camp Details: when to expect info and when to sign up

  • Upcoming Events including:

    • Brings a Parent to School Month starts next week!

    • Bridge to the Middle School on January 21st

    • Campus Tour: Explore the Grades on January 28th

    • Winter Wellness with Dr. Reber on January 30th

We are deeply saddened to share that two different Waldorf Schools, both the Westside Waldorf School and the Pasadena Waldorf School and their communities have been severely impacted by the recent fires in California. The Westside Waldorf School campus has burned to the ground as has the lower school campus for the Pasadena Waldorf School with their upper campus also suffering severe damage and currently being uninhabitable. Additionally, while all families have been marked as safe, most have suffered severe personal losses including many homes and belonging. The magnitude of this tragedy is hard to comprehend and the process for both of these schools and communities to rebuild will be long and challenging, our hearts are with everyone impacted by the fires, within and beyond the Waldorf community. We at the Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork are currently receiving regular updates from AWSNA (Association of Waldorf Schools North America) regarding how fellow Waldorf communities can specifically support the families and schools impacted. We will continue to pass on information about how to support, including how to directly support families as more information becomes available. For those who feel drawn to help the schools re-build:

Currently, The Pasadena Waldorf School has set up a GoFundMe page where they are accepting donations of any amount to support the rebuilding process. That can be found here.

The Westside Waldorf School has also set up a page for donations to support their rebuilding process. That can be found here. In both cases, the schools have noted no donation is too small to have an impact.

The seasons have changed since we last shared an update on 8th Grade projects but they have been steadily working away in preparation for their March Community Presentations. Coming up this month, catch Orson Morris as he and fellow classmate Phoenix Cherney take on the 12-hours of Sunlight Challenge: A 12-Hour endurance Challenge. In his own words, Orson said “It was in March that I joined a program called athletic development at the Carbondale rec center. In this class I found my mentor, Parker Kennedy. Parker is helping me learn about fitness and train for the 12 hours of Sunlight endurance race. In this race we will be doing laps skinning up and skiing down Sunlight Mountain. I will be competing with my partner Phoenix Cherney and as part of my service component I want to raise money and awareness for Ascendigo. I encourage donating to help people, like my sister Harper, who is on the spectrum.” Donations are currently be accepted to support Orson and Phoenix’s efforts. Each contribution is a one-time donation made in advance or on January 25, 2025, to support Orson and Phoenix's endurance race benefitting Ascendigo. More info and support here.

Snowshoe Call! The 7th Grade will be marching to their hut in deep snow next month, and we are anticipating a need for several pairs of snowshoes. If your family owns a pair and you are willing to loan them to a 7th grader for the month of February, please contact Mr. Wander at luke@waldorfschoolrf.org. Thank you!!!

NEW After School Sessions for 1st through 8th graders have kicked off! While programs have started, drops in are still available as well as sign ups. Check out all the details and sign up here. Keep an eye for more programs coming this spring! Plus, don’t forget that Aftercare is available everyday after school for drop in (separate from these special grades programs!). Our After school program is thoughtfully divided into Early Childhood and Grades students with the grades students led by Ms. Rachel Cohen who brings daily activities, snacks and space designed specifically for Grades students after school!

For all current families, please note: Details for our summer 2025 programs will be announced on our website page on January 31st, 2025. Keep an eye out for all the details for for Early Childhood camps ages 3 to 6 years and exciting Grades Camps! Registration will open February 12th for currently enrolled WSRF families before camps are released to the broader community.

Our 3rd Annual Bring a Parent to School Month at WSRF kicks off next week! January is your chance to step in to your child's classroom and experience our curriculum first-hand. It's a chance to go back to school for the day and experience a special morning with your child. Or, for our 5th grade and up parents, take a step forward and LEVEL UP by visiting the grade above your child. This is the best chance to glimpse ahead! 

For Early Childhood Families: Sign up here to visit for an hour one morning in January!

For Lower Grades (1st-5th Grade): Sign up here to visit one Friday in January!

For Upper Grades (5th -8th): You are invited to LEVEL UP and visit the class above your student, this option is available for 5th, 6th and 7th grade parents. Sign up here!

Liesl Bellack