May 28th News
The Graduating Class of 2021
In just one week’s time, the 8th grade class, under the tutelage of Ms. Mullally, will be graduating from the school. Ms. Mullally has been with the class for two years and it will be her third 8th grade class to graduate in the past decade. Simply said, amazing!! The thirteen students have been at the school for a remarkable number of years, collectively, 114! It is an amazing group of students who have endured these past 16 months of pandemic with continued dedication to their work and enthusiasm for the world. Credit Ms. Mullally a great deal for keeping them focused, accountable and willing to learn right to the very end. They care a great deal about each other and feel proud of their accomplishments. As with many classes, their 8th grade capstone projects were excellent and left them with a great sense of pride. We send them off with enthusiasm and love for the world, with an open door for any moment that they wish to return to campus. We thank you 8th grade and Ms. Mullally for bringing sunshine to us all during a tough time.
With that, please note where the graduates will be attending High School for the 2021-22 school year, as well as the number of years in the school:
Camille Austin – The Dunn School in Los Olivos, California (6 years)
Jacob Baetz – Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) (7 years)
Canyon Cherney – Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) (7 years – 8 in Waldorf Schools)
Henry Hendrix – Basalt High School (11 years)
Oz Hightower – Roaring Fork High School (11 years)
McKenna McAdams – Paonia Experiential Leadership Academy or Roaring Fork HS (11 years)
Matteo Menconi – Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) (9 years)
Aidan Meadows – Roaring Fork High School (11 years)
Monte Musselman – Basalt High School (10 years)
Hunter Noll – Roaring Fork High School (6 years)
Rio Smith – Tara School for the Performing Arts in Boulder, Colorado (8 years)
Nina Villafranco – Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) (11 years)
Josiah Wheeless – Roaring Fork High School (6 years)
Waldorf Curriculum Spotlight: Why do our classes do class plays each year?
A class play is a key component and often a highlight of the year in Waldorf Education, beginning in 1st grade and continuing through 8th grade. Every year, each class spends time learning, rehearsing and building integrate production of plays that align with themes of their curriculum in any given year as well as the rich and creative social process of each class.
For example, a 6th grade might put on a production of Greek Mythology while the 7th grade steps into the roles of explorers like Galileo and Kepler. The teacher chooses a play that supports the psychosocial needs of the students of that class or to act out a story they have heard that touched them deeply.
Often our teachers write their class’s play or adapt a play already written so as to meet individual student’s temperamental challenges or the class's social dynamics. Different than most dramatic experiences, the end performance is not the key goal. Instead the goals are multi-fold and include building interpersonal skills such as cooperation, collaboration, negotiation, and acceptance. The plays nurture interpersonal skills such as self-confidence, courage, and reflecting on one’s own responsibility to the whole; they support academic concepts such as understanding story conventions, understanding themes of the play. Not to mention, the plays nurture artistic abilities such as clear articulation, embodying a character, combining speech, song and movement in one performance.
Class plays serve as one of the many spaces in our curriculum where students learn to stand proudly in their own presence, present to their community and work collectively with their class to create incredible work and tackle lofty goals. This work translates to graduates who move through the world with confidence, clarity and engagement.
Welcome, New Families! Part 2
By this late in any other school year, we'd all have already spent hours together at Mayfaire, Winterfaire, or any of the other festivals that give us cause to celebrate our school community. But this year masking and social distancing has made it difficult to connect with all the friendly faces on campus.
There is solace in knowing that our children all know one another. But for those of us outside the classroom, it can be more of a challenge. Here is introduction to some of our youngest new students. Check your email two weeks from now for an introduction to our older new students.
And whether you are returning to WSRF, are a family with an older sibling, or this is your first time on campus, Welcome! It is our great joy to have you and your student on campus.
Alegra Adams (1st)
Alegra joined the 1st grade class this past fall and lives in Aspen with her parents, Alicia and Daniel. Welcome to the Adams family!
Emilie Bright-Cole (1st) & William Bright-Cole (5th)
William (current 5th grade) and Emilie (current 1st grade) have been
enjoying the Colorado mountains and the RF valley since they were each 3 months old. After spending the first half of 2020 in Tel Aviv, they made a difficult but clear
decision to not return to their home of 18 years (Los Angeles), and come to Colorado. They have been a Waldorf family since their children were infants, attending Westside Waldorf School in Pacific Palisades, as well as a year at the Marin Waldorf School in 2015/2016. Mom, Lilly shared: “I have enjoyed getting to know many of the WSRF families through momentary interactions in the parking lot and at Whole Foods, over socially distanced playdates, as well as through the thriving Carbondale dance community that includes several other mothers in the school. We're so grateful to be here and to be welcomed with such warmth and friendliness by the entire school community. We're truly blessed to have had our children in the hands of the skilled and kind teachers and administration during such a difficult and unprecedented year.” Welcome to the Bright-Cole family!
Mira Bromberg (1st)
Hello! We are Mira (1st), Sarah, and Mike. We moved to Carbondale in March from Revelstoke, British Columbia so we could join this amazing school, to dry out in the sunshine after 8 years of living in a temperate rainforest, and to be closer to family. Sarah will be working with Ms. Katie in the Starflower class this fall and Mike works as a Mountain and Ski Guide. We are grateful to be here with the juniper, pine, sage, and all of the spring wildflowers we discover each day in our yard. Welcome to the Bromberg family!
Will Dorais (6th)
Molly and Scott met in Aspen almost 20 years ago and have been married since 2006. Molly grew up back east and moved to Aspen in 2001. Scott was born in Chicago and moved around quite a bit growing up, but settled in Denver and moved to Aspen in 1998. They have three children, Will (6th grade), Luke (4th grade) & Emily (2nd grade), and live in Basalt. As a family, they love all things outdoors - skiing, biking, hiking, tennis, & exploring. All their kids love playing sports and enjoy soccer, basketball, football, and lacrosse. (They are also big Green Bay Packers fans!). Molly let us know, “We feel so lucky to be a part of WSRF and are grateful for the experience Will is having there!” Welcome to the Dorais family!
Lily Hubbard (7th)
We are the Hubbard family. Our daughter, Lily Hubbard, is in 7th grade. She rejoined her class in November after 3 1/2 years away. Our family moved to Boulder for high school for our older daughter, Brae, who is a WSRF graduate. We relocated back to the valley during the pandemic quarantine when we saw a window to return. We are very happy to be back! Welcome (back) to the Hubbard family!
Matthew Marcus (1st) & Elizabeth Marcus (3rd)
Elizabeth (3rd grade) and Matthew Marcus (1st grade) have had a great 2020-2021 school year at Waldorf! Elizabeth and Matthew are children of the South, having both spent their earliest years in Atlanta, Georgia, before moving to Carbondale in 2014. Elizabeth is a budding actress and has been involved in several theatrical productions with the Sol Theatre Company. For his part, Matthew's greatest interests involve creative building projects, and he can often be found converting everyday household objects into engineering marvels. Elizabeth and Matthew have enjoyed making new friends and appreciate the warm welcome that they have received from the Waldorf community! Welcome to the Marcus family!
Ramsey McEwan (1st), Every McEwan (4th) & Mazy McEwan (6th)
We have three children (Mazy 11, Evey 10, and Ramsey 7) a bearded dragon and one beta fish; no dogs, cats, birds, or horses despite our children’s protests. We have called this valley home for the past 10 years. When we took a tour of Waldorf’s campus and walked through the art, hand working, movement, stage, and music rooms Mazy said “Mom, they built a school just for me!” Attending Waldorf this year, we feel we have once again come home. When school’s not in session we are a mountain biking, skiing, outdoor embracing, river loving, pizza eating family. We enjoy traveling together and filling up our passports. We are grateful Waldorf has embraced our family and look forward to becoming part of its community. Welcome to the McEwan family!
Brianna McNally (5th)
We moved here from Costa Rica in 2020 and are thrilled to be living in the Roaring Fork Valley with all of it's beauty and friendly people. We are a farm-mountain loving family and this year it's been about settling and developing roots. We are grateful to be part of this community, and to see our daughter thrive every day at the WSRF.
Nora Neumann (3rd) & Sadie Neumann (6th)
The Neumann family has three daughters, Sadie (12), Nora (9) and Alice (5) who have joined the 6th grade, 3rd grade and Moonflower kindergarten respectively. The Nuemann’s are a mountain-loving Midwestern Californian hybrid family who is thrilled to have relocated to the Roaring Fork Valley after coming here for many years to ski. The Neumann’s shared: “We feel confident that all of our children will thrive from this thoughtful, developmentally-appropriate and holistic approach to education. We are extremely grateful to be part of this community and to all of those who sustain it.” Welcome to the Neumann family!
Karli O’Donnell-Powell (5th) & Phoebe O’Donnell-Powell (KG)
Phoebe joined Ms. Heidi in the Moonflower Kindergarten and Karli returned to her classmates in the 5th grade after having been with them in Kindergarten. Phoebe and Karli live in Carbondale with their parents Scott and Leah. Welcome (Back) Scott, Leah, Karli and Phoebe!
School News
Lock in on Campus on Thursday, May 27
Today a WSRF parent saw a man with a rifle along the frontage road that WSRF is on as she was driving to the school to pick up her child around noon. She communicated the matter to Larry Smith and he immediately called the police. The school went to our lock in mode until the police let us know that the man with the rifle was a neighbor who had permission from the Fish and Game Department to use rubber bullets to scare away the bears on his property. In his earnest pursuit he ventured on to the road. All school personnel were notified. The lock in lasted about 20 minutes until it was determined exactly what occurred.
As can happen, there were some elaborated versions of the situation shared at lunch recess among the students. If you hear some of these at home, please correct the versions that you might be hearing so that unnecessary alarm is not raised.
With much gratitude,
Administrative Council
WSRF Dress Code for 2021-22
Please note that the faculty has recently adopted a new dress code for next school year. The “new” dress code is based on the changing culture of our times, practicality and an emphasis on stronger working together of parents, teachers and students. We realize these guidelines may not cover all situations, and as such, we request that parents embrace their role as the responsible party for supporting the dress code as you purchase clothing for and with your children. If in doubt about any item, take the "maybe” as a "no" and have your child wear something else. Teachers may need to address attire not listed in the above dress code, and thus have a student change or remove clothing, hats and/or accessories that interfere with what we determine to be sensible and safe learning.
These guidelines will be spoken of in back-to-school meetings, yet we wished to provide you notice so that if there is need for new clothing, you would have this information well before our return to school on August 25. If questions arise, please be in touch with your class teacher.
Grade 1-5
Students need to come to school dressed in:
• Sensible, practical, well-fitting clothes, hats and accessories that allow for active movement and are weather appropriate.
• Clothes and accessories free of:
negative, offensive, illegal or violent words or imagery
explicitly "media-based and sourced" images, characters, graphics and slogans
sports team logos
brand logos larger than the size of a credit card.
• Well-fitted, sturdy, practical, weather-appropriate shoes with backs that allow for active movement and a variety of surfaces including the grass field.
• May wear simple jewelry.
Grades 6-8
We understand and support the free expression of the developing grades 6-8 student and value the underlining education that comes with and through self-expression. When a student's dress hinders their ability to move comfortably, this warrants a teacher/student dialogue.
Students need to come to school dressed in:
• Sensible, practical, clean, well-fitting clothes, hats and accessories that allow for active movement and are weather appropriate.
• Clothes and accessories that reflect a positive self-image and are free of:
negative, offensive, illegal or violent words or imagery
explicitly "media-based and sourced" images, graphics, and slogans.
• Well-fitted, sturdy, practical, weather-appropriate shoes that allow for active movement and a variety of surfaces including the grass field. A change of shoes for recess and movement activities in different classes is acceptable.
• May wear jewelry, temporary or semi-permanent hair dyes, and nail polish. Students in grades 7 and 8 may wear makeup.
Students who are on teams or have participated in activities they are proud of may show their pride with clothing earned from their efforts.
Faculty News
As was previously announced, 2nd grade class teacher, Clay Allen, was nominated for Summit 54’s selection of Teacher of the Year. Last week, it was announced that Clay was recognized by the non-profit as the 2nd place winner in the Carbondale portion of their awards. While teachers do not aim for such notoriety, we all feel so proud for Clay. It is a great testament to his work, love for children and for constantly striving to be at his best.
The Parent Child Program is pleased to announce that Whitney Reyes will formally become the assistant to Holly Richardson during the 21-22 school year. Whitney will also co-teach the program’s Bi-Lingual program which was initiated just months ago with her help and that of our former grades Foreign Language teacher, Alejandra Peña. Whitney lives in New Castle with her partner, Yoel, and their two children, Sunflower student, Juniper, and Peas and Carrots student, Azalea. Whitney has talents in many areas including working professionally as a welder, chef and woodworker. She is currently enrolled in Waldorf Teacher Training, planning to become a trained Waldorf teacher!
The Grades program is pleased to announce that Molly Cherney will join the Faculty next school year serving as the Handwork Assistant to Thea Pratt, as well as teaching woodwork to the 1st – 5th graders, once per week. As you may guess by the name, Molly is Nick Cherney’s sister and Patricia’s sister-in-law and will be relocating from Seattle. Molly is currently in the same Waldorf teacher training as Patricia and new assistant to the Kinderhaus, Sarah Darval. Molly has a rich background as an architect, an adventurer and as a professional woodworker. Her husband, Stacy, will be employed at the Aspen Country Day School where he will teach in the Humanities Department. Molly and Stacy have two children, the eldest is Ursula who will begin her freshman year at CRMS with her cousin, Canyon. Their youngest, Sacha, is currently applying to become a member of next year’s 5th grade class with his cousin, Phoenix. Indeed, we are so pleased to welcome them to the community!
