May News (May 6th, 2022)
How the Kinderhaus Willow Homes Came to be
WSRF has an abundance of care, expertise, love, and willow. It is this abundance of willow covering the wetlands that inspired me. At first my thought was to make baskets, but I discovered freshly cut willow is not in the proper state for basket weaving. As I played with the willow I started forming them into rings. The children in Moonflower and the after school program were intrigued with the willow and soon started experimenting for themselves. They made fishing poles, fishing nets, bows, arrows, and small willow chains with rings similar to what I was working on. I accumulated many rings, and inspired by the work of Patrick Dougherty, decided I’d attempt to make a structure with them. The rings turned out to be useful as the beginning foundation and perimeter of the structure. And as soon as that was set and with about a dozen willows as the skeleton I was able to begin weaving the spiral pattern I had imagined.
The children joined in, handing me branches, choosing where they would go, weaving them, and of course playing in and around the forming structure. The fort took a shape of its own choosing as the tension of the weaving torqued the skeleton into its organic form. Started before February break, and with several arm loads of willow, the whole process unfolded over many hours grabbed in between the other joys of our time outside: nature walks, winter gear adjustments, songs, duck duck goose, fairy lotion application, swing and shovel sharing mitigation, sled patrol, and free play observation.
In the early stages of its construction as I was working on the willow fort Mr. Stroh walked by and jokingly said, “Mr. Joshua, you missed your calling.”
The opposite couldn’t be further from the truth. I am exactly where is best, outside, amongst children and those who care for them, and working with my hands. To the amazing community that makes up this special place I am eternally grateful.
Joshua Margolis
for the Kinderhaus
Upcoming Events
May 9th: 7th Grade Marionette Show (8:30am)
May 10th: 4th and 5th grade strings recital (5:00pm)
May 12-13th: 5th Grade Pentathlon
May 16th: Upper Grades Eurythmy performances (during the day)
May 17th: 5th-8th AMF music performance (6:00pm)
May 18th: 2nd grade class play (9:45am and 1:30pm)
May 19th: 1st grade class play (9:00am)
May 20th: 1st grade class play (2:00pm)
May 19-20th: 6th Grade Medieval games
May 21st: Spring Gala - buy tickets now!
Week of May 23rd: Class trip week
May 27th: 4th Grade Play (6:00pm)
May 31st: 4th Grade Play (11:00am)
May 31st: last full day for Early Childhood program
June 1st: Fly Away (9-11:00am)
June 4th: 8th Grade Graduation
Summer is almost upon us. Still looking for Summer programs for your student?
Limited spaces are still available in Summer Programs at WSRF for students ages 6 to 14 years. Sopris Circus Camp, Cooking & Crochet, Wilderness Stewards & more! Find something for every student this summer on our campus. Sign up here.
WSRF Cycling Opportunities: Spring After-School program with Roaring Fork Cycling
RFC will provide coaches, transportation and host rides Wednesday afternoons May 11th,18th,25th and June 1st. This spring only, RFC will provide a van and trailer to transport students to and from school to ride location. Depart school at 2:45, return approximately 5:30pm. Parent volunteer riders welcome and encouraged to join.
Register here: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/316325
$125, open to first 15 registrants
Questions, please contact Eric Dasko at RFC 970-694-6562
Need a Mountain Bike so your student can participate?
Please contact Mr. Smith to learn about borrowing the first of the school’s bikes available for this purpose. If your student has outgrown a bike in good working order, please consider donating it to the school for similar use.
Community Show-and-Go rides
The school will organize weekend rides for all-comers. Parents, students, family and friends – all are welcome. Whoever shows, goes. Ride days, times and location will vary depending on ride leader availability.
First ride: April 14th Town to Crown. Meet Matt Johnson at Sopris Park at 9:00 or @ the Bull Pen parking lot at Prince Creek at 9:30.
Please contact Larry Smith to express interest in this concept
larry@waldorfschooorf.org or 970-963-1690. The plan is to offer this opportunity from now until the end of the fall riding season and to use an app to facilitate communication if there is enough interest.