We extend our deepest gratitude for Grandparents Day 2020

This morning we had the opportunity to come together with an extensive collection of grandparents and special friends of our school, joining us from a whole range of geographical locations! While we deeply missed welcoming this extended part of our community on campus, we are thrilled to be able to reach countless families in new ways that provided a special window into our classes, no matter how near or far they are from our campus. Each class had the chance to share something special for the day, please enjoy the collection of community offerings above.

Dear Parents,

No one I know grows up wishing to be a school administrator. Matter of fact, I do not think that any child adds this to their wish list of careers. Yet, as Larry, Anne and I can well say, the job has many perks to it. Besides picking up trash, emptying the lost and found basket and picking up used paper towels in the restroom, we all receive more than our fair share of smiles and hellos each day. Then we can begin to tell stories of true joy and laughter that we are able to experience on the play yard, in the hallway and in the classroom. Unfortunately, though, many hours are spent responding to emails, returning telephone calls, analyzing data, writing policy recommendations, speaking with donors and attending endless hours of meetings each week. Speaking just for myself, I wish that I could say that I am charmed by it all, each moment and every day, but my humanity keeps me earthbound far more than I wish. I read as much as I can to keep myself refreshed and yet what gets me through the toughest moments is inspiration from others and their stories.

Some years back, I read and kept an article about a sports administrator at the University of San Francisco. His name is Frank Allocco and perhaps his most well-known claim to fame was as the starting quarterback at the University of Notre Dame. His career lasted about two games before he suffered an injury and was replaced by a young man from Pennsylvania by the name of Joe Montana, who would go on too much success both at Notre Dame and in the National Football League. Frank graduated from university and succeeded in business as a book seller, before he became a basketball coach at an all-boys high school in Northern California. He remained there for 18 years completing an acclaimed career both as a coach and as a teacher. His success led him to be hired to be a college assistant coach where after one season, the head coach was fired and the saving grace for him, was that the university refused to let him go. Why? Simply said, it was his love for the school and for people that he worked with that made it difficult to let him go.

People remarked over and over again that he was one of the best things that had happened at the university for a long time. In the now very faded clipping, Frank remarked, "There is a simple formula that works. The cornerstone of all great organizations is love. The spirit of what you have is more than basketball. I like to live my life with the ethos of honor over glory. This really speaks to me. I find that I strive to honor the world by seeing each person and making each one feel that they are unique. The little things make the most difference, and they are just the tip of the iceberg."

There are so many days when I wish that I could live into Frank's ethos as deeply as I wish to believe he does. I thank him for the life that he lives hoping that my deeds and words carry the love that he has for life and for his work. I like to think that our school is a really great one. It is hard for us all to see from the same point of view, yet in truth, schools like ours do not thrive on the basis of one person but takes the heart and soul of each of us. Our passions, our love, our desires and our differences all make up the heart of the school.

At this time of thanks, we send you all our deepest gratitude for your children, your care for the school and your appreciation that our greatest strategic goal at this time, is that of keeping the doors open at the school each day. No one would have ever thought of this goal, eight months ago, but much has changed since then. We, the Faculty and Staff, work each day to not take being in the classroom for granted. More than ever, we see the unique golden qualities in your students and in your lives. It takes all of us to keep in person schooling alive and healthy. As this year unfolds, and students come to realize just what it takes to keep going, they will have seen what great love for learning can bring to our lives. How intellectual curiosity affords one a rich life, and how loving what you do and how you do it, makes a difference in people's lives. If we can strive to show this to students every day, perhaps and just perhaps, one student will add "school administrator" to their wish list of things that they might wish to be when they grow up.

Blessings on this Thanksgiving to you all and with much gratitude to you from the Faculty and Staff,

Tim Connolly

Larry Smith

Anne White

Covid update, Travel this Holiday season and a Communique from Garfield County Public Health

It is becoming increasingly clear that the virus is growing exponentially around our community as well as around the world. Thanksgiving serves as such a sweet time for all of us, and such a traditional time to be with family and friends. It is so hard to not wish to be with them all, the way that we have in the past. As you ponder your families plans for this Thanksgiving both in and out of town, please take into consideration that should you plan to be with folks that you are not regularly with, that you take into consideration the need you may have to have your students quarantine from school after the break.

With that, please review below the school policy on quarantining. Please feel free to reach out to your student's teacher or the administrative staff of questions that you may have.

Likewise, please review the letter below and the associated link to the Health Department's Covid page which is being updated daily at 4:00 PM. The County officials are feeling increasingly concerned about our community health.

We are a school community that believes in choice and we encourage you to make the choices for your family that serve your ethos. Likewise, we very much wish to keep the school open for in person learning. The Faculty and Staff are so pleased to have this break ahead and ask you to review our policy for quarantining. We wish you the Happiest of Thanksgivings and thank you for making it possible for getting this far into the school year.

Garfield County Public Health tracing exceeds capacity of their employees

Garfield County Public Health has 155 open cases right now. These are cases that have not received a complete contact investigation. The daily number of cases has now exceeded the highest previous levels seen in July. You are more at risk of contracting the virus now than at any other point in the pandemic.

Case investigators are now beyond their capacity with over 50 cases reported each day. We are now prioritizing case investigations based on age and occupation (if known), and potential outbreaks (if known), schools, and childcare. Once we work through the priority groups, we then contact the remaining cases.

We are relying on everyone to act without waiting for public health intervention:

• If you are sick or test positive = isolate for 10 days beginning with your first day of symptoms.

• If you are exposed to someone who has COVID-like symptoms or tests positive = quarantine at home for 14 days starting with the last day you had contact with the ill person.

Garfield County currently has a rotation of 13 case investigators. However, only 3-4 are dedicated to tracing on any day. Tracers work seven days per week trying to call everyone who tests positive for COVID-19.

It is of critical importance to us that we create a rapport with each affected person. Public Health wants affected individuals first to know that we care about them and are concerned for their health. We also want them to know what isolation means and the actions they need to take. Contact tracers want to ensure that people have access to a personal connection and get their questions answered.

However, cases are exceeding previously seen levels and the health department is beginning to prioritize cases due to the high volume. For more information, please click on this County link:

https://garfieldcounty.net/tag/garfield-county-public-health/

WSRF Quarantine and Travel Policy

Are students and teachers who have recently traveled to “red zone” states or internationally required by the school to quarantine prior to being back in school?

YES! According to the CDC, “Travel out of Colorado increases your chance of getting or spreading Covid-19. Staying at home is the best way to protect yourself and others. You can get Covid-19 during your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread Covid-19 to others. You and your travel companions (including children) may spread Covid-19 to other people including your family, friends and community for 14 days after you were exposed to the virus.” Accordingly, we require that after you return from travel to “red zone states” or an international destination, you must remain at home for 14 days upon return. Please report your travel destinations to Administrative Council and a determination will be made if quarantine is required based on the most current data regarding incident rates.

Administrative Council

Summer Camps at WSRF are in the Works!

We are developing 4-8 weeks of Summer Camp at the Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork summer 2021. The details will be ironed out in the weeks to come and we will make the offerings known by mid-DEC. We know that choices for the summer will arrive much sooner than later and wished to communicate to you that we have a plan in the works. We are exploring the curriculum possibilities from Circus arts, to nature explorations, to handwork wonders; and no matter the subject our teachers will be bringing the fun and passion! More details coming soon.

Annual Fund:

Goal $200,000 & 100% Current Parent Participation

Thank you to all who contribute to the strength and success of our school: Your hard work, vision and dedication make our programs possible.

Our community commits an incredible amount of time, treasure and talent to ensure that WSRF can offer a rich and robust curriculum to every family seeking a Waldorf education. Thank you for being a part of that community and for helping to bring our shared vision to life.

As part of the worldwide Waldorf movement we educate our children toward freedom. And as part of the Roaring Fork Valley, we strive to ensure that our students are safe and loved, and that all are respected for their diverse opinions, backgrounds, ethnicities, and identities. Balancing the local with the global, we aim to inspire each of our students (and our community members!) to embrace the fullness of life, with hope for the future.

The WSRF Annual Fund is about supporting our unique and impactful programming in addition to ensuring an economically diverse student body and attracting and retaining talented faculty.

Our 2020-21 goal is to raise $200,000.

100% Parent Participation is key for grants and foundation support.

Gifts of all sizes make a significant difference.

Cash, Gifts of Stock, and Corporate Matching are all appreciated.

Make your gift today!

**Faculty 86% ~ Board of Trustees 72% ~ Current Family 54%**

The Golden We

A Puppet Play written and performed by Jessica "Ms. Jess" Barnum

As many of you may be aware, Jessica, has been with the school for just over one year. Prior to coming to us in the role of an early childhood teacher, she taught high school for 24 years. I can well tell you that the transition she has made is no easy task. She has made it appear seamless in her approach. We are so lucky that she wanted to be with us. Jess is working with Ms. Sigrid in the pre-school and was so inspired by the students and these days of our lives to write an original puppet play. In her own words, this is the backdrop to the story:

"Love is the art of opening and sharing our hearts. It is a celebration of the diversity of beings that is the Golden We. We are different, but we are the same. I believe much of the spirit of this play also surfaced from my subconscious: we are presently enduring a pandemic as well as a power of politics. The people and earth feel the division and splintering in many ways, and in isolation (protecting our seeds) it’s easy to focus on ourselves and forget to tune into the potency of our collective consciousness - of our oneness - physically, emotionally, culturally, spiritually. Chipmunk empowers unification and universal harmonization --- we are reminded that what’s needed now more than ever is celebration of LOVE, diversity, togetherness, healing, sharing, acceptance, integrity in action, eradication of judgment and toxic mindsets such as “you don’t belong.” We CAN sit together and share. We CAN be aware of, accept and honor our differences within the spheres of our sameness. The planet IS the Golden We. “I see you, you see me” IS the mindset that will propel the momentum of all-inclusive existence.

The Golden W

The forest twinkled with Prince Autumn’s yellows, oranges and reds. Chipmunk knew King Winter was coming soon. So, when Father Sun by day and Sister Moon by night lit the forest, Chipmunk collected seeds, scuttling here and there and everywhere. She was proud of her seeds, and she was protective of her seeds. Some seeds she nibbled (tck tck) and some seeds she hid. Some seeds she tucked deep in her nest inside Grandfather Tree. Chipmunk loved Mother Earth who shared the seeds with her. To show how grateful she was, Chipmunk sang the “Song of Thankfulness.”

Mother Earth, I thank thee

For growing this seed

To feed the Golden We

There was a flurry of other animals in the forest collecting seeds as well. One morning when Father Sun was rising, Rabbit hopped by.

“Grandfather Tree I see, and inside could be some seeds for me.”

“Oh, but Rabbit, your ears are too furry to fit inside this tree, and you would hop away with all of my seeds.”

Rabbit twitched his furry ears and hopped away. Chipmunk quivered her bushy tail. She then sat very still and was grateful.

When Father Sun was high in the sky, Bird flew by.

“Grandfather Tree I see, and inside could be some seeds for me.”

“Oh, but Bird, your wings are too wide to fit inside this tree, and you would fly away with all of my seeds.”

Bird fluttered her wide wings and flew away. Chipmunk quivered her bushy tail. She then sat very still and was grateful.

When Father Sun was setting, Mouse scurried by.

“Grandfather Tree I see, and inside could be some seeds for me.”

“Oh, but Mouse, your tail is too long to fit inside this tree, and you would scurry away with all of my seeds.”

Mouse flicked his long tail and scurried away. Chipmunk quivered her bushy tail. She then sat very still and was grateful.

With night’s arrival, Sister Moon rose into the sky and Chipmunk scuttled from Grandfather Tree to collect some seeds.

Mother Earth, I thank thee

For growing this seed

To feed the Golden We

It was then that Grandmother Wind swept through the moonlit autumn forest, her whisper echoing for all to hear.

Animals of the forest, big and small

The Golden We is one and all

Hungry you are for seeds this night

A feast to eat in Sister Moon’s light

The forest swelled with Grandmother Wind’s whisper. Chipmunk’s heart swelled too, and she knew what to do. More seeds she looked for to place in a circle upon the forest floor. Seeds for Rabbit, seeds for Bird, seeds for Mouse, seeds too for others who might be hungry in the night, and seeds for Chipmunk herself.

Chipmunk waited and watched. And from the forest the animals appeared, one and all, from far and near, those Chipmunk had met, and those not yet. Rabbit twitched his furry ears. Bird fluttered her wide wings. Mouse flicked his long tail. Teensy Mouse wiggled her long whiskers. Chipmunk quivered her bushy tail. Upon Mother Earth, with Grandmother Wind, and beside Grandfather Tree, the Golden We shared a feast of seeds in Sister Moon’s light (tck tck). And together they sang the “Song of Thankfulness.”

Mother Earth, I thank thee

For growing this seed

To feed the Golden We

The crisp chill of night was seeping in. The animals were becoming cold and sleepy, and they were far from their nests. Chipmunk looked at the animals and at Grandfather Tree.

“Grandfather Tree I see, and inside we can all fit to sleep this eve.”

And so inside Grandfather Tree Rabbit hopped, Bird flew, Mouse scurried and Teensy Mouse scurried too. Chipmunk sat very still and was grateful. She then scuttled inside Grandfather Tree and curled up to sleep with the Golden We.

~ written and performed by Ms. Jess

Waldorf Curriculum Spotlight: What is the value of festivals?

This year has looked different when it comes to how our school celebrates festivals. These community gatherings typically stand as beacons throughout the year and become embedded in our collective rhythm. We are fortunate that Michaelmas, the traditional fall festival, took shape on campus this year and Martinmas (or the Lantern Walk) has been celebrated in unique ways in our kindergarten and lower grades in recent weeks.

What role do the festivals play in Waldorf Curriculum? These yearly traditions are invaluable grounding elements that arise year after year. They serve as opportunities for collective reflection, intention and engagement with ideas fundamental to our human connection. For example, the Advent Spiral coming up in December, is a chance to consider what the year has held thus far and the intention, wrapped in light, that we wish to carry into the winter months and year ahead. It takes shape as a physical spiral which each student walks, carrying a candle that is lit in the middle and placed around the edge of the spiral. When the spiral is complete, the candles of the entire class glow together and illuminate a collective engagement in a way that must be experienced to truly grasp its impact. These yearly traditions are often described as “magical” by alumni and settle into the human being as repetitive opportunities to consider themselves and the community around them. Laying a foundation for healthy reflection, engagement and community consideration.

As we head into the Thanksgiving week ahead, we hope that despite this year looking different, families will find ways to ground themselves in the spirit of this time of year and take time to elevate the gratitude that proves to be incredibly powerful when we are faced with adversity. To learn more about our specific festivals, please visit our website.

5th Grade Lift-Up Fundraiser

Dear WSRF Community Members,

As many of you know, at this time of year, 5th Grade usually hosts a canned food drive for Lift Up, an incredible non-profit organization that has been providing food and other essentials to the people of the Roaring Fork Valley since 1982.

5th Grade is now hosting a community wide forklift drive for Lift Up! We are very excited about this opportunity to support Lift Up in their mission to serve our friends and neighbors in the valley. Each grade has their own donation jar for our students to give to from their wallets and piggy banks, if they feel moved to do so. This week, 5th Grade has already donated more than $100! As we watch our change jars grow with small donations, we would like to encourage our parent and friend community to visit our direct and secure donation page with Lift Up and give what you feel you can to support this cause.

Here is the link to the donation page:

https://www.liftup.org/waldorf-forklift-fundraiser

Our community has a long history of coming together to support meaningful and worthwhile endeavors. I appreciate your help in advance for contributing to our drive and helping us give Lift Up the lift they need! Grandparents, if you would like to participate, we welcome you to do so!

With gratitude,

Julie Hall

5th Grade Class Teacher