November News (November 8th, 2024)

In this community update please find details for the following items:

Join us Thursday November 14th, 7-9pm at WSRF. For many Waldorf fathers it is less apparent what their role is in the WSRF community. Join us for a conversation about the many opportunities there are for a dad to be involved in their child's education and how to be involved at the school.  We will also discuss the article A Father's Impact on Child Development linked below. This meeting is for new dads, experienced dads, hall of fame dads and still figuring it out dads. https://www.allforkids.org/news/blog/a-fathers-impact-on-child-development/

Oren Barnes - Film Making

My 8th grade project is about film making. I hope to release a short film that I have written, filmed, and produced myself. With guidance and advice from my mentor, I am learning to experiment with lighting, writing scripts, working with actors, and all the technical skills needed to work with filming tools. Along the way, I am discovering my own style of film that I can use and further develop into the future.

Stay tuned for potential 'see me in action' locations/dates, possibly some small audience viewings to see film snippets or completed scenes, and maybe even some spontaneous announcements to fulfill the need for 'extras' on the set.

Phoenix Cherney - Primitive Survival in Hawaii

For my eighth-grade project, I am doing Primitive Survival in Hawaii. I will be surviving with no food and only a bow for three days on the Na Pali Coast in early November. 

For my service component, I will be making and selling authentic Hawaiian bracelets and donating funds to Kumano I Ke Ala, a local foundation with a vision to elevate indigenous knowledge to revitalize traditional food systems to save the world. Anyone interested in learning more about this organization or interested in offering them direct donations can go to their website here.

Emmily DeClute - Wildlife Rehabilitation

My name is Emmily DeClute. For my 8th grade project, I chose to focus on wildlife rehabilitation. I began working with the Pauline S. Schengass Wildlife Foundation (PSSWF) in Silt, CO over the summer. My mentor, Erin Romero, has worked at PSSWF for almost 14 years and has been an incredible guide to introduce me to the animals, the issues, and what I can do to help. PSSWF strives to educate people and protect the wildlife around us. I was able to join Erin for an educational event at the Aspen Farmer's Market in September. Each time that I visit PSSWF and spend time with the animals there, I am more inspired to spread the word about how to help protect our local wildlife. While I do not have any educational events currently planned, I am considering venues and methods to help educate people and spread awareness about this topic. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to learn more about the topic and this local organization by going to their website here. As a nonprofit, any and all donations are greatly appreciated.

Maddox Dorffi - Snow Leopard Protection

My 8th grade project is about snow leopard protection and the work an organization that is dedicated to this work, the Snow Leopard Trust. This organization is the oldest and largest non-profit with dedicated attention to protecting the snow leopard. My goal is to raise financial support and public awareness to support their work and further protect this unique and amazing animal.

You may have seen me walking down Main Street for the September First Friday event telling people about snow leopards and encouraging folks to donate to the trust. Since then, I have learned more about the trust's work and what factors endanger the snow leopard's survival. I am currently considering venues and methods to help educate people and spread awareness about this topic and will spread the word when I have any event information or flyers to share.

Emberlyn Fulton - Audiobook Narration

I chose audiobook narration for my 8th grade project because I always love listening to audiobooks as I do my chores or other activities. I met my mentor, Talon David, through my aunt and have really enjoyed getting to know her. For my service component, I'm hoping to connect with the Colorado School for the Blind to narrate a children's book for their students. In addition, I am hoping to record some audio-narration for a local children's book author. If possible, I would like to see these recordings become available in our local libraries. I have really enjoyed this journey and I hope you can come to my presentation in March.

Zaven Griffin - The Art of Glassblowing

For my eighth-grade project, I'm learning and practicing the art of glass blowing. I have always thought that the art of making bowls, cups, and sculptures was really cool, even as a kid. My hope is to follow in the footsteps of my mentor, Martin Gordan, and develop the skills to make a glass fish. Although I do not have access to the equipment and mentor guidance to demonstrate this work to the WSRF student body, I am exploring the possibility of bringing finished and partially finished pieces to show others during a Friday assembly or other school gathering. 

Lautaro Madewell - The Art of Cello Performance

I love to play the cello and for my 8th grade project, I am hoping not only to improve my own skills, but to inspire others to see how it is an interesting instrument and encourage them to learn to play it too. On Saturday, November 9th, starting at 4:30 pm, I will be participating in Mr. Arundale's private recital, held here in the main hall of WSRF. Between December and January, I plan to set up at least three different solo concerts (the exact details of dates and times are forthcoming). These events will be open to the public and are likely to be free. My hope is to offer musical enjoyment to many pockets within our community and to offer this as an uplifting service for others.

Magnolia Marchand - Mustang Protection

The history, care, and protection of mustang horses is the focus of my eighth-grade project. Horses were originally brought to the Americas by the Spanish in the 16th century and those that escaped their owners were called 'mestengo' or 'wild.' The wild horses or mustangs grew in number to create wild herds that roamed free across the west. As settlers spread west, the mustangs' land and water sources shrunk more and more. The Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, now gathers up to 1,200 wild horses a year to try to manage numbers for the available public land. There are currently more horses in holding pens than there are in the wild. There are not enough holding pens to provide these horses with healthy lives, and they need homes. I participated in a program called 'Mustang Makeover' over the summer to train a young mustang for adoption. My mustang, Kanga, was adopted locally. I'm fortunate that I am able to see him regularly and will continue to work with him in the coming years. If you are interested to learn more about the mustang adoption program and how you can help protect them, please visit this website: https://www.mustangheritagefoundation.org/

Elsie Mile - Pottery and the Art of Working with Clay

For my 8th grade project, I decided to explore the art and skill involved in creating clay pottery. I have been regularly meeting with my mentor, Matt Johnson, at the Carbondale Clay Center to learn techniques, practice skills, and explore artistic styles. For the service component of my project, I plan to make many bowls and then sell them in a series of 'soup in a bowl' fundraising booths or events. I will use the money gained from these events to offer a donation to a charity. (I am still trying to determine which charity I will give the donations to.) As my bowl supplies build, I will send announcements through our school newsletter to let people know how and where they can buy a bowl.

Evey McEwan - Special Effects Makeup

The topic of my eighth-grade project is Special Effects Makeup (otherwise known as SFX makeup), which is the art of using prosthetics, makeup, or other materials to create illusions that appear to be real. This helps people play their role and bring their characters to life. SFX makeup can be used in a broad range of applications from movies, social media, or just for a Halloween costume. For my service project, I helped to create 'injuries' on live actors for EMS First Aid Certificate Training for lifeguards at the Glenwood Rec Center. In addition, I recently assisted my mentor to create zombie makeup looks for a local Thriller flash mob event at the Hotel Colorado and provided makeup services for the Spooktacular event at the Glenwood Rec Center. I will do my best to spread the word for any future events that WSRF may see me in action or see the work I have done. If you came to the WSRF Halloween event put on by the 8th grade for students of grades 1-7 on October 30th, you might have caught a small glimpse of my work on my classmates' faces!

Emory Morris - Dog Training, with a focus on therapy dog training

My name is Emory and for my 8th grade project I chose dog training. I have always loved training dogs and I have been doing it on and off since I was six years old. I have an older autistic sister who has a fully trained service dog that goes everywhere with us. Our other dog is in the training process and unfortunately has had some setbacks because of fear. Thankfully, we have found that moving slower and taking smaller steps has helped him progress faster. For my service component, I am planning to visit our local animal shelters to see if I can work with some of their dogs and increase their chances to find a forever home. In addition, I am interested in enrolling one of my family's dogs to participate in a program called Paws to Read. This program is frequently held in public libraries where beginning readers find comfort and confidence to read with the companionship of a dog.

Orson Morris - Personal Fitness Training

My name is Orson and for my eighth-grade project I chose personal fitness. I have always had a drive to be somewhat physically active, so when I joined an after-school program called 'Athletic Development' last year, I felt compelled to ask the coach, Parker Kennedy, to be my mentor. For the last few months, under the guidance and coaching of my mentor, I have been progressively training for a winter event (either the Power of Two or the 12 Hours of Sunlight) that will challenge me both physically and mentally. 

As a service component, I will be partnering with Ascendigo. My goal is to raise $10 for every foot I climb. The reason I partnered with Ascendigo is because I have an older sister who receives support from this organization. With both autism and Prader Willi syndrome, my sister has limited independence. Through the support of Ascendigo's amazing staff, our family has more freedom to do certain things like mountain bike and ski. If you are interested in adding to my donation goal or would like to support Ascendigo in any other fashion, please contact me directly or visit their website here.

Zoe Nelson - Interior Design

"A good home must be made, not bought." I am learning just how true this common saying is through my work with my 8th grade project about interior design. For as long as I can remember, I was sure my project topic would be fashion, but I chose to explore interior design instead. I chose this topic because it incorporates creativity and style while introducing me to something new and different. I'm learning to look at spaces differently now and it's interesting to imagine how a space can be altered and designed. I have played with many possible service options for my project but have not settled on a solid plan to publicly announce at this point. However, I will follow-up with updates for our school newsletter to let you know if there is a way you can get involved!

Coco Neukomm - Clinical Neuropsychology

The topic of my 8th grade project is neuropsychology, and I am focusing on brain mapping. A brain map is when you place a cap on your head that has electrodes attached to the cap to read your brain waves. My goal for my project is to raise money for someone who needs a brain map but cannot afford it. A brain map can be helpful to someone who is looking to better understand their learning challenges or perhaps to identify causes of unexplainable seizures or other disorders. Anyone interested in donating funds to this cause can do so using the QR code that I've created, which I have provided here.

Bella Nickamin - Fashion Design

My passion and love of fashion design, especially couture fashion, is at the heart of my 8th grade project. I have drawn countless original designs and am looking forward to seeing how I can work with a local seamstress to bring a full garment to life. I have already learned first-hand about the potential fickle and fast-paced nature of the fashion world with the coming and then mysterious going of my mentor. In the wake of that experience, I am finding flexibility and resourcefulness to find other avenues to forward my project, including the possibility of working with designers at our local 'Green is the New Black' event.

For my service component, I am hoping to have a large number of people sign up for a 90-day challenge of abstaining from any 'fast fashion' purchases, and to gain consumer awareness of the impacts of certain aspects of the fashion industry. If you are interested in joining the challenge, please sign up here.

Sacha Reed - Tabletop Roleplaying Games

For my 8th grade project, I have chosen tabletop roleplaying games. A roleplaying tame, or RPG, is essentially a more dynamic and evolved form of a board game. Game play revolves around a neutral 'game master' that plays the role of referee and storyteller. All others are the 'players,' that control characters playing out life in a fantasy or sci-fi setting. Popular RPGs include Dungeons and Dragons and Dungeon Crawl Classics. If you want to learn more, I am free to talk with you during lunch or snack recess. I am considering a plan to host a series of 'beginner' DND campaigns at local libraries as one potential service action for my project. With advice and guidance from my mentor, I will solidify my plans for the service component of my project within the next two weeks and then I'll share information for people to sign up.

Mason Smetzer - The Environmental Impacts of Hunting

My theme for my eighth-grade project is the positive and negative effects that hunting has on the environment and people. As it is so much less widely known, I have chosen to focus more on the positive impacts of hunting. The service component of my project is to create avenues to educate people about the positive effects of hunting and how they can work with, rather than against, our local community of people who work to support, manage, and protect the health and balance of our local eco-system. I am considering venues and methods to help educate people and spread awareness about this topic. I will spread the word when I have any event information or flyers to share.

Maxine Williams - Women's Rights, with a focus on policies and systems that bring legal and social equality

For my 8th grade project, I chose to study women's rights in America. I know that now, more than ever, it is important for my generation to take a stand on current political issues, and I know we can make a difference! So far, I have hosted a rally, organized a march, and raised over 1,000 dollars for a charity called 'She Should Run.' She Should Run is an organization based out of Washington D.C. that offers support and resources to women nationwide who wish to become political leaders in their communities. This is just the start of what I will do to make a difference whenever I can. If you are interested and able to offer support or donations to She Should Run, please visit their website here.

Sherman Workman - Alpine Skiing, with a focus on 'big mountain skiing'

For my eighth-grade project, I have chosen to deepen and expand my love of alpine skiing. Skiing is an activity that I have always loved and is one that I am eager to continue to explore and progress in my skills. The fact that the sport is very seasonal and requires snow makes it tricky for me to accomplish my experiential goals as I wait for winter to arrive. Although this is a challenge, I have still been able to make plans for the ski season and have met with my mentor numerous times to get to know him better and to discuss my goals for the ski season. One activity that I am really hoping to do is go Heli Skiing in the backcountry this year; it would just be epic. 

When it came to choosing what to do for my service element, it was a tough choice because there are so many great ski related organizations in this valley! I narrowed it down to three organizations that I am most interested in: POW (Protect Our Winters), Shining Stars Foundation, and Challenge Aspen. Of these, I chose to work with Challenge Aspen, an organization that creates possibilities for people with disabilities to ski. If you are able, please consider donating or getting involved with any of these organizations. The work they do is unique, extremely important, and valuable. Countless people travel to our valley to experience what they have to offer.

It’s time to start getting ready for Winterfaire, our community-wide celebration of the winter season! Save the date to join us on campus December 7 from 11am-3pm for the festival which includes family crafts, holiday shopping, music, food, treats and more. 

Parent Volunteers: We will need parent volunteers for both Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7. Each family is asked to sign up for at least one, short shift, together, this event is possible! Here are the links to sign up:

Toddler and Preschool: Puppet Show + Enchanted Story

Kindergarten: Walnut Fairy Float

Grade 1: Wool Angels

Grade 2: Sweets and Cider Shop

Grade 3: Sweets and Cider Shop

Grade 4: Window Stars

Grade 5: Sleeping Giant

Grade 6: Winterfaire Diner 

Grade 7: Candle Dipping

Grade 8: Angel Room

& Additional: Winterfaire School Store

Helping Hands

Parking Lot

Trash, Recycle & Compost

Angel Room Gifts: In the meantime… families are encouraged to start creating your 5-10 Angel Room gifts. What is the Angel Room? The Angel Room is a special, child-only shopping experience for students filled with hand-made gifts. Students get to shop alone for their families which is a special experience. The gifts are provided by our entire community. Here are some ideas for gifts . Thea Pratt, our Handwork teacher, will offer two morning sessions for crafting on Friday, Nov. 8 and Nov. 15 from 8:45-10:00 in the Handwork Room. All parents welcome to join for crafting, ideas and help. 

Sweet Treats: Each family is responsible for providing 10 bite-size sweet treats. Gifts and treats can be dropped off in the Sunroom on Dec. 5 and Dec 6.

Questions about Winterfaire? Please contact Morgan here.

You might be surprised to hear the WSRF offers not one but two world languages as a part of our curriculum in 1st through 8th grade. Both Spanish and Mandarin are taught as weekly subject classes. Our Grades students explore the languages in blocks, meaning they have Spanish with Marja O'Connor twice a week for 6 weeks and then they have Mandarin with Luke Wander twice a week for a 6 week block. Waldorf Education's approach to languages is immersive and multi-facet. Unlike some lessons, our classes are intended to be completely immersive with only the language at hand being spoken (for example on Mandarin spoken during a mandarin lesson). This approach means that students slowly gain an understanding of the language overtime but most importantly, get to truly experience the quality of the language when it’s spoken in consistent stream. Our dual languages also intentionally balance each other with Spanish and Mandarin expressing very different and sometimes opposite qualities.

Liesl Bellack