October News (October 6th, 2022)
We are wishing all our community members a restful Fall Break! Reminder, no school for Toddler to 8th grade starting tomorrow, Friday October 7th to Monday October 10th. See you back on campus on Tuesday October 11th!
Thank you to all the parent volunteers who helped make Michaelmas, the Festival of Courage, a success last Friday! All our students had an incredible day filled with collaborative work across the grades, a school wide game and a delicious community meal.
As welcome as the quenching rain that fell during our Michaelmas celebration last Friday was the opportunity for parents to participate in this festival of courage for the first time since 2019. For many families new to WSRF it was their first experience of Michaelmas. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I offer my heartfelt appreciation to each WSRF family for your presence in our community. Together we form the whole and together we step forward.
At the heart of Michaelmas lies an acknowledgement that we have within us exactly what we need to meet whatever arises before us. When we summon the courage to face the dragon we often find, as one first grader exclaimed, “that dragon’s not so scary!” Michaelmas is also a herald of autumn, the season that beckons us inward. As the light fades earlier and the air cools, the first fires are lit. We can think of these fires not only as sources of light and heat, but of creative vision. How many cultures have for centuries circled the fire to dream their futures into being?
I am excited to share that the long-held vision of building out the WSRF campus to include dedicated spaces for the arts is beginning to materialize. The Board of Trustees, in collaboration with the faculty, has initiated a thorough and thoughtful process to realize this enduring dream. Included in the proposal that was brought forth by the faculty was the following,
“Art is one of the center points of Waldorf education. This is one of the most important gifts that we can give to education in the future. It is not just what it will do for our community, but also what it will do for the wider community and the world. Behaviorists suggest that young people need the arts, perhaps more than any other subject. The arts offer a creative, will-centered opportunity for spiritual growth. It encourages the building of a will that allows the young person to know that they can open any door that they wish with enthusiasm to try something new…something that could change their lives…and fosters the courage to walk away if it proves to be the wrong fit. It offers the opportunity to find a path that will lead to a life of satisfaction, joy and personal identify that makes all of us better.”
As we continue to fulfill the promise of offering a full breadth Waldorf education at WSRF, there will be many opportunities for the entire community to participate in creating our future. Today I invite you to hold the picture of wholeness towards which we are striving and to see yourself as an integral part of that wholeness.
In service & with gratitude,
Elizabeth Allen
For the Board of Trustees
School Bus Driver
Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork is seeking a Part-time seasonal employee to drive the morning and afternoon Aspen-Carbondale school bus route. 6am-8am and 3pm-5pm (2pm-4pm Wednesdays) and 12:30 on some early dismissal days.
Must have or be willing to obtain a CDL class B with passenger and school certification, and pass a DOT physical and background check. School is willing to provide training to obtain CDL, can begin driving non-cdl vehicle to start.
Positions starts immediately through June 2nd 2023.
$30/hour, 4 hours/day guaranteed, plus $2,000 end-of-season bonus.
Please contact Larry Smith to apply
Highlight from Michaelmas: 8th Grade Crews
Have you heard about 8th grade CREWS at WSRF? Crews are a component of our social literacy program that supports social-emotional development and leadership opportunities for all our students. Last Friday’s Michaelmas: Festival of Courage, included the chance for crews, each led by 1-2 8th graders and made up of students from 1st to 7th grade to all work together building complex and collaborative fort structures across campus. Pictured here: a tiny window into all our grades students working together to think outside of the box! Learn more about our social literacy program on our website here.
Dear Waldorf Community,
Fall teacher conferences are quickly approaching, and we would like to nourish the teachers and staff by providing a delicious meal during each day. Please click on the following link to sign up if you can help. We are grateful for all that you do to honor our amazing staff and teachers! Thank you!
Fall Parent Teacher Conference teacher meal sign up here!
Additionally, the Heart Committee of the Parent Council is excited to announce the return of the Good Shepherd program at WSRF!
The Good Shepherd Program will endeavor to support the WSRF Community by showing small tokens of kindness and support when our community members need it most. Together we can honor faculty, support staff, and families that are experiencing exciting and challenging life changes like new babies, a big move, major illness or injury, passing of loved ones, and more.
We need your assistance in making our program a success. If you know of faculty members, support staff, or families needing support throughout the year, please shoot us a quick email at goodshepherdwsrf@gmail.com or drop your suggestion in the Good Shepherd basket located in Morgan’s office. We look forward to celebrating and supporting your families with you!
Sincerely,
Becky Musselman (Zane, 5th Grade), Alexis Jones (Sawyer, 3rd Grade) and Danielle Nussmeier (Wyatt, 1st Grade) on behalf of WSRF Parent Council
We are excited to use student artwork for our Annual Winterfaire poster and advertising! If your child would like to submit a picture or image to be considered for selection, please submit it to Morgan Jacober by November 2nd. We will plan to use multiple designs.
Volunteers Needed: Please join us next week to help bring this event to life! More info and sign up here.
What: Rather than buying things brand new, extend the life of the earth’s resources by reusing and recycling items that other families are ready to pass on among our community! Join us in both passing along and acquiring items in preparation for the winter season ahead in an affordable and conscious way.
When to Browse/Swap: Friday October 14th, two windows to browse and exchange 8:30-10am and 2:00pm-3:30pm
When to drop off: Between Monday, September 19th to Wednesday, October 12th drop off in itemized bins in the Sun Room
Who: all current families Early Childhood to 8th grade
What to Exchange: Gently used, clean winter and rain gear (for example: rain boots, rain jackets, pants, suits, winter gloves (smart fastened together!), winter hats, wool socks, base layers/long johns, snow boots, snow suits, pants, jackets)
When: Wednesday October 19th, 5:00-6:30pm (Talk 5:30-6:30pm, light food 5:00-5:30pm) (Childcare provided by WSRF if applicable, RSVP required)
Where: The Hall at WSRF
Who: All curious families with children Early Childhood to 8th grade (both current and prospective families welcome) RSVP Required here by Oct 17th.
What: This event will explore Waldorf Education with visiting speaker and longtime Waldorf educator, Nancy Blanning. Hosted by Waldorf graduate, Liesl Bellack. The two will explore an introduction to the foundations of Waldorf Education, the whybehind these foundations and how they directly impact the development of the students in a way that prepares them for life. Applying proven wisdom from the past to current and future expectations and challenges, we will consider how Waldorf Education prepares our children to meet the practical world in confident, flexible and "can do" ways.
When: Thursday November 10th, 9:30am-11am
Where: On Campus at WSRF
Who: All curious families with children Early Childhood to 8th grade RSVP Required here by Nov 8th
What: Please invite your friends and all curious families in your network to explore our school! Tour our 13-acre campus, step into classrooms and experience Waldorf Education first hand. This is a fantastic opportunity for all current families with Early Childhood students looking ahead and prospective new families at all grade levels to explore our school. You will have the chance to ask questions of our teachers, alumni and enrollment before admissions for Fall ’23 open in January ’23. This is currently the only campus tour scheduled for this semester.
