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V36 B03
DECEMBER 02, 2011
Bulletin
The
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION of the VANCOUVER WALDORF SCHOOL
Blackboards not Laptops
WALDORF EDUCATION IN THE NEW YORK TIMES
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
JOANNE KING, GRADE TEN PARENT
1
Blackboards not Laptops
2 Christmas Fair Reflections
6
Farewells and Tributes
8
Advent Festival
10
Fairy Tale Christmas
11
From the Board
12
From the Parent Council
14
Who Is Doing What in French
Class
15
Who Is Doing What in Main
Lesson
17
High School Pages
19
Alumni Corner
20
The Updater
On October 23, The New York Times ran an article on the front of its
Technology section, entitled, “A Silicon Valley School That Doesn’t
Compute.” Wri en by Ma Richtel, a Puli er Prize winning columnist for TNYT, the article describes what he finds on a visit to The Waldorf School of the Peninsula in Los Altos, California – pens
and paper, kni ing needles and wool, blackboards with colourful chalk, workbooks and No. 2 pencils – and – no computers! Richtel
describes the innovative and original teaching styles that cannot
help but captivate the students, as they learn times tables, language
skills and fractions in the novel ways that are familiar to students at
Waldorf schools. What is most interesting, and perhaps surprising, is
that three-quarters of the students at the school have parents with, “a
strong high-‐‑tech connection,” including the chief technology officer of eBay, and executives at Google, Apple, Yahoo and Hewle -‐‑Packard. These are families who value the teaching philosophy of engagement
with humans – teachers and peers, learning through creative handson tasks and physical activity. For them, computers and schools
don’t mix. As Alan Eagle, who works in executive communications at
Google, says, “At Google and all these places, we make technology as
brain-dead easy to use as possible. There’s no reason why kids can’t
figure it out when they get older.” BU L L E T I N S C H E D U L E
The next Bulletin is published
Friday, January 27
To read the complete article, go to
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/technology/at-waldorf-school-in-silicon-valleytechnology-can-wait.html
S U BM I S SIO N D E A D L I N E
Friday, January 20
Also: An interesting article from The Vancouver Sun, November 4,
where VWS teacher, Sarah Nelson, speaks about Waldorf education’s
take on technology in the classroom. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/O
pinion%2BHigh%2Btech%2Btech%2Bviews%2Bschool/5661484/story.html
A link to a le er from the chief domestic policy advisor to Vice-‐‑
President Al Gore, to the Editor at TNYT, in response to the article, “A
Silicon Valley School That Doesn’t Compute.”
2725 St Christophers Rd
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/26/opinion/invitation-to-a-dialogue-computers-in-
North Vancouver, BC
school.html?_r=3&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
V7K 2B6
+1(604)985-7435
www.vws.ca
or watch: http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/30/9118340-thewaldorf-way-silicon-valley-school-eschews-technology
Thank you ...
The Bulletin
The Christmas Fair is magic for everyone. And
all the work that goes into ensuring the Fair runs
smoothly can go unnoticed when it is done so
smoothly and lovingly. We know many parents
put their heart and soul into the Fair. We’d like to
acknowledge two individuals that start working
on the Fair many months before it happens and
wrap up all the details once the Fair is over.
Walter Daroshin works silently and diligently
and sometimes in the wee hours of the night on the planning, delegating, reviewing,
spreadsheeting, along with thoughtful and inspiring emails to ensure the Fair is a
fabulous experience for all. We know Walter loves his work as a secret elf that brings it
all together, we also know his expertise, a ention to detail and long history with the Fair made it that much easier for all our new volunteers who took on leadership roles this year.
is published monthly during
the school year for the parents
and friends of
The Vancouver Waldorf
School.
Submissions to
[email protected]
In order to be published,
submissions must be received
electronically before the
deadline and include the full
name of the contributor.
Hand wri en submissions will not be accepted.
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Maximum 100 words
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Submissions over 100
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discretion of the editor.
A special thank you to Sarah Vondruska who worked closely side by side with Walter.
She commented a few times, “It’s all so organized and simple. I hope I am not missing something!”
Subscriptions
Email $ FREE
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You both did a fabulous job leading the way, supporting others and making sure another
annual Fair was memorable for so many.
Disclaimer
Items and advertisements
appearing in this Bulletin
may be the opinions or beliefs
of their contributors, and
may not necessarily reflect the policies or ideas of The
Vancouver Waldorf School.
Thank you for all that you did that we don’t even know you did. Thank you for bringing
love, joy and a smile to your work. You are appreciated and thanked beyond what any
words could communicate.
Direct all questions to:
[email protected]
Blessings from the VWS community
2725 St Christophers Road
North Vancouver, BC
V7K 2B6
Roses and Reflections on a Christmas Fair...
WALTER DAROSHIN, PARENT COUNCIL
The day began for me with a trip to Artisan Bakery at 6:30 am. It was still dark when I
left my house to pick up the donations Markus and Ursula had so generously offered. I pulled away breathing in the sumptuous fresh-baked breads and stollen and proceeded
up Lonsdale. As I reached the Victoria Park plateau I was absolutely stunned and in a
state I can only describe as awe.
T
I
M
E
L
I
Wed
Tue
Dec 07
Dec 13
7:30p
11:00a, 1:30p & 8:00p
WVS Society Annual General Meeting. Grade School Hall
Fairy Tale Christmas. Kay Meek Centre
Tue
Dec 20
12:20p
7:30pm
Early Dismissal. End Fall Term. No Aftercare
Shepherds’ Play. GS Hall
Sun
Jan 01
10:00a - 4:30p
Needle Felting Tapestry Workshop with Suzanne Down
Mon
Wed
Jan 09
Jan 11
7:00p
Begin Winter Term
Gr8 Parent Meeting
Mon
Tue
Wed
Fri
Sat
Jan
Jan
Jan
Jan
Jan
16
17
18
20
21
7:00p
7:00p
7:00p
8:00p - 1:00a
Gr1 Parent Meeting
Gr7 Parent Meeting
Gr6 Parent Meeting
HS Snow Day
Gr12 Fundraiser: Latin Combo Dance Class and Dance Evening
Sat
Jan 28
8:00p
Gr10 Play. GS Hall
2
V36 B03 DECEMBER 02, 2011
The Bulletin
N
E
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE VANCOUVER WALDORF SCHOOL
I pulled over to take it all in. There ahead of me were
the snow-covered mountains with a hint of reddyorange and a blue sky above. It was brilliant. And, it set
the tone for my entire day - gratitude.
So many did so much in order for the Fair to manifest
at all, however I’d like in particular to acknowledge the
following:
COORDINATORS AND CONTACTS
Bri Arnet, Meg Cameron, Darla Chibi, Ava Copp, Hans Dayal, Trish Dayal, Rebeka Eriksson, AninA
Formankova, Suzanne Glick, Sarah Godfrey, Andrea Gray-‐‑Grant, Dan Hilton, Analise Ipatowicz, Ronaye Ireland, Beni Johnston, Gary Jones, Heidi Kilham,
Jean Kindratsky, Ode e LeBlanc, Gerard MacIntosh, Justin Maguire, Marie Marrio , Christine Martin, Doug Martin, Mike Norris, Jennifer Owens, Lisa Parish, Lori
Payne, Michael Perebo, Blanka Ponec, Andrea Siradze, Fiona Thatcher, Ann Thorsteinsson, Bruce Wilkinson,
Sarah Vondruska
SUPPLY AND SERVICE DONORS
Aardvark Armadillo Tents, Anatoli Souvlaki, Artisan
Bakery, Canada Safeway, Davey Tree Service, Ethical
Bean, Hills Foods Ltd., Lonsdale Event Rentals, Matrix
Production Services, Nourish Market, Opus Framing
& Art Supplies, Olde World Fudge, Pro Organics,
Queensdale Market, Save-on-Foods, The Soup Meister,
Terra Breads, Thrifty Foods, Trembling Lambs
Productions, UNFI Canada Grocery West, Waves Coffee House, William F. White, Yves Fine Cuisine, Zazou Salon & Spa
on Monday. A few minutes later, Gary Jones arrived
to grab some outdoor goods supplies. I asked him to
be careful heading down to the basement as one of the
steps was loose. We can ill afford to lose a Gary Jones. Gary took a look at the step and announced, “Dude,
I can fix this.” Within 20 minutes Gary raced home, brought a drill and screws and secured that step good
as new. He then turned to me and asked, “Anything
else?”
Saturday, Fair day around 3:00 pm. The toilet in the
main hallway is overflowing. The handle is stuck and I don’t know what to do. Sarah Vondruska walks by and
without hesitation assesses the situation. She then rolls
up her sleeves, removes the lid and dives in to find the problem. She pulls out a pipe with water sprouting out
of it, she checks the lines and does whatever else you
do back there - toilets are not my specialty. I stood there
transfixed. She looked up at my dazed expression and said, “What?” Within a few minutes she had it all back
together again, replaced the lid and gave it a trial flush. Success! She then continued on - after a thorough hand
washing - to break down the Cookie House.
My heroes, one and all.
I ask you to imagine a peace that tempers the currents
of life. Please accept my heartfelt desire that you
experience such a peace during the upcoming holiday
season.
SUPPLY AND SERVICE DONATIONS - DRIVERS
Bri Arnet, Gary Chen, Darla Chibi, Chris Gruver, Brian Jeffery, Michael Trevillion, Christian Tulloch
And finally, I must share two short stories about service above and beyond.
On the Sunday prior to the Fair I was navigating the
basement storage with a number of parents. Strings
Café coordinator Andrea Gray-Grant pointed out that
one of the steps was a bit loose and could pose a risk to
those running up and down - especially at night as we
often do. All I could think was to report it to someone
VANCOUVER WALDORF SCHOOL
2725 ST CHRISTOPHERS ROAD NORTH VANCOUVER, BC V7K 2B6 (604)985-7435
WWW.VWS.CA
3
Christmas Fair Reflections
Li le A. had a fantastic time showing his Auntie, Uncle J. and Grandma P. his classroom and school. He popped into the market place, where I was selling my mamamades, now and then to deliver me a candy apple, have me store a cookie from the cookie house, his sword from woodworking, wreath and candle. I was able to leave my table space a short while to go and finally see the Gnome Village with him after hearing about it for the second year now. It was totally worth going through three times!
Ella (mom to Arlo in Grade One) My magical moment this year was at the "ʺPerformance Alley "ʺ in the round house. I had more than one, with a full house for the brilliant Grade Four/Five choir and a beaming Mrs. Mary-‐‑Anne Taylor leading the bunch, grooving to the soul cries of Wayne Lavalee and his heartbeat drum, or clapping along with the Celtic folk family troop, “The Joycelyn Pe it Band.” But my highlight came in the form of a wee li le one who was dancing to the Christmas carols of the "ʺLos Parranderos"ʺ Venezuelan choir. The room felt celebratory, and the energy high. The li le one began to run around a bit and I saw I needed to quiet him since his parent was in the choir performing. I snuck up behind him and sh ..sh ..sh ..with a hand on his back. To my surprise this li le fellow turns and wrapped his li le arms around my neck and we danced for the last two songs, cuddling. Ah, sweet Christmas magic!
Jen Owens (Grade Four and Nine Parent)
I was walking down the main hall decorated so beautifully when a li le boy came out of the bathroom with his face lit up and as I passed by him I heard him say to a friend, "ʺI LOVE this Christmas party!"ʺ
Christian and I were honoured with the task of picking up candy apples. YUM! Already we were SO excited to pick them up and visit the candy shop in Lonsdale Quay. When we arrived we had to wait as they were busy in a three-‐‑person assembly line making candy canes! It was amazing and so exciting to watch the candy man pull the candy into swirls under the heat lamp and pass it along to the next girl who snipped the canes and twirled the colours into order and then finally the last lady turned the hooks to make the canes! After we had waited the candy man gave us one! Many thanks for a wonderful Christmas Fair with so many li le fun moments. Looking forward to hearing all of the stories!
Bri Arne (Grade Three and Six Parent)
My favorite quote of the Fair this year was when I witnessed a father tugging his small boy behind him at the end of the day and the boy was loudly complaining"ʺ Now I have to wait a whole year!!"ʺ That one small moment made all the hours of work worth every second.
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The Bulletin
Sarah Nelson (Grade Five Class Teacher)
WWW.VWS.CA
5
Farewells and Tributes
TO DANIELA FIESS, OUR GRADE SCHOOL AND
HIGH SCHOOL EURYTHMY TEACHER
It is always an interesting
process and a bit of an adventure
welcoming a new colleague onto
the team, especially I will say, one
who takes on the role of Eurythmy
teacher. The ardour born of a long
and thoroughgoing training, the
sometimes stratospheric demands
of the discipline, the artistic
wherewithal and pedagogical savvy
required, can combine only in remarkable individuals.
How will it be to work with them? How will it be in the
classroom?
It is going on eight years that Daniela Fiess has been our
Eurythmy teacher in the High School, and I can only say
quite simply that we have been blessed. Daniela’s heartfilled commitment to the students is what moves her. Her knowledge and wisdom create beautiful form.
Eurythmy is an art that will not come into its own
until some time in the future. It is not easy to do. It is
not always easy for students to relate to. Daniela has
consistently found ways to bring the students into more
and more active participation and relationship with the
practice, and her artistry has wakened theirs. We have
teenaged students who love and get Eurythmy!
Daniela has brought to the collegial circle her deep
commitment to Waldorf education, her years of fruitful
experience, and her keen and clear insight into the ways
human beings work. She always has an interesting point
of view, and it is always full of compassion. I know I
speak for the faculty when I say that Daniela will be
sorely missed.
My wish for you, Daniela, in Kinyarwanda:
Imana ikurinde.
Daniela is a creative force ... a natural event like a
storm, a rainbow or an infectious ray of sunshine
lighting a room. I am always amazed at the leaps and bounds of her explorations in Eurythmy, and in other
expressive movement arts. We have seen Daniela’s
students perform a variety of Eurythmy pieces,
including the beautiful fairytales performed with
members of the Cascadia Society. Daniela’s students
have amused and delighted us, as well, with the flavour of Comedia D’el Arte, and their other clowning work at
Festival of the Arts.
Although Daniela and I work in different realms of the school, I will miss what she brings to the Eurythmy
program as a whole.
The movement work of Eurythmy has a different tone or nature, depending on the age of the students. It has
felt like a good fit, with Daniela in the High School, and me in the Kindergarten and in the younger grades.
Perhaps Daniela’s love of movement and exploration
is also calling her away at this time. With her husband,
Steve, and son, Emil, there is now the opportunity to
visit new places and see what might be offered and experienced there.
We will miss Daniela, but maybe a wind will blow her
back one day to surprise us yet again with her gifts.
In the meantime, we wish her well on her voyage, and
we thank her for her years of bringing richness to our
school life.
Wendalyn von Meyenfeldt, Grade School Eurythmy Teacher
FROM GRADE TWELVE TO DANIELA
Thank you, Daniela, for being an excellent Eurythmy teacher. I’ve
had great times in classes and especially on the trip to Seattle,
where we shared many laughs and smiles. :) Thanks again for
everything.
Aby
Daniela, I will always remember our class Eurythmy trip to
Seattle and the great memories we all shared together.You are a
Robert Adams
wonderful Eurythmy teacher, and I will always think of you every
time I read Snow White.Your presence will be greatly missed in
our little school, and you will always be a part of it. I wish you all
the best in the future.
Linda
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The Bulletin
Daniela, I have not known you for very long, but you are an
amazing woman, and I wish you all the best wherever life takes
you.You will be dearly missed and never forgotten.
Much love, Olivia
A memory of Daniela that will always remain for me is one
from our Seattle Eurythmy trip.When we were up on the Space
Needle,Teja was sent down for throwing a paper plane from the
top. No one wanted to tell Daniela what had happened, fearing
her fearsome reaction. Instead of yelling, she bellowed out in her
wonderful laugh! Daniela, you and your wonderful laugh will be
dearly missed.
Magda
Daniela, thank you for all the years you taught Eurythmy
in this school! I will never forget the trip to Seattle and our
performance of Snow White.Thank you!
Kendra
Dear Daniela, I was surprised when I heard that you were
leaving us. I can’t imagine this school or Eurythmy without you.
Even though I am graduating this year and I would be saying
goodbye anyway, I am sad. But, I’m happy for you and your new
beginning.You will be forever in my memory as my Eurythmy
teacher! Thank you for everything.
Teja
Daniela has the largest and warmest heart that any human
being has ever possessed. She will be sorely missed by the
entire community, the students especially, who have experienced
When I first met Ms. Feiss, I was in Grade Six and I was slightly frightened of her. The only time we really
interacted was in the Eurythmy lessons we had twice a
week where my class and I paid very li le a ention due to the fact that the pole in the middle of the room was so
distracting and far more amusing. She was my teacher
from Grade Six to Eight and then my class guardian
through three years of high school on top of that. We
struggled through countless Eurythmy lessons and
class meetings and had adventures on many class trips
to C-‐‑Dar Farm, Salt Spring Island, Portland and Tofino. Over this span of time the scary teacher fell away and
a warm-hearted and kind person became visible to us.
She is the pillar in a multitude of memories I will never
forget. She played a great positive role in my school life,
always willing to offer advice, or laugh with you, or give a supportive hug and for this and her constant presence I
cannot thank her enough.
love it and have dedicated yourself to teaching it.Thank you for
Daniela has touched the lives of many at our school
and as she steps out on her newest adventure we wish
her all the best. She will leave a space that will be very
difficult to fill and she will be greatly missed by all. On behalf of all the VWS alumni and present students
alike I wish to thank Daniela for all her hard work
and dedication to us and hope that her future holds
everything she could wish for. Much love from us all.
everything. I’ll miss you!
Zoe Bellis, 2010 High School Graduate
firsthand the kindness and joy that she spreads wherever she
goes.
James
Daniela, you opened my eyes to the beauty of Eurythmy, and
after so many years, I feel like I finally understand why you
Maria
Dear Daniela, I’m sorry to hear that you are leaving. I hope
wherever life takes you will work out for you. Sorry for laughing
in your class so much – you are very great for putting up with it.
It may not seem like it, but I have come to appreciate Eurythmy
a whole lot.You will be missed!
Doryan
WWW.VWS.CA
7
Advent Festival
JEFF FELDMAN, GRADE FOUR CLASS TEACHER
One of the most
important aspects of a
Waldorf education is the
celebration of festivals.
In our modern, urban
lives, it becomes perhaps
even more important to
highlight nature’s key
transitional points as
ways of reminding us
that, in spite of how it
may seem, we are not
separate from nature.
In addition to helping
to keep this knowledge intact within our children,
the celebration of festivals helps to establish a yearly
rhythm of celebration and anticipation for them and
is connected with the building of community. The
festivals help to nourish our souls through the sharing
of beautiful stories, lovingly prepared food, joyous
songs and engaging activities.
The Advent festival that we celebrate in Waldorf
schools invites us to be vulnerable to our longing for
meaning and open to our hope for the manifestation
of the highest ideals that we carry in the depths of our
hearts. As we proceed through the four week festival,
we are acutely aware that longer periods of darkness
are descending on us, virtually every day. This
darkness stirs our yearning for light - sunlight, as well
as Spiritual Light, and then, at the darkest time of year,
a miracle happens - “new light is born.”
Although originating in pre-Christian traditions, the
symbolism used in our Advent festival is developed
from Christianity. The essence is universal and is
expressed in various ways through various traditions.
Specifically, the Latin word, “adventus” means, “coming.” What is it that is coming, and how do we
prepare for it? We can get clues by considering how
we approached the birth of our own children. During
the period of gestation, we anticipated the joy and
wonder of bringing a new child into the world. We
prepared for the event with tremendous care, devotion
and tenderness, along with touches of nervousness.
From the darkness of the womb, a baby emerged
into the light of the world, bringing his or her light
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The Bulletin
into our lives, with the potential to have a powerful,
“light-‐‑filled” impact on the world. In the Christian tradition, Advent and Christmas include all of that, in
commemoration of the birth of Christ, as the new light,
the new hope, the new way of being for humanity, and
Advent provides us with the opportunity to become in
touch with all that is implied in this.
ADVENT IN GRADE ONE
ARNOLD GRIMM, GRADE ONE CLASS TEACHER
Grade One has spent the first months of the school year coming together as a class. This has been a
powerful process which has enabled the class to
begin the forming of a unity, of a class group feeling.
As Advent approaches, the time of turning inward,
the class will be proceeding into this time in a twoway process. On the one hand, we will be turning
inward, singing Advent songs as the classroom weekly
becomes brighter and brighter as the Christmas festival
approaches. On the other hand, we will also be going
out into the school community. We will be embarking
on the path of joining our fellow students by taking
part in the weekly assemblies that the Grade School has
each Monday. During Advent, these assemblies take
on a special character for the whole Grade School and
it is this special time where the Grade One class will
join its fellow students to move towards Christmas and
then establish itself as a regular a endee of the Monday morning assemblies.
THOUGHTS ON ADVENT
MARY-ANNE TAYLOR, GRADE EIGHT CLASS TEACHER
Advent is always a special time in my classroom. Ever
since Grade One the children enter into a candle lit
classroom every morning through December. The
mood is quiet and magical. Sometimes the snow
is falling; usually it is quite dark. We then begin
the morning singing Christmas carols. We have
our favourites, some are silly, most are reverent. At
the moment that the lights turn on and we begin
the “work” of the day, there is usually a sign of
disappointment and someone will say, “do we have to
put the lights on?” We all feel safe in the darkness.
For me there is no mistake about the fact that Advent
is the beginning of the word adventure. In this dark,
cold time of year, when it seems there is no life around
us, that nature has forsaken us, we also feel this
anticipation of something exciting to come. Certainly,
Mary and Joseph were on an adventure. Certainly
many of us have experienced the adventure of moving
on. There is trepidation too, but adventure all the
same. So in Grade Eight, we will be thinking about
the adventure to come as we spend our last Advent
together. The assemblies, the Advent lunches, the
singing, the candles – all of these things will form the
memories of our time together and sustain us in our
future adventures.
ADVENT IN THE HIGH SCHOOL
DENNIS SCOTT, HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER
This year, milestones such as the return to Standard
Time and the success of the Christmas Fair have
prepared me for this season of Advent. How early it is
in the day for the dark to take over. How joyous it is to
be with friends working on a common endeavour such
as the Christmas Fair.
In the High School, these two experiences come
together in our celebration of Advent. Every day the
whole High School gathers in the darkened hall. We
circle around a wreath with four candles. After the
High School verse, a hush comes over the gatherers,
and we wait for some random person to step forward
who has a wish. The wish can be quite mundane, like
the ever prevalent wish for snow, or it can be quite
serious, such as asking for the group to send good
thoughts to someone who is ill. Whoever is moved to
come forward with a wish speaks the wish and then
lights a candle. There is a pause as we take in this
newly added light to the darkening season. Then we
get out our songbooks and sing some carols that have
been requested. The carols range from the popular to
the traditional. After some hearty singing, we carry
on with our classes and day, having come together in
fellowship.
ADVENT MEMORIES
CHARLOTTE KING-FERTEY, GRADE TEN STUDENT
Through my years in my Waldorf education I have
had the chance to be a part of several variations of
Christmas festivals.
I remember the big all-school assemblies at the Toronto
Waldorf School where we would sing, “People Look
East.” Grades One to Twelve were there, everyone from
the Steiner Centre came, people from the Hesperus
Community were there and lots of parents and other
community members, too.
I remember, at the Nelson Waldorf School, St. Nicholas
coming to each of our classrooms with his helper
“Rupert.” He read to us from his golden book, leaving
us gifts of tangerines and cookies. One year, I thought
that “Rupert” had a very striking resemblance to my
oldest brother, Ma !
The Nelson Waldorf School is a former ski lodge and so
there is deep, fluffy white snow covering everything. It makes all the Christmas festivals so magical!
I remember the light of Santa Lucia, with her beautiful
white dress and a crown of candles on her head. It was
enchanting!
I remember walking the advent spiral and being
nervous about lighting my hair on fire, but how satisfying it was to see a beautiful spiral of light!
We do this daily and only at this time of year. It is a
recognition of the unique quality the waning light casts
on us all and the comfort we get from doing something
consciously together.
WWW.VWS.CA
9
Fairytale Christmas
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
RUTH TSCHANNEN, CASCADIA SOCIETY
A Gift to the Community from Cascadia Society and
Vancouver Waldorf High School
Karl Koenig, the founder of Camphill, was very
aware of the healing effect of Eurythmy for our time. Eurythmy was integrated throughout the day as part
of the morning gathering, individual therapy, colour
light therapy, pedagogical Eurythmy and performances
for the festivals. Forty years ago, Eurythmy training
was started in one of the Camphill places in England
with the special task to enrich and enliven the festivals
throughout the year. Koenig was very fond of fairytales
and felt that they belong in the time of Advent as the
inner light grows stronger and the colours of the soul
start to radiate.
This tradition of showing a fairytale
has always been a strong wish of mine.
In 2008, we at Cascadia dared to show
our first fairytale, “The Water of Life.” This performance was carried by the
Cascadia companions and was shown
to a couple of classes from the Waldorf
lower school as well as the High School,
in addition to a public performance.
After the school performance, Daniela
came to me, and we found out that we share the
same wish to work with fairytales. Out of this, the
working together between the high school students
and the companions from Cascadia was born. Our first collaboration was ”Briar Rose.” The story of “Snow
White and Rose Red” followed in which the parts of
the leading roles were shared between companions and
high school students. It has been heartwarming to see
the effect this working together had for both the students and our companions: gifts and friendships have been
formed, which have had life-‐‑changing effects. One day after our last performance, Mary, a companion
who was Rose Red, asked: ”What will be our next
story?” Without waiting for an answer she said: ”Snow
White and the Seven Dwarfs.” “Oh, yes,”was the
answer of everybody else! The decision was made and
there was no question about it!
continued throughout the summer. In September, we
met for the first time with the High School students. The enthusiasm from our companions quickly caught
an interested audience in the students. The work
began in earnest. On Tuesday afternoons, a group of
companions joined Grade 12 students, practising the
prince, Snow White, the dwarfs and the mountains
and co age. On Thursdays, another group of eager companions went to join Grade Eight students
preparing group pieces such as the snow, the beds and
tables and the coffin. Just recently, Grade Five students have joined some of the rehearsals to be wild animals
in the woods, and a Grade Three student will play the
part of one of the dwarfs.
I am very grateful to Daniela to have found a colleague
who made it possible that the door was opened for our
companions to be able to share
an art form together which can
bring healing both for the players
as well as the audience. She has
also brought the special gift of
the music, which her colleague in
Germany has composed especially
to accompany these tales done in
Eurythmy. We are sorry that this
is the last time we can collaborate
together, but we are enjoying every minute! We have
also enlisted Anna Driehuyzen, who is a great help with the Grade Eight class. Our dear Lorna Fortin,
who has conducted our bell choir for many years, is
directing the bells and strings, along with Marianne
Moser, who is coaching the lyre players. It is a
wonderful thing when our two communities can meet
together in the arts. This production has also won the
notice of the North Vancouver Arts Office, which has sponsored a grant from the Arts office, and the City and District of North Vancouver, who have awarded us a
grant in recognition of our unique collaboration.
We hope you will take the opportunity to see our
tale performed at the Kay Meek Theatre, Main
Stage, on Tuesday, December 13. There will be three
performances, at 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, and 8:00 pm.
Tickets are available from the theatre
http://www.kaymeekcentre.com/services/box_office/
We at Cascadia have been living with this story since
last Christmas. We started practising in March and
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The Bulletin
or from
the Cascadia Society. Please see the poster for details.
From the Board of Trustees
TO THE VWS COMMUNITY
ON BEHALF OF VWS SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES,
ANDREAS AALHUS, CHAIR
The theme of my last message was “community
building.” When I think of the concept of “community,”
I believe we must trust in each other and hold a belief
that as a group and as individuals, we will do things that
are in the community’s interest.
Currently the doors to our School’s three administrative
offices are closed – Mary Paradis left the Development Administrator position last spring; Arnold Grimm
moved from the Pedagogical Administrator‘s office to the Grade One classroom; and just recently you
learned that Connie Simington has left the Business
Administrator’s position. When Human Resources are
concerned, issues of personal privacy are paramount.
Unfortunately, this results in a situation where we are
able to communicate very li le to you, our community. In these situations it is perhaps natural to speculate
and wonder what is happening, and to question your
trust and faith in VWS and its leadership groups. I can
only ask that you maintain your trust and belief that
we are doing what is best for our School, and that you
refrain from speculation and understand that we will
communicate with you as openly as we can, when we
can. It is not perfect. We are not perfect. However, I
believe we should all conduct ourselves according to the
ideals we wish our children to learn and hold. The Board
sees the current situation as an opportunity for positive
change and to strengthen our School community. We
hope that you will continue to support and join us in this
work.
Of course, the Board and I serve at the request of the Full
Members of the Vancouver Waldorf School Society and
it is the Society which operates our School. The Board
consists of fourteen members: three are appointed by
Faculty; nine are appointed by the Full Members of
the Society at the AGM; and two are appointed by the
Board itself. The Society’s Annual General Meeting
(AGM) will be held on December 7, 2011, with formal
business beginning at 7:30 pm. I encourage you to
become a Full Member of the Society and a end the AGM. Membership application forms are available from
Ronaye Ireland at the grade school reception, or on
our School’s website h p://www.vws.ca/publications/
publications.html
In my last message to you, I acknowledged the work of
four Society appointed Trustees who were not seeking
reappointment. Since then, Vicky Bunbury and Zan
Romeder have decided that they wish to continue with
Board work and will seek reappointment at the AGM. As
of the AGM, there will be five Society appointed Trustee positions open. Three of the positions are one-year terms
and two are two-year terms. Brian Gohlke will return
to the Board as a Faculty appointed Trustee and Ute
Grimm will accompany him as Gerard MacIntosh steps
away from Board work. I wish to thank Gerard for his
many years of service on the Board. Dave Read holds
one of the two Board appointed Trustee positions and
will continue into the second year of his two-year term as
Trustee and Treasurer. If you know a Full Member of the
Society who has an interest in Board work, nomination
forms are available in the same manner as the Society
membership application forms.
At our last meeting on November 23, Zan Romeder,
Trustee, led the Board in the start of a self-evaluation
process. We recognize that this is important work that should be implemented throughout our School and we
intend to lead by example. It will become an annual part
of the Board’s work.
By now you have seen a Publish message indicating
that Teresa Bouchard will join VWS as the Business
Administrator on December 5. Please join me in
welcoming Teresa! In addition, the Board has posted the
position of Development Project Manager which will
focus on fund raising. At this time, both positions have a
term ending June 30, 2012.
I’d like to remind you that our School is a not-‐‑for-‐‑profit society. When you make a donation, you will receive
a charitable donation receipt. If you are planning your
taxes for the 2011 year and make a donation prior to
December 31, 2011, you will receive a receipt for tax
purposes.
Finally, as we move toward the Christmas Season, I’d
like to wish you all the very best.
Together we can continue to move our School forward!
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11
FALL CLEAN-UP FUN FEST 2011
TREVOR MASON, PARENT COUNCIL
On Saturday, November 5, a group of hard-working,
dedicated Waldorf parents got together to help
with the annual fall cleanup of our beautiful school
grounds. Overall, I think we had a turn out of about
10-15 people and boy did we ever luck out with the
weather. Even though the forecast had called for
rain, we found ourselves stripping off layers due to the warmth of the sun that was beating down on our
sweaty, dirty faces.
We pulled weeds, cut back perennials, raked leaves,
cursed leaf blowers that wouldn’t start, chewed on
roots, stepped in dog poop and munched on mint
leaves. We laughed, cried (well, okay, not really but
we did laugh), and rejoiced in the spirit of our school
community.
I always enjoy volunteering at events like this
because, not only are they beneficial to the beauty and functionality of our school, but they also provide
a great opportunity to meet and get to know other
parents that you might not otherwise get a chance
to meet. When I became a parent at this school
eight years ago I didn’t know anyone. But, after
volunteering on numerous occasions over the years,
I have come to know many different parents in many different grades. Let’s just say that I’m never without anyone to talk to during pick up and drop off times. I always see someone I know or have recently met. Sure
I may forget their name in the short term, but I never
forget a face and am quick to ask them to remind me
so that I can hail them from down the hall if needed.
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The Bulletin
Lunchtime was a memorable
experience as Rebeka fed us
all hot soup, buns, coffee, tea and desserts. I mean, come on
people, what could be be er than a free lunch? It was, to say
the least, delicious even though
I probably lingered in the
lunchroom a li le bit longer than I should have. But again, I was
ge ing to know some new parents. Due to the fact that we did not quite have enough
people, we were not able to finish the job, but we did our best and filled up many bags of leaves and weeds and were sure to set aside a few bags for the school’s
hungry compost. I do believe that a second group met a
few days later to finish the job.
This one goes out to everyone who showed up to
volunteer their expertise and enthusiasm. I even took
home some mint leaves that I accidentally cut down
and turned them into a nice refreshing tea. Thanks,
everyone, and I look forward to seeing even more new
and friendly faces at the
Fall Clean Up 2012!
In addition to the clean
up, the Isherwood’s have
coordinated and donated
over 1000 spring bulbs that
were planted on the second
Thursday clean-up.
Thank you!
VWS 2012 CALENDAR & CARDS
A Fundraising Initiative of the VWS Parent Council
2012 VWS calendar and cards featuring artwork from
students of the Vancouver Waldorf School Grades One
to Twelve is back!
Our goal is to make the wonders of our curriculum
visible, show how creativity and imagination work in
our school, and share it with our community. Help us
make these calendars and cards a voice for Waldorf
education, and a celebration of our childrens’ work.
We are offering: - An 8.5” x 11” colour calendar featuring an
introduction on “The Evolution of Consciousness
Through the Waldorf History Curriculum” that
includes the theme for each
grade. Price $20 each.
- A set of five season’s greetings cards just in time
for the holiday season. Price
$10/set.
The calendar and cards are
available through the Red
Door School Store and at
Ronaye’s office. Limited quantity left!
Buy Now!
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13
Who is Doing What
in French Class
ANDREA BALAKOVA, GRADE SCHOOL FRENCH TEACHER
TARTE AUX POMMES À L’ALSACIENNE
Grade One is enjoying the new language and
having fun with numbers. We are learning to
name our body parts and everything around us.
We play games, sing, speak verses and learn to
work in a group.
Ingrédients (6 personnes):
Grade Two is working on poems and stories from
the nature and animal world. We enjoy learning
all the animals and activities and are working also
on basic conversations.
Grade Three is working on the four seasons,
months and days. We enjoy acting stories out and
learning fruits and vegetables. We learn how to
ask for it at the market.
Grade Four is reading and writing in French.
We just started to read our first book “ Colori. ” Children are creating their own French books and
enjoying writing. Besides practising our reading
skills we also practice basic dialogues.
Grade Five started with grammar and learns how
to describe a person or an object. We are learning
to build complete sentences and write them in our
books. We will continue with the verbs.
Grade Six is learning to react in everyday
situations and dialogues. We are learning how to
buy ice cream or bread. Students are creating their
own conversations and presenting them to the
class. They also learn how to introduce a friend or
themselves.
Grade Seven is working on the geography of
France. We are discovering different regions in France or Canada and learning about various
interesting places. We will continue to learn about
other French-speaking countries in the world.
Pâte brisée:
1 1/2 tasse de farine
1 cuilliere à soupe de sucre
1/4 c. de sel
125 g de beurre froid, coupé en dés
2 càs d’eau froide
Préchauffer le four à 375 F.
Mélanger ensemble du bout des doigts la farine,
le beurre, le sucre et le sel afin d’obtenir un mélange sableux assez grossier. Ajouter l’eau afin d’amalgamer le tout et former une boule de pâte.
Emballer la pâte dans un film plastique et lui donner la forme d’un disque de la grandeur d’une
assie e moyenne. Me re au frigo pendant 1 heure et foncer un moule beurré de 24-26cm.
Beurrer un moule à tarte. A l’aide d’un rouleau à
pâte, étaler la pâte en un cercle et étaler la dans le
moule.
Pour la garniture:
4 grandes pommes
3/4 tasse de crème épaisse
6 cuillieres à soupe de sucre
1 oeuf
1 jaune d’oeuf
1/2 càs d’extrait de vanille
Epluchez les pommes, coupez-‐‑les en quartiers, éliminez le cour et les pépins, recoupez les quartiers en lamelles et disposez-‐‑les harmonieusement sur la pâte. Dans un saladier, ba re les oeufs avec le sucre, la crème et l’extrait de vanille. Verser la creme
sur les pommes. Enfourner à 375 F de 50 à 55 mn.
Grade Eight is worked on Grammar. We are
learning the past, present and future tense and
comparing them. We are answering questions and
building complete sentences. Recently we studied
monuments of Paris with a closer look at “La Tour
Eiffel.”
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The Bulletin
Who is Doing What in
Main Lesson
Grade One Did you know that ONE is the largest
thing of all? Grade One is discovering that the
Universe, or Oneness is the home of so many parts.
Although we all know that the number one is
numerically small, the quality of oneness, of wholeness
or, one could say of holiness, is special and unique. This
is quite a special experience for “one and all.”
Grade Two Stories of Great People
This Language Arts block is themed around stories
and legends surrounding great people who were
later canonized as saints, such as Jerome, Odelia, Christopher, Nicholas and Lucia. For the next couple of
weeks, we will be writing summaries from the stories
we’ve heard, practising our handwriting and beginning
to write our own sentences through an activity that can
be described as “talking on paper.” We’re also reciting
our times tables, as well as adding and subtracting
numbers in the hundreds and thousands. It’s all very
exciting!
Grade Three The Grade Three children are immersed
in the Creation Story. And what exciting work it is!
First, they had to learn the story in Hebrew. Then, in
English. Then, since Grade Three children love to make
a joyful noise, they had to learn to sing it! Afterwards,
they painted it, and, as if that weren’t enough, they
learned some beautiful Eurythmy movements to go
with it. Finally, they felted it. All of this will be shared
with their friends and neighbours this week and next as
Grade Three presents “A Patchwork Quilt of Creation.”
Grade Four After a very successful math Main Lesson
block, Grade Four is now preparing for Language
Arts. The beauty and power of words, both wri en and spoken, the art and science of grammar, and the
richness of stories will fill the classroom during the Advent season.
Grade Five In Grade Five we have begun our first math block of the year with a return to Fractions. We
will be increasing our knowledge of these “in between”
numbers by learning to add, subtract, multiply and
divide them. During this block we will be hearing the
oldest story ever wri en, the epic tale of Gilgamesh from the land of Ancient Mesopotamia (modern Iraq).
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15
Grade Six finished a Main lesson block on Business Math, ending with a practical exercise in running
the Bairns’ Bazaar at the Christmas Fair. This really helped develop our skills in working together: se ing up, selling items that all the children in the school had
made, working the change box, and of course running
the ever popular popcorn machine.
Our assembly began with Grade Five playing their
flutes and singing, “Morning has Broken.” They were accompanied by piano, cello and silver flute. It was so beautiful to all sit in the darkness of the roundhouse
with this gorgeous music and sentiment washing over
us.
Grade Six then presented the poem “Invictus” by
William Ernest Henley. Mr. MacIntosh shared some of
the biography of the poet and the connection that he
had to the authors of Treasure Island and Peter Pan.
Grade Seven took up the task of reciting “Echoes”
by Helen Howland Prommel a poem about making
your voice count. Even a small voice can count and
command that we all listen to what another has to say.
This week we are starting on Physics, our first science block, where we’ll look at basic phenomena in the
world. In the first week you may see us tromping outside listening to sounds of the world: rain, cars,
sirens, feet crunching on gravel, etc. We carry this into
the classroom and explore how sounds are created.
Mrs. Taylor brought the assembly to a close by talking
about Craig Kielburger and his thought to have a Vow
of Silence on November 30, 2011 to remember the
children that have no voice, the children affected by war and by child labour in other countries. The Grade
Eight class ended the assembly by reciting a prayer that
begins, “They are all children when they sleep, there is
no war in them.”
Grade Seven Over the course of Advent Grade Seven
will be in the midst of a writing block called “Wish,
Wonder, and Surprise.” During this block, we will
explore a vast pale e of feelings through the use of the wri en word. This will be done by reading and memorizing works from masters as well as developing some of our own.
Grade Eight News flash! Grade Eight students can be surprised! Yes, I elicited some oohs and aahs, and
“that’s cool” as we observed various experiments in our
physics block. There is something pleasant in shaking
teenagers out of their eye-rolling malaise. And then,
to top it off, they all made their own electro-‐‑magnetic motor! Now that is something to ooh and aah about!
PEACE ASSEMBLY
MARY-ANNE TAYLOR, GRADE EIGHT CLASS TEACHER
On Wednesday, November 16,Grades 5-8 held a Peace
Assembly. Each child was asked to donate some warm
clothing for the residents of the downtown eastside to
give them some comfort and solace in the cold days and
nights ahead.
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The Bulletin
On Saturday November 19, in the middle of the
Christmas Fairday, Mrs. Taylor and her husband took
four large bags of donations to the Union Gospel
Mission on East Hastings. The donations were so
appreciated as they only had a few warm things left to
hand out to those in need. All of our donations will be
well used. Especially the socks! Oh my goodness, the
socks were a huge hit.
Thank you to all the classes that participated. It was a
moving assembly, and the aftermath of our caring will
be felt by many over the winter nights.
Who is Doing What
in the High School
Grade Nine
Physics: Thermodynamics
Grade Ten
Issues in Canadian History
Every day we have experiences with heat. But what is
heat? Why does heat act the way it does? Why do we act
the way we do in the presence and absence of heat? How
do other things act? What have humans created from
what we have come to understand about heat? How have
our inventions influenced our species? How are they influencing our surroundings?
Grade Ten is examining what it means to be a citizen of Canada with its a endant rights and responsibilities. We are looking at the forms of governments that
make up Canadian society, that is, local, provincial
and federal systems. We are studying the Canadian
constitution, especially the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms, both in a historical context and with
regard to current events. Finally, we are using these
examinations as a basis for exploring particular issues
of the day, such as Aboriginal rights, rights of secession,
and human rights at the individual level.
Starting from experiences we all have, Grade Nine is
exploring the way our human perception of heat and
cold has become a precise science with measurable
results. We are studying specific relationships such as the Gas Laws, the temperature scales and specific heat. We are also investigating some of the ingenious inventions
that have issued from the imaginations and observations
of thoughtful individuals. And finally, we are looking into the huge global scale of our energy consumption
and its consequences.
Grade Eleven
Projective Geometry
In this main lesson we challenge the limits of our
understanding of geometry and the world. In studying
Projective (or Non-Euclidean) Geometry, we enter
a field of geometric study that is not bound by rigid measurement, but rather embraces movement and
requires a vitality of thinking. We begin with artwork
and class discussions that allow students to participate
in the unfolding of established notions of geometry,
and continue with constructions of duality, conic
sections and projectivities in order to experience an
unfamiliar space reality that may be as valid, and
perhaps more generally true, than the one with which
we are most used to dealing.
Grade Twelve
Philosophy and Early Childhood
In this main lesson, students are introduced to basic
questions of philosophy. The main focus this year is
ethical theories. Students prepare texts for analysis,
present them in class and lead discussions on the basis
of questions arising out of different positions taken. Emphasis is placed on the practical implications of
theoretical concepts. Included in this block is a segment
on early childhood education.
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17
High School Exchange & International Program
LEXI PERRY, GRADE ELEVEN
EXCHANGE IN SOUTH AFRICA
In April of 2011, when I was in Grade 10, I left
Vancouver for three months to experience life in
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. I lived with my
exchange, Jess, and her family on the outskirts of
Durban. When I arrived, the Roseway Waldorf School
where I would be a ending was on a three-‐‑week holiday, so early on in my stay I was able to experience
camping in the famous Drakensburg Mountains, get
familiar with Africa’s very different animal species, and enjoy the ocean and waves at the waterfront in Durban.
Nothing was very familiar at first there, and I was constantly having new experiences thrown at me,
including the diverse cultural experience, opportunities
to take part in the community and school events, and
seeing leopards, lions and wild dogs up close. I also
was able to participate in the school play, try new foods
and jump off the top of the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer stadium on a bungee.
Within the school
program, I went on a
one-week exchange to
Turkey with my class. We
spent seven days with
host families, sightseeing,
going to the mosques and
living in the culture. With
my host family, I went
to Italy and we spent our
time there rock climbing
and hiking. What a
beautiful place! I was also
lucky enough to travel to
Denmark and Greece.
This exchange was the most wonderful experience I’ve
ever had, and I would recommend such an adventure
to anyone who is considering going on one.
WIEBKE WEBER
GRADE TEN, GERMANY
My name is Wiebke Weber and I
come from Germany. I go to the Freie
Waldorfschule Wangen, and I live
with my parents and my three sisters
near Ravensburg, which is in the
country.
After three months of making new friends, taking
hundreds of photos, and creating lots of good
memories that I still think about today, I packed up my
bags, said goodbye to my exchange family and flew home.
TATIANA KUEHN-GUNBY
EXCHANGE IN GERMANY
During the second half of my Grade 10 year I went on
exchange to Hamburg, Germany. I stayed with my
exchange partner, Carla Stegen, her parents and two
brothers. I went to school at the Rudolf Steiner Waldorf
School of Harburg. The school there went from the first grade to the thirteenth and was quite a bit bigger than
ours! It was interesting to experience another Waldorf
school, especially one with so many students and
teachers, and see the differences in the curriculum. 18
The Bulletin
I am interested in travelling and experiencing other
countries and different cultures. I like to dance and spend my leisure time with my friends. Two years ago my sister
came to Vancouver and she told me so many nice things
about the place, so I decided to come to Vancouver as well
to experience those nice things. I have been here for two
months now and it’s true what my sister said: The big
city, the ocean and the mountains are wonderful, and the
people are also really nice. I think the whole experience is a
very important thing in my life, and I am really enjoying it.
There are not many differences between the school here and my school in Germany. The school in Germany is
bigger than here, and the atmosphere is a li le different as well, but I can not exactly say why.
All in all, I really enjoy it here and I would recommend
that everybody does an exchange.
VWS
Alumni Corner
Interview with
Lani Steed CLASS OF 1992
MICHELLE GIBSON, GRADE SEVEN & NINE PARENT
MG: Tell me about your work and education after
graduating from the VWS (post-secondary schooling,
travel, work experience, family, etc.)
LS: Once I left high school, I was awarded a scholarship
towards tuition at what was then known as Capilano
College. There, I worked towards a biology degree,
during which time I met my future husband, Kim.
After two years at Cap College, I travelled throughout
Southeast Asia with Kim and we also travelled
throughout Europe, where he proposed to me. While
travelling, Kim and I were also researching and
educating ourselves about how to run a business, with
plans to start our own bike shop when we got home.
And we did just that: Steed Cycles has now successfully
been in business for the past 15 years. The year that we
opened our shop, we also got married and I started my
Royal Academy of Dance teacher training.
MG: What kind of work/study are you involved in
now?
LS: I am a classical ballet instructor specializing in preparing students for examinations. I have also
continued to work for our bike shop from its beginning
as a bookkeeper and helping with making decisions
about the direction of our business.
energy and the joy that the students express while they
are dancing. It’s amazing to watch my students grow up from very young children into poised young adults.
MG: What do you think are your greatest successes in
life?
LS: My two beautiful children; my awesome marriage;
and, I like doing two jobs that are exciting and
interesting. I also have wonderful, longtime friends many of whom are now teachers at the school - and I
am so grateful to have them in my life.
MG: How did Waldorf education affect your life and your choice of career?
LS: I have always been creative – my mother is an artist
– it gave me even more permission to go into a creative
field; I felt like I was truly supported to make a choice beyond a mainstream job and pursue a creative lifestyle.
That includes both opening a business, i.e., not being
afraid to take risks, and the obvious creative endeavour
of working in the field of dance. I love that there are a plethora of people with whom I a ended Waldorf and now they are bringing their children back to the school
and they are in my life again – my old Waldorf friends,
their children, their parents; it’s wonderful to be part of
such an extended community of so many like-minded
people.
MG: What are your fondest memories of your time at
the VWS?
LS: Class trips, like going on our annual hiking trips –
the Stein Valley ones were amazing! Also, really feeling at home and welcome at my school, day to day, and
like the people in my class were almost related to me,
like they were my cousins or something; feeling really
at home.
MG: What do you enjoy most about your work?
LS: For the bike shop, I love the wonderful staff we have, the energy and excitement of our customers and
the great atmosphere at the shop. I love bikes and it’s a
really fun environment. For the dance teaching, I love
ballet and I love teaching children, teens and adults
how to dance. I really love vicariously sharing in the
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19
The Updater
School Announcements
Tuition Adjustment for 2012-2013: Tuition
adjustment applications for the 2012-2013 school year
are due Jan 20, 2012 for currently enrolled families.
Please note that copies of your 2010 Income Tax
Assessment MUST accompany your application or
it will be returned. If you do not have this document
please call Canada Revenue Agency in order to have a
copy sent to you.
Alternatively you can establish a personal account with
CRA to access a copy of your Notice of Assessment
online. CRA has expired all accounts established
before Oct 5, 2010 and require re-registration to
establish a new account. It currently takes five business days to have your new access code sent out via mail so
please go online and register immediately if you need
an online copy of your 2010 Notice of Assessment. The
link to the Revenue Canada website is http://www.craarc.gc.ca/esrvc-srvce/tx/ndvdls/myccnt/menu-eng.html. Tuition
adjustment applications will be mailed on December
19 to all families who currently pay an adjusted
tuition. Applications will also be available from Marie
Marrio in the Accounting office, Fiona Thatcher in the Admissions office, or on our website after December 12. www.vws.ca
(604)985-7435 ext 204 & ext 200
[email protected] or
[email protected]
The graduating Class of 2012 is inviting the whole
school parent body, teachers and the students from the
High School (it is also for family and friends but not
li le children) to a FUN-‐‑draiser! Latin Combo Dance Class and Dance Evening taught
by alumni parent Geraldine Goyer at her beautiful
dance studio in Burnaby. Saturday, January 21,
2011 from 8:00p-9:00p dance lesson (salsa, bachata,
merengue), 9:00p-1:00a dancing with our own DJ.
Refreshments are served, non-alchoholic drinks are
provided. Let’s dance the Grade Twelve class into
their volunteer project, which will be in Costa Rica in
June. Fun investment: $15 students, $20 adults (great
Christmas stocking stuffer). For more information contact Sally McDermo (Gr 12 Parent)
(604)984-8745 or
Martina Parusel (Gr 12 Parent)
(604)562-4093
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The Bulletin
The High School is seeking the donation of a set of
basic tools (drill, screwdrivers, etc.). Please contact
Robert Adams (604)986-2922
Lost at Christmas Fair One Starbuck’s insulated
mug with black screw fliptop lid. It’s tall with a black rubber handle and is sparkly purple with a small
Starbuck’s logo. Given by a friend, so sentimental as
well as perfect for my needs and no longer available. If
anyone knows where it might be can they contact me
please! Thank you, Cluny.
(604) 971-1664
[email protected]
Lost And Found Please come and check the Lost
and Found box located in the front hallway of the
Grade School. There are a lot of coats, hoodies and
shoes needing their rightful owners. Anything left
over at the end of the Fall term, December 20, will be
donated to the Goodwill. There are also some stuffed animals, located in Ronaye’s office that are looking for their friends. (Do you recognize them?)
Red Door School Store Open Monday – Friday
8:30a – 10:00a and after school until 4:30p. Art supplies,
books, toys and natural health & beauty products. We
specialize in fibre art supplies! We also offer ongoing craft classes weekday mornings & Wednesday evenings
- Register in the store.
Our Extended Community
Upcoming Events
The Rhythms of Destiny: An Exploration of
Biography Each of us charts a course through life
that is radically individual, yet we are supported in
our journeys by archetypal rhythms that are common
to humanity. Through thematic presentations and
conversation, this course will search out those rhythms
and our relation to them. We will share life experiences
through imaginative exercises and explore significant moments in the biographies of individuals who have
affected our time. Throughout, we will draw upon the insights of Rudolf Steiner into the unfolding of
our destinies.This course will run for eight evenings,
beginning Thursday, February 2, 2012, and ending on
The Updater
March 22. We will meet at the Rudolf Steiner Centre,
3743 Delbrook Ave. (in the Delbrook Plaza), North Vancouver, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. The cost for the course
will be $90. Please contact Philip Thatcher at 604-9853569 by January 16, 2012 to register.
If, on a winter`s night, a traveller... Personal and mythic tales of journeys, mysteries and revelations, with a nod to Italo Calvino. North Shore Storytelling CricCrac, Dec. 4, at the Silk Purse Gallery in West Van,
7:00 to 9:00, $5 + $6 fee at the door. Hosted by Abegael
Fisher-Lang, and featuring tellers Manuel Salgado,
Patricia Smith and special guest Allison Cox, cofounder of the Healing Story Alliance, storytelling
therapist, international teller and teacher, and writereditor of The Healing Heart books on using storytelling
to build caring families and healthy communities.
www.dancingleaves.com/allison
For information call
(604) 985-5168
Childcare
We require daily childcare for our 4-year old girl
in our Burnaby Heights home, starting in January.
Activities would include picking her up from
preschool, having healthy lunch/snacks, and taking her
to occasional afternoon activities - all within walking
distance of our home. We are seeking an experienced
caregiver who can work approximately 20 hours per
week from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday – Friday (the
end time may be flexible, depending on the day). Please contact Brenda at [email protected]
Accommodation
Mother and daughter seek small suite or 1-bedroom
in the Lynn Valley area for October or November.
Open to a shared living arrangement. Mom works
part-time in urban agriculture and post-secondary
education. Enjoys community involvement, gardening,
wildcrafting, string instruments, outdoor recreation
and personal growth. Currently reside in the
neighbourhood, participating in VWS Early Childhood
programs, daughter (3 yrs old) to join Waldorf
Preschool. Intentions to size down and connect further with like-minded families. Able to contribute to a
household or remain self-contained.
Margaret [email protected]
We are a new Waldorf family looking for a rental
opportunity in the Lynn Valley or Grand Boulevard
neighbourhoods. Our family consists of mama, papa
and two boys ages 2.5 and 4 years. We are seeking
a two-‐‑bedroom garden suite or main floor of house with an eat-in kitchen, living room and backyard with
gardening potential. Papa is a public school woodshop
teacher (very handy) and mama is home with the
children but has worked as a tailor, baker and yoga
teacher. We are a peaceful and musical family with
great respect for privacy and home. Please call Kenzie (604)982-0647 or [email protected]
I am looking for a lovely 2 - bedroom suite for my
daughter (Mikala, Gr1) and myself. We also have two
very well-trained chihuahuas who come with excellent
references! We are quiet, other than the odd excitement,
and we love our home so we treat it well. I am hoping
for a bright suite, clean, full bathroom, flooring as opposed to carpet, with a great feeling to it. We’d love
to move in for November 1 and we love nature so a
backyard is very important to us. We are great tenants
with great references and your home will be loved as
well as enjoyed. Thank you!!
Shana Lee Gibson (778)688-5296 or
[email protected]
Marketplace
Waldorf in Vancouver There is a growing group
of families in Vancouver who are meeting in hopes of
creating a home for LifeWays Childcare and a Waldorf
Kindergarten. We are starting with a parent and child
class on Friday mornings, led by Margo Running of
LifeWays in North Vancouver.
If you are interested or know of families who might be,
please contact Margo [email protected]
It’s that time of year again! Are you tired a lot?
Suffering from mid-‐‑afternoon “crashes”? I would like to introduce you to a natural product that consistently
provides me with even energy throughout the day and
into the evening. It works, and it makes a difference! Jeff Feldman (604) 725-5798
Rothe biodynamic organic fruit and Ferme
Delapointe organic maple syrup is available.
Biodynamic Fuji, Jonagold and Gala extra Fancy tray
WWW.VWS.CA
21
The Updater
pack apples $50/40 lb. box, 6 x 2 qt Jonagold apple
juice $35. Anjou and Bosc winter pears $55/45 lb. box.
Golden and Red Delicious, Spartan, Winesaps, Mu us, Newton Pippin apples will arrive soon.
Organic #2 amber maple syrup: 4 litres $65; 2 litres $35;
8 x 540 ml $70.Contact
Les Tulloch (604)765-3548 or
Christian Tulloch (604)765-3549
Fusion Mobile Massage offers in-‐‑home Massage Therapy and Bodywork. Experiencing aches and pains,
recovering from injury or just plain tired and stressed?
Enjoy a beautiful, relaxing, healing experience in your
home without having to go out into the wet and cold.
Long-‐‑time and reputable Bodyworker and Healer, Bri Arnet, has launched a new business in private care and inhome treatments. Call to book your appointment today!
Bri
(604) 657-1143
Family home for rent over Festive season. Our Lynn
Valley house is available for rent from December 8 to
January 5, whilst we are away over Christmas. Please
call Justin or Cluny on
(604) 971-664 or
[email protected]
For ten years, Yogapod has been the north shore's
heart of sacred movement, a community of open minds
and brilliant hearts. As we continue to grow as parents
in the Waldorf community we would like to invite you
into our nourishing environment at the Pod. We have a
variety of yoga classes offered seven days a week and as family or faculty of the Waldorf school we would
like to extend to you 20 percent off any of our regularpriced passes. We look forward to seeing you on the
mat. Peace and light.
Laurie and Todd Inouye (Gr2 & Kindergarten Parents )
www.yogapod.com
Rescue and Relief to all Mommies! Need a nap,
or an afternoon to yourself? Want to go out and take
a long overdue yoga class or just have coffee with a friend? I'd love to take care of your beautiful babies
and toddlers while you give yourself treasured
mommy time! In my home or yours, count on beautiful
nurturing Waldorf-‐‑inspired care, recognizing rhythms, nature time and love. Call
Bri (Gr3&6 Parent) (604)657-1143
22
The Bulletin
Dear friends of Cascadia, we have received a
wonderful gift of art calendars from MacDonald Realty.
These are beautiful calendars featuring the work of the
North Shore Artists Guild. Thanks to the suggestion of
Anne-Marie Calder, the previous owner of our Centre,
we have been chosen to be the beneficiary of the sale proceeds of the calendar as well as an art auction of
the paintings featured therein. Each month shows a
house painted by one of the artists. Two of the pictures,
including one of the Cascadia Centre, are painted by
Anne-Marie. We have copies of the calendar with the
Cascadia logo in the centre as well as a description of
our work on the back of the calendar. There is also the
opportunity to bid on the artworks online. The proceeds
will also go to Cascadia. Here is the link to the auction
page http://www.macrealty.com/charityartauction/
You can see the selections there or in the a ached document. We are selling the calendars for $10 each
and $15 for two. Please call Cascadia to reserve your
calendars or come in to the Centre. We are so grateful to
Anne-Marie and MacDonald Realty for this opportunity.
Thanks you all, from everyone at Cascadia.
Open yourself up to the true you! Do you feel
stuck? Are you restricted by your limitations? Do you
desire change in your life? I’d love to help you open
yourself up to the amazing person you truly are inside. What is it going to take for you to have the life you
want to live? If you’re ready to remove the limitations
from you and your life so you can be and live the life
that is really you, call Karlina (Pre-school parent)
(604) 987-7271
www.joyfullhearts.com
Beautiful home organizing, deep cleaning and
interior design! Need someone to get your house into
shape or just consult on new decorating or reorganizing to make an old space new and usable again? Call
Bri (Gr3&6 Parent) (604)657-1143
Fairly Traded Certified Organic Reingold Coffee.
Fresh from the roaster each week. Grown in the
highlands of Chiapas, Mexico and skillfully roasted
locally. All blends available ground, whole beans
and decaffeinated (light / dark) through the Swiss Water Process. Less acidic 100% arabica, smoother for
sensitive stomachs.
Michael (604)987-4935
The Updater
I would like to welcome old and new friends to my
newly finished tiny house toy studio. I will be open
by appointment most days and evenings. My specialty
is dolls made from up-cycled wool sweaters as well as
li le felt characters. I can also do custom orders if you want a doll made in the likeness of your child. Please
check out my online store at www.craftinat.etsy.
com. The tiny house toy studio will host doll-making
workshops of groups of 3 or 4. If you have a few friends
who would like to learn the art of doll-making, please
let me know and we can have a chat about dates and
times. I look forward to seeing you all.
Tina Thorndycraft (Gr 11 Parent)
604-837-9673 (cell) or
604-988-3864 (home)
Nourish Market in Lynn Valley Village
We feature local, in-season products as much as we can
as well as numerous fair-trade, organic, gluten-free,
vegan and raw options. Our produce department is 100
percent organic, our breads and baking are local, most
of our cheeses are local and our meats are ethically and
sustainably produced locally. For more info contact us
(778)340-4030 or
[email protected]
www.nourishmarket.ca
2012 Stella Natura Calendars are here to plan for
next year. Part of the proceeds will go to people with
special needs. Not just any calendar. Comes with a
wealth of information, a planting guide and sky chart.
There is a limited supply in the Waldorf School store.
Contact Michael (604) 987-4935
[email protected]
Non-‐‑Pasteurized Local Honey. At the moment, blackberry, raspberry, clover, alfalfa/clover. For more
info: Michael at (604)987-4935
[email protected]
New Years in Cabo! Dec 31- Jan 7. Luxury twobedroom featuring one bedroom with a king-‐‑size bed and second bedroom with two single beds. Two
bathrooms with shower. Fully equipped kitchen,
(Costco very close), dining and living area with sofa
bed, private terrace with pool or ocean view, AC. Sleeps
four, maximum capacity six persons. Location is great,
right on the main beach, no need to drive. Five-minute
walk to town. The rack rate is $810/ night... we’re
offering it for $900 for the whole week to our Waldorf friends. www.cabovillasbeachresort.com. Please contact
Lisa (Gr6&7 Parent) (604)980-2269
I have 20 Canucks tickets available for the Feb. 2
Detroit Red Wings game, $110 each, upper bowl. You
can buy 1-20 seats together. I also have great section 109
row 8 lower bowl season’s tickets, 1-4 seats together, for
all home games, $130-$180 each, depending on the game.
Les (604)764-3548
Vancouver Island life, city style! Completely unique
on ½ acre and five minutes from Duncan Sunrise Waldorf School. Breathtaking open living designed and
built by VWS alumnus Michael Dutson. Ultra-modern
design with radiant concrete floors, 9–14 ft ceilings, double stud interior and exterior walls, Austrian triple
pane tilt/turn windows/doors, a very large kitchen and
342 sq. ft of covered decks overlooking ocean views
of Cowichan Bay. One in-law suite plus one legal selfcontained rental suite. In the heart of the Cowichan
Valley with local food, wine, space and community
abounding! www.realtor.ca MLS #321140 or
Michael (Gr3 parent) (604) 618-0284
Spare booster seats needed for outings. If you have
any that you are not using, please feel free to drop them
by the front office of the Grade School with Ronaye. Thank you!
Writing Workshops for Kids - Calling all winter
writers! Ever thought about what it would be like to
write your own book, be an investigative reporter, or
just write with confidence? This is your chance! Join this creative journey where children aged 7 to13 years
work through the writing process from brainstorm
to publishing! Please help us decide whether to
hold a Saturday workshop this winter. E-mail Lisa at
[email protected] by November 15 if you have
a young writer who might be interested.
Lisa Barreca (Gr2 Parent)
www.4theloveofwriting.com
WWW.VWS.CA
23
The Cascadia Society & Vancouver Waldorf High School
present
A Fairy Tale
Tuesday
December 13
11:00 am, 1:30 pm & 8:00 pm
Christmas
with Bell Choir & Eurythmy
(Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
at the
Kay Meek Centre Main Stage
1700 Mathers Avenue
West Vancouver
Tickets: $10/ $15/ $20
For more info and tickets, please call
Cascadia Society
604.987.3407
Vancouver Waldorf School
604.985.7435 x 0
Welcome parents,
high school students
and friends from far and near
to the ever returning and ever-renewing
Photo from Shepherds’ Play December 2007
Oberufer
Shepherds’ Play
Dec 20, 2011
7:30pm
at the
The Vancouver Waldorf School
North Vancouver
Needle Felting Tapestry
Workshop
with
Suzanne Down
Sunday
January 1
10:00a - 4:30p
at the
Vancouver Waldorf School
North Vancouver
Join us for a skill building workshop on
at the
creating Needlefelted
Fairy Tale and Story
Tapestries to hang on your classroom wall,
or child's bedroom wall at home.
All levels are welcome.
A wonderful creative way
to start the New Year!!
Suzanne Down will be in town from Colorado,
she is the founder of Juniper
Tree School of Story and Puppetry Arts and the
Larkspur School of Felting Arts. Suzanne loves
sharing her enthusiam, skill and wisdom with
people all over North America.
Cost: $90. Materials included.
Info and Registration
604.985.7435 x 0
[email protected]
Registration deadline: December 15
www.vws.ca
www.junipertreepuppets.com
December 2011
In this season of holidays and the seeking of light in the dark days of wintertime, all at AWSNA send
our thanks to all of you in our schools for the fine work you do – as teachers and staff in service to the
young and as parents who sacrifice to give your children an independent Waldorf Education.
The Association for a Healing Education, AHE, is in its 21st year of offering professional development
programs. For the fall of 2012, a new cycle of courses begins: “Classroom Educational Support,” a twoyear part-time program, and “Remedial Education,” a three-year part-time program. Both courses will
begin together October 18, 2012 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The curriculum for the two year course will
address the developmental needs of children and methods that can be used in classrooms or groups in
kindergarten, grade school and high school. The third year will prepare a teacher for a profession as an
Educational Support teacher. It will address deeper issues regarding the children such as honing
observation skills, and understanding the causes of today's challenges in childhood behaviors and
learning styles. For more information contact Mary Jo Oresti at [email protected].
The very committed Group for Mexico met in late October in an advanced seminar for Waldorf
teachers and the theme was the Threefold Social Order in our schools. The Guadalajara School
generously hosted this seminar which was led by David-Michael Monash, Nora Hidalgo, and Patrice
Maynard. Principles of Steiner’s blueprint for a healthy society were introduced;; the Cuernavaca school presented on their own courageous work to incorporate this revolutionary idea for social renewal and
organization in their school; a game to illuminate the ideas in practice was played; and all was leavened
with graceful eurythmy designed to support the program.
The Council for American Private Education, CAPE, is an advocacy group with 35 state CAPE
groups across the United States. So far we have not found sister groups like this in Canada and Mexico.
Your school is a member of the USA National CAPE through AWSNA Twice a year Patrice Maynard
represents us at those meetings in Washington, DC. She is the elected treasurer of CAPE and ensures that
Waldorf Education and its unique approach are comprehended and included in independent school policy
issues. Devoted to advancing the causes of independent education, CAPE works to keep legislators aware
of the important place independent education plays in the American educational landscape. At the recent
CAPE meeting in Washington, DC, Pat Bassett, Head of NAIS, presented on “Schools of the Future,” and was gratified to hear how many future-bearing approaches are already addressed in Waldorf schools.
We are proud to announce that Waldorf alum Benjamin Weber was selected as the 2011 Outstanding
Secondary Level Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award recipient. Weber is a graduate of Hawthorne
Valley School. The award will be presented during the 91st Annual, Conference of the National Council
for the Social Studies, “Dimensions of Diversity” in Washington, D.C., in December at a special Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award ceremony.
Grade 1 to Grade 12 Kindergarten Preschool
WALDORF WELCOME
OPEN HOUSE
PROGRAM
10:00 - 10:15 Welcome
10:15 - 11:30 Galloping Through the Grades:
Classroom Tours
11:30 - 12:00 Meet the Faculty
CALL 604.985.7435 ext 200
VISIT www.vws.ca
4
Sat
Feb
The Vancouver
Waldorf School
2725 St Christophers Rd
North Vancouver

here - Vancouver Waldorf School

Transcription

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