Newsletter Archive
sophia garden:
a walk down memory lane and a look to the future…
It is winter, 1997. The Chicago Waldorf School has been at its new location at 1300 W. Loyola Ave. for two years after unexpectedly losing our lease at our previous location at St. Bonaventure's. Our enrollment is about 200, we're in the third year of offering our high school program and we've just gotten the incredibly huge auditorium (which we are sure we will never fill with people) up and running after two years of cleaning. A friend of the school, John Beaudry, a master horticulturist, was visiting the school and was leading GreenCorps Chicago at the time. As we were saying goodbye, he asked me if it was the Chicago Waldorf School's intention to remain landlocked and without green space. I said no, and that we were happy to have the side yard and the parks. He asked me about the lot sitting empty just east of the school with nothing more than grass and a fence. I told him that Loyola University had just torn down one of the ‘problem’ buildings they owned east of the school, a building where daily police visits and arrests were common.
John and I decided to see if we could convince Loyola to let us use the vacant lot for a community garden. We teamed with the Ignatian Services Food Pantry coordinator, Jackie Beale DelVecchio. Our plan was to transform the vacant lot into a community garden operated by the Chicago Waldorf School, designed and funded in year one by the City of Chicago's GreenCorps program with the mission of growing fresh vegetables for the clients of St. Ignatius' Food Pantry. In addition to the three of us, we found the perfect colleague to take on long term responsibility for the development, vision and care of the garden, our own Patricia Holdrege. Amazingly, Loyola University agreed to our proposal and gave us permission to garden the site for three years at no charge. They told us at the beginning of the garden project that Loyola would not sell us the property and that when their development plans took shape, we would lose the site.
Jackie and I decided to name the garden the Sophia Garden for Sophia, the divine feminine…the wisdom of the world. Two years later, Loyola demolished the building east of the Sophia Garden and invited us to expand the garden into the space as it currently exists. Every student in the school participated in the garden installation that spring, from planting perennials, trees and shrubs to cutting sod, building raised beds and planting vegetables. And just as she does today, Patricia poured countless hours of love, sweat, muscle, vision and tears into the place. We and our neighbors are so thankful to her for bringing exuberance and life to the community through the garden. Thank you Patricia.
When our three year arrangement ended, CWS and Loyola agreed that we would check in annually, each February, to see if Loyola's expansion plans would affect the next growing season. Each year I called Loyola's capital development office and each year, we got the go ahead for another year of gardening. We have never paid a penny to Loyola for the use of the property.
This year, parents Mike Dillon, Joe Ferguson and I met with Loyola in October and were informed that the site was going to be developed soon. In my annual February check in, I was informed that the plan for a mixed use residential/retail building calls for groundbreaking in November 2008. We have one more growing season to revel in the unlikely gift of land for a garden that has brought us a place to watch the natural world unfold a true experience of the cycle of the year. Over these 11 years, we've carved stones for the garden, painted panels to adorn the garden, planted untold numbers of plants there, given a home to the homeless, watched the trees grow, harvested vegetables to give to our neighbors, played and some of us have even found a little hill to roll down. This place has been a wonderful gift and I think I can speak for our whole community when I thank Loyola University for their generous gift to our school and to the neighborhood.
It is a wonderful place that is hard to imagine losing and I can understand why there are questions about the Sophia Garden and Loyola's expansion plans. Here are some that I have heard…
•Have we made our case for why this space is so important to CWS? We have always been open with Loyola about how important this place is to us and we have done so every year since 1997. We have also given Loyola our deep thanks and appreciation for the use of the site free of charge.
•Did we try to buy the property? Yes, we offered many times to purchase the site, but Loyola has had other plans since 1997. We knew from the beginning that we could use it until their development plans were complete. They have never been interested in or willing to sell us the property.
•Did we fight hard enough to keep Sophia Garden? To me, it isn't a question of a fight. When we first began the garden back in 1997, the idea that CWS would be in this location for more than six years seemed highly unlikely. The school's leadership had long planned on finding a permanent home. This location was seen as a short stop on the journey to a permanent campus elsewhere. The opportunity to develop a garden even in the short term was such a wonderful one, we couldn't pass it up.
Of course, things changed in 2005 when the Board of Trustees and College of Teachers decided to develop a permanent campus around the 1300 W. Loyola main building. We purchased the Science Center Building in 2006 (our first ever real estate purchase), negotiated an 11 year lease on the main building, continued the lease on the storefronts across the street from the main building and added the Early Childhood 5 classroom next to New Leaf. We began relationships with St. Ignatius, Loyola, the neighbors and aldermen that were about being good neighbors for a little while. Now, we find that we need to deepen these relationships as companions in guiding the future of our neighborhood together.
It is natural to feel sad and upset at the loss of the Sophia Garden and I share those feelings. But, I also feel that karma and opportunity are knocking on our door. I have a vision of Sophia Garden moving to a new site, one that we would purchae and that would be our own. It would be a short walk from our main building and in the middle of that new, transformed garden would be a new Early Childhood Center. There is a property where this could happen. It is in the 1200 block of West Pratt. Members of the School Executive Committee will be meeting with Alderman Moore to explore the possibility of developing this site. Go take a look at it — can you imagine it? It would take your support and vision to make this a reality, but I can see it in my heart, just like I saw the first Sophia Garden in a vacant lot.
-Sheree Moratto, Co-Administrator
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Spring Break • April 7-11, 2008
Administrative Offices Open 8:00am-3:00pm During Break
Classes Resume April 14th
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privacy policy
Please remember that all personal information obtained from the Chicago Waldorf School (such as class lists, parents’ names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.) is considered confidential information. Any use of such information for business purposes or personal gain is unauthorized and a violation of the CWS privacy policy.
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development update
We are always pleased to report the continued growth of this year's Annual Fund. To date, we have received a total of $157,000 from our generous parents, grandparents, and friends! Parent participation is climbing, with 44% of parents having made a donation to the Annual Fund. So we still need your help in reaching our goal!
Also, don't forget that every class to reach 100% participation in this year's Annual Fund receives a signature Red Velvet Cake from Tweet! There are many things that your class can do with a Red Velvet Cake. You can organize a tea party or cake and lemonade party. You could have an end of year gathering and barbeque, which features the cake as the main dessert. Or, if your class is feeling particularly giving this year, you could donate your cake to the May Fair for the Cakewalk.
Remember, all gifts are tax deductible. Please contact Kristi in the Development Office at 773.828.8456.
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festival life
In early January the College of Teachers decided to take a serious look at the festival life in the school. We worked with the idea that the major festivals of the year should address universal themes reflected in the seasons. We studied some of Rudolf Steiner's ideas on how the festivals can potentially connecthuman beings to both spirit and earth. We talked about ways to create festivals that represent timeless truths and also reflect the world of today. We discussed ways to transform festivals without watering down their spiritual principles. The College decided that the major all school festivals would take place in the fall, winter and spring. In our weekly meetings we began to prepare for the spring festival. We first explored the common themes connected to spring in many cultures: rebirth, growth, renewal, resurrection and transformation. We then looked for places in the curriculum where these archetypal themes were naturally highlighted. We talked about Odin sacrificing one eye so he could learn to read the ancient runes. We remembered Joseph, stripped of his colored coat of inheritance and flung into a pit, later resurrecting as an Egyptian leader. We looked at the life of Buddha and the idea of reincarnation. We discussed Christ and the resurrection. The story of Parzival stood out strongly because it so fully encompassed the theme of spiritual transformation. Out of these themes we began to build the picture of a spring festival that showcased the story of Parzival in eurythmy. We also acknowledged that just as in the spring the sap begins to rise, so, too, does the human being now become more active in the limbs. After the long cold passive winter, we all are eager for the first warm day when we can stretch, walk, run, dig, move. Children know this better and sooner than most adults. Spring is the season of will activity and we felt that quality had to be reflected in the festival, too. Plans are also in the works for an Earth Day celebration on April 22nd. Second grade parent and Social Inclusion Committee member, Hazel Lucchesi-Ginsberg, approached the College with an idea for creating a labyrinth for the students to walk to honor the coming of spring. Teachers are working with Hazel to help create this new avenue for acknowledging our spring connection to the earth and each other. The spring assembly combined with this experience of the labyrinth are our first steps to re-enlivening our picture of festival life.
Please come and experience how well the students show this seasonal awakening. Join us for our Spring Festival assembly Friday, April 4th at 11:15am in the auditorium.
-Carol Triggiano for the College of Teachers
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from the school executive committee
“The true measure of any society is not what it knows but what it does with what it knows.” -Warren Bennis
The leadership of the Chicago Waldorf School is interested in hearing from you! We have decided to initiate a small pilot series of focus groups this spring to listen, gather information, understand perceptions and points of view, with the goal of determining how we may best continue to serve students and families while continuing to advance the mission of the school. Tentative dates are April 28th, 30th and May 12th. Stay tuned for more information after a restful spring break!
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where is seasons?
In Chicago, that’s where! Imagine our surprise when we opened up the March 2008 issue of Chicago Magazine and found the Four Seasons Shop listed in the Play Safely section of their Best for Kids article (page 72). The word is out!
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around the blocks
Here is what is coming up on the grade school block rotation after spring break:
•1st Grade - Ms. Petersen
Arithmetic
•2nd Grade - Mrs. Sullivan
Arithmetic
•3rd Grade - Ms. Triggiano
Shelters II
Arithmetic
•4th Grade - Ms. Desouches
Social Studies:
Local Geography & History
•5th Grade - Ms. Vaca
History & Language Arts:
Ancient Greece
•6th Grade - Mrs. Moskowitz
History & Language Arts:
The Middle Ages
•7th Grade - Ms. Szymanski
World Geography
Class Play
•8th Grade - Mr. Husseini
Science: Chemistry
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orchestra ⁄ band news
The orchestra ⁄ band program is nearing its end of the year programs. Here is a listing of currently planned programs.
•Monday, March 31st:
The orchestra and band played a beautiful concert during the noon-time Under the Picasso series at the Daley Federal Building.
•Sunday Night, May 11th at 6:30pm:
The 6th, 7th, 8th grade orchestra is invited to perform a program of music prior to the Chicago Chamber musicians subscription concert at Pick-Staiger Hall on the Northwestern campus. All families are invited to attend and all will receive complimentary tickets to the Chicago Chamber Musicians' concert (7:30pm) following the Waldorf Orchestra performance. It is a great opportunity to perform for a wider audience in a wonderful performance space and hear some of Chicago's finest musicians perform. Performers need to find their own transportation to and from the concert.
Arrival time is 6:15pm
Concert Dress: white & black
•Wednesday Night, May 14th at 7:00pm:
This is the instrumental program's final concert and involves all 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade band and orchestra students. (Please note: 3rd and 4th grades are welcome to attend but will not perform on this program.)
Concert Dress: white & black
•Saturday, May 17th — May Fair:
The 3rd grade will present a program of group pieces and smaller ensembles.
Exact time: TBA
Dress: May Fair attire
•Wednesday, May 21st at 11:00am:
The 4th grade will present a strings graduation performance of orchestra music and small chamber ensembles in the St. Ignatius church sanctuary (Glenwood and Loyola).
Dress: Dressy clothes
Please plan your calendars to fully participate in these events.
Thank you,
-David Hoppe , Jenny West & Jonah Blum Instrumental Music Faculty
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high school news
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around the blocks
Coming up next in the high school:
•9th Grade Main Lesson:
Geology with Mr. Holdrege
Art Block:
Block Printing with Mr. Dozier
•10th Grade Main Lesson:
US History with Mr. Massie
Art Block:
Metals with Mrs. Vig
•11th Grade Main Lesson:
The Age of Reason with Mrs. Huckabay
Art Block:
Metals with Mrs. Vig
•12th Grade Main Lesson:
Optics with Mr. Kotz
Art Block:
Drama with Ms. Everhart
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high school benefit
The whole school is invited to the high school benefit on Saturday, April 27. The high school students and teachers are planning an evening that will be fun for all with a variety of entertainments from music to dance to comedy to gymnastics.
Our goal is to raise tuition money for Philemon Malebye, the South African Waldorf student that the 11th grade has been supporting since their freshman year. Once Philemon's tuition needs are met, any additional money will go to defray the cost of the prom. Our hope is to raise enough money to begin a tradition of allowing seniors to attend the prom for free.
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anthroposopical architect
The Rudolf Steiner Branch (4249 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago) is hosting guest speaker Joan Allen, architect for over 50 years in the Camphill Movement. She will speak Friday, April 11, 7:30-9pm on The Spiritual Origin of the Goethe Fairy Tale. On Saturday, at 10am Daniel Hafner will tell The Fairy Tale of the Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily. After lunch we'll work artistically with themes out of the tale. Joan will conclude the event from 3:30-5pm with a lecture From the Goethe Fairy Tale to the Mystery Dramas of Rudolf Steiner. Admission for Friday's lecture: $12 members and non-members; only Saturday, $25; $30 for the entire event. For more info call John at 312.217.1768.
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uncommon trio
The Orange Mighty Trio featuring violinist Zack Kline plays their mixture of bluegrass, classical and other elements at Uncommon Ground on Devon this Sunday, April 5th at 8pm. Their music has been called “maverick chamber music” and “not to be missed by fans of Tin Hat Trio or Darol Anger…s Republic of Strings”. Steve Dawson of Chicago's Dolly Varden follows at 9pm. No cover charge; kindly tip the musicians.
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what is community?
What is community, locally, nationally, globally and at CWS? We use this word in our daily chats. It is on our news, TV, on radio and in print. We use it in parent evenings and on our website. But do we really know what we mean when we say the word? In the dictionary we find a very dry dispassionate definition. But is that what it means to us personally? Often we don’t take the time to define things in our life until there is a need or something calls us to look within. Until fairly recently in history, community was often defined by religious affiliation. But the 21st century reflects a great change and shift in these affiliations.
What do we mean by community at CWS? Do we mean that we have our children together in school, bake for the fairs, attend parent evenings and potlucks and chat over coffee? Or is there something more? Does community also mean supporting our members when there is a need? We make meals, drive other kids, and listen when it is needed. But sometimes there is that rare occasion when something more is needed.
You will be receiving an invitation for a benefit to support one of our community families who is at a time when they need some outside help. I am hoping that you will take a few minutes and think about what community at CWS means to you. Thank you.
-Dru Muskovin, HS parent
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classified ads
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Painting Time Again! A business serving Chicagoland for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial settings. Knowledgeable, dependable and insured. Free estimates with reasonable costs using ONLY all natural products: water-based wall paints and low VOC wood oils. Contact John Stolfo or 312.217.1768.
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Apartment for Rent: Available May 1st. Spacious sunny 3 bedroom at South Blvd. Beach in Evanston. Call Lisa Allen at 847.373.7856.
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Waldorf Play Items: Let's renew and refresh, together!! We've begun our spring cleaning early and are hoping to renew and refresh our children's playroom. Moving out the old, loud, plastic and unimaginative in hopes of new, fresh, natural and inspirational alternatives. If you have gently used Waldorf wooden toys, dolls, play stands and canopy (especially play stands and canopy!), clothing racks, etc. that your own children may have outgrown, we'd love to talk with you. Please contact us to recycle and thus, renew! Contact Deborah at 773.755.9557 regarding any items you might like to resell or donate to a happy home. Items should be appropriate for preschool aged children.
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Zack Kline is Offering Violin⁄Fiddle Classes after school on Tuesdays (possible other days, too). He has taught at City of Lakes Waldorf School in Minneapolis for the past 5 years and has performed a wide range of music from classical to bluegrass. His fiddle, folk and improvisational side mesh with the Waldorf approach. Lessons will also be available over the summer. Please call Zack at 773.517.6333 or visit Zack’s website.
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Seeking Sanctuary for yourself or someone you love? Consider giving the gift of a Sanctuary Space workshop! Sanctuary Space is dedicated to the concept that everyone deserves to feel supported and nourished in their home. We will co-create an environment which inspires and delights! Join Sue Smock-Lawson for a 5 week workshop series beginning after break. Please call for workshop dates and times. The cost of the series is $125. I am also available to do consulting in your home as featured in last year's CWS auction. To register or for more information, please contact Sue at 847.864.3398 or 847.212.3478.
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Leif (CWS grade school alum) Melvin's girlfriend's house is up for sale: Northside of Chicago in Peterson Park neighborhood. Classic Chicago Bungalow in a friendly neighborhood located between three of Chicago's parks (Peterson Park, Hollywood Park, and Legion Parks). One block away from Northside Preparatory High School. Easy access to Kimball bus routes, connecting to the Kimball brown line. Contact Realtors: Anthony and Carmen Rodriguez (Coldwell Bankers)at 773.457.2043.
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food for thought
Civilization is a limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessaries.
-Mark Twain
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Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day
On this day we open the doors to the special adults in our students' lives:
Grandparents • Aunts & Uncles • Special Friends
Friday • May 2, 2008
8:00-11:15am
Please RSVP to the Front Office 773.465.2662
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We Go Green!!
Beginning on Wednesday, April 23rd, you can receive your Bulletin one of the following three ways:
•Send your email address to Ilene Warfield. We will follow up with a weekly email notification once the Bulletin has been uploaded.
•Go to the CWS website click Current Bulletin.
•You can access past weeks' Bulletins in our Newsletter Archive.
•If you absolutely must have a paper copy, please stop by the Main Office
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Four Seasons Shop School Store
See mention in March 2008 Chicago Magazine!!
Gifts for All Ages!
Store Hours:
Tuesday-Friday
8:00am-4:00pm
Saturday
9:00am-1:00pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
773.828.8800
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BULLETIN SUBMISSIONS
•All submissions must be emailed to
Ilene Warfield and are subject to editing.
•The deadline for submissions is 3:00pm on Thursday for publication in the following week's edition.
•If you would like to receive weekly
email notification of electronic
publication, send your email address
to Ilene Warfield.
•If you have any questions, contact Ilene Warfield or call
773.465.2372.