Newsletter Archive
school bulletin for the week of May 7, 2008
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making may memories
This year's May Fair is scheduled for Saturday, May 17th (rain or shine) and preparations are well underway.
•Please join us for Flower Crown making!
Come to the lobby of the auditorium on Friday, May 16th, from right
after drop-off through an hour or so after pick-up. It's easy
(instruction always on hand) and fun…and truly one of the very
special things about the Fair! Parents, grandparents and friends
welcome.
•Bake for the Fair!
All families are asked to bake either for the Bakery Tent (cookies,
bars, muffins and other small items) or for the Cake Walk. Drop
off Friday, May 16th (the day before the Fair) in the main lobby or
bring them on Saturday morning.
And look for the following on the day of the Fair:
•Children's Craft Project by the 5th Grade:
Plant a flower seedling or seed from our Sophia Garden to take
home. We will use recycled containers.
•Community Project:
Plant a sunflower seed in the side yard to beautify our school.
We will have a Sunflower Patch when you return in the fall!
•Sale!
We will have flower and herb seeds from the Sophia Garden
packaged by the 3rd Grade — vegetable and herb seedlings
and a variety of mature plants for transplanting to your garden.
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All School Meeting Wrap-Up Coffee
Friday, May 9, 2008 • 8:00am • Canteen
Co-Sponsored by:
the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and the Board of Trustees
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garden update
Wednesday April 16 was a beautiful, balmy day…the perfect day to hear about Loyola University's expansion plans. A group of about 100 people gathered at Loyola's Lake Shore campus for a lunch-time presentation. In attendance were Loyola students, neighbors, employees of the university and, from the Chicago Waldorf School, Patricia Holdrege, Brian Gleichauf and me. Loyola's Vice President and Chief of Staff, Wayne Magdziarz presented a comprehensive picture of Loyola's extensive development plans for both the downtown and the Lake Shore campuses. I will focus on what we heard about the Lake Shore campus which was described as the largest transit-oriented development project in Chicago next to the Block 37 project downtown on State Street. Here we go…
The building that is currently under construction on Sheridan Road, across the street from the Granada Center, will have first floor retail and upper floor condominiums.
Arthur Street which faces this new structure to the north, will soon be home to a multi-faceted development. One structure will be a stand-alone, single retail site. “The retailer was not named.” Moving west on Arthur, a series of buildings, all with different facades, will house small apartments or condos in the front with multiple level parking lots behind them.
The building currently standing to the east of Sophia Garden will be demolished this summer,likely in July or August “CWS will be informed of dates as soon as they are known” and the entire site will be developed into a condominium structure. As previously reported, construction is estimated to begin in November 2008. This project has been described as environmentally sustainable and will be LEED certified with green roofs and 'pocket gardens' within the development itself.
There will be another condo⁄retail⁄parking development north of the Loyola el stop on Sheridan and Albion that will include turning Albion into a two way street for the first blocks west of Sheridan Rd. Most of the buildings north of Bruno's Tap are to be demolished. This development (still in the planning stages) sounds like it will wrap entirely around the back of the el tracks into the parking lot across the street from the current Sophia Garden.Concerns about the Loyola el station and traffic patterns have prompted Loyola to approach the CTA about potential re-design of the el station as well as the city's Department of Transportation to develop new traffic patterns. This is certainly still in the early stages, but plans are being developed which will result in a major overhaul.
Of course, there is substantial development on Loyola's campus as well. One entire classroom and office building is being taken down this summer, a new Jesuit residence has just been completed, a renovation of the Center for Fine Arts is underway, an addition to the Gentile Gymnasium complex will begin soon, and new faculty lounges are planned. Loyola has also just completed the purchase of more than $20 million worth of apartment stock in the neighborhood just south of the Lake Shore campus to develop into residence halls.
I have been in contact with representatives from Loyola about the potential for our continued work together in a new urban garden setting, however I unfortunately have nothing concrete to report to you at this time.
-Sheree Moratto
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development update
Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives.
-Rudolf Steiner, Founder of the Waldorf School Movement
This quote inspires the mission of the Chicago Waldorf School and our belief in it is the reason we choose to have our children educated here. For the school to continue to thrive, we need your charitable support. Please contribute to CWS' 2007-2008 Annual Fund and give as generously as you can.
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thanks in the grand tradition
Thank you to everyone who helped to make this years Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day a huge success! The school was clean and cheerful and the assembly was magnificent! Thank you to our students and their amazing families, and to our all of our wonderful teachers! And our amazing staff for keeping us safe and making us feel welcome! Thank you to Mr. Husseini for being so slick on the mic and Barbara Huckabay for explaining what we do here at the Chicago Waldorf School in under fifteen minutes! Thank you Mr. Starzynski for the sound on the stage! Thank you to Mr. O'Malley for lending us chairs and tables from St. Ignatius! Thank you admissions office for setting up a wonderful display of student artwork and for taking our guests on fabulous school tours!! And thank you to our room parents, PTO representatives and parent volunteers who served as escorts and experts on the Chicago Waldorf School: Martine Benmann, Barb Ciurej, Sarah Cottle, Mary Jo Graden, Valerie Hartmann, Cheryl Henley, Cynthia Joho, Amy Kahn, Daina Lyons, Mary Motyka, Kim Piehl, Sue Smock Lawson and Jan Thompson…and so many more! Thank you!
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conflict of interest policy
The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the adoption of an expanded Conflict of Interest Policy. All employees and trustees of the school will be required to agree to comply with the terms of this policy.
The adoption of a Conflict of Interest Policy signifies that the Board of Trustees and the College of Teachers acknowledge that disinterested loyalty to the best interests of the school and fairness to the students and families it serves are essential for the ethical and legal health of the Chicago Waldorf School. A (conflict of interest) exists when any trustee, teacher, staff member, parent, or donor uses, or gives the appearance of being able to use, his or her position and⁄or influence within the School to serve his⁄her personal interest or to benefit a family member, friend, or other individual at the expense of the school.
In other words, employees and trustees may not participate in decisions, activities or projects of the School, its Board, Faculty or Administration that would or could result in personal gain or gain to a family member or another individual at the expense of the best interests of the School.
If an employee of the Chicago Waldorf School is in a position to participate in making a decision pertaining to the hiring, evaluation, termination or promotion of another employee (family member or spouse or friend), the employee will not participate in the decision-making process.
Failure to adhere to this policy may result in dismissal. The Conflict of Interest Policy is quite detailed and was developed in consultation with the School's legal counsel. If you would like to read the entire policy, it is available by request from Kristin Pellicori at the Front Desk.
-Sheree Moratto, Co-Administrator for the Board of Trustees
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garden guests
Mrs. Holdrege worked with volunteer students from Loyola on the Sunday before school resumed after Spring Break. Together, we built new fences in the front area of the garden, making the garden look much nicer. A big thank you goes to the students for volunteering their time. They worked very hard despite the cold and windy weather.
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fun in the sun
Limited space is still available in the CWS Summer Camp 2008. Ileana Valencia, Spanish teacher at the Chicago Waldorf School for 17 years, current Chair of the Foreign Language Department and a trained teaching mentor, will lead the sessions along with two assistants. Children will enjoy arts; nature crafts; sports; exploring the neighborhood and Sophia Garden; afternoons at the beach; free play; weekly field trips; and other age appropriate activities. The camp is organized as a series of six 1-week sessions (June 16 — June 20; June 23 — June 27; July 7 — July 11; July 14 — July 18; July 21 — July 25; July 28 — August 1; NO CAMP June 30 — July 4). Sign up for one or more weeks or for the entire series! $200 per week plus a $70 one-time supply fee. Participation is open to children aged 5-12, regardless of CWS enrollment status. Registration brochures are available in the Front Office or call Kristin Pellicori at 773.465.2662.
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dressing up
With the change to warmer temperatures, the grade school faculty would like to encourage parents to review the grade school dress policy.
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if the shoe fits
The grade school faculty would also like to remind parents, particularly of those in the younger grades, that it is very important that the children wear shoes that are appropriate for a wide variety of movement activities. Look for shoes that cover the toe and heel, fit firmly to the foot and provide plenty of support for running, jumping, etc. Shoes with too high a heel or overly chunky soles can contribute to falls and twisted ankles; foam-type clogs are also problematic for movement. Your cooperation is appreciated!
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building agreement
This week we are looking at strategies for building agreement. One way to look at mediating agreements is like a sculptor looking at a block of wood. The wood may seem uncompromising and formless at first, but the sculptor knows that inside the wood there is a work of art; balanced, harmonious, beautiful, waiting to come forth. It is the job of the mediator to help smooth the rough edges and chip away at the hard angry feelings within those having conflict so that a fair agreement can be reached. Here are a few tools:
•Separate the issues from the personalities. Although they may
complain about not liking someone, etc. find out what's
behind the conflict.
•Separate the needs from the positions. Bringing focus on the true
needs of the individuals will help soften a hard line
position or opinion.
•Ask each person what they could change or do to help
resolve the situation. This prevents blaming and
empowers them to take responsibility.
•Develop trade-offs — (I'll do this if you do that). Use 'What if'
questions. Once you have found a trade-off that you think
may work, this can be one of the easiest ways of phrasing
a compromise.
•Be the 'agent of reality' speaking honestly about the consequences
of actions.
•Remind them that it's ok to agree to disagree. This takes the
pressure off.
•Offer possible solutions by asking questions: (Have you ever
thought about…I) or (Sometimes in the past people
have resolved this type of situation by… Do you think
that would work here?)
•Sum things up. How could you handle this situation differently in
the future?
Building agreement is like any work of art. It takes patience in the process and trust that harmony through conflict can bring forth healing, growth and the beauty of balance.
-Hazel Lucchesi-Ginsberg, SICG parent member
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high school news
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benefit thank yous
The 11th grade wants to warmly thank the many adults and students in our community who helped make last Saturday's benefit a great success. We met our two goals of $1200 for Philemon Malebye's tuition at MacGregor Waldorf School in South Africa and $600 to allow the seniors to attend prom forfree as the guests of the junior class.
There was a wide variety of talent on display. Mr. Spade, Mr. Dankert and Ms. Desouches (with the help of Lucien Lazar) were a hilariously dysfunctional yet operatically talented family. Mark Lazar gave us two tunes on the guitar. Jutta and the High Dukes performed world music. Alumni parent Maureen Flannery read her original poetry. Student talent included gymnastic dancer Abby Koziol, violinist Farley Kelly-Masterton, drummer Noah Pool, singers Ali Lindquist and Rachel Anspach, performers of the spoken word, Lukas Walczak and Alithea Tashey, comic Josh Collins, rap artist Leon Wallraf and memory savant Kelsey Murphy Miles. Casual Friday, a ska band with two Waldorf members closed the evening. Jess Suttner was the evening's capable and charismatic master of ceremonies.
Eleventh grade parents helped by baking and Dru and Jeff Muskovin oversaw the refreshment table and helped keep track of the cash.
However, we never would have met our goals without the noble and sacrificial act of Mr. Dozier who ended the evening by cutting off his pony tail. He had promised to allow himself to be shorn when the designated 'ponytail fund' reached $1000. The chances looked slim at first, but momentum built throughout the evening and the last $20 was dropped in the basket with only minutes to spare. Thank you, Mr. Dozier.
-Barbara Huckabay, 11th Grade Class Advisor
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exploring college options
Harvard University is hosting two upcoming Student⁄Parent Information Sessions. Meet representatives from:
•Duke
•Georgetown
•Harvard
•Penn
•Stanford
Tuesday, May 20 at 7:30pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago 60601
312.565.1234
Wednesday, May 22 at 7:300pm
Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge
1200 Burr Ridge Pkwy, Burr Ridge 60527
630.986.4100
-Eliza Bivins, College Counselor
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chronicling gratitude
The high school journalism class would like to warmly thank Michael Gebert for his generous gift of a large lightly-used computer monitor which replaced a rather tiny and antiquated model. Layout of the Chronicle has become much easier.
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math musings
Three years ago, Brian Gleichauf and I decided to start a math club in the Chicago Waldorf High School. For the past three years we members of the math club have competed in the regional section of the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) annual mathematics competition. This year, one of our students, 12th grader Michael Sanders, qualified for the state finals. Needless to say, Brian and I felt that we had finally broken through and that this was just the beginning. On Saturday, April 26, 2008, Brian, Michael, Michele Cusi (a 10th grade mathlete) and I left Chicago at 6:00am and drove down to the University of Illinois campus in Champaign-Urbana for the ICTM competition state finals. After consuming copious amounts of donuts and coffee (fuel for any capable mathematician), we arrived at the U of I campus around 9:00am. In the campus quad we found we were right at home. These were people who would understand the silly, nerdy math jokes I like to make while I'm teaching class. Usually these jokes result in nothing but the sound of crickets but here, they would receive nothing but raucous laughter.
During the opening ceremony, retired New Trier math teacher Richard Rhoad led us in the singing of the state finals song:
It's the ICTM State Math Contest
And the Mathletes are here to stay.
Algebra, Calculators, Pythagoras
Problem-solving all the way.
It's the ICTM State Math Contest
Great questions for challenge and play.
Stimulation for students, ideas for teachers
Illinois, it's a glorious day
(pianissimo) Illinois, it's a glorious day.
(ritardando) Illinois it's a glorious day!
Everyone stood on their feet and belted this out. For some of the students there, it was the fourth time singing this song. During the singing, I was imagining future CWS students who would make the trip all four years.
Finally, it was test time. Michael sharpened his pencils, reviewed some basic strategies and made sure his Ti-89 graphing calculator was working. We left him for the duration of the 50 minute precalculus written examination. When Michael was done, we picked him up and asked him how he did. It turns out,
Michael got six out of twenty correct. A very good score considering the highest scores are generally ten out of twenty. Some of the questions are definite time wasters and we had coached Michael on trying to avoid these. We scooped Michael up, went out to eat in a local establishment in downtown Champaign and then headed back to Chicago. It was a beautiful day with a great ending. Let's hope this is only the beginning of many of these annual trips to the Mecca of Mathematics here in Illinois.
-Andrew Starzynski
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community announcements
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creative muse
Honoring the Creative Muse: Artist Reception & Sale! Featuring:
•Barbara Gold Designs: Exquisite Handcrafted Jewelry
•Tangled Sky Productions: Original Encaustic Paintings-created
using layers of beeswax, resin crystals and paints by Beth
Billups.
•Belle Fleur: Handcrafted pins and accessories by Sue
Smock-Lawson
•Plus networking opportunities with other creative women!
•Light refreshments served
Friday, May 9, 2008 6:00-9:00pm at the home of Sue Smock-Lawson (1721 Dobson St, Evanston). Please RSVP to Sue Smock-Lawson at 847.864.3398 or Sue Smock-Lawson.
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book release party
Barbara Ciurej, Waldorf parent, will be signing her recently released book of photographs, All Things Are Always Changing, amidst many of her photos at the Salon at Big Chicks, 5024 N. Sheridan, Saturday, May 10, 2008 from 3:00-5:00pm. Also, Nicole Hollander will be reading from her new book of essays, Tales of Graceful Aging from the Planet Denial, from 3:00-3:30pm, then signing copies. For further info, please go to the Ciurej/Lochman Photo website.
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found
A man's ring in the gutter near where the early childhood entrance doors (the east wing). If you think it might be yours, please contact Ilene Warfield in the Grade School Office (773.465.2372 or Ilene Warfield). It looks like it could be a wedding band, and the finder would love to reunite it with its owner.
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classifieds
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Too Busy to Cook? Tired of Ordering Out? Wish you could eat healthful, made-from-scratch meals? Chef Lauren Krause provides customized organic meals designed within your family's budget and schedule. Remember…you are what you eat, so eat well! For services and rates call 773.474.2513 or email Lauren Krause.
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Warm, capable, experienced childcare: Yndri Flannery, wife of Waldorf alumnus and teacher, Tolman Flannery, would love to care for your children in your home or her Evanston home. She has 10 years of experience and can provide excellent references. Yndri and Tolman have two children of their own, ages four and 17 months. Call 773.415.8146 or call Maureen Flannery at 847.864.8146.
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Free Kittens! Three 7-week old male kittens. Vaccinated, litter-box trained, sweet and very friendly. If interested, please call Katherine Rogers at 847.864.5674.
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I Would Love to Care for Your Child! Nice, fun loving and responsible, I would love to care for your child for a few days each week while your work gets done. I am a CWS graduate and experienced with young children. References available. Please call Melinda at 847.201.4341 to discuss availablility (voicemail will announce Innovative Enterprises).
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Free: Semi-vintage dark blue Peg-Perego double stroller. Seats face each other and have detachable sun tops. One wheel needs to be more solidly attached. There have been many miles put on this stroller but it is a solid old 'Cadillac'. Call Susie Poole at 773.989.8483 or email Susan Poole.
2-Bedroom Apt Available: On Brown-line El, near Lincoln Square. Hardwood floors, renovated kitchen, DR, LR, spacious porch⁄deck⁄yard, parking, laundry. $1000⁄month plus utilities. Available 6⁄1. Call Suzanne Steinrueck at 773.870.1055.
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My Name is Rachael Morkunas and I am a recent Chicago Waldorf high school graduate, I currently attend Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. I am coming back to Chicago for the summer and I am looking for babysitting jobs. If you are interested, please don't hesitate to call. My number is 312.375.3296.
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Need A Summer Nanny⁄Babysitter? Hi, I am a CWHS graduate from 2007 and I am looking to nanny or babysit this summer. I have quite a bit of experience working and spending time with children. I can drive and my schedule is wide open for the summer. If you have any questions or would like a reference please feel free to give me a call! Kiah Shapiro 773.425.2180.
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Back by Popular Demand! Lake Shore Day Camp in Evanston, run by CWS senior Simone Lazar. For incoming 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders. June 16 — June 27, Monday — Friday, 9:00am — 2:$$200. For information, call 847.208.1358 or email Simone.
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Farm Intern Opportunity: Family farm in SE WI, one hour from Chicago is looking for a few commited, individuals interested in learning about farm life and development of sustainable living on the farm. We have alpacas, dairy goats, horses, chickens and ducks to name a few. To see detailed description go to Attra web site, under interns and WI Alpacas of Whimsical Acres. Looking for Full or Part-time Email Garbiella Szmola or call262.843.2663 or 847.922 3186 (cell).
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Our wonderful long-term babysitter Kathi is now available for part-time babysitting work (roughly 25 hours⁄week). She has worked for Waldorf families for over 13 years now. She is terrific — gentle, loving, patient, very trustworthy and loyal. She will get snatched up very quickly as she is a real 'Mary Poppins'. Please tell your friends! If interested, call Liz Heavenrich for more info or call Kathi Marquez directly at 312.375.7808.
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food for thought
Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness.
-James Thurber
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Four Seasons Shop School Store
New Stock for Spring
Calendars & Note Cards
Books
Uriel Pharmacy Skin Care
Young Living Essential Oils
Toys
and more…
New Extended Hours!!
Open Mondays 8:00am-4:00pm
Tuesdays 8:00am-5:00pm
Wednesdays 8:00-4:00pm
Thursdays 8:00am-4:00pm
Fridays 8:00am-4:00pm
Saturdays 9:00am-1:30pm
Closed Sundays
773.828.8800
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The CWS Bulletin
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 to the CWS website.
•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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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.