Newsletter Archive
School Bulletin for the Week of September 19, 2007
get included two
On Friday, September 28th from 7-9pm at the Chicago Waldorf School, renowned bullying and social resiliency expert Kim John Payne will talk with us about social inclusion as a way to overcome anti-social behavior, bullying and teasing in school and at home.
There are four qualities present in all traditional initiations where a balance between freedom and responsibility is learned: seclusion, endurance, change and belonging. However fewer and fewer children experience these ceremonies. So where are the new rites of passage? The answer is intense human encounter! It is in our daily struggles with each other that we define ourselves and experience the four qualities of initiation. How can we ‘elder’ our children knowing that peace is not the absence of conflict but the beginning of it. This talk will explore:
• Not Waiting for the Crisis: Emphasizing politeness and courtesy as keys to establishing social impulse control and empathetic relationships at home and school.
• The Put Down Diet: Bringing much greater awareness to our verbal and non verbal communication.
• Disapprove-Discover-Do Over: The three foundations of helping children change negative social patterns without needing to be blamed and shamed.
• It’s Only Teasing: Acceptable and unacceptable teasing. How to make teasing guidelines the children understand and use.
• Trauma: Cumulative Stress Reaction and its significant impact on the learning, social and emotional life of children.
• Problem Solving Meetings: How to facilitate class and home meetings around social exclusion issues.
• We Want to Help: How to actively engage students in developing and implementing the Social Inclusion approach.
• Why is this Such an Issue?: The deeper aspects of anti-social behavior.
• Teachers and Parents Working Together: How to develop a whole community approach and policy that is supported in your school and home.
• One Size Fits Few: Different approaches for different ages and the role of story and art.
Refreshments and social time will begin at 6:30pm so be sure to come get a seat! This lecture will cover many grounds on how to deal with this very important issue. Kim’s talk kicks off the year’s Parent Education program, which will focus on building and strengthening our community. Please come join us to discuss this very important topic.
—Judy Lubin & Cynthia Weir for Parent Education, PTO
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Social Inclusion & The New Rites of Passage
A Talk by Kim John Payne Addressing Isolation, Teasing & Bullying
Friday, September 28 • 6:30pm Refreshments • 7:00-9:00pm Talk
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lice are not nice
Lice are not nice and dealing with an infestation is no fun for anyone. Several cases of head lice have been found in the lower grades. Head lice infestation is common among children from 3-12 years of age. Lice are not a health hazard or a sign of uncleanliness and are not responsible for the spread of any disease. Head lice cannot live without a human host. They cannot survive on family pets.
If lice or nits are found on your student while at school, you can expect to be called to pick up your student immediately as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of new cases. When a case of lice has been identified, a notification letter will be given out to the class involved so that other parents in the class can appropriately monitor their children and a head check will be conducted on allstudents in the class. Before a student can return to school it must be verified that all nits (eggs) have been removed. School personnel will perform a head check; if your student has been sent home with lice, please have your student stop by the main office to be checked before proceeding to class.
A variety of products are available at your local drugstore to help. Information regarding over the counter products is available at pharmacies; some information is also available in the office. Whatever treatment you choose, please be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Choose an effective treatment, use as directed and perform the steps listed above to eliminate head lice from your home and prevent their spread in the school community.
We appreciate your cooperation and support!
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back to school recap
Thank you to everyone who attended the Back to School Welcome last Saturday! Students, parents, teachers and staff had a blast dancing with Mama Sadira and eating lots of yummy treats! A special thank you to everyone who helped with set up and clean up, Andrea Shaffer, Ford & Grace Walters, Carol McCullough, Linda Finer, Karolina Nowak, Stefanie Safran and the entire Baron family!
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new faces
Please welcome our two new part time employees to the fold! Peter Dodson will be our new Afternoon Office Assistant. Julianna Palm will be joining Jessica Petertil as her Assistant Teacher in the After Care Program.
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picture day reminder
Just a reminder that Warling Studios will be here on September 25th & 26th . Remember to look your best!
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substitute orientation
There is still one more opportunity to participate in a substitute orientation session to be conducted on Monday, September 24th at 8:15am. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Ilene Warfield in the Grade School Office x2372.
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pentathlon committee forming
Perhaps your child has participated in the Waldorf pentathlon in the past, and you enjoyed the event. Maybe you are excitedly looking forward to it in the future. Every year we piece together a great event for the fifth grade, but now, I would like to cultivate a group of enthusiastic parents and alumni to stand as a committee to support this large and wonderful event.
Are you handy at event set-up, or could you organize healthy snacks? Would you like to learn to train in one of the events and act as a judge? Would you like to act as a host on the day of? Please call or e-mail Ms. Shaffer at x8323 or contact her thru her message board if you are interested.
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planning pizza
The 8th grade are starting up Pizza Day again. This year it will be on Wednesdays. The cost is $2/slice (pepperoni or cheese) If you want to order for 13 weeks (Sept.-Dec.) the cost is $26. For the additional 18 weeks (Jan.-May) the cost is $36. Please make sure you register your order using the Pizza Day form which can be given to Mr. Husseini.
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packet pickup
On the evening of August 28th the Parent Teacher Organization, faculty and staff extended a warm welcome to all of our new families at the annual New Family Orientation. If you are a new family and couldn’t make the orientation, please pick up your New Family Packet (and fabulous art portfolio!) from Lisa Payton, Director of Admissions. Lisa’s office is located across the street from the main building in the Development Office.
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max-ed out
We are disappointed to report that due to unforeseen logistical problems with distribution, the pilot hot lunch program with Max’s Organic Planet is currently on hold. We will pass along any new information as it becomes available.
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safety alert
At recess we take care to separate the different ages of children, and we know that mixing different sizes of children during active play can increase the number of injuries we see. For this reason we ask that early childhood parents who pick up their children at noon, please not linger in front of the building after 12:20pm when grade school recess begins. We know that space for socializing is limited, but we invite you across the street in front of the school store, in the Sophia Garden or in front of the admissions office. But, with your child’s safety in mind, please vacate the playground area for recess time. Thanks for your understanding and compliance.
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thunder booster
Did you know we host several schools from around the Chicago area in our gym each week? We could use your help in the gym to run the scorebaord and act as a host for games. If you can volunteer your time and talents, please call or e-mail Ms. Shaffer at x8323 or contact her thru her message board.
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corrections to the directory
We apologize for any errors in the 2007-2008 School Directory. We will be issuing an addendum with corrections shortly. If you have noticed any errors please contact Amanda Kuzak at x8467.
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high school news
ticket to ride
All high school students are required to have a CTA student pass. The cost is $5 which provides the student with 1/2 price transportation fares between 5:30am and 8pm Monday through Friday. The CTA is making a limited number of these passes available to CWS; they will be given out on a first come, first served basis. Contact Tiffany Ying for more information.
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maine trip
This year’s Marine Biology trip to Hermit Island in Maine was the most well attended trip since the annual excursion began over a decade ago. Ten Waldorf High Schools including ours came to the event. Over 140 students were wading in the tide pools finding green crabs, starfish and many other types of creatures that dwell in the northern Atlantic. The members of the class of 2008 saw the tides go in and out everyday, dug clams flats and were privileged enough to see phosphorescent plankton under the water late at night. This was in addition to attending morning lesson and various labs throughout the day taught by biologists from ten different schools.
We had weather across the spectrum from cool and rainy to warm and sunny to strong winds that put the test to our tent stakes. We ate lobster fresh out of the ocean and generally enjoyed the ambiance of the salty air that is unfamiliar to many in the Midwest. Although it rained on the day we were packing up our tents, the Seniors stayed upbeat. My experience was that this trip is a tradition that is unlike any other and is a great way for the Class of 2008 to begin their final year of Waldorf Education.
—Andrew Starzynski, Class of 2008 Co-Advisor
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coach’s corner
Welcome to week two of the Coach’s Corner! This week the High School girls volleyball team is off and running! Fox Valley Lutheran came into town and the girls got their first win of the season. They defeated Fox Valley in two straight games. Setter Olivia Ragan and middle hitter Sanja Rameriz led the offense with some great plays between the two. Libero Danielle Marder led the defense with many great digs and passes. With a great overall team performance the girls had the visiting team on their heels.
The girls hit a road bump in the next game when they traveled out to Northtown Academy. They were missing two key players and the girls could not come together and lost in two games. At the game at Providence St. Mel, sophomores Arielle Lawson and Sylvie Warfield along with freshman Laura Holdrege stepped up and made some great plays. The girls pulled together to win in three games. The girls opened up strong and took the first game. The second game was a closely heated battle and in the third game they took a quick lead and coasted to a solid victory. The middle school girls will have news next week about their games this week.
Upcoming Games :: High School Girls
• Wednesday, September 19th / Home vs. Noble St. 5:30pm
• Friday, September 21st / at Chicago Rickover Naval vs. Chicago Rickover, 5:00pm
• Monday, September 24th / Home vs. OLT, 4:30pm
Upcoming Games :: Middle School Girls
• Wednesday, September 19th / Home vs. Roycemore , 4:00pm
• Thursday,, September 20th / Home vs British School, 4:00pm
Go Thunder!
—Christian Schnell, Athletic Director
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community annoucements
condolences: Mary Thienes-Schunemann crossed the threshold on August 30, 2007. Mary was a singer, songwriter, creator of the Singing With Children series and a beloved parent in the Prairie Hill Waldorf School community. She inspired and blessed so many with her music and spirit. We all extend our condolences to her husband and two daughters.
condolences: Justin Davis Armistead passed away on September 5, 2007. Justin was a student in our school many years ago. He was a member of Kathy Matlin’s class in Grades 1-6 during the mid-1990s. A lifelong student of Chinese culture and traditional Chinese healing arts, he was also a musician, performer, composer and show producer. Those of us who knew him when he was here remember his deep love of his pet ferrets. Our deepest sympathy to his parents, Suzanne and David Armistead.
(bio)dynamic workshop: Chicago Waldorf School is co-sponsoring a workshop with Angelic Organics on Introduction to Biodynamic Agriculture on Saturday, October 6th from 1-5pm at the Chicago Waldorf School Sophia Garden. The Garden is located at 1200 W Albion.
At this seminar you’ll learn about the comprehensive ecological, spiritual-scientific methods of Biodynamic agriculture introduced by Rudolph Steiner. Compare organic and Biodynamic practices, learn to prepare a Biodynamic preparation and apply it to the school’s garden spaces. Dress for a hands-on farming experience! The cost is $50. To register you can either call 815.389.8455, download the registration form or send an e-mail and mail the payment to: Angelic Organics Learning Center 1547 Rockton Road Caledonia, IL 61011. For more information you can also contact Patricia Holdrege at x8304.
get psyched later: Please note this change in dates! Janet Oliver, neurodevelopmental specialist from Plan for Learning near Minneapolis, will not be in Chicago September 20, 21, and 22 as announced in last week’s Bulletin. Instead, she will be here October 25, 26 and 27 to do 1 1/2 hour reflex integration screenings and follow-up sessions. She will also be able to do follow-up Handle activitiy checks, including activity checks for Pat Grosso’s Handle clients. (Janet and Pat collaborate whenever possible with this work.) The cost is $95 and the screenings will take place in a private home near the Chicago Waldorf School. Go to their website for more information, or contact Margaret McGuire at 773.828.8460 for an appointment.
what a doll! There is still room in the traditional Waldorf baby doll workshop which started September 17, following afternoon pick up (3:15pm) in Mrs. Driscoll’s room. The workshop will take place on Monday afternoons for approximately 6 weeks. Please come join us! For more information please contact Mrs. Driscoll.
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classified ads
custom woodworking by Pawel Smal: Specializing in solid wood and traditional joinery. For pictures of my work please visit my MySpace page. You can also call me at 773.858.1252 with ideas for your project.
for sale by owner: Large 4BR, 2BA home on 1 1/2 lot, W. Albany Park; stained glass & HW floors; new kitchen, family room, all new windows, lots of storage; new 20×30 insulated garage; lovely garden w/cherry trees, raised vegetable garden bed, swingset and sandbox. $389,000. Call 773.653.9663 or 608.629.5237.
remediation services: Waldorf graduate (CWS & WWS K-12) offering remediation tutoring to 3rd-12th graders in reading, writing, and early math. M.A. in Learning Disabilities (Northwestern University) & training in neuro-developmental exercises. Sessions are individualized to meet the learning style of your child. I take a holistic approach & offer movement exercises and nutritional tips to support learning. Please call Jennie Cain at 847.987.5943
looking for childcare: We are looking for a caring and responsible individual with previous experience looking after infants to take care or our 2 month old daughter 3 days per week. We live in SE Evanston, close to the EL and METRA. Please call Gabriela at 847.477.5971.
car for sale/car wanted: Our Toyota Camry (‘93) is shot—needs a new transmission/engine which could cost $3000. If you can fix it, or want it for parts, we’re asking $500/OBO. We’re also looking for a “beater” car to drive around town in. Jo/Jaime 773.539.2289.
selling natural honey: Local natural pure honey for sale from West Rogers Park 773.960.7180.
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newsletter submissions
• Deadline for all material is Friday 3:00pm.
• Submissions should be emailed to Stefanie Safran and are subject to editing if longer than one paragraph. Written submissions may also be handed in at the front desk.
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• If you have any questions, call Stefanie Safran in the Development Office at 773.828.8457.