Parent Planner

May 14, 2026

New Building Inauguration:
You're Invited!

Dear AWS Community,

We are delighted to invite you to join us on Friday, May 22 at 9:00 a.m. for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating our new campus building.

This new space includes two new classrooms and additional restroom facilities. It reflects a meaningful step in the continued growth of our school and our commitment to providing a nurturing environment for our students for years to come.

Members of the Board will offer brief remarks, followed by a ribbon cutting led by Head of School Dr. Michelle Purghart.

Inside the classrooms, guests are invited to view a display of student work from this school year.

We hope you will join us in marking this milestone in the life of our school community.



New Building Inauguration

Friday, May 22

9:00 - 9:45 a.m.

New Building

Mark Your Calendars

We ask your special attention for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, during which there will be NO CLASSES, as well as early dismissal at the end of the school year on May 28 (Early Childhood) and May 29 (Grades 1-12).

Key Dates

Head of School Coffee Report:
Media Use

This morning, we gathered for the Head of School Coffee on the topic of media use. During the meeting, we shared copies of our current Media Agreement, which you can find here.

Our school counselor Jada D'Angelo spoke about the intention and vision behind the agreement, which was established post-Covid. At Austin Waldorf School, we ask families to remain media-free until third grade, which is in alignment with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This approach supports children in developing creativity, imagination, and meaningful engagement with the world around them.

High School Director Dr. Ann Orsinger also shared how technology is thoughtfully introduced in high school, with an emphasis on responsible engagement, critical thinking, and balance through many screen-free periods throughout the day.

This vision is shared with each prospective family who visits the school, and we look forward to continuing parent education on media use in the coming school year.

During the thoughtful discussion that followed, we heard many valuable perspectives and received several helpful suggestions from you.

Media Committee

As a next step, we will be launching a media committee for the upcoming school year to further explore ideas such as:


• Reintroducing the signing of the media agreement for families, and making the commitment yearly
• Clarifying the shared responsibilities of school leadership, teachers, and parents
• Providing education and guidance for new families
• Placing clear signage on campus and at AWS sports events regarding AWS being a cell phone free campus

If you're interested in participating in this media committee, please reach out to Head of School Dr. Michelle Purghart at mpurghart@austinwaldorf.org.

TEFA Update

Families who applied for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, should now have received either an award notification or waitlist placement.

Because applications exceeded available funding, the state conducted a lottery in late April to determine both awards and waitlist order within the different priority tiers. All Tier 1 students and their siblings have received funding, while Tier 2 students were awarded funding in lottery order until available funds were exhausted.

Remaining Tier 2 students, as well as Tier 3 and Tier 4 applicants, were placed on the waitlist. Families on the waitlist are scheduled to receive information this week about their approximate position, and additional awards may be made as families decline funding or as reserve funds become available following the appeals process.

Families who received an award must opt into the program and select their participating school through the TEFA portal by June 1 for July funding or by July 15 for August funding.

TONIGHT: Seniors Perform
Knives Out for Class Play

We warmly invite you to our seniors' class play tonight, a very unique adaptation of Rian Johnson's screenplay of the murder mystery Knives Out!

The Waldorf link

When trying to decide on a play, one of the students suggested the Knives Out movie. Our Humanities teacher, Mr. DiLeo, did some research and he found out that the movie had been adapted as a play by a student in California for her senior project. That had a familiar ring to it, and sure enough, she turned out to be a Waldorf student.

Mr. DiLeo reached out to her, and she responded with enthusiasm, giving her permission, along with a video of their performance in their adorably tiny performing arts room (reminding us how lucky we really are here at AWS). She also handed over Rian Johnson's email address, who gave us his blessing.

Grade 12 Play Knives Out - Community Performance

Thursday, May 14

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Performing Arts Center

End of Year Library Notes

Return Your Library Books!

It's time to return all of those library books so Mrs. Rocco can do inventory and close up the Library for the summer! Please check around the house, in your car, etc. for any stragglers that need to be returned.

AWS Children's Choice Awards

The 2026 AWS Children's Choice Award selections will be announced soon. Stay tuned! Mrs. Rocco will also include other recommended reading information in her upcoming email message.

Tomorrow: Parent Society Popsicle Sale

Tomorrow, Parent Society's Popsicle Cart will again be stationed at the lower grades pickup near the main office from dismissal through 4:30 p.m.

The Popsicle Cart will be on campus each Friday in May.

Buying Tokens

Popsicles can be bought with tokens only.

Tokens for popsicles can be purchased in the main office between 8:00 and 8:20 a.m. and between 3:35 and 3:45 p.m. and cost $4 each. Please bring cash only! Small bills are preferred.

Now Hiring: Summer Camp Staff

and Substitute Teachers

Become A Camp Teacher or Counselor

Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes the warmth, wonder, and magic of camp life at Austin Waldorf School. We are delighted to announce that we are now hiring teachers and counselors for our beloved Camp Roadrunner and Summergarden Camp programs!

Camp runs from June 8 – July 31, with hours from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. You are welcome to join us for some or all of the weeks.

Camp teachers teach the kids arts, crafts, and games, while camp counselors hold the group throughout the day. The latter is a great opportunity for college aged students.

Interested or know someone who might be a great fit?

Please reach out to Steffani Mitchell to learn more.

Come be part of a summer filled with warmth, creativity, and connection!

Join Our Team as an Early Childhood Substitute

We are warmly inviting individuals to join our team as Early Childhood substitutes. If you feel called to spend your days with our sweet kindergartners—tending to their play, wonder, and gentle rhythms—we would love to connect with you.

If this speaks to you, or if someone comes to mind who would be a wonderful fit, please reach out to Steffani Mitchell. We would be grateful to welcome you into this work.

Sign Up For AWS Summer Camp!

Speaking of which... our Summer Camps spots are starting to fill up! Register now to secure your spot at one of our camps:

Summergarden - ages 3.5-5


A little haven for PreK- and Kindergarten aged kids, where they can revel in outdoor play, storytelling, nature exploration and more.


Camp Roadrunner - ages 6-11

Filled with crafts, outdoor play and skill-building activities, each of the 8 weeks features its own unique theme!

Both camps: 8 week-long sessions, June 8 - July 31, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Sports Camps - ages 11-15

Older kids are welcome to learn or improve their skills at our sports camps. Perfect for Middle Schoolers to get ready for High School sports, and perfect for prep ahead of the new season!

3 week-long sessions, June 8 - 26, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Become a Host Family for an International AWS Student!

Picture from this year's Oktoberfest celebration in high school

Bring the world into your home!

As we launch our international program, Austin Waldorf School is offering the exciting opportunity to become a host family to one of the international students who will be attending our school in the coming school year.

This experience can bring exposure to a different culture, enriching conversations at the dinner table, and the opportunity for the entire family to build empathy, curiosity, and global awareness.

Host families will receive a stipend from the school to cover the related expenses.

Please note that this is not an exchange program; rather, you would be hosting a foreign high school student for the duration of a school year.

If you're interested or have questions, please email us at enroll@austinwaldorf.org.

Lost & Found Items

We still have many items in our lost and found! We would love to see them reunited with their rightful owners before the school year is over.

You can browse pictures of each item via the link below. Please check all folders, as items often get moved around! Even if you think you didn't lose anything, we encourage you to check.

Items that have been here for over 2 months will be on a separate rack for other parents to browse before we donate them.

Please swing by to retrieve any item.

Community Highlight:
Senior Project Concert

For his senior project, AWS Senior Julian Rutherford released his debut album, Cosmic Apparition, under the artist name Halcy0n, and will celebrate with a live backyard concert on Friday, June 5. Julian will perform with his band, which includes other AWS seniors Advik Matta, River Jones, and Zander Krempetz.

The concert will take place in South Austin (near Slaughter/Menchaca). Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and music begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, though registration is required due to limited capacity. AWS senior Enzo Fustes will also be serving burgers from the custom grill he built for his senior project.

To request free tickets and find additional details, please visit halcy0nmusic.com (please note that the “o” in Halcy0n is a zero).

Please note that this is not a school-sponsored or school-organized event.

A Waldorf Moment

Last Monday, our sixth and seventh grade students were treated to a beautiful concert by former AWS orchestra teacher Bob Brockett and his fellow musicians. Through the rich sounds of Renaissance viol and recorder music, students were offered a glimpse into another time and musical tradition. It was a joyful and engaging experience, and we are grateful to Bob and his friends for sharing their artistry with our middle school students.

Missed a Parent Planner? Consult them on our website:

www.austinwaldorf.org/parents