DWS NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 9, 2024
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In this newsletter: New Hot Lunch Sign-up and Menu ~ Winter Electives Sign-ups Due ~ Introduction to Kindergarten Night ~ Introduction to Grades Night ~ Open House ~ Younger Sibling Enrollment ~ Parent Council Meeting State of School Video ~ Annual Auction Volunteers Needed ~ Best of Yolo County - Vote for DWS Today ~ Community Share | | |
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JANUARY 8
School Resumes
JANUARY 15
Martin Luther King Jr Holiday
No School
JANUARY 16
Introduction to Kindergarten
Board Meeting
JANUARY 17
Introduction to the Grades
JANUARY 24
Re-enrollment Begins
JANUARY 27
Board-Faculty-Staff-Parent Council Confluence
FEBRUARY 2
Open House
FEBRUARY 10
Lunar New Year
FEBRUARY 12
Re-enrollment Due
FEBRUARY 13
Board Meeting
on Zoom
FEBRUARY 14
Fredrick Douglas' Birthday
Valentine's Day
FEBRUARY 19
Presidents' Day
No School
FEBRUARY 20-23
Teachers' Training
No School
FEBRUARY 28
Parent Council Meeting
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Sunflakes
by Frank Asch
If sunlight fell like snowflakes,
gleaming yellow and so bright,
we could build a sunman,
we could have a sunball fight,
we could watch the sunflakes
drifting in the sky.
We could go sleighing
in the middle of July
through sundrifts and sunbanks,
we could ride a sunmobile,
and we could touch sunflakes—
I wonder how they'd feel.
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Click "View entire message" at the bottom of this email to make sure you see all news and updates. | |
Annual Giving of Gratitude!
Dear Waldorf School Community,
I am overjoyed to share with you the incredible news that, together, we have not only reached but exceeded all of our Annual Giving goals! This is a momentous occasion, and I am filled with gratitude for the extraordinary efforts of each and every one of you.
A special highlight is the fact that every single family, including and for the first time, every pre-school family, participated in this meaningful initiative. Your dedication and support have truly made a difference.
We didn't just stop at meeting our goals; we soared beyond them. Through our collective efforts, we raised an outstanding 105% of our financial target. This success is a testament to the strength of our community and the shared commitment we all have towards the well-being and education of our Waldorf students.
Our achievements didn't happen by chance. We worked together to get the word out, celebrated victories along the way, and had the incredible support of generous Gap Givers. It's heartwarming to witness the spirit of giving that permeates our community, and I am immensely proud to be a part of it.
Every form of giving is valued, whether it be financial contributions, active participation, or any other way in which you contributed. Your actions, big or small, have left an indelible mark on the lives of our Waldorf students, and for that, you should be proud.
Let's take a moment to recognize and appreciate every gift with gratitude and care. It is this very community that we are all a part of that defines the Davis Waldorf School, and together, we shape its identity.
In the words of Desmond Tutu, "We did our little bit of good where we are: it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." Each of you has contributed to this overwhelming force of goodness, and I am profoundly thankful for your generosity and commitment.
Here's to the power of community and the positive change we create together.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Rachel Hilbert and the Development Diva Team
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A Winter's Day at DWS
By Thisbe Cummins, Anaiya Hilbert, & Matilda Christen
The Trees are bare
Everywhere
Snow is deep and the sky is grey
All on a Winter's Day
Does your child enjoy writing poetry? Submit their piece about the seasons or nature to development@daviswaldorf.org to potentially be featured in our next newsletter!
Poems will be featured in accordance with the season they are writing about and depending on content and volume of submissions may be saved for future newsletters. Newsletters come out twice a month and the poems always change.
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Do you have a submission for our Newsletter?
If you have an item to include in an upcoming newsletter,
email Rachel Hilbert at development@daviswaldorf.org
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New Hot Lunch Sign-up and Menu
Please head over to the EZ School Apps to sign up your children for hot lunches from January through March. We have a new menu item on Tuesdays.
Mondays-Vegetable soup
Tuesdays-Fiesta bowls (made to order: rice, beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream, lettuce - all organic)
Wednesdays-Veggie or Meat Chili
Thursdays-Pepperoni or cheese pizza
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Parent Child Classes Begin January 12
We warmly invite you and your wee one or toddler to join us for two special Parent-Child sessions led by Mary Nichols, experienced Waldorf teacher and mother and grandmother of Waldorf children. The classes will be fun and informative!
2 available sessions:
Winter January 12th - March 22nd
9:00 -10:30 am - Toddler Class (18 months - 2.5 years)
1:30-3:00 pm - Wee Ones Class ( 6 - 18 months)
Spring April 12th - May 31st
Click HERE to Register today!
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Winter Electives Forms Due Friday, January 12th
For period January 22-February 16
Sign-up for these exciting electives!
- Acrylic Painting
- Beginning Embroidery
- Chess/Homework Help
- Choir
- Woodworking
We need a minimum of 5 students for class to take place.
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Introduction to Kindergarten
Tuesday, January 16th
Time: 6:45
Location: Climbing Rose Kindergarten Classroom
An Introduction to Kindergarten at a Waldorf School is a gentle and nurturing initiation for both children and parents, where the emphasis is on fostering a warm, play-based environment that encourages imaginative exploration, social development, and a connection to the natural world, laying the foundation for a holistic and creative approach to education.
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Introduction to Grades
Wednesday, January 17th
Time: 6:30-8:00
Location: MPR
Join us for an insightful Introduction to the grades at our Waldorf School, a welcoming gathering designed to provide parents with a deeper understanding of the upcoming grade levels, curriculum highlights, and the unique educational journey that lies ahead for your children, as we embark on this collaborative and enriching experience together.
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Open House
Friday, February 2nd
Time 4:30-6:30
Discover the heart of education at the Davis Waldorf Open House! Immerse yourself in a showcase of student brilliance, where you can explore students' remarkable work, delve into the intricacies of our rigorous curriculum, and witness the magic of our arts and subject classes.
Join us to experience firsthand how, at Davis Waldorf School, every child is not only seen but celebrated, supported, and nurtured on their unique educational journey. Come, be a part of our community and witness the transformative power of holistic education!
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Board Meeting
Tuesday, January16th
6:30 PM
Zoom
All families are welcome and encouraged
to attend our monthly Board of Directors meeting.
At the January meeting December financials will be reviewed and updates from Board standing committees will be shared.
The Zoom link below is recurring for the 2023-2024 academic school year.
Meeting ID: 850 9931 7491
No passcode required
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Younger Sibling Enrollment
Apply today for priority consideration!
Davis Waldorf School Siblings and Friends Preschool Round - Up
We are beginning enrollment for the 24/25 school year soon.
If you have a child born between 6/1/20 - 3/1/22 it is time to apply for Preschool starting September 2024. Siblings are prioritized in enrollment ONLY with an Application submitted by February 1, 2024.
Kindly please also alert your friends and neighbors with 2-4 year olds that it is time to enroll for Preschool NOW!
Enrollment is expected to be very impacted in our Preschool and Kindergarten (Early Childhood) classes for the 2024-2025 school year. It is time to submit applications for any siblings of currently enrolled children for priority consideration.
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Parent Council Meeting
State of School Update
Were you unable to attend the Parent Council's Meeting's State of the School Update meeting last month? The video is available here.
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Parent Council Meeting
Wednesday, February 28th
7:00 PM
Zoom
Waldorf alumni, and UCD Professor of African American and African Studies, Ben Weber will be presenting at our Parent Council meeting on 28 February via zoom. Please join us to hear the story of how American prisons are inextricably linked to the expansion of American power around the globe. He will be talking about how “Prison imperialism”—the deliberate use of prisons to control restive, subject populations—is written into our national DNA, extending through to our modern era of mass incarceration. Ben will also reflect on how his Waldorf education has shaped his career to date.
Meeting ID: 988 9109 4204
Passcode: yGt8cN
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Diaper Drive Thank You!
Thanks to you we have been able to help support the Diaper Bank Project.
The Diaper Bank Project is a nonprofit student-run organization dedicated to providing diapers and other essential childcare supplies to underserved families in the Sacramento and Yolo County area through the UC Davis Health System. They operate through donations and community aid to help alleviate financial stress on local families.
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Waldorf Weekend: Foundations and Fundamentals
Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, January 26-27
IN PERSON, Sunbridge Institute, New York
In 2024, Sunbridge's Waldorf Weekend celebrates ten years of bringing the how's, when's, and why's of Waldorf education to new and prospective Waldorf community members in a hands-on workshop deemed "thoroughly interesting and engaging" and "heart-warming and fulfilling on all levels."
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Auctioneers and Volunteers Needed
We are organizing a special auction to raise funds for our Waldorf School. To make this event truly memorable and successful, we need skilled and enthusiastic auctioneers who can help us create a lively and engaging atmosphere. Additionally, we need two coordinators per class and an acquisitions and class coordinator.
We believe in the strength and talents within our Davis Waldorf School community, and that's why we are turning to you for help. If you happen to know someone, a family member, friend, or colleague, or have connections with a professional auctioneer, please consider sharing their contact information with us. Your input and support will contribute significantly to the success of our fundraising efforts. Please email Auction@daviswaldorf.org
Thank you in advance for your assistance. Your involvement and support play a crucial role in making our school events truly special, and we are grateful for the collaborative spirit that defines our community.
Online Sign Ups now available:
Annual Auction
We have many events throughout the year not only in the classroom but on the larger campus. If you are looking to contribute but don't know where to start please email development@daviswaldorf.org. Please complete a Volunteer Agreement Form and submit it to Katie either in the office or email her at office@daviswaldorf.org
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Best of Yolo County...VOTE for DWS TODAY!
The Best of Yolo County is taking votes now until 1/14! Please help us by sharing with your community and encouraging them to vote for Davis Waldorf School in the Best of Yolo County!
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Whizzy Dizzy Playground Equipment
Introducing.......the Whizzy Dizzy! A compact piece of playground equipment with a small spinning platform.
The students are enjoying the new Whizzy Dizzy play structure on the lower grade playground.
Although it looks fairly small and simple, it is a source of limitless fun for children.
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Birthday Celebrations Puppet Show
The Preschool embarked on a whimsical journey of joy and enchantment at the All Birthday Celebration Puppet Show! It was a magical performance filled with sweet characters, a meaningful story, and a heartwarming message. It was a gathering of special birthdays of our little ones in a delightful and imaginative way.
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7th Grade Class Volunteers at the Yolo Food Bank!
Authored by Ezekiel Beeman
The 7th Grade at the Davis Waldorf School located at 3100 Sycamore Lane, have volunteered at the Yolo Food Bank in West Sacramento two times this past fall.
What promoted this Community Service Work? Well, it is strongly recommended in the middle school grades to do some community service work. The 7th Grade Teacher this year mentioned that each student should volunteer for a minimum of 8 hours somewhere where you are not only doing something for the community, but also interacting with the community.
The Yolo Food Bank is a great way to volunteer as you are interacting by handing out food to low income/homeless people.
The 7th Grade also did a Canned Food Drive this year gathering cans and
dried/non-perishable food from the strongly connected community at the Davis Waldorf School and then donated all items to the Yolo Food Bank. The 7th grade collected about 150 pounds of food also and donated to STEAC.
The students’ favorite things about volunteering were learning and knowing the different items of food, the sorting/how you arrange the different categories of the items, but above all, how friendly all of the clients and volunteer staff were. “ It was a very memorable and fun experience, would definitely volunteer again.” A 7th Grade Student Ezekiel Beeman Commuted after volunteering both times from 8 am-12 pm. Many 7th graders enjoyed it immensely. Volunteering at the Yolo Food Bank was an action of service that anyone can experience.
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In Gratitude of Ms. Kost 30 Years of Teaching
In a heartwarming celebration, Davis Waldorf School proudly honored Ms. Kost for her extraordinary dedication as the Strings Class instructor for an incredible 30 years. The event was a nostalgic reunion as students spanning across the years, now proud DWS Alumni, gathered to pay tribute to Ms. Kost's remarkable legacy. Her unwavering commitment to nurturing musical talent has left an indelible mark on countless lives, creating a harmonious symphony of gratitude and admiration from the entire school community. Cheers to Ms. Kost, a true maestro of inspiration and mentorship!
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DWS Staff Have Fun!
You may not always see us, but while we are working hard to support the students, we make sure to throw in some hot chocolate bars, connections, art, education, and FUN!
Recently the staff celebrated the holiday season by making beeswax bowls with pressed flowers, and activity led by Jennifer.
We took some time, in this winter month and new year, to retreat together. We began with calendar work, to begin to organize the last two quarters. Mary Nichols led us in a pastel winter art project, we started our book study and read aloud the pages of Partnerships of Hope Building Waldorf School Communities by Christopher Schaefer, PhD, and we participated in biography work, which gave us all deeper insights of ourselves and each other.
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Davis Farm to School
Last Sunday of the Month
December 31st
3:30-5:30 PM
Putah Creek in Davis
Presents Art & Nature through the Seasons from September 2023 through May 2024. Art activities will be offered at the tables below parking area. Hikes are encouraged, with seasonal prompts to support observation. Full loops from parking area are about 2.5 miles. Share seasonal food and recipes by the fire square below the parking area. Everyone is encouraged to gather the last 30 minutes for conversation, play and sharing of food. There is no pressure to bring food!
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Sacramento Waldorf
Sacramento Waldorf hosts many fun events including high school boys' and girls' basketball games. Please refer to their calendar for details.
Sacramento Waldorf offers K-12 grades and we are invited to participate in their community events.
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Do you have a submission for our Newsletter?
If you have an item to include in an upcoming newsletter,
email Rachel Hilbert at development@daviswaldorf.org
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