| In this Newsletter ~ Cell Phone Reminder ~ Welcoming New Faces ~ Auction
~ May Faire ~ Spring Concert ~ Play Season ~ Summer Camp | | |
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Reminder regarding cell phone use on campus
As we strive to create an environment that is focused on the well-being and growth of our children, we kindly remind you of our school's policy regarding cell phone usage on campus.
It's essential that we maintain a setting where our students can thrive and engage fully in their experiences, free from distractions. To uphold this commitment, we ask for your cooperation in refraining from using cell phones while on school grounds. Parents or students who need to briefly make a phone call or send a message may do so in the breezeway, which is located next to the office.
Your adherence to this policy is greatly appreciated and contributes significantly to the positive atmosphere we aim to cultivate within our school community.
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Apply Today for Tuition Assistance Program (TAP):
Our goal at DWS is to make Waldorf education accessible to all families who wish to have it. We recognize an independent, socially- and environmentally-conscious education requires a significant financial commitment. Applications for new families are due by March 22nd. Please Click Here to fill out your application today.
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Out of This World Auction 2024
Saturday, April 13
4pm-9pm
at Full Belly Farm
Tickets on sale now!
Eat, drink, and dance into the stars on Saturday April 13th, 2024 from 4pm to 9pm at Full Belly Farm. Sponsor or Volunteer at the auction and get a complimentary ticket. Single admissions tickets and couple camping tickets sold separately. Book at room at Cache Creek Resort. See More Note: Couple Camping tickets do not include admissions but are good for 2 people each.
We are inviting everyone to our auction this year. Please pick up flyers big and small from our office to give to your family, friends, hang in your businesses and other business around Davis.
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Welcome to our
New Business Manager:
Kymberli Zakrzewski
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Kymberli has been honing her skills as a bookkeeper since her teenage years, learning the trade from her maternal grandmother. Alongside this practical experience, she pursued her education and earned an associate's degree in Business from the University of Phoenix. Prior to joining the admin team at DWS, she dedicated almost 14 years to the Muller Family farm, contributing to her expertise. Now, she eagerly embraces the chance to bring her talents to the Davis Waldorf School. Kymberli's commitment to DWS is underscored by her son Michael, who has been a student at Davis Waldorf since preschool and is currently in third grade with Ms. Holt. Welcome Kymberli, we are excited to have you join our admin team! | | | |
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Welcome to our new Elective Teacher to Davis Waldorf School for our Spring Session!
Introduction to French with
Apurva Kulkarni
Hi. My name is Apurva Kulkarni. I am 31 years old, originally from India and moved to Davis last year. I speak four languages: Marathi, Hindi, English and French. I have been learning French since 2019. What I love about the French language is that it is in the list of top ten spoken languages in the world, and the French literature is vast and dynamic. I have taught French for over three years to students from the Middle East, Europe and India. I have been on the syllabus committee and a content creator for an institute in India.
*Apurva will be offering Intro to French on Fridays from 1:10 - 2:10.
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Welcome to our new Elective Teacher to Davis Waldorf School for our Spring Session!
Theater/Drama with Joelle Sollfrank
My name is Joelle Sollfrank, and I'm super excited to be joining this community! I recently graduated from UC Davis, where I studied Environmental Science and Policy and minored in Education. I did some traveling this past summer in Southeast Asia and have now found myself, once again, drawn back to Davis—a place I truly love.
A little about me: I feel most myself when I am outside. You can usually find me running, swimming, hiking, skiing, playing tennis or soccer or simply soaking up the sun at the park. I am hoping to work in education while being in nature as much as possible for the rest of my life. I have worked with children and students in various jobs for the past 8 years from being in a classroom to being a wilderness guide. I truly love working with students and seeing how my energy and enthusiasm about life and learning is reflected in them, and vice versa. I also love to read, dance, draw, travel, and cook. I'm looking forward to getting to know you and your families soon!
Joelle will be offering Theatre/Drama on Tuesdays from 3:20 - 4:20.
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Board Meeting
Tuesday, March 19th
6:30 pm
Zoom
All families are welcome and encouraged to attend our monthly Board of Directors meeting. Our March meeting is tomorrow night. Join us on Zoom Here
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Parents Handwork Circle
Fridays
9 am
in the Handwork room
You are invited! Help make treasures for the May Faire Pocket Person, get to meet other parents, make new friends, and learn a new handwork skill. Please join handwork teacher Dahlia Haberman in the handwork room on Fridays after drop off at 9am (room opens at 8:15am).
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Spring Concert
& 8th Grade Solos
Friday, May 10
6:30 pm
Brunelle Hall, DHS
Friends and family are invited to our annual Spring Concert, where our students in 4th-8th Grades will present us with a night of music. As a note for parents, dress rehearsals in the venue will be held during school on Friday before the event. We will need volunteer drivers to help with transport. Please connect with your class teacher if you would like to help out.
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May Faire
Saturday, May 4
10 am on Campus
Celebrate Spring with us at May Faire. Waldorf schools celebrate May Faire as a traditional spring festival that holds cultural, educational, and community significance. May Faire is rooted in the Waldorf educational philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of connecting with nature and fostering a sense of community. A festive celebration filled with flowers, community, and music. May Faire features festive music, arts and crafts, games and activities, food, a puppet show, a petting zoo and vendors offering unique items. Attended by as many as 500 community members, it is a beautiful way to welcome in Spring.
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Parent Child Classes
Fridays
at Davis Waldorf School
We warmly invite you and your wee one or toddler to join us for two special Parent-Child sessions led by Mary Nichols, an experienced Waldorf teacher and mother and grandmother of Waldorf children. The classes will be fun and informative. Please come on Fridays! Last available session of the year is Spring from April 12th - May 31st.
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Freshman Project Night
Friday, April 5
6:15pm
at DVHS
Come see the Da Vinci High School Freshman class present their projects. After our students graduate 8th grade, many of them attend Da Vinci High School and receive their high school diploma before moving forward in their educational journey.
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STUDENT & CLASSROOM SHARE
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8th Grade Emulsion Studies
The 8th Grade class learned physical chemistry and all about emulsion while making delicious and refreshing ice cream!
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DWS Fiddlers perform for St. Patrick's Day
The DWS Fiddlers had a fun performance at the Davis Senior Center for their St. Patrick's Day party. The audience enjoyed watching and listening to the Waldorf Fiddlers while they enjoyed light refreshments and snacks in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
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3rd Grade High Tea
To celebrate Valentine's Day, the 3rd grade held a high tea in cooking class. They make cucumber sandwiches, homemade butter, and jam sandwiches. There was fresh fruit, dessert, and of course tea. It was fun to sip tea out of fancy teacups and eat our delicacies.
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6th Grade Play: Her Three Kings
Eleanor of Aquitaine, was an independent, influential woman that always exercised her power when she could. Eleanor was the Duchess of Aquitaine. She owned a large domain (about 7 European countries) when she married Louis VII, King of France. She ruled on behalf of her first husband King Louis and divorced him by his own "choice." Much later, she married Henry who would become Henry II, King of England. She ruled side-by-side with King Henry II until their marriage was strained by his neglect of his children. Eventually, King Henry imprisoned her for supporting the revolt of their eldest son, prince Henry, against him. She was not released until her husband died and their third son, Richard I, ascended the throne. Since Richard spent most of his time away on Crusade, Eleanor acted as vice regent along with her younger son, John Lackland. As a powerful woman, she was vilified and accused of impropriety.
Eleanor was perhaps the most important woman in Medieval Europe—She was educated, commanded armies, went on Crusades, was held prisoner for 16 years, and ruled England as regent into her 70s. She was also the woman at the center of the Court of Love and the culture of chivalry that would profoundly influence the arts of Europe. She was the classic rebel queen.
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5th Grade Woodworking & Ancient Civilizations
The 5th Grade finished making their beautiful hedgehogs in woodworking. This traditional 5th-grade woodworking project takes dexterity, small motor skills, and patience. This year's 5th Grade students especially loved making little hedgehogs, as it corresponds to their ancient civilizations block. They learned that in Ancient Persia, the Persians domesticated hedgehogs as pets in their homes. The hedgehogs made lovely companions and acted as natural pesticides, eating unwanted critters in the house. The Persians so revered them that they made special little carts for their hedgehogs to pull them around on. This year, the 5th grade made carts for their hedgehogs, too!
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7th Grade Play: Midnight Magic
Under house arrest for confessing to being a magician, Mangus is summoned by the king to free his daughter, Princess Teresina, from the torment of a terrifying ghost. If Mangus cannot free her, it means certain death. But Mangus doesn't believe in ghosts - he doesn't even believe in magic!
His servant boy, Fabrizio, is a secret friend of the princess, and is determined to prove that the ghost is real.
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Benjamin Weber Book Talk
Thank you so much to Davis Waldorf School Parent and UC Davis Professor Benjamin Weber for taking the time to present to our parent council and guests about his new book American Purgatory: Prison Imperialism and the Rise of Mass Incarceration. The evening was informative and enjoyable as he read excerpts from his book and gave his own personal experiences from growing up and being a parent in the Waldorf community. To watch the Book Talk please enter the
passcode: .c.D8phY
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Parent Information Night: Subjects
Thank you to our lovely subject teachers for speaking to our parents about Music, Strings, Math, Gardening, and Spanish and how we integrate each subject into our students' curriculum. A unique part of Waldorf education is that each student gets to study these varied subjects as part of their weekly curriculum.
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Java with Jennifer
Thank you so much to the Balance Me Out Food Truck and owner Nancy Guzman for coming to our campus the past few months and serving low sugar aromatic beverages and delicious turnovers. Thank you to Jennifer and Rachel for alway organizing and giving our parents a space to get together and enjoy a yummy cup of coffee in the company of our Davis Waldorf School Community. Topics change monthly so say tuned for more!
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We're on the Map!
The Davis Enterprise City map that is. It lists most of the businesses and schools in Davis and helps the whole city of Davis by introducing new businesses and showing new residents everything Davis has to offer. We're located in the top right corner of the map.
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Summer Garden
6 weeks, June 17 - July 26
Come explore arts, braiding, jewelry-making, and more - all while making new friends! Join us this summer for hands-on fun. Children will engage with the theme of the week, developing new and interesting skills with the help of experienced instructors. Each day is a mix of structured activity and free play. Snack and lunch provided! Families can register for one or all six weeks.
The Summergarden program is open to families who do not attend DWS.
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Kinder Camp for currently enrolled DWS families
9 weeks, June 17 - August 15
DWS welcomes students ages 3 to 6 years old to join us for a summer of adventure! Sign up for one or all of our four blocks. Connect with nature, friends, and the magic of childhood. Snack is provided, and kids will bring lunches from home.
Our Kinder Camp teachers create a home-like atmosphere with a mix of indoor and outdoor play times, as well as a healthy balance between teacher-led and child-directed activities. Join us for music, stories, and crafts! Kinder Camp is only for DWS families who were enrolled during the 23-24 school year. Families entering DWS for the 24-25 may request to attend Kinder Camp by emailing office@daviswaldorf.org.
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Suggestion Box
The DWS We Hear You Suggestion Box is in full swing! We now have an online version to promote equitable access! Make a suggestion here Thank you for your suggestions, affirmations, and ideas. We read your suggestions each week and have taken action steps! Please keep your suggestions coming, WE HEAR YOU!
Plans are underway for the following suggestions:
- Hooks placed in bathrooms
- A shelf outside of the MPR for string instruments
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From the Davis Public Library
We warmly invite your class to visit our library between March 17th and 24th. They will have the opportunity to explore our collection, and take home an educational coloring book, enriching their understanding of and connection to the natural world around us.
We believe this experience will supplement your existing curriculum and inspire a lifelong journey of kindness, empathy, and stewardship among your students and their families.
Our mission recently evolved to emphasize wildlife, specifically the coyotes of North Davis Farms, recognizing the importance of teaching coexistence with the creatures that share our environment. Located conveniently near the walking bridge that links North Davis Farms to the neighboring areas, our Lending Library will spotlight books on living harmoniously with coyotes from March 17th to 24th for children and between March 10th to March 17th for adults.
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The “Kind is Cool” initiative is more than just a program; it is a movement towards fostering a respectful relationship between children, and by extension, their families, with our planet’s diverse fauna. In partnership with a local naturalist, we are expanding our Lending Library to include stories like “Coyote’s Wild Home” by Barbara Kingsolver and educational coloring books, insightful discussions, and engaging photographs. Our goal is to transform the perception of coyotes from misunderstood threats to recognized and respected members of our ecosystem. | |
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Davis Scholastic
Chess Club
Various dates & locations
John Langreck, chess teacher, is holding classes through zoom and in person in the Sacramento and Davis areas depending on the date. Please contact John for more dates, details, or any questions at:
john.langreck@gmail.com
(916) 996-1428
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Louis' Farm
Louis' Farm is a Waldorf inspired children's magazine that comes out with an issue every season. The Spring season is here and so is their Spring issue! Order before March 21st to receive your copy. You can also subscribe to get their magazine every season. Happy Spring!
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Grief Retreat
April 3rd - 7th in Santa Cruz
This five-day, four-night experience is hosted by renowned therapist Dr. Laura Berman, and David Kessler, one of the world's foremost experts on grief, who both lost their sons very young. This retreat is intended to provide the safety and healing bereaved mothers need to fully inhabit their grief; to pause, reflect and begin to discover new meaning that may be found by going and growing through the pain of this loss. All professionals who are holding space and providing support during this gathering are either volunteering their time, or doing this at cost, to reach the most number of grieving mothers possible.
Scholarships are also available on an application and needs basis. Grief Retreat at 1440 Multiversity, in Santa Cruz, CA, for mothers who have lost their children -- no matter how young/old or when.
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Books for Spring from Hawthorn Press
Dear Waldorf parents and families,
Spring is arriving, inviting every child to discover exciting opportunities and develop their imagination as nature comes to life once again. Here at Hawthorn Press, we’re delighted to introduce you to Creative Nature Play, our latest book of nature-centered games, stories, and crafts. It's perfect for this time of year!
Creative Nature Play is full of wonderful, simple craft projects using natural materials such as pine cones and sheep’s wool. These imaginative activities connect children with nature and help to develop hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and imagination with tried and tested, age-appropriate projects. The fun rhymes, anecdotes, and stories keep children playfully engaged. Suitable for children aged 5–8.
Nadezhda Ostretsova is a mother of two girls and has a blog on Instagram @wild_little_child about children’s free play with nature and magical childhood. She is an author and illustrator of projects for parents and children. Her work is based on the belief that free creative play with open-ended toys such as beeswax, stones, and seashells has a significant positive impact on children’s imaginations, helping them to develop in a healthy and resilient way.
Available from Steiner Books and other good bookstores.
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Do you have a submission for our Newsletter?
If you have an item to include in an upcoming newsletter,
email Cheyenne Rada at outreach@daviswaldorf.org
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