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Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility— these three forces are the very nerve of education.
— Rudolf Steiner
This month, we'd like to take a moment to express deep gratitude for the teachers at Mountain Laurel Waldorf School. Every day, our beloved teachers are cultivating the compassionate, thoughtful, and curious human beings that our world needs. As Rudolf Steiner dreamt when he pioneered Waldorf education, they are indeed instilling in the children imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility.
We experience the teachers' commitment in their home visits prior to every student's first school year, the warm greetings that await every child as they enter the classroom each morning, the creativity and heart that mark every music and special subject lesson, and the time carefully and loving dedicated to designing learning opportunities that engage the wholeness of each child.
We treasure our teachers. Our Annual Giving Campaign ensures that they can receive salary increases and professional development. And your support enables us to make an investment where it matters most – in the people who are unwaveringly committed to the development of our children.
Between now and Giving Tuesday, every dollar donated to the Annual Giving Campaign will be matched 1:1. Every gift you make is doubled! Your gift enables our teachers to bring magic into our children’s lives.
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GLIMMER, LANTERN, GLIMMER
As the natural world darkens, the inner light of humanity wants to shine forth. During our annual Lantern Walk, this light appears as the flame enclosed in each child’s lantern. The Lantern Walk is a cherished event at Mountain Laurel Waldorf School. After sunset on November 7th, the littlest children, their souls wide open to wonder and magic, walked along a candlelit path holding their lanterns until they reached a circle of light, where, as they sang the lantern songs, dancing fairies entered the circle and handed out magical star cookies to all the children.
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WORLD DANCE FOR EVERY AGE
Under the exquisite leadership of Livia Vanaver, The Vanaver Caravan Residency - a yearlong program with weekly classes - offers our students a wide variety of traditional dance and creative movement classes that are carefully tailored to each grade's curriculum.
First Grade has been working on a full range of the elements of movement emphasizing the qualities of shape, direction, speed, space and story journeys. In January, they will add some simple folk dances from Eastern Europe and also some dances to honor the upcoming Chinese New Year.
Second Grade has explored simple folk dances and a wide range of creative movement, dances of light, animals, fables (and even some elements of Eurythmy and sign language). They will also learn dances from Argentina and participate in creative movement classes.
Third Grade is learning some Hebraic and Middle Eastern folk dances including the grapevine step and dances reflecting the opening portion of Genesis: "in the beginning…” They are beginning to move rhythmically and gracefully across the floor and will be learning a beautiful traditional dance of Korea called Arirang.
Fourth Grade is having an exciting semester learning dances that dovetail with their curriculum of Local History. They began by learning a Dutch horlepiep (in wooden clogs) and then studied Native/First Nation dance, music and storytelling with Matoaka Little Eagle.
Fifth Grade learned dances from India, including a candle dance to the tune of Raghpathi, a stick dance from Gujarat called Dandiya Raas, and Bhangra. The class presented dance at their beautiful India Night on November 16th.
Sixth Grade has been focusing on dances from South America (and south of the border). They learned Chola Cuencana from Ecuador, a parade samba from Brazil, El Jarabe Tapateo from Mexico (Mexican Hat Dance), a huayno from Peru and even some Latin dances.
Seventh Grade has been focused on dances from Africa. They learned Funga (a welcome dance from West Africa) and an Egyptian Cane Dance (originally farmers used the cane to plant seeds). They are also learning Swing Dance and elements of original Jazz vernacular.
Eighth Grade has focused on African-American based dances mostly from West Africa. Currently they are learning Swing Dance and elements of original Jazz vernacular.
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SIMPLICITY PARENTING CORNER | |
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A LEGACY OF SUPPORT
For over 20 years, Kim John Payne has been an invaluable mentor to Mountain Laurel Waldorf School, introducing his transformative Three Streams of Student Support approach to our teachers early in its development. Since the publication of his bestselling book Simplicity Parenting, countless parents and schools worldwide have embraced his guidance.
At Mountain Laurel, our Carestreams Group continues to benefit from ongoing training with Kim John Payne. This dedicated team tracks and reviews students’ learning and behavior, develops plans to support their well-being, and collaborates closely with teachers and parents to address the social, learning, and behavioral health of every student.
Through his Social Inclusion Approach, Kim provides practical tools and strategies to address bullying and teasing, fostering meaningful change without assigning blame.
This month, we are excited to share his short podcast: Raising Value Based Kids So They Know When They Cross the Line.
In addition, we highly recommend his most recent book: Emotionally Resilient Tweens and Teens: Empowering Your Kids to Navigate Bullying, Teasing, and Social Exclusion. This insightful resource is a tremendous support for both parents and teachers.
We hope you find inspiration and practical wisdom in these offerings as we continue to nurture and guide the children in our care.
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On a chilly Sunday in November, a small group of dedicated parents brought rakes, gloves and good energy to beautify the periphery of our main school building. We are so grateful for their volunteerism, vision and hard work to showcase our lovely school to all who pass by.
Have a skill or idea you'd like to share? Email parentcouncil@mountainlaurel.org.
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FALL FOOD DRIVE
Under the coordination of Tomoko Matsunaga and the 5th Grade Class, Mountain Laurel brought 40 bags of food and toiletries to Family of New Paltz, St. Joseph's Church, and the Food Fridge. Father Salvatore Cordaro met our students in person to express his gratitude on behalf of Saint Joseph's Church. Thank you to all who donated much-needed items for our neighbors.
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BABYSITTING COURSE
Saturday, February 8
9 AM - 4:30 PM in Jaeckel Hall
Open to Anyone Ages 12-16
Cost: $150 per person (includes pizza and salad lunch)
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Mountain Laurel is excited to join with the American Red Cross to provide a Babysitter Training Certification Course. This course is designed for young people to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly give care to infants and children in a residential setting. Students will learn basic child care and basic first aid, including CPR for infants. Participants will receive a certificate of completion. Participants who complete this course will be eligible to work for Mountain Laurel during the Summer Program, as helping hands for Aftercare when on extra busy days, and during parent meetings. Mountain Laurel will also be providing a recommended babysitters list which will consist of those who complete this training. | |
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BLOOD DRIVE
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
1:30-5:30 pm in Jaeckel Hall
Mountain Laurel Waldorf-School and the American Red Cross are hosting a blood drive in February. Please join our lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today!
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SAVE THE DATES! COMMUNITY POTLUCKS
All faculty, staff, students, and caregivers are invited to gather in the playground at 6 Elting. Join the Parent Council for some food and fun. Bring food if you are able and if not, just bring your lovely selves. We hope to see you there!
January 10 | February 7 | March 7 | April 4
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WINTER GIFT MAKING FAIR - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8TH | |
The Winter Gift Making Fair is a long-standing tradition at Mountain Laurel, and a wonderful opportunity to join together in community. Click here for a full list of activities and vendors. | |
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LOST & FOUND TABLE
Every Friday
12:00 noon - 3:30 pm
Outside Jaeckel Hall beneath the Bulletin Board
Please come peruse the Lost & Found Table to reclaim lost items.
The Lost & Found bin will also be placed near the entrance inside the school building. You are welcome to visit the Reception Office during school hours to look through it. We'd love for every lost item to find its way home again.
We recommend labeling your children's clothing with their name, so we can immediately return it to your child. Items not claimed after 30 days will be donated.
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COMMUNITY HANDWORK
Wednesday, December 4
9:00 AM at The Bakery
Parents, family, community and friends are welcome!
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WINTER GIFT MAKING FAIR
Sunday, December 8
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
All are welcome!
Join us as Mountain Laurel's Main Building turns into a winter wonderland with food, crafts, puppets, artisanal vendors, music and cheer to delight the whole family. Admission is free and open to the public, so please invite family and friends. Learn more.
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OBERUFER SEPHERD'S PLAY
Thursday, December 12 - ONE NIGHT ONLY!
6:30 PM in Jaeckel Hall
The Oberufer Shepherd’s play is a traditional peasant play that was handed down through oral tradition in the small remote village of Oberufer, Austria. It has been performed every year since Medieval times by people around the world, and is an annual tradition at Waldorf Schools. It takes the Christmas story from the point of view of the Shepherds in a unique, humorous and warm-hearted way, performed by MLWS teachers and staff; our joyous gift to the community! Click here to learn more about the history of the Shepherd's play and its connection to Waldorf. (The play will be performed for MLWS students during the school day.)
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SANTA LUCIA CELEBRATION
Friday, December 13
Santa Lucia – a Festival of Light in the Waldorf Calendar of Festivals – is celebrated on December 13, which was, under the Julian calendar, the Winter Solstice. In Waldorf schools, the Second Grade students have the privilege every year to lead the school in the celebration of Santa Lucia.
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COMMUNITY HANDWORK
Wednesday, December 18
9:00 AM at The Bakery
Parents, family, community and friends are welcome!
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WINTER MUSIC SHARE
Friday, December 20
7-9 PM @ New Paltz High School Auditorium
Music is an integral and thriving part of the MLWS curriculum. Music Shares are special opportunities for students in 1st through 8th grade to share the music they’ve been working on in our school’s various ensembles, choirs and orchestras. Parents, family and friends are welcome!
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SCHOOL CLOSED - WINTER BREAK
Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 3
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BACK TO SCHOOL
Monday, January 6
We look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Monday, January 6, 2025!
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COMMUNITY POTLUCK HOSTED BY PARENT COUNCIL
Friday, January 10
3:30 - 5:00 PM
All faculty, staff, students, and caregivers are invited to gather in the playground at 6 Elting. Join the Parent Council for some food and fun. Bring food if you are able and if not, just bring your lovely selves. We hope to see you there!
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SCHOOL CLOSED - MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
Monday, January 20
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OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, January 26
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Know anyone considering a Waldorf education for their children? Please let them know that our open houses illuminate the Waldorf philosophy, our academic offerings and our dedication to creating a lifelong love of learning. During the open house prospective families will have an opportunity to visit the classrooms and view students’ work samples, attend informational workshops and watch a puppet show. Children are welcome. Learn more and share with anyone you think might be interested in learning about our school.
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SCHOOL CLOSED - LUNAR NEW YEAR
Wednesday, January 29
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WORDS FROM RUDOLF STEINER | |
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Receive the children with reverence
Educate them with love,
Let them go in freedom.
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